This was Fang Yu's first time buying land and employing tenant farmers, unlike other landlords who had been at it for years. After the autumn harvest the previous year, they would select high-quality seeds, process them, and save them for planting the next year, which was quite convenient.
He and Qiao Hezhi spent half a day shopping around town. To compare prices, they asked at almost all the larger granaries in the city. The prices for spring seeds were very high, thirty to forty percent more expensive than regular grain.
Although seed consumption wasn't as high as grain—only one batch per sowing season—and the quantity wasn't huge, the price being several times higher still made it difficult for ordinary families to afford.
Because of this, many poor farmers had no choice but to settle for using their own grain as seeds. However, ordinary grain could not compare to seeds that had been carefully selected and specially processed. Often, the farmers who could not afford proper seeds and used their own grain suffered poor harvests that year. The germination and survival rates of such grain were much lower, and they frequently fell victim to pest damage, with insects in the soil devouring the seeds. Even if the seeds escaped the dangers underground, the resulting crops tended to be less robust than those grown from proper seeds, and the grains they produced were often not as full or plump.
"We still need to buy seeds with good appearance and quality. If we try to save money and buy cheap ones, a poor autumn harvest will mean our own loss in the end."
Qiao Hezhi didn't have the mentality of a nouveau riche from a wealthy family, always wanting to buy the absolute best of everything. He had always adhered to the attitude of saving where possible and spending where necessary. When it came to grain seeds, one could not be careless.
Fang Yu also agreed: "Let's decide on Jufeng Granary. Eight jin of rice seeds per mu, four to five jin of corn, soybeans, wheat... We need to buy a rich variety. Besides the essential staples, we should also get some other types. They can take them to plant if they want, but we won't force it if they don't."
"Good. I've roughly calculated that spending over ten taels of silver should cover everything. Also, when the workers from uncle's place deliver the farming tools and give explanations, we should give some reward money. Otherwise, they might feel resentful while working. Not everyone has a personality like uncle's."
"You're very thorough. We can't skimp on these things." Although the cost of buying seeds didn't sound like much, Fang Yu currently only had a few dozen mu of land. If he had more, the financial pressure on the landlord would be considerable. No wonder some unscrupulous landlords always think about exploiting tenant farmers.
He patted Qiao Hezhi's hand: "To live comfortably, one needs to have land to feel secure. I'm thinking that after the autumn harvest, if any farmers are selling land again, I want to buy some more. I'll register it under your name then."
Qiao Hezhi was startled: "Give me land? But I'm still registered as a merchant."
"I am well aware of that."
Because Qiao Hezhi was registered as a merchant, he faced restrictions everywhere. Even on ordinary days, if Fang Yu had friends over, he would avoid going out with him together. Banquets and gatherings that allowed family members often excluded those with merchant status. Because of this, he had been unable to take Qiao Hezhi to many such events. This matter had been weighing on his mind, and he had been thinking about when to change his registration to a scholar's registration. Unfortunately, going through the regular procedures would take over a year.
"A while ago, while composing poetry with Brother Ji, he mentioned to me that his mother concubine, Madam Sun, obtained a scholar's registration within just a few months of entering the household."
Qiao Hezhi rubbed the corner of his clothes, lowering his eyes: "For the Assistant Prefect's residence, obtaining a scholar's registration is naturally easier than for ordinary families."
"Exactly. Matters concerning changes of household registration in Yuncheng are under the Assistant Prefect's authority." Fang Yu said: "Brother Ji intends to introduce me to the Assistant Prefect. If I establish a connection with him, it will be easier to bring up the matter in the future. I'm sure we can get it done before the autumn harvest. At the very least..."
"The provincial examination is held in the eighth lunar month. If I study diligently now and manage to pass as a Juren, wouldn't that make things even easier?"
Qiao Hezhi was inwardly delighted. Obtaining scholar registration had always been his parents' wish. If not for this registration, his parents wouldn't have married him into the Fang family in the first place. It was naturally a sore point for him as well. But with Fang Yu saying this, whether he could obtain the scholar registration early didn't seem as crucial anymore. The fact that Fang Yu kept him in mind and was willing to engage in social interactions he disliked for his sake—how could he not be moved?
"If you could truly pass the provincial examination, that would be wonderful. My parents would be overjoyed, probably boasting about it throughout the entire clan in front of all the elders." Qiao Hezhi said: "But don't make empty boasts. Regardless of whether you pass or not, my feelings remain the same. Keep a proper mindset, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Passing this time would be good, but if you don't, it's okay. There's plenty of time in the future."
Fang Yu chuckled softly, leaning closer to Qiao Hezhi, and said warmly, "Xiao Qiao is so good."
A few days later, the general goods shop was reorganized into a grain shop. Lin Xuan had also delivered the new farming tools to the shop early. On the day set by the landlord for seed distribution, tenant farmers, bringing their families, gathered outside the shop before dawn, long before daybreak.
The Master wouldn't grant leave, and Fang Yu had to go to the academy, so he couldn't participate in the seed distribution. The arrangements had been made beforehand, so his presence wasn't crucial. In fact, not going might avoid unnecessary gossip. However, that morning he still took a detour to follow Qiao Hezhi to the shop for a look.
"These seeds are dry, plump, and full; the survival rate is sure to be high. And they're giving out ample amounts. Good thing I came early; I was afraid the people ahead would take them all."
"After getting the seeds, you can go to the other side to get new farming tools—ones I've never seen before—and there's even someone specially teaching how to use them. Thank heavens I chose this landlord back then and not the Wang family. I heard they aren't lending out many seeds this year, and you still have to give money to the steward in advance to secure your share."
"I also got some soybeans. If it weren't for the rule that each household can only take three additional types of seeds, I'd want to take one of each kind to plant."
Fang Yu listened to the tenant farmers chattering inside the shop—some inspecting seeds, others trying out tools—a lively scene. Lin Xuan was personally there giving demonstrations.
"If any tools break during use, you can bring them to the Lin Family Workshop for exchange or return. If you don't know how to use them for plowing or sowing after going back, you can also come to the Lin Family Workshop to ask."
Fang Yu exchanged a distant glance with Lin Xuan but didn't go up to disturb his demonstration. He went to check the counter to see if the shopkeeper was keeping clear records. The name, quantity, and type of seeds borrowed by each tenant farmer needed to be recorded in detail. After writing it here, the tenant farmer would sign or mark it. The procedure was quite clear and orderly.
Seeing no issues, Fang Yu felt relieved. Turning around, he saw Qiao Hezhi returning from outside: "I bought you a few meat buns from a street stall. Eat them on your way to the academy; don't be late. I'll keep an eye on things here."
Fang Yu took the warm, steamy buns, feeling warmer than the early spring breeze outside. He secretly squeezed Qiao Hezhi's hand amidst the crowd: "I'm off then. Walk me to the door."
Qiao Hezhi couldn't do anything with him and obliged, seeing him out of the shop. They walked a few steps together on the morning street. At a corner, Fang Yu stopped, suddenly leaned in, and pecked him on the cheek. By the time Qiao Hezhi reacted, the man had already run off, waving back at him: "I'm leaving!"
Looking at the figure whose hair was slightly ruffled by the wind, acting just like a young lad, Qiao Hezhi raised his hand to touch the spot on his cheek that had just been kissed. It was distinctly greasy from the bun. He felt both annoyed and helpless, muttering under his breath: "A man well into his twenties, and still acting like this!"
No comments:
Post a Comment