Chapter 83: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 83: Initial Investments
When Yan Zhiqiang purchased the estates, he ensured the large and small properties were not only fertile but also conveniently close for easy management. As a result, the Yan family's large estate and Daohua's small estate were both located in the same village—Danlin Village—though one was at the village's entrance and the other at its far end.
Danlin Village housed over 500 families, most of whom bore the surname Zheng. Nearly all the tenant farmers working on the two estates were from this village.
Yan Zhiqiang dispatched a servant to inform the family back home that he, Old Madam Yan, and Daohua would be staying at the estate for a few days, assuring them there was no need to worry. He then busied himself with overseeing the fields.
That evening, both Daohua and Old Madam Yan slept soundly, unbothered by any unfamiliarity with their surroundings.
The next morning, seeing that both appeared well-rested and in good spirits, Yan Zhiqiang felt reassured and devoted himself entirely to organizing the watermelon planting on the two estates.
Meanwhile, Daohua, confident that the watermelon planting was under her third uncle's watchful eye and that her grandmother would also supervise, shifted her focus to the barren hill behind the estate.
Steward Zheng wasted no time and returned that very day with a cartload of fruit tree saplings.
Daohua examined the saplings carefully before nodding in satisfaction. She turned to Steward Zheng and asked, "Uncle Zheng, are there any idle villagers at the moment?"
Steward Zheng replied, "Yes, Miss. Most families in the village have limited farmland, and with plenty of laborers at home, many finished their spring planting early this month. Some diligent young men are already planning to go out and find work to support their families."
Daohua smiled. "In that case, please help me hire some people to clear the barren hill. As for their wages, let’s offer the same rate they’d earn working outside. What do you think?"
Steward Zheng nodded repeatedly, grateful. "Thank you for your kindness, Miss. I’ll head to the village shortly to recruit enough hands for the job."
Daohua added, "We won’t be staying long at the estate, so having more hands isn’t an issue. However, I don’t want to see anyone slacking off."
Steward Zheng straightened his expression. "Rest assured, Miss. I know the hardworking ones in the village well, and I’ll make sure no one like that slips in."
Daohua smiled. "That’s for the best. By the way, these fruit saplings aren’t enough. Please buy three more cartloads, including every type of tree. I also noticed grapevines—buy more of those. The estate's yard is spacious, and I plan to set up trellises for growing grapes."
Steward Zheng listened attentively, nodding in agreement as she finished. "Understood, Miss. I’ll see to it immediately."
Daohua waved him off. "Alright, I’m done for now. Go ahead with your tasks."
After Steward Zheng left, Daohua asked Wang Man'er to bring over pen, ink, paper, and inkstone so she could start keeping accounts.
When she came to the estate, she brought all the silver she had saved with Old Madam Yan over the years. After deducting the 1,000 taels spent on purchasing the estate, she now had just over 300 taels left.
Clearing the land required money, and so did buying more saplings. Daohua wasn’t sure if the money she had would be enough for the estate's initial investments.
As Wang Man'er ground ink, she asked curiously, "Miss, aren’t fruit trees planted by just digging holes? Why do you need to hire people to clear the hill?"
Daohua explained, "That’s because I’m not only planting fruit trees on the hill but also other things."
Fruit trees wouldn’t yield results for years, so she needed to come up with other plans in the meantime.
"What other things?" Wang Man'er asked, intrigued.
Daohua smiled. "Medicinal herbs, of course—the quickest way to make money."
Since arriving in Xingzhou, she had read through travel notes, which mentioned that Xingzhou was well-suited for growing herbs like scutellaria, schisandra, gentian, ligusticum, licorice, and eleutherococcus.
These herbs were common and their seeds could easily be bought at pharmacies. With their short growth cycles, they were ideal for cultivation to generate income.
The moment she learned the estate included a barren hill, Daohua had decided to plant medicinal herbs there.
She wrote down the types of herb seeds needed and handed the list to Wang Man'er. "Give this to Uncle Zheng. He can purchase these seeds while he’s out buying the saplings."
Wang Man'er took the note and went to find Steward Zheng, who was still at the village chief's house.
Since the estate needed villagers to clear the land, it was necessary to inform the village chief.
The chief, who was Steward Zheng’s cousin and of similar age, became excited upon hearing that the estate was hiring. "What are we waiting for? I’ll go round up people right away!"
Steward Zheng didn’t stop him, knowing this job opportunity was invaluable to most villagers.
In recent years, severe droughts had plagued the northern regions. Though their area, located near the Grand Canal, wasn’t as harshly affected, life was still incredibly challenging.
Now, having the chance to work, even if only for meals and no wages, would attract many eager hands.
Just as the two men reached the doorway, Steward Zheng saw his wife walking toward them, accompanied by Wang Man'er.
“Husband, this young lady says she needs to speak with you!”
From quite a distance away, Steward Zheng’s wife shouted loudly, her voice carrying so powerfully that Wang Man'er almost had to cover her ears.
Recognizing Wang Man'er as Daohua’s personal maid, Steward Zheng hurried over. “Is there something Miss needs?”
Wang Man'er handed him a note written by Daohua. “These are the medicinal herb seeds Miss wants you to bring back.” After speaking, she swiftly retrieved a fifty-tael banknote from her purse and handed it to him.
“Keep the silver safe, and remember to report to Miss with the accounts when you return,” she added before turning and leaving.
The village chief, watching from the side, waited for Wang Man'er to leave before stepping forward. “So, the one in charge is a young girl?”
Steward Zheng nodded. “Although Old Madam Yan and the Third Master are both here, it’s their eldest young lady who makes the decisions.”
The village chief glanced at the note in Steward Zheng’s hand, his expression tinged with concern. “Letting a young girl take charge? Buying fruit tree saplings and medicinal herb seeds—what if they don’t survive? Will the masters blame you for it?”
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This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
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Steward Zheng furrowed his brows. “I’m only following orders. They shouldn’t.”
The village chief sighed. “Haven’t you been blamed enough by the previous estate owners? Whenever those above were unhappy, they’d vent their frustrations on those below. You’ve had it tough all these years.”
Steward Zheng’s face showed a trace of helplessness. “Everyone’s in the same boat. At least being the steward here allows me to support my family without selling my children. Compared to many, I should be grateful.”
“Alright, let’s go. I’ll help you gather people.”
That evening, Steward Zheng returned with three more carts of fruit tree saplings and the medicinal herb seeds Daohua had requested.
After inspecting everything, Daohua asked him, “Have you hired the workers?”
Steward Zheng replied, “Yes, they’re ready to start clearing the land whenever you decide.”
Daohua nodded. “Good, let’s begin tomorrow. Once the barren hill is cleared, we’ll plant the fruit trees and herbs.”
She then instructed that the fruit tree saplings be placed in an empty storeroom. After dismissing Wang Man'er, she discreetly moved the saplings into her spatial storage.
To ensure the saplings' quality, she planted them directly in the fertile black soil within the space. Acting as if nothing had happened, she exited the storeroom and locked it securely to prevent anyone from noticing the saplings’ disappearance.
(End of Chapter)
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