Chunxiao took Shufeng to the town, bought a few locks, and then went to a jewelry store to buy a silver lock.
"Auntie, this silver lock is so beautiful. What did you buy it for?"
"Auntie wasn't around when Changxing turned one, so this is a birthday gift she gave him."
"Changxing is so lucky. He's rich at such a young age. Everyone buys him things. Oh, I was born too early. Otherwise, I could have bought my own farm."
"Auntie has finally figured it out. You're just a money-grubber." Chun Xiao looked around the jewelry store again and saw a beautiful silver bracelet. "Do you like it?"
"I like it, auntie. It's so beautiful." Shufeng couldn't let go of the bracelet.
"I like it and I'm giving it to you." Chunxiao bought the bracelet. "Wear it. Auntie thinks it looks good too."
Shufeng looked at her, "Aunt, you are so kind." She wiped her eyes, "You are nicer to me than my mother."
"If I had known you were so easily moved, I would have given you that little earring. Oh, it's much cheaper than this bracelet."
"Auntie!" Shufeng covered her bracelet, "I've already given it to you, so I won't regret it."
Chunxiao smiled, settled the money and took her home.
When she got home, she found that the village head and others were already waiting for her at home.
"Chunxiao girl, you're back!" The people who came today were the village head and his eldest son, Yan Mingli. "We had a meeting yesterday about what happened last time, and today we're here to talk to you about the situation."
Chunxiao asked Yan Bingfa to help unhook the carriage, and then took the village head and the others to the main hall. "Let's sit down and talk."
"We held a meeting yesterday, and the remaining 83 households in the village all wanted to join this effort. I simply registered every one of them. Some took as little as 10 taels, and some took as much as 40 taels. All in all, we only managed to collect 2,175 taels. This is based on the money we earned last year. Chunxiao, I think now that the group is organized, we can buy a farm of over 100 mu and try to make some money. What do you think?"
"Then who did you choose to take the lead?"
"Our family is Mingli, and many people in the village want to join us. Since this matter has not been decided yet, it is difficult for me to make arrangements."
"Master Lizheng, did you tell them that Uncle Mingli will be fully responsible for anything that happens during the trip, and they can't interfere at will?"
"I've said it, they have no objection."
"Then you said this might not happen, it's just a preliminary plan."
"I told you, they said they'd give it a try, and if it doesn't work, they'll come back and split the costs."
Chun Xiao nodded, "That's good."
"Then how do we settle this matter?" The father and son looked at her, waiting for her to give an explanation.
"You can try, but do you want to postpone the time? It's almost June now, and we still have to wait two months for the autumn harvest. Most people won't sell land at this time, and most will sell it after September."
"Aren't you leaving in a few days? I think it would be better for me to go with you. I can go early and take a look around, or decide on the land first and then sort it out when the time comes. They can do what they need to do first, but, but..."
"Just what, Uncle Village Chief? Just tell me directly."
The village head seemed a little embarrassed. "I just want you to do me a favor and arrange a place for them to live. They can also help you work in the fields when they have nothing to do on weekdays."
"I still have plenty of empty rooms. That's fine. If you're sure you want to come with me, then book your group. It would be best if you could bring three or four people. Once you get there, you'll know you can't make it alone."
"There's one more." The village head looked at her and smiled. "It would be best if we could buy one not far from you, so that we can look after each other if anything happens."
"For this large-scale land transaction, we still need to find the county magistrate, so it's hard to say at the moment. If it's far away, it's okay. We have a car and it's convenient to travel back and forth. Let's do it as much as possible."
"Okay, okay, then it's settled. I'll decide who will go. Just let me know before you leave and I'll have them prepare." After the two headmen left, Chunxiao called Yan Bingfa and Yan Dahe.
"Dad, I want to build a row of houses over in Luzhuang. I don't have time for this, so I'm afraid you and my second brother will have to help me."
"Whatever you want, just give us a blueprint like before, and we'll ask Master Zhong to build it for you when we have time."
Chunxiao went into the house and came out again a short while later. "I've already drawn the blueprints. It's actually quite simple. Just build six rooms in a row. But I want to equip every room in the manor with tables and chairs. Dad, see if Fifth Uncle is busy enough. If not, we can just buy ready-made ones."
"Is this urgent?" Dahe looked at her blueprints. "This house will be finished in 20 days at the latest."
"No rush, prepare for next year."
"What about the tables and chairs?"
"There's no rush. I just want to make life more convenient with more people in the village."
"Then I'll let your fifth uncle make it slowly. If I buy it, it's not only expensive, but it won't necessarily be better than your fifth uncle's."
"Okay." Chunxiao held up a purse with a bag of silver in it. "Here are 100 taels. Dad, second brother, I'll leave this matter to you."
"We have the money, so you don't have to pay. We'll come back and settle the bill with you when we're done. My brother and I still owe you money, right? Besides, there's no need for 100 taels."
"Take it, and return the rest to me when you come back."
Chunxiao and her family went over the procedures for working in the cotton fields, and on the 29th, she set off for Tongzhou with Shuwen, Yan Mingli, and five young people from the village.
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