Old Master Lian had been a shopkeeper for all those years; could he really not understand the accounts? Knowing this, yet still renting the land to the Woo Family Brothers, it’s simply...
Lady Chiang secretly rolled her eyes.
Lian Jizu, being too honest, spoke out about Old Master Lian’s intentions. If he hadn’t spoken, Lian Shouxin and the others wouldn’t have had any reservations and would surely have found a way to help reclaim the rent. And when reporting back to Old Master Lian, even if he was sowhat displeased, it wouldn’t concern Lian Jizu or her.
Now that Lian Manman had questioned her directly, she couldn’t just detach herself anymore. If she detached, then they would have to ask for less rent. With lesser rent, the family’s days back ho would be even tighter.
"Jizu, with the Old Woo Family... I asking for the rent would hardly differ from if you did it yourself. To get this rent, we need a strategy. Jizu, you’ve read more books, think of a plan," Lian Shouxin pondered and then said.
Lian Manman secretly nodded; the words of Lian Shouxin were well put.
"Uncle Si, if I had a way, I wouldn’t be asking for your help." Lian Jizu said with a pained expression. "This Old Woo Family is like a noose hanging at our doorstep. Alas, my grandfather should not have rented the land to them."
"Uncle Si, with the Imperially Bestowed Archway now standing in front of your door, both Magistrate and Magistrate have co to bow and pay respects to your family. As long as you step forward, no matter how shaless the Woo Family Brothers are, they wouldn’t dare ss with our rent," Lian Jizu added.
After a long talk, they finally touched upon the crucial point.
"Jizu, you think too highly of your Uncle Si." Lian Shouxin bitter-smiled.
"Brother Jizu, you are quite mistaken. Magistrates bowing, that’s for the Archway. Even with this Imperially Bestowed Archway, we are still civilians, the common people, not officials. Brother Jizu, it’s different for you; my uncle is an official. To retrieve the rent from the hands of the Woo Family Brothers, commoners can’t, but officials can," Wu Lang chid in.
"Brother Jizu, you must have brought my uncle’s letter. Even if there isn’t one from my uncle, just writing a couple of words yourself would work better than anything. I don’t quite understand these matters and am only speaking childishly. Brother Jizu, firstly approach the Lizheng, and seriously ask the Old Woo Family for the rent. If they still default, then hand over the note to the County Yan; they’re all officials, the Magistrate would definitely side with uncle, moreover, this matter is legally in our favor. I just can’t believe the Old Woo Family would not fear the officials and still dare to defy us," Lian Manman spoke.
Now that Lian Shouren has beco a Magistrate, why would the Old Woo Family still dare default on the land rent? It’s simply because they saw through Old Master Lian’s mind. Old Master Lian’s thoughts are such. Old Master Lian is soft-hearted, wanting to help them, that’s one aspect. On another aspect, Old Master Lian values his reputation, which is why the Woo Family dare to behave so recklessly with the rent and even threaten to hang themselves at the door of the Lian Family Old Mansion.
So, claiming the rent from the Woo Family is simple. Let them know that the person demanding the rent is hard-hearted and capable of involving the governnt; that should suffice.
Of course, if it were to be done this way, all the "good intentions" initially by Old Master Lian would be wasted away.
"It seems this might be the only way; our people here can’t win over the Old Woo Family," Lian Shouli honestly said.
"Brother Jizu, Manman is speaking childishly. Just listen to it and think of another good solution. The final decision still has to be made by you, Brother Jizu," Wu Lang said. Wu Lang was intelligent, understanding Lian Manman’s intent, which was to clearly articulate her suggestion while completely absolving their own family.
"Jizu, you must listen to your grandfather," Lian Shouxin said, "demand the rent properly, if all else fails, just a threat would suffice, don’t take serious actions. Otherwise, your grandfather’s good intentions would be ruined," Lian Shouxin added.
Lian Manman almost couldn’t help but laugh out loud, guessing that Lian Shouxin would say just that.
Lian Shouxin was genuinely being honest. And in this context, his words achieved exactly what Lian Manman hoped for. They cleanly distanced her own family from the matter.
Appearing foolish while being wise, Lian Shouxin had achieved this. Although, Lian Manman inwardly felt that Lian Shouxin’s motivations were not the sa as hers. But this manipulation, this three-person act of theirs, matched seamlessly, which was comndable.
After a long discussion and reaching such a conclusion, Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang could only bid farewell and leave.
"That matter, it’s only Jizu who dares to say that the Old Master shouldn’t have rented the land to the Old Woo Family, I would not dare to say it." Lian Shouxin sighed.
This sigh from Lian Shouxin held a poignant significance. Lian Manman felt happy for him, as Lian Shouxin finally began to independently think about his relationship with the Lian Family mbers.
"Will Jizu really resort to using the Governnt Office?" Lady Zhang asked.
"That depends on the situation," Lian Manman thought for a mont before speaking. "If Lian Jizu is capable, then he wouldn’t need to act; a re threat would suffice to gather the rent. If he’s not, then he really needs to take serious action."
"I an, does your brother Jizu have the heart to be so ruthless?" Lady Zhang explained.
"Oh." Lian Manman thought again, "Mother, it’s not about whether he has the heart to be ruthless. If Jizu wants the rent, there’s no other way. He has to do it like this."
"This thod, I don’t believe Jizu and his wife couldn’t have thought of it themselves," Wu Lang said, "They just want my father to handle it, so they can appear innocent."
The family all turned their gaze towards Lian Shouxin.
"There are still two sweet potatoes in the stove, they should be cooked now, Manman, Xiao Qi, father will get them for you," said Lian Shouxin as he stood up.
...
In the following two days, Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang visited Lian Manman’s ho daily, discussing how difficult it was to collect the rent. The Lian Manman family could only offer soothing words.
It wasn’t that they were unwilling to help; it was because for this matter, there was only one way to handle it, which Jizu was capable of doing, and moreover, was more suited to do so.
Eventually, Lian Jizu still submitted a petition to the County Yan. The County Yan sent officials with shackles to lock up the Woo Family Brothers.
Old Lady Wu threw herself into Lian Jizu’s arms, the family clinging to his legs.
"Your grandfather was such a kind-hearted man, how could you be so heartless and ruthless? Big nephew, you are nothing like your grandfather, how could you truly bear to do this? The traditions of the Old Lian Family have changed... We will pay the rent, we will pay it, isn’t that enough?"
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Posting the second update, asking for support.
The more support, the more updates. Ruoyan is striving for a third update.
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Ruoyan’s complete farming book recomndation:
Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Including extras, complete) (Link below, click to access directly)
Summary: Transmigrated as a wronged divorcee with a child, joining hands with an economically suitable man for a sweet life. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welco to vote for recomndation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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