Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 222: Going to the Li Family Again
“Why?”
Chen felt a little distressed. Zhu Ping’an had only just become a juren, yet in half a day alone he had already received so many congratulatory gifts. There would surely be even more in the future.
“The law stipulates that accepting gifts is equivalent to bribery…” Zhu Ping’an said softly.
Hearing this, Chen suddenly felt as if the silver notes and land deeds in her hands were burning hot. Without a second thought, she threw them onto the bed.
“Then I’ll hurry and return them all.”
Although reluctant, Chen was eager to return everything. In her heart, her son was her top priority—his future couldn’t be jeopardized because of these gifts.
“This time, it’s fine. It still counts as social courtesy. But in the future, it’s best not to accept them. Don’t worry, Mother, I will take good care of you. Even without these gifts, I will make sure you eat well and dress warmly.”
Seeing his mother’s hesitation yet urgency in wanting to return the gifts, Zhu Ping’an smiled and reassured her.
“Are you sure it’s really fine this time?” Chen picked up the silver notes and land deeds again, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
Zhu Ping’an nodded.
“Then I’ll keep them for you.” Chen’s expression instantly brightened, and she happily tucked everything under the pillow, planning to hide them properly later when no one was around.
Zhu Ping’an had his own thoughts about the villagers who had come seeking to attach themselves to his household. After briefly discussing the matter with his mother, he stepped out into the courtyard.
“I truly appreciate your kindness, uncles and elders. But as you can see, my home is small, with only a few rooms and a tiny courtyard. I really don’t need household servants or chefs. If I ever do in the future, I will certainly trouble you all then.”
As Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands and explained this to the villagers, those who had hoped to become household servants or attendants were somewhat disappointed. The villagers who had come to attach their land to his name, however, were delighted.
For these villagers, attaching their land to a degree-holder’s household was a way to escape taxes and labor levies. Their lives were hard, burdened by corvée and taxation, so the arrangement benefited them. Zhu Ping’an therefore accepted the land attachments.
Although the imperial court strictly prohibited this kind of land attachment, the practice was still widespread. If it was exposed, there could still be consequences. Zhu Ping’an acted carefully, leaving as little room as possible for anyone to use it against him, and drew up two contracts with the villagers.
The first was a genuine land-sale contract, though it would not actually be carried out. This avoided leaving a direct written record of a prohibited land attachment.
The second was a tenant farming contract, which generally read as follows:
“Tenant Liu Erniu agrees to farm a certain amount of land under Zhu Ping’an’s name, with an agreed-upon annual rent. In case of drought or flooding, the rent will be reduced accordingly. After the autumn harvest, the rent must be paid on time. This agreement is perpetual, with no time limit. This document serves as proof.”
The villagers were overjoyed with the tenancy contract. On paper, the land had been transferred to Zhu Ping’an, but in practice they continued farming it themselves. To reassure them further, he added a clause stating that the tenancy was perpetual and had no time limit.
“What’s the usual rent?”
Zhu Ping’an asked while drafting the contract.
“One-tenth.”
“Two-tenths.”
The villagers gave mixed responses and looked at each other. A one-tenth rent meant they would pay 10% of their harvest as rent, while a two-tenths rent meant 20%. Typically, the Ming dynasty’s official agricultural tax was below 10%, but landless tenant farmers also had to pay additional rent to landlords. Some greedy landlords charged as high as 30% or even 50%. The differences in the villagers’ answers likely reflected the variation among landlords.
After hearing their responses, Zhu Ping’an set the rent in the tenant contract at 5%, half of the lowest rent they mentioned.
Such a low rent nearly brought the villagers to tears with gratitude. They repeatedly thanked Zhu Ping’an.
Seeing them so grateful, even though he had just acquired nearly a hundred mu of good farmland without paying for it and would still receive rent, Zhu Ping’an felt a little embarrassed—as though he were hearing that classic line from Fan Wei’s comedy: “Thank you so much.”
After lunch, to avoid more visitors bringing gifts or seeking land attachment, Zhu Ping’an slung his book bag over his shoulder and headed for Shanghe Village to stay out of the way for a while.
Before leaving, Zhu Ping’an told Chen that if anyone else came looking for him, she should say he was studying in seclusion for the upcoming metropolitan examination.
“Master Zhu is here! Congratulations on becoming a juren. Please, come in. It’s cold outside—warm your hands by the fire!”
The gatekeeper of the wealthy Li family, Uncle Li, was more enthusiastic than ever. He even carried a small iron stove as he opened the door, immediately handing it to Zhu Ping’an.
After much difficulty in escaping Uncle Li’s enthusiasm, Zhu Ping’an walked toward the study. The study’s door was closed, so he knocked. Soon, he heard footsteps approaching, and someone opened the door.
A round-faced little maid peeked out from inside the study. When she saw Zhu Ping’an, her small mouth opened into a perfect circle in surprise.
“Zhu Ping’an… Master.”
The round-faced maid Hua’er had instinctively called him by name, then remembered that Zhu Ping’an was now a juren and hurriedly added “Master” at the end, leaving herself flustered.
Calling him “Master” felt incredibly awkward, and Hua’er scrunched up her round face.
“Just call me by my name.” Zhu Ping’an’s mouth twitched slightly.
“You said it yourself—don’t regret it later.” The round-faced maid Hua’er happily complied, her eyes curving into crescents.
“Hua’er, you naughty girl, you’re letting the cold wind in.”
At that moment, a lazy yet melodious female voice came from inside the study. It sounded like a lark flying into a warm room on a winter day.
“Miss, Zhu Ping’an is here to borrow books.” The little maid Hua’er explained to her mistress, then turned her head and quickly whispered to Zhu Ping’an, “Hurry up and come in.”
Zhu Ping’an nodded and stepped inside. Hua’er swiftly shut the door and lifted her skirt as she skipped over to her mistress.
Inside the study, it felt like a completely different season compared to the outside. Several charcoal braziers filled the room with warmth, making Zhu Ping’an feel comfortable as soon as he entered.
“Oh? I thought someone had become a juren and now looked down on the Li family’s doorstep.”
The same lazy female voice spoke again, full of sarcasm.
Zhu Ping’an looked up and saw a young girl with bright eyes and white teeth reclining on a couch covered with some kind of animal fur. She was rolling her eyes at him.
Besides this eye-rolling girl and the round-faced maid Hua’er, there were also two older maids and two other servants tending to the charcoal braziers and working on embroidery.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Did I hit the nail on the head? Hmph, it’s just a Juren—what’s there to be so proud of?”
The girl rolled her eyes again and mocked him once more.