Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 915 - 913_1

Chapter 915: Chapter 913_1

Xiao’er predicted that by then the landlords would be willing to sell their farmland, at which point the Imperial Court would retrieve the land and render it state-owned, then distribute the land among the common people. Each year, grain would be collected from each acre, ensuring that the national granary is always well-stocked.

"Rent?" Zhu Yan mused for a moment, finding Xiao’er’s suggestion plausible. If she could just purchase silk directly from the people, that would be easier for her. At least she wouldn’t have to look for people to grow mulberries, breed silkworms and rear fish.

Master Zhu found this feasible as well, after all, his daughter only wanted to be in the silk business, not to raise silkworms.

"If the people are willing to raise silkworms by growing mulberry trees, I can also buy silk directly from them." After exchanging a glance with Master Zhu and seeing no objections, Zhu Yan spoke up.

"You buy the silk, and I’ll buy the fish!" Xiao’er suggested to the villagers that they should raise more carp in the fishpond for her to make fried dace with salted black beans! This dish is flavorful and goes well with rice. Plus, as something directly consumable, it has a longer shelf life.

"Constable, could you take us to the village chief’s house? We want to negotiate with the villagers."

"Certainly, but these paddy fields belong to more than just our village. They also belong to several other villages including those of the Huang, Tan, Lei, and others. Our village has only a little more than twenty acres of fields."

For a rural area, most villagers in a village share the same surname and are often related by blood to varying degrees. Typically, there are only a few households with different surnames in a village.

Of course, the ancestors of many of these people fled to these places and then formed a village there, so it is typically more diverse in terms of surnames. A village with various different surnames often lacks the unity of villages with predominantly the same surnames.

"I see, and what about the village chiefs? Are these villages all under the jurisdiction of the same village chief?" Xiao’er asked.

"Yes, I will take you to the village chief. They usually live in the town."

Xiao’er nodded.

So those who had horses rode horses, those who had carriages rode carriages, and continued on their way to the town.

As for Fang Wanping, who was waiting on the side of the road, she was both thirsty and hungry, constantly scanning both ends of the road anxiously.

Upon arriving at the village chief’s house in town, the constable knocked on the front door. From inside came a slightly old voice, "Who is it?"

"Uncle Lin, it’s me, Huang Feng."

"Ah, it’s you! What brings you here, you big wasp? The town has been rather peaceful recently. Surely nothing serious has happened? Has another official been subjected to a search? Could it be that the new magistrate can’t handle this mess?" As the village chief was enjoying the sun under the cotton tree in the courtyard, taking his nap, he recognized the voice. He slowly sat up from his bamboo recliner, then slowly stood up and slowly walked toward the front door, constantly chattering along the way.

Not too long ago, many officials had their houses searched, filling some with joy and making others nervous, creating a bustling scene everywhere.

The constable felt a little embarrassed hearing these words, he couldn’t help but speak loudly, "Uncle Lin, the Magistrate has something to talk to you about! Please open the door quickly!"

The ma–gi–stra–te wants to see me?! When the village chief’s slow mind finally registered what the constable was saying, he quickly ran out and opened the door.

Darn it, why was he so loose-lipped just now?

After opening the door before even seeing who was there, he immediately bowed, "I pay my respects to the Magistrate!"

The constable embarrassedly stepped aside, "Uncle Lin, the Magistrate is right here."

The village chief raised his head and looked at the constable, he was almost inclined to give him a slap on the head. The constable was blocking the front of the Magistrate when he was paying his respects, what is he doing?

Zhu Yan lowered her head and laughed in secret.

This village chief is kind of cute.

Jingrui wore an expressionless face as he looked at him.

The village chief wasn’t sure what Jingrui was thinking, so he bowed and paid his respects again. Jingrui, however, extended his hand in a gesture of support, "Please, no need for such formalities."

Seeing this reaction from Jingrui, the village chief secretly guessed that the new Magistrate didn’t seem to be angry!

After all, the gesture of support is a sign of respect for the person bowing.

The village chief was a little unsure if Jingrui was angry after hearing what he had said earlier! He quickly ushered them in.

After they entered the house, Xiao’er saw a clean small courtyard. There was a tall cotton tree with a stone table underneath. On the stone table was a tea set and a plate of snacks.

Next to the stone table was a recliner with a thin blanket on it, which showed that the owner was just napping on it.

"Sorry for interrupting your nap," said Xiao’er upon seeing this.

Elderly people often have trouble sleeping at night and usually wake up early in the morning, so they generally take naps during the day.

"No disruption at all, I was just feeling idle. Your visit is timely! Please come in and have a seat!"

Xiao’er twitched her mouth at this: As a village chief, was it really okay to say he had been idle?

Although being a village chief is a minor role, it is close to the common people and takes care of most of their affairs. How could there be time to idle?

"No need for that, the weather is nice, we can just sit in the yard," Jingrui shook his head in refusal.

Several stone stools had been placed next to the stone table, the current temperature was just right for sitting in the courtyard.

So, Xiao’er and the others took seats around the stone table.

The village chief served tea to everyone and then stood aside with the constable, not daring to sit.

Jingrui saw this and said, "Both of you please don’t be so formal, sit down and we’ll talk."

The village chief and constable looked at each other and shook their heads together, "Thank you, Magistrate, for offering us seats, but we will stand."

"Please sit, I don’t like looking up at people when I talk."

When they heard this, the village chief and constable looked at each other again. The constable nodded and the village chief finally sat down uneasily.

Isn’t this equating themselves with the Magistrate? This is against the rules!

Is the new Magistrate too approachable?

The village chief sneakily glanced at Jingrui, probably due to his young age, he hadn’t yet developed an intimidating aura, which was why he seemed approachable!

However, the Magistrate brought his female companion to his house, what did he intend to do?

If it were official business, he shouldn’t have brought his female companion along.

Regardless of what the village chief was thinking, Jingrui looked at the constable, "Constable Huang, you’re well aware of the basics of the situation. Will you explain to the village chief what’s going on?"

The village chief looked at the constable when he heard this. If it weren’t good news, he’d have given him a warning.

The constable knew the village chief’s concerns, and spoke up straight away, "The Magistrate came to see Uncle Lin today because there’s good news for the villagers."

The village chief felt completely relieved at hearing these words, "This will bring great fortune to the villagers, what good news is it?"

"The Miss Zhu brought by the Magistrate intends to convert the paddy fields in the village into mulberry fish ponds and hopes that the village chief could help ask the villagers about their opinions," the constable simply explained.