Chapter 161: Tribute Silver

The next day, before noon, Liang Manshan managed to slack off successfully and took the opportunity to go into town to ask the blacksmith about farming tools.

The response he got was unexpected.

The blacksmith shop in Crouching Tiger City was government-run, primarily producing weapons such as swords and blades. They had limited stock of iron plows and other farming tools. However, Master Tian had anticipated this in advance and placed an order with them. The blacksmith shop had been working tirelessly day and night to forge farming tools. Even if they weren’t immediately available, they would be soon.

The blacksmith also advised him to go register at the government office and wait, quietly hinting that he wouldn’t have to buy them himself—he could borrow them from the government first.

When he returned and shared this news, Yan Huaiwen remained composed.

The others, however, were overjoyed.

Land clearing was the hardest part of farming. Without proper tools, relying solely on manpower would be exhausting and slow.

They needed to sow their crops as soon as possible. They weren’t afraid of hard work—they just wanted to get it done quickly.

Yan Huaiwen went to the government office, borrowed a cadastral map(Land registry map), and inquired about seeds.

“First伏 radish, second伏 mustard greens, third伏 Chinese cabbage.” He relayed Master Tian’s words to the others.

“The government has prepared vegetable seeds, reportedly collected from rural areas across the region. The primary crops are these three, though there may be some mixed in. Due to the rush, they weren’t properly sorted and got mixed together.”

“Eldest Brother, when can we collect the seeds? And when will they distribute the rations?” Yan Lao’er asked.

“As soon as Manshan and I finish our work and Master Tian approves, we can distribute the grain and seeds.”

Yan Yu asked, “Uncle, what does ‘First伏 radish’ mean?”

“It’s an old saying in Guanzhou’s countryside. It refers to the third geng day after the summer solstice as First伏, the best time to plant radishes. The second 伏 is for mustard greens, and the third 伏 falls around the beginning of autumn, which is ideal for planting Chinese cabbage.”

Observing Master Tian’s actions, Yan Huaiwen couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. “This Master Tian is skilled in agriculture, forward-thinking, and upright in governance. A truly rare and good official.”

He found it odd that he had never heard of such a capable official under Prince Ying’s command, and he began to form some suspicions…

Radishes, mustard greens, and cabbage!

Yan Yu knew exactly what they could be turned into—various pickled vegetables that sold all over the country and were even exported overseas…

“Uncle, what about the map? Does the land we picked belong to Crouching Tiger City?” Yan Yu felt her heart pounding with anticipation.

The answer was about to be revealed!

Yan Huaiwen hummed in acknowledgment and carefully spread out the cadastral map.

The complete map of Crouching Tiger City was not available for borrowing, but he managed to get a sectional map, which happened to include the area they had their eyes on and its surroundings.

From the map, the stone bridge connecting both banks had a simple name—Dashiqiao (Great Stone Bridge).

The road westward from the bridge led to a town called Xiqiao.

Yan Lao’er had always taken shortcuts and had never walked the official road, which was why he missed it.

If they were to settle here in the future, Xiqiao would be the nearest town to them.

After putting the map away and returning it, Yan Huaiwen continued his work.

Although he didn’t say anything, those who paid close attention to him—Old Yan’s family of three—knew one thing: he was anxious.

Everyone was both nervous and excited, waiting eagerly.

Yan Lao’er and Yan Yu, however, were not the type to sit around and wait.

“Father, clearing the land and planting crops is important, but so is building a house.”

“I was thinking the same thing. We need a place to live, after all.”

“Sitting around won’t do us any good. Why don’t we check out how people here build their houses?”

“Good idea. Winters here are cold—we’ll need heated beds.”

“I remember that besides heated beds, they can also make heated walls. If we plan for it while building, we can have a house that stays warm all winter.”

Yan Lao’er thought for a moment and said, “Daughter, seeing that your uncle is busy today, let’s not just sit here—let’s go take a look around.”

Yan Yu nodded eagerly.

Father and daughter wasted no time and set off.

The attitude of the yamen guards at the city gate toward them had changed quite naturally.

Previously, they had shown respect to Yan Huaiwen as a scholar, which extended to the Yan family, though somewhat distantly.

But now, they saw them as their own people—there was a newfound closeness.

Of course, Yan Yu believed the key reason was that her uncle had become the Household Register Clerk in the yamen.

After all, the Household Register Office was the most lucrative department in the government.

“Bringing my kid into town for a stroll. Hope you brothers can grant me some convenience.”

Yan Lao’er cupped his hands with a grin.

The guards laughed heartily.

“Couldn’t hold back, huh? We told you yesterday—if you wanted to come into town, just say so. We’re not outsiders anymore. Go on in! Oh, and if anyone tries to take advantage of you, just tell them you’re the brother of Yan the Household Register Clerk.”

“I just have to say my name and they’ll know me?” Yan Lao’er pointed at himself in disbelief.

“Don’t worry. Word spreads fast in town. Your brother is the Household Register Clerk—he’s got them all by the throat. Between us, if someone tries to give you something, don’t refuse. Just remember who it came from. Some of them are brainless—when you get back, tell your brother, and we’ll deal with them. As for those who do know the rules…” One of the guards subtly showed off the money pouch at his waist.

“Just take it. It’s a small tribute. If you refuse, they might come to your house instead.”

Yan Lao’er was shocked. “They’d actually come to my house?”

“Of course! If you don’t accept it now, they’ll think you’re holding out for something bigger.”

The guards all chimed in, persuading him.

The summary? This is how things work in the yamen—no one can avoid it.

Yan Lao’er was thoroughly baffled.

“Oh, and take Liang the Household Register Clerk’s son with you. Let him get familiar with people, too.”

Yan Lao’er hesitated for a moment before saying, “Alright, I’ll go ask Liang the Household Register Clerk.”

“Go ahead.”

He pulled his daughter along and left.

Yan Yu’s eyes were practically glowing.

Tribute silver.

Hahaha, this was a real eye-opener.

Yan Lao’er wasn’t actually going to ask Liang Manshan—he was going back to ask Old Yan.

He only said that to save face, so people wouldn’t think he couldn’t make decisions and had to ask his older brother about everything.

After listening, Yan Huaiwen nodded. “Just accept it.”

Liang Manshan also seemed completely unfazed.

“I’ll trouble Brother Huai’an to bring Fengnian along.”

With their approval, Yan Lao’er took three children to the city gates again.

Yes, he had also called his nephew along.

If they were going to get recognized, might as well do it together.

Yan Yu saw a yamen guard enter the first shop inside the city gates and quickly come back out.

Then, the group—one adult and three children—entered the city.

Crouching Tiger City was large, with well-planned streets extending in all directions.

Yan Lao’er wasn’t sure where to go, so he simply led them straight down the main road.

Their eyes couldn’t take in everything at once.

Though Crouching Tiger City was a border town, it was bustling and lively—far beyond comparison to their small hometown.

Yan Yu spotted a bookstore and stopped.

“Father, let’s buy some paper for Uncle.”

————

—The Third Geng Day after the Summer Solstice is about 20 days after the solstice, usually around mid-July.