Chapter 0002: How can land acquisition be done without compensation

Father, my injury is no longer a concern, I am almost fully recovered

Liang Chen did not wish to return home, and there was nothing to do either way, so he waited by the field for his father and elder brother to finish their work before heading home together. After more than half an hour had passed, Wei Jinde finished spreading the manure, washed the two empty buckets in the ditch, and then asked Liang Qing to help his younger brother return home together.

Liang Chen was taken aback for a moment and instinctively said: "Zhu Changxun?"

As I passed by the village entrance, I saw the village head conversing with several individuals. Liang Chen noticed that those people looked familiar, as if they were from the six houses of the county. Many villagers were gathered around, and quite a few appeared anxious and worried.

Wei Jinde was also unaware of what had happened, and Liang Chen was somewhat curious as well. The three of them squeezed into the crowd to try to find out more. The appearance of the third member of the Wei family drew the attention of many villagers, but compared to the major event in the county, the matter concerning the third member of the Wei family was hardly worth mentioning

What should he do?

Wei Liangqing also came over, expressing great dissatisfaction with his younger brother's recklessness, and followed their father in reprimanding him a few times. Liangchen lowered his head slightly, allowing his father and brother to scold him. He understood that his father and elder brother were speaking out of concern for him. If it were someone else, they would not care whether he had healed or if his leg would suffer any aftereffects

This is clearly unacceptable to Wei Liangchen

The loyal minister thanked these two family elders, and since there was nothing else to do, he went straight to the east end of the village

Liang Chen felt extremely embarrassed, secretly pondering whether the former Wei Liang Chen had committed the heinous act of teasing virtuous women; otherwise, how could these women harbor such disdain for him

However, the various things learned in the past life are of no use in this era; one can either become a scholar or a farmer, and these are the only two paths available before a virtuous minister

Wei Liangchen, who was a historical writer in his previous life, was momentarily stunned. He was extremely familiar with the history of the late Ming Dynasty. It is now the thirty-seventh year of the Wanli reign, which means there are still over 30 years until the Manchu invaders enter the pass.

Of course, not all the villagers wished to avoid Liangchen. On the road, two elders from the same family stopped upon seeing Liangchen, inquiring with concern about his injuries, and then informed him that his father and elder brother were working in the fields at the eastern edge of the village

Wei Liangqing did not think as much as his father did. Seeing that his younger brother was truly fine, he asked Liangchen to sit and rest while he and their father finished the work before returning home together

As a father, Wei Jinde was extremely displeased with his youngest son's reckless act of getting out of bed, especially upon seeing that the boy had wandered so far. He felt both anxious and angry. He was very concerned that something might happen to Liangchen's legs; if he were to become lame, what would they do in the future? His eldest son, at such an age, had not yet married, and if the youngest son were to become lame as well, it would be even more difficult to find a wife for him. Wouldn't that mean the end of the Wei family line?

If one cannot change their fate, Wei Liangchen is certain that he will most likely witness the Manchu cavalry roaring in from beyond the pass, becoming a servant under Manchu rule

At the eastern end of the village, there is a river, and on the riverbank, there are about one hundred acres of land, which is the best land in the entire Pear Tree Village. Wei Liangchen's family has 2 acres and 8 cents of land here, and this piece of land is also the best for his family. Without this piece of land, relying solely on the few acres of poor farmland, it is likely that Wei Jinde would not be able to support Liangchen's education in the community school for several years.

Wanli, Taichang, Tianqi, Chongzhen, Hongguang, Longwu, Yongli

The loyal minister initially did not understand what had happened, but once he inquired and found out, he realized that a serious matter was at hand

As he passed by a few women, Liang Chen vaguely heard one of them say that he was just like her second uncle. This was the first time in his life that Liang Chen had heard someone discuss his second uncle. He felt a bit curious and wanted to approach and inquire further, but when the women saw him coming, they quickly dispersed

Each profession has its own expertise, and a good minister knows that he is truly not cut out for farming. But if he cannot attend school, how can he change his fate? Should he just stay in the countryside, waiting for the great chaos of the Chongzhen era, and then rise up, becoming a "great bandit" like Li Zicheng or Zhang Xianzhong, capable of altering history?

It is not feasible; the time is too long. Liang Chen unequivocally dismissed this thought, as he truly could not wait that long

When Liangchen arrived at the field, he saw his father and elder brother from a distance; one was spreading manure, while the other was hoeing weeds. Upon seeing Liangchen, Wei Liangqing was very surprised, and immediately put down his hoe and called out to his father. Wei Jinde turned his head in response and saw his young son standing there looking at him, hurriedly putting down the scoop and coming to the edge of the field.

The loyal minister, filled with concerns, wandered aimlessly in the village, receiving a stream of astonished glances. It had been a full three months since Wei's third son had disappeared from the villagers' sight. His sudden reappearance was indeed somewhat disconcerting. The numerous disdainful looks made Wei Liangchen realize that he had truly become quite unworthy in the eyes of the villagers over the past two years

The village where the Wei family resides is called Lishu Village. As the name suggests, there are many pear trees in the village. Every autumn, the villagers take the pears they have harvested to the city to sell, using the money earned to supplement their livelihood, which can be considered a local "sideline"

"Father, what has happened?" Liangqing asked in surprise, as it was not the time for tax collection, so what were the people from the six houses doing in the village

The son knows his own injury; if he cannot move, he would not dare to come out. Liang Chen honestly sat down on the ground

At this moment, Liang Chen felt a warmth; although these two men before him were not his blood relatives, since he was now Wei Liang Chen, they were his family. This is a fact that cannot be changed.

The call of "father" from the youngest son left Wei Jinde somewhat dazed. Over the past two years, due to his youngest son's refusal to study and his constant association with ruffians, Wei Jinde had often scolded and beaten him. However, the youngest son remained unresponsive, frequently arguing and quarreling with his father, resulting in a very tense father-son relationship. It has been over a year since Liangchen last called Wei Jinde "father," and especially after his injury, he had not spoken a single word to him. Whenever there was something to communicate, it was always his elder brother Wei Liangqing who conveyed the message.

Originally, this so-called official land refers to the land owned by the government. According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, once the land is requisitioned by the authorities as official land, the original owner of the land becomes a tenant of the official land, paying a rent of three coins per mu, which is not reduced or exempted even in years of disaster. Tenants of official land can only ensure they have enough to eat in good years, but in years of disaster, they truly face a shortage of food, with most having to borrow money to survive; otherwise, they are left with no choice but to sell their children. Once they have borrowed money, the ultimate outcome is also the selling of their children.

Once the one hundred acres of fertile land in Pear Tree Village are requisitioned for farmland, it signifies that the villagers of Pear Tree Village will lose their best land. Liang Chen initially thought that the government would provide some compensation for the land requisition, so he comforted his father and elder brother. However, his father said that the government offered no compensation at all. Upon hearing this, Liang Chen became anxious; how could land be requisitioned without any payment! This is unacceptable, we must report them!

Fate must be changed, not only for the significant transformations that will occur in thirty years, but also for oneself

"Be careful not to make a mistake. Should I listen to you, or should I listen to the doctor?" Wei Jinde muttered as he bent down to pull a handful of straw and laid it on the ground for Liangchen to sit and talk.

What are you doing here? This injury has not yet healed properly. The doctor has instructed that you must not get out of bed. Why are you being so disobedient? If your leg does not heal well, you might end up limping in the future

Soon, the news spread among the people of the Liu family, stating that the county intended to requisition the one hundred acres of fertile land in Lishu Village for farmland. Once the news was disseminated, it quickly reached the entire Lishu Village, leaving the villagers who were aware of the matter speechless in shock. Many were so frightened that they lost their composure, feeling as if the sky had fallen and were at a loss for what to do

Wei Jinde was also so frightened that he remained silent for a long time, while Liangqing squatted by the field, as if he had taken a vow of silence, staring blankly at his own rice paddy.

What can we complain about? The county has stated that the land was requisitioned by the court for the benefit of Prince Fu. Can we really file a complaint against Prince Fu?" Liangqing said in a low voice.

Upon witnessing this, Wei Jinde was even more astonished, for his youngest son's character was quite stubborn; when he, as a father, said to go east, his son would certainly go west. Today was truly an unusual day, as he first called him father and then sat down obediently. Could it be that not only has the good minister's injury healed, but his temperament has also improved?

King of Fortune