Scholar, farmer, artisan, merchant, with merchants ranked last. Even if one's wealth is immense, in the eyes of scholars, they are still inferior.
Even if wealthy merchants look down on poor scholars, they are ultimately a step below when it comes to fame and honor.
"By the way, nephew, you suffered a calamity this time, and some preferential treatment due to your status as a Juren has not yet been processed," Magistrate Lóu changed the subject. "Especially since you are the Jieyuan, the court has an additional special grace—by regulation, you are exempt from taxes on two thousand mu of land."
"Two thousand mu?"
This number alone moved not only Yang Xuan slightly but also made the eyes of Steward Zhong, standing by, gleam.
The Yang family's landholdings already exceeded a thousand mu. Previously, as an ordinary Juren, he could only get a reduction of a few hundred mu in taxes, saving over a hundred taels of silver annually, which was considered good.
Now it had multiplied several times, almost equivalent to gaining nearly a thousand taels of gold out of thin air!
What's more, Yang Xuan had already ordered people to try planting new crops on some of the land; these crops had high yields and were valuable, far surpassing ordinary grains.
This tax reduction was truly sending charcoal in the snow.
"Thank you for your guidance, sir!" Yang Xuan clasped his hands in thanks.
Magistrate Lóu waved his hand, "This is what you deserve; it is not something I granted privately."
He further explained that the spring and autumn taxes this year, due to Yang Xuan's absence from the prefecture, the officials had not provided any special favors and had collected them as usual.
After all, there had been no news for more than half a year. Everyone thought he had been torn apart by bandits, his life or death uncertain.
Having status and honor grants privileges; without the person, the rules do not apply.
Yang Xuan knew this well.
The local official is not as influential as the higher officials, and local affairs ultimately depend on the local father-mother official's discretion.
It wasn't worth dwelling on the past. Instead, it was better to maintain good relations.
Thus, the two chatted and laughed, enjoying each other's company until a bailiff arrived to report an urgent official matter, and Magistrate Lóu took his leave.
After he left, Steward Zhong asked in a low voice, "Young Master, how should we arrange for this two-thousand-mu tax exemption?"
The reason Juren are respectfully called "Master" is not just a title but a tangible symbol of privilege.
Many commoners preferred to have their land registered under a Juren's name, paying a small rent each year, thus avoiding government taxes.
Yang Xuan pondered for a moment and said calmly:
"One thousand mu will be divided equally among the tenant farmers in the clan to reduce their burden; the remaining one thousand mu will be exclusively used for planting our newly introduced specialty product species."
"As you command, Young Master!"
Land is indeed important, but Yang Xuan knew in his heart that true wealth never comes from farming itself.
Soap, glass, cakes... the profits brought by these advanced crafts are the foundation of continuous riches.
In the past, he was weak and alone, daring not to be ostentatious for fear of attracting disaster—he understood the principle of 'an innocent man is doomed if he possesses a treasure' better than anyone.
He could only conduct small businesses quietly to make a living.
But now, he had the confidence to establish himself in this chaotic world.
For instance, the Five-Star Summoning Card he held in his hand—once activated, it could summon at least one top expert comparable to a protagonist.
"Summon!"
He recited silently in his heart.
In an instant, heaven and earth fell silent, and the river of stars flowed.
The vast galaxy stretched before his eyes, the stars twinkling, their radiance flowing.
Suddenly, a star flared brightly, its light tearing through the night sky. A figure stepped out from the starlight, slowly emerging...
It's him!
Yang Xuan gazed at the figure whose outline was becoming clear, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes.
As expected, a message silently flooded his mind, confirming the guess in his heart—
The owner of Zilanxuan, Zi Nü!
If Yu Luosha was a cool and fragrant orchid in a deep valley, pure as snow and unstained by dust;
Then the woman before him was like a red rose blooming in flames, seductive and dazzling, captivating at a glance, making it impossible to look away.
Her beauty was unparalleled, her eyes exuded a soul-stirring charm. Her slender neck was delicate like congealed fat, her figure was graceful, her curves exquisite, her waist could be held in one hand, and her long legs were straight and shapely. Under the backdrop of a luxurious deep purple long dress, she appeared even more graceful and charming, with every step producing a lotus flower.
A thousand charms, ten thousand graces, she was a beauty that could overthrow cities!
Even Yang Xuan, with his calm disposition, could not help but feel a slight tremor in his heart, his gaze lingering on this woman who could turn the world upside down.
"Your subordinate, Zi Nü, pays her respects to Master."
At some point, Yang Xuan had recovered from his shock. Looking at Zi Nü standing truly before him, his heart churned.
Indeed, it lived up to the name of a Five-Star Summoning Card; this gamble was worth it.
This woman was by no means a mere adornment with only beauty, nor was she an innocent and naive young lady from the inner chambers, but a remarkable woman with extraordinary wisdom and sharp methods.
Not to mention her martial arts had reached the first-class level, comparable to Yu Luosha; just in terms of schemes, methods, and business acumen, she was rare in the world.
In the future, she would undoubtedly become the sharpest sword in his hand and the most reliable assistant.
"Rise."
Yang Xuan reached out as if to support her, and simultaneously, a wisp of internal energy quietly probed into Zi Nü's body to assess her foundation.
In an instant, the returning aura made his lips curl up slightly—
Undoubtedly a top expert!
One must know that Yu Luosha is still hovering on the verge of a breakthrough, while Zi Nü's strength could already be considered a major power in the martial arts world.
However, such a person would naturally not be used for charging headfirst and exhausting her sharpness.
"Do you have confidence in reviving Zilanxuan?"
"Please rest assured, Young Master. Within three years, Zilanxuan will surely regain its former glory."
Yang Xuan nodded, having no doubts about Zi Nü's loyalty—having been summoned, her loyalty went without saying.
What she needed was only resources.
And this was precisely what Yang Xuan lacked none of.
Even many hidden trump cards he had secretly accumulated could be transformed into the foundation for rebuilding Zilanxuan.
"From now on, do not call me Master; call me Young Master."
He paused, then took out a stack of gold notes. "This is ten thousand taels of gold. You will go to Chang'an first and choose a location to establish the new Xuan."
"Yes, Young Master!"
Zi Nü took them with both hands. Each was for a hundred taels, almost emptying most of the Yang family's savings.
After all, although Chang'an was not the imperial capital's center, it was a prosperous place where every inch of land was worth an inch of gold. The sum of ten thousand taels, though seemingly vast, could not withstand much expenditure.
But Yang Xuan was not worried.
He had his own way to make money; the source was endless, so why would he be constrained for a time? Moreover, he had full confidence in Zi Nü's ability.
After some instructions, Zi Nü gracefully departed.
That swaying figure in purple, accompanied by her ethereal steps, vanished into the vast night in a blink.
Yang Xuan looked in the direction she had gone. After a moment, he called Steward Zhong, "Prepare a generous gift. I will pay respects to the Master tomorrow."
Especially the items obtained from Bright Moon Gorge, revealing them rashly would be no different than inviting disaster.
Rather than bearing the burden alone, it was better to borrow influence and forge connections, weaving a broad network of contacts.
Besides, that was just a draft. He didn't have the leisure time to polish it for ten years.
...
"Dao Cheng, this absolutely cannot be done!"
At White Horse Academy, Master Zhu held the manuscript in his hand, his face flushed red, his voice trembling slightly.
It was the draft dictionary Yang Xuan had brought—arranged alphabetically, with annotations similar to later editions of the Kangxi Dictionary, yet borrowing the convenient layout of the Xinhua Dictionary. The overall work was already about seven-tenths complete.
For beginners, it was already an extremely practical enlightenment tool.
However, a true classic that could last for millennia was never accomplished by one person alone.
It required dozens of learned scholars to spend years repeatedly proofreading, supplementing, and revising before it could be published.
Precisely because of this, Yang Xuan decided to give up on completing it himself.
He had no time, nor did he intend to bury his youth in a manuscript.
But for Old Master Zhu, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave his name in history, surpassing even the top scholar in the imperial examinations!
As a mentor, he viewed Yang Xuan as a favorite student; how could he allow such an opportunity to be handed over to others?
"I understand the Master's intentions, student.
But I have decided to abandon this book."
Yang Xuan's tone was calm, but his gaze was as firm as iron.
"Seize the day; I do not wish to spend my best years on a book compiled on a whim.
Instead, I would use this favorable opportunity to befriend worthy individuals and pave the way for the future.
This will be beneficial whether in conducting affairs or entering officialdom."
"You... you are truly rotten wood that cannot be carved!"
Master Zhu's fingers trembled slightly. If he hadn't cultivated deep self-control, he might have stormed off on the spot.
But when he saw Yang Xuan's composed and unrepentant expression, he finally sighed in dejection, leaving only a heavy sigh that echoed leisurely in the study.
If he had a blade in his hand, he could almost not resist pressing it to Yang Xuan's throat to test the truth.
"Dao Cheng, your actions have always been different from others since childhood. What are you truly planning in your heart?
Don't try to placate me with talk of 'eating, drinking, and playing.'
Although I am old, I am not so senile."
"I plan to emulate Fan Shaobo."
"You... you are truly infuriating the old man!"
Who was Fan Li? One of the Sixty-four Generals of King Wu's Temple, a sage admired for all ages!
But as Chan Master Daoji said, "Drinking and eating meat, the Buddha sits in the heart; if the world learns from me, it is like falling into a demon's den."
Fan Li is revered as the Sage of Commerce, but frankly speaking, it is embracing the way of the merchant.