I consulted a feng shui master in Hong Kong.

Two hundred and eighty thousand.

As soon as those three words were uttered, Huang Shouzhou gasped, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

"Two hundred and eighty thousand? Why don't you just rob someone?"

Liang Zhongren wasn't annoyed at all; instead, he shrugged.

"Brother Wong, you're being uninformed. This isn't some rural area in the New Territories, nor is it one of those tiny tenement buildings in Sham Shui Po that's only big enough for a bed. This is Yau Ma Tei, with a storefront in the front and a whole courtyard in the back, connected to a row of bungalows. If this were a couple of years ago when the market was at its hottest, you might not even be able to get it for HK$280,000. The reason it's being sold at this price is because it's been vacant for two years and there have been rumors of bad luck, and the creditors don't want the hassle."

While this statement may have been intended to inflate prices, it wasn't entirely untrue.

In Hong Kong in the 1980s, houses were no longer something that ordinary people could easily afford. The old tenement buildings crammed together on the street, even a small unit of three or four hundred square feet, if in a slightly better location, would easily cost over ten thousand dollars.

If it's a street-facing shop, or a place with a front shop and a back yard that can be used for business, living, and whose layout can be changed, the price will only be higher, not lower.

For ordinary workers, earning two or three thousand a month is considered decent; those who work at docks, factories, or do small businesses can only earn that much after a month of hard work.

If you really want to save money honestly to buy a courtyard house, many people would save for eight or ten years and still not even get close to the threshold.

So when Liang Zhongren quoted "280,000," it sounded alarming, but it wasn't just a random statement.

Huang Shouzhou clearly understood this principle as well. As soon as he finished cursing, his momentum faltered, and he couldn't help but mutter in a low voice.

Chen Qinghe didn't respond immediately, but instead looked up again and surveyed the entire old dyehouse once more.

He wasn't looking at the price.

Is it worth it?

The two front bays are large enough to set up an incense table, receive guests, and watch games; the long courtyard at the back can store energy, neither shallow nor thin, and is not a vulgar place that can be seen through at a glance; the well is still alive and can be used to store water after being dredged; the row of bungalows at the back can be demolished and renovated to create a quiet room, a storeroom, and living quarters.

This kind of place cannot be replaced by just any empty courtyard.

Most importantly, it can support the Three Mysteries Temple.

It's not about keeping Sanxuan Temple tucked away in a dilapidated alley in Fu'anli, barely holding on with a few tables and chairs and an old plaque. It's about giving it a real front hall, courtyard, and incense offerings, so that people can feel that this is a place, a place, and a place to call their own as soon as they enter.

Chen Qinghe knew very well that this kind of opportunity, once missed, might not come again.

Hong Kong has limited land and a large population, and land prices change daily. Old courtyards like this, with complete front and back sections, a good location, and perfect for conversion into a temple, are clearly rare finds.

Not to mention that he actually had that much money on him.

During my time in Hong Kong, I've earned two or three hundred thousand dollars.

He remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"This place has been empty for two years."

Liang Zhongren nodded: "Yes."

"The walls are damp, the front beams need repair, the back row of bungalows needs to be rebuilt, and the well needs to be dredged. If you really buy it, you can't just move in right away; you'll have to invest another sum of money." Chen Qinghe, imitating the manner of a master who used to travel the world, awkwardly tried to negotiate a price with Liang Zhongren.

"Repairs will always cost money," Liang Zhongren said with a smile.

"Furthermore," Chen Qinghe turned around, pointed to the threshold, "the threshold has been cut, the gas line in the yard has been cut off, and bricks have been placed over the well. Others may not understand, but I do. It's not fair for you to sell me a damaged area at the price of a whole plot of land."

Liang Zhongren's smile froze slightly.

Upon hearing this, Huang Shouzhou immediately perked up and chimed in, "That's right! You're the ones who spread the bad luck, and someone else messed up the site. Now you're selling it as prime land? That's not fair!"

Liang Zhongren coughed lightly.

"Since Master Chen is a sensible person, he should know that land is land, and layout is layout. If the layout is bad, it can be changed, but the underlying conditions are what they are. I've already quoted a low price of 280,000."

Chen Qinghe didn't argue with him, but simply said, "Two hundred and twenty thousand."

Upon hearing this, Huang Shouzhou almost lost his balance.

Liang Zhongren could only manage a wry smile: "Master Chen, your knife is too sharp. Two hundred and twenty thousand, if I go back and ask for it, the creditors will kick me out."

"That's your business," Chen Qinghe said calmly. "This place needs to be renovated, its layout changed, and a new temple built. What I bought isn't a ready-made shop to make money; it's a framework that needs to be straightened out. 220,000 yuan, and I'll have to put a lot of that money into it myself."

Liang Zhongren rubbed his hands together, clearly somewhat embarrassed.

"Please understand my situation. This place is so big, and the creditors are holding onto their money. 220,000 really won't do; it's too low. Let me be frank with you: 260,000. That's the absolute limit."

Chen Qinghe looked at him without saying a word.

The courtyard suddenly fell silent.

Huang Shouzhou glanced at Liang Zhongren, then at Chen Qinghe, his heart pounding with anxiety. He had already understood that Chen Qinghe genuinely wanted this place. It wasn't a casual question, nor was he just trying his luck; he was truly serious about it.

But 260,000 is still too high.

Huang Shouzhou had other intentions.

Although Chen Qinghe earned all the money, Huang Shouzhou always thought that it would be great if he could keep some for himself, and Chen Qinghe did share some of the money with him.

However, if Chen Qinghe doesn't have enough money to buy the land, Huang Shouzhou can't just sit idly by.

Are you really not going to give them a single penny?

Huang Shouzhou felt increasingly uneasy as he thought about it. Just as he was about to suggest, "Why don't you look somewhere else?", he saw Chen Qinghe suddenly turn his head and look at the well again.

The morning light slanted down from above the courtyard wall, shining on the old stones around the well. The stones were badly worn, but you could still tell that they were originally well-maintained.

The sounds of bicycle bells and vendors' cries came from the street ahead. The hustle and bustle was so close, yet it couldn't penetrate into this courtyard.

This place seems to have been born to have a temple here.

It's not a grand temple, nor a famous mountain temple with bustling incense offerings and endless streams of carriages and horses. Instead, it's a small temple hidden in the city, unassuming in appearance, yet capable of keeping a low profile and calming people's hearts.

The Sanxuan Temple needs just such a place to revive its fortunes.

Huang Shouzhou glanced at Chen Qinghe again.

He finally sighed.

That's enough.

Everything I have is thanks to my junior brother. Now that he needs it, how can I ignore him?

Some money can be saved.

In some areas, we cannot cut corners.

He turned around, looked at Liang Zhongren, and said directly, "Two hundred and forty-eight thousand, settled today."

Liang Zhongren was taken aback at first, then his eyes lit up, but he still hesitated before speaking: "Master Huang, your price..."

"It's settled today," Huang Shouzhou repeated. "I'll place the order, and you can turn people away. Make sure the deeds, ownership, and debts are clear within three days. As long as there are no other problems, this place belongs to the Sanxuan Temple."

Chen Qinghe suddenly smiled.

Liang Zhongren, however, had already understood.

Huang Shou-chou really wanted this place.

These kinds of people are often the hardest to fool when doing business.

Because once he sets a price, it means he already has a clear idea of ​​what's worth it, whether he can accept it, and what the consequences will be.

Liang Zhongren gritted his teeth, a pained smile appearing on his face.

"Two hundred and forty-eight thousand, that's really cutting me short. But Master Chen is a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush. Here's the deal: two hundred and fifty thousand, round it up to a whole number, so I can explain things when I get back. If you place the order today, I'll immediately seal the deal for you and not let anyone else touch it. Within three days, the deed and the debt record will be in front of you."

Huang Shouzhuo's heart skipped a beat.

Two hundred and fifty thousand.

It was forced down by 30,000 from 280,000.

This is no small amount.

He couldn't help but go to see Chen Qinghe.

Chen Qinghe remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Okay, two hundred and fifty thousand."