Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 468: Opportunity

As for the chicken coops, they would be built close to the hillside in several places over the entire hill.
Right now, the mountain fields were not cleared so it was not easy to judge the best place.

The fish ponds would be built below the wetlands at the lower end of the mountain.
Lian Fang Zhou had already hired someone to dig several openings to release water.
With enough manpower, the excavation could be done immediately.

Eventually, people would need arrangements to live here long term.
The residential buildings would be built in two places, at the foot of the mountain and near the top.

“Ah Ze, go to the city tomorrow and ask Uncle Zhao Liu to send his workers the day after tomorrow, or the day after that.
The big trees on the mountain need to be cut down and the fish ponds need to be dug.” Lian Fang Zhou said.

In such a large wetland, there could be at least four large fish ponds and there needed to be wide, flat ground for planting trees.

Lian Ze smiled, nodding: “Sister, let’s go to the top of the mountain and look around.
The view is good and we can see farther, just in case something is missing.”

Lian Fang Zhou thought about it and agreed: “Alright, let’s go up the mountain then!”

On the side, Ah Jian looked over and then pointed: “Let’s walk up from there, there seems to be a path.”

After Lian Fang Zhou bought this land, no one came here and the land that was worn down by cattle herders and woodcutters had quickly become overgrown with weeds.
But Lian Fang Zhou and Lian Ze believed that Ah Jian would not be wrong.

Admiringly, Lian Ze exclaimed: “Brother Ah Jian, I’ve studied under you for so long but I still don’t have such good eyesight! You have to teach me!”

Ah Jian smiled slightly: “As long as you don’t mind the effort, I will teach you everything I know!” Putting aside that Lian Ze was Lian Fang Zhou’s younger brother, Ah Jian was willing to teach him because of his dedication and hard work.

Lian Ze was instantly overjoyed and hurriedly smiled, saying: “I don’t dare, how could I dislike it? Thank you, Brother Ah Jian!”

Ah Jian smiled casually: “You don’t have to be polite to your family.”

“Yes, yes! My own family! My own family!” Lian Ze cried, nodding over and over.

Lian Fang Zhou suddenly felt that this tone sounded too strange.
With a ghost in her heart, she couldn’t help but stare a little at Lian Ze, her eyes narrowed.
But Lian Ze had already had already turned his head away, shouting all kinds of praises for Ah Jian.

She smiled and let it drop.
Maybe she had overreacted?

Although the mountain was not high, the road was not easy to walk.
The branches, vines, and weeds blocked the way and it took almost three quarters of an hour to reach the top of the mountain.

The top was relatively flat and group soon found a large, tidy maple tree to rest under.

Looking down from above, they could indeed see more than half of the land.

Running though her list in her mind, Lian Fang Zhou felt that there shouldn’t be anything missing.

During the slack season, they were not afraid of lacking manpower.
They could start several jobs at once.

“The scenery here is also very good! At that time, we should also build a house on the top of this mountain so we can come and spend a few days here in our free time!” Lian Fang Zho said.

Lian Ze smiled: “These big trees here are growing very well.
You’re in good spirits, Sister.
Why don’t you keep them?”

In addition to the big maple trees, there were also some large camphor and pine trees.
They were likely decades old.
If they built a house here, it would not be bad to leave some big trees to enjoy the shade.

Lian Fang Zhou nodded, “Pick out a few big ones to keep.
When the people come to set fires, don’t forget to dig a boundary to separate them.”

Her brother agreed.
Suddenly, he pointed at a distant hillside and exclaimed: “Sister, look! There are wild grapes over there.
I will go pick some and see if they taste good.
Wait for me here!”

Without waiting for Lian Fang Zhou to disagree, he exerted a small amount of internal energy and was gone in the blink of an eye.
Lian Fang Zhou couldn’t help but shake her head.

Scolding with a smile, she said: “When did he become so playful? He wasn’t like this before! It’s just some wild grapes, he’s bullying me for not practicing marital arts.
My eyes must not be good, I don’t see anything over there.
Wild grapes— ah! What are you doing? Let go—”

Ah Jian had stretched out his arms and hugged her from behind, taking her by surprise!

“Haha!” Ah Jian chuckled into her ear and said: “Ah Ze is getting more and more sensible.
I didn’t see any grapes, he’s deliberately making an excuse to leave us alone.
It’s just that this excuse is too bad and needs improvement.”

She blushed, struggling angrily.
“How could he, how could he know about us? Did you tell him?!”

“I didn’t.” Ah Jian said helplessly, opening his arms to hold her shoulders and turn her around to face him.
“How could I dare to talk nonsense behind your back? It’s that kid who has been complimenting me in front of you so many times.
He wants to match us up! So it’s not my fault he is kindly creating opportunities for us.”

Thinking of Lian Ze’s exaggerated praise of Ah Jian in front of her, Ah Jian couldn’t help but laugh.

“…” Lian Fang Zhou was very embarrassed.
Gritting her teeth, she said: “I have always regarded this kid as sensible and mature, who knew he could be so sneaky!”

He smiled: “Don’t blame him, he is doing this for our sake.”

“How could I not blame him?” Lian Fang Zhou asked angrily, “He is making a mess because of his own thoughts.
In case the one arranged wasn’t you…?”

Without waiting for Lian Fang Zhou to finish, Ah Jian’s face darkened: “He wouldn’t dare!” Lian Fang Zhou laughed.
Ah Jian laughed also: “He wouldn’t do that, he isn’t so blind.
Fang Zhou, I missed you!”

Ah Jian’s voice was very gently and his expression was extremely soft as he gently hugged her in his arms.
Lian Fang Zhou’s heart warmed and she stopped refusing, leaning bonelessly into his arms with her eyes half-closed.

After almost an hour, Lian Ze returned with an excuse.

By the time he arrived, the two people had finished talking and there was no trace left of their affectionate embrace.

It was the first time Lian Ze had done such a thing and though the two people he had targeted were calm and relaxed, Lian Ze felt a little guilty.
Facing his sister, it was hard for him to squeeze out a smile.

“You’re back! I’ve been waiting for those grapes, how many did you pick?” Lian Fang Zhou teased, glancing at Lian Ze.

He laughed nervously and scratched his head.
Hesitantly, he said: “No, I didn’t pick much.
I… I ate all of it.” After saying this, he smiled more naturally.
“If my sister wants to eat it, I’ll find some tomorrow!”

Lian Fang Zhou laughed silently and snorted: “Since there is none, why did you take so long? I was so worried about you, thinking that something had happened.
I almost went to find you!”

Startled and filled with guilt, Lian Ze hurriedly said: “Fortunately, my sister didn’t go! I’ve been practicing with Brother Ah Jian for so long, how could I be so useless? Sister, just take care of yourself! Ah, no, with Brother Ah Jian here, my sister doesn’t need to worry!”

Lian Ze was so guilty that he subconsciously glanced at Lian Fang Zhou whenever he mentioned Ah Jian’s name.