The temple was originally ownerless, which is why Jiang Sheng was able to stay there for three years.
But that was when the government didn't care. Once the government decided to repair and enshrine the temple, it belonged to the government and the Dayu Dynasty.
The magistrate of Xieyang County is using a blatant scheme to retaliate against Jiang Sheng and his sister—by demolishing their home.
Xu Mo laughed in exasperation.
Jiang Sheng cried in anger.
This is the only place where she lived stably for three years, and it's also where she found her brothers. It holds her clearest understanding of home, and countless touching and tearful memories.
But now, she is being expelled.
Because this was not her home, but a temple belonging to the government.
Jiang Sheng bent down to pick up the newly bought cotton quilt and the bowls and chopsticks she brought from the clinic, tears falling like beans.
All the older brothers felt both heartbroken and angry.
Zheng Ruqian put his arm around Jiang Sheng and said loudly, "Second brother will buy you a new house. We will have our own home."
"Third brother will protect you. No one can touch our things." Fang Heng gripped the long staff tightly, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
Wen Zhiyun wiped away her tears, grabbed Jiang Sheng's hand, and said, "Let's go back to the clinic."
Chang Yan's gaze was icy as he met Xu Mo's eyes.
At a time when we are not in the right, making a scene will only bring trouble upon ourselves.
Both understood each other's meaning: to retreat first.
Fortunately, there were two donkey carts parked in front of the dilapidated temple, and the items could be put down after being carefully folded.
And so, Fang Heng and Zheng Ruqian, riding a donkey cart, slowly left Shili Pu Village with all the family's belongings.
Although it appeared that the children were moving away on their own, the villagers with eyes to see knew that these children had been driven away by the government, so none of them dared to come out to see them off.
Only Aunt Zhang staggered to the edge of the village and called out, "Little Jiang Sheng, slow down."
Jiang Sheng sat in the donkey cart, watching helplessly as Aunt Zhang grew smaller and smaller.
They watched as Shilipu Village disappeared from sight.
"Jiang Sheng, don't be sad." Xu Mo lowered his head to comfort her. "Don't cry. I was just thinking of moving you all away anyway."
It takes more than an hour to travel from the dilapidated temple to the county seat, and wasting two or three hours a day on the road is obviously not worthwhile.
But Jiang Sheng liked the dilapidated temple, so her brothers were willing to sacrifice their time for her.
Now that the magistrate of Xiyang County has taken action to expel them, it presents an opportunity for them to move.
"Big brother," Wen Zhiyun, who was usually quiet, said softly, "we can stay at the clinic."
Xu Mo shook his head.
They didn't choose to stay at the clinic initially, partly because they were afraid of the danger, and partly because they were afraid that Wen Zhiyun would be reminded of her painful memories.
It is no longer the optimal choice.
Xu Mo glanced at Zheng Ruqian and said slowly, "Perhaps we can settle down in the county, which would make it easier for the second son to transport vegetables and for me to go to school."
“Brother, you decide.” Zheng Ruqian knew what Xu Mo meant by that look. “The money in the family wasn’t earned by me alone. Everyone has contributed and worked hard, and everyone has the right to use it.”
Xu Mo is the eldest brother, and as the younger brother, he is willing to listen to his elder brother.
Although they are a group of people who are not related by blood, they met because of Jiang Sheng, and from then on, they became family.
Between family members, why talk about each other?
Xu Mo's eyes were slightly red, and a soreness welled up in his nose, which went straight to his throat.
He is so fortunate to have such outstanding and sensible younger siblings.
Even though he contributed the least and earned the least, he spent the most on tuition, and Xu Mo always felt guilty.
But at this moment, Xu Mo's heart suddenly became firm. He no longer felt guilty, but told himself that now he was being supported by his younger siblings, and in the future he would be their support, sheltering them from the wind and rain, and taking on everything for them.
“In that case, let’s rent a house in the county.” Xu Mo said slowly, his eyes resolute. “If Xieyang County is driving us away now, they will have to keep us here in the future.”
This is a vow, and it is also the goal he strives for.
Zheng Ruqian nodded and drove the donkey cart straight to Xiyang County.
Compared to the simplicity and poverty in the village, the county was much richer. A pound of meat cost two coins more than in the town, and the rent was naturally not cheap either.
The children were mentally prepared, but they were still shocked when they heard it.
"You mean, this courtyard costs ten taels of silver a year?" Zheng Ruqian looked incredulous. "I could build a whole house in the village with ten taels of silver."
The broker scoffed, “Try building one in the county. Even if it’s just a small alley in the west of the city, it would cost twenty taels to build a single room, let alone a large courtyard like this.”
Zheng Ruqian took a deep breath.
"Do you want it? This is a rare courtyard with four rooms. If you think it's too expensive, I can find you a single room for two taels of silver a year." The broker pointed to the west of the city.
People are divided into the poor and the lowly, and cities are also divided into the rich and the poor.
The eastern part of Xiyang County was mostly inhabited by wealthy people, and its streets were bustling and prosperous. The western part of the county was more secluded and quiet, and relatively simple.
Zheng Ruqian chose a location in the city center, which would make it convenient for Xu Mo to attend the school in the west of the city, as well as for him to deliver vegetables to Youranju in the east of the city.
Unfortunately, the price is too high.
Zheng Ruqian used his persuasive skills to negotiate with the dentist, grinding the silver repeatedly until he finally managed to remove two taels of silver.
After paying a year's rent, leaving a deposit of two taels of silver, and signing and affixing their seals, the four-room courtyard house became theirs.
"I didn't expect it would still cost ten taels of silver." Zheng Ruqian sighed as he pushed open the courtyard gate.
As the wooden door slowly recedes, the quiet courtyard, the plum tree in the courtyard, and the well under the tree unfold like a painting.
If the village houses are simple and practical, they are not very beautiful.
The courtyards in that county were elegant, tranquil, and imbued with a strong scholarly atmosphere.
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