GBP Chapter 332 Falling into the Fish Pond
Chapter 332 Falling into the Fish Pond
"Butler, please ask the head of the village to leave first. I have something to ask other people." Li Mo instructed Butler Chen.
The two servants beside the housekeeper received instructions and immediately stepped forward to ask the head of the village to leave.
The village head still wanted to argue, "Boss, you don't need to ask them about this matter, just ask me, how would they know these things!"
Li Mo ignored it.
Seeing that the two servants were strong and could not resist, the village head left a message before leaving: "You all know how I treated you, so keep your mouth shut and don't talk nonsense."
As soon as he finished his sentence, he was dragged out.
When the farmers saw the head of the village being dragged away, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Turning to face Li Mo's question, they hesitated and closed their mouths again.
"I know you have concerns in your hearts, worried that Zheng Tian will embarrass you after I leave.
But you have to think clearly, if he really does something wrong in Zhuangzi, I am the only one who can solve this problem.
After I leave, it will be hard for you to have another chance."
Everyone looked at each other, unable to make up their minds.
In the end, the old man who spoke earlier stood up.
“Boss, you are right, everyone is actually afraid of Zheng Tian’s revenge.
I am older, so I am the one who will speak for this matter.”
"Uncle Liu, you have a little granddaughter at home. How can you say this? Let me say it!"
Another middle-aged man said.
Li Mo said, "What will happen if I tell you? Why do you all look like you are going to be executed? I am here, who dares to touch you?"
Old Man Liu said, "The boss has sharp eyes and saw the problems on our farm the moment he arrived. I am telling you the truth and I am not lying.
The village started reducing its population two years ago, and anyone who disobeyed Zheng Tian was kicked out.
A year ago, Zheng Tian suddenly asked the employer to increase our rent to 40%.
Many of us have worked on the farm for our whole lives. We have always paid 30% rent before. How could it increase so much all of a sudden? No one believed what Zheng Tian said.
Some people questioned Zheng Tian in person, asking him whether it was his employer who raised the salary or he himself who did it.
As a result, within a few days, all those who questioned him were found to have committed fault and were driven out of the village with their families.
Since then, we have been angry but dared not speak out, fearing that we might offend Zheng Tian if we were not careful."
"That Zheng Tian really thinks he is the master of this manor now. A few days ago he even wanted to bully Uncle Liu's granddaughter!"
The middle-aged man who had just spoken said indignantly.
"Yes, Zheng Tian not only raised the rent, but also bullied us everywhere. Isn't it because his ancestors had some merits in the palace?"
After listening to what Old Man Liu and the middle-aged man said, everyone finally dared to speak.
They talked about all the evil deeds of Zheng Tian. Li Mo asked people to prepare paper and pen, and asked two literate farmers to write down everyone's opinions on paper.
Everyone talked at once, and in the time it took to stick an incense stick, they had written seven or eight pages of paper.
"Have you ever thought about going to the Rui Palace to file a complaint?"
Li Mo looked at the various evil deeds recorded on the paper and looked up and asked.
"Why don't we want to!" said the middle-aged man.
“But Zheng Tian had several spies in the manor. The person who wanted to go to the manor to file a complaint was caught by Zheng Tian as soon as he made his plan. He was arrested before he could even leave the manor.
The captured people were hung in the fields for three days and three nights without food or water. By the time they were taken down, they were almost dead.
Zheng Tian said that his ancestors had made contributions to the prince, and that was his golden ticket to immunity from death. Even if we filed a complaint, the prince would not do anything to him.
Everyone was scared, and then they just resigned themselves to their fate.”
Hearing this, Li Mo looked at the housekeeper.
The housekeeper looked unhappy and explained to Li Mo: "The ancestors of the Zheng family did have some achievements. Back then, Zheng Tian's grandfather was the guard of the prince. Once he was seriously injured while protecting the prince.
Seeing that he had few family members, the prince arranged for him to live on this farm so that he would have a place to settle down.
But the rent on this farm has never changed, it has always been 30%."
"The ancestor of the Zheng family must have been a loyal and righteous person." Li Mo said.
"There have indeed been no problems in the past ten years or so," the butler replied.
Li Mo pondered for a moment and said, "Although the merits of the previous life can bless the descendants, it depends on whether the descendants are blessed enough to bear it. Zheng Tian, who relies on the merits of his ancestors to deceive his superiors and subordinates and do whatever he wants, I'm afraid if his father knew about it, he would sit up from his coffin and scold him for being unfilial!"
"Yes Yes!"
The butler nodded repeatedly. As a butler, he felt very guilty for not discovering the problems on the farm in time.
"The princess is not here today, so I will make the decision on this matter myself. People like Zheng Tian must not be tolerated." Li Mo said.
The housekeeper quickly said, "Son-in-law is right, but we should handle this matter ourselves and never report it to the police."
"Who said I was going to report to the police?"
Li Mo looked at the people below and said, "Didn't everyone say that Zheng Tian raised the rent for no reason and drove away many of the farmers.
Zheng Tian was responsible for compensating for all these losses.
Later, the accountant will be asked to calculate the money he has embezzled and the losses caused. Once the accounts are finalized, his family’s property will be used to pay off the debts.
For the part that was not enough, he would have to work on the farm to compensate.
I will allocate him a piece of land later, collect 40% rent every year, and use 30% of the remaining 60% to pay off his debts.
When the debt to the palace is paid off, he will be free again."
After hearing this, not only the housekeeper, but also the farmers below, gasped.
With 70% taken away in a year, the remaining 30% would probably be barely enough to fill one’s stomach.
If Zheng Tian wants to survive, he has to buy food on credit from his employer. Wouldn't the interest on this credit be compounded endlessly?
I'm afraid he will never be able to pay off this debt until his death!
But after sighing, everyone began to gloat over the other's misfortune.
Should!
Who made Zheng Tian give up his good life and choose death instead?
This is his retribution!
After hearing Li Mo's instructions, the housekeeper immediately went to take care of Zheng Tian's matter.
Li Mo, on this side, reassured the farmers: "The extra rent collected this year will be counted after the new head of the village arrives, and then deducted from Zheng Tian's property and returned to everyone.
From then on, the commission on the bank's account was still calculated at 30%.
Starting next year, the palace will arrange for someone to come to the manor once a month. If anyone has any grievances or good suggestions, they can report them to the palace."
After listening to Li Mo's arrangements, everyone applauded.
From then on, they no longer had to worry about the village head abusing his power.
……
"Is everyone satisfied with Li Mo's handling of the matter?"
Chen Yueting asked after listening.
“Very satisfied!”
The housekeeper smiled and said, "My son-in-law is still very resourceful.
After seeing Zheng Tian doing such a thing, I thought the brother-in-law would beat him up severely, confiscate his property, and then drive him out of the farm. Who knew he would come up with such a method!
Treating Zheng Tian the way he treats you, letting him experience the pain of being bullied and exploited, making his life more miserable than death, this is the best strategy!"
Chen Yueting nodded slightly.
"In that case, Uncle Chen, arrange for someone to go to all the manors tomorrow and have them check the problems in the manors. If there are similar situations, report them immediately."
"Yes, yes!" The housekeeper quickly agreed, "I will arrange for someone to check it out tomorrow. Our manors are quite old, so there is no guarantee that there will be no problems. We need to clean them up thoroughly."
After the housekeeper left, Li Mo walked in from outside.
It turned out that the housekeeper had found a new village head. Li Mo talked with him and gave him serious instructions before coming back.
Chen Yueting saw Li Mo and took the initiative to say, "Thank you for your hard work today."
Li Mo shook his head. "What's the big deal? It's just a small matter."
He looked at the sky outside and asked, "Have you dealt with everything here? When are we going back?"
If it were usual, if Chen Yueting finished his work late, he would just stay in Prince Rui's Mansion.
But now that Li Mo is here, it would be inconvenient for her to stay overnight.
"We've almost dealt with it, let's go back now."
Before leaving, Chen Yueting went to see Chen Yan again, gave Chen Yuerong a few instructions, and then left the palace.
As soon as the two of them left, Lu Changqing also stood up and said goodbye: "It's getting late today, I'm going back first."
Chen Yan was a little reluctant to leave, "But the painting is not finished yet! Why don't you stay with us tonight? There are plenty of guest rooms in the mansion!"
"No!"
Lu Changqing refused, "My sister should be back home after finishing her work, I want to go back and accompany her."
Lu Changqing knew clearly that after Ye Xinran was busy these few days, she would go to Northern Frontier with King Rui. The remaining few nights would be their only chance to spend time together.
He didn't want to miss it.
"Yes, you have to go back to accompany your aunt!"
Chen Yan felt a little lonely, "I miss my aunt too!"
"She will definitely come to see you before she leaves!"
Lu Changqing comforted him.
"You should also spend some time with King Rui these days."
"Ok!"
Chen Yan nodded obediently.
Lu Changqing left the courtyard and walked out of the palace accompanied by servants. When he passed the back garden, he was stopped by Chen Yuerong.
"You guys step back first, I have something to say to Master Lu."
Chen Yuerong ordered.
Lu Changqing stopped and looked at Chen Yuerong in confusion, "Princess Yuerong? What do you want from me?"
"Lord, Lord!"
Chen Yuerong shouted, "I came to you because I want you to apologize to me!"
"apologize?"
Lu Changqing was confused, "Why should I apologize? Have I offended the princess in any way?"
"Of course you have offended me!"
Chen Yuerong said: "I've been angry all day, and you don't even know how you offended me?"
Chen Yuerong became even angrier when she heard Lu Changqing's question.
Lu Changqing carefully recalled what he had done since entering the mansion today, and said doubtfully: "It was my fault to make the princess angry! But I really can't remember it, please tell me clearly, princess."
Chen Yuerong stamped her feet in anger and turned to leave, but after taking two steps, she turned back. "When I called you to have snacks this morning, you didn't even look at me and just said don't bother you.
You, you simply don't take me seriously!"
After hearing this, Lu Changqing burst out laughing, "So that's how it is! Then I really have to apologize to the princess, it's really my fault!
But I didn't mean to say that. At that time, I really didn't know that it was you, the princess, who was talking to me. If I had known, I would definitely not have said that."
After hearing Lu Changqing's explanation, Chen Yuerong's anger immediately subsided.
In fact, she didn't know why she was so angry. It was just a matter of words and it was not worth taking it to heart.
"Does your apology mean it?"
Chen Yuerong asked.
"Of course I mean it."
Lu Changqing replied, "I always say what I mean and I will never say anything against my heart."
"Okay! I forgive you, you can go." Chen Yuerong waved towards Lu Changqing.
Lu Changqing could only shake his head helplessly at Chen Yuerong's actions.
The second young lady of the Chen family really has a childlike personality.
Lu Changqing turned and left, walked a few steps forward, but stopped at a fork in the road.
The previous few times he came, the servants led the way in front, and he didn't pay attention to how to walk.
Now all the servants had been dismissed by Chen Yuerong and it was getting dark. He suddenly realized that he was lost?
If this matter gets out, won't people laugh their heads off?
Lu Changqing had no choice but to bite the bullet and choose a path.
Half an incense stick later, a splash sound of someone falling into water was heard in the backyard of Prince Rui's mansion.
The servants ran to the pond in the backyard and fished the shivering Lu Changqing out of the icy water.
Chen Yuerong was surprised when she heard the news.
Didn't he leave the palace? Why is he still in the palace?
The servants hurriedly carried the person into the guest room.
Chen Yuerong rushed over and saw Lu Changqing covered in mud and water, with a yellowed seaweed on his head.
The whole person is as embarrassed as he is.
"Why are you still in the mansion?"
Lu Changqing lowered his head and said nothing.
I just hugged the quilt and shivered.
Chen Yuerong quickly asked the servants to prepare bath water and added three heaters in the room.
"Mr. Lu, take a shower first. I'll come over when you've recovered."
Chen Yuerong stepped back and asked the servants to prepare ginger and sugar water.
Then he called the housekeeper and asked what was going on.
"Second Miss, I just found out about this too, and I've asked the servants to come over and ask about it.
Mr. Lu always has servants to lead the way when he leaves the mansion. I don’t know where they went to slack off this time!"
Speaking of this, Chen Yuerong remembered that she was the one who sent away the servant who sent Lu Changqing away.
"Uncle Chen, you don't need to look for anyone. I asked them to leave."
"This……"
The butler didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Lu Changqing has come to our house so many times, it's not like he doesn't even know the way!"
Chen Yuerong subconsciously defended herself.
The housekeeper had no choice but to say, "Maybe it was too dark to see clearly. It happened that when Master Lu left, no servants passed by on the road."
"Then he shouldn't go to the pond! The way out doesn't go through there!"
"Perhaps it was to take a shortcut, past the pond, where the main road to the front yard is.
I had someone drill holes in the ice just to feed the fish, but who could have thought this would happen? "