Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 8: Farming Time is Hot
As a time traveler, Zhang Luo would not have any psychological burden about pawning the farm, but such a price was unacceptable to him.

Three to five hundred strings of cash, or even less, wouldn't even be enough to buy an ordinary house in Chang'an after selling the farm. Even if he didn't go to Chang'an after leaving the Zhang family, this little money wouldn't be enough to sustain his life for too long.

As for taking two or three years to sell them gradually, even if the price doubles, it is not the best option for him.

He hoped to sever ties with the Zhang family as quickly as possible, especially since the family's political crisis was imminent. If he missed this opportunity, it would be much more difficult for him to completely sever ties with the Zhang family, or even to start a new life under a new identity. The extra money he earned would then be of little significance to him.

Since selling his property wouldn't meet his expectations, Zhang Luo gave up on the idea for now. Then he thought about the villagers' behavior when he entered the village just now, so he asked, "What exactly is the reason for the villagers' request?"

"During the Shangsi Festival, the Luonan River weirs and dams broke at more than one location. Afterwards, although the Henan Prefecture conscripted laborers to repair the weirs and dams, the workers were assigned according to their priorities..."

Seeing that Alang finally cared about the business, Ding Cang quickly wiped the tears from his face and told him about the difficulties the farm was facing.

It turned out that many rivers and canals in Luonan had burst their banks, causing flooding. Since it was the spring plowing season, the floods had brought extremely heavy damage and pressure to Luonan's farming.

Although Henan Prefecture was organizing personnel to carry out repairs, it had not yet reached the eastern area of ​​Sanchuan Township where their farm was located. This area was also where the dike breach was most serious. Not only were the fields destroyed, but many people and livestock were also drowned. Only by repairing the canals and dams as soon as possible could the water in the canals be prevented from continuing to overflow, thus resuming agricultural production.

"The tenants on the farm have recently been registered as naturalized citizens, and each adult male must pay the government 1,500 coins in taxes each year. Besides renting and farming the farmland, they have no other means of livelihood. If they run out of money to pay the taxes, they'll be captured and enslaved by the government! If they can't save themselves by the time the farm is ready, even if the farm waives the rent, they'll have trouble saving themselves."

Speaking of the difficult situation faced by the villagers, Ding Cang couldn't help but sigh. "Although the village's livelihood isn't just about rent, other things also require work. They rely on the villagers to come in and work on the fifth day of each month during the slack season to supplement the income. If these farmers are not at peace, the village will also be in trouble."

At this moment, the commotion outside the small hall had returned. It turned out that the villagers, who had dispersed, had now gathered again. Their fields were flooded, making farming difficult, and with nothing else to do, they could only hope that the master would resolve the problem as soon as possible.

Zhang Luo now understood that the solution to the manor's predicament would depend primarily on the laborers dispatched by Henan Prefecture to repair the canal. With labor needed throughout Luonan, the speed of resolution depended on the prestige of the manor's owner.

"But I don't know the officials in Henan Prefecture, and I don't know where to turn."

Zhang Luo knows his own business. He has little respect in the Zhang family where he grew up, and there is no trace of him outside the Zhang family. He really doesn't know how to solve the problem.

The young man Ding Qing, standing nearby, spoke up at this moment: "I've already made some inquiries. The person in charge of repairing the Luonan dike is Zhou Liang, the recorder of Henan Prefecture. Alang fell into the water a few days ago, and it was Zhou Liang who had people pull him out, saving his life. If I go to his house to express my gratitude, I can mention this little matter..."

"These matters shouldn't be bothered with Ah Lang, but it's really rude and offensive for an old servant to come to someone's house in this state, and there's no respectable farmhand on the farm who can do the job."

Ding Cang also said with embarrassment that as a Kunlun slave, even if he was trusted by his master to take care of the farm affairs, he was still a barbarian and a lowly species in the eyes of outsiders. If he went out to socialize on behalf of his master, he might be mistakenly regarded as being despised and humiliated.

"Since he saved my life, even if this incident didn't happen, I should still come and express my gratitude. I will visit Zhou Lushi's home after returning to the city. You should prepare a gift that shows your appreciation."

Zhang Luo thought about it and nodded. He was not a bookworm, nor was he afraid of socializing. In later life, he even helped his tutor to obtain and contact project funding. Although he mainly relied on his tutor's academic status, his own communication skills were also honed.

Since I haven't found the best way to leave the Zhang family yet, I might as well get in touch with the current leaders and deepen my understanding of this era. It's like sharpening the knife before chopping wood. Perhaps by expanding my social circle, I can get some inspiration and open up my mind.

Hearing that Langzhu had agreed to this matter, Ding Cang and his son's faces became relieved. They had deep feelings for this farm and still hoped that the farm could be run smoothly.

Ding Qing limped out of the small hall and told the villagers that the master was trying to find a solution to the problem, which immediately caused the villagers to cheer and applaud. Their living environment was too fragile. No matter how hard they tried, the slightest disturbance could bring them disaster.

Zhang Luo heard the cheers of the villagers in the hall and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He may not have a strong sense of responsibility towards these villagers, but since he has occupied the body of the young Zhang Luonu, he naturally has to bear the consequences of human affairs, because it is because of the hard work of these villagers that Zhang Luonu has a life of no worries about food and clothing, and even some luxurious enjoyment.

If he could help these people, he would certainly be happy to do so. Moreover, before his living conditions changed drastically, this farm was his lifeblood.

Not getting a satisfactory result at the farm, Zhang Luo did not stay any longer and prepared to return to the city after lunch.

By this time, Ding Cang had already arranged for gifts to be prepared for a visit to Zhou Liang, the recorder of Henan Prefecture. In addition to ten rolls of silk, there was also a pound of Sichuan peppercorns grown on the farm, and several pounds of dried preserved meat. While not as luxurious as gold, silver, and jewelry, they were definitely substantial gifts. These items, along with some fresh vegetables and grains, were loaded onto a cart, which two farmhands pulled as they returned to the city.

It was almost evening when they returned to the city. Although there was still some time before dark, considering that he still had to go to the Henan government office to inquire about Zhou Liang's address, there would definitely not be enough time to go back and forth. In order to avoid being locked up outside the city after the curfew began, Zhang Luo planned to go back to Zhang's house first and visit him tomorrow.

"Liu Lang is back, is this horse at your service?"

After returning to the Zhang family mansion, Zhang Luo personally returned his mount to the stables. The stable keeper, Wu Chuan, hurried over to greet him, bowing and joking as he led the horse. It was clear that the morning's scolding still had some effect. Zhang Luo nodded slightly. Seeing at least a dozen fine horses in the stable, all stronger than the one he'd ridden today, he felt a little annoyed again. However, he didn't bother to argue with the stable servant any further. He simply said, "I have to leave tomorrow morning, and I'll have to trouble Master Wu again then."

"What are you talking about, Liu Lang? This is my duty as a servant. I will make sure the saddle and bridle are ready for use!"

Wu Chuan bowed with a smile on his face as he escorted Zhang Luo out. Turning back, his smile vanished. Seeing the old horse, which had been led back to the stable, lowering its head to eat grass in the trough, he became furious again. He stepped forward and gave the old horse a vicious kick: "What a worthless beast! Why didn't you give that bastard a kick and knock him down!"

When Zhang Luo returned to the courtyard, Yingniang and her daughter, along with two farmhands, had already moved their belongings into the room. The two farmhands then went to Xuanfanfang, where the Henan government office was located, to inquire about Zhou Liang's home address. They hurried back in the evening, near dark, but told Zhang Luo that Zhou Liang's family was not in the city, but lived in Bairenli, Gande Township, east of the city.

Zhang Luo was a little amused when he learned about this, but since he knew the other party's address, he could go out of the city to visit him tomorrow morning.

The next morning, Zhang Luo got up early again. Yingniang and her daughter stayed at home, and Aying was arranged by her mother to spin yarn. The two servants pushed the cart and followed him out of the city to Bairenli in the east of the city.

Bairenli is even farther from the city than the farm in Luonan. Zhang Luo and the two farmhands were not familiar with the route, so they asked for directions along the way. It was already noon when they arrived at their destination.

"Excuse me, young man, is the home of Zhou Lushi of Henan Prefecture located in this village?"

It was the busy farming season and most people were working in the fields. The village was deserted. Zhang Luo rode his horse into the village and passed several houses before he saw a short-clothed young man who was repairing a fence with tools. He went up to him and asked.

The young man put down his tools, a hint of caution in his eyes as he looked at Zhang Luofa and asked, "What are you doing at Zhou Lushi's house?"

"I'm not a bad person. I recently benefited from the help of Mr. Zhou, and I came here today to express my gratitude."

As Zhang Luo spoke, he pointed to the gifts that the farmhands were pushing on a cart in the back.

Hearing this, the young man's vigilance subsided slightly. He bowed to Zhang Luo and said, "Recruiter Zhou is my father. My father is on duty today and is not at home."

Zhang Luo hadn't expected to find the real person by asking for directions, so he smiled and said, "So it's the virtuous man of the Zhou family. Your father and I have a special fate. Luo Nan was almost drowning a few days ago, but was fortunately rescued by Zhou Lushi. I must come and thank you for saving my life!"

"My dear, please wait a moment!"

After hearing this, the young man put away his tools and turned to the room inside the fence and shouted, "Grandma Liu, I have guests coming to visit. I'll come back to help you repair the fence after I've seen them off!"

After saying this, the young man came out and bowed to Zhang Luo, motioning him to follow him. Seeing this, Zhang Luo also dismounted, led the horse and followed the young man to the village.

Zhou Liang's home was on the southwest side of the farm. The young man walked into the courtyard first and hurried into the house. Zhang Luo, upon seeing this, stood outside the courtyard with the farmhands and waited for a moment. Then the young man hurried out again and bowed to Zhang Luo, saying, "I'm sorry for neglecting you, sir. My mother is ill and cannot get up to greet you."

"It's rude of me to come to your house without asking for permission."

Zhang Luo felt a little embarrassed after hearing this. He hadn't expected Zhou Liang's family to be so inconvenienced. So he signaled the farmhand to unload the gifts from the cart and carry them into the courtyard. He then said, "These are just some humble gifts, just to show your appreciation. Since Mr. Zhou isn't here, I'll come visit again someday."

"How can I turn away a distinguished guest when he comes to visit me? Lang'er, please hurry up and find me. Please come in and wait for me."

A woman's hoarse and weak voice came from the bedside. Upon hearing this, the young man stepped forward and grabbed Zhang Luo, not allowing him to leave. "Father is busy in Xiangnan today. I will be back soon. What is your name, my dear?"

"My name is Zhang Luonu, and I am a humble disciple of Zhang Linggong from Kangsufang, south of the city."

Zhang Luo introduced himself. The boy looked at him with even more respect. He was about to turn around to look for his father, but Zhang Luo stopped him and asked, "Can you ride a horse?"

"I learned it before when I was helping my father in the government office!"

After hearing this, the young man immediately showed an eager look. Zhang Luo handed the reins to him. The young man immediately jumped on the horse with smooth movements. Zhang Luo was relieved and waved his hand to signal him to go and come back quickly.

After entering the yard, he did not go into the room to disturb them. He just stood in front of the courtyard, bowed towards the front window and said, "I am really sorry for coming here and disturbing your rest." After saying this, he stood in the yard with the farmhand waiting.

(End of this chapter)