CH 003 Par Excellence
CH 003 Par Excellence
The business of selling and buying land fell under the jurisdiction of the regional governments. But in actuality, the higher ups weren't personally in charge of such small matters. Instead, it was managed by their subordinates, who were minor officials. These minor officials were literate but had not read or studied any texts by sages and scholars. Their salary was so low that they filled their wallets through exploitation of the common people.
Buying land cost 100 taels with an extra 10 taels used to bribe the minor official in charge.
This minor official was an ethnic Han Chinese and spoke in Chinese as well. Although accented by southern dialects, Lin Yuan was still able to understand.
"That stretch of land is good." The minor official known as Jiang Gui, twitched his lips. "Although it is uncultivated land, it is fertile. Since you genuinely want to do this business, I’ll recommend the best for you."
Lin Yuan was extremely quickwitted and flexible, handing the minor official a banknote worth 100 coins. "Are there any landlord families nearby?"
Jiang Gui saw that Lin Yuan took the hint so his attitude became even better. In addition to earning quite a bit of money, Lin Yuan’s youth and smiling face made Jiang Gui’s tone friendlier in response: "I noticed your young age so I selected land that is farther away from those families. Still, make sure to be careful and don't get involved with quarrels."
"But the weather is currently cold. If you want to build a house, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until early spring, otherwise the foundation won't be deep enough." Jiang Gui, "I normally don't say this much to others but I see that you are not only young but also a straightforward fellow."
Lin Yuan cupped his hands in gratitude: "Thank you, da ren*."
(TLN: form of address for officials and aristocracy)
Jiang Gui flapped his hand: "I'm just a minor official, not deserving of being called such. Just call me Jiang ge. If you have any questions you can come find me at Tong Luo Alley, third house."
Lin Yuan readily accepted: "I dare not bother Jiang ge."
"Where are you currently staying?" Jiang Gui received ten silver taels and 100 copper coins worth of bribery, so his mood was currently great. His monthly salary was only one guan but his interests included alcohol and meat, which were rather expensive as a daily indulgence. Not even mentioning alcohol, even a pound of pig meat cost 20 coins. These ten taels were enough for him to indulge for two to three months.
Lin Yuan: "I'm currently staying at the Lai Ke Inn in the northern part of the city."
Jiang Gui said thoughtfully: "How about this? I had a neighbor who moved to Jiangnan just last year, leaving only an old servant to watch the house. I'll speak to his relative and you can rent it for a monthly fee?"
Lin Yuan hesitated: "I just bought land, not much is left…"
"You call me ge, how could I cheat you?" Jiang Gui flapped his hand. "Monthly rent is two guan, if it's fine then go ahead. Besides, there's only three months till early spring."
Two guan was indeed not a lot. Lin Yuan, during the past few days, had inspected the price of living in Wu City. The price of two guan might be high for other places but Tong Luo Alley was a busy street with lots of businesses. Living there would be very convenient for buying necessities.
"Then, many thanks to Jiang ge. When do you think I should move over?"
Jiang Gui: "Today is fine. My fang ya* is at exactly the 10th earthly branch (5-7 p.m). Meet me at that time, and I’ll take you there then."
(TLN: Clock out time)
After finalizing the agreement, Lin Yuan did not give a tip and Jiang Gui did not ask. He could give it later, after seeing the house, anyway. As for Jiang Gui, he might be money hungry, but he also knew to not cross boundaries so that good relations could be maintained.
After finding out that Lin Yuan had found a temporary dwelling, the servant boy quickly packed their belongings, saying excitedly: "I still need to shop for young master's necessities. Calligraphy and scholarship equipment! I wonder if they provide plates and spittoons? If you ask me, the young master should also buy a servant girl since some chores require delicate work."
"Don't I already have one?" Lin Yuan spoke up. "The mother and son from before."
He had the mother and son temporarily stay at the abandoned temple. The ragged blanket was also given to them for their use. Once he found a private dwelling, he would then call them over.
The boy could do what he could and the mother could clean the house as well as cook.
Although Lin Yuan was not like the original owner who was waited on by servants since birth, he grew up in the city and only used gas stoves. He had no idea how to use the stoves of the ancient times, and the servant boy didn’t know how to cook.
Lin Yuan was willing to buy them, feed them and clothe them, but he could not have his good deed result in them only taking and not giving. That was not called doing a good deed, that was called inviting your ancestor into your home.
Only when people had work to do, and through hard work earned the means to support themselves, could they develop a sense of belonging.
"Young master is indeed clever." The servant boy slapped his forehead, "Why didn't I think of it?"
Lin Yuan laughed: "Then you would be the young master."
Although Lin Yuan was outwardly smiling, he was actually a little uncertain. He only had 200 taels, and in the past few days, the cost totaled nearly 2 taels. Plus, this was all done with a strict budget.
Buying land cost 100 taels, bribery cost 11 taels, leaving only 87 taels left. Renting for three months would also deduct his savings to 81 taels.
Building a larger house would cost at least 50 taels.
Tenant farmers could farm the land but it was up to him to provide seeds and tools…..
He must secure a source of income, otherwise even if he prepared seeds and tools, what would the tenant farmers eat? Farming did not mean instant harvest. You could not expect everyone to live off on nothing.
These days, business brought in money the fastest, but being labelled as part of the merchant class would only bring trouble. It was less an issue of not being able to take the civil examinations and more about the heavy taxes. In addition, the merchant class could not travel freely, must carry travel documents, must register with the government, and a bunch of other annoying matters.
During the Yuan dynasty, being a landowner was the happiest career, second to none.
Zhu Yuanzhang's wife, Ma Dajiao was born to a landowning family. It was thanks to her landowning father that Ming's founding emperor could raise an army. Otherwise where would the money even come from?
Commoners generally started work at seven in the morning. Originally, this only referred to the time officials went to court; 'mao-shi' (卯时) refers to this time period. Later, it became a common time, with ‘ying mao(应卯)’ for starting work and ‘fang ya(放衙)’ for getting off work.
Lin Yuan and the servant boy finished packing, returned the room key and waited at the front of the government office.
"This house is quite clean. The old servant cleans daily but since you are here to see the place I had him leave for his relatives' place." Jiang Gui pushed the door open. "The entrance to the street has a well, you can get water from there."
Lin Yuan surveyed the house, quite satisfied. The place wasn't large, with one entrance and one exit. There was a main house, a side room, and a woodshed. The woodshed was just a shed without walls, but it also held a stove and a root cellar. Although small, it was enough to store enough food for a small family.
The main room was a connecting room, separated by a curtain into two spaces. One side was used for entertaining guests and dining, while the other was the master bedroom, furnished with a bed and other furniture, somewhat like a modern one-bedroom apartment, and quite spacious at that.
The side room was smaller, about the size of a regular bedroom, also with a bed, but sparsely furnished; two adults could lie down comfortably on the bed.
Lin Yuan paid upfront for three months.
Jiang Gui looked with satisfaction at the money, thinking of the recommendation fee he would get for introducing the place to a customer.
"From now on we are neighbors, so find me anytime." Jiang Gui pocketed the money, beaming with sincerity.
Lin Yuan quickly replied: "Jiang ge, I actually have an issue I need to discuss with you! Come, let's sit and talk. Er Liang, go pour two cups of water."
The servant boy named Er Liang complied. "Be right back."
Jiang Gui sat down, puzzled. "What is it?"
Lin Yuan's manner was very polite. "Jiang ge must know that I don't have much left in my wallet. And in early spring, I must build a house. Too many things need to be bought but I have no source of income."
Jiang Gui heard this and sighed, "You ask the wrong person. If I had any ideas, would I still be taking side jobs?"
"Isn't there a saying that the strong dragon cannot overcome the regional snake[1]?" Lin Yuan laid on the flattery. "Although civilians believe that upper officials are in charge, I am clear that the true managers are minor officials like Jiang ge. Is it not true that the upper officials don't know the hardships of the common people and must rely on you to deal with them?"
Jiang Gui felt the truth in this reasoning: "It can’t be described like that, especially in public. We still work under the big officials."
Lin Yuan: "It’s just the two of us here, what’s there to hide? Xiaodi is speaking from the heart, without a trace of pretense."
(TLN: 小弟 literally translates to ‘little younger brother’, but is can also be used to refer to a lackey or to oneself humbly.)
Jiang Gui: "I won't hide it from you, I have been a minor official for many years. Even those hoity-toity upper officials have seen less types of people compared to me. There are lucrative jobs, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t dare to do them."
Lin Yuan continued to brown-nose: "Please enlighten me, Jiang ge."
Jiang Gui suddenly said seriously: "It can’t be regarded as enlightenment. Do you know of the city's gambling parlor? Know anything of usury?"
Of course Lin Yuan knew. High interest loans.
"Jiang ge." Lin Yuan pretended to hesitate. "The current times are not prosperous. Can the loans that are given out even be collected?
Jiang Gui blinked his eyes at Lin Yuan: "If you trust me, then I'll lend you a hand. In the southern part of the city there's a gang leader specializing in helping people collect debts. His subordinates are all capable, most are fierce fighters who have seen blood."
This Jiang Gui fellow was practically a player in both the legal world and the underworld. If he was living in the modern times, he would be one of the big fishes!
He even knows how to cultivate relationships, getting favors in return for favors. If he were still alive in a chaotic era, he might actually amount to something.
Lin Yuan: "Jiang ge, let me consider it. Those gamblers, if pushed too much, I’m afraid they’ll chop me up! Look at me, I only have a servant boy with me, I am timid and afraid of dying!"
Jiang Gui laughed out loud: "Lin xiao di, only the daring are full to the point of bursting while the timid starve! Consider it some more, and look for me if you want to participate. I need to get back now, my woman has cooked dinner and is waiting for me."
Lin Yuan saw Jiang Gui out the door, making plans to keep in contact.
After Jiang Gui left, servant boy Er Liang appeared, hauling a pail of water.
Lin Yuan only just realized that there was no water in the house, or a pot to boil water in…..
It was winter, what work would bring in money? Being a loan shark was out of the question, it went against the virtues he developed living in the modern times. Though he knew there were huge profits in it, Lin Yuan reluctantly gave up the choice.
Lin Yuan suddenly asked: "Er Liang, if you had some money in your pocket, what would you spend it on?"
Er Liang was currently wiping the desk. He felt that the old servant did not do a thorough enough job of cleaning. In response to Lin Yuan's question, he answered thoughtlessly: "Buy meat to eat, fatty meat."
Lin Yuan's eyes lit up!
Alright!
He had found his goal.
Ancient people lacked oil. At this point, there was no place specializing in raising pigs, nor was there pig feed, so pig oil was used up fast. Although vegetable oil began being used during the Song dynasty, it had always been sesame oil that was par excellence.
At that time, the method for producing oil did not work as well with soybeans as with sesame. Only when a new method was introduced was soybeans preferred over sesame.
Currently, ordinary households could not afford animal oils, and sesame oil prices were climbing just as steadily. In small households, they made do with a chopstick wrapped in cloth, dipped in oil and wiped over the pan – everyone craved a taste of real fat.
Lin Yuan: "Is soybean expensive?"
Er Liang, after all, was no stranger to the marketplace: "Five wen per pound, cheap."
Alrighty, soybeans it was.
Lin Yuan thought confidently. Watch me earn heaps and piles.
As for merchant registration, wasn't there Jiang Gui, the regional snake?
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Author's Note: Regarding vegetable oil – rapeseed oil extraction only began in the mid-Ming dynasty. Even if Lin Yuan wanted to extract oil from it, very few people grow it now; raw materials are scarce.
He'll definitely grow it when he can though, since rapeseed has a high oil yield.
The Song dynasty used sesame oil. At the height of the Song dynasty's wealth, even pan-fried flatcakes could be found at street stalls. The Song dynasty was an era of unparalleled wealth, a dynasty whose GDP accounted for 60% to 80% of the world's GDP at the time.
Footnote:
[1] A strong dragon can not dominate a local snake (强龙不压地头蛇) - This proverb means that even someone powerful or influential cannot easily dominate or suppress a local power or force that is entrenched in a particular place. It suggests that local forces, with their deep knowledge and control of the area, can be a formidable challenge, no matter how powerful the outsider is.