The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 221 Transfer

Chapter 221: Chapter 221 Transfer

After the commotion with Lady Lin, the Wang family finally settled down.

Even Jinguan was well-behaved and stayed indoors every day, hardly ever going out.

Wang Yongzhu saw that it was not good for the whole family to be cooped up at home. Even if the Wang family seemed destitute and fallen in the eyes of others, there was no need to act as if they couldn’t face people, right?

It was just the right time to start her plan to purchase mountain goods.

Gathering everyone in the courtyard, Wang Yongzhu brought up the mountain goods trade again.

She had briefly mentioned it at the medical hall, and Wang Laozhu and Old Granny Zhang were so captivated by the sixty taels of silver they hadn’t taken it to heart.

Now, upon hearing Wang Yongzhu mention it again, they were overjoyed.

With no land left, the Wang family might have silver, but they couldn’t just watch their resources dwindle. That had been Wang Laozhu’s worry these past days.

If his old daughter managed to make a success of this business, then every member of the Wang family would have something to do and a source of income. They wouldn’t starve to death.

As for how much money they could make from the mountain goods, Wang Laozhu didn’t have a clear concept. In the autumn, the Wang family would also go up to Dahei Mountain to gather goods to sell at the town, but they would sell to local traders who didn’t pay much. It was a scant income, but it helped supplement household expenses.

Not only Qilidun but very few villages below Dahei Mountain relied on this to support their families.

However, if what his daughter said was true, and they collected the mountain goods from the nearby villages themselves, bit by bit, it should be feasible to support a family.

Therefore, Wang Laozhu was the first to agree.

Wang Yongping was completely Wang Yongzhu’s fanboy at this moment. He would do whatever his little sister said, a sure vote in her favor.

Old Granny Zhang used to sell mountain goods and had heard that the prices offered to peasant families like hers were very low. Yet, those middlemen could turn around and sell them for several times that price.

Naturally, she had done the math in her head. If they ran the business themselves, wouldn’t all the profits be theirs?

Old Granny Zhang could almost imagine the silver flowing into their hands like water.

She made up her mind immediately, "Do it! Of course, we must do this business! But let me make an ugly statement first. This business was obtained through Zhuzhu risking her life. Otherwise, why would those big bosses recognize us or do business with us? So, this business depends on Zhuzhu. Right now, the silver for supporting our family, the silver for your medical treatment, it’s all earned by Zhuzhu! We are being supported by Zhuzhu! If this business makes money, it should all belong to our Zhuzhu—"

Old Granny Zhang was making provisions against a rainy day, dividing the cake in advance, ensuring the whole was for her own daughter. The others could just be grateful for the crumbs that fell from the cake so they wouldn’t starve.

Wang Laozhu’s face darkened. What was his wife saying? What did she mean it was all his daughter’s?

Since his daughter was not married, the money she earned naturally belonged to the Wang family!

Could it be that if the business succeeded and made money, it would all go to his daughter alone, leaving the rest to fend for themselves?

This would not do!

Regrettably, he was not articulate at expressing himself; the more anxious he became, the less he could speak, and he started to sweat profusely.

The others had already expressed their stance. Wang Yongping was the simplest among them. In his heart, the family owed their well-being to his little sister. As long as there was food at home and they didn’t starve, who else should have the money if not his little sister?

Lady Jiang, representing the third branch, dared not raise any objections. They would be satisfied as long as they avoided starvation and had food to eat.

As for the eldest branch of the family, no matter what they thought in their hearts, Old Granny Zhang had made things clear: the silver used to treat their father’s illness came entirely from Zhuzhu, and it was Zhuzhu who negotiated the deal. It would be shameless for them to ask for a share of Zhuzhu’s money.

So, they all agreed.

Wang Laozhu was so angry he could barely contain himself. He meant for his daughter to be in charge of the house, not to give the whole house to her!

Wang Yongzhu clearly understood the ideas going through Wang Laozhu’s head.

Originally, she considered this business for the Wang Family’s sake.

To acquire mountain goods, she couldn’t do it alone. There were many people in the Wang Family, all capable of helping. Everyone could earn money; with everyone wealthy and life becoming easier, there would be fewer troubles to worry about.

As long as the members of the Wang Family did business honestly, with this deal in place, they could all live secure lives for the rest of their lives.

She could count this as leading her family to a better standard of living, fulfilling her duty, couldn’t she?

Therefore, even though everyone had no objections, she did not agree, "Mother, you can’t say that. I can’t do this business on my own! When I negotiated this with the big boss, it was for our family! Everyone in our family who can work should work, those who can run errands should do so. All of us will work together to bring this business up. The money we earn will belong to us all."

Upon hearing this, Wang Laozhu nodded in satisfaction, pleased that his daughter understood the principles of the situation.

Old Granny Zhang became anxious, glaring at her daughter. That was a lot of silver! Why should they share it with those ingrates?

But her daughter had spoken, and she saw the urgency in the head of the household. After some thought, she realized it made sense. Now, they were relying on Zhuzhu to get the business going, and it was indeed more reassuring to use people from the family.

If they didn’t offer some incentive, they might say nothing at first while watching Zhuzhu make money. But later, when the earnings increased, who knew what could happen with the mysteries of the human heart? They might grow envious and sabotage Zhuzhu’s business.

Her daughter and she only had four pairs of eyes between them—they couldn’t watch everything.

Better to ensure everyone had a stake, to tie them to Zhuzhu’s business: if Zhuzhu made money, they would have money; if Zhuzhu didn’t make money, neither would they. This way, they wouldn’t be tempted by other prospects.

Thinking this way, she realized her daughter was looking further ahead. She, the old muddlehead, had been too impatient and almost spoiled her daughter’s good opportunity.

Still, her daughter was young and thought only of supporting the family, hoping to improve their lives, not considering anything else. She, as her mother, must ensure everything was wrapped up perfectly.

Therefore, Old Granny Zhang wiped away her tears, "Do you hear that? Now in our house, only Zhuzhu still has the whole family in mind. Even when doing business and making money, she doesn’t forget to give you a hand! Each and every one of you listen to me, Zhuzhu has a kind heart and thinks of her family with every endeavor, earning money for all of you. You mustn’t be ungrateful! Think about what our family’s situation is now. When hasn’t Zhuzhu risked her life to secure this business? Without her, our family probably wouldn’t even have food to eat! Remember this, our family owes our lives to Zhuzhu! From now on, she calls the shots in this house. Whatever she says goes! Don’t pull her down, don’t take advantage of her because she is young or cause trouble just because you’re family. Otherwise, I won’t stand for it! If it comes to it, we won’t do this business and the whole family can just wait to starve to death!"

With these words spoken, the eyes of everyone in the family turned to Wang Yongzhu, filled with gratitude and fear.

Jinhua was the first to jump out and make a statement, "Granny, I will do whatever Zhuzhu asks! Whatever she tells me to do, I’ll do it!"

"I’ll also listen to my little sister!"

"I’ll follow Zhuzhu’s lead..."

...

One by one, the entire family stated their positions. If they didn’t agree to let Zhuzhu, or the little sister, take charge and decide everything, what would they eat or drink if the business didn’t go ahead?

Plus, whether they were in charge or not, it wasn’t going to be their turn anyway. They just needed to follow Zhuzhu, have meat to eat, and that’d be enough! What did it matter who was in charge?

And so, the authority to lead the Wang Family was transferred.