A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

Chapter 424 Aunt Zhang sighs, "What a tragedy!"

The things Jiang Mingyuan brought this time are all very important.

This includes the lease agreement for the land where the tea plantation was located.

Several lists detail the rights and obligations of Qingtian County in the tea garden cooperation model, as well as the future profit-sharing ratio under different profit-sharing methods.

Furthermore, the county government, after conducting thorough assessments and expert calculations, provided subsequent implementation guidelines.

The content of the guidance was largely the same as the plan that Gu Xixi had submitted earlier.

But this is a necessary procedure for government offices.

Jiang Mingyuan said, "The government only agreed to a five-year lease on the land deed, saying that this was the first time they were trying to grow tea in the Northwest, and whether it would succeed or fail remained to be seen."

"The contract has been stamped with the county government's official seal, as well as my personal seal as the county magistrate."

"If you have no objections after reviewing it, sign and affix your fingerprint, and then you can use that hillside."

Gu Xixi had already read through the contents of the lease, and all the conditions she had previously proposed to the county government had been met.

The only discrepancy is regarding the rent.

Because it was unclaimed wasteland, the right to dispose of it belonged to the local government.

Gu Xixi initially proposed that, based on the current market price for ordinary wasteland, she would personally pay the imperial court 20% of the rent.

It's essentially a low-price rental through a cooperative arrangement.

This was already the bottom price that Gu Xixi had in mind.

Because after discussing with the government, they felt the rent was too low and would raise it a little more.

The price has increased by about 30%, which is still acceptable.

But the contract in front of me states that no rent will be charged.

Gu Xixi looked at Jiang Mingyuan in surprise.

Jiang Mingyuan smiled knowingly, "I was just as curious as you, so I've already found out."

"Prefect Xu listened to the advice of several agricultural officials and believed that this hillside in Qingtian County had been idle for many years and had never been cultivated, so it was not suitable for construction."

"It's a good thing that someone has been able to make use of such a large area of ​​land."

"If we can successfully generate revenue, it will naturally benefit the country and its people."

"If not, the imperial court will not suffer any loss."

"Therefore, Prefect Xu believed that such a large-scale land reclamation operation was rare and that the local government should provide encouragement."

"Therefore, an additional official document was subsequently sent to the Qingtian County government office."

Gu Xixi was still preoccupied after hearing this.

Suddenly, Jiang Mingyuan said softly, "Don't worry, it's not someone using their official power to put pressure on us."

His voice was like a gentle breeze or a sweet spring, unhurried and reassuring.

Gu Xixi asked in a daze, "Brother Zichu, how did you know... what I was thinking?"

Jiang Mingyuan smiled.

He also had some personal connections in the prefectural city. Because he guessed that Gu Xixi had doubts, he did not hesitate to owe her a favor and specially wrote a letter to inquire about the situation of the meeting at the prefectural government office that day.

Jiang Mingyuan said, "He was indeed present and listening at the time. However, he didn't speak during the session, only saying one sentence at the end."

"Instead of envying the prosperity of Jiangnan, we should seize the opportunity and give it a try; there may be hope."

Gu Xixi looked up, her expression a mixture of surprise and delight, yet not undue astonishment. "That's it?"

Jiang Mingyuan nodded with a smile, "Mm."

He had never met Mu Nanzhao before and could only learn about the Regent from various rumors.

Some felt envy, while others admired it.

But those emotions are like looking up at the clouds in the sky, not particularly real.

But when Jiang Mingyuan confirmed that Mu Nanzhao had not offered any assistance this time...

What was once admiration has completely evolved into heartfelt respect.

Lost.

He knew he had completely lost.

Jiang Mingyuan looked at Gu Xixi and said, "Actually, I thought he would use his power to suppress people."

"He's the regent, so it's just a matter of a word. Who would dare to disobey?"

"Even though I don't want to admit it..."

He sighed deeply, his smile a mixture of melancholy and relief.

"But he does understand you better than I thought."

"He knows what you really want and respects all your wishes."

"So he doesn't have to interfere with what you do."

Gu Xixi was moved, "Brother Zichu, I..."

Jiang Mingyuan raised his hand to stop him, "No need to say anything, I understand."

He chuckled lightly, "I've already been rejected by you to your face once."

"If I had to do it again, I'm afraid my fragile self-esteem wouldn't be able to hold up, and I might do something despicable in the future."

Gu Xixi frowned, shook her head and sighed seriously, "I wouldn't dare! If I were to force this gentle and refined gentleman, who has captivated so many women, into becoming a villain, wouldn't I be committing a heinous crime?"

The two looked at each other and both smiled freely.

Aunt Zhang ladled out several bowls of rock sugar mung bean soup, which she had cooked early in the morning and then chilled in well water.

She first served a bowl to Old Qian.

Then I peered through the window screen.

They were a bit far apart, and neither Gu Xixi nor Jiang Mingyuan were loud talkers.

She couldn't hear anything in the kitchen, and Aunt Zhang was getting a little anxious. "What have you been talking about all this time?"

"This county magistrate has only been in office for a short time, why did he come all the way to my house?"

"Could it be that our family has gotten into some kind of legal trouble?"

Old Qian drank half a bowl of soup in one gulp, as if it were a refreshing rain on a hot summer day, and the internal and external heat that had just run out of him subsided.

He let out a long, comfortable sigh and said, "Don't worry too much. Even if someone in the village does something wrong, it won't be the county magistrate who comes."

"Besides, aren't the county magistrate and his niece cousins?"

Aunt Zhang glanced at her sideways, "How did you know?"

Old Qian laughed and said, "The county magistrate himself said so."

“I asked him where he was going, and he said he was coming to your house. Several people heard that.”

In a rural family, a relative suddenly appeared who had passed the imperial examination with top honors and was now serving as the county magistrate.

No matter whose home it is, it would be a great and honorable occasion.

Aunt Zhang didn't seem very happy; in fact, she looked somewhat worried.

"Now the whole village knows."

Old Qian nodded, then asked in confusion, "Why aren't you happy?"

Aunt Zhang said, "It sounds impressive, but what's actually good about it?"

"Knowing that my Xixi has such a successful cousin, people who want to use this to build a relationship or ask for favors will probably come knocking as soon as they catch a whiff of it."

"Xixi naturally doesn't want to trouble Magistrate Jiang. If she refuses again in the future, she'll inevitably offend people!"

Having served as village chief for so many years, Lao Qian certainly understands how difficult certain interpersonal relationships can be.

I couldn't help but sigh.

Aunt Zhang then thought of her future son-in-law, who was still far away from home.

"I've heard that when officials get into trouble, it's a capital offense that results in beheading and confiscation of their property. It's better to just be a teacher and live a peaceful life."

Xiao Chen... oh no, Xiao Mu, he seems to be an official too, and his family is very wealthy.

What a sin!

Aunt Zhang sighed with a worried look on her face. She had finally been able to enjoy the good life of being able to eat and buy whatever she wanted.

Why is it so hard to have a few days of peace?

Finally, they heard Gu Xixi calling from outside, "Auntie, is the mung bean soup ready?"

This is a signal that the conversation is over and it's time to relax and enjoy some tea.

Aunt Zhang immediately picked up two soup bowls, and her face turned into a smile as she left.

"coming!"

We had a quick lunch.

Gu Xixi heard that Jiang Mingyuan was off today, so she invited him to take a walk around the village.