Crossing the Unknown Country

Chapter 369: Su He and his friends go to the pawnbroker to buy the farm

Su He knew that some children were still begging. If they wanted to have enough food, it would not be enough for just a few older children to work.

Su He said to her father: "Then let's not go home yet, let's go to the dental shop and ask, I wonder if Songbai is still there?"

Her father waved the whip decisively and directed the horse towards the town's yamen.

He said to Su He, "We don't have to buy it today. Let's talk to them first. If there's anything we want, tell your uncle and have them bring back a letter. We can come over and take a look."

Su He replied, "No hurry, there is no rush for this. Anyway, we have been planning to buy another manor for a long time, so it is not too late to buy it when we find a suitable one. If we can buy two, then buy two, so that the brothers can share them when the time comes."

Su He's father smiled and said, "Little Su He, you have thought of everything for your brother. You are so worried at such a young age."

Su He also burst out laughing and said, "I am destined to be a worrier. My brothers just need to study hard. When you pass the imperial examinations and come back with honors, our family will have someone to rely on."

Su He's father nodded in agreement. For a family like theirs, the biggest wish was that their children could pass the imperial examinations so that they wouldn't have to work hard in the dirt to make a living.

When they arrived at the dental clinic, they happened to meet Songbai who came out to see off a customer.

Songbai asked them happily, "Uncle Su, you guys are here. Long time no see. What are you buying? Can I help you?"

Su He's father smiled and said, "We just said we were looking for you, but we didn't know if you were there. Now you come and we meet you. We are going to buy two farms to see if there is one that suits our taste."

Songbai smiled and said, "I can help you with this. Let's go in and take a look at the ones registered. There are a few you should take a look at. The location and size are all good. I just don't know how big a manor you want and in what location?"

Su He said, "We want to buy a farm near the town. It doesn't have to be too big, about fifty acres will do."

Songbai was overjoyed when he heard this. There were indeed three good manors that met Su He's requirements. He asked Su He and his friends, "Uncle Su, do you want to see them today or tomorrow? There are three good ones, but you can't see them today."

Su He discussed with her father and decided to visit the nearest one today and two more tomorrow, so that they would not be panicked.

She agreed with Songbai: "We will visit the one closest to town today, and the other two tomorrow."

Songbai agreed and followed them out of the city. He directed the direction, and Su He's father drove to a village not far from the town.

There were no walls around the manor, but there was a large courtyard in the middle of the vast land, with several large blue brick and tile houses, and some thatched houses not far away. It was obviously where the owner and the manor lived.

They drove the carriage along the path to the gate of the large courtyard. Outside the gate, several men were talking and weaving something with some grass in their hands. Probably because the ground was flat, everyone gathered at the gate.

When those people saw them getting off the bus, someone called out to them, “Who are you looking for?”

Songbai smiled and said, "I'm here to look for Gu Zhuangtou. Excuse me, is he home?"

The man smiled and said, "There is nothing to do at this time of year, so I am just sitting at home!"

After Songbai learned the news, he took Su He and the others to look for Gu Zhuangtou. The door of the courtyard was not closed tightly, so they knocked on the door and looked inside, and saw a middle-aged woman in ordinary clothes walking towards the door.

She opened a door and asked, "Who are you three looking for? Is there anything you can do for me?"

Songbai quickly said, "I am Songbai, a broker in the city, and I am here to bring guests to see the manor."