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Just by looking at the village chief beside her, Gu Jing inquired, “How much would it take for you to sell to me?”
If Wang Jinhe couldn’t resolve the issue, couldn’t Gu Jing approach the village chief directly? After all, once the village chief made a decision, regardless of Wang Jinhe’s status, there would be no turning back, right?
However, the village chief had a different approach. He wasn’t swayed by Wang Jinhe’s position, so Wang Jinhe didn’t need to worry too much about that.
The village chief shook his head at Gu Jing and stated, “I’m not willing to sell my property to you.”
“If we are to sell land in our village, it will be to the princess, as we had already agreed upon before,” the village chief explained. The price offered by the princess was considerably higher than others, so they couldn’t be too greedy.
Gu Jing, with a grim expression, confronted the village chief, “This is your last chance. Think carefully. If you miss this opportunity, you won’t get another.”
The village chief chuckled at Gu Jing’s words, “You can leave this opportunity for someone else. I intend to collaborate with the princess.”
Having realized his previous errors, the village chief now had only one goal in mind—to align himself with a powerful figure, and that figure was none other than the princess. As for Gu Jing, he had no intentions of seeking her favor.
“If that’s the case, I’ll give you the money. You can bring the land deed, and I’ll have the county magistrate handle the transfer directly,” Wang Jinhe stated with seriousness, not one to miss such an opportunity. She promptly arranged all the subsequent details.
She continued, “Gather those in your village who can build houses and even those who can assist. I will bring a master here to establish a workshop.”
Gu Jing, listening to Wang Jinhe efficiently organize the land’s use on the spot, felt infuriated.
“Princess, considering the vast size of this land, it seems endless for you. How about we divide it? What do you think?” Gu Jing, refusing to give up, still hoped to obtain a portion of the land from Wang Jinhe.
“Our relationship hasn’t reached that stage where I would consider sharing the land I’ve acquired with you. What are you thinking?” Wang Jinhe responded curtly, showing her irritation.
Gu Jing’s audacity was truly remarkable. Did she not understand the nature of their relationship? Knowing their standing was one thing, but to utter such shameless words was truly beyond belief.
Pointing at herself, Gu Jing was so enraged that she almost felt like spitting blood.
“Furthermore, besides setting up the workshop, I also plan to establish a warehouse. If you were to have a portion of the land, how would I proceed with my plans? This is a business venture for me. If you have land nearby and I happen to lose any vital formulas, who would be held accountable?” Wang Jinhe’s gaze was sharp as she looked at Gu Jing, her tone icy.
Gu Jing found herself unable to argue with Wang Jinhe’s reasoning because she had also considered these factors.
Gu Jing’s intention was to be in the same location as Wang Jinhe, ensuring she could promptly learn of any developments and easily bribe individuals on the inside. It seemed like a simple solution to find out whatever she needed to know.
However, having Wang Jinhe bluntly articulate her thoughts left Gu Jing feeling frustrated and stifled.
Unconcerned with Gu Jing’s feelings of frustration, Wang Jinhe made it clear that she was not impressed with Gu Jing’s scheming.
“Gu Jing, don’t bother using these petty tactics on me. They hold little value,” Wang Jinhe stated bluntly.
Gu Jing instinctively clenched her fists, staring at Wang Jinhe intently. “Are you suspecting me of attempting to steal what you have?”
“You’re not mistaken. I do suspect you of trying to steal my formulas,” Wang Jinhe responded without a hint of discomfort, laying her suspicions bare.
Gu Jing felt extremely uncomfortable being exposed in such a direct manner. She looked at Wang Jinhe and was about to speak when Wang Jinhe smiled and said, “If you want to discuss the matter of trying to bribe those around me, do you need me to spell it out for you?”
Gu Jing fell silent, feeling a mix of embarrassment and shame reflected in Wang Jinhe’s eyes.
In the end, she turned and left without saying another word to Wang Jinhe. Her departure seemed like fleeing in defeat.
Was she simply afraid?
The fear of revealing these actions left Gu Jing with no ground to stand on.
Yuan Bao, watching Gu Jing walk away helplessly, shook his head and remarked, “Gu Jing could have been a significant figure in the business world, but she chose to take shortcuts. Even if she can currently obtain things not rightfully hers through the Young Master, with her nature, without Zhang Qin’s supervision, she would squander everything within two years after the three-year agreement ends.”
Wang Jinhe was initially surprised, but then she chuckled softly.
“You’re right, that possibility does exist.”
Wang Jinhe handed the agreed-upon eight hundred taels to the village chief, who promptly provided the land deed.
“Thank you, Princess, for not holding it against me,” the village chief expressed his gratitude.
“No problem. In the future, inform the villagers in this village and the neighboring ones that when selling grain, they should sell to their own people and not to the other Empire. Our two empires are not on friendly terms,” Wang Jinhe instructed the village chief.
The village chief, assured by Wang Jinhe’s instructions, vowed, “Princess, rest assured, I will carry out the tasks as you have instructed.”
Wang Jinhe paused, wondering when she had given this man any tasks.
After a moment, she shook her head with a smile, “What a hassle.”
“Not a hassle at all, it’s what we should do,” the village chief quickly responded.
He dared not mention any trouble. As long as the princess didn’t cause him any trouble, he was grateful beyond words.
Wang Jinhe, observing the village chief’s grateful demeanor, couldn’t help but chuckle. The village chief was indeed quite a character.
“Get your people ready. Construction will begin in a few days,” Wang Jinhe informed them.
Upon hearing that construction would start in a few days, the village chief was overjoyed. He hesitantly asked, “Princess, once the workshop is established, can people from our village work there?”
The village chief voiced the thoughts of everyone present, and Wang Jinhe, seeing their hopeful expressions, chuckled softly and reassured them, “Of course, that will be possible.”
With such a large workshop, it was essential to have workers. After all, the purpose of buying land for the workshop was to provide the people with additional income.
Separated by a city wall, the disparity in income was indeed vast.
While the lives of these villagers might improve slightly, it was not a significant transformation. Ultimately, having more money in hand would truly enhance their quality of life.
“Thank you, Princess,” the villagers expressed their joy upon hearing Wang Jinhe’s words. How could their Princess be so kind?
Observing their reactions, Wang Jinhe shook her head with a hint of helplessness. “I have other matters to attend to. I must leave.”
Even though she had grown accustomed to such looks over time, Wang Jinhe still felt somewhat uneasy.
The villagers continued to see off Wang Jinhe until she departed.
“Thank goodness the Princess didn’t hold it against me. Otherwise, my actions would have brought trouble to our village,” the village chief said ruefully.
“In the future, Father, don’t easily believe one-sided words,” his son advised.
“Am I the kind of person they describe?” the village chief asked, displeased.
The son glanced at his father, then spoke earnestly, “Father, don’t doubt yourself. You are who you are, not what others may say.”