Chapter 175 Chapter 175 Update.
Ji Xu was washing tableware and drinking utensils with soapnut water by the well in the backyard. It was mid-July, and while washing the dishes, she was thinking about the events of August and September.
Starting from August every year, all parts of the country would submit statistics. "Submitting statistics" means that each county, prefecture, and road would compile statistics on household registration, agriculture, and the flow of money and grain within their jurisdiction, and submit these statistics to the central government one level at a time. Every August and September, all places would start paying taxes.
Last year, my family paid taxes in September. At that time, we were already in the capital and had bought a house in Sangshu Lane. I remember that at that time, we were busy selling braised food to save money in order to pay the money, which was the property tax.
This year, the three stalls at home are gone, but the property registered is more than last year, which means that the taxes are heavier.
The house he lived in was worth 1,500 taels, the intact and safe restaurant was worth 2,000 taels, the six registered maids and servants were worth 10 taels each for the younger slaves and 20 taels each for the older slaves, for a total of 80 taels, the chestnut horse was worth 40 taels, the yellow ox and the black ox were worth 8 taels each, and the total value of the household was 3,636 taels.
With all these, it is no wonder that he was called a rich man in the past.
It’s just that the restaurant is now under his name, but he is not allowed to open or sell it due to investigations.
She also thought about selling the house and exchanging it for two smaller houses. The remaining money would be enough for the mother and daughter to live a good life.
However, since the end of last month, the mercenary Zhang Erlang has been looking for a buyer for the mansion, but no suitable buyer has been found.
Those who can afford this house have some assets and do not want to offend the Li family, so they don't even come to the door. There are some common people who want to get a bargain, but the price they can offer is very low. She is not even at 30% of the selling price.
Firstly, we are making a loss, and secondly, selling the house means that there is no room for the girls at home. We must first settle them down. They have been living together for such a long time, so at least we should find them a good family where they will not be scolded or beaten all day long and can have enough food and clothes.
But the good family didn't want her family members, and sold them to the bad guy for two taels of silver, but she kept the money. This was like sending them back to the tiger's den to be tortured.
Now the four of them are afraid of this, so they all work diligently and try to eat as little as possible, which is heartbreaking to see.
Ji Xu thought about it and realized that the maids were a small part of the property. Even if he sold them to suffer, he couldn't make up enough to pay the tax. It would be better to let them stay put.
Now they also work everywhere, all trying to earn money to pay taxes for their families.
Ji Xu had also been doing odd jobs in Manxianglou for half a month, and he saw piles of plates, cups, and pots nearby.
After being busy with lunch, she washed her hands and wiped them on the towel around her waist as soon as she heard the kitchen staff say it was time to eat.
The waiters inside were all seated, with a bowl of oatmeal cakes, a bowl of fried meat cubes, and a bowl of bitter violets.
The hierarchy in Manxianglou was strict, with servants being the lowest class and not even given meat to eat. She took a wheat crumb cake and dug out a can of homemade meat sauce from her bag. She chopped it into fine pieces, made it sauce-colored, and soaked it in oil. She put it in a dry cake and ate it with bitter melon.
After eating, she finally finished washing all the things. The most reassuring moment of the day was when the sun set and shone on the pile of clean cooking utensils. After she had cleaned up, she could go home.
When I went out, I met a simple old man carrying firewood. He came to the outside of Manxiang Tower and asked stutteringly if he needed firewood.
"Very cheap, ten cents per load."
"We don't want your firewood, old man. You can't tell where it is, so come to us and ask."
The fat cook said he didn't want his firewood and kicked him down with the firewood.
When Ji Xuchu was here, he also suffered from his troubles. There were times when he pushed her to the ground and wanted to hit her, but there were people around who persuaded him, like the market official that day, who whispered something in his ear, and he stopped. However, he could not avoid saying some vulgar words every day.
Now that he had left, Ji Xu helped the old man up and saw that there was dry grass among his firewood, which had dried up to look like chrysanthemums, mixed with three or four plants.
"Old man, this is Atractylodes macrocephala. The rhizome can be used as a medicinal herb and sold at a pharmacy. It's not worth selling it mixed with firewood."
I used to go to the drugstore often to prepare medicine for stewing, and I had seen Atractylodes macrocephala. Later, when I worked as a cook for people at their homes, there were many who needed to regulate their bodies. I also read the ancient medical volumes I found and learned more about it.
After helping the old man covered in mud, he drove the ox cart to pick up Ji Feng, Tian Dou and Candou, who were also working in the government-run workshop in Gao City.
They were apprentices, and their daily meals were provided, but they only had four coins a day, which they were all given to Ji Xu for safekeeping.
"Sister, how much tax do we owe for September?"
For every two thousand coins of property, one hundred and twenty coins of tax must be paid, which is equivalent to a property tax rate of six percent. Her family's property tax this year will be nearly two hundred and twenty taels.
Even though the store has been closed for a month, the whole family, except Xiaozhu, has only earned five taels of silver in total. Even with this, they still have to save more than one tael for the whole family to use.
She had twenty taels, most of which were her savings from the past. She calculated and said:
"Yes, two hundred taels."
That is two hundred thousand coins. Since she does odd jobs here, earning ten coins a day, she has to work for twenty thousand days, which is equivalent to fifty-five years.
When they heard the number, everyone in the car became anxious. Since Ji Xu started doing odd jobs and went home with them, she and Tian Dou didn't dare to steal anything, for fear that Ji Xu would find out and scold them.
Ji Feng only regretted that he had not stolen some pottery today. If he could sell it for at least a hundred coins, wouldn't it be more valuable than the workmanship?
Ji Xu was driving the car when he heard his sister groaning in regret. He glanced at her and noticed her eyes were rolling around. So he said, "We still have some valuable things to sell at home. There are still two months before the tax payment. Sister will find a way to raise the two hundred taels. Don't try any crooked tricks."
After scolding her, they asked them if Tian had stolen anything and brought it home recently. Because her elder sister had always taught her well since she was a child and taught her not to steal or rob, Ji Feng was even more afraid to admit it and concealed the truth and said no.
Candou listened to the words "There are still some valuable things at home that can be sold", his eyes were gray, and he thought sadly:
I'm the most clumsy of the maids. I don't even dare to do what Madam teaches me. I must be sold my broad beans...
When they arrived home, they saw Hua'er, the maid from the master of Yangcheng family, waiting there. Ji Xu stopped the carriage and talked to her, and the three of them walked a few steps back.
After a while, Ji Xu also came back with Huaer. He went to the backyard and led the red horse to show Huaer. She stroked the horse's head and said:
"My family really can't afford to feed you anymore. Master Yangcheng has better fodder for you."
This horse understands human nature. It originally wanted to eat the best grass, but now it knows that its family is poor, so it even eats the inferior grass and is no longer picky.
But he couldn't afford to keep it, so he planned to sell the horse and the newly bought black cow, and keep the yellow cow that followed him from his hometown, which would be enough.
"Ever since our master took over your family, he's gradually taken on other people's house building projects. He's made some money and wants to buy horses to replace the goat cart. He asked me to ask around, and just happened to hear you were selling your horse, so I stopped you to ask."
Huaer looked at it and said,
"This horse is really good. Would you like to sell it for forty taels of silver?"
"I'm willing to sell it."
This horse was given to her by Song. Now there is no lady to invite her to cook. Song has brought Xiaoyao to visit her home twice. She heard that Yu had made trouble in her business and lost a thousand taels. Even if the family was short of money, they dared not ask Song for a loan. Ji Xuyin said:
"It's just that I've offended the Li family, and now they're giving me a hard time. Perhaps they want me to be unable to collect the tax and have my mother thrown into jail. Many families are afraid to take over my family's things. Now I can't hide it from you. If your family takes this horse, you might risk being embarrassed by the Li family."
"Okay, I'll go back and explain this to the master and his wife, and then I'll tell you. My Yangcheng family's ancestor was the Marquis of Wuqi, so I don't think there's anything to be afraid of."
The horse probably knew that it was going to be sold, as its eyes were wet. For the first time, it was not docile and did not want to go back to the stable. Ji Xu was reluctant to let it go, but he had to sell it.
"Where is Yi Jinnvniang? Where did Yi Jinnvniang go? Why don't you come and clean up these broken cups?"
The next day, Manager Hu of Manxianglou was calling out to her upstairs and downstairs. She clearly said that Ji Xu was no longer a rich girl, but she still called her that, especially in front of the diners, the louder she called her.
"I'm here."
Shopkeeper Hu opened the door of the elegant room and saw that it was cleaned up, but she did not go out.
"Little hoof, you dare to slack off here just because you have the Ice Mirror!"
She was going to pinch her, and when Ji Xu came, she pinched him unexpectedly. It was very painful, and his arm was purple. Now he sat down opposite her, tried to lead her aside, and said:
"Shopkeeper Hu, I have a business deal to discuss with you."
"Your property will become a burden to you when you pay taxes in September. That's when you'll be Master Li's second wife. What business can you possibly have now?"
Shopkeeper Hu smiled and said, knowing that their whole family worked to earn money, but it was just enough to eat and wear, and they could not even think about paying taxes.
"My wealth is indeed a burden now, but what about my recipes? How many diners come to Ping'an Restaurant just for this delicious dish to go with their wine? If I sell it to you, your Manxianglou will become even more secure in its reputation as the best restaurant in the world."
This recipe has always been kept a secret in our family. Even when the maid goes out to prepare the ingredients, she never buys all the ingredients at one pharmacy.
"Anyone who dares to take on your hot potato is asking for trouble. Song Qianpo is an example."
"My aunt and my family are close friends, and that's a well-known fact. But Shopkeeper Hu is different. You used to scheme against me, and now you're making things difficult for me. Everyone knows that we're not on good terms. The prescription you bought is indeed useless in this situation.
But what about five, six, ten, or eight years? Young Master Li will have forgotten who I am. By then, I might not be able to hold on any longer and will have to return home. You, with this recipe, will be the only one in Xijing."
Shopkeeper Hu was tempted by what he said. The way of eating braised food in Beijing is quite famous, and everyone says that the one made by Yi Jinnv Niang is the most authentic.
Although the food in the market is relatively cheap, once she makes it at Manxianglou, it becomes valuable.
"How much do you want for this braised food recipe?"
"Two hundred taels."
Shopkeeper Hu waved his feather fan and said:
"I can only give you fifty taels."
This little girl's household registration is in a district where houses and shops account for the majority. She can figure out how much tax she has to pay by just calculating. Although this recipe is rare, she can't give her the full amount. If she really makes her pay it all and it gets leaked out later, it won't all be her, Hu Jiuniang's, fault.
"One hundred taels."
"I'll only give you fifty taels."
Li family,
"Master, the General wants to see you."
"not see."
This study was elegant and pleasant, and the Minister of Agriculture Li Dan, who was over fifty years old, was reading a book there.
"He told me to give this to you, saying that seeing this ribbon would make you free."
It was not the purple or blue ribbon worn by high-ranking officials, but the black ribbon worn by officials with a salary of six hundred stones.
Li Dan thought about it for a moment, but his face changed drastically and he shook it off as if he had contracted some disease.
The servant came to invite him in. Zhuang Gaiyi, who was waiting outside, stepped inside. After exchanging pleasantries in the study, Li Dan said:
"I wonder what this ribbon means?"
"Last winter, Lingnan was hit by floods, and grain prices soared. Zhang You, the commander of the transport system, was ordered to go to Lingnan to stabilize grain prices. After the New Year, the grain ship, as usual, carried a load of local silk and cloth back to Guanzhong."
The rank of Junshuling was six hundred dan, and he was a subordinate of the Grand Minister of Agriculture, who was in charge of money, grain, rent and taxes. He was referring to the affairs of Li Dan's subordinates.
"I don't understand this even more. This is their responsibility. The Junshu Order states that when there is plenty, they buy grain, and when there is sparse harvest, they sell it. When the price of grain is high, they sell grain. When the price of silk and cloth is low, they buy cloth and transport it back to Guanzhong."
As he said this, he poured him tea.
"Come to think of it, when the General of the Central Army was serving as a farmer in Wu, he had a close encounter with the then-current Commissioner for Equalization of Transport. I've often heard that Wu is a land of fish, rice, and water, but I never imagined it would produce a man as brave as the General of the Central Army."
Zhuang Gaiyi refused to drink his tea. Seeing Li Dan's old face change, he said:
"The grain ship was carrying cloth, but there was nothing wrong with it. However, it also carried seven slaves under the hold. After reaching the shore, four of them were dead. Their corpses had been soaked in water vapor for a long time, and the stench was foul. Even the three who were still alive had spots and gangrene on their bodies.
The Junshuling officer was timid and took the initiative to confess to the Grand Minister of Agriculture that he was a grain transporter. You kept it a secret and ordered him to be burned. But now the Junshuling officer has also contracted the plague. The general has ordered me to investigate the source of the plague. Lord Li, tell me, how should I respond?
"I heard that there were one or two cases of epidemic disease at Hangu Pass, and they were discovered before Zhang You contracted the disease, so it is clear that the source was not Zhang You."
"Those were the three slaves Zhang You spared from being burned to death. This testimony came from one of them."
Zhang You allowed the boatman to be greedy for petty profits and transported slaves collected by human traffickers in Lingnan. This incident caused him to fail to control his subordinates. Li Dan could no longer explain himself. The General of the Central Guards was stationed at the palace and was ordered by the General to investigate the matter thoroughly. He spoke in such detail and had evidence in his hands. Now he said:
"What do you want?"
"I want Mr. Li to do two things."
Zhuang Gaiyi said, picking up the black ribbon. "You, you, you... this is filth! Zhang You's filth!"
Li Dan hurriedly moved to the other side, fearing that he would throw the dirty thing at him.
"Zhang You died of the plague, and all his belongings were burned. How can I obtain his sash?"
After saying this, he went out and slapped the ribbon into Youlu's hand. Youlu tied it hurriedly and then got on the horse.
Manxianglou,
"I'll only give you fifty taels."
Shopkeeper Hu said this with a smile, as if he was sure that she would agree. Sure enough, Ji Xu thought about it and finally nodded.
"good."
She would find a way to sell the rest to small stalls that learned how to make braised food from her, and the price would be even lower than this.
There was writing brush and ink in the elegant room, and Hu urged her to write down the prescription.
"Hurry up, clean up the broken cups outside after you finish writing. The bowls piled up in the backyard are waiting for Yijin Nv Niang to wash them."
Ji Xu picked up his pen and started writing.
"hurry up."
I had just written the thirteenth recipe when I heard a commotion outside.
"Have Ping An restaurants been unsealed?"
“Ping An Restaurant is unsealed!”
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