After Shen Xiu signed the contract with Manager Ma, she discussed with him that the rent of the tenant farmers would be slightly reduced by 10% compared to that of Manager Hao.
At that time, Manager Ma didn't understand yet and said that Hao Yuanwai asked the tenant farmers to pay only 40% of the rent. This was already a very generous employer.
After all, Hao Yuan also had to pay additional land taxes.
Shen Xiu told him at this time that his husband was a scholar and would take the imperial examination in the future, so he would definitely not have to pay land tax on this fertile land in the future.
In this case, it would be better to reduce or reduce the rent a little to make the tenant farmers feel better.
Only this time did Manager Ma find out that Shen Xiu was a scholar. He also heard that her husband's surname was Wei. He remembered that there was a husband named Wei who had won the first place a while ago, so he knew that Shen Xiu's husband was the rare and talented Wei Yan. Already.
Ma Guanshi has a straightforward temperament and does not know how to adapt. Because of this, what he admires the most is capable people, especially scholars.
Now that he knew Wei Yan's identity, his expression immediately changed, and there was even a smile on his face, "It turns out to be Mr. Wei. It's all my fault that I am blind. Mr. Wei, please take a seat."
Manager Ma hurriedly gave up his wooden stool, his attitude was much more respectful than that towards Shen Xiu.
Shen Xiu wasn't interested at all. He was just curious about what Wei Yan had said to him, so he looked at Guanshi Ma and then at Wei Yan.
Wei Yan did not sit down, but smiled slightly at Shen Xiu and said, "Axiu, we just talked about upland rice and rice shops. What do you think of us opening a rice shop in the county?"
Shen Xiu was a little confused: "What upland rice?"
Wei Yan explained to her: "Guanshi Ma just mentioned growing rice on dry land, that is, upland rice. After the upland rice is harvested, the hulls are removed and it becomes the white rice we eat."
"If we can really grow upland rice, instead of selling the rice to rice shops, we might as well open our own rice shop." Wei Yan said, "If you can't take care of it, you can ask Qu Huan to help."
Shen Xiu thought this was a good idea, "But can we really grow upland rice?"
"It depends on Ma Guanshi's ability." After Wei Yan finished speaking, he looked at Ma Guanshi with a smile.
After listening to Wei Yan's words, Manager Ma wondered if there was anything he didn't understand. He immediately became energetic and said solemnly: "If my boss believes in me, I will take care of this matter. I will make sure that we can grow upland rice next year. If not, I will resign as the head of the village."
Shen Xiu heard that Manager Ma used the errand as a guarantee, and knew that he was very sure about this matter.
She originally didn't think that growing upland rice was better than growing corn and wheat, but Wei Yan said so, so she said, "Since I handed over this land to you, I naturally trust you."
Manager Ma couldn't speak, but he could observe people's words. He knew at a glance that Shen Xiu was not very willing to plant this upland rice, but it was just for the sake of his husband.
While he was kind to Wei Yan, he also secretly made up his mind to grow upland rice in the future and increase the yield, so that Shen Xiu could be speechless.
Wei Yan understood Shen Xiu's personality and knew that she just didn't want to take risks. But after he told him the reason, Shen Xiu wouldn't be so reluctant.
But in front of Manager Ma, Wei Yan couldn't explain too much, so he changed the subject and asked Manager Ma about the situation at home.
Manager Ma smiled bitterly and said: "There's not much to say about the family, but we have a high school and a young son. My eldest son didn't follow me. He didn't like to be the head of the village. Instead, he liked to study."
"It's just that it costs a lot of money to attend a private school. In order to pay for his education, our whole family has to tighten our belts."
Wei Yan heard that his eldest son liked to study, so he asked: "How old is your son?"
Manager Ma said: "He has two older sisters. I was already quite old when I gave birth to him. Now he is only fifteen years old."
Manager Ma is already forty years old, but his eldest son is only fifteen years old. Compared with others, he was indeed born a little late.
But fifteen is not too young.
Wei Yan said: "I just don't know how my son is at studying. Can he memorize the Four Books and Five Classics?"
Manager Ma mentioned his son, with a look of pride on his face, "I heard from their husband that the eldest son is still somewhat talented in reading. Their husband mentioned to me that he can be dismissed during the county examination next year. Try it."
Since I can take the county examination, it means that I have read the Four Books and Five Classics thoroughly.
"I don't expect him to be proud of his ancestors. As long as he can be like you, Mr. Wei, and become a scholar."
Wei Yan said: "Guan Ma doesn't have to be too humble. If your son is free, why not bring him to me for a look. I still have a bit of trouble in front of the headmaster of Wenhua Academy. If possible, I can introduce you to him. Study in the academy. This way you can save a lot of money in education."
Manager Ma did not expect such an unexpected surprise. Wenhua Academy has a good reputation in the county and has produced many talented people and successful candidates.
For the sake of his eldest son's future, Manager Ma was of course willing to send his son there.
"Then thank you Mr. Wei." Manager Ma was very grateful for a moment and thanked Wei Yan again and again.
Wei Yan smiled and said: "Guan Ma doesn't need to be so polite. When I was young, I also received support from others. Now it's just from myself to others."
After leaving Ma Guan, the couple walked back along the way they came.
Shen Xiu picked a handful of wild flowers on the side of the road, turned back to look at Wei Yan and said, "My lord, you have changed a lot this time when you came back from Fucheng."
"What change?" Wei Yan looked at the winding path in front of him and felt particularly relaxed. A smile appeared on his face, and he looked back at Shen Xiu and asked.
Shen Xiu played with the wild flowers in his hand and said: "In the past, you were not willing to worry about common affairs. Now I see that you can win people's hearts and do it so smoothly. I think your life in Fucheng may not be that easy."
Because of his family background, Wei Yan became sensible very early. He is only sensible because he has been immersed in books all year round and is still essentially a scholar.
When he was in the county seat, Wei Yan only focused on studying and did not invest time or energy in other things.
Now that they have been separated for more than a year, Shen Xiu has to think more about Wei Yan's skill in human relations and his proficiency in general affairs.
If everything was fine for him in Fucheng, how could he waste his time on this?
"Actually, it's not what you think." Wei Yan said, "I am indeed doing well in Fucheng. It's just that after you recognized Luo Gong as your adopted brother that year, I admit that I was indeed a little stimulated."
"Later, I followed Mr. Meng and met many people. It was then that I realized that it was not enough to just study."
Wei Yan continued: "Actually, there is nothing wrong with this. If I become more proficient in general affairs, I will be able to avoid being fooled by others when I become an official in the future. Anyway, sooner or later, I have to master these general affairs. It is better to master it late than to master it early. "
The incident involving Magistrate Zhen had such a great impact on Wei Yan, which Shen Xiu never expected.
But this also contributed to the growth of Wei Yan.
Shen Xiu didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing for a while.