Magistrate Wu took the old man and Qibao into the study and sat down, then said: "Old man, this is where I take care of official business at the Yamen."
The old man scanned the study room and found some pamphlets, writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone on the desk. The bookshelf was also filled with many books, and there was nothing else.
The old man observed: "Most of the things here are books. It seems that the county magistrate is also a book lover!"
Magistrate Wu smiled and said: "I usually like to collect all kinds of books. Let's not talk about this. I have already found all the owners of the land in the slums. There are more than 20 people in total."
The old man asked: "Are they willing to sell?"
The county magistrate said: "Though we encountered quite a few difficulties during the process, the issue has been resolved."
The old man said: "Thank you for your hard work, County Magistrate. I will invite you to Zuixianlou for a drink at noon to express my gratitude."
The county magistrate declined politely: "Old man, there is still official business to be dealt with at the Yamen in the afternoon, so it is really not advisable to drink, it is not too late to wait until we have the opportunity to do so."
The old man acquiesced: "Very well, how much did these people offer?"
The county magistrate replied: "It's inevitable that there are some people who like to take advantage of small opportunities, but with me here, they dare not go too far. This piece of land is no longer useful to them. Although the price is higher than normal, it is acceptable. I calculated that the total amount is more than 4,000 taels of silver."
The old man secretly breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, as this price was within his expectations.
Magistrate Wu added: "However, they said that money and land deeds must be exchanged directly. If you trust me, sir, please give me the money and I will handle the transaction on your behalf."
The old man gratefully replied: "Many thanks to County Magistrate, how could I ever distrust you?"
The old man understood what the county magistrate meant. They didn't know who paid for the land. If they went there themselves, something unexpected might happen. If County Magistrate Wu went there, they wouldn't dare go back on their word.
Magistrate Wu nodded and said: "Once I get the deed and write the old man's name on it, I'll send someone to deliver it to your house."
The old man said: "Mr. County Magistrate, just write my granddaughter's name on this land."
Magistrate Wu looked at Qibao and said in surprise: "Old man, I remember you have three sons. Will they agree with you doing this?"
The old man said: "They agree. Our family doesn't have that many troubles. They also treat Qibao like their own daughter. They won't say a word."
Qibao pretended to be innocent and said: "Mr. County Magistrate, don't listen to my grandfather. Write my grandfather's name on this land. Then my grandfather will become the landlord! How majestic!"
Magistrate Wu laughed loudly and said: "Yes, this land is indeed not small. He is indeed the number one landlord."
The old man was a little amused and helpless. How could he not know what his granddaughter was thinking! He felt warm in his heart, but didn't say anything. After he was gone, he would leave this land to Qibao.
After the matter was settled, the old man took out the silver and said: "This is 10,000 taels. The rest will be used to buy materials for building the house. If it's not enough, feel free to come to Xu's house to get it. I'll trouble the county magistrate for the rest."
County Magistrate Wu said: "It's not a big deal. "Once we've gathered everyone, I will send some constables to supervise construction so that work on your house can begin promptly. Additionally, I will call upon all capable individuals among the refugees to help build, since they will ultimately live there."
The old man said: "Then I'll trouble you, the county magistrate. I'll leave first and won't delay your work."
Magistrate Wu stood up and prepared to escort the grandfather and granddaughter out the door. As soon as he opened the study door, a voice rang out: "Father! I knew you were in the study!"
The three of them looked up and saw a little girl in a green dress skipping towards them.
"Xinyi, why are you here? Didn't I tell you to stay at home and behave yourself? This is the government office where father works! This is not the place for you to make trouble." Magistrate Wu spoke.
"I see that father has been very busy these days and comes home very late at night, so you rarely accompany me!" said the little girl with a pout.
Magistrate Wu shook his head helplessly and said: "Xinyi, this is Old Master Xu, come over here and greet him."
The girl obediently bowed toward the old man: "Hello, Grandpa Xu."
"Old man, this is my daughter, Wu Xinyi. She is my only daughter, and she is considered a late-born. There are only my daughter and I are at home. She is usually a little dependent on me and has a lively personality."
The old man smiled and said: "It's better for the child to be lively. Your daughter looks like a sensible child."
When Wu Xinyi heard the old man praising her, she immediately grinned.
Qibao looked at the girl in front of her, about eight or nine years old, with snowy white and clean looks, and her eyes were particularly similar to those of Magistrate Wu.
"Little sister, what's your name?" Wu Xinyi was not afraid of strangers and asked Qibao.
"My name is Xu Linyue." Qibao said.
"Okay, Xinyi, your grandfather Xu is about to go back. You can go back by yourself later. Father still has a lot of things to deal with." said County Magistrate Wu.
"Oh, okay! Then I'll see Grandpa Xu off with Father."
The group headed toward the main gate, and Wu Xinyi cheerfully tugged on Qibao's arm as she walked: "Can I call you 'Younger Sister Yue'er?"
Qibao was a little uncomfortable with her enthusiasm, but still replied: "Sure, you can also call me Qibao, that's what my family calls me."
"Qibao? Why are you called Qibao?" Wu Xinyi asked.
"I have six older brothers and I'm the youngest, so I'm called Qibao."
"Wow! You have six brothers? Your parents are really fertile. I wish I had a brother or sister. Then I would have someone to talk to every day!" Wu Xinyi said enviously.
Qibao almost had three black lines on her forehead, and said: "I also have an uncle and a second uncle, which makes seven in total."
"Oh! So that's it! I lost my mother when I was young, and I don't know what my mother looks like. I only have a father." Wu Xinyi said.
County Magistrate Wu felt sad when he heard his daughter's words. No matter how much he doted on his daughter, it could not make up for the fact that the child had no mother.
Qibao was silent.
Wu Xinyi continued: "My father usually doesn't let me go out. He's afraid that I'll get cheated if I go out alone. I don't have any friends either. Can you be my friend?"
Qibao looked at the pair of expectant eyes in front of her and nodded gently.
"Sister Yue'er, you promised me? That's great. Can I come and play with you in the future?" Wu Xinyi said happily.
Qibao said: "My home is in Xujia Village, which is quite far from the town."
"I see! No problem, I'll ask my family's carriage to take me over."
As they spoke, they arrived at the front gate of the yamen. The old man said: "The magistrate remains here, so we'll go back first."
"Sister Yue'er, I'll come and play with you when I have time." Wu Xinyi was somewhat reluctant to part with this new friend she had just met.
Qibao replied: "Okay."
Watching the carriage go away, Wu Xinyi pouted and looked disappointed.
Magistrate Wu touched her head and said: "How about when Father finishes this time, he'll take you to the Iron Triangle for barbecue?"
Wu Xinyi said: "Okay, father, you have to keep your word!"
"When has father ever lied to you? This triangle is owned by the family of the kid you just met!"
"So it's run by Sister Yue'er's family? That's great! I can eat barbecue with Sister Yue'er in the future." Wu Xinyi said happily.
County Magistrate Wu was also very pleased. It was rare that his daughter, who seldom went out and had few friends, was not the taciturn type.
"Father, would you agree to let me go to Yue'er's house to play?" Wu Xinyi asked.