A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 3: Jingzhao Du Family
Wild geese flew over Shenheyuan and mistook Wangqu for Jiangnan.

Luo San was carrying one stone and five dou of millet, walking briskly along the poplar forest road on the north bank of the Hehe River. With these grains, he wouldn't have to worry about having rice to eat tomorrow, but in the blink of an eye, he felt that the price of grain was too high.

"I remember during the Kaihuang era, a piece of silk was worth only 200 coins, but it could buy a dan of rice. Now, a piece of silk is worth 360 coins, but it can only be exchanged for a dou of rice. When will people in this world be able to live a stable life?"

Li Yi was carrying a piece of raw silk that had not been bleached, and he walked very easily. The piece of raw silk was forty feet long, but weighed only twelve taels.

This silk is made of silk, just like Lingluo silk, but it is the simplest fabric. The warp and weft are woven one above the other, and there is no pattern. It is plain and thin. It can be used to make clothes, to paint, and as currency.
In the Sui and Tang dynasties, both money and silk were used.

A young woman who plants 20 mu of mulberry trees and raises silkworms can weave about 10 rolls of silk after a year of hard work.

"Now that the dynasty has changed, life will get better soon." Li Yi told Luo San. That was the Tang Dynasty, and he witnessed the birth of the Tang Dynasty with his own eyes.

Luo San sighed, "Nowadays, the world is full of fragmented factions, with emperors and kings everywhere. I don't know when peace will return."

This is indeed true. Yu Wenzhi murdered Yang Guang in March this year, and then supported Qin Wang Yang Hao as a puppet emperor. However, Li Yuan invaded Chang'an last year, established Dai Wang Yang You as emperor, and proclaimed himself the prime minister. Last year, Dou Jiande of Hebei also proclaimed himself the King of Changle and established his capital in Leshou.

After Yang Guang was murdered, Wang Shichong of Luoyang supported Dai Wang Yang Tong as emperor, and Li Yuan directly asked Yang Tong to abdicate to him.
Xiao Xian of Jiangling also proclaimed himself the Son of Heaven and appointed officials. Shen Faxing of Wu Commandery in Jiangnan, under the pretext of revenge for Yang Guang, launched an uprising and seized over ten counties, including Yuhang. He then proclaimed himself the Grand Administrator of Jiangnan and appointed officials of his own accord.

Others include Du Fuwei of Jianghuai, Li Mi of Henan, Liu Wuzhou of Mayi, Guo Zihe of Yulin, Zhang Changxun of Wuyuan, Liang Shidu of Shuofang, Xue Ju of Longyou, Li Gui of Hexi, Wang Hua of Shexuan, Feng Ang of Lingnan and many other heroes, each of whom ruled a certain area.

It is said that in this year, there were fourteen regimes in the world that established their own era names.

In the eyes of ordinary people like Luo San, they really don’t know who will be the ultimate ruler of the world.

"In a few years, the Tang Dynasty will be able to unify the world," Li Yi said again.

"We, the common people, have no business whatsoever in deciding who will be the emperor. We just hope the price of grain won't go up any more. A bushel of rice and a piece of silk are costing us dearly. You know how many famished refugees who have fled to the border can buy a daughter for a bushel of millet."

At this point, Luo San asked Li Yi, "You pawned your mithril pot to Guo Erlang. It's a huge loss. Besides, now that it's in his hands, I'm afraid it will be difficult to redeem it in the future."

"It's okay, let's fill our stomach first."

Guozhuang,

Guo Erlang and his wife Du were examining the snow-covered pot carefully.

"This mithril pot is so beautiful. I didn't expect it to be so light."

"Look at the hammer marks on this forging, they're like snowflakes, and each pattern is very even and delicate. The workmanship is incredible. This is definitely the work of the best craftsmen in the gold and silver shops in Chang'an East Market."

Mrs. Du touched the edge of the pot and exclaimed, "This pot edge is also quite amazing, smooth and delicate, it won't hurt your hands at all."

After Guo Erlang looked at it for a long time, he liked it more and more. "This is definitely a treasure. Let's go to your mother's house in Duqu and ask your father to help take a look."

"If it's really as Wuyi said, this is such a rare mithril pot, then he has to redeem it after a year." Mrs. Du was very reluctant to let it go.

"Now that it's in our mouths, there's no way we can spit it out. I have my own way."

The couple immediately asked their servant to bring two mules, and headed for Duqu, fifteen miles away, under the scorching sun.

Duqu and Guozhuang are separated by Shenheyuan, which is not far away. The two men were anxious and rushed to Duqu Village on the east bank of the Qishui River.

This is where the Jingzhao Du family lives and has a large population.

Fengxiang Marquis Mansion,

Du Sanlang, who was in charge of the family farm business, looked at his son-in-law and daughter who had suddenly arrived with some surprise.

"Have you ever heard of mithril, father-in-law?" Guo Erlang asked.

"Mithril?"

"It's something refined by Taoists. It's similar in shape to silver, but much stronger and extremely light, so it's also called light gold."

"I don't know much about Taoist alchemy." Du San said frankly.

Mrs. Du hurriedly said, "Hurry up and take the things out for Aye to look at."

When the small pot was taken out, Du San also thought it was silverware, but he felt something was wrong as soon as he held it in his hand.

After a long time,
Du San stroked the small pot, "This thing is extraordinary. The workmanship alone shows that it must have been made by a master craftsman. Although I have never heard of Taoist secret silver, I dare say that this thing is indeed more valuable than gold."

Guo Er's face flushed with excitement as he told the source of the blame.

"You only spent a little over ten thousand dollars to get it?"

"It's pawning for a year, not selling. We promised to double the profit in a year."

"What a pity." Du San touched the evenly distributed snowflake hammer patterns. "If I could buy it directly, it would be worth twenty-seven ounces of gold. It's a rare treasure."

"Is it really that valuable?" Madam Du asked. "Things are valuable because they are rare. I manage the family's business, so I'm quite knowledgeable, but this is the first time I've seen such a good thing. I've never even heard of it before.

You know, gold and silver have a price, but precious jade is priceless, and the same is true for this thing."

"Who is that person?"

"He's the young Taoist priest from Wuji Temple next to my Guozhuang," Guo Erlang briefly described Li Yi's roots. "Now that the old Taoist priest is dead, it's easy to deal with this young Taoist priest."

Du Sanlang shook his head.

"No, since this Taoist priest named Wu Yi can come up with such a treasure, it may not be that simple. Since he took the initiative to pawn it to exchange for money and food, he is in trouble. You can lend a helping hand and do him a favor. Once he owes you a favor, you can discuss buying this item from him."

"Give him another ten ounces of gold, and he'll probably sell it."

Mrs. Du was a little reluctant to part with it. "Ten taels of gold can be exchanged for eighty thousand Kaihuang five-zhu coins."

"Good things like this are hard to come by. If you miss it, it will be hard to find it again." Du Sanlang said bluntly, "Also, Wu Yi may have more than one good thing in his hands."

Guo Erlang made up his mind, "Okay, I'll give the two pieces of gold to Wuyi when I get back. He's planning to return to secular life and become a naturalized resident, so I'll help him expedite the process and get the land as well."

"That's right. Don't just think about taking advantage of others. The world is in turmoil right now, and it's still unclear who will win. We must be more careful and cautious in our actions, so as not to ruin our reputation and give others a handle to use against us."

The Jingzhao Du family is a famous and prominent family. Even their branch is making multiple bets in the face of the current uncertain world situation.

Du Sanlang's younger brother, Du Zhili, was currently in Luoyang, serving under Duke Wang Shichong of Zheng, holding the position of a fifth-rank Imperial Censor. Du Sanlang's deceased elder brother's second son, Du Keming, had previously served as a county lieutenant during the Sui Dynasty but later resigned and returned home. He had also been recruited by Duke Li Shimin of Zhao, serving as a seventh-rank military officer.

Du Sanlang was not willing to go to great lengths to rob something that could be solved with money, especially at this time. Ten taels of gold might be a large sum of money for others, but for the Jingzhao Du family, it was nothing.

"Next year is the old lady's eightieth birthday. This Taoist mithril pot for alchemy is a perfect gift for her birthday."

Lady Guo, the wife of the Marquis of Fengxiang, was the second wife of Du Erlang's father, Du Zheng. She came from the prominent Guo family of Hedong and was the daughter of Guo Bao, the Grand Chancellor of Bingzhou during the Northern Zhou Dynasty. She married into the Du family at the age of twenty and has been in power for sixty years. She holds the helm of the Du family, her word having final say. Du Sanlang, however, both respects and fears his stepmother. He intends to seize this rare mithril pot as a birthday gift to please the old lady.

Li Yi didn't know this.

He and Luo San returned to the straw hut with rice and silk.
Luo San put down the food and began to build a straw shed for Li Yi.

Cut some poplar branches, support the roof in a herringbone shape, and then spread the straw on top. In half a day, a small straw shed of about ten square meters is completed.

Shitou and Gousheng, two brothers who have no blood relationship with Li Yi, helped Li Yi dig a pit of about one square meter in the shed as a fire pit. They found three large stones and arranged them in a simple stove. They could put a clay pot on it to boil water and cook porridge.

As the sun sets, the red clouds look like fire.

Li Yi stood in this simple straw shed, full of joy. He finally had a foothold in the Tang Dynasty.

With the afterglow of the setting sun, the village chief Guo Erlang came riding on a big blue mule.

He sent the two golds to Li Yi,
He also brought a lot of things, including clay pots, casseroles, ceramic bowls, ladles, bamboo chopsticks, wooden barrels, a bamboo mat, a linen mosquito net, two pounds of salt, two pounds of lard, and two carp.

"I know you're short of these things now, so I brought some old things from home. Please don't despise them."

Li Yi was somewhat flattered by Guo Erlang's sudden enthusiasm.

These bits and pieces are exactly what he needs.

"Muramasa, I can't accept so many things."

"I used to have a very good relationship with Master Li of Wuji Temple. You can just call me Second Uncle. We should visit each other more often in the future. If you need any help, just come to me."

"Okay," Li Yi probably guessed the reason in his mind, but did not point it out.

Guo Erlang looked at Li Yi's thatched hut and said, "It's a little small, but it's fine for a few days. When I go to register your citizenship tomorrow, I'll also help you get some land. I think the land at Wuji Temple is a good one."

Although Wuji Temple is dilapidated, the land there is in excellent condition. It is located between Guozhuang and Luojiabao, on a protruding hill below the cliff. The terrain is flat and the view is wide. It covers an area of more than two acres. Although the cliff behind it has collapsed a bit, it can be cleared away.

"Thank you, Muramasa."

"Hey, call me Second Uncle."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Luo San standing next to him was a little stunned by this scene. When did Guo Erlang become such a good man?

"Uncle, it's time for dinner. I'll just cook a simple meal for you. Please don't mind, uncle." Li Yi held onto Guo Erlang's hand as he was about to leave.

"Okay, let me try your cooking. Congratulations on your new stove. May you have a prosperous future!"

　The contract has been signed, brothers can collect and read it with confidence.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)