Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 358: Harvest-time approaches

The seven day long game of tug-a-war between Master Zhao and the elders finally reached an agreement: If Master Zhao’s concubines were not pregnant within two years, he must adopt a son from the family.
Since the reputation of the entire Zhao family had been affected, Master Zhao would pay a large sum of money to compensate them and arrange from some of his nephews to work in his shop.

Master Zhao was forced to agree and the matter was concluded.

However, during this time, things would not go smoothly for the Zhao family businesses! How many of his nephews did not come with selfish intentions? And there was also Zhao Ru Jun.
Although she had been living in the temple, she had been managing these businesses for many years and had many connections she could still use.

As the result, the Zhao family became even more lively!

There was also Master Zhao’s reluctance.
He had always felt that these properties had been cultivated by himself and was not willing to share them with his relatives, let along fully give them over!

No matter how skilled they were, Master Zhao treated his family like an enemy.
No matter how much money they earned, he wouldn’t give them a helping hand if something went wrong!

Since long ago, it had been like this.
He was so rich but too stingy to help his family.
If one of them came to him, too poor to eat, and casually asking him for food, he would refuse! Don’t even think about asking for money!

Master Zhao had not hesitated to try and draw a clear line between him and the Zhao family, causing a public outrage.
When something big like this happened in his house, how could his family not take the opportunity to knock him off his throne?

Over the next few months, Su Jing He paid close attention to the affairs of the Zhao family.
Seeing that Zhao Ru Jun was not forced to death by the elders and instead took her property to live easily in the temple, monitoring the Zhao family businesses remotely, Su Jing He tsked twice.

He sneered: “I didn’t expect this Zhao Ru Jun to be so capable! This young master was looking down on her too much!”

Fang Qing did not think that this was surprising.
She only said: “Once a person loses their face and becomes skinless, how can they die so easily? She has a vicious heart and was not raising in the inner courtyard, it’s not surprising that she could think of such a plan!”

Her husband shook his head.
“It’s true that its not unusual to think of such a plan.
What’s rare is that she is so decisive!”

“What?” Fang Qing smiled at him and teased: “Our husband is not acquainted with her but seems quite fond of others?”

Taking a sip of his tea, Su Jing He laughed and hugged his wife: “Really not fond of those kinds of people! This woman may not be stupid but shamelessness is nothing good!”

Sneering, he added: “In any case, this matter is not over! Let’s just wait, I want to see what she has planned!”

Fang Qing glanced at him and smile without speaking.
In her heart, she couldn’t help but sigh for Zhao Ru Jun.

It would be best if she sincerely repented.
Otherwise, what would happen to her? Just because the young master of the Su family hadn’t done anything for so many years, Zhao Ru Jun shouldn’t have dared to move on Su Xin’er!

~-~

In a blink of an eye, it was the end of summer and there was only one more month until the cotton matured.
Then they could start harvesting.

Standing in front of the cotton field and looking out over the undulating green waves from near to far, Lian Fang Zhou’s smile was brighter than the sun and her chest was full of joy.

“The cotton is growing even better than I originally expected! This year’s crop was good.
It rained when it needed to rain and it was clear when it needed to be clear, the weather was really good! In another month, we can finally harvest it!” She smiled at the person next to her.

Ah Jian tilted his head to look at her, his deep eyes faintly showing a touch of tenderness and affection that he didn’t even realizes was there.
Seeing her so happy, he was also very happy in his heart.

Unknowingly, a whole year was about to pass since he had first arrived here! Ah Jian was a little stunned thinking about it and couldn’t help but feel that maybe it would be nice to spend a lifetime like this.

“Hm, we will be busy for a while!” Ah Jian agreed.

She sighed: “Zhao Ru Jun’s side has finally stopped temporarily; I hope it will wait until all the cotton is collected…”

Noticing the faint worry in her tone, Ah Jian couldn’t help but smile at her: “What are you worrying about? The reputation of the Zhao family has fallen, and your cotton is always ready, isn’t this good?”

She laughed.
“Yes! It’s very good!” Seeing that Ah Jian still looked concerned, she sighed and her smile turned bitter: “It’s because its good that I am so worried.
I am worried that someone else will be jealous and spoil it!”

He thought for a while.
“Ordinary people don’t have the courage, even if they are jealous.” He said.
“They can only say a few words secretly! The Zhao family is not clear at the moment, they don’t have the time for these ideas.
As for others, there is none.
Only…”

Ah Jian looked at Lian Fang Zhou.
“Only the magistrate.
He ordered this cotton to be grown.
If it is as good as you say, he might send someone to take over the work.”

This was exactly what Lian Fang Zhou was worried about.

Since they started, she had been carefully inquiring and watching the other families.
Except for her own, the cotton grown by those other farmers was messy, thin, and unripe.
How much could it produce?

Therefore, once everyone discovered the benefits of the cotton, her family’s two thousand acres would be very eye-catching.

“This is what I’m concerned about.” Lian Fang Zhou admitted.

Ah Jian raised an eyebrow and smiled: “This is your private property.
Even the magistrate won’t make it difficult for you.
What’s more, there is the Su family.
Your cousin and cousin-in-law treat you sincerely and will support you.
How courageous is the magistrate? And there is me… I will always protect you!”

Immediately, her heart warmed and her body seemed more relaxed.
She nodded, smiling faintly: “With you here, I can rest assured! Ah Jian, I have an idea but I don’t know if I should say it…”

“Your ideas have never been bad!” Ah Jian told her.

“I have heard that Official Ding has been very concerned about people’s livelihoods since he returned to his hometown.
Official Ding is highly respected and upright, if he offers shelter, the country magistrate wouldn’t dare to move!”

Ah Jian raised his eyebrows in surprised: “Fang Zhou, you dare to think about this?”

Lian Fang Zhou curled her lip: “You are joking but I really am crazy! Alas! I know this thing is not easy to do but…”

“I didn’t mean to laugh at you!” Ah Jian hurried to assure her, “I meant that you are very courageous, daring to think about what people are too scared to do! Let’s try it!”

She couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s no good to talk about it now! This thing must be done carefully and its best to let Official Ding come to our house by himself.”

It would be difficult if Official Ding did not take his own initiative to bring it up.
And even if he came, if the country magistrate had already said something, then it was inevitable that Lian Fang Zhou would not be able to convince him.
Although the magistrate did not dare to do anything to her at this time, she was still worried in her heart.
Since the official wanted to help people, shouldn’t this be simple?

Lian Fang Zhou felt embarrassed.

TN: If Official Ding came up previously, I have not been able to find him in my documents.
Does anyone remember him from a previous chapter?