Chapter 1020: Chapter 1018: Plan Confirmed

Old Granny Zhang didn’t know that her foolish fourth son had offended his own wife and Laosan’s couple with just one sentence.

Even if she knew, she didn’t think to intervene.

She was worried about her own daughter. After a trip to town, two groups of people came to see her. Could it be that there’s a major problem with the business?

Thinking about this, she had no mind to bother with Jindou.

After considering for a moment, she simply took her daughter along to her son-in-law’s courtyard.

Song Chongjin heard the commotion and guessed Wang Yongzhu and the others should be back. He was planning to finish up a piece of strategy with his subordinates before going over.

Hearing the noise heading this way, he quickly put down his pen and went out to greet them.

He welcomed Old Granny Zhang into the adjacent living room, poured tea for both, and then asked, “Mother, what’s wrong? Is there something up?”

Old Granny Zhang pursed her lips, “Let your wife talk. Did something happen with the business today in town?”

Wang Yongzhu didn’t intend to hide anything from them, so she detailed the situation at Yingzi Gully completely, even elucidating Ninth Master Lee and Zhang Yinbao’s attitudes.

After listening, Old Granny Zhang became anxious, slapped the table: “Those heartless bastards, if it weren’t for my daughter, would they be living these good days? Still suffering in that cave even now! My daughter has been using money to try and make their lives better. Not asking them to reward, but don’t do such ungrateful acts, crossing the river and tearing down the bridge! This is akin to roasting my daughter on a volcano!”

The more she spoke, the angrier she got: “No, I have to go to Yingzi Gully. I want to curse those backstabbing jerks!” Saying so, she was about to call for someone to prepare a carriage.

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin quickly restrained Old Granny Zhang, “Mother, please calm down, calm down!”

After much persuasion, they finally settled Old Granny Zhang in a chair.

Wang Yongzhu then said, “Mother, I’m not angry; what’s there for you to be angry about? People choose their own paths; we can’t stop them, nor should we.”

Old Granny Zhang felt completely uncomfortable: “That’s not what I mean. You neither have ties nor relations with those Yingzi Gully people. It was out of goodwill that you planned this good life for them. Those ingrates take your money but forgot how much weight their bones have! Humph! And they dare to go to gambling houses! Their brains must have been pinched by doors, right? Everyone knows that gambling is a bad deal.”

“Just feeling lightweight, thinking they have some money now, after getting help to build houses, they’ve forgotten their surname! After losing in gambling, they feel ashamed but have the nerve to ask for money!”

Song Chongjin was calmer, knowing his mother-in-law’s anger couldn’t be easily subdued, he simply asked Wang Yongzhu, “Yongzhu, what are you planning to do? Really comply with them, or else?”

Wang Yongzhu sneered, “I’m not a saint, getting hit on the left cheek and offering the right cheek isn’t my style. Tomorrow, I’ll take Fourth Brother to Yingzi Gully to see exactly what’s going on. If they really all want to take the dividends early, then let them have it. I bet within two years, someone will regret it!”

Old Granny Zhang immediately responded after hearing this, “Why give them any part? Didn’t Young Master Lee buy that Tea Mountain? What relation do they have? Even if you don’t give them a penny, it’s reasonable! You built houses and gave money, is that not cash? Consider these as their ancestors’ virtue! Otherwise, how many years can they save enough to build a house?”

Wang Yongzhu comfortingly held Old Granny Zhang’s hand, earnestly saying, “Mother, I know you’re heartache for me, feeling injustice on my behalf! But I’m aware of what I’m doing, don’t worry. Your daughter isn’t one to suffer!”

Old Granny Zhang wanted to say something but swallowed her words seeing Song Chongjin’s signal, “Mother knows you have your ways, but since young, you’ve had a soft heart. Otherwise, how could you have helped your brothers and sisters-in-law get on the right path despite their treatment of you? Your siblings were born from the same womb, but don’t let those Yingzi Gully people get your sympathy again!”

Song Chongjin then said, “This matter, whether easy or hard to handle depends on if you can be decisive.”

Wang Yongzhu finally spoke her thoughts that she had pondered on the way home.

She planned to check Yingzi Gully’s actual situation tomorrow. If the people there all agree to early dividends, she wouldn’t really comply with them. Currently, it’s them eagerly needing money. Her plan was to finish building their houses; after all, it’s almost done, not worrying about the final touch.

As for compensating money, each family would get twenty taels, no more, and all previous contracts would be void. From now on, Yingzi Gully people will be responsible for their own lives, good or bad.

If some still remember her goodness, she intends to hire them over.

Over there, didn’t she buy that mountain, planning to plant tea trees? Perfect, she wouldn’t need to find hands to guard Tea Mountain anymore.

The hunters from Yingzi Gully are used to mountain life, building houses for them at the foot of the mountain, hunting daily, while guarding Tea Mountain. Future tea leaf picking would also be their job.

Giving them money yearly, this life would certainly be more stable than before. If they work well, there will certainly be rewards in the future.

On her way, Wang Yongzhu considered that since the issue hadn’t exploded, surely Loo Xiaoshan was holding it down, indicating some Yingzi Gully people weren’t so short-sighted.

She planned to go and pick some suitable candidates. For her Tea Mountain, those who are honest, principled, and sincere should be chosen.

Of course, if no one at Yingzi Gully is suitable, she might ask over at Chongzi Gou if anyone is willing.

Old Granny Zhang, feeling indignant, responded, “Why give any money! Twenty taels are too much! Not a penny should be handed out! Besides, I think no good people are at Yingzi Gully. If such a good deal exists, you should ask your Fourth Sister-in-law’s family, since they’re at least related…”

Halfway through, she clenched her teeth and said, “No way! Can’t have all of Fourth Sister-in-law’s family involved, or if they slip up, we wouldn’t be able to criticize them due to familial ties. They’re together, if they collectively hide things from us or cause trouble, we’d surely be kept in the dark.”

“Still, my daughter’s idea is thorough. Picking a few conscientious ones at Yingzi Gully and selecting a few from Chongzi Gou, watching each other, that’s good!”

Wang Yongzhu then added, “Furthermore, all expenses incurred because of this matter will be ours alone! I stirred up this trouble, can’t let the Lee and Zhang families shell out cash! Thus, for this year’s tea profits, I won’t take a single bit!”

Old Granny Zhang, though showing signs of remorse, after thinking it through felt it was necessary. Even among brothers, calculations need fairness, for a long-lasting partnership, right?

Besides, tea profits hadn’t yet entered her pocket, considering there’s no income at all, equals peace of mind.

She nodded, agreeing.

Song Chongjin naturally didn’t disagree, only said, “Once this is settled, we should properly invite the remaining Lee and Zhang family members for a meal, then formally thank and apologize to Ninth Young Master Lee and Boss Zhang!”

That was certain; they must remember the favor from Ninth Young Master Lee and Zhang Yinbao!

The three decided to personally go to Yingzi Gully tomorrow to assess the situation before making any decisions.