"Everyone should know that after our ancestors made this decision, Green Liuzhuang has at least a nominal connection with the capital. This will not have any impact on your lives. The only difference is that in previous years, you had to turn it over to the capital.

The money and grain you won need to be handed over to me in the future. Other than that, everything is as usual. You can do whatever you want. Don’t worry that I will misbehave because I am young and miss everyone’s farming season. This is the first thing I want to say.

thing."

Pei Yue stood at a high place, with a clear voice and a humble attitude.

The faces of the farmers were much more relaxed, and one of the old men said: "Young master, I am very grateful to you for your kindness. The 20% rent ratio is much more generous than other families."

Pei Yue smiled and shook his head: "It's not 20%."

Everyone changed their minds slightly. Does this new owner want to increase the rent?

Although the weather has been relatively good in recent years and there have been no disasters, life is still not easy for farmers who work on the land. Take Wang Yong's family as an example. There are five people in the family and they are allocated 25 acres of land.

The food they get for a year is about 75 dan, and they have to pay 15 dan, and the family can have 60 dan left over. This seems like a lot for a family of five, but even if they try every means to save, their family still needs to eat a year.

After losing more than 20 taels of food, plus the money that is usually spent, the whole family can have a balance of 10 taels of silver in a year, which is already a blessing.

If there is a bad year or a serious illness, this kind of family has no ability to withstand risks.

Of course, compared with other mansions that often charge 30% to 50% of the rent, these farmers are relatively lucky.

But if Pei Yue wants to increase the rent, even if it is only half a percent, it will be difficult for these landlords to accept it.

When the old man's lips trembled and he wanted to beg for mercy, Pei Yue smiled and said: "Don't get me wrong, I mean, from now on, the rent on the manor will only be 15%, and as long as I am still here

, this rule will never change.”

Mr. Xi's eyes, standing behind him, changed slightly, and he could naturally hear the weight of Pei Yue's words.

As expected, the farmers were surprised at first, and then their faces were full of joy. Under the leadership of the old man, they all knelt down and kowtowed to Pei Yue.

"Everyone, please get up. You may or may not kneel down in the future. After all, I am young and cannot afford it." Pei Yue said gently.

The old man burst into tears of gratitude and said: "Young Master's kindness is unparalleled. I, the young ones, cannot repay you. I feel really ashamed."

It seemed that this man was a highly respected elder among the farmers. Pei Yue smiled and asked, "May I ask what you call me?"

The old man bowed and said, "The old man's name is Deng Shi."

Mr. Xi suddenly said: "Your name is Deng Shi? Do you have a son named Deng Zhong?"

Deng Shi nodded and said, "Sir, my son's name is indeed Deng Zhong."

Mr. Xi saw Pei Yue looking over with confusion and sighed: "Your grandfather had a soldier named Deng Zhong back then. I am familiar with him and have some understanding of the situation in his family. In the battle of Hucheng, Deng Zhong was killed by a good soldier.

Jiegong sent him to the Xiandeng camp and died heroically."

Deng Shi burst into tears when he heard this and asked, "Does this gentleman not know Gao's surname?"

Mr. Xi looked at the old man and said calmly: "My surname is Xi."

Deng Shi suddenly understood, and then his expression changed drastically. He looked at Pei Yue with a bit more fear in his eyes, and said to the people behind him: "This Mr. Xi was the great adviser to the Duke of the country back then. I didn't expect that he would appear here."

Mr. Xi said calmly: "Old man, take care of your health and don't get excited. I don't care about world affairs now. I just came here to accompany Brother Yue for a few years because the old lady trusted me."

After he finished speaking, he said no more, as if he didn't want to overwhelm the guest.

Although it was only a small episode, the villagers became more humble towards Pei Yue. The reason was very simple. Even Pei Zhen's most valued adviser came to assist the third young master. Do you need to think about what that means?

In short, what this young man says is what he says, and no one will question it again.

Pei Yue was amused, this Mr. Xi is really a wonderful man.

The two of them looked at each other, and Pei Yue continued to say to the bankers: "The second thing, I hope you can understand the rules. This rule does not mean that you have to kowtow when meeting, or bend down when talking, but that since you have become my family

, I will have some requirements for you, and the specific content is also very simple. I will write them down and post them in the village later. Those who are illiterate can find someone who is literate. Now I will briefly talk about it. People in this village must not commit adultery or violate laws, and they must not bully.

Hidden from superiors to inferiors, you must not live a lazy life, and you must not stir up trouble. In short, don’t do things you can’t do, and you will be punished if you do!”

"For those who break the rules, the lighter punishment will be twenty sticks to serve as a warning, and the severe punishment will be to take back the land and let you fend for yourself. If there are those who have committed serious crimes, I will ask the officials from the Kyoto Prefecture to arrest them and see if you have any

No one can resist Wang Fa!"

Pei Yue's tone turned sharp and he said decisively.

Although these villagers are not wealthy, they are actually much more stable than ordinary people. The most important thing is that they have the golden sign of Dingguogongfu on their heads. Usually, not to mention the Kyoto government office, even the imperial government

The best Shi Tai could do was to impeach Dingguo for being lax in his imperial duties, but it was not their turn.

In a word, these servants can be regarded as outlaws in a certain sense. If they make mistakes, the only person who punishes them is the head of Dingguo Palace.

Seeing everyone's silence, Pei Yue shouted: "Did you hear that clearly?!"

The dealers woke up and nodded in agreement.

Pei Yue then nodded with satisfaction and said: "Since there will be punishment for doing something wrong, then naturally there will be rewards for doing well. Are Wang Yong and Wang Ming here?"

The bankers looked around one after another and saw Wang Yong standing up somewhat uneasily, while his younger brother Wang Ming looked a little more generous, with no fear on his face.

Pei Yue smiled and said: "Yesterday I asked you to inform everyone that things were done well, so everyone can get one tael of silver. Come forward."

Regardless of whether they were brave or timid, the two brothers were a little shocked. They couldn't understand that just by walking around in the village, they actually got money?

Pei Yue did not explain, but took the two dimes of silver from Taohua, handed them to the two brothers, and asked them to go back. Then he found that the eyes of these bankers were more eager than before.

He said loudly: "If you do things for me, you will naturally be rewarded, because your job is just to farm. I understand this very well. So after thinking about it, I have some benefits for you. This is the last thing I want to say today.

one thing."

The dealers looked excited and moved forward one after another.

Pei Yue raised his hand to stop everyone and said with a smile: "Starting from this year, I will give three to five quotas every year. As long as you work for me carefully and the things are done, you will have a quota. After getting this quota,

I allow you to choose one person in your family to restore his innocent identity, so that he no longer has to be a slave for generations."

"Wow——"

Everyone was shocked, followed by uncontrollable ecstasy, and their eyes looking at Pei Yue were full of eagerness and reverence.

If possible, who would be willing to be a slave for generations? Not only themselves, but also their children and grandchildren. How can they see their ancestors after death? But they have no choice, and they are unable to resist, because resisting means death, and they will also die.

It hurts the family. Which of these servants is not ashamed of their ancestors? And the older they get, the deeper they feel.

But now Pei Yue actually made an opening. Even if only one of the family's bloodline was separated and became an innocent citizen, it would be better than the whole family sinking like now.

Once you are clean, you can take the imperial examinations and join the army. Even if you are just a merchant, it will be far better than now.

At least there is hope, what else is more important than this?

Pei Yue stood at a high place with calm eyes, but Tao Hua below looked proud.

This is my young master!

After everyone calmed down a little, Pei Yue said with a smile: "Now I have something to ask someone to do. After it is done, I will give him the first place to escape from slavery this year. Who is willing?"

The scene immediately fell into terrifying chaos, with almost everyone raising their hands in the air. Even the women rushed to shout that they wanted to do things for the young master, pushing the men around them to stagger with their big muscles and round waists.

Pei Yue pressed down his hands and said loudly: "Let me tell you in advance that this matter is very dangerous and you may die."

As soon as these words came out, many people calmed down. Someone asked: "Master, if the matter is completed but you die, will there still be a place?"

Pei Yue nodded and said, "Of course there will be."

"I'll do it!"

"Me, me, me! Master, I am strong and I am not afraid of death!"

"Master, I can do whatever you ask me to do. If I frown, I am no longer a human being!"

…

After a fight, Pei Yue chose the sturdy young man standing next to Deng Shi, named Deng Zai, who was Deng Zhong's nephew. After calling him to him, Pei Yue came down from the height and looked at this man.

The young man, whose face was dark and expressionless, asked: "Aren't you afraid of death?"

Deng Zai's face was stupefied and he said solemnly: "I'm not afraid."

Pei Yue handed a letter and the one hundred taels of silver note from Taohua to Deng Zai's hand, and said: "Go to Duzhong tomorrow and find a place called Taishitai Pavilion, and then find a big place called Silent Cloud.

Guan'er, give this letter to him. Then go to the Taiping Bank in Xicheng and exchange the one hundred taels of silver notes for five taels of silver ingots. Do you remember?"

Deng Zai repeated his words.

Pei Yue nodded with satisfaction and said to him: "Okay, you can go back."

Seeing that the farmers who had not won this task were very disappointed, Pei Yue said seriously: "I hope everyone will remember the three things I said today. Farm attentively and don't miss the farming season. If you rent a house when you close the account at the end of the year,

If I can't hand it over, I won't be polite. Besides, if I do something wrong, I will be punished, and if I do something good, I will be rewarded. I will do what I say and will never break my promise, otherwise God will hate me!"

"I obey the young master's instructions!" Everyone bowed and saluted.

Pei Yue waved his hand and said: "Everyone, go and get busy. There will be places in the future, so there is no need to rush."

The villagers said goodbye with great respect. Although Pei Yue only came here for one day and one night, everyone found that something was different. Like ripples in a pool of stagnant water, the formerly peaceful but depressing Green Willow Village seemed to suddenly have vitality.

The dull-looking villagers also had bright expressions, and they were chatting happily in groups.

Pei Yue looked at this scene and breathed out softly.

When she turned around, she saw Mr. Xi looking at him with a strange expression.

His eyes seemed to be looking at a monster.

But after a moment, Mr. Xi withdrew his gaze, turned around and said warmly: "In a few days, if you are interested, you can come to me to learn something."
Chapter completed!