New Trickster

  The appearance of Zhangjiazhuang windmill shocked all surrounding villages.

  The people around had already received the news and came in a hurry to see what was new, also wanting to see if the result was as magical as the rumor said.

  On the day when the windmill was erected, before dawn, men and women of all ages gathered on the post road, rushing to the riverbank, waiting for this novelty to appear. Now, beside the waterwheel, it's crowded with people, everyone marveling at this big fellow that works without human labor. As for Lü Shi and Zhao Da Hai, they didn't dare disturb them, so they surrounded Zhang Laoshi and asked him questions from all sides. Zhang Laoshi was wooden and awkward, seeing these people surrounding him made him even more embarrassed, unable to speak, so he pushed his sons out to answer the endless questions from everyone.

  Zhang Jia's younger son was lively and became the on-site commentator, spouting off to everyone about how amazing his master was, occasionally eliciting bursts of applause from the crowd, and also causing Zhao Dahan to guffaw with laughter. With a greasy hand, he patted Lv Shi on the back in a show of affectionate praise; if Lv Shi hadn't been so strong, he would have been knocked over by his large hand.

  The crowd admired the water cart and asked Old Man Zhang to make one for their village too.

  This is a big deal, although there was no intellectual property protection in the Ming Dynasty, stealing skills was a matter of being slapped on the back of the head by others, so Zhang Lao Han couldn't make decisions and came to ask for instructions from Lv Shi.

  Lü Shi saw this and smiled: "This craftsmanship is actually yours, Zhang's family, whether to do it or not depends on your father's words, what does it have to do with me?"

  "Master, you can't say that. This craftsman has his own rules, and as the heir of this family business, and also the master of two apprentices, a master's word is final in everything." Zhang Lao Shi said solemnly.

  Everyone looked at Lü Shi with eager and expectant eyes, hoping that he would agree to do it, so as not to delay the farming season.

  Lü Shiyè smiled and said, "Alright then, Zhang will bring the village's skilled carpenters to make a few more according to the original method. For these things, apart from materials, they can collect some labor costs, as for how much money and grain, you decide, and the earnings will be distributed among everyone based on their contribution, don't hurt anyone's harmony."

  Those carpenters cheered as soon as they heard it, originally they only made one piece, which was relatively simple, and now with their skilled craftsmanship, building a windmill would be even faster than this one. If they really got paid for their labor, the several windmills that came down would also bring in a considerable income. The other villages also knew this rule, so they happily agreed at the time, and then each village hastily pushed out the village elder to negotiate prices with Zhang Lao Shi on the side.

  Zhang Lao Shi was originally a kind-hearted person and saw everyone as poor brothers, so the price he offered was very reasonable and made everyone happy.

  After agreeing on the price, he came to Lü Shi's place and apologized: "We are neighbors, and we are also people who have no food for the next meal. I really can't afford it, the price is a bit low, and it will be settled after the autumn harvest, so...so...but my share can be counted on Master's account, okay?"

  Lv Shi hurriedly pushed back, not doing anything and taking the stock of Cheng Gan, what else to take? After repeatedly pushing and yielding, he couldn't outdo Zhang Jia's father and son. Zhao Da Hai laughed loudly: "Take it, this is still Zhang Jia taking advantage of you, otherwise where would these extra income come from? If you really can't bear it, then please invite me and Xiao Yu to settle the account."

  Lü Shì could only give up, thinking that everything he had gained would ultimately end up in the hands of Zhang's wife and mother-in-law, so it was better not to make a fuss about it. He agreed to this condition, then watched as everyone bustled around, while he sat beside the windmill continuing to tend to it, also thinking about where improvements were needed.

  Spring breeze gently blows, water sounds gurgling, windmill creaks and groans, Zhao Da Hai covers his face with a fur hat and snores, Xiao Ya runs back and forth beside him, laughing and jumping happily, catching early butterflies, picking wild flowers near and far, and from time to time teasing Grandpa with straw, it's really a rural scenery.

  Just as he was deep in thought, the hot and bustling fields suddenly became chaotic. He got up and looked around to see that all the villagers were fleeing in a panic, while the young women were screaming and running wildly in all directions. In an instant, the once lively fields had turned into a scene of utter chaos. Just as he was wondering what was happening, a man dressed in bright clothes and riding a horse came galloping towards him, whipping his horse and striking anyone who dared to block his path.

  Lü Shi saw the situation and immediately became furious.

  No need to say, this scene is all too familiar, the cliché from TV and movies where the ancient and modern costumes are worn out, is actually being performed right in front of my eyes. Just as I was about to step forward to stop these thugs from bullying, Zhao Dahai had already gotten up, pulled Lü Shi behind him, picked up his flower gun and stood guard, saying: "Brother, don't worry, with me here, you're safe."

  Nowadays, the powerful ones are all unscrupulous and lawless, and getting involved with them is a disaster. Zhao Dahan, as a small official in a remote post, was like an ant trying to shake a tree, powerless against them. But he was willing to take risks for a stranger he had just met for over ten days, without any fear, where is the true feeling?

  Lü Shi looked at Zhao Dahan's iron tower-like figure and felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

  Just as they were sighing in admiration, the group of people had already rushed to the front. The young master who was leading the way was dressed like an opera actor, and looked more like a butterfly, without even giving Zhao Dahan and Lü Shi a glance, he directly ran under the windmill.

  He walked around the windmill a few times, humming in praise. "What a great thing this is! It really doesn't need any manpower to bring up the water."

  Several of his subordinates fawned around him, constantly flattering: "Isn't it true? Look at the water volume, look at the speed. On this land of several thousand mu, I'm afraid it will be fully irrigated in just three to five days. It seems that Young Master Dong's place here is going to have a bumper harvest again this year."

  Those dogs following also exclaimed in surprise, it was a heated discussion, and the hundreds of villagers, the owner of the windmill, were treated as air.

  Lü Shijiu crossed his arms and watched them with a cold eye as they performed over there.

  That little guy, as small as a butterfly, after watching, waved his big hand and shouted loudly: "Come on, shout to dozens of mud legs, move this thing back, and stand it at our door. By the way, tell them that in the future, watering one mu of land will cost 30 cents, no, 50 cents, otherwise don't even think about using it."

  All the people were as quiet as cicadas in winter, and no one dared to make a sound of dissent. They just stared blankly at these arrogant men.

  Lü Shì was furious, took a step forward, and suddenly felt his clothes being pulled tight. He turned around to see Zhang Lao Shi's nervous face, with a look of anxiety, holding onto him tightly.

  "Let go, brother." Lü Shi said in a stern tone, it was the first time he spoke to Zhang Laoshi in such a manner.

  That old man was so scared that he almost cried, and quietly dissuaded him: "Master, don't dare to do this, this young master is the eldest son of Zhangjiabao, his family is big and powerful, with more than a hundred village braves and household knights. We can't afford to provoke them, let's just give up on this windmill, it's not worth it, we'll work harder and make another one."

  Lü Shidà asked loudly: "Old brother, are you going to make another one? What if he moves away again?"

  Zhang Lao Shi's mouth opened but he had nothing to say, and his face turned pale with fear. His legs trembled violently, and the surrounding villagers were so frightened that they involuntarily took a few steps back. In their eyes, there was only fear and pity for Lv Shi, who didn't know the depth of the consequences.

  "Good heavens," said Zhang Lao Shi hastily, "keep your voice down, I dare not let Xiao Tai Sui hear that, or it will be a matter of life and death."

  "Older brother, I'm asking you something." Lü Shi stared at Zhang Laoshi, taking a step forward and asking.

  Zhang Lao Shi then remembered Lv Shi's question and hastily replied carefully: "It can't be, right? If the Zhang family has installed a windmill, they can't move ours anymore." The surrounding villagers also nodded in agreement.

  "You're wrong, didn't you hear? Zhang's family moved the windmill to collect money from you. If you build another one, it will block his way of making a fortune. How can he let you off easily?"

  Zhao Dahai nodded in agreement, admiring his brother's insight. Looking around at everyone else, he saw only despair in their eyes. Indeed, it was a vicious cycle - one person would make an effort, while another would undo it; when would it ever end? A few of the aunties who had just seen glimmers of hope began to weep softly, whispering: "How can we go on living like this?"

  Lü Shihui turned around, shook off Zhang Lao's hand, and used his eyes to stop the Zhang brothers from following him. He blocked Zhao Dahan, took a deep breath, and walked up to the chattering flower butterfly, smiling and saying: "Want to move? How much will you pay?"

  The entire audience of several hundred people fell silent, even the servants and guards had their mouths agape, looking at Lü Shi with faces full of disbelief. The only sounds left were the windmill's tireless creaking and the river water's cheerful flowing sound.

  That butterfly was just happily chirping when it was suddenly nailed to the spot by this not-so-loud but extremely calm and authoritative question, its raised hands frozen in mid-air for a long time before slowly turning around with an incredulous expression.

  Behind him stood a tall figure with short hair, looking up to see a pale and serene face gazing down at him. On that face was even a faint smile.

  The butterfly looked around and was surprised to say to the peaceful man: "Don't you know who I am? You're talking to me like this?"

  "I don't need to know the buyer's name." Lü Shi still said with a calm and gentle smile, but in his heart, the flames of anger were already burning fiercely.

  "Buyer? Me?" Putting down the raised hand with numbness and tingling, pointing to his own nose uncertainly asked: "Are you saying I'm your buyer?"

  "Yes, you're not the buyer, what are you doing moving my things?" Still smiling calmly and speaking in a calm tone, without any hint of teasing, those words were surprisingly filled with the sincerity of a shopkeeper.

  The butterfly was completely choked up and didn't utter a word for quite some time before stuttering: "You should know who I am."

  "Why must I know who you are? It's not necessary. We only discuss the price of the land and the price of this windmill."

  "I am the young master of the Zhang family." Hu Die kindly reminded Lü Shi.

  "Hello there, young master." Lü Shiduan smiled faintly and actually asked politely how he was doing.

  No one else heard his name and saw that sincere and terrified expression.

  "Has this young master ever bought anything?"

  "I don't know, but now I want to move my things. Either you pay for them or you pay me rent, there's no third way out. The price of 50 wen per mu that you offered is too high, I only charge 10 wen per mu."

  The butterfly pointed his finger at Lü Shi's nose and then turned back to look at his more than a dozen subordinates.

  His own dozen or so followers were also stunned by the man's words and looked at him, but their eyes were filled with a look of watching a dead man.

  Yes, in their eyes, that big fellow was nothing more than a dead man.