Chapter 164 – Hiring a Craftsman
Hearing the name Yan Bozhang, Tian Dazhuang’s expression changed.
“Xiaosi, Sister Shuxue, did Master Yan give you any trouble?”
Yan Shuxue replied, “The land registration was Uncle’s responsibility. He was originally unwilling to help us, but fortunately, we met Guard Long Yi.”
Tian Dazhuang frowned. “Guard Long Yi, the one from Xijing, the War King’s guard?”
Yan Shuxue nodded, “Yes, that’s him. The War King is really a good person. Xiaosi just gave him a massage, and he has helped us a lot, especially in taking care of Xiaosi.”
Thinking of another man being good to Yan Xiaosi, Tian Dazhuang felt uncomfortable. Hearing this, his discomfort grew.
“One can’t judge a book by its cover. People from the government are not always good. Xiaosi, the War King is being nice to you for no reason, you must be careful not to be deceived.”
Yan Xiaosi, sitting cross-legged on the cart, chuckled lightly at Tian Dazhuang’s words.
“Brother Dazhuang, what do I have to be careful about? I neither have money nor beauty. What could the War King possibly want from me? You’re worrying over nothing. By the way, we’re planning to build a house. Do you know any craftsmen in Xize County?”
After thinking for a moment, Tian Dazhuang said, “I do know one. He’s from my mother’s village and has been a construction craftsman for many years. He’s made quite a bit of money and has now moved to the county city.”
Having a known contact would make things easier.
Yan Xiaosi’s face lit up. “Brother Dazhuang, why haven’t you mentioned this before? Do you know where he lives?”
“I never mentioned it because you never asked. I know where he lives. I’ll take you there now.”
Yan Xiaosi grinned. “Brother Dazhuang, if this works out, I’ll treat you to beef noodles.”
Tian Dazhuang drove the ox cart away from the county court, passing through two main streets and turning into an alley, finally stopping in front of a small courtyard. The courtyard was closed.
Tian Dazhuang handed the ox’s reins to Yan Xiaosi and jumped off the cart, saying, “Xiaosi, Sister Shuxue, wait here on the cart. I’ll go knock.”
It made sense for Tian Dazhuang to knock, as he knew the family.
Yan Xiaosi took the reins, nodding, “Okay.”
Tian Dazhuang approached the door, pulled the door knocker, and called out, “Uncle Sanbao, are you home?”
After calling twice, a middle-aged woman came to answer the door.
The woman immediately recognized Tian Dazhuang. “You are Dazhuang, right?”
Tian Dazhuang promptly replied, “Yes, it’s me, Aunt Sanbao.”
The woman was Wang Sanbao’s wife, Gao Xiaocui.
Gao Xiaocui’s gaze swept over Tian Dazhuang and she smiled, “I haven’t seen you in years, and you’ve grown into a young man. Dazhuang, how is your mother doing? She’s a pitiable woman, widowed at a young age and raised you all by herself.”
Tian Dazhuang interrupted her, “Aunt Sanbao, is Uncle Sanbao home today?”
“Your Uncle Sanbao is at home. Dazhuang, are you looking for your uncle for something? Come inside and talk.”
As Gao Xiaocui spoke, she pulled Tian Dazhuang into the courtyard.
Tian Dazhuang glanced back at Yan Xiaosi and Yan Shuxue, saying, “Aunt Sanbao, it’s not me who needs Uncle Sanbao. It’s these two neighbors of mine.”
Only then did Gao Xiaocui notice Yan Xiaosi and Yan Shuxue. “Dazhuang, are those two your neighbors?”
Tian Dazhuang nodded and said, “Yes, one of them is named Yan Xiaosi, and the other is Yan Shuxue. They’re siblings. Xiaosi and Sister Shuxue are here to ask Uncle Sanbao to build a house.”
Hearing about a potential job, Gao Xiaocui’s face immediately lit up with a smile. “Then quickly tie up the ox cart at the entrance and come inside. I’ll cook a few dishes, and we can discuss the matter over a meal.”
Yan Xiaosi and Yan Shuxue got down from the ox cart, found a place to tie it up, and followed Tian Dazhuang and Gao Xiaocui inside.
Once in the courtyard, Gao Xiaocui settled the three in the main hall and then went to fetch Wang Sanbao. “Husband, Dazhuang’s neighbors are here to ask you to build a house.”
Wang Sanbao, who had been resting for nearly a month and was feeling restless, immediately rushed into the main hall upon hearing there was work to be done.
Seeing Wang Sanbao dash in, Tian Dazhuang quickly stood up. “Uncle Sanbao.”
“Xiaosi, Sister Shuxue, this is my Uncle Sanbao,” he introduced.
Yan Xiaosi and Yan Shuxue stood up following Tian Dazhuang, and Yan Xiaosi politely greeted Wang Sanbao. “Uncle Sanbao, Brother Dazhuang and I are good buddies, so I’ll also call you Uncle Sanbao.”
Wang Sanbao nodded in approval, pulled up a chair beside him, and glanced at Yan Xiaosi and Yan Shuxue, “What brings you here? Please, sit down and let’s talk.”
Yan Xiaosi sat down and got straight to the point, “I heard from Brother Dazhuang that Uncle Sanbao has been building houses for decades and is a highly experienced craftsman. We’re now looking to build a house and would like to hire Uncle Sanbao. Are you available?”
Wang Sanbao replied, “I’m available. Young man, where do you plan to build the house? Are you looking to build an earthen house, a brick-tiled house, or a wooden house?”
“We plan to build it at the entrance of Shaoyao Village. We intend to build a brick-tiled house. Can Uncle Sanbao do it?”
Wang Sanbao’s gaze swept over Yan Xiaosi and Yan Shuxue again, noting that their clothes were quite worn. “Whether it’s an earthen house, wooden house, or brick-tiled house, I can build them all. But building a brick-tiled house is not cheap.”
Not familiar with the prices of the Great Chu Dynasty, Yan Xiaosi casually asked, “May I ask, Uncle Sanbao, how much would it cost to build a brick-tiled house with five bedrooms, a dining room, a storage room, a kitchen, and a bathroom?”
Wang Sanbao, often building houses for others, had a good grasp of the costs. He estimated roughly and replied, “Counting materials and labor, it will cost at least fifty taels of silver.”
Yan Xiaosi had earned twenty taels for saving Long Yu, made fifty taels from selling the medicinal meal recipe at Jiren Hall, received ten taels for treating Old Master Yan’s illness, and earned twenty taels from selling a luminous stone to Yao Jin, totaling one hundred taels. Considering her expenses of about thirty taels in recent times, she had enough money on hand.
Since they were building a house, it was worth doing well and comfortably. If the money was spent, they could always earn more. “Uncle Sanbao, when can you start work, and how long will it take to build such a big house? We currently have nowhere to live, so the sooner it’s done, the better.”
Wang Sanbao looked at Yan Xiaosi’s calm expression and inwardly admired her. This teenager had some real guts. “The day after tomorrow is auspicious. Let’s start then. I’ll spend the next two days contacting other craftsmen. I can’t build a brick-tiled house alone.”
