Chapter 420 421 Zhuangzi

Jixiang walked into the yard and found that the yard was quite big. There were five main rooms and three side rooms on the left and right. The house looked pretty good, but the yard was not tidied up and looked messy and dirty. There was a well in the corner of the yard, next to the well. There is also a grape rack, and the green grapes on the rack are the size of rice grains.

Jixiang walked over and fetched a bucket of water. He held it and took a sip when he heard a man shouting from behind: "Little brother, come here."

Jixiang walked over with a smile, and the man held a wooden box and handed it to Jixiang, "Little brother, I came to take over it years ago. Here is the account book of the farmland that was rented out by Zhuangzi, as well as the key to the house. You can take the account account. Take it and have a look, if it’s correct we’ll be good to go.”

Ji Xiang smiled and said, "Okay, please excuse me, brother."

The man smiled coquettishly, watched Jixiang open the wooden box, and looked through the records on it. He saw that the records on it were in a mess. Jixiang's heart became heavier as he looked at it. After thinking about it, he closed the account quietly. Smiling, she handed over to the man and said, "Okay, I'll take the account book."

The man felt that Jixiang just didn't understand anything, so he safely hitched the mule cart, loaded all the big and small bags into the mule cart, and took the woman away.

Jixiang went into the house and took a look, and saw that the house was also in a mess. After he came out, he went to the backyard. The backyard was larger than the front yard. There were some flowers and plants planted in the yard, and a large cluster of gardenias in full bloom exuded a delicate fragrance.

The main house in the backyard is the same as the front yard, with four side rooms on the left and right. There is also a small garden in the back. Grapes are planted in the garden. A pear tree and a persimmon tree are planted in the corner of the yard. There are stone benches and tables under the tree. , there is also a rockery built against the backyard wall.

Jixiang returned to the yard and saw that the furniture in the house was still there. He touched it and felt that the wood used was not bad. Jixiang looked around and felt that in addition to painting the house, the bed and furniture in the main room needed to be remade. There is no need to add anything else. The difficulty is that the land rent on the account book is a mess.

Jixiang came out of the house carrying the wooden box and the key. As soon as he walked to the door, he saw a dozen farmers approaching. Seeing that Jixiang was about to close the door and leave, he waved and shouted: "Manager, please wait. Wait."

Jixiang stopped and waited for them to arrive. A tall, strong man in his forties with his trousers rolled up raised his hands towards Jixiang and said, "Chief steward, we are tenant farmers who share your land. I heard what the former steward Tao said." , this place will be left to you from now on, we would like to ask if the contract we signed with you still counts?"

Ji Xiang opened the courtyard door and said to more than a dozen people: "Brothers, I have just taken over and I don't understand the situation yet. Let's go in and sit down and talk."

Seeing Jixiang's gentle words, a dozen tenants relaxed a little, and followed Jixiang into the yard. Jixiang went into the house and brought a few benches out. Seeing them standing there stiffly, he smiled and said: "You don't have to be restrained. Sit down." say."

"Thank you, Chief Steward." It was the tall and strong man who led everyone to sit down.

Ji Xiang went into the house to find paper and pen, and said to them with a smile: "What are your names? How much land have you rented to my master? Bring me the deed number and I will record it and report it to my master."

The tall and strong man took out a contract and handed it to Jixiang, "Chief manager, my name is Tang Yong. We all fled to Wangjia'ao a few years ago. Can you lower the rent a little? Your family is better than the Zhu family." The rent is still 10% higher, and everyone can’t even fill their stomachs after paying the rent all year round.”

Ji Xiang smiled and said, "Brother Tang, don't worry, let me take a look."

Jixiang opened the contract and saw that it said that Tang Yong was to rent ten acres of land, and the land rent was 70%. Jixiang's eyes widened after reading it, but he had just seen clearly on the account book that it was written 50% of the rent. How could it be so much here? Two percent?

Ji Xiang said to the others: "Everyone, show me."

After Jixiang took it over, he saw that each household had 70% rent. Jixiang frowned and asked, who is this Tao from Guanshi Chu's group? He is so brave and dares to make a Yin and Yang ledger.

Jixiang returned the lease to everyone, "I understand, please don't worry, brothers, I will report this situation to my master when I go back."

Tang Yong bowed and saluted: "Little brother, it's really difficult for everyone. Could you please help us put in a good word and reduce the rent by 10% so that everyone can have something to eat."

"Okay, I will definitely bring the message to my master. Please come back, everyone!" Ji Xiang said with a cupped hand.

The guys had no choice but to say goodbye and walk outside the house. Tang Yong said to the tenants following him as he walked: "This steward looks different from the previous one. He should reduce the rent to us by 10%, right?"

A man with a gloomy expression looked back angrily, "That's right! I thought the Zhu family's rent was high, but who knew that the rent of another family would be even higher? These officials are all cannibals."

Tang Yong patted him and said, "He Dachun, don't say that. I think this person will lower the rent. Did you notice? He seemed very unhappy when he saw our contract."

A man said optimistically: "Yes! I saw it too. He said he would give us an explanation. There should be an explanation. If he didn't want to, he would just say no. Hey! Brother Tang, who told you Tao Jianzui? Gone?"

Tang Yong smiled and glanced at him, "The village chief told me that I gave him a hare yesterday."

When Jixiang rode past them, he said to them: "I will tell you my master's decision the next day at the latest. You guys can settle down and plant the land well." Before he finished speaking, he rode away.

After hearing this, everyone showed a relieved smile, but He Dachun still looked bitter and resentful.

After Ji Xiang returned to Beijing, he reported the situation in Zhuangzi to Li Yu and said with a smile: "Madam, all we planted in the afternoon were moso bamboos. It's a pity that it's past the time to eat bamboo shoots."

Li Yu smiled and said, "Mrs. Liu bought a lot of spring bamboo shoots and dried them. She also made some sour bamboo shoots. I ate them quite well. You can take some back to Guyu to eat."

"That's a good relationship. Her taste is very strange now. I'll take it back and give it to her to try." Ji Xiang said with a smile.

Li Yu flipped through it and handed it to Ji Xiang, and said nonchalantly: "For Chu Fu's sake, don't use this account book, just in case you put it away.

You go back tomorrow, take back the old lease, sign a new lease, and it's 40 or 60! The fourth of us, the sixth tenant, told them not to default on the rent without any reason, and not to rent out the remaining acres. They could still grow a season of corn and a season of winter wheat, and then renovate the toilets and bathrooms in the house. Let's take a look. Build two pigsties in this place. "

Jixiang responded with a smile: "Yes, madam, the master also asked me to repair it, and I will send you there to escape the summer heat in June! That place is really nice, you will definitely like it!"

"Okay, I will go to escape the summer heat in June." Li Yu said with a smile.