xymnovel Chapter 274 Bottom-line thinking
Chapter 274 Bottom-line thinking
Chapter 274 Bottom-line thinking
Several small boats approached the riverbank.
The ship was carrying over a hundred people, packed to the brim with barely any room to stand. If anything happened, it would be a human tragedy.
Fortunately, the river was calm today, with few waves, allowing the five or six boats to slowly approach the riverbank.
Ma Jiu, who was cutting grass by the river, straightened up, observed for a few moments, then abandoned the grass and immediately ran to the river embankment, raised a flag, and, with a sickle in hand, kept a close eye on the group of people who were struggling to get ashore.
Jiang Sanbao's team, which was training nearby, rushed over immediately. After sending someone to negotiate, they relaxed a little.
It was an acquaintance, Hou Sandao from Muma Xiaosha.
As soon as he stepped ashore, he began to shout, "I have brought eighteen more households and thirteen children to Caoshe."
""
Jiang Sanbao rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, with soldiers lined up behind him, their swords and spears fully armed.
"It doesn't matter for the adults, but did the children sign a contract?" he asked.
"Of course we know the rules of Caoshe." Hou Sandao beckoned to the two servants behind him, quickly retrieved a stack of documents, and then grabbed a scholar next to him, saying, "Read them aloud."
The scholar was pulled along, staggering, his hair disheveled by the river wind. After receiving the document, he first read the top page: "Xu Er, a resident of Xu Village in Guide Prefecture, now presents his own child, nicknamed Xiao Ma, who is five years old, healthy, and has little money or food to support him. He is deeply distressed by this and has inquired with Cao Guanren in Matuosha Township, Jiangyin Prefecture, to sell him to Cao. They have reached an agreement that he will be raised with ten strings of cash in Zhongtong paper money as a dowry, and will forever serve him.
If, after the sale, the origin of the pony becomes unclear, and relatives and other unrelated people come and go, arguing and competing, the seller will simply remain silent and not say anything, having no involvement from the buyer. To prevent future disputes, this document is written for future reference.
On the 28th day of the fifth month of the sixth year of the Zhizheng era, Xu Er, who sold his son, and Zhang, who sold his wife, were accompanied by Li Sha, Chu Zhenyuan, and Cao Luo.
After reading one document, he proceeded to read the second: "Guide Prefecture—"
The wind was quite strong on the river embankment. More than a hundred refugees gradually came ashore and stood on the high embankment, looking blankly ahead.
They were somewhat relieved to see houses being built and fields being leveled in the distance.
It was no easy feat for anyone to escape to this place; the hardships and dangers along the way were indescribable. Now that they could settle down and live in peace, it seemed not so bad, even though they had not been able to reach the legendary prosperous Jiangnan region.
Another group of people arrived from not far away.
The leader, dressed in a red robe and surrounded by a group of people, was pointing and gesturing in their direction. Those around him echoed his words respectfully; if nothing unexpected happened, this was undoubtedly the owner of the place.
A short while later, the scholar finished reading all the documents and handed over the contract.
After carefully examining the fingerprints and signature, Jiang Sanbao scurried over to the man in the red robe and reported, "Shaoshe, a total of thirteen children, ranging in age from five to eight, the contract is correct."
After taking it, Shao Shuyi handed it to someone behind him, saying, "Check it carefully."
"Yes." The person who responded was named Gao Yue, the second son of Gao Jian, the head of Matuosha Village. He currently works as an accountant in Matuosha, handling some paperwork and financial matters.
Seeing that Jiang Sanbao was still standing to the side, Shao Shuyi asked, "Is there anything else?"
"This morning, Qian Qi, an old fisherman from the west, said that some fishing boats were hiding in the reeds behind his fishpond, so I came to report it. Just as I was about to report it, Qian Qi's son ran over and said that the boats had left," Jiang Sanbao said.
"What can you tell from this?" Shao Shuyi asked.
"Qian Qi said that the group of people spoke the Huai River dialect, and they had bows and swords, and even armor. Their accent was similar to that of the refugees settled in Ma Tuo Sha, and they mentioned a person named Bi Si in their conversation," and that was all.
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"Okay, I understand." Shao Shuyi nodded.
Throughout the year, countless people pass through Ma Tuo Sha.
There were merchant ships, fishing boats, officials, refugees, and thieves with ill intentions—the list was endless, and it happened every month; we were already used to it.
This gang called "Bi Si" probably wanted to make their fortune in Jiangnan. They've already left, and the vast river is hard to find, and they're too lazy to look for them.
He soon arrived near a newly cultivated field.
Several farmers who were weeding in the fields saw him and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency."
Shao Shuyi helped an elderly man with white hair and beard to his feet, saying, "No need for such formalities."
After saying that, he looked at the field full of weeds and smiled without saying anything.
The old man was a little embarrassed and said, "We just leveled the land last year, and there were too many grass seeds. I'm afraid there won't be much of a harvest this year."
Shao Shuyi waved his hand and said, "It's alright. As you've seen, granaries are being built one after another, and they'll be filled sooner or later. Ma Tuosha has no shortage of food; it can feed you for a year, two years, or even three years. It's not a problem. However," Shao Shuyi pointed to the farmland around them, which had been developed for less than a year, and said, "These fields are still very important. If we can't buy food in the future, we'll have to rely on you."
The old man bowed deeply and said, "Rest assured, sir, we would never dare to slack off. We expect a good harvest next year."
"Okay, I'll be waiting," Shao Shuyi said with a smile. Then he pointed to the group of people on the river embankment and said, "The newcomers will be assigned to the area behind your village to cultivate the wasteland in the river bend. It will be tough at first, so please look out for each other."
"Yes," the old man replied. "Years ago, I fled south in haste with the last of my family's valuables, with nowhere to turn. The hardships and dangers along the way are best left unmentioned. Now, all of this is thanks to you, sir. What is it to do a little something for you?"
"The old man has been to school? His manner of speaking is quite remarkable," Shao Shuyi asked in surprise.
"I only studied a little, but later my family became poor and I couldn't continue, so I stopped studying. But my son studied with a teacher for a few years." The old man raised his head and looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"How many years of schooling did your son receive?"
Five years.
Why didn't you continue reading?
"After the teacher passed away, there was no one else to teach in the surrounding area. Going to other places was too far and too expensive, so he stopped studying. But my son would borrow books whenever he had the chance, showing a strong desire to learn."
"Where are the others?"
"I've gone to the blacksmith's to pick up farm tools."
"What's your name?"
"How can I be content?"
"A good name," Shao Shuyi praised. "Have him come to the monk's hut when he has time."
"Yes." The old man was overjoyed.
Shao Shuyi smiled, walked to the edge of the field, and looked carefully.
A total of 300 mu of farmland has been reclaimed in this area, resettling more than 40 households, all of whom were refugees from Henan and Jiangbei. Now, another 18 households have arrived and will continue to reclaim 300 mu on the other side of the river bend, connecting it with this area.
There's a story behind these 600 mu of farmland; it refers to the land that Shao Shuyi promised to the officials of Jiangyin Prefecture.
Of the 300 mu in the first phase, the Darughachi of Jiangyin Prefecture, Kuolijisi, received 100 mu; the Prefect, Zhang Yang, received 80 mu; the Assistant Prefect, Zhu Daocun, received 50 mu; the Judge, Ma Yuanchong, received 40 mu; and the Chief Clerk, Ge Daji, received 30 mu.
The prefectural governor, Cui Chengping, hasn't done so yet, but perhaps he'll get some benefits from the second phase of the 300 mu project. The direct reason is that this guy keeps his distance from him and is quite protective of his reputation.
Clearing land is not an easy task. The first phase started last year, and this is the second year. The grass is still thick and the bean sprouts are sparse. We must continue to "rise early in the morning to clear the wasteland" and "return home with a hoe under the moon".
Meanwhile, in Sanlinli, Pudong, the first batch of more than 100 acres of wasteland purchased has been continuously cultivated. It is said that the rice and wheat are growing well this year and can already be self-sufficient. If there are no major disasters next year, they may even be able to pay rent rice for the first time and start to "turn losses into profits".
This is truly a long-term investment, requiring one to endure losses for up to three years in the initial phase. This is only possible because Shengye Trading Company is financially strong, well-organized, and has ample investment. If it were a small business starting out, it would definitely not see a return on investment in three years, and even with good luck, it would take four or five years, or even longer.
The second phase, covering 300 mu, will begin this year, a year later than the first phase. It is expected that winter wheat will be sown in the autumn of the eighth year of the Zhizheng era, and a decent harvest will be achieved when the wheat is harvested in the summer of the ninth year.
He has three more years, provided no one bothers him.
Anyway, he's made a lot of money now, and has plenty of funds to gather refugees and reclaim wasteland. Ma Tuo Sha is too desolate; the land's potential is far from exhausted, and this activity can continue for a long time.
As society has developed, agricultural products have become increasingly commercialized, completely different from the situation in the Han and Wei dynasties. Theoretically, one can buy grain with money, and in considerable quantities at that, but how many people who accomplish great things rely on buying their own grain?
Leaving everything to the market seems like a good idea, but what if the market disappears? Are we supposed to just rob people?
This is Shao's bottom line.
As he leisurely observed the newly cultivated farmland, even digging a ditch himself in a moment of enthusiasm, the person who "disturbed" him arrived—
"Cao She, you've really become the master of the manor now?" Ge Daji and Jiang Guanbao walked over from a distance.
The ground was covered with bushes and weeds, and there wasn't a proper path. Ditches were dug everywhere, densely packed. The two of them jumped around in the ditches, and then walked onto the narrow ridges of the fields. Their cautious appearance was quite comical.
"I am the owner of this estate for the sake of the officials of Jiangyin Prefecture," Shao Shuyi said with a smile.
Jiang Guanbao leaped over the last irrigation ditch, accidentally trampling on several broad bean plants. He glanced at Shao Shuyi instinctively and repeatedly said, "I'll pay for it, I'll pay for it."
Ge Daji jumped over as well, not even bothering to look at the farmland he also owned, and said breathlessly, "Cao She, you really have to come with me this time. That scoundrel Han De recommended you, and the Prince of Zhennan might summon you to join the campaign."
Shao Shuyi was displeased upon hearing this and said, "Why is Han De so reckless in his actions?"
"He can't do anything about it," Ge Daji said, trying to smooth things over. "Each prefecture needs to make recommendations; he can't very well submit Zhao Yangui's name, can he?"
"Why not?" Shao Shuyi retorted.
Ge Daji gave a wry smile and said, "It's too late to say all this now. You'd better prepare in advance."
"I'm going out of town in a couple of days, so I'm afraid I won't be available."
"Where to?" Ge Daji asked patiently.
"Suzhou," Shao Shuyi said.
He was actually going to Shanghai to attend Wang Huadu's wedding; he wasn't telling the truth.
When will you be back?
"I won't be able to come back before mid-July."
Upon hearing this, Ge Daji frowned.
"What? Are we going to deploy now?" Shao Shuyi asked.
"It's not that we have to leave right now." Ge Daji shook his head and said, "Judging from what the prefect said, the Prince of Zhennan seems to want to rely on the royal army to make one more effort. If that doesn't work, he will recruit salt workers, wandering knights, and farmhands to fight and wipe out the Huashan bandits."
"Let Zhao Yangui go," Shao Shuyi waved his hand, saying, "I have too many things to do."
Ge Daji secretly observed Shao Shuyi's expression and realized that he didn't seem to be joking, so he became a little anxious.
He was a seasoned veteran of officialdom, and immediately probed, "Cao She, is there anything you're lacking? Don't worry, that can be taken care of."
Shao Shuyi laughed and said, "The prefecture only has ten bows; what problem can that solve for me?"
Jiangyin was a directly governed prefecture, so like the Lu Zongguan Prefecture, it was equipped with ten sets of bows. If it were a decentralized prefecture, it would only have seven sets.
Seeing that Shao Shuyi was willing to respond, Ge Daji relaxed considerably and said, "Don't worry. This whole mess was caused by the interpreter's Han army, so of course they'll have to pay a price. What do you want?"
Shao Shuyi pondered for a moment and said, "On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes. Without armor, we can only face the enemy's blades with our bare flesh and blood. I need armor, the more the better."
Furthermore, if the bandits use large shields to defend themselves, bows and arrows will likely be useless; a powerful crossbow will be necessary. Could someone in the prefecture find one or two for me? It would be best if a few crossbowmen could be sent to train me as well. Don't worry, I'll provide meals and even pay them.”
Upon hearing this, Ge Daji turned pale and was momentarily speechless.
"This is my request. Go back and ask Zhang Gong and Kuolijisi Gong if they can agree to it," Shao Shuyi said.
Ge Daji remained silent for a long time, then sighed and said, "Alright, I'll go back now."
Jiang Guanbao stood to the side, head bowed, without saying a word from beginning to end.
He understands Gertrude very well.
Cao She is already difficult to subdue. If he were to acquire iron armor and powerful crossbows, wouldn't that be like adding wings to a tiger?
It's really hard to decide what to choose.