Chapter 83: Planning the Future, Securing Thirty Mu of Land

After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month passed, the festive atmosphere gradually faded, and life returned to its usual rhythm.

Lu Qingshan's daily routine, besides keeping his wife and daughter company, tending Jin Hu, taking Zhao Tiezhu and Liu Fugui up the mountain to hunt and trap, and gathering herbs, the one thing that never wavers is guarding that red‑lit radio.

Occasionally the crackling static couldn't drown out the announcer's clear, resonant voice; he listened intently to every news item and newspaper summary, especially those about the economy and policies.

"Encouraging collective side businesses, household joint‑production contracts, diversified operations…"

Lu Qingshan wrote each of these new terms in his notebook, his eyes flashing with light.

He had experienced these policies in his previous life but missed the chance; in this life he would never miss them again.

The summer of 1981, when individual enterprises would be liberalized, was drawing nearer, and he needed to prepare in advance.

The most crucial thing is land. To build a house you need a residential plot, and to develop industry later you need enough acreage.

That day, Lu Qingshan took a few packs of cigarettes and some candies and went to the village commune.

Production team leader Zhao Dazhi was also there; the two were playing Chinese chess at the side of the eight‑immortal table.

"Uncle Yongnian, Uncle Dazhi," Lu Qingshan entered the house, greeted them, and placed his items on the table.

When Zhao Yongnian saw Lu Qingshan, he laughed: "Qing Shan is here, sit down quickly, make yourself at home."

Zhao Dazhi also smiled and nodded: "You're a rare guest, sit down quickly."

Lu Qingshan didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly: "Uncle, I came today because there's something I want to discuss with both of you. I wish to apply for a residential plot in the village, preferably a larger one; besides building a new house, I also want to reserve some space for future planting and breeding."

Zhao Yongnian and Zhao Dazhi exchanged a glance.

Since Lu Qingshan changed his ways—both hunting black‑eyed wild boars and exchanging money to settle grain coupons—everyone in the village has noticed, and no one fails to speak well of him.

Such skill, the village couldn't find a second.

"This is easy," Zhao Yongnian said heartily. "The wasteland on the west side of the village is a little over three mu, by the river, with good sunlight, and it's been empty. The village has few people, so residential plots are sufficient; go take a look, and if it's suitable, it's yours. According to your household size, the residential plot paperwork will be issued, and the rest counts as the wasteland you develop."

Zhao Dazhi also added: "That plot, plus the surrounding thirty‑plus mu, are considered the village's flexible land. With few villagers, you can first pick a spot to build a house; the remainder will be at your disposal. If you clear it for planting or raising something, the village will support it. We'll also issue you a certification document later."

Lu Qingshan felt a surge of excitement; he hadn't expected it to go so smoothly.

A residential plot, plus the surrounding wasteland—over thirty mu—was enough for him to spread his wings.

"Thank you, Uncle Yongnian, thank you, Uncle Dazhi!" he said sincerely. "I've looked at the land, it's fine, this one it is."

During the conversation, Lu Qingshan noticed Zhao Dazhi cough a few more times, the sound hoarse, his complexion a bit more sallow than before the New Year. His heart tightened; in his previous life he had heard villagers say that Uncle Dazhi had been delaying his illness, and later…

"Uncle Dazhi," Lu Qingshan said carefully, "your cough is severe and your complexion isn't good. Find time to go to the county hospital for a check‑up; don't dismiss it as an old ailment. A minor illness turning into a serious one would be troublesome."

Zhao Dazhi waved his hand, indifferent: "It's an old ailment, smoking caused it, plus the many village matters, I'm tired. Rest a bit and it'll be fine."

Lu Qingshan knew he hadn't listened, and silently resolved that before the spring rush, he would find a way to 'hold' him down to the hospital for a check‑up.

He then shared his longer‑term plan with the two village officials: "Once the house is built, I want to use this land to grow some economically valuable medicinal herbs and also try domesticating some forest animals."

Zhao Yongnian's eyes lit up: "Medicinal herbs? Do you know about that?"

"I know a little," Lu Qingshan said modestly, "there are some wild ones in the mountains; I recognize a few and want to try cultivating them."

"What about domesticating forest animals?" Zhao Dazhi asked with interest, "Do you mean raising wild chickens and wild rabbits like chickens and ducks?"

Lu Qingshan nodded: "Yes, that's exactly it. Wild chicken meat is good, wild rabbits breed quickly, and there are four‑legged ones; I'll try first. If we succeed, they'll be worth more than domestic poultry and livestock."

Zhao Yongnian and Zhao Dazhi's eyes lit up as they listened.

They had never heard of these before, but just hearing about them made them feel hopeful.

They trusted Lu Qingshan's ability; if he truly could pull this off, Shanwan Village would have a new path to prosperity.

"Qing Shan, if you really succeed, you can't keep it hidden," Zhao Yongnian said, "Involve everyone, and the village will definitely give full support!"

Lu Qingshan smiled: "Uncle, this matter is still in the figuring‑out stage. When I have worked out the experience, I'll certainly think of the villagers. Our village could set up a cooperative or something; everyone will have a future."

"Cooperative?" Zhao Dazhi frowned, "Isn't that collective?"

"It's different," Lu Qingshan explained, "The policies have changed; diversified operations are encouraged. I heard on the broadcast that a cooperative can manage itself and bear its own profits and losses."

Zhao Yongnian patted the table: "Great! You kid are really well‑informed! This is settled; the land is approved for you, so go ahead and do it!"

Leaving the village head's house, Lu Qingshan felt considerably reassured.

With the land issue resolved, the next step was to prepare building materials and hire workers.

Back home, Xiao Xue was playing in the courtyard with Jin Hu.

Jin Hu now leapt quickly, limbs strong, coat glossy, looking mighty.

It stayed within a step of Xiao Xue; as long as she was in the yard, it obediently guarded, its eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

"Dad's back!" Xiao Xue shouted happily as she saw Lu Qingshan, "Jin Hu caught a mouse today, how impressive!"

Lu Qingshan crouched, patting his daughter's head: "Really? Then our Jin Hu is truly a good hunter."

Hearing his master's praise, Jin Hu wagged his tail even more joyfully, circled Lu Qingshan twice, then suddenly became alert, looking toward the yard's edge, ears perked up.

"What is it?"

Following Jin Hu's gaze, Lu Qingshan saw a mouse darting out of the distant grass.

Jin Hu looked at Lu Qingshan, seemingly awaiting a command.

Lu Qingshan gently shook his head: "No need to chase today, let it run."

Jin Hu actually settled down, lying on the ground, though his eyes still fixed on the direction where the mouse vanished.

Lu Qingshan understood in his heart that this was the Mountain Wild Heart bonus.

Jin Hu not only inherited excellent hunting‑dog genes, but more importantly, he could vaguely sense the forest's aura and even comprehend some of his vague mental commands.

"Qing Shan, how are the land negotiations going?"

Lin Yue'e came out of the house, still holding needlework.

"It's approved!" Lu Qingshan exclaimed excitedly, "The wasteland on the west side, a little over three mu, plus the surrounding thirty‑plus mu of flexible land, are all ours to use!"

"Really?" Lin Yue'e's eyes widened in surprise, "That big a piece of land?"

"Yes, Uncle Yongnian and Uncle Dazhi both agreed," Lu Qingshan nodded, "We can now plan it properly."

"When will the house start being built?" Lin Yue'e asked.

"When spring comes and the ground thaws, we'll start construction," Lu Qingshan said, "For now, first finish the drawings, and we also need to prepare the materials in advance."

Lu Qingshan sat by the kang table, took out paper and pen, and began to draft the sketch of the new house.

In his previous life, the dilapidated house he lived in was never repaired his whole life; later he went to the county and then to the city, and this house collapsed and flattened.

In this life, he wants to give his wife and daughter a spacious and bright home.

"The courtyard should be big, leaving space for planting vegetables and raising chickens," Lu Qingshan said while drawing, "the house should be made of brick and tile, no more earthen blocks, sturdy and warm."

Lin Yue'e and Xiao Xue sat to the side, watching him draw seriously, their eyes shining with anticipation.

"Daddy, our room should be the biggest!" Xiao Xue said, leaning on the table.

"All right, I'll give Xiao Xue the princess the biggest room." Lu Qingshan laughed and ruffled her head.

"Qing Shan, the kitchen needs a smoke vent, so it's easier to start a fire." Lin Yue'e reminded from the side.

"Hmm, I've thought of that, plus we need a bathhouse; we should build a small heated platform so we can bathe even in winter." Lu Qingshan added.

"Can we really have a bathhouse?" Xiao Xue's eyes sparkled, "Then I can bathe in winter too?"

"Of course," Lu Qingshan nodded, "and I'll make you a small wooden tub just for your bath."

"That's great!" Xiao Xue clapped happily, "I'll tell Jin Hu we're getting a new home!"

Jin Hu heard his name, lifted his head and looked, then lay down again, but his tail still gave a gentle wag.

"Right," Lu Qingshan suddenly remembered, "we also need to build a special den for Jin Hu, warm in winter and cool in summer."

"Doesn't it sleep inside the house?" Lin Yue'e asked.

"Once the courtyard is bigger, we'll have it guard the yard," Lu Qingshan explained, "besides, it should have its own territory, right?"

Lin Yue'e nodded and continued watching Lu Qingshan draw the plans.

She noticed that in the courtyard her husband drew, he had specially planned a place for processing game and storing tools.

"What is this?" she asked, pointing to an area on the drawing.

"This is the processing area," Lu Qingshan explained, "in the future, when we do farming and breeding, we'll also need a dedicated warehouse and processing point."

"You've thought of everything so thoroughly," Lin Yue'e sighed, "I didn't even think that far ahead."

Lu Qingshan lifted his head to look at his wife and smiled, saying, "We need to plan for the future. In this life, I want you and Xiao Xue to have the best days."

Lin Yue'e's face warmed slightly, she lowered her head to continue her sewing, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help turning up.

The family of three gathered together, depicting their future home, the house filled with laughter and joy.

Outside the window, the winter sunlight shone through the paper screen, falling on them, warm and bright.