Jiang Wan certainly wouldn't get angry over a single sentence, but seeing Er Lang's expression, she couldn't resist teasing him, so she pretended to be angry and turned her head away.
Seeing that she wasn't paying attention to him, Er Lang became anxious and quickly took out the New Year's money he had saved for a long time. "Wan Wan, what delicious food do you want to eat? Big Brother will buy it for you, okay?"
San Lang deliberately fanned the flames. "Big Brother, your apology attitude isn't very sincere. You shouldn't just ask Wan Wan what she wants to eat; you should buy the delicious food first and let Wan Wan see your sincerity."
Da Lang suppressed a smile and said, "San Lang is right."
Receiving the "guidance," Er Lang hurried to the nearby stalls to find delicious food.
Jiang Wan turned her head and giggled. Da Lang tapped her forehead. "You, you just bully your second brother."
Jiang Wan spread her hands. "Who told him he's so simple?"
Actually, Er Lang wasn't simple; the child was just unguarded, especially towards his own family. He trusted them unconditionally. Such a person was very easy to get along with, but also the easiest to be taken advantage of.
Like that Zheng Cui'er.
The moment Jiang Wan thought of this person, she felt disgusted. She always felt that Zheng Cui'er hadn't given up on her second brother.
Er Lang spent all his meager New Year's money on a few food items and presented them to Jiang Wan like treasures.
"Wan Wan, try them."
Jiang Wan suppressed her laughter and tasted them. Finding them all quite good, she reached out and took the items.
Seeing that she had accepted the food, Er Lang quickly scooped her up from Da Lang's embrace. "If you eat my things, you can't be angry with me anymore."
Jiang Wan nodded perfunctorily. This big silly boy, how could she teach him to be a bit smarter?
The siblings ambled through the streets until it was time for dinner, then returned to the Cheng residence.
Jiang Pan had already returned, and Magistrate Cheng was also there. The two were discussing matters together.
Chen Yuezhi and Madam Cheng hadn't seen Jiang Wan all morning. Seeing her return, they quickly called her over. "We bought you several new outfits today. After dinner, you can try them on. If they don't fit, have the seamstresses in the manor alter them."
Jiang Wan was quite interested in pretty clothes. Just as she agreed, Magistrate Cheng said, "In the afternoon, I'll take you to see the place where the Xiaoshan Village will settle."
Everyone was very surprised. "It's done so quickly?"
Magistrate Cheng smiled and explained, "Of course, it's not that fast, but there shouldn't be any problems. This morning, a few of my colleagues and I thought of a pretty good method, and I believe the Prefect will not refuse."
The place Magistrate Cheng chose for Xiaoshan Village was not far from the county town, but it was very secluded.
"This entire area is wasteland. We discussed it, and we'll use this wasteland to our advantage to settle you down first. Currently, there are refugees everywhere, and the imperial court has issued a decree ordering refugees who cannot afford property to return to their original residences."
"But Xiaoshan Village can purchase this wasteland, thus solving the problem of property ownership."
Jiang Pan's heart rejoiced. He hadn't expected this matter to be resolved so easily.
However, looking at such a large expanse of wasteland, he became troubled again. "Magistrate Cheng, to be honest, our Xiaoshan Village is so poor that our pockets echo. After this journey, everyone probably has very little money left. The only thing that can be used is the money Madam Cheng gave us. I don't know if it's enough to buy this wasteland."
Magistrate Cheng smiled. "Don't worry. Since we've made this arrangement, we've naturally considered this issue. This wasteland is over two hundred mu. In Huainan Prefecture, the price of wasteland is three taels of silver per mu. We'll waive some of it for you then, and the matter will be settled."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Pan quickly cupped his fists and bowed to Magistrate Cheng. "This humble one thanks Magistrate Cheng on behalf of the villagers of Xiaoshan Village."
Magistrate Cheng helped him up. "Brother Jiang, we've already said that our two families don't need to be so formal. Xiaoshan Village has been kind to my Cheng family. Since I have the ability, I must help. However, there is one thing that Brother Jiang might want to consider carefully."
Jiang Pan quickly asked, "What is it?"
Magistrate Cheng pointed to the wasteland. "Although this land is lying fallow, it's actually not bad. Brother Jiang can consider buying more of it while you have the chance. I have a premonition that land prices will rise in a while, and it won't be cost-effective to buy then."
Jiang Pan and Chen Yuezhi exchanged glances and decided to follow Magistrate Cheng's advice.
After the important matters were concluded, the Jiang family, led by Magistrate Cheng, began to look around the wasteland.
This wasteland was vast, with a mountain of moderate size behind it. A small river flowed through the middle of the land. The river water was neither too deep nor too shallow, and small fish, less than a finger long, could be seen swimming rapidly in the water.
Jiang Wan really liked this place. Compared to the original village of Xiaoshan Village, this place was countless times better.
It had mountains and water, was not far from the county town, and was convenient for travel. No matter how she looked at it, she liked it.
The others felt the same way. Jiang Pan had even started considering where the villagers would build their houses.
After returning from outside the city, Jiang Pan went straight to the charity hall. He wanted to share this good news with the villagers so that everyone would have peace of mind.
When the villagers heard that they had a place to settle, they were even happier than during the New Year and kept asking Jiang Pan questions.
Jiang Pan smiled and said, "Don't worry. In a few days, after things are settled, I'll take everyone there. Then, each family will be allocated land based on the number of people. Wherever you get allocated is where you'll be, and no one is allowed to argue."
The villagers were overjoyed and shouted their agreement.
Magistrate Cheng took this matter very seriously. He sent someone on a fast horse to deliver a letter to the prefectural city. The Prefect had a good relationship with Magistrate Cheng. After receiving the letter and confirming that there were no problems, he stamped it and sent the letter back.
As soon as he received the reply, Magistrate Cheng sent someone to summon Jiang Pan to handle the procedures.
That day, Jiang Pan purchased two hundred and twenty mu of wasteland. Apart from the one hundred and seventy mu purchased with the five hundred taels of silver from the village, the rest was bought by their family.
This was the area Jiang Pan and Chen Yuezhi decided on after discussion. Fifty mu of land was enough for their family to eat and drink. They would also use some money to build a farmhouse, and the remaining money would not be touched.
This way, their family would have property and money, and their future days would be very comfortable.
The next day, Jiang Pan led the villagers of Xiaoshan Village to the wasteland.
No, it could no longer be called wasteland; it should be called Xiaoshan Village.
Jiang Pan and the old village chief felt that since they came from Xiaoshan Village and their hearts were united, the new village should still be called by its old name.
The villagers looked at the leveled land and the environment with mountains and water, and they were all so excited that they danced with joy.
"We have a home again!"
Jiang Pan said loudly, "Tomorrow, we will move our belongings over. Everyone will choose a place at the foot of the mountain to build their houses. No arguing or fighting. Each family will only have one mu of land for their courtyard. This has been approved by Magistrate Cheng. If you find the place too small, you can pay extra to buy more land yourself."