Ding Heli rubbed his arms and rushed towards Butcher Hu, then changed his mind and asked, "Brother Hu, where are you going?"
Butcher Hu told the old village chief about his plan to go to his house to discuss purchasing land, and asked, "Brother Ding, would you like to come along? It would be good to have a look at the land; I'm afraid I might not make a good choice."
"No need, no need, Brother Hu, you can choose whatever you like, anywhere is fine!" Ding Heli replied without worry.
It's good enough that he can stay in Shanshui Village, what else could he be picky about?
Besides, he didn't get to choose which land to buy; ultimately, it was the old village chief who decided which land was available.
But no matter where it is, as long as it's in the same village, it's fine.
Butcher Hu tried to persuade them a few more times, but seeing that Ding Heli and Qin Yilin were truly unwilling, he had no choice but to go alone again.
On the way, he thought about it and was still worried that he might not make the right choice, so he found Hu Wenhua and the two of them went to the old village chief's house together.
The old village chief was lying in a rocking chair under the eaves, listening to his eldest grandson reading aloud in the yard.
Recently, we've been harvesting potatoes, so the study has been closed for a while. However, Changlin is on the path of the imperial examinations, so his studies cannot be neglected. Therefore, he always has a book in his hand whenever he has free time.
On the other side of the courtyard, Wang Guifen and Zhang Hui were peeling potatoes, cutting them into chunks, steaming them, and drying them.
Upon seeing Butcher Hu Wenhua arrive, Wang Guifen hurriedly wiped her hands clean on the hem of her clothes and greeted him with a smile, "A rare guest, Uncle Hu, please come in and sit down. I'll make you some tea."
Butcher Hu handed over the smoked meat he was carrying and said in a loud voice, "Excuse me."
Wang Guifen absolutely refused to accept it; how could she possibly bring back what Butcher Hu had brought? Hu Wenhua tried to persuade her for a while, and finally the old village chief said, "Brother Hu, this is a one-time thing."
Butcher Hu laughed heartily, "Alright, this is the last time. Next time, even if you come to bother me, don't bring anything."
Zhang Hui brewed the tea first and brought it out, along with two chairs.
Butcher Hu sat down and explained his purpose.
Wang Guifen and Zhang Hui were shocked. Then they realized that things were chaotic outside. Even living in the city, let alone Niutou Town, might not be as comfortable as living in their village! Besides, it was good that the Hu family settled in Shanshui Village. They wouldn't have to worry about selling rabbits and medicinal herbs anymore.
The old village chief wasn't surprised, as if he had already thought of this. He quickly gave several options: "You know that Fan Damu's family sold themselves to Magistrate Wu's family and moved to the prefectural city. They also sold their fields and forests to Shui Qing's family. No one has bought his house, and it's been empty all this time."
Now that Magistrate Wu has been arrested, I informed the governor of Fan Damu's crimes. The governor said that the other servants would be sold off, and even the lightest punishment for Fan Damu would be the exile of his entire family. Therefore, the land occupied by his house can now be bought and sold.
Do you want it? The downside is that it's a bit small; the yard that the few thatched huts can enclose isn't very big either.
Upon hearing that it was Fan Damu's house, both father and son frowned.
Building a house is very particular about feng shui. Qing'er's place is on high ground, and her life is getting better and better. If she moves there, others will be eager to buy her house. Fan Damu couldn't make a living and sold himself into slavery. Later, he committed a crime and was sentenced to prison. So, he can't buy her house.
Butcher Hu laughed heartily, "My family and I originally lived in Niutou Town. Our house and yard were small, so I was thinking of living in a big house with a big yard in the village, where my family could live comfortably. But this land probably won't work. Do you have any other options, brother?"
The old village chief continued to name two more: "There is still an open space at the end of the village near the Ding family, but it is not very big. It can only be expanded beyond the wall."
"Further to the right of the village, though it's farther away, there's a truly wonderful place!"
When Butcher Hu heard about the Ding family, he thought it was good that they were close by. But when he heard that the old village chief also recommended a good place, he became interested and quickly asked, "Brother, what do you say?"
Those who receive praise from the old village chief must be very good.
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