The Chinese obsession with land is perhaps the most renowned in the world. Even the founding of this dynasty is inseparable from the concept of "dividing land." Everyone knows the Chinese value land and family, a phenomenon observable even abroad. Yet due to recent political policies, children Jiang Hai's age are often only children. The current two-child policy, however, has offered newlyweds more opportunities.
While Jiang Hai didn't share the older generation's intense fixation on land, he still enjoyed expanding his holdings. After a farewell dinner with Cotton Harris and friends, Jiang Hai arranged for work to begin on his newly acquired land the next day. His original estate, once six acres, encompassed 11,200 acres in total: roughly 9,200 acres of grassland, 1,000 acres of vineyards, and over 1,000 acres of forest. One acre equaled six mu, or 4,046 square meters, roughly four square kilometers. Thus, Jiang Hai's original estate covered around 10 square kilometers.
The estate itself was long and narrow: about two kilometers wide and nearly three to four kilometers long. Driving from one end to the other took around eight stops or ten minutes at 40 kilometers per hour.
This time, Jiang Hai acquired two large parcels: the first from Old George and associates, totaling 8,640 acres, and the second from Codall Harris and team, totaling 6,700 acres, combining for approximately 15,340 acres. A public area separating the two ranches prevented accidents, but it now all fell under Jiang Hai's control.
Altogether, Jiang Hai's six estates spanned roughly 27,800 acres. At four square kilometers per acre, this equaled 111.2 square kilometers—nearly five kilometers wide and over twenty kilometers long. There were forty bus stops within the estate, and a 40-kilometer drive from end to end took about half an hour. Nearly half the land outside Winthrop now belonged to Jiang Hai. Beyond his estates, a further dozen kilometers of countryside extended into his domain. Walking the entire expanse would take him about two hours.
The day after the previous occupants moved out, Jiang Hai began preparations. While the grass itself wasn't urgent, other essential tasks demanded attention: fencing, alarms, surveillance, and assessing underground water veins. He contracted a construction team from Winthrop to handle the work.
Good relations aside, Jiang Hai maintained strict standards. The team knew any misstep would not be overlooked. The fence, due to American regulations, required a different approach than what Jiang Hai would have used in China, where a wall topped with barbed wire and broken glass would have sufficed. Here, he built a three-meter-high barbed wire fence with electricity and alarms. Winthrop's rich groundwater made connecting the ranches' water supplies simple, costing only a small sum. Still, all these improvements totaled over three million yuan—a minor expense compared to the tens of millions already invested.
Existing cowsheds and villas were selectively retained for potential worker housing; the remainder were demolished. This pasture was intended more for grass production than living quarters. The neatly arranged grass would come later: in the fall, he would burn the yellowed grass, remove the roots, and replant seeds the following spring. He anticipated a full year or more before the new grass matured, but Jiang Hai had no need to rush. Risky investments were not his style; he could afford to wait.
Arranging the work took three days, after which he returned to his usual leisure: reclining daily on his jade chair, enjoying the comfort of his estate. Yet as the protagonist, Jiang Hai could not remain idle forever. Trouble, as always, had a way of finding him.
This morning, Mayor Wallis of Winthrop called to announce a visit with several guests interested in discussing business. Jiang Hai, currently unconcerned with any ventures, agreed out of courtesy. Around ten o'clock, two cars arrived at the gate. The women recognized the mayor's vehicle and allowed it through. As the cars stopped, eight people emerged—Mayor Wallis accompanied by seven Chinese guests.
Two of the visitors carried a distinctly authoritative air, their protruding bellies and high belts signaling status. Even holding teacups, they projected command. Jiang Hai naturally harbored some aversion to officials and the wealthy, partly due to a previous bout of conjunctivitis, and his initial impression was unfavorable. Nevertheless, he rose and approached them.
"This is really beautiful…" Jiang Hai overheard as they admired the villa. Though stylistically unusual, blending Chinese and Western elements, the design appealed to those with a taste for postmodern aesthetics.
As Jiang Hai drew closer, the group quieted, allowing Mayor Wallis to introduce the two Chinese leaders. "This is Director Lu and Deputy Director Li from China," Wallis explained. Cultural differences in titles aside, Deputy Director Li warmly shook Jiang Hai's hand, expressing admiration for his seafood reputation. Jiang Hai smiled in return and led the group into the villa.
Inside, Qiya and the others had prepared for the visit. Ai Xiaoxi and Feng Yunchen remained on the first floor with Afra and Hilda, while others were on the second floor or out working. The women on the sofa rose to greet the guests, and the younger visitors could not help but notice their beauty. Feng Yunchen and Ai Xiaoxi could easily be called goddesses in their homeland; Afra and Hilda were also striking. Yet the visitors respected the space, observing quietly without staring.
(To be continued.)