Chapter 14 Naturalization in Kansai

Chapter 14 Naturalization in Kansai

"Thank you for waiting for me!"

When Li Tai arrived at the front hall, he saw Helande, the chief official of the government office whom he had met yesterday, approaching to greet him, so he smiled and said hello.

Helande bowed and saluted: "You have just returned from the army, and I am sorry to disturb you. Since the Datong period, the court has required that the place of origin of all new and old residents be determined according to where they live. I am idle in the government office, and I am afraid that Li Lang is new and unfamiliar, so I would like to ask for your help. Li Lang only needs to write a letter and I will send it to the government."

"I really don't know much about the rituals and customs of Guanxi. Thank you for reminding me."

As they talked, the two of them entered the front hall together, and paper and ink were already laid out on the small table.

Before, because he had to present a letter to Yuwen Tai when he was in Tongguan, Li Tai did not dare to write. Now he just wanted to write about his family background and place of origin, so he had nothing to worry about. He asked what format to use and started writing.

There is no need to ask others about the experiences and relocations of three generations of grandparents and grandchildren. They are all remembered in their minds. After all, this is the most important identity proof of a person in ancient times. Not to mention reciting it by heart, at least you have to know it by heart.

His grandfather's name is Li Qian. He was the Minister of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Grand Commandant, the General of the Cavalry and the Governor of Jizhou. This was a posthumous title. From this series of titles, it can be seen that the Longxi Li family was really awesome in the Northern Wei Dynasty.

It is precisely because the Longxi Li family is so awesome that they suffered a lot in the Heyin Incident more than ten years ago.

His father Li Xiao was appointed as the Assistant Minister of the Imperial Guards at the beginning of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Because his official robe was bitten by a rat and he did not catch up with the Heyin Incident, he survived by chance. The other brothers were all chopped by Erzhu Rong. It was a real koi.

After the Eastern Wei Dynasty moved its capital to Yecheng, Li Xiao went to Qinghe County, Hebei to seek refuge with his relative Cui. The Qinghe Cui family gave him 30 hectares of land to help him settle down. Qinghe County was the hometown of Li Tai's predecessor from childhood to youth. As for the fact that the Li family was originally from Longxi, he had no memory of it at all.

"This font, this word... is really powerful and impressive, and it is eye-catching! Li Lang is worthy of the family tradition, and he is a master of calligraphy..."

At first, Helande only reminded Li Tai of the things to be written across the table, but when his eyes fell on the tip of Li Tai's pen, he couldn't move away. He gradually leaned over, unconsciously resting his chin on Li Tai's shoulder, looking at the handwriting that was still wet with ink and exclaimed loudly.

When Li Tai heard this, his fingers and wrists paused, and he glanced at Helande: "Is the Chief Secretary also fond of calligraphy?"

"No, this, this is not the case... It's just that when I work in the government, I can't help but glance at documents, and I have seen many kinds of calligraphy, but none of them are as solemn and beautiful as Li Lang's! Alas, how can I dare to say that I am fond of it when I see Li Lang's brushwork and ink?"

After hearing this, Helande hurriedly waved his hands and shook his head, but his eyes were still fixed on the calligraphy on Li Tai's desk.

"When discussing art, I don't boast of my skills, but I am a good friend if I have the same interests. When the Chief Secretary is free, you and I can discuss calligraphy."

Although Helande doesn't seem to be a famous official or a famous calligrapher, Li Tai also felt the fun of being a time traveler for the first time when he heard him praise his calligraphy.

The brushwork he used was the regular script of Ouyang Xiu, and although it was not very deep, the basic brushstroke structure was also considered an entry point. Ouyang Xun is the first master of regular script. His calligraphy style appeared in the late Northern Dynasties when regular script was still in its development stage. Naturally, he has a cross-era aesthetic leadership.

Li Tai wrote in Ouyang Xun style not to show off. Apart from this, he only has a rough understanding of official script. He learned calligraphy at first just to enrich the material. He found some practice methods on the Internet and practiced them blindly. It was okay to bluff ordinary people, but if he really met a famous calligrapher, he would inevitably show his weakness.

Li Tai was just secretly happy for a moment and didn't take it to heart. In troubled times, the gun barrel is the most powerful, and everything else is empty.

"Excuse me, Chief Secretary, if I lose my status, will I go directly to Wuxiang County in Huazhou?"

After finishing writing, Li Tai turned around and asked again.

"Well, this, this still depends on what Li Lang wants." Helande took his eyes off the calligraphy for a while and quickly replied: "Not only Huazhou, but also Yongzhou and other states have officials who send their services to the Daxingtai Mansion. If you need to be naturalized in other states, the subordinate departments can also make appropriate decisions." "Is there any difference?" Li Tai asked curiously again. "There are indeed minor differences. In a wide-registered township, the land is granted freely, and in a narrow-registered township, the number of land granted is small. In addition, the distances between states are different, and the local conditions and soil are different, so the taxes and labor are not exactly the same. However, Li Lang, you are an official and you can ignore your future affairs." Helande replied with a smile. Li Tai was stunned after hearing this, and then said: "I am not an official. I followed the army into the pass and have always been a civilian. Whether you are an official or not, the various taxes and labor services still have a big impact?"

"Li Lang has not been released yet? That's my rashness. Since you are not an official, there is no need to be too anxious to cut off your citizenship. You need to pay taxes to become a citizen, and the court is strict in supervising this. The collection of grain and silk is still a small matter, but the labor service is cumbersome. If you are not exempted as an official, you will have to work hard for several months every year!"

Hearing what Helande said, Li Tai also felt a little overwhelmed. When he was having a meal early in the morning, he was still lamenting the extravagant life of the ancient nobles, but he didn't expect that he would have to consider the issue of paying taxes and labor service.

The tax law of the Western Wei Dynasty implemented the rent and tax system, which had one less labor service than the rent and labor service of the Tang Dynasty. But it does not mean that the people of the Western Wei Dynasty do not have to be responsible for labor service. On the contrary, it is much heavier than that of the Tang Dynasty. Because the labor service is to pay silk instead of labor service, and the Western Wei Dynasty did not have this option at all.

Li Tai was not afraid of military service. He practiced lance skills every day, hoping to make achievements by taking advantage of the momentum of the unification of the Western Wei and Northern Zhou dynasties. But that required him to have his own army. If he really wanted to be a soldier on the battlefield, he was just looking for excitement.

Moreover, labor service is not just a kind of military service. If he never makes a name for himself and lives long enough, he will be conscripted by Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty to build the canal. Is this time-traveling unfair?

Seeing Li Tai's brows furrowed, Heland thought for a moment and then said: "Actually, there is another way to be exempted from personal service, which is to build a public palace and donate one's life to serve. But for the great government, I also There is really no way to get it for Li Lang, and the Situ government has no authority to increase it, which is afraid of undermining the integrity of the famous family..."

It would be good if he could be naturalized and exempted from military service. Li Taicai didn't care about the character of his family. After hearing this, he said: "I am an old member of the Imperial Envoy, so I am willing to join the confiscation government. I am really not familiar with the business regulations, and I also need to have a history of labor. Agent. As for naturalization, can I be naturalized in Yongzhou? Is there such a place in Longshouyuan? If so, it would be best!

If he remembered correctly, today's Chang'an is still the ancient city of the Han and Jin Dynasties. It was not until the establishment of the Sui Dynasty that Daxing City was built, which later became Chang'an City, located on Longshou Plain.

Since naturalization also includes equal land rights, of course you have to choose a good place. Even if it is only three to five acres, if it happens to be located in the future Taiji Palace or Daming Palace, it will be a royal aura, auspicious for living, and maybe some demolition fees can be earned.

"I'm not from Chang'an, so I don't know the details. I have to ask the officials there. I will try my best to fulfill Li Lang's wish!"

Heland wrote down Li Tai's request and gave his assurance, and then said: "When I entered the mansion early in the morning, I heard in Jiequ that some generals were going to Long, and they were hosting a banquet in Quli today. I heard that Li Lang had returned with some generals. It must be a bond of friendship, do you need to go to Heqian? "

After hearing this, Li Tai nodded: "Some generals have shown great kindness to me. I really need to come to my residence to express my gratitude!"

When leaving the Shayuan camp, Shuhui said that he would visit Li Tai at his home after settling in the city, but he did not expect to leave so soon. It seems that the Battle of Mangshan had a great impact on the Western Wei Dynasty, and many personnel transfers had to be carried out as soon as possible.

Due to emotions and reasons, Li Tai should indeed pay a visit to Shuhui while he was on the road, but he couldn't just go and have a meal empty-handed, although he had done this many times on his way back.

"I would like to ask Nagashi again, what is the standard of courtesy in Kansai so that it is not considered rude?"

After thinking about it, Li Tai opened his mouth and asked again.

Heland smiled and replied: "The customs in Guanxi are simple and simple, and people are not judged by the importance of etiquette. The abundance of etiquette and frugality is left to everyone. Some generals have accumulated meritorious service and rich family fortunes. They went to Longbian to collect gold, silver, etc." They are all common things. In my opinion, it is better to use them as gifts. On this trip to the border, it is a long journey, and it is inevitable that the carriage and horses will be damaged. It is better for Li Lang to prepare car hubs and other things. Every time they need to be replaced, the recipient must always think about the friendship. ”

Li Tai was stunned after hearing Holland's answer. Are you ancient people so down-to-earth in giving and dealing with gifts? Instead of sending gold, silver, jewelry, fine wines and delicacies, just a few inner rings of wheels?

Although he was a little surprised, he didn't have a big farewell gift. He was quite envious of Hui Hui, so he couldn't go with him!

After thinking for a while, Li Tai called Gao Bailing again and asked whether it was appropriate to give such a gift.

When Gao Bailing heard that he was going to visit the general of the Western Dynasty, he did not dare to neglect. He ran to the backyard to ask for instructions. When he returned, he held a wooden box in his hand and said: "My lord said that when you go to the country, do as the Romans do. The more practical you are, the more practical it is. What Helan said is true." It’s okay for you to take the hubs, axle wood and other things yourself, but don’t let our friends from Guanxi know how to save things from Dongzhou. I have thirty taels of gold in the box, so I will give it to you as well.”

Hearing Gao Zhongmi say the same thing, Li Tai no longer hesitated, but when he heard that thirty taels of gold were also given, he felt it was a bit expensive. The weights and measures of the Western Wei Dynasty were made since childhood. One pound is approximately equivalent to 222 grams in later generations. According to the gold price of 410 grams, this is hundreds of thousands!

But if we look at it according to the concepts of later generations, Shuo Hui, the governor of Qinzhou, is also the commander of the military region, and a gift of more than 100,000 yuan is not too expensive. Moreover, if they want to establish themselves in Guanzhong for a long time, they will indeed need the friendly help of military and political officials.

So Li Tai selected ten followers, pulled half of the car's hubs, axles, wood and other frame accessories, as well as the box of gold, and left the house, heading straight for Hui Hui's mansion in Huazhou City.

He still doesn't know what difficulties he will encounter in the near future, otherwise he will definitely denounce Gao Zhongmi for such a wasteful behavior!