Chapter 166: Land Distribution Begins!

Some large rocks naturally have fractures, and a single chisel strike can split them into slabs.

For stone blocks, this type of stone is neither sturdy nor qualified. However, in Guanzhou, where every household builds kang beds, the quarry has still cut some to sell along with other materials.

A cartload costs 100 wen, which is dirt cheap compared to bricks.

The best waste material consists of stone blocks with surface cracks, followed by stone blocks that unexpectedly split after shaping. Both types are square and suitable for building walls—just add a few extra layers of plaster.

Next in quality are the stone fragments produced during chiseling, which are somewhat uniform. Finally, there are small leftover bits and pieces.

Yan Lao’er and Qi Si sorted the stones into several piles.

“Dad, how much are the bricks?” Yan Yu asked.

After hearing the price, Yan Yu grimaced.

Li Xuemei scolded, “What kind of face is that?”

“They’re too—expensive!” Yan Yu groaned in an exaggerated tone.

Yan Lao’er agreed, “Aren’t they? If we calculate the cost of building six rooms with all green bricks, good heavens, that’s at least 60 strings of coins. And that doesn’t even include tiles, plaster, labor, or furniture.”

“I also inquired about the tiles. That family not only makes tiles but also does masonry work. They can lay tiles, build kang beds, and construct houses. I plan to hire them to build ours. For a brick-and-stone house like ours, if we don’t have skilled workers, we’ll just waste our good materials.”

Stone materials weren’t a big issue, but green bricks were genuinely expensive. Since they were already spending dozens of taels, they might as well do it properly.

—

The land measurement work was nearly complete. The yamen officers weren’t overly strict—measurements didn’t have to be exact to the last inch.

Although each plot was supposed to be five mu, in reality, some extra land was included.

Yan Huaiwen and Liang Manshan were now sketching rough maps. The official Fish Scale Register would require more detailed work, including individual and master maps.

Each individual map depicted the shape of the land plot, with annotations detailing its location, area, borders, terrain, and soil quality (plain, mountainous, waterside, lowland, reclaimed land, fertile soil, barren land, sandy wasteland, saline-alkali soil). Plots were numbered in order of the Thousand Character Classic and registered with precise acreage and boundaries.

The master map combined all the individual maps, marking each plot’s number, size, and surrounding roads, rivers, bridges, and mountains.

However, they didn’t need to wait for Yan Huaiwen and Liang Manshan to finish the register.

In fact, as soon as the officers completed the measurements, they could start distributing land.

Three years later, once the land was cultivated into farmland, the government would issue official land deeds based on the register and actual inspections.

If the land wasn’t successfully cultivated within three years, the government could reclaim it—or even demand repayment for the distributed high-quality seeds.

Everyone gathered again at the large rock.

Yan Huaiwen and Liang Manshan had just sent off the yamen officers when they turned back and saw a crowd of eager eyes.

According to the Crouching Tiger City census, there were 97 households, each with a large family.

In reality, there were 176 households.

Yan Huaiwen thought for a moment and had bamboo sticks quickly prepared, each marked with a symbol.

The first batch, consisting of all full households, got to pick their plots first—176 people choosing from the rough map.

In the second batch, fewer households participated. If someone was lucky enough to pick early twice, they could combine two plots.

By the third batch, the numbers dwindled further, and people started learning not to crowd into the same areas.

By the fourth batch, it became easier to merge plots with those chosen earlier by family members.

Fifth batch…

Sixth batch…

The Yan family drew lots in order of age.

Yan Huaiwen was first, followed by Yan Lao’er, Li Xuemei, Da Ya, Yan Xiangheng, and then Yan Yu.

By the time it was Yan Yu’s turn in the sixth batch, the land had already been divided into a scattered patchwork.

Her uncle and father had drawn their lots earlier, and both had decent luck.

Old Yan chose a plot near the village, while Yan Lao’er smoothly picked an adjacent piece.

Of course, the villagers might have intentionally left some space for them.

When it was Li Xuemei’s turn, she chose a plot by the river.

Da Ya, who was in the fourth batch, couldn’t pick a plot near the village, so she naturally chose one next to her aunt.

Then came Yan Xiangheng’s awkward moment.

Seeing that the Yan family had picked riverfront land, others had followed suit. By the time it was his turn, all the riverside plots were gone.

After careful consideration, Yan Xiangheng selected a plot to the north near the mountains, just above the threshing ground. This plot was oddly shaped—long and narrow—because it bordered the mountain. Beyond its designated lines, there were some leftover rocky edges.

He had been nearby when this plot was marked and recalled the yamen officers joking, “Whoever gets this plot is getting a deal. Just move those stones, and there’ll be extra land!”

Yan Yu still had plenty of choices.

This land distribution wasn’t strictly based on household count, and there were extra plots allocated for families with resources or for future generations.

After thinking for a moment, she chose a plot on the southern side near the forest.

This area wasn’t very popular—too close to the woods, where birds and animals frequently raided crops. A whole season’s harvest might end up feeding the wildlife instead.

After Yan Yu, there was a seventh batch… then an eighth… then a ninth…

Village Chief Luo’s family stood out during this process.

With a house full of sons, they kept drawing lots until the eleventh round…

Wu Tie (Fifth Iron) pitifully chose the plot that his older brothers, San Tie (Third Iron) and Si Tie (Fourth Iron), had saved for him—a spot sandwiched between theirs.

Yes, that’s how flexible it was. By the final rounds, it was basically Luo family’s free selection time.

Wu Tie nearly cried—he had waited and waited, only to be the very last one.

Feeling left behind, he sulked into his mother’s arms.

Luo Da, his father, darkened his face and shielded them.

Er Tie (Second Iron) laughed and pulled Wu Tie out, borrowing the Hu brothers’ slingshot and dragging Si Tie along. Who knows what he said, but soon both younger boys were cheering and happily bouncing toward the forest with him.

Yan Huaiwen spread the rough map over the large rock.

The crowd scattered, rushing off like headless flies to see their new land.

Before, they had only picked from a drawing—now, they were about to see their actual plots.

As expected, some got lost and returned in groups to check the map.

Others found the general area but couldn’t pinpoint their exact plot.

The map was small, but the land was huge—easy to get confused.

Some didn’t even understand the map to begin with. How they picked their plots was a mystery.

Families with multiple plots had to split up—one group marking a plot, then returning to check the map before heading out again…

Yan Huaiwen’s area became as busy as a city gate, with people coming and going nonstop.

He and Liang Manshan did nothing but explain the map and point out locations.

But one thing was certain—once people found their plots, they never forgot them. They memorized them down to the last inch.

Yan Yu was especially sharp.

Yan Lao’er wasn’t far behind.

Father and daughter ran straight to their land without even looking at the map again.

As soon as they found a plot, they marked its borders.

Heh! Just being cautious—didn’t want anyone encroaching on their land.

When they reached the riverside plots, the two even sneakily admired Granny Rong’s choice.

It was right next to Li Xuemei’s plot, following the river and backing against the mountains—the northernmost riverside plot.

The best part? Next to it, the mountain slope was gentle, forming a large natural stone terrace.

Yan Yu originally thought about building a pavilion here—a Riverside Pavilion, full of artistic charm!

Then she scrapped the idea.

Forget the pavilion—this stone terrace was perfect for drying fish, autumn vegetables… anything!

If they harvested grain and didn’t want to haul it to the threshing ground, they could just spread it out here.

Perfect!