131 Zhou Yonghe
“There’s no lack of food in the spring. The crops in the fields are growing well. Even if we increase our harvest by 15%, we won’t starve. In the next season, they’ll return to their original state. In the past few years, the scenery has been good, and they could afford to increase the rent by 50 copper coins per mu. I heard that not long ago, the rent of every mu in the capital increased to 70 copper coins. The farmland in the Weining Marquis Residence which is neighboring Zhengzhuang has increased to 100 copper coins, and the harvest every season has also increased by 25%.”
This time, everyone stopped complaining about the Yu Residence and began to sympathize with the situation in Zhengzhuang.
A farmer’s logic was shallow. With comparison, it was easier to be satisfied.
It was indeed because Zhou Yongchang was too much of a bastard, and also because they were too greedy. Instead of tending to the crops well, the main family deliberately planted the crops on the farm badly in order to not receive an increase in rent.
Elder Zhuang continued, “The steward of Zhengzhuang, which is next door, is from the Weining Marquis Residence. He acts like a tyrant in Zhengzhuang all day long, bullying both men and women. I heard that a few young ladies in Zhengzhuang have already been harmed by that steward. One of them even jumped into the river. Of the 100 copper coins rent in Zhengzhuang every mu, 20 copper coins went into his pocket. The additional 25% of the harvest was left to him. Although Zhou Yongchang committed a crime, the steward was still chosen from our Zhouzhuang. This is also a good thing.”
No one in the central room said anything bad about the Yu Residence anymore. Everyone remembered that the Yu Residence had been very kind to the villagers in the past. During the disaster years, the rent and harvest had been reduced. Even if the rent was increased during the bountiful years, it would still be less than other families.
It was said that the Old Madam of the Yu Residence worshiped Buddha. Eldest Miss had also grown up in front of Old Madam Yu. She was as kind as Old Madam Yu.
Old Master Zhuang continued, “Although this is Yongchang’s fault, since the residence has already dealt with him and let him make up for his mistake, you don’t have to be too harsh on him in the future. Otherwise, if the residence finds out, they’ll think that we have a grudge against the residence, and venting our anger on him.”
Eldest Miss Yu had dealt with Yongchang and even arranged a job for him. She was indeed benevolent.
Everyone nodded.
Old Master Zhuang pondered for a moment. “Eldest Miss is in charge of the residence now. Then, let Yonghe be the new manager of Little Zhouzhuang. Does anyone have any objections?”
At the mention of Zhou Yonghe, everyone felt sad. At the same time, they recalled what had happened ten years ago and couldn’t help but look regretful.
Therefore, that night, Zhou Yonghe took over and became the new manager of Little Zhouzhuang.
Before dawn this morning, Little Zhouzhuang had already packed the vegetables into a large carriage and asked Zhou Yonghe to send them into the Yu Residence.
Zhou Yongniu went with him.
Zhou Yongniu took the initiative to tell them about the terrible thing he had done. The Yu Residence gave Zhou Yongniu five taels of silver, which made Zhou Yongniu and his family overjoyed.
As for Zhou Yongtian and the others, Zhou Yonghe did not bring them along. Instead, he chose three other honest men to enter the residence.
Zhou Yonghe stood at the back door of the Yu Residence and thought of a time many years ago when the weather was cold. Back then, he had stubbornly knelt at the entrance of the Yu Residence, completely ignoring the doorman’s rejection and the pointed fingers of passers-by. His body had also frozen. Later, an old servant had brought him into the residence from the back door and he met the mistress of the Yu Residence, the noble First Madam Xie!
He still remembered that at that time, Eldest Madam Xie was wearing a bright red phoenix-patterned peony jacket with a fox collar. She was sitting on a chair generously. “The tenant of Zhouzhuang has done his best. You have some ties with the Yu Residence, so tell me if you have any grievances.”
Back then, he was young and rash, so he had rashly begged the Yu Residence.
Later on, he realized that it was all thanks to the kind-hearted Eldest Madam Xie that he had encountered. If it had been anyone else, even if he had frozen to death outside the residence, no one would have cared about him. If they had been any more ruthless, they would have beaten him up and his future life at home would have been miserable.
Just as Zhou Yonghe was lost in thought, an old woman in a blue cloth jacket walked forward. “Eldest Miss has instructed Steward Zhou to wait in the Windfall Courtyard.”
Zhou Yonghe turned around and instructed Zhou Yongniu and the others, “Just wait here. Don’t offend the people in the residence. Don’t panic if anything happens, and don’t be anxious. We’ll talk when I return.”
Zhou Yongniu took the lead and agreed. Only then did Zhou Yonghe follow the old woman to the Windfall Courtyard.
At this moment, Xia Tao was also telling Yu Youyao about Zhouzhuang’s new manager. “Zhou Yonghe has been good at studying since he was young. At the age of 13, he was already a student. Zhou Yongchang’s father is also a strong person. He gritted his teeth and used all his assets to send him to the school in the capital. He asked Zhou Yonghe to study with the High Scholar, and he asked for 50 taels of silver a year.”
Yu Youyao listened carefully and could tell what was going on. The new manager had studied well and was on the way to becoming an official. Zhouzhuang had indeed put in a lot of effort to choose such a capable person.
However, she was a little surprised. “Zhou Yonghe’s father is willing to spend so much money to send Zhou Yonghe to the school in the capital. It’s obvious that he’s not an ordinary person. Why is he here to manage the residence?”
Xia Tao said, “This matter is quite complicated. When I was young, I heard someone mention Zhou Yonghe and I heard a lot.”
“Oh?” Yu Youyao’s interest was piqued.
Xia Tao continued, “Zhou Yonghe’s father has the skills to repair houses. When he’s not busy with farm work, he’ll go to the noble families in the capital to work. When he meets a generous main family, he can also receive some silver. His family has also rented a lot of farmland and the harvest is not bad. After many years, he has also saved some money. He’ll tighten his belt and live well for a year or two. When Zhou Yonghe passes the county examination, his life will be better.”
Yu Youyao understood.
At that time, Zhou Yonghe was already a student. He would be able to become a scholar after another examination.
If she did well and got first place, he could even be an “endowed student” and receive monetary support from the government. He could also be a guarantor of the county examination. It would be extremely glorious in the countryside.
Even if he did not get first place, Zhouzhuang would still be the place with his relatives. If he had a promising future, the entire Zhouzhuang would have to continue earning money and stay hard working, so that Zhou Yonghe could continue studying for the imperial examination.
Xia Tao sighed slowly. “The incident happened ten years ago. Coincidentally, during Zhou Yonghe’s examination, Zhou Yonghe’s father entered the capital in the middle of the winter to look for work. He wanted to earn more money and brought along an envoy for Zhou Yonghe’s examination. In the end, he fell from the roof and died on the spot.”
Hearing this, Yu Youyao couldn’t help but sigh. “The world is really unpredictable.”
“That’s not all.” Xia Tao sighed. “Zhou Yonghe felt that his father’s death was strange, so he spent money to hire a coroner. He realized that Zhou Yonghe’s father had lost a leg and fell to his death on the roof.”
Yu Youyao’s breathing tightened. In the past, she had also heard of some wealthy families bullying men and women, and treating human lives like grass. She couldn’t help but feel sympathetic.