Chapter 165 Interest to be paid off in three years
Grandfather stood up, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to have been re-carved by the morning light, appearing deeper and more powerful.
He nodded towards the village chief with an unquestionable firmness.
"Village chief, I think there is no need to delay the matter between us any longer. Land is the foundation and the lifeline." Grandfather's voice echoed in the yard in the early morning, clear and firm.
The village chief nodded, his eyes filled with respect for his grandfather. "Brother, you're right. Land is the root of our village. I'll go inform the Nie family right away, and we'll settle this matter."
Grandfather smiled slightly, turned around and waved to Tu Subo who was chopping wood in the yard.
"Bo'er, come here."
Tu Subo put down his hatchet and walked up to his grandfather. His face still had the childishness of a teenager, but his eyes had the steadiness of an adult.
"Grandfather, you called me?"
The grandfather nodded and motioned for Tu Subo to sit down. He himself sat on a worn bamboo chair and looked at his grandson with deep eyes.
"Bo'er, listen to me. Land transactions are a big deal. You can't underestimate it. It's a responsibility, a responsibility to our ancestors and to future generations."
Tu Subo nodded slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
"Grandfather, I understand. But why can't we take shortcuts? Wouldn't that get us what we want faster?"
Grandfather's face turned serious and he stared at Tu Subo with wide eyes.
"Bo'er, what are you talking about? The land is what our ancestors left us. It is the foundation of our lives. Taking shortcuts is disrespectful to the land and disloyal to our ancestors. Every bit of land we obtain needs to be irrigated with sweat and cultivated with hard work. Only in this way can we be worthy of this land and our conscience."
Tu Subo lowered his head. He understood what his grandfather meant.
At this time, the village chief came over and said to my grandfather, "Brother, the Nie family is here. We can start negotiating the price."
Grandfather nodded and stood up. He said to Tu Subo, "Bo'er, you come too. This is your first time participating in a land transaction. You must watch carefully and learn well."
Tu Subo followed his grandfather and the village chief into the main hall. The Nie family members were waiting in the center of the hall, their faces filled with expectant smiles.
Grandfather sat in the main seat, with Tu Subo and the village chief sitting on either side of him. Seeing Grandfather sit down, the Nie family members followed suit.
"Brother, we can finally discuss this deal. I think there is no need to say more about the credibility between us." The village chief spoke first.
Grandfather smiled faintly. "Yes, Village Chief. We are all people who value integrity. So, let's get straight to the point. What price does the Nie family want?"
The Nie family representative was a middle-aged man. He pondered for a moment, then said, "Brother, this isn't the first time the Nie family has done land business, and we understand the market. However, I believe you are also aware of the location and fertility of this land. Our price is five hundred taels of silver per mu."
Grandfather frowned slightly, and he turned to look at Tu Subo, who also showed a hint of surprise on his face.
"Five hundred taels? This price is a bit high."
The Nie family representative smiled and said, "Brother, this price is very reasonable. You can consider it."
Grandfather thought for a moment, then said, "Okay, let's negotiate at this price. But I have one condition."
The Nie family representative was stunned: "What conditions?"
Grandfather looked at Tu Subo with eyes full of anticipation.
"I demand that Bo'er must participate in the management and cultivation of the land. This is his responsibility to the land and his respect for his ancestors."
Tu Subo was taken aback. He had not expected his grandfather to propose such a condition. However, he soon understood his grandfather's intention.
The Nie family representative pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, we agree to this condition. As long as Bo'er is willing to participate in the management and cultivation of the land, we can make a deal."
Grandfather smiled slightly, stretched out his hand and shook hands with the representative of the Nie family.
"Then it's settled. Bo'er, do you hear me? From now on, this land will be your responsibility."
Tu Subo nodded, his eyes full of determination and resolve.
When it comes to digging the soil, Tu Suting becomes uneasy. He asks worriedly, "Dad, if we rely solely on manual labor to dig the soil on our few acres of land, I'm afraid we'll all be exhausted. Can we rent a cow to help?"
The old grandfather stroked his beard, smiled slightly, and said, "Well, that's a good idea. Oxen plowing the fields can indeed reduce the burden of manpower. I agree to rent the oxen."
Tu Suting was relieved upon hearing this, but he glanced at Xi Lanfang with concern. Xi Lanfang looked troubled, hesitated for a moment, and finally said, "Dad, although we have the money to rent the cows, it will take a while to come up with the money to buy the land. There are only 18 taels and 6 qian of silver in the family account, and with the wages of the three of us and the wages sent back by Min Fei, there is less than 20 taels."
The old grandfather frowned slightly, but soon relaxed again. He said, "Lan Fang, I understand your concerns. But our family is at a critical juncture right now. If we can buy this piece of land, our future life will be much better. As for the money issue, we'll think of a solution later."
Xi Lanfang sighed and said, "Dad, I know you're doing this for our own good. But it's really hard to come up with the money. If we can borrow it, that would be great."
Tu Suting interrupted, "Yes, Dad, can we borrow some money first, buy the land, and then slowly pay off the debt?"
The old grandfather pondered for a moment and said, "Borrowing money is not impossible. But who should we borrow from? How should the interest be calculated? These are all things that need to be considered carefully."
The three of them fell into deep thought. Suddenly, Tu Suting's eyes lit up and he said, "Dad, we can borrow money from the village shopkeeper Chen. He's generous and his interest rate is fair. As long as we buy the land and have a harvest in the future, repaying the debt won't be a difficult task."
The old grandfather nodded and said, "Well, that's a good idea. I'll trouble you, Ting'er. Go talk to Shopkeeper Chen and see if you can borrow some money."
Tu Suting responded and turned away. Xi Lanfang looked at his back and prayed silently in her heart that this loan would go smoothly.
After a while, Tu Suting returned, his face beaming with joy. He said, "Dad, Shopkeeper Chen has agreed to lend us twenty taels. The interest rate is 30%, and we'll pay it back in three years."
The old grandfather nodded with satisfaction and said, "Okay, then let's buy the land right away. Lan Fang, go ask around in the village to see if anyone is willing to sell their land."
Xi Lanfang took the order and left, leaving the old grandfather and Tu Suting in the yard to discuss the details of the land purchase.
A few days later, Xi Lanfang came back and said that a family in the village was willing to sell land at a reasonable price. The old grandfather immediately asked Tu Suting to negotiate the price, and finally bought the land for twenty taels.
The land purchase was finally settled, and the whole family breathed a sigh of relief.
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