16: Changes at home

"I suggest we start with a small transaction," Wu Guohua analyzed, "first, to test the sincerity of the County Magistrate, and second... to secure a patron for our family."

Grandfather pondered for a long time, then heavily tapped his pipe: "So be it!"

That night, Wu Guohua tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He quietly went to the backyard and practiced "Raging Bull Fist" by the moonlight. With each move, the warm current within his body flowed more smoothly, and where his fists passed, fallen leaves scattered.

"Big Brother..." A small voice came from behind. Guoqiong, holding a tattered rag doll, stood timidly in the moonlight.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" Wu Guohua stopped his boxing.

"I... I want to learn boxing too." The seven-year-old girl looked up, her eyes shining with determination, "So I can protect everyone in the future and not let bad people bully our Wu Family!"

The previous incident where the Zhao Family wanted to buy Guoqiong to be a maid had somewhat stimulated the little girl; she felt that if she could be as powerful as her Big Brother, she wouldn't be afraid of the Zhao Family anymore.

Wu Guohua's heart warmed. He squatted down and gently hugged his younger sister: "Okay, Big Brother will teach you."

The moonlight was like water, sprinkling upon the siblings. This family, which had once been precarious, was visibly becoming stronger and more prosperous at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The first snow of early winter arrived quietly, tiny snowflakes like willow catkins drifting onto the eaves of Wu Family Village. Wu Guohua stood at the courtyard gate, his exhaled breath condensing into white plumes in the cold air.

He looked at the ox cart slowly approaching in the distance, a smile unconsciously curving his lips—that was the figure of his Third Uncle, Wu Wenwu, returning from martial arts training in the county town.

"Third Uncle!" Wu Guohua jogged to meet him, the accumulated snow under his feet crunching.

The ox cart stopped, and Wu Wenwu agilely leaped down from the shaft. In just two short months, this young man, who had just turned eighteen, seemed to have undergone a complete transformation—his shoulders were a circle wider, his back was ramrod straight, and solid muscle outlines were faintly visible beneath his coarse short jacket.

Most striking was the spirit in his brows; he was no longer the timid farmer he used to be.

"Good boy! You've grown taller!" Wu Wenwu laughed heartily, rubbing Wu Guohua's head with a force that made Wu Guohua grimace.

"Lighter, lighter!" Wu Guohua laughed as he dodged, but his gaze was drawn to a wooden plaque hanging from his Third Uncle's waist—on it were carved four strong and vigorous characters: "Qinglin Martial Hall."

"Martial Hall Disciple plaque," Wu Wenwu noticed his nephew's gaze and proudly patted the wooden plaque, "Master said I've already touched the threshold of a Ninth-Rank Martial Artist!"

When Wu Wenwu went to the Martial Hall, he brought a large bag of purple potatoes. Eating them for two months greatly helped his martial arts training, and combined with the Martial Hall's medicinal meals, his achievements now surpassed Wu Guohua's.

Uncle and nephew walked towards the newly constructed residence, chatting and laughing. On the snowy ground, dozens of villagers were busy—some mixing mud, some laying bricks, some raising beams, a scene of bustling activity in stark contrast to the cold weather.

"This... Is this our Wu Family?" Wu Wenwu's eyes widened, unable to believe the sight before him.

The original low adobe thatched huts were gone, replaced by a two-courtyard compound that was already taking shape. The green bricks and gray tiles looked exceptionally grand in the snow, and brand new copper rings were already hanging on the vermilion painted main gate.

Most astonishing was the open space reserved in the backyard, half an acre in size, surrounded by a low wall, clearly prepared for a martial arts training ground.

"How is it?" Wu Guohua proudly puffed out his chest, "The front courtyard for living, the backyard for martial arts training, and when we have free time, we'll plant some flowers, fruit trees..."

Wu Wenwu's eyes suddenly reddened. Half a year ago, the Wu Family was still worrying about the two taels of silver for the "reclamation tax"; now, in just over half a year, they had actually built such a grand residence!

"Third Brother!" Wu Wenbin and Wu Zhang ran from the construction site, and the three embraced tightly.

Wu Wenwu noticed that his First Brother and Second Brother's physiques were also much stronger than before, indicating that the Wu Family's "Raging Bull Fist" practice had not been neglected.

"Third Brother, come, let's go see your room!" Wu Wenbin pulled his Third Brother inside.

The main structure of the new residence was complete, and the craftsmen were working on the interior details. Passing through the ornate gate, they were met with five main rooms, with three side rooms on each side.

Although not yet painted, the spacious layout and tall windows already hinted at the future grandeur.

"This one is yours," Wu Wenbin pushed open a door in the east wing, "you can move in once the paint dries."

Wu Wenwu stood at the doorway, looking at the empty but bright room, speechless for a moment. Before, a family of more than ten people squeezed into five or six thatched huts; now, everyone had their own room, something they dared not even dream of.

"Is... is there enough money?" he asked softly.

"Don't worry," Second Uncle patted his shoulder, "we got another forty-five taels from selling purple potatoes, plus our previous savings, it's more than enough."

Wu Wenwu suddenly remembered something and pulled out a small cloth bundle from his Pregnant: "This is the two taels I saved..."

"Nonsense!" Wu Wenbin's eyes widened, "You're training martial arts outside, this is when you need money the most!"

"Big Brother, I'm eating and living at the Martial Hall now, I don't need much money." Wu Wenwu insisted on handing the silver to his Big Brother, "Besides, if it weren't for Guohua..."

Everyone's gaze turned to Wu Guohua simultaneously. The ten-year-old child stood under the corridor, the winter sunlight filtering through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on him.

In just over half a year, he had not only freed the entire Wu Family from hunger but had also brought about earth-shattering changes.

"Alright, everyone stop standing around!" Grandfather's voice came from outside the courtyard, "Third Brother's return is a joyous occasion, we're adding dishes tonight!"

Dinner was held in a temporarily erected straw shed. Although the conditions were simple, the table was laden with dishes—stewed chicken, cured meat, newly pickled vegetables, and a large bowl of fragrant purple potato mash.

What surprised Wu Wenwu most was that everyone's bowl was filled with white, fluffy rice, and it was unlimited!

"The Wu Family... is truly different now." Wu Wenwu shoveled rice into his mouth, speaking indistinctly.

"This is just the beginning!" Grandfather took a sip of rice wine, his face flushed, "Once the new residence is completed, and we plant more purple potatoes, wheat, and rice in the spring, good days are still ahead!"

Just as he was speaking, a commotion came from outside the courtyard. Wu Guohua peered out and saw that it was Steward Zhao Fu, the Zhao Family's steward, followed by two servants carrying a red lacquered wooden box.

"Old Master Wu!" Steward Zhao Fu, abandoning his usual arrogance, bowed and scraped, "My Master heard that your esteemed residence is about to move, and specially prepared a small gift..."

Grandfather took the gift list with a solemn face. It read: "Two bolts of brocade, one set of fine porcelain tea ware, five taels of congratulatory silver." This gift was quite valuable in the countryside.

"Master Zhao is too kind," Grandfather said, neither humble nor arrogant, "it's just that my humble abode is simple, I'm afraid these good things would be wasted."

Steward Zhao Fu chuckled dryly: "Old Master Wu is joking. Who doesn't know that your esteemed residence is on good terms with the County Magistrate now..."

His gaze swept over the purple potatoes on the table, a hint of greed flashing in his eyes, "My Master said, if you need any help in the future, just ask."