Chapter 219: Conflict with Villagers—1

Translator: 549690339 |

Wei Ruo made some concessions.

The village head shook his head, his attitude firm: “No, it must be one hundred taels of silver, and one thousand coins a year thereafter, not a coin less.”

“Is there really no room for negotiation?” Wei Ruo asked.

“None.” The village head stood his ground, his expression proud.

“Well then, there’s no need to continue the conversation.

Wei Ruo suddenly got up, ready to leave with Xiumei and Manager Yu.

Her departure was decisive, not for show.

The village head’s face changed dramatically. He hadn’t expected the Xu family member to just leave.

This was far from his estimation. He thought since the Xu family member had taken so much effort to find this place and was so wealthy, as long as he showed a tough attitude, things would definitely not be too difficult!

Watching as Wei Ruo and the others took several steps out, the village head hastily ordered the villagers to intercept them.

“You all stop! Don’t leave!”

The village head’s shouts fell on deaf ears to Wei Ruo.

Seeing that his shouts did not stop Wei Ruo and the others, the village head quickly ordered the young people in the village to intercept them, “Quickly stop

them for me!”

Several young villagers promptly ran in front of Wei Ruo and her party, obstructing their path.

Wei Ruo was forced to stop and turned to look at the crowd: “What is the meaning of this. Village Head Wang?

“Please sit down and continue to negotiate, Young Master Xu.” The village head’s expression was somewhat ugly, but he remained resolute.

The villagers had been having a hard time these past two years, and now that someone had come to offer them money, they certainly couldn’t let them walk

away so easily.

As the village head, he represented the villagers in price negotiations, and a successful negotiation would not only lead to more silver in his hand but also garner the villagers’ affection and respect.

However, if the negotiations failed, and this source of income was lost, the villagers would hold it against him, affecting his prestige.

He realized his judgment had been wrong; this Xu family member wasn’t as easy to manipulate as he had thought. But the situation had escalated to this point. For the sake of his face and the villagers’ benefit, he couldn’t just let the

Xu family member walk away.

Seeing this, Manager Yu was regretful. If they had known the villagers to be so unreasonable, they would have brought more people when they came. After all, they had plenty of strong men in their mansion.

The village head’s arrogance was simply because they had only brought a few people, and their master, despite his costly attire, was a businessman who wanted to buy land to open a distillery, not someone with an official background.

Subconsciously, Xiumei moved closer to Wei Ruo, ready to protect her at any moment.

‘■But Village Head Wang just said the price was not negotiable, didn’t he?” Wei

Ruo said.

“The price is not negotiable, but the business can definitely be discussed.” The village head replied.

As the village head, he had already said it, he definitely could not back down

now.

Even if he had to use some force, he would have to close the deal at the price he quoted. As long as the deal was completed, the villagers would get more money in their hands, and then it would prove that what he had done today was right, and no one would dare to say anything against him!

“Is the Village Head trying to strong-arm this?” Wei Ruo chuckled. She had encountered difficult negotiations before, but this was the first time she had encountered such arrogance and unreasonableness.

Village Head Wang coldly told Wei Ruo: “Don’t use words like ‘strong-arm’, it sounds ugly. The Daqing Mountain is a good place, with its green mountains and rivers. Otherwise, why would Master Xu come all the way here to buy land

from us?”

■’Daqing Mountain is indeed a good place, but it seems that the village head has forgotten one thing. I chose Daqing Mountain under comparable conditions. If you quote a price too high, Daqing Mountain will not be the optimal solution for me. I can easily choose another place. There are many other good places with mountains and rivers around the Government City, not just Daqing

Mountain.” Wei Ruo replied.

On hearing this, expressions of anxiety and even regret about the village head’s decision appeared on the villagers’ faces.

If the village head hadn’t caused this trouble, each household could have already received a tael of silver and ten coins a year, which would have greatly improved their lives’.

And now, all their efforts are in vain!

Some villagers were already feeling a bit weak. Village member Wang Qi pulled at Village Head Wang’s arm and said: “Village head, maybe we should drop it.

We don’t want to cause trouble.”

“Don’t talk nonsense! Don’t you want your son Emiu to get married? With one hundred taels of silver received, your family could get a share of four taels! You could still have two taels left after you get a wife for Emiu and build a room!”

The village head scolded angrily.

Wang Qi, Who was originally timid, shut up instantly at the mention of four taels of silver and his son’s marriage.

A family member of Wang Ergou quietly suggested: “We can just go with the original price. We could earn less but at least it is something.

“What do you know about being a peasant woman? The price I quoted is not a problem, we have to do it big if we are going to do it!” Village Head Wang remained firm.

Others who wanted to say something also quietened down after hearing the village head’s words.

in the past two years, everyone had been having a hard time. The crops in the field yielded little, and after a harsh winter, there were barely any stored grains left at home. Those better-off households could only afford to eat for another two or three months, while those poorer ones might not last even a month.

Anyway, they had no way of making it till this year’s harvest. They were destined to run out of food. Therefore, the money from the Xu family was

crucial to them.

Regardless of whether they agreed with the village head’s methods, they could only follow him now and try to get the money.

Having pacified the villagers, Village Head Wang sternly told Wei Ruo: “Master Xu you have no other options. Daqing Mountain is your best and only choice. As long as you are willing to buy the valley of Daqing Mountain at the price I just mentioned, our entire village will help you successfully build your

distillery.”

Wei Ruo responded: “If you think you can force me into submission, then I can only tell you that you’ve miscalculated. Even if you kill me here today, I will not give you a single coin.”

The determined attitude of Wei Ruo darkened the face of Village Head Wang.

“If Master Xu refuses to make the deal today, then I’ll have to keep Master Xu in our village for a few days, where you can enjoy your stay.” Village Head

Wang said, coldly.

The situation had already escalated to this point; he could not just let it go! Though Village Head Wang didn’t dare openly rob Wei Ruo, as long as he could pressure Wei Ruo into signing the agreement, the money he would receive would be fair and square.

With that, Village Head Wang ordered the strong men in the village to escort Wei Ruo and the others to the ancestral hall.

Among the villagers, some were fearful and hesitant, but some were bold and greedy, ready to take a gamble. The more courageous villagers obeyed the orders of Village Head Wang, and armed with their farming tools – hoes, carrying poles, and pickaxes, among others, they surrounded Wei Ruo, Xiumei, and Manager Yu.

just when a conflict seemed imminent, a group of people riding tall horses appeared at the village entrance..