Dong Mu He works

Chapter 297: Filling in the Gaps, Part One

    

to get through it.Everyone is happy.Zhu Ziqian's face didn't look good. He snatched Xu Huaiyi's horse in the competition, but he didn't get any help from it. Instead, he watched helplessly as Xu Huaiy...When they sent the two men out of the gate, Dr. Jiao walked downhill, while Elder Xu trailed behind half a step. Gu Huanxi called out to him, "Uncle Elder Xu, those villagers who arrived later should rest for two days. After moving into their new houses in the manor, they should be able to relax a bit, right"

"Village Head Xu didn't understand what she meant, but he still followed her words and said, 'Besides those who are missing limbs, or seriously ill and unable to leave bed, everyone else should just do what they need to do. It's cold now, so farming is out of the question, but you can learn how to make tofu snacks and sell them at a stall, or burn charcoal and carry it around to sell. You can earn money doing either. As long as you don't be lazy, you won't worry about going hungry. If your family has daughters who are skilled with their hands, they can even crochet flowers or something like that. Anyway, in our village, there is no shortage of ways to make a living.'"

He paused, then added, "Don't worry, I told them in advance. The workshop isn't short of people, and our village definitely doesn't have any idle or lazy people."

Gu Huanxi smiled and thanked, "Thank you for your trouble..."

"Xu, the village head, waved his hand. 'It's all in order. Do you have any other thoughts'"

“I'm saying, next year our family won't have the money to buy land. We can't just live on food, that wouldn't be worthwhile. You could first farm the land in my estate for rent. The first year, you only need to pay 20% of the harvest. When your finances are more stable, or when we open up new farmland, you can return it to us. The houses on the estate are free to use, but if by autumn you still haven't built your own house, then I don't know if this family is lazy or not, but they might try to stay here for free. At that time, please ask Uncle Village Head to persuade them. After all, I plan to use those houses on the estate for other workshops and can't have them occupying them indefinitely.”

Village Chief Xu nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, good. But these two-tenths of the rent, isn't that too little Should you discuss it with Huaiyi and set a new price"

Usually, the rent is around 40%. Even a kind landlord would take at least 30%. If you only pay 20%, it's practically giving someone a free ride.

Gu Huanxi said, “No need. You know Brother Huaiyi best. He's willing to lend a hand when someone is in trouble. As long as you don't take advantage of him or treat him like a fool, he’s very easy to get along with. It doesn't matter if you suffer a little.”

"Both of you are so kind and righteous. On behalf of those disaster victims, I thank you first. You've given them a meal to eat..."

"You're too kind."

"May I ask, what kind of workshops are you thinking of holding on the estate next"

"I have a few ideas, but the house isn't available yet, so it's hard to decide. Let's wait until next year and then I'll definitely need your help."

"Okay, okay..."

Besides, Village Head Uncle, if anyone truly has a hardship and needs silver, they can also temporarily borrow some from the workshop's accounts. At that time, you give out the grain, let them write an IOU, and keep track of this expense separately in the books. There shouldn't be too much, just three to five taels, or even ten or eight taels. If anyone truly needs it, they can borrow it. Within a year, there is no interest charged. After a year, interest will be paid according to the usual rules. This is to prevent anyone from unconsciously earning silver but not being diligent about repaying their debts. We need to give them some pressure to ensure they pay back.

Xu Cun Chang's brow relaxed, "You really have... , oh my, you've solved the urgent problem of our village! I was really worried. I didn't sleep well all night. Every household is struggling. We can barely scrape together some food for them, let alone silver. But we need money for medical expenses, buying grain and cotton clothes, even if we go out to peddle goods, we need to buy supplies in advance! All this requires silver. With your words, I am relieved. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on things. If those unreliable people come to borrow, I won't let them off easily. We can't just throw money away."

“You're in charge, I rest assured.”

"You and Huaiyi, you are both great people..."

Gu Huan smiled, but said nothing. Did she want to be a good person No, after shutting out the people of Old Xu's family, she had to do something else to make amends.

Even though they were in the right, they weren't afraid of public opinion or criticism, nor did they care about their reputation. But there was still the child to consider, Xu Huaiyi still had to study. So, on the surface, they had to put on a show and make things seem acceptable.

For villagers, the previous livelihood assistance could make them stand on their side. But for later disaster victims, they might not have a good feeling toward the couple, and perhaps even resent and vent their anger.

It's just that they can't make waves, and it's annoying that they try to pull strings behind the scenes. Then let me show them some kindness and appease them first. Even if they don't appreciate it, the villagers will definitely be grateful. Just in case we end up at odds later, they won't suffer any losses.

After returning to the house, Gu Huanxi became restless, worried that Xu Huaiyi's apprenticeship might not go smoothly. Even when accompanying her daughter to play, she was distracted. After finally coaxing her to sleep, she wanted to read a book to calm her mind, but Wei Ci said outside the door, "Madam, someone has arrived. They say they are your sister-in-law and younger siblings..."

Upon hearing this, Gu Huan sighed with a hint of resignation. "What's meant to happen will happen."

He continued, "Take them to the flower hall."

Yes, ma'am.

She put Ah Li on the bed in her room, closed the bedroom door, and glanced at her clothes. Both her jacket and skirt were made of plain linen, with muted colors and not too many elaborate embroidery patterns. The collar and cuffs of the jacket were trimmed with a circle of white fur, which was both warm and gave off a sense of luxury.

Gu Huanxi didn't even bother changing into her old clothes to pretend to be poor, she just went straight to the flower hall. Anyway, the two of them were very shrewd. Just looking at this estate, they wouldn't believe they were short of money.

In the flower hall, there was a large brazier burning fiercely with charcoal, dispelling the chill of winter. Wang Suyun and Xiao Zhao sat uncomfortably on chairs padded with cotton, still reeling from the shock.

Even though they had heard from others long ago that Xu Huaiyi and his wife had made a fortune, opening a workshop and buying land, living in a place that wouldn't be shabby, even with all their imaginations, when they stepped through the door, they were still underestimating these two people's abilities...and wealth.

Although the house only has three sections, each section is very spacious. It's intricately carved and decorated. No matter how much they describe it, they just feel that this kind of courtyard can only be lived in by wealthy people.

Living here immediately changed your status, separating you from the villagers like two worlds apart.

Wang Suyun cradled a cup of hot tea, her expression dazed. From the paintings on the wall to the crimson wood furniture and even the two persimmon trees laden with red lanterns outside the window, every detail seemed to pierce her eyes, leaving her feeling ashamed. She hastily lowered her head, focusing instead on the swirling steam rising from her teacup and the open box filled with snacks scattered haphazardly on the table. Such an abundance of food was unimaginable for them. Where could they find the heart to serve such delicacies to guests

This is really getting rich, isn't it

She thought so, and Xiao Zhao felt the same way. Even more, a surge of uncontrollable jealousy suddenly rose in her heart. This jealousy reached its peak when she saw Gu Huan walking in calmly, like a victor. pleased, but he still found an excuse and didn't dare to sleep with his wife in the car. He was feeling guilty, afraid that his wife would notice something was wrong. If she pressed him, would he pre...