“Yesterday, my husband and I went to the prefectural city and finalized the quantity of bricks and tiles. Here is the proof.”
"The bricks and tiles are at the brick kiln. We need people to transport them back. First, we need a vehicle; second, it's hard work, only thirty copper coins a day. Raise your hand if you're willing to go," Shui Qing said in a clear voice.
The wages were set according to the wages in the prefectural city. Originally, the wages in the village were definitely not as high as those in the prefectural city, but the helpers in the prefectural city did not need to be provided with a vehicle, and the journey was closer and easier than in the remote mountain and water village.
Therefore, the wage is not high.
But the villagers were different; when they heard that it would cost thirty coins a day, they immediately became excited.
Thirty coins a day!
A few days ago, the old village chief said that there might be a major flood next year, which would mean continuous heavy rain. However, even if there is no major flood, they still want to rebuild their houses.
With some money, who wouldn't want to improve their living conditions?
They were still debating whether to have a thatched roof or a tiled roof, but yesterday evening they heard that Aunt Zhang's family had decided to use tiles, so they immediately decided on tiles!
If Aunt Zhang can afford it, they can afford it too.
Just using tiles costs money. The family had enough savings, but if there was no extra money, we would panic.
Now that there are jobs that can earn money, everyone is scrambling to do them.
Shuiqing finally decided to select men from families with vehicles to be responsible for transporting the bricks back.
The old village chief's family had a handcart and a wheelbarrow, and Li Laoda and Li Laoer went together.
With nineteen carts in total, including handcarts and wheelbarrows, plus their own oxcart, they should make it in time.
Shui Qing then asked, "Digging the foundation, transporting stones, moving beams, bricks and tiles, these things cost twenty-three coins a day. Anyone willing to raise their hand?"
The men who weren't chosen raised their hands even higher this time, some even standing on tiptoe.
Twenty-three coins a day! For families with many workers, one coin for two tiles meant they could earn a lot of tiles in a day.
Shuiqing needed to build many houses, and wanted to finish them quickly, so he selected all the men except those who were too old, too young, or too frail.
Her family certainly didn't have that many hoes for digging foundations or bamboo baskets for holding stones.
Fortunately, everyone in the village who was chosen brought their own belongings to help with the work.
Shuiqing invited several women who were close to her and quick-witted to help prepare lunch. However, they needed to go home and make arrangements before they could come and help tomorrow.
Li, carrying the receipt for the bricks and tiles, led the way, followed by a long convoy of vehicles.
The others went home to get hoes to dig foundations, or took baskets to collect stones.
On the open, flat land, people were bustling about, creating a lively and exciting atmosphere.
Fan Jin went alone, but returned as a trio.
"Sister! Are you really going to build a brick house, or a courtyard house!" Hu Wenhua, tall and strong, ran forward with long legs and shouted excitedly in a loud voice.
When Hu's mother saw that the work had already started, she was overjoyed.
Seeing her daughter washing vegetables, she quickly ran over and took over, saying, "Mom will wash them, you rest first."
Shuiqing was surprised that Hu's mother and Hu Wenhua would come along, and asked, "Mother, now that you're here, what will Father do at home?"
"He's a grown man, with plenty of grain, eggs, and meat at home, how could he possibly starve to death?" Mrs. Hu said nonchalantly.
In fact, her father was even more anxious than she was, and kept urging the two of them to come over.
Hearing that her daughter was really going to build a brick house, she was overjoyed and ran around in circles at home, wishing she could come along too.
Fearing her daughter might worry, she added, "Your father went to catch some piglets for you. If he doesn't slaughter a pig, he'll bring them to you."
Hu Wenhua laughed heartily, "Sister, don't worry, Mother and I will help you, so you can have an easier time."
"Mother, you can't start working right away. You and your brother should go over there and take a look first," Shuiqing said with heartache, looking at Hu's mother's hair streaked with white.
"I'm just resting at home anyway, so coming here is a good opportunity for me to get some exercise." Mother Hu thought that if she cooked more, her daughter could rest for a while.
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