Why Is Someone Targeting Our Residence?
Zhou Wanwan looked at the assembled ministers below and slowly began to speak:
"I understand that we cannot rely solely on distributing porridge to relieve the people."
Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him how to fish. If we really want to stabilize the situation, the most important thing is to rely on food.
I have found sweet potatoes, and I have also found a crop called cassava. Cassava is even more drought-resistant than sweet potatoes, and it can survive even in the driest weather.
I plan to have the people plant these two crops on a large scale to help them overcome this difficult time.
One minister asked with great concern:
"But now the drought is getting worse and worse, water sources in many places are drying up, and even drinking water is difficult."
Even if you have crop seeds, what can you do without water to irrigate them?
Zhou Wanwan said calmly:
"No water? That's not a problem. I have a way to get people to dig a well for them."
However, I won't do these things for them for nothing.
We can buy those unclaimed wastelands first, and then give them to the disaster victims to cultivate.
After the harvest, they need to pay us a portion of the rent in exchange for land, seeds, and the convenience of us helping them dig wells.
The roots of the trees under Zhou Wanwan's command can penetrate extremely deep into the ground, making it incredibly easy for them to dig a well.
As long as there is water and land, the people will naturally be willing to cultivate the land with peace of mind, and the matter of rent will then fall into place.
The porridge distribution began the next day, with a total of eight porridge distribution points set up in Yunxi County, Anyi County, Huaiyuan County, and Chengping County.
The porridge stalls in the four counties were packed with people, and the lines were Manman.
In just one day, several thousand refugees flocked to the area, crowding the open space with their families.
After working for most of the day, the county magistrates finally managed to gather all the refugees together and have them line up in a queue.
Shen Yu'an stood on high ground, cleared his throat, and said:
Everyone, Jing'an and listen to me!
We've seen you all fleeing here without food or shelter, and now we're going to show you a way to survive!
We have a lot of wasteland here, as long as you are willing to stay and help with farming.
Just come over, sign and put your fingerprint on the document, and you can immediately receive a piece of land that belongs to you to cultivate!
The land is for you to cultivate, and the harvest will be divided according to your share. You will receive 40%, and the rest will go to the public.
Just focus on farming and taking care of the land; you don't need to worry about anything else!
"And one more thing, you can rest assured that if there is a natural disaster and the land cannot grow crops, it has nothing to do with you, and you will not have to compensate us."
Anyway, we'll provide food and lodging. If you're willing, come and sign the papers."
Many refugees were filled with desperation; having land to cultivate meant hope, and even receiving only 40% was better than wandering aimlessly and starving to death.
What's more, since they don't have to take responsibility for poor planting, people immediately rushed forward, wanting to sign and seal the land deed.
Before long, almost all the refugees had signed and affixed their fingerprints.
The four county magistrates had their men lead them to cultivate the wasteland.
Zhou Wanwan had already returned to the Nie Family. When Nie Rou woke up, she found herself lying on the floor. She cried out, "What happened? How did I end up on the floor? Zhou Wanwan, did you do this?"
Zhou Wanwan rubbed her eyes, got up, and said, "Can I lie on the ground too? I really don't know what sins your Nie Family committed; I've lost so many things from the Nie Family."
When Madam Nie and Nie Shi'an woke up, they were in the garden.
The two women looked at each other in disbelief. Madam Nie, looking at the garden, said, "I've really seen a ghost; it seems our house is gone again."
Nie Shi'an had a terrible headache.
"I really don't understand why someone is able to target our house?"
You can take anything from my house, but why did you empty it all out? What were you doing?
"Ah..."
Then they heard Young Madam Nie scream, "Where are my jewelry! And my clothes? They're all gone... Waaaaah..."
Madam Nie, with a headache, got up and walked over to Young Madam Nie, saying, "What's all the noise about? Don't you find it annoying?"
Young Madam Nie cried in distress, "Most of my jewelry from my dowry is gone, Mother, what happened?"
Madam Nie sighed and said, "I told you yesterday not to move in with us, and now look what's happened!"
Young Madam Nie sobbed with grievance, "How was I supposed to know something like this would happen? And now our house is gone?"
Madam Nie frowned and said, "Now someone is watching us. Wherever we live, our houses will be moved away."
Young Madam Nie wiped away her tears and said, "That heartless bastard, don't be afraid. I'll take you back to my parents' home. They won't dare to cause trouble there."
Zhou Wanwan, standing beside her, asked, "Who is your maternal family?"
Young Madam Nie looked at her and said:
"My father was Principal Fourth Rank local garrison general of the imperial court, stationed in an important local town, and held real power."
Our family has deep connections in the local military, and even the local prefect has to treat us with respect.
Anyone who dares to oppose my family is openly offending my garrison and making an enemy of the entire local garrison!
Madam Nie quickly nodded and said, "Oh dear, how could I forget about that? Let's go now! I'll pack my things too..."
Madam Nie glanced at the empty room and said, "I don't have much to pack, let's leave now!"
Nie Shi'an is now helpless; wherever they go, their wealth doesn't follow.
It's not that they don't have a house here; the Nie Family has plenty of houses. But even with so many, they can't possibly continue living here!
The whole family traveled by carriage directly to Young Madam Nie's family home.
Young Madam Nie's family is quite prominent, and it's only about an hour's drive from here.
Nie Feng sat quietly in the corner without making a sound. Young Madam Nie looked at him and said, "This time, my brother-in-law seems to have grown up a lot."
Madam Nie patted Nie Feng's head and said, "He does seem to have matured a lot. He's been spending every day at school lately. It seems our Nie Feng has grown up."
Nie Feng looked at Zhou Wanwan cautiously and said, "You have indeed been working hard lately."
Nie Rou smiled and said, "Uncle, what do you think of my new maid?"
Nie Feng shuddered and said, "Where's your new maid? Don't tell me you're talking about Zhou Wanwan!"
Nie Rou clapped her hands and said, "Uncle, how did you know? This little girl is quite capable. Anyway, I like her very much."
Nie Feng looked at her helplessly and said:
"Nie Rou, I think you shouldn't treat others like maids. This is someone my father brought back."
Besides, he's now a scholar; shouldn't you at least show him some basic respect?
Nie Feng kept giving hints, but unfortunately Nie Rou had no idea what he was implying.
Nie Rou glared at him fiercely and said:
"Uncle, what do you mean? Why are you always taking this brat's side?"
I wanted her to be my maid, but she was very obedient and would do whatever I asked.
It's nothing like the rumors suggest.