Chapter 11
Tax-Free
“Ziluo!” Ye Muyu shouted.
“Mother, what’s wrong?” Chu Ziluo had just changed her shoes and walked out of the house. When she heard Ye Muyu’s voice, she quickly walked over.
Ye Muyu stood up. “Stay at home and look after your brother. If he doesn’t study, I’ll tell his father. I’m going to buy some meat.””
“Buy meat?” Chu Ziluo could not help but gulp.
Ye Muyu found all the money left behind by the original host. There were around ten taels. Although they could not eat meat every meal, it was not a problem to eat once every few days.
She did not want to explain too much. She carried a basket and left.
Xingshui Village was very close to Nanchang County, and there were many households living there. The conditions were not bad, and the bridge was well built. There were two rivers at the edge of the bridge, and many houses were built by the river. Therefore, many girls and women were washing clothes on the stone steps beside the houses.
Ye Muyu walked out and realized that Nanchang County should belong to the Jiangnan Water Town. Unfortunately, the original Ye Muyu had never traveled far and did not know the specific boundary. She only knew that this dynasty was called Great Chu.
Looking at the development of this dynasty, it should be different from any dynasty in her previous life. It could be seen that the history of this world was different from what she knew.
Ye Muyu went to the village entrance to buy pork.
When she was crossing the bridge, he bumped into a few women.
The woman in the front, who was wearing a green dress, saw Ye Muyu and stopped in her tracks. She was very enthusiastic and reached out to hold her arm.
“Isn’t this the wife of a scholar?”
“I’m Madam Zhao. Do you remember? I’m from Anling Village. We met at your sister-in-law’s house before.”
Ye Muyu recognized the other party. She was a famous matchmaker from a few nearby villages. They had bumped into each other in the Chu family’s eldest son’s house because her eldest niece, Chu Qingxiang, was talking about marriage.
Ye Muyu took a step back and smiled “So it’s Madam Zhao. Seeing that you’re in a good mood today, I’m think there’s good news.”
“That’s right. I found a good partner for your niece. He’s also a scholar and got in this year,” Madam Zhao said in a low voice.
When the woman beside her heard this, she was a little jealous. “Madam Zhao, why didn’t you introduce such a good young man to my young lady?”
“Don’t tease me. Isn’t your girl still young?” Madam Zhao did not buy it. When she saw Ye Muyu, she had a plan in her heart and wanted to deal with this unintelligent scholar wife.
It was for the sake of the new tax-free fertiel land that would be added this year.
The fertile land under the name of a scholar could be exempted from tax.
Every year, a scholar had to take an annual examination. Those who failed the examination three times would lose their official rank.
Not only did Chu Heng get the first place in the academy examinations at the age of 15, but he also got excellent marks every year.
Other than receiving one tael of silver and one liter of rice from the government every month, there was also a tax-free amount. His amount was 3000 sq ft.
Actually, after deducting the amount used by the Chu family, there was not much left.
However, Madam Zhao thought that it was better than nothing.
240 sq ft of fertile land could save a hundred catties of rice a year. Selling it would be a considerable income.
Moreover, Chu Heng had a good reputation and had never stolen other people’s fertile land, which was why Aunt Zhao had this idea.
“Lady Ye, in a while I will go to your big brother’s house to matchmake. If you are free, you must come.” It was not convenient for Madam Zhao to say it here, so she could only set a time.
Ye Muyu answered ambiguously, “Auntie, please go quickly. My sister-in-law must be waiting anxiously.”
“That’s true. Then I’ll go first.” Madam Zhao thought that if she could agree to this marriage, she would have a good relationship with the Chu family in the future.