The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 228 - 217 The Art of Speaking

Chapter 228: Chapter 217 The Art of Speaking

County Magistrate Fu and the steward exchanged glances, their eyes sparkling. The registrar sat to the side, listening to their conversation with a slight frown. This was already the third time the county magistrate had brought up tax relief. The previous two instances had been private discussions, but this time it was mentioned in public, indicating the magistrate’s strong resolve.

The registrar glanced at the individuals seated in the hall, sighed softly, and then fell silent.

Tax relief is not out of the question, but I worry the Assistant County Magistrate may not be very pleased...

The thoughts of those at the table spun rapidly, though it was but a brief moment. Once Manbao’s voice faded, there was a moment of silence, followed by County Magistrate Fu bursting into hearty laughter, looking at Manbao and then at Shanbao.

Finally, he patted their round heads lightly and turned to ask Old Master Bai, "How old is the young master this year?"

Old Master Bai replied immediately, "Eight years old."

This was his nominal age. Before the children grew up, adults liked to calculate their nominal age, as if to make them grow faster.

Naturally, County Magistrate Fu also knew this. Calculating the actual age to himself, he couldn’t help feeling envious, "I saw him last year when he was not yet seven, right? He showed me an essay then, and I noticed his extraordinary talent. Seeing him today, his insights really are exceptional. Have you thought about sending him to the County School, Lizhi?"

Lizhi was Bai Li’s courtesy name, which was given to him by Bai Qi and his mentor as they had no father. When the two of them came of age, their names were given by their mentor.

By calling him by his courtesy name, County Magistrate Fu was using a very familiar form of address.

Bai Li smiled with gratification and was somewhat tempted, but, looking down at his child who was energetically winking at him, almost to the point of cramping, Bai Li shook his head and said, "The child is still young. Let’s wait until he is older."

He added, "Besides, his aunt is the one who makes the decisions for him. He is the only child of my cousin; I’m afraid the family would not feel at ease with him being on his own outside."

County Magistrate Fu laughed, "The County School is right here in the city, not too far. When the time comes, you can simply assign a capable servant to follow him, or if need be, moving to the city wouldn’t be out of the question."

Once County Magistrate Fu brought it up, his energy surged, and he vigorously urged Old Master Bai to move to the county town.

It wasn’t just because of Bai Shanbao; more importantly, if the Bai Family would move to the county town, it would be much more convenient for him to call on them for favors.

The very reason Bai Li had settled his home in Qili Village was because it was quiet and suitable for living; of course, he wasn’t looking for trouble by moving back to the busy county town, so he declined with a polite smile.

County Magistrate Fu felt regretful but soon proposed, "How about I take him on as my disciple instead? Then he could stay by my side and learn."

Bai Shanbao was not pleased. Although Mr. Zhuang hadn’t formally accepted him as a student, his treatment was the same as Manbao’s, and he liked Mr. Zhuang very much; he definitely didn’t like the idea of going to study in the county town.

So, he reached out to tug on Bai Li’s robe.

Manbao was also anxious, but this was someone else’s affair, and besides, it was between two adults, so it wasn’t her place to interrupt rashly.

Bai Li kept his expression unchanged, subtly let his hand fall, and patted Bai Shan’s hand. He smiled at the county magistrate and said, "It’s his good fortune that the magistrate holds him in high esteem, but I’m afraid his aunt would not bear to part with him. You don’t know, this child barely goes to Dali Village for the market, and his aunt asks after him three times a day. Besides, you are in the prime of your life and have had notable achievements in the last two years, sir. You may be promoted and transferred soon, and at that time, his aunt surely wouldn’t let the child follow you. Would it not be a wasted spot to take him as a disciple now?"

With a smile, Bai Li continued, "If the magistrate wouldn’t mind, perhaps anytime he has queries, he could seek your guidance, and we would be thankful for your teachings. In the future, he could serve you as if he were a pupil. In this way, the magistrate and Shanbao may not have the formal relationship of master and disciple, but they could still share the reality of it."

Without giving it much thought, County Magistrate Fu burst into laughter and agreed, not because he was convinced but because Bai Li’s flattering words pleased him greatly.

At the moment, he was very keen on the idea of promotion, and Bai Li’s sycophantic words scratched precisely where it itched.

Raising his glass to toast the magistrate, Bai Li mused in his mind: He wasn’t foolish; sure, County Magistrate Fu had passed the imperial examinations, a feat beyond the reach of Mr. Zhuang, who had failed to enter the Imperial Academy or pass the examinations.

But could County Magistrate Fu devote six hours a day to educating Shanbao?

Clearly, that was impossible.

Being a county magistrate, while one might not be too busy to attend to affairs, at the very least, it wouldn’t be easy.

How much could Shanbao learn from following him in his studies?

Had Bai Li been asked this question ten years later, he would have agreed on behalf of Shanbao without a second thought because a seventeen or eighteen-year-old Shanbao would need guidance from someone like County Magistrate Fu, a court official.

To become his disciple would not only provide knowledge in academia and bureaucracy but also enable him to benefit from County Magistrate Fu’s connections.

But Shanbao was only eight years old now, no, actually only seven-and-a-half by his actual age.

At this point, following County Magistrate Fu would bring more disadvantages than benefits.

He could indeed gain some knowledge from County Magistrate Fu, but at this current stage, it certainly wouldn’t be more than what he could learn from Mr. Zhuang.

And furthermore...

Bai Li lowered his gaze and drained his cup of wine in one gulp. He respected Mr. Zhuang, not only for his vast knowledge but also for his integrity as a person.

With the wine cup finished, this matter was considered closed. County Magistrate Fu put down his glass and reminded Bai Shanbao, "Come to the County Governmental Office when you’re free. I can test your progress from time to time."

Bai Shanbao nodded obediently, while Manbao, relieved, smiled sweetly at him, thinking to herself: If Shanbao left, she would no longer have a particularly good friend. Fortunately, he didn’t leave.

Seeing her smile, County Magistrate Fu said, "Come and visit with Zhou Man next time. I remember that my second daughter is a good friend of yours, right?"

The last sentence was addressed to Manbao.

Manbao nodded.

County Magistrate Fu then asked with a smile, "Are you two still corresponding?"

"Yes, we are. She must not know that you came to our village, otherwise why didn’t she send me a letter through you?"

County Magistrate Fu: "...She didn’t know."

I came on an inspection visit, not to deliver your letters.

"I knew it. So, sir, when you leave later, can I write a letter to Second Sister Fu and have you bring it back to her?"

"...Sure."

Manbao cheerfully agreed and whispered to Bai Shanbao, "Second Sister Fu is so nice, do you want to write a letter to her with me? If you correspond with her, you can become good friends as well."

Even though they spoke softly, everyone at the dining table heard them.

The village chief, the village head, and Old Zhou didn’t think there was anything odd about it, but County Magistrate Fu and the others all had their foreheads twitch simultaneously.

County Magistrate Fu coughed lightly, and Bai Li quickly and persuasively said to Bai Shanbao, "Shanbao, the county town isn’t very far from our village. If you want to make friends, you’ll naturally meet them when you go to the town to pay your respects to the magistrate. I remember the magistrate’s young son is about the same age as Shanbao, right?"

County Magistrate Fu then said with a smile, "Exactly, he is nominally eight years old this year, too, but he is rather unruly and hasn’t read much. When Bai Shan comes over, he can study with the boy and teach him a bit."