At this time, Kang He called Fan Jing into the room, carrying a box and teaching him how to open it.
Fan Jing did as he was told and opened the wooden box, seeing five brand-new knives of various sizes neatly arranged inside: a Bone-Cleaver, a Meat-Cutter, a Divider Knife, a Deboning Knife, and a General-Purpose Knife.
The brand-new knives even came with Leather Scabbards.
When Fan Jing saw these new Knife Set, he couldn’t help but pick them up and draw each knife from its scabbard, trying them one by one.
The knives were solidly forged and razor-sharp. Fan Jing could tell they were fine blades, no worse than the set Hu Dasan always carried.
Back when he went up the Mountain to hunt, he’d never used anything this good.
He couldn’t help but ask Kang He, “How much did these cost?”
Kang He saw how much he liked them and smiled, “Why don’t you guess?”
Fan Jing weighed the largest Bone-Cleaver and said, “A regular knife of this size and weight would cost at least eight hundred Money. A specially forged Bone-Cleaver would go for about one string of Money. The other four smaller ones—even if you don’t count them as expensive—would still be at least five hundred Money each.”
“For a full set, it’s at least three strings of Money. When we went to the Iron Workshop with our master before, we saw as much.”
But Kang He just waved his hand with a smile, “It didn’t cost that much. All five knives, with the Leather Scabbards and this Box, came to two strings and four hundred Money in total.”
Hearing the price, Fan Jing couldn’t help but examine the knives carefully again. They truly weren’t shoddy goods.
He asked Kang He, “How did you get them?”
“I went through Zou Fulang. He introduced me to his Iron Workshop, and since I had his recommendation, they didn’t charge us a high price.”
Kang He said, “I went to check it out, and when I heard the price was fair, I placed the order.”
Kang He packed up the box and handed it to Fan Jing. “From now on, use this new set. The old ones still work, but they’re not as handy as these.”
Fan Jing nodded.
He pressed his fingertip on the box, a bit lost in thought.
When he was young, he’d learned archery from an old hunter. His family didn’t approve, and the old hunter wasn’t keen on taking a boy as a disciple, so for two or three years, Fan Jing could only use a worn-out big bow.
Before he learned to shoot, he first learned how to make a bow.
Later, he made himself a bow and arrows that suited his size, and only after it felt right in his hands did he truly master the art of hunting.
If Kang He had been around when he first started learning archery, would he also have prepared all these things for him?
Fan Jing came back to his senses and said to Kang He, “I’m already handy at slaughtering pigs and sheep. The nearby Villages all know I can do it. I want to try striking out on my own.”
Kang He replied, “Isn’t that a bit too soon? I’m worried Hu Dasan might have something to say about it.”
Fan Jing said, “It was bound to happen sooner or later.”
He’d followed Hu Dasan three times, showing him his skills in slaughtering and butchering pigs and sheep.
Afterward, whenever he went, Hu Dasan would let him do the slaughtering, at first watching over him, and even helping scrape the hair. Later, he just left to drink and chat, leaving everything else to Fan Jing.
When the work was done, the slaughter Money was always paid to the master.
Every time Fan Jing went, it was as if Hu Dasan was just getting a free meal—someone else did all the work.
Fan Jing didn’t really care about those bits of slaughter Money. As an apprentice, it was only right to work for the master.
But if things kept dragging on like this, it wasn’t a solution. He still had to earn Money to support the family.
Kang He hadn’t gone with him before and didn’t know all this. After hearing it, he said to Fan Jing, “You went with Hu Dasan just because you’re his apprentice. Doing it alone isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Once people who need pigs slaughtered see your skills, they’ll think of hiring you in the future.”
“But Hu Dasan really is a bit shameless. You’ve only been learning for a few months, and he’s already making you do all the work. He must think you’re good at everything. If it were another apprentice, they’d probably still be learning how to butcher, let alone actually slaughtering pigs.”
“He’s certainly taught you in a very relaxed way.”
To become his apprentice, their family had prepared all the proper gifts—no one was trying to take advantage.
Fan Jing said, “I don’t mind doing all the work. Slaughtering a pig isn’t that tiring. I just think, since he can let me handle everything so early, why can’t I start working on my own early too?”
Kang He was silent for a moment, thinking it made sense.
“All right, I get it. But don’t rush to tell him you want to work on your own. It might make things awkward. I’ll find a chance to talk to him. For now, keep following him as usual. There’s still plenty for us to do before you go solo.”
As they’d discussed before, they still needed to get a Cart and set up a stall—lots of troublesome things. If they were lucky, they’d get it all done this year. If not, it might drag on till next year.
Fan Jing agreed.
The next day, Kang He went to talk to Fan Father, asking him to reach out to his good friend Wang Carpenter to make them a Cart for carrying goods and people.
He also gave him a string of Money.
Making a Cart didn’t cost much Money, especially if they didn’t provide the wood.
Fan Father didn’t want to take so much Money from Kang He, saying that with his friendship with Wang Carpenter, eight hundred Money was too much—five hundred at most.
Kang He agreed and gave him five hundred, but Fan Father only accepted three hundred.
Originally, Fan Father had planned to save up for the Cart himself, but he hadn’t expected Kang He and the others to need it now, and he didn’t have enough on hand.
Chen Shi, hearing they needed a Cart, said there was no need for Kang He and the others to pay.
She knew they’d given a big red envelope when Fan Xin started Fan Xin’s Private School, and before that, they’d also paid the apprenticeship gifts.
Kang He didn’t take Chen Shi’s Money, saying that after getting the Cart, they’d need to widen the small road from the Village Main Road to their house so the Cart could pass through.
That was where the big expense would be. Anything involving land wasn’t easy. Even buying one mu of wasteland had cost eight strings of Money before.
If they didn’t fix the road, the Cart would only reach the Village Main Road.
To get home, they’d still have to carry things themselves, and the Cart would have to be carried back too. They couldn’t just leave it outside to be battered by wind and rain. Things made of wood wouldn’t last long that way.
So just getting the Cart without fixing the road really wasn’t practical.
But the real trouble wasn’t the Money for the road, but negotiating with the families whose land it would cross.
Part of the road wasn’t on Fan family land—some belonged to other families.
To widen the road, they’d have to take over some of their land. Without discussing it first, no one would agree.
The family discussed it and found they’d need to take land from three households: one was the Cheng Family, one was the Jiao Family, and the other was Shen Fulang’s family, which was easy to deal with.
Normally, you’d pay for however much land you took, at market price.
But some families just couldn’t stand to see others do well, refusing to let you take their land or widen the road, always finding something to complain about.
Whether they’d agree or not, they’d have to go ask first.
Chen Shi first went to Shen Fulang’s family. Since the two families were close, and Shen Fulang was earning Money making salted duck with them, his husband agreed right away.
The Jiao Family had used their water in the summer and borrowed the Stone Mill to grind rice, owing their family a favor. Also, seeing the Fan family doing well, they agreed to the favor.
Only the Cheng Family didn’t agree.
That afternoon, Chen Sanfang came back from the Cheng Family so angry she couldn’t even drink water.
“You didn’t go, so you don’t know how shameless the Cheng Family is. They really made me mad. If it wasn’t for the road, I’d have cussed them out right there.”
Kang He saw Chen Shi’s face flushed red with anger and asked what happened.
“I went over and spoke politely with Cheng Minsheng, telling him we wanted to widen the road, and would pay or trade land for whatever we took. It was all negotiable.”
Chen Shi said, “But Cheng Minsheng just sat there in silence, and his mother started making a fuss, saying their land was so fertile, and now that we’re getting rich, we’re even taking the land they use to eat. She said some really nasty things!”
“I tried to reason with her, and finally she relented a bit. But do you know what she said? She said their Cheng Dalang isn’t married yet, and if we could help with that, everything would be easy.”
Kang He frowned. “What did she mean by that?”
Chen Sanfang wasn’t a matchmaker, so how could she solve their marriage problem?
Kang He glanced around, saw the two girls weren’t nearby, and quietly asked Chen Sanfang, “Is she thinking about our Zhen’er?”
Fan Jing’s face changed at once. “No way!”
“Hmph, she doesn’t even think we’re good enough for them. I thought she was eyeing Zhen’er, so I told her Zhen’er is still young and will stay home for a few more years.”
“But that Qu Shi said Zhen’er is too delicate and not a good match for their Cheng Dalang. Instead, she suggested Xiangxiu, who’s worked in a big household and has seen the world, is bold and capable—just right for managing a family.”
Chen Sanfang had suffered two insults, and if she hadn’t mellowed in the last two years, she’d have spat in their faces.
“The Cheng Family is as poor as we used to be. A few years ago, Cheng Dalang was drafted to the front lines, came back with a crippled leg, and limps when he walks. The court paid some compensation, but the money was all gambled away by old Cheng.”
“The couple fought, old Cheng ran off and hasn’t been home in three or four years. No one knows if he’s dead or has another family. They haven’t seen him since.”
“Cheng Dalang is poor and lame, so he’s never married. He’s nearly thirty. Qu Lady keeps trying to find a match, but she thinks having a son is something great—wants a good family, a virtuous wife, and a fat dowry.”
“Who wouldn’t call her crazy? Even private matchmakers won’t bother with them.”
Chen Sanfang said, “That old shrew even asked me to talk to my sister-in-law about the match. If I open my mouth, they’d probably chase me out with a broom!”
“They should take a good look at themselves. What kind of family do they think they are, hoping for Xiangxiu? She’s capable and experienced, but their family is so poor—if she married in, she’d be using her skills to raise pigs and grow vegetables for them. She’d be unlucky for eight lifetimes to fill that pit!”
Kang He felt the Cheng Family was really shameless.
But if the other two families hadn’t agreed, they could have found another route. The problem was the Cheng Family’s land was right in the way—no matter how you went, you had to pass through it.
Kang He said, “If it really doesn’t work, I’ll go try to persuade them again.”
Chen Sanfang said, “They’re greedy and shameless. Don’t bother getting angry with them.”
A couple of days later, Kang He brought a packet of malt sugar and a slab of smoked pork to the Cheng Family.
Cheng Dalang’s mother, Qu Shi, was sitting on the kang, picking her teeth with a bamboo stick. When she saw a tall, sturdy young man coming, she got down from the kang, opened the door, and realized it was the Fan family’s son-in-law.
Qu Shi saw Kang He’s upright brows and strong build, and remembered hearing from villagers that he was quite capable.
They hadn’t had much contact before, but now that she saw him up close, he lived up to the rumors.
Qu Shi thought to herself, the Fan family has no sons and no real assets, yet took in such a fine son-in-law.
Her family should find someone just as good.
Kang He greeted her politely. “Qu Lady.”
Qu Shi’s attitude softened. “Why bring so many things?”
“I’ve come to apologize to you. The other day, you and my mother discussed that marriage, but it was unfortunate timing. My mother went to ask the madam, and Xiangxiu is valued by her employer. She’s to be matched by her employer, and since our family has benefited from them, we can’t go against their wishes.”
Qu Shi’s face darkened, and she snorted inwardly. “I bet it’s because your family now has a private school and your son and daughter are doing well. The employer’s arrangement is just an excuse; you just look down on us.”
Kang He kept his temper. “That’s not it, Qu Lady. If that were true, I wouldn’t have come to apologize.”
“You know why. If Fan Shoushan looks down on us, so be it. If your family is truly interested, I’d even be willing to settle for your Fan Zhen’er.”
Kang He smiled slightly. “Qu Lady, we’re all neighbors here, not outsiders, so I’ll speak plainly.”
“Our Zhen’er is a sweet, obedient girl, and we’d be happy to see her married into a good family. But she’s still young, and her late mother told us she can’t be married off until after she’s eighteen. If the family tries to do it earlier, Da Jing won’t allow it.”
“I’m sure you know what Da Jing is like—if he quarrels with the family, fine, but if he quarrels with the in-laws, who knows what might happen.”
Qu Shi swallowed her spit. She knew Fan Jing’s temper—everyone in the Village did.
But she wasn’t stupid, so she said, “What do you mean by that? Don’t try to scare me. You just don’t want to agree—neither way. Don’t expect us to agree to your road.”
Kang He said, “I’m just speaking honestly, but you took it the wrong way. My point is, if you really want our Zhen’er, you’ll just have to wait a couple of years. Wouldn’t that be fine?”
“But then I thought, Cheng Dalang isn’t young anymore. Waiting two years would just waste more time. Besides, Qu Lady, don’t you want to hold a grandchild sooner?”
“My suggestion: sell that mu of land to me. I’ll give you a red envelope as thanks, so you’ll get a good price. With that Money, you can find a good match for your son sooner. Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Of course, if you really don’t want to, there’s nothing I can do. We’ll just have to give up on the road.”
Having said his piece, Kang He didn’t try to coax her further and took his leave.
Cheng Minsheng saw Kang He leave and limped inside. “Mother, this Kang fellow isn’t easy to deal with. Maybe we should just sell the land to him.”
“No one in the Village wants to marry into our family. If someone did, it would’ve happened already. We’ll have to look outside, but that takes Money.”
He lowered his voice. “I really am getting desperate.”
Qu Shi glared at him. “What are you agreeing to? They want the road, so they have to beg us. It’s up to us.”
“But look at that Kang fellow—he’s not someone you can push around. If he really gives up on the road, our land won’t fetch a good price.”
Qu Shi wouldn’t listen, telling Cheng Dalang to wait, sure the Fan family would come back to beg them.
But not long after, as the winter month began, Qu Shi waited and waited, but the Fan family never came back.
She was getting anxious, and just then, something urgent happened at home.
After much urging from Cheng Dalang, Qu Shi had no choice but to swallow her pride and go to the Fan family.
“Widening the road is a good thing. When Sanfang came to discuss it before, I just didn’t think it through. But after thinking it over, we’re all neighbors—of course we should help each other.”
Qu Shi forced herself to say a lot of nice things.
Chen Sanfang was already fed up with her. Before, they’d begged her and she refused; now, she came begging them. Such people were truly shameless.
She guessed there must be a reason, so she said sarcastically, “What are you talking about, Qu Lady? I thought you refused, so we’re not planning on fixing the road anymore. Your timing is just off.”
Qu Shi panicked. “Oh, I just said the wrong thing and made you misunderstand. The road still needs to be widened, or the Cart can’t get through, right?”
“I was just being stupid before. You considered everything, but I was too muddleheaded. Now that I think about it, I really regret it. I can’t eat or sleep, it just feels wrong.”
After much pleading, Chen Sanfang finally relaxed a bit and snorted, “So what do you want to do, Qu Lady?”
“Let’s do as your brother-in-law suggested—sell you the land for the road.”
Chen Sanfang didn’t agree right away, waiting for Kang He to come home before discussing it.
Fan Father and Chen Sanfang thought that since she’d agreed, there was no need to buy the whole plot—otherwise, it would be too expensive.
But Kang He knew the Cheng Family’s character wasn’t good.
If they didn’t buy the whole thing outright and get the deed, they’d surely cause trouble later. With such people, there was no point in dragging things out.
The family agreed, so they went to negotiate the price.
The land wasn’t the most fertile, but it was still good. At market price, one mu of good land sold for fifteen strings of Money.
Measured out, it was only seven-tenths of a mu, which would be ten strings and five hundred Money.
Qu Shi asked for eleven strings, but the Fan family refused. After some haggling, they settled on the fair price.
Kang He still gave a red envelope as promised, adding another string of Money.
“It’s strange—Qu Shi was so straightforward, not as unreasonable as before. Has she changed?”
After getting witnesses and signing the deed, on the way home, Chen Sanfang was puzzled.
Fan Father said, “Maybe they’re in some kind of trouble.”
It didn’t take long to find out why the Cheng Family had changed their mind.
Cheng Minsheng brought a young man back to the Village, and Qu Shi made a big fuss, announcing it was her son’s new husband.
Everyone was curious and went to see—even Chen Yushun visited.
Sure enough, he’d brought home a young man, about twenty years old, who greeted everyone and poured water for guests. He was quite good-looking, with fair skin, delicate features, and a straight figure.
Kang He paid attention, watching him for a while. The young man seemed cheerful and friendly, not like someone who’d been trafficked.
There was none of that forced or helpless look in his eyes.
It was really strange.
Fan Jing dragged Kang He over to see the excitement and just glanced at the young man.
He was about to leave to work on the road, but turned and saw Kang He staring at the young man with unusual focus.
Just then, the young man noticed them, and came over with a bowl of hot soup. “I just arrived and don’t know which relative you are. If I call you wrong, please don’t mind.”
With that, he handed the bowl to Kang He, smiling warmly. “It’s cold—have some hot soup and come inside to sit.”
Before Kang He could answer, a hand suddenly reached out and took the bowl.
Fan Jing drank the soup down in one go, then handed the empty bowl back to the young man.
The young man stood there stunned for a moment before coming to his senses, stammering, “Would you… like some more?”
Kang He took Fan Jing’s hand and said to the young man, “Thank you, but we’re fine. We’re just neighbors who came to congratulate Cheng Dalang. We’ll definitely come to the banquet.”
With that, he quickly dragged Fan Jing away.
Kang He couldn’t help teasing Fan Jing, “Were you that thirsty? Next time, tell me first and we won’t come to the Cheng Family’s party.”
Fan Jing ignored him and walked ahead.
Kang He tugged his hand, saying, “Now that you’ve had the water, no need to drink vinegar. Don’t sulk.”
Fan Jing came back, “You talk too much. Why don’t you become a matchmaker?”
Kang He couldn’t help but laugh. “Fine, next time you go to another Village to slaughter pigs, I’ll go along and play matchmaker.”
The Cheng Family made a big fuss but didn’t actually hold a banquet. At first, everyone thought they’d sold land to hold a wedding, but it turned out the young man was bought from outside, and all the Money from the land sale was spent on him. There was nothing left for a feast.
It was said he came from Qiantian Township, which had suffered from the Famine of Qiantian Township. Some families there had sold their sons and daughters, while others, having lost their homes and land, sold themselves to survive.
The young man was from Qiantian Township, a refugee who’d come to their county looking for a household, and had met Cheng Dalang by chance.
The men in the Village privately said Cheng the Cripple had gotten lucky—so old and never married, but now he’d gotten such a good one, everyone was envious.
Among the women, they gossiped that the young man couldn’t be an honest one—he must be a fox spirit from the Mountain, seducing strong men with his looks.
In any case, the Village was abuzz for quite a while, and even the Fan family’s Cart and road-widening were overshadowed.
The Fan family didn’t look too deeply into it. They were all busy widening the road, negotiating with Shen and Jiao families about compensation for their land.
Fixing that stretch of road cost a lot of Money. Not wanting to pay extra for labor, the family did most of the work themselves.
Fan Shoushan and Zhang Jingui came to help when they had time.
Even Chen Sanfang’s second brother, who hadn’t visited in months, couldn’t sit still after hearing how well things were going for her family. He changed his tune, coming over to help with the road and suggesting repairs to their house—acting all friendly.
By the end of the winter month, families in the Village started slaughtering pigs to prepare for the New Year, giving Kang He and Fan Jing the perfect excuse to bring up the matter of working independently with Hu Dasan.
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