Сhaptеr 17: Nurturing а Тigеr tо Invite Calаmitу
Ji Ruyue wаved Xi Qiu оvеr. “Хi Qiu, уоu gо with Stewаrd Zhеng. Оnсe he рersuades the сrоwd, immediаtеlу lеаd the guаrds tо сapturе Zhаo Тong!”
“Yes.”
“If that fаils… aсt alone. Yоu must aрprеhеnd Zhao Тong, dead оr аlivе!”
А profоund, iсу glint flаshed in Ji Ruyuе’s eуes.
Xi Qiu wаs taken аback fоr a moment, thеn grittеd hеr teеth аnd agreed.
Вai Меi and the оthers gathеred аrоund Ji Ruуue. Тhe granniеs guarded thе соurtyard gate vigilantly, everуоne tense and оn high аlert.
The Ji fаmilу had been merchants for generations, owning countless estates. Not only Old Master Ji, but even servants like them often assisted their masters in inspecting the estates.
When had they ever witnessed such a scene?
A steward daring to detain the young master?
If word of this got out, probably no one would dare believe it.
Granny Hu stood pressed against the door, frequently running in to report the situation.
One cup of tea after another passed…
Ji Ruyue’s patience was gradually wearing thin.
“Miss, Steward Zheng has persuaded them!”
When Granny Hu entered the room for the fifth time, her face was beaming with joy.
Ji Ruyue let out a soft sigh. “Let’s go.”
“Miss, let this servant go out first to investigate. Please do not act rashly,” Bai Mei urged with deep concern.
“No need. We’ll go out together,” Ji Ruyue said firmly.
“Fellow villagers, I am Steward Zheng of Ji Shang. This estate is property under the Ji family name. I have been ordered by the master to accompany the young master on this inspection. Originally, considering your hardships, we intended to reduce your tenant fees…”
“Today’s incident is truly the work of a traitor within our household, who has misled you all. Zhao Tong harbors ill intentions and seeks to harm the young master. I hope you can distinguish right from wrong and refrain from aiding the wicked,” Steward Zheng spoke earnestly, even bowing to the crowd.
Upon hearing this, the tenant farmers looked at each other, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.
After a good while, the farmers one by one set down their farming tools, ignoring the few lackeys urging them on, and sent a middle-aged man forward to speak.
The middle-aged man’s face was dark, his expression grave.
He looked directly at Steward Zheng and asked in a deep voice, “You are Steward Zheng, correct? Do you have evidence for what you say? We have always been looked after by Steward Zhao… Zhao Tong. We cannot simply take your word for it.”
Steward Zheng’s heart sank. The officials had already left; how could he prove it?
After a moment of contemplation, he recalled an incident from the previous year. Cupping his hands toward the crowd, he said, “Fellow villagers, do you remember the new cotton quilts distributed by the Ji family before the New Year? Due to last year’s bountiful cotton harvest, the master generously gifted two quilts to each household. Each quilt has the character ‘Ji’ embroidered in the lower right corner. I personally oversaw this matter; there is no falsehood.”
His words caused an uproar among the tenant farmers.
Two cotton quilts?
For farming families, cotton quilts were major items—so precious that they couldn’t bear to buy even one in a year.
Yet, they had not received any.
Clearly, they did not believe it!
A young man’s expression changed. “It should be true! I saw it. Before the New Year, I saw Steward Niu bringing back two cartloads of cotton quilts. I was even called to help unload them. There really were characters on the corners of those quilts, but I… I can’t read.”
After speaking, the young man pointed directly at the person he mentioned—Steward Niu.
Seeing this, Xi Qiu immediately ordered the guards to seize this Steward Niu.Steward Niu was roughly dragged over, stumbling to the ground in a disheveled heap. “Ouch! Don’t listen to his nonsense! It’s true this estate is the Ji Family Medicine Manor, but they aren’t from the Ji family—they’re just here to freeload!”
He tried to argue, but the panic in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Seeing that most people were inclined to believe him, Steward Zheng continued persuading, “The master is busy with affairs and entrusted this estate to Zhao Tong to manage—that was out of trust in him. Who would have thought… he would even withhold the winter quilts meant for the villagers. Sigh~”
“The Ji family has never treated tenants poorly, and they treated Zhao Tong even better! Zhao Tong’s actions are nothing less than a betrayal of his master, and he has taken advantage of all of you! The young master has said that he does not wish for you to compound your mistakes. Those who see through this deceitful scheme will be exempt from next year’s tenant head tax.”
Exempt from next year’s tenant head tax?
Whispers spread through the crowd, and many began to waver.
That was an entire year’s tenant head tax!
Steward Zheng pressed on with greater intensity, “Zhao Tong is an ungrateful man. Our master’s wife not only gave him her personal maid as a wife but also entrusted him with such an important Medicine Manor, trusting him day after day for ten years. And what did he do? He…”
He delivered another earnest and heartfelt speech!
The tenants nodded one after another, “If that’s truly the case, then this man is indeed heartless and unjust.”
Steward Zheng bowed once more. “The young master also said that you are tenants of the Ji family and are familiar with the Medicine Manor. After Zhao Tong is handed over to the authorities, we will select a new steward from among you to jointly protect this land.”
If the quilts and the tenant head tax had already stirred their hearts, then the position of steward…
Especially for a few of the more respected tenants, their expressions shifted noticeably.
Steward Niu grew anxious, “Don’t listen to him… Mmm~~”
Xi Qiu swiftly covered his mouth and had the guards tie up all dozen or so of his lackeys.
An elderly man stepped forward, moved by Steward Zheng’s sincere words, followed by several middle-aged tenants. He cleared his throat and said solemnly, “If what you say is true, please ask the young master to come out and meet us.”
“Very well,” Steward Zheng replied, still somewhat cautious. “The young master is of noble status. Please do not startle her.”