The old man nodded: "This is indeed a bit difficult to handle. What if we find these people to buy the land in this slum?"
County Magistrate Wu said: "It's not entirely impossible, but this place isn't small, buying it won't be easy at all! What's more, I'm afraid someone may demand an exorbitant price, one that even myself as county magistrate cannot stop. After all, business transactions require both parties' willingness."
The old man said: ''How about this, can the county magistrate still find the owner of these lands? I'll buy this plot of land! Build a shelter for the refugees."
Magistrate Wu asked in surprise: "Old man, are you telling the truth? This land is not small! It costs thousands of taels of silver to buy it!"
"Why not treat it like adding some real estate to our family estate while also providing shelter for the refugees? Why not do it?" the old man replied.
The county magistrate said: "Okay, let me talk to these people. I think they will give me, the county magistrate, a face."
The old man nodded and asked: "If the negotiation is successful, where will we find people to build houses? I can't stay in town for long, there are still many things to do at home."
Magistrate Wu replied: "You don't have to worry about this old man, finding people to work here is on me, you've solved a big problem for me! Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to find a suitable place to house these refugees, as a token of appreciation, our yamen can still afford to pay this worker's wages."
The old man didn't decline, and indeed, he had helped solve the county magistrate's problem of where to house the refugees.
In the afternoon, Kui Wu planned to go to the academy to pick up her brothers and the old man took Qibao along with him.
The brothers were a little surprised when they saw Grandpa and Qibao.
Xiaowu asked: "Grandpa, why are you and my sister in town?"
The old man briefly explained the matter to her brothers.
Xiaowu said: "These people are really pitiful."
The old man asked: "Do you think it's good for grandpa to do this?"
Xu Wenwu replied: "Of course it's good. This not only gives our family a good reputation, but also fills in a real estate. Grandpa did the right thing!"
The old man nodded. The eldest grandson was very perceptive and could see the benefits of this at a glance.
The old man said: "Although it is beneficial to us in terms of profits, we can't just look at these as a person. Grandpa also sincerely wants to help these refugees."
The brothers nodded.
Back at home, since it was almost time for dinner, Xu Dabo's brothers also came back from the construction site.
When Mrs. Wang saw the old man coming back, she quickly asked: "Old man, how is the situation in town?"
The old man once again told his family what he had just seen in town.
Mrs. Wang sighed: "Ai! These people are already pitiful enough as it is, now encountering such misfortune. Their lives will only become harder from here on out."
sighed. "Ai! These people are already pitiful enough as it is, now encountering such misfortune. Their lives will only become harder from here on out."
Uncle Xu reacted rather dramatically: "What?! Dad, have you lost your mind? How much money would it take to build houses for so many refugees?!"
"Rubbish! You don't understand anything!" The old man scolded his son harshly: "Your head isn't even as sharp as Wenwu, always focused solely on short-term gains or losses?"
Xu Dabo shrank back slightly, not daring to say another word after his father's rebuke.
The old man explained his train of thought to his family.
Mrs. Wang said: "Although you are right, what if the owner of this land refuses to sell it?"
Mrs. Wang asked: "Then will you go to town tomorrow?"
The old man shook his head and said: "I won't go tomorrow. The refugees have been resettled. Now I just need to wait for news from the county magistrate."
"Father, you're truly incredible." Xu Erbo said. "Not only did you win yourself a good reputation, but you've also gained some real estate and helped solve something that was giving the county magistrate quite the headache, earning him gratitude in the process. This is like killing three birds with one stone!"
The old man shot him a glance: "Do you think there's anything the county magistrate wouldn't have thought of? We benefited ourselves while helping him resolve a major problem, so it's only natural he would keep quiet about the matter. Thankfully, County Magistrate Wu is a good official—if not, no amount of careful planning on your father's part would have yielded any results."
For the next few days, the old man waited at home for news from the county magistrate.
Around the afternoon of the fifth day, a yamen attendant arrived at the Xu residence to say that the land dispute had been resolved, and that the old man should make time to visit the yamen to transfer ownership.
The old man finally felt relieved. Seeing that it was getting late, he planned to go there early tomorrow morning.
Qibao also wanted to go with him, but she had to go to school in the morning to learn embroidery.
"Grandma, tomorrow I want to go to town with Grandpa, but I'm afraid Mother won't agree." Qibao said as she hugged Mrs. Wang's arm and tilted her head back.
"You've been studying for so many days already, you should rest." Mrs. Wang said. "Your grandmother agrees for you to go with your grandfather tomorrow! I'll talk to your mother."
Qibao nodded with a smile.
It happened that Mrs. Lin heard the conversation between her daughter and her mother-in-law as soon as she arrived in the main hall, and said helplessly: "All you know is how to say things to your grandmother! I never said you couldn't go."
Qibao chuckled and said: "There's a better chance of winning!"
Mrs. Wang smiled and tapped Qibao on the forehead, saying: "What a clever little fellow."
Mrs. Lin said: "But you have to go and ask for leave from your Aunt Ru."
Qibao nodded and said: "I understand, mother."
The next day, Qibao and the old man took a carriage to town with her brothers.
Xiaowu remarked: "Younger sister, I am truly envious that you don't need to attend school, and can take time off whenever you please."
The old man rewarded Xiaowu with a violent chestnut and said: "How dare you compare yourself to your younger sister! Even though she doesn't attend school, she knows more than you do, and even learns embroidery faster than others."
Xiaowu said: "My sister is taught by an immortal master. Of course I can't compare with her."
The old man said: "That's all you need to know. If you can't beat your sister with a teacher, then try beating her on your own merits!"
"Grandpa." Qibao interjected: "Please stop talking about fifth brother. In the future, the fifth brother will be able to compete with me as his younger sister, right, fifth brother?"
When Xiaowu heard this, he said proudly: "Yes! My sister is the most powerful! No other sister is as powerful as my sister!"
When the old man heard this, he nodded in agreement and said: "Qibao may be impressive, but as her elder brother, you shouldn't fall too far behind lest you lose face for your sister."
"I understand, Grandpa!" Xiaowu promised, and the other brothers nodded in agreement.
Qibao was just joking along with his grandfather's words, but she didn't expect everyone to take it seriously and look earnest, so she couldn't help but blush with her "red face".Only after sending her brothers to the entrance of the academy did Kui Wu drive the carriage in the direction of the Yamen.
The old man turned to address the two constables guarding the gate. "Young gentlemen, is the county magistrate present?"
"Yes sir." one replied: "May we ask if you're surnamed Xu?"
The old man said: "Yes."
The Yamen officer said: "Our county magistrate has already called on us, I will take you in right now."
Follow the Yamen servant all the way to the door of the study room.
The Yamen servant stood at the door and shouted: "Sir, Mr. Xu is here."
After a while, the door was opened by Magistrate Wu from the inside.
"The old man is here, please come in quickly." Magistrate Wu said politely.