The area of the spatial medicinal garden continued to grow, and she had enough silver. Even buying some land and stocking up on more supplies would be sufficient.
With an idea in mind, Tao Lengshuang decided to find a moneylender the next day to buy some land and figure out how to stock up on more supplies. With land and supplies, she would never be in a panic.
For humans, being able to fill one's stomach was the most important thing.
Meanwhile.
Mo Lingxi arrived at the outskirts where the sweet potatoes were planted as quickly as possible.
Led by the dark guards, he inspected the destroyed sweet potato fields.
The field was a mess, with all the sweet potatoes ruined beyond recognition, clearly showing a dark green color. Kuaishuge.
"Have you found out who was here? Has the steward been found?" he asked, his face as dark as water.
The dark guards reported that no one had been found yet, nor had the steward, but there were footprints, and they were tracking them.
Mo Lingxi looked at the footprints, which were very messy. Judging by their size and shape, there were clearly multiple people.
Who could it be, and for what reason would they destroy the sweet potato field?
Few people knew about the sweet potato field, and it had always been guarded by the imperial guards, making it impossible for unauthorized personnel to approach. How did the other party manage to lower the guard of the patrolling imperial guards?
Mo Lingxi pondered for a long time without understanding. He decided to wait for the dark guards' investigation. In the future, he could no longer plant here and had to find a more hidden and safe place.
The last remaining sweet potato could not withstand such a disturbance.
...
The next day, in the morning.
Tao Lengshuang informed Madam Sheng, asking her to help take care of Xiao Feng, and then set off with her maid and dark guards to find a moneylender to buy land.
As the times were not good, there were quite a few people selling land, and the prices were a bit lower. Some who were truly short of silver or could not make ends meet had even lower prices.
Tao Lengshuang did not buy land based on price. She wanted to buy land that was relatively close, with fertile soil suitable for planting grains and various fruits and vegetables.
It was best to inspect the land firsthand when buying it. She was led by the moneylender to look at many plots of land, some of which were quite satisfactory.
After much selection and bargaining, Tao Lengshuang bought six plots of land, but she also took a liking to a mountain.
"If Madam is interested in this mountain, I can help you ask if it's available," the moneylender said with a smile.
Tao Lengshuang was indeed interested in this mountain, but she did not have enough silver on hand. The remaining silver was to be used for buying supplies, and a portion had to be kept for daily expenses and emergencies.
She pondered for a moment and asked the moneylender to help inquire about its availability. If the price could be reduced a bit, she would sell more medicinal pills to buy the mountain.
With a mountain, she could not only plant medicinal herbs, fruits, vegetables, and grains but also live there from time to time. It would even be possible to raise a flock of chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs.
The more she thought about it, the more Tao Lengshuang wanted to buy the mountain. It also strengthened her resolve to earn more money. With enough money, she could buy what she wanted and become a landlady.
When she was preparing to return after buying some supplies, she heard a commotion.
She turned her head and saw soldiers escorting five or six people, heading somewhere.
"I heard these are all corrupt officials and their families, all sent to the execution ground for beheading."
"I also heard about this. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is currently rectifying things. It is said that he will ascend the throne after the rectification is complete, because the new emperor will issue a general amnesty upon his enthronement."
"Then we must hurry up and deal with them, and not let these corrupt officials get away with it."
Hearing this, Tao Lengshuang raised her eyebrows, not surprised. The Crown Prince was a good heir. As long as he was not like the late emperor in the future, the Eastern Jin Dynasty would get better and better.
Upon returning to the residence, she learned something from Madam Sheng: "It's a good thing that the imperial court is going to distribute disaster relief grain. I saw many disaster victims on the street just now."
"Although the weather has warmed up, various supplies are still in short supply. It will take at least until the end of the year to recover."
Madam Sheng also knew this: "Although it's a good thing, I'm worried that the number of disaster victims coming to Dongdu will increase. With more disaster victims, it's easy for trouble to arise."
"It's not that I dislike the disaster victims, but I'm worried that something might happen. Moreover, how will so many disaster victims be resettled? Many disaster victims will not leave after coming to Dongdu.
These disaster victims have no land, no income, and no skills, and they have to support a family. What will they do? You don't even need to think about it."
Tao Lengshuang nodded slowly: "This is indeed a problem. Dongdu is just this big. No matter how prosperous it is, it cannot support so many people. There will always be some who have no jobs, let alone in such bad times, it's even harder to find jobs."
"Once people can no longer make a living, they can do anything and are easily exploited by others."
Madam Sheng thought of these things: "I do have some shops under my name, but they cannot accommodate many people. Moreover, if I take the lead, it is inevitable that some ladies and young ladies will be dissatisfied, and it will be easy to make enemies for us."
Tao Lengshuang could not think of a good solution for a while. Even in modern times, many people cannot find jobs, let alone in ancient times.
"We must find a way to settle these people. If these people are not settled properly, they will become a considerable hidden danger in the future. More importantly, they are easily exploited by others."
The current situation was not good, and other countries were coveting the Eastern Jin Dynasty. If these people were exploited, it would bring considerable trouble and hidden dangers to the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
But it was not easy to settle these people.
Later in the evening, she would discuss it with Mo Lingxi.
When Mo Lingxi returned after finishing his work, Tao Lengshuang discussed the matter with him: "I've thought about it for a long time, but I haven't figured out how to settle these people."
Mo Lingxi picked up his teacup and took a sip: "According to the rules, when the situation in various places improves, these people will be returned to their registered place of residence, otherwise they will be treated as refugees."
Tao Lengshuang knew this: "There will always be some people who are unwilling to return to their registered place of residence. Dongdu is so prosperous! Those people can only see the prosperity and beauty of Dongdu, fantasizing about making a name for themselves in Dongdu and living a prosperous and good life."
"These people are the most unstable. They might do anything for a better life."
Mo Lingxi understood and hummed: "I will discuss this with the Crown Prince."
Tao Lengshuang suggested: "Actually, there is no need to forcibly ask these disaster victims to return. Think about it, the road back to their hometown is so far, and they have to walk on foot. Anything can happen at any time."
"If the number of disaster victims is small, it's fine, but if the number of disaster victims is so large, the chance of problems increases, and it's easy for something to happen. It's better to resettle them on the spot, but how to resettle them is a problem."
Mo Lingxi gave a thumbs up and curved his thin lips: "As expected of my wife, you're amazing!"
Tao Lengshuang: "... May I ask Prince Mingrui, are you praising me, or are you praising yourself?"
When it came to questions of self-preservation, Mo Lingxi never actively courted disaster: "Of course, I'm praising my wife!"
Tao Lengshuang raised the corner of her eye: "Your words sound a little awkward to me."