CHAPTER 432: CHAPTER 429: STRONG ALLIANCE (FOURTH UPDATE)

How could Mr. Mu not understand what Fu Wu was saying?

The sale of paddy fields in the Da Ning Dynasty was generally time-restricted. If the land was sold before the harvest, half of the harvest would belong to the buyer, and the harvest would be reaped by the buyer.

So, anyone with sense would choose to sell their paddy fields after the autumn harvest.

That’s the way to earn more.

But there are still a few months until the autumn harvest, and Mu Dade can’t wait.

He’s in a hurry for the Autumn Examination in August. If he doesn’t prepare the silver now, it will be too late.

"Fu Wu, you know your Uncle Mu. Please ask around to see who might buy our land. Those three mu of land are priced at eighteen taels, not a bit more, nor a bit less."

Mr. Mu was confident that many in the village were eager to have his three mu of land.

At one time, someone even offered twenty-five taels, but he couldn’t bring himself to sell it.

"Uncle Mu, I reckon your land won’t sell for that much now!" Fu Wu shook his head, looking troubled as he spoke to Mr. Mu.

"What? Why won’t my land sell for that much? It clearly used to sell for twenty-five." Mr. Mu was instantly stunned.

"Uncle Mu, you yourself mentioned the past; today is different from before, and the situation has changed."

"A few days ago, someone came from the town to assess the quality of the paddy fields. Your family’s three mu of land have been rated as third-grade land, which now can sell for at most three taels per mu."

In the Da Ning Dynasty, land transactions were based on land grade, with first-grade fertile land priced the highest.

First-grade land costs eight taels of silver, usually belonging to the landlord’s family. It has high yield and requires little fertilizer.

Second-grade land is the best for ordinary families, generally priced at five to six taels per mu.

Third-grade land is about the price of Mr. Mu’s land, usually three to four taels.

Fourth-grade land sells for one tael of silver; this land is very barren but affordable, so most people often opt to buy this type of fourth-grade land.

Mr. Mu felt a rush of blood to his chest, his mind dizzy, and a breath stuck in his throat, almost choking him.

"Father, Father, don’t scare me!" Mu Danian rushed to support Mr. Mu.

At this point, Mr. Mu’s face was truly unwatchable.

Pale as a sheet, face ghastly and ashen.

Three mu of second-grade fertile land had turned into three mu of third-grade land, resulting in an inexplicable loss of nine taels of silver. Not to mention, a lifetime’s effort was ruined here.

How could Mr. Mu not be heartbroken?

Mr. Mu’s reaction fell into Fu Wu’s heart, giving Fu Wu a sense of vengeful satisfaction.

Fu Wu had seen all sorts of people throughout the years, but never someone as domineering and unreasonable as the Old Mu Family.

They even dared to ask for his forgiveness after hitting his daughter.

They even dared to ask him to help without bearing a grudge. Bah!

"Uncle Mu, think this over carefully. Once you’ve made up your mind, come tell me. Once you decide, I’ll list it for you, keep a record, and once there’s a buyer, I’ll introduce your land."

Fu Wu maintained a gentle demeanor throughout, so the Old Mu Family couldn’t see it was him causing trouble behind the scenes.

Mu Dazhong and Mu Danian carried Mr. Mu back home.

The family then discussed the matter of selling land again.

As soon as Mr. Mu left, Fu Wu sent his daughter, Fu Xiaonan, to pass a message to Mu Shuangshuang, also to introduce his daughter to Mu Shuangshuang.

Initially, Fu Xiaonan was unwilling to go, thinking that Mu Shuangshuang is Old Mrs. Mu’s granddaughter. In the end, only when Fu Wu got angry did she reluctantly go.

She thought Mu Shuangshuang would be difficult to get along with, but who knew she not only brought out delicious treats but also actively engaged her in conversation.

Fu Xiaonan, being straightforward, quickly warmed up to Mu Shuangshuang.

"Shuangshuang, the lantern you made last time was so pretty. I went to town and couldn’t find any as nice as yours."

On the evening of the Double Seventh Festival, Shuangshuang made some money with her lanterns. There were still dozens of them resting in Lu Yuanfeng’s utility room, just waiting for a large village event so she could make a few more for sale.

"If you like it, I’ll find time to make one for you and send it over."

Mu Shuangshuang had a good impression of Fu Xiaonan, a lively and adorable girl without any schemes.

"Really?" Fu Xiaonan’s face lit up with excitement.

"Of course!" Shuangshuang nodded.

The two chatted for a long time before Fu Xiaonan relayed the message her father had sent her with.

"Shuangshuang, my father wants to know when you’re going to make a move. If you don’t have money, he can front you."

Fu Wu’s idea was not to let the benefits go to outsiders.

The Old Mu Family’s land becoming third-grade land meant selling to others would profit them for sure.

In that case, it would be better for Shuangshuang to buy it.

"No way, I just told my grandpa I was out of silver. If I immediately go buy it when hearing it’s selling cheap, I’ll definitely get talked about."

The gossip was not the biggest concern. The biggest worry was that the Old Mu Family would cause a fuss over this matter.

She didn’t have the time to waste on their nonsense!

Three mu of land cost nine taels of silver. Mu Shuangshuang had it, even though spending it meant she had to come up with another way to make money, it wouldn’t affect her family’s current livelihood.

And if she bought three mu, even splitting half with Mr. Mu, she’d still have one and a half mu, enough grain combined with her own to get through winter.

So far, the third branch had two mu of paddy fields, and luckily, with the careful tending of her sixth uncle, the crops were growing well.

This year’s harvest should be good too.

"Is that so!" Shen Xiaonan’s face fell.

She rested her chubby cheek on her hand, looking disheartened.

After a while, she said, "Shuangshuang, why don’t you have your friend buy it? After all, buying and selling is a mutual thing. As long as it’s not you, your grandparents wouldn’t have any complaints if others bought it, right?"

Fu Xiaonan’s words indeed enlightened Mu Shuangshuang.

She indeed couldn’t buy the land, but Fengzi could.

Even if in the future the Old Mu Family got into disputes, if they wanted the land back, they’d have to ask outsiders for it, at least they’d consider face.

Moreover, by then, who knows how chaotic the Old Mu Family would be, they wouldn’t have the energy to care about Fengzi.

Having figured it out, the gloom on Mu Shuangshuang’s face vanished completely.

Once she saw off Fu Xiaonan, she took ten taels of silver and headed to Lu Yuanfeng’s house to discuss the matter and handed him the money.

Lu Yuanfeng didn’t refuse this time. He took the ten taels of silver, and after a while, brought out a pottery jar.

"Shuangshuang, these are all my savings. From now on, all my silver is yours!"

"Fengzi, are you sure you want to give this to me? No regrets?"

The man managed external affairs while the woman managed internal matters, and Lu Yuanfeng felt Shuangshuang should handle his money.

"No regrets, absolutely no regrets, as long as Shuangshuang isn’t thinking it’s too little. But rest assured, I’ll continue adding to it."

No reluctance could be seen in Lu Yuanfeng’s eyes, his expression sincere and serious.

Warmth flooded up Mu Shuangshuang’s chest.

She took the pottery jar of Lu Yuanfeng’s money, whispering, "Whenever you need money, just let me know. It’s your money; I’ll help you save it, and you can take it anytime you want!"