Chapter 76: Not Enough Money

In the morning glow of Qingxi County, sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, spilling onto Cheng Feng's somewhat humble small two-room home.

He gazed at this small house filled with memories; though humble, every inch of land condensed his sweat and heart's blood.

From the ups and downs of the great river serpent to the excitement of receiving the silver,

to Cai'er, and the purchase of the small two-room home,

one thing after another, it was all like watching flowers from horseback.

Cheng Feng took a deep breath and turned to walk out of the small house. He followed the familiar streets, heading toward the bustling section of the county town. His pace was firm and powerful, each step feeling as if he were treading on the path toward the future.

At the Tooth Agency, it was the same clerk who had served him the first time.

Cheng Feng did not need to be polite and said directly, "I want to buy a large two-room home in the South District, with a courtyard, and about four rooms each in the left and right wing rooms. It is best if it is not near the base of the city wall, but closer to the Inner City. Do you have anything like that?"

Seeing Cheng Feng's demeanor as an old customer, the clerk also remembered who this gentleman was.

He hurriedly took the sales information map and began to introduce it to Cheng Feng slowly.

To be honest, he did have some, but he did not know which set this guest would take a fancy to.

After finishing the recommendations, Cheng Feng and the clerk took the map and walked out.

With a plan in mind, Cheng Feng was naturally prepared to implement it quickly.

This was not window shopping; if he took a fancy to one, that would be about it.

After a morning of rushing about, Cheng Feng had not taken a fancy to any of the five or six courtyards.

It was not until the seventh place that Cheng Feng finally found a courtyard he liked.

This courtyard was located in a corner of the South District of the county town, with its position slightly tilted toward the east. It maintained a certain distance from the surrounding houses, appearing exceptionally independent and quiet.

The entire courtyard presented a layout of two entrances and two exits, with a high wall in the middle dividing the courtyard into inner and outer sections.

It was a pity that the inner courtyard did not have four rooms in each of the east and west wings, but rather two in each, plus two main guest rooms, making six in total. The outer courtyard did have two rooms on the east and west, totaling four.

They could be used for guests to stay in, for storing miscellaneous items, or for maids to live in. Cheng Feng was even thinking that if he had more money, he would buy some servants for cleaning, so his women would not have to cook for themselves.

The courtyard occupied a wide area and was open and bright. The surrounding courtyard walls stood tall, like a sturdy barrier.

And the emerald green vines spreading all over the walls were like a vibrant painting, adding a touch of fresh, natural atmosphere to this ancient courtyard.

They seemed to be silently telling people about the changes of time and the vicissitudes of history.

Cheng Feng stood quietly in front of the courtyard gate, his gaze fixed on everything before him. A glimmer of excitement flashed in his eyes, as if he could see the stories that had once happened through this gate.

This courtyard suited his taste quite well.

He pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in. Inside, green trees provided shade on both sides. Cheng Feng stood in the courtyard, feeling this tranquility and beauty.

However, the price of this courtyard was not cheap. Although the sixty-five taels of silver in Cheng Feng's hand were heavy, it was still far from enough to buy this courtyard.

After inquiring, the total cost of this courtyard was about eighty-six taels.

Cheng Feng asked the clerk again, if he were to sell his own small two-room home, what would the price be?

Fortunately, this house had also passed through this clerk's hands. The clerk estimated, "You have only lived in this house for a year, and the furniture inside is all new. If you include everything, you can definitely sell it for twenty-eight taels if you press the price."

The clerk was also a sharp one; he saw that Cheng Feng was very satisfied with the large one, but was also inquiring about selling the small one.

Usually, those with some money in hand could live in the large one and rent out the small one.

If he sold it directly, it was more likely that he did not have enough money in hand.

He quickly gave a price and added, "If you want to sell it quickly, lowering the price is the best choice."

Cheng Feng also had an idea about the clerk's words; eighty-six minus sixty-five left a gap of twenty-one taels.

He did not have any close friends in Qingxi County from whom he could borrow money.

Zhang Zhuo and Li Mo were only casual acquaintances.

In this day and age, it was good enough if others did not come to borrow from you.

Twenty-one taels was just one month's dividend from the tavern.

Actually, Cheng Feng still wanted Cai'er to give birth and raise children in a big house; with more people, it would be lively, and there would be more helpers to chat and go for walks with.

Unfortunately, things went against his wishes; there was just a difference of twenty-one taels.

If he did not sell the house, perhaps he could start from the Martial Arts Hall's task department.

As far as Cheng Feng knew, the Martial Arts Hall also had its own industries, such as Escort Agency stationing and other places that required martial strength.

Every time he went on a mission, the harvest was quite abundant.

Unfortunately, Martial Arts Hall disciples basically spent it all.

Only a small portion would consider buying some medicinal soups to nourish their bodies in order to seek a breakthrough.

At least Qian Ming was like this.

Previously, Cheng Feng's impression of Qian Ming was also very good, but he had no reason to help him break through for no reason.

Relationships were the most difficult thing to handle.

If you take the initiative, others might not necessarily appreciate it.

If you do not take the initiative and keep your distance, others cannot get close to you either.

Added to the reason of Lao San, Cheng Feng also gave himself a reason.

Various factors combined were the reason why Cheng Feng took the initiative to help.

Fortunately, Qian Ming did not make it public afterward, he was just better to Lao San.

Cheng Feng saw all of this in his eyes.

Cheng Lei and his little friends arguing was also because of this matter.

Cheng Feng naturally knew.

In order to let the clerk help keep an eye on this house, Cheng Feng gave the clerk five large coins as a reward.

The clerk was not an unreasonable person either, and he smiled to reassure Cheng Feng: "Guest, rest assured, there are usually fewer people buying such large courtyards. I will mark it for you later, but I cannot make the final decision, at most I can hold it for two months, what do you think?"

Cheng Feng smiled: "Thank you, little brother, one month is enough."

The two of them understood each other without a word and went their separate ways.

Cheng Feng estimated the distance between this large courtyard and the small residence; it was a bit far, but still acceptable.

Cheng Feng also planned to keep a carriage later on, and if he renovated the corner of the courtyard a little, it should be no problem.

The space was large, though certainly not as good as Meiniang's home, that large courtyard accumulated by three generations of ancestors.

But this was one Cheng Feng had bought himself.

Cheng Feng would not be arrogant either; the days ahead were still long.

Walking and walking, he arrived at the Mei Family Tavern.

Watching Shopkeeper Mei directing things inside the tavern was quite interesting.

Ever since Shopkeeper Mei learned what his son-in-law's status was, he naturally beamed with joy every day.

His daughter had someone to rely on, his business had a backer, and as long as he proceeded slowly and steadily, the tavern would absolutely never go under.

A hundred years from now, he would also have the face to go down and meet his ancestors.

With no internal worries or external threats, watching the silver come in every day was also a kind of happiness.

Cheng Feng walked over to chat with his future father-in-law, and the topic turned to Meiniang: "Why haven't I seen Meiniang?"

Shopkeeper Mei laughed: "Ever since you finished your business, Meiniang went back. I don't have any illness, so I continued coming out to do my old trade. Right, Spring Dawn is almost out again; when you're done, find some time to come and make another ten jin."

Cheng Feng agreed readily; this was his source of income, and there could absolutely be no slip-ups.

Not having money would be too painful.

Not having money to eat would make the pregnant women go hungry.

Not having money to buy new clothes, what would his future children wear?

Not having money to buy a big house, where would the women live when they give birth?

Not having money to buy maidservants, wouldn't the Panmian be unable to exert its effects then?

His own Martial Dao realm would then be unable to recover and would stagnate.

Just thinking about it was terrifying; Cheng Feng didn't dare think too much. Since he was already here, he rolled up his sleeves to make ten jin of Spring Dawn to keep in stock first.

Poor Cheng Feng, a natural-born beast of burden.

A casual stroll ended up turning into manual labor.