From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 324: Chapter 325: Children

Jin Qianqian hadn’t bought this estate with the intention of growing wheat as she had before. Considering the logistics of transporting goods, she decided to turn it into a chili pepper plantation instead.

This, however, created a conflict with the tenants. "After this season’s crops are harvested," she announced, "I have other plans for this land."

Li Zhuangtou’s heart sank. ’What would happen to the dozen or so tenant families here?’

"Does... Does this mean you don’t plan on leasing out the land, Madam?"

"You could say that," Jin Qianqian replied. "But rest assured, I can hire you to work for me. The pay won’t be any worse than what you earn as tenants."

Li Zhuangtou breathed a sigh of relief. "You are too kind, Madam. We tenants aren’t afraid of hard work or getting tired. Just tell us what you need done."

All the surrounding estates had their own long-term tenants. If there was no work to be had here, it would be a complete disaster for these families.

"It will still be farm work," Jin Qianqian explained. "When the time comes, someone will be sent to give you special instructions. You’ll just need to follow their lead.

I’ll have my steward send you the detailed terms of employment. You can relay the information to the others. Anyone willing to work under the new terms can stay. I won’t force anyone who isn’t interested."

Li Zhuangtou quickly agreed, though a hint of worry remained. "Madam, would it be possible to give us an idea of the wages? I’m just concerned that some of the men might get the wrong idea if things aren’t clear, leading to misunderstandings."

Jin Qianqian understood his concern was perfectly reasonable. "Li Qiu, please take a moment to explain to Li Zhuangtou how we handle wage payments for the tenants on our other estates."

Li Qiu quietly assented and began to briefly describe the compensation packages on the other estates. Li Zhuangtou listened, stunned, a broad smile spreading across his face that never left.

Jin Qianqian glanced around the courtyard once more, shaking her head. She decided it would be better to tear everything down and rebuild. It wasn’t that she disliked the layout, but she suspected that renovating the existing buildings might end up being more expensive.

The estate wasn’t far from Shangjing, and the roads were decent. She imagined her family coming here for short stays every now and then to enjoy a taste of pastoral life.

She asked Li Zhuangtou and learned there was a small creek not far away. At this time of year, the water was only ankle-deep, perfect for catching little fish and shrimp. She might even be able to find a few small crabs.

Jin Qianqian left Li Qiu in charge of the estate’s affairs and led the rest of her party on foot to the creek Li Zhuangtou had mentioned.

It was called a creek, but it was really just a small channel carved out by spring water flowing down the mountainside.

The bottom was lined with stones, but she didn’t see any of the little fish and shrimp Li Zhuangtou had described. Instead, she saw a few children in tattered clothes, picking wild vegetables along the bank.

When the children saw Jin Qianqian and her party approaching, they huddled together in fear, staring with wide eyes.

Gu Benluo, however, walked toward them curiously to get a better look. Even at just over three years old, he could tell that these older boys and girls were very small and thin.

Their clothes were covered in dust and grime, and it was obvious they didn’t fit properly.

Jin Qianqian stopped the nanny who was about to move forward to protect Little Luoluo. She then turned her head and pretended to admire the scenery.

Watching from the corner of her eye, she saw Gu Benluo carefully take two steps closer. "What are you guys playing?" he asked. "Can I play, too?"

The boy, Tudun, glanced timidly at Jin Qianqian’s group before replying shyly, "We’re not playing. We’re picking wild vegetables."

"Wild vegetables!" Gu Benluo’s eyes lit up. "I know what those are! My mommy made some for me once, and they were so yummy!"

’Wild vegetables are delicious?’ The same question popped into all the children’s minds. ’Is this kid a little slow? Wild vegetables are bitter. How could they possibly be delicious?’

Jin Qianqian looked away, a little guilt-ridden. To improve the flavor of the wild vegetables, she had blanched them first before stir-frying them as a side dish with a generous amount of oil. Her method was completely different from how common folk prepared them, which naturally removed much of the bitter taste.

Gu Benluo looked innocently at the plants in their basket. "You have so many! Are they all wild vegetables?"

Tudun glanced at the adults behind Gu Benluo again. Seeing that they weren’t about to intervene, he pointed to a few of the plants. "These are wild vegetables," he said. "The rest is pig feed."

Gu Benluo turned to Jin Qianqian. "Mommy, I want to go pick wild vegetables with the big kids."

Jin Qianqian glanced at the children. "Perfect. I’m a bit tired from walking, so I’ll rest here for a while. I’ll have Da Peng and the others accompany you."

Gu Benluo was used to having attendants follow him, so he nodded without a second thought. "Okay, Mommy! I’ll pick lots of wild vegetables, and you can make something yummy for me later."

Jin Qianqian stroked his head, then turned to Tudun and the other children. "I’ll have to ask you to do me a favor and watch this little one for me. If you don’t mind, could you please bring him back here when you’re done?"

Seeing this finely dressed madam speaking to them so gently, Tudun and the other children blushed and nodded emphatically. "We’ll be sure to take good care of the young master!"

Jin Qianqian shook her head. "You can just call him Luo Luo. For now, he’s your new friend."

She turned to her son. "Luo Luo, you’re okay with that, right?" At home, Luo Luo certainly had no shortage of playmates.

However, they were all children of the household servants, who always treated him with deference and let him have his way. Jin Qianqian wanted her son to have a different kind of experience.

Luo Luo nodded and walked over to greet the other children. "My name is Luo Luo," he said. "What’s..."

"..."

Once the children had walked off, chatting amongst themselves, Jin Qianqian turned and instructed Lichun, "I believe we have some pastries and jerky in the carriage. Keep a small portion for Luo Luo and bring the rest over."

She had only expected a quick tour of the estate, so she hadn’t packed much. She would have to make do with the snacks she had on hand and give a small share to each of the children.

"Madam, the sun is getting quite strong," Lichun said, looking up at the glaring sky. "It’s almost noon. Why don’t you head back to the carriage? We can wait here for the young master."

Jin Qianqian moved into the shade of a tree. "Let’s just wait here. This spot is pleasant enough. Lidong, go find a farmer’s household and ask if they can help us prepare a meal. We’ll head back after we’ve eaten."

Lidong was just about to leave when a noise came from up the mountain. It sounded like someone was shouting.

Jin Qianqian quickly moved to a spot with a better line of sight and peered up the mountain. But how could she see anything clearly through the dense, lush trees?

"Madam, perhaps we should return to the manor," Lidong suggested. The other maids nodded in agreement, all worried that there might be a wild beast on the mountain.

"Wait... it sounds faintly like someone is crying for help." Jin Qianqian strained her ears, trying to make it out. "I think it’s a child’s voice."

"It is a child’s voice, Madam," Jiang Shiniu confirmed, pointing. "The sound is coming from over there."