Chapter 49: Everything Is Ready

After attaching the plowshare, Yuan Pei brought over the family’s draft ox and hitched it to the plow. Liu Yitiao took the reins himself and guided the ox back and forth a few times through the vegetable plot in the Yuan family’s backyard. To his surprise, he found himself once again recalling the feeling of plowing with cattle during his rural internship years ago. The depth was just right, the rows straight and spaced well. Yes, this plow would do.

“Mister Liu, what do you think of the plow?” Yuan Fang noticed the smile on Liu Yitiao’s face after his trial and came forward to ask.

Liu Yitiao stopped, handed the ox back to Yuan Pei, and said with a smile, “It’s perfectly usable! Very good! Suits our needs! Old Master Yuan, your craftsmanship truly impresses me!”

Yuan Fang, confident in his woodworking skills, chuckled at the praise and said, “If you find it useful, that’s all that matters. This is the first one. I will make the remaining nineteen for you in due course. At this pace, I can complete one or two per day. In half a month, you can come collect the plows.”

“I’ll be troubling you, Uncle Yuan,” Liu Yitiao replied, bowing respectfully. “I’ve already ordered the twenty plowshares needed for the plows from Uncle He; they should be delivered soon. Since you’re busy, I won’t take up any more of your time.”

Yuan Fang laughed, “I know you’re a busy man yourself and won’t keep you.” He turned to Yuan Pei, “Pei’er, see Mister Liu out.”

“Farewell, then!” Liu Yitiao cupped his hands to Yuan Fang and left with Yuan Pei.

When he returned home, Liu Laoshi was in the cattle shed tending to his beloved ox. Seeing his son return, he stepped out to greet him.

The matter from the morning still unresolved, Liu Laoshi was clearly still troubled. He called his son over and asked, “Yitiao, what are you really planning to do about the Zhang family marriage? I can see it—Zhang’s daughter is pampered and proud by nature. She may not make a good wife. If you’re unwilling, I can find you someone else. There are plenty of good girls in the villages nearby; we don’t need the Zhang family.”

“Wait, Father, I actually think the Zhang girl is very suitable. Let’s settle on her,” Liu Yitiao hastily objected. It hadn’t been easy to delay the marriage for so long; he wasn’t about to create trouble for himself now. “Father, we’ve already sent the betrothal gifts. If we withdraw now, won’t people laugh at us?”

“Besides, I already said: if Miss Chuchu can solve the riddle, I’ll formally propose. If you go to another family now, wouldn’t that make me break my word?” Liu Yitiao tried reasoning with his father, hoping to persuade him.

“But…” Liu Laoshi frowned. “If Zhang Chuchu never solves the riddle, are we never to marry in a daughter-in-law? That’s ridiculous!”

Liu Yitiao soothed him with a smile. “Don’t worry, Father. The riddle I left Miss Zhang isn’t too difficult. With her learning, she’ll work it out in three to five months at most.” He’d initially wanted to say three to five years, but seeing his father’s displeasure, he hastily shortened the time. The riddle, though not impossible, wasn’t something just anyone could guess.

“Three to five months? That long?” Liu Laoshi frowned deeper.

Sensing that his father’s resistance was waning, Liu Yitiao explained, “Father, you saw for yourself today. Though born to a farming family, Miss Zhang carries herself like a lady, proud of her talents and looking down on others. That’s why the three riddles for the betrothal were set.”

Seeing his father nod, Liu Yitiao went on, “She’s talented and skilled in mathematics. If we use this chance to temper her pride, she’ll make a wise and virtuous wife in the future.”

“You have a point,” Liu Laoshi agreed, nodding. Having a literate daughter-in-law would indeed be a boon for the family.

“So, Father, let’s just wait a few more months. It’s not that long. Besides, who knows? We may have just left today, and she might already be close to solving the riddle.”

“Very well, since you’re willing, your mother and I can wait a little longer,” Liu Laoshi agreed. Thinking of the thirty qing of land, he asked, “How are your preparations for opening up the wasteland? Any progress?”

“Don’t worry, Father, I have it all under control. We’ve got the manpower, oxen, plows, and fertilizer ready—just waiting for spring to break.”

“That’s good, that’s good,” Liu Laoshi said, relieved. “Now you have your own land, you’re a grown man and can handle things yourself. I’m happy for you. It’s just that I see you running everywhere every day, and there’s nothing I can do to help. I feel I’ve failed you.”

Liu Yitiao hadn’t expected such heartfelt words from his father and was moved. “Father, what are you saying? You’ve worked hard for our family all your life. Now it’s time for your eldest son to do his part.”

“In fact, I wanted to discuss the farmland with you days ago, but things weren’t settled then, so I delayed. Now, though, is a good time.”

“Oh? What is it? Tell me,” Liu Laoshi asked.

“Consolidation,” Liu Yitiao said. “I want to combine all the land—yours, mine, and Grandfather’s—into one holding. Even if we have to exchange some good land with the authorities for wasteland, everything should be managed together. All the fields, from spring planting to autumn harvest, will be overseen by hired farmers. That way, you won’t have to work so hard anymore. Thirty-odd qing of hereditary land is more than enough for our family’s needs for generations.”

Liu Laoshi didn’t answer right away. He frowned, pondering for a while before saying, “Let me think about it.”

Liu Yitiao nodded. He’d only meant to broach the idea, to give his father time to get used to it. He knew his father would be reluctant to give up the fields he’d worked for decades, many of which were fertile. Anyone would feel the loss if they were all traded for wasteland.

Seeing his father head back to the cattle shed, Liu Yitiao slipped into Liu Xiaohui’s room. It had been a long time since he’d spent time with his little sister, and now that he finally had some free time and the weather was fine, he wanted to make the most of it.