Wan Mingji handed the clothes from his basket to Xie Qiaoyu, “The clothes are washed.”

Xie Qiaoyu took them and casually passed them to Xiao Yun, “You take them and put them away first.”

Xiao Yun accepted the order and left, noticing that Xie Qiaoyu seemed to want some alone time with this Mr. Wan. Indeed, Xie Qiaoyu was thinking along those lines. He had learned that Xie Zhi and the others had already gone to Gu County to participate in the provincial exam, which made him even more anxious. After all, Wei Bowen had already achieved good results in the academy exam, and if he passed the provincial exam, he would become a juren.

With Xie Weixia’s personality, he would definitely flaunt it in front of him, and he didn’t even have anyone by his side. Xie Qiaoyu first glanced at Wan Mingji’s face, then deliberately steered the conversation towards studying.

“Big brother went to Gu County for the provincial exam. I heard from him that Mr. Wan is quite knowledgeable and will surely become a juren in the future.”

Before becoming a juren, there’s the xiucai level, which was completely skipped over. Wan Mingji didn’t have that ability; switching from science to literature required a humble and cautious attitude. He immediately declined, “Xie brother praises me too much. My knowledge is still lacking.”

“It seems Mr. Wan is very modest. What kind of official title do you want to pursue in the future?” Xie Qiaoyu asked with a smile.

Wan Mingji knew that being an ordinary commoner in this world was tough, but having an official status made life a bit easier. To have an official status, one must at least pass the metropolitan exam and become a juren. Even as a juren, one must wait for opportunities. When there are vacancies in the government, that’s the juren’s chance. The best way to become an official is to pass the palace exam, which guarantees a stable job, even if it’s at the bottom.

Even if he ended up at the bottom, Wan Mingji would accept it.

“No,” he said. He wasn’t even a xiucai yet, and his current fantasies had no basis. As a science student, he preferred to be practical.

Xie Qiaoyu: “…”

He must be pulling his leg.

Xie Qiaoyu was a bit frustrated. He was being so obvious, yet Wan Mingji was like a… blockhead, making Xie Qiaoyu grind his teeth in annoyance.

“Mr. Wan, I have something I’d like to ask you.” Xie Qiaoyu suddenly thought of the five mu of land his grandmother had given him. Since Wan Mingji lived in Linshui Village, he should have some opinions about farming.

“Please, go ahead.” Wan Mingji always presented himself as a gentleman to outsiders, otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to fool people. Xie Jiuling always thought Wan Mingji was highly cultured, but in reality, Wan Mingji just knew how to talk to people and ghosts alike, fooling everyone.

“My grandmother gave me five mu of land. I can’t farm it all by myself, and I’m unfamiliar with the area, so I don’t know how to handle these five mu of land.” Xie Qiaoyu quickly explained his situation, looking expectantly at Wan Mingji.

Wow, a whole five mu of land.

Wan Mingji cleared his throat, “You can rent the five mu of land to nearby farmers or tenants. You just need to collect rent and grain.”

“How much rent and grain should I collect?” Xie Qiaoyu immediately grasped the key point.

“According to the market price, rent usually fluctuates around five hundred wen per year. There are two ways to collect grain: one is a 20-80 split, with the farmer getting 20% and the owner 80%. The other is a 30-70 split, with the farmer getting 30% and the owner 70%.”

Wan Mingji rented his land to farmers without being too greedy. Plus, with his hunting skills, he had some resistance to money. He didn’t charge the farmers rent, but the grain split was 40-60, with the first year requiring them to use his organic fertilizer. If they profited, it was theirs; if they lost, it was on Wan Mingji.

Although the farmers thought Wan Mingji was unreliable, it was only for a year, and they didn’t suffer losses. The owner was also kind, so they were happy to work for Wan Mingji.

Wan Mingji also instructed them not to tell others about the 40-60 split and the no-rent policy. This matter was kept secret by the farmers.

“I have to collect both rent and grain?” Xie Qiaoyu had recently tried digging the land but hadn’t planted any crops yet. He knew how hard farming was, so he thought for a moment, “I won’t take their rent; just let them grow grain for me.”

“A 30-70 split will do.” Farming for Xie Qiaoyu didn’t require paying much tax. Although the land was given to Xie Qiaoyu, it was still under Xie Yuan, the county magistrate. No petty official would dare to cause trouble for the Xie family, asking for money and exploiting them. That would be suicidal.

The five mu of land in Xie Qiaoyu’s hands was more sought after than he imagined.

“Do you know anyone?” Xie Qiaoyu instinctively sought help from Wan Mingji.

Wan Mingji also heard that Xie Qiaoyu didn’t want rent and was offering a 30-70 split, which was already a great deal. A candidate came to mind: an old hunter who had previously given him some guidance in the mountains. Now, his health wasn’t as good as before, and his son wasn’t cut out for hunting. Renting the land to them would be a kind gesture.

“I know someone. He’s an old hunter, trustworthy, and has helped me before. So, I think renting the five mu of land to him would be beneficial.”

Wan Mingji felt he had figured out Xie Qiaoyu’s intentions towards him and was very honest with him.

“Then rent the five mu of land to him,” Xie Qiaoyu said with a smile, “If he’s been kind to you, then he’s been kind to me too.”

Good brothers share blessings and face difficulties together.

Wan Mingji didn’t expect Xie Qiaoyu to have such deep feelings for him. A strange feeling flashed through his heart, but he quickly understood, “Don’t worry, they are good people and won’t cheat you.”

“I trust you,” Xie Qiaoyu said with a smile.

What does that mean?

Wan Mingji was a bit confused.

“I recently made some organic fertilizer. Once I see some results, how about using it on your five mu of land?”

Xie Qiaoyu held his face, “Wow, you’re amazing. Use it all, use it all.”

Wan Mingji: “…”

His heart tingled.

“Then I’ll take my leave,” Wan Mingji said.

“Alright, go ahead,” Xie Qiaoyu said reluctantly.

Wan Mingji felt goosebumps all over. No, this was just a good brother’s reluctance to part, which was normal.

Feeling that he had taken care of the five mu of land, Xie Qiaoyu reluctantly saw Wan Mingji off and immediately went to report to his grandmother. He repeated what Wan Mingji had told him and then said, “I’ll take 70% of the grain and won’t charge them rent.”

Old Madam Xie paused, “Why not charge rent?”

“Without rent, the farmers will be more motivated, and the yield will be higher,” Xie Qiaoyu was a clever little fox.

“Tomorrow, follow me to learn accounting.”

“Okay, grandmother,” Xie Qiaoyu was a money-grubber. Xie Furen didn’t teach him these things, but if Old Madam Xie did, he would definitely learn seriously. In the future, when the family business grows, he’ll have to manage it all. Xie Qiaoyu thought, whoever marries him in the future would be truly blessed. Have you ever seen such a good-looking and capable brother?

“Alright, go make dinner,” Old Madam Xie said coldly.

Xie Qiaoyu: “…”

He had recently learned a few home-cooked dishes from the cook and was making progress!

Xie Qiaoyu reluctantly went to the kitchen to help. The cook called out to the third young master and guided him in cooking. To everyone’s delight, the third young master’s dishes looked great, even if the taste wasn’t quite there yet. They could at least fool someone, and the cook was overjoyed, feeling the joy of being a teacher.

The third young master had graduated!

*

Wan Mingji returned to the village and soon finished clearing the fields. He then started working on his organic fertilizer. The four members of the Wan family all pitched in, carrying the organic fertilizer to the fields.

“Wan boy, you’re fertilizing? Why is yours different from ours?” a man asked.

“It’s homemade organic fertilizer. Just trying it out.”

The man knew that Wan Mingji had been tinkering with organic fertilizer in his yard, making quite a commotion. Now seeing them actually using it in the fields, he shook his head, “Even though you’re studying, you don’t understand farming.”

Wan Mingji smiled, “You have to try it first to see the results.”

The people of Linshui Village were watching and laughing. What does a scholar know about farming? Isn’t this just ruining good land? Not only did Wan Mingji use organic fertilizer on his own land, but he also insisted on using it on the rented land.

Isn’t this forcing people?

The old hunter’s family got the land. Although his son was grateful, he was also worried. But since nothing was planted on the five mu of land, if Wan Mingji’s organic fertilizer didn’t work, they wouldn’t use it next year.

“Fool, this Wan Mingji is capable. Learn more, watch more, and don’t make assumptions before things are settled,” the old hunter smacked his son on the back of the head.

The people of Linshui Village whispered about Wan Mingji’s organic fertilizer. Some even worked in the fields around the Xie family and occasionally commented. Xie Qiaoyu, who was on the estate, also heard about it.

“Third young master, everyone doesn’t have high hopes for Mr. Wan,” Xiao Yun said.

Wan Mingji made extra organic fertilizer and even told the people of Linshui Village they could come to him for it, offering it for free. The villagers shook their heads, waiting for Wan Mingji to fail.

“Go call Zhang Tian.”

Zhang Tian was the steward of the land. Hearing the little ancestor calling him, he immediately came over, “What can I do for you, third young master?”

“Go to the Wan family and get some organic fertilizer to use on the land,” Xie Qiaoyu believed that Wan Mingji wouldn’t do something he wasn’t confident about, so he supported him.

Zhang Tian was inwardly groaning, “Third young master, Mr. Wan’s organic fertilizer hasn’t shown any results yet. Once it does, I’ll use it immediately.”

Xie Qiaoyu snapped, “Once it shows results, it won’t be your turn. Go get it now, and if it works, use it on the land.”

Zhang Tian suddenly realized, deeply admiring, “The third young master is truly farsighted.”

Xie Qiaoyu coughed lightly, feeling a bit guilty, “Then hurry up and go.”

Zhang Tian swaggered over to the Wan family and took all the organic fertilizer, which was a bit outrageous. The news that the Xie family had taken Wan Mingji’s organic fertilizer spread quickly.

Wan Mingji felt a stir in his heart. Was this the support of a good brother?

He was determined to ensure his good brother wouldn’t lose out and would even profit.

After finishing with the organic fertilizer, Wan Mingji returned to his studies. He read sitting, lying down, and standing, writing essays full of technique but devoid of emotion.

He was looking forward to Master Tan’s evaluation when he returned to the academy.

*

The weather was getting cooler, and it rained often. Xie Qiaoyu was in the kitchen watching the fire, making ginger soup.

Someone from Ningjiang County rushed to the Xie family estate. The visitors were Shunzi, a trusted aide of Xie Yuan, and Yao He.

Shunzi first paid his respects to Old Madam Xie, looking very cheerful, “Laofuren, the eldest young master has passed the juren exam, ranking fifty-sixth in Gu County.”

Old Madam Xie felt at ease, “Xie Zhi is a good child. Where is he now?”

“The master used his connections in the capital to settle the eldest young master there to familiarize himself with the environment and await the metropolitan exam.”

“That’s as it should be,” Old Madam Xie felt reassured. When Xie Zhi’s grandfather was alive, he had classmates in the capital with good relations, but favors were limited, and the Xie family had no corresponding return. However, it was worth it for Xie Zhi.

No wonder the face-loving Xie Yuan would use his connections in the capital.

“Also, a Mr. Wei has proposed to the second young master and will go to the capital with the eldest young master,” Shunzi said, “This Mr. Wei also passed the juren exam, ranking ninety-fifth.”

“He’s a good child too,” Old Madam Xie said approvingly.

As for Yao He, who came along, she had begged Feng Su to persuade Xie Yuan to let her come. Seeing Xie Qiaoyu in the kitchen, she rushed over, “Young master, you’ve suffered!”

“Quick, tell me the news from outside,” Xie Qiaoyu deftly dodged Yao He’s hug.

“The eldest young master passed the exam, and Mr. Wei…”

Xie Qiaoyu’s heart skipped a beat, feeling a sense of foreboding.

“Also passed the exam and proposed to the second young master. The master has agreed, and they will marry in two months.”

Xie Qiaoyu gritted his teeth, “That scoundrel, how did he suddenly decide to marry Xie Weixia?”

Yao He whispered, “It’s said he’s admired the second young master for a long time.”

Xie Qiaoyu: “…”

Only a fool would believe that.