It was around two o 'clock in the afternoon in modern times. Li Zexuan noticed that the sun was not as hot as it was at noon, so he went to Plum Village with Han Lizheng. After all, he still had a lot of things to do there. If he was a few hours later, he might not be able to make it back in time.
He had also asked Han Yuxi if she wanted to go with him. After all, it was pleasing to the eye to have such a god-like person by his side.
However, Han Yuxi refused. It was not that she did not want to accompany Li Zexuan, but she still had to gather some girls from the same village in the afternoon to brew the fruit wine. The fruits near the Han Family Manor had been picked clean these days. The brewing of the fruit wine was also at the final stage. Han Yuxi really could not leave.
As for Lan 'er and Iron Egg, they had already gone somewhere. Li Zexuan could only bitterly endure the hot sun with Han Lizheng and go to Plum Village.
… …
"Hey, look, isn't that Han Tianhu from the Han Family Manor?"
A young man sat on a big tree at the entrance of Plum Village. He sat high up and could see far. He was the first to see Li Zexuan and Han Lizheng.
"It really is Han Lizheng. Then who is the young man beside him? "
"Could it be Lord Li?"
"Nonsense, how can Lord Li be so young? Also, how can Lord Li go out without an attendant? "
"It's Lord Li. I saw him at the entrance of Strange Interest Pavilion last time. Lord Li is here!"
"Lord Li is here!"
… …
Second Master Liu was lying on the bamboo mat and was about to fall asleep. Suddenly, he heard the cheers of the crowd. The old man quickly climbed up from the bamboo mat and followed the crowd with his eldest grandson to look in the direction of the sound.
Li Zexuan saw the black mass of people at the entrance of the village from afar and was shocked. He thought that there were villagers gathering to cause trouble. He quickly quickened his pace with Han Lizheng, wanting to find out what was going on.
"Greetings, Lord Li. Welcome, Lord Li!"
"Greetings, Lord Li. Welcome, Lord Li!"
… …
As soon as he reached the entrance of the village, Li Zexuan was shocked by the uniform cheers.
"Young Master, I'm afraid that the villagers of Plum Village know that you're coming and have gathered at the entrance of the village to welcome you!"
Han Lizheng reminded from the side.
Li Zexuan nodded and looked at the group of men and women, old and young. Many of them were emaciated, their faces yellow and their bodies emaciated. Those bare-chested burly men were bright red from the sun and were covered in sweat. Some of the children were also sweating profusely. They hid behind the adults and looked at him timidly.
It was obvious that this group of people had been waiting under the scorching sun for a long time.
Li Zexuan felt very uncomfortable in his heart. He secretly blamed himself for coming so late. He didn't want to wait for others or make others wait for him in both his previous and current life, so he couldn't bear to have these villagers wait for him like this. He hurriedly walked forward.
"Uncles and aunties, sorry to keep you waiting!"
When Li Zexuan shouted, he used a bit of his inner strength, and the excited and noisy crowd immediately calmed down. Li Zexuan continued.
"I don't know how everyone knew that I was coming, but I don't want everyone to welcome me like this. I can't bear it. Seeing that many of you are sweating profusely from the sun, I'll make it short. Once you're done, you can go back to your own homes, okay? "
"Okay, Lord Jue, please tell us. We're all listening!"
"Yes, Lord Jue, please tell us!"
Li Zexuan gestured with his hands and said in a clear voice, "Then everyone listen up. From today onwards, Plum Village will be my fief. You will no longer be bullied by Liu Shiren. From today onwards, Plum Village will enjoy all the preferential treatment that the Han Family Manor enjoys, including the mountain fruit business and the reduced rent for raising chickens. From today onwards, as long as you work hard, your days will only get better and better!"
"Okay!"
"Thank you, Lord Jue!"
"Okay!"
"Lord Jue is merciful!"
… …
When the crowd heard the promise that they had been waiting for, they all cheered excitedly. Previously, they had only privately guessed that Plum Village might enjoy the same benefits as the Han Family Manor. Now that they heard Li Zexuan's promise personally, they finally felt completely at ease. Some of the old farmers who had suffered so much couldn't help but cry.
Second Master Liu secretly nodded his head in the crowd. Based on Second Master Liu's experience in reading people, this Lord Jue was a good young man with good character. It seemed that Second Master Liu would be able to enjoy his later years in peace and not have to fight with the landlord every day.
Li Zexuan let them vent their emotions before continuing. "Okay, that's all I have to say. Next, if there are any of you who don't understand the benefits of the Han Family Manor, you can come and ask Han Lizheng, who is beside me. If you understand clearly, please go to Plum Village's Liu Lizheng to register how many chickens you can raise in your house. I'd like to remind everyone to act according to their ability and don't simply report numbers. Is Liu Lizheng here today? "
"I'm here, I'm here. Lord Jue, I'm here."
A frail old man with a crooked back walked out from the crowd.
Li Zexuan frowned. This Liu Lizheng had too much of the aura of a Confucian scholar and lacked the domineering aura of Han Lizheng. It was no wonder that trash like Liu Shiren could ride on the necks of all the Plum Village's villagers and defecate and piss unscrupulously.
Li Zexuan's tone was a little serious. "Liu Lizheng, I won't pursue the past matters. However, from today onwards, as the village chief, you must ensure that all the farmers in Plum Village will no longer be bullied by outsiders. Otherwise, there's no need for you to continue as the village chief."
Liu Lizheng's face turned red when he heard Li Zexuan's words. He cupped his hands and said, "You're right, Lord Jue. I was weak in the past and have indeed let these farmers down."
Second Master Liu saw his elder brother being reprimanded and couldn't help but want to jump out and plead for Liu Qingfeng. However, after thinking about it, he held himself back. His elder brother's personality was indeed too weak and needed to be changed.
"Is Second Master Liu here today?"
Li Zexuan nodded and decided to give Liu Lizheng a chance. Then, he looked at the crowd and asked. On the way here, Han Lizheng had also told him about the famous Second Master Liu in Plum Village. He admired and had a good impression of this Second Master Liu who was somewhat chivalrous in Jianghu.
Since he had confirmed that the new Lord Jue was sincerely looking out for the good of the farmers, there was nothing for him to do here. Second Master Liu was about to leave when he heard Li Zexuan calling for him. The crowd immediately opened up a path for Second Master Liu. This was Second Master Liu's unparalleled influence in Plum Village.
Second Master Liu walked out and cupped his hands at Li Zexuan. "This old man is not worthy of being called Lord Jue. Lord Jue, please call me Liu Wanshan."
Although Second Master Liu had a tough personality, he was not someone who did not know what was good for him. If others respected him, he would respect them tenfold.
Li Zexuan shook his head and smiled. "I heard that Second Master Liu is chivalrous and often stands up for the farmers. I am very impressed. In the future, Second Master Liu will be the Deputy Village Chief of Plum Village. I will report this to the imperial court. I hope that Second Master Liu can manage Plum Village with Liu Lizheng in the future. "
Second Master Liu wanted to refuse, but seeing Li Zexuan's sincerity, he hesitated for a moment and finally nodded in agreement. "Then I thank Lord Jue for your trust. I will not let you down."
Li Zexuan nodded and said to Liu Lizheng, "Liu Lizheng, register the farmers now. I will go to the farms and take a look. Before I leave, give me the registration results."
Liu Lizheng quickly bowed and agreed. "Yes, Lord Jue!"
Li Zexuan then shouted to the crowd, "Uncles and aunties, if you want to register, quickly come to Liu Lizheng to register. After you are done, quickly go home. Don't get sick from the sun."
Everyone agreed. Li Zexuan saw that there was nothing for him to do here, so he bid farewell to Han Lizheng and entered the village alone.
…
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
