CHAPTER 401: CHAPTER 403: THE FAMILY DIVISION (PART 3)

Before following the Sixth Miss to the Marquis Mansion for marriage, they were anxious, but life in their original place was no longer sustainable. If they went back, they would face starvation. It was better to follow the Sixth Miss, hoping for a chance.

After all, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Even if the Sixth Miss’s estate doesn’t succeed, she is still the principal wife of the Great Governor. She won’t let them starve.

Now it seems that the Sixth Miss is much better off than the Third Miss and Fourth Miss.

"Madam!" Zou Bochang didn’t wait for the others to speak and quickly said with a smile, "I may have started as an assistant in a shop, but early on I stayed at the estate. I won’t say I’m a master at farming, but I can endure hardships..." Seeing the Fourth Madam raise her eyebrows, he grew more confident. "I want to go to the estate in Tongzhou. Planting anything there is tough, and I have to rely on two neighboring families to get some yield. But I’m not afraid. If Madam entrusts the estate to me, I promise to deliver thirty taels the first year and one hundred twenty taels annually from the second year onward."

After he finished speaking, astonishment flashed across the faces of Jin Dairui and Zou Bochang.

With a hundred acres, even a good year wouldn’t yield such a bounty. What makes him so confident?

Xiqiu couldn’t help but be curious and asked, "Oh? Tell me, what do you plan to plant?"

Zou Bochang’s eyes gleamed with a hint of pride as he replied, "Madam might not know, but two years ago, I traveled to Yongzhou with a steward from the shop. Along the way, I saw several places with sheds propped up by oiled paper and bamboo strips. I noted it in my mind at the time, and after inquiring back, learned that those were greenhouses used by farmers. With these greenhouses, crops are not limited by seasons, and even during winter, one can grow seasonal vegetables."

Xiqiu was stunned and realized he was talking about vegetable greenhouses.

She hadn’t expected that farmers were already using such advanced vegetable farming methods during this time.

Looking at Zou Bochang, she didn’t immediately refute him but asked plainly, "How do you plan to handle the sales then?"

Seeing that Xiqiu seemed somewhat interested, Zou Bochang’s eyes brightened, and he spoke more passionately, "Thousands of merchant ships pass through Tongzhou Port daily. As long as I grow vegetables, I can ship them everywhere using these boats. Even if I can’t, I can send them to the Capital to supply wealthy families there. I’m not worried about the vegetables’ sales route. There’s plenty of choice and each path has excellent prospects, so Madam needn’t worry."

After speaking, he gazed at Xiqiu, awaiting her approval.

Who doesn’t like silver? A business that generates money quickly may require some initial investment, but within two years, you can absolutely recoup all of it.

Even if Madam doesn’t understand farming or business, she certainly understands the value of silver.

He’s not worried about Xiqiu rejecting his plan.

Xiqiu listened calmly, took a sip of tea, and then asked Jin Dairui instead, "What do you think?!"

Zou Bochang was momentarily taken aback, and his expression subtly showed disdain. Jin Dairui was equally stunned, not expecting Xiqiu to seek his opinion. He frowned, contemplating before replying, "Though I think the Zou Family’s plan makes sense, it might not be suitable for us."

Zou Bochang’s face turned sour, and his demeanor instantly deflated.

Xiqiu, however, eyes gleamed as she asked, "Oh? The plan by the Zou Family seems so good, suitable for others, why isn’t it suitable for us?" Glancing at Zou Bochang, she noticed his lowered eyebrows but an obvious look of anger on his face.

Jin Dairui cautiously glanced at Zou Bochang and, after some thought, replied, "The Capital is unlike other places. Ships coming in and out of Tongzhou Port belong to renowned trading firms. Even if they agree to ship your vegetables, the rent might be unaffordable for us. Moreover, dozens of families grow vegetables outside the city, engaging in longstanding partnerships with major city households. If we want a share, the effort and cost might far exceed our expectations. So, while the Zou Family’s idea is good, its execution might be challenging!"

Zou Bochang, visibly displeased, retorted before Xiqiu could question him, "Isn’t every business like this? If you want to make money, you have to take risks and work a hundred times harder. By Jin Dairui’s account, should we just rely on a hundred acres and hope for the best from the heavens?"

Jin Dairui’s face turned beet red as he waved his hands hurriedly, "No... that’s not what I meant." Zou Bochang, with a furrowed brow, seemed ready to argue further, but Xiqiu interrupted by setting down her teacup and asking Zhu Sancheng, "Is the house arranged?"

Zhu Sancheng, as though unaware of the tension between the two and Zou Bochang’s gloomy expression, replied methodically, "Everything has been organized as Madam instructed. The craftsman’s wages have been settled, amounting to twenty-five taels." Standing up, he retrieved a small booklet bound with coarse thread from his pocket, handing it to Xiqiu. "The daily expenses over these recent days are all detailed within. Please review it, Madam."

Xiqiu opened the booklet, its neat handwriting clearly rewritten. It recorded the expenses for materials, paint, wood consumption, and the craftsmen’s daily meals, all meticulously detailed. Each entry was clear, with a final tally of the balance. Tucked into the last page was a silver note for twenty taels, which matched the remaining balance.

Despite his few words, Zhu Sancheng proved to be meticulous in his work.

She had Chunyan put away the booklet, nodding with a smile, "You’ve worked hard." Then she paused before adding, "In the coming days, prepare to move yourselves over. It spares the inconvenience of staying in the rented house."

The three nodded in agreement without speaking, knowing that Xiqiu would not summon them merely to solicit their personal opinions and leave it at that.

Finishing, Xiqiu contemplated briefly before revisiting the initial topic, asking Jin Dairui and Zhu Sancheng, "The Zou Family wants to go to Tongzhou. How do the two of you feel about that?"

Having just answered, Zhu Sancheng’s expression returned to normal. With his head respectfully lowered, he replied, "I have always been on the estate, and I am not skilled in other matters, so I wish to remain on the estate." Though his family had only two daughters, his eldest son-in-law, having married in, meant his family relied on him to eat. If they stayed in the Capital without any craft, wouldn’t they starve?

Xiqiu nodded, then turned her attention to Jin Dairui, who stated, "I am willing to stay in the city to manage the house for Madam."

Xiqiu was genuinely surprised, having heard from Nanny Qian that Jin Dairui was skilled at farming. Now, he was unwilling to go to the estate, preferring to remain in the Capital to handle the house, which truly surprised her.

Jin Dairui had his reasons. The estates were divided between Tongzhou and Shandong. He was from Tongzhou, and going back might invite ridicule. Plus, the estate in Shandong had arid land, and while skilled at farming, he was unsure about arid lands. Besides, his two sons had grown. He wanted them to see the world in the city, hoping they might secure a position in the mansion. When the time came, if they could marry into good families through Madam’s arrangement, his life would feel complete.