Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 938 - 479: Lake Stone_2

The fish fry came from Shajintang and were transported using several large horse-drawn carts. On the carts, large wooden barrels were secured with ropes. The barrels were filled with water, and inside were the purchased fish fry. These carts set off from Shajintang before dawn and only arrived at Thirty Mile Camp by noon.

Lian Manman went to the fish pond to watch as the long-term workers released the fish fry into the water.

This time, they had purchased 800 carp fry, 400 crucian carp fry, 400 white bream fry, 400 bighead carp fry, 500 grass carp fry, and 200 mandarin fish fry.

A total of 2,700 fry. There were slight losses during transport, but the seller had anticipated this and added extra fry to round up the numbers, so the final count was more than sufficient.

Watching the tiny fish fry happily swim into the pond, their delicate scales flashing under the sunlight, Lian Manman’s heart felt as if it was being playfully nudged by their tiny tails. She could already envision these little fish growing up, their shiny, sleek scales glistening like silver.

After the fish fry were released, Lian Shouxin invited everyone to the front hall to settle the payment.

The price for 2,700 fry was 7,200 wen money. Because they purchased in bulk, they received a discount off the original price. Factoring in the commission paid to Wu Yugui and Wu Jiaxing, as well as the transportation fees for the carts, the total amount came to 7,800 wen money.

The next day, Old Huang returned from the south with his team. He did not let Lian Manman’s family down and brought back a cartload of lotus roots, as well as seeds for fox nuts and water caltrops.

When it was time to plant the lotus roots, many people gathered around the lotus pond at Lian Manman’s house.

Mr. Loo also came, and he was in high spirits. He even took off his shoes, rolled up his trousers, and waded into the pond to plant lotus roots himself. Being from the south, he claimed that he had helped plant lotus roots when he was a child.

Lian Manman was skeptical, but since Mr. Loo said so, she tactfully chose not to expose his possible embellishment. Even if Mr. Loo had indeed planted lotus roots, it was probably for the sake of admiring the lotus flowers. She could understand the appreciation Mr. Loo felt when seeing the lotus roots.

Finally, they could enjoy fresh lotus roots and lotus seeds. In the summer, they would get to admire the moonlit lotus pond and bask in the fragrance of lotus flowers.

Lian Manman was delighted. The lotus root is entirely useful: its rhizome serves as a vegetable and can be ground into flour; its flowers beautify the surroundings and can be infused into tea. Lotus seeds are a delicious treat, and even lotus leaves have medicinal uses.

This time, Old Huang’s trip south was primarily to procure lake stones for the mountain gardens, where they were needed for decoration. Old Huang took the opportunity to bring back two pieces for the Lian Family.

"...Got you two pieces as well. Just toss them anywhere in the garden; we can follow along and, uh, pretend to be refined for once. To be honest, these things don’t look good to me. But wealthy families just love them. Some even say the more you look at them, the more intriguing they become... intriguing? Smells like fish, that’s what... hahaha."

Feeling cheerful after enjoying the wine at Lian Manman’s house, Old Huang spoke without much reservation.

"Mr. Loo, I’m just a coarse man who says whatever comes to mind—you won’t laugh at me, will you?" Even so, Old Huang was experienced enough to grasp the social graces; after all, there was a refined person at the table. "I may not understand it, but I find these stones fascinating in their way. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have brought them over for Fourth Brother’s family."

Old Huang truly didn’t understand lake stones. His role in the south was to build the right connections while experts handled stone selection. Besides, even if he lacked knowledge, no one would dare to fool him. After all, he was purchasing for the Empress’s temple gardens. Deceiving him would mean offending not only the Emperor’s household but also Empress Shen’s family. Who’d dare take that risk? 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Mr. Loo, seated nearby, responded to Old Huang’s musings with tolerant amusement.

Mr. Loo loved all things elegant, and lake stones were no exception.

The two lake stones, though called stones, stood like small rockeries. Knowing Mr. Loo’s affinity for such things, Lian Manman entrusted him with the task of deciding how to arrange the stones.

After studying the blueprints of the Lian Family’s estate, Mr. Loo made his decision.

One lake stone was placed in the small pond in the front courtyard. At Lian Manman’s request, Old Huang hired skilled craftsmen from the mountains to create a small mechanism that directed water onto the stone, forming a miniature waterfall. Lotus flowers were planted in the pond, and a few koi fish were added for further liveliness.

"I must say, with this arrangement, the entire courtyard has been transformed." Old Huang admired the scene with genuine praise.

The other lake stone was set in the backyard. When the courtyard became lush and green with vegetation, the stone would add a picturesque touch. Lian Manman also planned to plant some climbing vines, like roses, to enhance the setting.

The Lian Family’s estate had fewer buildings and more open yard space. By directing live water and planting many trees and flowers, there was no need to construct a separate garden—the estate itself was practically a garden already. This layout had been the plan from the very beginning of construction.

Lian Manman deeply enjoyed this living environment.

The lake stones were merely a decorative aspect of their busy spring season, as preparations for spring farming were in full swing.

With Wu Yugui and Wu Jiaxing serving as intermediaries, the Lian Family hired three more long-term workers: Da Li, Xiao Ding, and Da Ge. Each signed ten-year contracts that provided food, lodging, clothing, and an annual salary of two strings of money. This was considered the best treatment for long-term workers in the surrounding towns and villages.

With the hired hands on board, Lian Shouxin began cultivating sweet potato seedlings.

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Highly recommended: Ruoyan’s completed book, "The Brocade Screen Chronicles," a light house fight farmland tale. A story of domestic disputes and entanglements in large families.

Book ID: 1771214

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