Chapter Fifty-Eight: A Fleeting Dream
Zhou Fuquan glanced at the moon gate and saw Qin Zhining pointing at the vegetable garden and talking to those boys. A shadow crossed his eyes.
"What's the rush? Before he left, Grand Secretary Zhang didn't arrange a way out for us. Are we supposed to live off a maid? This estate is none of the business of outsiders."
The wind swirled fallen leaves, which landed on the tips of Qin Zhining's shoes. As if sensing something, she suddenly turned her head to look towards the pillar and caught a fleeting glimpse of a sinister face.
"Is that Steward Zhou?"
Qin Zhining's face was cold. Her gaze lingered behind the pillar for a moment, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the orchid pattern embroidered on her cuff. However, she showed no sign of anything unusual on her face and simply turned back to continue talking to Qin Wenzheng and the others.
“That vacant lot to the east of the vegetable garden looks like it has been abandoned for several years. Starting tomorrow, you should clear away the weeds, turn over the soil, and plant some radishes, cabbage, and other vegetables.”
Qin Wenzheng nodded hurriedly in agreement, but couldn't help glancing at the pillars out of the corner of his eye. He had actually caught a glimpse of Zhou Fuquan exchanging glances with the villagers, but being a newcomer, he didn't dare to say anything.
Qin Zhining noticed his subtle actions and secretly praised his keen observation, but she didn't point it out on her face. She simply said, "The outer courtyard should be full of people by now. Let's go over there."
As soon as the group reached the outer courtyard, they saw about fifty people standing on the blue brick ground.
There were women carrying sewing baskets, farmers carrying farm tools, and several stewards holding account books. Zhou Fuquan stood at the front of the crowd.
Seeing Qin Zhining approach, he forced a smile, but in his heart he was calculating whether the villagers could carry out their plans as scheduled.
Qin Zhining walked to the stone table and stood still. Her gaze slowly swept over everyone. Her voice was not loud, but each word was clear, "I called everyone here today because I want to talk to you about something."
From this day forward, this estate belongs to me, and all matters concerning it, large and small, will be managed jointly by Qin Wenzheng, Jingchun, Jingqiu, and the others.
As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion broke out in the crowd.
A woman dressed in gray cloth stepped forward and said in a shrill voice, "Miss Qin, it's not that we don't respect our new master."
Managing the estate is no small matter. Young Miss Jin Chun looks so young; she probably can't even recognize all the account books. And that boy with the scar on his face…”
She paused deliberately before finishing her sentence, glancing at the scarred brothers with obvious disdain and contempt.
Hmph, it's absurd to let two maids and a bunch of scoundrels who've never done manual labor manage the estate.
Zhou Fuquan remained silent, but subtly raised his chin, giving the woman a wink.
Qin Zhining saw all of this but didn't get angry. She just looked at the woman and said, "Your husband's surname is Zhang, right? You've been in the manor for five years, so you should know how messy the accounts are, right?"
Last winter, the farmers' cotton-padded clothes weren't distributed until spring, and three households still owe grain payments from the year before. Didn't Steward Zhou tell you about these things?
The gray-clad woman from Zhang's family was stunned for a moment, unable to respond.
A younger farmer nearby couldn't help but speak up, "Miss Qin, this scarred brother used to roam the streets of the city doing nothing productive. How would he know how to manage a farm? What if he messes it up? How will we make a living in the future?"
Upon hearing this, many farmers nodded in agreement.
Qin Wenzheng and his men felt ashamed for the first time after being looked down upon in public, and they blushed with remorse for their previous actions.
He clenched his fists, lowered his head without much confidence, and didn't dare to refute.
These people were truly unruly before. They had never even touched an account book, let alone managed a farm, and didn't even know how seeds were planted. Alas... they regretted their youthful ignorance and the wrong path they had taken.
Qin Zhining looked at Qin Wenzheng and said in a calm tone, "No one is born knowing how to grow crops, manage a farm, or read accounts."
None of this matters. As long as you are willing to work hard and study diligently, I will teach you. Besides, I have my own plans and don't need to explain them to anyone.
Qin Wenzheng, you brothers know a bit about martial arts, and you're bold and careful. As long as you're diligent, I trust you with the night patrols and odd jobs on the estate.
As for the accounts, I'll send someone capable. Jingchun and Jingqiu are meticulous; they can assist and help out. They'll be familiar with the process and might not be any worse than others.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Fuquan finally couldn't help but speak up, "Miss Qin, it's not that this old servant is being nosy, but the affairs of this estate are complicated. How can one learn to manage an estate in a short time?"
This old servant has been managing the estate for eight years. While I may not be an expert in everything, I do know a thing or two. If you trust me, why not let me continue managing it? It would be good for assisting Qin Wenzheng and Jinchun.”
His words seemed respectful, but in reality, he wanted to maintain control over Zhuangzi's administration.
Qin Zhining glanced at him, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Manager Zhou has been in charge of the estate for eight years, but the accounts have become increasingly chaotic, and the farmers' wages have been delayed year after year. It's better not to learn such tricks."
Zhou Fuquan's face flushed red, then turned pale. He gripped the hem of his clothes tightly with his fingers, but dared not meet Qin Zhining's gaze.
The crowd fell silent. The villagers who had just been agreeing now all had their heads down, and no one dared to speak again.
Qin Zhining was telling the truth. Over the years, Steward Zhou had used his position of managing the estate as an excuse to embezzle a lot of their grain and money, but no one had dared to go against him before.
Seeing this, Qin Zhining added, "I know everyone is worried about the future, so I'm putting my words out here today."
As long as you work hard, your monthly wages will be paid on time, and you'll receive winter coats and summer herbal tea—you won't be shortchanged.
If anyone tries to cause trouble in the village, or is unwilling to work for me, they can say now that I've paid them this month's wages and I'm letting them go.
Furthermore, I want to make it clear to everyone that it is a fact that Grand Secretary Zhang gifted the estate to me. However, Grand Secretary Zhang also formally transferred ownership of all of you estateholders to me.
However, Zhang Ge Lao did not entrust me with the indentures of Steward Zhou, his family, or several of his trusted associates. It seems he has other plans.”
Upon hearing this, a sigh of relief immediately filled the crowd.
An older farmer stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "If Miss Qin can truly keep her word, this old servant is willing to work for you."
Once the first one was chosen, the second one followed. Before long, most of the villagers had expressed their opinions, leaving only Zhou Fuquan and a few villagers who had been winking at him earlier.
Zhou Fuquan's face turned ashen; he hadn't expected Qin Zhining to calm everyone down with just a few words.
The original plan to incite the villagers to cause trouble has now come to nothing.
He gritted his teeth, then suddenly knelt on the ground, his face contorted with grief, and said, "Miss Qin, you are so kind and righteous, please have mercy and let this old servant stay."
"I've been on this estate for eight years and I have grown attached to it. Please give me another chance. I promise I will manage the accounts properly from now on and will never again withhold the farmers' grain payments."
His kneeling surprised many of the villagers.
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