Chapter 92

Exemption from corvée labor in the Ming Dynasty was called "youmian." Many scholars took the exams to become scholar-candidates and juren, not only for the sake of becoming officials but also for the privilege of "youmian."

As is well known, the Ming Dynasty fell due to the rise of displaced peasants, who were driven by heavy taxes and miscellaneous levies. These taxes and levies were the main corvée labor, which included land taxes, and miscellaneous corvée labor, which included various forms of forced labor.

With the four characters "youmian yaoyi," one was exempt from miscellaneous corvée labor and received an exemption of one dan of grain, which was roughly equivalent to the land tax on ten mu of farmland. This privilege, while not making one rich and powerful in the Ming Dynasty, at least prevented one from losing everything and allowed one to be a happy self-cultivating farmer.

Currently, Lin Yanshou and Lin Yanzhao have not yet reached the age of sixteen, so they can be exempt from corvée labor. However, Uncle and Third Uncle cannot, so in the past, Uncle had to go to the government office and work as a low-ranking official to avoid taxes, but Third Uncle could not avoid it.

Now that Uncle has a formal position in the government office, Lin Gao can enjoy the treatment of "youmian yiding," and Third Uncle can rightfully enjoy it as well. Of course, this is before Lin Yanzhao and Lin Yanshou turn sixteen and before Lin Yanzhao passes the scholar-candidate exam.

Just to add, a scholar-candidate can exempt two people and two dan of grain.

Uncle said, "We all know this. Shouldn't we buy more land then? Don't underestimate the four characters 'youmian yidang.' It means we can save the land tax on ten mu of paddy fields. Not only that, but we also save on the extra grain that officials take. The benefit of 'youmian' is that every grain of rice grown on our land is ours."

The extra grain that officials take is a hidden rule. When the government collects grain, they use a large container to measure it. The peasants put the grain into the container, and the grain is piled up in a conical shape, with some spilling over the sides. At this point, the officials kick the container, and the spilled grain is said to be used to compensate for losses during storage and transportation, but it ends up in their own pockets. So, when peasants pay taxes, the government takes one part, and the officials take another.

Lin Yanzhao continued, "That's true, but if the exemption of one dan of grain is only enough for ten mu of land, and if we continue to buy more land, the extra land will not benefit from the exemption. The land tax and the extra grain taken by officials will be a heavy burden, especially if we encounter a disaster."

"You're right, but aren't people still farming?" Uncle then said, "Perhaps next year, when Yanshou passes the child examination and becomes a scholar-candidate, we can buy more land. It doesn't matter whether we buy it early or late."

Uncle still had great confidence in his son and then said to Lin Yanzhao, "Yanzhao, don't misunderstand. You are also very capable, but you use your intelligence on trivial matters instead of studying. Your brother is different; he focuses solely on his studies. In the future, when your brother becomes an official, you can be his secretary."

"In the plays, your brother would be Bao Longtu, and you would be Gong Sun Ce, ha ha!"

Uncle thought he was being cute, but Lin Yanzhao said with a stern face, "Uncle, I really don't want to talk to you anymore."

"Don't, don't, you are our family's little Zhuge. Uncle will listen to you. If you say not to buy, then we won't. We'll talk to Grandfather, but we still need to farm, right? Otherwise, what will we eat?"

"We don't have to farm; we can rent the land to others."

Uncle said, "But if we rent out fifteen mu of land, we have to give up three or four tenths of the harvest. Besides, what will Third Brother do if he doesn't farm?"

Lin Yanzhao then said, "Uncle, Third Uncle, why don't we buy a place to live in the city?"

"A place to live?" Uncle and Third Uncle were surprised.

Lin Yanzhao continued, "Uncle, you are now working in the government office, so you are considered an official. You should have a place to live in the city. Even if you live in the official quarters, bringing your family to the city will make you look more respectable."

Uncle nodded and, imitating Mr. Shen, the secretary, stroked his short beard and said, "That makes sense."

Lin Yanzhao added, "Moreover, Yanzhao and Yanshou need to study and take the exams. It's important to have good connections. Living in the city, where there are many famous scholars and other students, will help us improve our studies faster."

Hearing this, Uncle smiled and said, "Right, right, that's true. The main thing is that if we buy a place to live, we will be considered city residents."

Third Uncle said, "Yanzhao, but I only know how to farm. What will I do in the city?"

Lin Yanzhao said, "That's not a problem. Third Uncle, you can find a job, and we can take it step by step."

Lin Yanzhao convinced Uncle and Third Uncle, and they decided to follow his advice.

So, Lin Yanzhao, his mother, Qianqian, and Third Uncle went to find a real estate agent with Uncle's letter. Uncle, however, had to stay in the government office.

In those days, real estate agents were like modern real estate brokers, but they were not privately run; they were government-run.

The real estate agent was initially indifferent but became very respectful when Lin Yanzhao mentioned Uncle's name, as Uncle was currently a favorite of the county magistrate.

The real estate agent smiled and said, "I suppose you are buying a house for your official. Of course, since he works in the government office, he will soon become a chief clerk or a registrar, and it's time to move the family to the city."

The real estate agent was very flattering, and Lin's mother felt very proud, having transformed from a shrew to a lady. She said with a sense of dignity, "We will take a look, but don't show us any poor houses. As officials, we need to maintain our dignity."

She emphasized the word "officials."

Lin Yanzhao asked the real estate agent, "How much do you think it will cost to buy a house?"

The real estate agent smiled and said, "As they say, living in Chang'an is not easy. Living in the provincial capital is also not easy. The price varies depending on the location. If you want a house by the An Tai River, it will be 20% more expensive. It all depends on how much you are willing to pay."

The real estate agent was trying to gauge their financial situation. Lin Yanzhao smiled and said, "I'm just asking. If your price is not reasonable, we will rent. I heard that if we buy, you get a significant commission, something like 'three parts for the seller, two parts for the buyer.' Isn't there a saying that you take from the buyer and then from the seller?"

"Little Master, you are mistaken. If it were someone else, I might not be so honest, but since you are the family of an official, I will give you a special price," the real estate agent said with a chuckle.

"If the house is satisfactory, I won't forget your commission. Tell me more."

The real estate agent smiled and said, "Let me explain, Little Master."

The real estate agent then took out a map, a simplified version of the provincial capital map.

He spread the map out and explained to Lin Yanzhao, "In our provincial capital, there is a saying: 'The north is for officials, the west is for the wealthy, the south is for the servants, and the east is for the poor.' The north, specifically the North Street, is where the provincial government, the inspectorate, the provincial capital, the military headquarters, the salt bureau, and the grain bureau are located. Many high-ranking officials and their families live here. There are also many temples, such as Hu Lin Temple and Kai Yuan Temple, which are ancient temples."

Lin's mother nodded and said confidently, "We are not short of money. How much does a house in the north cost?"

"Let me calculate it for you. Do you want a shop? A shop is good because it's convenient for coming and going. If it's on the main street, you can rent it out as a shop, which is impressive. Otherwise, if the entrance is in a small alley, it's not very dignified. It should also have a courtyard, which is better if it's square. A small building would be even better. Look, there is a two-story building here, which was originally lived in by an official from the salt bureau. It's not expensive; it only costs 78 taels of silver."

"78 taels? Cough, there are many outsiders in the north. Let's look at the west."

"Sure, the west is the area west of the central street of the county. There are alleys like Langguan Alley and Ta Alley, and neighborhoods like Guanglu Neighborhood and Zhu Zi Neighborhood. It's by the West Lake, with a small river in front. Scholars often say, 'A small bridge over flowing water, a home.' Many local officials and gentry, especially those from wealthy families, like to buy houses here."

"However, the houses here are generally large, at least three courtyards. I won't mention the two-courtyard houses. There is one for 63 taels, and another for 70 taels, but it has already been sold."

Lin's mother quickly said, "We are only seven people, and we don't have many servants. We can't live in a three-courtyard house. Let's look at the south. I think the south is also nice."

"The south is the area east of the central street of the county, including the South Gate Street. There are the county offices of Houguan and Min County, as well as the provincial and county schools. Many government officials and merchants live here. However, the land is scarce, and the houses are either small, without a shop, without a courtyard, or without a small building. Take a look."

Lin's mother lost her confidence and looked at Lin Yanzhao frequently.

Lin Yanzhao smiled and said, "Let's look at the east, then."

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