Chapter 228 - 217 The Art of Speaking
County Magistrate Fu and the steward exchanged glances, their eyes sparkling. The registrar sat to the side, listening to their conversation with a slight frown. This was already the third time the county magistrate had brought up tax relief. The previous two instances had been private discussions, but this time it was mentioned in public, indicating the magistrate’s strong resolve.
The registrar glanced at the individuals seated in the hall, sighed softly, and then fell silent.
Tax relief is not out of the question, but I worry the Assistant County Magistrate may not be very pleased...
The thoughts of those at the table spun rapidly, though it was but a brief moment. Once Manbao’s voice faded, there was a moment of silence, followed by County Magistrate Fu bursting into hearty laughter, looking at Manbao and then at Shanbao.
Finally, he patted their round heads lightly and turned to ask Old Master Bai, "How old is the young master this year?"
Old Master Bai replied immediately, "Eight years old."
This was his nominal age. Before the children grew up, adults liked to calculate their nominal age, as if to make them grow faster.
Naturally, County Magistrate Fu also knew this. Calculating the actual age to himself, he couldn’t help feeling envious, "I saw him last year when he was not yet seven, right? He showed me an essay then, and I noticed his extraordinary talent. Seeing him today, his insights really are exceptional. Have you thought about sending him to the County School, Lizhi?"
Lizhi was Bai Li’s courtesy name, which was given to him by Bai Qi and his mentor as they had no father. When the two of them came of age, their names were given by their mentor.
By calling him by his courtesy name, County Magistrate Fu was using a very familiar form of address.
Bai Li smiled with gratification and was somewhat tempted, but, looking down at his child who was energetically winking at him, almost to the point of cramping, Bai Li shook his head and said, "The child is still young. Let’s wait until he is older."