Hongwu Survival Guide

Chapter 16 This is a problem

Perhaps it was because he walked a few extra steps the day before, but early the next morning, Zhu Yuan started to have a fever and cough again.

Dai Sanchun rushed over immediately and took medicine for two days before finally getting better.On the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, it snowed again. In order to avoid further health problems, Zhu Yuan was very careful and did not go out much for several days.

Xieyi, Liu Bai, Zhao Xu, and Zuo Qi kept going.

In the huge house, buying daily necessities, hiring servants, cleaning and repairing, etc., can't stop all day long.

In a blink of an eye, it is the 28th of the twelfth lunar month.

There is no thirty this year, and tomorrow is New Year's Eve.

Early in the morning, Xieyi asked Zhu Yuan how to prepare for the ancestor worship tomorrow night. She had asked someone to carefully clean up a courtyard on the east side of the mansion, which could be used as an ancestral hall.

Zhu Yuan listened to Xieyi talking about this matter with a strange expression.

To sacrifice, or not to sacrifice, that is the question.

After all, according to the new personality design, the ancestors are all living well in Jinling City.

However, ancestor worship during the Spring Festival is also a great gift in this era.Not to mention the big families, even the common people and the small ones can't be sloppy at all.

When it comes to Zhu Yuan, the key is, whom to worship?
Not to mention brand-new false ancestors, even if they are true ancestors, later generations can rarely trace back to this era 600 years ago.

In the end or give up.

Faced with Xinyi's doubts, Zhu Yuan did not explain the reason.

how to explain?

After breakfast, I remembered that the 28th of the twelfth lunar month should be the day for posting Spring Festival couplets.

However, I also remember a certain allusion.

Regarding the Spring Festival couplets, it is said that Zhu Yuanzhang personally promoted them. Because of a private visit on New Year’s Day, he found that the market lacked festive atmosphere, so Zhu Yuanzhang ordered every household to post Spring Festival couplets to show festiveness.

Before Zhu Yuanzhang, hanging peach charms were generally popular.

Always exchange new peaches for old ones.

In the end, let Xieyi and the others follow the rules of the era. Except for canceling the ancestor worship, they can do whatever else. Zhu Yuan has no plan to make a Spring Festival couplet to show his presence in advance. For the next three years, what he wants is a low-key.

Near noon, in the colder north wind after the snow, six small boats of different styles leaned against the pier outside Zhu Yuan's mansion.

In addition to a group of men, women and children in coarse clothes, there are all kinds of chickens, ducks, rabbits, fish, geese, deer, pigs, and sheep in cages or bundles, or fresh or dried. 'quack' or 'bleat' sound.

Zuo Qi came out with two young servants, and together with Zhao Xu who brought people over, he directed the people to move these livestock, poultry and wild goods into the mansion from the small gate, and temporarily store them in an empty courtyard of the outer house.Then Zuo Qi was in charge of greeting everyone, and Zhao Xu led several elders to the backyard.

Liu Bai waited here, accompanied by two little girls.

After taking a look at the old men, seeing that although they were worn out, they were all considered clean, Liu Bai nodded in satisfaction and said, "Come with me."

Everyone turned to the direction of the west courtyard together, while leaving blank, they said to the elders: "Old men, you can just bow to the lord later, there is no need to bow."

Everyone respectfully agreed again and again.

In fact, Zhu Yuan's original words were that he was already in poor health, and was always kowtowed by people older than him, fearing that he would lose his life.

Of course, Liu Bai would not say the exact words of his petty official.

Moreover, it is not recognized.

Just say that the matchmaker who brought someone over yesterday, a slut, she felt that even if the other party knocked his head into the ground, it wouldn't hurt her petty official at all, so why didn't she kneel down?
It's just that she is a girl, of course she will do what the little official says.

Come to the west courtyard, pass through most of the garden, and arrive at a hall not far from the east side of the inner house.Liu Bai ordered everyone to wait first, and only lifted the curtain and entered the door with Zhao Xu.

In the hall, which is also as warm as spring, Zhu Yuan, who is wearing a loose green robe, is talking with Dai Sanchun who is sitting opposite him in the tea room on the west side, while occasionally writing with a pen.

On the afternoon when Zhu Yuan fell ill again, news suddenly came from the Wu Palace.

Old Zhu ordered Dai Sanchun, an eighth-rank imperial doctor under the Imperial Hospital, to stay with Zhu Yuan for the next three years and take care of him carefully.He also said that in the future, all Zhu Yuan's medical needs can be directly withdrawn from the Imperial Hospital without a notification.

Dai Sanchun lived in the mansion with his apprentice Sanqi.

Liu Bai knew that his petty official was writing a very important book list, so he waited with Zhao Xu for a while.After Zhu Yuan finished writing a few strokes and raised his head, Zhao Xucai cupped his hands and saluted, and said, "Young official, the tenants who gave the New Year's gifts have arrived, and there are still a few elders who want to pay New Year's greetings to you, and they are already waiting outside."

As Zhao Xu said, he took out a gift slip written on red paper and handed it over.

Zhu Yuan was told about this yesterday, and asked a few more questions, knowing that New Year's greetings are a custom, and gifts are not counted.After all, the tenants paid the rent every year, and they were lucky to have enough leftovers, and they had nothing to give away.

This time it can be regarded as an active friendship and filial piety after changing the host family. I probably hope that Zhu Yuan will not increase the rent or seize the tenant.

Zhu Yuan put down his pen and got up and said, "Let them in."

As he spoke, he signaled to Dai Sanchun and invited him to sit with him.

After a while, five elderly people, all aged 60 or above, came in and greeted Zhu Yuan together.

After a brief conversation, Zhu Yuan invited all the elders to sit down.

After chatting a little more, I soon learned that the tenants who cultivated the fields under my name were mainly from the three surnames Mu, Fan, and Zhuo. The other two have nineteen families, one has nine families, one has six families, and three other families have foreign surnames.

Zhu Yuan saw that the three foreign surnames were obviously excluded, but he didn't pay attention to these details, but asked about the land harvest, crop types and farming details in recent years.

Then came the complaining time.

Some say that the lack of cattle in the village may affect spring plowing next year, some say that too much rain last year led to poor harvests, and some say that neighboring villages grabbed water too fiercely and injured their own family members.

Zhu Yuan originally wanted to get a general idea of ​​the agricultural production situation in this era, but he didn't expect it to be these.It soon became clear that the elders reacted in this way because they were worried that his new owner would increase the land rent.

Seeing that there was nothing to ask, Zhu Yuan could only give up.

It was probably confirmed that the new young master’s family is very talkative, and several old people mentioned at the right time that the fixed rent of one stone and two buckets per mu is too heavy, and they can test whether it can be reduced or exempted.The more he said, the more he sighed. After one of the old men suddenly knelt down, he knelt down in the hall instantly.

What else can Zhu Yuan do?
It is said that the land he acquired should have belonged to the official land, which was the confiscated land confiscated by the Western Wu court from the officials or noble officials of the previous dynasty.Even if Xieyi said before that they are all good paddy fields, and the rent is set at one stone and two buckets per mu, Zhu Yuan felt a little cruel at first hearing it.

In this era, the upper limit of yield per mu may be two or three stones, but it must be a good field and a good year with good wind and water.

Ancient agriculture relied heavily on the sky for food.

When there is a slight drought and waterlogging, the yield per mu will plummet.

After finally pulling people up, everyone sat down again. Zhu Yuan was about to speak when he saw Liu Bai winking at him. After thinking about it, he should push the question back and ask some old people how appropriate it is.

After discussing a few words, the quota of one stone per mu was quickly re-established.

Ignoring the small resentful expression left blank, everyone chatted a few more words, and the old people left happily.

There will be a lunch later, and Zhu Yuan will not show up again.

When Zhao Xu led the people out, Zhu Yuan said to Liu Bai again: "Since you have brought gifts to pay New Year's greetings, each family should give you a Tongguan copper coin as a gift in return."

Leave blank to speak.

She thinks that her little official is crazy.

What's so messed up?
However, realizing that Dai Sanchun was present, Liu Bai stopped talking, agreed softly and left the small hall.

Here, Zhu Yuan went back to the tea room on the west side and sat down again. While taking the gift list and looking it over, he asked Dai Sanchun who was seated next to him, "Mr. Dai doesn't think I'm careless, does he?"

In fact, Dai Sanchun also noticed the helpless look left blank just now. He picked up a page of books that the two of them had discussed before and browsed through it, and said with a smile: "Young officials are generous, and the people around you think of the master's family. It’s all right to put more thought into it.”

"Mr. Dai is well versed in the Confucian doctrine of the mean."

Zhu Yuan smiled and didn't say any more.

In fact, with his temper honed in two lifetimes, if it was really important, his ears would definitely not be so soft.But on the one hand, Zhu Yuan really didn't care about the rental income of the ten hectares of land.On the other hand, in this era, in his current position, Zhu Yuan must also show a certain attitude.

Putting down the gift list, Zhu Yuan also picked up a page of book list on the table, changed the subject and said: "Mr. Dai, I really don't want to add some medical books. This is a good opportunity. Send out the list in the afternoon, and you can think about it later. ?”

Dai Sanchun shook his head and said, "No, I have my own collection. Other medical books can also be borrowed from the Imperial Hospital or colleagues. As a petty official, maybe you can explain to Rebirth the principles you mentioned in advance?"

As Dai Sanchun said, there was a rare look of expectation on his always serious face.

Zhu Yuan refused: "Mr. Dai should wait patiently."

Dai Sanchun was accidentally arranged by Lao Zhu to live here as a permanent guest, and Zhu Yuan was still puzzled at first, but he didn't understand until the other party confessed his recent experience.

However, Zhu Yuan felt that it would be safest to wait three years for what the two had agreed upon at the beginning.

Even if it is said now, there is not much Dai Sanchun can do.

Dai Sanchun didn't want to add medical books, so Zhu Yuan didn't mention it anymore. He sorted out a few pages of the book list, and finally browsed and checked.

These are the books that Zhu Yuan wants Lao Zhu to help collect.

The book list is all ancient Chinese science and technology works, such as "Qi Min Yao Shu", "Meng Xi Bi Tan", "Kao Gong Ji", "Tea Classic", "Shui Jing Zhu", "Building French", " Nine Chapters on Arithmetic, Gan and Shi's Celestial Book, etc., involve agriculture, geography, astronomy, mathematics and other aspects.

At the beginning, Zhu Yuan wanted some traditional collections of classics and history. On the second day after he moved in, he was told that there were hundreds of books hidden in the two-story building overlooking the lake on the south side of the garden. lack.Moreover, it was obvious that it was used as a decoration by the owner of the yard at the beginning, and all the books were brand new, so there was no need to bother Lao Zhu anymore.

Zhu Yuan, who was recuperating in the inner house, asked the two maids to fetch some books and read them. They were all good prints, and they were also curious about the identity of the former owner of the mansion.

The two maids didn't know about it, so they asked Zhao Xu and Zuo Qi to inquire with the surrounding lake residents. Some said it belonged to a Lord Pingzhang, and some said it was a summer retreat of a Dalu Huachi. clear.

Zhu Yuan didn't go into it any further.

But I also know that there are many lake people living around.

The current Liangzhou is now connected to the former Huanzhou and Yingzhou in the south, and dozens of families are scattered in it. The Huanzhou is also directly connected to the southwest bank of Houhu Lake. Issued by a fungus.

The reason why Zhu Yuan came by boat instead of land was mainly because the mansion occupying the southeast corner of Liangzhou was only accessible by water, and the west and north sides were closed.After a little thought, it became clear that the former owner of the mansion took the initiative to quarantine in order to show his identity.

Not only that, but according to what Zhao Xu and Zuo Qi told the lake people, outsiders were not allowed to enter the island where the mansion was originally located. The lake people on the island moved here one after another after Zhu Yuanzhang captured Yingtian.

the other side.

Liu Bai told the past about the money rewards from his petty officials, and seeing those tenants were happy, but he was depressed because he couldn't stop the petty officials from messing around.

Let’s just say that the six little girls I bought yesterday were all the ones who were more outstanding after selection, and each of them only cost three pennies.

Not to mention the rent reduction part, it's just that today's reward will be given out 37 guan, which is more than a dozen little girls.

The tenants have always been filial to the master's family, and I have never seen such a reverse payment.

Going back to the west courtyard in dismay, he saw Xieyi standing by the veranda not far away, Liu Bai walked over quickly, and was about to talk about what happened just now, and asked Xieyi to persuade the little officials more in the future, but found that Xieyi was staring in one direction in a daze, and walked along She looked around, and beside the rockery on the small lake in the garden, several wintersweet plants were in full bloom against the surrounding snow.

Liu Bai was also stunned for a moment, and his eyes turned red instantly.

On the other hand, Xieyi sensed someone approaching, reacted, saw Liu Bai began to cry, quickly took out her handkerchief to help her wipe, and while driving away the two little girls behind Liu Bai, she reminded in a low voice: "Don't cry, It’s not good to be seen.”

Liu Bai tried hard to hold back his tears, but he was already sobbing: "Xiyi, little...Miss...Miss..."

Seeing Liu Bai mentioning it, Xie Yi couldn't help but follow Red Eye, hugged Liu Bai and hugged her, still persuading: "Miss likes plum blossoms so much, burying them under the plum tree is also a destination."

Liu Bai nodded his head lightly, and suddenly said with a bit of resentment: "It's all because the master didn't have his own opinion, so the Wang family was ruined."

"Don't say that," Xie Yi said in a more stern tone, "Forget about these things in the future, we only live our own lives."

"Well, well," Liu Bai nodded again, and looked up at Xieyi: "When are you going to ask the little official to bring our family to Jinling? There is still a war in Shandong, and it's snowing again. I'm worried about my mother. and brother."

Xie Yi glanced at the two little girls not far away, pulled Liu Bai towards the direction of the inner house, and said, "Don't worry, King Wu has rules and won't mess around. And they all fled early After going to the village, we can take care of each other, and we have saved in the past, so this winter will be fine. As for the matter of asking for a small official, a small official...you know that although he has obtained an official position, he has just arrived in Jinling after all, so he has to live in seclusion Three years, I’m afraid I’m powerless. When I finish my work recently, I’ll talk to him and find a way to help us send a letter back to Yizhou. It’s not a problem.”

With such reassurance from Xieyi, Liu Bai finally recovered.

This is the only way to think about it, put away the mood, and talk about what happened just now.

After listening to Xie Yi, she smiled and nodded her blank head: "No wonder the lady said before that you are sullen on the outside, but have a lot of random thoughts on the inside. As slaves, who doesn't expect the master to be generous, you should be stingy. "

But Liu Bai insisted: "But the petty officials are too generous, and they gave away twelve maids at once. I just thought, since this is the case, it is also a rule to let those tenants send people to serve them."

According to Xie Yi's estimate, at least thirty servants of various types are needed to support this mansion.

Yesterday the matchmaker brought someone over, but the petty official only bought twelve.He also said that he likes quietness, and if he needs other things in the future, he can temporarily hire the surrounding islanders, just like the Lin family and his son who are currently responsible for driving the boat here.

If Zhu Yuan is like this, they can only agree.

As he spoke, he came to the small kitchen dedicated to the owner's house. When Liu Bai saw the two beautiful women in the house who were preparing lunch for the officials with the help of a pair of little maids, he pouted again, and stopped to refuse to enter the door. His eyes were full of vigilance.

When selecting servants and maidservants yesterday, one little girl only had three guans, and the other four newly grown servants only cost five guans, but these two... cost a total of 170 guans.As a result, for one transaction, the six maids and four servants seemed to be adding to the head.

This makes Liu Bai still itch when he thinks of the matchmaker.

Because he disliked the food she and Xieyi made were not tasty, the little official only wanted two cooks at first.In the end, the prostitute's rhetoric managed to bring about two disasters.

Liu Bai still remembers the prostitute's brilliant tongue.

What is the second room sold by a rich family who escaped from the north? She was born decently. She was once the daughter of a respectable old Confucianist. They are all good at calligraphy and painting.

The concubine Ji, who was personally trained by a master Zhishi in Suzhou before his death, is good at playing piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and is even better at plain spoons.

At that time, when the little official asked them to write a book and draw a picture on the spot, Liu Bai almost couldn't hold back and rushed over to tear the toothmaid's mouth open.

What Maggie?
A 27!

A 25!

Maybe even lied about it.

Even... it's still interesting now, but she will be an old woman soon, and dare to ask such a high price.

It's a pity that she is soft-spoken and only dares to slander, she can't stop her after all.

The little official didn't even make a counter-offer!

I also named the two old women. They were reading "Shan Hai Jing" at that time. One was called Qingqiu and the other was called Luoshui.

Liu Bai also read "Shan Hai Jing".

Qingqiu, isn't it just a den of foxes!

Luoshui... Since it has the same nature as water, why not just melt it and flow into the lake like that snow water!
Anyway, she is only willing to call them Qingniang and Luoniang. In a few years, when they turn 30, it will be even more serious, a young lady and a Luo lady.

Fortunately, what Liu Bai was most worried about was that she and Xieyi were not kicked out of the inner house last night, and replaced with these two.

But still vigilant.

Because a few years ago, I quietly found a forbidden book hidden by the young lady, and accidentally found out that some young men like young ladies who like very old women.

just in case……

Ok.

After thinking about it, Liu Bai thinks that he and Xieyi are not young, and Xieyi is actually in his twenties.

After seeing the lunch preparations, Xinyi came out of the small kitchen, and saw that the doorway was blank staring at the two vigilant and full of inner drama, she couldn't help but smiled and nodded her head again: "What are you thinking about, go and The little official said, it's time for dinner, let's see if Mr. Dai wants to join us."

Liu Bai refused to accept it, and complained to Xieyi in a low voice while moving: "If you had learned some cooking skills earlier, you wouldn't be disgusted by petty officials."

Xie Yi glanced blankly, feeling the threat from the two women in her heart, but there was nothing she could do, she just chased people away softly: "I'll give you the original words, go quickly."

(End of this chapter)