Rebirth Married The Control group Fulang Chapter 123 Part 1

Chapter 123

　　 Over the years, the once-barren land they had purchased and cultivated had been meticulously tended, and the harvests had steadily increased. This year, the yield from their fields was nearly on par with fertile farmland, producing enough grain to feed the family for two or three years.  

　　 While it was essential to keep grain stored in case of emergencies, hoarding too much was unwise, if it was left unused, it would eventually spoil.  

　　 As usual, Zhang Fangyuan kept the freshest harvest in storage while selling the older grain through their grain shop. This way, the stock remained fresh, and the older grain could be converted into silver.  

　　 The grain stored from last year alone had earned them nearly three hundred taels of silver.  

　　 “Our relatives saw how well the tenant farmers worked the land. Just the rent grain they paid was enough to feed us with plenty to spare. Now the clan wants us to manage their land too.”  

　　 Zhang Fangyuan listened to Xu He’s murmuring and said, “I’ve had the same thought and even hinted at it before. But our relatives are all farmers, they can’t bear to part with their land, as if I’d trick them out of it. Now that they’ve seen the tenant farmers’ harvests, they’re suddenly envious.”  

　　 Xu He chuckled. “Isn’t that how people always are? No need to take it to heart.”  

　　 “If I got angry over every little thing, I’d never stop.” Zhang Fangyuan waved a hand. “If they’re willing, let’s consolidate their land. Coincidentally, some villagers recently came asking to lease land as tenant farmers. The current tenants don’t want to share what they have, so I couldn’t offer them anything. If the clan hands over their land, we can finally give those villagers an answer.”  

　　 As they discussed the tenant farmers, Xu He mentioned, “With more tenants, the hundred acres we originally divided among them are no longer enough. Should we buy more land to cultivate?”  

　　 Zhang Fangyuan had considered expanding, but the nearby wasteland was too fragmented to consolidate into a proper plot. He wasn’t keen, until he heard about a new imperial policy allowing private purchases of several hills beyond the public mountains.  

　　 Since they already had farmland, owning a few hills would provide even more stability. They could also cultivate the foothills, killing two birds with one stone.  

　　 Perhaps it was because the children were growing up, or maybe he was getting older, but Zhang Fangyuan found himself less interested in chasing profits outside and more inclined to invest in his hometown. No matter how many shops they opened or how prosperous their business became, a single official’s order could shut everything down, turning years of effort into a fleeting dream. In contrast to other things that might change or disappear, the land and hills remained steady and permanent.

　　 “Alright. Once the accounts are settled, we’ll go take a look in a few days.”  

　　 Having worked late on the account books, they slept in the next morning, only to be woken by Little Ruili’s early clamoring.  

　　 “The autumn air is crisp, and the polo grounds in the southern city are open! There’s so much to see, can I go?”  

　　 Xu He, still drowsy, asked, “How will you go alone?”  

　　 “Who said I’m going alone? Brother’s coming too!”  

　　 Xu He’s eyes sharpened at that. “Your brother rarely goes out for fun. Did he really agree?”  

　　 “He’s already changing his clothes, why would I lie?”  

　　 Zhang Fangyuan peeked out and saw Little Ruili dressed neatly. This wasn’t a request, it was a notification.  

　　 The young ge'er, though not overly adorned, looked as vibrant as a little peacock. “Dad, I’m heading out now!”  

　　 Xu He wanted to say more, but Zhang Fangyuan stopped him. “Let him go. With Ruijin along, nothing will go wrong. Besides, it’s good for Ruijin to get out more.”  

　　 With Zhang Fangyuan's approval, Xu He had no further objections.  

　　 “Brother usually only plays polo or pitch-pot at home or when we visit the countryside. Why is he suddenly so eager to go to the polo grounds today?”  

[Pitch-pot (投壶, tóu hú): a classical Chinese game where players threw arrows or sticks into a narrow-necked pot from a distance]

　　 Little Ruili waited at the gate for what felt like ages before his brother finally emerged. Still, he didn’t complain, opportunities to drag Ruijin out were rare.  

　　 Spotting him, Little Ruili grabbed Ruijin’s wrist and tugged him toward their carriage.  

　　 Ruijin didn’t follow. Instead, he asked, “Are you only going with me today?”  

　　 Little Ruili blinked. “What else?”  

　　 “Don’t you always drag Xing ge'er along wherever you go?”  

　　 “Lately, Xing ge'er hasn’t been talking much. He just mopes in his room, barely responding when I call him. He’s clearly in a bad mood, why would he want to go to a noisy polo ground?”  

　　 Ruijin fell silent for a moment. “He seems to have lost weight.”  

　　 “Exactly!”  

　　 “You should call him. Staying cooped up isn’t good, he needs to get out.”  

　　 Little Ruili narrowed his eyes, studying his brother suspiciously. Ruijin, unnerved by the stare, was about to speak when Little Ruili huffed, “You’re one to talk, holed up in the study all day reading! Hmph!”  

　　 With that, he turned and dashed off to the Luo residence.  

　　 Ruijin watched Little Ruili’s retreating figure, the jade pendant at his waist leaving a blur in the wind. Shaking his head, he turned his gaze to the Luo family’s gate.