Free Web NovelChapter 107: Chapter 100: Qilin’Er (Part 2)
He had truly become one of the most distinguished figures in Shanyang Prefecture.
With that, the matter they needed his help with became much simpler. What was once just hopeful was now practically a sure thing.
"Good, good. That’s wonderful. It wasn’t in vain that we sold our family property. As long as Dad gets this Guard Army Staff Officer position, it won’t be long before our family prospers again."
Although Martial Artists were esteemed and Military Officers held more status than Civil Servants,
whether in the imperial court or the army, there were always some positions that needed to be filled by scholars.
For example, positions involving financial calculations, like accounting, were still held by scholars.
"Dad, don’t worry. Leave this to me. I guarantee I’ll handle it beautifully for you."
"Mm, excellent. My son, you truly are our family’s Qilin’Er! Take as much silver from the family funds as you need. I have complete faith in you."
Scholar Liu stroked his beard in satisfaction and couldn’t help but smile.
At the same time, it was as if he could see his family growing ever more prosperous.
’And as for the Fang Family, who took over my land... As the disaster continues, their gates will be smashed open by starving refugees...’
~~~~~~
「Another month passed.」
On this day, Fang Yue was practicing his martial arts at home.
’That Secret Medicine was supposed to be a one-month supply, but I can’t believe I haven’t used it all up.’
After finishing his practice, Fang Yue looked at the Secret Medicine. A full half of it was still left.
This was clearly not normal. The Secret Medicine should have been completely used up by now.
Even if there was a little left over, it was impossible for half of it to remain.
’Does this mean that during my cultivation this month, I consumed less Secret Medicine, or has its effect been prolonged?’
Fang Yue thought about it carefully. He had never encountered a situation like this before.
Under normal cultivation circumstances, he would only run out of Secret Medicine ahead of schedule; there was never a time when any was left over.
So, why was there so much Secret Medicine remaining?
’Could it be because of that Earth Elemental Stone?’
Fang Yue mulled it over. Besides the Refinement of that Earth Elemental Stone, nothing else out of the ordinary had happened this month.
If anything could have affected the Secret Medicine,
it could only be that Earth Elemental Stone.
’So, the Refinement of the Elemental Stone isn’t useless after all. Does it enhance, or perhaps even replace, the effects of the Secret Medicine?’
Fang Yue couldn’t help but wonder.
That was the only explanation that made sense.
’Oh well, it’s a good thing either way.’
This way, he could continue his cultivation for another month.
Otherwise, he was completely out of silver and had no money to buy more Secret Medicine.
"Zhi’Er, there’s a letter for you!"
Just then, Ms. Chen walked over and handed the letter to Fang Yue.
Although the family had a Gatekeeper, Ms. Chen still preferred to deliver the letter to Fang Yue herself.
"Thanks, Mom," Fang Yue said with a sweet smile.
He immediately opened the letter. It was from Chubby.
In the letter, Chubby mentioned that the water shortage in Shanyang Prefecture would begin to resolve before the end of the month.
Therefore, if they rushed to plant a batch of tea trees, they could expand the roasted tea business next year.
The letter urged Fang Yue to plant more tea trees.
The rest was just polite small talk, and he also invited Fang Yue to visit the Prefecture City sometime, saying he would treat him to a good time at the biggest brothel there.
’That damn fatty, he really hasn’t changed a bit.’ Fang Yue couldn’t help but smile.
Chubby knew he was injured, but the tone of his letter was the same as ever. He hadn’t cut ties or grown distant because of it.
He was truly a friend worth having.
’But, if even Chubby is saying this, it looks like Shanyang Prefecture will return to normal soon. In that case, this is the perfect opportunity to expand the roasted tea market.’
The drought had dealt a massive blow to the tea businesses all across Shanyang Prefecture.
Since tea leaves weren’t edible, and with the shortage of food and grain, many tea farmers had cut down their tea trees to plant drought-resistant crops instead.
So, if he seized this opportunity, he really could expand his market share even further.
’Since Chubby wants to expand the market, he must be confident. Alright, I’ll take the gamble.’
Fang Yue made up his mind. His family now had nearly four thousand acres of land. If he planted them all with tea, as long as there was water, he was sure to make a fortune next year.
He immediately went to find his parents and older brother and told them about his plan to plant tea trees.
"Zhi’Er, I’m afraid planting tea trees won’t work. Without water, can they even survive?" Father Fang asked, a little skeptical.
"What do you know? If Zhi’Er says to plant tea trees, he must have a good reason," Ms. Chen shot her husband a fierce glare the moment he objected.
Although she also secretly doubted that tea trees could survive in the current conditions, as long as Zhi’Er said it, it had to be right.
If Zhi’Er said they could plant tea trees, then it must mean they would be able to survive.
"I... I was just worried Zhi’Er doesn’t know how to farm!" Father Fang said in a low voice.
Fang Yue was a Martial Scholar; he was incredibly powerful and exceptionally capable. But when it came to farming, his Zhi’Er hadn’t inherited his true expertise.
In that regard, he was still very confident in his own skills.
"Dad, have you forgotten why we bought Scholar Liu’s land in the first place?" Fang Yue said with a smile.
"Zhi’Er, Zhi’Er, are you saying... there’s really going to be water soon?"
Why did they buy the land? It was because Fang Yue had told him back then that the disaster would soon be over.
Once things returned to normal, the price of the land would surely shoot back up.
They had spent four thousand taels now, but the value of that land would at least triple or quadruple by then.
At this thought, Father Fang’s breathing quickened, and his face immediately flushed red.
If that was true, their family was really going to strike it rich.
"For this matter, I’ll have to trouble Dad and Older Brother to take care of things and get everyone in the village to plant tea trees," Fang Yue said.
"Alright, leave it to me and your brother. We guarantee we’ll get it done beautifully."
Father Fang puffed out his chest and promised. As long as the disaster passed, water returned, and things went back to normal,
getting everyone to plant tea trees wouldn’t be difficult.
However, things didn’t go as smoothly as Father Fang had imagined.
His suggestion for the villagers to plant tea trees was met with unanimous opposition.
They were already running out of food. They had planted so many crops, but the harvest wasn’t even ten percent of the usual yield. They were on the verge of starvation.
Who would plant tea trees at a time like this?
They had heard that in other villages throughout Xiahe County that originally grew tea, everyone had already cut down their tea trees.
In the end, Fang Yue had to step in personally.
He assured the villagers that planting tea trees was the right decision and that the disaster would be over very soon.
Only then did the villagers, half-convinced and half-doubting, temporarily agree to trust Fang Yue.
Then, the Fang Family also distributed some of their own grain, giving a portion to each household in the village.
This finally put the villagers’ minds at ease about planting the tea trees.
Of course, planting the tea trees now was just preliminary preparation.
The people of Da Liushu Village had never grown tea before, so naturally, they didn’t have any tea seeds or saplings.
Fang Yue would have to go out and purchase a batch.
Fortunately, the White Tiger Boxing Hall owned some Tea Gardens.
They would definitely have tea saplings.
’Looks like I have to make a trip to Xiahe County Town after all.’
Fang Yue hadn’t wanted to go to Xiahe County Town before because he didn’t want to get involved in the war between the Government Office and the Mo Mountain Tribe.
After all, he was injured, and he had been injured fighting the Mo Mountain Tribe in the first place.
And by now, the Mo Mountain Tribe was already at a complete disadvantage and would be wiped out before long.
Therefore, even if he showed up, he probably wouldn’t be forcibly conscripted.
A few days later, Fang Yue packed his things and set off for Xiahe County Town.
~~~~~~
「Xiahe County Town, a gambling den.」
"Well, if it isn’t Lord Chen! What brings you here again? The Martial Scholar examination is in two days. Lord Chen will surely pass!"
As soon as Chen Liang stepped into the gambling den, one of the attendants eagerly greeted him.
The den’s manager had given instructions long ago: if Chen Liang came by, he was to be treated with hospitality.
But if he asked to borrow money, they were not to lend him any and should instead press him to repay his debts.
Hearing the attendant’s words, Chen Liang’s chin practically lifted in arrogance.
"Hmph. Good that you know your place. Look, I’m a little tight on cash these days. Lend me another fifty taels of silver."
The moment he heard this, the attendant’s expression turned cold.
"You took another one hundred taels from us last time. In total, you’ve now borrowed five hundred taels of silver, haven’t you? Out of respect for your cousin, Fang Wuju, our manager said he’d give you a fifty percent discount on the interest."
"You owe us a total of one thousand taels of silver now."
