Chapter 1924: Concession
With the Qian family at the forefront, not to mention that Patriarch Xia didn't want to make the relationship with Zhou Man and the Zhou family too strained, even if he did, he wouldn't get what he wanted if the relationship became strained.
For example, let Zhou Man change his surname.
As for the land, it is possible to keep it, but in that case, the reputation of the Xia family will be largely ruined, which is not worth the loss.
After all, Zhou Man is not an ordinary person. She is an official and is above them. If they make enemies with her, all the efforts their clan has made for a long time to establish may be shattered by just one word from her.
All sorts of thoughts flashed through Patriarch Xia's mind for a moment, but he finally forced a smile towards Qian and Old Zhou, "My in-laws are right."
So the question comes back to Zhou Man’s surname. If her surname is not Xia, then what right does she have to take the Xia family’s property?
Don’t even mention that the properties belonged to her grandparents and mother. In this world, even clans can seize properties from male orphans, not to mention that Zhou Man’s surname is not Xia.
Even local laws and regulations stipulate that when buying and selling land, under the same conditions, people of the same ethnic group should be given priority, and this rule cannot be violated.
Some people with vicious minds like to play tricks on others. When their own people want to buy or sell land, they will offer the same price as others. If they do this repeatedly, it can drive people crazy.
Unlike Old Zhoutou and others who naturally stood on Zhou Man's side, even County Magistrate Zhai felt that it would be unfair for Zhou Man to inherit all of Xia Yan's property without making some concessions.
After all, her last name is not Xia.
Manbao discussed the matter with the Xia clan leader, "I know that half of the land was set aside for sacrificial offerings, and I have no intention of reclaiming it. Uncle Yitang has looked after our house for many years, and even if he hasn't done anything meritorious, he's certainly worked hard. How about this: I'll give Uncle Yitang half of the remaining half as a token of my gratitude for his care of the house over the years, and the remaining half will be given to the orphans and widows in the clan as a token of my grandparents' merit."
However, Chief Xia did not feel Zhou Man's sincerity, but only malice. Once these words were spoken, wouldn't Xia Yi and the people in the tribe who had taken Zhou Man's land be irreconcilable?
Manbao continued to laugh and said, "I heard from County Magistrate Zhai that someone in the clan is studying now?"
Chief Xia, who had a gloomy face, suddenly cheered up. This was the lifeline of their clan. Why were they willing to give in and discuss it with Zhou Man in a friendly tone as soon as they arrived at the county government office?
Isn’t it because someone in their tribe is studying?
Patriarch Xia forced a smile and said, "Yes, there are several children studying. Your two cousins are more promising and have been admitted to the county school."
Manbao sighed and said, "Studying is important. Our Xia family is not very poor. We should provide education for our children. I remember that our clan had a clan school in the past."
Do you remember? Where do you remember?
Not to mention that she had only been away for a few months, the clan school was closed at that time. Where did she hear about it?
Manbao smiled and said, "We should still run a clan school, so that all the children of the clan can go to school. If they can pass the examination to become an examiner, that would be the best. If not, after graduation, working as an accountant or finding a clerical job would also be a good option."
Upon hearing this, Clan Leader Xia felt hopeful. Zhou Man then said, "I think we should give the land that Clan Leader is currently renting to the clan as school land. With each family contributing a little, we can set up a school. In ten or twenty years, who knows, maybe our Xia family will also produce a top scholar."
Chief Xia didn't react yet, but the elders behind him were getting restless and looking at him excitedly.
Chief Xia: ...
Is reading so easy?
Not to mention the money required to hire a teacher, how much would the books, pens, ink, paper, and inkstone cost? Could you open a school with just that piece of land?
I'm afraid we'll need to add ten more fields of similar size to make it enough.
The Xia family was indeed not extremely poor, but they were not extremely rich either, otherwise they would not have run their business for so many years and only sent two people to the county school now.
County Magistrate Zhai was very supportive of this move. Educating the people and opening schools were also considered his political achievements. This was his third year in Shangzhou, and he was expected to stay for another three years.
He hopes that after leaving in four years he can find a better position based on his political achievements.
County Magistrate Zhai immediately chimed in, glancing at Bai Shanhou and saying, "Chief Xia, what are you afraid of with a nephew-in-law like him? He's from an aristocratic family, and a few words of advice from him would be enough to benefit the children of your family for a long time."
Bai Shan sat on the chair and nodded and smiled.
Clan leader Xia and his people: …They were the ones who instigated the Zhou family to break off the engagement in front of everyone.
And even if this hadn't happened, given the distant relationship between them and Zhou Man, he was raised in the Zhou family. How much affection could they have for each other?
Manbao was determined to encourage the leader of the Xia clan to open a clan school so that the clan members could learn to read and learn etiquette. After inspiring people to move, he suggested going to Songhua Lane.
County Magistrate Zhai didn't want to go. Although Xia Yi didn't say much yesterday, from what the yamen runners relayed to him and Village Chief Xu, it seemed that the man was most likely a scoundrel. Facing a scoundrel, he would be somewhat inappropriate, and County Magistrate Zhai didn't want to make a fool of himself.
But Manbao didn't let him go and warmly invited him to visit her ancestral home.
Bai Shan chimed in, adding, "When we looked yesterday, we saw a pear tree in the garden, besides a jujube tree. It was laden with fruit, and it looked like it was ready to eat. Wouldn't you like to try some, sir?"
In no mood!
Magistrate Zhai thought so in his heart, but said with a smile on his face: "Okay."
So he smiled and stood up and went out with them, and also told his lawyer to bring a few more yamen runners with him, as there was a high possibility of action this time.
Chief Xia and the others who followed him out had expressionless faces. So that's how Zaoshu knew.
After getting on the cart, several members of the Xia family squeezed onto the ox cart of Patriarch Xia, and then sat on both sides to watch him.
Chief Xia said with a headache, "Don't look at me. Even Village Chief Xu has already prepared and returned the land deeds. Can we still use force against her?"
"Xia Yi's family is not easy to deal with, especially Xia Yi's family. If she starts to act like a spoiled brat, it will bring shame to our Xia family."
"She's difficult to deal with, but is Zhou Man easy to fool? She doesn't seem to be throwing a tantrum, but if she sues the family to the county government, it will be even more embarrassing," said the Xia clan leader. "Wu Lang and Qi Lang are about to take the provincial college entrance exams. We can't let any rumors get out at this time."
An elder sighed, "Who would have thought that someone in their family was still alive?"
After fourteen years without any news, anyone would think they were dead.
"Actually, there's nothing wrong with this. I heard she's already a fifth-rank official now."
"It's the end. For a girl, it's already big enough to be at this level. Where can she go higher?"
"From what you said, it seems that my brother still looks down on the fifth rank? Her official rank is the same as that of the Chief Secretary. In the future, if Wulang and Qilang can pass the imperial examination and become county magistrates, we will be very satisfied. We still can't compare with her."
"The tribe should be closer to her so that we can lend her some help in the future."
Oh my god, I scared the baby to death
See you at 9pm
(End of this chapter)
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