Chapter 356: Chapter 237: Brother-in-law, You’re Staying Tonight, Aren’t You?

Just after nine in the morning, a flash of golden light appeared before Chen Yi’s eyes:

[Opportunity +6.]

[Assessment: Chen Yunfan defeated Cui Qingwu with overwhelming strength.]

[You were nearby, but heard nothing and saw nothing. An Opportunity descended from heaven, yet you did not claim it. Such is the way of the indolent.]

As expected, Chen Yunfan won easily.

Chen Yi learned the result and looked away. He continued to chat idly with Xiao Wan’er, lifting the carriage curtain to gaze outside.

The fief of Duke Dingyuan’s Xiao Family was located fifty li southeast of Shu State Prefecture City.

It was called Tonglin, a small town under the jurisdiction of the Prefecture City.

It was comprised of six villages and the town itself, which sat at the foot of the mountains near the Prefecture City.

It didn’t seem large, but in reality, these villages, the town, and several surrounding mountains were all part of the Xiao Family’s fiefdom.

Within an area of roughly two hundred square li lived more than two thousand households.

The original imperial edict from Emperor Wei at the founding of the Great Wei dynasty described it as a fief of three thousand households.

At that moment, the carriage had just turned off the main road and was now traveling along a path through the forest.

The crisp CLIP-CLOP of hooves on the road gave way to a duller THUMP-THUMP, and the carriage began to sway.

The dirt path beneath them was clearly uneven.

Without waiting for an order, the driver, Shen Huatang, pulled on the reins to slow their speed.

Fortunately, neither Chen Yi nor Xiao Wan’er was the delicate sort. They simply chatted and laughed occasionally as the carriage rocked along.

A faint smile touched Xiao Wan’er’s pale face as she looked out at the passing scenery.

"This place has changed so much."

Lifting the curtain with one hand, she pointed with the other toward a few mountains in the distance and began to explain them to Chen Yi.

"That’s Monkey Mountain. When I was little, Father used to take my second sister and me there to hunt. It’s full of small animals."

"The one to the east is called Little Yun Mountain. I remember there’s a waterfall at the summit. My second sister even bathed there once."

"The river channel between them was built when Father was still alive. He had it specially diverted as a tributary from the Chishui River."

"From then on, the people of Tonglin were able to travel by boat to the Prefecture City for supplies, or to seek a living elsewhere..."

Even though Xiao Wan’er hadn’t been here in a long time, her memory of the place was vivid. She had a story for every mountain and stream.

She could even name the families who lived in the mountain villages and along the riverbanks.

Chen Yi followed her pointing finger, taking it all in. "I remember the Xiao Family doesn’t collect much in land rent from the fief each year, do they?"

Xiao Wan’er hummed in agreement, her eyes still fixed on the roadside scenery as she smiled.

"Originally, our ancestors waived the rent entirely. But after a few incidents, my great-grandfather’s generation established a new rule: a thirty percent land rent collected annually."

"Thirty percent? That’s much less than the forty percent required by Great Wei law, to say nothing of the seventy percent some other Noble Families charge."

"Yes. My great-grandfather said that by being only ten percent lower than the standard rate, it was still a blessing to the people, but also avoided condemnation from the other Noble Families."

Chen Yi nodded slightly. ’The incidents on the fief that Xiao Wan’er mentioned must have truly disheartened her great-grandfather. Otherwise, the Xiao Family wouldn’t have gone from collecting nothing to taking a thirty percent rent for no reason.’

’It’s better this way, though.’

’As the old saying goes, a little help makes a friend, but too much makes an enemy. It’s always better to be moderately generous than to give everything you have.’

Soon, the carriage passed through a narrow mountain road and crossed a wooden bridge, arriving at Tonglin Town.

The stone-paved road that greeted them was much smoother.

Chen Yi glanced around, raising an eyebrow. "This place... is quite nice."

The road was clean, flanked by dozens of wooden storefronts. Their uniform paint and design were quite aesthetically pleasing.

Other residences could be seen faintly in the distance.

Most were courtyard-style homes with gray walls and black-tiled roofs, not much different from what one might find in the Prefecture City.

Xiao Wan’er nodded and said with a smile, "Father had these built to a uniform design as well."

"When I was a child, he often said the Prefecture City wasn’t peaceful enough. He planned to live in Tonglin when he grew old."

It certainly seemed like a good place to retire.

Chen Yi was about to agree when he suddenly saw a dozen or so people jogging over to greet them.

Before he could ask, Xiao Wan’er instructed Shen Huatang to stop the carriage.

"It’s Elder Ming and the others."

"Elder Ming was originally my grandfather’s Personal Guard. After he was injured, my grandfather arranged for him to come here to manage the estate."

As she spoke, Xiao Wan’er was helped down from the carriage by Juan’er and Cui’er.

Chen Yi followed her out and saw the leader of the group, a stooped old man in simple linen, bow and say:

"Kang Ming greets you, Eldest Miss."

The dozen or so people behind him bowed in unison.

Xiao Wan’er quickly told them to dispense with the formalities, then asked, "Elder Ming, how did you know I was coming today?"

Kang Ming straightened up, his expression tinged with excitement as he replied, "The Third Steward sent word the day before yesterday."

"Otherwise, I would not have known you were coming."

Xiao Wan’er nodded in understanding, her expression softening. "I only came to take a look around this time," she said gently. "I didn’t mean to trouble you."

"Nonsense, My Lady. If you returned to Tonglin with no one to look after you, the Marquis would surely have me flogged."

After a few more pleasantries, everyone was introduced.

The townsfolk were all quite friendly toward Chen Yi, saying that the name of Mr. Qingzhou had already spread throughout Tonglin.

A short while later, once Kang Ming understood the purpose of Xiao Wan’er’s visit, he dismissed the others and said with a smile,

"My Lady, why don’t I first take you to the Xiao Mansion for lunch? Afterward, we can take a tour of the area."

Xiao Wan’er hesitated for a moment, then glanced at the sky and nodded. "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Elder Ming."

"It’s no trouble, no trouble at all..."

The Xiao Family’s residence was located deep within the town, a sprawling complex with three successive courtyards, nestled between the mountain and a river.

In addition to Kang Ming and his family, three other elders were responsible for maintaining the residence.

Perhaps because it had been so long since they had seen anyone from the main branch of the Xiao Family, they were all quite emotional upon seeing Xiao Wan’er.

While they waited for lunch, a steady stream of fruits, melons, and pastries appeared on the table.

Xiao Wan’er couldn’t refuse their kindness, so she simply let them bustle about.

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