"No, no, Uncle Chang, you don't have to worry about us. My fourth sister and I are just walking around."
Chen Shi smiled lightly and said.
Su Xiaolu also smiled: "Uncle, what was the situation of this orchard before? I heard that it was not like this before. The fruits that were harvested the year before last could barely be eaten, right? What about earlier, was the harvest of this orchard good?
Is the fruit delicious?"
Such a large mountain should have attracted many people from nearby villages, but when she looked at the top of the mountain, there were not many families nearby, which seemed a bit strange.
Su Xiaolu smiled and his whole body felt warm.
She seems very easy-going, and the originally reserved family has relaxed a lot.
The elder Chang sighed and said: "In the past six years, the harvest has not been very good, but it is somewhat good, and it will not be like last year..."
Old man Chang suddenly stopped talking. Last year's fruit belonged to the adults, and the loss was also there. The two people in front of him were both from the master's family. It was really not good to talk about this in front of them.
Realizing that something was wrong, Old Man Chang didn't say any more. He just sighed thinking about last year's fruits.
Last year, the flowers bloomed very well and the fruit was very good. The helpers of the family were paid a lot of money for it. But when the fruits were ripe and picked, they were broken open with a knife, and the smelly rotten water came out. At that time, everyone became confused.
His face changed.
One thought it was a coincidence, two thought it was an accident, but all three or four of them were like this. Thinking back on that scene, they still feel suffocated.
Thinking of this, Old Man Chang felt even more unable to open his mouth.
Su Xiaolu smiled lightly and said: "Since six years ago, the fruits have not been as good as before. What about before? What was the situation of this land before? Are the fruits sweet? Uncle, why are there so few households here?
?”
Su Xiaolu knew what Old Man Chang was lamenting, so she naturally continued to ask.
Old man Chang smiled kindly. He felt that the girl in front of him was really kind-hearted. Thinking about earlier times, there was a trace of longing in Old man Chang's eyes, but as he recalled it, he still sighed: "Speaking of which
It's also a pity. This place used to be a famous fruit mountain. Not only our area, but also several surrounding villages all depended on fruit trees for their livelihood. Our Chang family, our ancestors were also a wealthy family. This fruit mountain is our family.
industry."
"This fruit mountain has made our Chang family rich for many years. We have been taking care of the fruit mountain for generations. If there is any problem with the fruit trees, we can tell at a glance. At that time, this area was full of villagers, all descendants of our Chang family.
, the patriarch led us really well back then, until six years ago, the wealthy businessman surnamed Yuan bought Guoshan..."
Old man Chang suddenly frowned. He suddenly discovered that Guoshan seemed to be getting worse every year from that time on.
Chen Shi had already noticed what Old Man Chang was thinking of, and he quickly asked: "What happened next."
Old man Chang sighed: "Then Changqing is not a good person. He bought Guoshan under the scheme of our clan leader. Our clan leader was so angry that he was beaten to death. His son was severely injured, and even the ten-year-old child was not spared.
Chang Xian was beaten and crippled at that time. Yuan Changqing was backed by high officials in the capital. Many families in our clan had moved away, leaving only four or five of our families. We really couldn’t bear to part with this piece of land, so we signed the contract.
The farming deed helps them manage the fruit trees."
"From that year onwards, the harvest of fruit trees was not very good. Changqing was a businessman. Seeing that the harvest was not good, he could no longer keep it. At the beginning of last year, Mrs. Su came to visit the mountain. We were indeed
I’m not telling the truth, and I’m really sorry. It’s just that our ancestors have been on this land for generations and we can’t let it go. But from the looks of it, our families are probably going to move out soon.”
Chang Lao kept lamenting that this mountain was their roots. Unfortunately, time has passed and everything has changed.
Everything in the clan is managed by the clan, and everyone is together whether good or bad. It used to be so spectacular, but now it is so deserted.
"Even if everyone is gone, my uncle will not leave. He said that when he saves enough money, he will buy Guoshan back."
A child's voice sounded, attracting the attention of Su Xiaolu and Chen Shi.
Su Xiaolu looked over and saw that the little boy was about ten years old and very energetic.
Mrs. Chang did not expect her eldest grandson to be outspoken and heartfelt. She was afraid that he would offend the nobleman, so she immediately pulled him away.
Old man Chang looked at Su Xiaolu and Chen Shi and said, "The child is still young, so don't blame the nobles."
Chen Shi waved his hand to show that he didn't care.
Su Xiaolu also smiled and said it was okay. She looked at Old Man Chang and asked, "Uncle, who is the uncle he is talking about?"
Old man Chang sighed: "He is the grandson of the patriarch, Chang Xian. He is a poor man. When the old patriarch passed away, his father also passed away after a serious illness. Two years later, his mother also went and left him alone. His lower body was disabled.
I have lived a very miserable life for so many years. I usually make a living by keeping bees. The kid just said it casually, but don’t take it seriously. This fruit mountain already belongs to the Su family."
Buying it back is not easy, it is just the arrogance of a kid.
"Where does Chang Xian live?"
Su Xiaolu asked curiously, she was very interested in this Chang Xian.
Before Old Man Chang could speak, Chen Shi said: "It's on the far side over there. If Fourth Sister wants to see it, let's go over there and have a look."
Chen Shi naturally knew about the households living here.
He also knew this Chang Xian, but he could only be said to be a weird person.
"Yes, if you want to take a look, girl, you can go and take a look. It's just that the child is withdrawn and has experienced so many blows. He will inevitably be at odds with the crowd. If there is any conflict, please don't argue with him. Just treat him as a child."
That's an inconsequential beast."
Old man Chang smiled gently and said that he could not stop Su Xiaolu and Chen Shi from visiting Chang Xian. All he could do was to please first.
Su Xiaolu looked at Old Man Chang and nodded with a smile: "Uncle, don't worry, he was ten years old six years ago, so he is sixteen now. Speaking of which, he is still a half-old child. I am almost thirty, I don't
I will argue with him."
Su Xiaolu didn't understand Old Man Chang, but she understood Old Man Chang's worries.
After Su Xiaolu said this, Old Man Chang felt relieved.
Chen Shi and Su Xiaolu walked towards Chang Xian's house.
Old man Chang looked at it from a distance and sighed.
Mrs. Chang came out and said worriedly: "They don't think Brother Xian is unlucky and want to drive him away. There have been so many rumors recently, and they are members of the official family. Alas..."
"Don't talk nonsense, Guoshan was bought by Mrs. Su. Mr. Su is in Wuzhou and is diligent and close to the people. They would not do that." Old man Chang quickly stopped Mrs. Chang from talking nonsense.
Mrs. Chang immediately stopped talking, looked over with worry in her eyes, and sighed in her heart. She thought to herself, if this official family wants to make things difficult for others, there are many ways. Chang Xian is just a commoner, and he has been crippled. If he doesn't obey, his life may be in danger.