Chapter 391

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Protagonist:

Chai Mi

After a few cups of wine went down, the atmosphere warmed up.

Seemingly casually, Chai Mi poured Liu Zhanggui a bit more wine: "Xiangli Chief, about that plastic film you mentioned last time — any concrete news from Lao Chentou? Roughly how much per square meter? If we really do greenhouses, that stuff is the biggest cost."

Liu Zhanggui's chopsticks paused, and he gave Chai Mi a meaningful look: "Plastic film? Oh... the greenhouse one? What, Chai Mi, you're really tempted?" He lowered his voice: "Price-wise... soon, the township is about to hold a meeting to set subsidy standards; plastic sheeting is the main subsidy item! Heard it might be given free...... but other scorching stuff is free, from what I heard that day, bamboo poles and such at half market price, plastic film should be free for three years, pay after three years...... but doing that thing... the capital isn't small. You really want to do it?"

Chai Mi picked up some pickled vegetables with her chopsticks, tone calm: "Just asking first, have a number in mind. Winter is idle anyway; if the policy is good, test the waters. Better than just waiting around."

Liu Zhanggui nodded: "Mm, that's the logic. Gutsy! Rest assured, I'll keep an eye on this for you. The plastic film matter, and the cotton quilt prices — once there's definite news, I'll tell you right away!"

Chai Mi smiled: "Then thank you so much, Xiangli Chief! Come, let me toast you another cup!"

Song Qiushui listened, then chimed in: "Chai Mi, if you really do that greenhouse, count me in for a share? I'll contribute labor!"

Chai Mi laughed and patted her: "The eight characters haven't even got one stroke yet, just eat your meat!"

Song Qingshan also rarely spoke up: "Chai Mi, if it really happens, count me in. Nothing else, but labor I've got plenty."

A meal eaten with host and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Seeing off Liu Zhanggui and his son, and Song Qingshan, Song Qiushui helped tidy the bowls and chopsticks.

Chai Mi looked at the embers in the stove and said to Song Qiushui: "Qiu Shui, tomorrow you run a trip to the street, buy two strings of the loudest firecrackers. Also help me buy some good incense candles, yellow paper, and... buy two bottles of better baijiu, plus two catties of fresh eggs."

Song Qiushui stared blankly: "Buy these for what? You're making an offering? To whom?"

"Just you talk too much......"

The next day.

Zhu Shukun arrived.

Behind him followed a twenty-something young man, also dressed neatly, carrying a worn tool bag.

"Uncle Zhu, you're here so early! Come in quick!" Chai Mi wore a smile, stepping forward briskly to greet them.

Following Liu Zhanggui's generation, she addressed him warmly and naturally.

Zhu Shukun grinned, revealing teeth yellowed by smoke: "Chai Mi, right? Often hear the Xiangli Chief mutter about you, capable! Early come, early look, doesn't delay work."

He pointed at the young man behind him: "This is my apprentice, Xiao Zhang, helps out and learns the trade."

Xiao Zhang bashfully nodded at Chai Mi.

Chai Mi ushered the two into the main hall, poured hot water: "Uncle Zhu, thanks for the trouble of running this trip. The site is that empty ground by the sheep pen on the east side. Want to build three side rooms, full brick to the top, for my younger sister's studies. Requirements: fast schedule, stable foundation, large bright windows, and a heated kang. Specifics — you're the pro, you say how to do it and that's how we'll do it." She stated her needs simply and clearly, handing the lead to the professional.

"Right, let me check the site first." Zhu Shukun said no more, put down his cup and walked out. Xiao Zhang hurried to follow, pulling a tape measure from the tool bag.

Zhu Shukun walked two circles around the empty ground with hands behind his back.

Finally gesturing: "Normally for three rooms, foundation dug 70-80 centimeters deep, 37-centimeter walls are stable enough. This plot, I say dig 1.2 to 1.5 meters down, tamp the bottom solid, best lay a layer of larger crushed stone as base, then pour concrete for the ground beam (foundation ring beam), that way it resists frost, house won't sink or crack. Just costs more labor and materials."

"No problem! Just as Uncle Zhu says, foundation must be solid, worth spending more." Chai Mi didn't hesitate, then added: "Also, this place used to be a sheep pen; before breaking ground, I want to follow old custom, burn some paper to inform the spirits."

Zhu Shukun froze a moment, then nodded, showing understanding: "Right, the countryside all observes this, proper. Don't worry, we workers know the rules too, avoid what needs avoiding. When you burn paper, let us know, we'll watch the hour and start digging."

"What for purlins? Pine or poplar? Fresh-cut or buy ready-made?" Zhu Shukun asked.

"Song Uncle said he'd help me buy red pine from Shuichuan, better quality, rot-resistant." Chai Mi answered.

"Red pine good! Pricey, but lasts twenty-thirty years no problem. Tiles? Small blue tiles or red tiles? Nowadays flat-roof houses use more red tiles, cheaper, lighter too."

"Let's do flat-roof; tile house is cold, flat-roof is sturdy and durable." Chai Mi considered the cold issue.

"Done!" Zhu Shukun finalized: "Bricks, cement, sand, gravel — these big materials, the Xiangli Chief said he'd help you contact? Or..."

"Xiangli Chief recommended Dongwa Kiln Factory and Lao Wu Building Materials Store; I plan to go check myself, Uncle Zhu you give an expert eye, see how the quality is?"

"Right! Later I know both the kiln factory and Boss Wu well, can help you talk price too. Quality rest assured, I'll watch it." Zhu Shukun agreed readily: "Then let's figure labor? Skilled thirty-five a day, unskilled twenty-five, includes lunch. This apprentice counts as half skilled, thirty a day. My crew, I don't charge extra, if I work you just pay me thirty. How's that? This price in our township, absolutely an honest price."

Chai Mi quickly calculated in her heart; this labor price was indeed within reasonable market range, Zhu Shukun wasn't quoting wildly. "Right, Uncle Zhu, just as you say. Food filled, every meal with meat, absolutely won't shortchange the masters. Just one thing: schedule must be tight, groundbreaking October 16."

"October 16?" Zhu Shukun counted on his fingers: "Five days left... doable! My big job just wrapped up, perfect gap. Materials ready, I can bring people the day after tomorrow, first clear site, lay lines, dig foundation! Five days, foundation definitely finished clean, the 16th bricks go down on time, not a bit delayed!"

"Great!" Chai Mi breathed in relief: "Then Uncle Zhu, it's settled! These two days I'll rush to get materials ready, sheep handled, site cleared clean for you."

"Deal! Chai Mi, you're a straightforward person!"

The job was considered settled.

Afternoon.

"Chai Mi! Chai Mi home?" Fan Zi Lao Zhou arrived.

News of selling sheep spread truly fast.

"Hey! Isn't it because I heard your Lao Wu muttering? Saying you're building a house, the sheep pen land is needed, sheep must be dealt with? I heard, good thing! That's why I hurried over! Good livestock, when has your Uncle Zhou ever fallen behind? That donkey last time, fed okay?"

Chai Mi didn't pick up his thread about the donkey, cut straight to the point: "That's how it is, Uncle Zhou. Clearing the site to build side rooms, for Xiu'er's studies. These dozen-plus sheep, you take a look?" She pointed at the pen.

"Good good good, look, look!" Lao Zhou came out of the sheep pen after a while and said: "This female... pregnant? Feels like carrying young, belly a bit heavy. Just condition average, coat mixed, not any good breed..... not worth money."

"Uncle Zhou, you're an honest person, let's not beat around the bush. These dozen-plus sheep, you give an honest price, package deal take away. If works, clear the pen today."

Lao Zhou came out of the sheep pen, patting grass bits and dust off himself, feigning contemplation as he smacked his lips: "Hmm... you're a straightforward person. Like this: on account of our old friendship, and your father's face... package price, give you a round number! One thousand yuan! How's that? This price, you ask around ten li eight villages, it's generous!"

"Good riddance!!!"

Lao Zhou was made a bit awkward, dry-laughed twice: "Girl, can't talk like that, business is business, haggling..."

"Your price, I can't afford it....."