Chapter Seventy-Two: Greed Knows No Bounds

famine.The Man tribes were so intimidated by the defeat that they dared not approach the Golden Sands River, further enhancing the Emperor's prestige.The Empress Dowager grew increasingly silent. Ever...Every member of the Li family ran out.

Home Anjia and Home Xi held hands and ran wildly in the yard, while the rest of the people swarmed to the fields.

For the past two months, they've been worn down to the bone from carrying burdens, barely managing to keep their crops from withering away.

And at this moment, heaven sent a downpour.

The parched land was being moistened, and all the cracks, like wide mouths, were eagerly drinking in the rainwater, striving to restore their vitality.

"We're saved, we're saved!"

"No more fetching water!"

"The crops are saved!"

Some elderly men next door were originally watching over the crops, so they simply knelt in the field and waited for the rain.

At this time, they cried even harder.

They had originally given the fields to Li's family to farm, hoping that their family would grow larger and produce more grain, so that all those empty fields wouldn't be wasted.

They also have someone to rely on in their old age, so they live more comfortably.

To everyone's surprise, a severe drought struck as soon as spring arrived.

If the grains aren't harvested, Li's family will have to raise them for nothing. Isn't that taking advantage of them

So, they hoped more than anyone for the drought to end quickly.

Now that it's raining, the crops are safe, and no one is happier than them!

Old Mrs. Li held her granddaughter in her arms, wiping away tears under the eaves.

Jia Yin slept rather soundly, yawning slightly and turning her head to look at the cheerful downpour outside.

Her first thought was that the price of vegetables would go down.

However, even the vegetable garden in the small courtyard will be picked clean.

It's also a good time to cash out.

The heavy rain poured for the entire night until the parched earth was finally quenched, and then it stopped.

Each household, regardless of the mud, quickly tidied their gardens.

First, plant some more greens. As long as they grow, you won't have to worry about going hungry.

All the mischievous boys rushed to the riverbank, and soon, they all rushed back.

"There is water in the river!"

"There is water in the river, we can catch fish now!"

The villagers couldn't help but laugh and scold, “Of course there is water! It’s all rainwater from the mountains! In a few days when the water from the south comes down, it will probably be even bigger.”

The woman grabbed her son's ear and muttered, "Stay away from the river! The big river is flooding and could sweep you away. Who would save you then"

"Oh, alright, Mother."

The mischievous boy agreed with his words, but he couldn't resist running to the river bank again and again.

By the end of June, it was too late to plant any more crops.

It's just that in the fields, you can only grow cabbage, radishes, and sweet potatoes won't work.

Because the growing season is too long, it freezes before harvest.

People are always like this, their desires are insatiable.

They had been hoping for rain. As soon as it rained, they could plant more cabbage and radishes.

As long as the whole family doesn't starve to death, they are satisfied.

But now that they planted cabbage and radishes, they began to envy and resent Li's family.

It has only rained for three days, and the crops in Li's field have already begun to grow rapidly.

Looking around, a sea of fresh green greets the eyes.

I really wish I could pull up this whole field and plant it in my own backyard.

However, it's just something to think about.

Without mentioning the grace of the Li family, just look at the axes and sickles in their hands...

Regardless of whether it's true or not, everyone greets the Li family with a smile.

Early that morning, Li Lao Er drove a cart to the city to deliver vegetables.

This is the last car, selling it will be just right to settle with Zhou Guan.

As Jia Yin had predicted, the day after it rained, vegetable prices dropped.

Li Lao'er was reluctant, but he insisted on selling a few more cars.

Today was the day Lao Li decided, after much deliberation, that this would be his last trip to the city. He brought his ledger with him for one final time.

Li Lao San and Li Lao Si's families are both going to the fields.

The torrential rain brought relief to the parched crops, and the wild grasses benefited as well.

Only a few days have passed, and it has already grown taller than the crops.

If it's not removed at this time, it will rob the crops of their nutrients.

Li Lao Tai stopped her son and daughter-in-law, saying,

"I've been pondering something these past few days, and I wanted to share it with you all."

Both Li Laosan and Li Laosi sat down.

"Mother, what's the matter"

Jiayin was clamoring to get down, so Lao Tai Li put her granddaughter down.

Have her hold onto her knees and practice walking slowly around the chair.

"Only our family's thirty acres are still good," she said. "The whole village has been devastated, all the crops destroyed. These past few days, ours have just kept getting better and better. It's truly a sight to behold."

After a long time, I'm worried that someone will get jealous. What if something goes wrong"

Li Lao Si immediately widened his eyes.

"Mother, you can rest assured. I go to the fields every day. If anyone dares to be malicious, I'll beat him to death!"

Li Laosan also said, “Mother, we must work hard in the fields.”

Li Laotai shook her head. "There's no point in being prepared for a thief every day. If someone really wants to do something bad, you can't stop them."

Jia Yin grabbed the chair handle and nodded in agreement.

Li Laotai was amused and continued,

Our family has thirty acres of land, which is quite a lot. This year, we are exempt from grain tax, so whatever we harvest belongs to us. Fifteen acres are enough for our family's food supply, and the remaining fifteen acres will be harvested in autumn and sold off.

"And these days, selling vegetables at home has brought in quite a bit of silver. Our family isn't short on money from selling grain either. Why not release the news now Let's lend out the grain to the villagers in the autumn."

Li Lao San and Li Lao Si looked at each other.

When Li Laosi had a flash of inspiration, he asked.

"Mother, do you want to tie up the entire village and have them follow our family to tend the fields"

Li Laotai smiled, her son wasn't too airheaded after all.

"Yes, now everyone envies our family for having food. If we shared it with everyone to get through this difficult time, then the crops in these fields would belong to the whole village. But there's no fear of harm from people, and there would be dozens more people looking after them together."

"Mother, you are so clever."

"Yes, that's a good idea."

Li Lao San and Zhao Yu Ru were both in agreement, but Tao Hong Ying said.

"Mother, borrowing grain is a good thing. But don't we need everyone to write their names and press their seals"

Li Laotai nodded. "When the second son comes back, invite the village head. Write a document, and whoever borrows it signs and stamps their handprint."

That settles it, everyone got busy.

When the sun was setting, Li La Er finally returned in a mule cart, reeking of alcohol, clearly having had quite a few drinks.

"Mother, I had lunch with Zhou Guan and Liu Biǎotou at the tavern."

Li Laotai didn't blame her son, and asked.

"Has the head of the week settled the accounts"

"Yes, Mother, I already gave him all the money for today's meals. And that wasn't enough, son added another eight ounces."

Li Lao'er felt a pang of sympathy, but considering his own gains were greater, he let it go.

"Go wake up from your drink, there's important business coming up in a while."

Li Laotai drove Jia Anjiaxi away to ask the village head.

The village head has been extremely busy lately. He needs to replant crops, guard against wild animals descending the mountain, and urge villagers not to be lazy. He also needs to make sure the families staying temporarily move out.

Hearing that the Li family was hosting a gathering, he rushed over.

"Big sister, has someone been causing trouble for your family's crops Tell me, which little punk is being envious I'll kick him to death!"

He opened his mouth to defend the Li family, making all the Li family members happy.

Li Laoer hurried to help him sit down, Tao Hongying served tea.

The village head was at a loss, not understanding what was going on with the Li family.

Isn't it like being bullied

Li Laoer took out a piece of paper, half of it filled with words, the other half blank.

"Uncle, there's something about this. Let me read you the contract."

The village head became more and more confused, but as soon as Li Lao Er read a few lines, he suddenly stood up.

The tea had spilled on his clothes, and he didn't even have time to wipe it off.hat we meant!" The disciples of the Fenglei team cheered. They lost the competition but still had jade melon and wine to enjoy. This day was perfect!More than twenty boys, wearing their clothes haphaz...