Chapter 797: Private Property

Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Qingzhi watched as the group of officials left, then turned to Zhang Feng and instructed, “Proceed with the arrangements and continue the work.”

Zhang Feng responded with a decisive, “Yes, Miss.”

As it was nearing noon, Chu Qingzhi decided to have lunch before returning. The workers’ meals were contracted out to a restaurant owner with the surname Luo. She wanted to see the quality of the food provided.

Not far away, three simple pavilions had been constructed from banana leaves for cooking and dining.

These pavilions were quite convenient, easily assembled and disassembled, serving their purpose well.

Chu Qingzhi walked towards the pavilion.

Inside, five or six people were busy cooking, bustling around, with the fragrance of dishes spreading.

They were unaware of Chu Qingzhi’s visit, making this a surprise inspection. However, they did not disappoint her. The pavilion housed three tables, each set with a large pot of potatoes stewed with pork belly, a pot of seasonal vegetables, a pot of bone soup, and a dish of pickles.

The pork in the potato and pork belly stew was abundant, not scrimped on, looking very hearty.

Madam Luo, the owner’s wife, was in charge of the cooking here.

Madam Luo was cheerful and efficient, not minding her status, assisting everyone with chopping and cooking, very capable.

Upon seeing Chu Qingzhi, she immediately greeted her, “Miss, are you staying to eat with us today?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “I plan to have lunch before returning.”

Madam Luo thought for a moment and said, “What we have is for the workers, it might not be delicate enough. Let me prepare some finer dishes for you, please wait.”

Chu Qingzhi, not wanting to make a fuss, stopped her, “There’s no need to go through the trouble, I’ll eat the same as everyone else, it looks delicious.” Madam Luo sincerely said, “But Miss is so delicate and beautiful, you should eat something better.”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “Really, there’s no need. I’m a farm girl; I can eat anything.”

Seeing Chu Qingzhi’s insistence, Madam Luo then abandoned the idea of making a separate meal for her, “In that case, I’ll set up a separate small table for you and serve the food on dishes. The men are a bit coarse; we wouldn’t want them to bump into you.”

Chu Qingzhi agreed, “Thankyou, Madam Luo.”

It s no trouble at all.” Madam Luo waved her hand, swiftly setting up a table, then re-serving the food onto dishes for Chu Qingzhi, dishing up white rice and providing chopsticks, “Please eat, Miss.”

She secretly thought, it was good that Chu Qingzhi agreed to their family catering for the workers’ meals; otherwise, how could they have made over two hundred taels of silver in these past few months? Chu Qingzhi was their family’s benefactor.

“Thankyou.” Chu Qingzhi sat at the small table and began to eat.

After a while, as the workers came for their lunch led by Zhang Feng, they saw Chu Qingzhi there and involuntarily quieted down.

The men, usually rough and boisterous, now behaved like docile wives, tiptoeing around, afraid of disturbing her meal.

Madam Luo came over to greet, “Miss, you eat yours, they’ll eat theirs, no need to be reserved. Come on, wash your hands and you can start eating.”

With Chu Qingzhi present, everyone couldn’t relax as they usually would, silently washing their faces and quietly getting their meals. Usually, meal times were loud and rowdy, but today was exceptionally quiet.

Madam Luo had to suppress a laugh. Despite being just a young girl, Chu Qingzhi could make these big, strong men afraid.

Chu Qingzhi continued eating, paying no mind to anyone else.

After finishing her meal, Chu Qingzhi gave a few instructions and left. Her presence made everyone tense, plus she had many matters to attend to.

Chu Qingzhi arrived at the county office, where, coincidentally, the county secretary was coming out. “Miss, you’ve come at the right time. I was just about to look for you.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “Is there something you need, county secretary?”

The county secretary smiled back, “Please come in, and we can talk.”

Once they were seated inside, the county secretary got straight to the point. “Miss, you’re a straightforward person, so I’ll be direct too. Now, the land around Chu Village has become your fiefdom, your private property. The money you spent purchasing the land, the government needs to refund you.”

Is such good fortune even possible? Chu Qingzhi asked, “All of it?”

Yes, and from now on, you have full authority over the land transactions within your fiefdom. Outsiders cannot interfere.” After speaking, the county secretary handed over a stack of documents to Chu Qingzhi. “These documents record the population of your fiefdom, transactions of land among the commoners, and some other affairs. I’ve sorted them out for you, and from now on, you’ll manage them yourself.”

“Thank you, county secretary.” Chu Qingzhi took the documents, glanced through them, and thought to herself, being a landlord comes with its own set of troubles, too much to handle.

The county secretary chuckled, “I suggest Miss specifically arranges a few people to handle your fiefdom’s affairs. Otherwise, if everything requires Miss’s direct involvement, it will be too cumbersome.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded in agreement, “I’ll arrange that once I return.”

“county secretary, I also have a small favor to ask of you.” Chu Qingzhi handed over the completion records of the western road to the county secretary. “Could you please post a notice about the completion of the western road and place these records under the notice for public viewing? I want all information to be open and transparent.”

The county secretary assured her, “Rest assured, Miss. I’ll take care of it right away.”

“Then I won’t disturb you any longer.”

“Take care, miss.”

Chu Qingzhi left the county office.

The county secretary examined the four record books, consulted with the county magistrate, and then, as per Chu Qingzhi’s instructions, posted the notice and placed the books under it for public scrutiny.

“Has the western road been completed? Should we go have a look?”

“I was thinking the same.”

A bystander asked curiously, “Why aren’t you interested in checking the account books and such?”

“That’s where you’re narrow-minded. This matter was overseen by Chu Qingzhi; no one could embezzle funds. Besides, the records are laid out for everyone to see, how could there be any issues?”

Another voiced their doubts, “Aren’t you afraid that Chu Qingzhi herself might…”

Brother, you must not insult Miss Chu. Not to mention she would never do such a thing out of her great kindness, even if she did, we’d be willing to give her the money.”

Confused, they responded, “You guys…”

Someone explained, “Miss Chu saved several counties around us, preventing countless losses. What’s spending a little money in comparison!”

The person remained puzzled, “But you…”

Another chimed in, “With Miss Chu handling things, there’s no room for worry.

The money spent is a trifle for the peace and prosperity she brings.”

This left the questioner speechless.

It was a first for them, witnessing people happily allowing someone else to manage their money. Such was the peculiar nature of Shuiyun County!

As everyone wholeheartedly trusted Chu Qingzhi, the records remained under the notice, yet not a single person bothered to check them.

With the completion of the western road, it was now open for public use.

In Chu Village.

Chu Qingzhi, with a stack of documents in hand, returned to Chu Village, pondering over the management of her fiefdom on her way back.