LGSLAW : Chapter 28 – The Plot

With the joint efforts of the Yang brothers, the tall, long wooden fence was completed in eight or nine days. The central gate was also properly made, a piece of cake for a carpenter like Yang Daxun.

 

The wood for the fence was cut from the scattered trees in the wasteland at the foot of the mountain. Cutting the trees also completed the initial steps of clearing the land. The next tasks were to clear the stones, dig out the remaining roots, and thoroughly loosen the soil, preparing the wasteland for planting.

 

Since the Yangshui Teahouse had been urging them to expand production, the earlier the land was prepared, the better. Miao He was responsible for picking stones, while Yang Dalang dug out the roots. The two of them worked busily in the new land.

 

Meanwhile, Miao Min’s mother secretly found Miao Liang, who would become her son-in-law in two months.

 

“Liang, I’ve heard that the yard used by the workshop is from your father’s house. Are you ready with the new house for the wedding?” Miao Min’s mother asked worriedly.

 

“Aunt, why do you ask? The new house is ready, how could it not be?” Miao Liang replied, slightly puzzled.

 

“Where is the new house? It wouldn’t be in a temporary mud house with your second uncle’s family, would it?” Miao Min’s mother sighed deliberately.

 

Miao Liang, slightly annoyed, replied stiffly, “Of course, it’s temporary. My father has already said that he will request a new house plot from the village chief. The workshop business is going well, so we’ll soon have the money to build a new house. Aunt, you don’t need to worry.”

 

Miao Min’s mother deliberately lowered her voice and said, “Auntie isn’t dissatisfied with your family’s conditions. On the contrary, I’m very satisfied. You are becoming more successful, and I’m naturally happy. So, I want Min to help you. Do you know that the mountain in the southwest of the village has been completely bought by the Liang family and given to Dalang and Brother He?”

 

Miao Liang asked, “I know,” but what did that have to do with him?

 

“Min is on good terms with He, everyone in the village knows that. Min has visited the plot where He lived before and liked it. So, I thought, since Dalang has a large piece of land now, they don’t need the borrowed plot anymore. Couldn’t that plot be given to those who need it? I think it would be perfect for your new house with Min. When your family has more money, you can expand. Moreover, the vegetable field there is already prepared, so Min can help with the gardening.”

 

Miao Liang found the idea absurd and laughed, “There are plenty of plots around the village, why would we take theirs? Aunt, if Min wants to grow vegetables, I’ll prepare a plot for him. No need for this.”

 

Miao Min’s mother pursed her lips and said, “Auntie mentioned this to help you! Do you know why I favor that plot? He has been supplying vegetables to the Liang family recently. Has he introduced anyone else to the Liang family? No! Whether what He did was right or wrong, if you move to that plot, Min can use the same land to grow vegetables and ask He to introduce you to the Liang family. What reason would He have to refuse? Would he dare?”

 

Mentioning the Liang family, Miao Liang became more serious. Any opportunity to connect with a wealthy family was not to be missed. The Liang family had numerous tenant farmers, and getting in touch with them could open many doors. It would also make his contributions to the workshop more significant.

 

“But you want us to take their land, and He will still introduce Min?” Miao Liang thought it sounded wrong.

 

Miao Min’s mother smirked, “You don’t have to go yourself. Just ask the village chief. It’s beneficial for the workshop, so he will help you. If he helps, he won’t mention your name!”

 

Miao Liang thought for a while and said, “This isn’t a small matter, I’ll need to discuss it with my father.”

 

Miao Min’s mother felt satisfied in her heart. She didn’t believe that the opportunity to connect with the Liang family wouldn’t tempt him.

 

Miao Min’s mother’s scheming(bxtch) stemmed from the fact that Yang Dalang hadn’t officially bought the plot he was using. For newly independent households like Yang Dalang’s, it was difficult to afford a house plot right away. The village had a long-standing policy of renting house plots at very low rates for ten years, allowing families to save up and buy the land later. After ten years, they could either buy the plot for six taels of silver or continue renting at a normal rate.

 

Yang Dalang’s plot was only rented for a year, with nine years left. The contract was still under the village’s public land ownership, giving scheming individuals an opportunity to exploit the situation.

 

But Miao Min’s mother was overestimating her influence. Even with this loophole, getting the village chief to break the rules required significant benefits.

 

When Miao Liang mentioned this to the village chief, he looked troubled and frowned. “But Dalang rented the plot properly, there’s no fault. It would be difficult to take it back. If we do this, others will definitely talk.”

 

Miao Liang pressed his lips, feeling frustrated. If it were his uncle Miao Jue, the village chief would agree without hesitation. The village chief bowed low when visiting Miao Jue’s house. He felt inadequate and even after giving their yard to his uncle for the workshop, he still couldn’t get into the workshop’s core.

 

Feeling urgent, Miao Liang wanted to secure this opportunity. At the village chief’s house, he restrained his emotions but was inwardly agitated.

 

Five days later, Miao He and Yang Dalang went to the town for the ninth time to deliver vegetables. After this delivery, they would have completed ten, and the manager had promised a price increase afterward.

 

Sitting in the back of the donkey cart, Miao He couldn’t help but chat with Yang Dalang.

 

“I wonder how much a donkey cart costs. It’s costly to take Uncle Ma’s cart every time, and I get asked all sorts of questions when you’re not with me. I’d really like to have our own cart,” Miao He mused. 

 

“A donkey and cart cost about ten taels,” Yang Dalang replied.

 

“So expensive? It feels like building a house would be cheaper,” Miao He sighed.

 

Because non-food animals were regulated, donkeys and cows were expensive, costing seven to eight taels each.

 

“If you want it, we’ll buy it,” Yang Dalang said.

 

“No need to spend most of our savings. Besides, where would we keep it? Our yard is too small. Let’s wait until we’ve prepared the mountain land,” Miao He suggested.

 

Yang Dalang frowned. Miao He was so focused on the new vegetable plot, working under the hot sun, making his cheeks red and sweaty. Even though he remained fair, Yang Dalang felt distressed watching him.

 

He wanted to take over the work but couldn’t stop Miao He from helping. Unable to think of a way to make him rest, Yang Dalang agreed to work together so they could finish sooner.

 

“I’ll go up the mountain once the land is ready,” Yang Dalang suddenly said.

 

Miao He was surprised and wanted to object, but Yang Dalang spoke first, “I’m healed. We need to clear the mountain. It’s necessary.”

 

Miao He knew that Yang Dalang wanted to save money for the donkey cart. Feeling regretful for mentioning it, he couldn’t always stop Yang Dalang from going up the mountain. After all, hunting was his profession.

 

“Be careful and don’t overexert yourself,” Miao He said softly.

 

“I will,” Yang Dalang reassured him.

 

They chatted for a while on the cart and soon reached the town. Yang Dalang carried the box of vegetables to the Liang residence with Miao He. Delivering to the Liang residence instead of the teahouse was due to convenience and the Liang family’s arrangement.

 

Unbeknownst to them, Miao Liang, also in town to deliver goods, noticed them. Carrying goods to the workshop under the hot sun, he saw Yang Dalang and Miao He delivering a box to the Liang residence.

 

Feeling a mix of emotions, Miao Liang hid around a corner, watching them hand over the box to the gatekeeper. They left quickly, seeming very business-like. If it were him, he would build a good relationship with the gatekeeper by giving small gifts.

 

Seeing them waste the opportunity, Miao Liang’s desire for the chance he couldn’t have grew stronger. He wondered how he could achieve his goal.

 

While he was deep in thought, he saw a worker from the Yangshui Teahouse knocking on the Liang residence door. The gatekeeper welcomed him in and soon the worker came out carrying a similar box.

 

It looked exactly like the one Yang Dalang and his wife had just delivered.  

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