Chapter 571: Renting a House
Chapter 571 -572: Renting a House
Even though Bai Suihe had lived in a peaceful era, she fully supported this idea. However, if they went through with it, they would need to administer an extra dose of medicine. She certainly didn’t want these people finding another way to invade.
Once she had figured it out, she began to plan. She wondered if she should also keep some people on her side.
Since she thought of it, she asked him. Gu Kaiyuan smiled and nodded. “I’ve set my sights on an island that needs people to clear the land. Because of that, I’ll prioritize the young and strong.”
“Which island?” Bai Suihe asked.
Gu Kaiyuan brought her back to the house. Bai Suihe immediately took out the simple map she had drawn earlier from her spatial dimension. “Hurry up and tell me.”
Gu Kaiyuan pointed to a spot on it. “Here. This island is large enough, and it has fresh water. Most importantly, there are some natives living there, along with some who migrated from Min County. Once, while out at sea hunting bandits, they lost their way and settled there. The people there are quite friendly. I had thought about relocating there before.”
Bai Suihe looked at the spot on the map, completely stunned. This was Wa Province! Moving there would actually be quite nice, given how expansive the territory was.
“But there are probably already established factions there,” Bai Suihe pointed out. Wherever there were people, there was conflict. In the past, Gu Kaiyuan had only stayed temporarily, posing no threat to anyone’s interests.
“There are factions, but they are also suffering miserably,” Gu Kaiyuan said. “Those damned Wokou pirates frequently harass them, treating them like a renewable granary.
“I believe that as long as we show our sincerity and bring enough manpower, especially since we share the same ancestry and origins, what do you think they will choose?”
Bai Suihe felt this was a rather massive undertaking. She had previously only thought about choosing a deserted island as a retreat, but this was Wa Province.
She didn’t want any future rebellious descendants to originate from their lineage…
“Are there any other suitable places besides this island?” she asked.
Gu Kaiyuan glanced at her. “This is just the place I currently think is best. But it doesn’t matter. Once our ship is built, we can take our time choosing.
“There are quite a few islands out in the open sea. We can wait until we see a suitable one before making a final decision.”
Bai Suihe could only agree to leave it at that for now. A large island meant there would definitely be a lot of complications later on. In that case, leaving the mainland would make no difference.
“That works too.” Seeing that he didn’t insist, Bai Suihe breathed a sigh of relief. “We only want a place of refuge. There’s no need to get dragged into another conflict.”
Gu Xingyang blinked as she watched her parents. Either way, she would follow them when the time came. However, the idea of having options to choose from wasn’t bad.
It was just like when she used to watch her mother shop and compare three different stores. It was the same principle.
The ship was launched into the water the very next day. Gu Kaiyuan even hired local fishermen to burn incense and offer sacrifices to the gods according to custom before leading everyone on board.
This vessel was entirely the creation of the husband and wife. Gu Kaiyuan supported Bai Suihe as she stepped onto the deck. Even if some people secretly disapproved, they didn’t voice their opinions.
After all, their lives and futures were in someone else’s hands. Doing their duty was enough.
Bai Suihe stood on the deck, gazing out at the open sea. Due to the shallow waters of the channel, such a massive ship could only rely on the high tide to navigate in and out.
Now that they had boarded, they simply had to wait for the spring tide.
Fortunately, this village was located in a rather remote area, so the news could be kept hidden for a while.
***
While Bai Suihe and her group were making steady progress, the Gu family had finally arrived at Shao County.
Long before their departure, they had sent a letter to Gu Kaiping. The letter didn’t say much, only instructing him to quickly rent a house first.
Although Gu Kaiping couldn’t understand why the entire family was relocating, he still rented a small courtyard. The courtyard wasn’t large, with only eight rooms, but the family could make do and squeeze in.
He had just secured the lease and hadn’t even had time to buy any furnishings before the Gu family arrived in a grand procession.
Watching three horse-drawn carriages pull up and the whole family step out in neat order, Gu Kaiping hurriedly approached. “Father, you’re here.”
Gu Baijiang looked at the dilapidated courtyard before him but said nothing. He knew exactly how much silver Gu Kaiping had on hand; managing this much was already quite good.
Gu Kaichen, however, was the first to speak, his tone sarcastic. “Kai Ping, is this the house you managed to rent?
“You’re a minor official now, after all. How could you find us such a remote, rustic little courtyard?
“I’m afraid this place could be bought for just a few taels of silver, yet you actually rented it?”
Xu Yulan was also full of dissatisfaction. They had been living perfectly well in a large mansion in Shangjing, yet they just had to come to this impoverished backwater. Look at what they were supposed to live in!
Mud walls and thatched roofs. If a heavy storm hit, the house wouldn’t even survive.
Following her husband’s lead, Xu Yulan also voiced her disgust. “If it rains heavily, this house will probably collapse, won’t it?
“Kai Ping, you have an official position now. You shouldn’t be living this frugally.”
Gu Kaiping clenched his fists in anger. “You don’t think I came here to enjoy myself, do you?
“I’m just a minor official. I only earn a tael or two of loose silver every month, which isn’t even enough for my own food and lodgings. If you feel this doesn’t match your status, the property broker is just up ahead. Please, suit yourselves.”
Xu Shuanghong and her daughters followed quietly at the back. They had no choice. They had signed the marriage contract previously, and their household registration was under the Gu family’s name. Since Gu Baijiang refused to let them go, they could only continue to endure it.
Watching the two brothers going back and forth, Xu Shuanghong showed nothing on her face, but she felt thoroughly delighted inside. The more these three Gu family sons fought, the better.
Although these were just a few thatched huts, they were still better than what they had built themselves in Tian Village.
Taking her two daughters to the room in the farthest corner, she pushed the door open, only to find it completely empty.
It seemed this room was uninhabitable. So, they opened the second room, then the third…
“I just rented this house and haven’t had time to order basic furniture yet. The weather isn’t cold right now, so let’s just make do for tonight,” Gu Kaiping said, still trying to save face. He didn’t dare admit that he was currently penniless. He didn’t think this was a hardship they couldn’t endure. They had all survived being exiled before; this was nothing in comparison.
But he had underestimated the Gu family’s pickiness. “Kai Ping, what kind of nonsense is that?” Gu Kaichen retorted. “What do you mean, ‘make do’? Back then, we were in exile. We had no choice but to endure it.
“But when you left Shangjing, Father gave you silver. How could you let your life become so destitute?
“TSK, TSK, TSK. Your abilities are truly lacking. Don’t tell me you can’t even support yourself? Have you squandered all the silver Father gave you?”
Gu Kaichen turned to Gu Baijiang and mocked, “Father, this is the eldest son you’ve always valued the most. Look at him. You’re expecting him to support the family in the future? It’ll be a miracle if he doesn’t leech off you for the rest of his life.”
“Shut up! You think you’re any better?” Gu Kaiping flew into a rage out of humiliation. Even though it was just their family here, was this something a younger brother should say?
“I…” Gu Kaichen wanted to retort, but he had indeed made his own share of mistakes. He could only resentfully turn his head away.