Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 817 - 417: Pushing Hands

At midnight, craving for pink.

***......****

Judging by Lian Jizu’s tone and demeanor when he arrived, Old Master Lian must have given him some instructions,

"Jizu brother, our grandpa handed the land rent over to their family for a reason. Our grandpa is a meticulous person, he must have clearly explained everything to you when you came. How to collect the rent, and how much to collect." Wu Lang said, "Jizu brother, you asked my father to help collect the rent, setting aside whether he can help or not, you should at least brief my father first... Otherwise, my father is completely clueless, and it won’t turn out well in any case."

Lian Manman nodded, Wu Lang was absolutely right.

"Jizu brother, that’s what my brother asked. However, if there’s any inconvenience, we won’t insist," Lian Manman said.

We are not insisting on knowing, if you don’t tell us the truth, then don’t expect us to help you collect the rent.

"What inconvenience?" Lian Jizu quickly said. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

As he spoke, he glanced at Lady Chiang who slightly bowed her head.

"That’s the situation, when I arrived, my grandpa called me over and talked with me for a while. He talked about many things, and it seems he also mentioned the rent collection a bit..." Lian Jizu tried to recall.

Lian Manman observed Lian Jizu for a while and couldn’t help but want to facepalm. Lian Jizu wasn’t someone adept at lying or deceiving. His demeanor revealed that he was likely distracted while listening to Old Master Lian, and had not fully taken to heart or remembered Old Master’s words. Now, upon hearing their reminder, he began to grasp the situation.

"Jizu, take your time to think about it, there’s no rush, but you should handle things according to grandpa’s intentions. Otherwise, you won’t have a good explanation when you go back," Shouxin said.

"I remember now," Lian Jizu said. Shouxin and the others were not in a hurry, but he was anxious. He was eager to return to Taicang. He had no attachment to Thirty Mile Camp, he was not accustomed to village life and preferred living in Taicang County Yamen.

"...My grandpa told me that the Old Woo Family’s days aren’t good, their health isn’t good, they have high expenses, and all that, and since they are related to our family, he said to be lenient in collecting rent," Lian Jizu couldn’t recall Old Master Lian’s exact words, but that was roughly the sentiment he remembered.

Lady Chiang quickly glanced at Lian Jizu then.

Lian Jizu’s tone suddenly paused.

"I can’t remember clearly, my grandpa’s words were probably just casual talk, it’s sufficient if it’s just acceptable superficially. What kind of relatives are we with the Old Woo Family? They already delay paying rent to us, how can we be lenient? Besides, we aren’t living so comfortably; the household depends on this rent for cooking," Lian Jizu continued.

Leasing land for others to cultivate and then collecting rent is a simple task, but once it reaches the Lian Family, it somehow becomes so complicated. Old Master Lian wants to show leniency, Lian Jizu counts on this rent for basic provisions. However, when Lian Jizu talks about the Old Woo Family, amidst his disgust, there’s a trace of pity.

And Lady Chiang, apparently, was hoping to collect more rent from this deal.

In such a situation, it’s tricky for Lian Manman and the others to help, whether to lighten or increase the burden, it’s hard to say.

Not helping would be the simplest solution, but that wouldn’t be accommodating of the social graces.

"Jizu brother, Sister-in-law, you two came to collect the rent, certainly, you have some plans. What do you think is the appropriate amount to collect?" Lian Manman asked.

"Manman, to still ask like this. I’ve said it, I don’t understand anything about farming, crops, and their yields. Uncle Three, Uncle Four, please make a decision for me," Lian Jizu said.

Lian Manman understood that at this moment, Lian Jizu wanted to be a hands-off manager.

"Since Jizu brother said so, what about Sister-in-law?" Lian Manman asked Lady Chiang.

"...Collect as much as we should. This division, even if it gives a significant advantage to them, the Old Woo Family, we still appear generous, and if they delay the rent, they are in the wrong... With almost twenty people, life would be tough without this rent," Lady Chiang considered and then said.

Lady Chiang was actually somewhat discontent, with Old Master Lian and with Lian Jizu. She knew Old Master Lian wanted to do a good deed by helping the Woo Family Brothers. But it shouldn’t be at the cost of their own budget tightening. With Lian Shouren’s salary, plus Lian Huahua’s support, if it were just the six people in their nuclear family, the days could be comfortable and decent. But suddenly, with Old Master and the second household’s dozen plus people added, their previously comfortable life immediately tightened.