Tianliangyuan

Chapter 245 Let's find a solution together

Before Xu Junqing could react, Xu Junan asked, "What kind of thank-you gift will Baiguoyuan give? How much will they give? This house in the capital is worth its weight in gold."

"Brother, let's think of a way to lower the price. We can secretly help out. Even if Lord Fu can guess it, he will be grateful that we didn't expose everything. Besides, Sister Tingting's dowry will definitely include one or two houses, shops, and farmland, so it won't seem like much then."

Xu Junting frowned: "But Brother Fu is a proud man, he probably wouldn't want to use his wife's dowry."

“We never said that Tingting would support the family. Besides, Lord Fu is now a sixth-rank official, which is a good position. He receives 90 shi of rice a year, which is enough for his family and servants. In addition, there are monthly miscellaneous expenses, which amount to about two guan of cash, as well as more than ten laborers granted by the court.”

So, all things considered, daily expenses aren't actually that high. As long as Tingting doesn't live extravagantly after marriage, Master Fu's salary will be enough to support the family. This doesn't even include the official land under Master Fu's name. Therefore, it's sufficient for a normal life. But if she wants a better life, that's something Tingting will have to figure out later.

Xu Jun'an raised an eyebrow; he understood.

Fu Pei was a court official and could not be involved in business, otherwise he would be impeached for competing with the people for profit.

But Xu Tingting is a woman, and she will naturally have to bring a dowry when she gets married, so it's different for her.

Furthermore, since Fu Pei's relatives are coming to the capital, he can purchase some properties there and have his family manage them, which will not affect him.

In fact, this is the basic practice for most officials.

Very normal.

Even if those above knew, they wouldn't ask any further questions.

After all, everyone has to make a living.

As for the income from the farmland, it is indeed quite substantial, enough for their family of more than ten people to live a comfortable life without worrying about food and clothing. However, they cannot expect to use the best of everything, otherwise, they would truly be unable to afford it.

Thinking about Fu Pei's current salary, Xu Zhaozhao couldn't help but sigh, "No wonder everyone wants to be an official!"

The official land allocation system of the Daehung Dynasty was a form of salary designed to increase officials' income by allocating land, thereby ensuring their integrity and dedication to public service.

Officials had the right to use their assigned land, which they could cultivate or lease, but ownership remained with the imperial court, and officials were not allowed to buy, sell, or transfer it. Of course, the income from the assigned land belonged to the officials and was used as part of their salary to supplement their living expenses.

However, the management of official land was the responsibility of the local government, which ensured that the allocation and use were in accordance with regulations. In other words, Fu Pei was a sixth-rank official with nearly 400 mu of official land, but it was not actually registered in his name. If he were to be dismissed from office in the future, these 400 mu of official land would no longer be his responsibility.

From another perspective, the income from 400 mu of farmland is already quite considerable.

If the output were converted into silver, the monthly income would be around ten strings of cash.

Of course, since it's a job field, this income is received twice a year, not every fixed month.

The imperial court has already been very generous.

Moreover, the system of official lands is also dependent on the individual.

For example, Fu Pei's previous income from his official land ownership certainly wouldn't have been very high, and local officials would definitely have thought of deducting a portion of it.

However, if news of Fu Pei's marriage to the Marquis of Anxin's family spreads, this income will certainly increase.

Just wait and see.

In officialdom, this kind of thing is all too common.

None worth mentioning.

If you have no resources and no background, you'll just be trampled on!

Fu Pei has already deeply realized this point.

But what can he do?

Should we really go and argue with the local magistrate?

He doesn't even need to think; they must have seventeen or eighteen reasons to give. What can he do about it?

That's why so many students, once they gain some fame, think about seeking the protection of high-ranking officials or powerful families.

It's always different.

Two days later, Xu Chuan arrived with two boxes of copper coins.

Fu Pei has been worrying about buying a house these past few days.

Although he had saved some money, it was far from enough to buy a house.

"This is?"

"Greetings, Lord Fu. My name is Xu Chuan, the accountant of Baiguoyuan, and also a relative of the Xu family. The county magistrate had instructed me to share the profits from Zhuangyuan Wine with you, but I was busy delivering medicine to the battlefield, so there was a delay. Please forgive me, Lord Fu."

Fu Pei was completely dumbfounded.

What does the profit from Zhuangyuan Wine have to do with him?

Besides, even if he had written a poem before, Xie Yi had already accepted it, so why bother doing it again?

And judging by this display, the amount of money must be quite substantial.

"There must be a mistake. I have no connection with the Zhuangyuan Wine, so how could there be any talk of profit sharing?"

"To make it clear to you, sir, the fame of this 'Top Scholar's Wine' is due to two reasons. First, it is thanks to His Majesty's blessing that it has become so renowned, and it was named by His Majesty himself. As a result, the Hundred Fruit Garden sends a portion of its profits to the palace every year, a fact that many people have likely heard of. Second, the fact that this 'Top Scholar's Wine' has caught the eye of talented scholars and famous writers is largely due to your poem of praise. This profit is well-deserved."

Fu Pei understood.

Even the Emperor accepted it, so why didn't you?

Because you are different?

Fu Pei naturally knew that Baiguoyuan was Xu Zhaozhao's business.

But I never expected Xu Zhaozhao to be so generous.

“Mr. Xu, I have already accepted the gift of thanks for writing the poem. It would be inappropriate to accept it again.”

"Haha, Lord Fu, don't panic. Besides the benefits we've gained from your poem, our master also has a favor to ask."

"please say."

Xu Chuan had no contract in his hand, but simply cupped his hands and said, "Every year, Baiguoyuan launches new wines, including fruit wines, spirits, flower wines, health wines, and so on. Our master hopes that you will praise them more in the future. After all, you are a true top scholar, and even a word or two of your praise is enough to make our wines sell for a good price."

That sounds reasonable, but it also seems a bit exaggerated.

As for?

Xu Chuan delivered the message and the money, then took his leave.

The pageboy opened the box and counted the contents one by one.

"Sir, here is a total of one hundred strings of cash!"

After raising an eyebrow, Fu Pei gave another wry smile, then turned and looked gratefully in the direction of the Marquis's residence.

This isn't a favor request; it's clearly someone who knows you're in urgent need of money and has come to you on purpose.

"Fine, I'll accept it."

"Yes, my lord."

The young page was overjoyed and ordered someone to carry the two boxes of money into the house. Then he thought to himself that he must keep a close watch on them so that no one could steal them.

The next day, after the court session ended, Fu Pei was stopped by Xu Junting.

“We’ve got our eye on a house. If we’re free later, let’s go take a look together. This house used to be the private residence of a disgraced official, and it was later confiscated by the Ministry of Revenue. My uncle was the one who had the foresight to buy it first. Given our relationship, we won’t let him make money off you; we’ll sell it to you at the original price.”