Little Ger, Slow Life in Another World

Not a simple thing

With the joint efforts of the Yang brothers, a long wooden wall about as tall as the average man was built to which enclosing the entire area took nine days. Naturally, the fence boasted a gate in the middle, and Yang Datong around, an adroit woodworker, made it look easy.

The timber logs used for the fence were the remaining scattered trees on the uncultivated land at the foot of the mountain. They were chopped down to make do for the wall, accomplishing the initial steps of land preparation in the process. Once the rocks on the wasteland were sorted out, the dying tree roots dug up one by one, and the soil painstakingly plowed, the wasteland could be used as a vegetable field.

After all, Yangshui Teahouse always mentioned for them expanding production. And the sooner the land preparation starts, the better.

Miao He, then gathered all rocks while Yang Dalang busied with excavating tree roots. The two individuals were heavily occupied with their newly acquired property every day. During this peaceful time, Miao Min’s mother snuck to find Miao Liang, a young man who would be her son-in-law in two months.

Miao Min’s mother asked worriedly, “Liang boy, Auntie heard that your father owns the courtyard used by the workshop. You and Brother Min are about to marry. Is this new house ready?”

Miao Liang was caught off guard. “Why does Auntie ask that? When is this– Isn’t the new house already completed?”

“Auntie asks you, where is your new house built? It won’t be a temporary earthen house, no? Where your second uncle and some others squeezed into, would it?”

Miao Liang turned sour, and his reply was blunt. “Of course, it’s temporary. My father said he would ask the village chief if he could have a house constructed to rebuild the yard. Moreover, the workshop’s business performance has been excellent. It won’t take long for my family to have money to build a house soon. So, you need not worry, Auntie.”

‘Besides, if that Brother marries and lives in our household, where can he go in the betrothed house where he can freely speak?’

Miao Min’s mother deliberately dragged on a sigh before saying, “It’s not that Auntie is dissatisfied with your family’s conditions. On the contrary, she is very pleased. You are growing into a fine young man with prospects. It’s only natural that Auntie is happy for you. Also, Auntie wants you to marry Brother Min so that he can help you. I don’t know if you know, but the mountaintop in the village’s southwest was given to the Dalang and Brother He by the Liangs as a present!”

Miao Liang asked inwardly. “I know.” But what did it have to do with him?

“Brother Min is better than Brother He — everyone in the village knows that. Brother Min used to play at the zone where Brother He lived, and he liked it there. Since he and Dalang already had a large property in the mountains, Auntie thought they no longer needed to use the land they borrowed from the village. Shouldn’t it be given to those who lack it? Auntie sees that the size fits you and Brother Min’s new home. It’s already convenient for you when you get married! In the future, your family will have a lot of money. If the entire family wants to move in, expanding the area will not be a problem. The point is, I heard that the vegetable field is included. If you want to live there, Brother Min can help grow vegetables.”

Miao Ling felt repulsed when he heard it, and he masked that with a chuckle, “There is so much land in the village, and we still need to rob them? Auntie, if Brother Min wishes to plant vegetables, I will make a vegetable field for him. There’s no need to do that.”

Miao Min’s mother had a look of “your comprehension is beyond belief” and deepened to an authoritative voice. “Didn’t Auntie just say this is meant to let Brother Min help you?! Why do you think Auntie covets that piece of land? Brother He is still supplying vegetables to the Liang family, is he not? Who did he introduce to the Liang family to help during his work? None! But, yes, let’s not confuse how Brother He should handle such matters. You are going to move to that land. Wouldn’t it be good to plant Brother Min’s vegetable seeds on the land that Brother He uses? In that case, let Brother Min seek out Brother He to connect you with the Liang family. Do you think he has any reason to refuse? The nerve to refuse?”

When the Liang family was mentioned, Miao Liang became more serious. The opportunity to catch up with a great family could not be missed. Let’s say they have tenant farmers under their name, and the population ranges from dozens to hundreds. When gathering soybeans, a single instruction would be more useful in contrast to the words of the Village Chief. Getting on this kind of network would also provide another route for the workshop. And if possible, could this be credited to himself?

“But if you asked us to snatch their land, won’t Brother He not introduce Brother Min?” Miao Liang felt that it was so wrong.

Miao Min’s mother pursed her lips into a white line. “Still need more to convince you, ah? Simply go to the village chief, tell him that such a thing is good for the workshop, and see if he is willing to help you! If he does, he will never think so far as to mention your name!”

Miao Liang considered it for a while. “This is not a simple matter. I must speak with my father.”

Upon seeing this outcome, Miao Min’s mother was satisfied.

She never once believed that the gold mine, Liang family, would not move that person.

Miao Min’s mother premeditated this because Yang Dalang’s current homestead had yet to be officially bought from the village. Young adults like Yang Dalang, who have just separated and settled independently from the village, would initially have difficulty owning a homestead even with money.

But in many cases, the population in an old principal house grew so much that it was nearly impossible to squeeze even a few people in. And those families who just moved into tiny houses find paying rent unattainable. Therefore, since ancient times, the village had had this welfare of renting homesteads equitable to their conditions. After ten years of renting at a low price, people could finally save enough money to purchase the land. Naturally, those who could not pay for it must continue renting. However, the rent would be adjusted to the standard level in the second decade of rent renewal. Fortunately, almost all families had no problem using those ten years to save adequate money.

Yang Dalang’s homestead only started renting last year, with nine years left to pay. So long as he religiously paid the remaining six taels of silver for that nine years, he could claim the homestead.

In other words, before the title of the homestead was transferred, it was still legally named under the village public land. And this kind of situation allowed those interested to seize the opportunity.

It was just that Miao Min’s mother counted the chickens before they watched too fast.

Even if there was room for such manipulation, she wanted the village chief to take the lead and go against his rules, and she must garner enough interest to will the people to do it!

So when Miao Liang was moved and spoke of this to the village chief, Miao Huosheng showed signs of reluctance. “However, Dalang signed the lease adhering to the contract and has never had problems. You want me to revoke his land back… I’m afraid it will be difficult. If you force it this way, it is not impossible for other families not to speak.”

Miao Liang pursed his lips, discontent filling his heart. He thought that if it was his Uncle Miao Jue, would he still hesitate? Sadly enough, he did not see how low the village chief bowed below the waist when he visited Miao Jue’s house. That also implied that his influence was not heavy enough! Even if he persuaded his father to make the yard as an extension for the workshop, it still would not be enough to get him into the workshop’s core.

Miao Liang was a little anxious about this. So after hearing his future mother-in-law’s embellishments, the more he thought about it, the more he was moved and desirous to go down this path! He had just met a hard nail at the village chief’s house. Though Miao Liang’s face was blank, his heart raged impetuously.

Five days later, Miao He and Yang Dalang headed to the town to deliver the ninth batch of vegetables. And with one more, they would have their first ten. Shopkeeper Jin promised that the vegetable pricing would increase in the future while feeling ecstatic about the new large vegetable field where he wanted the couple to plant a variety of many.

Sitting on the rocking donkey cart, the two sat on the rear seats, and the box of vegetables in the middle gave them privacy from the passenger in front; Miao He could not help whispering in Yang Dalang’s ear.

“I don’t know how much a donkey cart costs. Nowadays, delivering food using Uncle Ma’s coach costs me two seat worth of money, not to mention I get asked all the time if you don’t come with me. I truly want to have an animal cart of my own.” In modern thinking, cars were a necessity of life, not a luxury.

“Donkey and a cart — ten taels should be fine,” Yang Dalang thought.

Miao He hissed, “That much? I wonder how building a house is much cheaper than this.”

The Imperial Court held complete control over non-food animals, making them costly. Thus, donkeys and cows had each leaped seven to eight taels.

Yang Dalang casually said, “Buy it if you want.”

Miao He immediately renounced the idea and waved his hand. “It will take most of my savings, which is distressing. Not to mention raising the animal after buying it and the small size of the yard. Let’s discuss it after finishing the mountain.”

Speaking of mountains, Yang Dalang’s brow immediately frowned. The little ger threw himself on the new vegetable ground wholeheartedly. At this time of the year, the weather had become blistering hot, and the sun shied not in glowering. Even with some work, his cheeks would be flushed, and his forehead would be sweaty. Although he was still fair, tender, and not tanned, Yang Dalang felt pain and was reluctant to watch him.

He couldn’t stop the latter from coming, so the little ger remained around him. Yang Dalang could not think of another way to make the other rest, so he had to agree for them to work together to finish work earlier.

“When the field is ready, I’ll go up the mountain,” Yang Dalang said unexpectedly.

Miao He blanked out and tried to protest, but Yang Dalang was one step ahead and hurried to say, “The injury has healed. The mountain must be cleared. I must go.”

Miao He, however, knew that the man said that only to have more money to buy a donkey cart. He straight up regretted that his mouth ran too fast. But also knew that he could not keep people from going to the mountains. After all, Yang Dalang’s occupation was a hunter.

He pursed his lips. “We are not short of money, ah. You may go, but be careful. Don’t force yourself.”

Yang Dalang’s eyes warmed. “I know.”

They chatted throughout the entire travel. They arrived in town not long after. Yang Dalang hoisted the box of vegetables on his shoulder and delivered it to Liang Mansion with Miao He. The vegetables could not be sent directly to Yang Teahouse because The Liang Mansion was Miao He’s first patron. Aside from that, the teahouse was on the opposite side of town, so another brother got assigned to transport their portion from the mansion to the teahouse instead. Liang Yuanwai was aware of it and proposed just sending him all the food and letting the teahouse’s little staff fetch it. As a result, Miao He had only ever taken them to Liang Mansion.

Unbeknownst to them, the two figures were spotted by Miao Liang, who had also come to town to distribute goods. Miao Liang was on his way to send tofu to the workshop. He did not want to pay for transportation; hence he carried the box beneath the smoldering light. He couldn’t get Miao Min’s mother’s proposition out of his head the entire time. So, when he saw the two at the front of Liang Mansion’s gate, his steps skidded to a halt.

It was uncertain if it was guilty conscience or something, but Miao Liang instinctively hid at the nearest corner to observe Yang Dalang and Miao He. The pair then left soon after handing over a box to which contents could not be seen to the concierge of the Liang residence. Few words were exchanged between the parties. It was very businesslike.

If it were him, he would get some sweet treats for the concierge to take care of their relationship. Seeing them just like that, Miao Liang thought they were squandering such a good opportunity. His heart could not help but fume again for the opportunities he could not ask for.

So, what else could he do….

Miao Liang pondered while watching and suddenly froze.

A small worker who was supposed to be at Yangshui Teahouse knocked on the gates of Liang Mansion. It did not take long for him to be greeted by the concierge. Miao Liang was puzzled that the Yangshui Teahouse also had something to do with the Liang Mansion.

When the little worker came out, he was unexpectedly carrying a small box. That box…. Looks familiar.

‘Isn’t it similar to what Yang Dalang and Miao He just brought in?’