Chapter 268 - 165: Taxes (2)
"Lord Zhuo, when will Lin Guang be departing?" Guo Wei asked.
"Let’s give him two days," Zhuoyi said with a smile.
"Thank you, Lord Zhuo," Guo Wei said, cupping his fists. He knew Zhuoyi had gone to great trouble to arrange these two days, wanting to give the master and his disciple more time to prepare.
Guo Wei then had Hei Hu go to Fengyue Building and book two superior rooms for Lord Zhuo and Lord Xu. In front of Guo Wei, Zhuoyi released a carrier pigeon to inform Mr. Du that Chu Lingguang was about to enter the Trial Ground, asking him to handle the follow-up arrangements.
Guo Wei knew that from this day on, Chu Lingguang would be considered a disciple of Mr. Du.
He immediately began to seriously explain the key points to Chu Lingguang.
He also detailed the Court’s political factions and the camp Mr. Du belonged to for Chu Lingguang’s benefit. Chu Lingguang learned that Mr. Du and Wei Yongguang were in opposing camps. While neither had explicitly backed a particular Prince, the two were in constant competition.
Partisan conflict was as old as time.
If Chu Lingguang wanted to establish a foothold in the Court, this was a hurdle he had to clear. Fortunately, he was just a Martial Scholar for now and didn’t have to worry too much. His only focus should be seizing this rare opportunity to achieve a dazzling performance in the Trial Ground.
From Guo Wei’s explanation, Chu Lingguang realized that not even the children of nobility could easily enter the Trial Ground to train.
He understood that if he hadn’t defeated Samba—which had indirectly restored some pride for the Great Yuan Dynasty—and if Du Juan hadn’t witnessed it herself, leading Mr. Du to recognize his potential, he would never have gotten this chance. He would never have been able to enter the Trial Ground to train, and even then, only for three months.
Guo Wei also gave him some extra advice: Inside the Trial Ground, he should listen more, observe more, and speak less. He shouldn’t worry about offending people in there; his priority was to get the best results possible. But once he came out, he was to forget all the honors and conflicts he experienced inside.
When the trial was over, Guo Wei would go with Hei Hu and Wang Chao to pick him up.
Chu Lingguang committed it all to memory.
Afterward, Guo Wei took him to Fengyue Building to host Lord Zhuo and Lord Xu. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Chu Lingguang went to Wine Street to buy some daily necessities and gifts.
Since he would be gone for three months, Chu Lingguang wanted to leave something for his Second Aunt’s family and get something for Guo Wei as well. He bought a brocade box and placed the Great Returning Pill inside.
Du Juan had given him this Great Returning Pill. It was worth a fortune, able to not only replenish one’s Qi Blood but also enhance their Dragon Elephant Power. Chu Lingguang wanted to leave it for Guo Wei.
Guo Wei treated him like his own son. Until now, aside from letting everyone know that Guo Wei had accepted a good disciple, Chu Lingguang hadn’t been able to give his master any tangible rewards.
This Great Returning Pill would be the first.
The next morning, Lord Xu and Lord Zhuo arrived at the Martial Arts Hall. Guo Wei received them personally. Over tea, Lord Xu handed a register to Chu Lingguang. "Young Master Chu," he said, "regarding the Court’s reward this time, although you didn’t receive the official title of Martial Arts Scholar, you will be granted the status and privileges that come with it. You’ll also receive an additional hundred taels of gold. As for this register, you can write down the names and information of anyone you wish to exempt from taxes and corvée labor. When you’re finished, give it to me. I’ll have the government office handle the paperwork today and deliver the Literary Decree to their hands."
"Yes. Thank you, Lord Xu."
Chu Lingguang was immensely grateful.
The Great Yuan Dynasty had specific regulations for this.
A Martial Arts Scholar could grant tax and labor exemptions, but there were limits. Excluding immediate family, the privilege could extend to no more than ten households, with a total of fifty people or fewer.
His Second Aunt, Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family, and her household were relatives, but according to the Court’s rules, they weren’t considered immediate family. Chu Lingguang would have to write down all their information in detail.
Chu Lingguang first wrote down the names of his Second Aunt’s family.
Next, he glanced at Hei Hu, smiled, and added Hei Hu’s family to the list. With Hei Hu’s aptitude, it was only a matter of time. Even if he didn’t pass the Provincial Examination nine months from now, he was sure to pass the one after. So, even if Chu Lingguang didn’t help them now, Hei Hu would be able to secure the same exemption for his family within a few years.
But helping Hei Hu’s family now was the icing on the cake. Besides, Hei Hu and Zhang Linghua were dating. As Linghua’s elder cousin, how could he not step in to help at a crucial time?
Even without the connection to Zhang Linghua, Chu Lingguang would have done it for Hei Hu based on their bond as martial brothers alone.
Hei Hu was standing nearby, serving tea to Lord Xu and Lord Zhuo. When he saw Chu Lingguang take the register, immediately grind an inkstick, and begin to write, he couldn’t help but steal a glance.
When he saw the names of Zhang Linghua’s family, he thought, ’When we get married, maybe the Zhang Family will offer a bigger dowry.’ But when he saw his *own* family’s names on the list, Hei Hu froze. In that moment, Chu Lingguang’s back seemed as immense and steady as a mountain. His mind raced. ’I have to find an unmarried cousin to introduce to him!’
After writing down Hei Hu’s family,
Chu Lingguang fulfilled his promise and added Landlord Zhang’s family to the list.
Next, he thought of Butcher Hu, Chun Ju, and their family.
Butcher Hu had always been a man of great loyalty and integrity; his handling of personal relationships and obligations was impeccable. During the fight with Samba, he had gathered the other Wine Street bosses to cheer at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall. He hadn’t been afraid of the consequences, of being dragged down and having his own reputation ruined if Chu Lingguang had lost.
Chu Lingguang had not forgotten this act of loyalty. Now was the time to repay it, so he added Butcher Hu’s entire family to the register.
As for Guo Wei and Guo Fang, they were already far beyond the status of commoners.
After some careful thought, Chu Lingguang wrote down another name after Butcher Hu’s family: Li Yishan.
Although Li Yishan possessed excellent Martial Arts, he was skilled only by a commoner’s standards. He had participated in the Martial Arts Examination before but had never managed to pass.