Chapter 16

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Zhang Tuhu, the butcher, lifted his long robe and sat down on the chair brought by a servant, his eyes gleaming as he looked at the contract in the middleman's hand.

He puffed out his large belly, spread his thick legs, and reached out to take the contract.

The land sale contract, freshly written by the village head, clearly stated at the beginning that Liu Xiu from Macheng's West Bay would sell 90 acres of prime paddy fields at the river mouth to him, with each acre priced at four taels of silver, and an additional four shi of rice to be paid as rent each year thereafter...

A full 90 acres of the best paddy fields, capable of growing two seasons of rice annually, and even a season of rapeseed after the late rice harvest. The land was extremely fertile, with water available all year round, and existing irrigation channels to prevent drought. One season of rice could yield at least four shi, and with two seasons of rice plus a season of rapeseed or broad beans, the total would exceed ten shi.

This land didn't even require much fertilizer; every winter, the silt from the river could be directly transported to the fields to replenish the soil.

The Zhang family had a few plots of land along the riverbank, but they were scattered. Liu Xiu's 90 acres, however, were mostly contiguous. Now, with this land, his scattered plots could also be connected. A contiguous plot of land was much easier to manage and irrigate, and its value would increase even more.

Although he would have to pay 360 shi of rice to the Liu family each year, which was a significant amount, Zhang Tuhu had already done the math.

Liu Xiu's 90 acres of land could yield an average of ten shi of grain per acre annually. After paying four shi, he would still have six shi left. If he leased the land to others, he planned to take a 70-30 split, with him taking 70% and the tenant 30%. This way, he would receive 4.2 shi per acre annually, which would total 378 shi of rice for 90 acres. This rice could yield about 200 shi of polished rice, and at two shi of rice per tael of silver, that would be 100 taels of silver annually, guaranteed regardless of weather conditions.

Without even considering the value of the 90 acres of land, just the annual rent alone would bring in 100 taels of silver. This was a great deal, and the capital he had to pay was only 100 taels of silver. He could recover his costs in one year, and from then on, it would be pure profit. Thinking of this, even the dislocated arm he had suffered earlier didn't seem like a loss.

What a great piece of land, Zhang Tuhu thought, filled with joy. In the north, most land yielded only about one shi per acre, and sometimes even less, measured in dou. In the south, paddy fields were more productive, but mostly around three shi per acre. Land as fertile as Liu Xiu's West Bay, which didn't require additional fertilization and could support three crops a year, was extremely rare. If a family had such land, who would be willing to sell it?

Even if they wanted to sell, they would have to first ask their relatives. Only if no one in the family was willing to buy it would it be available to outsiders.

"Sign and seal it!" Zhang Tuhu couldn't wait to put the contract in his pocket.

To ensure everything went smoothly, he had even invited the village head and several local gentry and landowners as witnesses, and had a county clerk present to make the contract a red deed, which would be officially recognized by the government. A red deed was more binding than a private white deed.

Zhang Tuhu looked at Liu Xiu again. This old man still held 40 acres of good land. He had to find a way to get it eventually. Yes, once he got these lands, he should think of a way to make the sale final.

Liu Xiu held the pen, staring at the contract, hesitating several times before putting pen to paper. When his father was expelled from the Liu family in Suokou River, he still received a significant amount of money and this land, which was originally part of the Liu family's estate. Initially, they had 200 acres, but after his father established his own household, though he was a supervisor student, he had no real skills.

Without the support of the Liu family, they lived off their savings, married, had children, and gradually sold part of the land. Some of it was given as dowries to his daughters. By the time it reached Liu Xiu, only 80 acres remained. Over the years, Liu Xiu had acquired another 10 acres, bringing the total to 90 acres.

Including the land brought by his eldest son's wife, the Liu family had 130 acres in total.

But today, he had to sell 90 acres of ancestral land to Zhang Tuhu.

Thinking of how, if he didn't sign the contract today, his son would likely be arrested and thrown into jail, Liu Xiu sighed and hastily signed his name.

"Done!" Zhang Tuhu had been waiting for this moment. Seeing the old man sign, he beamed with joy, quickly grabbed a brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote his name, "Zhang Gui," in a wobbly hand.

Originally, he was called Zhu Zai, but later, as he grew up and started slaughtering pigs, everyone got used to calling him Zhang Tuhu. Few remembered his real name. When he became wealthy, he asked a scholar to give him a grand name, Zhang Gui.

Since taking this grand name, his life had indeed become more prosperous.

Liu Jun left on a large gray mule, but returned on a spotted gray horse, a true steed. According to the third of the eight strong servants under Li Chunjiang, this was a genuine warhorse, not just an ordinary horse.

It was brought from beyond the passes to the capital and then sold to the south by influential horse traders. It was very difficult to buy such a good horse, requiring both wealth and influence. Only someone like Li Changgeng, a high-ranking official, could afford it.

Li Chunjiang was a very generous person, or perhaps he wanted to show his generosity to Liu Jun. He insisted on giving Liu Jun a good horse, saying that since Liu Jun was now his deputy, he couldn't ride a mule, as it would be embarrassing.

The horse was equipped with a fine saddle. Based on Liu Jun's knowledge of current prices, the spotted gray horse alone would cost at least 50 taels of silver, and the saddle would be about the same. This horse was originally Li Chunjiang's backup mount, with an extraordinary saddle.

During the journey, Liu Jun not only confirmed his riding skills but also gained a new appreciation for the spotted gray horse. It was indeed a warhorse, young, strong, and well-trained. After a 50-li ride, it maintained a good speed and only broke a light sweat, still retaining plenty of energy. It could easily cover 600 to 700 li in a day and night.

Such a good horse would cost far more than 50 taels of silver; he estimated it would be around 100 taels. Later, he learned from the third servant that the horse was very proud and required careful care. The annual cost of grass, eggs, and black beans alone would be at least 30 taels of silver.

Without substantial wealth, even if someone gave you such a fine horse, you couldn't afford to keep it.

However, Liu Jun wasn't worried about the cost of keeping the horse. For at least the next six months, he would be with Li Chunjiang. With such a wealthy boss, would he have to pay for the horse's feed?

Through their interactions, Liu Jun had come to appreciate Li Chunjiang. Born into a prominent family and a genius, he had become a jieyuan at 20, with a bright future. The fact that he had deliberately sought to befriend Liu Jun was truly flattering.

This trip to Suokou River, intended to connect with the Liu family, had not gone as planned, but unexpectedly, he had met Li Chunjiang, the jieyuan of the Li family from Damu.

Gently pulling the reins, the spotted gray horse, which Liu Jun had named "Luhu," stopped.

Liu Jun dismounted and patted Luhu, very satisfied.

"This horse's original name, 'Qinghuasong Shizi,' sounds much better. Why did you name it 'Luhu,' which lacks any poetic charm?" Li Chunjiang also dismounted, riding a snow-white horse named "Zhaoyeyu Shizi." In Li Chunjiang's view, a lion was more majestic than a tiger.

Liu Jun smiled but said nothing, thinking that Luhu was much more valuable than a lion, but Li Chunjiang didn't understand.

He led Li Chunjiang to the Liu family's residence, while the eight servants carried the gifts. As they approached the old green elm tree, they saw Bao'er's father sitting under it, wiping away tears.

"Uncle An, what's wrong?" Liu Jun asked as he approached.

Liu An looked up, saw Liu Jun, and quickly wiped his tears. "Young Master, you're back."

"What happened?"

"That butcher, Zhang Tuhu, forced us to sell 90 acres of ancestral land to the Zhang family. He didn't pay a single coin, just took the land by force."

"What? Zhang Tuhu dared to come and cause trouble?" Liu Jun was surprised.

Liu An hurriedly said, "Young Master, didn't you succeed in Suokou River?"

"How did you know?"

"Zhang Tuhu already knew, which is why he dared to come to our house. He threatened to report to the authorities, accusing you of injuring and robbing someone, and demanded that you be imprisoned. Then he proposed a private settlement, demanding that we sell our land."

Liu Jun frowned. "Did you sell the land?"

"Yes," Liu An said painfully. "The master has already signed the contract, with witnesses from the county office, the village head, and others. The contract has been filed with the county office and will soon become a red deed."

"Uncle An, don't worry. I'm back now, and I'll handle this. Let's go back first," Liu Jun comforted him.

Since the contract was already signed, there was no need to rush. However, Zhang Tuhu really didn't learn his lesson. He had just been beaten a few days ago, and now he had forgotten his pain. This time, he would have to make him feel the pain more deeply.

He glanced to the side. Yes, Li Chunjiang looked puzzled. Zhang Tuhu, your information is not up to date. You knew I didn't connect with the Liu family, but did you know I had befriended Li Chunjiang?

Without the relative Liu Jinwu, I still have Li Chunjiang, the nephew of a high-ranking official, as a friend. Do you really think you can bully me?

"Come, let's meet an interesting guy!" Liu Jun said to Li Chunjiang with a smile.

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