Chapter 175: Chapter 175: Old Yuan Lets Go
"Wait a bit, the eldest’s family should also be up by now. If we’re occupying the stove, how will they cook?"
Mrs. Zeng also wanted to wait for her grandchildren to wake up before making the egg pancakes. But with only two stoves at home, and everyone needing to cook, if she and Old Yuan occupy the stove, how will her daughters-in-law cook?
"How about we listen to Xiao Wu and move to the city?"
Old Yuan had been thinking a lot last night as well.
Especially about Yuan Yindi’s suggestion to move to the city.
Though he could still work, how much could he really do?
Back when they were in Shiqu Village, he felt his old back couldn’t take it anymore. But to ensure the family’s foothold in Daxia, he forced himself to persevere, working from dawn till dusk to open up land.
But he never imagined that his carefully laid plans would be disrupted by his eldest grandson.
Now that they’ve come to Beishan Village, there’s no need to clear new land.
However, considering the harvest from the semi-arable land, it wouldn’t likely be very good.
He can help out a bit while staying in the village, but not forever.
"What’s gotten into you? Just thinking one way one moment and another the next!"
Mrs. Zeng looked at Old Yuan in surprise. "If we move to the city, do you expect the second and third families to rely on the eldest and the fourth for help?"
"Wifey, I’m not counting on them!"
Old Yuan waved his hand. "I’m just thinking, how much help can the two of us really be now?"
"If we end up exhausting ourselves into trouble, we’ll become a burden to Xiao Wu!"
"The military merits of the second and third sons will earn them titles after the new year. According to the court’s rules, the second and third families will be entitled to additional lands."
"By then, they’ll probably have to rent out their lands!"
"It’ll come down to what Xiao Wu suggested!"
According to Daxia’s laws, families with military merits are granted lands based on their title level, and these lands carry very little tax burden.
Though Old Yuan didn’t yet know the exact titles the second and third sons would receive, from what they had mentioned, the titles wouldn’t be low.
In other words, the amount of land they would receive would be substantial.
The lands granted as military rewards are mostly high-grade and medium-grade lands, and they bear less tax than low-grade lands.
With Yuan Wangdi and Yuan Laidi receiving military titles, many things would change.
By then, when they rent out those lands, and couple it with tending the semi-arable lands, there’d be no lack of tenants.
Old Yuan had thought through these matters for most of the night, and when he mentioned them to Mrs. Zeng, it all made sense.
Mrs. Zeng pondered for a while and said, "Then, let’s wait until the second and third sons get their titles before making decisions!"
"If this really works out, we’ll move to the city!"
"If the second and third sons’ families are willing to come along, we’ll all move to the city together!"
Even though she agreed with Old Yuan’s suggestion, Mrs. Zeng wasn’t too happy because she also thought about her eldest and fourth sons.
At that time, the eldest and fourth sons’ families would still have to stay in Beishan Village, continuing with their hard labor to make a living.
Considering this, Mrs. Zeng shared her thoughts.
After hearing Mrs. Zeng’s words, Old Yuan smiled wryly and said, "Wifey, this isn’t something we should meddle in!"
"The house in the city was bought by Xiao Wu with borrowed money. If the second and third families move there, it’s fine to take advantage a bit since both of them are in the military."
"But with the eldest and fourth sons still here, it doesn’t make sense to let the younger brother support the elder ones!"
"I know!"
Mrs. Zeng frowned, "That’s not what I meant."
"I just, sigh, can’t let go!"
"Even when you can’t, you have to. Each generation has its own fortunes. How the brothers turn out is up to their own abilities!"
Old Yuan had truly come to terms with it.