Mo Yan felt that Xue tuanzi’s words were extrely apt, and couldn’t help feeling annoyed, "Why didn’t I think of that? For the Chen Family, is there anything more daunting than suppression based on social status?"
Seeing this, Xue tuanzi comforted her further, "It’s because you are not used to wielding power over others that you didn’t think of it! But there’s one thing you must rember clearly: the hierarchy of this era is insurmountable. Although the identity of a County Lord doesn’t carry much actual power, it is still very useful for scaring people. If you can solve problems by leveraging your status, just go ahead and use it. There’s no simpler or better thod than this; not to use it would be foolish."
"Yes, you’re right!" Mo Yan nodded in agreent, admitting that she wasn’t accustod to using power to oppress others. Who made her born into a society in her past life that championed equality for all, and in this life, born into humble beginnings, never having the chance to exercise privilege? Now that Xue tuanzi had brought it up, she felt indeed she could try doing so.
However, this ti, she didn’t employ her status to pressure the retrieval of the lands, because she wanted to see just how capable Zhao Dafu really was. Now it seed that he had ability, but his tactics were not firm enough; otherwise, the land would have been reclaid long ago. This shortcoming wasn’t a big issue, though, as there wouldn’t be a need for tenant farrs on the estate in the future, so she no longer had to worry about him not being able to keep people in check.
Even though she was worried that Zhao Dasha would be subjected to vindictive abuse by the Chen Family upon return, Mo Yan couldn’t think of a solution for the mont. She could only wait until tomorrow to remind Zhao Dafu, to ask him to secretly take more care of Zhao Dasha.
...
With the looming presence of the Governnt Office — a mountain that could crush soone at any ti — Zhao Dafu didn’t need to put in much effort before the three young n, including cousin Chen Dasha, confessed honestly to their doings.
As Mo Yan had predicted, the person who ca up with this rotten idea was indeed Zhao Dasha’s cousin, Chen Sangou.
The Chen Family’s own land was less than five acres, yet it had to support a household of over twenty people. Over the years, had they not rented land from the estate, his family would have been driven to drink the northwest wind long ago. This ti, when Mo Yan suddenly wanted to reclaim their land, it threw Chen Sangou’s family into complete turmoil, with no ability to change the outco.
But Chen Sangou was not willing to give up. He may not have had much foresight, but he had plenty of small cunning. After days of hard thinking, he actually ca up with a "brilliant plan". He had always looked down on his dull-witted cousin living in his household. He’d heard too many complaints from his old mother and wife, and couldn’t see how his aging aunt tirelessly and thanklessly toiled at ho; he only saw two useless burdens in the house.
This ti, with a mindset of exploiting waste, he sched against the naive Zhao Dasha.
When the tenants were gathered by Chen Xue to discuss a strategy, Chen Sangou shared his "brilliant plan". Unfortunately, aside from the two tenants who ca with him, his plan was t with strong opposition from the remaining forty-seven tenants, who thought the risk was too high. They believed such a low and despicable trick couldn’t succeed and also disdained to associate with soone who would betray his own cousins.
Thus, Chen Sangou, who thought of himself as highly intelligent, was extrely angered. Without informing his family, he colluded with the two who agreed with his idea. They guessed the approximate location where Mo Yan lived and, using the excuse of finding Zhao Dasha a bride, they lured Zhao Dasha into the mansion.
If Zhao Dasha succeeded in sneaking into Mo Yan’s courtyard, they would use that as leverage to threaten Mo Yan into continuing to rent the land to them. If he didn’t find the place, they weren’t going to get Zhao Dasha out, rather they hoped Zhao Dasha would get caught by Mo Yan, thus probing her reaction.
If Mo Yan, in a fit of anger, did sothing to Zhao Dasha, they would have an excuse to make a fuss, achieving the goal of continuing to rent the land. If she didn’t do anything to Zhao Dasha, they would think Mo Yan was not a ruthless person. Then they could bring their whole family, old and young, to kneel at the doorstep and beg for rcy, and wouldn’t the rented land still end up in their hands?
Reviews
All reviews (0)