They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 270 Deed
After much deliberation, Steward Mao gritted his teeth and finally agreed.

After all, at his age, it's practically impossible to earn that much money each month. It was just a coincidence that the two sides happened to be a good match; otherwise, who would hire him as a steward? Which wealthy family doesn't have its own steward?

Madam Xu and her family were from out of town, and they probably thought their families were short-handed, which is why he got a lucky break.

Since you've already agreed, you might as well take advantage of the situation and sell it well.

"Please rest assured, Madam and Second Master, this old servant will do his best to fulfill his duties and will not dare to cause you any worry. This old servant guarantees to keep every clause in this contract."

He had originally planned to bring his wife, grandchildren, and children over so the whole family could live here. They wouldn't have to spend any money on food, clothing, or other necessities. His son and daughter-in-law could also come and visit occasionally, and they could take some of the farm's produce with them. But now it seems that's not going to happen.

After all, these things can't be kept secret; it's all written in the contract. Once discovered, he can't afford the huge compensation.

The wages are already so high, you should probably stop doing these kinds of work.

Xu Zhichun nodded: "Since Steward Mao has thought it through, let's sign this contract. From now on, everything will be done according to the contract. Come over tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay, okay, definitely."

That's good. We'll hand things over to him tomorrow, and then they can go home.

After signing a contract in duplicate, Xu Zhichun and his group went into town to return to the inn, and Manager Mao also went into town to go home.

When he told them that the deal had been done, the whole family was overjoyed.

Before, when we lived in the village, my family wanted to settle down in the county town. We saved up our life savings to buy a small courtyard and a small shop. But after we moved in, we realized that it wasn't as enjoyable as we had imagined.

You have to buy everything in the city; every morning when you open your eyes, you have to spend money everywhere.

Unlike in the village, where everything is readily available.

Especially for small food stalls, business wasn't very good at first. They barely managed to break even each day, and sometimes they even lost money. Although they comforted themselves by saying, "It's always like this at first, it will get better gradually!" it was still very frustrating.

Having grown accustomed to spacious living spaces in the village, it's quite a struggle to cram so many people into this tiny courtyard.

Manager Mao's wife chuckled and said, "I'll pack my things now, and we'll go together tomorrow. Let the young couple stay here and watch the shop; my three grandchildren and I will come back with you. It's so much better on the estate; I'm used to living there."

Mao's son and daughter-in-law were also happy, because this way, even if their small business didn't do well, they wouldn't feel guilty.

The house won't be so crowded anymore.

Steward Mao smiled wryly; the Madam and the Second Master really were...
They probably anticipated this and were wary of their family.
Xu Zhichun did have some ulterior motives. She hadn't even enjoyed the benefits of her estate yet, but the steward was letting his family enjoy a leisurely rural life every day. It was just unsettling.

"I'll go by myself, none of you need to go, you can stay here."

"what?"

"How can that be! I have to go with you to take care of you. The three kids are naughty here, and my son and daughter-in-law can't look after the shop. You're not letting us go? What are you trying to do? You old geezer, are you thinking of taking a concubine? Aren't you ashamed? Don't even think about it!"

"What nonsense are you talking about! The children are all here!"

"I'm talking nonsense? Didn't you start talking nonsense first before I started? Otherwise, why can't I go?"

“Yes, Father, wouldn’t it be better if Mother and Hai’er went along? It would lighten our burden considerably. It’s not right for you to not let Mother go.” “Yes, Father.”

"Hmph, why are you arguing with him? Anyway, I'm going, let him do what he wants. Hai'er, Duo'er, go pack your things, and A-Wu's wife, pack Miao Miao's things too. We're all going, let's see what he does."

"Oh, Mother."

"Stop arguing!" Manager Mao took a deep breath; he knew there was going to be some back and forth. "Listen to me first. This is the boss's decision, not mine!"

"what?"

"I don't believe it. The boss even cares about this?"

Steward Mao sneered: "Don't I want things to be easier for the family?"

He recounted the contents of the contract in detail, leaving the whole family dumbfounded.

"This this--"

"Aren't Madam Liang and Second Master Liang being far too petty?"

"You signed such a harsh contract? Couldn't you have pleaded for leniency? It's one thing if A-Wu and his wife don't want to go, but I'm your husband, can't I go with you to take care of you? The three children are still young, what can they possibly gain? Why can't they come with you?"

Manager Mao said irritably, "That's what the boss means. We're hired, so of course we have to listen to the boss and do what the boss asks. We can't argue with the boss about logic or reason. I signed the contract willingly."

"Why are you so happy about this!"

"Why wouldn't I be happy?"

Manager Mao explained the benefits in detail, and the whole family's eyes lit up; they were immediately tempted.

With bonuses and extra rewards, it adds up to over a hundred taels a year, enough for clothes for all four seasons, holiday gifts, and even red envelopes during the Lunar New Year.
Of course, you don't need to spend a penny on food or lodging.

It really is... impossible to find fault with it.

Manager Mao's wife was still unwilling to give up: "Why don't I go with you tomorrow and beg the masters? Didn't you say that one of the masters is a young woman and the other is a boy who is only ten or eleven years old? People like that are easily swayed. If an old woman like me begs them, how can they refuse?"

She really wanted to go; she felt uncomfortable living anywhere in the city.

"No."

Without a second thought, Steward Mao said, "Madam Liang and Second Master Liang are not people without their own opinions. Do you think it's possible to force them to change the rules set today? Since they wrote it like this in the contract, they probably already anticipated this outcome. Don't act recklessly. If you lose this job, where will you find another one? Greed is no good. If you end up losing everything, what will you do then?"

The group of people felt a chill run down their spines and were speechless.

This risk doesn't seem worth taking.

If we lose, we lose everything, and that's it.

The next morning, they met at the manor. Xu Zhichun was quite satisfied to see that Steward Mao had come alone. He gave him a few reminders and explained the tasks to be done, such as retrieving the custom-made furniture on time and arranging it properly, repairing the irrigation canal, inspecting and repairing the cowshed, cleaning the manor inside and out, and repairing the road leading from the manor to the main road. This included buying another 200 mu of land to reclaim wasteland.

Manager Mao hurriedly agreed, somewhat surprised, and couldn't help but ask, "Madam, what do you plan to plant on this land next year? In previous years, the original two hundred acres were planted with soybeans, peanuts, sorghum, and some other miscellaneous grains."