The youngest lacked skill—let alone farming, he hadn’t even mastered the craft of making tofu at the family shop. With children and a wife constantly complaining, life was unbearable.
Without financial support, the youngest’s family would have no way to survive. Old Chen and Lu Sanfeng softened their stance and didn’t make any more trouble.
The two older brothers reassured Lu Yang that they would not let the Chen family become a burden.
In the end, they explained that after discussing with their family, they had decided not to move to the prefectural city for a living. Their homeland was hard to leave, and they were accustomed to it—Lu Yang need not worry.
Lu Yang read both letters several times before picking up his brush to reply.
Lu Lin’s letter was easy to respond to—full of good news, nothing troubling. It mentioned that life was going well and health was good. He also brought up the marriage issue of Ginkgo and Pomegranate.
He would not interfere with anyone’s marriage, but before marriage, he would not allow them to show up at his shop to work. If their families insisted, he would have the children sent back home.
After marriage, it would be up to their personal choices.
If they wanted to return to family life, he wouldn’t stop them. If they wanted to continue working, Lu Lin could observe their spouses’ character, and if suitable, assign a delivery role. Deliveries to the county could be completed in the afternoon so the couple could meet daily, avoiding unnecessary trouble.
Other matters, Lu Yang barely mentioned.
For the Luo brothers’ reply, he could see their concern—they didn’t want to be a burden.
Settling in the prefectural city was costly, and saving up a family fund was not easy. If wages were low, their standard of living would be similar to the county—they didn’t need to come. If wages were high, they felt uneasy taking the money.
Lu Yang, managing so many people already, saw no need to pull more from their hometown. Hiring locally saved many complications.
His reply was simple. He mentioned the study’s progress—it was still in preparation and not yet open—and that he would come to bring them over.
He avoided taking on too much responsibility; clinging to appearances at the cost of practicality would harm both his family and others.
For the newly arrived brothers, he would provide some support, such as helping them find a house with a one- or two-year lease. This would allow them to settle quickly and earn steadily.
Helping them wasn’t the same as partnering in business. Wealth and prominence were uncertain, but at least this was better than working as minor officials. They could save some capital and eventually return home to purchase fields, living off the estate.
Though all good things must end, he would do his best to gather everyone and honor the bond.
After writing the letters, Lu Yang took out draft paper to calculate expenses.
The small house cost ten taels of silver per year; the two brothers each paid five. Their own house’s rent was sixteen taels. Total rent amounted to twenty-one taels.
Based on their recent months of meals, monthly expenses were about three taels and five mace. This was largely because Lu Yang often had Xie Yan bring meals to the prefectural school. Otherwise, feeding this many people, plus a horse and a dog, wouldn’t exceed two taels monthly.
Including higher estimates, annual food expenses came to forty-two taels.
Miscellaneous expenses, such as buying small items, clothing, shoes, stationery, or inkstones, ranged between fifteen and twenty-five taels, depending on consumption.
Then there were social expenses, which were the priciest. For instance, gifts from Wuping were lavish, so return gifts couldn’t be cheap. Visiting the younger brother’s family and the two fathers accounted for about ten taels annually.
In the prefectural city, friends were few, but many business contacts existed. Maintaining propriety, hosting, and entertaining clients counted as business expenses and could be accounted for under the firm—they weren’t Lu Yang’s personal burden.
In total, annual expenses would be about ninety taels, depending on whether one was frugal or generous.
The county shop and estate income, per plan, would remain untouched unless absolutely necessary.
The firm generated about two hundred taels in dividends annually, enough to cover these expenses. Any surplus could be used to assist the two brothers without issue.
Similarly, once the study began making profits, he could loosen control over funds. He didn’t need to pressure relatives to accumulate wealth; there were plenty of ways to earn.
After finishing the calculations, Lu Yang reviewed the numbers, his accounts clear in his mind.
Once Xie Yan finished his homework, Lu Yang showed him the “ledger.”
“We really are a wealthy household, spending this much in a year.”
Xie Yan examined it carefully and remarked that they ate too much.
“There’s no need to consume so much.”
In their shop, selling hundreds of pounds of vegetables barely earned a little over a tael. Spending over three taels monthly on food was indeed expensive.
Lu Yang explained prices of vegetables, meat, and eggs, noting that by sending Xie Yan to bring meals to school for classmates, he was generous with ingredients. Not just portions of vegetables, eggs, and meat, but even the seasonings were abundant. The meals were said to rival those of restaurants.
He added, “This estimate is for a full year. By next February, we’ll have been in the prefectural city exactly one year. If things go smoothly, you’ll head to the capital for exams. Future matters can be discussed later.”
The higher expenses for the first year were to build connections with several scholars, useful for networking later. Who knew which of them might succeed?
Xie Yan put down the paper and, not mentioning the past, asked, “Why the sudden accounting? Are we tight on money? Is our family out of funds?”
Lu Yang laughed and shook his head, handing Xie Yan the Luo brothers’ letter.
“They’re worried about burdening me, and I worry that if I bring them here, I won’t be able to settle them properly. Accounting gives me peace of mind.”
Xie Yan reviewed the letter and the figures—supporting the two brothers was easily manageable.
Seeing Xie Yan’s usual composure, he said, “This year, we’ll spend a bit more.”
Xie Yan nodded, “I understand. Spend what’s needed. As long as you’re aware.”
Xie Yan set the letter down, reached across the desk, and took Lu Yang’s hand.
“I still remember the first time we went to the county. You brought Luo Da back to the village for a night. He bought us flour and pork, so all we had to do was make buns.”
Not speaking of the past, not questioning any past debts of gratitude, Xie Yan knew that the help they received in dire times was something he could never refuse.
Moreover, opening the shop and quickly establishing a foothold in the county, with fewer complications and government inspectors visiting regularly, was all thanks to the Luo brothers’ goodwill.
Later, when their family reclaimed the estate and filed lawsuits against wrongdoers, the two brothers contributed significantly.
Over the past two years, life had improved. The Luo family never exploited them and even treated Lu Yang like a younger brother, maintaining close ties everywhere. He remembered all of it.
Xie Yan said, “Your brother is my brother. We are one family. There’s no distinction. If it should be spent, then spend it.”
Lu Yang praised his sweet words and sense of propriety, “As expected of my household’s top scholar—wise and sensible, you’ve won my heart!”
Xie Yan’s mature demeanor melted under the praise, smiling broadly, showing his teeth and making Lu Yang laugh along.
That night, with nothing else pressing, they went up the kang to try other ointments.
By mid-May, the weather was warm enough to test mint ointment.
The cooling sensation was refreshing; Lu Yang rubbed a little on his arm and felt the breeze. Using just a small amount, it chilled him enough to draw in his arms, fingers clasped together.
The cooling lasted briefly before warming up again.
Lu Yang paused, experimenting further to understand the sensation.
Not treating Xie Yan as a stranger, he fiddled with it openly, leaving Xie Yan staring, unable to fully perceive it before being pulled into study to examine this “stationery” together.
The research took hours, and they didn’t settle down until well past midnight.
Lu Yang mentioned that “playthings lead to loss of purpose,” adding a new nuance to the saying.
Xie Yan, hearing this, retorted, “A disgrace to letters and learning.”
The couple laughed together and slept soundly.
The next morning, Xie Yan rose early, steamed buns, and brought down the white fungus soup he had prepared the night before. He ladled portions into a soup bowl and a basin, first taking a bowl to the small house in the alley to knock on the door, delivering the soup to the elder fathers.
