261 Villagers Causing Trouble (3)
Everyone looked at the contract in black and white and did not believe it.
“How is that possible? I heard that it’s 5,000 dollars for rent. How did it become 500 dollars?”
“That’s right. Bangjian will make this joke, but Soo Soo is honest and will never make such a joke. For her to say that, she must be taking it seriously.”
“That’s right. A few days ago, Bangjian did tell us that if the Shi family wants to rent his family’s land, they have to pay a high rent. He calculated it himself and said that if that land was used to grow watermelons, the annual harvest is at least 20,000 dollars.”
“Hehe, his family’s is 20,000 dollars. My family’s land can also yield up to 20,000 dollars. Shouldn’t we ask for a high rent? Not to mention 5,000 dollars, it’s good to receive 3,000 dollars.”
…
Listening to the villagers’ discussions, they still had some opinions on this matter.
Shi Bangjian asked darkly, “My family’s rent is the same as everyone else’s. It’s 500 yuan. Then who said that my family has 5,000 yuan? Give me 4,500 yuan!”
Everyone basically believed in this contract.
Most of the people present were old and could not read much, but they could still recognize the word “Year” and “Acre” for the 500 dollars. The people present who were literate looked at the contract seriously.
Moreover, they had signed the same contract before renting out the land.
Hearing Shi Bangjian’s question, someone smiled awkwardly and said, “Bangjian, didn’t we hear about it too? Besides, you kept saying that you wanted the Shi family to pay a few thousand dollars in rent. Look, in a few days, your family’s land was rented out. We really thought that your family’s land was really rented out for 5,000 dollars.”
“That’s right. Didn’t we come over to confirm?”
Shi Bangjian asked expressionlessly, “Why didn’t you confirm it with me personally? Why did you bring it to the Shi family?”
When the villagers heard Shi Bangjian’s question, most of them felt guilty.
However, they were a little puzzled.
They firmly believed that Shi Bangjian’s original plan was for the Shi family to rent his family’s land for a high price.
Just two days ago, they saw Shi Lichun bring his son and niece to their house. A moment later, a group of people walked out with ugly expressions. Clearly, they had not come to an agreement.
When someone passed by his house, he could hear with his own ears that Shi Bangjian had asked for 5,000 dollars to rent the land.
When he heard that Shi Bangjian had rented the land to the Shi family, he was a little suspicious and had some thoughts. However, everyone was in an uncertain state.
However, Old Lady Shi’s exaggeration not only aroused the villagers’ curiosity and suspicion but also their unwillingness and greed.
Rather than saying that Old Lady Shi was instigating them, it would be better to say that Old Lady Shi’s mouth was just a fuse that ignited everyone’s anger.
Regardless of whether it was true or not, they would go to the Shi family and make a fuss.
If this had not happened, everyone would not have suffered any losses.
But if it did happen, everyone would get more money.
Hence, not many people confirmed it with Shi Bangjian.
Shi Bangjian had an honest wife, but he was not an honest person. He had always been very good at making plans for himself and would definitely not tell everyone the truth.
Shi Bangjian was in charge of the money. If they asked her, they would only know nothing. Everyone was too lazy to ask.
Now that Shi Lichun had taken out the contract, Shi Bangjian also came forward to clarify.
Most people still bought it. Only a small number of people did not believe it.
“Shi Bangjian, you took the benefits. Don’t tell me you want to collaborate with their family to deceive everyone?” Shi Zuoliang asked suspiciously. “You can’t eat meat and make everyone unable to drink soup, right?”
Shi Zuoliang was a lazy person who beat his wife in the village.
Because of the acquisition of watermelons, he had some conflicts with the Shi Family and had always resented them.
He embarrassed himself and lost his dignity when he was trying to sell his watermelons. He decided to plant watermelons well the next year and fight for his dignity.
However, this person’s idea was quite good, but it was impossible for him to suddenly become diligent after decades of laziness.
Although he started to think about turning over a new leaf, he only worked hard for a few days. Then, not long after, his nature kicked in. He threw away his hoe and started smoking, drinking, and playing cards at the entrance of the small shop.
However, his luck had always been bad. Every time he played cards, he lost more than he won. Once he lost, he wanted to drink. Once he got drunk, he would go home and beat his wife.
However, now that the child had grown up and was working outside, he had sternly warned him not to hit his mother again. Otherwise, his son would hit him back when he returned. In fact, when he was old, he would not care about him at all.
After being threatened by his son, he really did not dare to hit his wife again.
However, looking at the families who were selling watermelons and making money this year, all of them were beaming with joy. They were always winning at cards, and they even bought high-end cigarettes and drinks. On the other hand, his family was poor and looked down on by others. Thinking of how they had knelt down and lost face when they were trying to sell watermelons and were mocked, the anger and resentment in his heart erupted.
It was just that he didn’t vent it out usually.
Now that there was an outlet, it was like magma erupting and pouring out.
…
Without waiting for Shi Bangjian, Shi Lichun, and the others to respond, Shi Zuoliang pointed at them and said indignantly, “Shi Bangjian, your family’s land has been rented out at a high rent, yet you’re hiding it from everyone. Are you trying to monopolize it? We’re all from the same village and we see each other frequently. Won’t you feel guilty?”
“Shi Zuoliang, what nonsense are you talking about?” When Shi Bangjian heard Shi Zuoliang’s words, his expression was very angry. He shouted loudly, “Don’t malign us. There’s no such thing.”
Shi Zuoliang sneered and said, “Hehe, you know very well whether there is one or not. If you join forces to deceive everyone, won’t you save more than 100,000 in rent? It’s so worth it to give you hush money.”
Shi Lichun held the contract and said with a serious expression, “It’s written here in black and white. How can it be fake?”
“Why can’t you fake it?” Shi Zuoliang said righteously. “Of course, you have to put on a full show. You just need to have one contract for show and another behind the scenes. You’re just working together to deceive everyone and make them believe you.”
Hearing Shi Zuoliang’s words, some villagers started discussing again.
“What Shi Zuoliang said seems to make sense. Giving him 5,000 is really different from giving everyone the same rent.”
“Indeed, spending 5,000 can save more than 100,000. How worth it! If it were me, I would be willing to do the same.”
“But the Shi family isn’t like that.”
“Who knows?”
“They’re so rich. There’s no need to scheme against the villagers like this. The truth can’t be hidden. Once it’s exposed, it will cause public anger.”
…
The villagers’ discussions resounded in the Shi Family’s courtyard.