Old Qi stroked his beard and said, "This place is nice, but to build a house here, we need to dig a foundation and prepare a foundation stone!"
In ancient times, people used huji (a type of mortar) to build houses and walls. For so many houses, at least a thousand huji would be needed. The process of making huji was also very complicated. Liang Shuyan had read in a book that it involved using moist yellow soil to pound it solid bit by bit with a pestle, and then neatly placing it aside to dry. It would take at least half a month to make enough huji.
Liang Shuyan shook her head: "No need. This foundation requires a lot of materials and takes a long time to build. More importantly, it wastes manpower and is not sturdy. I want to use stones for the foundation!"
Old Qi's eyes widened in horror: "What? You want to use stones for the foundation? Stones cost a lot per cubic meter, don't you know the price?"
In ancient times, a stone cost 500 coins per cubic meter, which was considered extremely expensive. How could an ordinary person afford to buy one to build a house?
“I’ve looked into it. The cost of one cubic meter of stone for the foundation is 500 coins. That’s fine, I’ll figure it out. But since we’re living here, it has to be sturdy. I’ll find a way to get the stones myself. Once the location is decided, you guys can start digging the foundation as soon as possible. We’ll provide lodging but not food. What do you think, Lao Qi?”
Old Qi nodded in agreement and decided to go back and start digging the foundation here with the workers.
Back home, Liang Shuyan took Jin Dashan and Zhao Heng with her, and they rushed to town in a donkey cart. She wanted to find out the exact price of the stones first.
Upon hearing this, Da Shan said, "Mother, Lao Qi said that you plan to use stones for the foundation, but these stones are too expensive. One cubic meter costs 500 coins. At this rate, we will spend a lot of money just on the foundation."
Liang Shuyan shook her head: "Right now, you just think that I was wasting money by building the foundation with stones. But think about how terrible the last flood was. If we hadn't dug the irrigation canal to guide the way, and if Qiu Dong hadn't suggested pouring sand into the canal, our Daling Village probably wouldn't have been so lucky to escape such a disaster. If our foundation had been made of stones, it would be different. If it rained heavily, we wouldn't have to worry about the houses collapsing."
Zhao Heng sat down next to Liang Shuyan and kept saying, "That's right, I agree with you, Auntie. How can we skimp on the foundation? It would be a waste to lose more than we gain. By the way, Auntie, my dad knows a stone dealer. Why don't we ask him to come along? Maybe we can get a better price."
Liang Shuyan was well aware of Zhao Heng's ulterior motives. Ever since the last wheat harvest, he had been scheming to create opportunities for Liang Shuyan and his father. To be honest, Zhao Heng was a filial son. He knew that his father had been alone for so many years and it hadn't been easy for him. He didn't even have anyone to do his laundry and cook for him. Liang Shuyan was not only a good cook but also a good earner. Wouldn't it be great if she could become his stepmother?
"Forget it, your dad is so busy, how can he come with us? In the future, it's best not to trouble your dad with things like this!"
Zhao Heng, however, grabbed Liang Shuyan's arm and said, "Auntie, it's really no trouble. My dad can't possibly have official business every day. Besides, these people keep inviting each other, but my dad doesn't go. I'm really worried that my dad will go crazy staying at home alone. Auntie, is this alright?"
Liang Shuyan couldn't persuade Zhao Heng, so she smiled gently and said, "Alright, I promise you. When you get to the county government, go down and ask your father for help. But remember, if your father is busy with official duties, you absolutely mustn't bother him!"
“Auntie, I know, you said that my father is the people’s father and the people’s father, and the people are the most important!”
Liang Shuyan watched Zhao Heng walk away helplessly and couldn't help but shake her head.
Jin Dashan, of course, did not know what Zhao Heng meant. He jumped off the donkey cart, gently stroking the old donkey's body as he said, "Mother, should we get a new carriage? We have a teahouse and a restaurant, so many people. This one donkey cart can't handle it all. Look how tired our little donkey is."
Liang Shuyan thought about it and agreed. With so many people in the family, it would be a bit embarrassing to go out in a donkey cart, whether it was a teahouse or a restaurant. The main problem was that the donkey cart was too small and couldn't hold too much stuff.
"Indeed, changing the carriages must be put on the agenda!"
After Liang Shuyan finished speaking, she got off the donkey cart. Taking advantage of the opportunity to stretch her legs, she quickly opened the system. She wanted to check the prices of the carriage and the stone on the system. If the price was right, she would choose to buy them on the system. Earning money is not easy, so how could she squander it?
Upon opening the system, the carriage was indeed available. The carriage's canopy was movable, and it could be raised and lowered manually. The carriage also had some storage compartments, making it very convenient for storing items. The canopy could also be removed directly. The carriage was spacious and could be used to carry very large and long items. Of course, the horses needed to be purchased in this era, and one horse cost about 200 wen. The carriage was priced at 50 gold coins, which is equivalent to 500 wen in ancient times. In ancient times, buying a carriage would cost at least 2 liang (a unit of weight).
It had been a long time since she'd visited the system, and the items in her warehouse had exceeded the limit. If they weren't used or sold within the specified time, they might automatically disappear. Liang Shuyan decisively clicked "sell."
The magistrate might be arriving soon, so she couldn't buy the carriage yet. She hesitated for a moment, then searched for stones again. She found that the stones in the shop were all precious collectible stones, not the kind that could be used to build foundations. She glanced at them and then hurriedly closed the system.
On the other side, Zhao Heng hummed a little tune and swaggered over.
"Auntie, my father is here! The magistrate is here!"
The county magistrate glared at his son, and Zhao Heng stopped shouting.
Liang Shuyan stepped forward with a smile and bowed slightly to the magistrate: "I'm really sorry to have troubled you to make this trip. Zhao Heng said you know someone who sells stones. It just so happens that we want to build a house and sell stones, so we'd appreciate it if you could introduce us to someone."
The magistrate was dressed in a long black robe and boots, and looked much more capable than usual. Clearly, he had dressed up specially for his arrival.
"It's fine, I've got nothing else to do anyway. That brat Zhao Heng was afraid I'd get moldy staying at home, so he brought me out."
The three of them got into the car. Zhao Heng sat properly behind Da Shan, and the two of them started chatting. While chatting with Da Shan, they were also concerned about the conversation between their father and aunt in the car.
"Sir, we are planning to build a house, so please, for your sake, do us the honor of offering a lower price for the stones?"
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