Chapter 96

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The matter here is settled.

After the Liu and Zhao families paid the compensation, they had already lowered their flags and slunk away, looking as miserable as a pack of defeated dogs. This was a stark contrast to their earlier grand entrance and the commotion they had caused.

Lei Yangqiu was temporarily let off the hook, and he, having survived the ordeal, did not wish to stay any longer.

The onlookers, however, did not disperse for a long time. They continued to discuss the event with great interest, sharing and exchanging their excitement.

Most of the common people in this world lead hard and monotonous lives, struggling just to make ends meet. Their greatest hope in normal times is to save money year after year, buy some land, or find a good future for their children, such as a good job or a good wife.

Today’s dramatic and eventful scene was enough to leave a lasting impression on them for a lifetime.

Madam Gongsun Hui, along with some of her sisters-in-law, directed the servants to set up a soup tent and cook some thick, savory meat porridge, inviting the common people to eat.

Today, these common people, even the poor, seemed to be mere onlookers. But in reality, they were the most crucial part of Wang Shouzhe’s plan.

This meal was a way of entertaining them.

In the eyes of many high-and-mighty scions of noble families, common people were so insignificant and unremarkable, like ants that could be crushed at any moment.

However, most noble families could not do without the common people. Without the wealth created by the common people, how would the noble scions enjoy their luxurious lives? How would they buy precious cultivation resources?

Moreover, while a single common person might be unremarkable, their collective power becomes very strong when their numbers are large. Even a Lingtai Realm cultivator like Lei Yangqiu, a respected town guardian, would not dare to act recklessly under the watchful eyes of thousands of common people.

Wang Shouzhe had a deep understanding of this from his previous life. The power of the onlookers, once gathered, was not to be underestimated. Even the lofty Celestial Noble families needed the support of a large number of common people to survive.

Some of the young girls and young men of the Wang family also voluntarily joined in the work of cooking porridge, distributing it, and maintaining order.

Among them were two direct-lineage daughters, Wang Luoyi and Wang Luomiao.

Even Wang Luoqiu and Wang Luojing, who had just made great contributions to the family, were working diligently, showing no signs of disdain.

This made Wang Shouzhe very pleased. The children in our family have the right values. They will never think they are above others just because they have some martial power and are detached from the secular world.

Wait a minute?

It seems something strange has mixed in.

A burly man with a pig-like face sat on the ground in front of the soup tent, drinking the meat porridge in large gulps, one bowl after another, finishing over ten bowls in the blink of an eye.

This little guy!

Wang Shouzhe walked up to him and examined him closely. He noticed that the injuries from the venomous insect bites had already healed significantly, a truly astonishing recovery.

"Is it good?" Wang Shouzhe asked with a smile.

"It’s good, it’s good." Zhao Dingteng answered instinctively, but when he looked up and saw Wang Shouzhe, he was immediately frightened and quickly covered his bowl, as if afraid Wang Shouzhe would take it away.

This made Wang Shouzhe’s lips twitch. This kid, he’s afraid of the wrong thing.

He’s a simple-minded kid, but he’s quite cunning in battle. If Wang Luoqiu were to face him, it’s hard to say who would win.

"Never mind, eat more. Once you’re full, go home quickly." Wang Shouzhe waved his hand. With his demeanor, he wouldn’t quarrel with a fourteen-year-old, simple-minded kid.

Although this kid looks like an adult, he’s only fourteen.

"Clan Leader Wang, it’s Clan Leader Wang."

When the common people saw Wang Shouzhe come to the soup tent, they immediately became very nervous, many of them filled with awe and admiration.

Today’s battle not only enhanced the reputation of the Wang family but also that of the clan leader.

"Everyone, eat as much as you want today until you’re full," Wang Shouzhe said with a smile. "If you’re unhappy living in the Liu and Zhao territories, you can migrate to our Wang territory. In our territory, you can live in peace and prosperity, and if a disaster strikes, the Wang family will help you through it."

Wang Shouzhe’s words immediately stirred many hearts. Compared to the high-and-mighty and malicious Liu and Zhao families, the Wang family seemed to be a true noble family.

Living under the protection of the Wang family would bring a sense of security.

"Clan Leader Wang, but our fields and homes are in the village," a farmer with tattered clothes said. "If we migrate, we can’t take our fields with us."

Yes, yes.

Many people echoed this, expressing their actual difficulties and disappointment.

Among the thousands of common people, there were also residents of the Wang territory.

Upon hearing this, they immediately felt a sense of superiority. One young man in his twenties said, "Your broken fields and houses, how much are they worth? Only the houses and fields in our Wang territory are valuable."

The people outside the territory were furious, "Why are they not worth anything? They can produce food and provide shelter just the same."

The young man said arrogantly, "You don’t understand. Our Wang family has Spirit Insect Masters. This year, with a little help, our fields only suffered a 50% reduction in yield."

The other "local Wang residents" also chimed in, confirming that what he said was true. On average, their fields only suffered a 50% reduction in yield.

Spirit Insect Masters? Only a 50% reduction? And that was with just a little help.

The farmers outside the territory were silent. The farmers in the Wang territory had an additional 20% yield this season compared to them.

If they could also have this 20% yield, they would have a significant surplus after paying taxes, and they wouldn’t have to borrow grain to survive the disaster, nor would they be bullied by the noble families.

For a moment, the "outsider farmers" looked at the locals with envy.

"Not only that, when our Wang family collects taxes on behalf of the government, the noble family’s share can be offset with money at a fair price. This year, we passed through the disaster easily," the young man said proudly. "Just our family has over twenty dan of surplus grain."

In a normal bountiful year, having twenty dan of surplus grain wouldn’t be considered very wealthy.

But this is a disaster year!

The outsider farmers’ eyes turned red at this number. Your family is so rich, and you’re still here eating porridge with us?

"Not only that, I have a friend in the Wang family’s collateral line who gave me a secret message. This year, the Wang family was unprepared, but starting next season, all the fields in our territory can be managed by Spirit Insect Masters, with even better pest control and at half the cost of pest powder," the young man said mysteriously.

Half the cost of pest powder?

That means... each mu of land could save a large copper coin per year. If a family had twenty mu of land, they could save twenty large copper coins just on pest powder, which is equivalent to several dan of grain!

The outsider farmers lost all their spirit, feeling that they were inferior to the Wang territory farmers.

"Hey, young man, are you married?" One of the outsider farmers, who was quick-witted, said with a smile, "I have two daughters, one sixteen and one fourteen. We can have a good chat."

"I also have a daughter, who is fifteen this year."

A group of farmers with daughters pounced on the young man like wolves, promoting their daughters and even discussing the dowry.

The young man was terrified, his face turning bright red.

In the past, his family’s conditions were average, with no savings and inadequate housing. Several times, he had asked matchmakers to arrange a marriage, but they either refused outright or demanded a huge dowry.

He was nineteen and still unmarried. Now, just because of his identity as a farmer in the Wang territory, the outsider farmers were vying to marry their daughters to him, with some even willing to pay a dowry.

In an instant, the young man felt he had reached the peak of his life.

Seeing this, Wang Shouzhe couldn’t help but smile.

He didn’t expect that the household registration in the Wang territory would start to become valuable. But this was to be expected, as the value of land and houses in different areas varies.

For example, land and houses near Changning Wei are naturally more expensive than those in Ping’an Town. Even if the output and taxes are the same, the people there feel more secure because they are close to Changning Wei.

Moreover, it’s more convenient for them to occasionally visit the city, and their social relationships are more complex. Many middle and wealthy farmers send their children to study in the city or learn a profitable trade.

This is understandable.

Over a hundred years ago, this area around Ping’an Town was a wilderness. If the living conditions were good, why would people migrate to such a place?

However, after this incident, the value of land and property in Ping’an Town is likely to change.

"Gentlemen, don’t be in a hurry," Wang Shouzhe said loudly. "I believe you have all heard that our Wang family is clearing the silt and filling the land to develop new farmland. These new fields will be fertile with silt as the base. We will soon launch a land exchange program and a pre-purchase program for the new fields."

"Land exchange program?"

What is that? This was a term that many common people had never heard of.

"In simple terms, it means exchanging your current fields and houses in the Liu and Zhao territories for new fields and houses in our newly developed land," Wang Shouzhe explained, his eyes narrowing. "Of course, because the new fields are not yet available and will take about two years, they are called 'pre-purchase fields.' However, for now, we only accept internal workers who participate in the land development project for the exchange. If you plan to migrate to our Wang territory, this is the only option for now."

The outsider farmers were silent for a moment.

But soon, someone spoke up, "I’ll exchange. Why not? I’ve had enough of the Zhao family’s dogs."

"I’ll exchange. As long as the Wang family pays us and doesn’t let us starve, two years is nothing. I’ll exchange."

"I trust the Wang family. I trust that Clan Leader Wang won’t let us down. I’ll exchange."

The word "exchange" echoed repeatedly. The farmers were not foolish; they had their own shrewdness. On the surface, it might seem like a loss, but in reality, the value of the household registration in the Wang territory would increase.

"The detailed exchange plan will be announced soon. Please pay attention to our Wang family’s announcements," Wang Shouzhe said, leaving them hanging before turning to leave.

Not far away, the Liu siblings caught up, both looking at Wang Shouzhe with unusual expressions.

"Yuanrui, Ruolei," Wang Shouzhe, feeling uneasy under their gaze, said with a bow, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"High, really high," Liu Yuanrui said, giving a thumbs-up and bowing, "Brother Shouzhe, this plan is truly brilliant. My admiration for you is like the endless flow of the An River. Not only does it benefit you, but it also subtly harms your enemies."

Wang Shouzhe was speechless.

"Big brother, I only see the benefit to you. Where is the subtle harm?" Liu Ruolei asked curiously.

"The benefit is obvious. Brother Shouzhe’s massive project needs a large workforce. By using the land exchange method, he can get a large number of farmers to participate in the project, effectively leveraging their efforts. In the end, these people will become self-cultivating farmers under the Wang family’s jurisdiction."

"Secondly, the fields the Wang family exchanges for are originally in the Liu and Zhao territories. By integrating and exchanging these fields, the Wang family can establish private farms in the enemy’s territory, effectively claiming that land."

"The most impressive part is that now, a migration trend to the Wang territory has formed, and many people are eager to join. Brother Shouzhe only needs to operate systematically, and the Liu and Zhao territories will gradually shrink, and the number of their subordinate common people will drastically decrease."

"Under this invisible vicious cycle, the Liu and Zhao families will become weaker and weaker, unable to resist the Wang family. Eventually, it will be just two words: extinction!"

Liu Yuanrui’s explanation made Liu Ruolei’s eyes sparkle, and she praised, "Brother Shouzhe is truly a god. Sister is so lucky."

"Uh..."

Wang Shouzhe rubbed his nose, realizing that he hadn’t thought as deeply as Liu Yuanrui. He simply wanted to solve the labor shortage problem and didn’t intend to create a long-term plan.

But his future brother-in-law’s mind was indeed sharp. Hearing his explanation, the plan seemed quite good.

Also, Ruolei, can you stop looking at me and speaking to me like that? It makes Wang Shouzhe feel uneasy.

At this moment,

A deep, resonant voice sounded, "Excuse me, everyone, I have a question. Is our Zhao family really that detestable?"

Zhao Dingteng!

Wang Shouzhe glanced at him and saw that the swelling and toxins on his face had subsided significantly, leaving him speechless. This simple-minded kid’s recovery ability is truly terrifying!

Liu Ruolei and Liu Yuanrui also stared at Zhao Dingteng with unusual expressions.

Don’t you, the simple-minded kid, have any sense of your family’s notorious reputation?

...