https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-62-The-House-Is-Built-and-the-Villagers-Are-Envious/12849166/
Chapter 63: Crafting Furniture
Chapter 63: Crafting Furniture
Woodworking is a skilled trade in rural areas. While becoming a carpenter isn't as difficult as becoming a master potter, it still has its own set of challenges. Without a mentor, it's not hard to make simple items like stools, but crafting more complex pieces like canopy beds and wardrobes is a different story.
Even if you have a natural talent that seems to be blessed by the heavens, the speed and quality of your work will never match that of a true master carpenter.
Therefore, carpenters are highly valued in rural communities.
Deng Shirong's village has its share of master potters and construction foremen, but no carpenters. So when any family in the village needed furniture, they would usually hire a carpenter from the neighboring village, Bang Dam.
In the past, if Deng Shirong needed furniture, he would have chosen the carpenter from Bang Dam. However, now that his niece's fiance, Zhang Kangmei, is a carpenter, and Deng Shirong himself had arranged the match, it was only natural to hire him for the job.
However, because Deng Shirong needed a lot of furniture, relying solely on Zhang Kangmei and his father wouldn't be enough to meet the deadline.
Therefore, Deng Shirong decided to hire several more carpenters to work alongside Zhang Kangmei and his father. This way, he could have all the furniture made in the shortest time possible and move into his new house.
Of course, before that, he needed to consult a master to choose an auspicious day.
With his plan clear, Deng Shirong went to Deng Yunjin's house.
"Uncle Jiu."
Upon seeing Deng Shirong, Deng Yunjin, who was sitting at the door weaving a basket, greeted him and called out, "Ah Mei, come out! Uncle Jiu is here!"
Deng Shirong had just taken a seat with his tobacco pipe when Deng Changmei walked out.
They exchanged pleasantries, and Deng Shirong began to smoke his water pipe casually.
Deng Yunjin put aside his half-finished basket and said enviously, "Uncle Jiu, your new house is really beautiful. Have you chosen a good day to move in yet?"
"Tomorrow, I'll go to She Jiao and ask Uncle Yuncheng to pick a good day."
After a few more words about the house, Deng Shirong put down his tobacco pipe and said, "Yunjin, now that the production team has divided the hills, I doubt they will divide the remaining ones. The fields are also mostly divided, so I think we can proceed with Ah Mei's wedding, right?"
Deng Yunjin had clearly thought about this and replied promptly, "Yes, we can. Uncle Jiu, you should have the groom's family consult a master to choose a good day."
Deng Shirong looked at Deng Changmei and smiled, "Ah Mei, I need a lot of furniture for my new house. I plan to ask the Zhang family to help with the work. If you have no objections, you can register your marriage with Zhang Kangmei first. This way, you can spend more time together without any formalities."
Deng Changmei's face turned red with surprise, and she said, "Sure, Uncle Jiu, I'll do as you say."
With the matter settled, Deng Shirong stood up and said, "Alright, let's do it that way. I'll go to the Zhang family now."
...
Bai Ping Brigade
Chang Tian Village
Deng Shirong's arrival as a matchmaker was met with warm hospitality from the Zhang family.
After some polite exchanges, Deng Shirong said to Zhang Jiefang, "Aibiao, our production team has already divided the hills. Kangmei and Ah Mei's wedding can now proceed. I've already spoken to the girl's parents, and they agree.
Zhang Jiefang beamed with excitement. "Then I'll find a good day for the wedding as soon as possible."
Zhang Kangmei, who was listening, also wore a broad smile.
It was true; no strong, energetic young man ever turned down the idea of getting married.
Deng Shirong nodded and then said, "A-Biao, I came here today not only to talk about the wedding but also to discuss another matter."
Zhang Jiefang asked, "Uncle Jiushu, what else is on your mind?"
Deng Shirong explained, "You see, we recently built a new house, and now that it's finished, we need some furniture. I was hoping you and your son could help us craft a batch. What kind of furniture do you two specialize in?"
At the mention of his expertise, Zhang Jiefang perked up. "Uncle Jiushu, we have extensive experience crafting common furniture like canopy beds, wardrobes, tables, stools, dressing tables, and chests."
Deng Shirong inquired, "How long would it take to make a simple canopy bed, for example?"
Zhang Jiefang replied, "If we have the wood ready, my son and I can finish a simple canopy bed in about two days."
Deng Shirong asked another question, "What about a canopy bed for a wedding? How long would that take?"
Zhang Jiefang responded, "Uncle Jiushu, if you mean those ultra-luxurious ancient canopy beds, we don't have the skills to make those. But for the best wedding bed in our commune, with the right wood, my son and I can finish it in about a month."
"How about a large wardrobe? How long would that take?"
"About ten days."
"And a dressing table?"
"About five days."
Deng Shirong had a list of furniture he wanted to make and asked about each item. Finally, he said, "A-Biao, how about this? Could you and your son help us craft the best wedding bed in the area, along with twelve simple canopy beds? I'm a bit pressed for time, or I would have asked you to make all the furniture."
With a big job on the table, Zhang Jiefang was eager to take it on. He said, "Uncle Jiushu, if time is a concern, I can bring my father out of retirement. With all three of us working together, we can speed up the process by at least a third."
Deng Shirong nodded. "If that's the case, could you also make three dressing tables and a large dining table?"
Zhang Jiefang agreed. "No problem, Uncle Jiushu. We'll complete the task as quickly and as well as possible."
They discussed a few more details, and after a few more cigarettes, Deng Shirong rode his bike away.
...
By the time he got home, it was already past three in the afternoon.
The canopy beds, dressing tables, and dining table were now in the hands of the three generations of the Zhang family. Deng Shirong still needed to hire someone to make eight large wardrobes and dozens of stools.
However, before he could seek out other carpenters, Deng Shirong needed to hire some workers from the village to cut down the pine trees on his hill. They would then carry the logs back and exchange them for seasoned pine wood from other villagers to make the furniture. The rest of the trees and brush would be used for firewood.
After that, he would help clear the land for the orchard, preparing for the fruit trees to be planted next year.
(End of Chapter)
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