The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

“This matter…” Zhuang Jingye hesitated: “We don’t have much of these bean seeds. If everyone thinks like you do and wants to transport them outside, there probably wouldn’t be enough for our own villagers. When people in the village ask me for bean seeds and I can’t provide them, it wouldn’t look good if they find out it’s because of you. They would think I’m favoring certain people and I would lose my authority in the village.”

“I understand it puts you in a difficult position, Uncle Chief. Considering our past relationship, I hope you might provide some extra this time. I’ve already mentioned it to Mrs. Wang. If it can’t be done, I’m afraid I’ll lose face when I go back.”

Zhuang Dali pleaded: “Could you be lenient this time, Uncle Chief?”

Zhuang Jingye thought for a moment before lifting his head and saying, “Okay, since you’ve already said all these, if I don’t give any extra, you’ll indeed lose face. But if I give you the exact amount you asked for, it wouldn’t be easy for me to explain either…”

“Let’s do it this way. I’ll give you sixty jin. Let’s both compromise. This way, I can explain my side, and you will not be embarrassed.”

“Okay, I’ll listen to Uncle Chief.”

As Zhuang Jingye gave ground, Zhuang Dali felt greatly honored and hurriedly nodded his head, “Can I take the bean seeds away now?”

“What’s the rush?” Zhuang Jingye slurped a string of noodles, “Let me finish eating first, it’s not like you need to sow them this afternoon.”

“Uncle Chief.” Zhuang Dali chuckled, “I’m afraid you won’t have much time left to eat. You’ll be busy soon.”

Huh?

Zhuang Jingye looked up in surprise, with noodles still in his mouth, “What do you mean by that?”

Before he finished speaking, another person entered the courtyard. It was Zhuang Sanhuai, carrying a sack, and also asking Zhuang Jingye for bean seeds.

Zhuang Sanhuai hadn’t even explained how many jin he needed when Zhuang Huanglu and Zhuang Dayuan also arrived, similarly asking for bean seeds.

In a short time, five or six households showed up. The courtyard suddenly became very lively.

Zhuang Jingye really couldn’t spare any time to eat his noodles. He hastily finished the noodles in his bowl and began weighing bean seeds for the villagers.

To avoid gossip, since Zhuang Dali asked for a higher quantity, he served him last.

After Zhuang Dali’s portion of the bean seeds was weighed, Zhuang Jingye was so busy, he was breaking out in a sweat.

“Alright, I appreciate your hard work, Uncle Chief.” Zhuang Dali hefted the sack onto his shoulder and stepped forward to leave.

“Hey, wait a minute.” Zhuang Jingye stopped him, “You are always very clever. You should first tell me why everyone suddenly came to ask for bean seeds.”

“Didn’t they just receive some bean seeds to sow in their courtyards, and they would decide whether to use these seeds depending on how well they germinate? How come they all changed their minds before lunch is even over?”

“I mean, even if these bean seeds are good, they can’t possibly germinate that fast, right? Is there something going on?”

“About this matter,” Zhuang Dali chuckled, and made clear to Zhuang Jingye how Zhuang Ruman had come to find him, criticizing the new bean seeds, urging him not to sow them.

“Uncle Chief, you see this Zhuang Ruman, isn’t his heart black? He talked so badly about such beneficial beans, even saying that you, Uncle Chief, are money-minded, and Miss Ning is cheating everyone. What nonsense! These bean seeds are free at the moment, how can they cheat us? Also, claiming that Miss Ning is not thinking about the common good, isn’t it because she’s worried about us that she’s been collecting beans and hiring workers from the village?”

“If she really didn’t care about us, she could simply hire workers from outside and buy beans from elsewhere to run her tofu factory. Zhuang Ruman’s words are clearly intended to stir up discord among us, this man, urggh!”

“Rest assured, Uncle Chief, we are not those spineless people who lose their sense of direction as soon as someone says something. I saw through Zhuang Ruman’s intentions as soon as I heard his words, and I certainly won’t fall for his tricks!”

“Besides, the reason why Zhuang Ruman’s family is living like this is because of his own misfortune and his shady ways. I believe even the heavens are not approving of his actions. I’m thinking, anything Zhuang Ruman disapproves of is definitely worth considering. So, I rushed here to ask for bean seeds from you, Uncle Chief..”