Chapter 150: If there is no surveillance, we will just have to find someone to take a look; what else can we do?

Wen Xiuyi felt a splitting headache. In this era, there were no surveillance cameras, so he had no choice but to rely on manpower. If someone stole the seedlings, that would be one thing, but if they were stolen and then failed to grow, it would be a complete waste—what a pity that would be.

With no other options, Wen Xiuyi said, "Father, we can't just let Second and Third Brother take the burden. Let the three of us take turns guarding them."

As soon as Wen Xiuyi spoke, before Old Man Wen could respond, his two younger brothers protested: "Eldest Brother, you are a scholar, and the family's future depends on you. We two can just take turns; you aren't cut out for this kind of work."

Even Wen Xiuqing, who was usually taciturn, nodded as his wife, Cai, tugged on his sleeve: "Yes, Eldest Brother, Second Brother and I can handle it."

Wen Xiuyi felt even guiltier. "That won't do. We are three brothers; there is no reason for me to enjoy comfort while you suffer."

"It's alright, Eldest Brother, we are used to it."

The three brothers argued back and forth, showing mutual respect. In the past, Old Man Wen and Mother Luo would have been overjoyed by this, but now...

"Enough! Shut up, all of you! Look at these two plots of land—are you going to stop doing the chores at home? Do you expect Second Daughter-in-law and Third Daughter-in-law to tend to all those ducks by themselves? Or do you expect me to haul the soybean paste into the cellar on my own? Or are you, Eldest, going to carry it all on your shoulders?"

As soon as Mother Luo spoke, the three men went silent instantly. Even the others subconsciously slowed their breathing, fearing they might anger the old lady.

Mother Luo glared at them and turned to Old Man Wen with a sigh: "Are the brothers Wang Yong and Wang Yuan at home?"

Old Man Wen was taken aback and nodded: "Yes." Ever since Old Wang's wife had passed away, her two sons, who had been working away from home, had returned. They had worked themselves to the bone before just to pay for their mother's medical treatments, and now that she was gone, they had to rebuild their own lives.

They didn't dare leave Old Wang alone at home, so they stayed there, farming their small plot of land and occasionally taking odd jobs in town. When the Wen family was building their house, the brothers had come to help; since it was close to home and paid well, it worked out perfectly. Old Man Wen had also invited them to help dig the pond this time.

"Go ask Old Wang—they had to sell all their land to pay for his wife's treatment, didn't they? Ask him if he is willing to have Wang Yong and Wang Yuan work for us. They don't need to do much; just tend to these fields and keep a close watch on what's planted there."

Having said this, Mother Luo turned to Wen Xiuyi: "Eldest, if we hire your Uncle Wang's two sons to help you look after these fields, how much should we pay them?"

Wen Xiuyi didn't know the going rate. "Mother, whatever you decide is fine."

Mother Luo thought for a moment. "When villagers work as long-term laborers, they get one hundred wen a day during the busy farming season. Since it isn't the busy season now, how about we pay them one tael of silver each per month? What do you think?"

Two brothers would mean two taels of silver. Protecting her eldest son's "precious gems" was worth it. And they truly were precious; according to her eldest son, if the crops in these fields grew successfully, the family would never lack food again. Looking further ahead, perhaps the entire village would never go hungry again.

Old Man Wen hadn't expected his wife to come up with such a generous plan. His face lit up with a smile: "I'll go right now! I'll go ask them immediately!"

Watching his retreating figure, Mother Luo gave a dismissive look. It wasn't that she didn't approve of Old Man Wen helping his old friends from his youth, but one had to act according to their means. Now that their family's situation was improving, she was happy to help where she could.

Most importantly, they had to be worth helping. She had watched Wang Yong and Wang Yuan grow up; they were both filial and hardworking—otherwise, they wouldn't have exhausted their family wealth to treat their mother. If it hadn't been for that sudden, brutal snowstorm, they might have endured even longer.

"Enough, let's go home. Who knows when this pond will fill up with water," Mother Luo grumbled, taking Wen Yao by the hand and heading back. She stopped after a few steps and looked at her two sons: "Second, Third, stay here and keep an eye on things." Her eyes flicked toward the distant field.

Those scoundrels—she hoped none of them would dare steal her seedlings.

The two brothers had no choice but to stay behind, weeding the fields while they were at it. Since they were idle anyway, they could use the water from the canal to irrigate the thirsty seedlings.

Old Man Wen hurried to his old friend's house. When he explained his wife's proposal, Old Wang was so moved he almost fell to his knees.

"That's enough, Old Wang, we are like brothers. Besides, I trust Wang Yong and Wang Yuan. My wife said we'd pay them one tael of silver each per month just to look after those fields. They don't need to do anything else. But Old Wang, there is one thing I must make clear."

Old Wang, eyes red, pulled his good friend to sit down and asked, suppressing his emotion: "Go ahead. The fact that you and your wife are giving these boys a chance is a blessing for them. Never mind just watching the fields; even if you needed them to do chores at your house, they would do it."

"That won't be necessary; we're doing fine at home. It's just that I have some rare seedlings in two of those plots that my eldest son found elsewhere, and I can't let anyone ruin them." He then recounted what had happened at the canal earlier that day.

Upon hearing this, Old Wang slapped his thigh in anger. Old Man Wen winced just watching him. Old Wang said, "Those people, they just can't stand to see others succeed. If they really ruined those seedlings, what a waste that would be!"

He thumped his chest in assurance: "Brother Wen, don't worry. Starting today, I'll have the boys sleep right there in the fields and guard them properly. I won't let anyone get a chance to even touch those seedlings."

"No, no, that's not necessary," Old Man Wen said, feeling sympathetic toward his friend, who looked much older than his years. It was all the hardship that had worn him down.

But Old Wang wouldn't hear of it. He sent his grandson running to their last remaining plot of land to call his sons and daughters-in-law back, announcing the news in front of Old Man Wen.

When Wang Yuan and Wang Yong heard of such a good opportunity, they didn't wait for their father to speak; they knelt and kowtowed three times to Old Man Wen. One tael per month each meant two taels of income for the family—it was like life-saving rain for them.

"Oh, you children, get up, get up! No need for kowtowing. The deal is set, and it's great that you're willing. Just go see your Brother Xiuyi later and let him know. It's getting late, so I'll head back. My old lady is waiting for me to help." Old Man Wen stood up to leave.

Old Wang followed him out, seeing him off for a long distance before returning. Looking at his sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, he wiped his eyes and said: "Your Uncle Wen is taking care of us, so we must not let him down. You two, go to those fields this afternoon and see what needs to be done. The weather is warming up; build a makeshift shed with thatch and make sure you watch over those fields for your Brother Xiuyi."

The brothers were overjoyed and nodded repeatedly: "Father, rest assured, we will work hard."

If they kept this up for a year, they would be able to save enough money to buy back their family's land.