Chapter 102: Chapter 29 Recorded in His Name
"Thereâs another piece, we also went to see it. Itâs twenty acres, also split into two sections. The fields arenât bad, but itâs too little. Larger ones are farther away from Shangling Village, making it inconvenient to manage. Everyone bring some ideas, which fields are the best?" Mr. Gu couldnât make up his mind.
"Dad! Why not buy all fifty-five acres? Isnât the familyâs silver enough?" Motherâs face blossomed with joy as she spoke. If they could buy it all, they could afford to eat well every day.
Gu Chengyu also considered this possibility. If they bought it all, would there be enough left to build a house? The kind of residence he wanted to build would cost over a hundred silver, at least. Gu Chengyu mentally went through all the money-making ideas he had for the future but couldnât find anything that would earn money quickly and sufficiently. Even making soap would require leaving it to dry for over a month. Starting a small food business would make money too slowly, not in time for the construction.
Suddenly, Gu Chengyuâs eyes brightened, he had an idea! He had read many time-travel novels, the most classic of which was selling recipes. Maybe he could try selling them to a restaurant? But before trying, heâd better investigate the cooking level in ancient restaurants first, not knowing if selling recipes could earn silver.
Gu Chengyu thought about not worrying so much for now and decided to buy the land; if someone else bought it first, theyâd miss the chance.
"Dad! Letâs buy those fifty-five acres! This is a rare opportunity; if missed, itâll be hard to find such a connected piece of land in the future. How much is it per acre?" Mr. Gu had said before that good land was about eight silver per acre. Grandpa Qin was in a rush to leave, so presumably, it would be cheaper. Suddenly selling so much land and not being able to split it up surely left room for negotiation.
"Housekeeper Qin mentioned that good fields are usually eight silver per acre, but since theyâre leaving now, anyone who buys them all together will be offered seven and a half silver per acre." Actually, Mr. Gu also thought buying them all was worth it, saving fifty copper coins per acre!
"Dad! Are those two pieces close together?" Gu Chengli was still concerned about the land purchase.
"Very close, just separated by four acres. Itâs Widow Liangâs from Xialing Village." Speaking of this widow, Mr. Gu felt the only downside was the four dividing acres. If it were all connected, how great would it be? Moreover, it belonged to a widow. Trouble often surrounds a widowâs home, and buying land would inevitably involve dealing with Widow Liang.
"Dad! Buy them all! Anyway, we have enough money now!" Gu Chengyu decided to buy all the land. The silver needed for the house can be found in time. If really insufficient, theyâll build a few less rooms, adding more later when they have the silver, although this would bring future troubles.
"What does everyone say? Buy it all?" Mr. Gu knew his youngest always planned for the family, but worried everyone had their own opinions. The silver was supposedly meant for Xiao Baoâs education, but no one was mentioning it. He couldnât let Xiao Bao be shortchanged.
"Dad! The fifth brother is right. Itâs rare to find such good land again; buying it all is better!" Chengyi, hearing his father agree to buy the land, was almost ready to wholeheartedly support it. In the future, during property division, each could get more land.
Mr. Gu glanced at everyone. The daughters-in-law and children were all bowing their heads, silent. The eldest son clearly agreed, while the second son didnât need to be asked, eagerly wishing to buy more.
"Old man, have you forgotten what you said? The remaining silver was for tax duties and Xiao Baoâs education? How come mere days later, you forget this matter?" Mrs. Lv felt the whole family was calculating Xiao Baoâs silver, but Xiao Bao had a good heart, always wanting to help his brothers. Silly son, why doesnât he plan for himself?
"This is what I was about to bring up. Initially, everyone knew the remaining silver was for certain uses, no need for me to say more. Now, using the remaining silver to fill in the land purchase, there needs to be a plan. The fifty-five acres should be bought, but whose name is on the deed? This needs discussion!" Mr. Gu had been pondering; Xiao Bao looked clever, but obtaining titles isnât easy. If all the silver is used now, how will Xiao Bao marry and have children?
Heâs getting older. If he passes away, the Gu Family divides, Xiao Bao being the youngest would naturally suffer. As a scholar with neither shoulder nor arm strength, relying on two acres for livingâwhatâs the solution? Future issues are uncertain, so he must plan now.
"What do you mean, Dad?" Chengyi believed that the patriarch was favoring the fifth sibling.
"Originally, there were thirty-five acres, now itâll be fifty-five. The extra twenty acres all use the remaining silver, so these twenty acres should be in Xiao Baoâs name. Before dividing the family, the grain produced by these twenty acres goes into the public stock. If divided, these donât count as family assets, Xiao Bao still gets what he deserves. Any opinions? Feel free to speak up." Mr. Gu was prepared; the second son wouldnât let it rest easily.
"Dad! Thatâs too biased! Is Little Uncle your precious, while other sons are weeds? Why register the twenty acres in his name?" Mother was the first to disagree. Losing twenty acres would mean less land in future division, and no family buys land this way.
This time Gu Chengyu remained silent. As they say, kindness as abundant as rice can only lead to trouble, constantly giving without consideration would only enlarge their greed.
"Why? Because this is silver Xiao Bao earned, and because heâs your younger brother. If you disagree, then just buy the thirty-acre piece, saving the silver for Xiao Baoâs studies; otherwise, reserve the silver for a suitable purchase later. Decide for yourselves!" Mr. Gu was now impatient. They had managed before without anything, now with silver, theyâre still unsatisfied.
"Dad! However you decide is best! Not buying would be such a waste!" Gu Chengli hesitates to let such good fields be bought by others; as for those twenty acres, they can be in the fifth brotherâs name without causing issues. As long as the family isnât divided, isnât it all public stock anyway? Dividing later is Xiao Baoâs rightful share. He lacks ability, but with added acres now, heâs content!
Mrs. Fang glanced at Gu Chengli. Anyway, the household is led by the old man, not for the women to say. Even if those twenty acres arenât for Little Uncle, they wouldnât go to the eldest branch. Wanting the division is impossible. With added fields, she hopes for a future where they can eat well daily; sheâs satisfied. Just feel sorry for the kids who canât eat or dress warmly, thinking about their future marriages sometimes keeps her awake at night.