At first, Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian didn't understand, but they did when they actually went to look at and buy the land.
Although the Dayu Dynasty was vast and rich in resources, the common people did not own much land; most of the land was in the hands of landlords, who were commonly known as "Yuanwai" (masters).
They bought up the land from the people, then hired them cheaply to work, and after paying taxes, the grain they were given was barely enough to eat.
So over time, people became wary of each other.
Unless there's an emergency and someone needs money to save their life, no one is willing to sell their land.
The brother and sister walked around for half a day but didn't buy many plots of land. Instead, they received a lot of sullen faces, occasionally accompanied by two big white eyes.
This can't go on forever.
Zhang Qiquan suggested that they go back to Shilipu Village to take a look, since they know people there, and maybe someone will open a door for them.
Zheng Ruqian and Jiang Sheng exchanged a glance and nodded.
The carriage wheels continued to turn, traveling from Shili Town to Shilipu Village.
The small village remains incredibly old, with a dilapidated temple standing at the entrance. Two years of wind and rain have made it even more dilapidated, and the number of collapsed corners has increased to four.
Jiang Sheng felt a little sad. As usual, she lit three incense sticks and swept the dust off the Buddha statue.
No matter how much more, it's all we can do.
Once inside the village, there were even more familiar faces.
Zhang Qiquan was poised and generous, waving to this person and that person, not caring at all that the Zhang family knew.
Jiang Sheng was scared and huddled in Aunt Zhang's arms like a quail.
Even Liu Cui's face showed a hint of hesitation.
Only Zhang Xianglian, the gentlest and kindest woman, revealed a resolute and courageous look in her eyes.
"Hey, the Zhang family's third son and his wife are back." Someone greeted Zhang Qiquan.
In the village, as long as you have the ability, even if you don't do things perfectly, you will still have a lot of popularity.
Moreover, Zhang Qiquan is a man who knows how to handle things.
"Uncle, I hope you're in good health," he kept calling out.
Finally arriving at the village head's house, Zheng Ruqian stopped the carriage, and Zhang Qiquan knocked on the door with candy and wine in hand.
A short while later, a chubby old man with a red face in his fifties opened the door.
He was the village chief of Shilipu Village, also known as the village head, who was usually elected by the villagers themselves and was the most prestigious elder.
Upon seeing Zhang Qiquan, the village head was initially startled, but quickly smiled and said, "Zhang Xiaosan, you're back."
This way of addressing someone can be considered affectionate.
Zhang Qiquan grinned as well, "Uncle Qian, after wandering around for more than half a year, you should at least come home to visit."
Qian Cun was laughing for a while, then suddenly stopped, gestured with his chin towards the Zhang family's direction, and said, "Aren't you afraid of disturbing your parents by coming back in such a grand manner?"
Zhang Qiquan's smile grew even wider.
Back then, he left in a sorry state with Liu Cui. Although he never thought of returning to Shilipu Village to make a living, he was unwilling to carry the reputation of being unfilial and cursed. So when he met the villagers of Shili Town, he would always deliberately complain about his bitterness.
Over time, the villagers of Shilipu Village all knew why Zhang's third son was bullied and how he left in such a sorry state.
"Thank you for your concern, Uncle Qian." Zhang Qiquan cupped his hands in thanks. "It's already a rare privilege for ordinary people to earn two taels of silver a year. Before I got married, I gave my parents twenty taels of silver, and when I left, I gave them another twenty-five taels. I don't even have two coins left in my own pocket. I have already fulfilled my filial duty for half my life. I have no regrets towards heaven and earth in this life."
That's a very frank statement.
Qian Cunzheng patted him on the shoulder, "As expected of a lad from Shilipu Village, tell me, what do you want with your uncle?"
Zhang Qiquan put down the candy and wine and told them about his boss's plan to buy land.
Qian Cunzheng took out his pipe and tobacco pouch, listening as he took a deep breath.
As the smoke filled the sky, he said, "This is a bit difficult. The villagers are not very willing to sell their land, but if I step in and talk to them, I think a few families might be willing to sell a little."
Zhang Qiquan was overjoyed, saying, "Once this is done, I will definitely bring half a pig to thank Uncle Qian."
A pig weighs about 200 catties, and half a carcass is about 50 catties. At the price of pork of eight coins per catty, 50 catties would cost 400 coins, which is close to half a tael of silver.
Add some good wine, and the value will be no less than one or two taels of silver.
"This is already an extremely high amount of thanks," Qian Cunzheng declined verbally, but his eyes were filled with undisguised joy.
It's true that it's easier to get things done when you know someone.
Qian Cun was smoking his pipe, preparing to go to the village entrance to spread the word, when suddenly a commotion arose at the door.
Immediately afterwards, someone started banging on the door.
Someone was shouting loudly, "Zhang Laosan, Zhang Qiquan, you unfilial son, do you even know your parents are sick?"
Wow, the Zhang family has arrived.
Jiang Sheng was startled and immediately hid behind Zheng Ruqian.
Zheng Ruqian comforted his sister while craning his neck to watch the commotion.
The arrival of the Zhang family was expected. Zhang Qiquan was not afraid at all. He said "You flatter me" to Qian Cunzheng, then took off his outer garment and handed it to Liu Cui.
He turned around and patted Zheng Ruqian on the shoulder, saying in a deep voice, "Second Young Master, you should learn how to deal with troublemakers in the future."
He yanked open the door of Qiancun Zheng's house with a large, sweeping motion.
Glancing outside, I saw that Zhang's two brothers had arrived, Zhang's parents had arrived, and the uncles and aunts who had greeted me at the village entrance had arrived; at least half the village was there.
This is great; it saves the village head from having to go out and promote the products.
Zhang Qiquan sneered and walked up to his two elder brothers. "If Father and Mother are sick, go and treat them. Why are you bothering me?"
“Those aren’t your parents. We’ve always taken good care of them. Now that you’re here, it’s your turn to treat them,” the eldest son of the Zhang family said with a gloomy face.
Zhang Qiquan grinned. "Oh? You've spent all twenty-five taels of silver?"
Zhang Laoda was speechless.
Zhang Lao Er stepped forward and said, "Are you even speaking human language? What can twenty-five taels buy? Can twenty-five taels buy the affection between blood relatives? When you were born, your parents gave you twenty-five taels. Would you have grown up to be this big?"
To put it bluntly, it's still about using the debt of gratitude for giving birth to and raising someone to pressure them.
Unfortunately, Zhang Qiquan wasn't buying it. He coldly replied, "How much do you earn in a year? How much do you give to your parents? I went out to work when I was thirteen and didn't come back until I was twenty-three. I earned twenty taels of silver and gave it all to my parents. I spent two taels on my wedding. After that, I sold a tiger and earned twenty-five taels. I didn't keep a single penny."
"That's a full forty-five taels of silver! I wonder if my eldest and second brothers combined have given our parents forty-five taels of silver? Or how about we switch places? I'll take care of our parents, and you each give the family two taels of silver a year. What do you think?"
His words were delivered with force and clarity.
The Zhang brothers were forced to retreat repeatedly.
Before long, they were defeated and left the battlefield to Zhang's parents.
The mother walked up to Zhang Qiquan, slapped her thigh, and spat all over his head, "You're so capable, you didn't grow up drinking my milk. You've made money, you're so capable, and you don't recognize your parents anymore? Fine, you eat and drink well outside while your parents eat chaff and wild vegetables. You're such a filial son."
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