Chapter 163 Discussion before renting land
The next day, Shen Xiangwan got up early again. After breakfast, everyone went about their own business. Shen Xiangwan took out the blueprints and asked Yuan Xiu to find someone to build the school. He also gave him a formula for making cement and asked him to figure it out and make a cement dam in the yard to prevent it from being covered in mud on rainy days.

"Madam, is it really true that even swords and guns can't break it?"

Holding the cement formula in his hand, Yuan Xiu asked in disbelief.

"Do I look like I'm kidding?"

Glancing at him calmly, Shen Xiangwan took a sip from his teacup and said, "Roads or houses built with cement are not really immune to swords and guns. They are just more durable than current materials. You will know when you bake the cement."

"Yes, I will arrange for someone to make it right away."

After saying that, Yuan Xiu was about to leave. Shen Xiangwan hurriedly asked, "When will the curved plow be built?"

If nothing goes wrong, the villagers will rent the land to her, and then the curved plow will come in handy.

"I have asked people to speed up the construction. It will be completed by tomorrow at the latest."

He also wanted to see if the curved plow was really as easy to use as she said.

"Okay, let's go."

"Subordinates retire."

After clasping his fists and bowing to her again, Yuan Xiu turned around and strode away. The house was currently being expanded. As the village was in the busy farming season, they had hired a professional construction team from the county, which was introduced by Manager Sun from the dental clinic. He only needed to send someone to supervise the work.

"Let's go out for a walk."

Still thinking about something else, Shen Xiangwan slowly stood up.

"Madam, Village Chief Zhao is here."

Before she could take a step, a servant came trotting in. Shen Xiangwan had no choice but to sit back down: "Please ask him to come in. From now on, you don't need to inform Uncle Zhao when he comes. Just let him in directly."

They are already part of the village, there is no need to make things so complicated. Village Chief Zhao is an honest person and she is happy to interact with him.

"Yes."

The servant turned around and trotted out again. Zhao Yuping couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Why did the village chief come to see you?"

"I plan to rent some land from villagers to grow some crops. Uncle Zhao asked for me and he should be here to tell me the result."

Shen Xiangwan did not hide it, because they would know it sooner or later anyway.

"Lease land?"

"Little Wei's wife."

Zhao Yuping couldn't help but become even more confused, but Zhao Dashan had already come in, so she didn't continue to ask, and hurriedly stood up and greeted him, "Village Chief Zhao, please come in."

"Ah."

Zhao Dashan paused in his hurried steps, nodded politely to her, and then strode towards Shen Xiangwan again: "Little Wei's wife..."

"Uncle Zhao, just call me Wanwan. Let's have some tea and take a rest first."

Interrupting his anxiety, Shen Xiangwan picked up the teapot, poured a cup of herbal tea and handed it to him personally.

"it is good."

Zhao Dashan took the herbal tea and drank it in one gulp: "Wanwan, I have already talked to everyone. They are all willing to rent the land to you. However, some people are still harvesting millet. The earliest they can finish the harvest is tomorrow. Do you think it will delay your planting of the second crop?"

"It's okay. Being late for a day or two is not a big deal."

Seeing how anxious he was, she thought it was a big deal. Shen Xiangwan couldn't help but laugh: "Then I'll have someone go to the village to count later to see how much land there is. However, for the benefit of both of us, I hope to sign a contract that states that I will rent everyone's land at the price of two taels of silver per mu. Before the New Year, those lands belong to me, and no one can take them back or move the things on the land. If there is any violation, we can take the deed to the government."

He believed that most of the people should be simple and honest, but in a big forest, there will always be one or two rat shits. She decided to rent the land out of repaying the trust of the village chief, and she didn't want to end up in trouble.

"We still need to sign a contract?"

Zhao Dashan couldn't help but frown. It wasn't that he didn't want to sign, but he simply thought it was too troublesome. After all, they were all farmers and had only seen a few contracts in their lives.

"Well, Uncle Zhao, as the saying goes, you should not have the intention to harm others, but you must be on guard against others. I am also afraid that after the crops are grown in the field, someone will make trouble. You said I invested so much money, if something really happens, who can I cry to? With the contract, you can rest assured, and so can I."

Probably able to guess what he was thinking, Shen Xiangwan said as she filled his tea cup.

"You have a point. I will explain it to everyone later. We will do what needs to be done. When do you think we should sign the contract?"

Hearing this, Zhao Dashan nodded in agreement. Her concerns were not unreasonable. There were nearly three thousand people in the village. Not to mention her, even he could not guarantee that everyone was good. It would be better to sign a contract to avoid any conflicts in the future.

"As long as Uncle Zhao and you have no objection, I can do it anytime."

"Okay, I'll go back and tell everyone, you guys can come in the afternoon."

As Zhao Dashan was about to stand up, Shen Xiangwan quickly said, "Uncle, don't be anxious. We haven't talked about hiring people to do the work yet."

"Uh... look at my head."

Zhao Dashan slapped his forehead and sat down again: "Wanwan, how many strong laborers do you plan to hire?"

Although he hoped more than anyone else that all the strong laborers in the village could have jobs, he also knew that the Wei family had oxen and might not need so many people.

"Let's start with 300 people. Actually, it's a bit late to plant the second crop now. I need to collect humus soil as fertilizer for the land as quickly as possible, and also plant all the seeds."

After roughly estimating how much land there is in the village, Shen Xiangwan gave a specific number. It is now late June and they must start planting as soon as possible. For the time being, she is not sure whether the winter here is cold or not. If possible, she would like to grow a crop of vegetables that can be grown all year round.

"Row."

This amount was far beyond his expectations, so Zhao Dashan agreed very readily.

"Sorry to bother Uncle Zhao."

Shen Xiangwan smiled slightly, then said in a slightly serious tone, "Uncle, I have something to say first. The reason why I spent so much money to hire everyone to work is not only because I sympathize with everyone's difficulties, but also to rush to plant food. If anyone makes a fuss and delays my work, I will no longer hire him and his family for any work for our family. I hope Uncle Zhao can explain it to them first, so that they won't cry and make a fuss again."

"Don't worry, Wanwan. I will definitely keep an eye on them. If anyone dares to slack off, I will be the first one to not let him off!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dashan hurriedly expressed his opinion. As the village chief, he still had a certain prestige in the village. It was rare that the Wei family was willing to hire them to work for such a high salary. No matter what he said, he would not let anyone hold him back.

"Then I'll have to trouble Uncle Zhao."

With his guarantee, Shen Xiangwan felt much more relieved. The county magistrate might as well be in charge. With him helping to keep an eye on it, she believed that no one would dare to cheat on her wages.

"It's no use. If you have nothing else to do, I'll go back first."

Waving his hand, Zhao Dashan was about to stand up again. This time, Shen Xiangwan did not stop him: "Uncle Zhao, take care. I will send someone to find you in the afternoon."

"Row."

After agreeing readily, Zhao Dashan left the Wei family as quickly as he came.

【End of this chapter】

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