It was August, and new seedlings were sown on the ground. The mountain streams were clear and long. The hawking on the streets never stopped, and the fishing boats returned with laughter.
When the people invested all their energy and passion in building their homes, the power they felt was unimaginable. In just a year, Lu Zhou had returned to its prosperous state after the disaster.
The grains were collected, and they did not have to pay any rent or tax.
The people had more spare cash in their hands, and they began to shop enthusiastically.
The houses were free, and they did not have to save money for the houses.
The ducks and pigs at home saved the people from having to buy meat.
They were well-behaved and well-behaved, and they knew honor and disgrace.
At this moment, Lu Zhou's people were beginning to seek better material and spiritual enjoyment.
It was time to repay the Zhang family for their efforts.
The goods were bought one after another. The Zhang family earned more profits from collecting local specialties, and the yamen earned more money as well.
Zhang Zhong did not have to use his own family's money for the construction. He used the money collected by the yamen on the basic construction, such as planting fruit trees and building a fishing pond.
Then, he rented out the land for the long term.
The construction was done quickly, and the renting was done quickly as well. The merchants from other places did not have time to react. Most of the good land was rented out, and the Zhang family was the only one who rented it.
The merchants who joined the Chamber of Commerce from other places did not object. They rented some land as well. The local people did not object. They supported whatever the Zhang family wanted to do. The good land should be given to the Zhang family. Only the Zhang family could earn more money and bring more benefits to the people.
The others wanted to object, but it was too late. Even if they knew the Zhang family would take advantage of them through such means.
*****
Amidst the bustling Lu Zhou, Zhang Xiaobao made his move.
The Zhang family's Chamber of Commerce rented land from the surrounding areas. It did not matter what kind of land it was, whether it was high-grade, middle-grade, or low-grade.
The rent was higher than the usual rent. It was a yearly rent.
The condition was that the land would be rented for 50 years.
If they agreed, the Zhang family would pay to rent the land.
The local yamen would not interfere. Even if the land was idle, they would still pay to rent the land.
After the news was spread, the Zhang family began to prepare a large amount of cotton seeds.
It gave people the impression that the Zhang family was going to plant a Bai Tiezi.
The surrounding prefectures all began to move, and they could find unused land everywhere.
After Old Man Chang and Old Man Pi found out about this, they gathered together to discuss and called Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan to the nursing home.
Nowadays, if someone wanted to discuss something with the Zhang Family or the Wang Family, they would first look for Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. Looking for Zhang Zhong was more formal. Old Man Pi didn't want to talk too much with Zhang Zhong, even though he had done a lot for Zhang Zhong behind the scenes.
"Xiao Bao, what is your family trying to do? Are you going to let the imperial court deal with the Zhang family? "
Old Man Pi appeared to be very unhappy. He called Zhang Xiaobao over to his side and questioned him.
"Ah? Why do you want to deal with my family? My family has given the imperial court a lot of benefits. "Zhang Xiaobao looked at Old Man Pi in confusion.
Wang Juan nodded as well. "That's right. We used our own money to build Lu Zhou, and we're using the imperial court's name. Wouldn't the imperial court be a fool if they want to deal with us?"
Old Man Pi suddenly felt that the two little fellows were not as smart as they used to be. In the past, they were always quick to understand. What was wrong with them today?
He suppressed his impatience and said, "The imperial court has no choice but to deal with you. They can't stand the pressure. Tell me, what is your family trying to do? Is it renting land in another province? "
"Of course, we're going to plant it," Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan replied in unison.
"I don't care about the land. I want to know what you're going to plant. Where's the person in charge of your family? Why don't you think about it? Zhang Zhong is going to leave Lu Zhou soon. The reason he's here is to deal with the infrastructure you mentioned.
Once the lives of the people are better and the land is built, it's time for him to leave. I reckon the news will reach Lu Zhou before the arrival of the new year.
The Ning family of Qin Province is eyeing you covetously from the sidelines. Instead of restraining yourself, you're giving others something to use against you. Renting land? Who would rent land to you? And you're renting it for 50 years? Are you stupid? "
The more Old Man Pi thought about it, the angrier he got. It was as though Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were the ones who came up with the idea. He vented all the anger in his heart on the two of them.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan did not feel wronged at all. After all, Zhang Xiaobao was the one who came up with the idea. The two of them were very touched. They had a grandfather who knew a lot of things and cared for them behind the scenes. This was a blessing that many people could only dream of.
"Grandpa Bi, it seems like you and Grandpa Zhang know that as long as we rent land, the land given to us by the other provinces will be of the worst quality. If we rent it out for 10% more, they'll take the remaining 10%."
Zhang Xiaobao said. Old Man Pi was stunned for a moment before he nodded in agreement.
"Also, Grandpa Bi and Grandpa Zhang are worried that the Ning family is deliberately renting more land to us so that we can plant cotton. After all, we're starting to plant cotton seeds now. They'll find a way to impeach us. Planting cotton in large quantities occupies the farmland. Even if it's the worst farmland, even if it's saline-alkali soil, they'll still find a reason to do so."
Zhang Xiaobao continued. Old Man Chang and Old Man Wang nodded again.
The two of them realized that the Zhang family understood. They didn't need others to remind them, but they didn't know why they were doing this.
At this time, Wang Juan interrupted, "We're about to leave. We should understand the situation first. This time, we didn't send the news or send people to Qinzhou. Whether the land is rented or not has nothing to do with Qinzhou. The Ning family has no right to impeach us. If Ning Zhongze wants to impeach us, Grandpa Zhang and Grandpa Bi, what do you think we should do?"
"What else can we do? Of course, we'll rent more land to you. Once you plant cotton, we'll immediately impeach you. The Ning family has been trying to deal with you for a long time. You're taking the initiative to let them deal with you. You … did you plan this all along? "
As Old Man Pi spoke, he suddenly realized something. Since the Zhang family brought up this matter that both of them knew, could it be that the Zhang family wasn't prepared?
Old Man Chang was also stunned. He looked at Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, waiting for them to explain.
Wang Juan was the person she was most proud of. Zhang Xiaobao didn't lose his reputation as an international swindler. When he didn't do anything, he looked easy to bully, but when he did, he definitely wouldn't give others a chance. Everything was linked.
Looking at Old Man Chang and Old Man Pi's eyes, Wang Juan smiled and said, "Yes, it's time to deal with the Ning family. Grandpa Zhang, Grandpa Bi, do you know what the highest level of swindling is?"
"What is it? So that others can't see that they've been swindled? "Old Man Chang replied.
"No!" Wang Juan shook her head, "Of course the swindled person can't see it. Otherwise, how could they be swindled?"
"Then is it because they can't do anything after being swindled?" Old Man Pi had played politics before, so he thought this was the point.
"No!" Wang Juan shook her head again, "If you can't catch them after being swindled, of course you can't do anything. Who doesn't know how to run?"
Old Man Chang and Old Man Pi pondered at the same time. After thinking for a while, they really couldn't think of anything, so they shook their heads at the same time.
Wang Juan put her hands behind her back, walked back and forth in front of the two people a few times, and said, "The highest level of swindling is to make others take the initiative to be swindled. After being swindled once, they still have to take the initiative to be swindled again."
"How is that possible? Do you think we're all idiots?" Old Man Chang was the first to not believe it.
"I knew Grandpa Zhang and Grandpa Bi wouldn't believe it. It's okay, just wait and see. When the time comes, we'll know." Wang Juan pretended to be mysterious and said.
"Then can't you tell us first?" Old Man Pi was really curious. Renting a piece of land? Could it be that the two masters of the Zhang family were able to swindle people into the house, and swindle them over and over again? Do you want to continue like before?
"I can't say. I definitely can't say. If I say it, it won't be fun. Grandpa Zhang, Grandpa Bi, don't worry. We're not so bad that we can't even consider such a small matter. It will be very interesting. Xiao Bao and I have to go back and take care of our younger siblings."
After Wang Juan finished speaking, she didn't wait for the two old men to ask any more questions. She pulled Zhang Xiaobao and left.
After leaving the courtyard, Wang Juan pondered over Zhang Xiaobao's plan. Suddenly, she felt that something was wrong. She grabbed Zhang Xiaobao, "Xiao Bao, you made a plan just to trap the Ning family? It can't be that simple, right? "
"I never said it was that simple. No matter how powerful the Ning family is, it's not worth it for me to specially make a plan for them. They don't deserve it. Let's go. You'll know in the future."
Zhang Xiaobao winked, pulled Wang Juan, and left.
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