The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was the third-highest official in the ministry, after the Minister and the Vice Ministers. He was in charge of household registration, land, taxes, and corvée labor, making it a powerful position.
“I remember the person who took credit for the waterwheel project was the Vice Minister of Revenue. Wasn’t that your superior?” Xi Chun also remembered something. On the way to look at the house, the two of them spoke in hushed tones.
"I was worried too, but today I heard from Lord Zhu that the person has been transferred to the Ministry of Personnel. Fortunately, he is no longer my superior."
"That's good." Hearing this, Xichun felt much more relieved.
Taking advantage of the house-hunting trip, today we also took the kids on a tour of Beijing. However, Xichun had heard someone say that if the kids like a house, it's probably a good place. If we find one that the kids like, we can just buy it.
Upon learning that the group had come to the capital to take up official posts and wanted to buy houses, the broker's smile widened. He took them to see several places and walked quite a distance before finally deciding to buy a two-courtyard house in the eastern part of the city, not far from the Ministry of Revenue.
Houses in the capital are not cheap. If it weren't for wanting to keep a low profile, Xi Chun would have thought the house was a bit small. After all, besides living there herself, Fu Changfeng would also be receiving guests in the future, so a small house wouldn't be convenient.
"Mom, I like it here. There are jujube trees here, and my brother said they bear jujubes. I wonder if the jujubes are sweet." Xuanxuan ran around the yard, and her little face was covered in sweat.
"Then we'll know that this will be our home from now on." Xichun also liked the layout of the courtyard. The owner of this house was originally an official, but his children failed the imperial examination and could not become officials in the capital. After retiring, the family could only return to their hometown and sell the house. They were able to buy a large house back home.
Because of their connections as officials, the host family didn't ask for an exorbitant price. After achieving a satisfactory result for both parties, they began signing contracts and exchanging deeds. This task was naturally handled by Zhu Nian, while they simply strolled around the streets to experience the local customs and culture of the capital.
"This place is so different from Shaoming County, and many people here look really tall. There are even some burly men over there. Mother, are they also from our Great Zhou?"
A Zhao saw several burly men. The weather had turned warm, but they were still wearing sheepskins, so they didn't look like people from the Central Plains.
"These are people from beyond the Great Wall. They make a living by herding livestock. They must be here to discuss business. Our Great Zhou also has trade relations with the Hu people beyond the Great Wall." Fu Changfeng explained to them. Although he had never been to beyond the Great Wall, he had some understanding of the court's affairs in recent years, and with the descriptions of these people in the book, he guessed it.
"Wow, so they raise cattle and sheep, do they get to eat meat often?" The children were curious about these people, but not afraid.
In recent years, the imperial court has focused on internal affairs and diplomacy with neighboring countries, which has allowed the people to live a peaceful life. They have long forgotten the barbaric nature of the barbarians beyond the Great Wall.
"When you grow up, you can go out and see the world. It is said that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. You have to see the world to know what it is like."
"Yes, yes, we will definitely study hard and grow up well."
Once the house was settled, Xichun arranged for someone to start tidying up. Fortunately, the family had taken good care of the house, so no further repairs were needed. They just needed to clean the house and add some furniture, and they would be able to move in.
After two busy days, Fu Changfeng thanked the postmaster and the officials with gifts and moved his belongings into his new house.
After receiving Fu Changfeng's invitation, Lord Hu sent a reply, inviting the family to visit him the next day.
Xi Chun carefully checked all the children, looking at their clothes, and taught them some auspicious sayings to say when they met people, so as to give people a good impression of being polite. Only then did they get into the carriage and head to the Hu family's gate.
The Hu family still lived in the same place. When they saw that it was the Fu family coming, the gatekeeper hurriedly welcomed them in, and the maids also led Xichun, Azheng, and Xuanxuan to the backyard to see Madam Hu.
"Madam Hu, it's been many years since we last met. We're so glad to see each other again." Xichun greeted Madam Hu, who looked much older, with great enthusiasm.
"It's been many years since I last saw you, Madam Fu. You still look as elegant as ever, and now you have a pair of lovely children by your side. I am truly envious," Madam Hu said with a smile, inviting them to sit down.
"Chen Jiuzheng and Fu Jiuxuan greet Madam Hu, Young Mistress Hu, and all the elder sisters." Azheng and Xuanxuan stepped forward to pay their respects.
"Hehe, you're both good children. It's our first time meeting, so I don't have any presents. This jade pendant is for the second young master to play with, and this bracelet is for you to wear, third young lady." Madam Hu took out the gifts she had prepared in advance and gave them to the two children. Her family knew about the Fu family's situation, and they naturally knew that the second young master's surname was Chen.
A-Zheng and Xuan-Xuan looked at Xi-Chun, because she had previously instructed that she could only accept gifts from elders if she nodded in agreement.
"You two should thank Madam Hu." Xichun nodded and gestured for them to accept the money.
"Thank you, Mrs. Hu."
"Hehe, we came in a hurry this time and didn't prepare any gifts. These are some little trinkets we prepared when we were in Shaoming County. Consider them as a small gift for the young ladies." Xi Chun's words were naturally modest. If she had really prepared something inappropriate, the Hu family would probably have some reservations.
"It's been so kind of you to bring us all this way. Even we heard in the capital that the products of Shaoming County are famous. You even sent such a large cartload of gifts in advance. Our whole family feels so embarrassed." Madam Hu was referring to the gifts that Xichun and his family had sent in advance after arriving in the capital. Most of them were specialties from Shaoming County.
"Those things are not worth much money, and we can't think of anything else to give. We just hope that Madam Hu will not take offense."
"Don't be so polite. Let my girls and Xuanxuan go out and play. Otherwise, they won't feel comfortable around us." Azheng is now seven years old and it's not appropriate for him to stay in the backyard. He just came to see Madam Hu, so he has been led to the front yard, leaving Xuanxuan alone.
Now that Fu Changfeng's official position has been determined, it is equivalent to, or even higher than, that of Lord Hu. Naturally, Madam Hu and the others value the relationship between the two families even more. Given Fu Changfeng's abilities, his future achievements will likely surpass those of their master.
They wouldn't let this relationship end, so the group chatted quite pleasantly until the afternoon when they finally left the Hu family's house.
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