Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Chapter 1798: Deliberately Targeting Chapter 1798: Deliberately Targeting Editor: Henyee Translations Thankfully, Lord Shao proved to be a reasonable man, refraining from exploitation or seeking undue favors.

Consequently, the burden on their shoulders remained manageable.

Only bandits would dare openly defy the government’s authority.

Such behavior was simply unheard of, especially on the surface.

However, if the Fan family managed to astound and excel in this endeavor, they stood to gain significantly.

It was a scenario to hope for… The Huo brothers exchanged jests in private, pondering the unpredictable tactics Old Lady Fan might employ this time.

With a vast expanse of 200,000 mu of fertile land, the Fan family’s decision not to utilize government-provided seeds resulted in a yield akin to the previous year—roughly 600 catties per mu.

Yet, in this water valley terrain, the transformation process yielded approximately 70 to 75 catties of dry valley per hundred catties of water valley.

Consequently, the output translated to around 430 to 440 catties per mu of dry valley.

Calculated against the tax rate of 30 per grain imposed by Great Qin, the Fan family faced a staggering obligation of nearly 2.89 to 3 million catties of grain—a substantial sum by any measure.

Naturally, the Fan Clan would not acquiesce readily.

Even if Lord Shao proposed a compromise, suggesting they pay half, the Fan family would undoubtedly resist.

In previous instances, their contributions ranged merely from 300,000 to 500,000 catties, and even then, only after extensive negotiations with the Prefect’s representatives.

Now, confronted with a demand for three million catties, the spectacle promised to be grand indeed!

The Huo brothers found themselves slightly exhilarated by the unfolding drama.

Meanwhile, Old Lady Fan seethed with indignation.

This was simply intolerable!

Old Lady Fan was convinced that Lord Shao had deliberately targeted the Fan Family.

It was widely acknowledged throughout Anze Province that the Fan family possessed the most fertile land.

So, why would Lord Shao choose this particular moment to exert pressure on them?

If it wasn’t for personal gain, what could possibly be his motive for singling out the Fan family?

What added insult to injury was the glaring realization that, despite their awareness of Lord Shao’s self-serving actions, the Fan family felt powerless to openly confront him.

Adding to their frustration, Shao Yunduan had supplied superior rice seeds this year, and although the Fan Family had initially intended to inconvenience him by borrowing seeds elsewhere, the plan backfired spectacularly.

Not only did Shao Yunduan resolve the issue effortlessly, but he also obtained significantly better rice seeds than the Fan Family!

Each mu of farmland using Shao Yunduan’s seeds boasted an increase in production of at least 30%.

The implications were staggering—if the Fan family had utilized government-provided rice seeds, their harvest this year would have been monumental!

This revelation left the leaders of the Fan family, including Old Lady Fan, seething with rage, bordering on physical illness.

Behind closed doors, they became the subject of ridicule and mockery.

To exacerbate matters, Fan Ruyin, in front of Madame Lady Qiao, unleashed a torrent of accusations, insinuating that Lord Shao had intentionally deceived the Fan Family.

Despite possessing superior rice seeds and being aware of the Fan Family’s extensive planting endeavors, Lord Shao failed to inform or assist them in any way.

Such neglect!

Such incompetence as parents!

Now, to compound their misery, Lord Shao showed no remorse and had the audacity to demand taxes from the Fan family.

It was the height of tyranny!

Old Lady Fan concurred vehemently.

She doubted whether the Fan Family would have even accepted the rice seeds had Shao Yunduan offered them, even if they had to beg.

The notion of purchasing them was out of the question—free or not, the Fan family would have rejected them outright.

Thus, when the Mei Family and the Huo Family sent their female representatives with gifts to congratulate Lord Shao, the Fan Family remained conspicuously silent, biding their time.