There was less rainfall in the first half of this year, so the watermelons and cantaloupes are sweeter than in previous years.
Manager Zhou transported away the last batch of watermelons and cantaloupes, marking a pleasant end to this year's cooperation.
"Madam Jiang, the melons are of very good quality this year. Let's continue our cooperation next year."
"That's for sure, Manager Zhou, have a safe journey!"
After seeing off Manager Zhou and his group, Mu Yi'an instructed Uncle Li and Jiang Shuhe to organize manpower to prepare the land so that they could plant another crop.
"Madam, the old folks in the nearby villages are saying it's been a drought this year. I also feel something's not right; the river level has dropped a lot. What should we plant in the second half of the year?"
"Plant corn, plant corn in all the melon fields."
Mu Yi'an also noticed that it was much hotter this year than in previous years.
"Madam, let's plant sweet potatoes in every nook and cranny."
"Okay, just in case."
Mu Yi'an knew that natural disasters and man-made calamities were deadly in ancient times. Fortunately, the newly harvested wheat this year had not yet been sold and was kept.
The rice has already grown tall, and if it doesn't rain, I don't know what the harvest will be like.
After finishing his business at the estate, Mu Yi'an took a car home.
"Steward Li, you, Zhao Wu, and Wei San, please work hard to repair the cellar at home and bring back more grain from the estate."
"Madam, is there anything unusual?"
Butler Li hasn't heard anything about a war going on anywhere; there's not even a whisper of it!
"No, it's just that there's been less rain this year, and we don't know how the harvest will be in the second half of the year. It's better to be prepared."
Butler Li breathed a sigh of relief; at least it wasn't going to be a war.
The cellar was repaired, the grain was transported back, and it was already July.
"Steward Li, take Sister Li to the prefectural city tomorrow and rent a quiet courtyard near the examination hall. Master will be taking the provincial examination next month, so we need to prepare in advance."
"I understand, Madam. Once we arrive in the city, I'll meet up with Master first and ask for his opinion."
"Well, you and the master should discuss it. The eldest master is also taking the provincial examination this year, so we should rent a bigger house."
After giving his instructions, Mu Yi'an asked Sister Fang to fetch the silver.
This year, the total sales of watermelons and cantaloupes amounted to less than 20,000 taels of silver. This was mainly because cantaloupes were expensive, and scarcity drives up their price.
The price of watermelons has basically stabilized, at five or six coins per pound.
With the silver notes in his pocket, Steward Li and his wife boarded a passenger ship bound for the prefectural city.
The Dali Dynasty had the largest territory, surrounded by powerful states of equal strength, as well as some smaller vassal states.
The prefectural city was the largest local administrative institution besides the capital city, equivalent to a modern provincial capital, and a relatively large and wealthy one at that.
Steward Li and his wife disembarked from the boat and went to Bailu Academy first.
"Father, Mother, what brings you here?"
Li Li was startled when he saw his parents, fearing something had happened.
"Isn't the master going to take the provincial examination? The madam asked us to come over to prepare in advance."
"Oh, is that so? I thought something had happened. There's still more than a month until the exam, why so early?"
Li Li breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that everything was alright. The master had been preparing for three years; he hoped nothing unexpected would happen.
"It's getting late, and it'll be harder to rent a room if it gets too late. When does the master finish school? We need to ask him if he has any requests."
"We'll be out in about fifteen minutes. Parents, please sit down and rest for a while."
Li Li poured tea for his parents and told them to rest for a while, as the boat ride was tiring.
After Jiang Shuyun came out, she met with Butler Li and learned about Yi An's arrangements.
"Butler Li, I don't have any requirements. The courtyard must be detached and secluded. You can handle the rest."
"Understood, sir. We'll go find a brokerage firm near the examination hall now, and then invite you over once everything is ready."
Manager Li did not stay for dinner, but left behind the things his wife had brought for her husband, and the two went into town.
Steward Li was familiar with the city, so he found a relatively clean inn, booked a room, and settled in.
The next day, I found a reputable real estate agency nearby and prepared to look at houses.
"You want to rent a house near the examination hall? Is there anyone in your family who will be taking the provincial examination this year?"
"Yes, I want a detached house with a yard, a landlord who is easygoing, and a house that isn't too dilapidated."
Butler Li stated his requirements, and the brokerage's clerk began searching.
“You’re not too late. There are still plenty of rooms available. Some people come to rent six months in advance, while others come a few days before their exams. Our brokerage has been open for many years, and we have all kinds of clients.”
The guy was a chatterbox; his hands were busy, and his mouth was never idle either.
"Sir, these houses all meet your requirements and are all nearby. Shall we go take a look?"
"Okay, let's go."
Butler Li and his wife followed the brokers to look at three or four brokerage firms before finally choosing one.
"Let's take this one. We'll rent it for three months first."
Steward Li calculated that there were still about two months until the provincial examination was over. The master would have to wait for the results to be released, and if he passed, he would have to wait to participate in the Deer Cry Garden examination, which would take about three months in total.
"Okay, sir, let's go back and sign the lease agreement."
The young man was all smiles; this was a big client, as courtyards near the examination hall were quite expensive at this time. They were renting it out for three months, which would allow him to make a small profit.
After signing the agreement and paying the money, Steward Li took the keys, went with Sister-in-law Li to the inn to check out, and carried their belongings into the gatehouse in the courtyard.
The courtyard is neither too big nor too small, with four main rooms and two side rooms on the east and west sides.
The east side is habitable, while the two west side rooms are the kitchen and bathroom.
Butler Li and his wife lived in the gatehouse so that it would be convenient for them to open the door.
The two spent a whole day thoroughly cleaning the entire house.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
