Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
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“Apart from that, the Lu Clan of Yingxiu, the Xu Clan of Jinsha, and the Chen Clan of Donggang also need active help,” Wang Shouzhe continued seriously. “In the past 40 or 50 years, the Wang Clan has already established a deep relationship with them through intermarriage.”
These three clans were not very powerful clans. However, it was precisely for this reason that they intermarried with the main lineage of the now declining Wang Clan of Ping’an. Among them, the Lu Clan of Yingxiu had the closest relationship with the Wang Clan. Wang Shouzhe’s birth mother descended from the main lineage of the Lu Clan
At the same time, the main wife of the current patriarch of the Lu Clan of Yingxiu, Wang Liuling, was also the eldest daughter of the sixth generation of the direct line of the Wang Clan. She was also Wang Shouzhe’s biological aunt. Their relationship was rather complicated and close.
“That’s right. These three families are very close to our Wang Clan now. So what do you think, Shouzhe?” Wang Xiaozhi nodded in agreement. Of his two daughters, one was married to the Gongsun Clan of Shanyang, while the other was married to the Chen Clan of Donggang. As for his son who died young, Wang Dingbang, he married a direct descendant of the Xu Clan of Jinsha.
“Fourth Grandfather needs to quickly sort out the reasons and dangers of this pest disaster. I’ll send the clan guards to inform these six clans overnight,” Wang Shouzhe said quickly. “Among them, the Liu Clan of Shanyin and the Xu Clan of Changning have already nurtured Spirit Insect Masters. As long as we provide them with the method, I believe it won’t be difficult for them to resolve this crisis on their own. In addition, the Xu Clan of Jinsha and the Chen Clan of Donggang’s primary business is not agriculture. We’ll just fulfill our duty of notifying them and reduce their losses.”
After a pause, Wang Shouzhe continued, “The more troublesome ones are the Lu Clan of Yingxiu and the Gongsun Clan of Shanyang. Firstly, we have to fulfill our duty of notifying them immediately. In addition, we need to actively support them and do our best to show our sincerity. This way, even if they suffer heavy losses in the pest disaster, they will only be grateful to us and not resent us.”
This scheme and speech stunned Wang Xiaozhi. He never expected that the sudden eruption of a pest disaster would involve such a complex situation.
More importantly, Wang Shouzhe was able to arrange this matter so thoroughly and meticulously in such a short period of time, taking care of all aspects.
“Shouzhe, Fourth Grandfather underestimated you and Luojing.” Wang Xiaozhi smiled faintly and sighed. “The youngsters of your generation are indeed outstanding. We’re getting old. Folks like us from the Xiao generation are really getting old.”
“Fourth Grandfather is too modest. If your generation hadn’t defended the foundation of our ancestors, how could we, the younger generation, have a place to stand?” Wang Shouzhe said humbly, before sneering, “As for the clans other than those six clans, especially the Liu and Zhao Clans…”
Wang Xiaozhi’s expression turned solemn all of a sudden. “Shouzhe, don’t worry. In the next ten days, the three Wang Clan farms will definitely lock down the news completely.”
Unexpectedly, Wang Shouzhe narrowed his eyes and smiled. “The pest disaster can’t be concealed. Every clan has experts in agriculture. Within three days, the entire Changning Wei region will definitely be in an uproar. By the way, didn’t you stock up a batch of insecticide powder at a low price, Fourth Grandfather?”
At the mention of this matter, Wang Xiaozhi’s expression was filled with regret. “That’s right. The insecticide powder was at its lowest price in history last winter, and it gave a discount for buying in bulk. I originally thought that the three major farms in our clan can’t do without insecticide powder, so I discussed with the elders and stockpiled a large batch. It’s enough for three years of use by our family. Now, there’s still more than 300 gold’s worth of goods left. It’s such a huge loss. How can the insecticide powder be of any use after this pest disaster?”
The clan was already so tight on funds now. Losing over 300 gold at once was enough to make Wang Xiaozhi feel guilty to his grave.
“The insecticide powder has yet to lose its effect completely, right?” Wang Shouzhe pondered for a moment. At the same time, his mind began to race.
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“Not really. It’s just that dealing with those adult aphids is more difficult than dealing with the eggs.” Wang Xiaozhi’s expression was very solemn. “I’ve tried it just now. I have to mix double doses of wood ash water to quickly eliminate the aphids, and that doesn’t include the subsequent aphids that will continue hatching.”
Then, Wang Shouzhe threw out more questions like a machine gun.
Previously, Wang Xiaozhi was already awed. At this moment, he did not dare to underestimate Wang Shouzhe anymore. He patiently answered them one by one. He was 75 years old now, and had started working with his father as a farmer at the age of 15. It had been 60 years since then, and he was indeed very experienced.
“In that case, the annual production value of winter wheat per acre is about 15 large coppers per acre.” Wang Shouzhe quickly sorted out the data in his mind. “After deducting the tax, tenant farmers’ commissions, farm tools, cattle, seeds, insecticide powder, and so on and so forth, the amortization of the pesticide powder will be around 1 large copper. Overall, there will be a gross profit of 8 large coppers left per acre. If the pest disaster isn’t properly controlled this time, assuming a 50% reduction in production, the farm will enter a stage of slight loss. The more reduction in production, the greater the loss…”
“If we ignored everything, production will likely decrease by about 70%.” Wang Xiaozhi’s body shook. He somewhat understood what Wang Shouzhe meant. After making a rough judgment, he said, “If we invest more than 2 large coppers of insecticide powder during the pest disaster outbreak, we can control the reduction in production compared to previous years to within 20%.”
“The Da Qian Empire currently implements a unified official grain reserve system. It’s a serious crime for any noble family or trading company to inflate the price of grain using a bountiful year or disaster year.” Wang Shouzhe continued to organize the various conditions. “Therefore, on the basis of a 70% reduction in production, every 10% reduction in production will mean a loss of 1 large copper and 50 dimes, and a 50% reduction in production will be worth 7 large coppers and 50 dimes. Here comes the question: if there are no Spirit Insect Masters to manage the aphids, is an investment in two large coppers of insecticide powder worth it?!”
“It’s worth it!” Hearing Wang Shouzhe’s analysis, Wang Xiaozhi immediately nodded rapidly. “I’ll invest even if it’s four large coppers.” At the same time, his eyes lit up in excitement. “Shouzhe, you mean that not only did the 300 gold’s worth of insecticide powder stocked by our clan not incur a loss, it’s now worth 600 gold? Good, good, good. To think that those guys laughed at me for stocking the insecticide powder.”
“It’s worth at least 600 gold. Our Clan has my Fifth Sister, Luojing, who specializes in treating aphids. We don’t need that insecticide powder anymore. However, to the entire Changning Wei area, the Spirit Insect Masters are only a drop in the bucket. Most families still have to rely on insecticide powder to tide over the disaster.” Wang Shouzhe smiled indifferently. “Congratulations, Fourth Grandfather, for earning a huge sum for the family.”
“Hahaha, that’s great.” Wang Xiaozhi laughed until his face is flushed. “My Luojing is really a treasure. As expected of my granddaughter.”
The corners of Wang Shouzhe’s mouth twitched. This Fourth Old Master was really thick-skinned in his old age. Only just now, he had valued males over females so much and kept saying that granddaughters were all money-losing deals. In the blink of an eye, Luojing had become a treasure.
However, speaking of which, Luojing, this future Spirit Insect Master, was really a treasure. Even if newer versions of the insecticide powder came out and continued to be effective in the future, she could save a “pesticide fee” of one to two hundred gold for the clan every year. Moreover, the sum saved was a net profit.
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“However, all of this is thanks to your good fortune, Shouzhe.” Wang Xiaozhi was already grinning from ear to ear. “Fourth Grandfather finally understands what you said now. Sometimes, bad things often turn into good things. Shouzhe, you’re a blessed person. Now that you’ve become the patriarch, our Wang Clan will definitely prosper more and more in the future.”
Although superstitions were unbecoming, Wang Shouzhe quite appreciated Wang Xiaozhi’s superstitions towards him.
Moreover, with his foresight, if he did not seize the opportunity to make a business deal in this pest disaster, he would be unworthy of being a transmigrator. The grain prices were forcefully controlled by the Da Qian government and could not be inflated. However, the Da Qian government did not prohibit inflating the cost of insecticide powder, no?
A plan gradually formed in his mind.
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