Courtyard houses: Those who are capable are rewarded, and many children bring many blessings.

Niu Dazhuang has always been a leader among children, and he still is. When they see Dazhuang arrive, they automatically step aside and let him take the lead...

Dazhuang pulled out a stack of one-cent and one-yuan bills, along with a handful of coins.

He set up a stall outside. "Da Chuan, come over and help me place the bets!"

"Hehe, okay!"

Good heavens, these threshing grounds are even more lively than before. Not only are more than a dozen young men playing around, but the village women are also scrambling oil on the outside.

During the Chinese New Year, everyone just wants to have fun. Some people bet a penny, and the most they bet is a dime.

Those standing on the periphery, skimming the profits, saw the banker had won two rounds in a row, and when they pushed out the third round...

"Wait, wait, Dazhuang, I'll bet five cents on Guding." It's been a long time since I've heard that familiar voice.

"Da Chuan, bring me Chen Xia's money."

Niu Dazhuang's mindset is different now than when he first transmigrated. Anyway, he's not worried about having too many debts; he's just as worried about having too many lice.

Once he started playing, Niu Dazhuang didn't feel hungry anymore.

It was almost time to cook dinner, and all the young women and wives in the neighborhood were going home to cook.

"Da Chuan, give me a push, I need to go to the outhouse." Niu Dazhuang stepped out of the crowd, quickened his pace, and caught up with Chen Xia, the young woman.

Chen Xia heard footsteps behind her, stopped and turned around to see Niu Dazhuang.

"Why are you pursuing me?" As she spoke, Chen Xia felt both anticipation and fear. She was anticipating that this heartless man would fulfill her wish, but she was also afraid that he would disappoint her again.

"Sister-in-law, I have nowhere to eat tonight, so I'd like to come to your place for a meal!"

"That's hard to say. We may not have much else, but we'll have plenty of cornbread!"

"Then I'll trouble you, sister-in-law. I need to go to Uncle Youliang's house first to discuss something, and I'll go over later!"

"No matter how late you come, I'll keep the door open for you!"

When she was in a good mood, her steps became lighter, and her slender waist started to sway. Niu Dazhuang had never dared to look at this sister-in-law properly before.

Looking at her from behind today, even though she's wearing a padded jacket and trousers, her buttocks are definitely a bit exaggerated.

Niu Dazhuang couldn't help but recall a TV series he had watched in his previous life, "The Second Gunner," featuring the character Yang Qiao'er.

Sister-in-law Chen Xia is just as pretty as Yang Qiao'er, tsk tsk...

Watching Chen Xia's sister-in-law's retreating figure, Niu Dazhuang began to have some inappropriate thoughts.

It wasn't until it was completely dark outside that Da Chuan and the others finally packed up their stall.

"I knew you'd come to Uncle Youliang's house. You've been having bad luck since you left, losing over five yuan. Count it." Da Chuan handed the remaining money to Niu Dazhuang.

Niu Dazhuang took out a dollar and stuffed it back into his hand: "Whether you win or lose, you'll get your bonus! Take it."

"Hehe, then I won't stand on ceremony. Uncle, Dazhuang, you guys stay here. I'll come over and play with you after I finish eating."

"Afterwards, I went to Sister-in-law Chen Xia's house for dinner and told them to come to her house to visit me."

Niu Dazhuang said this in front of Niu Youcao and Dachuan.

Everyone understood; this was a clear message to the village that Chen Xia, the young widow, would be under Niu Dazhuang's care from now on. No one else should even think about her.

Niu Youliang tapped his pipe: "It should have been done this way a long time ago. You've been in the city for over a year, and we've talked to every young man in our village about it, but not a single one of them agreed."

I think that's true too. Even if you hadn't brought it up, I would have told you anyway. If you don't want to protect someone, then be decisive and don't hold them back.

"Hehe, I just got married, you know, now I've come to terms with it. Uncle Youliang, I had Youdela take that truckload of cornmeal back, I didn't share it with everyone, did I?"

"Yaoyou, didn't you say you'd talk about it when you got back? Did you hear something about it outside?"

"Judging from your tone, Uncle, is there some news circulating about us?"

"Alright, stop beating around the bush. The brigade leader has already boasted about everything, and the grain tax has already been handed over. Let's see how he survives this spring famine."

Da Chuan hadn't left yet, and with his small eyes darting around, he interjected, "Last year, I almost got into a fight with the commune cadres over the issue of paying grain taxes."

Niu Youliang stubbornly said, "Whoever is bragging, let them go find them. Our village won't tolerate their bad habits."

Our village's grain yield was already low; if we hand over all our grain to the state, won't people starve?

"Uncle Youliang, here's 500 yuan. Next spring, I want to tear down the old house and rebuild. I'm at work and don't have time, so I'll have to rely on you to help me with this!"

"What made you decide to build a house over at the old house?"

"That place is spacious, nestled against the mountains, and quiet."

"Alright, if we break the fifth, then let Old Zhang prepare the stones. It's just that the timber from back then can't be used."

"I'm not in a hurry to move in. The roof-raising ceremony can be done next year." The arrangements here have been made.

Niu Dazhuang and Niu Dachuan left Niu Youliang's house.

"Big ant, what's up?"

"Hey, you big wild donkey, you're doing really well now, living the high life. You can't just watch your buddy stay single forever, can you?"

Niu Dazhuang thought for a moment. The three years of hardship were just around the corner. If he didn't keep these boys in check and let them run wild, who knew what kind of trouble they might cause.

When people are starving, they'll do anything. They're capable of rebellion, let alone petty theft and robbery.

"Do you understand the rules of the older generation?"

"I understand. I will never utter a single word that I shouldn't say."

"How well have you mastered that family recipe?"

"He mastered every aspect, from the smallest details to the highest."

"Okay, call Erhe and Deshui to come find me tonight. Let's discuss it further!"

"Alright!"

Being thin has its advantages; when it comes to climbing trees and roofs, Niu Dachuan is the most agile.

Niu Dazhuang had already planned this out: he would train his team well in China and then, when it was convenient to travel abroad, launch a major operation overseas.

What are the remnants of the old regime in China? The real big shots are the Manchu royals and nobles in Europe and America.

During the Republic of China era, no purges were carried out against them. According to the British newspaper The Times, Prince Qing Yikuang had £712.5 million (approximately 4750 million taels of silver) in HSBC.

In addition, 120 million taels of gold, approximately 45 tons, were transferred to London. 500 million yen was deposited in the Yokohama Specie Bank.

Furthermore, Prince Gong Puwei smuggled over 2000 treasures from the Prince Gong Mansion to Europe and America through Mitsui & Co. of Japan.

The majority of these pieces are official kiln porcelain from the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong reigns. Any single piece of this official kiln porcelain would fetch an astronomical price at auction.

Niu Dazhuang felt no guilt whatsoever when he attacked these people.

It's true that everyone has their own way of doing things, like reselling electronic watches or clothing! It's tiring and doesn't make much money, but if you do it on a large scale, it makes people envious.

Niu Dazhuang is also exhibiting path dependence; having tasted the benefits of taking the easy way out, he naturally becomes unwilling to exert himself.

Three years without business, then three years of feasting – this applies to Niu Dazhuang.