Chapter 235: Zeng Sanlang

“Debt?” Many people were moved.

“How much interest? We won’t have to pledge anything, will we?”

Some of them had borrowed money before, but as time went on, it became increasingly difficult to repay. Eventually, they had to give up their fields or even sell their sons and daughters, which wasn’t unheard of.

There was a moment of hesitation.

The official dared not speak up and glanced sideways at the maid who looked more impressive than even the wealthy families in the city.

The maid was also deeply troubled. While others might not know, they were all too aware. The two hundred or so cattle had cost their mistress a lot of effort and personal connections, not to mention the pressure from the old master and the support from the old lady. They had been purchased for twenty-five taels each from the Zeng family, totaling over five thousand taels.

Now, not a single coin had been collected, and everything had been given on credit?

Though the old lady privately supplemented the mistress with three thousand taels, the rest was also from the mistress and the lord’s funds. Besides, it wasn’t just cattle that had been brought.

But as a servant, no matter how distressed she felt, the mistress’s wishes were paramount.

A maid from a prestigious family, even if just a servant, exuded a commanding presence. The official looked at her but was not intimidated. Taking up the conversation, she said, “Our lady said that no interest is needed within the first year. Also, after this year’s autumn harvest, you can use grain to settle the debt. If it’s not repaid after a year, then interest will be calculated at twenty cash per tael per month.”

“As for collateral…”

The lord is a governor; what need is there for collateral?

Furthermore, the maid looked at the old farmers. The land had been newly allocated by the government; there was nothing to pledge.

“The lady didn’t ask for any collateral. Just bring your household registration documents and write a promissory note with your fingerprints at the yamen.”

As soon as the maid finished speaking, the crowd erupted in noise.

No collateral, interest only after a year, and debts could be repaid with grain.

Those who were quick to understand calculated immediately, while those less adept gathered in small groups to figure it out.

How much land could be opened this spring, how much grain could be planted, and how much could be harvested by autumn? How much would that grain convert to in silver?

The old farmers, who could not read and found it hard to calculate other things, did reasonably well with estimating their harvests. However, grain prices were unstable, making conversion to silver challenging. They could only estimate cautiously, counting on their fingers hidden in their sleeves.

When harvest time came, prices like three hundred cash per dou of grain, as it was now, would be unrealistic. Repaying debts was no simple matter; it was safer to estimate low.

Estimating even lower, even if the normal price before the war was sixty or eighty cash per dou, if ten households in a village bought cattle together, any extra two or three stones of grain harvested could cover the cost of the cattle.

“Opening the land is crucial. Without cattle, we can’t plow the fields ourselves. If we have cattle, with a bit of luck, the extra land we open this year might cover the cost of buying the cattle.”

“And the loan?”

“Loan it!”

“Quickly, leave a few people to choose the cattle. Erlang, Sanlang, go and call everyone from our village. Inform them immediately and hurry!”

Once someone took the lead, many others firmed up their resolve. Families or familiar groups came out to view the cattle. It was rare for an entire village to show up, but that’s exactly what happened: everyone scattered to find people.

Seeing this commotion, Old Chen and his group hastened their selection of cattle. A few knowledgeable people quickly assessed the cattle’s build, fur, eyes, nostrils, and teeth. Out of the twenty-five cattle, they selected three that were satisfactory and then chose the most spirited one with the most lively eyes. They led the chosen cattle and called out, “Daxing Village is buying cattle!”

This announcement lifted the mood of the crowd. Those selecting cattle worked faster, and those going to find people moved more quickly.

The cattle dealer, pleased, who was originally a servant of the Fan family and knew the intentions of his master, called out in response, “Alright, this way! Daxing Village is buying cattle! Everyone, make way!”

The voice was loud and cheerful, and these two calls brought a smile to the face of the Fan family member behind the flowered window.

Outside, the group from Daxing Village had arrived at the official’s desk for registration. Buying cattle was done by village, which was different from buying poultry. The official looked at the Daxing Village group and asked, “Daxing Village? Has the village head made the selection?”

Zhou Cunzheng smiled and said, “Yes, indeed, that would be me.”

The official, hearing this, smiled back, “A scholar?”

Zhou Cunzheng shook his head, “Not at all, I only know a few characters.”

While speaking, he handed over his household registration and pointed to his section on the bamboo slip, “This is my household registration information.”

“Zhou Jiuzhang?” The official took the registration, confirmed it with Zhou Cunzheng, and began to record it. Afterward, he opened another ledger to verify, “Daxing Village, nine households, right? Is it one family buying on their own, or are several families buying together?”

There were indeed many who would rather use human labor to farm rather than share the cost, which is why the question was asked.

“Nine households buying together.” The Lu family’s large house had not yet settled its registration, so it didn’t count towards the household count.

“Alright, submit the registration. I’ll write the loan note, and you can sign and seal it after checking it.”

Zhou Cunzheng shook his head, “No need, official. We have the money.”

“Not on credit?”

The official instinctively looked up at the Daxing Village group. It was understandable; after sitting here for over an hour and seeing so many people but no buyers, and with the governor’s wife just announcing credit, it was natural to assume it was on credit.

Even the maid beside the Fan family took another look at the group. Compared to the emaciated and pale faces seen over the past few months, this group, young and old, was in good health.

Daxing Village.

The maid silently noted the name of the village.

The official’s assessment and the maid’s observation took only a moment. Zhou Cunzheng said, “The governor and his wife are very kind, considering the livelihood of the common people. We happened to have the money on hand and did not want to take advantage of this.”

Saying this, he took out a pile of small silver coins that had been collected along the way from various families. It was exactly fifteen taels, “Please check it, Sir.”

The official verified the silver. Seeing that the situation was quite favorable, the maid didn’t stay any longer and turned to return to report to her mistress.

Fan family watched closely. Once the people from Daxing Village had moved away after registering, the specific details of their conversation were not clearly heard. After the maid returned and reported, Fan family member raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing the Daxing Village group, “Their complexion is better than others. It’s rare to see. Daxing Village?”

After the years of turmoil, it was rare to see common people in such good condition, especially when everyone in the group, regardless of age or gender, looked relatively well.

Curious.

Could they really be ordinary commoners?

Before the maid could reply, she suddenly bent in a respectful bow, “Lord.”

Fan family member turned and saw her husband, who had entered the yamen early in the morning, had somehow already returned. Her eyes brightened, and she called out cheerfully, “Sanlang!”

Governor Zeng stood next to her and glanced outside, “What are they discussing?”

He vaguely heard Daxing Village mentioned.

“Looking at the situation with cattle and poultry.”

The maid saw her mistress briefly mentioning it and couldn’t help but elaborate, “Poultry is fine; many city residents came to buy after hearing the news. Cattle, however, were difficult. Prices had dropped to fifteen taels per head. In the morning, there were many people looking, but no one buying. Only when the mistress allowed credit did it start moving.”

Having grown up together with her, the maid was not one to let her efforts go unnoticed and would always help explain. Fan family member gave her a look but said nothing.

The maid lowered her gaze.

Fan family member smiled and said, “After years of turmoil, grain prices had already risen very high before the major disturbances. Most people are short on silver, so without credit, they can’t afford it. We can’t let the cattle sit idle at the yamen while the land remains fallow.”

“Concubine.” Governor Zeng took his wife’s hand and was at a loss for words, “Thank you.”

The two maids, perceptive, exchanged a glance and quickly stepped back.

Concubine Fan smiled at Zeng Sanlang, “You’re not frowning at me anymore?”

Governor Zeng thought about the shock and joy he felt when he first heard the news yesterday. The shock was greater, especially seeing the road full of supplies, poultry, and livestock. He had been fearful all the way back to the governor’s residence. He glared at her, “Next time you act so boldly, it won’t just be a frown.”

Concubine Fan, however, was not at all intimidated and pinched Zeng Sanlang’s cheek, “Sanlang, I like it best when you smile.”

Zeng Sanlang quickly stepped back, looking around to see if the warehouse guard was watching. He tried to stay calm but whispered almost as if lip-reading, “Don’t make a scene outside.”

Concubine Fan noticed his neck was turning red and smiled, clicking her tongue, “Heng’er is already three years old, and you still have such a thin skin.”

The last part was spoken quietly, only for the couple to hear.

Zeng Sanlang grabbed her mischievous hands, “Let’s go, back to the inner court.”

As they walked, he asked with extra seriousness, “What were you discussing about Daxing Village? Did they buy cattle too? On credit?”

“Yes, they were the first village to buy cattle. It’s quite rare. Although I allowed them credit, they paid with real money.”

Zeng Sanlang smiled slightly at this and didn’t ask further.

A few steps later, they had entered the back garden. As they turned towards the inner quarters, Concubine Fan’s dowry nurse came forward to greet them. Seeing her husband after such a long time, Concubine Fan thought he looked thinner. She called her dowry nurse and asked, “What’s for lunch?”

The old nurse, who knew her mistress’s preferences well, smiled and listed five dishes. In the context of noble families, this was considered very frugal and even somewhat meager. Naturally, it was also due to the limited food supplies in the governor’s residence, and Concubine Fan was reluctant to use the poultry for herself. However, the old nurse had put a lot of thought into it, detailing which dish was palatable, which was nourishing, and which the lord liked, making sure to cater to Concubine Fan’s preferences.

The old nurse was well aware that, despite her beautiful words, the dishes were few. She added, “Today we have fresh roe deer meat in the kitchen. I was about to ask if the mistress and the lord would like a portion for lunch. It’s best cooked in a clay pot for tenderness.”

“Roe deer meat?” Concubine Fan asked in surprise, “Where did it come from?”