Chapter 424: Zhang Shen sighs

The things Jiang Mingyuan brought this time are all important.

It includes the lease contract for that plot of land selected for the tea farm.

Several tables detail the rights and obligations Qing Tian County holds in the tea farm cooperation, as well as the profit-sharing ratios under different revenue models.

Also included are the subsequent implementation guidelines issued by the County Office after assessing capabilities and having specialists make calculations.

Although the content of the guidelines is largely similar to Gu Xixi's earlier proposal.

But this is the mandatory procedure for government affairs.

Jiang Mingyuan said, "The land lease contract, the prefecture office only approved a five‑year term, saying it's a first trial of planting tea in the northwest; whether it succeeds or fails still needs observation."

"The contract has already been stamped with the County Office's great seal and my personal magistrate seal."

"If you have no objections after reviewing it, sign and affix your handprint, and that slope will be yours to use."

Gu Xixi has finished reading the lease content; the conditions she previously proposed to the County Office have indeed been met.

Only the rent part has some discrepancy.

Because it is ownerless wasteland, the disposal authority belongs to the local government office.

Initially Gu Xixi proposed that, according to current market prices for ordinary wasteland, she would personally pay twenty percent of the rent to the Imperial Court.

This would be a low‑rent lease through cooperation.

This was already the bottom price Gu Xixi had expected in her mind.

Because after deliberation at the prefecture office, they would feel the rent is too low and would increase it somewhat.

Raising it to about thirty percent would still be acceptable.

But the lease before us shows that the rent is actually zero.

Gu Xixi looked at Jiang Mingyuan in surprise.

Jiang Mingyuan smiled knowingly, "I'm just as curious, so I've already found out."

"Magistrate Xu, after hearing suggestions from several agricultural officials, believes this slope in Qing Tian County has lain idle year after year, has never been reclaimed, and is also unsuitable for construction."

"If someone can make use of such a large tract of land, that in itself is a good thing."

"If it succeeds in generating revenue, it will naturally benefit the country and the people."

"If it fails, the Imperial Court side will not suffer a loss."

"Therefore Magistrate Xu thinks that, given how rare such a large‑scale land reclamation effort is, the locality should offer encouragement."

"Thus, a follow‑up official document was later sent to the Qing Tian County Office."

After hearing this, Gu Xixi still felt somewhat burdened.

Suddenly Jiang Mingyuan spoke softly, "Don't worry, it's not that someone is using official authority to pressure."

His voice was like a clear breeze, like a sweet spring, neither hurried nor slow, reassuring.

Gu Xixi stared, startled, "Brother Zi Chu, how do you know… what I'm thinking?"

Jiang Mingyuan smiled.

He also has some private connections in the prefectural city; having guessed that Gu Xixi harbored doubts, he did not hesitate to incur a favor and specially wrote to inquire about the day's proceedings at the prefectural office.

Jiang Mingyuan said, "He was indeed present at the side listening then. He merely did not speak during the period, and only at the end did he utter a sentence,"

"\"Rather than envy the wealth of Jiangnan, it's better to seize the opportunity and give it a try—perhaps there is hope. \""

Gu Xixi lifted her eyes, surprised yet not overly so, "That's it?"

Jiang Mingyuan nodded with a smile, "Mm."

Previously he had never seen Mu Nan Zhao, so he could only understand this Regent Prince from various rumors.

He felt envy, he felt admiration.

But those emotions were like gazing at auspicious clouds on the horizon—not particularly palpable.

But when Jiang Mingyuan confirmed that Mu Nan Zhao this time did not extend a helping hand,

his former admiration instead completely transformed into sincere conviction and heartfelt approval.

He lost.

He knew he had utterly lost.

Jiang Mingyuan looked at Gu Xixi, "Actually I thought he would use power and influence to overwhelm people."

"\"He's the Regent Prince—just a word, who would dare not obey? \""

"\"Although I don't want to admit it……\""

He let out a deep sigh; his smile held both wistfulness and release.

"\"But he indeed understands you better than I imagined. \""

"\"He knows what you truly want, and respects all your wishes. \""

"\"So he can refrain from interfering in what you do. \""

Gu Xixi felt moved, "Brother Zi Chu, I……"

Jiang Mingyuan raised a hand to stop her, "No need to say, I understand."

He chuckled lightly, "I have already been rejected by you to my face once,"

"\"If it happens again, I fear my fragile self‑esteem won't hold up, and I might later do something petty. \""

Gu Xixi frowned, shook her head solemnly and sighed, "This I dare not do! To make countless girls who long for a gentle, refined gentleman turn into a petty person because of me—would that not be a grave sin?"

The two locked eyes, both breaking into a carefree smile.

Zhang Shen ladled out several bowls of iced sugar mung bean soup, having boiled it early in the morning and then placed it in well water to chill thoroughly.

She first brought a bowl to Lao Qian.

Then she looked out through the window screen at Zhang Wang.

The distance is a bit far, and neither Gu Xixi nor Jiang Mingyuan are people who speak loudly.

Inside the kitchen, nothing could be heard; Zhang Shen and the others waiting grew somewhat anxious, "What have you been chatting about for so long?"

"This county magistrate has only just taken office; why is he coming specially to our house?"

"Could it be that our family has gotten into some legal trouble?"

Lao Qian drank half a bowl of soup in one gulp, as if encountering sweet rain in the summer heat; the internal and external scorching heat that had just come from running out has all dissipated.

He let out a comfortable sigh and said, "Don't worry too much; if someone in the village really got into trouble, the one coming wouldn't be the county magistrate."

"Besides, the county magistrate and your eldest niece aren't they cousins?"

Zhang Shen glanced sideways, "How do you know that?"

Lao Qian laughed and said, "The county magistrate himself said so."

"I asked him where he was going, and he said he was coming to your house; several people heard him at the time."

In a rural household, there unexpectedly appeared a relative who had topped the imperial exams and now serves as the county magistrate locally.

No matter whose family it is, it is a great joy that brings honor to them.

Zhang Shen, however, did not look that happy; her expression was even somewhat worried.

"Now the whole village knows."

Lao Qian nodded, puzzled, "Why aren't you happy then?"

Zhang Shen said, "It sounds impressive, but what's actually good about it?"

"Knowing that our Xixi has such a promising cousin, those who want to use this to climb connections or seek favors will surely come sniffing around."

"Xixi will naturally not want to bother the Jiang County Magistrate; refusing in the future will inevitably offend people."

Having served as village chief for these years, Lao Qian could not fail to understand that certain personal connections are the most troublesome.

He couldn't help but sigh.

Zhang Shen also thought of her prospective son-in-law still far away outside.

"I've heard that once you're an official, any mistake brings the grave punishment of execution and confiscation of property; it's better to simply be a schoolteacher."

Xiao Chen… oh no, Xiao Mu, he seems to be an official as well, with a big family and great business.

What a sin!

Zhang Shen sighed with a face full of worry, having finally managed to enjoy a good life where she could eat and buy whatever she wanted.

How come a few days of peaceful life have become so hard!

Finally hearing Gu Xixi call from outside, "Auntie, is the mung bean soup ready?"

This signals the end of the conversation, a cue to leisurely drink tea.

Zhang Shen immediately picked up two soup bowls, and by the time she went out her face had already turned into a smile.

"Here I come!"

They simply had lunch.

Gu Xixi heard that Jiang Mingyuan was off duty today, so she invited him to stroll around various places in the village.