She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 179 - 178: Parents in Official Positions Making Decisions

Chapter 179: Chapter 178: Parents in Official Positions Making Decisions

If Nanny Jin were present, she would immediately understand that all the previous groundwork laid by the young lady of the house was to negotiate for the expenses of the six servants from Prince Yu’s Mansion, and possibly for more servants from the mansion in the future.

If Nanny Jin were here, she would definitely feel ashamed and want to hide her face for the behavior of the young lady from a home of noble and prestigious birth; however, none of the people present had such thoughts. Most of them felt surprised and incredulous.

"I," Jinrong lost his voice, "I had good intentions, it was for your sake, Lady Qi. And besides, they work for your Qi family, I have already paid their monthly salary in silver."

"Sixth Master Rong," Ye Xinyan said slowly, "Could it be that you want Nanny Liu and the others to take out their monthly salary in silver to cover their daily expenses at the Qi family’s home? Although my Qi family is poor, we can’t be as dishonest as you, Sixth Master, engaging in such dishonorable actions."

"I," Jinrong was at a loss for words. He had gone to such lengths, yet someone still accused him of being dishonorable—and that person was the beneficiary of the whole affair.

As the parental official over Qingyuan County, Jiang Yifan assumed a stern expression, watching Jinrong struggling for words, with not the slightest intention of helping him.

Ye Xinyan curled her lips, "Sixth Master Rong, you must be aware of this, if it weren’t for you, my humble family could have lived a much more stable and comfortable life, without needing so many people to follow us around."

No matter what reasons you, Prince, had, I, the girl, was forced to agree to work for you very unwillingly. Especially today, after you have made it to this point, that Chief Steward position, is that such a great role to have?

In the end, Jinrong agreed to send someone at the beginning of each month to deliver the daily expenses for Nanny Liu and the other six to the Qi family. And the second branch of the Qi family changed their original plan to add a row of wing rooms next to the three main rooms, now building another three main rooms opposite the ones under construction to form a front and back courtyard.

Of course, in Ye Xinyan’s description there was no mention of change; instead, she simply talked about temporarily raising money to build three more rooms.

Qi Younian still sipped his tea silently.

Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao, who knew the inside story of the house building, listened to Ye Xinyan and the dairy farm owner’s back-and-forth banter and learned a lot. Big Brother Ye Zi’s ability to bullshit people with a straight face and steady heartbeat was remarkable and truly audacious, there was no one he wouldn’t dare to bluff. Wasn’t she afraid the owner would retaliate and fire her?

Arranging housing for the Qi family was a matter neither great nor small, but quite important. By the time this matter was handled, it was getting late, and it was almost the appointed time for Jiang Yifan and the Lizheng (local official) to perform their patrol.

Jiang Yifan gathered all the county officials and subordinates and guards who were waiting inside and outside the old Qi family compound and set off to meet with the Lizheng and others.

The Lizheng and Village Chief He Quantai naturally did not dare wait at the designated meeting place. Soon after Jiang Yifan and others left on foot, the Lizheng and others promptly came forward to meet them.

Jiang Yifan waved his hand and said, "Thank you for your hard work; please lead the way," and then turned to inquire of Ye Xinyan, "I heard that the dairy farm’s Steward Fan mentioned that their cattle are rented out. I wonder how many families have reserved to rent work cattle from the dairy farm for the upcoming harvest season?"

"Reporting to Magistrate Sir," Ye Xinyan replied from behind Jiang Yifan, one step to the side behind Qi Younian, "there are a total of thirty-one households, nineteen from this village and twelve from nearby ones."

After lunch, she hadn’t planned to follow the officials from the Yamen out, but Jiang Yifan put on a serious front, claiming he "still had matters to inquire about in detail."

As a result, she followed them out this far, and it wasn’t until they met the village head, Lizheng, and others that Jiang Yifan began his questioning with seeming importance.

"Oh." Jiang Yifan nodded, "With the work cattle’s help, it seems that the autumn harvest can be managed more smoothly. I heard that the dairy farm pays cash for the grass, and although it’s not a lot of money, it certainly alleviates some of the villagers’ financial difficulties. Lady Qi and Steward Fan have indeed done a good deed for everyone."

Lizheng and He Quantai felt a jolt in their hearts. The Qi family’s cattle farm was collecting grass for fodder, wasn’t that to gather winter feed for their own plowing cattle? When Magistrate Sir put it that way, it really did seem like they were doing something beneficial for everyone.

"Mmm, mmm, thank you for the praise, Sir," Ye Xinyan responded vaguely, feeling a deep sense of discomfort and unease washing over her.

Jiang Yifan’s sense of discomfort was no less than Ye Xinyan’s, but as a local official, he had to say what needed to be said and show the necessary attitude.

"This morning, while observing at the cattle farm, I noted that there is still a lot of vacant space available. If Sixth Master Rong and the Lady Qi’s family have the capacity, raising a few more cattle would be good. Not to mention the profits from cattle farming, employing more workers would also allow impoverished farming families to have an additional way to earn a living besides farming. Opening a few more shops and workshops would be even better, employing reliable nearby relatives and friends, giving people more to do, and that would indeed be a great service to the community."

Several county officials and Lizheng, among others, were stunned for a moment by Jiang Yifan’s novel idea before they collected themselves and spoke up,

"It is the Magistrate who is considerate of the people’s livelihood and can think of these things. We didn’t realize that opening workshops and cattle farms in rural areas could benefit the common welfare."

"The Magistrate truly has the people’s interests at heart, and is a parent official in the truest sense."

"..."

Although Jinrong knew Jiang Yifan was promoting the cattle farm and the Dairy Products Store, she also admired that he could see the benefits such a private industry could bring to the populace.

Usually, when people see the large households and big businesses of the gentry, they only see the massive wealth these entities accumulate. No one ever considers the benefits that such businesses could bring if they were established in poor, remote villages.

This man is indeed cut out for officialdom.

Ye Xinyan was also surprised by Jiang Yifan’s speech. It was essentially a simplified and unpolished version of investment attraction. It was quite remarkable that a scholar who had spent over a decade in schools, ignoring the world outside his window, and devoted his heart to the sages’ books, could have such insight.

With thoughts of attracting investment and driving the welfare of the people, she walked behind Jinrong and Jiang Yifan with a humble and obedient demeanor, answering every question Jiang Yifan asked. The entire journey was friendly and harmonious.

Qi Younian and Qi Yougui, leading the other farmers, escorted Jiang Yifan and his party to the edge of the fields before Jiang Yifan waved his hand, "Thank you, Father-in-law Qi, for your hospitality. Everyone, please return."

Lizheng, the other officials from the county government office, and those following Jiang Yifan, said their goodbyes to Qi Younian and others with mixed feelings, knowing that from today on, the Qi family was under the county government’s watchful eye, not a family to be bothered by just anyone.

With great respect, Qi Yougui watched Jinrong, Jiang Yifan, and others leave before turning back to look at Ye Xinyan. He wanted to ask Qi Younian what kind of background Ye Zi had, wondering how she could talk to Magistrate Sir that way, and how Magistrate Sir and Sixth Master Rong could afford her so much allowance and even extra care.

But as he looked at Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao, Qi Yougui swallowed the words that had reached his lips. Forget it, Ye Zi truly had some real skills. Just looking at the well-managed and orderly operation of their cattle farm, she was no ordinary person.

The cattle farm was built before the entire village’s eyes; it was indeed Ye Zi dictating, drawing with a square ruler, and supervising its construction. Moreover, all those burly men at the cattle farm, despite their impressive strength and tempers, were obliged to follow the commands of Ye Zi, a young woman, without any mistake.

It seems that for someone competent, even the employer would afford much accommodation.

Full of contemplation, Qi Yougui waved goodbye to Qi Younian and headed home.