"Axiu, don't talk nonsense. Don't shut up. Boss, I'm really sorry. This is my little girl Axiu. She speaks without restraint. You must not take offense." Zhao Laoji said hurriedly.
"Dad, it is. Am I right? What if someone else is farming the land? The manor is unpredictable with droughts and floods, pests occur every year, and no one can get a good harvest. People like them don't know The hard work of cultivating the land, thinking that once the crops are put into the ground, there will be a harvest, and when the time comes, they will ask for rent. Who knows the hard work and hardship of the farmers. Dad, our family has paid all the rent, what are you afraid of him doing? At worst, we rent There's nothing wrong with farming other people's land, it's just hard work." The girl said to herself.
"You also said, you girl, you are too ignorant. Why don't you shut up?" Zhao Laoji scolded loudly.
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "What this girl said is not wrong. I don't blame her. Miss Axiu, right? You are right, so I came here this time to see what went wrong and solve these problems." . I don’t want everyone to work hard for a year and not have enough to eat in the end. I am the owner of the manor, and I don’t want this to be the result, right? If the harvest is good, everyone can live a good life. I Isn’t it a happy thing for everyone to be able to receive rent? Do I still hope that the land will not be harvested?”
Axiu curled her lips and said: "It sounds nice, but you're not here to ask for a rent. Last time your people came to force you to rent, they broke Uncle Dayou's legs, and he's still limping now. Now. You say these nice things again. I wonder if another family will suffer, either being beaten or having their house demolished."
Zhang Yanling was stunned for a moment, frowned and turned to look at Ma Quan Huangsi and said: "Is there such a thing?"
Ma Quan and Huang Si rolled their eyes and lowered their heads, not daring to speak. Zhang Yanling sighed and thought: "No wonder the people see people like me as if they are seeing ghosts. Some of their previous actions must have frightened them."
Zhang Yanling originally wanted to reprimand Ma Quan and Huang Si, but when he thought about it, they were actually doing things for themselves. It was inevitable that they would use strong methods to press for rent. Moreover, it was something that happened before he traveled through time, so there was no need to pursue it. Already.
Zhang Yanling stood up, cupped his hands to Zhao Laoji and said: "My husband, thank you for telling me these things. I actually want to know more, but everyone seems to be avoiding me. Can you pass a message to me? Tell them, I'm here to help them solve their problems this time, not to force them. Besides, it's okay to hide, you always have to face these things. You want to learn how to do it, and so do I. When we eat, we all point to this manor to live, so our goals are actually the same. I want to stay in the village for a few days. You can come to me at any time when you have figured it out. By the way, I want to invite you to accompany me around tomorrow. , I want to take a look at the surrounding terrain and think about how to solve the flooding problem. I wonder if my husband is willing to help."
Zhao Laoji stood up and cupped his hands and said: "I think my boss is somewhat sincere. I will definitely bring the words to you. I will accompany my boss for a walk tomorrow. Since my boss is determined to solve these matters, we are naturally happy. But these things are not It’s easy to solve.”
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Everything depends on man-made things. Man can conquer heaven. It will be difficult for us to always rely on God. Why don't we just stop farming and just wait for the sky to bring us food? Don't you think so? That's settled, we Let’s go back to the village first, and we’ll talk about it later.”
…
After a day of hard work, everyone was a little tired. After returning to the house and having dinner, everyone thought they could have a good sleep early tonight, but Zhang Yanling got busy.
"Bring a few wind lanterns, a few more candles, a big wooden basin, a wooden stool... and by the way, bring a pot of sesame oil." Zhang Yanling ordered repeatedly.
"Master Hou, what are you doing...?" Ma Quan asked cautiously.
"I'm going to verify something. I need to go to the rice fields outside the village. You don't have to follow me, Ma Quan. Just ask two people to take these things with me. The rest of you can rest."
Zhang Yanling replied.
Of course Ma Quan couldn't stay and sleep. The Marquis didn't even take a rest, so how could he dare to rest. So Hu and Huang Si quickly prepared what the Marquis wanted as instructed. After Zhang Yanling checked it over, he was ready to go out. Tan Ruqing was
When I came to know the news, I already had the medicine box on my back.
"Doctor Tan, you don't have to go there in vain. If you fall into the muddy water or sprain your foot or something, it will be very troublesome." Zhang Yanling frowned.
Tan Ruqing said: "Of course I want to go, unless you don't go out."
Zhang Yanling didn't want to argue with her, so she turned around and asked Xing'er to go with her. In fact, it was just to accompany Tan Ruqing. A group of six or seven people carried lanterns and walked out of the village. The village was eerily quiet, and it had just darkened. Among the cottages and houses
There were no lights anymore. I don’t know if the people who were hiding didn’t go home, or because they couldn’t afford the money for lamp oil.
Everyone quickly left the east end of the village and came to the dirt road next to the fields. The summer night wind was refreshing and pleasant, the fields were lively with the chirping of insects and the croaking of frogs. Fireflies were flying across the mountains and fields in a flash, and there were even more stars in the sky.
The splendid beauty is truly a rare and wonderful night view. Tan Ruqing let out a sound of admiration and seemed to be in a good mood.
Zhang Yanling was not in the mood to enjoy the night. He found a rice field, took off his shoes, rolled up his trousers, and got out of the rice field. No one knew what medicine he was selling in his gourd, so they could only watch. Zhang Yanling placed a wooden stool in the rice field.
, placed the large wooden basin half filled with water on the wooden bench, took a small wooden stand and placed it on the water in the wooden basin, lit seven or eight white candles on it, and covered it with a white paper lampshade. Finally, he brought
A small pot of sesame oil was poured into the water in the wooden basin. After finishing these tasks, Zhang Yanling returned to the shore.
Everyone really didn't understand what he was going to do. From a distance, the lights in the field looked like the ever-burning lamps in the cemetery. The Marquis ran to the paddy field to light the lamp, but he didn't know what the problem was with his brain. Ma Quanhe
What Huang Si was thinking in his mind was: Mr. Hou’s crimes, words and deeds were all grotesque. Could it be that he really broke his brain?
"Let's wait here for a while and see how effective my insect trap is?" Zhang Yanling sat down on the dirt beside the road and laughed.
"Insect trap?" Everyone was stunned.
"Yes, didn't you all see it during the day? The rice seedlings in the manor are seriously infested with insect pests, and there are many rice planthoppers. If they are allowed to breed for four or five generations, wouldn't there be no harvest this year? So we must first solve the problem of pests and diseases.
." Zhang Yanling said.
"But... can this thing catch insects? Can it catch insects just by lighting a lamp?" Tan Ruqing couldn't help but ask.
"I don't know if it works, but the principle must be right. Flying insects have phototaxis. This... phototaxis is... how to say it? You have all seen moths flying into the fire. When moths see light, they will move towards it.
It is their habit to fly in the light. I hope this rice planthopper is the same."
"You mean to use the light of the wind lantern to attract them to fly towards the light, and then fall into the water below. If you put oil in the water, they will be stuck to the water and unable to fly away, right?" Tan Ruqing
Suddenly said.
"Smart, Miss Tan is very smart, that's exactly what I think. I have to see how it works. If it works, I will tell the folks and promote it," Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Tan Ruqing bit her lip and thought for a while and said: "Even if it is useful, the villagers may not be able to afford this money. Seven or eight candles, sesame oil and other things, the villagers can't afford to light their own sesame oil lamps, so how can they make it?"
Can you afford this? Not even one can be found in a field, but at least a dozen. With so many fields, how much money will it cost? You are adding to the burden on the villagers."
Zhang Yanling exclaimed, raised her forehead and nodded: "Miss Tan is very considerate, but I didn't expect this. As for other things, this candle scented oil does cost money. A good candle costs fifty coins. Ordinary
The candles cost twenty or thirty cents, but I didn’t consider that. The sesame oil is also very expensive, and they really can’t afford it. If the cost of pest control is too high, then the gain outweighs the loss.”
Tan Ruqing said: "In fact, you don't need to use sesame oil in the water. You can use sticky substances instead. For example, the sap in some plants and trees is sticky and can stick to insects when put in water. These are also very common. If you really
If you want to do it, I can help you look for it. When the time comes, let the villagers find these plants and crush them and squeeze out the juice. It only takes effort and no money."
Zhang Yanling said happily: "That's the best. As long as it's sticky, the flying insects can't escape, so there's really no need to use sesame oil. I can buy this candle and give it to them, and it won't cost much money. Even if I give it as a gift,
For them. Pest removal is a big deal. In fact, there is no need to do this for a long time. If the number of bugs is large, it can be removed. A small amount of bugs will not hinder the growth of the seedlings. Just don't let them cause a disaster."
Tan Ruqing nodded and said: "That's right, then you are going to spend a fortune in vain? Are you willing to do this?"
Zhang Yanling said: "The manor is mine, and I am the owner. Naturally, I have to help the people solve some things. It cannot be said that these are my obligations, but when I help them, I am helping myself. Not only do I have to solve the problem of pests, I also have to
Solve some other problems. Otherwise they won’t have food to eat and I won’t be able to collect the rent. This is obvious.”
Tan Ruqing nodded slightly. Although he had not been with the Marquis of Jianchang for a long time, Tan Ruqing's understanding of him was rapidly changing. After actually getting along with him, it seemed that the Marquis was not as domineering and arrogant as the rumors said.
He acted recklessly, but also had some sense of responsibility and wisdom. Could it be that the things he heard were all lies? Or was what he saw just an illusion? Tan Ruqing became very interested in Zhang Yanling.
Similarly, Zhang Yanling's affection for Tan Ruqing is also increasing. Tan Ruqing is not only elegant in temperament, but also beautiful in appearance. What's rare is that she is thoughtful and insightful. Such a woman is rare. He originally had a liking for her.
I have a good impression. Before, I was just a little annoyed because Tan Ruqing had a cold attitude towards me, and I was unwilling to degrade myself by sticking to others' cold butts. But now, I feel that Tan Ruqing is not as unreasonable as I thought before.
It's quite interesting to think about it. This girl hates herself, but she is also worried about her injuries. She insists on following her to this Xishan Manor. Her temper is a little stubborn, her courage is commendable, but she is a little innocent and cute. If
She is a lecherous and domineering person, so she has thrown herself into a trap. If it were the Zhang Yanling before time travel, I don’t know what he would do. After all, he is a vulgar fan who can fight with others for a brothel.