"Your family...your family is actually going to distribute grain to the villagers?"
"It's not about distributing grain, it's about lending grain," Old Lady Li replied with a smile.
The village chief was so excited that his face turned red.
"Whether it's distributing grain or lending grain, it's a great thing! Everyone is worried about not having enough food in the autumn! Your family is truly a living bodhisattva. You've saved the lives of the whole village!"
Li Lao Er quickly comforted the old man and tried to help him sit down.
But the village chief couldn't wait a moment longer and waved his hands repeatedly.
"Wait a minute, I'll go and call everyone in the village right away."
Having said that, he ran off as fast as the wind.
In no time, more than a dozen families from the village gathered in the Li family's courtyard.
Since the rain, everyone's wells have had water again, and everyone has been busy replanting, so it's been a long time since anyone has come to visit.
Suddenly gathered together, everyone assumed that the village chief was leading them to thank the Li family for delivering water earlier.
Unexpectedly, the village chief said that the Li family would lend grain to each household in the autumn.
This is absolutely wonderful news!
Someone immediately exclaimed, "Really?"
"That's great! We won't have to buy grain in the fall."
"If your family has the money to buy it, that's fine, but my family can't afford it."
Everyone complained incessantly, saying that they were worried when it didn't rain, but they were even more worried when it did.
The village chief tapped his pipe and shouted loudly to the crowd.
"Shut up and listen to me. During the drought, we all survived thanks to the Li family's well. Now that we have no food, the Li family is offering to lend us grain in the fall."
Such a kind family has settled in our Qingshui Village. It's incredibly lucky for our village; we can't let them down!
He coughed twice and continued.
"In that case, I'll have Mr. Li write a written agreement. Each family will write down their name and put their fingerprint on the amount of grain they borrow. Next year, after each family harvests their grain, they will receive an extra 10% as interest."
Because this year, grain will definitely be as expensive as gold. They're not selling a single grain; they're lending it all to everyone to survive. We can't possibly pay them back the same amount next year. That would be too heartless!
Do you agree?
"Agreed, agreed!" The villagers all nodded quickly.
Nobody's stupid; everyone's quick to calculate.
Even though grain prices have tripled, it would be kind of the Li family to ask them to pay back double the amount next year.
Unexpectedly, the Li family only asked for 10% more, which was practically like borrowing for free.
Some people expressed their gratitude and said loudly.
"From now on, call me when you're weeding or harvesting in the fields. Since my family also needs to eat, I should do my part."
"Yes, me too. Call me when you need to work."
Immediately, others echoed his sentiments, and the village chief nodded in satisfaction.
"Alright, that's settled then. Don't be greedy and borrow too much! The Li family can only contribute fifteen mu of land. After all, they have a lot of people in their family, including Old Zhao and the other six, who all need to eat together."
With fifteen mu of land, a family could get about one mu of grain, plus the radishes and cabbages they replanted in the fields.
If I tighten my belt a little more, I should be able to live until next spring.
In a short time, Li Lao Er rewrote the contract.
The village chief acted as guarantor, and the heads of each household stepped forward to put their fingerprints on their names.
Their names were followed by the amount of grain they borrowed and the amount they returned.
Clear and obvious.
The Li family members stood under the eaves, watching quietly.
Jiayin hugged her grandmother's neck, truly admiring the old lady.
The mere mention of "borrowing grain" turned the entire village into allies of the Li family.
After all, the Li family could only borrow grain if their harvest was successful.
For the next two months, the whole village worked hard to help the Li family pull weeds and patrol to guard against wild animals in order to ensure their winter food supply.
To further protect against theft and vandalism by people from other villages…
From one family fighting against all covetous dangers to an entire village united in purpose.
A difference of just one word makes all the difference.
Sure enough, the villagers were filled with hope and became incredibly enthusiastic.
Early in the morning, the Li family rushed to the fields, where more than a dozen villagers were already weeding…
With the matters in the fields settled, Old Lady Li was in a good mood.
Taking advantage of the quiet at home, he closed the door and sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) with his granddaughter, counting the silver.
Previously, the most I sold in a single day was fifteen taels of silver. Even the least I sold was ten taels.
The sale lasted fourteen days, bringing in 180 taels. After deducting the 18 taels given to Steward Zhou and the 2 taels spent on entertaining guests, 160 taels remained.
Even someone as strong-willed as Grandma Li couldn't help but tear up.
Thinking back, the family used to worry about their eldest grandson's schooling, with expenses of one or two taels of silver per month, and the whole family had to mobilize before they dared to make a decision.
Nowadays, let alone one or two taels a month, even ten taels can be afforded.
Meanwhile, Jiayin was already rolling around in piles of silver.
This is money!
She worked hard to grow and harvest vegetables, and earned the money she received in return.
Grandma Li was amused by her granddaughter and laughed heartily. She hugged her granddaughter and gave her two big kisses.
"Grandma's lucky girl, the family is so lucky to have you! Whatever you want, Grandma will give it to you!"
Jiayin immediately grabbed two silver coins.
Grandma Li laughed even harder, tapping her granddaughter's little nose.
"You earned all of this; take as much as you want. Just leave some money for your brother's education."
Jiayin simply likes money and plans to save it up slowly, in case she needs it when she grows up.
Of course, she wouldn't buy them all.
With a flick of her wrist, she tossed two silver coins into her spatial storage.
She started eating the fruit and showed no further interest in taking the money.
She's teething lately, and her mouth is always itchy and uncomfortable. Chewing on fruit is delicious and helps to soothe her gums.
She would take a few bites whenever she had a spare moment.
Grandma Li couldn't help but be overjoyed to see how sensible her granddaughter was.
After I had gathered the silver, I went outside and a carriage was waiting for me.
It turned out that it was Chief Escort Liu who had come to visit.
This is a very important guest!
Soon, Li Laosi returned from the fields, and Tao Hongying began preparing food and drinks.
Liu, the head镖师, was easy to get along with, and the Li family, young and old, all liked him.
We chatted and ate and drank, and by the time we saw him off, it was already dusk.
When Li Laosi returned to the house, his expression showed some hesitation.
Grandma Li was busy bathing her granddaughter, while Jiayin, with her little legs, hopped over to the side to play in the water and cause trouble.
Jia'an and Jiaxi had a water fight with their younger sister and even wanted to help her take a bath, but they were chased away by Grandma Li.
Jiayin stuck her tongue out at her brother, which made Tao Hongying, who brought in the water, laugh.
"This little girl is really cunning. She's not even a year old yet, and she already knows how to be shy."
"We're grown women now, it's a good thing we know how to be shy."
In Grandma Li's heart, her granddaughter was the best of everything.
Even though Tao Hongying was her own mother, she couldn't say a word.
Tao Hongying was both amused and exasperated, and reached out to help her daughter take off her clothes.
At this moment, Li Laosi walked in and said, "Mother, I have something to say."
"What's wrong?" Old Mrs. Li asked, puzzled. Jiayin also stopped splashing water and looked over curiously.
Li Laosi hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice.
"The escort agency has taken on a shipment of very valuable goods. It's best not to let too many people know about this, so not too many people can go. Chief Escort Liu wants me to go with him."
Jiayi should also go and help out. Go quickly and come back soon; he should be back in twenty days.
Before Grandma Li and Tao Hongying could respond, Jiayin's heart skipped a beat, and she forced out a single word.
"No!"
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