AWB Chapter 147 Transfer of Ownership
Chapter 147 Transfer of Ownership
"Leave this to me. I'll find you the best I can find," Granny Xu promised with a smile. Having lived in the town for over twenty years, there was nothing she didn't know.
"Alright, try to hire servants who have done farm work before. You know, I mainly grow crops here," Song Jiaojiao reminded Granny Xu. She didn't want to hire maids from wealthy families, who probably hadn't even seen farm work before.
“Alright, after the transfer is completed tomorrow, you can come with me to choose the property. A group of people arrived just a couple of days ago,” Granny Xu said with a smile.
They left in two horse-drawn carriages. Song Jiaojiao didn't go back to town; she said goodbye to Granny Xu and went back to the village.
When they returned to the village, it was getting dark. Winter days are naturally shorter. As soon as Song Jiaojiao got home, she told Xu Da about it.
"Xu Da, we've bought the estate, and you'll be in charge of managing it from now on. Come with me tomorrow; it's not far, just around the town."
After hearing Song Jiaojiao's words, Xu Da said incredulously, "Madam, you want me to manage the manor? I'm afraid I can't manage it well."
Xu Da thought to himself that he was just a horse feeder, and now he was being asked to manage such a large estate. He was afraid that he would not be able to do a good job, so he repeatedly refused.
"It's alright. You're doing just as well as you do at home. It's nothing serious. Let's try it first, and if it doesn't work, we'll talk about it later."
Song Jiaojiao smiled and said, "Xu Da is still very apprehensive, afraid that he will mess up his employer's business."
"By the way, eldest sister, you and Bai Shuqin should go together next year, as well as Meng An. Bring the donkey cart from home too. I bought a shop and plan to open a barbecue restaurant."
Song Jiaojiao thought she probably wouldn't have time to deal with the shop, so she decided to leave it to Mu Qing. It just so happened that Mu Qing was on a half-day off at the time and was watching over the whole process.
"Okay, Mother, do you think we need to bring anything?" After all these experiences, Mu Qing has become more generous and open-minded. Indeed, going out and seeing things makes a big difference.
"Prepare some clothes for a change of clothes; you can buy the rest in town."
Song Jiaojiao thought for a moment and continued, "Tomorrow, you should plan out how to set up the shop. You know how to make barbecue. The shop may need some major changes. If you can't make up your mind, discuss it with Bai Shuqin. If you really can't come up with a solution, then come and find me."
"I understand, Mother." Mu Qing remembered Song Jiaojiao's words and thought about what she was determined to accomplish this time.
Having arranged everything, Song Jiaojiao told everyone to go and rest early, as they would be setting off before dawn the next day.
After everyone dispersed, Song Jiaojiao went back to her room alone and started drawing blueprints, mainly about the arrangements for the manor. She didn't plan to demolish the yard, but rather to place the poultry area downwind, otherwise the smell would be unbearable. It would be best to place it closer to the land so that it would be easier to collect fertilizer.
I recall that a bamboo grove was planted between the yard and the land; beyond the bamboo grove lay the land. I suppose it was there to create a visual barrier.
The area for raising poultry could be planned outside the bamboo grove, next to the land.
Thinking of that large bamboo forest, Song Jiaojiao felt it was a pity. It would be so much better to use it to plant fruit trees. It would also block the view, and you could enjoy the flowers in spring. When the fruit ripens, you can eat it. Apart from weaving things, Song Jiaojiao really felt that bamboo was not very practical.
The irrigation ditches in the manor are quite wide, and with the main river not far from the manor, there's no need to worry about water shortages. Song Jiaojiao thought it would be nice to put some river mud in the ditches, plant some lotus flowers, and raise some fish.
Then there's the issue of land. Most of the soil in the village is yellow soil with little fertility. Although there's still a lot of fertilizer in Qingshui Village, it's not nearly enough for 200 mu of land.
Villagers used to come and pick what they needed, but now there probably aren't many left.
It seems we still need to find a way to get some fertilizer. Song Jiaojiao knows a few ways to compost. One way is to collect rotten leaves and dig a big pit, pile the leaves in it, keep it moist but not waterlogged, and it can be used in about two months.
This method might be necessary in the early stages, but once the pigs are fattened up, there won't be such a worry.
Another good fertilizer is wood ash. You can buy it from villagers. If you rely on burning it yourself, it would take forever to burn enough for 200 acres of land.
Then there are those who resell night soil in ancient times. As for where to buy it, you'd probably have to ask Granny Xu.
Now let the land rest and mature, and it will be ready for use when spring planting begins.
By the time Song Jiaojiao had finished planning everything, the moon was already high in the sky, and it was indeed getting late.
The next day,
As soon as the rooster crowed, Song Jiaojiao's house began to bustle with activity, everyone methodically preparing what they needed.
After a good breakfast, just as dawn was breaking and amidst a thick fog, two cars set off from Song Jiaojiao's house.
When they arrived in town, it was already broad daylight. Song Jiaojiao and the others waited at the entrance of the town government. After a short while, Granny Xu arrived with Steward Lin and the shop owner.
After the group completed the formalities and transferred the property, Steward Lin submitted his resignation and went to the capital.
Before leaving, the two of them handed the keys to Song Jiaojiao.
Song Jiaojiao first brought Mu Qing and the others to the shop and told them to tidy up first, then took Xu Da to Fengtang.
This time, more servants were needed, so Song Jiaojiao directly handed over the task of selecting servants to Xu Da, while she only needed to select the remaining people.
This was also a deliberate effort to cultivate Xu Da, since Xu Da would still need to solve the problems at the estate himself.
This time, Song Jiaojiao again chose to prioritize one family, as such people are easier to manage. She selected the people according to her needs, and then had Fengtang send them directly to the estate.
She then went with Granny Xu and Xu Da to find a craftsman.
"Madam Song, we've arrived. This is Master Huang's house. He's been building houses for over ten years, and his prices are very fair." After saying this, Granny Xu went up and knocked on the door.
"Is anyone home?" A woman's voice came from inside the yard as the door was being knocked on loudly.
"Coming, coming, who is it?" The courtyard gate opened, revealing a woman in her forties.
"Oh, it's Sister Xu! What brings you here?" The woman quickly and happily welcomed everyone inside.
"Sister Huang, I've come to introduce you to some business. Is your husband, Old Huang, home?" Granny Xu said with a smile.
Hearing their fluent conversation, Song Jiaojiao figured that Granny Xu must come here often.
"The husband has gone out to settle the final payment with the supplier. He should be back soon," the woman said.
"This is Madam Song. Her family's estate needs repairs. Madam Song, this is Master Huang's wife. She's a few years older than you, so you can call her Sister-in-law Huang."
Granny Xu introduced the two sides to each other.
"Please have a seat, Miss Song. My husband, Lao Huang, should be back soon. Oh dear, look at my forgetfulness, I haven't served tea to the guests yet. Please have a seat, I'll go make some tea."