Yan Xia almost laughed; this person was indeed straightforward.
“Zhang Lizheng, I haven’t been here much since I bought this land. Brother Deng praised you to me a lot, saying that the villagers of Shoucheng Village are polite, honest, and hardworking. He praised them to the skies, and I believed him. So I didn’t even hire a manager for the tenants of Shoucheng Village. This time when I came to collect the grain, I thought they would be more conscientious. Even if they were short seven or eight catties, I would turn a blind eye and consider it a way to improve their meals. Who knew… sigh…”
Yan Xia shook her head helplessly and sighed deeply.
“The villagers of Shoucheng Village really took advantage of me. This Sun Duomiao rented five mu of my land, with a yield of 500 jin per mu, but she tried to lie to me that the yield was not high. She actually told me that her yield was 300 jin per mu, which means she would pocket 200 jin of rice per mu. She is even more greedy than corrupt officials. To be honest, this is my first time being a landlord, so I naturally can't act like I'm going to beat up the villagers. But you have really disappointed me.”
"Today, Sun Duomiao stole my grain, which is his first crime, and he blocked my son's carriage to threaten me, which is his second crime. But this is the third time. How can I, a landlord, be bullied by this tenant farmer? You are here to bear witness that from now on, I, the Yan family, will never rent any land to the Sun family. Not only that, I will definitely report this to the authorities today and have the magistrate cut off the hands of the person in charge of the Sun family! Anyone who dares to steal will pay the price!"
Yan Xia didn't take action because this was someone else's village, and she didn't have any connections with the government. If she were to be seriously injured by someone else, she would be the one at fault. The tenants here weren't long-term laborers, much less slaves who could be beaten or scolded at will; they were just tenants.
However, the magistrate of Shuangqiao Town was the most impartial, and Sun could not escape this charge.
"What? Sun Duomiao, how dare you be so bold? If it weren't for your family's pitiful state, I wouldn't have let you set foot in Shoucheng Village at all. Landlord Yan only takes 30%, such a kind and benevolent person, how could you still do such deceitful and thieving things? You've turned your heart into a wicked person—"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Lizheng was so angry that his chest heaved violently. He raised his right arm, pointed at Sun Duomiao, and his fingertips trembled.
Yan Xia was afraid that he would die in a fit of anger.
"Oh dear, how could I dare? It's all because of Li Changtao's loose tongue. My family's yield is nowhere near 500 mu, at most 400. You tell me, we're from the same village, and you've harmed me like this. What benefit do you get? You became her lackey, so she thinks she'll let you be the manager? Bah! You're truly heartless, betraying your own people!"
Even at this point, Sun Duomiao is still stubborn.
She tried to shift the blame onto Li Changtao.
"If you hadn't deceived Landlord Yan, would this have happened? It's always better to be down-to-earth. You've offended Landlord Yan today. I wonder where your family will rent land next year. Peach Blossom Village takes 50% of every acre of land. The grain you embezzled today will have to be returned sooner or later. Evil deeds will be punished by Heaven. Who knows, your family might have to flee again!"
Li Changtao is capable of supporting a large family, so he's certainly not someone to be trifled with.
Although he is honest, he is quick to criticize and never loses his edge, directly hitting Sun Duomiao where it hurts.
Yan Xia was somewhat surprised to learn that her commission rate was the lowest among those around her.
It turns out that Deng Qiuzhi is actually quite kind-hearted.
Not all landlords are bad people.
"You little beast, son, are you just going to stand there and watch your mother get bullied? Beat him up!"
Good heavens, the two groups even started fighting.
Yan Xia, on the other hand, became an outsider watching the show.
Jinlu, that clever fellow, took advantage of the fact that no one was pulling him away and quickly drove the oxcart to the county government office.
Li Changtao was on her side after all. Seeing that his family was at a disadvantage, Yan Xia quickly went to help, pretending to break up the fight, but actually punching Sun Duomiao's family repeatedly.
Soon, they were in pain all over their bodies and lay on the ground panting heavily.
"What's all this commotion! Stop it!!"
Zhang Lizheng was furious, and the noise from the fight attracted the attention of the villagers.
Before long, the place was surrounded by people.
"Mind your own business! Everyone, look at how despicable this Li Changtao is! He told Landlord Yan that my family's yield is 500 jin per mu! Good heavens! Where would my family's yield be that high? You all know how poor my family is. We live in a mud house, have to raise so many children, and eat bran and wild vegetables every day. Where am I supposed to get grain to give to Landlord Yan? You're trying to drive my family to the brink of despair! Everyone, be careful of this kind of despicable person in the future. Who knows when he'll stab you in the back? Today he can slander my family to curry favor with Landlord Yan, tomorrow he can harm your family for Landlord Wang and Landlord Liu! Drive this kind of person out of the village!!"
Although Sun Duomiao is old and inexperienced, she is very good at using public opinion.
He was already bruised and battered, and today he deliberately wore his most tattered clothes when he went out.
Sitting on the ground, he looked incredibly pitiful.
The villagers were all pointing and whispering about Li Changtao.
It seems he believed her.
Li Changtao wanted to defend himself, but he didn't know where to begin, since he had indeed told the truth to Landlord Yan.
"Oh dear, Changtao, you were such a well-behaved person when you were little, how did you grow up to be like this? Although Sun Shi is usually quite unreliable, she is still older than you, and we are from the same village. Why are you siding with outsiders? Look at how you've driven them, tsk tsk, I can't bear to watch."
"Exactly, you're too ruthless. Even if you want to curry favor with the landlord, you can't use such a dirty trick."
"What's the use of currying favor with the landlord? Landlords are all cannibals. Look, Li Changtao's nose was bleeding from being beaten, and did this landlord Yan say a word in his defense? He's just a lackey for nothing, what's the use? He's only caused discord among the villagers."
"...."
The villagers watching criticized Li Changtao one after another, and didn't forget to drag Yan Xia into it to sow discord.
Yan Xia remained calm, patting the clothes she had gotten dirty from breaking up the fight.
He said it loudly.
"Li Changtao, you bravely stood up today to expose Sun Duomiao's lies, and your character is excellent. From today onwards, I will entrust you with the management of these hundred acres of land. Every autumn when the grain is delivered, that is, when you will be paid your wages, three taels of silver a year. From now on, you will be responsible for supervising everyone's harvest and keeping records to prevent anyone from lying again. The daily use and maintenance of the land will also be your responsibility. Here is three taels of silver, take it, this is your wages for one year! The five acres of land that Sun Duomiao rented are also yours. Ten acres in total, starting next year, I will only take one-tenth of your share!"
Yan Xia's words startled everyone present into silence; even the barking of dogs ceased, as if everything had stopped breathing.
It wasn't until a few moments later that everyone's frozen bodies began to move again.
"Wow, he gave three taels of silver as a reward! My goodness, Landlord Yan is too generous!"
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