The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 1935 - 1910: Compromise

With Ms. Qian at the forefront, even though Patriarch Xia might not want to strain relations with Zhou Man and the Zhou Family too much, even if he wanted to, in a strained situation, he wouldn’t get what he desired.

For example, having Zhou Man change her surname.

As for keeping the land, it might be possible, but doing so would ruin most of Xia Clan’s reputation, and it wouldn’t be worth it.

After all, Zhou Man isn’t an ordinary person. She holds an official position, which puts her above them. If they feud with her, she might shatter all the connections the clan worked so hard to build over the years in just one sentence.

For a moment, various thoughts flashed through Patriarch Xia’s mind, but in the end, he squeezed out a smile to Ms. Qian and Old Zhou, saying, "The in-law is right."

So the issue returned to Zhou Man’s surname. If she doesn’t bear the Xia surname, how is she entitled to the Xia family’s property?

Don’t even mention that those properties were from her grandparents and mother. In this world, clans can still seize property from male orphans, let alone someone who doesn’t bear the Xia surname like Zhou Man.

Even local laws stipulate that when buying and selling land, under equal conditions, people from the same clan have priority and this cannot be violated.

Some malicious individuals specifically tease others by offering the same price when clanspeople want to buy or sell land, driving them crazy with repetitive actions.

Unlike Old Zhou and others who naturally side with Zhou Man, even County Magistrate Zhai felt that if Zhou Man didn’t make some concessions, it would be ungracious to inherit all of Xia Yan’s property.

After all, she doesn’t bear the Xia surname.

Manbao began negotiating with Patriarch Xia, "I understand that half of the land is designated as sacrificial land, I have no intention of reclaiming it. Uncle Yitang has guarded the house for my family for years, though he hasn’t achieved much, he’s worked hard. How about this? I’ll divide half of the remaining part for Uncle Yitang, as a token of gratitude for his guardianship over the years, and the other half will be given to the clan’s widows and orphans, as a merit for my grandparents."

However, Patriarch Xia did not feel Zhou Man’s sincerity but rather sensed malice. With this statement, wouldn’t Xia Yi and those in the clan who currently hold Zhou Man’s land become irreconcilable?

Manbao continued smiling, "I heard from County Magistrate Zhai that there are people in the clan currently studying?"

Patriarch Xia, who had a gloomy face, suddenly lifted his spirits. This is the lifeline of their clan. Why were they willing to make concessions when the County Governmental Office came to negotiate nicely with Zhou Man?

Isn’t it because there are people in the clan studying?

Patriarch Xia forced a smile and said, "Yes, a few children are studying, and two of your cousins have excelled and entered the County School."

Manbao expressed with admiration, "Studying is important. Our Xia family isn’t that poor, and if we can afford to send children to study, we should. I remember there was a clan school in the past?"

You remember? How do you remember? 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Not to mention she left only a few months ago, even then the clan school was closed, where did she hear about this?

Manbao smiled and said, "The clan school should be run, allowing children of the right age in the clan to study. If they can partake in official exams, that’s great; even if they can’t, becoming an accountant or finding a clerical job is also good."

Upon hearing this, Patriarch Xia was filled with hope, but then he heard Zhou Man say, "The land currently rented by the clan, I think should simply be used by the clan as study land. If each family contributes some, a school can be established. In ten to twenty years, maybe our Xia clan can also produce a top scholar?"

Before Patriarch Xia could react, the Clan Elders behind him were already itching to move, all looking at him with eager eyes.

Patriarch Xia: ...

Is studying really that easy?

Not to mention hiring a teacher costs money, but books, pens, ink, paper, and inkstones alone cost a fortune. Can a school be established with just that one piece of land?

It would probably take adding ten more pieces of land of similar size to be enough.

The Xia family truly isn’t very poor, but they aren’t extremely wealthy either. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have only now sent two people to the County School after so many years of management.

However, County Magistrate Zhai supported this move, educating the populace and establishing schools counted towards his achievements. This was his third year in Shangzhou, and he probably had to stay another three years.

He hoped that after four years, he could secure a better position based on his achievements.

So County Magistrate Zhai immediately chimed in, glanced at Bai Shan, and said, "Patriarch Xia, with such a nephew-in-law, what do you have to fear? He’s from a distinguished family, and an occasional word of advice would benefit the children of your family greatly."

Bai Shan nodded with a smile while sitting in his chair.

People around Patriarch Xia: ...They were just inciting the Zhou Family to break off the engagement in front of them.

And even if not for that incident, given their distant relationship with Zhou Man, and that she was raised in the Zhou family, how close could their relationship be?

Manbao was intent on urging Patriarch Xia to open a clan school, allowing children of the clan to study and learn rituals. After stirring their hearts, she brought up going to Songhua Alley.

County Magistrate Zhai wasn’t keen on going, though Xia Yi didn’t say much yesterday, judging from the words the bailiff relayed between him and Officer Xu, he was most likely a rogue. Facing a rogue would certainly lead to some loss of composure, and County Magistrate Zhai didn’t want to make a fool of himself.

But Manbao wouldn’t let him off, enthusiastically inviting him to take a tour of her ancestral home.

Bai Shan chimed in to support, adding, "When we went there yesterday, besides a jujube tree, there was also a pear tree in the garden, full of ripe fruit. Wouldn’t the headmaster want to taste it?"

Don’t want to!

This is what County Magistrate Zhai thought, but on the outside, he smiled and said, "Sure."

So he laughed and got up to leave with them, instructing the steward to bring a few more bailiffs, as there was a high possibility of a confrontation.

The people following behind, including Patriarch Xia, were already expressionless, realizing that the knowledge about the jujube tree came from such a source.

Getting on the carriage, a few Xia clan members squeezed onto Patriarch Xia’s ox cart, then sat on either side looking at him.

Patriarch Xia, with a headache, said, "Don’t look at me. Even Officer Xu prepared the land deed early to return it. Can we really go against her?"

"Xia Yi’s family is not easy to deal with, especially Xia Yi’s wife. If she throws a tantrum, it would disgrace our Xia family."

"She’s indeed hard to deal with, but is Zhou Man easy to deceive? She may not throw a tantrum, but if she sues the family to the County Governmental Office, it would be even more disgraceful," Patriarch Xia said. "Wulang and Qilang are about to take the prefectural school exam, we can’t let even a hint of rumors spread at this time."

An elder sighed, "Who would’ve thought that someone in their family would still be alive?"

No news for fourteen years, anyone would think they were long dead.

"Actually, this isn’t a bad thing, I’ve heard she’s already a fifth-rank official now."

"That’s pretty much the peak. A girl reaching this rank is already quite something. Even if she were promoted, how much higher could she go?"

"Hearing you speak like this, do you look down on the fifth-rank? Her rank is on par with the official, in the future, if Wulang and Qilang can pass the exams and become officials, even if they become County Magistrates, we would be very satisfied, but they still wouldn’t compare to her."

"Then the clan should get closer to her, and perhaps we can gain some leverage in the future."