Infinite Professions

Jinyang Prefecture, Qinghe County, Little Huang Village.

Within the residence, in the study, Song Yu picked up the brush and ink, as if dragons and snakes were startled, or like swords and knives crisscrossed, and within a short time, completed a piece of writing.

He was just sixteen, yet to reach adulthood, his looks could only be considered delicate, but there was a noble aura between his brows, his gestures full of dignity; at this moment, fully focused, he exuded an extraordinary charm that left the accompanying maidens in a daze, eyes misty.

He was the legitimate son of the fourth branch of the Song Clan, and his ancestor was Song Ying, one of the "Wen Cai Wu Ying," enjoying a special status within the Song Clan.

After the Great Zhou was established, the imperial throne was thrice abdicated, creating three great imperial families, among which the Song Clan was the most esteemed, remaining in Jinyang, and regarding Qinghe and Huangshan as their ancestral land, they vigorously managed it.

The Li Clan was next, having relocated their entire family to Jinling at the start of Li Mubai’s reign, managing this capital closest to the Qinhuai frontline, and to this day, the name of Jinling Li Clan is renowned throughout the world.

As for the Ye Clan, they represent the "Academy Faction," with ancestors tracing back to the Mountain Master of Huangshan Academy, and presently, the Prefecture City God of Jinhua, Lord Ye Yunxiao, whose great-great-granddaughter Ye Jing received the abdication from Song Ji to become the third Sovereign of Great Zhou.

Though there are three great imperial families, everyone knew that in terms of prestige and nobility, the Song Clan was unmatched, regardless of Yin and Yang, the Li and Ye families could not compare.

As the legitimate son of the Song Clan, Song Yu, true to his name, was a talent of gold and jade, excelling in both literature and martial arts, and was the most dazzling new star of the Song Clan, even faintly determined by the Elders as the next steering head of the family.

"Young Master!"

Seeing Song Yu put down the brush, sweat densely formed on his forehead, a maid immediately stepped forward, holding a handkerchief to wipe it.

"Thank you, Ning’Er, I’ll do it myself."

Song Yu smiled, took the handkerchief from the maid, and wiped it himself.

Although he was the legitimate son of the Song Clan, a noble with heavenly lineage, he never indulged in pleasure, treating the servants around him with kindness, never considering them as slaves.

Indeed, they were not slaves. To be precise, there were no slaves in the current Zhou Dynasty.

Long before the establishment of Great Zhou, when Li Mubai governed Jinyang, he introduced the abolition of slavery, prohibiting both government offices and individuals from keeping slaves, and nullifying the notion that killing a slave was without consequence, to liberate the people and strengthen faith.

Initially, such policies caused great upheaval, as keeping slaves was a tradition, especially for those Noble Families; without slaves to serve and command, how would they live? Surely they couldn’t manage chores themselves?

Thus, once the decree was issued, all families strongly resisted, feigning compliance but inwardly defying.

Then, there was no "then."

With Li Mubai wielding the blade, heads of dissenters fell, and after a ruthless massacre and purge, the pretense of compliance vanished, and all families obediently freed slaves and concealed populations.

However, abolition aside, expecting these wealthy elites unfamiliar with manual labor to handle their own lives was unreasonable; meanwhile, common folk needed work, thus "housekeeping" emerged to replace the original slave labor.

As an imperial family, the Song Clan had to set an example; now, all the servants at home are free individuals, engaged in housekeeping, only to be commanded, not harmed.

Even the number of these servants was limited; though Song Yu was the legitimate son of the fourth branch, he had only one maid and one guard.

There was no choice, the Song Clan had shadows in this regard, the legitimate son of the first branch, the most outstanding Song Guan in three generations, due to drunken debauchery, had killed a maid, leading to public execution and a chain reaction, invoking the Divine Judge.

With such a precedent, how could the Song Clan not heed it? They have long enforced strict discipline, making it a warning for all branches, and kept the number of servants few, with recent thoughts of completely abolishing them.

As the legitimate son of the fourth branch, Song Yu had to set an example, proactively responding to national policies and family rules.

Otherwise...even if he wouldn’t end up like Song Guan, he would disappoint the Elders greatly.

Song Clan is an imperial family, a family of Divine Beings, a house of blessings and longevity, and they have many elders who internally form an Elder Council, steering the family’s path.

Though he was the legitimate son, if he disappointed or angered the Elders, he would equally be unqualified for the top position.

Song Clan must never produce another Song Guan!

This was the unanimous decision of the Song Clan Elders, even more so after the rise of the Li and Ye families.

Song Yu put down the handkerchief, looked at the piece on the table, and showed satisfaction: "Ning’Er, what do you think of this piece?"

The maid smiled: "Young Master’s handiwork is extraordinary, naturally."

"Oh, you!"

Song Yu shook his head, instructed the maid to mount the piece, and then left the room.

As the ancestral land of the Song Clan, after years of management, Little Huang Village had changed its appearance; though it was still called Little Huang Village, it essentially resembled a town, with towering buildings and bustling streets.

Just as Song Yu stepped out, he saw a familiar face and immediately greeted: "Brother Que!"

"Ah, it’s Brother Yu."

The man called, was a young man, already of age, composed in demeanor, who came forward to converse with Song Yu: "Where are you headed?"

Song Yu replied with a smile: "Today there’s a lecture by Master Qian at the academy, something we must not miss."

Song Que nodded: "Shall we go together, then?"

"Nothing would please me more!"

The two exchanged smiles, boarded the steam train, and headed to Huangshan Academy.

This steam train is a creation of the Huangshan Academy’s "Science Institute," and in recent years has replaced ox and horse-drawn carriages as the main mode of transport; its core "Steam Engine" is applied across industries, greatly enhancing production efficiency.