Chapter 0010: A Journey of Joy
Walking on the road built by his own organization, looking at the smoke rising from the chimneys of the houses with blue bricks and green tiles, listening to the satisfied clucking of the chickens and ducks foraging in the fields, and glancing at the yellow, black, and spotted dogs guarding the area as they run and leap alongside their horse team, Li Ze felt a sense of joy.
Li Ze simply dismounted, tossed the reins to the accompanying guard, and walked slowly with his hands behind his back, taking in the leisurely rural scenery as he strolled
Such days are truly wonderful
Previously, this farm did not cultivate rice, but ever since Li Ze quietly took control of the farm, he began to instruct the farmers to store water for rice cultivation. It was not because rice had a higher yield, but rather because Li Ze was unable to adapt to eating wheat-based food every day.
The various methods of producing and using natural fertilizers have led to a continuous increase in the yield per mu of crops. In summary, over the past two years, the hundreds of tenant households in this village have seen their lives improve significantly.
Of course, more importantly, the host is kind-hearted
When a person is gone, nothing remains
The fields, recently harvested, lay bare and displayed a desolate yellow hue. Piles of straw, remnants of the harvested grain, were neatly stacked throughout the fields. Beside a gently flowing stream, several waterwheels stood erect, some dedicated solely to transporting water to the fields, while others served their own mills.
It is a pity that just when he understood this principle and secured his own retreat, the heavens directly erased his existence from that time and space
First and foremost, one must survive
An elderly person, hunched over, was in the rice field collecting loaches with a scoop. Upon seeing Li Ze approach, he straightened up and, with a trembling hand, walked over while holding the scoop.
In the previous life, what others could scheme for was merely his wealth. There were many concerns about wanting to erase oneself from the physical realm, but here, this is hardly considered a matter of significance. Just like myself, an individual without a legitimate name or status, wanting to kill a few people, could do so quietly and without any repercussions.
This is a barbaric era, but at the same time, perhaps for a restless heart like Li Ze's, it may be considered the best of times
However, those who can achieve this, from another perspective, must also be individuals with considerable skill. Particularly, his own brother, who can make Tu Lichun submit, already indicates the issue. If he were to contentedly act as a small landlord, or if his brother could simply disregard him, that would be one thing. However, he is currently cautiously developing his modest power. If his brother were to find out, he might just beckon with a finger, leading a large army out for an excursion, and conveniently eliminate him in the process. If he were to contentedly act as a small landlord, or if his brother could simply disregard him, that would be one thing. However, he is currently cautiously developing his modest power. If his brother were to find out, he might just beckon with a finger, leading a large army out for an excursion, and conveniently eliminate him in the process
It can be said that Li Ze earned the respect and admiration of his several hundred tenants, leading them to be utterly devoted to him, starting from the agricultural tasks in the fields. Even though he had not farmed much in his previous life, during a time of incredibly advanced information, merely paying occasional attention to these matters was sufficient for him to be regarded as an expert in the eyes of others
Thank you, father-in-law. Li Ze smiled as he took it, then casually handed it to the guard beside him, who pulled out some coins and handed them to the father-in-law
Look at the figure of Tu Lichun beside you; he is a typical example. A robust and strong man, yet due to spending half of his life making a living on horseback, his way of walking clearly reveals a noticeable difference.
At the very least, this heart is somewhat gentler than one's own heart
This painful lesson has deepened Li Ze's understanding of this principle. It is a pity about the large sums of money he left in that beautiful country, which truly benefited those individuals
"Master, today I caught a two-pound giant salamander. I, being of little fortune, dare not eat it; only you, Master, can enjoy it." The old man, with a smile, skillfully pulled out a thick yellow salamander from the basket, quickly tore off a section of grass stem from the ridge, threaded it through the gills, and presented it to Li Ze.
The peasant families are cunning, always eager to take advantage of small gains, yet they are also simple-hearted. After seizing a small benefit, they often feel a bit embarrassed. Consequently, those strong laborers always put in their utmost effort in their work, otherwise they would truly feel guilty towards their hosts.
In this era, road transportation is undoubtedly an excruciating ordeal for Li Ze. Riding in a sedan chair is arguably the most comfortable mode of transport, yet it is not suitable for long journeys. Horse-drawn carriages, ox carts, and donkey carts are the most commonly used means of transportation, but enduring the hardships of these vehicles, which lack any shock-absorbing features, is something that will leave a lasting impression on someone like Li Ze. During his first migration at the age of five, he was jolted so violently that his bones felt loose, and he vomited uncontrollably. Riding a horse is somewhat more comfortable, but the pain endured in learning to ride is not insignificant. Similarly, while a short distance on horseback can be enjoyable, long-distance riding will certainly cause internal distress. Moreover, prolonged horseback riding can lead to minor aftereffects, resulting in bow legs. Riding a horse is somewhat more comfortable, but the pain endured in learning to ride is not insignificant. Similarly, while a short distance on horseback can be enjoyable, long-distance riding will certainly cause internal distress. Moreover, prolonged horseback riding can lead to minor aftereffects, resulting in bow legs.
To thrive well in this era, one must possess the strength for self-preservation. Li Ze is aware that he lacks the aura of a king or a conqueror; he does not rally followers with a mere call, marry a wealthy and beautiful woman, or become a CEO to reach the pinnacle of life. His path to existence lies in cautious management and silent wealth accumulation. If possible, it would be a wonderful thing to avoid drawing anyone's attention.
Everyone was compelled to allocate some land for planting rice, and in the rice fields, some loaches, yellow eels, and small crucian carp were introduced. This not only helps to aerate the soil in the rice fields but also allows for the occasional catch of some protein to improve living conditions, providing numerous benefits.
The harvest has greatly increased, but the rent has not risen; it remains at the previous rate of fifty percent. In the past, when fifty percent was paid, the family could barely make ends meet. If the harvest was poor, they would have to borrow from the landlord. Now, they still pay fifty percent, but after settling this, there is still a substantial surplus.
The young master merely smiled at this, leaving the steward with no recourse
As a result of this back and forth, the efficiency of production has significantly increased. Over time, those in charge have also discovered the secret behind it. Although it seems that some grain has been spent, when the overall accounts are calculated, the host not only does not incur a loss but actually gains some profit. More importantly, everyone is always able to finish their work ahead of schedule
Thus, the admiration these managers held for Li Ze became as boundless and continuous as the flowing river.
As for what these new tricks are actually for, they pay no mind. What they focus on is that once the young master begins to engage in these activities, the village will provide meals. Everyone in the family, except for the little children who cannot walk, can go and shamelessly ask for food. Whether they are three or five-year-old children, or seventy or eighty-year-old men and women, they can all go with a bold face to scrounge for a meal. If those in charge come in a fit of rage to question them, the cunning that is typical of peasant families can be fully utilized. Those people, though small or old, can still help with road work by pounding stones, picking up gravel, or boiling water for the workers, offering a bowl of hot water, which is also considered work.
Tu Lichun, this straightforward man, is the first target he has personally taken aim at; a gentleman can deceive him with reason
High-quality irrigation allows for intercropping, which is still a novel planting method for people in this era. A piece of land can yield two harvests of crops in a single growing season.
Li Ze glanced sideways at the extremely fierce man riding alongside him, yet he knew that beneath this man's ferocity lay a heart that was difficult for outsiders to perceive
Li Ze is a person who remains vigilant even in times of peace. In his previous life, he was lonely and helpless, relying solely on himself for everything. Moreover, a single misstep could lead to being targeted by others. The small achievements he fought hard to attain could easily vanish in an instant, reverting him to a state where his pockets were emptier than his face. After experiencing such losses multiple times, he developed a habit of always leaving himself an escape route, even when his current life is smooth and prosperous, ensuring he retains the capital for a comeback.
In recent years, in order to manage this small place with utmost secrecy, I have truly exhausted my brain, employing every shameless and despicable idea without hesitation, which has allowed me to achieve my objectives
Originally, the people in Zhuangzi were all lean and thin, with hardly any flesh on their faces, and their complexions were not very good. However, now, everyone has a rosy glow on their faces, and they have become much sturdier.
In my previous life, I was a person lacking in compassion, and in this life, I have become even colder. After giving the order to kill for the first time, I felt icy hands and feet, my body trembled, and I was anxious for a long time. However, by the second time, it had become a routine.
His current situation can be described as a great crisis hidden beneath a calm surface. In this small piece of land, his cheap father is the one who commands a following, while the brother, whom he has never met and is said to be exceptionally wise, decisive, and talented, is the one who enjoys the affection of many.
If possible, Li Ze hopes to live like this until the end of time
A few little girls timidly approached, offering to Li Ze the flower crowns they had just woven from the wild daisies they had gathered. Li Ze happily accepted them and, in front of the girls, proudly placed one on his head, which made the little girls clap their hands and giggle. Amidst their laughter, Li Ze also waved his hand cheerfully, and one of the guards beside him took out some coins from his pocket, handing a few to each of these thoughtful little girls.
During the slack farming season, the young master led everyone in repairing the roads and constructing irrigation ditches. Although it was voluntary work, the host provided meals as a reward, which allowed the household to save a considerable amount of grain. Thus, every time the farming season came to a halt, the hundreds of families in the village eagerly anticipated the young master introducing some new initiatives.
Secondly, one must live well
Life now seems quite pleasant, leisurely and carefree, exactly the kind of life that Li Ze has longed for throughout his life. However, behind this beautiful pastoral existence lies a tremendous danger, far more terrifying than in his previous life.
An expert who can only speak but cannot act