190: Rumors and Slanders

Rumors and Slanders

Lin Yiwei was a little surprised when he heard Lin Yuelan. He asked, "Do you mean you want to develop some wasteland?"1

Lin Yuelan nodded and said, "Yes, Grandpa Village Chief. I want to know how to determine the land rights." Jiang Zhennan said that whoever developed the land would have the right to use it. However, he also knew that every place had its own land rules, so he didn't interrupt.

Lin Yiwei frowned and thought for a while. "Lan 'Er, how much land do you plan to develop, and where will it be?"

Lin Yuelan, "It'll be to the southwest of Mount Da Ao. I plan to develop 10 Mu of land!"

Lin Yiwei was surprised. "Ten mu?"

In ancient times, the most important resource was food, so many kingdoms encouraged their citizens to reclaim wastelands to form farms. That was true in Long Kan Country too. Therefore, the Imperial Court decreed that for the first three years of the land being reclaimed, the operator didn't need to pay tax. After that, they would pay half the tax for two years before following the normal tax rates. In other words, they would have a subsidy for five years. Many farmers tried to develop new land. However, it was not easy. 

First, developing land required a lot of manpower. Most farmers couldn't afford cows and horses. They had to excavate and clear the land themselves. At the same time, they had to look after their own families. This meant that they had to develop new lands while maintaining existing farmland. It was too much to do!

When they managed to reclaim the wildlands, it might have been decades already.

Therefore, in order to save trouble, the farmers usually rented from landlords or saved money to buy land.

Secondly, the level of productivity in ancient times was low. For example, the tools were backward, and they were not conducive to land development. In ancient times, the economy was mostly dominated by small-scale farming and not expanding new land.

Lastly, not everyone was brave enough to develop new lands. After all, the wildlands would be filled with dangerous animals. Therefore, for the sake of their lives, many farmers did not dare to expand to a new land.

Due to the above factors combined, many farmers might only expand their farms by one to three Mu every few years.

Therefore, Lin Yiwei was surprised that Lin Yuelan said that she wanted to develop up to ten Mu of barren land. It was unbelievable.

However, he also knew that Lin Yuelan had divine power, so developing new land wouldn't be too difficult for her. However, no matter what, she was still a teen. Developing ten Mu of land would be very taxing.

Besides, she could do other things like hunting to sustain herself. For example, she managed to earn a lot from selling the tiger. She didn't need to farm at all.

Lin Yuelan nodded to Lin Yiwei and said, "yes, Grandpa Village Chief, I plan to develop 10 Mu of land first. But what kind of procedures do I have to go through now?"

Lin Yiwei thought for a while and asked, "Lan 'Er, it's very tiring developing new lands. Besides, can you farm 10 Mu of land by yourself?"

He didn't mention Jiang Zhennan and the others who were currently staying at Lin Yuelan's house.

He knew that Jiang Zhennan and the others would return to the capital sooner or later. Moreover, these people, to put it bluntly, had nothing to do with Lin Yuelan. Therefore, he didn't think these soldiers would help her at her farm.

Lin Yuelan said, "Don't worry, Grandpa Village Chief. I know it's tiring, but how can there be rewards if you don't put in the work? Furthermore, I don't need to farm all the land myself. I can rent them to the other villages. Don't you think so, Grandpa Village Chief?"

Lin Yiwei was slightly surprised by Lin Yuelan's words.

It turned out that this child wanted to be a landlord.

Lin Yiwei laughed. "You've become so mischievous. It sounds like you've already planned this out." 

It didn't matter if Lin Yuelan was a jinx or not. As long as she had benefits to give the villagers, Lin Yiwei believed that the villagers would put their interests first. They wouldn't care about her being a jinx then. So, Lin Yuelan's plan was clever.

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