Chapter 9Second Uncle Feng and the others were afraid that Old Father Lian and his wife would ask them to arrange lodging, and seeing that Old Father Lian was chatting warmly with Feng Li, they took the opportunity to back down and said, "Dalang, since you've lived in town for a long time, why don't you help handle things for them…""In our town, in the past, you had to know people to find out who had an empty house. Now, there are also housing brokers who specialize in this. Some people also post notices in front of their houses. We're on the east side of town, so the prices aren't that high. Currently, the west side of town is where the wealthy or foreign merchants and officials buy land, so it's more expensive over there." Feng Li didn't directly respond to the suggestion of handling things.How could he handle it? Taking in relatives for a couple of days was fine, but if they stayed at his house long-term, that definitely wouldn't work.Or if they had no money and came to borrow from him—Feng Li wouldn't lend it even if he had money, let alone now when the hundred taels in his hands were his safety net that he couldn't easily touch.When money gets involved between relatives, even the closest relationships can easily fall apart.Moreover, Old Father Lian would soon be an ordinary citizen again, but no one could guarantee that nothing would happen to him in the meantime. Who would make that guarantee?Fortunately, Old Father Lian and his wife were quite sensible and said, "Dalang, no need to trouble yourself. When I was exiled back then, I brought some money from home. Over the years, we've spent quite a bit here and there, but the two of us can still rent a room here. When the time comes, like your uncle and the others, we'll do some small business and earn enough for our daily needs.""That's settled then. Tomorrow I'll take you to the nearby housing broker." Feng Li also breathed a sigh of relief.Yingniang observed that this Old Father Lian, though called "Old Father," was dignified in appearance and looked no more than forty-something. With his beard, he didn't look like a convict at all.After the meal, Old Father Lian still had to report to the town office. After all, at this time he was still a convict and couldn't truly act like an ordinary person.Generally, the rank of a town magistrate was around the ninth or eighth grade—not a high official. But because Yunshui Town's trade was becoming increasingly prosperous, the magistrate sent over was a former judge from Hanyang Prefecture, and this judge was quite friendly with Old Father Lian.Feng Er's father didn't know these specific details. This marriage had come about because his son had personally met the Lian family's daughter and asked them to propose on his behalf.Meanwhile, Feng Li had returned and was discussing his plans for the farmland with Mrs. Jiang: "I want to have one person each from the Ding and Miao families build a latrine by the roadside near our fields. Three to five qian should be enough. Exchange the money for me tomorrow.""That's fine. But husband, why did you choose people from the Ding and Miao families? Won't the other families have objections?" Mrs. Jiang didn't understand.Feng Li smiled and said, "I plan to have the Ding and Miao families jointly manage my fields. If something goes wrong, I'll hold them accountable. I still need to study—I can't be watching over things every moment."Mrs. Jiang sighed, "Outsiders aren't very trustworthy.""What's all this about trustworthy or not? Holding one person accountable is better than holding a group accountable. It can only be this way. Otherwise, would I still have time to study?" Even if Feng Li wanted to manage it himself, one person couldn't manage three hundred mu alone.The couple finished their conversation and went to rest. As for Old Father Lian and his wife, they too had retired, and he was saying to his wife, "This Yunshui Town is a place with beautiful mountains and waters. Although I've heard it once suffered from floods, they've since built embankments along the river. The yield is three to four shi per mu, boats and carts are convenient, and it's close to Hankou. And Hankou is 'the most prosperous place in all of Chu'!"Old Father Lian's wife, Grandmother Lian, said, "That's right. Let's not go back to that place of heartbreak."Back then, the Lian family had been doing quite well in Shandong. Old Father Lian was extremely skilled in economics and had managed the family business to flourish. It was only because he saw a powerful bully forcing himself on the widow next door that he helped drive the man away—but accidentally beat him severely.Later, he was framed. Those people were deliberately trying to arrest him, so he fled at first. But when he heard they wouldn't leave his family alone, he turned himself in and was exiled to Anlu.Later, he met Judge Cheng, who was then only a county magistrate. There were many lawsuits among the people, and Old Father Lian helped mediate. Even when the Cheng family's young son was born and the lady almost died in childbirth, it was he who came up with a folk remedy that ensured a smooth delivery.But the couple always remembered that the widow they had helped never stood up to speak the truth. To protect her own reputation, she claimed no one had been forcing himself on her. After Old Father Lian was exiled, his fields were taken over by neighbors and relatives. Going back would only bring more grief.Hearing that Grandmother Lian also agreed, Old Father Lian smiled and said, "I've observed the Feng family. Our in-laws are rather petty, only seeing the profits right under their noses. When we offered them a business opportunity, they agreed right away. But they're not foolish—otherwise, our daughter wouldn't have married so quickly. As for the eldest branch's Feng Dalang, he's not like ordinary people."Grandmother Lian said, "What do you mean by that? I think Feng Dalang's appearance is rather plain, but his wife is quite a striking figure.""How can people judge by appearances alone? The fact that he'd rather borrow from the pawnshop to buy land shows he has good foresight. Around Suzhou and Songjiang, they've mostly switched to growing cotton now, and grain has to be shipped in from Huguang. This place is close to Hankou, where water transport is cheapest. He may not become fabulously wealthy, but he'll certainly make his family much more prosperous." Old Father Lian was himself a man who knew how to manage a household, and he appreciated a practical man like Feng Li.Within just three or five days, the Lian family had rented a house, furnished it completely, and personally came to invite everyone over for a meal.She had cured meat sliced thin, stir-fried with mugwort, air-dried chicken stewed with yam, sweet river shrimp fried with peas, and a few dishes ordered from the restaurant. They drank wine and chatted about farming matters.Midway through the meal, Second Uncle Feng remarked, "When we came this morning, what was our in-law doing? Why weren't you home?"Old Father Lian chuckled, "Young Master Cheng of the Cheng family asked me to make him a kite. I finished it a few days ago in my spare time and delivered it today."Feng Li smiled, "So you have such skills too."Old Father Lian said with pride, "Of course. I've had clever hands since childhood. My family were originally artisans—in the military garrison, any machinery, tools, or farm implements that were hard to fix all came to me, let alone kites."With that, he looked at Yingniang and said, "Little girl, I'll make one for you to play with too. It's spring—the perfect time for flying kites."Yingniang, gnawing on a chicken leg, nodded blankly.The Lian family settled down in the town. Old Father Lian was very warm-hearted, and knowing that Feng Li would soon be going to the county school, he specially helped him pick a location for the outhouse. Feng Li built it at the Miao family's place, which was closest to the fields, and instructed, "Anyone can come use it, but the manure goes on our fields—no one else is allowed to haul it away."Rich soil required fertilizing. Though he'd spent a bit of money, he hadn't really lost out.The Miao family was poor—three brothers, none able to marry, sharing one pair of trousers among them. They scraped by doing odd jobs, and whenever they had a little money, they'd gamble with the villagers and lose it all.But these three had strength and a sense of loyalty, and they especially respected Feng Li. At his word, they finished the job in three to five days under Old Father Lian's guidance. The Feng family provided the meals, and the three brothers ate their fill for the first time.Feng Li smiled, "During the busy harvest season, I'll have the old man make you egg-fried rice."The eldest Miao brother and his siblings clasped their fists, "We'll do whatever the master commands."Feng Li also warned them against gambling, told them to patrol the fields regularly, and said that if they did well, the fields would eventually be put under their management. The three brothers were delighted to hear it.After they left, Feng Li's luggage was nearly packed. He had words of caution for Mrs. Jiang. "I'm going for the seasonal examination and will come back as soon as it's done. No need to pull such a long face. Just one thing—while I'm away, you're a young woman, so don't go out with the child too often."Mrs. Jiang looked at her husband and said coquettishly, "Are you afraid someone might take a fancy to me?""Nonsense. I'm afraid that with me gone and your parents not being on guard, you'll be alone in this big house with our daughter. Seeing a woman by herself, people might grow bold. Don't take this lightly—what if our daughter gets snatched away?" Feng Li was loath to leave his wife and child, but he had no choice.Mrs. Jiang said, "How could that happen? You're worrying over nothing. Don't worry, I'll stay home and behave.""Hmm. I'll only take two taels for my expenses—that's plenty. The rest of the silver, check on it often and don't let anyone steal it," Feng Li said.The most valuable thing in Mrs. Jiang's dowry had been the donkey; the rest were just bedding, mosquito nets, and a bed. Her dowry money wasn't much—just a small piece of silver worth five taels, kept like a family heirloom.But since giving birth to their daughter, she and her husband had grown closer, and he entrusted all his savings to her, letting her manage their daily expenses.Each of them had an allowance of about five mace to one tael per month, and all other expenses had to be recorded. Mrs. Jiang found it troublesome at first, but gradually keeping accounts became a habit. Even after this land purchase, she quickly listed out the new entries in the ledger—thanks to her husband teaching her bookkeeping in daily life.She was lost in thought when Yingniang asked, "Father, when will you come back?"Who would have thought such a little girl would miss him? Feng Li said happily, "At most two months, at least one, and I'll bring you good things to eat from the county. Deal?""Mm." Yingniang was actually a bit fearful. Since her rebirth, she'd come to understand deeply that her father was the true pillar of the household. Though he wouldn't be gone long, she dreaded something bad happening.She was too young now, unable even to act on her own. Even if she said something shocking, no one would believe her.Feng Li saw that his daughter was being obedient and well-behaved, so he said to Mrs. Jiang, "Our daughter has always been prone to catching a chill since she was little, which makes her throat swell up and brings on a high fever. Last time, it was Doctor Ji who treated her and made her better. If our daughter ever feels unwell again, there's no need to look for anyone else—just have Doctor Ji take a look at her.""I understand." Mrs. Jiang was deeply reluctant to part with him.Feng Li placed Yingniang on the bed and comforted his wife a while longer. Yingniang tugged at her little quilt, thinking to herself that once her father left, she had no idea what kind of situation would unfold.

Yingniang