LGSLAW : Chapter 61 – The Mountain

 

This surprise left everyone present completely stunned.

 

…Bought the neighboring mountain!?

 

The villagers all knew that Yang Dalang’s current mountain was a gift from the Liang family in gratitude for saving a life. But when did Yang Dalang have enough money to buy another mountain on his own!!??

 

Did selling vegetables not only earn him a big house but also enough to buy a mountain!?

 

Aside from the knowledgeable Shopkeeper Jin smiling silently, even Liang Yuanwai was a bit taken aback. Mountain land is indeed much cheaper, but that’s still a matter of a few hundred taels!! Yang Dalang bought it without batting an eye, and unlike others, he didn’t even choose farmland, just mountain land connected to his home. That’s quite bold.

 

Seeing everyone’s incredulous expressions, Shopkeeper Jin quickly stepped in to support, saying that peanuts are easy to grow and that if they are of good quality, the teahouse would surely buy them. He even clearly stated the purchase prices on the spot.

 

With Shopkeeper Jin’s endorsement, it was evident that this was true. However, people still had many doubts. For example, what quality of peanuts would the teahouse accept? If the yield is poor, how would the rent be calculated? There were numerous questions, with people asking one after another.

 

After Yang Dalang finished answering, the first to respond was Li Zhaodi!

 

“He ge’er, your mother will rent!! Just because you are willing to cover any shortfall in the land tax, it means we won’t lose out no matter what! I still owe people some money, so how could I not take this opportunity! Peanuts are not hard to grow, it’s just a few extra trips. I want to rent!”

 

At this moment, Li Zhaodi was no longer hesitant and had a shrewd gleam in her eyes.

 

Before Miao He could react, Yang Dalang had already agreed for him.

 

Others quickly followed suit. Chen Rong was the second to respond, “I’ll rent too!! Aunt Zhaodi is right, growing peanuts doesn’t need daily tending, our family can handle it. And we don’t have to worry about the tax; having an extra piece of land to make money is great!”

 

Miao Dahai and Miao Dahu quickly raised their hands high, “Hey!! We’ll rent too!! Two plots!! We have many men in the family; even during busy farming seasons, we’re not too busy. Having more land without paying taxes is perfect!!”

 

With three families quickly signing up, others felt they would miss out if they didn’t join in. Soon, Ma Shu’s family, Yu Aunty’s family, and even Lin Aunty rented land for her son.

 

The village head was both shocked and nervous. He had just found out today that Yang Dalang had acquired another mountain!!

 

Moreover, this scene reminded him of when they promoted soybeans. But now, Yang Dalang was even providing land, how grand a gesture that was… After getting over his shock, the village head struggled with whether to rent land for his son as well. Unfortunately, by the time he realized, he had missed the last plot.

 

Since it was the first year, they only marked out ten plots of land. If the results were good, they would consider expanding.

 

To develop these ten plots, Yang Dalang would have to pay about thirty taels more in land tax per year. Although cheaper than farmland, it was still a significant expense for an average family. However, peanuts could be planted twice a year, and with the income from selling vegetables alone, they could earn around seventy to eighty taels a year, not including the fruit trees. With balanced income and expenses, putting this money out and waiting for a larger return was a worthwhile investment.

 

So, when the guests left happily that day, their faces beaming with joy, it was as if they were the ones who had children. As hosts, Yang Dalang and Miao He naturally saw the guests off to the main gate. The two sons were taken care of by Second Aunt Yang in the room.

 

However, as they saw off the last guest, a voice called out from not far away.

 

“Da, Dalang…”

 

Yang Dalang paused, his eyes landing on Miao Qiang, who had a tense expression. Yang Dalang didn’t respond and turned to pat Miao He’s face, “Go back inside first. Second Aunt is busy.”

 

Taking care of the two boys alone was indeed tiring.

 

Miao He smiled and, without looking at Miao Qiang, agreed and walked back.

 

Seeing him leave, Miao Qiang sighed in relief and mustered up the courage to take a few steps forward.

 

“Dalang, I, I don’t know how to say this. I really didn’t mean to harm He ge’er! I, I just got upset because my mother hit me too quickly, but I didn’t intend to say anything to He ge’er!! When I went down the mountain, it’s true! You can ask my mother; I really didn’t say anything, and He ge’er just, just—“

 

Miao Qiang turned to pull his mother forward, and only then did Yang Dalang notice Aunt Qing standing behind, looking a bit haggard.

 

But Aunt Qing didn’t continue with her son’s words. She handed a small cloth bundle to Yang Dalang.

 

“Thank you for inviting me to the full-month banquet, Dalang. Even though you still recognize me as Aunt Qing and called me here, I really don’t have the face to come. But I still have to give a gift for the children. There are two cloth tigers inside, which are said to ward off evil spirits and can also be used as toys.”

 

Miao Qiang was anxious, “Mother, weren’t you here to help me explain?”

 

Aunt Qing just smiled weakly, “Dalang, please convey to He ge’er that I’m sorry for not teaching my son well. I should have come personally, but if I did, He ge’er might feel wronged and would have to say some insincere words because of our relationship. So, I’ll leave it be.”

 

“He wouldn’t,” said Yang Dalang.

 

Aunt Qing’s eyes reddened, “In the future, I won’t let Qiangzi come to you again. You—“

 

Miao Qiang finally jumped up, “Mother, what are you saying!? No, Dalang, listen to me! That day after we went back, Mother already scolded me severely!! So I know I was wrong!! Dalang, you know I’m just impulsive and don’t think things through when I get angry! I speak recklessly! I’ll try to change; I didn’t mean to make this mistake. Mother, you know that best, right!?”

 

But this time, Yang Dalang remained indifferent.

 

Seeing how Miao Qiang was relieved just now when Miao He left, it was evident that he didn’t feel any remorse.

 

And how could he tolerate a hidden poisonous snake lurking around them?

 

When Miao He went into labor that day, Yang Dalang naturally questioned all the details afterward. Although Miao He himself said that his stomach pain had shown signs earlier and was not triggered by hearing the fortune-telling, Yang Dalang saw Miao Qiang’s indifferent demeanor when he went down the mountain.

 

If it wasn’t for that, he would find it hard to believe that his childhood friend harbored such cold malice.

 

Is it jealousy that he’s doing well? Or has their supposed friendship always been a pretense? In the past, he might have been confused and would listen to Aunt Qing’s explanations for Miao Qiang. But now, there was no need.

 

“Mother, quickly help me explain! No, Dalang, I truly know I was wrong!! If you’re angry, you can beat me!! Just please don’t say you won’t see me again!! Dalang, I really know my mistake! Please believe me!!”

 

Seeing no reaction from Yang Dalang, Miao Qiang became truly anxious, “Mother, Dalang means—!”

 

Aunt Qing looked at her son with disappointment and distress, “What does it mean?”

 

It meant he wasn’t even angry at him anymore because there were no expectations or feelings left.

 

*

 

A few days later was Miao Yuan and Min Chun’s wedding banquet. The event was grand, with thirty tables covered in red cloths, creating a festive and lively atmosphere.

 

This time, Miao Jue led his family, bustling around greeting guests early on. They couldn’t let a mishap like the passing carriage from before happen again!! They even privately rented a few donkey carts, allowing students and teachers from the town to arrive in a more dignified manner, creating a somewhat grand atmosphere.

 

Yang Dalang’s family did not receive an invitation, which was expected as they were not close. However, the “legend of the hero” was everywhere. If Miao He were present, he would probably describe it like that.

 

Because this occasion was the best opportunity for the villagers to gossip about Yang Dalang’s newly acquired mountain!

 

“Hey, another mountain?! My goodness, are Yang Dalang’s vegetables plated with gold!?”

 

“I also heard that the land at the foot of that mountain has been rented out by Dalang, and it’s said the rent is quite reasonable!!”

 

“Really?! How is it rented out!? What’s the deal?!”

 

“How should I know? I just heard Ma Aunty say that they’re renting it out for growing peanuts to sell to the teahouse.”

 

“Teahouse? Peanuts? Isn’t that just like growing soybeans? Aren’t they afraid after what happened before?”

 

“How is it the same? This time, they even covered the land tax! They say renting it means guaranteed profit!!”

 

“Covering the land tax!? Oh my goodness, why didn’t you find out more details?! No, I’m going to ask Ma Aunty right now! Where’s her table?!”

 

“Wait, hey, I’ll go with you!”

 

The banquet was abuzz with guests running around, especially those who had rented land, receiving envious remarks from others.

 

These people were indeed proud. A few days ago, after signing the contracts, they all received new peanut seeds from He ge’er. Just seeing those round, plump peanuts, different from the usual ones, they knew Shopkeeper Jin was right about them being easy to grow! Hope was burning bright in everyone’s hearts, and they were determined to make the most of this opportunity!

 

This made Miao Jue’s face darken.

 

Yes, their family was also planning to build a blue brick house. Since opening the workshop, they had saved quite a bit of money, but they were reluctant to spend it all at once. The compensation demands from the Dahe Restaurant were met with claims of poverty. Later, they realized they could afford to build a larger and more beautiful blue brick house than the Yangs, costing thirty to forty taels.

 

But now, Yang Dalang had bought a mountain… Miao Jue felt a deep resentment.

 

And couldn’t help but wonder, was it because of the previous petty conflicts that Yang Dalang made such a move a few days ago!?

 

Min Chun, feeling a bit sidelined, was also a bit discontented. After all, today should be his day. But he didn’t mind much. After today, as long as he kept Miao Yuan under his thumb and developed a few hot-selling products, with the Miao family’s scholarly protection, wouldn’t money flow in like water?

 

Just as Miao Yuan was about to say something to ease the situation, a group of burly, muscular men appeared in the distance!

 

Seeing their fierce expressions, Miao Yuan had a bad premonition but thought it unlikely.

 

The issues with Dahe Restaurant had long been resolved, so who would come to trouble them now?

 

As the group approached, one shouted, “Is this Miao Yuan’s wedding banquet!? We’re here to deliver a gift!!”

 

Miao Yuan relaxed a bit and quickly stepped forward with clasped hands, “Yes, that’s me. May I ask where you are from?”

 

The burly man glanced at him and suddenly grinned.

 

“Great!! Brothers!! Smash it!!”

 

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