Chapter 197 Agreement
Yuan Ziyou smiled and asked, "In previous years, how much silver could you earn from growing crops on the farm?"
The tenant replied, "After a year's work, after deducting the expenses for food, there will probably be five taels of silver left!"
"Okay!" Yuan Ziyou smiled and said, "Since this farm has been converted into a medicinal herb farm, we won't be able to grow crops. I'll find someone to teach you how to grow and identify medicinal herbs. As for the way I employ you, that can also be changed. How about this: I'll pay for your food expenses, and on top of that, each family will give ten taels of silver each year. At the end of the year, if there's a harvest from the fields, I'll convert 10% of it into silver and give it to you. How do you do that?"
Yuan Ziyu had thought of this method on the way here.
After all, no one in the entire Dali Dynasty had ever heard of anyone specializing in growing medicinal herbs. She had set a precedent, so it was normal for these tenants to be nervous.
After hearing Yuan Ziyu's words, the dozen or so tenants could hardly believe their ears: "Second Miss, you... are you telling the truth?"
If this is really possible, it would be much more profitable than growing crops before!
"Of course, since I'm your master, my words are my duty!" Yuan Ziyou said with a smile, "But I don't know if you agree with this method?"
"We agree, we agree!" The dozen or so tenants looked at each other and nodded in response.
If you don’t agree to such a good thing, you’d be a fool!
"Okay!" Yuan Ziyou smiled and said, "If you have any open space around your house, you can grow some vegetables yourself. I won't bother you with that!"
"Thank you, Second Miss!" The dozen or so tenants responded happily.
"Just one thing!" Yuan Ziyou changed the subject and said, "Since I've changed the way I hire people, the previous contracts are no longer valid. I need each household to sign a new contract with me. Go back and discuss it with everyone. If you're willing, you can stay and sign the contract. If you're not willing, I won't force you. I'll give you some money and send you off."
"Okay!" The tenants quickly responded, "Second Miss, we'll go back and discuss this!"
Yuan Ziyou nodded and said with a smile, "I also need to explain to you that this contract is a long-term one. Since I taught you how to grow and identify medicinal herbs, I naturally don't want to be a burden to others. Do you understand?"
"I understand, I understand!" The tenants responded quickly, bowed and left in a hurry!
When Qingying saw the tenants leave, she hurriedly said to Yuan Ziyu, "Second Miss, you must be exhausted from rushing here. Go back to the yard and rest for a while!"
Yuan Ziyou nodded and turned to look at the fields of medicinal herbs. Seeing that most of the herbs were planted, he asked, "Where does the water for this kind of land come from?"
Qingying said hurriedly, "Second Miss, this farm is not far from a mountain. There is a stream on the mountain that flows right to the foot of the mountain. The owner of this farm had a large pond dug on the farm and diverted the stream water here. The tenants on this farm use the stream water to irrigate their fields."
"Oh?" Yuan Ziyou said hurriedly, "Take me to see it!"
When Yuan Ziyu bought this manor, she did not inquire about the situation in the manor in detail, nor did she go to see it specifically. She knew that since Huo Xifei brought her to buy this manor, it must be a good manor.
"Hey!" Qingying responded quickly and took Yuan Ziyu to the pond.
The pond dug by the previous owner is not small, and there are many lotus flowers planted on one side of the pond. It is only the end of April now, and it is not the season for lotus flowers to bloom. Therefore, all you can see are the emerald green disc-like leaves swaying gently in the breeze.
"How beautiful!" Yuan Ziyu couldn't help but sigh, imagining the scene of the lotus pond blooming. "In June, we should come here to pick lotus flowers!"
"Great, great!" Qingzhi clapped her hands and said, "Second Miss, we must come in June. Then we can get a boat and sail among the lotus flowers to pick them. It must be fun!"
Qingying tapped Qingzhi's forehead and said with a smile, "You are such a playful girl!"
"How could I!" Qingzhi opened his eyes wide: "I was just giving the second young lady some advice!"
Yuan Ziyu smiled and let Qingying and Qingzhi laugh and play. He just squatted by the pond, put his hand into the water, and secretly put the spiritual spring water from the Qiongjiang Pavilion into the pond through his fingers.
"Second Miss, the water is cold, don't catch a cold!" Qingying and Qingzhi saw Yuan Ziyu's actions and hurried forward to say.
"It's okay!" Yuan Ziyu lifted his hand from the water, shook off the water on his hand, and said, "The water in this pond is from a mountain stream. I wanted to see if there was any difference from ordinary water."
"You can't leave it in the water for so long!" Qingying and Qingzhi were still frightened by the incident of Yuan Ziyu falling into the water years ago, and they were afraid that Yuan Ziyu would catch a cold from touching the cold water!
"Okay, I'll pay attention next time!" Yuan Ziyu said with a smile: "Okay, let's go back to the yard and stay here today!"
"Well, I'll go back and prepare some tea for you!" Qingying said hurriedly.
"good!"
After returning to the courtyard, Yuan Ziyu had just taken a few sips of tea when a maid from the courtyard came in and reported, "Second Miss, there are several tenants from the farm who are asking to see you outside the courtyard."
"Take them to the yard!" Yuan Ziyu said.
"yes!"
When Yuan Ziyou arrived at the courtyard, he saw the dozen or so tenants standing respectfully in the yard. Upon seeing Yuan Ziyou come out, they all hurriedly saluted and said, "My humble servant greets the Second Young Lady!"
"No need to be polite!" Yuan Ziyou asked with a smile, "How did you discuss it after you returned?"
The leading tenant stepped forward and said respectfully, "Second Miss, we've gone back and discussed with everyone else. We've decided to stay. I hope you won't mind."
"Okay!" Yuan Ziyou nodded and said, "In that case, someone will come to sign a new contract with you in two days. As for your allowance and money, they will be distributed to you after the contract is signed. You must pay more attention to the affairs of this farm. Although I am easy to talk to, I don't keep idle people. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Second Miss, we will definitely do our best for you!" the man said hurriedly.
"What's your name?" Yuan Ziyu asked the tenant.
"My name is Sun Mufu."
"Sun Mufu!" Yuan Ziyou muttered to himself, then said, "There are quite a few tenants in this farm now, and I'm too impatient to talk to them all. If there's anything in the future, I'll just tell you, and then you can tell everyone else!"
Sun Mufu was immediately delighted when he heard this: "Yes, Second Miss!"
"Okay, you can go back for now and rest for the next two days. Someone will come to sign a contract with you in two days!" Yuan Ziyu ordered.
"yes!"
Thanks to Yawu, Wumonu, Yue, Meizi, Yinshi, Love, Happy Camp, Time is fleeting, Happy, hlqa, Book Friend 854***676, Yuanyuanma, Book Friend 854***509, Clear Sky, Jian Qiqi, Screw ls, Book Friend 20191127203726542 for their recommendation votesヾ(▽)ノ
(End of this chapter)
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