Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Chapter 2082: Just Wait and See

Despite Zhao Di’s untimely demise, the prefectural magistrate’s brother-in-law couldn’t help but lament the loss of such a useful lackey, henchman, lapdog—one who charged into battle with reckless abandon.

Originally intending to authorize Zhao Di to request the Mulberry Field title deed from Zhao Shu, the brother-in-law never anticipated his demise due to drunkenness.

Nevertheless, Zhao Di’s penchant for frivolity ultimately sealed his fate, a sacrifice the brother-in-law deemed acceptable.

Putting Zhao Di’s demise behind him, the brother-in-law promptly approached Zhao Shu himself.

Politely declining the request, Zhao Shu cited the ancestral significance of the Mulberry Fields, claiming it as the inheritance of his maternal grandparents—a gift he couldn’t simply relinquish without dishonoring their memory.

Furthermore, the magnitude of the request was egregious, far beyond the bounds of propriety.

In a thinly veiled rebuke, Zhao Shu offered a token of apology in the form of antiques worth 50,000 taels of silver, a gesture meant to placate the brother-in-law’s ire.

Infuriated by Zhao Shu’s refusal and his perceived arrogance, the brother-in-law departed with a sneer, vowing retribution as he left with the meager offering.

Fortunately, Uncle Qing’s shrewd bribery of the Grandmaster beside the magistrate averted a potential disaster. The Grandmaster wisely cautioned against such actions, highlighting the potential repercussions of publicizing Zhao Shu’s retribution. Such an event could trigger widespread panic among the affluent families, leading them to safeguard their assets and seek refuge, which would not bode well for Lord’s interests.

Upon realizing the gravity of the situation, the prefectural magistrate of Hangzhou acquiesced, feigning ignorance to preserve appearances and allowing his brother-in-law free rein.

Despite his compliance, the brother-in-law nursed a grudge against the Grandmaster, convinced that the latter harbored animosity towards him and deliberately impeded his ambitions.

Despite Zhao Shu’s reputation as the wealthiest man in Jiangnan, the prefect’s brother-in-law saw the demand for the 100,000 mu of mulberry fields as a trivial matter, unworthy of the fuss stirred by that troublemaker.

Determined to vindicate himself and demonstrate his authority, the brother-in-law resolved to pursue the matter further, convinced that his actions would not yield any adverse consequences.

However, upon reflection, he acknowledged the rashness of his previous approach. Adopting a more calculated strategy this time, he dispatched his trusted aides to engage Zhao Shu in discussions tinged with threats.

This time, the brother-in-law’s demands were tempered—he sought only 30,000 mu of the mulberry fields and the accompanying title deed.

Zhao Shu bristled at the brother-in-law’s stipulation of secrecy, coupled with the demand for the profits from the 30,000 acres annually. It was a veneer of generosity, masking a predatory intent that left Zhao Shu seething with anger.

To him, the concession of non-interference was no gift at all—it was an insult.

Unbeknownst to Zhao Shu, the brother-in-law harbored far-reaching ambitions. His demand for 30,000 acres was just the beginning of a calculated scheme to gradually devour Zhao Shu’s holdings. Once he obtained the initial parcel, his demands would only escalate.

30,000 acres today, 20,000 tomorrow, and 10,000 the day after—each concession granted by Zhao Shu would only embolden the brother-in-law to press for more. Ultimately, the entirety of the coveted 100,000 mu of mulberry fields would fall into his grasp.

Furthermore, when the opportune moment arrived, the brother-in-law planned to publicly proclaim that Zhao Shu had lost the mulberry fields to him in a wager—a narrative that would undermine Zhao Shu’s reputation and cement the brother-in-law’s control over the prized asset.

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