That night, Li Dan indeed called Song Xiaoniu here and made the main course of grilled trout with salt and pepper, three vegetarian soups, stir-fried mushrooms with garlic and artemisia, pork belly, and a colorful soup.
After eating, Li Zhu cheered continuously and asked what the colorful soup was made of.
Li Dan told him that it was made from five kinds of tofu, eggs, fungus, green bamboo shoots (lettuce) and carrots (carrots), shredded and boiled.
Li Zhu was filled with admiration and said: "Just this knife skill is incredible.
Come on, come on, I can see it now, Sanlang. Even if you don't take the imperial examination, with your exquisiteness and meticulous thinking in doing things, you will definitely not be a thing in the pool in the future. At least you won't starve to death! Ha ha! "
At that time, most families had breakfast or lunch in the morning when the sun was at the top, and dinner or dinner in the evening when the sun set.
Poor people only have lunch, and in the evening at most they have vegetable porridge cooked with wild vegetables and roots (no corn). It's different for wealthy people. They have morning tea when they get up early, and even supper at night.
Therefore, the identity and status of the other person can be distinguished at a glance based on a person's mental state, skin color, and weight.
After lighting the lanterns, Li Yan went to the county government office in a small sedan. He was now facing Yiyuan and had a rich appearance. At a glance, it was clear that he was a great man who didn't worry about Mimai Shengdou.
Mr. Li San is a man who enjoys happiness and cherishes his life. Li Yan did not expect to die for righteousness like his grandfather did, or to work hard like his father who died young.
He also hopes that his descendants will surround him and he will be a rich man for a long time.
This afternoon Lao Zhou from Sanshengtang came to check Zhu's pulse and confirmed that his daughter-in-law was pregnant. This news made him feel as comfortable as drinking honey water.
But what he has to do now is not a celebratory banquet. He is taking advantage of the fact that his brother, the eldest master of the Li family, has not returned home yet, so he and Fan County Zun quickly decide on the matter of dividing the family.
Just as he was thinking about it, the sedan chair stopped. He guessed that Chang Sui Lin Zifu had taken his business card and was about to stab the county magistrate's house.
Sure enough, after a while, Lin Zifu's voice whispered outside the sedan: "Master, the county invites you to come to the flower hall to talk."
Li Yan said "hmm" and started walking again. After a while, he stopped, got off the sedan, and lifted the curtain.
Li Yan walked out from inside, straightened his robes, looked up with his hand on the scarf, then turned around and followed the Fan family members carrying lanterns into the Aquarius Gate.
The sedan came in through the back door of the county government office just now and stopped in the garden path.
To go to the flower hall, you need to bypass the garden and the area where the family members live. Li Yan has been here many times and is very familiar with this place.
Generally, county magistrates go to the front office to start working at Mao hour (5-7 o'clock) every day. After leaving the office at Youshi (17-19 o'clock), they return to the back office to be with their families.
However, Li Yan knew that as long as there was no major incident, the county would disperse the government at the first moment of Youshi (17:30).
Fan Taizun went back to the back to eat the evening meal, which happened to be around the current time - the first quarter of Wu Shi (19:00-19:30).
This is the most relaxing time of the day and the best time to talk about secret things.
As soon as he entered the moon gate of the courtyard where the flower hall is located, he already saw Magistrate Fan, dressed in homely clothes and a long cloak, greeting him at the foot of the steps with hands behind his back.
"Oh my god, sir, how dare the students do you such a favor? It's a sin, it's a sin!"
Li Yan could serve as a county official or acting magistrate at any time, so he called himself a "student" to Magistrate Fan.
"Select (Li Yan's word) brother and I are still so polite? Haha, the moonlight is just right tonight, and I need a friend to accompany me. How about you and I enjoying tea and admiring the moon in the flower hall?"
Magistrate Fan narrowed his eyes, but he couldn't figure out why Li Yan asked to see him at this time.
The two of them had finished their greetings. Li Yan supported Magistrate Fan and walked into the flower hall together to sit facing the window. The clear moonlight filtered in and shone on the white peonies blooming in the room. The petals revealed a mysterious blue color.
Soon a boy made tea, scalded the fine porcelain cups for the two of them, filled them with golden tea, and then left.
Magistrate Fan first asked about Li Zhu's situation, and after hearing that Mrs. Zhu was happy, he hurriedly congratulated him on his double happiness. Then he chatted about the harvest and shop business, lowered his head and sipped tea.
He asked him unhurriedly: "Select, there are many happy events in your family. You don't want to make arrangements to celebrate, but you come to see this county with a lantern and a shadow. But what's the important thing?"
"Your Excellency, you are a thousand miles away. The student really has a family matter here and I don't know how to deal with it. I would like to ask the county magistrate for advice."
"Ah?" Magistrate Fan Zeng didn't expect it to be a "family matter." He was stunned for a moment, raised his hands and frowned: "Xian brother, they say that it is difficult for an upright official to deal with family matters. You... seem to be asking for help from me. A problem?"
"I don't dare, I don't dare. How could a student do such a thing? Because this matter involves human ethics and legal regulations, the student has been undecided for a long time and feels like he has something stuck in his throat, so he came to ask for advice.
My parents in this county are knowledgeable and familiar with legal affairs. I hope you can give me some pointers. The students will definitely repay the favor! "With that, Li Yan left the table and bowed deeply.
When County Magistrate Fan heard what he said, he smiled again, stretched out his hand to help Li Yan and asked him to return to his seat, and at the same time said: "Well, since I chose you to come here with such humility, I can't just push him away.
Please tell me the whole story. What is it that makes you so uneasy? "
Li Yan was overjoyed and hurriedly recounted the circumstances surrounding his father's death and the reasons for Li Su's control of the family property.
Magistrate Fan already knew what he was talking about, but he didn't show it on his face.
He stroked his beard and thought for a moment before saying, "According to what Brother Xian said, your brother took over the housework and raised Wen Zhenggong and his subordinates as adults. One of you will be the magistrate, and the other will be a magistrate."
It's gratifying to have brothers and sisters in your family pay tribute to each other, but what's wrong with this? "
"This...," Li Yanxin said: Is my love for you was in vain? Oh, the old thing insists that I uncover this layer myself!
I had no choice but to answer: "Sir, brothers, friends and brothers are respectful. This is the original meaning of the sage's teachings.
But..., the eldest brother has controlled the family property for many years. Even after my brother and I got married, we did not take the initiative to mention the division of the family property. And because of the eldest brother's kindness in raising us, I couldn't talk about it, so it has been delayed until now.
But now that the children are older, putting it off any longer is not an option. It became increasingly inconvenient for a large family of men and women to live together, so I began to think about whether we should separate them clearly and let the three families live their own lives. "
"Hmm! Understood!" Magistrate Fan nodded: "Is this what your third bedroom means, or do all three families have this idea?"
"Zhuo Jing has discussed with the second roommate, who also has this intention. However, the eldest brother has not returned from Nanchang, so the eldest roommate has not yet told the matter."
"In that case, when Yanruo (Li Su's name) comes back, why don't the three of you discuss it together? Why come to look for me again?" County Magistrate Fan clapped his hands away, half-smiling.
Li Yan coughed awkwardly, lowered his eyebrows and replied: "What you are saying is that we should just explain our own affairs clearly.
However... this matter involves both laws and human relations. Which one should be considered first? The student is really stupid, so he asks for advice. "
He talked in roundabout ways for a long time and finally came to the core.
Magistrate Fan chuckled: "The meaning of the choice is that raising the elder brother is a kindness, but living in separate families is legal. It's hard for you to tell which is more important, but this?"
"Exactly, exactly!"
"Then let me ask you, what is Dharma and what is emotion?"
"This... is the manifestation of the laws of heaven. The emperor follows the laws of heaven and implements the laws of the world in order to order the country, the country, and the country.
Love, joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, evil and desire, the seven can be learned without learning (Book of Rites·Liyun). As the saying goes, 'it originates from the human world and is just in line with people's hearts' (Shenzi). The laws of our country are based on natural principles and human sentiments. "
"Go!" Magistrate Fan nodded: "In that case, national law is higher than human relations. When the two conflict, national law should take precedence. Do you agree with the choice?"
Li Yan thought about it, but didn't know what it had to do with his family, so he agreed: "That's the case!"
"Okay!" County Magistrate Fan stood up and walked under the moonlight, and said slowly with his hands behind his back: "I will implement the two-tax method, that is, collect Ding tax per household, collect land tax per acre, and apportion taxes and levies according to different households.
Although your brother controls the family wealth, the second and third bedrooms in your house have never paid the full amount of taxes. You know this first, and then we’ll talk about the rest. "
"What do you mean, Mr. Fan...?" Li Yan suddenly understood. What County Magistrate Fan meant was that if he wanted to separate the family, he would have to reveal the Li family's concealment of households and households for so many years, and pay back the arrears. tax.
This old cunning guy! He cursed silently. However, he quickly made a calculation in his mind and said with a smile: "Students think that obeying the law is a good citizen's duty.
If your Excellency can mediate and allow us to divide things properly without losing dignity, we will be willing to make up for the arrears of these regular taxes. "
The official tax refers to the official service tax (as mentioned before, hiring someone to do the service) and the tax and grain stipulated by the court. However, Li Yan was clever and did not mention whether he had to make up for the miscellaneous service tax allotted by the county. This Even if the two families share the amount, it will still be painful!
"Your Majesty is kind and caring for the people, and you are looking for help from all over the world. The students are shattered to pieces, and there is nothing you can do in return!"
As Li Yan spoke, he filled Magistrate Fan's tea cup, then quietly took out a folded silver note from his sleeve and placed it on the bottom of the cup.
The county magistrate, who was stroking his beard and looking at the moon, saw this move with his peripheral vision, raised the corners of his mouth slightly, nodded and said: "This is easy to say, easy to say.
I am from a family of poets and calligraphers, and if Yan Ruo has ever served me, I believe he will be able to correct his mistakes after he realizes them.
If you follow the great path, this small mistake is nothing. Who can have no fault? "After saying that, the two of them smiled at each other.
"However, if the family is divided, how will the property be divided? Is there any evidence against my dear brother?" Magistrate Fan returned to the chair and sat down.
"This..." Li Yan changed his mind and asked, "Shouldn't each room be divided equally?"
"Hey, that's not enough!"
County magistrate Fan shook his head and said: "Although your eldest brother controls the family property and has illegal and concealed behaviors, he has a loyal heart and raised your brothers to succeed and get married. Now you also have scholars and scholars in your family. Shouldn't you be grateful for all of this?" His kindness?
If we force equal division, I'm afraid some people in your clan will think it's unfair, which will make things look bad. Do you think this is true? "
"Uh," Li Yan frowned, but he also knew that Magistrate Fan was telling the truth. He was just being more euphemistic and did not say that Li Su might directly conflict with him.
If the second wife has a girl, the eldest brother will also throw some tantrums, most likely directing his anger directly on himself.
Li Yan was secretly shocked. He looked at Magistrate Fan carefully and asked, "What's your clever plan, Lord County Magistrate?"
"There's no clever plan." County Magistrate Fan waved his hand: "Although you are reasonable, you can't do this. If you do it, others will say that you, the third master, will repay the favor with the enemy.
At this point, you need to go back and discuss it carefully with the second room on how to do it. In short, it must be acceptable to Yan Ruo and the clan has nothing to say.
For example, you promise that after the property is divided, the two of you will find another place to live, and the ancestral home will be handed over to the eldest family for management, etc.
I think Yan Ruo should be able to accept such conditions. Of course, I will coordinate when necessary. "
Of course he is willing to coordinate so that after finishing the second or third house, he can then move on to the long house. Anyway, he will not lose money.
After listening to what he said, Li Yan gradually understood what he meant, and he made some ideas in his mind. He thought about explaining it clearly to Mr. Shu when he went back, and then asked her to persuade his second mistress, Mr. Gao.
Thinking of this, I remembered that the second house still wanted to separate the family, so I hurriedly mentioned it to County Magistrate Fan.
After hearing this, the county magistrate put his hands on his hands and said with a smile: "As long as you analyze the situation clearly among the three families first, her family's affairs will not be difficult.
However, if the second mistress is thinking about the concubine’s dowry, I advise her not to think about it.
Firstly, as far as I know, the family belongs to a wealthy businessman from Lujiang, and their property is all in the north of the Yangtze River. My little Yugan County Magistrate has no right to interfere; secondly, although Duke Wen Cheng is not here, she, as a eldest lady, cannot do whatever she wants.
Isn't there still your Saburo in that room? She, as the nominal mother, can make the final decision and agree to the property division of the house, but the actual implementation is a matter between brothers Saburo and Wulang.
One of them is a well-known scholar, and the other is over fifteen years old. How can she, a woman, be allowed to interfere? At most, I can just go to the scene to talk about it and bear witness by the way. "
"It would be great if the adults could come here!" Li Yan thought that he couldn't take advantage of the second room, so he could only help to this extent, so he wouldn't say more.
I had to go back and let the little Qian give another gift to Fan Taizun. Why did I have to jump around between the two widows? Aren't I afraid of attracting gossip?
After escorting Li Yan to the door and watching his back disappear on the other side of the Moon Gate, Magistrate Fan turned around and went in. He hurriedly picked up the teacup and took out the banknote, which turned out to be a twenty-tael banknote.
Hey, split up? Then you can divide it up. Magistrate Fan smiled proudly. It's really funny that the second wife of the Li family has to split up with her concubine!
Magistrate Fan walked to the bedroom with a swaying step, wondering who should be accompanying him tonight?
No matter who it is, it is estimated that the Li family can bring themselves one to two hundred taels of income this time. The person next to me tonight must be a lucky one and deserves my love!
