Exploitation of Rent in Rural Areas during the Republic of China - Excerpt from the "Xunwu Investigation Report"

The light is dazzling

The Tianxin chicken is delivered once a year, with the lease document specifying it as "rooster," because a rooster (capon) is larger than a hen. However, farmers often send hens instead. Although the lease states that one should be delivered each year, farmers frequently take two years to send one. The delivery usually occurs after the winter harvest or during the New Year season. If the delivery is delayed, landlords often go to urge the farmers. "The Tianxin rooster has been sent!" "I haven't raised any yet. Sir! Let me buy one at the next market." Or they might say: "Sir! This year, I must be excused from the delivery."

In terms of rent, approximately 80% is paid in grain and 20% in cash. For public halls, deity associations, temples, and bridge associations, about half of the rent is paid in cash, as many tenants of public halls and deity associations also have a stake in the matter. Consequently, tenants often have to convert their grain into cash at the current market price, keeping the grain for their own consumption. Such individuals are mostly those who engage in small businesses or have pigs and chickens to sell, enabling them to obtain cash. Those public halls and deity associations controlled by wealthy gentry, in order to benefit from their exploitation (as cash sells for more when grain prices are high), force farmers to deliver grain to the granary, leaving the farmers with no choice. For the same reason, landlords typically require rent to be paid in grain and do not allow tenants to pay in cash, with only those landlords who are far from the villages permitted to accept cash payments.

No one asks anything

Aidi Ku

The poor speak bluntly

Below is an example of the character "赁"

3. Oil benefit

B. Usury exploitation

Landlord: "Oh, indeed!"

The price was set according to the landlord's wishes, and then the grain was sold to the farmers

Field Prices: The rental price for pit fields ranges from 17 to 20 yuan per stone, while the rental price for raised fields ranges from 30 to 40 yuan per stone. The standard rental price for ordinary pit fields is 20 yuan, and for raised fields, it is 30 yuan. The pawned rental price for pit fields is typically 15 yuan per stone, and for raised fields, it ranges from 20 to 25 yuan.

It is also good to be like this

When the Red Army kills the enemy

Year after year, the fields are cultivated

Every year, one rooster is raised.

10. Land Transactions

When the landlord or their representative is present to supervise the division, a lunch consisting of pork and fish (and sometimes duck) must be provided. After the lunch, once the grain has been divided and the farmer carries the rent grain along with the landlord or their hired workers to the landlord's home, two eggs must also be added, placed on top of the grain. This is the daily routine. If the relationship between the farmer and the landlord is good, it is not uncommon for the farmer to deliver seven or eight eggs.

Some malicious landlords report the farmers, leading to the arrest of farmers and their imprisonment; however, such malicious landlords are not numerous. Originally, the sharecropping system accounted for 40% of the total, while the rent system accounted for 60%. Recently, the sharecropping has increased, and the rent has decreased, with each now accounting for about 50%. Why has the sharecropping increased? It is because the tenants are becoming increasingly impoverished, often finding that after harvesting, they have no grain left. Landlords fear that farmers will not pay rent after the harvest, which is why sharecropping has become more prevalent. At the same time, farmers, fearing land adjustments and legal disputes, also prefer sharecropping. As the tenants grow poorer, they often find that after harvesting, they have no grain left, which leads landlords to fear that farmers will not pay rent after the harvest, thus increasing the prevalence of sharecropping. Additionally, farmers prefer sharecropping to avoid land adjustments and legal disputes.

A blind person should act like a blind person

Upon hearing that someone had sold their son, the creditor hurried to their home to demand repayment. "You sold your child and still refuse to pay me back!" the creditor shouted harshly. Why did he act this way? Because at that moment, it was a critical juncture for the repayment of his debt. If the debtor sold their child and still did not repay him, once the money was spent, there would be no opportunity to repay the debt forever, so he disregarded everything else.

2. Quantity leasing system

A. Land Rent Exploitation

5. Pi Tou, Tian Xin, Tian Dong rice.

The purpose of gatherings is mutual assistance, not exploitation. For reasons such as marrying off a daughter, conducting business, burying the deceased, repaying debts, and so forth, relatives and friends are invited to hold a gathering. However, gatherings such as the monthly gathering, biennial gathering, and seasonal gathering, due to their heavy emphasis on profit, ultimately lead to the exploitation of farmers

It is common to sell sons, but selling wives and daughters is rarely seen

In June, it is also time for harvesting

The wealth of the medium-sized landlords is mostly lent to those small landlords who are impoverished and to farmers who are on the verge of bankruptcy, with the aim of consolidating land ownership.

The additional interest of 3% is mostly borrowed by wealthy farmers from other wealthy farmers. The purpose of the borrowing is to engage in rice trading, pig trading, or to open a small shop in the market. Why can wealthy farmers borrow at an additional interest of 3%, while poor farmers can only borrow at 5% or 1%? There are two reasons: First, it is about the amount. Typically, loans are for amounts of 200 or 300 yuan, which can be utilized effectively upon repayment. In contrast, poor farmers borrow small amounts of 3 or 5 yuan, which are too fragmented and cannot be used for anything substantial upon repayment. Second, it is about reliability. Wealthy farmers have land contracts as collateral, and their operations are profitable and promising, unlike poor farmers who have very little property. Their borrowing is mostly for consumption or to repay other debts, making them quite unreliable.

Usury is the most egregious form of lending. The term "dou jia you" refers to a practice prevalent in areas like Chazi Mountain in the southern half of Xunwu County, while the northern half lacks Chazi Mountain, hence no "dou jia you" exists there. What does "dou jia you" mean? If one borrows one pound, they must repay two pounds; if they borrow two pounds, they must repay four pounds; if they borrow four pounds, they must repay eight pounds. This is what is referred to as "dou jia you." What is the time frame? The standard is set during the oil pressing season in September. Any borrowing made within a year prior to September, regardless of when it occurred, is subject to the same usurious terms. If one borrows one pound, they must repay two pounds; if they borrow two pounds, they must repay four pounds; if they borrow four pounds, they must repay eight pounds. This is what is referred to as "dou jia you." What is the time frame? The standard is set during the oil pressing season in September. Any borrowing made within a year prior to September, regardless of when it occurred, is subject to the same usurious terms.

Alas

The minimum interest rate is 3%, which is the standard rate, accounting for 70%. An additional interest of 10% is added for a total of 4%, and an additional interest of 20% is added for a total of 5%.

measured one basket after another

9. Labor

The yield of the later variety is often two dan less than that of the early variety for every ten dan, resulting in only eight dan. After paying four dan in rent, one is left with only four dan. Combined with the four dan from the early variety, the total yield is eight dan. However, the landlord receives a total of ten dan, resulting in a ratio of 4.4 to 5.6.

(8) Exploitation Conditions

(3) The quality of the rental must specify "wind-dried and moisture-free," and must not fall short of the required quantity. Any violations will result in the transfer of the contract to another party.

Pawning land is merely an opportunity for the pawnbroker to exploit the landowner through exorbitant interest. When the landowner fails to pay the rent in full each year, the pawnbroker begins to charge interest on the unpaid portion, which accumulates year after year, ultimately forcing the landowner to sell the land entirely to the pawnbroker. This interest on unpaid rent is usurious, exceeding three percent, rather than the two percent interest typical of pawning.

The dark and delicate woman seeks to negotiate for a small amount of money

Qian Li

(1) Field boundaries, clearly indicating the location and demarcation of the field

The following is an excerpt from Mao Zedong's "Investigation Report on Xunwu" regarding the exploitation of land rent and usury, as well as the circumstances under which the people, in order to repay the land rent and usury to the landlords, are compelled to sell their sons and daughters

There will be five types of meetings: annual meetings, semi-annual meetings, monthly meetings, seasonal meetings, and biennial meetings

1. Meeting Segmentation System

Food is also very delicious

The landlord's reasoning is: I spent a lot on the price of this land when I purchased it, and you, as the tenant, have saved on manure and grass by farming it. If I do not take a share first, you will benefit too much. However, this approach is quite rare, occurring in only one out of a hundred households.

The system of forced labor has been abolished throughout the county. When landlords have urgent matters such as weddings or funerals, they often request tenants to work for them. Landlords also cultivate a small amount of land and frequently ask tenants to work for them during busy farming seasons. However, all of this is compensated with wages.

Why do we eat coarse rice under the roots of the grain? For example, after cultivating 20 loads of rice fields, 11 loads are taken as rent, leaving more than 8 loads. Last year during the New Year and this year during the lean season, we borrowed 2 to 3 loads of grain from the landlord, and with the added interest, we need to repay more than 3 to 4 loads. After the harvest, we need to buy good things to entertain the landlord. Once the harvest is over, we buy a little oil and salt, pound a little rice, and as soon as autumn arrives, everything is finished. This is called "eating coarse rice under the roots of the grain," also known as "a year of farming ends in hardship." After the harvest, we buy a little oil and salt, pound a little rice, and as soon as autumn arrives, everything is finished. This is called "eating coarse rice under the roots of the grain," also known as "a year of farming ends in hardship."

You are happy

Moonlight

Oh heavens

The allocation of land is divided into "head money" and "head rooster". The head money for ordinary single allocations (a single allocation lasts five years) is 0.1 yuan per stone, while for double allocations (a double allocation lasts ten years) it is 0.2 yuan, with some areas like Huangxiang charging 0.3 yuan. These payments are made in full at the time of land allocation. The head rooster, regardless of the amount of land allocated, is always one, and payment is also made at the time of land allocation. In the southern half of the county, double allocations are more common, such as in Huangxiang and Shuangqiao districts, where there are completely no single allocations. Even a piece of land that has been cultivated for decades still exists, but very rarely. When a single allocation is converted to a double allocation, that is, from five years to ten years, the head money and head rooster are paid in the same manner. In the northern half of the county, single allocations are more prevalent, and when landlords sell land, they do not refund the head money.

The more I think about it, the more pitiful it seems

The wealthy landlords and the public treasury rarely lend money to others, as the primary aim of the wealthy landlords is enjoyment rather than capital accumulation. They allocate funds for lavish banquets, constructing large houses, and other such expenditures, while also needing money to support their children’s education (though this is not their main objective). A small portion of commercialized wealthy landlords invest their money in business, which further limits their ability to lend to others. Those with surplus funds, lacking significant industrial or commercial investment opportunities, tend to lend small amounts to minor landlords and farmers, but these loans are both limited and unreliable. Thus, they prefer to bury their money in a pit rather than seek out minimal interest. Additionally, with the frequent demands for donations from warlords, those who have money to lend are often pressured to contribute, leading to further reluctance to lend. Lin Hu and Liu Zhilv, subordinates of Chen Jiongming, distributed over ten thousand yuan in Huangxiang to major landlords, public treasuries, and religious associations, having done so two or three times, which only exacerbated their tendency to hide their money.

What is the point of doing business for a mere profit

There is a story that has spread throughout the county: Liu Fulang, a landlord from Huangxiang, was known for his notorious stinginess. During times of scarcity, he mixed inferior grains with fine rice to sell. One day, a farmer came to his house to buy rice, and he told his wife and daughter, "If you want to wear skirts and pants, you must go and fish!" This phrase was spread among the farmers and became a well-known joke in the county. Why did this phrase become a joke? Because in Xunwu, the term "fishing" refers to women engaging in infidelity, and mixing inferior grains with fine rice is also referred to as "fishing." One day, when a farmer came to buy rice, he told his wife and daughter, "If you want to wear skirts and pants, you must go and fish!" The farmers spread this phrase, and it became a famous joke in the county. The reason it became a joke is that, due to local customs, the term "fishing" is used for both infidelity and mixing inferior grains with fine rice. He inadvertently made this humorous remark in front of the farmer, and it has since become a well-known anecdote.

Every word is filled with malice

4. Paddock.

What did Gu Zeng post?

A fixed interest system will be implemented every six months, with a minimum of eight participants, and the number can range from nine, ten, eleven, to over twenty. The semi-annual meeting is not without capital gains, but rather occurs once every six months. (Monthly meetings, quarterly meetings, and biennial meetings are excluded)

Farmer: "Alright! The millet is all harvested, and the water in the riverbank is all flowing! Let's lend a hand, so that we can get it done, and once it's stable, we can start eating! [36]"

According to Liu Liangfan, an employee at the Governor's Office, in the 14th year of the Republic, there were six hundred households in the county that sold land (fewer than six hundred households bought land, as one household purchased several plots). Considering the total of thirty thousand households in the county (with a population of one hundred twenty thousand, averaging four individuals per household), one in every fifty households went bankrupt. As for pawning, it was more prevalent than selling off land, with five out of every hundred households pawning their land (among those who pawned, two out of every hundred households had taken in land, as one household might have taken in several plots). This indicates that in recent years, two percent of households in Xunwu have gone bankrupt annually, and five percent have been partially bankrupt. As for pawning, it was more prevalent than selling off land, with five out of every hundred households pawning their land (among those who pawned, two out of every hundred households had taken in land, as one household might have taken in several plots). This indicates that in recent years, two percent of households in Xunwu have gone bankrupt annually, and five percent have been partially bankrupt

Tian Dong is the leader of the thieves

2. Gu Li

Poor sisters unite

The wealthy landlords, middle landlords, public halls, and newly affluent households (the small landlords and rich peasants who have become prosperous) all have money to lend

The meeting division and quantity rental are two types of rent collection systems in Xunwu County.

In Shuangqiao District, there is a tradition of inviting the landlord to a meal once a year. This is rarely seen in other districts

The oil mountain [38] belongs to landlords or wealthy farmers, who lease it to poor farmers for cultivation. The landlords and wealthy farmers collect oil rents at a rate of fifty percent: for every twenty jin of oil, they collect ten jin; for every sixty jin of oil, they collect thirty jin. Of the oil rents collected, approximately ninety percent is transported to the market for sale, while ten percent is used to lend to poor farmers at interest.

All must be mortgaged; those with land should mortgage their land, while those without land should mortgage their houses, cattle, pigs, or timber. All must be clearly stated in the document labeled 'Loan'.

On the surface, it appears that the landlord and the farmers are evenly matched at a ratio of 60 to 40, which seems to be a 50-50 split. However, this is not the case. The landlord often receives 56% while the farmers only get 44%. Although the early harvest yields are high, out of every 10 dan, the landlord has already taken 6 dan, leaving the farmers with only 4 dan.

Pawning is divided into "transfer" and "non-transfer". In a transfer, the landowner receives the pawn price from the pawner and hands over the land to them. The pawner can either cultivate the land themselves or lease it to others, having full control over it, and the landowner cannot interfere. After the transfer, the pawner is no longer required to pay rent to the landowner; aside from retaining the right to reclaim the land, the situation is almost equivalent to a sale, as the majority of ownership has already shifted to the pawner. In a non-transfer, the pawner pays the pawn price to the landowner, while the land remains cultivated by the landowner, who pays rent to the pawner each year. The rent rate is the same as the ordinary land rent, with one stone of grain land yielding one stone of rent (for both categories). For example, if the pawn price for a stone of land is twenty yuan, the landowner receives twenty yuan and pays one stone of rent, with the ordinary price for one stone of grain being four yuan, resulting in an annual interest rate of two percent. Why is the interest rate for pawned land lower than the social borrowing interest rate (which is at least three percent annually)? For instance, if the pawn price for a stone of land is twenty yuan, the landowner receives twenty yuan and pays one stone of rent, with the ordinary price for one stone of grain being four yuan, resulting in an annual interest rate of two percent. Why is the interest rate for pawned land lower than the social borrowing interest rate (which is at least three percent annually)? This is due to the mindset of general wealthy farmers (newly affluent individuals); they find that low-interest pawning is more reliable than high-interest lending, as "putting money into the soil" is considered very secure. Why do wealthy farmers choose to pawn land instead of purchasing it? Because the bankruptcy of farmers and landlords occurs gradually rather than suddenly, "first pawn, then buy" has become a common phenomenon. However, it is also a widespread occurrence that "land is associated with the powerful; once pawned, it is sold," thus the difference between buying land and pawning it is minimal. Since the bankruptcy of farmers and landlords occurs gradually rather than suddenly, "first pawn, then buy" has become a common phenomenon. However, it is also a widespread occurrence that "land is associated with the powerful; once pawned, it is sold," thus the difference between buying land and pawning it is minimal. Among the two types, transfers account for ninety percent, while non-transfers account for ten percent. Most non-transfers are leased (fixed rent), but there are also legally transferred cases where the original owner establishes a lease agreement with the pawner, creating a tenant relationship while still cultivating the land. This adds an additional layer of tenant relationship beyond the creditor (pawner) and debtor (landowner) relationship. Most non-transfers are leased (fixed rent), but there are also legally transferred cases where the original owner establishes a lease agreement with the pawner, creating a tenant relationship while still cultivating the land. This adds an additional layer of tenant relationship beyond the creditor (pawner) and debtor (landowner) relationship.

"There is no food to eat after the harvest is gathered and the rent is paid," referring to the situation where, right after the harvest and paying the rent, there is no food left to eat. This scenario accounts for nearly 40 percent in Xunyu.

Again, ah

The rental system is "early six, late four". The flat rate is divided equally.

Landlord: "I... I can't even feed myself!"

Guna, Qiana

Release the horse's head

Meet Mr. Luo Changsheng

During the Great Heat (the sixth month of the lunar calendar), the rice is harvested; during the Beginning of Autumn (the seventh month of the lunar calendar), the rent is measured, and the landowners notify the farmers to deliver the rent

When the delivery is not made, the landlord personally makes a fuss and runs to the farmer's home to urge them. If it is still not delivered, he sends workers to fetch it. If they still cannot retrieve it, he will adjust the farmer's land.

In the land struggle of Nanfan County, farmers and children widely sang a song, which went as follows:

Landlord: "Alright, you are quite talkative. Even the grain in my mouth has been taken by you. Are you willing to pay this much money?"

Why is it "six parts for early crops and four parts for late crops"? This is because early crops are relatively expensive and yield more, so paying sixty percent in rent is not too burdensome for the tenant farmers; whereas late crops are cheaper and yield less, hence only forty percent is paid.

Those who participate in mutual aid associations (hui tou) are not entirely without assets; they are mostly from the middle peasant class and small merchants. Wealthy farmers do not need to join such associations, while the extremely impoverished peasants find it difficult to even be invited to one. Only semi-subsistence farmers, tenant farmers who possess draft animals and farming tools, self-subsistence farmers, and small merchants in towns who are active and not at risk of bankruptcy are the ones who can gather participants for these associations

The farmer walked to the landlord's house and said to the landlord: "Sir, have you had breakfast?"

Ghostwriter: Xie Yulin, November 24, 1927, Republic of China, signed by the tenant farmer Kuang Shiming

The ten-year debt mentioned in the second section is hypothetical; in reality, creditors rarely allow farmers to delay repayment for such an extended period. They always pressure farmers to repay quickly, settling once before borrowing again, as they fear that prolonged debts will become unreliable. Typically, creditors permit farmers to repay the principal while accruing interest, which increases over time, and this usually only extends to three or five years at most, with no allowance for excessive indebtedness. How do creditors force farmers to repay their debts? When the harvest is ready, the creditor takes a basket and goes to the farmer's rice field, saying, "Your grain is owed to me!" The farmer, unable to resist, watches as the creditor takes the grain. Having paid the rent and repaid the debt, the phrase "there's barely enough to eat under the roots of the grain" refers to this situation. Many farmers, under such circumstances, wipe their tears with their sleeves.

Many farmers have paid their rents and cleared their debts, yet they find themselves without food. The landlords, having collected the rents, are unwilling to sell the grain. As the New Year approaches, the farmers are eager to obtain some grain, and the landlords release a portion, but not for sale; rather, it is lent. The interest on the lent grain is half a year plus five (previously, the interest rate was "three grains plus four for money," but recently, the instances of four grains have decreased, with most now being five). This is more advantageous than selling. The landlords sell grain only during the period of transition between the old and new crops in April and May, when prices are driven even higher, but they still engage in various manipulations. The interest on the lent grain is half a year plus five (previously, the interest rate was "three grains plus four for money," but recently, the instances of four grains have decreased, with most now being five). This is more advantageous than selling. The landlords sell grain only during the period of transition between the old and new crops in April and May, when prices are driven even higher, but they still engage in various manipulations.

The borrower constantly seeks to annex the houses, cattle, and pigs of the poor farmers, or even a small piece of their land or a garden. When he notices that the poor farmers need money, he lends it to them; if they cannot repay, he confiscates the collateral. There are also medium-sized landlords who engage in this kind of predatory lending to the poor. Gu Bai's grandfather, Gu Youyao, is one such example. He once used this lending method to annex three vegetable gardens and two houses from poor farmers. Today he lends 1 yuan, tomorrow 2 yuan, gradually accumulating a large sum, thus qualifying to annex a vegetable garden. He often schemes and plots, using this opportunistic and fragmented lending method to seize others' property. He disregards local affairs and court matters, as these would hinder his personal wealth accumulation. He is a typical usurer who exploits with exorbitant interest.

However, the land that is pawned is sometimes stolen. It is those young masters who indulge in gambling and debauchery; when they lose at gambling or run out of money for their escapades, and when they are unable to settle their debts, they secretly pawn the land to wealthy farmers or landlords from powerful families, concealing this from their fathers. Once their fathers pass away, they then take possession of the land. Why do they pawn it to the powerful families? Because only the powerful families are unafraid of trouble. If the secret is discovered, they will make it public and are not concerned about their fathers' objections. They conceal from their fathers the act of pawning the land to wealthy farmers or landlords from powerful families, and once their fathers die, they take possession of the land. Why do they pawn it to the powerful families? Because only the powerful families are unafraid of trouble. If the secret is discovered, they will make it public and are not concerned about their fathers' objections.

5. Meeting.

Anhao Learning Hall

will feel sad

Poor brothers share the same heart

A year of farming leads to another harvest

The old social relationships are nothing but relationships that consume people

There is another method, where the farmer first takes out some grains, referred to as "cuo gu zhong". The quantity is a handful taken from the total rented grains. The reason is that the seedlings are planted in someone else's field, not in the land of the landlord. The field where the seedlings are planted will not yield any early harvest, resulting in losses for the other landowner. To compensate the tenant, which in turn compensates the losses of the other landowner, a handful must be taken out first. The reason is that the seedlings are planted in someone else's field, not in the land of the landlord. The field where the seedlings are planted will not yield any early harvest, resulting in losses for the other landowner. To compensate the tenant, which in turn compensates the losses of the other landowner, a handful must be taken out first

In terms of number theory, new entrants account for the largest share at seventy-five percent, while middle landlords account for twenty percent, and large landlords and public halls account for five percent

3. "Eating rice under the roots of the grain heads"

Measured the land rent and the yield of grain

Harmful to the poor, they age like this

(4) Tian Xin stipulates that every year or every two years, a rooster must be delivered. This rental agreement must be documented even if it involves as little as three dan of grain. This is because, without a written agreement, there is a risk that the farmers may not pay the rent as stipulated, leading to disputes without evidence. Additionally, there is a concern that over time, the farmers may encroach upon the landlord's land. The rental agreement is to be written by the farmers to the landlords, while the landlords do not write one to the farmers.

8. "You must wear a shirt and pants to go fishing"

The annual meeting consists of six individuals, completing a cycle of six years. Aside from the head meeting, each person contributes ten yuan, totaling fifty yuan, which is handed over to the head meeting. The head meeting has no principal to cover, with three years accruing interest at fifteen yuan per year, amounting to forty-five yuan, two years accruing interest at twelve yuan and fifty cents per year, totaling twenty-five yuan, and one year accruing interest of ten yuan, resulting in a total of eighty yuan in interest over six years, while the principal is considered "forfeited." After the second meeting, the system of no principal interest remains the same as the head meeting, but the interest decreases gradually each year. In total, the head meeting requires eighty yuan in interest over six years, while the principal is "forfeited." After the second meeting, the system of no principal interest remains the same as the head meeting, but the interest decreases gradually each year. For the second meeting, there is an interest of thirty yuan for two years at fifteen yuan per year, twenty-five yuan for two years at twelve yuan and fifty cents per year, and ten yuan for one year, totaling sixty-five yuan in interest. After the third meeting, the interest decreases further. "The head meeting sells its face, while the second meeting picks up bargains" refers to the fact that although the head meeting gains economic benefits, it must lower its head to seek talent to form the meeting, while the second meeting neither seeks talent nor loses benefits.

Farmer: "Sir, please do not be so expensive, could you reduce the price a bit for me!"

The farmer then slowly spoke to the grain dealer: "Your grain, I would like to purchase two dou."

The bridge is a thoroughfare.

In June, the poor farmer harvests early crops, yet still needs to rent and borrow grain. By August, he has run out of grain and must borrow from the landlord or wealthy farmers again. In August, he borrows one shi of grain, and when it is time to repay in October, he must return one shi and two dou, including interest. If the poor farmer cannot repay in October, he can only tell the creditor: "I have nothing to repay this year; I will repay after the early harvest next year." The creditor replies: "That is acceptable, but the principal and interest must be calculated together. The one shi you borrowed, with five dou added for interest, totals five dou, and the two dou interest also accrues interest, adding another one dou, so you will owe me a total of one shi and eight dou by next June." (The principal of one shi, plus two dou interest, plus five dou interest, plus one dou interest, totals one shi and eight dou.) Therefore, from this June to next June, a full year, the total interest amounts to eight dou. If he still cannot repay by next June, the calculation will continue from one shi and eight dou, adding five dou again. If that farmer cannot repay at the time of harvest either, and the debt is pushed to the following June, then to the following August, and so on, this cycle could repeat twice a year, leading to an astonishing total after ten years.

This is a rental agreement established by the undersigned, Kuang Shiming. Today, I have rented a piece of farmland from Brother Ling Jian, located in the area known as Tieliao Ba. The farmland consists of a large hill, with a rental fee of six buckets of grain. It has been mutually agreed that the rental payment of six buckets of grain will be made annually, divided into two installments during the autumn and winter seasons, specifically six buckets in four deliveries, to be sent to my home. The grain must be well-dried and the measurements must be clear, with no shortages allowed. In the event of any shortages, the landowner reserves the right to lease the land to another tenant, and I shall not raise any objections. To avoid any misunderstandings, this written agreement serves as proof. It has been mutually agreed that the rental payment of six buckets of grain will be made annually, divided into two installments during the autumn and winter seasons, specifically six buckets in four deliveries, to be sent to my home. The grain must be well-dried and the measurements must be clear, with no shortages allowed. In the event of any shortages, the landowner reserves the right to lease the land to another tenant, and I shall not raise any objections. To avoid any misunderstandings, this written agreement serves as proof.

The division of the harvest occurs when the landlord and the farmers go to the rice fields together during the harvest season. The farmers harvest the grain and split it equally with the landlord, with each party receiving half. The landlord's portion must be delivered to his home by the farmers. In some areas, before the division takes place, the landlord takes a load first, which is not included in the division. This practice usually occurs in fertile fields.

7. Iron rent, non-iron rent

Non-iron rent accounts for eighty percent of the total in the county. Natural disasters, both floods and droughts, have led to a reduction in the rental agreements, but the decrease per stone of rent is only one to two dou. In the event of a major disaster resulting in a significant drop in harvest, even if the landlord has been consulted, a portion of the grain ("you" in the local dialect means grain, as in "there is grain, but no rice") must still be shared. Iron rent is specified in the lease as "half barren, no reduction," and constitutes twenty percent of the total in the county. However, in practice, farmers implement it less frequently, and it still requires consultation with the landlord, with good grain (referring to high-quality grain) being distributed accordingly. Iron rent is specified in the lease as "half barren, no reduction," and constitutes twenty percent of the total in the county. However, in practice, farmers implement it less frequently, and it still requires consultation with the landlord, with good grain being distributed accordingly.

A large bundle of bags

Living in a dilapidated house

Evidently, it is a taxpayer account

The interest on grain loans is significantly higher, representing one of the most ruthless methods employed by wealthy farmers and affluent small landowners to exploit poor peasants. The months of December and March see the highest borrowing. Poor peasants borrow grain in December to prepare for the New Year and in March to cultivate their fields. Regardless of whether the borrowing occurs in December or March, the repayment is due at the time of the early harvest in June, with an interest rate of five, meaning that for every stone borrowed, one and a half stones (three baskets) must be repaid. This system, which calculates interest at fifty percent over six months or even three months, is particularly severe in the realm of usury. Regardless of whether the borrowing occurs in December or March, the repayment is due at the time of the early harvest in June, with an interest rate of five, meaning that for every stone borrowed, one and a half stones (three baskets) must be repaid. This system, which calculates interest at fifty percent over six months or even three months, is particularly severe in the realm of usury.

Note [35]: "Ai", I. "Mao", none. "Xiangqi zuo", continue doing. "Anjing nǚzǐ", a more beautiful woman. "Yangde lao", how to grow old. "An hao xuetang", a better school. "Ge ye jiu", just finished cutting. "Zuo zei tou", very malicious intent, as evil as a thief. "Dai zi yi da kun", used for collecting rent. "Guo jie liu", an umbrella. "Ma ge dou wu wen", do not ask anything. "Zuo zei tou", very malicious intent, as evil as a thief. "Dai zi yi da kun", used for collecting rent. "Guo jie liu", an umbrella. "Ma ge dou wu wen", do not ask anything. "Fang chu xia ma tou", to speak in an official tone. "Shui hu tou", a big landlord. "A he", meaning there is none. "Ai tongxin", to be united.

4. Selling Milk | Child

In terms of debtors, the interest rates can be categorized as follows: five percent interest (annual interest of five percent, resulting in fifty yuan for every one hundred yuan), and one percent interest (monthly interest of one percent, resulting in one hundred twenty yuan annually for every one hundred yuan), which are predominantly borrowed by poor farmers. There is also a three percent interest rate (monthly interest of three tenths of a percent, resulting in thirty-six yuan annually for every one hundred yuan), but this is quite rare. If we consider the borrowing amounts of poor farmers as one hundred, three percent interest accounts for twenty percent, five percent interest accounts for seventy percent, and one percent interest accounts for ten percent. Most of the lenders to poor farmers are newly established households, lending amounts of three yuan, five yuan, ten yuan, eight yuan, and other small sums, with interest compounding on interest. In terms of collateral, poor farmers have no land to pledge, so they mostly offer their houses or livestock as security.

(2) Rental amount, specifying whether it is a face-to-face division system or a quantity rental system

It is unclear how this situation arose; therefore, the East has divided this chapter into two parts for publication

Unite to become the Red Army

In terms of borrowing amounts, the landowners account for 50 percent, the newly established households account for 30 percent, and the large landowners and public institutions account for 20 percent

The adoptive parent, Mr. XX, due to poverty and helplessness, finds himself unable to borrow and support his family, thus willingly requests relatives and friends to adopt his nth son to Mr. Zong as a male heir, in exchange for a sum of money. After the adoption, the adoptive father shall have full authority over the child's education and marriage, and in the event of any mistreatment, the biological father shall not interfere. Both parties agree willingly, without coercion, and dare not raise any objections. To avoid any verbal disputes, this adoption document is established as evidence. Such a contract of servitude is only written by the seller to the buyer; after the adoption, the adoptive father has full authority over the child's education and marriage, and in the event of any mistreatment, the biological father shall not interfere. Both parties agree willingly, without coercion, and dare not raise any objections. To avoid any verbal disputes, this adoption document is established as evidence. The so-called intermediary refers to the middleman, and there are often four or five involved, all of whom require a "water deduction fee," taking five percent of the selling price. There may be as many as ten relatives and friends present, all of whom require a "signature fee," to be paid by the buyer. The signature fee for close relatives and prominent figures (mostly gentry) is higher, ranging from ten to twenty yuan, while ordinary relatives and friends charge a signature fee of less than one yuan each. The children range in age from three to four years, seven to eight years, and thirteen to fourteen years. The signature fee for close relatives and prominent figures (mostly gentry) is higher, ranging from ten to twenty yuan, while ordinary relatives and friends charge a signature fee of less than one yuan each. The children range in age from three to four years, seven to eight years, and thirteen to fourteen years.

The landlord of Xunwu requires all farmers to write a "lease character" for the land they rent, without exception. The lease term is typically five years for a small batch and seven years for a large batch, which is the common practice throughout the county. This is the "rule" among tenants, essentially an unwritten law. Only those malicious landlords would dare to use excuses to violate this law, changing tenants every three to four years or seven to eight years. The lease character clearly states:

Year after year, the project is initiated