229, Request (3 More)
Xie Zhinuan thought for a moment, “Then give them thirty-five kilograms, after all, they’ve worked hard all year round, we must ensure they have enough to eat!”
“Is there anything else to give?” Xie Zhinuan asked.
Old Zhu thought for a moment before saying, “There are twenty families on the manor, and every household has space to grow some vegetables, raise chickens, ducks, pigs, and they also go to the mountains and forests to find things, collecting firewood from the eastern mountain woods as well. They can pick fruit from the orchards; there are plenty of oranges this year, and the jujubes are not bad, the walnuts are also almost dried up. Should we send them all to the county town?”
Xie Zhinuan had long known that buying this manor was a good deal, but it was only after listening to Old Zhu that she realized she had taken huge advantage of Xu Xuanjin.
“Sending them to the county town is fine, I came over this time to discuss the grain matter. If we can mill rice here, then let’s mill the rice and send it to the county town, and distribute the rice bran to the farmer families, so they can feed their chickens and ducks. Also, regarding the fields, have they always been left fallow during winter?” Xie Zhinuan asked.
“Replying to the master, they have indeed remained fallow in previous years!”
“This year, let’s not leave them empty. Flood them, and once the fields have dried out, plow them for mud loaches and eels, and then plant vegetables and radishes. As for what to plant, you are the steward, the experienced one; you know what can be grown in winter. We also need to plant winter wheat. Discuss with the farmers, assure them they won’t be working in vain, as long as they work hard, I will pay them proper wages and will not let them down!”
Xie Zhinuan spoke and took a sip of her tea.
“Actually, I also know what you all want the most. So here’s the deal, if you work diligently for me for five years, after five years, I will give back your indenture contracts. Whether you leave or stay will be entirely up to you!”
Five years is enough for too many things to happen. In five years, with wealth wrapped around her waist, there will be plenty willing to seek refuge with her.
For now, naturally, it was important to gather people’s hearts.
“Is the master serious about this?” Old Zhu asked excitedly.
Yes, these people had some amount of money, but what they truly desired was their freedom.
To go out and not be looked down upon, and not be a servant whose descendants lacked even the chance to study for the civil service exams.
“Of course, it’s true. Although I am a woman, I too understand the principle that a gentleman’s word can’t be retracted once given. My visit today was firstly to arrange some matters, and secondly to discuss this very issue. I figure it takes dozens to a hundred taels for a family to redeem themselves, how many farmer families can afford that? I just happen to not lack that bit of silver, but the premise still depends on how you do. If you put your heart into managing this manor for me, the words I spoke today will hold true. However, if anyone dares to betray me, I will be neither kind nor soft-hearted. Being sold off, beaten to death with clubs is the least of consequences, and the troubles could extend to the whole family…”
Xie Zhinuan left her sentence unfinished.
But Old Zhu understood.
A transgression by one person could bring ruin on the whole family, something no farmer household could afford to endure.
Five years, after five years they would be free citizens. Unless one was a fool, no one would dare to challenge Xie Zhinuan’s bottom line.
“Rest assured, master, as long as I, Old Zhu, am here, I will manage this manor properly for you. But may I request something from the master?” Old Zhu said, hesitating slightly.
“Speak!” Xie Zhinuan looked at Old Zhu.
Old Zhu took a deep breath, “Master, could you please hire a scholar to educate the children of the farmers? We elders may have lived our lives in mediocrity, but these children of the next generation are still young, they…”
“Okay!” Xie Zhinuan agreed at once.
Chapter 230