The golden ingots in the lacquer box were of excellent quality, neatly arranged and emitting a soft and enchanting glow. 45 pieces, 2 taels each, totaling 82 taels of gold, equivalent to 460 yuan. Tao Shunqin looked up at Lin Jianrong opposite him and smiled slightly: "What's going on?"

  "I've tried my best to scrape together this much money, and I still have a little spare change left over, but I need to keep it for emergencies. The remaining amount is 0 yuan, so I can only write an IOU to my uncle."

  Do you really have the confidence to pay back your own money? Tao Shunqin lost his smile: "These two days I asked you to come over, but you didn't come. Is it because of this reason that you smashed pots and sold iron to melt gold, and in the middle, did someone collect a lot of damage and hard work fees?" "How do you know?" Lin Jinkong was slightly surprised, and then thought that Tao Shunqin had brought back the money she had sold silver with. How much her family's savings were, he wouldn't know? So she smiled: "I couldn't just take a bunch of miscellaneous gold, silver, copper coins, etc. to give to Uncle. That would be too embarrassing. This uncle is carrying it, and it's also more convenient on the road." "Niang niang, what can I say about you?" Tao Shunqin didn't say anything about sending Lin Jinkong away or telling her not to be polite. Instead, he took out a land deed from his sleeve and handed it to Lin Jinkong: "Take it, this is the deed for 40 mu of land." He also picked up 18 gold ingots and pushed them in front of Lin Jinkong: "These are extra, I'll return them to you." Isn't it said that there were 80 mu of land? Why would there only be 40 mu? Maybe Uncle's land was bought for his own family. This is good, everyone is good together. Moreover, she really needs this money now, and there will be a big use for it in the fall. Lin Jinkong didn't ask about the other 40 mu of land either, but instead picked up four more gold ingots and pushed them over: "Can't let Uncle bear the cost of buying land."

  Tao Shunqin's face turned cold: "What did you just call me?"

  Lin Jirong exclaimed, "Uncle!" Tao Shunqin then threw the four gold ingots over: "You still know I'm your uncle? You're so clear about it, I thought you were asking me to help with something from outside and didn't even give me a red envelope as a labor fee?"

  Lin Jinyong quickly got up and apologized: "It's my fault, Uncle, don't mind me."

  "Sit down." Tao Shunqin poured himself a cup of tea and another for Lin Jianrong, saying in a low voice, "You're being stubborn and won't tell me the truth. I don't know what you're really thinking, but I think that with time, this land may become fertile. It may not happen in three to five years, but it will happen in seven or eight years, or even ten years. If it doesn't work out, it's no big deal. I bought a total of 80 mu of land, half of which is for you, and the other half is left for Xiao Laoqi. It depends on whether you have this blessing." "Uncle, it's not that I don't want to tell you the truth, but I'm not allowed to," Lin Jianrong said with his eyes downcast, pushing the remaining gold chain towards Tao Shunqin. "This is still for my sister and brother, Uncle should take the money. We can't always be taking from you. If you don't accept mine, I'll ask my mother to buy something else to send over."

  "How dare you!" Tao Shunqin pointed at Lin Jiner, his face stern and severe: "That was something I gave to Little Seventh, what business is it of yours? The exchange of favors between me and your mother has nothing to do with you."

  Afraid of owing someone a favor? To be honest, if you really calculate it, can this small amount of money repay the favor I owe you? If you really think your uncle is good, then remember to show more filial piety to your uncle in the future. Having a heart is stronger than anything."

  Lin Jinyong's nose suddenly felt sour, and she looked up at Tao Shunqin who had just spoken: "Then, Uncle will also buy some salt alkali land in Qingzhou after he goes back?" Tao Shunqin looked deeply into her eyes: "I'll consider it."

  It's also possible to store more grain, and that can make a lot of money. Lin Jirong had the words on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back and changed his tone: "Uncle, have you told my grandfather about us going to Qingzhou to celebrate Auntie's birthday?"

  Tao Shunqin withdrew his gaze: "I've said it, your grandfather has already agreed."

  "Great!" Lin Jianrong happily received the things and bid farewell to Tao Shunqin, heading towards his own small...

  Yuanzi left. She had to go to Qingzhou's customs office, it was unavoidable. That year, Lin Wuzi heard something from Zhou Mai who cared about national affairs and told them again.

  The north is in a severe drought, and the northern regions are restless and eager to move. The imperial court has been constantly at odds with them. Due to the scarcity of stored grain in the north and the difficulty of transportation, the imperial court had no choice but to adopt the method of "entering the middle" to recruit merchants to transport grain. After transporting the grain to the northern regions, the price of millet rose from 750 coins to 2000 coins. People could then go to the capital or the southeastern provinces to collect their money or salt according to their needs. The Tao family didn't need to take risks and travel far, but they could store more grain and sell it to grain merchants who wanted to earn this hard-earned money, thus earning a steady profit.

  There was another thing, the imperial court gradually opened up some fragrance and medicine business in the following years, reaching its peak when she was 15 years old, suddenly opening up 37 kinds, making merchants overjoyed. There were great opportunities for profit in this, but she didn't know which of these things currently being used were officially banned or allowed to be freely traded, just right to learn from Qingzhou's tax office.

  As she stood lost in thought, she had already arrived at the entrance of the courtyard. As soon as Lin Jing entered the door, he saw Xing'er coming up to him with a small smile.

  "Third Sister has arrived and is asking about selling hairpins, she seems very angry."

  She became even more stubborn and refused to listen to her mother-in-law.

  Lin Jin's face-saving, must have received wind news to settle accounts. Lin Jin Rong's little heart couldn't help but tremble, and a smile was piled on his face, pretending to be happy and loudly said: "Sister, are you looking for me?"

  Lin Jin's face was filled with anger, and she glared at Lin Jinrong with a cold expression. "Are you crazy? You're so fond of gold and silver, and that barren land is so important to you that you'd sell jewelry to your own sister? Do you know what Aunt said to me? Open your makeup box and let me see! What have you sold?" Earlier, Zhou Shi had spoken to her in a serious tone, saying that she knew Tao Shi was preparing her dowry and also planning the marriage of Lin Yizhi and Lin Jinrong. She couldn't help but feel a bit tight on funds, so she shouldn't hesitate to ask for help. Whatever happened, they would work something out, and it would be like Aunt was giving her an extra gift. At that time, Lin Jin had been so embarrassed that she wished she could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

  "No way!" Lin Jianrong's smile faded from his face, and he said calmly: "Since sister already knows, I won't hide it from you either. I just like gold and silver, and I want to buy a salt alkali land. I don't steal or rob, nor do I cheat anyone. They are willing on their own, and if I don't give in, that's not okay. I'm doing them a favor, what's wrong with that?"

  Are you still so glib? Lin Jin was furious, "Do you care about your own reputation or not? If you want me to not tell mother, go and exchange the Water Jade Hairpin back!"

  "No use! Sister already knows, would mother not know?!" Lin Jing Rong was calm and collected: "The money has already been spent, it's a done deal, sister getting angry now won't make a difference, might as well not get angry."

  Lin Jianyin's face turned red with rage, and she raised her hand high. Lin Jianrong walked up to her, his face stiff, and said, "Auntie is just unhappy because she didn't get the benefit, so she's intentionally picking on us. Look at Auntie saying something? She didn't say anything, but she's very happy." It was simply unreasonable! Lin Jianyin was furious, and her hand swung down sharply. Lin Jianrong closed his eyes, and all he heard was a loud slapping sound. When he opened his eyes again, it was the lychee that had been slapped instead of his cheek.

  Lychee, disregarding the pain in her face, knelt on the ground and said: "Third sister, please calm down. It's true that several girls wanted it, and they forced fourth sister to say that whoever she believed would get it. Those who couldn't get it were considered bad people. Fourth sister had no choice but to use this method."

  Lin Jianyin saw Lin Jianrong's expression, which showed no sign of remorse, and suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness. He let out a long sigh: "This is madness! She can deceive others, but not me. Whatever, it's up to heaven to decide whether she'll rise or fall, I won't interfere." With that, he slumped his shoulders and walked out slowly.

  Lychee urged Lin Jingrong to hurry up and explain things clearly to Lin Jingyin.

  It's not possible to live without being a bit crazy, and it can't be explained clearly. Lin Jingrong gently shook her head, opened the money box, and carefully put the eighteen gold ingots inside. She herself understood that she could no longer sell jewelry to her cousins in the future, otherwise, the reputation of the four daughters of the Lin family being greedy for wealth would spread out soon, which would not be good for the entire three houses. This road is more difficult and harder than she imagined, but she thought she was actually lucky, she had an uncle like Tao Shunchen.

  In the simple dwelling, Zhou Shi leaned against the wall and asked Mrs. Xu: "You said that Uncle Tao bought eighty acres of salt land in the west of the city a few days ago?"

  "Yes, a total of 560 taels of silver were spent. My master's nephew from my hometown made great efforts to find out from outside that Master Tao had a dream at night, dreaming that he would buy that piece of land to build a house in order to have a smooth life, but the deed was written with Third Madam's name and was divided into two parts."

  What is this for? Suddenly buying so much useless alkaline land, isn't there something fishy going on inside? Zhou's eyebrows furrowed as she fell into deep thought. Earlier when she tried to probe Lin Jianyin with words, all she saw was Lin Jianyin blushing to the point of not being able to lift his head, but nothing else came out of it. Either Lin Jianyin didn't know about this matter or the third house was secretly taking action and intentionally hiding it from everyone.

  Could there be some benefits? The Tao family had no background, but Tao Shunqin was a well-known wealthy man in Qingzhou, famous for being shrewd and capable. Mrs. Zhou wanted to follow the trend and take down a piece of salt land, but she wasn't sure, so after thinking about it repeatedly, she beckoned to Granny Xu: "Go, find someone to tell Third Master..."

  Mrs. Hsu's lips curled up into a sly smile: "Alright."

  "Waiting for news from the old slave." On the day Tao Shunqin left, Lin Jirong sent someone back. After waking up from a noon nap, he found that the sky had changed. The sky was overcast with dark clouds, and the air was filled with a heavy sense of dampness, making people feel anxious and panicked for no reason.

  Guizhi served Lin Jinyong and washed his face. She chatted idly, "It's going to rain heavily today. It's so stuffy."

  Lin Jinyong felt a bit sultry and lazily said: "It's going down, after more than ten days of big sun, it should be going down."

  The door creaked softly, and Xia Ye rushed over hastily: "Fourth sister, third sister told you to hurry to the mistress's room."

  "What's wrong?"

  Xia Ye whispered in her ear, "The master and mistress have quarreled over something. It seems to be about the alkali land bought by Uncle. Third Sister said please go and mediate immediately."

  Lin Jian's heart and mouth were tightly closed as he hastily went outside.

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