Chapter 5: The Rules Outside

Uncle Er Fang Zhili remained silent for a while, realizing that the situation in the hall seemed to be under the control of Fang Yingwu, posing a risk of losing control. However, Fang Yingwu was upright and beyond reproach, and who would dare to deny the grace and preferential treatment granted to students by the imperial system

Everyone has no choice but to continue to worship Fang Yingwu's mathematical prowess; it is estimated that now some would even believe if Fang Yingwu said that one plus one equals three. However, upon hearing these numbers, Fang Qingtian felt an overwhelming headache.

The current price of one mu of paddy field in Chun'an County is six to seven taels of silver. If the second family can contribute seven taels of silver, they would be able to acquire an additional two mu of land, which would certainly be a very advantageous deal

Various discussions arose within the ancestral hall, and Fang Qingtian's behavior as a bachelor was truly hard to bear. However, for the average person faced with such a relative who disregards their own reputation, there is often little that can be done; they cannot be hit or scolded, and many times, one can only suffer in silence.

Fang Qingtian, upon hearing the figure of seven taels, exclaimed in anger: "I do not have that kind of money! If it is a matter of life, then so be it!"

I have heard about what happened this morning. When did you become so insightful and perceptive, and some of your words are quite reasonable?" Miss Wang enthusiastically engaged in conversation, saying: "Have you never been outside? How do you know that the pawnshops and lenders outside charge an interest rate of three percent per month? Even my father is not aware of these things. My third uncle said that there are very few people around here with your level of understanding.

Despite Fang Qingtian's thick skin, he could not withstand the laughter of so many relatives. "I am willing to cede one mu of land to offset this seven taels of silver"

Having caused a commotion here, everyone dispersed, treating it as a joke at Fang Qingtian's expense. Today, he truly became the laughingstock of the village, having been mocked by his nephew, and as they discussed it, they went off to the fields to work.

Fang Yingwu sarcastically remarked: "In matters of trade, it requires mutual consent. This time you are willing, but my nephew is not. Uncle, do you think that one mu can offset seven taels of silver? My nephew believes that one mu is not worth seven taels and insists on exchanging two mu instead. What should we do? I have heard that in the pawnshops outside, the rule is that collateral is always valued at half the price!"

Fang Yingwu smiled and calculated: "If the first family has only 2 mu of land, and the second family takes away 6 mu, then let us first discuss the taxes—on average, for each mu of land, the summer tax is 1.5 silk, and the autumn grain is 2 sheng of rice, which is equivalent to about 1 qian in silver. For 6 mu, that amounts to 6 qian, and over 8 years, this totals to 4 liang and 8 qian in silver. This is the total amount exempted from taxes. As for the exemption from corvée labor, calculated at 2 fen of silver per day, over 8 years, this would amount to at least 100 days exempted, which is 2 liang of silver. Adding these two items together, the second family should compensate the first family a total of approximately 7 liang of silver."

Fang Yingwu glanced at his uncle and said, "In consideration of our familial ties and the face of Second Uncle's mediation, I, as the eldest branch, am willing to take a step back, as long as I can have those three acres of land"

Fang Qingtian, unable to calculate the amount in that moment, could only subconsciously ask, "So how much is the interest?"

Fang Zhili also became somewhat impatient with Fang Qingtian's relentless demands and asked irritably, "What more do you want?"

Fang Qingtian took the opportunity to play tricks, "I don't have any silver right now, so I'll owe you first and pay you back slowly in the future. Am I supposed to be able to escape from this?"

Do not forget that for farmers, spring is the most impoverished period when the crops are neither green nor ripe. Even if they endure until the autumn harvest, after deducting the grain for subsistence and taxes, most ordinary farmers are left with very little.

"I heard that you have no food to eat, so I specially came to bring you some meals," said Wang Xiaoniang happily

This area of land is sufficient to ensure his survival and food supply. Initially, in order to support his father's ambitions, two plots of public land were sold, and it is only fair that the second family receives an additional two acres.

Fortunately, there is always a way out. Just as Fang Yingwu was planning to go up the mountain to gather some wild vegetables, he suddenly heard someone calling from outside the window: "Is Young Master Fang inside?"

The people in the ancestral hall once again worshipped Fang Shentong's counting ability ... . ... Prostrating themselves completely was out of the question, as they were all his elders and it was impossible for them to do so.

Fang Yingwu returned to the house and contemplated the matter of the division of the family property repeatedly. He was also eager to free himself from the entanglements of trivial matters. Since he had already vented his frustrations, why not simply agree to the division of three mu or five mu?

First, it is necessary to draft the contract and affix a seal to avoid any verbal agreements without evidence. Secondly, interest should be calculated according to the market rate. As far as I know, the going rate for loans at the pawnshops in the city is a monthly interest of 3%. Uncle, for the seven taels of debt from your family, it is only fair to calculate the interest based on this market rate, as we must not break the established rules

Thinking of this, Fang Qingtian could not help but exclaim in exasperation: "You are going too far!"

If he only receives three mu of land here, it may seem like a loss, but upon closer calculation, it is not actually a loss. His father, Fang Qingzhi, being a first-class stipend student, could receive assistance from the government if he diligently studies at the county school. This assistance is known as stipend grain, amounting to six dou per month, which over the course of a year is equivalent to the income from five mu of land.

It can only be said that misfortune has befallen the family, having a prodigal father... He couldn't help but start contemplating that once the matters in the village were settled, he would definitely find a way to go to the county town. Firstly, to see if he could reclaim some of the rations that rightfully belonged to his father, and secondly, to broaden his horizons and assess the situation in the county town

In this way, it can be regarded that the main house sold four acres of actual land, obtaining a value equivalent to five acres of farmland in a secure livelihood. Now, Fang Yingwu has also taken away three acres of actual land from the public, which, when combined, amounts to a total of eight acres of farmland, still significantly more than the five acres of farmland from the secondary house.

What are the rules

Although Fang Yingwu was not in a hurry, he was momentarily taken aback. He muttered a few phrases about the lack of righteousness on both sides before saying: "If my uncle is certain and has thought it through, then I, as a nephew, naturally have no objections. However, a country has its laws and a family has its rules; borrowing money must also be done according to the established regulations"

Fang Zhili realized that the more the two parties quarreled, the more absurd it became. He cleared his throat heavily to redirect their attention, saying, "I am powerless in this matter; you may as well go and litigate on your own!"

Having failed to obtain the six acres of farmland he had planned for, Fang Qingtian found himself at a loss. Today, his nephew's shrewdness and decisiveness caught him off guard; this behavior was entirely unlike that of a typical fifteen-year-old. Which fifteen-year-old would dare to take charge in such a manner?

However, what made Fang Yingwu feel lamentable was that this unreliable father insisted on borrowing money to go abroad for study, neglecting to collect the county's scholarship and grain for two years, which truly left no room to blame others

After that, he secretly reminded himself that he should still strive to be a person with ideals and pursuits. The journey should not only be about the stars and the sea, but also about the blue sky and white clouds. How could he lose his composure over trivial matters in this rural village?

Fang Yingwu scoffed and said: "Since that is the case, my nephew will no longer require the land. Uncle may take six mu, and the rest should be compensated to the eldest branch in silver."

However, Fang Qingtian still felt unwilling and sensed that he had suffered a loss, his heart aching as if pricked by needles. Unable to restrain himself, he said to Fang Zhili: "The farmland in the mountains is valuable yet hard to come by; it is quite difficult to purchase even with seven taels of silver. In fact, the land is worth more than silver. It is rather too convenient for my second uncle to ask me to give up an acre; there should be some additional compensation to make it fair."

Fang Yingwu certainly could not demand his uncle's life, thus the situation became stagnant once more. Everyone then turned their gaze towards Fang Zhili, hoping that the elder would make a decision

But the problem is that Fang Qingtian's own life is quite tight, so how could he possibly pay Fang Yingwu with seven taels of shiny silver? Even if he were to convert it into tangible goods like rice and silk, he still wouldn't be able to come up with it

In order to gain a larger share of land, Fang Qingtian claimed that he was unwilling to bear the financial investment made in Fang Qing's academic achievements. Therefore, it is only natural for the eldest son, who possesses academic honors, to reclaim the protection previously afforded by Fang Qingtian. There is absolutely no principle in the world that allows one to benefit without making any contributions.

Moreover, today he has already given his uncle a small lesson, and there is no need to continue to cling stubbornly. With so many neighbors watching, one must still pay attention to maintaining a certain appearance. It is a well-known truth that a rabbit does not eat the grass near its burrow

Uncle Er Fang Zhi Li pondered for a moment and said, "How about this: the second branch will yield one mu of land, which will be converted into seven taels of silver to be distributed to the first branch. This way, both sides will be even." According to this plan, the second branch will ultimately receive five mu of land, while the first branch will obtain three mu of land

As for the two individuals behind, one is the charming yet fiery young lady from the Wang family; the other, whom I do not know but have seen before, is a stranger from a neighboring village who came to watch the commotion during the morning's family division at the ancestral hall. He is short and stout, approximately in his forties, and I am unsure of his purpose for seeking me.

Others, for reasons unknown, began to chuckle softly. This Fang Qingtian was overly greedy, desperately trying to gain more advantage, but today he was thoroughly played by his nephew. At this moment, he found himself in a predicament, unable to turn left or right, and he must be regretting it deeply.

Since his time travel, Fang Yingwu felt proud of his father for the first time, realizing that his father was not as detrimental to him as he had thought. He noticed the frustrated expression on his uncle's face and felt a deep sense of relief.

Only the relatives do not understand how Fang Yingwu, who grew up in the village without showing any particular talent, suddenly became ten times more astute and intelligent overnight. Could it be that there really is such a thing as a sudden awakening of one's faculties?

If we give up two mu, wouldn't that mean each side ends up with four mu, a half for a half? If that's the case, it would be a significant loss, and Fang Qingtian was so infuriated by his nephew's cunning that he nearly spat blood.

This pressing issue is truly distressing, especially in a mountain village where there isn't even a restaurant.

Whether it is a beautiful person or a stranger, Fang Yingwu did not pay much attention to them, yet his gaze was firmly drawn to the old servant. This individual was holding a large food box that was at least three layers high, which was more tempting than anything else at the moment

Although he cannot calculate the exact numbers, he knows from experience that a family of three requires four acres of land for their sustenance; anything beyond that constitutes income. Based on this calculation, his annual earnings are barely sufficient to cover the interest, let alone repay the debt of seven taels of silver in both principal and interest.

Fang Yingwu leaned out, only to find three people outside. The one standing in front was the old servant from the wealthy Wang family in the neighboring village, who had addressed him as "Young Master Fang" in a manner that made him quite uncomfortable yesterday.

Unknowingly, the sun had risen high in the sky, and Fang Yingwu was startled out of his deep thoughts, suddenly feeling dizzy and lightheaded. From last night until now, he had not eaten a single grain of rice. However, there was no food in the *Tu* *Shu* house, and having fallen out with his uncle, where else could he go to eat?

Thank you. Fang Yingwu was distracted, his attention entirely on the old servant arranging the food.

Fang Yingwu, upon hearing this, felt like crying without tears; it was akin to lifting a stone only to drop it on one's own foot. He himself was the number one debtor in the village, having instigated the commercialization of usury in this simple mountain village. In reality, he was the one who suffered the most misfortune.

If it is truly possible to reclaim some subsidies from the county school on behalf of my father, then whether it is for repaying debts or for daily sustenance, the financial situation would become much more relaxed.

Fang Yingwu casually calculated and said: "The interest on seven taels of silver at three percent is two qian and one fen, which means that if you repay next month, you will need to return seven taels, two qian, and one fen to settle the debt. After that, it will be compound interest, increasing by three percent each month, with approximately one tael more in interest by the autumn harvest. After one year, the interest will be around two to three taels of silver, totaling approximately ten taels when combined with the principal. Uncle, you must think carefully; are you truly planning to incur such a debt?"

The simple villagers of Shanghuaxi Village have a range of activities that does not exceed ten miles, and there are no merchants among them. How would they know the calculations and rules regarding interest on debts outside? However, they have indeed heard of the concept of borrowing money and calculating interest from the outside world, but they were left stunned by Fang Yingwu's assertive words, exclaiming in admiration at how knowledgeable Qiu Ge'er is.

Receiving the flattery of a beauty, Fang Yingwu felt a slight sense of pride and casually replied: "This is precisely the saying that a scholar, without leaving his home, can know the affairs of the world; he possesses strategies within his heart."

Fang Zhili realized that as the arbitrator, he could no longer take the initiative to express his opinions. He could only sigh and say to the increasingly assertive Fang Yingwu: "You may speak; how much compensation do you want from the second household?"

Miss Wang suddenly realized, her fair face showing an expression of excitement. "If that is the case, my family has never charged you for these out of friendship, does that mean we have broken the rules? Two years ago, your father borrowed thirty taels, at a monthly interest rate of three percent, how much is that now? Can you calculate whether it has exceeded fifty taels?"

The Chang family should continue to support me in being exempt from labor, as this would be considered just. Fang Qingtian is insatiably greedy