Shipin Dalizheng

Rong Tang looked up at the sky. What kind of hero was Rong Zheng? He had been dead for so many years, but he still left behind a treasure for his remaining soldiers to make a living.

Youzi added, "Sometimes when we're hungry, we chew a few morsels of sorghum, but we only pick the ones that don't have any. By the time the sorghum ears are ripe and ready to be harvested, the stalks will have dried up. Who would be willing to destroy the crops just to chew a mouthful of sweet water?"

Rong Tang thought silently, I can bear with it.

After returning to the manor, they continued the meeting and this time invited the two leaders of Fuxinzhuang to come and discuss the matter.

Rong Wanli carried his godfather over and placed him on a chair. Wei Wu felt a little awkward, not knowing where to put his hands and feet. Seeing Rong Tang come in, they bowed and saluted together, "Greetings, Prince."

Wei Wu only had one hand, the other half of his arm was missing, and his face was silent and sad.

Rong Xian seemed to be performing the salute correctly, but he lost both his legs, which made his situation even more miserable.

Rong Tang was stunned for a moment. They acted as if he was their superior. God knows, he might never be able to take charge of the Rong family army.

"Uncles, there's no need to be so polite."

Rong Tang returned a standard military salute, which made the two of them feel a ripple in their hearts. This young man was full of heroic spirit. In a few years, he might become another General Rong.

My heart was filled with excitement.

Rong Wanli felt extremely proud. The master he recognized was extraordinary and won people's hearts in an instant.

Wei Wu and Rong Xian both wore their neatest coats today, which were patched up a lot. Due to their clumsy fingers, the stitches were crooked and looked terrible.

After they sat down, Rong Tang began to reflect on himself. "I neglected my uncles. I should have come to the village to take a look earlier. If I had known that my uncles were having such a hard time, I should have..."

Before he could finish his words, Rong Xian was already shaking his head like a palm-leaf fan, "Your Highness, you're so ashamed of us when you say this. We've always been a burden to our old uncle, and then to Madam Rong, and now we're dragging you down as a child. We might as well die sooner rather than later. Qiuzi, no, Wanli said that Your Highness has a way for us to be self-reliant, so let's give it a try. If we can, Gu Ran will be delighted. If not, Your Highness, please don't worry about us anymore, and just let Fuxin Village grow some rice for us to eat."

Rong Tang sighed in his heart. Although these remnant soldiers had experienced hardships that ordinary people had never experienced, they still had self-respect and integrity in their bones. They might beg for a living, but they would never beg in front of him.

He felt that he should talk to them with a different mindset, not as a charity or one-sided assistance.

"In that case, my two uncles, let's stop calling each other "Prince" and treat me as a businessman. Let's negotiate."

Wei Wu and Rong Xian were confused and their hearts were beating fast. Rong Xian glanced at his godson, and Rong Wanli nodded at him.

"Rong...Prince Rong, please speak."

"Fuxinzhuang has a total of one thousand acres of land. In the past, the Bo Mansion did not collect rent. Yang Liangui took 60%, so I will take 30%."

The two exchanged a glance, both showing confusion. Wei Shi asked, "Didn't Zhuangzi sell it to Duke Du?"

Rong Tang coughed lightly, "This has nothing to do with you. You continue to farm. You have seven, and I have three. Do you agree?"

It's a bit subtle. Perhaps they once thought that without Yang Liangui, Fuxinzhuang would belong to them again.

But this is much better than when Yang Liangui was there, and much better than when the manor was sold to outsiders and they were driven away.

The two nodded.

Rong Wanli acted as a temporary secretary and recorded the contracts for them.

"I have the final say on what to plant in the fields and how to plant them. If following my instructions results in a reduced harvest, I will compensate you for the loss at the market price. The increased harvest will still be distributed proportionally."

This second one seemed to give Fuxinzhuang an advantage, guaranteeing a stable income regardless of drought or flood. Rong Xian was about to speak up.

"Please don't object, as increasing production will benefit me greatly. It means you will need to contribute more labor to ensure a good harvest."

The two of them seemed to understand, not quite. Not only them, but even Rong Wanli was confused.

"I have the final say on how and when the crops are harvested. Regarding any increase or decrease in yield, refer to the previous point."

Rong Wanli wrote furiously.

"I have a business in Fuxinzhuang. I can currently employ about a hundred people. Wages will be paid based on market rates for comparable labor. Payment can be made daily or monthly. I personally recommend monthly payment, as it will make it easier for the accounting department. If you really need money urgently, I'll set up a debit account. Any excess will be refunded or supplemented monthly. Do you agree?"

The two of them lost their patience. They didn't understand what daily payment, monthly payment, or advance payment meant. They only knew that Prince Rong had promised them to arrange for a hundred people to work.

"Is this true? Prince Rong, can Fuxinzhuang now have a hundred people working there?"

Compared to other news, this was the good news that made them so excited that they could hardly contain themselves.

Rong Tang didn't know how to answer for a moment, because even if hundreds of people were arranged to work in a short period of time, there would only be work to do in the short term.

"It's a temporary job, because this work is seasonal. It only lasts a month at most. But don't worry, I always have other ways for you to earn money."

Even if there are no jobs, we should create them ourselves and let them do the work.

Wei Wu and Rong Xian felt a little disappointed, wishing it were a permanent job. But then they thought, something is better than nothing, so they agreed.

"Well, now that it's settled, please gather those who can do the work and I'll personally select them."

After receiving the approval, Wei Wu went out to spread the word. There were already two or three hundred people gathered outside the manor gate. Upon hearing the news, they all raised their hands to sign up. Wei Wu then used the list he had compiled earlier, scratching his head and adding dozens more people to finally make up the 100 spots. Most of these people had both hands and feet but various hidden illnesses, making up the majority of the workforce.

This included the seven or eight people who pushed Yang Liangui's family into the water and drowned them that day. They were all the top combat forces in Fuxinzhuang.

Rong Tang was waiting inside and saw Rong Xian's dim eyes. He gestured to Rong Wanli to carry him out.

"Uncle Rong Xian, where are you going?"

Rong Wanli explained on behalf of his godfather, "My godfather thinks he is useless and a burden to everyone, so he wants to leave."

"Why are you leaving now? I told you you were a burden? Really, you're so young and strong, yet you're trying to avoid work. That's unmanly."

Rong Xian was completely bewildered. Was he shirking labor? His godson's smile was distorted. His master didn't support idlers. Even when he broke his leg, he still drove a carriage for over a month.

Perhaps the master also wants his godfather to drive the carriage. After all, a carriage is necessary for doing business.

For the sake of his reputation, Rong Xian gritted his teeth and went to the courtyard, waiting with the hundred brothers who were relatively complete to be selected. Next to him was Wei Wu, who was unsure and wanted to give it a try.

Rong Tang stood in the yard, looked at the crowd and shouted, "What do you mean? I want to arrange for the remaining soldiers, what's the point of sending a group of elite soldiers?"

Wei Wu was confused. "Prince Rong, don't we need people who can work? These can all work."

The wounded soldiers all said that they were still strong and could work without any problem.

"I know you guys are no problem, but you're all strong laborers. Isn't that just taking up spots? This is what I want."

He pointed at Rong Xian and said, "Give me eighty people without legs, or those with legs but unable to walk."

Everyone was dumbfounded, including Rong Xian, "Me?"

"That's you. But there's one thing: it doesn't matter if your legs aren't strong, as long as your hands are strong, even if you only have one hand."

Although Wei Wu was completely bewildered, he had no reason to disagree since his boss had asked him to. So he went out and rang the gong, asking the lame and legless people to report urgently.