Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

In addition, if someone is a witness and acts as a guarantor, you should at least give them some benefits.

Zhang Dabiao gave each of the two guarantors 50 yuan plus a 50-yuan remittance certificate, which delighted the guarantors. They told him to come to their respective brigades if he needed anything. These two men were elders of their respective villages (brigades), and their words carried considerable weight (one was the father of the brigade leader, and the other the father of the militia company commander). Moreover, the original owner of the house, Mr. Jin, did the same thing; although not a member of the commune, he lived nearby and would often go to the village or brigade to ask for help whenever needed.

In the city, the transfer of ownership of a private house needs to be handled at the housing management bureau. In the suburbs, as long as there is a house deed and a witness who knows about the matter, that's enough. Then Zhang Dabiao and the seller went to the town government (people's commune) with two guarantors to register the property and also paid the deed tax.

In 1960, the "60 Articles of the People's Commune" (which came into effect in 1961) had not yet been implemented in townships. Most homesteads were privately owned by farmers, and sales were mainly based on private contracts. The price was determined by an intermediary and then filed with the township government or production team, so the control was relatively loose.

The reason given was that the seller owed Zhang Dabiao money, and when he couldn't repay it, he used the house to settle the debt. There was a guarantor mediating between them, and no one would investigate these matters thoroughly.

Don't you even know who the guarantor is?

As for what the future policies will be, and which village, brigade, or commune your location will belong to, we'll see then. Anyway, this is your private house now, and it's dilapidated and far from the village, making life inconvenient. Nobody really cares about this run-down teahouse by the river.

If you really want to buy a house, go to the city center. Even if you come to the county, buy one on the main street. Who would go to that godforsaken riverside to buy a house?

In addition, the county government staff also explained to him clearly that there were several red lines he could not cross.

First, according to the land deed, that yard and the 2-meter-wide road surrounding it belong to Zhang Dabiao.

However, the surrounding farmland belonged to the adjacent brigade, including the woods and reed beds, and Zhang Dabiao was not allowed to cut down or destroy the farmland at will.

Secondly, private businesses are not allowed to operate now. Although it used to be a teahouse, business activities are not allowed to be carried out now, and no one will go there to drink tea.

Third, renting out is not allowed, but lending it to relatives for living is permitted.

These are the three points. It's fine to use it for living, but using it for profit is strictly prohibited. Although this house is not within the jurisdiction of the neighboring brigade, the original owner used to go there to discuss and find help whenever he needed anything. It was like being affiliated with the brigade for convenience. If there was anything, he could contact the neighboring brigade.

Without saying a word, Zhang Dabiao handed over two more packs of Daqianmen cigarettes and 20 yuan in remittance coupons, promising to abide by the rules and follow the leader's instructions.

After changing the locks, Zhang Dabiao and Master Lei returned to Beijing.

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Of course, Zhang Dabiao also gave Master Lei benefits, directly providing him with remittance certificates and 10 jin of frozen pork, which made Master Lei extremely happy.

These days, money isn't the real hard currency; grain coupons, meat coupons, remittance vouchers, pork, grain, and small yellow croakers are!

Zhang Dabiao has everything, making things easy for him!

"Brother Biao, do you still want that little courtyard house in the city?"

"Of course I want them! Hurry up, and you have to get all the antiques, calligraphy, paintings, and small yellow croakers too."

"Anyway, I only trust you. I don't know anything about this stuff. If I buy something at a higher price or it's a fake, I'll come after you."

Upon hearing Zhang Dabiao's words, Master Lei's face turned green: "Brother Biao, I know about houses, but when it comes to antiques, collectibles, and calligraphy and paintings, I'm really not an expert."

Zhang Dabiao shamelessly said, "Then you help me find an expert. I'll just pay with remittance certificates; paying with grain and meat is also acceptable."

Master Lei thought for a moment and said, "Uncle Biao, give me some time. I'll get the courtyard sorted out for you first. We can talk about the rest later, okay?"

"OK."

"Anyway, if I buy it at a higher price or it's a fake, I'll come to you, Master Lei."

"You can run away, but you can't hide!"

Master Lei looked helpless. Was this guy trying to cling to him?

But after thinking about his three teenage sons, he still had to do it!

These days, only Zhang Dabiao has enough to eat and drink, and he even has remittance certificates!

Following him won't be bad.

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The next day, Qin Mancang returned to the courtyard house, just as the Zhang brothers, Maoshan and Maosheng, also came to the courtyard house to transport grain.

"Da Biao, this was collected for you by your second uncle and third great-uncle. Take a look."

They had already transported grain four times. Because they went directly to Zhangzhen by car, their own family members were waiting to pick them up there, so everything was safe.

But the goods were difficult to store, and they had to keep it a secret from others, only saying that the two of them had found jobs in town and had used all their wages to exchange for food.

Only those in their own branch of the family knew the truth, and they all kept their mouths shut. Outside, everyone said that the Maoshan and Maosheng brothers were successful and filial.

Some people also guessed that Zhang Dabiao from Beijing might have provided some support, but Zhangzhen in Shunyi is too far away, and most people don't know about Zhang Dabiao's 30 and 14 remittance certificates.

So, with his two older brothers, Maoshan and Maosheng, bearing the pressure back in Zhangzhen, Zhang Dabiao had it much easier.

I opened the bag and wow!

This is great stuff!

Three small yellow croakers and a small golden Buddha statue!

There was also a lacquer box and a set of porcelain wrapped tightly in thatch.

It shouldn't be fake, right?

Maoshan nervously asked, "Da Biao, is this enough?"

"If it's not enough, Second Uncle said to keep collecting." It took them a month to collect enough.

Zhang Dabiao nodded: "Okay, take it slow, let's take it one step at a time."

"Should I give you some money to take back? It must have cost you quite a bit to raise all this, right?"

This place is different from Qinjiatun. In Qinjiatun, they morally blackmailed themselves first, while Zhang Dabiao was in charge of the food for more than 400 people all by himself.

They brought things as a gesture of gratitude and filial piety.

Anyway, if Master Qin Dingsong doesn't give any orders, then I'll just accept whatever comes my way.

Whether you want grain, remittance certificates, or money, your master will tell you.

As for Zhang Zhen's side, those are the relatives of his adoptive father, Zhang Banxian. Although Zhang Dabiao is an adopted son, he wouldn't have everything he has now without Zhang Banxian's soul-summoning ritual, so Zhang Zhen's side must take the initiative to take care of them.

This is a responsibility.

Zhang Maoshan and Zhang Maosheng immediately shook their heads: "No need, no need, we haven't finished the food you gave us before."

"You wouldn't believe it, we traded a small yellow croaker for 10 kilograms of rice."

"You have no idea what people have become over there because of the food shortages, it was utterly..."

"Well, I don't know what to say..."

"My second uncle said that these things are neither edible nor drinkable, and it's already making the most of them by exchanging them for some grain at this time."

"We still have plenty of food left at home, enough to exchange for."