That's right—an entire half-mu of vegetable plots!
This meant the estate was far larger than it appeared from the outside.
The old man said, "Years ago, our ancestor specialized in shoeing horses at the livestock market. His craftsmanship was so good that he earned enough to buy this estate."
When it was his turn, he learned the trade as well. But his luck was poor. Once, while shoeing a horse, he was kicked in the chest by a hoof and knocked unconscious on the spot.
When he woke up, the old doctor told him his liver and spleen had ruptured. He was lucky to be alive, but he could no longer do heavy labor. He had to recuperate properly, or his life would be shortened.
The family's fortunes declined step by step after that. Now, the old couple could only get by on the bit of money they earned selling winter vegetables they grew each year.
