Chapter 304, Articulate
After deciding on the land to buy, Qin Xiaoliu took the village chief to the county town. County officials came to measure the land area, and Daohua got the land deed on the same day.
In total, he bought 5,000 acres of land and spent 5,000 taels of silver.
Yan Zhiqiang did not buy the land. The land here is indeed not very good. If he wants to buy it, he has to go back and discuss it with his family. He is not as casual as Daohua.
After putting the deed away, Daohua looked at Qin Xiaoliu and said, "Brother Xiaoliu, we're a bit pressed for time. We need manpower to reclaim the wasteland. I see there are quite a few refugees gathered in the county town. Go and recruit some temporary workers. The number of people is up to you. I only have one request. We need to plant around mid-March."
"Those who work diligently and carefully can be transferred to long-term workers or tenants. I'll go back and think about the specific rules and send someone to tell you."
Daohua was silent for a moment, then continued, "Also, let's go to the county town and see if there are any cattle for sale. If there are, buy a few more. Don't think about saving money on farm tools and oxen."
As he said this, he glanced at Wang Maner.
Wang Man'er immediately handed a silver note of one thousand taels to Qin Xiaoliu.
Qin Xiaoliu carefully put it away: "Miss, do you have any other instructions?"
Daohua pondered for a moment. "No more for now. Let's leave it like this for now. I need to go back and plan this land to see where would be the best place to build the manor."
Yan Zhiqiang stood aside and listened silently, with no intention of intervening at all.
To be honest, he felt that he might not be as good as the rice flowers in managing the farm and the fields.
The farms this girl owns not only have a high annual output, but also fewer people causing trouble.
He was in charge of the family farm and knew that it was not easy to do these things. Most of the time he was too busy to make ends meet and was far less calm than this girl.
The village chief was also listening. When he heard that Daohua was recruiting, he immediately recommended someone from the village.
Daohua smiled and said, "As long as you work diligently and don't slack off, I'll take whatever you want."
After talking for a while, Yan Zhiqiang saw that it was getting late, so he took Daohua on board the boat and went back.
Qin Xiaoliu stayed with two servants and watched Daohua and his group leave.
After the boat sailed some distance away, the village chief asked Qin Xiaoliu, "Little brother, which family are you from? You have such a big hand! You bought these thousands of acres just by saying so."
The village chief was quite observant. When he was looking for land deeds, he noticed that the officials in the county government were particularly polite to these people.
Qin Xiaoliu thought about staying in Taohua Village more often in the future and would inevitably have to deal with the village chief, so he smiled and said, "We are from the family of Lord Yan, the prefect of Ningmen Prefecture."
Upon hearing this, the village chief's eyes widened suddenly, and he stammered in shock, "Do you know the prefect's family?"
Qin Xiaoliu nodded and said nothing more, "Village Chief, before the manor is built, we may need to stay overnight in the village. I wonder if that's convenient?"
The village chief nodded repeatedly: "It's convenient, I'll go tell the villagers later."
Qin Xiaoliu clasped his fists and thanked him: "Thank you very much." Then he took out a tael of silver from his purse and handed it to the village chief.
The village chief didn't want it at first, but he couldn't persuade Qin Xiaoliu.
Qin Xiaoliu smiled and said, "We are going to the county town to check the situation. I am afraid it will be too late when we come back. We will have to trouble the village chief to prepare some food for us."
The village chief immediately said, "I will definitely be ready."
Qin Xiaoliu looked at the boat again and saw that it had sailed far away, so he took the two servants and walked towards the county town.
On the other side, Daohua was standing on the deck watching the scenery. When she was about to turn back to the cabin to eat something, she suddenly saw a familiar figure appear on the shore.
"Strange monk!"
Daohua immediately stretched out her hand and waved to the people on the shore, and called out several times. Unfortunately, the boat was a little far from the shore, and Gu Jian did not hear it.
Watching Gu Jian's figure getting farther and farther away, Daohua stopped shouting and just watched silently.
Finally, Gu Jian turned a corner and went straight up Taohua Mountain.
Daohua immediately turned to Yan Zhiqiang in the cabin and asked, "Uncle San, did the village chief just say who bought Taohua Mountain?"
Yan Zhiqiang came out and said, "They seem to be two lonely elderly people, and they say they are a brother and sister."
Daohua breathed a sigh of relief, and was certain that the owners of Peach Blossom Mountain should be Granny Gu and the strange monk.
Yan Zhiqiang looked at Daohua: "Why, do you know them?"
Daohua nodded and said, "Not only do I know him, but my grandmother also knows him. I asked that strange monk for medicine back then."
Yan Zhiqiang also remembered this and immediately smiled and said, "Then our family and they have quite a connection."
Daohua also smiled: "Yes, last time in Jiguang, I also met Granny Gu and the strange monk. I wonder if Granny Gu's illness has recovered now?"
Yan Zhiqiang smiled and said, "Since you are going to build a manor here, you can go up the mountain and visit us next time you come."
Daohua immediately said, "I thought so too."
Daohua and Yan Zhiqiang returned to the Yan Mansion in the evening, just in time for dinner.
At the dinner table, Old Lady Yan asked, "Have you found the land?"
Daohua nodded and said, "Look, I bought 5,000 acres of land in Shahe County and I have the title deeds. Grandma, I will show them to you after dinner."
As soon as these words were spoken, the dinner table fell silent and everyone looked at Daohua.
The elders said: Wow, you are so rich, you bought thousands of acres of land at once, your ability to spend money is even better than theirs.
The younger generation: I feel so inferior. What should I do? My older sister has saved so much money on her own, while they are still calculating whether their monthly allowance is enough.
Daohua was puzzled by the look on her face: "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Madam Li coughed and said, "Didn't you say the land in Shahe County is not good? Why did you buy so much?"
Daohua explained, "Mother, I use that land to grow yams, it's just right."
Yan Zhigao's eyes flickered and he looked over: "How do you know that land is suitable for growing yam?"
Rice Flower said casually, "I've tried it, Father. Even though it's sandy soil, as long as you plant the right crops, the yield is still high. By the way, peanuts and watermelons can also be grown in sandy soil."
Yan Zhiyuan looked at Old Lady Yan, then at Yan Zhigao and Madam Li, and asked with a smile, "Five thousand acres of land, that's a lot. Rice flower, it's not that Second Uncle is being nosy, but you should discuss this matter with your family."
Daohua smiled faintly: "Second Uncle, I know you care about me and are worried that I will spend money recklessly. But I think that money, after all, is earned to be spent, isn't it?"
"It's rare that I've taken a fancy to that piece of land. If I can buy it, of course I'll buy it. Even if I buy it to keep it with me, I paid for it myself, and it won't affect anything at home. I'll take care of it by myself."
The smile on Yan Zhiyuan's face was a little forced.
Well, this girl is becoming more and more articulate. She used to be direct in her criticism, but now that she is a little older, she has started to make sarcastic remarks in a roundabout way.
Mrs. Li glared at the rice flowers.
Daohua curled her lips. This second uncle just likes to meddle in other people’s affairs. Why should she discuss with others when spending her own money?
However, she didn't continue the topic. Instead, she looked at Yan Zhigao with a smile and said, "Father, I bought that land because I wanted to share the burden with you."
Now, everyone was surprised and looked at the rice flowers. Even Yan Zhigao looked curious.
Daohua straightened his expression, straightened his back and said, "First, I bought several thousand acres of land. I need some workers, right? I've already asked Brother Xiaoliu to recruit refugees to work. It may not be a large number, but it will be a contribution."
"Secondly, isn't Shahe County's poverty due to its low grain production? If the yams I grow yield well, my father can promote yams in Shahe County."
"In this way, we can solve the problem of food and clothing for the people and retain the population."
"As for the issue of selling yams, I've also thought about it. Ningmen Prefecture is located at the junction of Zhongzhou, Jiguang, and Fenxi provinces. Its geographical location is unique, and both water and land transportation are very convenient. Selling them will be no problem at all."
Yan Zhigao was excited to hear this. If it was really as his eldest daughter said, there would be a solution for the refugees stranded in Ningmen Prefecture. However, the prerequisite was that the yam had to have a high yield and be easy to grow.
As for sales issues, he is not worried.
Rich families like to use yam as food, but it is often not available for purchase.
Yan Zhigao thought for a moment and looked at Yan Zhiyuan: "Let's buy 5,000 mu of sandy loam land. We can use some of it to grow yams, and the rest to grow watermelons and peanuts."
Yan Zhiyuan nodded.
Yan Yile smiled and said, "Big sister, you are the richest among us brothers and sisters. If we need money in the future, you have to help us."
Daohua immediately smiled and said, "No problem. Last time when I was shopping in the capital, Yuanyao took me to a pawnshop. I think the pawnshop's rules are pretty good. After all, everyone has difficulties sometimes. When the time comes, all you have to do is give me something of equal value for safekeeping."
"Don't worry, I won't charge you any interest."
Yan Yile's face froze: "Big sister, you are too stingy. We are a family, is it necessary to be like this?"
Daohua smiled contemptuously: "Fourth sister, I think your jade bracelet is very beautiful. How about giving it to me?"
Yan Yile said reluctantly: "This is my favorite jade bracelet."
Daohua immediately took over the conversation: "Fourth sister, you are too stingy. It's just a jade bracelet. We are family. What's wrong with giving me a jade bracelet?"
Yan Yile's face turned red and she stared at Daohua without saying anything.
Daohua sneered and continued eating, not caring about the others looking at her in shock.
She is rich, but her money doesn't come from the wind. She borrows this today and that tomorrow. Does she work so hard to make money just to support others?
She won't indulge him!
Seeing her daughter was speechless, Sun said with a forced smile: "Our Daohua's tongue is really getting better and better."
Daohua smiled back and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Second Aunt. I will keep working hard in the future."
(End of this chapter)
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