Training the Heavens

Chapter 200 Building a New House

"Ten, fifteen, twenty" Xu Lingjun was very happy with the numbers. Although he had been the richest man in the country once in the world of "The Road of Life", the experience of slowly accumulating wealth from scratch was still exciting.

"Thirty-thirty-five, Lao Xu, you've made it big this time." Guo Zizi's eyes were full of envy, but there was no trace of jealousy.

"Old Xu has suffered for so many years, it's time for his luck to turn around." Haisheng feels the same way.

"This good luck is probably brought by the new daughter-in-law. When a man reaches his age, he should have a wife." Dong Kuan said with a smile. He was also happy to see that Xu Lingjun's life was getting better.

"Fifty. Fifty-five. Wow, I can't dig this much in a week." Everyone gathered around.

"Eighty, eighty-five, eighty-six, eighty-seven, eighty-eight." Xu Lingjun finally finished counting. He weighed it, "Dried, it's about two ounces."

"I guess it's about the same." Guo Zizi nodded. They have been digging Cordyceps for so many years and have already mastered these basic skills.

He also did the math for Xu Lingjun, "Two taels a day, ten days is two catties, a month is six catties, the supply and marketing cooperative charges fourteen yuan a catty, four times six equals twenty-four, one times six equals six, wow, that's eighty-four yuan. If you're a little luckier, Old Xu can make over a hundred yuan a month."

"How can we calculate it that way? We are not free every day to go up the mountain to dig Cordyceps, and we are not always so lucky." Xu Lingjun said happily. He had already started to think about it. After selling the Cordyceps at the supply and marketing cooperative, he would buy some wine with the money and invite Guo Xizi, Dong Kuan, Haisheng and others to his house for a drink. They have helped him so much, so he should repay them a little, right?

Guo Chenzi chuckled and offered him an idea. "That's easy. When we go up the mountain to graze in a couple of days, we'll keep an eye on you while you go find the Cordyceps. You're married now, and you'll have plenty of expenses in the future. You need to make some money while the season is right. Otherwise, life will be tough once you have kids!"

"Yeah, right, that's right, Lao Guo's idea is good. Herding is just that simple work. One more person won't make much difference, and one less person won't make much either." Dong Kuan clapped his thigh and cheered.

"That's not a good idea. Wouldn't this cause you trouble?" Xu Lingjun hesitated. He could indeed earn more money this way, but others would suffer.

"Grown man, why are you talking so much? Is this trivial thing worth talking about? It's settled. We're going to the mountains to graze the day after tomorrow. You come with us and go find Cordyceps by yourself when you get to the mountain. Just remember to come back in the evening." Guo Zizi waved his hand nonchalantly and made the decision for Xu Lingjun.

"Bring my gun with you when the time comes. If anything goes wrong and a shooting starts, we'll be here right away," Dong Kuan added. He had said he wanted to get Xu Lingjun a gun last time, but unfortunately it wasn't approved. Xu Lingjun was wearing a hat, after all. What if something went wrong with him? The boss wasn't willing to take the risk.

"Yes, Lao Xu, everyone has problems. Now we are helping you. If we encounter problems in the future, you can come and help us. There is no need to be so formal." Haisheng also came over to help speak.

"Okay, then if I come to you with something good in the future, you must not refuse." Everyone said so, and Xu Lingjun nodded in agreement, and gave them a shot of prevention by the way.

Whether farmers, fishermen or herdsmen, it is often difficult to survive alone, so everyone has developed the habit of unity and mutual assistance. Even if a person has a bad character, he must have a few good relationships with them, so that when encountering problems, there will be someone willing to help.

After returning home, Xu Lingjun taught Li Xiuzhi how to wash and dry Cordyceps. This thing must be dried before it can be taken to the supply and marketing cooperative for sale. People will not accept wet cordyceps. The cleaning and drying method also requires proper methods. If the method is not right, the quality of the dried Cordyceps will be poor and it will not be sold at a high price.

When Li Xiuzhi was at home, she would go up the mountain with her family to collect herbs, process and dry them after returning. So Xu Lingjun taught her twice and she learned it. Two days later, it was time to go up the mountain to graze the cattle again. Xu Lingjun packed up and set off with them. Leaving the pasture and reaching the mountain, there were fewer restrictions. Guo Zizi and others simply drove Xu Lingjun away and let him dig Cordyceps on his own.

Dahuang and Erhuang are very helpful. With their help, Xu Lingjun basically harvests more than two taels every day. Sometimes he can even dig up three taels if he is lucky.

After working for ten days, when Xu Lingjun returned home, he cleaned the Cordyceps, dried it in the sun, and weighed it on a scale. It was actually 4.7 jin (approximately 10.8 catties). Li Xiuzhi quickly calculated the bill, "14 yuan per jin, 4.7 jin (approximately 10.8 catties) is 65.8 yuan!"

"That's amazing. You can calculate so quickly." Xu Lingjun laughed exaggeratedly.

"It's not that difficult to settle this. I had good grades when I was in school. If my family could afford it, I could go to middle school. Besides, I haven't fallen behind in the lessons you left behind during the days you were in the mountains." Li Xiuzhi said unconvinced.

"Ah, you were born at the wrong time. If you were born a few years later, you might be able to go to college." Xu Lingjun rubbed her head. In the vast rural areas, there are too many talents who have been delayed.

Fortunately, she still has a chance now. As long as she is willing to learn, Xu Lingjun will continue to teach her. Even if she cannot go to university in the future, she can broaden her horizons and improve her overall quality.

Li Xiuzhi did not ask Xu Lingjun what he planned to do with the money. In her opinion, women should just take care of household affairs, and men have the final say on other matters.

She could choose not to ask, but Xu Lingjun was willing to tell her. After all, they were a family, and many things still needed to be discussed with each other. Only in this way could the marriage last.

"After we sell the house, I plan to ask Lao Guo and his family to help build another house. I was fine living alone before, but now that you're here, I can't just make do with this. I need a kitchen to prevent the house from smelling of smoke when I cook. I also need to build a new kang. The current one isn't warm enough, and I'm afraid you won't be able to stand it in the winter."

"I'll use this money to buy wine and food to entertain them. I'll dig a few more Cordyceps, and that should be enough."

Building a house on the ranch is easier than building a cave in northern Shaanxi. You don't have to spend money on materials, and you don't have to hire a carpenter. As long as you provide food, you can find a lot of people to help. If there is anything happening at their family in the future, Xu Lingjun can just go back to work.

"I have mixed mud and made bricks in the village. Starting tomorrow, you go up the mountain to collect Cordyceps, and I will make bricks at home. Once we have enough, we will start building a new house." Li Xiuzhi immediately found a job for herself.

Xu Lingjun put his arm around her shoulders and said, "We'll have a new house soon, and our lives will get better and better."

"Well, there will be bread and milk." Li Xiuzhi repeated her catchphrase.

　I went out for a few days and when I came back I found that Guo PIAzi's name was not displayed, so I used Guo 谝子 instead.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)