Chapter 388 - 382_1
There really isn’t much to conceal, Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue explained the whole situation and its causes and repercussions to Manager Liu. Manager Liu also sighed with emotion. He had not expected matters to turn out so badly. The new magistrate was not only neglectful but also insatiably greedy, with powerful backers. Even the Judge did not dare to challenge the Magistrate’s actions.
Although the Jiang Family wielded significant influence in the Capital, offending the Empress favored in the palace required careful consideration. It was mainly unclear if the Family Head would risk offending Consort Cheng for the sake of Lin Yue, a mere peasant woman. It was truly difficult to give any guarantees. Nevertheless, although Lord Cheng was blustery, he would likely still have some apprehension regarding the Jiang Family. Since Zhao Erhu’s restaurant and grocery store had closed, ensuring their family’s safety was not an issue, something that the Family Head had requested.
Manager Liu quickly said, "Brother Erhu, Lady Lin, you need not worry too much. Since you have closed down the restaurant and the grocery store, those schemers will struggle to find an opportunity to act against you. I will make sure the government knows that you are under the protection of the Jiang Family. Although the Magistrate has Consort Cheng’s support, the Jiang Family is not to be trifled with in the Capital. The Family Head does have some say in front of the Emperor. If the matter involves the Jiang Family, Lord Cheng will not dare to blatantly target you and will at least not be able to falsely accuse you without cause."
"Thank you so much, Manager Liu. My husband and I are extremely grateful," Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue felt much more at ease after hearing Manager Liu’s words. Otherwise, if Wei’s master managed to convince the Magistrate to act against them, they didn’t really have anything to counter the Magistrate with. Today’s visit was essentially to understand the Jiang Family’s stance, so that they could prepare accordingly for their next move.
Manager Liu humbly dismissed their thanks, "Brother Erhu, Lady Lin, please don’t mention it. What can a mere manager like me boast of? It is all per the instructions of the Family Head. So if you truly encounter any difficulties, just come to me. Although I can’t promise anything else, ensuring your safety is definitely within my power."
After the restaurant and grocery store closed, Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu earnestly began managing their lands as landlords, arranging for the servants and farmhands to work the fields. With so much unleased land to farm, hiring a few more farmhands was necessary. The workshop continued to provide goods to the Capital City as usual, keeping them as busy as they were before.
In recent days, Lin Yue had been busy with the pondside. The newly dug large pond was planted with lotuses by Lin Yue. The blooming lotuses in summer were extremely beautiful, creating a splendid view. She took the opportunity to display her refinement; moreover, every part of the lotus was valuable. The roots and seeds could be eaten, and the seed pods, rhizomes, nodes, leaves, flowers, and even the seed embryos could be used medicinally. She also released many fish fry, crabs, and shrimp into the pond, so by autumn, they would have several additional sources of income, truly killing many birds with one stone.
Lao Lu and the workers toiled from dawn till dusk for more than two months. Finally, the farmstead was built according to Lin Yue’s plans. Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu purchased all the necessary items for the farmstead and chose a good day to invite everyone over for a meal to celebrate. According to village custom, a feast should be held on the day the roof beams were raised, but since they were establishing a farmstead instead, they followed their own schedule, just maintaining the spirit of the tradition.