Transmigrated as A Farm Girl Making Her Family Rich-Chapter 113 - 112 Unable to Agree

Chapter 113: Chapter 112 Unable to Agree

Bushen Village and Bishui Village have always been like fire and water, with the former bullying the latter due to their aggressive local customs.

The village chief, very pleased with what everyone said, added:

“You’ve all seen Hongji’s carving skills; he’s already become the small boss of this factory. If you can become his apprentice, not only will you learn a skill, but you can also earn money. The Tang Family’s investment in our village is because they value Hongji’s talents.”

The big picture painted by the village chief momentarily stunned the villagers into silence, then they reacted and started to gather into groups to discuss, talking with those they got along with, or consulting with their relatives.

“This welfare is not bad, it depends on whether these people are willing to sell their land to others.”

“That’s right! We have nothing to do anyway, and even if we lack skills, we can still earn money by doing hard labor like digging foundations. Construction will definitely take a few months, and many people in our village will have work.”

...

“Even better, my kid will have the opportunity to become an apprentice, preventing him from idling at home. I’m really afraid he’ll pick up bad habits.”

Those with land at the edge of the village also gathered to talk. They felt the benefits offered by Housekeeper Tang were unreliable; why should they sell their land and benefit the entire village? Why should they?

They believed that since they had land, they should receive more benefits. They conspired to make those who wanted to buy land agree to take apprentices and hire workers, preferring to hire from among their own people first.

The village chief stood there, watching their discussions, his expression growing very serious. As a village official, sometimes he found it difficult to get things done.

The greatest challenge was that a minority were united, while most harbored selfish desires. Faced with such a favorable opportunity, they did not immediately agree to sell their land; instead, they wanted to secure even more benefits for themselves, monopolizing all the advantages without considering whether they could handle that much work.

How many men did these households have, and how many were capable masons?

They didn’t have enough hands for the hard labor, yet they still wanted to do everything.

“Housekeeper Tang originally planned to settle this matter today. I’ve been trying to convince you to go home, think it over with your families and delay by a day. But if you don’t agree, or if your asking price is too high, Housekeeper Tang won’t hesitate to move the factory to the neighboring village.

Hongji, as the small boss, can move around too; he can work just as well if he goes to the neighboring village. Think it over, this is no longer just a matter concerning a few households, but a major issue for the entire village.

Whether the villagers can work, whether they can earn more money to become prosperous, it all depends on your decision,” said the village chief, continuing to make his point. Many people found his words reasonable, unless they were lazy and unwilling to work, the welfare of the village had nothing to do with them.

The villagers began discussing again, most of their comments directed at those with land.

They encouraged them to agree quickly, not to hesitate for too long; every day delayed was a day’s lost wages.

It had been almost a month of idleness, and those unable to find casual work were going stir-crazy at home, almost becoming moldy, gossiping about village affairs as idly as the gossipy aunties.

With just over a month until the New Year, they still had no idea where the money for buying meat and visiting relatives would come from.

“Just agree to it, it’s not as if you’re selling your possessions. With that land sold, we won’t have as much land left; we won’t even have as many vegetables to eat. That land can grow peanuts, soybeans, mung beans; it can be planted with sweet potatoes, cassava, potatoes, and the like to help supply our food.”

“You’re just being stubborn. If you lose that land by your house, you can clear more far off in the mountains. Selling that land can bring in money, and if you can work, with money, are you afraid you won’t be able to buy food?”

“You talk as if it’s so simple. It’s peaceful times now, but if it were times of famine, you couldn’t buy food with all the money in the world. What’s the use of having money then?”

Villagers with land and some without began to argue among themselves, of course, men speaking to men and women to women.

In the same village, young girls who were a bit shy talking to men hid in the distance, secretly watching; they would not stand among the men.

Little children chased around the adults, thinking it was fun to have so many people gathered together.

“Quiet down, quiet down. Now is the time for you to think it over clearly. Mull it over tonight resting on a high pillow. Once this opportunity passes, there won’t be another shop like this, and regret will be too late.”

The village chief’s words momentarily silenced everyone, but then they slipped out of control again and started discussing amongst themselves.

The village chief was at a loss; he could manage some of their matters but not their mouths. This was a private transaction, and he couldn’t force them; he could only tempt them with benefits!

Housekeeper Tang saw that the sun was about to reach noon. Just as the village chief said, the matter came up so suddenly that it was impossible for these people to immediately sell their land. Giving them a day to consider was already the fastest they could do.

They were in a rush, but if others weren’t, there was nothing to be done; thus, he stepped out into the yard and spoke beside the village chief:

“It seems you haven’t been able to make a decision today. I’ll come back again tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, when I arrive here, if you decide not to sell your land, I’ll consider inspecting the neighboring village.

No, I’ll go with Hongji’s small boss to inspect the three neighboring villages in a bit. It’s always good to have a backup. If you don’t sell the land, how could we hesitate to buy a suitable place?”

Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.

After hearing what Housekeeper Tang said, the village chief felt troubled. If Housekeeper Tang went to the neighboring village and took a liking to it, what would that leave them with?

There were many buyers who went elsewhere and might not look back; it wasn’t as simple as buying a piece of clothing. This was a major affair for their village.

“Housekeeper Tang, could you please allow them to consider it overnight?”

“Village chief, it’s not that I don’t respect you, but I’m a merchant working for my master. Time is money for a merchant. The longer we delay, the greater our losses will be.

It’s not as simple as just paying a little for laborers like you do. If you here don’t agree, and I can’t get the job done, I’ll simply choose another place.”

The village chief nodded and then winked at Hongji, hoping he would say something favorable to keep Housekeeper Tang from visiting another village first.

Hongji caught the village chief’s signal and said to Housekeeper Tang:

“Housekeeper Tang, they’re all my fellow villagers. Please give them a little time to consider. Tomorrow, if they don’t agree tomorrow, then we can think of another solution, okay?”

Hongji’s words made Housekeeper Tang nod, who then quietly said in his ear:

“You see, the people in your village are not united. Not putting a little pressure on them might result in them not agreeing. Let’s leave first, make them anxious, and maybe they’ll decide quickly.”

After hearing Housekeeper Tang’s words, Hongji felt that this was truly the way of a merchant; the people of their village were no match for Housekeeper Tang.

Housekeeper Tang then said to the village chief, “It’s already reached noontime; I won’t linger here any longer since I have other affairs to tend to and must go now.”

Housekeeper Tang’s original plan was, if these people had agreed immediately, he would have taken the village chief and Hongji to the county in his carriage, have lunch together in the county, deal with the matter, dine in the evening, and send them back.

As they hadn’t agreed, he could only go back first and return to Bushen Village tomorrow.