Starting with a daily divination to build an immortal clan

Chapter 47 Success
Anyang County, the county magistrate's office.

"Reporting to the County Magistrate, following the great victory in Fengxian County, and in accordance with the orders of the Military Command and the Imperial Household Department, the rewards for all the soldiers in Anyang County who have been granted knighthood have been confirmed and are hereby reviewed by you."

The elderly official, who was over fifty years old and had a thin build, respectfully handed over a book.

Su Jingshan took it, glanced at it, and said, "They're all done strictly according to the laws and regulations, right?"

The old man quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "There was absolutely no favoritism, it's just..."

"But it doesn't matter."

The old man nodded slightly and said, "In Jinliu Village, Yunshui Town, Shen Wenxing, the eldest son of the Shen family, was granted a title this time. He should be rewarded with land, houses, etc. According to the returning servants, the head of the Shen family, Shen Yuan, said that he was willing to give up some of the land, even servants and houses, in exchange for the entire Blackwater Pool and the nearby mountains and forests."

"This humble official cannot make the decision; I wonder what insightful opinion the County Magistrate may have?"

The Shen family in Jinliu Village?
Shen Yuan?

Su Jingshan raised an eyebrow slightly, then chuckled.

"Official Fang is in charge of the mountains, forests, lakes, and land of my Anyang County. Does he know what is so special about that Black Water Pool?"

He had some past conflicts with the Shen family, and he had punished them once.

He was very satisfied with the Shen family's performance. Now, because of their meritorious service in disaster relief and their good political achievements over the years, the prefectural government had already spread the word that they were preparing to promote him. At this critical juncture, he did not want to cause any more trouble.

However, Shen Yuan's decision to abandon fertile fields and insist on the Blackwater Pool area made him suspicious.

Although I don't want to continue targeting them, I can't let him gain any advantage.

"This..." Fang Duguan hesitated for a moment and cupped his hands, saying, "Blackwater Pool covers an area of ​​600 acres, with dense shrubs and thick forests. Apart from the many alligators and dragons in the pool and the relatively delicious fish produced there, there is nothing special about it."

"Why does Magistrate Fang think that the Shen family is giving up three acres of fertile land and many servants, and insisting on taking the Blackwater Pool?"

The old man frowned and pondered deeply, but he still couldn't understand Shen Yuan's thoughts.

"It's simple. If he wants to change it, then change it for him."

“But tell him that the alligator dragon in the Blackwater Pool belongs to our Great Yu, and that he is forbidden from hunting and selling it.”

"In addition, send someone to measure the area, and do everything according to the law. Estimate the value of the timber in the mountains. If he is willing to buy it at a discounted price, then exchange it with him. If he is not willing, then let the matter drop."

Upon hearing this, the old man cupped his hands slightly and said, "This humble official will arrange for someone to go to Jinliu Village immediately."

After watching the old man leave, Su Jingshan slowly stood up, his hands behind his back.

"Having gained a title in one battle, and not changing it, this young man of the Shen family is like a hidden dragon in the abyss, his brilliance cannot be concealed."

In Jinliu Village, Shen Yuan frowned as he listened to the conditions set by the officials.

These conditions weren't meant to deliberately make things difficult for him.

The area around Blackwater Pool is covered with lush forests, including some ancient trees that are hundreds of years old. These trees themselves are a considerable treasure.

“Master Shen, the magistrate said that the trees growing in the one-acre forest granted by law can be exempted from being converted into silver, but the trees outside this one-acre forest must be handled according to the regulations.”

“However…” the officer leaned closer and whispered in his ear, “You and County Magistrate Huang are close friends, and I have a solution.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Please enlighten me, sir!"

The official glanced around and gestured to the clerk beside him to bring a map.

"Master Shen, please take a look. The officials have already made a count. Most of the trees around this Blackwater Pool are distributed in the east and south directions of the pool."

"And to the west and north are mostly young trees and shrubs..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan immediately understood his meaning.

The acre of forest granted as a title is essentially free; he doesn't need to pay extra.

If the rewarded forest is only located to the east and south of Blackwater Pool, then even if the value of the timber is factored in, the remaining area wouldn't be much.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"

After figuring this out, Shen Yuan immediately clasped his hands in thanks!

He could imagine that if this person hadn't reminded him, he would have randomly chosen the acre of forest to be rewarded, and the rest, after calculation, might have been too much to afford even if he emptied his family's savings.

"Mr. Shen, there's no need for thanks. Just remember not to tell anyone about this."

“Otherwise, we won’t be able to explain it to Magistrate Su.” Shen Yuan quickly replied, then said, “Please wait a moment, esteemed officials.”

He hurriedly ran into the house, and a moment later secretly slipped twenty taels of silver into the officer's hand.

"This is a small gift; please accept it with a smile, esteemed officials."

Someone's words saved me a lot of money; twenty taels of silver wasn't much.

"This is impossible!"

The official quickly pushed the silver back and said in a serious tone, "I helped Master Shen because of your relationship with County Lieutenant Huang. Master Shen, please don't harm us."

Shen Yuan was puzzled.

The official whispered, "Let me tell you something. Because of his meritorious service in disaster relief, Magistrate Su is about to be promoted. At this critical juncture, if we, as subordinate officials, dare to accept bribes and sabotage him, wouldn't that be courting death?"

Shen Yuan was stunned for a moment after hearing this.

Come to think of it, with Su Jingshan's promotion imminent, there would likely be officials from the Inspectorate coming to Anyang County to conduct an inspection, just to go through the motions.

If his subordinates were to be exposed for accepting bribes or violating regulations at this time, it would inevitably affect him.

"Well... I will remember your kindness and will definitely pay you a visit in person another day."

The official laughed upon hearing this.

Sometimes, personal relationships are more important than money.

Especially for the Shen family now, with their eldest son receiving a title in the military and soon to become the son-in-law of the Huang family, this favor will become more and more valuable over time.

"Master Shen, it's decided then. We'll go to measure the area around Blackwater Pool later."

"Magistrate Su has instructed that everything be handled according to regulations, and I can only proceed with official business as usual."

Shen Yuan smiled and said, "Definitely, definitely."

"You officials may go ahead and attend to your duties."

After leaving Jinliu Village, the officials went directly to the area around Blackwater Pool to take measurements.

"Brother Qi, you know what, this Blackwater Pool is really a geomantically auspicious place. It's so hot outside, but it feels much cooler as soon as you come in."

"Patriarch Shen has good judgment."

"Absolutely! If you built a three-courtyard house here, nestled against the mountains and by the water, it would be like living the life of a god."

The leading officer listened to his brothers' discussion and laughed, "Envious, aren't you? If you're envious, then work hard and have a good son like Young Master Shen."

The group joked around but didn't stop their hands, quickly taking measurements.

Several days later, the official document was finally delivered to Shen Yuan.

According to his request, in exchange for the mountain forests surrounding Blackwater Pool, in addition to the items bestowed upon him by Bu Gengjue being converted into silver, he also needed to pay an additional three hundred taels of silver.

Three hundred taels of silver was not a small sum. After much hesitation, Shen Yuan thought about the future of his family and finally signed and sealed the land deed.

After handing the silver to the officials, Shen Yuan cupped his hands and asked, "May I ask you gentlemen, is this procedure now complete?"

The official smiled and handed over the land deed, saying, "It's settled. From now on, the Blackwater Pool and the surrounding mountain forests, totaling seven hectares and thirteen acres, all belong to you, Master Shen."

"Apart from things prohibited by law, you may do as you please."

"Mr. Shen, farewell."

After the others left, Shen Yuan breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

He had expected Su Jingshan to make things difficult for him in every way, but he never expected it to be so easy.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Su Jingshan is a smart man. Compared to his career, personal grudges are nothing.

Now that we have the land title and the bylaws are complete, it's time to think about building the house.

Please read and follow along, thank you! Don't let the book sit unread; reading it during the new release period is extremely important. Thank you so much!

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(End of this chapter)