Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 213 - 111 Buying Land_1

Chapter 213: Chapter 111 Buying Land_1
"If there’s anything you need help with, little lady, just say the word," Woo Zhonglian asked. After Lian Manman gave him the recipe for the garlic-flavored peanuts, she didn’t wait for him to ask any questions. Instead, she told him all the tips and important things to pay attention to during the making process. This made him very grateful and willing to help Lian Manman.
"It’s like this," Lian Manman glanced at the Silver on the table, "we plan to use all this Silver to buy land. Elder Woo, you know many people, and perhaps you know who around here has good land for sale, or you could introduce us to a reliable broker."
Actually, this matter would be better suited for Shopkeeper Wu’s help, but Lian Manman thought since Woo Zhonglian was Shopkeeper Wu’s employer, directly asking Shopkeeper Wu would still require him to consult Woo Zhonglian’s opinion. So it would be better to ask Woo Zhonglian for assistance, and let him delegate the task to Shopkeeper Wu, who would likely handle it well to show his capabilities in front of his boss.
Indeed, after hearing Lian Manman’s request, Woo Zhonglian turned his head towards Shopkeeper Wu.
"This matter is easy to handle; I’ll leave it to you."
Shopkeeper Wu quickly nodded in agreement.
"I have good sources in this town. However, when buying land, it is better to call in a competent broker for a more reliable transaction," Shopkeeper Wu whispered to a young attendant, who hurried off and returned shortly with a sturdy man in tow.
"This is the most famous broker in our town..." Shopkeeper Wu introduced him to Woo Zhonglian, Lian Shouxin, and Lian Manman.
Lian Manman couldn’t help but exclaim when she saw the man. This middle-aged man was the first to buy the garlic-flavored peanuts from them and almost every market day, he would buy some from them.
"Third Brother Wu," Lian Shouxin stood up and respectfully saluted the broker.
The broker quickly returned the salute, "I was wondering who it was; turns out it’s Fourth Brother Lian."
Seeing that everyone was acquainted, Shopkeeper Wu didn’t find it strange. Third Brother Wu was a well-known figure in town, and many people from nearby villages knew him.
After exchanging greetings, everyone sat down at the table to talk. After listening for a while, Lian Manman understood that the broker’s name was Wu Yugui, and he was actually related to Wu Yuchang as brothers of the same family. This meant he was also somewhat related to the Lian Family.
"If we’re all family, then this will be even easier," smiled Woo Zhonglian.
Third Brother Wu asks Lian Shouxin, "Was it you, Fourth Brother, that Shopkeeper Wu said wanted to buy land?"
Lian Shouxin nodded.
"How much land does little brother wish to purchase?" Wu Yugui inquired.
"Third Uncle Wu, we have Eighty Taels of Silver and plan to use it all to buy land," Lian Manman said with a smile. "Do you have any suitable land at hand? We wish to purchase today."
After hearing this, Wu Yugui looked at the Silver on the table and pulled out a booklet from his boot shaft, flipping through it.
"In purchasing land, do you only want to buy in Thirty Mile Camp, or are nearby villages acceptable too?" Wu Yugui asked while flipping through the pages.
"As long as it’s not too far, either is fine," Lian Shouxin said.
"I do have several parcels of land that might suit you," Wu Yugui said. "The first piece of land is in Thirty Mile Camp, with twenty acres of top-quality fields belonging to Wang Ren’s family. They’re asking for five taels of Silver per acre."
Lian Shouxin made a sound of acknowledgment.
"There is a piece of average-quality land in Zhao Family Village, twenty-five acres, asking four taels per acre... and in West Village, there’s a thirty-acre plot, only asking for three taels per acre." After glancing at Lian Shouxin, Wu Yugui continued, "These three families all have suitable land, and they are looking for immediate payment in Silver."
"If Fourth Brother Lian is not in a rush to buy, I can inquire further if there is any other land available," Wu Yugui offered.
With winter approaching, buying land at this time of year meant waiting until next spring to plant crops, so there seemed no need to hurry.
However, Lian Manman thought that since they had made Eighty Taels of Silver this time, taking it home would surely not go unnoticed by Old Master Lian and the other branches of the Lian Family. The tribute for Imperial Doctor Shi had come from the senior branch. Later, Lady Gu had brought it up twice, but since they hadn’t separated households, that money was considered part of the family fund. She had reluctantly accepted this but nursed a grudge ever since.
Erlang from the second branch was about to get married. Although they had a house in town, they still needed money.
Then there was Lady Zhou.
Knowing that they had Eighty Taels of Silver in hand, these people might think of ways to either borrow or demand it. If Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang were soft-hearted, then not only might all of those Eighty Taels of Silver be wasted, but the amount they could actually keep would surely be limited.