On the second day after breakfast, Old Master Zeng invited Li Zheng and several elderly people from the clan to come over. Zeng Ruiqing and Zeng Ruixiang had to go to work the next day, so time was tight. According to yesterdays discussion, everyone in the family agreed, and outsiders just went through the motions. Zi Qing finally saw the household registration book for this period, two thin sheets of paper, which Zeng Ruixiang filled out with a pen, writing down the place names: Anzhou Prefecture, Linjiang County, Dongtang Village. Unlike modern times, it would also indicate land ownership and direction. This was just a draft, and Li Zheng still had to go to the county government office to file and stamp it before it became official. However, a fee had to be paid, and in the future, taxes would be collected based on this, which could be paid in grain or silver after the autumn harvest. The village head explained everything clearly.

  Zeng Zi Qing learned some general information from the casual conversations of the adults. The Anzhou Prefecture is located at the intersection of three provinces, with a river running through it. There are many mountains and little arable land, and the rice paddies generally produce two crops of water rice per year. In the winter, they usually plant rape (oilseed) and have already developed the technology to extract oil from rape seeds. A small number of families have planted a small amount of sweet potatoes or yams that were introduced from foreign countries. Zi Qing guessed it was something like red potatoes or groundnuts. There is no large-scale cultivation, which means they can seize the opportunity for themselves. Their familys rice paddy is only about 1 mu (about 0.165 acres), and there definitely wont be enough grain to eat. The problem is how to persuade her parents to listen to her ideas, which will require some careful consideration.

  After finishing the matter, Zeng Ruixiang wanted to go to Dongtang Village to take a look at the land for building a house. Zifou went with him. Ziqing had been grinding for half a day and finally could set off. Zilu stayed behind to take care of Shen Shi.

  In the past, from the entrance of the house, a cobblestone road went for about 100 meters, and then there was a small dirt road. On both sides of the dirt road were rice fields. After walking on the dirt road for about 300-400 meters, you would arrive at the village entrance. Ziqing found that whether it was the alley where Ah Pos house was or the houses in the village, they were all crowded together, with no yards, and not a lot of land. They were all squeezed together, living on top of each other, and couldnt help but know everything about each others daily lives, including what was cooking in each others pots. Ziqing didnt like this way of life at all, she wanted to make a fortune by herself.

  Zi Qing and her family of three looked at the empty land in front of them, which was about the size of Lao Yes current house. The foundation walls were still there, but they could only build four rooms, with houses on both sides, so it couldnt be expanded.

  "Dad, I dont like it here, its too small. I want a big house, one room for big brother, one room for second brother, one room for me, and one room for mom and dad. And little brother also needs to live here. I also want a big yard. I want to raise chickens, lots and lots of chickens." Ah, so tired, pretending to be a kid is also a technical job that requires physical strength.

  "Whats to be done, said Qinger, its just such a small place."

  "Dad, I think we can buy a piece of wasteland in the village. Its really a bit small here. Our family has many children and theyll all grow up slowly, needing more rooms. The wasteland shouldnt cost much silver. Lets buy the land first and add more houses later." Zeng Zifus mind was still quick, he had hit on Zi Qings soft spot. Now theres no need to worry about it anymore.

  "Okay, lets take a walk around both the front and back of the village."

  They finally settled on a piece of wasteland at the end of the village, which was said to be close to their own sandy land. Underneath the sandy land was the official road. Although the village head was closer to the small town, it was too small, and the wasteland beyond the village tail was just a small hillside, all wild grass and thorny plants, with many small soil blocks and stones. Maybe because of this, no one came to open up the land. Beyond the small hillside was the foot of the big mountain. Zi Qing thought that in the future when she had money, she would buy the small hillside.

  "Lets go home and discuss it with your mother first."

  Back home, I found that there were guests at home. Three aunts and younger uncle Shen Jianren had all arrived. Madam Shen was no longer lying in bed, but leaning against the headboard. Eldest aunt Xu and youngest aunt Xiao were sitting on the bed, looking like they could talk eloquently. Second aunt Zhao sat in a chair, not very fond of speaking, and when she did speak, it was in a soft and gentle voice. Shen Jianren and Zeng Ruixiang had gone out to chat.

  "Ah, my poor niece has suffered so much! If only I had known earlier, I would have come to see you sooner. Your mother spoiled you like a treasure since you were little, and she never let you suffer like this. Listen to your aunts words, come home with me today, let your grandmother take a good look at you, and let me take good care of you. Your mother cant take care of you now, and if your grandmother knew what youve been through, she would be so anxious that her feet wouldnt touch the ground. Good child, listen to your aunt."

  "Thank you, Aunt. Zi Qings illness is all better now. Zi Qing will stay at home to take care of Mother, Father is leaving tomorrow, and Big Brother is also going to school. Qing Er still needs to help Little Brother wash his diapers."

  "Listen, youre such an understanding child," said Mrs. Xu.

  "Qinger, your sister Wen Yu has arrived and is playing at your aunt Xiu Yings house. Go find them." Shen Shi still didnt like letting Qinger listen to the adults gossip.

  Ziying had never been inside Aunt Xiuyings house before, but as soon as she heard the laughter coming from inside, she quickly pushed open the door and went in. The room was much brighter than Shens house, with a window that had a wooden board outside, propped up by a wooden stick. There were two intricately carved large beds, similar to those in Shens house, each with four bedposts, a canopy, and curtains, separated by a screen in the middle. The outer bed was probably where the three sons of the Xiao family slept, as the eldest son was already at an age to get married. It was likely that they were waiting for their own family to move out to make space, which was also one of the reasons why Old Master Zeng had reluctantly agreed to divide the house. Xiuying, Xiushui, Shen Wenyu, and two aunts from Ziyings family, five lively and lovely girls, chattered away together on the bed inside, and Ziying spent a pleasant morning with them.

  Not long after lunch, Eldest Aunt-in-law Xu and Second Aunt-in-law Zhao went back home. There was no place for guests to stay in the house. Youngest Aunt-in-law Xiao was the eldest daughter of Grandma. They rested here for a day before preparing to head back to their home in Linshan County.

  Ziying remembered to buy land, but didnt know if her parents had discussed the result. After sending off two aunts, Ziying rushed into Shens room, where her younger uncle Shen Jianren was talking to Shen. Ziying noticed that Shen was holding a silver ingot and sobbing with her head down. Ziying cleverly retreated from the room. She found out from Zirong that Zeng Ruixiang had taken Zeng Zifeng to see the village chief. It seemed that Zeng Ruixiang wanted to quickly buy the land.

  Before dinner, Ziqing slipped into Shens room. Shen seemed to be in a good mood and was playing with Xiaozi. Next to her were two baby sweaters and a piece of white cotton cloth, apparently for making undershirts for the baby.

  "Mother, how much silver did your younger brother give you today?"

  "Youre really a household manager, nothing can be done without you at home. Whats the point of inquiring about so many things?"

  "Mother, Im just asking, Im curious, if you dont tell me, I wont be able to sleep tonight. Mother." Zi Qing thought that this sweet and soft voice would definitely move her mother. Fortunately, judging from Shen Shis tone, Zi Qing used to love meddling in other peoples business too.

  "Alright, alright, I admit defeat. Dont go spreading this around, but your uncle gave us five taels of silver today. He knows our family has split up and wants to buy land and build a house. He also knows your father doesnt have any money, and your aunt even bought some things for us."

  As they were talking, Zeng Ruixiang and Zeng Zifeng came in. Seeing Zifengs joyful face, she was sure that he had made the purchase. Indeed, before she could even ask, Ruixiang said: "Todays business went quite smoothly. The village head said that the wasteland at the village entrance has been measured, its more than six mu but less than seven mu. According to the price of sandy land, which is half the price of fertile land, it would be 25 silver coins per mu. Considering the village heads face, we can count it as six mu, so we spent 15 silver coins. The deed and household registration will be handled by Ruixiang tomorrow at the county government office. However, the current problem is that even with the remaining five silver coins, they still cannot afford to build a house. Moreover, in the spring, they need to purchase farming tools, Zifeng has to pay 100 wen as tax every month, and Zilong should start school soon. After the new year, they will have to move out, otherwise, there wont even be a kitchen for cooking.

  Zi Qing was in a hurry, no money to build a wooden house, just make do with living for a year. At this time, Shen Shi spoke up: "The silver for building a green brick house is definitely not enough, today the young master gave me five taels of silver, adding up to ten taels which is just enough to build an earth-brick house. But Im thinking its a bit unacceptable. If we have one years time to slowly accumulate wealth, raise a few more pigs, nurture some chickens and ducks, and have some crops in the field, I can also do some embroidery work, and it will almost be enough to make up for it."

  "Mom, we can build a wooden house, like Aunties wooden house. Later, if we want to dismantle it or use it as a storage room, we can do so. We can build it on the side first and live in it while slowly saving money." Zifeng said. Ziqing looked at Zifeng with admiration again, this nine-year-old child, even in modern times, is not an ignorant kid who doesnt understand anything.

  Fuer is right, the wooden house wont cost much money, theres plenty of wood in the mountains, just need to dry it first. Our home upstairs still has a lot of wood, find someone to saw it open, Ill take care of it next time Im on vacation. This matter is settled.

  Just then, Zilu came looking for food.