Qingyu Case: Female Minister of Dali Temple

"Later..." Zhao Tianhai sighed, "After my sister got married."

"After A-mei got married, she was naturally reluctant to see that the family only had two acres of land. After listening to Zhao Shan's explanation of the whole story, she came to me and asked me to reason with her. I called Qiangzi and others over and asked them to return the land to her. Qiangzi was worried that she had just married and would not be able to control Zhao Shan's mother, so he suggested that A-mei throw a tantrum and take the land back bit by bit. In this way, Zhao Shan's uncle and aunt would definitely not dare to steal their food again, and Zhao Shan's mother would definitely restrain herself. This trick did indeed intimidate his grandparents, uncles and aunt, but it made Zhao Shan's mother dislike her even more.

"In the beginning, the villagers didn't know that Zhao Shan's mother didn't like A Mei. They even talked about how Zhao Shan's father must be a spirit in the afterlife, which is why he let Zhao Shan marry such a capable wife. Later, when they heard that Zhao Shan's mother was trying to commit suicide all day long, they realized that Zhao Shan's mother didn't like her from the beginning. She disliked her because she had never been to school and was illiterate. It was Zhao Shan who insisted on marrying her, and his mother couldn't persuade him, so she reluctantly agreed to the marriage.

"Yesterday morning, despite Zhao Shan's mother's dissuasion, A'mei insisted on going back to her parents' home. Her father was dying, and she wanted to go back to see him for the last time. Who knew that this trip would ..."

Zhao Tianhai's eyes couldn't help but turn red.

So does Qiangzi.

Only Zhou Gen said disapprovingly: "She is uncivilized, and Qiangzi and the others are not much better. Knowing that she is that kind of person, they still try to find ways to send her food. You have heard how his uncle and aunt laugh at you behind your back."

Zhao Tianhai said: "Does everyone have to be as heartless as you?"

Zhou Gen's face flushed as he asked, "How come I have no conscience?"

Zhao Tianhai said bluntly: "You should have a conscience. Why don't all the sons you taught respect you? Tell me with your conscience, if Qiangzi and his friends hadn't asked you to help herd cattle and gave you some money, would you still be alive?"

"Second Master, stop talking." Qiangzi advised, "I have been running around outside these years, and it was my uncle who helped me with the work in the fields. It was not easy for him either."

Zhao Tianhai said unhappily, "If he had known how to get along with his neighbors like he does now in the past, how could he have ended up like this?"

Zhou Gen drooped his head and said nothing: Who doesn't want to get along with neighbors in harmony? He was raising two kids by himself. How could he support them if he didn't take care of them? Who could have known that those two beasts would turn against him?

Chen Shao listened to their quarrels and couldn't help but sigh in her heart. She didn't expect the truth of the matter to be like this. However, you can't just listen to one side of the story. After drinking a few sips of tea, she asked calmly, "Besides you, did anyone else know about the idea of ​​letting A-mei throw a tantrum and take back the land?"

Zhao Tianhai said as a matter of course: "Of course we can't let other people know about this. If it spreads from one person to ten, from ten to a hundred, it might get to Zhao Shan's mother, his uncles, and his aunts one day. If they find out, wouldn't all this planning be in vain?"

Zhao Qiang had traveled extensively and had more experience than him. He understood her intention almost immediately after hearing her words. Before she could ask again, he reminded Zhao Tianhai, "Second Master forgot that when Da Niu was one month old, A Mei's two brothers came over to kowtow to you."

Zhao Tianhai suddenly realized, "Look, I'm getting old and confused. My sister has told her family that her two brothers kowtowed to me because of this."

Chen Shao looked at Zhao Qiang: "Where is her family from?"

Zhao Qiang replied, "Her parents' home is in Taojia Village, about five miles south of the village. My Lord, you want to go there tomorrow, and I can lead the way."

Chen Shao said "OK" and stopped asking, waiting to go to Taojiazhuang tomorrow to ask. Coincidentally, Zhao Tianhai's granddaughter-in-law came to invite them for dinner, and everyone stopped talking.

After eating and drinking some tea, Zhang Boshan left reluctantly at Chen Shao's reminder.

Zhao Tianhai also started to arrange accommodation.

Although Zhao Qiang was anxious to talk about Sanwa, seeing that it was getting late, he stood up and said goodbye with Zhou Gen.

He had only walked a few steps when Fu Jiu chased him out and called out, "Our Master has something to say to you."

It is bright.

A crescent moon hung above the village.

The light is cold and looks like gauze.

Zhao Qiang quickly stopped and saw Chen Shao coming out. He hurriedly bowed and said, "My Lord, you have been tired for most of the day. You should rest early. Sanwa has been in trouble for many years. There is no need to rush."

"It's okay, let's go." Chen Shao said, walking towards the village entrance.

Zhao Qiang took a look at the main hall and followed her.

"The conditions in your village seem pretty good," Chen Shao said, looking at the houses that were built on large stone foundations and covered with green tiles. "The smallest one has three rooms."

Zhao Qiang quickly considered her words and made sure she had no other intentions before answering cautiously, "We used to be as poor as other villages. It was only thanks to Uncle Liang Zhu that we gradually became what we are now."

Chen Shao was curious: "What does Uncle Liang Zhu do?"

She asked casually, but Zhao Qiang didn't dare to answer casually. He organized his words carefully before answering, "Uncle Liangzhu is the head of Fulai Commercial Bank in the county city. In the early years, the commercial bank was short of staff, and he wanted Uncle Zhougen to go over to help. Uncle Zhougen didn't go, so he picked me and a few other half-grown boys. We worked there for a few years, and then we brought more juniors over. Now, almost all the escorts of Fulai Commercial Bank are from our village. The commercial bank has to travel far and wide, and as an escort, you have to go through wind and rain. In order to win people's hearts, the shopkeeper of the commercial bank promised us that we could bring some of our own goods to be escorted out to sell about five or six years ago. At the beginning, we only brought chickens and ducks, and only after we really made money did we bring geese, sheep and other things.

"The villagers have been one family for several generations. It is definitely not a long-term solution to only care about making money for yourself and ignore the lives of others. So Uncle Liangzhu discussed with Second Master and organized a caravan in the village, asking every household to raise some chickens, ducks, geese, etc. When they grow up, the caravan will collect them and they will travel around the country with the caravan of the merchant company to sell them. After 10% of the money from the sales goes to the merchant company, the rest is distributed according to the number. This was done for two or three years before we gradually got to where we are today."

This Liang Zhu, I have to meet him later. After Chen Shao made a decision in his heart, he continued: "The people in your village are quite united."

Zhao Qiang thought about it for a while before answering, "On the whole, they are very united, but there are also many problems inside. Fortunately, with Second Master and Uncle Liang Zhu keeping an eye on them, no one dares to make too much trouble."

Chen Shao glanced at him and asked, "Where have you been with the company?"

Zhao Qiang said: "I have been to all the thirty-five counties in Jiannan Road, but I have not been outside Jiannan Road yet. One reason is that the business of the company is in Jiannan Road, and the other is that Uncle Liangzhu said that it is not easy to get to know the people in Jiannan Road, and it would be a big loss if I don't make enough money and leave."

Chen Shao nodded and asked, "What business does your company do?"

Zhao Qiang replied: "I'm doing mountain products business."

Chen Shao: "What kind of mountain products?"

Zhao Qiang: "Mostly pheasants and rabbits, mixed with some mushrooms and wild vegetables grown in the mountains."

Chen Shao: "So to do this kind of business, do you have to go to county towns and villages frequently?"

Zhao Qiang suddenly felt alarmed, but he didn't dare show it on his face. "Yes, many people in the county and towns make a living by selling mountain products to us."

Chen Shao looked at him again and asked, "Have you ever been to collect mountain products?"

Zhao Qiang nodded: "When the company is short of manpower, we will follow to collect the goods."

Chen Shao paused and asked: "How many businesses are there in the county town?"

Zhao Qiang said: "There are only three, Fulai Trading Company, Rongfa Trading Company, and Fenglong Trading Company. We are in Fulai Trading Company."

Chen Shao was curious: "What kind of business do those two companies do?"

Zhao Qiang: "Rongfa Company mainly raises silkworms and collects cocoons, and also collects cocoons from farmers. They send the high-quality cocoons to the Shu County Weaving Bureau, and keep the medium and low-quality ones for weaving cloth and making clothes. Fenglong Company is in the medicinal materials business, but like Fulai Company, they also go to counties and towns to collect medicinal materials. The high-quality ones are sent to Jiangnan or the capital, and the average ones are kept for use."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "In order to obtain precious medicinal materials, Fenglong Trading Company often secretly trades with people from other countries in cities bordering other countries such as Changming City, Tuoyu City, Kunlun Town, and Butou City."