Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 785 - 400 Imperial Gift_2

This was the biggest thing that had ever happened in Thirty Mile Camp. Although the incoming imperial decree was to be announced to Lian Manman’s family, everyone in the village felt honored.

As they busied themselves with preparations, the sound of gongs clearing the way came from the official road. A grand procession of sedan chairs and carriages headed toward Thirty Mile Camp, led by the Magistrate of Jinyang County, with soldiers under the command of Commander Zhang providing an escort.

In the middle of the procession was a luxurious carriage, followed by the Shen Family’s carriage, and then the carriages of Liaodong Prefecture’s magistrate and other government officials.

The carriages stopped one by one when they reached the red carpet. A middle-aged civil official with a slightly bearded pale face and wearing a peacock-feathered official’s robe stepped down from that luxurious carriage. The official got off and promptly greeted Shen Liu, who had descended from a carriage behind him.

Shen Liu hurried to return the greeting.

Shen Liu, adorned with a Liang Crown on his head, powder-bottomed court boots on his feet, and dressed in a precious blue python robe with two lion emblems on the front and back, crafted from golden threads alive with detail, was followed by other government officials from Liaodong Prefecture, each wearing official court attire.

The officials escorted the imperial envoy and Shen Liu onto the red carpet, taking their places in front of the incense table. Shen Liu stood in the front, followed by the other officials arranged according to their ranks.

Behind them were Lian Shouxin leading Lady Zhang, Lian Manman, Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi.

After that came Scholar Wang, Wang Youheng, the Lizheng, the Abbot, Lian Shouli with his wife and child, and the Wu Family father and son, along with other families who were on good terms with Lian Manman’s family.

Last of all were all the villagers.

The imperial envoy in peacock feathers walked to the front, and with someone calling "Kneel," everyone, including Shen Liu, knelt down to listen to the imperial decree.

The imperial decree was written with elaborate formality. Lian Manman only heard the gist, but she understood the most important part.

"...Lian Shouxin... has contributed to the state...bestowing one hundred taels of gold, exemption from corvée labor, and taxes for ten years, and an additional archway to be erected under the supervision of the Liaodong Prefecture..."

"Manman, what did the imperial decree say?" Lady Zhang, who was beside Lian Manman, asked in a low, anxious voice.

"...The Emperor’s household has rewarded us with one hundred taels of gold, and for the next ten years, we won’t have to perform labor service or pay any taxes. Also, Liaodong Prefecture has been ordered to build us an archway," Lian Manman replied in a low voice.

"Oh dear," Lady Zhang, overjoyed, grabbed Lian Manman’s hand, at a loss for words.

One hundred taels of gold were equivalent to one thousand taels of silver. This sum was more than enough to purchase their stock of corn seeds and spare. The exemption from labor service and taxes for the next ten years would save them a significant amount of money, but more importantly, peace of mind. And the imperial archway was a monument to their achievements.

With an imperially bestowed archway, the Lian family would become an extraordinary existence. Even if it wasn’t an official promotion by three ranks, the effect would be similar.

Lian Manman was so thrilled with her thoughts that she did not hear the officials standing in front call out. It was Lady Zhang who had to pull her to her feet.

At that moment, Lian Manman of course could not have imagined that in the future, once the archway was built, their family would be known as the Imperially Bestowed Archway Lian Family and many years later, simply as the Archway Lian Family. By then, the Lian family had become one of the most prestigious families in Liaodong Prefecture.

After the decree had been announced, Shen Liu sent the Magistrate of Liaodong Prefecture to accompany the imperial envoy back first, then Scholar Wang, the Lizheng, along with the villagers, dispersed one after the other.

Shen Liu did not leave in a hurry but accepted Lian Shouxin’s invitation into the main hall of the new house, where Lian Manman busily served hot tea.

Steward Zhong, with the Liaodong Prefecture officials in charge of engineering, held the archway blueprint and were occupied with inspecting locations outside for the archway construction.

The imperially bestowed one hundred taels of gold were covered with red silk and piled up in the main hall.

"Why not take a look?" Shen Liu, having taken just a sip of the hot tea served by Lian Manman, scanned the room and set his gaze on the imperial gold.

Eager for him to say so, Lian Manman quickly walked over. She and Wu Lang each grabbed a corner of the silk, unveiling the red cloth. Underneath were neatly stacked large gold ingots, their golden glow warm, dazzling, and beautiful.

Were it not for Shen Liu being there, Lian Manman would have wanted to throw herself onto the pile of gold and roll around in it.

Perhaps her expression revealed too much, as Shen Liu couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Lian Manman quickly touched her own face.

"Are you satisfied?" Shen Liu quickly regained his composure as if the man who just laughed was not him at all.

"Thank you, Sixth Master," Lian Manman replied, grinning as she bowed to Shen Liu.

"Why thank me for what His Majesty has bestowed? The Emperor’s grace is upon you," replied Shen Liu, his gaze sweeping over Lian Manman’s face as he asked teasingly.

"...Of course, I’m grateful to His Majesty... but without Sixth Master’s flattering words, we wouldn’t have received His Majesty’s reward," Lian Manman said.

The Emperor had granted such a generous reward undoubtedly because Shen Liu had written favorably about the Lian family’s contributions in his memorial to the throne.

"This is what you deserve," Shen Liu said. "These one hundred taels of gold, they’re not given for nothing. It’s His Majesty purchasing the corn."

"Oh, understood," Lian Manman nodded, indicating she realized that Shen Liu would not be paying further for the thousands of catties of corn. However, with these one hundred taels of gold, it was more than enough.

Besides the money, exemptions from labor and taxes were practical benefits, and most precious of all was the imperially bestowed archway.

"Sixth Master, even without these one hundred taels of gold, even without the exemption from labor and taxes, the archway alone is worth it," Lian Manman said. "Sixth Master, do you need silver to promote the corn? If you’re short of funds, you can take all this gold to use."

***......***

Submitting the second update, seeking pink hearts.

Tomorrow... I hope "Rebirth of the Little Landlord" can continue to accompany everyone, I won’t say much, you all understand. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes, monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)