Meng Qishan, however, thought differently from them, "Second Uncle, if you were to plant all the fruit trees that can be grown in Liaodong, that would surely be wonderful. Think about it, the scent of flowers filling the courtyard when they bloom in spring, how beautiful! And then, in the harvest season, with fruits hanging heavy and their fragrance wafting through the air, it would not only be a sight to behold but also a way to earn money."
He knew his second uncle wasn't short of money, but why not exchange anything that could be exchanged for money into actual currency.
"I support Uncle Qishan's suggestion." Fu Xinci had also had this idea before, but she had been too busy with other matters and had forgotten.
Now that Meng Qishan had brought it up, she immediately agreed.
Meng Qishan hadn't expected Xinci to be the first to agree with his suggestion. While happy, he also looked at his second uncle with a hint of shyness.
With the common idea shared by his nephew and granddaughter, Grandpa Meng naturally adopted it immediately and said, "Qishan, when spring comes, the planting of fruit trees will be your responsibility. Second Uncle will pay you wages."
"Second Uncle, I don't need wages." The Meng family would never forget their second uncle's great kindness. With so little work, how could he ask his second uncle for money?
"This work will be paid for by Second Uncle no matter who does it, and it's not just you. Go out and look; this vast expanse of land is not something you can manage alone."
"Second Uncle, I understand."
"As long as you understand, when the time comes to decide where to plant those trees, you need a plan. You also need to consider how many people to hire. Second Uncle still says the same thing: with so much work, you'll be worn to a frazzle even if you do it all yourself."
"Qishan, that's not work for one person," Fu Yu also chimed in to advise.
After speaking, Grandpa Meng glanced at his adopted brother and then said to his nephew, "I see your father seems quite idle. Grab him and work with you."
"Yes." Before his son could reply, Meng Qinghuai agreed.
This time, Grandpa Meng didn't roll his eyes, which made Meng Qinghuai chuckle immensely. He happily sat next to his second brother, and one might have thought he had stumbled upon a great fortune.
...
Fu Xinci hadn't expected that in this ancient era devoid of entertainment, the New Year's Eve vigil in the Meng family compound would not be boring.
The adults and older children were unrestrained, discussing their plans for the coming year. Everyone had a say and spoke freely, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
The younger ones were also busy, their mouths not idle. The peanuts, melon seeds, hazelnuts, and walnuts prepared by the grandparents and grandchildren before the new year were all put to good use, with the little ones sitting together and eating heartily. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
As the midnight bell chimed from afar, Fu Yu, with his wife and children, knelt before his elderly father to offer New Year's greetings.
"Father (Father), Happy New Year."
"Grandfather (Grandfather), Happy New Year."
"Good, good, good." Grandpa Meng looked at his children and grandchildren, all of them radiant and healthy, and felt unprecedentedly happy.
At his advanced age, all he wished for was the peace and harmony of his descendants.
Next, Old Jin and Qi Yuanshan also took the lead in kowtowing to the elder to offer New Year's greetings.
"Uncle (Uncle), Happy New Year."
"Good, very good."
Following them, Meng Qinghuai also brought his family to respectfully wish his second brother a Happy New Year, "Second Brother, Happy New Year."
"Second Uncle, Happy New Year."
Young Madam Li and Madam Liu also brought their children to offer New Year's greetings, "Second Uncle (Second Uncle), Happy New Year."
"Uncle-Grandfather, Happy New Year."
"Cousin-Grandfather, Happy New Year."
"Good, good, good."
Grandpa Meng, with a benevolent smile, accepted their New Year's greetings. Then, he took out a sieve from a cabinet and distributed red envelopes one by one.
"Hahaha." Old Jin laughed, and he and Qi Yuanshan both received red envelopes.
Heh heh, not only Old Jin and Qi Yuanshan received red envelopes, but even Meng Qinghuai got one.
This made Meng Qinghuai fluctuate between wanting to cry and wanting to laugh, utterly bewildered.
(Seizing a moment when there were fewer people in front of his second brother, he secretly told him: back at the Duke's mansion, precisely because he was a concubine's son and held a prestigious albeit distant seniority, he only received red envelopes during the New Year when he was young, and that was from his concubine mother. After his mother passed away, he never received another red envelope.)
Hearing this, Grandpa Meng was also reminded of sad memories. On New Year's Day, the elder didn't want his children to worry.
He patted his adopted brother's hand, which was covered in calluses, and said, "Alright, don't be sad anymore. As long as Second Brother is here, I'll give you red envelopes every year."
"Second Brother."
Just as Meng Qinghuai was about to get emotional, Grandpa Meng stopped him.
"Stop it. Look carefully. Here, apart from that old lady (Madam Li), it's just you and me in terms of seniority. It's New Year's Day, and you're sobbing. Are you going to let everyone enjoy the New Year?"
"Yes, I'll listen to Second Brother."
"Listen to me and be cheerful. New Year's Day is about joy and smiles all around."
"Okay." After so many years, Meng Qinghuai had finally found a brother's care, so he would naturally do whatever his second brother said.
Grandpa Meng was very considerate of everyone. "There are still more than two hours until dawn. Everyone find a place to get some rest."
"Alright."
The Meng family's courtyard was large, and there were many rooms. The men all crowded into the east and west rooms of the main house.
The women followed Fu Xinci to the small building where she lived. Ke'er was taken back to their own room by her mother.
The unmarried girls went with Fu Xinci to the east room, while the elders went to the west room.
The large heated brick bed in the east room was quite spacious. With Meng Xiaohe, Bao'er, and the three sisters Meng Yuyan, there was no crowding.
It was Bao'er's first time in the small building, and he was fascinated by everything. Especially the warmth of the blue brick floor beneath his bare feet, which he found even more delightful.
He ran around the rooms, peered into different ones, and even climbed up and down the luohan bed in the main hall.
Everyone was also sleepy. As long as he didn't cry or make a fuss, they let him be.
Fortunately, young children get tired easily. After playing for a while, Bao'er fell asleep on the luohan bed.
Han Xue gently picked him up and took him to the east room, placing him beside Meng Xiaohe. She even thoughtfully covered Bao'er with a blanket.
This was the first time sleeping in such a warm room since arriving in Liaodong, and in the morning, no one wanted to get up.
Especially Madam Li. The moment she opened her eyes, she thought she was still living in the main courtyard of the Duke's mansion. It was only when she saw the glass windows that she realized she was daydreaming.
"Old Madam, you're awake," Madam Liu spoke first.
"Yes, this room is truly well-built. It's not only spacious and bright but also warm."
"It is good, much better than our old courtyard."
"Without all those miscellaneous items, the room is even more open, especially these glass windows. They are so much better than window paper."
Madam Li sat on the heated brick bed, looking out at the courtyard through the glass windows, seeing every blade of grass and tree clearly.
When Xiaohe and the others were about to go help make dumplings, they brought Bao'er to the west room.
"Aunt, we're going to make dumplings. It's quite cold outside, so let Bao'er stay here with you."
"Mm. Bao'er, come here to Grandma."