Carrying a Lucky Charm, I Thrive with My Husband on the Road to Exile

Chapter 332: Chapter 332: The Banquet

Gu Kaiyuan had a headache. Chen Dafu, the old fellow, really dares to dream big. "I’m afraid Mr. Chen will be disappointed. After all, I’m just a son-in-law, and I know nothing about the family business. Mr. Chen should seek other methods."

Chen Dafu wasn’t disappointed. After all, it wasn’t like he would truly ally with the Bai Family. He was aiming for a "hit and see".

Besides doing his official duties this time, he wanted to train the younger generation in the family. Once he returned, he planned to divide the family assets and let them fend for themselves.

During this trip, he observed that other notable families had effective risk management strategies. It wasn’t necessary to put all eggs in one basket.

But before that happened, it would be best to find them a stable livelihood.

Farming was an option, but future generations would remain trapped on barren lands, eventually becoming ignorant peasants—something he didn’t want to see.

However, engaging in trade or small businesses could accumulate wealth, allowing them to purchase more land and become small landlords.

This way, they would have the energy and resources to cultivate the next generation. If, by chance, the ancestral grave of the Chen Family exuded luck again, another scholar might emerge.

Thinking of the dull-witted children at home, Chen Dafu couldn’t help but sigh and shake his head. They caused too much worry; otherwise, he wouldn’t have to endure this at his age.

"There’s no rush for these things. If the opportunity arises in the future, would you be willing to give a hand?" Chen Dafu took a sip of wine and said squinting, "You’ve married into the Bai Family, and this residence is full of Bai Family people. What if I let those lads help out at your place for a while? You wouldn’t even have to pay them wages; just offer them food."

Zhu Ziqiang was rendered speechless. Typical of someone who had been an official, the gall was thick enough. Didn’t he know it was winter rest time in the village, and people were preparing for New Year? What could they do if sent over now?

Gu Kaiyuan said, "I dare not trouble the Chen family brothers. Since New Year is around the corner, everyone is busy. Do you still want to cultivate the fields come spring?"

The notice had been posted, and the government would no longer force them to clear new fields each year. But for the previously cleared lands, villagers could follow existing rules, enjoying a three-year tax exemption and later obtaining formal deeds.

"Of course, the fields have to be cultivated. They’ve already been cleared, so it’s just a matter of sowing some seeds," Chen Dafu would never give up the land. Their family was large, and they had opened up quite a bit of wasteland. Even planting cabbage could earn some silver in spring.

This was another reason he stayed. "Kaiyuan, you mentioned before you’re not leaving. Having married into the Bai Family, do you have any thoughts on the wasteland in our village?"

Zhu Ziqiang also perked up his ears. He had seen the proclamation at the city gate and was undoubtedly intrigued.

These outsiders wouldn’t stay long in this small village. Once they left, wouldn’t the reclaimed lands naturally revert to the villagers?

Then everyone only needed to care for it for a couple of years, and the lands would become fertile, providing more income.

Gu Kaiyuan responded, "We’ve bought enough land, it’s sufficient."

"Who ever complains about too much land?" Chen Dafu clearly didn’t believe him. "Rest assured, as long as you pay a little for labor, all the land we cleared can be yours."

Gu Kaiyuan refilled his drink. "Mr. Chen, why bother? Once you return to the capital, this minor gain won’t matter much to you.

Though I could acquire the land at a wasteland price now, you’ve seen it. The lands I previously bought are all together, while yours are scattered all over. It’s not convenient to manage. Honestly, you’d be better off talking to our Village Chief Zhu than to me."

Gu Kaiyuan also filled Zhu Ziqiang’s glass. "Village Chief, I’m sure you have thoughts about the land they cleared too?"

Zhu Ziqiang thought, "When you all leave, those naturally return to the village. Why pay silver for them?"

But outwardly, he awkwardly smiled, saying, "You’ve seen the village’s conditions. Every household struggles.

Here, the most abundant resource is labor, but our own lands keep everyone busy, leaving little energy for other tasks."

In this area, clearing a corner of wasteland was just a matter of more time spent.

The real challenge was the annual tax payments to follow.

He thought if these outsiders abandoned the lands, they could sow some seeds, reap some early yield for two or three years, then let them lie fallow for a while. This way, it would be new wasteland again, a tactic they used before.

Chen Dafu wasn’t disappointed. "Indeed, we can’t trouble the villagers. Well, we’ll plant for now and see come spring,"

No one took over the land as he expected. He had hoped that by aiding Gu Kaiyuan today, Gu Kaiyuan would feel indebted and offer some silver out of goodwill.

Since that didn’t work, he’d just have to bring his sons to plant something in the fields tomorrow.

Any minimal gains would justify their long journey to clear the land.

"I must say, Mr. Gu and his group are quite clever," Chen Dafu intentionally or unintentionally praised, "Everyone else cleared their lands, but they scarcely did a thing and returned, not losing out one bit."

Gu Kaiyuan countered, "Mr. Chen, if you feel at a loss, you could settle here, and we could become neighbors."

Saying this, he gave Chen Dafu a half-smile. Unexpectedly, Chen Dafu seriously considered it before nodding, "You make a point. Abandoning the built houses and cleared lands does seem wasteful."

Gu Kaiyuan asked, "So, you’re not returning to the capital?"

"I still have matters to settle back in the capital, but I can certainly leave some family assets here for my children and grandchildren."

Gu Kaiyuan inwardly sympathized with the Chen descendants, thinking they’d hardly appreciate such a heritage.

Chen Dafu grew increasingly convinced, raising his glass solemnly to Gu Kaiyuan, "When our children settle here, I hope you’ll look after them."

Gu Kaiyuan hurriedly replied modestly, "Mr. Chen, you jest. I’m clueless about farming matters; I’ll have to relearn many things. I think your family’s farming thrives in an exemplary manner. I may often seek your guidance."

Then, with intrigue, he asked, "Mr. Chen, planning to leave folks here, have you decided who?"

Beside him, Zhu Ziqiang’s heart sank to the bottom of the abyss at the thought of them returning to the capital but still leaving people to occupy the land.

"This, we’ll have to discuss back home thoroughly," Chen Dafu was unsure who would be willing to stay, possibly none would.

Gu Kaiyuan agreed, "A proper discussion is necessary to avoid family conflicts over these matters."