Chapter 423 - 423: Manor

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Ji Xiang walked into the courtyard and realized that it was quite big. There were five main rooms and three rooms on the left and right. The house looked quite good, but the courtyard looked messy and dirty. There was a well in the corner of the courtyard and a grape rack beside the well. The emerald grapes on the shelf were the size of rice grains.

Ji Xiang walked over and got a bucket of water. He picked it up and had just taken a sip when he heard the man shout from behind, “Little brother, come here.”

Ji Xiang smiled and walked over. The man carried a wooden box and handed it to Ji Xiang. “Little brother, I took over this year. Inside is the field bill from the farmstead and the key to the house. Take a look at the bill. If it’s right, we can leave easier.”

Ji Xiang smiled and said, “Alright, thank you, Big Brother.”

The man smiled awkwardly and watched as Ji Xiang opened the wooden box and flipped through the records. He saw that the records were a mess. The more Ji Xiang read, the more his heart sank. After thinking for a moment, he closed the account book quietly and cupped his hands at the man with a smile.

“Alright, I’ll accept the account book.”

The man felt that Ji Xiang knew nothing. He was relieved and set up the mule cart. He carried the big and small bags onto the mule cart and left with the woman.

Ji Xiang went into the house to take a look and saw that it was also in a mess. When 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 courtyard. A large cluster of blooming gardenias emitted wisps of fragrance.

The main rooms in the backyard were the same as the front yard. There were four rooms on the left and right, and there was a small garden at the back. Grapes were planted in the garden, and a pear tree and a persimmon tree were planted in the corner of the courtyard. There was a stone bench and stone table under the tree, and a rockery was built near the back courtyard wall.

Ji Xiang returned to the courtyard and saw that the furniture in the house was still there. After touching it, he felt that the wood used was not bad. Ji Xiang looked around and felt that other than painting the house, the beds and furniture in the main room had to be remade. There was no need to buy anything else. The difficult part was the rent on the accounts. He remembered that it was a mess.

Ji Xiang came out of the house with the wooden box and walked out with the key. Just as he reached the door, he saw a dozen farmers walking over. Seeing that Ji Xiang was about to close the door and leave, they waved and shouted, “Manager, please wait.”

Ji Xiang stopped and waited for them to arrive. A tall and burly man in his forties with his pants rolled up high cupped his hands at Ji Xiang. “Chief Steward, we are tenant farmers who have rented your fields. I heard from the original Steward Tao that this place will be handed over to you in the future. We want to ask if the contract we signed with you still counts?”

Ji Xiang pushed open the courtyard door and said to the dozen or so people, “Brothers, I just took over. I don’t know the situation yet. Everyone, go in and sit.”

Seeing that Ji Xiang’s words were warm, the tenants relaxed a little and followed Ji Xiang into the courtyard. Ji Xiang entered the house and brought out a few benches. When he saw them standing there reservedly, he smiled and said, “Don’t feel restrained. Sit down and talk.”

“Many thanks, Chief Steward. ” It was still the tall and strong man who led everyone to sit down.

Ji Xiang entered the house and found a pen and paper. He smiled and said to them, “What are your names? How many fields have you tenanted from my

Master? Show me the deed number. I’ll record it and report it to my Master.”

The tall man took out a contract and handed it to Ji Xiang. “Chief Manager, my name is Tang Yong. We all fled to Wang Family Village a few years ago. Can you lower the rent a little? Your family’s rent is ten percent higher than the Zhu Family’s. We can’t even fill our stomachs after paying the rent.”

Ji Xiang smiled. “Brother Tang, don’t be anxious. Let me take a look.”

Ji Xiang opened the contract and saw that it said that Tang Yong had ten acres of land and paid rent on 70% of it. When Ji Xiang saw this, his eyes widened. He had clearly seen 50% written on the bill just now. Why was there 20% more here?

Lucky said to the others, “Everyone, let me see.”

After Ji Xiang took it, he saw that each family had 70% rent. Ji Xiang frowned. Who was this Tao person from Steward Chu’s faction? He was so bold to dare to make a Yin-Yang account book.

Ji Xiang returned the lease to everyone. “I understand. Brothers, don’t worry.

I’ll report this situation to my master when I return.”

Tang Yong bowed and said, “Little brother, it’s really a little difficult for us. Please help us put in a good word and reduce the rent by 10% so that everyone can have a meal.”

“Alright, I’ll definitely pass the message to my master. Please leave!” Ji Xiang cupped his hands.

Everyone could only bid farewell and leave. As they walked out of the house, Tang Yong said to the tenants following him, “This manager looks different from the previous one. He should reduce the rent by 10%, right?”

A man with a gloomy expression looked back angrily. “That’s right! I originally thought that the Zhu family’s rent was high, but who knew that the rent would be higher with another family? These officials are all ruthless.”

Tang Yong patted him. “He Dachun, don’t say that. I think this person will reduce the rent. Did you notice? He seems very unhappy when he saw our contract.”

A man said optimistically, “Yeah! I saw it too. He said that he wants to give us an explanation, so he should have an explanation. If he doesn’t want to, he can just say that he can’t do it. Sigh! Big Brother Tang, who told you that Sharpmouth Tao left?”

Tang Yong smiled and glanced at him. “The village chief told me. I gave him a wild rabbit yesterday.”

As he rode past them, Ji Xiang said to them, “I’ll tell you my Master’s decision the next day at the latest. Be at ease and plant the land.” He rode away. When everyone heard this, they all revealed relieved smiles. Only He Dachun still looked like he had a deep grudge.

After Ji Xiang returned to the capital, he reported the situation in the manor to Li Yu. He smiled and said, “Madam, they planted bamboo. Unfortunately, it’s past the time to eat bamboo shoots.”

Li Yu smiled. “Old Madam Liu bought a lot of spring bamboo shoots and dried them. She even made some sour bamboo shoots. They’re not bad. Take some back for Gu Yu.”

“That’s good. Her taste is very strange now. I’ll bring it back for her to try.” Ji Xiang smiled.

Li Yu flipped through it and handed it to Ji Xiang. She said indifferently, “For

Chu Fu’s sake, don’t use this book. Just in case you put this book away.”

“Tomorrow, go back and take back the old tenancy agreement and re-sign the lease. It’ll be 40% to 60%! We’ll take 40% and the tenants will take 60%. Tell them not to default on the tenancy for no reason. Don’t let go of the remaining acres. We can also plant one season of corn and one season of winter wheat. Then, modify the latrines and bathhouses in the house and find a place to build two pig pens.”

Ji Xiang smiled and replied, “Yes, Madam. Master even asked me to repair it and send you there in June to avoid the heat! That place is really not bad. You will definitely like it!”

“Alngnt, I’ll go away In June,” Ll yu said witn a smile..