Xu Li nodded and said, "Great, that's a good thing!"
"But Wang Xiaozhuang and Wang Ji are both vying for it, and we don't have many connections at higher levels. Do you think you can put in a good word for us?"
Xu Li said, "Then I'll give it a try. I know Lord Guo."
Good heavens, Xu Li knows the Prefect!
Then this market must be built in Xujia Village.
The village head said to Xu Li, "Several landlords have come these past two days. They've been buying up land in our village, Wangxiaozhuang, and Wangji, and the prices they're paying are double what they usually are. What price does the government intend to offer?"
Xu Li honestly replied, "From what I heard from Lord Guo, it's five times the price!"
Five times! Hiss~
Damn landlords! No wonder they were willing to pay double. They could get a five-fold subsidy if they sold to the government, making four times their initial investment in one transaction!
The news that the government would offer five times the price spread quickly, and immediately no one in the three villages was willing to sell their land.
Ying Wenlong's father-in-law and relatives sent people to buy the land, but even those who had initially agreed to the deal all backed out and refused to sell.
They had no choice but to offer three or even four times the price, but still no one would sell.
Do you think we're stupid? Four times the price? We'd be better off selling to the government for five times the price!
The land can be sold for five times its value, and then a trading market can be set up here, allowing for continued business and making big money.
Xu Li informed the villagers that outside, Xu Erlang was already incredibly proud of himself.
Look at our clothes, they're fox fur!
Look at these shoes, suede boots!
Look at these two lackeys, they're here to serve us!
Xu Erlang wore a fur coat and leather boots, with a valuable jade pendant hanging from his waist, making him look like the son of a very wealthy landlord.
Xu Tiezhu asked, "What does your fourth uncle usually take you to do?"
"I live in a big brick house, eat at restaurants, have chicken, duck, fish and meat at every meal, and even eat with Lord Ying and his entourage. Lord Ying's nephew is now currying favor with me and calling me 'Big Brother'."
"If you can be friends with him, then you're doing really well."
Xu Erlang was overjoyed and took out a tael of silver from his pocket and gave it to Liu Ermei: "Others gave me twenty taels of silver as a token of their respect, but unfortunately I spent it all on drinking yesterday, so I only have this one tael left."
"Twenty taels! That's enough for our family to live on for several years!" Liu Ermei said excitedly, holding the piece of silver. "Even if others give you gifts, keep some for the family. Don't spend it all."
Xu Dalang's eyes blazed with anger as he suppressed his rage and said, "Erlang, you're being adopted by your fourth uncle, so don't forget to help your brother out."
Xu Erlang had long disliked him. When he left last time, Xu Dalang even threatened Xu Erlang, saying he would prevent him from being adopted!
“Everyone has their own destiny. I am my fourth uncle’s son, and all his money belongs to me. Why should I give it to you?”
He wanted to be sophisticated and tried hard to speak "official language," even though his rapping was a mess, but he felt it was much more sophisticated than Xu Dalang, that peasant.
Xu Dalang was about to hit him, but Xu Erlang waved his hand arrogantly: "Changming, hit him!"
Changming walked up to Xu Dalang, took a wooden stick, and tapped it against his leg. The thick stick broke in two. He said, "Xu Dalang, please have some self-respect!"
In a flash, Bo Mu leaped up a three-meter-high tree and landed lightly on the ground, twirling his soft sword at Xu Dalang.
Xu Dalang was filled with hatred. He glared fiercely at Xu Erlang and said, "Just you wait!"
On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, a young man dressed in extremely luxurious clothes arrived in Xujia Village, driving a lavish carriage.
When you arrive in the village, look for the village head.
We need to buy land.
The price is eight times the market price.
The young nobleman, speaking fluent Mandarin and appearing very amiable, said with a smile, "I heard that the government is going to set up a market here and requisition land, offering high compensation to the people—five times the original price. So, I'll offer eight times the original price to buy it all, as much as I can get."
Not to mention the village head, everyone in the village was tempted.
Even if it's land left by our ancestors, it's eight times the price. If you like farming, you can just buy more elsewhere. One acre for eight acres, how cost-effective!
Besides, the village head said that anyone who refuses to sell will be dealt with, and no one can interfere with the establishment of a trading post here, or prevent future generations from making a fortune.
The village head sent someone to find Xu Li and ask him to help find out what price the government was offering.
Xu Li said with certainty that it was five times.
The village head and Master Xu immediately gathered all the prominent figures in the village to discuss the matter. In the end, they reached an agreement with the wealthy young man from out of town: ten times the amount!
But they only planned to give the villagers eight times the amount.
The village chief, the village head, and the clan head secretly embezzled twice the amount.
With the village head and Master Xu's best efforts, the young nobleman from out of town finally bought the land for ten times the price, and the two parties even signed a contract.
At this moment, the village head heard from the servant that the young master was Su Zhe, the strategist of Prince Qi, Zhou Huan.
So, it was Prince Qi's heir who bought the land?
People felt it was more reliable now.
The contract was signed quickly, and most of the people in Xujia Village put their fingerprints on it. The village head did not force those who did not want to sell their land.
He simply told them that if they were hindering the construction of the market, he would lead his men to demolish their houses.
The young nobleman gave them the silver notes, all of them brand new.
Everyone paid first and then completed the formalities. No one dared to cheat Prince Qi's son out of his money, and the land was transferred to the owner in town that very day.
On the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, Prefect Guo, County Magistrate Ying, and a luxurious carriage arrived at Xujia Village.
It turns out that the young nobleman had already sold all his land to the government.
The village head and Master Xu specifically asked Lord Guo, "May I ask, Your Excellency, how much silver did the government pay per mu for the land they purchased?"
The attendant beside Lord Guo immediately replied, "Five times the market price! With this money, you could buy a shop in the city."
The villagers were overjoyed. The government only paid five times the amount, but Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces paid ten times the amount. It turns out there really are fools in this world!
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