Chapter 356 Chapter 357: Feng Shui Treasure Land
After Yang Chunyan and the other two left, Zhou Huairong and his two brothers went to the river dam to sift a lot of sand and gravel and brought it home. They had to use it when leveling the ground in the front and back yards, and in each room.
Only two rooms of the roof were left with tiles left. The carpenter had installed all the windows and started to apply tung oil to the wooden floor of the second floor.
After the masons had built the front and back yard walls, they began to level the ground.
Zhou Huairong and two helpers carried cement and sand and gravel into the room according to the proportion, added appropriate amount of water and mixed them, and then spread them evenly in the house.
Two bricklayers brought a two-meter-long wooden board that had been planed by a carpenter, pressed it over the concrete and smeared it, and the ground became smooth and flat.
The bricklayer said to Zhou Huairong: "Apply cement slurry again to make the floor smoother."
Zhou Huairong nodded with satisfaction. "Master Li's craftsmanship is impeccable. Several families in the village have come to see my house and are planning to look for you too!"
Master Li was a little proud after hearing this, "I heard that someone is planning to build a house in the small forest near your house?"
The helper, Old Xu, chimed in: "The second elder's family said that the Zhou family would become prosperous if they chose this piece of land. They thought that the feng shui here is good, and it would bring prosperity to the family and raise people, so they also approved it here!"
Old Zhao took over the conversation, "I heard it was built for his Erchun." He looked at Zhou Huairong and said, "Erchun and Yiding are good friends, right?"
Zhou Huairong nodded, "They are very close."
Old Xu smiled and said, "Erchun's partner is from the same village as your youngest brother's wife. That family said they don't have any requirements for the bride price. The only requirement is that Erchun has to have his own house."
Old Zhao: "It's reasonable for them to ask for their own house. It's better than spending it on betrothal gifts. Xu Lao Er built houses for the older ones, so it's not right for him not to build one for Erchun!"
"Alas!" Old Xu sighed, "The second brother made some money by breaking stones a few years ago, but now he is sick and has no money left to help Erchun with the repairs. The second brother's wife insisted that the two older brothers each contribute 100 yuan to help Erchun with the repairs, and the whole family was in an uproar."
Master Li said, "In fact, the Xu brothers can help without asking for money! For example, Huairong's family doesn't spend much money to make bricks and tiles and sift sand to repair the house."
Old Xu shook his head. "To make bricks and tiles, we need to hire a mason, and to buy cement, all of which costs money, right? In my opinion, it would be better to just use the roller to pry the bricks and build the house first."
Lao Zhao: "You can use cement instead of cement. I think the lime burned by Huairong is no different from the lime burned by Guanyin Brigade's lime kiln."
Old Xu's eyes lit up after hearing this, "I had forgotten about this. I'll go find Erchun when I get home from work."
Zhou Huairong hurriedly said, "Uncle Xu, you don't have to look for Erchun. I met him at the river dam yesterday afternoon. He said he planned to burn a kiln of bricks and tiles first, build three main rooms first, and then build wing rooms when he has enough money."
Old Xu: "How could I forget that Erchun and Laoyao are close friends? I'm sure they've already communicated with each other."
Zhou Huairong smiled and nodded, "I heard from him that he has already agreed with my husband to use the drying shed I built."
Old Xu said cheerfully, "Yes, yes, I will go and help him for two days then."
After several people mixed the concrete in the main room and spread it out, Master Li took over and smoothed it out. Then they went to the next room to mix the concrete.
In the second yard, Zhou Huaijun also brought two helpers to mix concrete and prepare the floor. At this rate, the floors of the four houses can be completed in less than two days.
…
Over at the earthen kiln, Zhou's father, the old man, and Liu the kiln craftsman and his son sealed the extra kiln of bricks and tiles, with relieved smiles on their faces.
The old man smiled and said, "Master Liu, you have worked hard during this period!"
Potter Liu smiled and waved his hand, "You're too polite, old man. I wish I could work so hard every day!"
"Once I finish this, I will help the Xu family to fire the kiln. I think you will be busy until the New Year!"
"It's good to have something to do, so that we can have a good year this year." Liu the potter washed his hands happily, "We'll leave first, and come back to open the kiln in two days."
"Yes, take care!"
Father Zhou walked with Liu's father and son for a few steps, then returned to the earthen kiln and walked towards the new house with the old man, carrying wood ash.
A large pit was dug on the open space south of Zhou Huaian's courtyard wall, and a shed was built on it with wooden sticks and thatch to prevent rainwater from entering the compost pit when it rained.
The old man poured the ashes in the basket into the compost pit and said, "Go back and fetch some manure water. I'll go dig some soil from the forest."
Father Zhou nodded, thought about it and asked again, "Old man, when are you going to Fangtian to look after the cows?"
"Let's go there in a couple of days. We'll first go to the tiankeng and then go to the pond to cut some straw to feed the cows. Otherwise, when we buy the cows, the youngest one will be so busy that he won't have time to cut straw and feed the cows."
"There's nothing much to clean up at the tiankeng. We can get some sticks and nail a fence to block the road. We won't have to worry about the cows running up the mountain and destroying the herbs."
"The wooden door that was removed from the straw shed is still there. Go and measure it this afternoon to see if it's the right size." The old man paused and said, "Have you seen the herbs they grow?"
"I've checked. I think the Chuanxiong planted by Chunyan behind the house is mostly alive. The thing in the forest seems to have grown too."
"It's good as long as it grows out. I'm just worried that they've been working in vain."
"I think the youngest brother and his friends may have found a good way this time."
"We are all old now. You should change your temper of being so controlling." The old man said earnestly, "You should be old in front of your children. Otherwise, you will be hated by others when you can't move anymore."
Father Zhou said awkwardly, "I know. Look, they used all the land to grow herbs, and I didn't say anything to them."
"Hurry back and fetch the manure." The old man picked up the hoe and went to dig the soil.
When Father Zhou walked to the grove, he saw Secretary Xu, Captain Zhou, and a few others measuring the grove. "Secretary Xu, has everything here been approved?"
Secretary Xu nodded, "There are several companies that want it. Let's measure it and see how many we can approve. Once we've decided, let them draw lots."
"Ah!" Zhou's father looked at him in surprise, "Why are you still vying for it?" When he was applying for it, some people laughed at him, asking if he couldn't afford to build a house and was planning to dig a cave at the foot of the mountain!
Secretary Xu smiled and said, "Look at your new houses. They have brightened up this area. Everyone is jealous and says that this area of yours is a Feng Shui treasure land!"
"How can a new house not look good?" Zhou's father said with a smile, "Others may not know why I chose this, but don't you know?"
Secretary Xu smiled and nodded, "Look at how prosperous your family is now, and how harmonious and harmonious your family is. Who wouldn't be envious?"
Captain Zhou also smiled and said, "That's right. If my house hadn't just been renovated, I would have moved in and become your neighbor."
"It's not as good as you say..." Zhou's father felt very happy after hearing this and could only smile foolishly.
(End of this chapter)
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