At that moment, Li Suxian made a statement, saying that after his father's death, he took care of his younger brother and took care of his own future in the imperial examination. Later, he took a post in Beijing and so on, but he never had time to settle the estate.
Today, Mr. Fan Xianzun reminded me that I should put an end to the family affairs that I will not be able to take care of in the future.
Moreover, my children and nephews have all grown up, so I should let go so that each family can have a livelihood and not worry about the future.
This statement was immediately approved by Li Tonglu: "Yan Ruo (characterized by Li Su) said this is a great kindness and can be regarded as a role model for your generation!"
Li Wuqi didn't hear it clearly, but when he heard the word "model", he immediately nodded in agreement: "That's right, that's right!"
Magistrate Fan was very satisfied with this. He turned to look at Li Yan who was quietly wiping his sweat: "Choose it (the word Li Yan). Brother Zun means so. What do you think?"
"Uh, okay, very good!" Li Yan quickly bowed and replied.
"What's Goro's opinion?"
Li Shuo looked up at his mother, clasped his fists and saluted: "My lord, we have gathered together the patriarch, family elders, uncles, and third uncles to discuss this, and I didn't have the right to speak.
Just because my father passed away early and my brother-in-law was intolerant of worldly affairs, the younger son took the last position. Now that Lao County respects the elders and the elders ask questions, the boy thinks that those who follow the laws of the country and act out of favor are doing great good!
The division of property is beneficial to the state's tax revenue, and we should pay it in accordance with the law. It's just..., I'm ignorant, I don't know what the regulations are and how to do it specifically? I hope all the elders can give me some advice! "
"Well, good! The explanation is clear, concise and concise. Wulang is worthy of the name of the 'least scholar' in our province."
Fan Xianzun smiled and nodded to Li Tonglu (Li Shuo was from his disciple) who was shaking his head. He turned to look at Li Su: "Brother Yan Ruo, you have something in mind. If you have any suggestions, please share them with us for discussion." look."
"Wait a minute!" Li Yan suddenly stood up and handed over his hands: "Elders and Lord Fan, I would like to have Quanzi Dalang and Erlang come to listen. It will also be an opportunity for his brother to increase his knowledge. Is it okay?"
"Oh, is this the intention behind the selection?" Magistrate Fan said, looking at Li Su and seeing him nodding slightly, and then looking at Li Tonglu, he had nothing to say.
Then he nodded and said with a smile: "Okay, let's invite the two young masters to come. Speaking of which, I only saw Wenzhou once after he returned, but I really want to take a closer look at the new Juren's style!"
After a while, brother Li Zhu came in, saluted the elders above and Magistrate Fan, and stood behind Li Yan, one on the left and the other on the right.
With the blessing of his two sons, Li Yan suddenly felt much bolder and did not dare to delay too much. He quickly said to the county official: "My eldest brother, please start."
Li Su's idea is actually not complicated. He put forward three suggestions around the topic of "separation of production without division of production":
After all the fields and shops have been analyzed, the three houses take turns taking charge of the business;
At present, the Li family’s ancestral home, furniture, household items, livestock, vehicles and other miscellaneous wealth are divided into three parts, with each family taking one share;
Slaves belong to their respective owners, and servants follow their employers.
"The chief has already spoken. Do you think there is anything wrong with you two?" Li Tonglu asked tremblingly, stroking his beard.
Li Shuo felt that there seemed to be a problem here, but he couldn't explain it at once. He frowned and looked back at his mother.
At this time, Li Yan first said, "Isn't it appropriate to do this?" Then he leaned back and asked, "Come on, don't you think so?"
"Father is right, there is indeed something wrong." Li Zhu bowed.
"Oh? What do you think is wrong, Dalang? Tell your uncle." Li Su said with a smile.
Li Zhu glanced at Li Yan and saw that he had no objection. He took a half step forward and saluted, and then said:
"My uncle just now meant that after the birth, the parents of the third family will take turns taking charge, but I'm afraid this is not suitable for the second uncle's family.
The second aunt obviously cannot show up in public, and the third and fifth brothers are still young and not good at this, so it is difficult to give orders to the shopkeepers.
Therefore, my nephew feels that we need to make careful plans on how to take care of these real estate properties.
In addition, as for the floating wealth, it can be seen that as the uncle said, the categories are complicated and the quantity is large.
Many of them belong to the elders who purchased the house after my grandfather passed away. It would not be appropriate to take them all and divide them equally.
As for the treatment of slaves and servants, my nephew has no objection. Elders and county elders, please correct me if I am right or wrong! "
After saying that, he bowed again, took half a step back and still stood together with Li Jin.
After hearing what he said, Li Shuo felt much brighter. He couldn't help but nodded secretly, thinking that after all, his brother was a judge, so his knowledge was different. I also wondered with melancholy when I could hit the nail on the head like this?
Magistrate Fan twisted his beard and smiled: "Originally, as the head of the family, Yan Ruo is in charge of the family's livelihood. It has not been easy these years. The eldest brother is like a father.
After all, both of your brothers have benefited from Yan Ruo's upbringing and teachings. Wu Lang, you must also remember that even if you live separate lives in the future, don't forget Yan Ruo's contribution to the Li family! "
After he finished speaking, Li Yan and his family quickly stood up, and Li Shuo also stood up. Everyone bowed and agreed "yes" together, and then saluted Li Su. Li Su got busy and returned the salute.
There was a lot of excitement, and everyone sat down again. Then Magistrate Fan asked Li Shuo: "Wu Lang has achieved fame now, but does he have any words?"
"No words yet." Li Shuo quickly stood up and answered.
"In that case, how about I take advantage of today's fate and give you a word?"
"Sir, you are the head of this county. How lucky you are to be given a title by the county!"
Magistrate Fan stroked his beard and chuckled: "My son's name is Shuo, and I will give you the Chinese character 'Ziyuan', okay?"
The word "Yuan" means "learned", which is opposite to the word "Shuo". Li Shuo immediately understood that Magistrate Fan meant to make himself stronger and become a scholar and a learned person.
He hurriedly saluted deeply: "Thank you, sir, for the words!" Magistrate Fan laughed.
After this episode, several elders had already exchanged opinions, and they basically agreed with Li Zhu.
Real estate is easy to talk about, and everyone can just cast lots, but what to do with floating wealth, several people argued for a while, but still couldn't agree.
At this time, Li Zhu saw that the room had become quiet and said, "Elders and juniors, do you have any suggestions?"
"Is there any reason not to listen to what the newly elected person has to say?" Li Tonglu smiled and nodded: "Come and listen, sir."
"Yes. I believe that there are two key points in today's property analysis: that is, what my uncle said about 'analyzing property without dividing it', and analyzing the property left behind by the grandfather."
As soon as Li Zhu said these words, he immediately became the center of attention of everyone in the room.
He hesitated and continued: "In this case, my grandfather purchased property before his death, the family has account books, and the county government has the deed as proof.
For the extra property, as long as the house can produce the deed after the death of the grandfather, or the county government has the deed, it can be counted as the property of that house and will not be included in the analysis.
In this way, first verify the amount of property inherited by the grandfather when he died, and then divide it equally among the three families.
In this way, not only fields and shops, but also houses, livestock, slaves, etc., as long as there is a contract, can be handled accordingly.
For the rest, if there is no previous deed to check, and no new deed can be claimed by any family, they will be included in the separate list, and will be dealt with by drawing lots after the grandfather's estate is disposed of.
As for furniture, bedding, utensils, jewelry, etc., it will no longer be analyzed in which house they are used or stored.
Shared items such as carriages and horses can be calculated by casting lots, and the unclaimed family can be compensated with floating wealth of the same price.
After deducting the compensation for the gold and silver coins on account and accounts receivable during the year, there is still three cents left... Do you have any objections to this division? "
After he finished speaking, he glanced at the patriarch and the old scholar, and then at his eldest uncle, second aunt, and father. Seeing that everyone had nothing to say, he bowed to Magistrate Fan who was standing above him.
Li Wuqi still didn't hear clearly, but he still said: "That's right, that's right."
Magistrate Fan ignored him and said with a smile: "Sure enough, the new candidate is really good, every detail is perfect, very good!"
"Separation of property can be handled in this way, so... what about the so-called 'no separation of property'?" Li Tonglu asked.
"I wonder if I can ask my uncle to continue taking charge?" Li Zhu asked. Li Yan turned his head in surprise, and saw the eldest son nodded slightly to him, but then he said nothing as if nothing had happened.
"Don't, don't, I've been in charge for so many years, I should rest and rest." Li Su waved his hands hurriedly, then turned to Magistrate Fan: "Besides, if one day the imperial court orders a resumption, I will..."
"Nothing bothers the two masters." Magistrate Fan smiled and said: "I think it's good for you, Yan Ruo, to be in charge for the time being. Let's do this. If the imperial court really conquers the throne, it won't be too late for you to hand it over to the chosen one. How about that?"
"This... is fine." Li Su nodded reluctantly.
At this time, Li Yan suddenly felt that Magistrate Fan was giving him a wink, and he was startled and suddenly realized. He said hurriedly: "Oh, we have already decided on the third bedroom and are planning to buy another courtyard to live in in this county.
My eldest brother has worked hard for many years. I think the ancestral house does not need to be divided anymore. It will be left to the eldest brother. "
Li Su expressed surprise and quickly stood up to offer compensation, but Li Yan refused. Now it was the unsuspecting Li Zhu's turn to be surprised.
But he noticed the exchange of glances between his father and Magistrate Fan, thought about it, and then stood there silently without saying a word.
"Mom, should we move out too?" Li Shuo turned around and discussed with Gao in a low voice.
"Silly boy, why should we follow this trend?" Mrs. Gao was very unhappy, not only because she felt that Li Shuo was too honest and unscheming, but also because Li Yan made her very passive.
You good people have all done it, making it impossible for us to go up or down! She bit her lip angrily until it turned white, but the occasion was neither suitable for her to speak out, nor did she know how to stop or refute.
When Mrs. Gao saw her son's expression of embarrassment, she twisted the veil hard for a long time. She had no choice but to sigh, and whispered into her son's ear:
"But, if we want to move out, we have to buy a house. There are so many people in our family. If we add the people from that courtyard, wouldn't it cost nearly a hundred taels of silver?"
well! Come on, come on, people are not comfortable living under the eaves. Just move! However, you must talk to your uncle and ask him to slow down so that we don't rush him too much.
Finding a new house always takes time, and repairs and decorations may also be required, which all take a lot of time! "
As a rule, men should not have women present when discussing matters, but because Wulang was still young, Gao was allowed to come in.
She was originally worried that her son would be bullied, but after listening to it for a long time, she felt that this method was acceptable, so she said nothing. After Dalang finished speaking, she began to think about it.
After seeing Li Su wave his hand to indicate that he could move out within three months, he boldly said:
"There is also the matter of the head of the family... I have listened for a long time. After the uncle returns to become an official, he will hand it over to the third uncle. Then... doesn't the second room have the right to interfere?"
"How can you, a woman, talk like this!" Li Tonglu blushed and banged his cane on the ground, shouting unhappily.
"That's right, that's right!" Li Wuqi also joined in the fun.
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. Grandpa Qi doesn't have to worry about her." Li Su hurriedly opened the solution, and then said to Mrs. Gao:
"Well, let's make a rule to take turns taking charge, three years for each family.
I will be in charge for the first three years while Wu Lang is still young. After three years or if the court revolts against me, I will hand it over to my third brother and then to Wu Lang in the next three years.
If Wulang goes out to become an official in high school and his younger siblings are unable to step forward, then he can just ask a shopkeeper to take charge.
In another three years it will be time to grow the house. If I am not at home, just appoint a shopkeeper. This has become a routine, brothers, sisters, and third brother, do you think it’s feasible? "
What he said seemed appropriate to both families, so they were speechless.
"Also, there are...my family matters...?" Mrs. Gao suddenly felt that it was not good to say this in front of her son, so she did not continue.
"Haha, brothers and sisters, don't be anxious. Let's do one thing at a time. Once the big thing is over, everything else can be easily discussed."
Li Su waved his hand. He knew what this stupid woman was anxious to say. How could she say such a thing here in front of the clan leader and the county magistrate?
However, he himself had a "big deal" that he had to talk about here: "In front of the two elders of the clan and Lord Fan County, I have an unkind request to make to my third brother."
"Brother, do you have something to say?" Li Yan was slightly surprised. He didn't know what the other party wanted to do, add conditions, or set up preconditions?
So far, everything has gone as Li Yan imagined, and he is happy that everything has gone as planned.
But Li Su's sudden interjection made him nervous: "I'm all ears, brother, but it's okay to say it."
"Third brother, don't be surprised. This is a good thing." Li Su glanced at Magistrate Fan who kept a smile on his face:
"You also know that it is a pity that my brother only has three daughters. I think Erlang is an elegant and handsome person, and I have long liked him.
I don’t know if my third brother can renounce my love. I will treat Erlang Chengxu as my own son! "
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Yan was already stunned. He didn't expect that his brother would propose to adopt Erlang today. He seemed a little overwhelmed and looked back at his two sons.
Li Zhuzao caught a glimpse of the smile on his brother's lips when he lowered his head, and couldn't help but feel furious.
It seems that he knows, and may even have hooked up with Changfang very early! Li Zhu took a deep breath to stabilize his mentality.
"This, this matter is not trivial, uh...brother, please let me go back and discuss it with the people in the house, can you?" Li Yan could only say this.
"This is a good thing." Li Wuqi nodded.
"Yes, first the eldest brother went out of his way to propose an equal share, then the third brother voluntarily gave up the ancestral home, and now the eldest brother is willing to let the second son of the third brother take over. What kind of brotherly love is this?
What happened to me, Mr. Li, is all due to the teachings of saints! "Li Tonglu lost no time in shaking his head in agreement.
"That's right, that's right!"
"Okay, okay, it's really a good thing worth writing in the county annals! Brothers and sisters, this is an example!"
Magistrate Fan also smoothed his beard and said, "Of course, you can go back and discuss the choice with the people in the house. Everything is left to your own free will."
If you agree, choose a good day and I will send the clerk over to witness and record it! "
Hearing this, Li Jin took a step forward happily: "Junior, I would like to thank you first!"
Li Su and others all smiled and nodded in approval. Gao and Li Shuo were stunned, and Li Yan looked embarrassed. Seeing that his father had not expressed his position yet, but his younger brother took the lead, Li Zhuo's face became even more gloomy.
Everyone discussed the details again, such as whether the ancestral hall and sacrificial fields would still be managed by the chief, and finally asked the old scholar to choose an auspicious day in a few days.
The business plan was decided, and Li Erlang took the initiative to assume the responsibility of secretary. He put out his pen and paper and wrote "The Essential Rules for the Analysis of the Yu Qian Li Family Property" based on the content discussed by his elders, stating:
After the death of his parents and the observance of discipline, the property of the three brothers was divided into households on October 2, the 9th year of Jingwu. According to the three books of benevolence, righteousness, and etiquette, they were divided into three houses.
Then it was handed over to Li Zhu to copy three copies, one for each family.
The original document should be handed over to the clan leader for safekeeping, and should be checked for any discrepancies on the day of division. After the "Analysis of Lots", "Division Order", etc. are written, the tax (deed tax) should be paid and archived together at the county government office.
