Snail Village, Pei family
It was drizzling in front of the eaves. To the left and right were wing rooms with newly built corridors. A cluster of green bamboo was planted in the middle and one or two clusters of orchids were planted under the window.
Pei Zi Yun picked up the brush and started writing. Suddenly, he heard voices coming from outside the courtyard. Pei Zi Yun's brush stopped for a moment before he continued writing. After writing for a while, he put down the brush and walked out of the study room.
"Husband!" The few of them were sitting awkwardly and stood up when they saw him.
Pei Zi Yun then said, "We're all from the same clan, there's no need to stand on ceremony. What do you guys think about building an ancestral shrine?"
"Husband, of course this is a good thing. We can all work. We just need to buy some bricks and wood to build it. Fifteen mu of ancestral field is enough. It's enough to support the entire school." An old man stood up and said. He had the highest status and was even a little educated. He was originally the head of the family.
Both of them shared the same surname of Pei, and they were indeed related. However, they were relatively far away from each other. Furthermore, they had fled to this place, and no longer had any connections.
Pei Zi Yun took out a map, it was a simple map of the village. He unfurled the map and asked, "Third uncle, where do you intend to build the village?"
"The north of the village is where the Zhang Clan's Ancestral Hall is, and it's also where the Earth Temple is located. I'm afraid that we won't be able to occupy it, and it's not suitable for us either." Third uncle Pei spoke as he saw Pei Zi Yun nodding his head. He then said, "The south side of the village is not bad. There's a piece of barren land that we can buy. Besides, many of our families live here, and it's near the river."
Pei Zi Yun nodded his head, "South of the village, how much does it cost?"
Fifteen mu would be seventy-five taels of silver. It wouldn't cost much to build three ancestral shrines. Just give us some food to eat and buy some bricks and wood. We can build them ourselves. "Third uncle Pei kept glancing at Pei Zi Yun.
Pei Zi Yun laughed and didn't reply immediately. Instead, he asked, "Mother, you and third uncle didn't make any mistakes in the genealogy, right?"
Pei Qian Shi said, "I've done it a few times, there's no mistake."
Speaking of which, as soon as he spread the news, there would be people who would come forward with their family records. Since they were from the same clan, there wouldn't be any problems. At this point, everyone was staring at Pei Zi Yun.
With the construction of the ancestral hall, one could enjoy incense. That was not all. This was the business of the deceased.
Once the list was completed, there would be an Elementary Scholar in the clan. Not to mention other things, just the drenching of the dandelion would be a huge advantage.
This was the unspoken rule of the government when it came to collecting grain. When the government collected grain, the dandelion was used as a measuring device. The commoners would put the grain into the dandelion to weigh it.
The pile of grain had to be tipped up, and the petty official who collected the grain would kick the bucket, causing some grain to spill out. It was said that this was to make up for the losses during the storage and transportation process, but in reality, it went into the official's pocket. Although it was not much, it was still about 10% of the grain.
This was a matter of food and clothing for the common people.
Besides, it was said that they would be given land to the clan and would be able to go to school. This was a great thing.
Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Pei Zi Yun decided not to keep them in suspense and said, "That's settled then. Mother, go and buy some land. Third uncle, contact the kiln."
"My family is paying for all the silver."
Hearing this, everyone was delighted. Someone immediately replied, "I'm a mason. As long as there's food, I'll do it."
"I'll help too. I'll go up the mountain and cut down some trees!"
All of a sudden, people from the same clan responded. The Pei family's ancestral hall had been burnt down in the previous dynasty, and they were forced to live here. Seeing that there was an Elementary Scholar in the clan, and that they were willing to pay for the reconstruction, they all came to help.
They even invited him for lunch. After discussing for half a day, they left excitedly. Before they left, they shouted, "Don't worry, it'll be done within a month."
Seeing them leave, Pei Zi Yun couldn't help but smile.
As the saying goes, only when there's an organization, there's power. To the government, the weaker the clan, the better. But to individuals and clans, the stronger the clan, the better. In his original world, if he wanted to find a job, he would have many relatives and connections. All he needed to do was to make a phone call.
If he was a loner, even if he begged his parents, he would not be able to help.
This was the difference in perspective. As a smart person, Pei Zi Yun stood where he was and felt that the clan should be united. Everyone had their ups and downs. Who could guarantee that one generation would be an official? But as long as the clan was united, it would not be too bad.
"Brother Pei!" Just as he was thinking, a bright voice called out. Pei Zi Yun smiled and stood up. He opened the door and a gust of wind blew into the house.
"So it's brother Tang!" It was Tang Zhen.
Pei Zi Yun and Tang Zhen were of the same age and had a good relationship. The two of them bowed to each other before Pei Zi Yun invited Tang Zhen into the house.
Tang Zhen smiled and said, "It's been a long time since we last met. Brother Pei, you've done something big. You've wiped out the Black Wind bandits. Your methods are extraordinary!"
Pei Zi Yun then turned to Tang Zhen and said, "You're exaggerating. I'm a scholar, how could I possibly execute such a bandit. It's just that I've been harmed by him for a long time. Hence, I plead the Chief Patrol Officer. The Chief Patrol Officer is a man of justice. Please execute this bandit immediately. This is all due to the efforts of the officials and the Chief Patrol Officer.
His words were flawless, but Tang Zhen did not doubt him. He then said, "No matter what, it was brother Pei who persuaded the Chief Patrol Officer. That's why we were able to do this."
He paused before continuing, "But after this incident, brother Pei has been staying at home and rarely goes out. I wonder what you've been working so hard for?"
Pei Zi Yun pointed to the brush and paper and said, "Brother Tang should know that my Pei family is considered a descendant of officials. However, we were born in another county. We only moved here because of the war. We don't have any roots in Slow River County."
"I was lucky enough to become an Elementary Scholar, and was overjoyed. It's just that my mother still wants me to take the High Scholar's exams. Only then can my Pei family have a stable foothold in Slow River County. Since my mother has ordered me to do so, I can't be idle. I wish to study more and prepare myself for this year's Autumn Examinations."
Tang Zhen looked at Pei Zi Yun's sincere expression and couldn't help but admire him. He then said, "I heard that when brother Pei's examination papers were posted, many High Scholars were full of praise. They said that brother Pei has reached the right age. Since brother Pei is still so hardworking, it looks like you'll definitely pass this year's Autumn Examinations."
Pei Zi Yun shook his head and said, "There are three thousand Elementary Scholars in the entire province, and only thirty-three of them will pass. There are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers. There are many heroes under the heavens. What can my literary skills amount to? It's all up to fate! "
"Brother Pei is really an honest person!" Tang Zhen sighed when he heard this. He didn't feel that Pei Zi Yun was being humble, but was speaking the truth. He had read Pei Zi Yun's essays, and knew that he had reached the right age. But to say that he was the best in the province, he was still far from it.
All he could say was that there was a possibility of passing the High Scholar's exams. But there were many people who had the ability to do so. Only thirty-three people passed in three years. It was all up to fate.
Tang Zhen didn't continue on this topic. He changed the topic and talked about the scholars, especially the Elementary Scholars from the same county.
When Pei Zi Yun heard this, his interest was piqued. He smiled and said, "When I returned to the county, I only paid my respects to the seniors. If it wasn't for my family matters, I would have paid them a visit."
Tang Zhen then said, "Ai, I know that brother Pei has a lot on his plate recently. But if you go out for a stroll, not only can you relax, you can also exchange essays and make new friends."
"There's an event happening soon, I think brother Pei should go." As he said this, Tang Zhen took out an invitation and handed it to Pei Zi Yun. Pei Zi Yun paused and took a look at the invitation.
"So it's the county's Elementary Scholar's Literary Meet. They're here to invite new Elementary Scholars to go sightseeing at Lu River. This is the custom for Elementary Scholars." Pei Zi Yun was about to agree, but when he looked at Tang Zhen, he noticed that although Tang Zhen was smiling, he looked nervous. Pei Zi Yun's heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself, 'If it's just a literary meet, it's fine. But during the incident at Silver Dragon Temple, according to the reports, it was Zhang Jie Yu who tried to recruit outer sect disciples. I'm afraid this Tang Zhen is no longer a simple scholar.'
With this suspicion in mind, he took another look and thought to himself, 'His face is pale, and his eyes are green. I'm afraid he's been drinking too much recently. Besides, I was saved by someone, and they've become estranged from each other. For this person to invite me, could he be up to something?'
As soon as he thought of this, an incident from his previous life flashed across his mind.
In his previous life, the original owner had wasted five years before he could become an Elementary Scholar. Naturally, he had missed this opportunity and did not receive this invitation.
But in the Jin family of the county, there was a young man named Ji Xing. He was still young now, but in three years, he would become an Elementary Scholar. He was a little arrogant and arrogant. When he met Zhang Jie Yu, he wrote a few poems to mock him.
Later, when Jin Jixing participated in the scholar's literary assembly, he was suddenly reported by Jiao Yu to the Secretary of Education. He was stripped of his scholarly title and drowned a few months later. The reason for the stripping of his scholarly title was because he was drunk in the Lu River and publicly humiliated the daughter of a wealthy family. The upright Jiao Yu was furious!
Thinking of this, Pei Zi Yun smiled and nodded his head, "May I ask how many people will be attending the meet?"
Tang Zhen paused and said a few names. Since he was in a hurry, he naturally mentioned the names that had left a deep impression on him. Pei Zi Yun was even more shocked, "That incident was spread like wildfire. Hence, the original owner had some impression of them. These few people were also present in the previous life!"
What was this person trying to do?
According to the booklet and the original owner's memories, Zhang Jie Yu was a cultivator from the Holy Prison Sect and had connections with bandits. Furthermore, the incident at the temple was suspicious. Could this be revenge?
If Pei Zi Yun did not agree, he was afraid that he would come up with another evil plan. Pei Zi Yun laughed, "Since everyone is going, why wouldn't I?"
"Good, good!" Tang Zhen laughed out loud, "Brother Pei is indeed straightforward!"
"Then it's settled." As he said this, Tang Zhen took his leave. Pei Zi Yun nodded his head and stood up to send Tang Zhen off.
Seeing that Tang Zhen had left, Pei Zi Yun's face turned cold. The rain gradually stopped, but the sky was still dark. He picked up the sword that was hanging on the wall and walked out.
Elementary Scholars were allowed to hang a sword, which meant that they were openly carrying a weapon. This sword sheath was a license to carry a gun. However, most Elementary Scholars were just putting on a show and did not use their swords. Pei Zi Yun was different.
Pei Zi Yun practiced the incantation. Although he did not have spiritual intelligence and could not enter the Dao Realm, his physical strength had increased tremendously. According to the standards of the Dao Sect, he was only at the entry level. However, according to the standards of martial arts, he had already entered the next level.
Amidst the rain, Tang Zhen boarded the ox-cart. With a shout, the ox-cart drove off.
Pei Zi Yun followed behind and sighed in his heart. Luckily it was only an ox-cart. If it was a horse, it would have been difficult for him to catch up. This Tang Zhen seemed to have some ulterior motives. He was very cautious. Every time he walked a short distance, he would open the window and look behind him. When he saw that no one was following him, he continued on his way.
The first time Tang Zhen looked back, Pei Zi Yun was caught off guard and was almost discovered. With this in mind, he did not dare to get too close and followed from afar.
He felt that Tang Zhen was even more suspicious.
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