Chapter 29
Who Should I Speak to if There Is a Shortage?
All plants in their last phase of life would mutate, so Zhao Chuchu stocked up on a variety of high-yielding crop seeds. They were genetically engineered by scientists to grow on their own and had no side effects on humans when consumed.
Although techniques were needed to cultivate the seeds, it was better than letting Zhao Chuchu conduct cross-breeding herself. She was, after all, an amateur.
Moreover, even if the seeds did not produce the best yield, their mediocre performance would still be better than a harvest of 300 to 400 jin per mu!
Zhao Chuchu contemplated this as she looked out at the barren mountains.
She also had a basic understanding of the Wei Dynasty from her stay of 20-odd days.
The imperial court did not collect taxes for the first three years of reclaiming the wasteland.
Labor was very cheap during this dynasty. If given the chance to help reclaim the wasteland for 20 coppers a day, many people would fight to do it.
Zhao Chuchu held the purse given to her by Lin Xiang, with its silver note containing 300 taels of silver. She formed a preliminary plan.
Just then, Xie Heng and his brother returned. They only took less than half an hour.
“Sister-in-law, it is a pity you did not see how good my brother was,” said Xie Jun, beaming.
Zhao Chuchu responded with a laugh, “How good was he? Tell me.”
Xie Jun said, “The village chief said that we are all from the same village and everyone is poor. We see each other all the time. Things have moved on, and we should not make things worse, blah, blah, blah… Then my brother said that he could only ask Official Li to testify at the governing bureau of the county to make a clear argument.
“The village chief looked terrible at the time. He wanted to get angry, but he didn’t dare. Eventually, he went with someone to collect the grain with a sullen face. He said that the grain would be delivered to us later. They also warned my brother not to go too far and not to ever ask them for anything again!”
Zhao Chuchu glanced at Xie Heng, who looked calm. “What happened next?” she asked Xie Jun.
“My brother said that if that were the case, he would take back all the land under his name! When they heard that, their attitudes changed immediately. They tried to make all kinds of amends. Hahaha, I am so amused.”
Zhao Chuchu glanced at Xie Heng again.
The imperial court imposed heavy taxes on its citizens. However, those who had achieved great things could receive tax exemptions for a certain percentage of their lands.
The Xie family land had been sold long ago, with many people in the village claiming ownership and listing the land under Xie Heng’s name to evade taxes. They gave him one-third of the tax to be paid as a benefit.
They depended on this all their lives!
“They will make up for the grain and silver by the end of the day,” Xie Heng said to Zhao Chuchu. “It should be enough to overhaul the house.”
“Da Lang, you seem like a nice guy.” Zhao Chuchu smiled. “Why did you have to offend them?”
“Because I saw the hope,” Xie Heng responded inexplicably. Then he got up and slowly retreated to the room.
Zhao Chuchu thought Xie Heng was weird.
As expected, the village chief Niu Tongsheng collected debts the villagers wanted to repudiate and came over two hours later.
Without seeing Xie Heng, Niu Tongsheng naturally did not look kindly upon Zhao Chuchu. He threw the purse containing the broken silver to her and asked someone to put the things in the yard. He then turned around and left.
“Wait!” Zhao Chuchu called out to them. “I haven’t counted everything yet. If you guys leave, where should I go to settle the account if there is a shortage?”
Niu Tongsheng said sullenly, “Zhao Chuchu, don’t push your luck. Remember, this is Lengshui Village, and I am the village chief!”
“So what? I’m not supposed to count these things?”
“Bitch, are you done yet? The grain you desperately asked for has been provided. What? Do you want us to cook it for you and feed you?” a clan member swore.
Snap!
Zhao Chuchu slapped his face, making him turn in circles. “What did you call me?”