Chapter 23

As a cart pulled by oxen patrolled the fields, this time it was Ye Qing who sat comfortably, observing everything, while the village head, Sun Guatian, had specially accompanied him.

The cart stopped, and Sun Guatian pointed to a plot of land, saying, "Young Master Qing, look, it stretches all the way to the river, a total of 121 mu. There are melon fields on the dam, connected by irrigation channels and windmills. What do you think?"

Ye Qing listened and took a closer look. Indeed, the 121 mu of land was a continuous, neatly arranged plot, with a water wheel built at the river channel entrance. He nodded repeatedly, smiled, and said, "Very good, this land is very good. Who will be farming it, and who will be in charge?"

Sun Guatian, seeing Ye Qing's pleased expression, felt a bit happier and smiled, "There are many people willing to farm this land. It's close to the river and has irrigation channels, so the harvest is good. The specific management will be designated by Young Master Qing."

Ye Qing exhaled and smiled, "I am the only one in my family now. Qianqian is a woman and can't manage it personally. You can help me with this. The manager will be chosen by you. Who in the clan doesn't know your reputation? I trust you to handle it."

"Thank you for your trust, Young Master Qing. I will ensure everything is done properly." Sun Guatian smiled, feeling pleased. He managed 1,200 mu of land, and these 120 mu were neither too much nor too little. The trust and authority he received made him very happy.

After discussing this, everyone relaxed. Ye Qing walked around casually, observing, and Sun Guatian found it normal. It was the first time seeing his private land, so he naturally wanted to look around more.

The Ye clan was a large clan with strict rules. Even among clan brothers, there were differences, and being able to enter school made a significant difference. Now, at 15, if Young Master Qing could become a scholar within ten years, he would likely be given significant power in the clan.

Although Sun Guatian was a supporter of Ye Zifan, he was ultimately a family-born member of the Ye clan. Being more attentive could win the favor of the future clan leader, which was a highly beneficial move.

As for Young Master Sheng, Sun Guatian shook his head in private. He was currently sullen, not taking his assigned tasks seriously, and spent his days in a bad mood, drinking excessively. Such a young master had no future!

Just as he was thinking, Ye Qing suddenly said, "Regarding the rent on the land, what is the current clan regulation?"

"There are three types of land: upper, middle, and lower. The 30 mu here is upper land, with a 55% rent. The rest are middle lands, with a 50% rent," Sun Guatian explained carefully.

The most common arrangement was a 50-50 split between landlord and tenant, which was also the legal rent rate in the Great Cai Dynasty. However, in practice, it could be 60-40 or even 70-30 in favor of the landlord.

The Ye family was relatively generous. Ye Qing nodded repeatedly and smiled, but then fell into thought for a moment before saying, "Regarding the rent..."

Hearing this, Sun Guatian's heart skipped a beat, and his face stiffened. Was Young Master Qing going to adjust the rent?

In theory, this was the landlord's right, but in practice, the clan's lands were contiguous. Raising the rent would cause resentment, while lowering it would affect the other lands.

This would be difficult to manage. Just as he was about to offer some advice, Ye Qing said, "I won't adjust the rent. That's the clan's rule. However, I can buy a few oxen for the land. How much does one ox cost?"

At this, Ye Qing looked at Sun Guatian's face and smiled, "Hmm... You didn't think I was young and impetuous, wanting to adjust the rent, did you?"

Caught off guard, Sun Guatian blushed and lowered his voice, "I was mistaken, Young Master Qing. An ox costs 15 taels of silver, and a calf costs 5 taels. For your 100 mu of land, two oxen would be enough."

"Then I'll give you 30 taels of silver. Get this done. Remember, the oxen are just for use. They must not lose weight or get sick. If they die, I won't be happy."

"Of course!" Sun Guatian smiled, thinking that the tenants would be pleased. With a 50-50 split, tenants had to provide their own oxen, tools, seeds, and fertilizer.

Once the landlord provided the oxen, they often increased the rent by at least 10%. Now, with the rent unchanged, this was effectively a reduction.

As they walked to the river dam, it was late autumn, but they could still see withered lotus plants along the riverbank. In summer, they must have been swaying gracefully, making the scene quite pleasant. They stopped to admire the view.

Though they were admiring the scenery, Ye Qing actually opened his spiritual eyes. He saw that as the plan was set, a faint white mist began to gather around him, slightly more than before the rent reduction.

At this point, his scholar status was stable. Combining this with the increased white mist, he couldn't help but sigh.

Though the white mist was increasing, relying solely on the clan, it would take ten years to accumulate enough for a scholar's status, which was typical for this era.

"Acquiring destiny when one's status is low is so difficult!" Ye Qing thought, losing interest in the view. "Well, that's settled. Follow the plan!"

Ye Qing got back into the cart and instructed, "Go to the clan hall. I want to see Uncle Three."

The cart driver acknowledged and headed straight to the clan hall. Upon entering, they met a manager with a neatly trimmed beard and a yellowish-white complexion, who bowed respectfully.

Hearing Ye Qing's request, he said, "Young Master Qing, please wait a moment. Uncle Three will see you soon!"

Ye Qing waved his hand, "Uncle Three is handling clan affairs. I'll wait."

After just a sip of tea, someone came and said, "Young Master Qing, please come in. Uncle Three is waiting."

Ye Qing put down his teacup and went in, seeing Ye Zifan, who didn't look up from his work, but said, "Have you seen the land? Sit down. Is there anything unsatisfactory?"

"I've seen the land. The clan has been very considerate, giving me upper and middle lands, and it's close to the river."

"I'm glad you're satisfied. But this is a minor matter. The clan can manage it for you. If you're not confident, you can visit often, but don't neglect your studies."

"I think you should move to the clan school soon. Teach the children and read books. There are 3,000 scrolls in the library, a place to enhance your knowledge. Don't waste my good intentions."

After finishing his work, Ye Zifan looked up at Ye Qing, but was suddenly startled, his eyes shining with surprise. He seemed to disbelieve and looked again, "You've entered the path?"

"Yes, the government granted me a Daoist scripture. After three days of meditation, I finally entered the path." Ye Qing knew what he was asking and smiled slightly.

Ye Zifan drew a sharp breath, stood up, and paced a few steps before calming down. He said, "Entering the path in three days. I thought you were good at literature and had some character, but I didn't expect you to have this ability. By the way, what brings you here?"

Ye Qing bowed and said, "I want to take the county examination in the spring!"

"What?" Ye Zifan was taken aback, drawing a sharp breath and looking at him in surprise.

The room was silent. Ye Zifan didn't say much, just coughed and paced for a moment before asking, "Isn't it too early?"

"Most scholars who pass the examination stay at home to study and cultivate their qi, taking the county examination in the next session. Those who pass the examination in the current year usually take the county examination in February of the following year, and it's rare to pass both."

"Moreover, as a scholar, you should know many things. Rushing into the examination, even for our Ye clan or the large clans in the county, is unlikely to succeed."

Ye Qing understood the practical considerations. First, there was a process of accumulating and converting qi. Second, his literary talent and Daoist cultivation needed to improve.

But for him, there could be no relaxation. The earlier he prepared, the better. He said, "Uncle, I understand... but I have some confidence."

At this, Ye Qing's gaze became serious, but his expression was full of confidence. "Literary talent can't be hidden, Uncle. I've read the collections of past scholars in the county and feel I'm not inferior to the top five. This time, I'm asking the clan for permission."

"I know the clan's support is limited and can't be wasted. I don't need much. The normal expenses for the county examination need the clan's full support."

"Other conditions, I will arrange myself during this time."

Hearing this, Ye Zifan stared at his nephew for a moment, his face turning pale. "You're just a scholar. How will you arrange it?"

"The county examination isn't just about literature but also Daoist cultivation. In terms of literature, I don't feel inferior to others. As for Daoist cultivation, Uncle, do you believe I can enter the path in three days? By next February, my Daoist cultivation will match that of an ordinary scholar."

"Also, I will travel and make connections in the county, spreading my name. I'm sure I'll gain something."

Hearing this, Ye Zifan stared at Ye Qing intently—literary talent, Daoist cultivation, and county travel. How did Ye Qing know these things?

Was it really the advice of his dying brother?

But at that time, Ye Qing was only ten. Could he have remembered and understood so much to speak so confidently now?

Though some of it seemed presumptuous, it showed character and vision. Why didn't I have such a son? Ye Zifan felt a pang of pain and sat down, his voice hoarse, "Every bit of the clan's accumulation is hard-earned. What you say is not wrong, but can you guarantee it?"

"I can't guarantee it, but think about it, Uncle. Scholars can only take the examination until they are 48, and candidates until they are 36. To truly advance in studies, how many sessions can be wasted?"

"Without seizing the opportunity, will you just wait to grow old?"

"I want to take a chance. Doesn't the clan want to?"

Hearing this, Ye Zifan's expression changed. After a moment, he sighed, "Since you have the determination to enter the Heavenly Gate, the clan can't stop you. Go, I'll talk to the clan leader."

Ye Qing bowed deeply, "Thank you, Uncle. I'll take my leave."

After leaving, Ye Qing's expression became serious. Despite his confident words to Ye Zifan, he had little certainty in his heart.

To achieve his goal, he needed more than just the clan's support.

"How can I seek more qi? In my past life, how many opportunities did I seize?" As he pondered, Qianqian came running, exclaiming, "Young Master, the chief steward sent some silver fish. They were caught this morning in the southern Tai Ping Lake and brought here by fast boat. They're very fresh..."

Ye Qing's mind flashed, and he opened his eyes, "Qianqian, repeat what you just said."

"Uh, brought by fast boat, very fresh?"

"No, the part before that."

Qianqian looked up, her face serious, "In the stories you tell, the main characters often trick people. Qianqian won't fall for it..."

Ye Qing was speechless, feeling a bit like he was interrogating her.

Qianqian smiled, her eyes forming crescent moons, "Okay, no more jokes. It's Tai Ping Lake?"

"It's Tai Ping Lake!" Ye Qing seized the idea and nodded firmly.

The Dragon Lord of Tai Ping Lake loved literary talent. Every Mid-Autumn Festival, he would transform into a human and go to the lakeside to listen to scholars recite poetry, evaluating their works.

This was a common occurrence, but once, the Dragon Lord felt it wasn't enough and set up a banquet in his crystal palace in the lake, inviting scholars. In his memory, someone won the competition, becoming famous nationwide, a legendary story.

Thinking carefully, it seemed to be this year.

"Tai Ping Lake, Dragon Lord's Banquet!" His mind suddenly opened, and Ye Qing excitedly picked up Qianqian, spinning her around a few times.

Inside the room, it was fine, but in the courtyard during the day, Qianqian felt her strength drain away, her voice barely audible, "Young Master, Young Master..."

Ye Qing came to his senses, feeling the softness in his arms. He looked around, saw the servants' gazes, and awkwardly put her down, changing the subject, "It's nothing. You reminded me of something. Since I've passed the examination, I want to visit Tai Ping Lake to relax and clear my mind, and to avoid distractions..."

Qianqian pretended not to care, but her cheeks turned red.

Ye Qing saw this and said, "You'll come with me."

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