Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian didn't understand it at first, but they didn't understand until they actually went to see and buy the land.
Although the Dayu Dynasty had a vast territory and rich resources, the people did not have much land in their hands. Most of the land was in the hands of landlords, who were commonly known as Yuanwai.
They bought the fields from the people, hired them to work at low prices, and even after paying taxes on the grain they provided, it was difficult to eat enough.
So as time went by, people became wary.
Unless there is an emergency and I need money to buy my life, I am not willing to sell my land.
The two brothers and sisters walked for a long time and didn't buy a few pieces of land, but they got a lot of black faces and occasionally the whites of their eyes.
It is not an option to continue like this.
Zhang Qiquan suggested that he go back to Shilipu Village and have a look. At least he has some acquaintances, just in case someone opened this hole.
Zheng Ruqian and Jiang Sheng looked at each other and nodded.
The carriage wheel continued to turn, from Shili Town to Shilipu Village.
This small village is still extremely old, with a ruined temple standing at the entrance of the village. Two years of wind and rain have made it even more dilapidated, and the number of collapsed corners has increased.
Jiang Sheng felt a little sad, so she burned three sticks of incense as usual and swept the dust for the Buddha.
No matter how much, it can't be done.
Once we entered the village, we saw even more familiar faces.
Zhang Qiquan was very generous, waving to this and that, and didn't mind the Zhang family knowing at all.
Jiang Sheng was scared and huddled in Aunt Zhang's arms like a quail.
Even Liu Cui had a bit of hesitation on his face.
Only Zhang Xianglian, the most gentle and kind-hearted woman, showed perseverance and courage in her eyes.
"Hey, the youngest couple of the Zhang family are back." Someone greeted Zhang Qiquan.
In the village, as long as you are capable, even if you are not perfect in doing things, you will still be quite popular.
What's more, Zhang Qiquan is a trouble-maker.
"Uncle, be healthy." He kept shouting.
Finally arriving at the door of Muramasa's house, Zheng Ruqian stopped the carriage, and Zhang Qiquan knocked on the door with sugar and wine.
Not long after, a red-faced, fat old man in his fifties opened the door.
He is the village chief of Shilipu Village, also known as the village chief. He is often the most prestigious elder elected by the villagers themselves.
Seeing Zhang Qiquan, Muramasa was surprised at first, then quickly smiled and said, "Zhang Xiaosan, you are back."
This way of addressing one another can be considered an endearment.
Zhang Qiquan also grinned, "Uncle Qian, if you don't have to wander outside for more than half a year, you have to go home and take a look."
Qian Cunzheng was smiling and smiling, then suddenly put away his expression and licked his lips in the direction of the Zhang family, "Aren't you afraid of disturbing your parents by coming back with such a big fanfare?"
Zhang Qiquan's smile grew wider.
At that time, he left in embarrassment with Liu Cui. Although he never thought about returning to Shilipu Village to seek life, he did not want to bear the reputation of being unfilial and cursed. Therefore, when he met the folks from Shilipu Town outside, he always deliberately complained about the bitterness in his heart.
Over time, the people in Shilipu Village all knew why the third son of the Zhang family was bullied and how he left in embarrassment.
"Thank you, Uncle Qian, for worrying." Zhang Qiquan handed over his hand, "It is rare for ordinary people to earn two taels of silver a year. I gave my parents twenty taels of silver before I got married, and another twenty-five taels when I left. I kept two taels in my pocket. I can’t even spare any money, I have already spent half my life’s filial piety, and I am worthy of heaven and earth in this life.”
This was said openly.
Qian Cunzheng patted him on the shoulder and said, "As expected of a boy from Shilipu Village, tell me what you want to do with your uncle."
Zhang Qiquan put down the sugar and wine and told his boss that he wanted to buy land.
Qian Cunzheng took out his pipe and pipe and took a deep breath while listening.
As the smoke filled the sky, he said, "This matter is a bit difficult to handle. People in the village are not very willing to sell their land, but if I come forward and talk about it, I guess there will be a few people willing to sell some."
Zhang Qiquan was overjoyed and said, "When this is done, I will definitely come to thank Uncle Qian with half a pig in hand."
A pig weighs about two hundred kilograms, and half a fan is a quarter, which is about fifty kilograms. According to the price of pork at eight cents per kilogram, fifty kilograms costs four hundred pennies, which is close to half a tael of silver.
If you pick up some good wine, the value will not be less than one tael of silver.
This is already considered a very high level of gratitude. Qian Cunzheng declined, his eyes filled with unconcealable joy.
Sure enough, it's easy to get things done with acquaintances.
Qian Cun was smoking dry cigarettes and was about to go to the entrance of the village to publicize the matter when suddenly there was a noise at the door.
Immediately afterwards, there was a knock on the door.
Someone was shouting loudly, "Zhang Laosan, Zhang Qiquan, you unfilial son, do you know that your parents are sick?"
Oops, the Zhang family is here.
Jiang Sheng was startled and immediately hid behind Zheng Ruqian.
Zheng Ruqian comforted his sister while stretching his neck to watch the excitement.
The Zhang family's arrival was expected, and Zhang Qiquan didn't even have any fear. He said "I'm kidding" to Qian Cunzheng, took off his outer clothes and gave them to Liu Cui.
He turned around and patted Zheng Ruqian's shoulder again, and said in a deep voice, "Second Young Master, study hard and learn how to deal with unruly people in the future."
He opened and closed the door of Qian Cunzheng's house.
I glanced outside and saw that the two brothers from the Zhang family were here, the Zhang family's parents were here, the uncle and aunt who greeted me at the entrance of the village were here, and at least half of the village was here.
The relationship is so good that Muramasa doesn't have to go out and yell at her.
Zhang Qiquan sneered and walked to his two brothers, "My parents are sick, so you go to see your parents. What are you doing to trouble me?"
"Those are not your parents. We usually take good care of our parents. Now that you are here, it is your turn to treat your parents." The Zhang family boss said with a gloomy face.
Zhang Qiquan grinned, "Oh? Have you spent the twenty-five taels of silver?"
Boss Zhang was speechless.
Zhang Laoer stood up and said, "Look, are you speaking human language? What is twenty-five taels enough? Can twenty-five taels buy flesh and blood and family ties? When you were born, your parents gave you twenty-five taels. Can you grow so big?"
To put it bluntly, we still have to use the gift of procreation to pressure people.
It's a pity that Zhang Qiquan didn't accept this trick. He said indifferently, "How much money do you earn in a year? How much does it cost to honor your parents? I went out to work when I was thirteen and came back when I was twenty-three. I earned twenty taels of silver and gave it all to my parents. , I spent a total of twenty-five taels on getting a wife, and then I earned twenty-five taels by selling tigers, and I didn’t keep a penny in my hands.”
"This is a total of forty-five taels of silver. I wonder if the eldest and second brothers combined will give my parents forty-five taels of silver? Or we can change it and I will serve my parents. Each of you will give the family two taels of silver every year. Two silver coins, do you think that’s okay?”
What he said was powerful and clear.
The Zhang brothers were forced to retreat continuously.
Not long after, they retreated, leaving the battlefield to the Zhang family's parents.
The mother-in-law walked up to Zhang Qiquan, slapped her thigh, and saliva flew from her head, "You are capable, don't drink my milk to grow up, you have made money, you are capable, you don't recognize your parents, that's okay. , you are popular outside and drink spicy food, and let your parents eat bran-thick vegetables, you are really a filial thing."
