165 – Qilin Summer Mountain Vi
After the road was mended, the vigers threw themselves into the busy farming season and the work in the processing yard.
Qin Mian made use of the small brick kiln and had his servants baked some ck bricks. He also mended and reorganized the road in front of Leisurely Farmhouse. The ck bricks wereid from the gate of Leisurely Farmhouse, along the wall to the west, around the north of the processing yard, to the ce bordering the vige road. Afterward, when it rained, the family carriage would not roll through the mud.
The ck brick road was about ten <em>chi<sup>1</sup> </em>wide. On the outside of the road, a tree and a flower were nted every ten <em>chi </em>or so. May it be winter jasmine, jasmine, chrysanthemum, or plum blossom, all were dug out from the mountain.
After the busy farming season, the vigers suddenly found the changes outside the walls of Leisurely Farmhouse. They thought their own house gates would be more beautiful like this. They also joined hands in twos and threes to make some ck bricks to pave the road of their own houses. Some vigers were quite creative. When they paved the ground, some round stones were mixed between the bricks to form a pattern of flowers or animals. It was particrly beautiful.
After the brick roads in front of each house were connected together, the vigers suddenly realized that the whole Green Mountain Vige was much more beautiful than before.
This was Qin Mian’s purpose – imperceptibly led the vigers to transform Green Mountain Vige and finally made Green Mountain Vige and of idyllic beauty.
On a pleasantly cool morning, Qin Mian and Lei Tie came to Li Zheng’s home again. Lei Tie even had a scroll in his hand.
Quite a few vigers who identally saw them followed curiously. It was not easy for Li Zheng to drive them away.
“Tie-zi’s wife, what good idea is there still?” Li Zheng recalled being summoned and praised by the County Magistratest time, so he was still excited that his face flushed with vigor.
Qin Mian said with a smile, “Uncle Li Zheng, A-Tie and I came this time for two things. First, we want to ask if we can buy the mountains around our vige?”
“You want to buy mountains?” Li Zheng thought to himself: it’s hard to understand what rich people think. In his opinion, those mountains were of little value since they couldn’t grow food.
Qin Mian nodded.
Li Zheng said, “There’s nothing that can’t be bought. I’ll go to the county to get you the title deed.”
Qin Mian said, “We want to buy Mount Eagle at the back of the vige. How much does it cost, do you think?”
Li Zheng pondered, “Mount Eagle… That mountain is not small. I remember that a few years ago, andlord of a vige in Running Water Town bought a mountain near their vige and spent more than 300 taels of silver. Mount Eagle should not exceed 500 taels.”
“We’ll buy Mount Eagle.” Qin Mian said, “Later, A-Tie and I will follow you to the county. I’ve been bothering you so many times. We must treat you to a meal in any way.”
“Haha, alright.” Li Zheng was only too d to ept it.
A viger asked curiously, “Tie-zi’s wife, what do you buy that mountain for?”
Qin Mian did not conceal, “We n to build a summer vi on the mountain.” He was not afraid that others would follow suit. On one hand, other people’s design of the summer vi could not surpass his; on the other hand, he had a cheat device – his well-built summer vi must be better than others’ summer vi.
The few vigers were both amazed and admired them.
Li Zheng asked, “What’s the second thing?”
Qin Mian asked with a smile, “Uncle Li Zheng, do you want to make Green Mountain Vige more beautiful? Do you want to make the vigers of Green Mountain Vige richer?”
Li Zheng’s expression was serious, “Of course!”
Qin Mian looked at the five vigers who were so excited that their eyes were shining. “Elder brothers, please leave us.”
Although the five vigers wanted to know what good idea Qin Mian had, they changed their minds for fear of making him unhappy. They all smiled and politely cupped their hands in obeisance to him and Lei Tie before leaving.
Only then Qin Mian said, “To make our vige more beautiful, first, nt flowers; second, nt fruit trees, so that there are flowers and fruits in four seasons. Flowers and trees are not nted randomly but in a nned way. For example, flowers should be nted on this piece ofnd and trees should be nted on that piece ofnd. Also, not everyone grows the same fruit trees, but one household nts peach trees and another household nts pear trees. It is convenient to take care of and can ensure that every household has ie. Just imagine, if everyone grows peach trees, it will be difficult to sell the fruits when there is a lot of it. Besides, the variety is too solely.”
Li Zheng nodded, incessantly.
Qin Mian unfolded the scroll in Lei Tie’s hand and put it on the table. “This is the transformed Green Mountain Vige. Have a look.”
Li Zheng looked at the neat housing, the spacious roads, the beautiful sea of flowers, and the fertile fruit trees within the painting… perpetually wondered at the scene.
“Good! These fields?”
Li Zheng saw the name of the painting.
Qin Mian nodded, “That’s right, the fields in the painting are no different from those in our vige in both quantity and location.”
“You painted it? It must have been a lot of work.” Li Zheng patted him on the shoulder.
Lei Tie said, “Four days.”
“You two have taken a lot of trouble,” said Li Zheng with emotion.
“Just a little bit of nning. If we really want to transform Green Mountain Vige, some vigers’ fields need to be rented with fruit trees.” Qin Mian hesitated, “This is only our idea. Whether it can be realized or not depends on Uncle Li Zheng’s ability. The only thing we can guarantee is that we will do our best to teach the vigers to nt flowers and fruit trees.”
Li Zheng frowned for a long time. If he could make Green Mountain Vige more beautiful and the vigers richer, he would certainly like to. But it was not that simple. It was useless for him to agree because he had to consider the vigers’ opinions. Farmers had to pay a certain amount ofnd tax every year. If some of the fields used to grow grain were used to grow fruit trees, the grain output would be lower. If the output was not enough to pay thend tax, the vigers would have to pay with money to make up. If they couldn’t make money from nting flowers and fruit trees, wouldn’t he drive the vigers to a dead end?
Qin Mian understood his concerns, “There’s no need to rush to decide on this matter. Uncle Li Zheng can think about it slowly. Even if you don’t agree in the end, it’s alright.”
Li Zheng’s anxiety slowly receded, and heughed at himself, “On the contrary, I’m inclined. That’s right, it’s not urgent. Let’s solve the problem of you buying the mountain first. How about going to the county tomorrow?”
“No problem.”
Other vigers heard from the five vigers that Qin Mian wanted to give the whole vige a good idea to make money. They were excited and went to Li Zheng’s and Qin Mian’s houses to ask for information. Unfortunately, both Li Zheng’s and Qin Mian’s gates were closed. The vigers had to restrain their anxiety and waited for Li Zheng to call them for a meeting.
The next day, Qin Mian and Lei Tie took Yuanyuan, Manman, and Li Zheng on the family’s carriage to Zhaoyang County.
Li Zheng also brought his six-year-old grandson, Little Luobo<sup>2</sup>. The Luo Family taught Little Luobo very well. He was young but sensible and clever. He was a qualified small elder brother in front of Yuanyuan and Manman.
When they got to the county town, they went to the County Office first and spent 450 taels of silver to buy Mount Eagle and 10 taels of silver to handle the title deed and bribed themissioner.<sup>3</sup>
After finishing their proper business, the three adults and three children strolled in the street, bought some small toys for the three children, and had lunch in Nie Heng’s wine house near noon.
Nie Heng happened to be there.
His wife, who was now more than two months pregnant, kept nagging in Qin Mian’s ear several times before when she went to Double Xiang House to borrow Yuanyuan and Manman to live in her house for a while. It was a pity that Qin Mian and Lei Tie were not free. If they allowed Yuanyuan and Manman to go by themselves, they wouldn’t feel at ease. So then, they didn’t go.
“If Yuanyuan and Manman are willing to stay with me for a few days, my wife will surely get a boy,” said Nie Heng with regret.
Qin Mianughed at him, “Do you want a son so much? Be careful, if your wife knows, she will make you kneel on the washboard.”
Nie Heng smilingly said, “It’s just that Yuanyuan and Manman are so adorable. I hope to have a son as adorable as them.”
Manman took out a piece of fruit candy made by Qin Mian from his big pocket and handed it to Nie Heng. He said with a serious face, “Uncle Nie, this candy is for Aunt. Aunt will surely give birth to an adorable little brother.”
Nie Heng was taken aback but felt warm in his heart. He rubbed Manman’s little head, took the candy, and put it into his pocket. Heughed, “Alright. Thank you, Manman. I will definitely give this candy to your Aunt to eat.”
Nie Heng came home and put the candy into his wife’s mouth. Young Madam Nie thought that her husband finally knew how to coax people. She smiled continuously for several days…
Back to Green Mountain Vige from the county town, Qin Mian and Lei Tie started building the Qilin Summer Mountain Vi.
Three dayster, Li Zheng called all the vigers to his home again to discuss an official matter. He ryed Qin Mian’s words and asked them to think it over.
Qin Mian and Li Zheng did not expect the reaction of the vigers. No one opposed or hesitated. Everyone believed in Qin Mian’s ability and was willing to gamble with him.
Qin Mian was moved and felt that these vigers also had a lovely side. He had more confidence in the transformation of Green Mountain Vige.
At the same time that Li Zheng was gratified, his decision also firmed up. Even the vigers believed in Qin Mian and Lei Tie so much, and thus he should believe in them. As long as they all worked together, they would be able to seed.
The best season for nting flowers and trees was spring, so the n to transform Green Mountain Vige was put on hold for a while.
Before dismissing them, Li Zheng told the vigers to keep it secret so as not to cause other side issues.
Qin Mian and Lei Tie continued to work on Qilin Summer Mountain Vi – went uphill to cut things, dug trees, dug earth, built roads, bought stones and materials… From the beginning of construction to thepletion of the project, more than 100 workers were employed. They were busy from the 7th month to the end of the 12th month, which took nearly half a year for Qilin Summer Mountain Vi to take on aplete look.
Qin Mian and Lei Tie became the first people to live in Qilin Summer Mountain Vi along with Yuanyuan, Manman, White Spot, and Golden Fur.
The whole Qilin Summer Mountain Vi was basically made of wood. There were six establishments in total, and due to it being a “summer” mountain vi, their names had a refreshing vor. Their names were Clear Spring Pavilion, Cool Summer Residence, Cold Autumn Building, Chilly Winter Courtyard, Left Frost House, and Right Snow Park. The style of the six establishments was totally different. The pavilions and kiosks arranged in picturesque disorder; insects, fish, birds, and beast, stirred the brush tip to fly<sup>4</sup>. Inside and outside the summer mountain vi, tall trees stood in great numbers and vegetation was serene and hidden in-depth – it was such a nice quiet ce. One could imagine that in summer, this ce would be a well-known summer resort.
<em>T/n: I’m the only one. Not guys either, I’m a fish.</em>
Note:
Footnotes<ol><li>one-third of a meter. 10 chi = 3 m</li><li>Luo is the surname, but Luobo tranted as radish is the boy’s nickname.</li><li>it’s not an illegal thing they did, but it’s kind ofmon at that time [at present too (please don’t take or give bribe)] to bribe some officers to dredge up a rtionship and trust them [officers] to take care of them.</li><li>Taken from Chen Renjie’s poem《沁园春·诗不穷人》which meant that a good poem can make all the natural scenery vivid–baidu</li></ol>