Xiucai
Mr. Hu found it easier to learn Chinese chess than to recognize characters. He only needed three days to remember the rules of chess. Mr. Hu learned to rise to the situation, even if he sometimes played chess with delayed replies, because winning a game seemed to be his instinct, which had nothing to do with his age.
Knowing this, Xu Ran gave Mr. Hu the chessboard and pieces, allowing him to keep them and possibly teach others to play chess.
On October 5, the gong rung again in the village, this time from the village gate to Xu Ran's house. When Xu Ran heard that, he assumed the envoy had come to collect wheat. He didn't know the envoy was come to inform the villagers of the test results until he heard the words "village test."
Thinking of this, Xu Ran felt anxious.
He asked Liu Tong to prepare some red envelopes, and then he went out by himself.
As was the case the last time, there were a large number of people outside. In front of the audience, the same envoy stood. When he saw Xu Ran, he remarked, "Congratulations on your achievement! You came in fifteenth place in the country test, Xiucai Xu (a Xiucai is someone who has passed the imperial examination at the county level, which is performed every three years and is considered to be well-learned)." He then presented Xu Ran with a certificate.
With this certificate, Xu Ran had the title of Xiucai now, while Tongsheng (who ranked behind Xiucai) had no certificate.
The 15th place finish was not awful. If Xu Ran worked hard enough, he may earn a Juren's degree (a Juren is someone who has passed the imperial examination at the province level). Xu Ran, on the other hand, was not interested.
Xu Ran smiled as he conveyed his gratitude and accepted the envoy's congratulations. He received the red package from Liu Tong and presented it to the envoy when he came out.
Because the villagers had barged into Xu Ran's yard to implore him to feed them, the emissary realized it was wrong to stay there for long.
Indeed, it was a good news for Xu Ran, as he didn't have to pay taxes at least.
However, Xu Ran didn't tend to treat these villagers to meals because it would cost him both money and energy.
However, Xu Ran didn't reject these villagers directly. He could do nothing but smile and reply, "How about a few days later? I need some time to accept it, and I need to prepare the banquet, right?"
When they heard it, they assumed Xu Ran had agreed to their request, so they flattered him once again, claiming they would attend as soon as they received the invitation. Despite the fact that Xu Ran was aware that he had some individuals to treat.
Thinking about that he was going to lose the money he had just earned, Xu Ran felt pain in his heart.
After villagers left, Xu Ran went to consult the village head about the field tax exemption, which was his chief concern now.
The village chief thought it amusing when he sensed Xu Ran's impatience. 'Did he work so hard for the Xiucai's degree in order to gain a tax reduction? 'What's the matter with him?' wondered the village chief.
Xu Ran held the different idea. Anyway, he didn't intend to plant crops. If he paid taxes, he would have to buy the crop seeds, and it would cost more.
The village chief replied, "Relax and enjoy yourself! Because you have a Xiucai's Degree, you are eligible for a tax exemption as long as you go to Yamen to complete the procedure."
"Okay, village head! I have a lot of fields, but no crops. I'm afraid that if I have to pay the tax, my family and I would starve to death."
"You're kidding! You have so many off-the-wall ideas in your brain. How much have you earned from selling your wheelbarrows? How can you starve to death?" the village head raged at Xu Ran.
Xu Ran smiled as he brushed his hair "Don't you know, village head, that I'm doing all of this for the sole purpose of supporting my family? Do you know how much rice and oil my family requires each month? My children require funds for their school, and my hubby requires funds to care for the baby in his womb... There is no such thing as too much money for me!"
The village head nodded and said, "You're right! You're indeed the only bread winner in your family. It's not easy to support so many people, but tell me about your two guests! Who are they? I heard that they are actually servants you've bought. Why did you do that? Do you have any food to spare?"
Xu Ran retorted with a smile, "How can I have surplus food? My food couldn't even feed my family... but you know, Tongtong's pregnant now, and my children are too young, so there's no labor in my family except me. I have to manage my fields while also looking after my family. I couldn't possibly be in two places at the same time... I'm completely overwhelmed. That is why I purchased two servants. They can be of great assistance to me, and all I have to do is feed them. It doesn't get any more cost-effective than this!"
Xu Ran didn't say that he had to pay for his servants every month, otherwise the village head would blame him again.
The village head agreed with Xu Ran, but he still insisted on his idea that two more people would consume more food. Fortunately, he didn't blame Xu Ran.
Xu Ran never lied to anyone. He had recently constructed a new house and planted strawberries, and he was certainly busy. He desperately wanted someone to assist him with his family's affairs.
The village head agreed to bring Xu Ran to complete the tax exemption procedures, so Xu Ran requested whether he was available these days so that he could complete the task as quickly as feasible.
Hearing that, the village head teased Xu Ran again, "Xu Ran, why so anxious? How dare I have no time? I must have time, right?"
Xu Ran was a little embarrassed, but he was indeed anxious, so he said nothing.
The village head asked Xu Ran again, "Xu An, Xu Zhen and Xu Fa have visited me to buy 30 mu of field for you. Do you know it?"
It almost slid Xu Ran's mind, and he nodded, "Yes! I intend to rent these fields to them, that's why I ask them to visit you by themselves. Are you interested? I can also rent 10 mu of field to you as long as you want."
The village head shook his head. "No, thanks. I understand your meaning... but I'm the village head. I can't do it... It's not something proud after all. You can buy 30 mu of fields! They'll be enough."
"30 mu? No!"
The village head suddenly looked up at Xu Ran. "What? You want to buy more?"
Xu Ran smiled. "Of course. I have to buy ten mu for myself, right? Is it okay? Can I enjoy the tax exemption if I own so many fields?"
"It's okay... but I'm afraid that you need to speak a good word to Yamen. Moreover, You must purchase the fields before pursuing the tax exemption procedure, and you should purchase waste fields because policies encourage the development of these fields. You will not only benefit from the tax exemption, but you will also increase your reputation." replied the village head.
Xu Ran was unconcerned about his reputation. The peg that stood out was pounded down, as the expression goes. He didn't want to become famous. He preferred a life with a low tone.
Xu Ran said, "Could I take a look at your field booklet? It would be ideal if the fields were within walking distance of my home. I'm lazy and don't want to travel very far."
The village chief handed the booklet to Xu Ran, who chose 10 mu of land adjacent to his original farms. If these areas were used to grow crops, the hamlet would be lush with green.
"One mu of wasteland is still two taels of silver, right? I'll buy so many fields this time," asked Xu Ran.
The village head nodded, "Of course!"
The village chief paused for a time before asking Xu Ran, "Have you paid your dad and daddy a visit? They're currently living in poverty. You're their biological son, after all, and they've always fed you. They may have done something terrible, but they are, after all, your parents! If you have some free time, you should pay them a visit and assist them!"
The village head persuaded Xu Ran with grievance.
It was understood by Xu Ran. After all, he was the village chief, and he had watched the scenario in which Xu Ran was cutting ties with his parents. His parents were now living in poverty, but no one assisted them, despite the fact that everyone in the hamlet knew about it. Peasants were usually thought to be earthy and kind-hearted, but not ignorant. They themselves weren't wealthy, how could they help others?
Xu Ran nodded, "I got it. You're right. Anyway, they're my parents."
____
On the 9th, Xu Ran and the village head planned to travel to the town for the land deed. Fortunately, it was also the day of Zhuo Yun's baby's first month birthday, so Xu Ran planned to accompany Liu Tong to see Zhuo Yun's family.
Because it was uncommon to provide a large meal to guests to commemorate a baby's first month in this world, the feast was normally conducted during the day. However, because Liu Tong's baby would not be born until then, they might not be able to attend the noon banquet.
When Xu Ran arrived home, he and Liu Tong argued whether or not to throw a party to celebrate his Xiucai's Degree. They had treated a large number of individuals three months beforehand in order to complete the expansion of their home. Furthermore, after two months, they had to treat people to dinners for their newborn baby. They'd have to give out a lot of red eggs. Besides, they would also hold the banquet in the daytime for their baby... too many banquets, once three months! That was too frequent!
Meanwhile, many villages may be unwilling to attend these dinners because they were required to contribute money or gifts as a means of expressing their love and gratitude, and they may not receive a response. That was why they were apprehensive about attending such gatherings.
Xu Ran and Liu Tong came up with a compromise, which was to send happiness candies.
Candy was rare in this world, let alone happiness candy.
In this world, there were only three kinds of pleasure candies: rock candy covered in oil paper, brown candy, and brown candy with something implanted, which was better than the other two.
The last type was the most uncommon. Brown candy with haws was similar to ice sugar gourd, but it was smaller and less acidic. This type of cheerful candy would be purchased by the majority of people.
This type of candy was not cheap, a pound of which was worth more than 10 pence. This was as expensive as the rice.
These happiness sweets were enough for Xu Ran and Liu Tong to show their hearts. Others, more crucially, did not have to bother about giving gifts. Xu Ran was able to slay two birds with one stone in this manner.
Although Xu Ran and Liu Tong agreed with this idea, neither did others.
Even if they had to offer a gift, the villagers were willing to be treated to a supper by Xu Ran, which surprised Xu Ran. After all, they could consume a lot of meat this way if they made a small gift.
Therefore, many people had already prepared their gifts and waited for Xu Ran's invitation.
Xu Ran didn't know what they were thinking at all. If he knew, he would regret being too generous when he held the banquet last time.
Time flew by, and four days seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. It was the ninth day, and Xu Ran and the village chief drove their families to the town. Xu Ran borrowed Wu Mei's bull cart because Gao Quan, Shao Yu, and Mr. Hu were also headed to town.
The ox cart was not taken by Xu Ran. He was worried when he noticed the bull was walking slowly. The ox cart, on the other hand, was unlike any other vehicle, and the ox couldn't get any quicker. As a result, Xu Ran chose to walk alone.
Big Black walked extremely slowly to allow for the ox cart to catch up, which was actually safe for Liu Tong.
05.18.21