As autumn slowly sets in and the time for autumn tax collection approaches, more and more residents are seen dragging rice and grains along the streets.
Meanwhile, oxcarts pulling large quantities of rice were moving along the bluestone path, with burly rice shop assistants shouting and directing them.
The residents on the street looked at the full bags of rice, which smelled of rice, with a mixture of longing and greed, as well as a bit of resentment, because the grain that should have been in their hands had ended up on the oxcart.
In Qingmang City, or even the entire Louzhou region, the ox is the most representative and practical domestic animal. After all, whether in daily life or martial arts, the people here have inherited all the legacies and curses of the ox, which symbolizes the immortal demon god Daojun.
Gentle oxen cultivated vast farmlands and hauled goods; savage oxen granted warriors formidable strength; and malevolent oxen transformed into monsters, wreaking havoc on people's lives.
The ox-drawn cart stopped just before leaving the alley. The driver didn't pick up the whip, but instead looked ahead. A black-scaled horse-drawn cart pulled by, its emblem of the Mu family clearly visible.
Yes, the large family symbolized by the ox also represents the thousands of people who rule this land. The workers drove the oxen to make way, and the crowd that had been watching began to move.
Where is this grain going?
A slightly wrinkled hand pulled back the carriage curtain, and Mu Hong, the powerful and influential steward of the Mu family, asked the waiter in a veiled manner.
"Reporting to you, sir, this is a gift of grain and dried goods from the Eighth Master of the Fushan Martial Arts School in Niujiao Lane, sent to express his gratitude to the old village. It totals 200 shi."
The autumn tax is two dou per mu. Woniu Village has a population of no more than 200 people, so two hundred shi of grain is definitely not a small amount.
The price of grain is now seven coins per dou (a unit of dry measure), so two hundred shi (another unit of dry measure) would be one hundred and forty taels of silver, not even counting the dried goods separately.
"That is indeed a kind and benevolent person."
Mu Hong calculated the accounts and concluded that Woniu Village probably wouldn't need to buy rice or purchase New Year's goods for the next few months.
"That's right. The Eighth Master of Fushan Martial Arts School is a very kind man. I heard that he always repays kindness. He once gave me a meal and then gave me a hundred bowls of the best meat. He used to only teach straw sandal making, but now he has learned carpentry. Even the child who just wanted to hear a story got a good horse."
The waiter talked with great enthusiasm, but Mu Hong listened briefly and then waved him away. The carriage continued on its way towards Niujiao Lane.
Niujiao Lane is quite lively now because an old man is expanding his family's property. He bought several surrounding courtyards to build a pond and garden, and he's hiring workers who are paid for their meals.
"It is human nature and a human desire to rise to power, to seek fame and fortune."
Looking at the more imposing gate from the carriage, Mu Hong felt that it was more in line with the impression of a high-class family than the previous one, which could only be described as the residence of a refined scholar.
Outside the gate were newly appointed servants and guards, dressed in brand-new robes, standing watch. Also there was Youlan, a former maidservant from a foreign tribe whom Mu Hong had given her, directing the hanging of a new plaque.
The three characters "Qingmaoju" were hanging high there, and upon closer reading, one could sense the refined sentiments of a scholar. Youlan also hurried over to pay her respects when she saw Mou Hong.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Mu Hong entered the mansion and saw the pond under construction and the expanding garden.
When I saw Dao Chengyi at the training ground, he was practicing archery, drawing the seventy-pound horn bow with ease.
When Mu Hong arrived, he witnessed the scene of an arrow piercing through a target fifty paces away, symbolizing the beginning of archery skills.
"Manager Hong, is there something you need? If it's about collecting manuscripts, it's not time yet."
Wearing hunting clothes with one shoulder exposed, Dao Chengyi, who was preparing to draw his bow and arrow again, noticed Mu Hong's arrival. He put down his bow and arrow, and Qing Teng, who had prepared in advance, handed him a dry towel and some plow water.
"There's no other way. The young master has been urging me to come and see, so I, the old man, came to see him ahead of time. I suppose you, Cheng Yi, have also prepared well in advance."
Mu Hong glanced at the still-virgin green vine, and his opinion of Dao Chengyi's taste was further confirmed.
"That's true, but Steward Hong, you mustn't reveal this to the young master, otherwise I'll feel pressured if he keeps bringing it up in advance."
Dao Cheng joked, then pulled his clothes back up and led Mu Hong to the study.
"Of course, Cheng Yi, you are now a meritorious member of our Mu family and have great talent in martial arts, so we will not disturb you."
More than a week has passed since the hunt for the Black Bear Demon. During this time, the Mu family has paid more attention to Dao Chengyi, who has gone from being a retainer to a meritorious official of the Mu family.
Not only did he receive a reward of over a thousand taels of silver, but he also generously expanded the scope of the Fushan Fist technique. The martial arts school's instructor also praised him highly, saying that his future was very promising!
Upon arriving at the study, he handed the newly written "Record of the Goddess Qiongming" to Mu Hong, and the two sat facing each other in the study to get down to business.
"On the way here, I saw the rice shop assistant delivering grain. He said that the grain was delivered to Woniu Village by you. Is that true?"
"Of course it is true. I am a very grateful person. Although I was only in Woniu Village for a little over three months, it was thanks to them that I was able to get to know you, young master, and gain your favor. Now that I have made my fortune, a little bit of grain is nothing."
Dao Chengyi poured tea for Mu Hong, a reason he gave to outsiders, but the real reason was that he planned to enrich that village.
"I see. That's kind of you. But you should be careful sometimes. People can be unpredictable. When I was in Sanniu Town, I heard someone say that you are vengeful. You gave someone a hundred bowls of rice and let him eat them to death, had someone else make a coffin and suffocate him, and even gave a child a horse and let him be trampled into mud by the horse..."
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