Chapter 7: Real Estate in the Year 1915

Ah! Young Master! Alright, whatever you say goes. This piece of land you mentioned is all unclaimed wasteland; buying it won't cost much, and all it takes is to inform the estate and establish a land deed. Seeing the determined look on the face of Young Master Sima, Gao Chuanliang realized that the matter was beyond redemption and could only agree, while simultaneously beginning to devise ways to help Young Master Sima save some money.

"Lao Gao, just help me buy it; I have my reasons for wanting this place." Yesterday, Sima rode his motorcycle around the vicinity of the "Anomaly Point" for several dozen kilometers. If it weren't for the surrounding land being strewn with gravel and unsuitable for agriculture or livestock, Sima might not have made this decision. It is precisely because the area is composed of such unfit land that Sima decided to purchase it now. This type of land will certainly not fetch a high price, so he plans to buy it at a low cost, build a large warehouse there, and hire some people to guard it outside the warehouse. If it weren't for the nearby land being strewn with gravel and unsuitable for agriculture or livestock, Sima might not have made this decision. It is precisely because the area is composed of such unfit land that Sima decided to purchase it now. This type of land will certainly not fetch a high price, so he plans to buy it at a low cost, build a large warehouse there, and hire some people to guard it outside the warehouse.

Hmm! Sima Qing made a sound of acknowledgment, and Gao Chuanliang also nodded in agreement. "If everything is confirmed to be correct, then let's sign it!" Kong Ming said as he placed the contract on the table. After Gao Chuanliang glanced at it, he picked up the brush and signed his name in the guarantor section of the contract. He then handed the brush to Sima. Upon receiving the brush, Sima's eyes widened in surprise; he had never expected that he would be unable to use the brush properly. He thought to himself that this was quite embarrassing. Just as he was pondering what to do, he remembered that he had a ballpoint pen in his pocket. He quickly took it out, not paying attention to the curious gazes directed at the pen, and casually signed his name. Looking at the neat signature, Sima couldn't help but feel grateful for his earlier efforts in practicing calligraphy. In this era that values the beauty of handwriting, he truly felt he had made a significant blunder.

Young Master, have you really decided to purchase that piece of land? If you wish to buy land, I can help you find a few thousand acres of good land nearby, if you are willing, I can take a look for you. Gao Chuanliang persistently asked again. Old Gao, I know you are thinking of me and looking out for my interests. The land I am buying, along with the books, is not intended for farming. It will certainly serve another purpose. Sima even began to envision in his mind what this warehouse would look like standing in the wilderness in the future.

Hehe! Young Master Ming Chang is joking. However, after the railway is completed, aside from the increase in property prices and land prices at the station, both good and poor land still retain the prices from the Qing Dynasty." Boss Gao said with a smile, but inwardly he felt a bit disdainful towards the actions of the Kong family, thinking that they even wanted to raise the price for that poor land, which was indeed similar to the ruthless tactics your family used when buying the land north of the village back then!

"Lao Gao, would you like to go take a look at that piece of land with me?" As soon as they left the Kong family, Sima excitedly said to Gao Chuanliang beside him. After all, it was the first piece of property he had earned, and anyone would want to see the land that had just been registered in their name, especially since Sima had always had a strong attachment to land.

Young Master, do you wish to purchase this place? But, but it is all barren mountains and wasteland there. Gao Chuanliang looked at the somewhat excited young master and once again acknowledged that he truly could not understand this young man before him. He always seemed to do the unexpected. Having stayed in Kongjiazhuang for over ten years, Gao Chuanliang had a certain understanding of the area marked by Sima on the map, after all, it was only a little over ten miles away from Kongjiazhuang. The people of Kongjiazhuang referred to it as "Hougou," a place so poor in soil quality that even yam would not grow there. Having stayed in Kongjiazhuang for over ten years, Gao Chuanliang had a certain understanding of the area marked by Sima on the map, after all, it was only a little over ten miles away from Kongjiazhuang. The people of Kongjiazhuang referred to it as "Hougou," a place so poor in soil quality that even yam would not grow there. The nearest water source had to be fetched from over ten miles away.

"Slow down, slow down, please," Gao Chuanliang said nervously, tightly gripping the handrail of the carriage. He had always thought that sitting in the "moto" of Sima would be a comfortable experience. However, the short journey of just a few miles made Gao Chuanliang change his long-held view. The rapid speed on this dirt road raised a significant amount of dust, which was secondary; what was more unbearable was the extreme jolting. Gao Chuanliang felt as if his bones were about to be dislocated, and the foreign contraption was not necessarily comfortable. At this moment, Gao Chuanliang thought to himself that with every jolt that lifted his body off the seat, it felt as if his heart was being jolted up to his throat.

It is not acceptable; one must persuade the young master not to waste money there. "Young master! That place is certainly not a good one. Do not be deceived by the vast expanse; the ground is filled with rubble. Nothing can grow there. Otherwise, it would have been cultivated by Han people decades ago, and it wouldn't still be wasteland now." Gao Chuanliang hurriedly expressed everything he knew.

"Hehe! Young Master Sima is straightforward. If I do not agree at this moment, it would seem ungracious. Boss Gao, as a middleman, shall we finalize the contract now?" Upon hearing Sima's offer, Kongming felt a surge of joy and secretly lamented that the old master had an astute eye. He feared that the land would have sold for no more than 500 yuan, yet now it was being sold for nearly 900 yuan in cash. As if afraid of Sima retracting his offer, he immediately took up Sima's words and said.

Young Master! Gao Chuanliang felt a surge of anxiety upon hearing Sima's offer. Looking again at Sima's beaming face, he secretly sighed, realizing that the Young Master seemed to regard this wasteland outside as if it were fertile land within. He had thought that purchasing it for a few hundred yuan would be a significant bargain. It seems he must have a serious discussion with the Young Master about the market prices for land outside.

"Young Master Sima, Boss Gao, I can offer a straightforward price of nine hundred and sixty dollars for that piece of land. What do you think? If this price cannot be negotiated, I’m afraid I will have to ask you to leave." Ming Chang understood that the previous words could not possibly appease Gao Chuanliang, who had been navigating the outside world for half his life, so he directly stated his low offer. This price was set by the old master; although he felt it was too high, Kong Mingchang did not yet have the courage to go against the old master’s wishes.

Elder Kong mentioned that Master Sima often spoke of wanting to acquire the gravel land north of the village. If Master Sima wishes to purchase land outside the m.hetushu.com area, our Kong family is willing to transfer the thousand acres of dry land north of the village to avoid any misunderstandings that we are deceiving outsiders. I wonder what Master Sima thinks about this? Elder Kong clearly did not want to bear the bad reputation of deceiving outsiders. It is worth noting that in actual history, most landlords and gentry were not as depicted in history textbooks, living off the oppression of the poor; in fact, they often valued their reputation more while seeking profits.

The old gentleman is being overly polite. I have already set my sights on that piece of gravel land and hope the old gentleman will grant me this favor. As for the thousand acres of dry land, it has been cultivated by the Kong family for generations, and I truly do not dare to impose on them. Sima certainly understood that the old gentleman Kong's mention of the thousand acres of dry land was more of a polite remark. Unless there is a significant change in the family circumstances or an urgent need for funds, no wealthy family would sell their arable land. Moreover, what I need is merely that piece of gravel land.

"Lao Gao, I want to buy up all the thousands of acres of land from here to there, and then I will purchase all the surrounding areas. I intend to establish my own foundation here and also connect it to the railway," Sima said, pointing at the map on the table to Gao Chuanliang, who was standing beside him. This time, Sima was serious. In 2010, perhaps he could not buy that warehouse, but in this era, acquiring the wasteland near the exit of the 'space-time anomaly point' should not pose any significant issues. It was merely a stretch of wilderness along with a few desolate mountains. In 2010, perhaps he could not buy that warehouse, but in this era, acquiring the wasteland near the exit of the 'space-time anomaly point' should not pose any significant issues. It was merely a stretch of wilderness along with a few desolate mountains.

Old Master, the external princes are offering forty silver dollars for one hundred mu of land. This gravel land, according to common practice, would typically yield two mu of rocky land for every ten mu, costing only a few dollars per payment. If the young master is willing to purchase this gravel land at three dollars per mu, it would be quite reasonable. Gao Chuanliang had already calculated the price of that piece of land in his mind on the way to the Kong family. Although this price is somewhat low, it is indeed very suitable for purchasing such uncultivated land. Although this price is somewhat low, it is indeed very suitable for purchasing such uncultivated land.

A maximum of 835 units, if Young Master Mingchang finds it acceptable, we can sign the contract right here. Sima watched as Gao Chuanliang and Kong Mingchang haggled over the price, noting that nearly two hours had already passed. If they continued to negotiate, they would definitely not finish other matters today. If the time came and the space anomaly point was closed, it would be troublesome if he couldn't find himself when it was time to take over the company. He quickly proposed a price of 835 units, which could be broken down into GMB, but only a few tens of thousands of units, averaging a few units per mu of land. In Sima's eyes, this business was incredibly profitable. If they were unwilling, then buying it at their price of 960 units would still be acceptable; after all, even at 9600, he would still have to buy it.

Hehe! Boss Gao is joking. Although the Kong family is considered to be outside the area, that was a matter of several years ago. Since the railway was built, the land in Kongjia Village can no longer be priced as outside land. Although it is a piece of gravel land, it is right next to the railway. Three silver dollars is somewhat of a joke. The eldest son of the Kong family, Ming Chang, who had been sitting nearby, interjected, saying that ever since they learned someone was willing to buy that piece of gravel land, the entire Kong family has supported selling it. That piece of land was purchased by the Kong family for only a few dozen taels of silver back then. Three silver dollars is somewhat of a joke. The eldest son of the Kong family, Ming Chang, who had been sitting nearby, interjected, saying that ever since they learned someone was willing to buy that piece of gravel land, the entire Kong family has supported selling it. That piece of land was purchased by the Kong family for only a few dozen taels of silver back then. Over the years, there have been famished people from the area who attempted to cultivate it, but in the end, they could not grow anything, not even raise sheep. Otherwise, it would not have remained idle until now. Now that someone is willing to take it over, it is indeed the most suitable time.

The contracting party, Kong Yixiang, is willing to transfer 19,432 mu of gravel land located north of the village to Sima for a total of 835 silver dollars. Should the seller have a change of heart midway through the sale, he agrees to compensate double the amount. If the buyer withdraws from the contract, the buyer and the intermediary shall compensate the seller four times the loss. This contract is established as a reference. On the 9th day of June in the 4th year of the Republic. Young Master Sima, Boss Gao, what are your thoughts? Do you require any modifications?" Kong Mingchang quickly drafted the contract, read it over, and inquired.

"Hehe! Young Master Sima truly lives up to his reputation as a young master from the big city, adorned with all sorts of foreign items!" Kong Mingchang remarked with a smile as he looked at the unfamiliar foreign pen, thinking that the recent rumors about Gao Chuanliang having befriended a young master from a big city and thus starting a foreign watch business seemed to be true. "Hehe! Brother Mingchang, you flatter me. I have grown accustomed to using this kind of pen, please excuse me for that," Sima explained with a humble gesture. "Young Master Sima, from today onwards, this piece of land belongs to the Sima family. This place is my family's ancestral property, and I am now entrusting it to the Sima family. I hope Young Master Sima will take good care of it," Kong Mingchang said at the end. "Certainly, certainly! Thank you, Brother Kong, for your generosity. I still have some matters to attend to. Please convey my regards to the old master. I look forward to seeking your advice again next time," Sima said, bowing with both hands in front of the Kong family gate to bid farewell to the elder. "Hehe! Until we meet again! Until we meet again!"

"Old Master Kong, this is the young Master Sima I mentioned, who has come from the south," Gao Chuanliang introduced Sima to the elder of the Kong family. "The youth is indeed formidable. Nowadays, it is rare to see young people like Master Sima traveling thousands of miles from the south to venture into the frontier," the elder of the Kong family said, half-closing his eyes as if recalling something, breathing heavily and speaking with effort.

"The old gentleman has overpraised me," Sima quickly rose and respectfully said. Having reviewed much material, it is evident that during this period, the customs and etiquette in the country were not as diminished as they would be in later times. The citizens of this era still placed great importance on many traditional rites. If I were to err in this regard, I would likely offend someone.

It seems that Young Master Sima has made up his mind, so be it! That piece of gravel land totals over 19,000 mu. Although it is barren land that yields nothing, it is still the foundation of the Kong family. Old Master Kong continues to squint his eyes, puffing on his water pipe with his lips slightly parted. Turning a piece of land that cannot grow anything into a wasteland is merely a waste of hoes, but exchanging it for some cash for the clan is not a bad idea, provided that the price is right.

According to Mingchang's own opinion, even if it is only to sell for a hundred or so silver dollars, it would still be worthwhile. However, the old master insisted that it should not be sold at a low price to avoid outsiders misunderstanding that the Kong family is in decline. Thus, Mingchang had to raise the price, but deep down he hoped not to scare the buyers away.