Chapter 0007: There are also people in our palace

In the past two days since the youngest Zhang returned to his hometown, not only have visitors from the county been coming one after another, but people have also arrived from the government office. For a time, the small Pear Tree Village was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of vehicles and lively chatter

The human heart is indeed strange; even knowing that their land has been requisitioned by the court, Wei Jinde remains undeterred and continues to visit the fields daily. The village head also makes three trips a day, hoping that the Prince of Fortune might overlook the land in Lishucun and later tell his father to abandon it. If that happens, it would be a joyous outcome for everyone involved

Wei Jinde was clearly reluctant to bring this matter up with his two sons, yet it was he who mentioned it himself. Both sons were watching him, and they were grown up; this matter would have to be disclosed to them sooner or later

However, no one dares to call the youngest member of the Zhang family "Pig Head Bing" anymore. Even the villager who originally gave him that nickname now approaches the Zhang family with a beaming smile, fearing that the now prosperous youngest member might settle old scores with him. The anxious and uneasy expression on his face is amusing to those who are aware of the situation.

Wei Liangchen stood there for a full quarter of an hour before he could truly accept the scene before him, and he deeply understood why the villagers, including his elder brother Liangqing, were so envious of the youngest member of the Zhang family

Many of Zhang Jia's childhood playmates watched as the once notorious "Pig Head Bing" was praised by the county officials, the village chief, and the local elders, each feeling a sense of discomfort in their hearts

In this flavor, what prevails is envy

Thus, after a moment of hesitation, he finally said: "It is your second uncle. In fact, he is not dead; he is currently serving as a husband in the palace, having changed his name to Li Jinzong"

Liang Chen curled his lips and said nothing, for there was nothing to say. During the Ming Dynasty, both the inner court and the outer court were equally important. If the youngest member of the Zhang family truly wanted to pay a visit to Su Ning County, it was only proper to show some respect in this matter. After all, it was merely a matter of a few acres of land, and the Prince of Fu would likely not concern himself with such trivialities.

The loyal minister looked at his father with a gaze full of longing

Indeed, do not underestimate the youth in poverty; thirty years in the east of the river, thirty years in the west of the river

Ah? Father, what did you say? Liangqing was taken aback and did not respond.

Regardless of past lives or this life, can a man who is lacking in certain aspects still be considered a man? Can he maintain his dignity in front of women

Uncle Er changed his name and became a husband in the palace? Liangqing could hardly believe it; all along, he had thought that Uncle Er had died outside.

Liang Qing quietly recounted the events. It turned out that earlier, he and his grandfather had encountered members of the Zhang family working in the fields in the village. They found it strange, as the land had been requisitioned by the court, so why were they still working the fields? Upon inquiring, they learned that the Zhang family's land was not subject to requisition.

The youngest of the Zhang family is named Zhang Bing. However, due to his stout appearance and his frequent petty thefts at home, he is looked down upon by the villagers and has been given the nickname "Pig Head Bing".

To cut oneself and then enter the palace to become a eunuch requires great determination and willpower

Wei Jinde glanced at his two sons, slowly stood up from the threshold, and wore a hesitant expression, clearly reluctant to speak

Certainly, the liveliness of the Zhang family has nothing to do with the Wei family. Ever since the day before yesterday when they witnessed the commotion, Wei family elder three has not approached the Zhang family again

According to the village head, the youngest member of the Zhang family is currently serving as a supervisor in the Imperial Treasury, which is a position of rank. It is said to be equivalent to that of a county magistrate, both being of the seventh rank. However, despite the same rank, the youngest Zhang is working in the palace, close to the emperor, which changes the nature of the position significantly. The specifics of how it differs are not something that can be articulated by someone who has only served as a village head in the county.

Why should we not levy taxes on their family? If their family is not taxed, then neither will my family be taxed

Liang Chen was also very surprised and was just about to ask for clarification when suddenly he felt a jolt, and immediately sensed his heart racing intensely

Among several main roads, becoming a eunuch and entering the palace is one of the paths for the people of Hejian Prefecture to seek survival

"Father, what has happened?" Liang Chen was somewhat puzzled, wondering why he was so angry for no apparent reason.

Ordinary people cannot bear to be so ruthless, as this matter is exceedingly difficult. Once the knife is plunged down, it means severing all ties. This would be a betrayal to one's ancestors above and would lead to being looked down upon by others below

Liang Qing reacted and said excitedly, "Father, do tell, who in our family is in the palace?"

Liang Chen was very dissatisfied, as the Zhang family had six acres of land in the east of the village. If his family was not taxed, on what basis could the government tax his family's land? It was unfair to benefit the few while disadvantaging the many. If one family was not taxed while another was, what kind of system was that?

The reason is quite simple: Hejian Prefecture is located very close to the capital, yet it is relatively impoverished compared to other regions. In order to survive, the common people employ various means, as the saying goes, a living person cannot be suffocated by urine. As long as there is food to eat and no risk of execution, the common people are generally very eager to engage in any kind of work.

When Liang Chen spoke these words, his teeth were chattering, and his eyes were bulging wide open.

Upon hearing this, the loyal minister became even more indignant and muttered, "Just because one is a husband in the palace, does that mean one is exempt from taxation?"

"Silly boy, having connections in the court makes things easier, don't you know? The youngest of the Zhang family has made a name for himself now; how could the county not give him face?" Liangqing shook his head

On that day, Liang Chen was lying in bed contemplating the matters of the provincial examination, when he heard the footsteps of his father and elder brother outside the courtyard

No!

Every road leads to basic sustenance and wealth

Upon careful consideration, in the past two to three decades, there have been six or seven individuals from Lishu Village who have undergone castration to seek a livelihood in the capital. Unfortunately, among these individuals, only the youngest of the Zhang family has managed to persevere. The others have remained largely unnoticed.

Why is the land of the Zhang family not being requisitioned? Isn't it supposed to be combined with my family's?

Neither of the brothers spoke, both feeling quite stifled. At that moment, their father Wei Jinde murmured, "In fact, there is someone from our family in the palace."

As long as one can muster the resolve to do so and truly be selected to enter the palace, then one will be free from worries about food and clothing. If the ancestors are blessed, securing a position in the palace would lead to a life even more enjoyable than that of an official.

I just heard someone say that the land of the Zhang family will not be requisitioned. Wei Jinde remained silent, responding to Liangqing's words

No matter how heroic you are during the day, once you take off your clothes at night, you are just like a frostbitten eggplant—wilted beyond recognition

When Zhang's youngest was at home, he was nothing more than a petty thief, yet in just a short span of seven or eight years, he has returned home in splendid attire

Compared to the good fortune of others, our own two acres and eight cents of land is the real matter of importance

Without that fateful blow from years ago, how could Zhu Toubing return so majestically? How could he make the people of the county and the village chief fawn over him like this? How could he mobilize the soldiers from the garrison? How could he return in glory?

The loyal minister listened carefully and instinctively asked, "Who is it?"

Father ... ... are you saying ... ... that our second uncle is now ... ... now called Li Jinzong ?

"Do not speak nonsense; how can my family compare to the Zhang family? Their youngest son is the emperor's consort in the palace." Liangqing was angry, but he was not reckless; he dared not go against the authorities.

Liang Qing harbored his father's intentions and accompanied him to the village head's house several times, which made the village head feel a headache whenever he saw the two of them. Liang Chen, on the other hand, did not go, as he had now attained a high level of awareness and understood the principle that common people should not contend with officials

The loyal minister is somewhat confused and does not understand the meaning. If it were not for the unusual expressions of his father and elder brother, he would likely still think that the court has ceased land requisition.

On the other hand, Liang Chen was still troubled by the matter of the imperial examination and had no mind to accompany his father and elder brother wandering aimlessly outside

The villagers of Lishucun all know that the youngest of the Zhang family castrated himself to seek a living in the capital, yet no one ever imagined that Pig Head Bing would actually manage to make a name for himself in the palace

Liang Chen hurriedly sat up on the bed, and just as he stepped out of the room, he saw his father and elder brother sitting on the doorstep, sulking.