PFC Chapter 161 Willing
Chapter 161 Willing
Chapter 161
Manager Liu brought Luo Shuiyao to the main seat in the house. After the tenants had settled in place, he introduced them, "This is our new owner, Miss Luo. She will be in charge of the manor from now on, and she will also decide whether our tenants stay or go.
Luo Shuiyao glanced at Manager Liu calmly after hearing this. She knew that Manager Liu was worried that she, a young woman, couldn't control the situation and that the tenants might harbor evil intentions, so he made such an introduction.
The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, understanding Manager Liu's good intentions, and she said, "You can call me Miss Luo. From now on, all the deeds to this manor will belong to me, and I will be responsible for all matters in the manor. I invited you all here today because I have something to discuss with you."
The tenants in the courtyard saw that she spoke with a strong voice, without any of the shyness or timidity of a woman. A young man standing in front of them bowed and said, "Hello, Miss Luo. We would like to know how you plan to collect rent this year."
Hearing this, Luo Shuiyao glanced up at the man. He was a burly fellow with thick black eyebrows, a true tough guy. She glanced at the others and saw that after the man came forward, they lowered their heads and said little, and the noise died down. She knew that this man held a high status among the tenants.
The man stared at her without blinking, but he didn't look at her directly. His eyes were very measured. He only looked at the ground in front of Luo Shuiyao without looking directly at her.
Luo Shuiyao knew in her heart that this man had his own ideas. So she didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "I want to know how you paid the rent to the Jing'an Marquis' Mansion in previous years?"
Upon hearing this, the man bowed and saluted before continuing, "In previous years, the Bo Mansion collected 40% of our rent. If there was a disaster or drought year, they would reduce the rent by 10%, and collect 30%."
After hearing this, Luo Shuiyao nodded.
On the way here, Luo Shuiyao had inquired in detail with Manager Liu and learned that the Jing'an Marquis's Mansion collected 40% of the rent from these tenants. She also understood clearly that while this 40% rent was not a large amount, it was by no means a small amount. These tenants were all landless refugees, relying entirely on these lands for their livelihoods. After paying the rent, the remaining food was barely enough to keep their families fed and clothed.
If there is a disaster year or a drought year, even if the rent is reduced by 10%, collecting 30% will not be much better, because the conditions are severe in disaster years and drought years, the harvest is directly halved, and their lives will only become more difficult.
"What's your name?"
When the man saw Miss Luo nod, he asked his name. Although he was a little confused, he still answered respectfully, "Miss Luo, my name is Zhang San."
Luo Shuiyao nodded slightly, stood up, and stood in front of the group. Her eyes swept over everyone in the courtyard before returning to Zhang San. "Now that I've become the owner of this manor, the old rules will need to be revised. What do you all think?"
The courtyard was silent for a moment, and soon there was a whisper. "What's going on? More changes, more increases?"
Yes! "If we change it again, we won't be able to survive. What will we eat?"
Zhang San looked at Luo Shuiyao deeply, then turned around, raised his hand, then lowered it, and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, please don't say too much."
As expected, everyone gradually quieted down after looking at him. Zhang San saw that everyone had stopped whispering, then turned to look at Luo Shuiyao: "I wonder, Miss Luo, how do you want to change it?"
Then he bravely said, "We are all long-term tenants of this farm. Our families rely on these farmlands for their livelihood. Forty percent of the rent is already the limit. If we change it further..."
Having said this, he hesitated to speak, not knowing the temper of his new master, and did not dare to continue.
Luo Shuiyao had deliberately created a misunderstanding, hoping to see how Zhang San would handle the situation. She hadn't anticipated Zhang San's high status among the group, and a single glance had silenced them all. Hearing his bold and careful words, Luo Shuiyao nodded in satisfaction.
So, Luo Shuiyao stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "In previous years, you paid 40% of the rent. From this year on, you only need to pay 30%. In the event of a disaster or special circumstances, we can waive the rent for one year."
Zhang San originally clenched his hands slightly nervously, worried that she would say something like raising the rent. He was thinking about how to persuade her without offending her, but he didn't expect to hear such words from her mouth. He couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise.
"Really?" he asked with some stammering.
After seeing Luo Shuiyao nod with a smile, he immediately bowed deeply and said loudly: "We thank the master for his kindness."
The people behind him heard his loud words and came back to their senses from their disbelief. They all bowed and said, "Thank you, Master, for your kindness."
Luo Shuiyao raised her hand slightly to signal them to stand up before continuing, "Of course, I made this decision not without benefits."
Looking at the people staring at her curiously, she continued, "Whatever you grow in the future must be chosen by me. Of course, if what you grow can't be sold, I will find a way to solve the problem. I wonder if you would agree to this."
Upon hearing her request, the joy on everyone's faces faded. They weren't questioning the owner, but they felt that such a young girl probably didn't understand the affairs of tenant farmers like them. What if they couldn't even feed themselves?
Everyone was silent for a moment, and finally Zhang San spoke again. Zhang San hesitated for a while, looked at Luo Shuiyao, and finally gritted his teeth, stepped forward and said: "I, Zhang San, am willing to listen to the master's words."
They were just fooling around with this young lady. She'd already said she'd be responsible if the crops didn't sell. She probably wouldn't cheat them. So, why not give it a try? Young ladies from wealthy families are much more knowledgeable than us peasants. Maybe they have some insights that could help them turn their fortunes around.
Luo Shuiyao glanced at Zhang San again with admiration, then turned her gaze back to the crowd. Seeing Zhang San's agreement, they exchanged glances, then lowered their heads to whisper. Given their appreciation for Zhang San's character and his steadiness, they felt he wouldn't make a mistake. If it weren't for Zhang San's maneuvering over the years, they would have been squeezed to the bone. Why would every household still be standing here in such an orderly fashion?
After the farmers whispered to each other, an old man stood up, stroking his gray beard and said, "I do."
A stocky, dark-skinned woman also stepped forward and said, "I'm willing too."
Someone took the lead, and the others gradually changed from responding in intermittent voices to responding in unison.