Conversation

But the # were not fools. They could clearly see the advantages for themselves to occupy the land and the disadvantages to the $ farmers. So, their natural suspicions prompted them to ask, “Why are you selling the land to us? Are you not betraying your own people by doing this?”
But the wily merchants and moneylenders, expert salesmen that they were, always had a ready answer to overcome such an objection. “What are those people to us?” they replied. “They are not our friends because they hate us and wish to do us harm. We have loaned them silver and helped them to buy land and purchase property. As mighty Sin is our witness, we have done everything that we can to help them buy the best farms and the finest orchards. But still they hate us
for our goodness and generosity because they are full of hatred. But you are our friends, so we will give our friends a good deal in buying the land.”
And so, the bargain was made. The #
had no reason to hate the $ moneylenders—yet. So, they accepted the offers of cheap land. And
to prove their friendship and generosity to the new immigrants, those # who could not afford the full price, the tamkarum let them buy on time at low interest rates. Like blood-sucking fleas, the $ moneylenders jumped from their old victims who hated them onto their new victims who innocently accepted the moneylenders as their friends and guides and mentors. The ancient snake, once again with soft words and low interest rates, coiled around its prey. It’s bite would come later.

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