"Then the main house has three rooms, plus two side rooms and east and west wing rooms, which will require a lot of blue bricks. Are you sure all of them need to be built with blue bricks? The side rooms can also be made of mud bricks, right?"
After listening to Gu Qingshan's explanation, Old Man Wang was still very excited. This was a huge deal! He had to close it no matter what; this one deal alone could feed him for a year! He had to work hard.
"Young man, don't misunderstand. To be honest, these brick houses are actually simpler to build than mud-brick ones, even though they're more expensive. The reason I suggested mud-brick for the side rooms is simply to save you some money. You have to trust your uncle's skills; even if it's a mud-brick house, I can build it sturdy for you," Old Wang said with a smile, quite confident in this regard!
In the countryside, people rarely need to add side rooms when building houses. These side rooms are smaller and lower than the main house. It is said that they were specially built by wealthy families in the city who had servants.
Most of the side rooms in their farmhouses are useless. Even if they are built, they are only used to store some odds and ends. If that's the case, a mud-brick house is a good choice. Even if the family becomes rich and powerful in the future and really buys servants and maids, wouldn't it be better to live in a mud-brick house?
“Uncle, let’s use blue bricks for the whole house! It was all agreed upon beforehand. We’ve already spent so much money, so we don’t care about these two side rooms!” Gu Qingshan said, cupping his hands in greeting.
In the past, he might not have thought that the mud-brick house was so good, but after hearing He Xiucai say last night that there was a lot of rain and there was a risk of flooding, he began to think about it more.
If a flood really occurs, the destruction of their homes is a minor matter; their houses must be able to withstand some damage! Only then will they have a chance to escape. Compared to brick houses, mud houses are at a significant disadvantage! Although he privately believed that the possibility of a flood was very small, it's always good to be prepared!
"Uncle, just do as Brother Gu says. They are honest people and keep their word. They will definitely pay you well! It is a blessing for our family to work for Madam Qin and the others!" Cheng Shi was a little anxious. He thought to himself that this old man was too honest. Even if you think mud houses are good and cheap, you should still see if they are willing to do it. It is such a good job. Just agree to it first!
Gu Qingshan chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Brother Cheng Shi is right. Building a house is a big deal, and we'll be living here for many years, so we plan to build a decent one. As for the money, we've got it all ready! We can't afford elaborate carvings and painted rafters, but we'll have enough for a simple brick and tile house!"
Old Wang nodded, "Building a house is a big deal, and it's great that the young man thinks this way! However, that brick house with side rooms is not an ordinary one, and I will definitely take good care of it for you."
To build such a large house, at least 20,000 blue bricks would be needed! Each blue brick costs two copper coins; you can calculate that just buying the bricks would require dozens of taels of silver.
Old Wang clicked his tongue in amazement, his heart pounding with excitement. He'd worked his whole life, mostly building mud-brick houses, or at most a single brick house. He'd never built a house entirely of bricks before! Just thinking about it made him feel so proud! Once it was finished, it might become a landmark in the surrounding villages, and outsiders would know it was built by someone from Wangwu Village, and might even recognize his name. He'd feel much more confident building houses elsewhere!
"Well, Uncle, when are we free to go take a look at the land for the house? Brother Gu and the others are planning to start construction as soon as possible!"
Cheng Shi quickly pulled the daydreaming Old Man Wang back to reality, his heart filled with anxiety. If Gu Qingshan weren't here, he would have to have Old Man Wang come over immediately to measure the land, discuss the details, and start construction as soon as possible.
After all, he was the one who introduced them, and Cheng Shi hoped everyone would be satisfied! Sigh, this is truly exhausting!
"Yes, that's for sure. But we can't rush it! We'll go take a look this afternoon, and Mr. Gu can just have a simple meal at your uncle's house."
With a big business, Old Wang wasn't stingy anymore. He didn't have much rice left, but he did have some sorghum, enough to make sorghum porridge. He also had some leftover cured meat from the New Year, so he had his wife stew it together.
Old Wang's wife was a thin, kind-faced old woman. Knowing that they were there to discuss business, she naturally wouldn't refuse her husband's request. She carefully took down the basket hanging from the rafters and took out the cured meat inside.
Knowing that Old Wang's family was struggling financially, Gu Qingshan hurriedly declined, but Old Wang waved his hand and said sternly, "There's no reason for you to go back for lunch in the middle of the day. You've brought me work. It's just home-cooked food, I know it can't compare to what you eat, so make do with it to fill your stomachs so you can work properly this afternoon."
After saying that, he asked his granddaughter, who was playing in the yard, to call her father back, and another granddaughter to call his uncle. These two relatives were also his apprentices, his right-hand men when working, and Old Man Wang naturally couldn't leave them out.
"Stone, quickly take your older brother to the main room to rest for a while. Your aunt will go cook now! Your brother Tie Niu is busy in the fields. Daya will call him back soon. You two can have a good chat later. It's been a long time since we last met, hasn't it?" Old Wang's wife said with a smile. She was very willing to be close to this nephew-in-law who was willing to help her out.
"Yes!" Cheng Shi replied.
Afterwards, he spoke with Gu Qingshan in the main room. Old Man Wang went to his room and rummaged through something; Gu Qingshan guessed it was something he needed to build a house.
A short while later, a short but rather sturdy square-faced man walked into the courtyard. Presumably, the girl who went to call him had already told him the details. The man's face was still flushed when he entered the courtyard. Fortunately, the weather was still cold. If it were hot, he would probably be drenched in sweat. He must have run all the way back.
"Brother Stone! Boss!" The square-faced man was Old Man Wang's eldest son, named Wang Tieniu, and he was indeed as dark-skinned, strong, and sturdy as his name suggested! After that, there was a round of pleasantries and introductions.
Gu Qingshan was quite satisfied with the Wang family; they were all honest and upright, not the kind of people who would cheat or swindle. Even Wang's nephew, Wang Tiezhu, who came later, although a bit more shrewd than Wang Tieniu, was still very reliable.
At noon, Old Wang's wife and two daughters-in-law prepared a meal. There were only two dishes: one was stewed cabbage with cured pork, but with more vegetables than meat; the other was scrambled eggs with pickled vegetables, also with more vegetables than eggs. Fortunately, the portions were sufficient, and Gu Qingshan didn't complain. He had endured many hardships before; having sorghum rice and vegetables, with some meat, was a blessing!
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