RPAGF Chapter 118 If you want to be rich, build roads first
Chapter 118 If you want to be rich, build roads first
Gao Mengli and Lin Xi never dreamed that Dou Weiyi would be in such a miserable state, with his family's inner chambers using jewelry to help him with one-tenth of his silver.
After leaving the government office, the two bought rice and returned to Wangyue Village.
Gao Mengli led Lin Xi on a stroll through the village looking for a place to live.
The villagers were all very polite and courteous when they saw the two of them.
What used to be fear of the two is now filled with respect and reverence; the awe and awe they feel for each other is beyond words.
I didn't dare to go up and chat with them.
However, it's true that now when I see the two of them, they don't disappear like before.
Seeing the two wandering around the village for quite a while, village chief Zhao Hua mustered up his courage and stepped forward, "Eldest son of the Lin family, you and your wife... is... is something wrong?"
He always felt that the two of them were just scouting the place, something he couldn't quite explain or figure out.
Besides, there shouldn't be anything in the village that could bother them right now...
Seeing the village chief come out of his house, Lin Xi quickly stepped forward and said, "Oh, village chief, we're looking for land."
The village chief was completely bewildered, looking at the two of them, "Looking for land? What do you need land for?"
Seeing the village chief's wary expression, Gao Mengli quickly stepped forward to explain, "We're looking for a larger plot of land to build an oil mill in the village."
The village chief nodded in sudden realization. He had been thinking, there was nothing in the village that the two of them had anything to worry about.
But wait, an oil mill?!
The village chief's eyes widened instantly, and his voice rose several decibels: "Open an oil mill? You're going to open an oil mill in the village?!"
He excitedly rushed forward, taking three steps at a time.
If an oil mill is opened in the village, then the profits will be huge. Oil can be used to raise pigs, chickens, ducks and fish, all of which are excellent products.
Moreover, the oil mill requires workers, which means that villagers can find work right at their doorstep!
We'll also buy the raw materials, so we don't have to risk encountering bandits to transport them to other places for sale!
This provides excellent security and also offers benefits!
The village chief became more and more excited as he thought about it.
Their eyes were shining, as if they had seen a pile of gold and silver treasures dangling in front of them.
Lin Xi waved her hand in front of him, "Village Chief? Village Chief? What are you thinking about?"
He simply noticed the village chief's silly grin and wondered what he was thinking.
The village chief then came to his senses, grabbed Lin Xi's hand, and exclaimed excitedly, "Oh my, I was thinking, if our village had an oil mill, we would be so prosperous!"
Perhaps our village can become the richest village within a hundred miles.
Gao Mengli laughed and joked, "Village Chief, aren't you afraid that we'll lose money and you'll all lose money along with us?"
The village chief waved his hand, looking unconvinced, "Food is the most important thing for people, and this oil is a necessity. We won't lose money!"
Lin Xi laughed along, "None of these things are going to happen. We need to make the arrangements and see what the magistrate says tomorrow. Whether it goes ahead or not depends on his word."
"Oh? Why is that?" the village chief asked, voicing a profound question.
Whether their village opens an oil mill or not is none of the county magistrate's business.
Gao Mengli explained with a smile, "We will mortgage the house and the land as a condition to build an oil mill on credit."
Whether this matter will be settled or not will only be decided tomorrow after the county magistrate tastes the oil and assesses its quality.
The village chief was shocked upon hearing this.
Mortgage land for credit? Is that even possible?!
I was deeply shaken, as if I had discovered a new continent.
He asked anxiously, "Eldest brother of the Lin family, when you open your oil mill, can you buy rapeseed from the village first?"
The village grows a lot of rapeseed!
We usually exchange the rapeseed from our home for cooking oil at the oil shop; four and a half pounds of rapeseed can be exchanged for one pound of rapeseed oil.
Lin Xi exchanged a glance with Gao Mengli, and after receiving confirmation, she nodded to the village chief, "Village chief, we can buy rapeseed from the village first. If there's sesame, peanuts, or sunflowers, we'll buy those too!"
The village chief thought they only bought rapeseed, not realizing there was so much more to buy.
I immediately felt a little anxious. Sesame, peanuts, and sunflowers are not picky about soil and are easy to grow.
However, each of their households owned very little land, and even after paying the grain tax, it was only enough for one family to eat for a year.
If a natural disaster strikes, that won't be enough.
We need to dig for wild vegetables.
Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice. It's only late spring now, so there's still time to replant these.
Lin Xi frowned, looking at the anxious village chief in front of her with a puzzled expression, and looked to Gao Mengli for help.
Gao Mengli didn't know what the village chief was anxious about, so she pulled Lin Xi along and continued to stroll around the village.
They needed to find a place not far from the river, where water was readily available and the roads were wide, to build their workshop.
The village chief thought for a long time but still had no clue. He looked up and found that the two had already left.
He quickly ran up and found the two people in an open space not far from the village entrance.
The village chief, panting heavily, shouted as he ran, "You two, wait for me!"
As he ran closer, he put one hand on his waist and caught his breath: "Oh dear, I almost ran myself to death. I'll stay with you guys and help you check the place."
Gao Mengli waved her hand, "Village chief, no need to look anymore, we're going to choose this place."
The village entrance is conveniently located.
When the goods are transported in and out, it will not disturb the villagers.
But this road…
The village chief looked anxious. "This road? What's wrong with this road?"
Gao Mengli frowned: "This road is a bit narrow. If the oil mill's business improves in the future and there are more horse-drawn carts transporting goods, it might be difficult to travel."
Moreover, this road becomes incredibly muddy after it rains, and it would be a real problem if the carriage got stuck.
Lin Xi nodded in agreement: "This road needs to be repaired and widened. It would be best to pave it with some stone slabs or small pebbles so that it won't affect transportation no matter what the weather is like."
As the saying goes, "To get rich, build roads first!"
With the roads repaired, not only is efficiency improved, but the roads are also well-connected, making it convenient to go anywhere.
The village chief scratched his head, not understanding why building roads was the first step to getting rich, but Lin Xi's words made a lot of sense.
He nodded quickly, "Don't worry, I'll go down and arrange the road construction in the village right away, and we'll start work tomorrow!"
He looked at the two of them and nodded in approval.
The new generation pushes the old generation aside; if the old generation doesn't work hard, they'll die on the beach.
As the most influential person in the village, he had to support their ideas.
This way, if the two of them become rich, they can also gradually lead every household in their village to become rich, which is a great thing!
If you just ask to build a road, no one will disagree!
The village chief was increasingly pleased with himself, grinning as he looked at the two of them: "Alright, since you've made your decision, I'll go and make the arrangements!"
He suddenly remembered the most convenient way to clear the land, and they just need to make a decision tomorrow!
The village chief turned around and went back home, taking out the gong and banging it loudly.
Upon hearing the gong, the villagers rushed from their homes to the village entrance and gathered at the village chief's door.
After Lin Xi and Gao Mengli found a suitable plot of land, they passed by the village chief's house on their way back, and the entire village stared at them with excitement.
Seeing that the two were about to return, the people in the old house immediately followed them back, amidst envious glances from others.
After the Lin family left, the village chief coughed lightly, "Tomorrow, we'll go to the county town together!"
The villagers cheered with joy upon hearing this!