Chapter 166 - 166 A Male Chauvinist
166 A Male Chauvinist
Lu Jiao didn’t want to convince them to go all in. Though leech keeping was profitable, there were lots of risks. She didn’t want to be responsible if they lost money.
Lu Jiao said to the leaders, “For the first year, keep it small. Other than risks, there’s the question of where to get the leeches. You can focus on leech reproduction in the first year.”
The leaders nodded and agreed, “Okay, then, Yunjin’s wife, how much land do you think we should clear for this?”
“Try 2 acres first.”
Two acres was an acceptable figure to the villagers and everyone nodded.
Lu Jiao continued, “Before we start this, I have a few things to say. First of all, I am going to be teaching my second brother-in-law the techniques of leech-keeping. He’ll be responsible for the leeches.”
The leaders didn’t object, “Okay, but isn’t it too much work for him?”
Lu Jiao nodded, “He can delegate different tasks to different people. However, he gets to choose who he delegates to. Since he’ll be managing this, he can be held accountable. I want to teach it to him because the teaching phase will take some time. As someone’s wife, people would start rumors if I started meeting up with men every day.”
The leaders thought that was a good point.
Lu Jiao then continued, “Leech keeping is also a long process. There will be times when questions come up. If my second brother-in-law comes to find me with questions, there won’t be any rumors since we are family. It’d feel inappropriate if it was anyone else.”
The leaders all nodded. They didn’t want Lu Jiao to be a victim after teaching them leech-keeping. After all, they know just how stanky the women’s mouths could get.
“Okay. Will Erzhu be able to learn everything?”
The Village Leader was worried he wouldn’t.
Lu Jiao smiled, “Leech keeping isn’t hard. He’s already a great farmer so he will for sure be able to learn. You don’t have to worry about that.”
The leaders all nodded.
Lu Jiao continued, “Also, leaders, I’ve already asked my second brother-in-law to keep the techniques within the clan. When the day comes where he no longer wants to do this, or when he’s too old, he can pass down the techniques to someone within the clan. This can be a generational skill.”
The leaders smiled. They were happy to get Lu Jiao’s words for it.
“Yunjin’s wife, you mentioned that Baohe Tang would purchase leeches. Should we go talk to their owner and get them to sign a contract? That way, the villagers would feel more at ease.”
Lu Jiao nodded, “Sure, leaders, please go talk to Owner Zhao. I’m sure you will have a nice chat.”
As long as Zhao Lingfeng isn’t dumb, he would know this was a good deal.
A pharmacy requires a large number of medicinal ingredients. He should be encouraging the villagers to plant those.
After Lu Jiao spoke, however, the leaders smiled at her, “Yunjin’s wife, how about you take us to talk to the owners of Baohe Tang?”
“Yeah, we get scared seeing those kinds of people and forget how to talk. How about you take us?”
Before Lu Jiao could speak, Xie Yunjin frowned. He wanted to offer himself to the conversation but due to his legs, he stopped himself. Right now, he couldn’t even walk.
Lu Jiao didn’t decline. Tomorrow, she planned on going into town and was okay with making a trip to Baohe Tang with the leaders.
“Okay. I was going to go into town anyway. You can come with me then.”
The leaders grinned and nodded, “Then, we shall go tomorrow.”
Lu Jiao said, “If we strike a deal tomorrow, you can start gathering people to catch leeches. You can also carve out an area to temporarily keep the leeches.”
“Deal.” The Village Leader concluded this and then left excitedly.
Lu Jiao got up to leave but Xie Yunjin suddenly grabbed her hand.
Lu Jiao froze and turned her head to find him staring at her appreciatively, “Thank you for saving this opportunity for my second brother.”
Lu Jiao could’ve picked a few other villagers to learn with his second brother. If she did that, then people would’ve had to respect Lu Jiao rather than his second brother.
However, Lu Jiao made it so that people would respect and be thankful for his second brother. By doing so, his second brother’s position in the village will never be low again.
Others may not understand this, but Xie Yunjin understood. Because he understood, he was so grateful to Lu Jiao.
The more he discovered her caringness, the more he vowed to treat her well.
Lu Jiao appreciated Xie Erzhu. She also thought of him as a loyal, kind, and genuine person. That was why she chose him.
Xie Yunjin’s gaze, however, made him appear far too touched. Was that necessary?
Lu Jiao grinned, “It’s okay. Second brother is a good person and deserves the best.”
Xie Yunjin’s eyes darkened a little and his lips curled up. Inside, he was happy.
She obviously did this because of him, yet she made it sound like it was something more.
Xie Yunjin thought this as he held onto Lu Jiao.
Lu Jiao stared at him strangely. She remembers clearly that it wasn’t long ago when he acted like she constantly took advantage of him. Was what he’s doing now taking advantage of her?
She was about to pull away her hand when Xie Yunjin spoke again, “Once my legs heal, you can leave some tasks to me. You don’t have to do everything.”
Lu Jiao knew he was referring to the discussion they wanted to have tomorrow with Baohe Tang.
Lu Jiao didn’t care. After interacting with him for so long, he knew Xie Yunjin was somewhat of a male chauvinist. These men didn’t like it when women were seen in public with other men. That was the normal way of thinking for most men in this day and age.
Lu Jiao didn’t want to discuss this with him. After all, they will soon have nothing to do with each other. What was the point of talking more?
“We can talk about it later.”
Xie Yunjin looked up at her. He knew very well how straightforward and kind this woman was. Given her incredible medical knowledge, there was no way she would stay home all day. He didn’t plan on stopping her from doing what she wanted, but once his legs heal, he was willing to go out with her.
Xie Yunjin was in a great mood as he planned his future.
Lu Jiao found it strange that he still hasn’t let go of her hand. If she didn’t know the kind of person he was, she would’ve thought of him as a pervert.
But she knew who he was and decided he was doing it subconsciously.
Lu Jiao pulled away her hand and left. Behind her, Xie Yunjin smiled while he watched her leave. The look on his face was indescribably happy.
Outside, the four little ones were teaching the village children The Three Character Classic. Lu Jiao saw how charismatic the First Born was as he taught and her face blossomed into a beam. These well-behaved and cute boys never failed to put her in a good mood.