After the autumn harvest, the most important task was collecting the grain tax.
In previous years, the entire collection process would last nearly a month.
To improve efficiency, Song Qiming summoned all the officials and clerks of Suining City for a brief meeting.
"Every year, the common folks have to laboriously transport their grain tax to the county office. If the grain fails inspection, they must take it back to dry and sort again. This year, we’ll change the approach."
"Every county office has enough manpower. They’ll all be dispatched to the towns for unified collection, bringing in the grain tax all at once. Those who haven’t paid, or whose grain is rejected, will have a second chance three days after the first collection."
"There’s still much to do after the autumn harvest. The entire collection process must be completed within ten days."
At his command, the room fell silent.
The household clerk pushed the ledger for spring seed purchases in front of Song Qiming.
"Sir, this lists the amount of rice seed borrowed from the prefectural office by the people this spring. It can be collected together with the grain tax."
The three thousand taels used to buy the rice seed had originally been borrowed from the merchants by the prefectural office.
Song Qiming pressed his right hand on the ledger. "Issue all the tax notices tomorrow."
"The standards for grain tax collection, the method, and the location must all be clearly stated. Not a single extra grain of rice should be taken from the people."
The next day, along with the tax notices, sixteen officials from the prefectural office were dispatched.
They were divided into four groups, heading to Qingxia County, Yunzhu County, Songhe County, and Yanshan County.
Their tasks were twofold: first, to escort all collected grain taxes back; second, to conduct inspections and supervision, ensuring that no lower-level officials embezzled the grain or oppressed the people during collection.
...
Gu Baozhu and Gu Jinghong had barely stepped into their residence in Songzhou City when the entire Gu family gathered.
Madam Gu, seeing Gu Jinghong, who had turned a shade darker, screamed in shock.
"How did you get so dark?"
Then she cupped Gu Baozhu’s face and scrutinized her closely.
"At least you’re only a little dark. A few days of rest should bring back your complexion."
After the evening meal, Madam Gu came alone to Gu Baozhu’s room.
"The Xue family sent word that their eldest son passed the imperial examination. Once he returns, your father will summon him to the residence for you to meet."
Frustrated, Gu Baozhu walked over to the bed and lay down.
"Mother, I’ve only just returned. Could you not talk about this right now?"
Madam Gu pulled back the thin quilt and tugged her daughter upright.
"In Songzhou City, the number of talented young men of your age can be counted on two hands. Those whose family background barely matches ours number only two or three. If you don’t secure one early, someone else will snatch them away."
Gu Baozhu slumped weakly on the bed. "If they can be snatched away, it means there was no fate between us."
She grasped Madam Gu’s hand and looked at her with pleading eyes.
"Mother, I don’t want to marry too early. During my visit to Suining City, County Princess Linghui told me that a woman’s optimal childbearing age is between twenty-four and twenty-nine. Marrying too young harms the body and increases the risk of difficult labor."
"In the entire Southwest Province, Father holds the highest official rank. Since I’d be marrying beneath my station anyway, waiting a few years won’t matter."
Madam Gu’s eyes widened. "By twenty-four, a child would already be attending school! Did County Princess Linghui truly tell you this?"
Gu Baozhu nodded emphatically. "Of course. Otherwise, why haven’t the County Princess and Shixue married yet? They’re several years older than me."
Madam Gu thought for a moment, then shook her head frantically.
"I was only eighteen when I gave birth to your elder brother, and my health was fine. As long as you take good care of yourself, everything will be fine."
"A man usually marries at twenty. If you don’t marry early, you won’t find a suitable match."
Seeing this approach fail, Gu Baozhu took another tack. "At home, I’m the precious pearl cradled in my parents’ and elder brother’s hands. If I marry out, who knows whether my husband’s family will treat me well?"
"If you want me to marry, I’m fine with it—but only if my husband marries into our family."
A thunderbolt seemed to strike Madam Gu, leaving her mind blank. She was so shocked it took her a moment to recover.
"Having a husband move in won’t do. Our family isn’t short of sons. If we bring in a live-in son-in-law, chaos would ensue."
Gu Baozhu had completely lost patience. She pulled the thin quilt over her head.
"Then let me wait two years. At least wait until I’m twenty to marry."
For the next two quarters of an hour, Madam Gu pleaded earnestly, but Gu Baozhu refused to respond. Finally, she had no choice but to leave in frustration.
In the main room, Madam Gu sat on a stool, sighing three times.
"My lord, what are we going to do?"
Gu Zhongxun, who had just finished his bath, slipped on his inner robe.
"Since Baozhu is unwilling, let her wait. My daughter, Gu Zhongxun's daughter, will have no shortage of suitors."
Madam Gu glared at him fiercely. "Then name a few suitable matches for Baozhu three or four years from now."
Gu Zhongxun fell silent.
The only ones who could match her were the current candidates. There truly were none who were younger.
"Actually, even a slightly lower family background would be fine, as long as he treats Baozhu well."
Madam Gu flung her handkerchief at his face and snarled, "It’s already a step down for her. Any lower, and he won’t be worthy of my daughter."
"Marriages are decided by parents and matchmakers. All this trouble is because you spoiled her."
Watching his wife storm off in anger, Gu Zhongxun looked utterly bewildered.
He muttered to himself in grievance, "What do you mean I spoiled her?"Don’t you spoil her too?"
