Chapter 51: Touch

  "I heard that you signed a so-called 'farming contract' with some lowly people recently?" Yang Bofang asked, taking a sip of tea and looking at Liu Yitiao.

  Liu Yitiao was taken aback for a moment, then said: "Labor Yang Shu is worried, indeed there is such a thing."

  "Heh heh," Yang Bofang suddenly burst out laughing, leaving Liu Yitiao somewhat at a loss. He asked, "Uncle Yang, what's the meaning of this?"

  "Hmm, haha," Yang Bofang smiled and said: "One, you're great, very spirited, quite like the style of Liu Shishu in his younger years. Hmm, thinking carefully, back then Liu Shishu was also like you, not afraid of heaven or earth, doing whatever he wanted without any worries, truly admirable."

  "Huh?" Seeing Yang Bo Fang bring up his grandfather for no reason, Liu Yi Tiao was even more perplexed and asked: "Please forgive my ignorance, I don't know what Mr. Yang is referring to."

  "It seems you really don't understand the reason behind it." Yang Bofang glanced at Liu Yitiao, put down his teacup and said: "Do you know how much rent a tenant pays nowadays?" Seeing Liu Yitiao shake his head, Yang Bofang stretched out five fingers to answer: "No more than 500 coins, no more than three stones of grain."

  Liu Yitiao didn't say a word, but he finally understood why Li Desheng and his family had such a hard time. With rent like this, they couldn't even afford the basics of food and clothing, let alone anything else. At the same time, he also understood why Yang Bofang would say what he did earlier - Liu Yitiao's rent was too high.

  Such high rents will inevitably lead to dissatisfaction among some people, especially the large landowners.

  "Now you understand?" Yang Bo Fang smiled and said: "The rent you offered is three or four times that of others. Isn't such a temperament worthy of admiration? Hehe..."

  "Yang Shu can't help but laugh." A cold sweat broke out on Liu Yitia's forehead. The behavior of this new small landlord had inadvertently seriously offended the vested interests of some large households nearby. If they wanted to suppress him, this small landlord was afraid that he would go bankrupt in an instant.

  Yang Bofang took another sip of tea and said, "Do you know why I called those tenants 'lowly people' just now? Firstly, it's because of their status, and secondly, it's because of the rent they pay. However, even so, under the law, they are still free men and have the right to choose their own masters."

  "In the past, all crows under heaven were black, they had no way out and no hope, they could only obediently guard the land allocated to them by their masters, otherwise they would starve to death on the streets."

  "But now, among this group of black crows, a white crow has actually been born." Yang Bofang looked at Liu Yitiao and said: "And you, a wise nephew, are that admirable white crow."

  What's a white crow but a bird that sticks out?

  Liu Yitiao saw Yang Bo Fang's serious expression and his heart actually relaxed. He stood up, bowed to Yang Bo Fang and said: "This time again, Uncle Yang has taken the trouble for me."

  "Please sit down," Yang Bofang said with a nod of satisfaction, seeing that Liu Yitiao had already guessed the reason behind things. "I've heard something about your 'cultivation contract', it's not bad! Although some people may not like the content, those tenants you hired will definitely follow you wholeheartedly and cultivate for you sincerely in the future. You've done a great job in winning people over."

  "But this kind of thing can only happen once and not again. The reason why this matter was able to be suppressed is that I still have some face in San Yuan County, and everyone gave me face. Second, you are only thirty mu of land, and many people didn't put you in their hearts. There's one thing you should know, San Yuan County may not be the capital, but it has a lot of connections with the capital. The big households here have a lot of power and influence, more than you can imagine. If any one of them comes out, they can easily crush you."

  Liu Yitiao was so scared by Yang Bofang that he broke out in a cold sweat. In this feudal society, although he had some land, he was still at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Liu Yitiao sincerely asked Yang Bofang for guidance: "I hope Uncle Yang can give me some advice."

  Yang Bofang didn't beat around the bush either, taking a sip of tea before speaking directly: "In the past, you were just an ordinary farmer, and there were some things you wouldn't know about, which wouldn't have much impact on you. But now, with thirty hectares of land, although not a lot, you've also stepped into the threshold of being a lord. There are some things you must pay attention to."

  "First of all, there are some people in San Yuan County that you should know not to mess with. First and foremost is the Du family from the east of the city, the household of Grand Secretary Du Yan. Next are the Gong Sun Mansion, the Pang family, and the Li family. These aristocratic families are either descendants of high-ranking officials or relatives of government officials in Chang'an. They are not people that a commoner like you can afford to mess with."

  "There is also the grain price, which has an unwritten rule among each lord. The annual output of grain prices are set by the big households in the county, and no one can arbitrarily raise or lower their prices."

  Liu nodded, and the phenomenon of price gouging wasn't unique to modern times. He naturally agreed a hundred percent that those big landlords wouldn't make such unfair deals.

  "Thanks for Uncle Yang's guidance, I've learned a lesson."

  "Hmm, I've said so much just to let you know a bit. You're still just an infant in swaddling clothes, and before you grow up, it's best not to provoke those adults." As he spoke, Yang Bo Fang stood up and retrieved a chessboard from the top of the bookshelf, smiling at Liu Yi Tiao: "I've said so much, I think you're getting tired of listening. Let's play a game of chess instead."

  "It's as you wish, I don't dare ask." Liu Yitiao took over the chessboard, put away the books and magazines on the desk, set up the chess pieces, and extended his hand to Yang Bofang: "Uncle Yang, please go first."

  Yang Bofang didn't stand on ceremony with him either, and began to set up the horse chessboard. At the same time, he said: "This chess of yours is quite good, I've had someone make a few sets before, and gave them to some old friends, they were all delighted. They know your chess skills are superb, and they're all clamoring to play a game with you. Hehe, when there's an opportunity, I'll introduce you to them, go keep them company for a few games."

  "Hmm?" Liu Yitiao's hand holding the chess piece paused, understanding Yang Bofang's meaning. He then spoke up to thank him: "Thank you, Uncle Yang, for pointing that out. I've troubled you with my affairs."

  One cannon killed a small soldier, Yang Bo Fang smiled and said: "It's just a game of chess to make friends, don't think too much."

  "A clear road." Liu Yitian raised his hand and drove out of the car, forcing Yang Bofang's general to a dead end.