A Good Country Wife
Chapter 373 - 367_1

Chapter 373: Chapter 367_1

As long as Lin Yue’s suggestions weren’t too outrageous, Zhao Erhu had no objection, and besides, Zhao Erhu thought Lin Yue’s ideas were good. Zhao Erhu could arrange both the manpower and materials needed. However, the house designed by Lin Yue couldn’t be built as they had done previously; they needed to hire craftsmen from the city. With Shopkeeper Liu’s help, this was easily resolved. Shopkeeper Liu was well-informed and influential, managing to hire the most renowned craftsman in Xin’an City.

"Madam Lin, Master Chen is the most famous craftsman in Xin’an City. Many of the large mansions there were designed and built by him."

Lin Yue looked over and saw that Master Chen was an ordinary-looking man in his forties or fifties, save for a hint of arrogance on his face, clearly pleased with his own achievements. He was respectful when speaking with Shopkeeper Liu, but he was dismissive towards her, clearly not taking a rural woman like her seriously.

"Master Chen, our house will be troubling you," Lin Yue said politely. As long as Master Chen was skilled, she didn’t mind giving him some praise, but honestly, she couldn’t really bring herself to like someone with such an attitude.

"No problem. So many of the grand houses in the city were built by my hands. Building a few rooms in the countryside is easier than easy," Master Chen said haughtily as he spoke, his head held high. If not for Shopkeeper Liu’s sake, he wouldn’t have taken such a minor job. He was the best craftsman in Xin’an City—building a house for a peasant woman in the countryside was beneath his dignity.

Seeing Master Chen’s attitude, Lin Yue already felt discontent. If Master Chen built their house with this attitude, it wouldn’t turn out well; it might be better to hire a less famous but capable craftsman who could do the work diligently. After all, she had already drawn up the house designs, yet she was unaware of the differences between practical implementation and the designs on paper. That’s why she needed a master craftsman to provide guidance and suggestions to integrate the actual construction with her architectural designs.

Having made up her mind, Lin Yue’s tone began to harden. "Master Chen, I believe Shopkeeper Liu has already discussed my ideas for the house construction with you. What do you think, can you build the house according to my designs?"

Master Chen, who was inwardly disdainful at the thought of building a house in the countryside, hadn’t even looked at the blueprints designed by Lin Yue. When Lin Yue asked him directly, his expression soured, "What would a country woman like you know? Do you think designing a house is that simple? It’s not as easy as stacking up some mud huts. Since I’ve promised Shopkeeper Liu, I’ll take care of everything. You don’t need to worry about it."

Lin Yue’s expression also turned sour. Master Chen was really too arrogant, looking down on others. Even if she was hiring someone to build a house, she didn’t have to put up with such disrespect. "Master Chen, I hired you to build my house, and as the owner, I naturally have the right to express my opinions. Whatever changes are made must follow my wishes. If you don’t think you’re up to the task, I won’t insist; I’ll just have to find someone more capable."

Lin Yue’s words made it clear she was no longer interested in hiring Master Chen.

Master Chen did not expect a peasant woman to disrespect him like this. It was a slap in the face. Even considering Shopkeeper Liu’s intercession, he couldn’t tolerate such insolence; it was an insult to him. He abruptly lost his temper, "Hmph, utter nonsense. Then go and find someone more capable. I’d like to see who in Xin’an City is more skilled than I am and can build a house for your family."

"Master Chen, Master Chen, please wait. Why get angry? Master Chen..." Shopkeeper Liu knew Master Chen’s attitude had been poor, but his skills were genuine; otherwise, he wouldn’t have hired him. Seeing Master Chen walk away, Shopkeeper Liu tried to stop him, but Lin Yue intervened.

"Shopkeeper Liu, I can’t afford someone as ’capable’ as Master Chen; let him go," Lin Yue said, raising her voice on purpose, hoping to irritate Master Chen. She was holding back frustration––after all, it was just a craft; no one was nobler than anyone else, and there was no need to look down on people.

Master Chen, who had hesitated upon hearing Shopkeeper Liu’s plea and was considering giving in for the sake of face, turned completely black with anger upon hearing Lin Yue’s words and didn’t look back as he left.

"Madam Lin, why did you have to do that? Master Chen is indeed very skilled, and a bit of arrogance is normal. You could have just ignored it. Now you’ve upset him so much that he’s stormed off, and I don’t know where to find another craftsman for you," Shopkeeper Liu said, somewhat helplessly. He was busy with the start of the year, but the Family Head had given him instructions, so he had to take care of Lin Yue’s business.

Lin Yue was unfazed, "Shopkeeper Liu, Xin’an City is so big; surely Master Chen isn’t the only good craftsman. Hiring one should suffice."

Shopkeeper Liu sighed, "Madam Lin, there’s a saying, ’Every trade has its master.’ You’re not familiar with the rules here. Indeed, there are other good craftsmen in Xin’an City besides Master Chen, but by offending Master Chen today, who is not a forgiving man, he will certainly inform other craftsmen, and I’m afraid none will be willing to take on your family’s work."

Lin Yue frowned, not having anticipated this, and it seemed she’d have to trouble Shopkeeper Liu further, "It shouldn’t be that serious, should it? Even if Master Chen is reputable in his trade, he can’t have everyone at his beck and call. There must be those who are willing. My requirements are not high; I don’t need someone with a great reputation, just genuine skill."

"While it’s not that severe, most people won’t want to take on the job, for fear of being squeezed out by Master Chen’s circle. Even if someone is willing to do it for the money, a craftsman of inadequate skill won’t do. I’ve looked at your blueprints, Madam Lin, and an ordinary craftsman might not be able to build it," Shopkeeper Liu admitted regretfully. He knew Master Chen had an air of superiority, but to please Lin Yue, he had decided to hire the best craftsman, thinking he just needed to indulge Master Chen a little more. He hadn’t foreseen this result.

Lin Yue was somewhat downcast, "Then I can only trouble you, Shopkeeper Liu, to inquire further. If necessary, I can increase the labor costs. There must be someone willing to take the job."

"All right then, it seems we have no other choice. I’ll go and see what I can find," Shopkeeper Liu said, then suddenly recalled someone, "Madam Lin, it just occurred to me that if we’re really talking about the best craftsman in Xin’an City, Master Chen isn’t it; it’s Old Lu from the city’s south side. He’s said to be a descendant of Lu Ban and is very proficient in design and construction. However, Old Lu is up in years and his temper has become increasingly eccentric. He doesn’t easily agree to take on work, and even officials and nobles can’t hire him if he’s not interested. If you could persuade him to build your house, that would be ideal."