Revenue from another estate would allow us to pay the workers and estate laborers their wages for the New Year, but buying such an expensive estate would definitely require taking on debt.
Just thinking of debt gave Hongji a headache. After a comfortable two years, they would be in debt again, and he still didn’t know whom to borrow from!
Hongji remembered how difficult it was to borrow money years ago when his wife was giving birth, knowing well that his parents, even though rich, wouldn’t part with their money.
He also believed that even if his parents did have the money, they wouldn’t have enough to buy an estate.
"Brother-in-law, my niece was just suggesting that our three families invest together. She even wants to earn her own dowry!" Li Zhijun explained at that moment.
"Yes, exactly, I was saying that we’d discuss it with you, brother-in-law; if we’re to do this, it must be the adults, we can’t let a child make the decisions," Li Zhihao also chimed in.
Hongji was taken aback, not having considered this scenario—wouldn’t his two laboring relatives suddenly be on an equal footing with him, overturning their lot overnight to become the decision-makers?
"Oh, no wonder you’re both so enthusiastic. You must want to be the bosses. Have you thought about the risks involved here?"
The Li brothers exchanged glances, seeing ambition reflected in each other’s eyes. With the idea they had just discussed for keeping the seedlings warm, they could anticipate a great harvest next year, provided the weather was favorable,
As for the risks, those were acts of God and man—typhoons, wind, rain, flash floods, and the like, which could all affect crop yield.
As farmers, as long as they had land, they’d take their chances regardless of what lay ahead. One couldn’t just stop farming for fear of such risks—without a harvest, what would they eat for a year?
"Brother-in-law, look, we’re at an age where, given the chance to make progress, we’re willing to take it. Even if we fail, we’d just return to our poor lives as before. Besides, with a house and land, if our own farming doesn’t go well, we can always sell it—even at a lower price, we’d recover some capital," Li Zhijun said, who was actually only a year or two older than them.
"Right, brother-in-law, my niece doesn’t even have a place to grow her herbs. If you don’t buy that estate, you’ll need to buy some land for her to plant them!" Li Zhihao added about the herbs.
Looking at his usually more sensible Uncle, who seemed moved by the idea, Hongji realized, just as his Young Uncle had said, that his daughter’s herbs required land. In truth, he wasn’t too interested in medicinal plants that took five years to yield a harvest.
Five years was too long; even a baby would grow up in that time, and the plants could only be harvested once. They might as well grow ginseng.
However, they didn’t have ginseng seeds or saplings locally. It was said that wild ginseng could only be found in a faraway place, amongst a vast range of mountains.
"Brother-in-law, what are you still considering? You can’t be timid just because the estate hasn’t started making money yet. Surely you can’t expect your niece to finance the investment, can you?"
Li Zhihao, looking at his brother-in-law’s hesitant face, was impatient like a headstrong youth.
In fact, it was because he and his brother didn’t have enough money. If they had enough, it wouldn’t be an issue if his brother-in-law didn’t join in. With their experience in managing an estate, he was really not afraid to give it a go.
If they didn’t take a chance, they might turn their ox cart into a horse-drawn carriage, and if the brothers became estate owners, they might have the opportunity to become the rich man of their village.
"Have you discussed such a big matter with your father-in-law’s family? I have to go back and talk it over with your sister!"
Ultimately, Hongji softened somewhat.
Li Zhihao and his elder brother nodded in agreement; they were of the same mind.
"By the way, my niece said that when we go to buy it, we should not mention that it’s the Ye family purchasing, lest the other side hikes up the price," Li Zhihao advised.
Li Zhihao’s words made Hongji ponder for a moment. Indeed, the Lady of The Mengs had been discourteous to his daughter time and again. If they let it be known that they were interested in buying, the price really might rise.
"Perhaps we can talk it over and decide to buy, then have Young Master Tang act as our intermediary. We can say it’s our two brothers buying the estate, and put all three of our names on the land deed only when it’s time to sign."
Li Zhijun’s proposal made the others nod in agreement. If they did decide to make the purchase, they’d still need to scout for any competitors.
"Let’s leave it at that. Both of you brothers go home and talk with your families today, and I’ll go back and discuss with my wife as well," Hongji decided, preparing to return to his factory work.
"Brother-in-law, let’s meet tomorrow, same time and place. Don’t take too long to decide, we can’t afford to dawdle if the seller is eager," Li Zhihao pressed.
Hongji nodded, agreeing to the set appointment.
After discussing the matter with their brother-in-law, Li Zhihao needed to head back to the estate to attend to the thatched roof.
On the way back, he offered to drop Hongji off at the factory.
Watching the ox cart disappear into the distance, Li Zhijun left to tend to his own affairs; no income didn’t mean there was nothing to do.
Li Zhihao, come evening, hurried in the ox cart to pick up Li Zhijun. They planned to discuss with their families within a few hours since they had to return to the estate later that evening. They didn’t feel at ease without keeping watch over their property.