Siheyuan: Starting with one acre and three fen of land

The next day, the sky was gloomy and gray winter clouds covered the entire city.

In the morning, He Yuzhu performed his daily exercises as usual. He skillfully flipped the pot and practiced wrestling techniques. After the exercise, he returned to the house and started to get busy.

He Yuzhu rummaged around the house and found his empty cloth bag for noodles, and placed it on the table to use it to hold the flour.

The processed woven bags were taken out from the Fudi warehouse. They were pulled hard and found to be leak-free, so they could be used to hold rice and flour.

He put the extracted flour into the prepared cloth bags, and the rice into the processed woven bags, which were heavy and seemed to be quite substantial.

He carefully tied up the flour and rice bags and put them back into his personal space.

After packing up these items, He Yuzhu dug out the backpack he used to use for school.

Carrying an empty backpack, He Yuzhu locked the door and prepared to leave the courtyard.

When he walked to the door of Yi Zhonghai's house, he happened to see Aunt Yi opening the door and preparing to come out.

When Aunt Yi saw He Yuzhu dressed as if to go out, she greeted him warmly, "Zhuzi, are you going out? It's not peaceful outside right now, so you have to be careful."

He Yuzhu heard Aunt Yi's concern and replied respectfully, "Aunt Yi, yes, I'm just walking around here and getting some fresh air. I can't stay in this yard. Are you going out too?"

Aunt Yi felt He Yuzhu's respectful attitude and replied with a smile: "Zhuzi, I just went to the backyard to see the old lady and chat with her."

After hearing this, He Yuzhu couldn't help but praise: "It has to be you. You really respect and love the elderly. You also care about this elderly person who has no relatives or friends."

When Aunt Yi heard his praise, the smile on her face became even brighter, "Zhu Zi, you have become so sweet-mouthed that you even praise Aunt Yi."

He Yuzhu touched the back of his head and chuckled, "I'm one year older now, it's not for nothing. Aunt Yi, you go ahead and do your work, I'll be out too."

After saying this, he ran out along the corridor, and his figure gradually disappeared in the central courtyard of the quadrangle.

"Zhuzi is still so impulsive." Aunt Yi looked at He Yuzhu's receding back, shook her head with a smile, and turned to walk towards the backyard.

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He Yuzhu left the courtyard and wandered through the intricate and bustling alleys.

He rushed all the way and finally arrived in front of a house.

He looked up and saw a large and bright door standing tall on the steps, which was quite similar to the gate of a courtyard house.

Although the bright red pillars are a bit mottled, they still show their former glory. The patterns of the lion head doorposts on both sides of the lower threshold are blurred, but they still reveal a kind of ancient charm.

He Yuzhu took out the flour and rice from his personal space and carefully put them into the empty backpack he was carrying. Then he stepped onto the steps and gently knocked on the door.

After a while, the door was half-opened, and a man in his 40s or 50s poked his head out, revealing half of his body. He looked at He Yuzhu suspiciously and asked, "Hey, kid, you look familiar. Who are you from?"

He Yuzhu looked up and saw that although the butler was wearing slightly old but good quality clothes, his expression still revealed a kind of majesty.

The information about this person quickly emerged in his mind, and then he raised his hand and saluted to the housekeeper, saying, "Old Housekeeper Hu, I am the son of He Daqing, who used to cook for your house. I have been to your house several times with my father before. You really have a good eye and you still recognize me. You can just call me Zhuzi."

When Butler Hu heard He Yuzhu's reply, a look of realization appeared on his face and he remembered the young man in front of him.

He opened the door, stepped aside to let He Yuzhu in, and asked with some doubt: "My master hasn't asked Chef He to come to cook recently. Zhuzi, why are you here?"

He Yuzhu stepped into the gate and heard Butler Hu's question. He looked around and pointed at the gate and said, "Old Butler Hu, look at this gate?"

Hearing this, Butler Hu slapped his forehead and said with a smile: "Look at me, I am really old and confused."

He quickly closed the door and walked towards the gatehouse on the right side of the gate. He Yuzhu followed closely behind him and stood at the gatehouse entrance.

When Butler Hu turned around, He Yuzhu said to him respectfully, "My father was able to get some hot-selling goods recently, so he sent me to ask if Master Guan's family needs them?"

He swiftly took out flour and rice from his backpack and handed them to Butler Hu.

Hearing this, Butler Hu untied the rope of the bag and tore open the mouth of the bag. He pinched a small handful of flour with his hands and rubbed it, then took a few grains of rice and chewed them.

He showed surprise on his face and asked, "Jingxi rice?"

He Yuzhu couldn't help but admire Hu secretly when he saw that Butler Hu had tasted the type of rice. He gave Butler Hu a thumbs up and praised him with admiration: "As expected of Butler Hu, you tasted it so quickly. Yes, it is Jingxi rice."

Butler Hu pondered for a moment and asked He Yuzhu, "Zhuzi, how much do you have? If it's just refined flour, I can take it. If it's a large amount of Jingxi rice, I have to ask the master for permission."

When He Yuzhu heard what Butler Hu said, he quickly replied, "Butler Hu, how can I get a lot? At this time of year, there is a shortage of food everywhere."

Butler Hu nodded slightly, stroked his gray beard, thought for a moment, and asked, "What are the specific rules?"

He Yuzhu replied: "Butler Hu, I can provide Jingxi rice or refined flour. In about ten days, I can prepare 100 kilograms of rice and 20 kilograms of refined flour. What do you think?"

His words were full of sincerity and expectation, and he hoped to reach this deal with Butler Hu.

After hearing this, Butler Hu stroked his beard with his fingers and fell into deep thought. After a moment, he slowly said, "I have to report this matter." He Yuzhu nodded slightly to show his understanding.

He Yuzhu watched Butler Hu disappear through the Chuihua Gate, secretly recalling some information about the Guan family.

The Guan family once held a title in the previous dynasty. However, with the fall of the previous dynasty and the changes of the times, there were no outstanding descendants of the Guan family.

Today, the only property left of the Guan family is this old house. The backyard has been sold, and the corridors between the middle yard and the backyard have been sealed off, turning it into an independent two-story courtyard.

The head of the Guan family now has only one married daughter, who is addicted to pleasure and has no great pursuits. Therefore, it is relatively safe to bring the things here to sell. The Guan family also has connections with other old and young people, so the news can spread.

After a while, Butler Hu came out from the screen door with a smile on his face and walked towards He Yuzhu. Seeing this, He Yuzhu was delighted, knowing that things were already going well.

Butler Hu smiled and said, "Zhu Zi, the master has already agreed. Just send it over in ten days."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu hurriedly handed the flour and rice in his hand to Butler Hu, and replied happily: "Okay, Butler Hu. You keep these flour and rice first, and let Master Guan taste them."

Butler Hu waved his hand to refuse, but seeing He Yuzhu insisted, he took out four silver dollars from his pocket and said, "Zhu, let's do this. You take this money. The Guan family can't take other people's things for free."

Seeing this, He Yuzhu had no choice but to take the dollar and put it in his trouser pocket, and said politely: "Old Butler Hu, you are too kind. I just thought that I didn't have much stuff, so I couldn't ask for money. Thank you for your reward today."

Hearing this, Butler Hu laughed and scolded, "You kid, don't be polite to me." He Yuzhu bowed to Butler Hu again and prepared to leave. Butler Hu also opened the door and saw He Yuzhu off.

When leaving, Butler Hu did not forget to ask He Yuzhu to deliver the things on time in ten days. He Yuzhu repeatedly assured that there would be no problem.