In less than two days, Chen Shi went out to ask around, and together with Fan Father, they really found a feng shui master.
This man held a luopan, circling around the Fan Clan house, looking at the Mountain and trees, listening to the wind and sniffing the water—a truly mysterious air about him.
The matter of digging a well was kept low-key within the clan; only the main branch knew about it, so Fan Shoushan and Zhang came over to join the fun.
A few people trailed behind the feng shui master, who sported an Eight-character Mustache.
“Master Qu, is there a suitable spot for a well in our clan?”
Master Qu, as he was called, stroked his mustache and pointed to a spot near the gate of the courtyard.
He said, “The terrain here is slightly elevated, so dirty water won’t flow back in. The slope is gentle and the surroundings embrace it, gathering wind and collecting qi. It’s far from the kitchen, so water and fire don’t clash. This is the Qinglong Position—truly excellent.”
Fan Father pondered: isn’t the Qinglong Position to the East? The East symbolizes vitality, so it’s indeed the best spot for a well.
Everyone in the house was delighted to hear this.
To avoid putting all their hopes on one place—just in case the well didn’t produce water—they also chose a secondary, less ideal spot as backup.
They bustled about all morning, and when it was time to send the feng shui master off, they paid him a hundred and twenty coins.
Kang He didn’t know what the going rate for a feng shui master was, but Fan Father and Chen Shi had always been frugal, so paying this much meant it was the standard price.
He said to Fan Jing, “Being a feng shui master really makes money. Look, just wandering around with a luopan for half a day and he’s earned a hundred and twenty coins.”
“He talks so well, if he went to tell stories under the bridge, he might not earn less than this.”
Kang He chuckled and reached out to pinch Fan Jing’s waist. “So you’re praising me now?”
But the cost of hiring the feng shui master was secondary; what mattered was finding a good spot, so the money wasn’t wasted.
“Once the well is dug, it’ll be so much easier for us to get water.”
Fan Uncle said, “In the summer, everyone fights over water.”
The old house of the Fan Clan hadn’t managed to dig a well for so many years. Zhang Jingui had complained about it hundreds of times, but there was never spare money for a well.
Now, the second branch was actually going to dig one, and both Fan Shoushan and Zhang Jingui felt a bit complicated about it.
It wasn’t that they begrudged the second branch their good fortune—after all, they were all one family, and anything that brought glory to the Fan Clan was a good thing.
It’s just that, until now, Fan Shoushan had always led the way, and now that the second branch was doing well, it felt a bit strange in his heart.
Besides, this year had been especially rough for their branch.
First, Fan Xin had made a fuss about quitting his studies, leaving Xu Master disappointed and the family with no choice but to agree.
In a single night, the family lost its scholar, breaking off the path to the Imperial Examination, and the family’s reputation outside crumbled as well.
Not long ago, Fan Xin went to work in the fields with the family. He hadn’t done heavy labor in years, and under the sun he got dizzy and fainted from sunstroke in less than an hour.
After taking two doses of Sunstroke Medicine, he was fine, but the whole village heard about it and it became a joke.
Zhang Jingui, who used to love visiting people’s homes, didn’t have the face to go out anymore.
Whenever there was a banquet in the village, she had to sit at the end of the table.
Luckily, a few days ago, Xiangxiu mentioned that an Antique Shop in town was looking for an Accountant, so Fan Xin went to take a look and was accepted.
He could earn seven or eight taels of silver a month.
No matter what, having something to do was better than farming at home.
Now that the spot for the well was decided, the whole family discussed at night about hiring people to dig it.
For a household well like this, seven or eight meters deep would be enough. If they hired five men to work together, it could be done in ten days to half a month.
If they hired strong laborers, each would need sixty coins a day. Hiring five men for fifteen days would cost two taels and seven coins of silver, plus lunch for the workers. By the time the well was finished, it would cost at least three strings of coins.
Another option was to hire a professional Labor Team, who could finish in about ten days, but would charge around four strings of coins.
Kang He said, “In my opinion, it’s better to hire a professional Labor Team. Although it costs an extra string of coins, it’ll take less time. That’s one reason. Another is that professionals are more experienced than ordinary laborers.”
Digging a deep well isn’t easy. When it gets deep, someone has to go down there. If you hire someone inexperienced and the well collapses, that would be terrible.
Fan Father and Chen Shi were a bit reluctant to spend the extra money, but felt Kang He’s reasoning made sense. For these kinds of things, safety was the most important; otherwise, a good thing could turn bad and end up costing even more.
So, they decided to do it this way. Kang He brought out two strings of coins, and Chen Shi and Fan Father gathered the rest.
Including meals, hiring a Labor Team would cost at most four strings of coins, and maybe even less.
Five days later, the family hired a Labor Team from the city. The price was three strings and six hundred coins, and five men came together.
They brought all their own tools—chisels and iron shovels.
Since it was a contract job, the workers came early, worked quickly, and didn’t drag things out to earn more. Instead, they hoped to finish early, get paid, and move on to the next job.
Because of this,
Even though the Fan Clan didn’t make a big show of digging a well, word spread in the village and everyone soon knew.
“Once this well is finished, it’ll be much more convenient for our family. We won’t have to go outside for water. It’ll save us a lot of trouble in this season.”
Shen Fulang came over that day to help Chen Fang make Pickled Duck and Songhua Egg, and he brought along his neighbor, Zeng Sister-in-law.
Zeng Sister-in-law heard that Chen Fang was collecting ducks, so she brought over a basket to exchange for some lamp oil money, and took the opportunity to see the well-digging.
She watched as several men, wearing sleeveless hemp jackets, worked in the heat—three digging the well, two carrying mud, one breaking stones—all working in a flurry.
Their bare arms bulged with muscles as they worked, their faces and bodies tanned dark; they were truly robust.
She went over to chat, “Big brothers, it’s really hot. Just look at how your shirts are soaked with sweat—you could wring water out of them.”
“Wives and kids need money, so we have to do hard labor to earn a few coins.”
The Labor Team workers spoke pleasantly: “Luckily, Fan Shoulin and Sister-in-law Chen are kind to people. Every day, they make us tea, boil water for us to wash our faces and hands.”
Zeng Sister-in-law chatted with them and kept praising how diligent the family was.
She then looked up and said to Chen Fang, “Once the well is finished, Fang, you’ll have it easy.”
Chen Fang counted the ducks—twenty in total—and gave Zeng Sister-in-law twenty coins.
The live ducks were one coin each, while Pickled Duck and Songhua Egg sold for five coins each.
She smiled and said, “Easy? Not really. It’s just that fetching water from far away was too hard, so we gritted our teeth and dug a well. In the future, if you need water, don’t be shy—come and get some.”
Zeng Sister-in-law took the money and laughed, “You really are the big family in the East.”
Chen Fang said to her, “Stay for lunch—at noon we’ll make Steamed Bean Curd. Help us with the Pickled Duck.”
“My clumsy hands might ruin your ducks.”
Then she added, “Well, I’ll help Shen Fulang for a bit.”
Chen Fang was just being polite, but she didn’t expect Zeng Sister-in-law to actually stay after a few words.
Kang He was in the kitchen making lunch for the Labor Team. In winter, everyone liked being in the kitchen, but in summer, everyone hated it.
He stayed in the kitchen for a while, then had to step out for air, only to see Zeng Sister-in-law chatting warmly with the Labor Team, serving them tea and water for washing.
She said she was helping with the Pickled Duck, but her eyes were always on the Labor Team, just looking for a chance to chat.
Chen Shi and Shen Fulang both saw this and felt a bit awkward.
After lunch, the Pickled Duck and Songhua Egg were finished, and Chen Fang paid Shen Fulang fifty coins, which Zeng Sister-in-law peeked at.
As the two left together, Zeng Sister-in-law said to Shen Fulang, “Fang gave you fifty coins each time?”
She saw it all, and Shen Fulang couldn’t deny it, so he just agreed.
Zeng Sister-in-law said, “She sells Pickled Duck for five coins each, but she already pays one coin for each duck, then has to buy salt to cure them, and pays us for labor. She’s not making much.”
Shen Fulang replied, “Pickled Duck sells for five coins each, but she pays one coin for the duck, has to buy Salt to cure it, and pays us for labor. She really doesn’t make much.”
Zeng Sister-in-law snorted, “If she’s not making money, then where did she get the money to dig a well? Look at what they eat for lunch—oily Steamed Bean Curd, and they even cooked Stewed Pork. Their meals are really good.”
“They’re hiring people, so of course the food can’t be plain. Normally, they’re pretty frugal.”
Zeng Sister-in-law said, “You’re too kind, always thinking of others. But think about it—the Pickled Duck is made by you, relying on your Cooking Skill. If Chen Fang didn’t have you, how could she make this money?
In my opinion, you might as well make and sell them yourself. Five coins each, ten ducks would match what they pay you for labor. Why work all morning for so little?”
Shen Fulang was quite put off by these words.
He wasn’t stupid; he understood clearly.
The Cooking Skill for Pickled Duck might be his, but if he had to do it alone, he couldn’t pull it off.
Not to mention, he didn’t even have two ducks at home to cure, and if he bought them from others, he wouldn’t have the money to pay.
Even if he had the ducks, selling them would be another problem.
He didn’t have Chen Fang’s way with words, nor her boldness to hawk things in the street. No one would buy from him, so what use was his Cooking Skill?
Before he started making Pickled Duck for the Fan Clan, he’d tried selling on his own, but if it was easy, he wouldn’t be where he was now.
Fang asked him to help with Pickled Duck, paid him fifty coins each time, and didn’t make him hawk in the street. He was already very satisfied.
If no one asked him, his Cooking Skill would just sit unused.
Right now, he felt very content.
Zeng Sister-in-law often came to his place, so she knew he didn’t raise any poultry. Yet she still said such things.
And to think she shamelessly freeloaded a meal at noon.
Shen Fulang glanced at Zeng Sister-in-law, and his tone was no longer as friendly as before. “What’s gotten into you today, talking like this?”
Zeng Sister-in-law saw Shen Fulang’s face change, but she just smiled and said, “Look at me, I’m honestly thinking for your sake. You’re being too sensitive.”
Shen Fulang didn’t expose her directly, but he knew exactly what was going on. She claimed to be thinking of him, but in truth, every word was meant to sow discord.
He was annoyed. She’d blamed her illness on the Fan Clan’s water before, and now she was saying these things. She really had no good intentions.
“I’m heading back. It’s hot, and I’ve got a pile of work at home.”
With that, he left Zeng Sister-in-law behind.
“Hey, what’s with this guy…”
A few more days passed, and the Fan Clan’s well was almost finished.
They were lucky—the spot was well chosen, and the water from the well was clear and usable.
If the water had been muddy or unlucky, the well would have been a waste and would have to be filled in.
That day, Hu Elder also came to see the well and spent a long time chatting with Fan Father.
Kang He, who was napping inside, heard voices and stopped fanning Fan Jing.
He got up, walked to the window to peek outside, then turned and lightly patted Fan Jing, who was lying on the cool mat.
He said, “My dear, get up and go greet Hu Butcher.”
Fan Jing refused to move. He knew what Kang He meant, but he just couldn’t bring himself to act so deliberately ingratiating.
Kang He saw that he wouldn’t even open his eyes, pretending to sleep, so he continued, “Even though Father already sounded out Hu Butcher, he didn’t say yes, but he didn’t refuse either. That means we still have a chance to ask.
He’s here today, so Father will talk to him. If you’re the one who wants to learn the Pig Slaughtering Skill, you should at least show your willingness, so he knows you’re eager and not just being pushed by the family. If he’s considering taking a disciple, this will make him more comfortable.”
“You don’t have to say anything else—just serve him a cup of tea. Is that so hard?”
Fan Jing lifted his eyelids and glanced at Kang He.
Kang He coaxed, “In the afternoon, I’ll make you a glass of snow-foam bean water. Okay?”
Fan Jing didn’t say anything, but in the end, he still got up from the bed.
“Hu Elder, have you eaten lunch?”
Kang He went over and greeted him first.
Hu Elder looked at Kang He kindly and said, “I’ve eaten. I heard your family’s well has water now, and since the weather is cooler today, I came over to join the fun.”
“It’s nice and cool today, with a good breeze. The other day, the Pickled Duck we cured is just about ready. I’ll take out a couple and boil them. Since you rarely come by, please stay a while and help me taste if the Pickled Duck is seasoned right.”
“Oh, don’t bother!”
Fan Father chimed in, “Let him do it—it’s no trouble. Later, we’ll go inside and have a drink together.”
When Hu Elder heard about the wine, he didn’t protest further.
The two of them watched the well for a bit, then went inside.
Fan Jing brought out the wine and poured a bowl for Hu Elder, just as Kang He had told him: “Hu Elder, have some wine.”
Hu Elder was surprised that Fan Jing knew to greet him, and accepted the bowl with a smile.
Soon, Kang He brought out a plate of sliced Pickled Duck, a plate of garlic-smashed cucumber, and a plate of sweet cold melon.
He and Fan Jing didn’t slip away, but stayed in the room, chatting and having a few bites of wine.
When Hu Elder left, he felt the Fan Clan had treated him very well, and he was in a great mood.
On the way home, he greeted everyone he saw with a smile.
A villager told him that his eldest son seemed to have come home.
Hu Elder quickened his pace, and from afar, he saw a mule tied up outside the yard.
Sure enough, his eldest son had come home from the city.
Qiao Fulang was delighted. Although it was still early, he was already in the kitchen, busying about.
“You came back at just the right time. I’ve boiled water—go slaughter those two chickens in the pen, so I can clean and stew them later.”
Hu Elder was happy his son was home, but he kept a stern face and said, “How many people are there? Can we finish two chickens?”
“We’ll cook one now, and the other can be cleaned and packed for Dalang to take back to the city.”
Hu Elder snorted, “You sure think of everything for him.”
Though he grumbled, he still went to get a knife and headed to the chicken coop.
Hearing his father’s voice, Hu Dalang came out of the house and greeted him.
Hu Elder said, “Not busy with your beadwork, are you? Finally remembered to come home.”
Hu Dalang heard his father’s harsh tone and didn’t feel too happy, so he kept quiet.
Hu Elder saw that his son wouldn’t talk back and got angry, saying, “Just focus on your work, then. I’ll take a disciple who’s more filial than you! You don’t want the family’s Cooking Skill, so I’ll pass it to an outsider, not to someone as infuriating as you.”
Hu Dalang wasn’t angry at these words. Instead, he stepped closer and asked, “Father, you’re taking a disciple? Who is it? When did this happen? How come I haven’t heard anything from Mother?”
Qiao Fulang was busy with firecrackers and turned around to intervene, but seeing that father and son were talking, he didn’t say anything.
“Why should I tell you? You’re always busy and never listen to what’s going on at home.”
“Father, what are you saying? If I knew you were taking a disciple, I’d be happy.”
Hu Elder snorted, “You’re happy that I’m passing on the family Cooking Skill to someone else?”
“I can’t inherit it, so passing it to someone who’s willing to learn is a good thing.”
Hu Dalang said, “Father, who are you taking as a disciple? Make sure it’s someone with good character.”
“So now you’re lecturing your old man? I know what I’m doing!”
Hu Elder felt a bit unhappy, but seeing his son happy and being able to talk, he was also pleased.
He said, “I haven’t taken anyone yet. It’s Fan Shoulin’s eldest son from the Fan Clan. He wants to learn the Cooking Skill from me. Today, the whole family was so attentive. Fan Brother invited me for wine, and his son-in-law prepared the dishes and cut the melon. Even Fan Jing kept us company.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Dalang with both complaint and dissatisfaction. “He’s much better than you.”
Hu Dalang ignored his father’s scolding and asked, “Isn’t Fan Jing a hunter? I heard he’s skilled at hunting. Why does he want to learn a different trade?”
“Life in the Mountain is dangerous. Who knows what could happen? Not long ago, that Kang Clan boy was injured by a Mountain Boar. The family is worried, so they want to switch to a safer trade.”
Hu Dalang understood.
He said, “The Fan Clan are honest people from our village. They’re not bad.”
But he wondered whether, with his father’s temperament, he and Fan Jing could get along.
Regardless, he thought his father’s desire to take a disciple was a good thing.
Selfishly, he thought that having a disciple would mean his father wouldn’t focus all his attention on him.
Over the years, the Cooking Skill had caused many arguments between father and son, sometimes even fights.
He didn’t want to be unfilial, so he tried to avoid his father as much as possible, to minimize conflict.
Now that things were finally changing, he had no reason to badmouth Fan Jing. Instead, he praised him: “Fan Jing is already skilled—he dares to hunt Bear, so why would he be afraid of slaughtering pigs and sheep? If he becomes a Butcher, he’ll definitely do well—better than any amateur.
He won’t bring shame to your name. In my opinion, it’s rare to find such a suitable disciple.”
“Also, Uncle Fan often drinks and plays with you. If this works out, you’ll always have someone to drink with.”
Hu Elder had only mentioned taking a disciple out of anger, but hearing his son speak so reasonably, he was truly moved.
“You really know how to plan for your old man.”
That night, the whole family had a rare, harmonious dinner.
Afterwards, Hu Dalang had to return to the city. He pulled Qiao Fulang aside and asked him to talk to his father as well.
“I’ve already tried. When Fan Shoulin came over for a drink, I mentioned it. I just didn’t dare push too hard—you know your father’s temper. I know what you’re thinking, and I’ll keep persuading him when I get the chance.”
Qiao Fulang said, “Just bring your wife and kids home often. Your father cares about you, even if he talks harshly.”
Hu Dalang agreed, said he’d come home when he could, took the chicken his family had prepared for him, and drove the mule cart back to the city that very night.
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