Zhulan’s two purchased estates were adjacent, a half-hour journey apart, and she could settle all the estate matters in a day.

Zhulan didn’t want the original owners to tell the tenants that the estates had been sold. When Zhulan arrived, the adults were all working in the fields.

Zhulan brought a lot of sweets and pastries. She avoided the women and found five children playing under a tree—five about five or six years old.

Zhulan gestured to Eldest Zhou and Second Zhou not to follow, as there were too many men and the children would be frightened. Zhulan only took Liu Ya and the sweets with her.

The five children were very reserved; children of five or six years old understand everything, and they recognized Zhulan.

Five children jostled and pushed each other. The tallest boy stepped forward timidly. “Is there something you need?”

Zhulan smiled. “I really like this estate, so I want to buy it.”

The five children looked frightened and wanted to run home to tell their families. Zhulan reassured them, “Don’t rush. Even if I buy the estate, I will still rent it out. However, you need to answer a few questions for me.”

The five children looked at each other. The older boy clenched his fists, as if to encourage himself. “Please ask.”

Zhulan found a rock to sit on and had Liu Ya distribute candy and pastries to the children. She beckoned them to sit down. Once the children were seated, Zhulan asked, “The estate has a tenant manager. Is your tenant manager good to you?”

The children hesitated, and some of the younger ones hesitated to speak.

Zhulan smiled, “You all said it would be alright.”

The older boy pursed his lips and remained silent for a while before speaking, “If he weren’t good, would you replace him?”

“Of course.”

The boy said resolutely, “The Li family is bad. Every time the Li family helps the manor owner collect rent, they collect more grain and keep the extra grain for themselves. Moreover, we have to curry favor with them. If we don’t, they’ll speak ill of us to the steward. The manor owner rarely comes; the steward is in charge. The steward takes bribes from the Li family, and my parents dare not say anything and can only endure it.”

His Father said that even if they told the estate owner, it would be useless. There were many tenant farmers—they could simply choose not to cultivate, and the estate owner did not lack tenants to rent out the land.

Zhulan looked at the little boy. In ancient times, five or six-year-olds were indeed quite precocious, but this child was very clear-headed. Judging from the child, the adults’ upbringing was also good. “Who are the people in your family?”

The boy was a bit wary. “Why are you asking this?”

Zhulan smiled. There was no need to ask. Several women ran over from a distance; they must be the children’s mothers.

Zhulan stood up, and the five children hid behind the women. Zhulan sized up the mother of the boy who had spoken; although her clothes were old, they were very clean. Among the five children, the boy was also the cleanest.

Zhulan said, “I’ve bought this estate. Go home and call all the heads of the households here. By the way, the land will still be rented to you, so don’t be nervous or afraid.”

The women breathed a sigh of relief; as long as they continued to rent out their land, that was fine.

Zhulan returned to the estate’s courtyard. Last time she had been in a hurry, but this time she had looked carefully. After walking around and returning to the front yard, all the tenants of the estate had arrived.

The estate covered two hundred acres, with a total of twenty tenant households. Each household rented a different amount of land, some as much as twenty acres, and some as little as five acres.

The men who headed the twenty tenant households ranged in age from their thirties to fifty or sixty. Those in their thirties had mostly separated from their families and were renting land independently for a living.

Having come to the ancient times, Zhulan gained a much better understanding of tenant farmers. Some had been tenant farmers for generations, some had become tenants due to extreme poverty after family divisions, and others were refugees.

Zhulan noticed that the head of the tenant farmers was standing at the front. Earlier, while touring the house, she had asked Second Zhou and Steward Ding to inquire with the nearby farmers. She hadn’t entirely believed the child’s words, but now she had the information.

Zhulan gestured for Second Zhou to step forward; she would leave this matter to him, and from then on, Second Zhou would be the one dealing with the tenant farmers.

Suppressing his excitement, Second Zhou mimicked his father’s manner, “This estate has changed hands, but the land will still be rented to you. The person in charge will change; the Wang family will be responsible for collecting rent, while the Li family, who were previously in charge, can still rent land. As for why the Li family was replaced, I won’t explain.”

Zhulan looked at Second Zhou. She had entrusted him with the responsibility but hadn’t told him how to deal with the Li family. Second Zhou was indeed the most cunning in the family; the entire estate resented the Li family. Even if they rented land, their lives wouldn’t be easy. Without their former status, the Li family would surely retaliate for any past grievances they suffered. In essence, Second Zhou was forcing the Li family to leave while simultaneously gaining a reputation for benevolence.

When Li, the tenant farmer, arrived, he knew the new landlord had inquired about him, so he knew his job was gone. Knowing the estate was for sale, he was prepared and stepped forward, saying, “I’ve saved some money; I’d like to buy land to farm in the future, so I won’t rent anymore.”

Second Zhou smiled, “Good.”

Second Zhou paused, then continued, “Then let’s agree on a 40/60 rent split.”

Li, the tenant farmer, was stunned, while the other tenants cheered happily.

Zhulan watched as Second Zhou re-signed the contract, and everything at the estate was settled. He even visited each tenant’s home. Zhulan was quite satisfied with Second Zhou’s efficiency.

In the afternoon, they went to another estate. Zhulan didn’t interfere there; the tenant manager hadn’t changed.

With the estate and shops arranged, Zhulan had Second Zhou buy a lot of vegetables, mainly peppers, pumpkins, winter melons, and other perishable produce. She also bought some fruit, such as longan and oranges.

Jinzhou had seafood, but it was all dried, and Zhulan bought quite a bit of that too.

Four more carriages were added to the fleet, mostly filled with food.

Zhulan only had four hundred taels of silver left.

The boat back to the city wasn’t sailing with the wind, so it was slow and frequently stopped. Zhulan was getting impatient; she wanted to get home as soon as possible. She missed Zhou Shuren and wondered how he was doing at home.

She could write letters home along the way, but she hadn’t received any from Zhou Shuren. Who could blame her for being in such a hurry!

At noon, the boat stopped again. Second Zhou couldn’t stay on the boat any longer and, after confirming the stop was for two hours, disembarked.

Zhulan didn’t disembark but stood on the deck, watching the bustling port. Because it was almost New Year’s, the port was teeming with people.

Suddenly, Zhulan squinted and leaned forward, startling Eldest Zhou.

Eldest Zhou quickly stopped her. “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Zhulan just wanted to see clearly, but Eldest Zhou blocked her way. Pushing him aside, she was already gone.

(End of Chapter)

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