Chapter 712 - 714: Carving Up
Chapter 712: Chapter 714: Carving Up
As long as everyone had enough silver in their hands, they wouldn’t resort to crooked means.
Jin Qianqian did not care much about this. After all, she wasn’t planning to take on everything by herself. "Don’t even think about touching the land I’ve marked out. You all can do as you see fit with the rest.
"My plots are already having their foundations laid, and lately, there have always been people coming over to ask about them.
"If you have any ideas, it’s best to put them into action quickly. Otherwise, you might not even be able to hold onto these lands in the end. You should know there are plenty of people with a good eye for this."
Gu Wenheng naturally understood this logic. The mountainous terrain surrounding this land had already been converted into terraced fields by the various villages. In the future, that area would gradually become lively.
Jin Qianqian had marked out so much land to establish her own properties. People were currently watching from the sidelines, but they might make a move very soon.
Gu Wenheng picked out a few of the blueprints, folded them, and tucked them into his robes. "When I go to the government office later, I’ll ask for their opinions. There will be news by this afternoon."
"Then do you think you should pay a visit to Governor Liang first?" Jin Qianqian asked.
Gu Wenheng understood Jin Qianqian’s implication. "That is exactly my intention."
Governor Liang had helped him previously, and now it was time to repay the favor. This way, he could also clear some of his social debts.
When Liang Shi once again saw Gu Wenheng walking toward him with a face full of smiles, he felt his scalp tingle.
The last time they met, Gu Wenheng had this exact same smile, and it had cost Liang Shi several thousand taels of silver.
Although he had earned a good reputation from it, it was still enough to make him feel the pinch.
Now, seeing this smiling face again, he had the urge to turn tail and run.
"Lord Liang, this subordinate has a matter to discuss with you."
As soon as the words left Gu Wenheng’s mouth, Liang Shi immediately glared at him. "If it’s another matter that will make me lose money, don’t come to me. My savings are meager, and I can’t withstand your tossing about."
Gu Wenheng paused for a moment before laughing. "Lord Liang truly understands this subordinate. It might indeed cost Lord Liang a small fortune..."
Hearing that it was for this reason again, Liang Shi’s expression changed. "If it’s about that, say no more. My family truly doesn’t have a large enough fortune to make such contributions. I can only fulfill my duties as an official and seek benefits for the people of this region."
As for donating more silver, even if he had a massive fortune, he couldn’t fill this bottomless pit.
He even began to suspect—was this Gu Wenheng relying on his deep pockets to quickly boost the local economy and rack up political achievements for a promotion?
However, this was no small sum. Even if his wife had the golden touch, it would be impossible.
Gu Wenheng replied, "...Lord Liang has misunderstood. This subordinate has something on hand and would like to invite you to take a look first."
Saying this, he took out the prepared blueprints. "Please have a look, My Lord."
Liang Shi looked at it right-side up and upside down, but couldn’t make heads or tails of it. "Which street is this drawing of? Why does it look a bit unfamiliar?"
Gu Wenheng explained, "Lord Liang also knows that my wife manages some properties. Now that she is here, she naturally wants to accomplish something in this area. However, storefronts in Yi Province are truly hard to come by, so she could only think of another way."
"Oh..." Liang Shi thought to himself, "I’ve stayed in Yi Province for so long, yet I’ve only purchased a few properties in Yongchang County. Trying to snatch something from the cracks of these aristocratic families is truly difficult."
What did Gu Wenheng mean by this?
Seeing the doubt in his eyes, Gu Wenheng did not keep him in suspense. "Well, a few days ago, we opened up some more land on the outskirts of the city. You see, this area is relatively empty, so my Madam bought a plot of land here, planning to build storefronts and an inn herself."
Liang Shi understood. Pointing at the blueprint, he asked, "It’s just that this place is too remote. Ordinary people won’t go over there. Is it suitable to build here?"
Gu Wenheng naturally wouldn’t make a guarantee right off the bat. "The location is a bit remote, but everything has a beginning.
"It just so happens that my Madam has marked out dozens of acres of land here, and construction has already started.
"I wonder if Lord Liang is interested? Whether it’s setting up storefronts or building houses to rent out, there will be some profit regardless."
Liang Shi was not someone who couldn’t do the math. He picked up the blueprint, examined it carefully, and grew increasingly amazed in his heart.
No wonder they could expand their business to such a scale, run it so well, and even manage such a massive operation like the sea trade.
In the past, they were far apart and had no relationship. Even if he knew the sea trade brought in a lot of silver, he couldn’t get involved.
Now that there was a ready-made opportunity, it would be unreasonable for him to push it away.
He casually pointed to a spot opposite the area for Jin Qianqian’s shops. "You guys haven’t marked this part out, have you?"
Gu Wenheng shook his head. "Other than the dozens of acres she already marked out, my Madam isn’t planning to take up any more land."
"Then I’ll take this area." Liang Shi did not stand on ceremony. "In a bit, I’ll send someone to buy the land from Prefect Wang."
Only then did Gu Wenheng roll up the blueprints. "This subordinate now knows where things stand."
However, Liang Shi pressed his hand down on the blueprints at that moment. "Wait a moment.
"I cannot enjoy such a good thing all by myself.
"Seeing that there is still so much land around, the people working under me can each take a small piece as well."
Gu Wenheng replied, "Lord Liang is considerate of this subordinate, which is our blessing."
Liang Shi smiled and said, "It’s mainly because everyone has been having a hard time. Being assigned to this remote and impoverished place, with a few aristocratic families entrenched here, I must look out for everyone when such a rare opportunity to make wealth arises."
At this, Gu Wenheng picked out two more blueprints. "Sharing joy with others is better than enjoying it alone. It just so happens that this subordinate can also use this to hand out a few favors."
The two exchanged a knowing smile and left with their respective blueprints.
Anyone with a bit of foresight understood that this was a business venture guaranteed to turn a profit.
Very quickly, the new stretch of land that Jin Qianqian had mapped out was completely divided up among them.
Later, when the several major aristocratic families received the news, no matter how much objection they harbored, they did not dare make enemies out of the entire Yi Province government. No matter how angry they were, they could only swallow their grievances.
`「Meanwhile, in Tukeng County.」`
Chief Chen had been so busy these days that his feet barely touched the ground.
Previously, Wu Xiaoliu and his group of bandits coming down the mountain was merely a small beginning.
Soon enough, people from various mountain strongholds who received the news started coming down. The mountain lands originally designated for them weren’t enough to go around, so the latecomers were sent to increasingly remote areas.
Lai San, who came into the county town to collect seeds, was no longer afraid of Chief Chen. When he reached the city gates, he even remembered to stop and greet him.
"Heading into town again today," Chief Chen noted, seeing the prey hanging off them. He pointed directly at a rabbit and said, "Let me know how much that rabbit is. I’ll buy it."
Lai San untied the rabbit from Lai Dafu. "How could we take your silver? Thanks to your care earlier, we were able to settle down so quickly. Take this rabbit back and add another dish to your meal."
"Catch." Chief Chen took the rabbit and, at the same time, stuffed copper coins into the other man’s arms. "You have to prepare everything from scratch right now, which isn’t easy. If you want to treat me to good food, wait until you are fully settled. When that time comes, if you don’t host me well, I won’t let it slide."