Chapter 198 Repair
After figuring out the origin of the courtyard, Song Yuanchao asked Professor Yao about the difficulty of repairing and restoring the courtyard.
Professor Yao told Song Yuanchao that because the time was too long and the city of Yanjing had experienced many wars before and after liberation, many old drawings had been lost. If Song Yuanchao wanted to restore them to their original state, it might not be possible. He could only try to find out if there were any remaining drawings for reference and then repair the courtyard based on the actual situation. In this way, the design of the entire courtyard would have to be modified and a complete new drawing would have to be produced.
This task is not so easy. Repairing such an ancient house is much more difficult than rebuilding a new courtyard house. Moreover, many materials used to build this courtyard house are simply no longer available now. Among them, the wood is still better and may be able to be obtained by spending a little more money. Even if not, there are similar ones that can be used as substitutes.
But those special bricks and tiles are a big problem. If they are to be restored to their original state, they must be made in a special kiln. Even if this is done, the resulting product will still be somewhat different from the original ones.
There is another key point, which is capital expenditure.
No matter how expensive a courtyard house is, the price is there, but the cost of repairing and restoring it is enormous. According to Professor Yao's preliminary estimate, this figure is simply not affordable for ordinary people, so he suggested that Song Yuanchao should not do this, but find someone to simply repair it. In this way, he only needs to maintain the overall appearance of the courtyard, and there is no need to worry about anything else.
Song Yuanchao thought carefully about Professor Yao's suggestion and decided not to do it this way. If that were the case, he wouldn't need to come to Professor Yao at all. He could just find a few bricklayers or carpenters to do the job. Why bother with so much trouble?
"Sir, if we must repair it thoroughly and restore it to its original state, how much do you think it will cost and how long will it take to complete?"
Professor Yao looked at Song Yuanchao with some surprise. He had just explained it so clearly to him. Could it be that he still hadn't figured out the situation?
But since Song Yuanchao asked, Professor Yao had to answer. After thinking for a while, he said, "Let's talk about time first. I went to see that courtyard many years ago. If it needs to be repaired, I have to go and see it in person. But no matter what, it can't be completed in a short period of time. If the current situation is similar to what I saw back then, it will take at least half a year to a year."
"As for the cost, it's not a small amount. Apart from the labor, the main part is the various materials. It's really hard to calculate, but I think it's impossible without tens of thousands or even nearly a hundred thousand. Xiao Song, this is not a small amount of money. Can you afford it? So you should consider my suggestion just now."
Professor Yao spoke earnestly. He had a good impression of Song Yuanchao, and what Song Yuanchao asked him today was about his own major. To be honest, if funding was not a problem, Professor Yao really wanted to try it himself. As a professor of architecture, he had been staying in the cowshed during those unpleasant days, and even his teaching job was taken away from him. He only returned to school a few years ago.
Although he is now a professor and is respected for his teaching and educating people, Professor Yao actually still misses the days when he worked as an assistant to Mr. and Mrs. Liang. Professor Yao has always wanted to do some practical work instead of reading from textbooks in class every day, which is simply a torture for him.
After listening to Professor Yao's explanation, Song Yuanchao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
One hundred thousand is an astronomical figure for ordinary people, but for me now, it is completely affordable, even more is no problem.
Moreover, Song Yuanchao knew very well that with the continuous development of reform and opening up, the entire country would be on the fast track of rapid economic development in the next few years. At the same time, people's income and consumption would continue to increase. By that time, the prices of all things would also rise rapidly.
Therefore, the current expenditure of 100,000 yuan is still worth it, because money will become less and less valuable in the future. In the 21st century, if you want to renovate such a large courtyard house, even if you don’t use Professor Yao’s method, but ordinary repairs and decoration, it will be absolutely impossible without tens of millions or even more.
From this point of view, Song Yuanchao still prefers to repair and restore the original appearance of this courtyard house. If this can be done, let alone 100,000 yuan, Song Yuanchao is willing to pay even 150,000 or 200,000 yuan.
"What? You still insist on doing this? Did I hear it right?" When Song Yuanchao announced his decision, Professor Yao was very surprised. He looked at Song Yuanchao in confusion, wondering if he had heard it wrong.
"Sir, you heard me right. Money is not a problem. I am willing to pay it. My purpose is just to restore this courtyard to its original state. As for how to do it, I believe in your professionalism. I don't know if you can help with this. Of course, I will bear all the expenses for the redesign of the courtyard and other expenses. Please tell me a number, sir." Song Yuanchao said seriously.
"Xiao Song, have you really thought it through? This is a huge sum of money! If you put it in a bank, the interest alone will allow you to live a good life." Professor Yao was afraid that Song Yuanchao was acting on impulse, so he kindly reminded him.
Song Yuanchao smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have already thought about this matter before I came here. I have the money. If you are worried about the stability of the funds, I can pay the advance payment in advance, so that you won't help in vain..."
Before Song Yuanchao could finish his words, Professor Yao waved his hand and said, "Don't say such things. I won't ask where the money comes from, as long as it comes from a clean source. In addition, if you decide to entrust this matter to me, don't mention the design fees. It's enough for an old guy like me to be able to do these practical things at this age. It can be considered mutually beneficial. But let me be frank. I can help you find a professional hospital. Their construction wages must not be less. In addition, you can calculate the materials separately. You have to prepare the money in advance. After all, they have to make money to support their families."
"No, no, no, I'm very grateful that you can help me, how can I let you do it for free? Besides, knowledge is wealth, you are a teacher and an elder, of course you understand this better than me, a junior student. The compensation you deserve must not be less, otherwise I would rather not do it." Although grateful in his heart, Song Yuanchao decisively rejected Professor Yao's kindness and said firmly.
"This..." Professor Yao hesitated. Song Yuanchao's words made sense. Besides, he had put in a lot of hard work in the redesign. In addition, he had to personally supervise many things in the later repairs and restoration. Although he didn't care if he didn't talk about money at all, what about his students and assistants? He couldn't let them work in vain.
After thinking about it, Professor Yao finally put forward a request, which was to use Song Yuanchao's courtyard as a practical project of the Department of Architecture. He would bring assistants and several students to join this project to carry out comprehensive work from redesign to repair and restoration.
During this period, Professor Yao, his assistants and students not only had to lead the project, but also had to cooperate with Song Yuanchao, the owner of the house, and pay them a certain amount of labor fees. In this way, Professor Yao agreed to take on the project.
Song Yuanchao agreed with Professor Yao's suggestion, but the two sides disagreed on the labor fee. The main reason was that Song Yuanchao thought the labor fee proposed by Professor Yao was too low, only 30 yuan per person per month, which was not proportional to the other party's contribution.
For this reason, Song Yuanchao proposed to pay the labor fee directly at 100 yuan per month, but Professor Yao thought it was too high . The two argued for a long time and finally gave in and set the amount at 45 yuan per month.
Including Professor Yao, it was initially decided that there would be a total of five people, plus his assistant and three students. That means if the renovation is completed in one year according to the design, the total expenditure would be only 2,700 yuan.
Two thousand seven hundred yuan was used to hire a professor of architecture from the Imperial University and his assistant, plus three top students from the Department of Architecture to design and renovate a courtyard house for him. This would have been impossible in later times. If it had been in later times, the money spent on treating them to a meal would probably have far exceeded this amount, and other expenses would have been frighteningly expensive.
But in this era, the reserve and nobleness of intellectuals have not been eroded by the smell of money. Compared with Song Yuanchao's sigh, Professor Yao felt that the number was higher than he expected. For him, this was the first time to use his own money to take students to do private work. If he was not really interested in the renovation of this courtyard house, and wanted to use this opportunity to take students to work on practical projects, Professor Yao would never have taken this job.
After finishing the business, Song Yuanchao and Professor Yao continued to chat over coffee, mostly talking about the origins and old news of the Siheyuans in Beijing. Although Song Yuanchao was not a student of architecture, he was impressed by Professor Yao's explanation. He learned a lot of knowledge that he didn't know before and also understood many situations of Siheyuans in Yanjing.
After drinking coffee, Song Yuanchao stood up and said goodbye. Before leaving, he made an appointment with Professor Yao to go to the Siheyuan for field surveying. The time was set for three days later. At that time, Professor Yao would bring people to meet Song Yuanchao directly at the Siheyuan.
After the on-site survey is completed, Professor Yao will take about half a month to produce a preliminary design for Song Yuanchao to confirm. If it is confirmed to be correct, a formal design draft will be produced based on the preliminary draft, and the cost of the project will be calculated at the same time.
Song Yuanchao agreed with all these. Since the matter was entrusted to Professor Yao, he trusted Professor Yao's professionalism and character. With Professor Yao's help, what did he have to worry about?
