Chapter 126

It was easier for Mr. Hu to learn to play Chinese chess than to recognizecharacters. It took him only three days to remember the rule of playing chess. To win a game seemed to be his instinct, which had nothing to do with his age, so Mr. Hu also learnt to rise to the occasion, although sometimes he played chess with slow responses.

Knowing that, Xu Ran handed over the chessboard and chess pieces to Mr. Hu, letting him keep them and maybe teach others to play chess.

On October 5, the gong rang in the village again, from the gate of the village to Xu Ran’s home.

Hearing that, Xu Ran thought perhaps the envoy came here to collect grains.

It wasn’t until he heard the words ‘village test’ that he realized that the envoy was here to inform villagers the test result.

Thinking of this, Xu Ran felt anxious.

He asked Liu Tong to prepare some red envelopes, and then he went out by himself.

There were many people outside as it was the last time. The same envoy stood in front of the crowd. Seeing Xu Ran, he said, “Congratulations! Xiucai Xu (Xiucai is one who passed the imperial examination at the county level usually held every three years, and Xiucai is deemed to be well-learned), you ranked fifteenth in the country test.” Then, he handed a certificate to Xu Ran.

With this certificate, Xu Ran had the title of Xiucai now, while Tongsheng (who ranked behind Xiucai) had no certificate.

The ranking of 15 was not bad. If Xu Ran kept studying hard, he would even get a Juren’s (Juren is one who passed the imperial examination at the provincial level) Degree. However, Xu Ran didn’t want that.

With a smile on his face, Xu Ran expressed his thanks, accepting the envoy’s congratulation. When Liu Tong came out, he took the red envelope from Liu Tong and handed it to the envoy.

The envoy knew that it was inappropriate to stay there long because the villagers had barged into Xu Ran’s yard to ask him to treat them a meal.

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?”

Hearing that, these people thought Xu Ran had agreed their request, so they flattered him again, saying that they would definitely come when they received the invitation.

Even though, Xu Ran knew that there were some people he must 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.

Feeling Xu Ran’s impatience, the village head found it quite funny. ‘Did he work so hard to get the Xiucai’s degree for the tax exemption? What’s wrong with him?’ thought the village head.

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 head replied,”Take it easy! As you’ve obtained the Xiucai’s Degree, you can definitely enjoy the tax exemption as long as you go to Yamen to take the procedure.”

“OK, village head! You know, I have many fields but no crops. If I have to pay the tax, I’m afraid that my families 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 stroked his head and smiled, “I’m doing all of these for nothing but supporting my family, don’t you know, village head? Do you know how much rice and oil are needed per month in my family? My children need money to get education, and my spouse needs money to take good care of the baby in his belly… I can never earn too much money!”

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 and take care of my families. I couldn’t be in two places at once… I’m overwhelmed. That’s why I’ve bought two servants. They can help me a lot, and I only need to give them some food. It cannot be more economical!”

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 didn’t tell a lie. It was true that he had just built a new house and planted strawberries, and he was indeed busy. He really needed one to help him manage his family affairs.

The village head agreed to bring Xu Ran to take the procedures of tax exemption, so Xu Ran asked him whether he was free these days so that he could finish this task as soon as possible.

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 OK? Can I enjoy the tax exemption if I own so many fields?”

“It’s OK… but I’m afraid that you need to speak a good word to Yamen. Moreover, you need to buy the fields before taking the procedure of tax exemption, and you’d better buy waste fields as developing these fields were advocated by policies. In this way, not only will you enjoy the tax exemption, but also you can improve your reputation.” replied the village head.

Xu Ran didn’t care much about his reputation. As the saying went, the peg that stood out was pounded down. He didn’t want to be well-known. He preferred low-pitching life.

Xu Ran asked, “May I have a look about your field booklet? It would be nice if the fields were near my house. I’m lazy and I don’t want to go far.”

The village head gave Xu Ran the booklet and the latter selected 10 mu of field next to his original fields. If crops were cultivated in these lands, the village would be filled 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 head thought for a moment and asked Xu Ran, “Have you visited your dad and daddy? They’re living a poor life now. Anyway, you’re their biological son, and they’ve ever fed you. Maybe they did something wrong, but they’re your parents after all! You’d better visit and help them if you get any time!”

The village head persuaded Xu Ran with grievance.

Xu Ran understood him. He was the village head after all, and he witnessed the scene when Xu Ran was ending his relationship with his parents. Now, his parents lived a miserable life, but no one helped them although all the villagers knew it. People always said that peasants were earthy and kind-hearted, but they were not foolish. They themselves weren’t wealthy, how could they help others?

Xu Ran nodded, “I got it. You’re right. Anyway, they’re my parents.”

…

Xu Ran and the village head arranged to go to the town for the land deed on 9th. Luckily, it was also the day when Zhuo Yun would celebrate the first month birthday of his baby, so Xu Ran planned to take Liu Tong to visit Zhuo Yun’s family.

It wasn’t popular to treat guests a big dinner for celebrating the baby’s first month birthday in this world, so the banquet was usually held during the day. However, Liu Tong’s baby would be borne till then, so they might not be able to attend the banquet in the daytime.

Xu Ran returned home and discussed with Liu Tong whether to hold a party for his Xiucai’s Degree. They had treated many people three months ago for finish expanding their house. Moreover, they had to treat people meals for their newborn baby after two months. They would need to give away many 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, perhaps many villagers wouldn’t be willing to attend these banquets because they had to send money or gifts for expressing their love and gratitude, and maybe they wouldn’t get a return. That was why they were reluctant to attend such occasions.

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.

There were only three types of happiness candies in this world: the rock candy wrapped in oil paper, brown candy, and brown candy with something embedded, which tasted better than the other two types.

The last type was the rarest. Brown candy with haws was similar to ice sugar gourd, but a little smaller and less sour. Most people would buy this kind of joyful candy.

This type of candy was not cheap, a pound of which was worth more than 10 pence. This was as expensive as the rice.

Xu Ran and Liu Tong thought these happiness candies were enough to show their heart. More importantly, others didn’t need to worry about giving gifts. In this way, Xu Ran could kill two birds with one stone.

Although Xu Ran and Liu Tong agreed with this idea, neither did others.

It was beyond Xu Ran’s expectation that villagers were actually willing to be treated a meal by Xu Ran, even if they had to send a gift. After all, they could eat much meat in this way, as long as they prepared a little 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 flied and four days passed in the blink of an eye. It was ninth this day, and Xu Ran took his families to the town with the village head.

Gao Quan, Shao Yu and Mr. Hu were also going to the town, so Xu Ran borrowed Wu Mei’s bull cart.

Xu Ran didn’t take the ox cart. Seeing the bull was walking slowly, he felt anxious. However, the ox cart was different from other vehicles, and the ox couldn’t get itself faster. Therefore, Xu Ran decided to walk by himself.

In order to wait for the ox cart to catch up, Big Black also walked very slowly, which was actually safe for Liu Tong.