5: Qi Xue Cao

The next day, before dawn, the village was already bustling. Every household lit their kerosene lamps, all eager to finish paying their taxes quickly.

Lu Xuan heard the commotion and also got up, preparing to pay his taxes.

His family had little land, and over a hundred catties of grain had already been packed the previous night.

"Husband, do you need my help?"

Su Jing had naturally woken up too, her eyes bright in the darkness as she looked at Lu Xuan.

"No need, it's just a little bit of grain, I can carry it myself. You just stay put."

"Then I'll get up and make breakfast. Husband, you can eat when you get back."

Saying that, she also quickly got out of bed.

Lu Xuan didn't refuse.

Lu Xuan quickly carried the grain to the tax collection point. It was just barely dawn at this time.

He was one of the first few to arrive.

The tax officials hadn't arrived yet; only a few stewards from West Mountain Village, assisting with tax collection, were there, preparing the measuring buckets and scales.

Seeing that the officials hadn't arrived, Lu Xuan didn't make a fuss. After moving his grain to a front position and setting it down, he sat on the ground, leaning against the grain, and closed his eyes to rest.

When the sun rose and the ground temperature slowly began to increase, the long-awaited tax official finally rode leisurely from the county town.

A shaded canopy had already been set up for him, and cooling tea had been prepared.

After the man took his seat, he gave Zhou Tong a look.

Zhou Tong understood.

"Start collecting taxes."

The shouts spread, and the villagers, who had been waiting for a long time, began to move one after another.

Lu Xuan was near the front, so it was quickly his turn.

"West Mountain Village, Lu Xuan, a family of three, two adults and one child, two mu of medium paddy fields, one mu of medium dry land.

Is that correct?"

"Replying to Milord, that is correct!"

"The total land tax is one hundred and sixty-five catties of refined grain."

Lu Xuan brought his grain sack forward. It was stated as one hundred and sixty-five catties of refined grain, but in reality, it needed to contain six or seven catties more; this was an unwritten rule.

"Full weight!"

The grain collector on the side shouted after weighing it.

"Hmm~"

Lu Xuan's tax is sufficient, draw a stroke here."

Most country folk were illiterate, so signing their names was too difficult for them. They almost all drew a stroke to indicate they were aware.

After marrying Su Jing, Lu Xuan began learning the script of this world, and now he basically knew all the commonly used characters.

He took the brush and signed his name and affixed his mark in his column.

"Oh, he can write."

The seated tax official, seeing Lu Xuan sign, couldn't help but exclaim. After all, it was rare for someone in the countryside to be literate and write, let alone write as well as Lu Xuan did.

"Milord overpraises me, it's nothing worth mentioning."

"You may go."

"Yes."

He was about to go home but was stopped.

"Young Lu, after the taxes are collected, Milord has something to say, so please wait a moment."

It was then that Lu Xuan noticed that the few who had paid taxes earlier were all waiting on the side.

"Understood."

Lu Xuan cupped his hands and then found a shady spot to rest.

Based on previous years' experience, tax collection would take at least two or three hours. West Mountain Village had over three hundred households, and there were only three scales for collecting taxes.

"I wonder what needs to be announced. Sigh, I hope it's good news. Taxes just increased this year."

Lu Xuan pondered on the side. Fortunately, most of the farm work was already done, so he wasn't afraid of being delayed.

The sun gradually climbed higher, and the temperature also rose. Even though Lu Xuan stood motionless, he was sweating profusely.

When the last sack of grain was weighed.

Zhou Tong shouted.

"Folks, Lord Huang has something to say, everyone gather closer."

Everyone quickly gathered around.

"I believe everyone is unhappy that the imperial court raised taxes this year.

There's now an opportunity to earn money. The imperial court has distributed qi and blood grass seeds. You can buy and plant them. As long as you can grow qi and blood grass, each stalk is worth two qian of silver, and qi and blood grass is tax-exempt."

Huang Yuan's resonant voice echoed through the crowd.

"What kind of grass is worth two qian of silver per stalk? Five stalks are worth one liang of silver?"

"This isn't planting grass; it's practically planting silver."

"Indeed, if I plant one mu of land, wouldn't I earn several hundred liang of silver a year, and without paying tax?"

After Huang Yuan announced this news, the scene immediately became chaotic, with villagers' discussions rising and falling, even intensifying.

Lu Xuan did not participate in the discussion but waited for the next part, as he couldn't figure out why such a good money-making opportunity would fall to the common people.

"Silence!"

A roar brought everyone back, but it was clear that everyone present had expressions of fanaticism and anticipation on their faces.

Evidently, the wonderful prospect of two qian of silver per stalk of grass had made everyone lose their minds.

As people slowly quieted down, Huang Yuan cleared his throat and continued.

"Of course, there's no free lunch in the world. You'll need to purchase these qi and blood grass seeds yourselves."

"That's natural."

"Yes, it's only right to buy your own seeds."

"Lord Huang, please continue."

Huang Yuan continued.

"These qi and blood grass seeds cost one qian of silver for three. At that time, you will also be told about the planting matters, requirements, and acquisition standards."

"So expensive!"

"One qian of silver can buy three catties of pork."

"Indeed, the income from one mu of land is only about one liang and five qian of silver, so this is really too expensive."

Hearing the discussions below, Huang Yuan was not surprised. After making the announcement, he left with his people and the collected grain, leaving behind the chattering crowd.

After Huang Yuan left, Zhou Tong finally spoke.

"What's expensive about it? It's always been this price. Think about how hard you've worked all these years, and why your per-mu yield hasn't increased.

This qi and blood grass is something martial artists use. If you cultivate it well, you might even get to interact with martial artists in the future.

Perhaps you'll even have a chance to get involved in the martial way.

If it weren't for the war and the urgent need for these supplies, it wouldn't be your turn to plant them."

After saying this, Zhou Tong also left.

The remaining people naturally wouldn't stay there basking in the sun and dispersed like birds and beasts.

However, the discussions didn't stop, instead intensifying over the next few days.

Back home.

"Why are you back so late? It's already noon."

Su Jing saw Lu Xuan return under the scorching sun and quickly brought him a bowl of cool boiled water.

This was something Lu Xuan had taught her: water must be boiled before drinking.

After all, in this place with scarce medical conditions, even a minor illness could cost them their lives.

Lu Xuan drank the water and told Su Jing about the day's events.

"Is that so? Then what are you thinking, Husband?"

Lu Xuan had been pondering this matter on his way back.

Although the officials said they could plant this item, the acquisition price was so exorbitant, which indicated that it wasn't something easy to cultivate.

But then again, he still had some land in his spatial dimension, and with abundant spiritual energy there, growing a small qi and blood grass should not be a problem.

Moreover, he was also practicing martial arts, so even if he didn't sell it, using it himself could save a lot of money.

If it succeeded, this would be much more reliable than hunting in the mountains.

And once he entered the realm of a Third-Rate Martial Artist and then went into the mountains, he would be able to gain even more.

After that, fulfilling the conditions for the advancement of his destiny would be just around the corner.

With these plans in mind, Lu Xuan spoke.

"Wife, I want to buy some back and try it. Don't we still have half a mu of our dry land unplanted? It's perfect for planting this qi and blood grass. What do you think?"

"I'll listen to Husband. I don't understand these things, but whatever Husband wants to do, your concubine will support you."

"Haha, you truly are my virtuous helper."

Saying that, Lu Xuan wrapped his arm around Su Jing's waist and kissed her.

"Husband, it's still daytime, you can't."

Su Jing blushed, half-resisting, half-yielding.

Her only response was his mischievous right hand and agile tongue.

The bedroom door closed, and soon after, a few more soft 'gege' sounds emerged from within.