Chapter 5: The Landlord's Family Is Also Out of Grain

There is a poem from the Spring and Autumn period titled "July" which sings: "On the first day, we hunt the badger, and take the fox for the young lord's fur... On the third day, we use the plow, on the fourth day, we lift the feet, in August we peel the jujubes, in October we harvest the rice, for this spring wine

The fifth compartment of the granary is unclear as to why the young lord wants to stockpile grain, but this just happens to present an opportunity to propose a plan he has been contemplating for a long time: "In the short term, it is naturally impossible to stockpile so much grain, unless..."

On one hand, there is a desire to accumulate a hundred thousand stones of grain

However, there is still a long way to go to reach the goal of the fifth round, falling short by... ten times perhaps

Moreover, although there are many plowing oxen, using them too frequently can lead to exhaustion and emaciation. The same applies to iron tools; during deep plowing, they can easily become damaged due to bumps and knocks. Renting incurs losses, let alone borrowing for free

After Qiu Gaonu settled in the fifth village, his brother's family also came to seek refuge, becoming one of the few outsiders in the village

Through yesterday's events, the Fifth Overlord has gained clarity. Sun Er harbors his own depths, and what appears to be a soft-hearted action is, in fact, underpinned by profound scheming. He halted his clansmen and asked Di Wu Lun: "Now that you have spoken, what ideas do you have?"

With these benefits, it will allow the people to feel a sense of belonging. In the future, under the pretext of preventing theft, they can be gathered during the agricultural off-season for training in formations and similar activities, ensuring that they will be obedient.

It seems that I need to come up with some ways to raise funds through open sources

The next day, Fifth Lun arrived at the blacksmith shop next to the dockyard, and before he even entered, he heard the clanging sound of hammering.

Of course, it is possible. However, with so many households borrowing, determining the order of priority must rely on a fair method

... ...

Rent increase

... ...

It is also possible to build charitable granaries to provide relief to the excessively impoverished members of the same community, thereby alleviating the wealth disparities within the neighborhood

After going around in circles, Di Wu Lun realized that Qiu Gao Nu's skills were quite good, and he was a versatile individual. In addition to forging ironware, he also had some woodworking skills, which was very commendable

The Fifth Lun can indeed assist the self-sufficient farmers in the village to expedite their autumn work by lending out large quantities of surplus cattle and iron plows

It is absolutely unacceptable to increase the land rent

The so-called coupled plowing refers to one person pulling the rope in front while another supports the plow from behind. However, there is a farming proverb that states: for autumn plowing, one should plow deeply, while for spring and summer, one should plow shallowly. Planting winter wheat requires deep plowing, and the impoverished farmer can only endure the scorching sun, pulling the plow with great effort, struggling with each step

Who will support the three thousand strong men? You? As the saying goes, before the army moves, provisions must be prepared. The food reserves in my household are barely enough for my own family, and you, young man, clearly have never been in battle, thinking that gathering a crowd is so simple

Of course not

Fifth Lun mentioned what he observed during his morning inspection of the warehouse: "I noticed that there are many surplus iron farming tools in the warehouse, and there are also several extra plowing oxen in the pen"

Fifth Lun Dao: "I only wish to expedite the conclusion of autumn plowing and wheat sowing for each household by borrowing cattle and iron."

Fifth Lun shook his head in opposition, stating that the tenant farmers and the impoverished ethnic groups who cultivate rented land toil throughout the year, with their earnings barely sufficient for survival, merely managing to maintain a semblance of life.

Later, he came to understand that the so-called thirty tax one and ten tax one were merely pleasant-sounding phrases on the surface. More deadly than land rent were the corvée labor and the additional levies. During the Han dynasty, corvée labor required traveling far to the Western Regions and the Southwestern Barbarians, which could take years for a round trip, and it was easy to fall ill or die on the journey. Military achievements were also distant and uncertain. The Xin dynasty was even more excessive, engaging in full-scale wars with neighboring states, suffering more defeats than victories, and no one was willing to go to their death.

When Wu Lun first arrived in this era, he found it strange that the land tax in the new dynasty was one-tenth, whereas in the previous Han dynasty it was even one-thirtieth. Why did many people prefer to sell their land and become tenant farmers for the wealthy gentry rather than work as independent smallholders paying rent to the court?

The Han family unified, the turmoil came to an end, and the family was able to reside together for a long time, continuously reproducing in stability. However, as it was still in the early stages of development, it was far from having the institutional completeness of later generations

However, during the Fifth Dynasty, there was no one in the family, and the head of the household had to serve and pay taxes, let alone act as a protective umbrella. Therefore, their family's appeal to landless farmers was minimal, as the land was mostly acquired through the annexation of properties from families of different surnames, accumulated over time.

The powerful have completed their accumulation through exploitation. If this were during the Western Han Dynasty, they would naturally continue to annex and purchase land. However, due to the restrictions imposed by the Wang Tianling of the Xin Dynasty, land could no longer be openly purchased. Since the scale of land has been locked, surplus grain is then used to exchange for plow oxen and iron tools, seeking ways to improve intensive farming.

The original intention may have been to combat the powerful individuals controlling the private salt mines, but regardless of how noble the intention is, it ultimately relies on human execution. A good idea, when implemented at the grassroots level, has turned into a harmful policy, causing significant trouble for the common people. The government produces crude and unusable tools, while ironware becomes increasingly expensive. After ten years, many people have been forced to revert to using stone and wood. With production methods from a thousand years ago, it is a miracle if the production efficiency is high.

Moreover, this act of killing the chicken to get the eggs will cause the Fifth Clan to lose something more important than food: the hearts of the people

In the view of the Fifth Lun, how could a place that can gather all the people of a mile and strengthen cohesion through sacrificial rituals be left idle? Even without drinking, many activities can still be undertaken

Although the fifth ethics is characterized by compassion, it is more about seeking favor from one's kin, while also organizing everyone to undertake a significant task during their farming off-season. One must be strong oneself; if one cannot even unite a mere mile, how can one expect to rally support from the surrounding ten or eight miles?

The father of the Fifth Fu is named Fifth Ge, responsible for managing the farmland and grain of the estate. He told Fifth Lun: "Young master, the land rent was just collected this month, and all five granaries are filled with grain, totaling nearly over 1,000 stones"

Secondly, the New Dynasty emulated the Zhou governance by imposing penalties on those who gathered for drinking, with any group of five or more subject to punishment. The people lost a day of enjoyment and release, and the community became much quieter, with many areas in disrepair and neglected for a long time.

This surprised him: "Wasn't it said that the Qin and Han dynasties were already in the Iron Age? How is it that there are still people using tools from primitive society?"

The fifth tyrant appears rough, yet in reality, possesses a delicate mind, after all, having lived for so many years: "After the response, so many people must need to eat, right"

There is no rush regarding the matter of food; let the grandson think of a solution gradually

What is the purpose of letting them idle around, to bask in the sun? Although the fifth patriarch is the head of the family, he holds no sympathy for the distant relatives and remains concerned only with the interests of his own family.

Upon seeing Di Wu Lun, the resentful Gao Nu, who was wearing a leather skirt, quickly set down the iron hammer in his hand and accompanied Di Wu Lun to tour the small iron workshop, and then inquired about a matter.

The fifth theory is considered: "At present, Guanzhong indeed appears to be in a state of peace. When I say that the world is in chaos, even my grandfather does not quite believe it. Right from the start, I brought the clansmen to practice military drills. Not to mention that the authorities would harbor suspicions, the local residents are also unwilling. People generally prefer ease over labor; if they can lie down, they will never stand. Therefore, one can only rely on human sentiments and interests, gradually working towards the goal."

Then, it's a draw!

Fifth Lun observed this with great emotion and then proposed, "Great Father, during this year's autumn plowing and planting of the winter wheat, could Da Zong represent us and lend our surplus iron tools and plow oxen to the impoverished clansmen in the village for their use?"

If we categorize based on closeness, the threshold of the courtyard will surely be trampled by relatives who seek favors through connections. It is better for everyone to rely on their own abilities and let luck speak, which can save a lot of trouble

In the past, there was a slight respite after autumn, but starting from the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the promotion of winter wheat, also known as宿麦, began. Coupled with the cultivation of vegetables and legumes, there was now work to be done in both autumn and winter, leaving almost no time for rest

When I returned yesterday, I saw that some people had already begun plowing the land in preparation for sowing winter wheat. Since there were no oxen, only two people could work together to plow.

This is akin to wanting your head to go north while your body moves south, is it not absurd

In this village, the rent for farmland is mostly collected at a rate of 10 to 4. However, the fifth family has always cherished their kin, collecting rent from family tenants at a rate of 10 to 3, while ordinary tenants are charged at a rate of 10 to 4

In that case, my younger brother is from a different family name; can he also borrow the cow

However, the Fifth Tyrant pointed out the contradictions in the Fifth Lun: "Lun, on one hand, you want to engage in these purely wasteful expenditures."

Thus, an additional three to five hundred shi of land rent can be collected each year

In his previous life, Wu Lun was actually a southerner, deeply influenced by the clan culture of the south. Although the village regulations of Liyue were dismissed as "dross" in the new century, in a specific era, they could also be transformed from waste into treasure, becoming a support for his self-preservation in chaotic times

Fifth Lun touched the newly repaired iron shovel and asked, "Is there... any extra iron?"

Although the Fifth Ba criticized the Fifth Lun yesterday, he still announced the matter of borrowing cattle and iron tools, winning the cheers of the entire community, and urged Qiu Gao Nu to expedite the repair of the iron plow for distribution to each household

Fifth Lun does not wish to engage in clan politics, as that would be too petty. Treating everyone equally, regardless of their surname, is the only way to gather more and more people

Young Master

Although they are mostly of the same clan, they are self-sustaining small farmers who do not rent large tracts of land. Even if their harvests are good, they do not pay rent to my family, so why should I concern myself with them

"Nature is indeed true." Fifth Lun looked at Qiu Gao Nu, whose small stature and face had been constantly baked in the fierce flames, always appearing flushed.

However, the fifth Lun came to the blacksmith's shop today for another matter

The blacksmith is named Qiu Gaonu. He is not a member of the Fifth Clan, but rather a follower who came from Shangjun seeking refuge and possesses some blacksmithing skills. Later, he gained his freedom and married a woman from the Fifth Clan. Fifth Ba allowed him to open a small iron workshop at home, specifically for repairing agricultural tools

For instance, setting up a long street banquet, calling everyone to enjoy a rare hearty meal, while the fifth master performs swordsmanship on stage to captivate the admiration and envy of the boys. Then, let the elders share stories, recounting the arduous journey of the fifth clan migrating from the East two hundred years ago, the legendary lives and tragic endings of their ancestors, the Tianheng brothers, all of which can enhance the sense of belonging among the people.

Young Master!

He said: "At that time, I would like to ask the elder and the village chief to organize the villagers, and I will provide the funds and supplies to rebuild the community!"

... ...

In the fifth year of the Lun dynasty, one must at least accumulate 10,000 stones of grain to be sufficient

However, ordinary farmers do not have such conditions

Li She

Due to Wang Mang's complex and lengthy economic policies, the monetary system of the realm was thrown into disarray. In the county town, apart from the government which still insisted on paying salaries with a variety of new currencies, the common people had almost reverted to a barter system. The only hard currency that remained strong during this era was one thing: grain

When I think about it, there are indeed so many things I want to do, which is far more interesting than going to the academy to study dead books

Young Master only relinquished a place at the academy to another yesterday, and now he seeks to borrow an ox and a plow. Could it be that he truly is, as the old master scolded yesterday, a prodigal son?

Including vegetables, fruits, and other accompaniments, the provisions were sufficient for over fifty people, from the master and his family to the servants and slaves of the Fifth family, to last for two years. This demonstrates that the Fifth family was very adept at management, unlike some families that lack any planning and indulge in excessive feasting, often finding themselves without surplus provisions

However, since the establishment of the New Dynasty ten years ago, the prohibition of the Five Equal and Six Control policies has been issued, and alcohol can only be sold by the government, which has suddenly made it extraordinarily expensive. Even privately brewed alcohol has increased in price several times. Ordinary people cannot afford it and can only secretly brew a little bitter wine at home to taste.

When he went to meet the Fifth Overlord and presented this plan, he was ridiculed by the old man again

The words in the fifth box are cold and straightforward

After being ridiculed by the old master, Wu Lun felt somewhat dissatisfied. The next day, he got up early and, accompanied by his servant Wu Fu, began to take stock of the Wu family's provisions.

Fifth Lun originally thought that this bold statement would earn him his grandfather's praise, but in the end, he received a sharp rap on the head, which made his head throb painfully, and he instantly sobered up

The fifth hegemony has not yet made a statement, but the fifth division, which is in charge of agricultural affairs among the clans, has already called for action.

The fifth Lun planned to bring over the elements of the southern clans. He envisioned that in the future, next to the community, he would also build a school for the purpose of education, allowing the children of appropriate age in the community to learn literacy and arithmetic—there was no need to study the Five Classics, as it would be a waste of time. For those a bit older, Wu Lun could personally serve as a teacher to impart more useful knowledge. He hoped that the community would produce a few talented individuals.

I have heard that the head of the family has shown kindness and allowed each household in the village to borrow plowing oxen for farming. Is this true

The granary of the fifth family is located in the backyard, occupying a considerable area. It features a four-sided roof, with two windows on the eaves for ventilation. Inside the granary, there are large earthenware jars, covered with heavy wooden lids, filled with unhulled millet and wheat.

"The elder's lesson is indeed profound." Di Wu Lun scratched his head somewhat awkwardly, acknowledging the contradiction. Engaging in such activities incurs enormous costs, yet the income has not increased. If this continues, even the landlord's household will run out of provisions.

What is even more alarming is that Fifth Lun saw that many households' plow blades were actually made of wood and stone

... ...

The fifth level is still deemed insufficient; he believes that, given the rising grain prices in recent years, the land rent should be increased.

Moreover, the taxation imposed by the court is the most terrifying, as it is irregular and demands money without accepting grain. Farmers are forced to take their grain to the market for sale, only to be exploited again by merchants or the government. If they cannot gather enough, in order to avoid being captured by the authorities and becoming convicts, they have no choice but to borrow. Usury is a bottomless pit, with interest compounding increasingly, and after a few years, they can no longer sustain themselves, leading them to sell their land and even themselves, ultimately becoming entangled with the wealthy.

From January to December, the farmer is busy throughout the year. As the stars shift over hundreds of years, the world has transformed from feudal states to counties, yet life has not undergone any substantial changes; in fact, it has become even more difficult— the population continues to grow, arable land per capita decreases, and without diligence, one cannot survive

Oh, still gathering such scenic words, where did you learn this? Did the official scholars teach this?

The village shrine worships the land deity and serves as a festive gathering place for the local populace. On the day of the shrine festival, people gather to drink together. On this day, drinking is not only open and aboveboard, but also indispensable, often resulting in families helping their inebriated members home as dusk falls.

Ten thousand stones? Do you know how much grain is stored in the county granary? This amount is just this, and in my Fifth District, which is only one li, the annual harvest is limited. Where can I gather so much grain?

This burden must still be borne by Wang Mang's new policies. The Xin Dynasty emulated Emperor Wu of the Han and implemented the strategy of "Five Equalizations and Six Managements," which essentially mandated that six types of goods, including salt, iron, and wine, must be operated and sold exclusively by the government, while private mining and selling of these goods would be considered illegal