Chapter 3 Par Excellence

The business of selling and buying land falls under the jurisdiction of the regional governments. But in actuality the higher ups aren’t personally in charge of such small matters. Instead, it is managed by their subordinates who are minor officials. These minor officials are literate but have not read and studied any texts of sages and scholars. Their salary is low so they make extra to fill their wallets through exploitation of the common people.

Buying land cost 100 taels with an extra 10 taels used to bribe the minor official in charge.

This minor official is an ethnic Han Chinese and speaks in Chinese as well. Although accented by southern dialects, Lin Yuan is still able to understand.

“That stretch of land is good.” The minor official known as Jiang Gui, twitched his lips, “although it is uncultivated land but it is fertile. Since you genuinely want to do this business I recommend the best for you.”

Lin Yuan is extremely quickwitted and flexible, handing the minor official a banknote worth 100 coins: “Is there any landlord families nearby?”

Jiang Gui sees that Lin Yuan took the hint so his attitude became even better. In addition to his fairly young age and smiling face, his tone became friendlier in response: “I notice your young age so I selected land that is farther away from those families. Still, make sure to be careful and don’t get involved with quarrels.”

“But the weather is currently cold, if you want to build a house I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until early spring otherwise the foundation won’t be deep enough.”  Jiang Gui, “I normally don’t say this much to others but I see that you are not only young but also a straightforward fellow.”

Lin Yuan cupped his hands in thanks: “Thank you, da ren (form of address for officials and aristocracy).”

Jiang Gui flapped his hand: “I’m just a minor official, not deserving of being called such. Just call me brother Jiang. If you have any questions you can come find me at Tong Luo Alley, third house.”

Lin Yuan readily accepted: “I dare not bother brother Jiang.”

“Where are you currently staying?” Jiang Gui received ten silver taels and 100 copper coins worth of bribe, his mood is currently great. His monthly salary is only one guan but his interests include alcohol and meat which is rather expensive to indulge in daily. A pound of pig meat cost 20 coins, not to mention alcohol. This ten taels is enough for him to indulge for two to three months.

Lin Yuan: “I’m currently staying at the Lai Ke Inn in the northern part of the city.”

Jiang Gui thoughtfully said: “How about this, I have a neighbor who moved to Jiangnan just last year leaving only an old servant to watch the house. I’ll speak to his relative and you can rent it for a fee per month?”

Lin Yuan hesitated: “I just bought land, not much is left…”

“You call me brother, how could I cheat you?” Jiang Gui flapped his hand, “Monthly rent two guan, if it’s fine then go ahead. Besides there’s only three months till early spring.”

Two guan is indeed not a lot. Lin Yuan during the past few days had inspected the price of living in Wu city. The price of two guan may be high for other places but Tong Luo Alley is a busy street with a lot of businesses. Living there would be very convenient in terms of buying necessities.

“Then many thanks to brother Jiang. When do you think I should move over?”

Jiang Gui: “Today is fine. I have the lease contract so I can take you there in a little while.”

After finalizing the agreement, Lin Yuan did not give a tip and Jiang Gui did not ask. He can give it later after seeing the house anyway. As for Jiang Gui, he may be money hungry but he also knows to not cross boundaries so that relations can be maintained.

Servant boy quickly packed their belongings after finding out that Lin Yuan found a temporary dwelling, excitedly saying: “I still need to shop for young master’s necessities. Calligraphy and scholarship equipment! I wonder if they provide plates and spittoons? If you ask me, young master should also buy a servant girl since some chores require delicate work.”

“Don’t I already have one?” Lin Yuan spoke up, “The mother and son from before.”

He had the mother and son temporarily stay at the abandoned temple. The ragged blanket was also given to them for use. Once he finds a private dwelling he’ll then call them over.

The boy can do what he can and the mother can clean the house as well as cook.

Although Lin Yuan is not like the original owner who was waited on by servants since birth, but he grew up in the city and only used gas stoves. The stoves of ancient times he has no idea how to use and servant boy don’t know how to cook.

Lin Yuan was willing to buy them, feed them and clothe them, but he cannot have his good deed result in them only taking and not giving. That is not called doing a good deed, that is called inviting your ancestor into your home.

Only when people have work to do, and through hard work earn the means to support living, can people develop a sense of belonging.

“Young master is indeed clever.” Servant boy slapped his forehead, “Why didn’t I think of it?”

Lin Yuan laughed: “Then you would be the young master.”

Although Lin Yuan is outwardly smiling, he is actually a little uncertain. He only has 200 taels, the past few days the cost totaled nearly two taels. And this was under the circumstance of having a strict budget.

Buying land cost 100 taels, bribery cost eleven taels, leaving only 87 taels left. Renting for three months will also deduct his savings to 81 taels.

To build a larger house would cost at least 50 taels.

Tenant farmers can farm the land but it is up to him to provide seeds and tools….

He must find a source of income, otherwise even if he prepared seeds and tools what will the tenant farmers eat? Farming does not mean instant harvest. You could not expect everyone to live off on nothing?

In these days, business brings in money the fastest but if labeled as part of the merchant class, that would only bring trouble. It’s less an issue of not being able to take the civil examinations and more about the heavy taxes. In addition, the merchant class cannot travel freely, must carry travel documents, register with the government and a bunch of other annoying matters.

During the Yuan dynasty, being a landowner is the happiest career, second to none.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s wife, Ma Bigfeet was born in a landowning family. It was thanks to her landowning father that Ming’s founding emperor could raise an army. Otherwise where would the money have come from?

The common person go to work at 7am, a time originally used to describe officials attending morning court sessions with the emperor. It later spread to other types of professions.

Lin Yuan and servant boy finished packing, returned the room key and waited at the front of the government office.

“This house is quite clean. The old servant cleans daily but since you are here to see the place I had him leave for his relatives’ place.” Jiang Gui pushed the door open, “The entrance to the street has a well, you can get water from there. ”

Lin Yuan inspected the place with satisfaction. The place wasn’t big with just a living room, bedroom, storage room, cellar and an area carted off with a stove for cooking.

The living room is partitioned in two, one side for receiving guests and dining, the other side for sleeping with a bed and other furniture.

The second bedroom is smaller with a bed but not much else.

Lin Yuan paid upfront for three months.

Jiang Gui looked with satisfaction at the money, thinking of the recommendation fee he would get for introducing the place to a customer.

“From now on we are neighbors, find me anytime.” Jiang Gui pocketed the money, beaming with sincerity.

Lin Yuan quickly replied: “Brother Jiang, I actually have an issue I need to discuss with you! Come, let’s sit and talk. Er Liang, go pour two cups of water.”

Servant boy is called Er Liang: “Be right back.”

Jiang Gui sits down, puzzled: “What is it?”

Lin Yuan’s manner is very polite: “Brother Jiang must know, I don’t have much left in my wallet. Early spring must build a house, too many things need to be bought but I have no source of income.”

Jiang Gui heard this, sighs: “You ask the wrong person. If I had any ideas would I still be taking side jobs?”

“Isn’t there a saying the strong dragon cannot overcome the regional snake?” Lin Yuan laid on the flattery, “Although civilians believe that upper officials are in charge but I am clear that the true managers are minor officials like brother Jiang. Is it not true the upper officials don’t know the hardships of the people and must rely on you to deal with the common people?”

Jiang Gui feels the truth in this reasoning: “Cannot describe it like that, especially in public. We still work under the big officials.”

Lin Yuan: “Here it’s only us two, what can not be said? Little brother is speaking from the heart, nothing perfunctory about it.”

Jiang Gui: “I won’t hide it from you, I have been a minor official for many years. Compared with me, even those hoity toity upper officials have seen less types of people than me. There are some paying work I know of, if you dare.”

Lin Yuan climbed the ladder offered: “Brother Jiang please give me directions.”

Jiang Gui suddenly said seriously: “Can’t be regarded as directions. Do you know of the city’s gambling parlor? Know anything of usury?”

Of course Lin Yuan knows. High interest loans.

“Brother Jiang.” Lin Yuan pretends to hesitate, “The current times are not prosperous, giving out loans, can they even be collected?”

Jiang Gui blinked his eyes at Lin Yuan: “If you trust me then I’ll lend you a hand. In the southern part of the city there’s a gang leader specializing in helping people collect debts. His subordinates are all capable, most are fierce fighters who have seen blood.”

This Jiang Gui fellow, is practically a player of both the legal world and the underworld, if he was living in the modern times he would be one of the big fishes!

He even knows to bring their relationahip closer, helping him with some small issue while receiving benefits at the same time. If this person is still alive when war breaks out, it is quite possible he could make something of himself.

Lin Yuan: “Brother Jiang, let me consider. If you pressure too much, I’m afraid that those gamblers would get violent. Look at me, I only have a servant boy as back up. I am timid and afraid of dying!”

Jiang Gui laughed out loud: “Little brother Lin, only the daring are full to the point of bursting while the timid starves! Consider some more, if you want to participate look for me. I need to get back now, my woman has cooked dinner and is waiting for me.”

Lin Yuan saw Jiang Gui out the door, making plans to kep in contact.

After Jiang Gui left, servant boy Er Liang appeared hauling a pail of water.

Lin Yuan only just realized there’s no water in the house, or a pot to boil water in….

It is winter, what work will bring in money? Being a loan shark is out of the question, it goes against the virtues he developed living in the modern times. Though he knows there are huge profits in it but Lin Yuan reluctantly gave up the choice.

Lin Yuan suddenly asks: “Er Liang, if you had some money in your pocket, what would you spend it on?”

Er Liang is currently wiping the desk, he feels the old servant did not do a thorough enough job of cleaning. In response to Lin Yuan’s question he answered thoughtlessly: “Buy meat to eat, fat meat.”

Lin Yuan’s eyes lit up!

Alright!

He has found his goal.

Ancient people lack oil. At this point, there are no place specializing in raising pigs nor is there pig feed so pig oil is used up fast. Although vegetable oil began being used during Song dynasty it has always been sesame oil that is par excellence.

At that time, the method for producing oil did not work as well with soybeans as with sesame. Only until a new method was introduced was soybeans preferred over sesame.

Currently, animal oil is too expensive and the price for sesame oil is also on the rise.

Lin Yuan: “Is soybean expensive?”

Er Liang has been in the marketplace: “Five coins per pound, cheap.”

Alrighty, soybeans it is.

Lin Yuan thought confidentally. Watch me earn heaps and piles. As for being registered as a merchant class, isn’t there Jiang Gui the regional snake?