Doted By The Regent King
Chapter 283: Bold and Fearless

Chapter 283: Chapter 283: Bold and Fearless

The agreement is half voided, the construction period delayed indefinitely, what does this mean?

It means that Zhang Facai and his brothers might not be able to earn the silver from building Wufu’s house.

Now, during the slack season, everyone’s idle. Taking advantage of this time, some go hunting in the mountains, others leave to do odd jobs for silver. Zhang Facai and his brothers are no exception.

They often wait in towns or counties specifically looking for temporary jobs, hoping to be hired for house repairs or such to make a living for their families.

This time, Madam Zhou approached them with a fair deal, including both labor and materials, and they would source the timber themselves. There were profits to be had in the margins, and once the house was built, they stood to make several liang of silver at least.

A few liang of silver might be nothing to Wufu, or to those wealthy households, barely making a sound if dropped in water, but to a farmer’s family, it’s a significant amount of money, enough to support the family for a whole year.

Especially this year, after suffering a minor disaster during the hot summer that affected everyone to varying degrees, these few liang of silver had become even more precious.

But now, because of his cousins’ selfishness, that silver might as well have sprouted little wings and flown away. How could Zhang Facai not be furious? How could he not change his expression?

"Liu Xiao brother..." He hurried forward, wanting to say something.

Liu Jin didn’t bother speaking with him and said, "Uncle Zhang, let’s drop this matter for now. The mountains and rivers remain. If my young lady wishes to build a house, she’ll still ask for Uncle Zhang’s help."

With that, he supported Madam Zhou and turned to walk back.

Madam Zhou wanted to say something, but Liu Jin quietly said, "Madam, let’s talk when we get back."

The young lady was carving and didn’t know about this situation. Arguing with them now would be futile, as they were outnumbered and couldn’t possibly outshout them.

And besides, there was no need to argue.

If they really wanted that piece of land, Liu Jin believed that with enough silver, they could certainly acquire it, but certainly not from Lady Chen’s hands.

So master and servant returned and closed the door behind them, leaving the Zhang family members with rapidly changing expressions.

Zhang Facai clenched the tape measure in his hand, glaring hard at Lady Chen. A quick glance revealed that his cousin, Zhang Jiguang, was not even there.

"Where’s Big Brother?"

This was outrageous. Their behavior, so shamelessly greedy, was too embarrassing.

And as for his own family, his cousin’s behavior was essentially robbing them of their livelihood, and he must have a serious talk with his cousin about it.

Lady Chen’s eyes flickered as she said, "He’s gone to the county to carry out a job." She added, "Uncle, what’s the rush? They’re definitely going to build that house and will bring the silver to buy it."

At worst, they could just give them a few copper coins in thanks for his wife having slipped up with her words.

Indeed, Zhang Facai’s wife had inadvertently let slip that Wufu wanted to extend her house here, sparking Lady Chen’s interest in this piece of land and leading her to clear it overnight.

But Liu Jin’s firm stance seemed to have thrown things slightly off track.

"Lady Chen, where do you get the certainty that they’ll definitely buy this land? You think you’re smart, so does that make everyone else a fool? Truly foolish," Zhang Facai scoffed. "I just want to know, does my brother know about what you’re doing?"

Lady Chen screeched, "Zhang Facai, what do you mean by questioning me? Your brother is out working, and we women naturally discuss and manage the household affairs. What’s so foolish about clearing a piece of land? I think you’re just heartless, wanting to see us poor and unable to lift the pot lid, watching our family starve..."

At the first sign of disagreement, she made a scene, and Zhang Facai laughed with rage: "You have the guts to steal, I wish you the guts to keep it. And don’t forget, Wufu is not someone to be trifled with! Fa Wang, let’s go."