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墨書 Inktalez
Although she was reluctant to explain, Yu Chunmiao stood in the center of the crowd, facing the villagers and scanning the area.
Isn't it just Xian Cao Mi? I made it! Don’t you all think it’s valuable and easy to earn? It’s valuable because others can’t do it; only I can. Xian Ke Lai sells a bowl of Xian Cao Mi for ten coins, but now that you all know how to make it, what do you think? Everyone knows how to make it now, right? You probably wouldn’t be able to sell it for even a coin!
So even if I told you the Fang Zi, you still wouldn’t make any money.
After saying this, she returned to stand beside Qi Chong.
I heard that many Xian Ke Lai are struggling to keep up with demand; it takes three days just to fill one cart. If you teach us how to make it, we’ll only be filling in the gaps for Xian Ke Lai. Isn’t it fair enough not to be greedy?
Yes, isn’t it better not to spread rumors?
These people knew that Xian Ke Lai could only sell goods once every three days, yet she didn’t seem to know. It seemed the villagers had long been colluding with the village chief; they must have held this meeting several times already.
Qi Chong observed that most of these people had money to pay their head tax; they just didn’t have any left after paying. If they weren’t coveting their own ways to make money, they would have reluctantly paid up, so he didn’t feel sorry for them at all. They were just so selfish.
Not spread? Qi Chong’s deep and cold voice interrupted their whispers. Can you really keep it under wraps?
He scanned the crowd and said, If I’m not mistaken, many of your friends and relatives already know about today’s events, right? You’re just waiting for the discussion to end so you can ask for the Fang Zi, aren’t you?
At this, some in the crowd showed signs of guilt.
Qi Chong scoffed disdainfully and said, If any of you had a shred of integrity, I would willingly help you make money without you even asking me. Just like my father back in the day, charging into battle for you all in the mountains and ending up gravely injured. If I tell you the Fang Zi, I fear you would take advantage of me until I’m left with nothing.
This was absolutely true; he had to adhere strictly to his contract with Lu Ziyan. He was willing to buy Xian Cao Mi at a high price because he valued the spirit of the contract. Of course, the compensation amount was also considerable—five taels or more.
Seeing that the villagers were beginning to lose their resolve, Gao Changfa deliberately fanned the flames. Qi Daizi, even if everyone feels sorry for your father over what happened in the past, right now you’re the only one who can help everyone.
If you don’t lend a hand, half of our village’s young men will have to head north. Please do us this favor; I’ll have everyone bow at your father’s grave.
When everyone saw that Qi Chong remained unmoved, they began blaming him. They called him hard-hearted and cruel. Some even said he took pleasure in seeing villagers forced into labor.
Seeing her opportunity, Yu Chunmiao raised her voice and said to Qi Chong: Husband, I truly cannot bear to see everyone forced into labor. How about this: let the village chief choose five families—the five poorest families—and we’ll tell them the Fang Zi.
In two months, this Xian Cao Mi will be unsellable anyway. Let's just help them get through this tough time, shall we?
She feigned a saintly demeanor, pleading with Qi Chong.
Qi Chong pretended to be troubled. "But what if they miss Fang Zi? We owe Xian Ke Lai a thousand taels!"
"Let’s draft a contract!" Yu Chunmiao said to the village chief. "Once the five families are chosen, we’ll sign a joint contract that needs to be stamped at the Yamen. If any place other than Xian Ke Lai sells Xian Cao Mi, all five families will collectively compensate a thousand taels, and the village chief must act as guarantor."
Qi Chong thought for just a moment before saying, "I think that could work!"
After saying this, she looked at Gao Changfa, eager to see how he would resolve the situation.
"I’ll give you Fang Zi, but can you really take on the responsibility of a thousand taels? Even if you dare, these villagers will swarm to grab their share and make your life miserable."
The chattering villagers suddenly fell silent, all eyes on the village chief.
The pressure was now on Gao Changfa. He shot a glare at Yu Chunmiao but didn’t dare to lash out.
A thousand taels! He wouldn’t even get Fang Zi himself, and if anything went wrong, the villagers making money wouldn’t care about him at all.
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