Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Still an Income

By the time they returned, the sky had grown darker. After sending the Government Official back, the family hurriedly went back to the second courtyard.

Everyone was waiting for news about the land purchase. Hearing that the soil was fertile, they were all very happy.

“Alright, let’s eat first! After dinner, the six of you brothers bring your wives to our room to talk,”

Qi Zheng announced, and the family immediately agreed.

Qi Dalang knew that his parents were discussing serious matters with the older generation, so he took charge of cleaning up the dishes and tidying the kitchen with a few of his younger brothers.

In the main room of the back house, Qi Zheng sat on the edge of the kang, puffing on his pipe, while Mrs. Qi leaned against the quilt pile on the kang-side. Unusually, Qi Manman was not by her side.

On the floor and beside the kang were six sons and their wives, either sitting or standing.

Everyone looked at Qi Zheng, waiting for him to speak.

Mrs. Qi got annoyed seeing the old man puffing twice on his pipe: “Puffing, puffing, can’t you wait until after you’re done talking? Everyone’s been busy all day, they’re all exhausted, can’t you show some care?”

Qi Zheng glared at his wife but didn’t puff on the pipe again. He tapped it twice, then took a sip of tea handed over by his eldest son before speaking: “Our family has a few things coming up. I’ll talk about them, you all listen, see if anything is wrong, or if you have any other thoughts, speak up. Let’s all research together.”

Upon hearing this, everyone straightened their backs and nodded in unison.

Qi Zheng sighed deeply and said: “You all saw the land today, the fourth and his wife saw it firsthand. The soil is black, and the official said the land in Tabei Prefecture is fertile. So, regarding the land purchase, tomorrow the fourth and second should take care of it.”

“That’s the first thing. The second is after the deed is done, you brothers should go with the fourth under the guise of chopping firewood to take a look at the purchased land. Listen to the fourth about what exactly needs to be done.”

“Then the third thing involves you women.”

Qi Zheng paused, glancing at the neatly arranged wooden racks against the opposite wall, and the wooden boxes atop them, filled four-fifths full with dirt.

“These boxes of dirt are for growing vegetables. Although the idea came from the fourth’s wife, when it comes to growing vegetables, she’s no match for you sisters-in-law.”

“So, regarding growing vegetables, you sisters-in-law should work a bit harder. As for the fourth’s wife, don’t be idle, lend a hand when you can.”

As a father-in-law, Qi Zheng never showed any favoritism toward the daughters-in-law, so even though privately he had recognized Yi Meng as the family’s financial caretaker, he outwardly did not show favoritism toward her.

Yi Meng immediately agreed.

The other daughters-in-law of the Qi Family also quickly stated their willingness.

Qi Dafu scratched his head and couldn’t help but ask: “Dad, since the fourth sister-in-law isn’t good at farming, why not have her continue teaching the kids how to read?”

“Aren’t there Mr. Qin and Mr. Yin?”

Qi Zheng countered.

Qi Dafu shook his head: “There were, but lately, there’ve been sick people at those two courtyards. The doctors have been going back and forth for visits daily.”

Qi Ercai chimed in: “Yes, this afternoon I heard Mr. Qin and Mr. Yin say they wanted to move to the main courtyard, saying it’d be more convenient.”

Regarding treating the sick, Qi Zheng had no solutions, so he turned to Yi Meng.

Yi Meng understood and hurriedly said: “After I’ve finished my chores, I’ll take the time to teach the kids to read. But I don’t read profound things, so Dad, would you consider asking around in town if any schools are still accepting students?”

The children of the Qi Family obeyed, but even the most obedient children could have some rebellious streak.

Especially since the Qi Family seemed to have no vein for reading, they found it harder than taking medicine.

If they weren’t their own kids, Yi Meng would’ve long given up.

Now that finding a school was mentioned, everyone perked up.

Knowing that their kids lacked the reading ability and completely giving up on them going to school are entirely different in the elders’ mind.

Even though Yi Meng could enlighten the kids at home, it was ultimately not as proper as going to school.

Especially since the brothers all knew the family had plenty of money, they eagerly awaited their father agreeing to this.

Hearing this suggestion, Qi Zheng was tempted, but after careful consideration, he shook his head: “We’ve just settled here, renting a house and buying land, we’ve already drawn enough attention.”

“Not to mention others, just speaking of your Uncle Zhou and their three families, with us moving like this, even if they don’t envy us, can they not feel anything in their hearts?”

“Everyone in the village knows our family’s previous financial state. Even selling a root of ginseng, the price of one root is quite evident, can it last forever?”

With these words, everyone’s heart sank.

At the same time, everyone calmed down.

Wang Daya couldn’t help but ask: “Dad, how much money does our family have now?”

Upon saying this, everyone turned to look at her, causing her scalp to tingle. She awkwardly laughed: “I just asked casually, no need to say.”

“The exact amount, your mother and I haven’t counted, but after the land purchase, there’ll certainly be nothing left. The future income of our family relies on you, your sisters-in-law should focus on growing vegetables, particularly those easy-to-grow greens, sell them before the new year.”

“And for you boys, once everything settles down, go out and chop more wood. Our place now is large, and the rooms people live in need to be kept warm. Don’t skimp on firewood. If there’s extra, sell it, three or five coins, it’s still an income.”

With Qi Zheng’s words, everyone started nodding in agreement.

Everyone has tasks now. Although the income might not be high, they still have directions.

“Alright, let’s leave it at that. Everyone rest early and wake up tomorrow morning, do what needs to be done.”

Qi Zheng paused and looked at Mrs. Qi: “Old lady, do you have anything to add?”

Mrs. Qi glared at him.

He only remembered to ask her after saying “that’s enough.”

Mrs. Qi looked at the daughters-in-law: “Check how much grain we have at home. Fourth daughter-in-law, go to those two courtyards and ask them if they really can’t get by, whether to sell or give credit, we can’t let people come here and starve.”

Upon hearing this, everyone laughed.

The old lady’s mouth is the harshest, yet her heart is the softest. Nobody expected this, but she kept it in mind.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep