Chapter 32: Chapter 28, Zhuangzi_l
Translator: 549690339 |
Yan Family’s carriage headed straight for the outskirts of Linyi County, without lingering too much in the city itself.
The county town was not very big, nor could it be considered wealthy. During this time, with Yan Wenkai leading the way, Daohua had already explored the county thoroughly, so she was quite well-behaved on the road.
However, once they left the city gate, Daohua couldn’t wait to lift the curtain of the carriage, eagerly observing the scenery outside.
It was now the end of October, and the weather had turned very cold. Once the curtain was lifted, the chilly wind blew into the carriage.
Madam Li, worried that Old Madam Yan and Daohua might catch a cold, quickly said, “Daohua, put down the curtain, be careful not to catch a chill.
Daohua, still with a sense of longing, obediently lowered the curtain. After all, getting sick in ancient times was not the same as now, where a few cold medicines could cure you.
However, sitting in the carriage without looking at the scenery outside was extremely boring, so Daohua had to make small talk to pass the time.
“Mother, does it snow in Linyi County?”
Madam Li smiled and nodded, “It does. In previous years, as soon as we enter November, it starts to snow lightly, and by December, there can be heavy
snow.”
Upon hearing this, Daohua became excited again, “That’s great, I’ve never seen a heavy snowfall before. If it snows heavily, I could even have a snowball fight with Third Brother and Fourth Brother.”
Yan Family1 s village was to the south, and in winter, even if it snowed, as soon as it touched the ground, it would melt away immediately. She had been in ancient times for quite some time now and still had not had the chance to make a snowman.
Madam Li, however, shook her head, “I, on the other hand, hope there won’t be heavy snow this year.”
Daohua was taken aback and noticed that both Madam Li and Old Madam Yan looked somewhat solemn.
Old Madam Yan sighed, “If there’s heavy snow, the common people will have an even harder time, and those homeless refugees… who knows how many will die in the harsh winter?”
Daohua fell silent; she had only thought of playing before and forgot that this wasn’t modern times. Here, the methods of keeping warm were still very primitive and backward. In winter, especially during heavy snowfalls, many people would freeze to death.
“Mother, has father mentioned how the refugees are being settled? Madam Li shookher head, “The resettlement of refugees is not an easy task, and now that winter has arrived, it has become even more difficult.” Seeing Daohua frown deeply, Old Madam Yan smiled and said, “Alright, such matters are not for a child like you to worry about. Your father will handle them
well.”
Daohua nodded, not asking further, but the excitement she felt coming out to get some fresh air had disappeared, especially after seeing those refugees outside the carriage, walking toward the county town in their thin clothes.
“With so many refugees flocking to the county town, can father manage to settle them all?”
Madam Li replied, “Linyi County is still alright. Its location is quite remote, so many refugees cannot make it here.”
Looking at the refugees shivering in the cold wind, Daohua sighed, “Living is truly not easy.”
No sooner had she spoken than Old Madam Yan tapped Daohua’s forehead, “How old are you to be sighing like this?The sky won’t fall while the adults are here. As a child, you should go and do what you need to do.
Daohua snuggled up to Old Madam Yan, grasping her arm, and pursed her lips, saying no more.
On reflection, she realized that she had done quite well in this life; at least her father held an official position and had some social status.
If she had been born into the lowest class of people, even with her space, life wouldn’t have been very comfortable.
She knew very well that in ancient times, if you didn’t have sufficient status, even if you made money, it might not stay safe.
The carriage rocked and swayed for over half an hour and finally arrived at the field Madam Li had acquired.
“Is this a manor?”
As soon as she alighted from the carriage, Old Madam Yan, seeing the two- courtyard house before her, immediately asked.
Madam Li laughed and said, “Mother is indeed perceptive, this is indeed an estate.”
Old Madam Yan asked, “How large is the land?”
Madam Li replied, “It’s about five hundred acres.”
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Yan patted Madam Li’s hand and said, “You’ve used your dowry again?”
She knew very well how much salary her eldest son had; it was difficult enough to support the whole family, so where could he find extra money to buy an estate?
Without a doubt, this estate must have been bought with Madam Li’s dowry.
Madam Li smiled, “Having silver lying around does no good; it’s better to use it to add to the family’s property. My doing this is also for personal reasons. I see that Wenxiu and Wenkai are growing up, and when it’s time for them to marry, the bridal price will be a major expense. Daohua is also growing up year by year; it’s time to prepare her dowry.”
At this moment, Yan Zhiqiang arrived with Wentao.
Madam Li laughed again and said to the father and son, “I’ve long heard that our third brother is excellent at farming activities. Every year, our family harvests more grain than most others. This time, I had the cheek to askyour family to leave your hometown and come here because I was hoping third brother could help manage this estate well, increasing our family’s income.
Yan Zhiqiang was taken aback, “Sister-in-law, are you saying that I am to manage this entire estate?”
Madam Li nodded with a smile, “I hope third brother will put in some effort.” Yan Zhiqiang hesitated. He indeed had a knack for farming; he managed the two hundred acres of land in his hometown. But the problem was, he was the only one managing it back home, he had to do it, but here, he wasn’t the only one.
Madam Li said, “What’s the matter, third brother? If you have any concerns, just say it. We’ll solve them together.”
Yan Zhiqiang looked at Old Madam Yan, saw that she seemed uninterested in managing anything, and had no choice but to speak up: “Sister-in-law, if I manage the estate, what will second brother do?” He knew his second brother very well, a man who was very competitive. If he found out that Yan Zhiqiang had taken over his duties upon his arrival, there would surely be conflict in the future.
Upon hearing this, Madam Li smiled, “So you’re worried about this. Rest assured, the second brother isn’t suited to manage the estate.” Seeing the surprised looks on the faces of Old Madam Yan and Yan Zhiqiang, she went on. “Since second uncle started following father-in-law, he has not been involved in farming and is likely out of touch with agricultural matters,” she explained. Old Madam Yan frowned, “What has the second son been doing all these years with you?”
Madam Li maintained her smile, “Socializing with friends, gathering information, and the like.”
Old Madam Yan did not ask further, though her expression was not very pleased.
The eldest daughter-in-law spoke diplomatically, but Old Madam Yan knew her second son1 s character, which meant he hadn’t done anything of significance in the past few years while following the eldest.
While the adults were discussing matters, Wentao was taking Daohua around the estate.
Seeing the skeletal and lean tenant farmers on the estate, Daohua, who was initially excited, suddenly lost interest.
Wentao laughed and reassured her, “It’s alright, we’re here now, aren’t we? With the grain varieties you’ve developed, by next year, they’ll have enough food and clothing.”
Daohua replied, “But there are still so many people who don’t have enough food or clothing.”
Wentao fell silent for a moment, suddenly remembering the time they had disguised themselves as refugees. Scratching his head, he smiled and said, “That’s no problem either. Our great-uncle is the County Magistrate, so after the harvest on the estate, he can promote our grain varieties throughout the county.”
Upon hearing this, Daohua’s eyes lit up, “Right! Why didn’t I think of that? Wentao, you’re so smart.”
Wentao puffed up his chest proudly at the praise.
Daohua added, “But my father’s official position is still too low. It would be better if it were higher.”
Without a second thought, Wentao said, “Then let’s have great-uncle work hard to get promoted.”
Daohua glanced at him, thinking to herself that her father had been a County Magistrate for nine years without a single promotion, which showed how difficult climbing the ranks was. Nevertheless, she smiled and nodded.