Chapter 176: Encounter

Chapter 176: Encounter

Wei Mai's family arrived in the capital at the end of February. County Magistrate Qiu Huanian sent Wu Da to the city gate to pick them up and bring the family of four to his residence.

After a year apart, Wei Mai hadn't changed much, only becoming a bit thinner and more robust. Wei Mai's wife, named Xu Zao, was from the same village as him. Their families' courtyards were adjacent, making them childhood friends. The village girls had a distinct charm, and Xu Zao was half a head taller than Wei Mai, with long limbs, clearly a skilled worker.

Xu Zao pushed her two children, dressed in new cotton clothes, forward.

"Tian Tian, Cai Cai, hurry and greet the County Magistrate and the young masters and ladies."

Wei Mai's children, four years old and twins, had their names changed by their sugar beet-obsessed father two years ago. The sister was named Wei Tian Tian, and the brother was named Wei Cai Cai. The Wei family wasn't a large clan with generational names, so these were their formal names.

The children were young and had never left their courtyard before. Pushed out by their mother, they stood timidly in the center of the hall, holding onto their clothes and not daring to move forward.

Qiu Huanian signaled Xing Mi to bring the children to him. It's often said that nephews resemble their aunts, and Tian Tian and Cai Cai looked very much like Wei Liuhua, with large eyes that dominated their faces, high noses, thick lips, and round cheeks with a blush, making them look adorable.

Qiu Huanian noticed they were wearing peach-colored jackets and light green cotton pants, with delicate narcissus embroidery on the collars and fronts.

"Is this Sister Liuhua's handiwork?"

"Yes, it's my sister's work," Wei Mai replied. "She made something for the County Magistrate's family and asked me to bring it."

Xu Zao added, "We also brought pickled vegetables, dried vegetables, roasted dates, frozen pears... all local specialties from the village, not of great value, but we hope the honored guests will enjoy them. The frozen pears were made from the pears of the esteemed family's large pear tree."

Qiu Huanian, feeling nostalgic about these foods he often ate in Du Village, told Hong Fei to have the kitchen prepare them for lunch.

He held the children's hands and asked them a few questions, but Tian Tian and Cai Cai were too nervous and young to speak fluently. Not wanting to pressure the children, Qiu Huanian told Xing Mi to bring out the gifts.

"These are small solid silver locks that have been offered at the temple, one for each of you. Keep them under your clothes and don't let others see them."

Qiu Huanian handed the silver locks to the children and then said to Wei Mai and Xu Zao, "The children should start their education in the capital. Here are two sets of the Four Treasures of the Study and beginner books. Please keep them safe."

Though the silver locks were small, they appeared to be solid silver, and with the silver necklaces, each weighed at least two taels. Wei Mai and Xu Zao didn't understand the Four Treasures of the Study, but just by the luster and patterns on the items, they knew they were valuable.

Xu Zao stammered in refusal, "County Magistrate, these are too precious."

Qiu Huanian shook his head and smiled, "These are like the local specialties you brought, a token of my goodwill, and not of great value to me."

"Moreover, our family just had a pair of twins, and seeing Tian Tian and Cai Cai so healthy and adorable makes me happy."

Qiu Huanian asked Chun Sheng and Jiu Jiu to take the little guests to play and then discussed sugar beets with Wei Mai and his wife.

"I remember a letter from the village mentioned that you taught yourself to read and write while at home?"

Wei Mai touched the back of his head and smiled, "Thanks to Mr. Liao Cang from the Du family school, I learned a few hundred characters. I can understand most of the agricultural books, but I still can't read formal books."

The formal books Wei Mai referred to were the Four Books and Five Classics and various historical texts, which he couldn't comprehend at all. Wei Mai felt somewhat embarrassed, thinking he couldn't really be considered literate.

Qiu Huanian encouraged him, "Language and writing are tools, just like a hoe for farming. Knowing the characters you need is enough; don't belittle yourself."

The best age to learn a language is during childhood. For Wei Mai to learn a few hundred characters during his busy farming life was already quite remarkable.

Hearing the County Magistrate's words, Wei Mai's spirits lifted, and he grinned at Xu Zao beside him. Xu Zao lightly tapped his head, signaling him to listen carefully to the County Magistrate.

"Your official position was specially approved by the Ministry of Revenue. Although the position of the Imperial Estate Clerk is not part of the official hierarchy, it comes with an official robe and salary. You need to report to the Ministry of Personnel to receive them and then take up your post at the Imperial Estate," Qiu Huanian said. "Yun Se has already had someone inquire for you. Bring your travel permit and identification, and you can go directly to the Ministry of Personnel tomorrow to submit your paperwork."

The term "not part of the official hierarchy" Qiu Huanian used was a neutral description. In the Yu Dynasty, official ranks were divided into nine ranks and eighteen levels. Small positions outside this system were collectively referred to as "not part of the official hierarchy." Although their rank was lower than the ninth rank, they were still official government posts.

For someone like Wei Mai, who came from a farming family without imperial examination qualifications or scholarly titles, obtaining an official position was like a carp leaping over the dragon gate—a life-changing event.

This meant he had changed his social status, now having an official position and the possibility of upward mobility.

Upon hearing his official title, Wei Mai couldn't stop smiling. Xu Zao glared at him in annoyance and asked the question she had been concerned about all along, "County Magistrate, how much is Mai's monthly salary?"

Wei Mai and Xu Zao were completely clueless about the officialdom, not even knowing what a Dian Shi (a type of official) did, let alone its salary.

Qiu Huanian laughed, knowing that Wei Mai and his wife would be very concerned about this. After all, everyone had experienced tough times, saving every penny!

"The monthly salary for a Dian Shi of the Imperial Estate is eight taels of silver, which can also be directly exchanged for rice, with one tael of silver equivalent to one dan of rice."

Wei Mai and Xu Zao both gasped, exclaiming as if they had struck gold.

"Actually, it's so much!"

"Eight taels, eight taels, when we were in the village, working ourselves to the bone on one mu of land, we could only earn at most two taels a year!" Xu Zao patted her chest and said.

In ancient times, the gap between the rich and the poor was extremely wide. The income of farmers for a year was only enough for wealthy families to buy a bottle of floral essence for leisure.

As Qiu Huanian was sighing, he heard Xu Zao cautiously ask, "County Magistrate, how much is Du Yunse's monthly salary?" She wanted to broaden her horizons!

"Yun Se is a Hanlin Academy Compiler, holding the sixth rank, with a monthly salary of sixteen taels."

The Yu Dynasty did not offer high salaries to officials. At the middle and lower ranks, a promotion only increased the salary by one tael. An official of the ninth rank received ten taels a month, while a sixth-rank official only received sixteen taels.

As ranks increased, the salary increments remained modest, with a promotion increasing it by four or five taels at most. Only from the third rank upwards were there substantial increases, with a first-rank official able to receive over one hundred and seventy taels a month. However, considering the height and number of people at this rank, it was still very few.

It was clear why Yun Se's mentor, the great scholar Wen Huiyang, lived in poverty.

However, the vast majority of officials in the Yu Dynasty were not Wen Huiyang. Besides their salaries, officials had other sources of income. The expenses of Qiu Huanian's household were borne by Qiu's Six Staples. If necessary, there was also the County Magistrate's monthly salary of thirty-two taels and an annual rice allowance of five hundred dan, not depending solely on the fixed salary of a Hanlin Academy Compiler.

But every month when Du Yunse received his salary, Qiu Huanian would still watch him hand it over, storing it in a special box. As for the pocket money for Young Master Du, that was calculated separately.

To Qiu Huanian, sixteen taels of silver a month barely covered the family's expenses, but in the eyes of Wei Mai and Xu Zao, it was still an enviable figure. Qiu Huanian felt that Wei Mai was about to ignite a fighting spirit.

"The specific matters of sugar beet cultivation on the Imperial Estate are mainly managed by Dian Shi Tian Ji (a type of official). After you go, learn and inquire more, but don't shy away from taking charge. After all, you are the earliest contributor to the research of sugar beet cultivation." Qiu Huanian smiled lightly, "And you have my support."

"There is an official residence on the Imperial Estate, and your family will move there in the future. Next to the Imperial Estate is my manor. If there is anything, you can go there to seek help."

"The current sugar content of sugar beets is already quite good. If you want to advance further, besides cultivating sugar beets, you should also put more effort into the technology of extracting white sugar from sugar beets. If you have any ideas, you can go to my manor to discuss with the craftsmen Bing Qi and Bing Ba."

...

Wei Mai's family settled down on the Imperial Estate. Qiu Huanian couldn't go there in person, so he invited Wei Li over and gave him a few instructions. After several years of training, Wei Li's actions became more meticulous and thoughtful, and now he was considered the chief steward of Qiu Huanian's estate.

During the conversation, Qiu Huanian keenly noticed that Wei Li seemed to have something on his mind, speaking distractedly.

Qiu Huanian asked impassively, "How has Bing Qi been recently?"

Wei Li was startled and stammered, "He's fine. It's still the farming off-season, and everyone is not busy. The brothers are crafting toys for the two young masters."

"Is Granny Wei doing well?"

"My aunt is doing well. Yesterday, she went to the field ridge and dug half a basket of wild vegetables."

"Have you met anyone on the manor recently?"

Wei Li hesitated. Qiu Huanian knew he had hit the nail on the head.

"Who is it? Can you tell me more?"

Wei Li repeatedly shook his head, "No, it's difficult to explain. But this is my own matter; it won't harm the county magistrate."

Seeing Wei Li's nervous and panicked demeanor, Qiu Huanian had no choice but to drop the subject, "Let's not talk about it. But if you encounter something you can't solve, remember to come to me for help. We've known each other for several years, I've always considered you a good friend, and you've taken good care of the estate for me, so don't be polite with me."

Wei Li nodded, moved, and breathed a sigh of relief, recalling the person he saw that night, his mind a tangled mess.

Was it really Wei Dexing, the man who had already severed all ties with him...

...

In the blink of an eye, February passed, and March began, another spring with warm weather and blooming flowers, the east wind gently blowing, and the Shangsi Festival arrived on the third day of March.

It had been over two months since giving birth, and Qiu Huanian's body had mostly recovered. He planned to take advantage of the holiday break to go out for a trip with Du Yunse, choosing the temple of the Goddess Gaomei in the capital.

Two years ago during the Shangsi Festival, Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse had prayed for a child at the Goddess Gaomei Temple in Xiangping Prefecture. Zhu Jingcheng and Su Xinbai, who went with them, soon had a child. Qiu Huanian had released two colored eggs at that time and later actually gave birth to twins.

Whether it was a coincidence or the Goddess Gaomei was truly efficacious, Qiu Huanian planned to return to the Goddess Gaomei Temple on the Shangsi Festival to fulfill his vow.

The Goddess Gaomei Temple in the capital was also built by the river, larger and more imposing than the one in Xiangping Prefecture, with numerous halls and perpetual incense. On the day of the Shangsi Festival, the temple was packed with people inside and out.

In ancient times, the three most "employable" deities were those in charge of the imperial examination, fertility, and wealth.

Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian didn't need to pray for a child this time, so after offering incense to the Goddess Gaomei, they left. The crowd was too thick for the carriage to get through, so Du Yunse protected Qiu Huanian as they strolled through the festive streets.

The children were being looked after by the wet nurse and uncles, so they weren't in a hurry to return, enjoying a rare moment of alone time.

Both sides of the Goddess Gaomei Temple were lined with stalls, selling snacks, festival items, flowers, and small trinkets, resembling a small temple fair.

Qiu Huanian opened his money pouch and bought a few peonies, placing one on Du Yunse's hat and one in his own hair.

Additionally, Qiu Huanian wanted to buy some fragrant herbs for a water fight—or rather, for the ritual of dispelling disasters—but was dissuaded by Du Yunse, as the early spring chill still lingered, and Qiu Huanian couldn't afford to catch a cold.

Both of them had a noble appearance, and their attire was unique, quickly drawing the attention of those around them. Not wanting to spoil the mood, Qiu Huanian tugged at Du Yunse's sleeve and suggested they walk by the river.

Once they reached the riverbank, they were surrounded by festival-goers. Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse quickly blended in. Qiu Huanian was eager to sprinkle some water on Du Yunse, not wanting the trip to be in vain, when his gaze suddenly fixed on a certain spot.

"Yunse, look over there," Qiu Huanian whispered, "Isn’t that Qi Yazhi and Yu Min?"