A family with three widows, after severing ties with relatives, she became wealthy and married into

Chapter 240 Cooperation with the Rong Family

Tian Tian nodded thoughtfully.

"Manager Zhu, go and investigate further."

It wasn't that she didn't trust Zhu Qian; she just wanted the information to be more certain.

Zhu Qian didn't doubt Tian Tian's intentions at all, and went out after giving a reply.

Empress Li exclaimed in surprise, "Sweetie, this Zhu Qian... you've really struck gold with him."

They are thorough in their work and never doubt their master's intentions.

While Zhu Qian went out to gather information, Tian Tian was also thinking about the cooperation plan with the Rong family.

Those fields all belong to the Rong family.

Judging from Rong Jie's words, he definitely won't sell the land, or he'll probably just lease it.

Therefore, the only solution is to find a way to cooperate.

The Rong family provided the land and labor, she provided the seeds, and she bought the vegetables they grew.

The silver was divided into four and six parts.

The Rong family is fourth, and she is sixth.

Taking tomatoes as an example, the yield of tomatoes per acre can reach up to 20,000 catties.

She can buy it for five coins a pound, and the income from one acre of land is one hundred taels.

The Rong family got forty taels, and she got sixty taels.

This is much more profitable than renting land.

If sold to merchants, the price could be even higher...

It remains to be seen whether the Rong family will approve of this cooperation method.

*

The next day, they began to distribute the rice seedlings.

Rong Jie and Rong Yan'er also brought people with them.

They kept glancing at Tian Tian, ​​but didn't dare to come over and ask her if she had come up with a solution.

*

Zhu Qian returned after two days of running around with the most comprehensive information.

This time, there is not only testimony, but also evidence.

"These are the Rong family's voided leases."

One tenant's breadwinner died unexpectedly, leaving the widow and her children unable to pay the rent for their land. Rong Yan'er then wrote "dead" on the lease agreement.

Another tenant was cheated by someone who bought bad seeds, resulting in a very poor harvest. Rong Yan'er waived 60% of the rent for them.

Tian Tian looked at each one one by one...

These leases were reduced or waived, but she was very skeptical about whether what these tenants were saying was true.

Zhu Qian noticed Tian Tian's doubt and replied, "That's not entirely true."

The Rong family is known for its kind people, which inevitably leads some to take advantage of them.

But these people are a minority; most tenants are still quite honest.

Tian Tian put down the rental contracts and took out a piece of paper from her sleeve. "Manager Zhu, go to the Rong residence again and show this contract to Master Rong and Miss Rong. If they are willing, we can schedule a time to sign it."

“I can only stay in Songxi County for two more days at most. Tell them to make a decision as soon as possible, or they will be late.”

She still has to travel to seven or eight counties, so she can't linger in Songxi County for too long.

*

When Zhu Qian arrived at the Rong residence with the contract, he was told that Master Rong and Miss Rong were not at home, but had gone to their estate in the suburbs.

So he left the contract and conveyed Tian Tian's message.

Upon hearing that the contract was from Miss Tian Er, the servants of the Rong Mansion dared not delay for a moment and immediately took their horses and rushed out.

Over there, Rong Jie and Rong Yan'er squatted beside the paddy field where rice seedlings had been planted.

"Dad, what's the difference between these seedlings and the ones they planted before?" Rong Yan'er couldn't see any difference.

In her eyes, aren't all rice seedlings the same?

“Miss, these seedlings look similar to the ones we planted, but if you look closely, they are much stronger than our rice seedlings.” The tenant next to her was more experienced.

Pointing to the roots of the rice seedlings, he said, "The roots are strong too."

Rong Yan'er couldn't see the roots clearly, so she reached out and pulled out the nearest rice seedling.

"Oh, miss..." The tenant was speechless.

Rong Yan'er carefully examined the roots of the rice seedlings...

Is it sturdy?

"Master, Miss."

The servants rode their horses into the village without even having time to dismount.

Rong Jie and Rong Yan'er stood up and turned around to look.

"Master, Miss." The servant jumped off his horse. "Miss Tian Er has brought the contract."

Rongjie's eyes widened. "Really? Where?"

He held out his hand, "Quick, let me see."

The servant brought out the contract and handed it to Rongjie.

Rong Jie couldn't wait to open it, and Rong Yan'er immediately came over.

The father and daughter huddled together in the wind, carefully reading the contract that Tian Tian had brought them, word by word.

"Four...six..." Rong Yan'er muttered, "Dad, will we be able to earn money this way...this way?"

She really had no concept of money.

"What else did Steward Zhu say?" Rong Yan'er asked.

"Miss Tian Er will only stay in Songxi County for two days before leaving... Let Grandpa and Miss think it over carefully..."

Upon hearing this, Rongjie immediately rolled up the contract and kept it in his heart, then set off in a hurry, saying, "Let's go now."

Rong Yan'er chased after him, "Father, haven't you considered whether we can earn money?"

"You're sure to make money!!"

Those fields could be sold for only seven or eight taels per mu, and rented out for even less.

"Quickly, quickly, prepare the carriage."

Zhu Qian leisurely returned to the inn, and the Rong family's carriage arrived.

"Manager Zhu!" Rong Jie pulled Rong Yan'er to a stop in front of Zhu Qian.

Zhu Qian looked them up and down in surprise, "You...so fast?"

Rong Jie bluntly stated, "I can't wait."

"Manager Zhu, is Miss Tian Er upstairs?"

Zhu Qian nodded blankly, "Yes, yes..."

“Miss Tian, ​​we agree to everything in the contract,” Rong Jie called out before even entering the room.

Empress Li unexpectedly put down her teacup and hid in the inner room.

Tian Tian then opened the door.

“Miss Tian Er, we agree to everything in this contract.” Rong Jie waved the contract around.

Rong Yan'er laughed awkwardly from behind.

"Have you read the contents of the contract carefully?" Tian Tian turned around and led them into the house.

Rong Jie nodded firmly, "I saw it clearly."

"That person's hand..."

Rong Jie patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Miss Tian, ​​leave the manpower to me, Rong Jie."

"I dare not speak of anything else, but as for manpower... as long as the Rong family gives the word, we will definitely have a hundred people responding immediately."

He wasn't exaggerating.

The fact that Rong Yan'er told the people of Songxi County not to sell their shops to Qian Fulai shows that the Rong family had influence in Songxi County.

"In that case, let's sign it."

After signing the contract, she could head to the next county town.

While signing the contract, she instructed the Rong family father and daughter, "I've signed the contract today, and I'll be leaving Songxi County tomorrow."

"As soon as possible, gather the people and properly till and fertilize your three thousand mu of land, as stated in the contract."

"I came back half a month later and started farming."

Rongjie wrote his name on the contract. "Okay, absolutely no problem, Second Miss, don't worry."

Rong Yan'er was delighted, "Miss Tian, ​​didn't you want to buy a shop to open a restaurant?"

"The one you liked last time, we listed it at the brokerage for two thousand taels. If you want it, we'll sell it to you for one thousand nine hundred taels."

Tian Tian looked up, surprised. "That shop...wasn't it for finding a son-in-law?"

Rong Yan'er chuckled twice, "With my looks, I can find a husband even without a shop."

Since she put it that way, Tian Tian didn't refuse.

"Alright, then let Manager Zhu stay and sign the shop contract with you."

Empress Li followed Tian Tian around, running errands and began to experience the hardships of farming.

And then she finally remembered her son who went south to grow sweet potatoes.

While Tian Tian was traveling between various counties and passing through Baishi County, she went to the county town.

"Didn't Yao'er send any news back?" Empress Li picked at her ear in disbelief.

Li Huaiyuan nodded.

Empress Li frowned and asked, "Did you tell him I was in Baishi County?"

Li Huaiyuan shook his head, "Aunt, you didn't tell me to tell Heming either."

Empress Li pouted helplessly. She really hadn't given any instructions, but how could he be so clueless?!

“Aunt, then, I’ll write to Heming right now and ask him about his current situation. I’ll also tell him that you’re in Baishi County.”

“After he has worked the land, he should return to Baishi County.”

Empress Li nodded, "Yes, write it like that."

Thinking to himself, "My daughter-in-law is here, so my son has to come back."

As soon as Zhu Qian signed the contract for the shop, he immediately found someone to start renovations.

The fields have been plowed and prepared, and we're just waiting for Tian Tian to arrive.

The Rong family owns a large plot of land, so this time Tian Tian prepared not only vegetable seeds but also fruit seeds.

Vegetable seeds include amaranth, garland chrysanthemum, alfalfa, alfalfa sprouts, coriander, okra, water spinach, chives, chili peppers, and Malabar spinach, etc...

Fruit seeds include watermelon, cherry tomato, strawberry, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, etc.

There are also some fruit tree seedlings, such as peaches, apples, pears, lychees, plums, and various citrus fruits.

As for the land in other counties, only vegetables were grown.

For these vegetables, Tian Tian traveled between county towns and didn't return to Baishi County for several months.

During this period, Fulai Restaurant, Baishi Tea House and Baishi Hot Pot Shop in various county towns also opened one after another.

As the vegetables gradually ripened, the variety of dishes available in each shop also increased.

According to statistics, although shops in Baishi County were affected and business declined by 20% to 30%, the combined business of several counties was more than ten times the original level.

The shops in Songxi County had the best business.

This is mainly because Songxi County is very close to Xiushui County and Yunzhou Prefecture, so guests from Xiushui County and the prefecture went to Songxi County because it was closer to them.

Guests from Ganzhou, Jiangzhou, and Cangzhou, which are near Yunzhou Prefecture, also come from all directions of Yunzhou, just to taste the flavors of Fulai Restaurant, Baishi Tea House, and Baishi Hot Pot.

However... what amazed these visitors even more was the rice paddies they saw along the way.

As a result, the news that the rice yield per mu in Yunzhou Prefecture could reach 1,600 jin began to spread like wildfire in other prefectures.

*

In the summer, all the shops installed air conditioning, making the shops cool and comfortable for customers.

At this time, Tian Tian installed ice-making machines in various shops, and early-ripening fruits began to appear on the market.

As a result, the shop added various cold drinks and desserts.

Meanwhile, various ripe vegetables and fruits were vacuum-packed and transported to various places by merchants.

"What's going on in Tian Er's head...?" Rong Yan'er sighed as she ate the watermelon smoothie that Baishi Teahouse had just served.

She poked at the watermelon in the bowl with the spoon in her hand, one stroke at a time.

The people sent out returned and recounted to her in detail all the novel foods that Tian Er had come up with in Baishi County.

She ate all those novelties at Baishi Teahouse and Baishi Hot Pot Restaurant.

These things... can't be found anywhere else, only in Miss Tian's shop.

Everything about it is amazing.

Let's put everything else aside and just talk about this watermelon.

You can cut it open and eat it directly, juice it, make it into smoothies, iced milk, watermelon milk jelly, or even make watermelon mochi.

The key point is that Tian Er also specially customized some small pink bowls. After filling them with these foods, he garnished them with some mint leaves, making them look especially beautiful.

Anyway, she couldn't resist at all...

This led her to come to Tian Er's shop to eat every day.

The food at Tian Er's shop is delicious, but you can't eat it every day.

"If only we could... just sell these ice creams," Rong Yan'er sighed.

Rongjie was sitting next to him, smacking his lips as he ate.

In the past, he would never have been willing to take Rong Yan'er out to eat every day.

But it's different now.

Of his three thousand acres of land, only five hundred acres have been harvested so far.

But the share that Miss Tian Er gave him was already ten thousand taels.

Compared to before... that was the rent for three thousand acres of land and dozens of shops for two years.

He was completely absorbed in the joy of making money and didn't notice the business opportunity in Rong Yan'er's words at all.

Rong Yan'er, on the other hand, after finishing her sentence and reflecting on it, suddenly seemed to have a breakthrough.

"Ah!!" Rong Yan'er suddenly stood up.

"What's wrong?" Rongjie asked.

"Father, Father, I've thought of a great business opportunity!!" Rong Yan'er exclaimed excitedly, stamping her feet.

Everyone says that she and her father have no business sense. If her current idea can be realized, then... she can be considered to have no business sense, right?

"I'm going to find Miss Tian Er."

Rong Yan'er didn't even eat the ice cream, and ran out, leaving Rong Jie behind.

*

Tian Tian and Qian Fulai had just returned to Songxi County from Xiushui County.

"Shops in Xiushui County are in high demand," Qian Fulai exclaimed.

They went so many times, but they still couldn't find an empty shop.

"Tian Er, how about we use Manager Shen's shop?" he suggested.

Tian Tian shook her head. "I don't want to owe anyone a favor."

If such a favor could be repaid with money, that would be fine, but Shen Zhian has those kinds of feelings for Lu Tao...

Therefore, she didn't want to accept his favor.

Qian Fulai didn't know, "If you're afraid of owing favors to others, then just do what the Rong family did and bring them along to make money."

Tian Tian sighed, "Shen Zhian is in the tea business, and he still wants me to help him make money?"

At this point, Tian Tian had a sudden inspiration.

Don't tell...

Now, the milk tea in all her shops uses tea leaves, and the quantity is quite large.

However, she only used ordinary quality tea leaves.

In her memory, tea leaves can be used to make many kinds of delicious food.

Dishes like... tea eggs, tea-scented tofu, tea-scented chicken, tea-scented shrimp, tea-scented spare ribs, tea-scented chicken wings, Longjing shrimp, steamed tea-scented crucian carp, Pu'er Dongpo pork...

Besides dishes, it can also be made into pastries, such as tea cakes, green tea cakes, tea jelly, tea crisps...

perhaps...

Perhaps she really could collaborate with Shen Zhian to open a tea-related shop.

Tian Tian secretly decided to prepare a comprehensive explanation and send it to Shen Zhian to see if he was interested.