Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1361 - 694: Impropriety (2)

"Of course." Shen Liu was slightly startled at first, then squinted his eyes, "...did I behave improperly in any way?"

Seeing Shen Liu’s relaxed manner, lacking any trace of guilt or remorse, Lian Manman could only choke with frustration.

"Sixth Master, it’s getting late." Lian Manman knew she was bound to be at a disadvantage today, so she promptly changed the topic and reminded Shen Liu. Shen Liu had already sent Shen Jin and Shen Qian off early in the carriage, seeming in a rush for time, yet he himself wasn’t in a hurry. It was simply unreasonable.

"Hmm." Shen Liu looked at Lian Manman, nodded slightly, but secretly laughed. He had never seen someone sending off guests urge them to leave quickly; was Lian Manman indignantly embarrassed?!

However, it truly was getting late.

"Take good care of your sister on the way back." Shen Liu instructed Xiao Qi before turning around and mounting the horse amidst the crowd.

Watching the convoy gradually move away, Lian Manman quietly clenched her fist.

"Sis, what’s wrong?" Xiao Qi turned around and caught sight of Lian Manman’s fist and slightly grimacing face before she had time to hide it.

Lian Manman quickly lowered her hand and put a smile back on her face. The person who annoyed her was far away now, and she wouldn’t let bad moods affect her family.

"It’s nothing, let’s hurry home." Lian Manman took Xiao Qi by the arm, "Let’s calculate the days, our little Hepu ducklings should be hatching soon."

"Oh yes." Xiao Qi’s eyes lit up. Even though he especially liked hearing others say he had grown up, there were still some things he felt childish enthusiasm about.

...

Three days after Shen Liu, Shen Qian, and Shen Jin left, Wu Lang returned from Prefecture City with Mr. Loo.

Wu Lang achieved excellent marks in the academy’s small exams, and even Mr. Loo said his writings had greatly improved, the whole family was naturally overjoyed. After chatting for a while, Mr. Loo went to rest, leaving the family to talk among themselves.

Lady Zhang, Lian Manman, and Lian Zhizhi sorted through the things Wu Lang brought back, while Lian Shouxin and Xiao Qi were beside them, asking Wu Lang about the happenings in Prefecture City. After some conversation, Wu Lang took out a property deed from his pocket and handed it to Lian Manman.

"...in Big Pines Alley, not far from the academy, it’s a nice quiet place amidst the bustle," Wu Lang told Lian Manman.

They had long been planning to acquire property in Prefecture City. When Wu Lang went to the city this time, Lian Manman provided him with enough silver taels, agreeing that if there was suitable property or shop available, he should purchase it. Wu Lang bought a three-compound residence in Big Pines Alley.

"The house has about a hundred rooms, with a large garden at the back, including the paperwork and exchange of the property deed, it cost a total of fifteen hundred taels," Wu Lang said, showing a paper to Lian Manman.

It was a rough sketch showing the layout of the residence; Wu Lang gestured and pointed at the paper, explaining to the family the general location of the residence in Prefecture City.

"Brother, buying such a house at this price, isn’t it quite a bargain?" Lian Manman estimated the size of the property after hearing Wu Lang’s words and asked.

"This price is indeed quite reasonable," Wu Lang nodded, "Thanks to Steward Zhong’s help. He said he had looked into it early for us; if bought publicly, it would cost at least five hundred more taels and might not even be possible to acquire."

"We must properly thank Steward Zhong," Lian Shouxin sighed.

"Naturally," Wu Lang nodded, "I’ve already sent a generous gift over." Merely relying on Steward Zhong, one wouldn’t have such power and influence; it was naturally the controlling figure in the Shen Family who said something. Lian Manman and Wu Lang both clearly understood where the favor was owed.

"Mr. Loo and I moved in during our days in Prefecture City. There were originally some simple furnishings, I added more, now when we go again, we can directly live there," Wu Lang continued, "Manman, when you go there, see if there’s anything more to be added, and we’ll add accordingly."

"Sis, when will we go to Prefecture City?" Xiao Qi asked Lian Manman.

"Didn’t we say after the harvest?" Lian Manman laughed, "Study well, if Brother and Mr. Loo say your schoolwork isn’t up to par, I’m not taking you there."

"I’m definitely going to study hard, Master Chu even praised me," Xiao Qi quickly replied.

"I didn’t bring back the leftover silver, I stored it in Dacheng Bank and converted it into silver notes, for future use in Prefecture City. In big stores, you can directly use the silver notes; for smaller stores, you can just withdraw the money from the bank," Wu Lang continued.

Dacheng Bank is the largest and most reputable bank in the Great Ming Dynasty, with branches in every prefecture city. It is said that there are shares held by royal princes in Dacheng Bank, which means it has backing from the Royal Family and Government Office.

"Silver notes!" Lian Manman’s eyes sparkled for a moment.

Wu Lang then smiled and took out a stack of silver notes from his pocket, and Lian Manman quickly took them to look carefully. The silver notes were printed on mulberry paper with intricate designs, intermingling black and red. Besides having the specific branch of Dacheng Bank printed, there were serial numbers, the amount, dates of issue, and also visible and hidden marks, which Wu Lang taught Lian Manman to recognize.

Silver notes represent the development and advancement of commercial circulation. However, because the Great Ming Dynasty’s commerce has not fully developed, the use of silver notes, while convenient, still has many restrictions.

Ultimately, the silver notes from Dacheng Bank cannot be considered paper currency; more precisely, they are proof of deposit.

...

Offering the first update, the second will follow later, with efforts to make up for yesterday’s update. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)