I am a Late Bloomer in the Immortal World
Chapter 9: Driven to Desperation

Spring passes, and autumn arrives.

In the blink of an eye, another year had passed.

During the spring planting season of the 23rd year of Qing'an, Li Tongshi finally relented and rented three acres of riverside land outside Qing’an County to Wei Tu and his wife.

However, Li Tongshi did not make any concessions regarding the rent. Like other tenants, they were required to give sixty percent of their harvested grain.

Fortunately, the rent from the Li family included the land tax levied by the government, unlike other landlords where the tenants had to cover the tax themselves.

In other words, for the three acres of land Wei Tu farmed, after paying the rent, the remaining forty percent of the harvest was his own.

Additionally, while growing wheat, they could also plant soybeans in the gaps between the wheat seedlings.

This was another way to increase their income.

In the first half of the month when the wheat was ripening, Master Li Yaozu took Wei Tu, his servant, to the prefectural city to pay the tuition fees for his eldest son, Li Xingye, at the prefectural academy.

“The academy’s principal is truly unreasonable. Even though the wheat won’t be ripe for another ten days or so, they insist on having the fees paid now, clearly wanting to squeeze out more silver.”

On the way, Li Yaozu rode on horseback, with Wei Tu leading the mule carts towards the prefectural city. As they walked, Li Yaozu frequently glanced back at the mule carts carrying grain and complained about how early the fees were due this year, resulting in a needless loss of silver.

Wei Tu remained silent, listening to Li Yaozu’s continuous sighs and monologues.

Every year,

Before and after collecting the grain,

Grain prices were different.

Although the fees seemed the same, due to the varying prices of grain, the academy could make a substantial profit by reselling the grain at the current prices.

Wei Tu was well-acquainted with these corrupt practices of the academy from hearing Li Yaozu’s complaints, having heard them numerous times before.

“In another half month, after the grain is harvested, the remaining funds will be sufficient. Then it will just be a matter of persuading Li Yaozu and Li Tongshi to agree to redeem my status and return my contract, and to provide a letter of proof.” Wei Tu thought to himself.

The plan was progressing as expected. After more than a year of frugality, the money he had was now very close to the ten taels needed for buying back his contract.

Now, he only needed to persuade Li Yaozu and Li Tongshi to agree to the buyout, return his servant contract, and write a letter of proof.

However—

As Wei Tu was contemplating how to request the buyout of his status, Master Li Yaozu, who had been complaining about the academy instructor, suddenly spoke to him.

“Wei Tu, you have a strong build and great strength. Why not stay with Xingye as a servant and protect him? As a father, I’d feel more at ease.”

Li Yaozu tightened the reins, making Wei Tu stop the horse, and looked down at him, stroking his chin beard with a gleam of calculation in his eyes.

“There are already people attending to the eldest young master. If I went, it would only be competing for a position and might disturb the eldest young master’s studies,” Wei Tu replied after a moment of thought, finding a reasonable reason to deflect.

“Moreover, in half a year, the county's preliminary exams will take place.”

Wei Tu added.

The county’s civil and martial examinations were spaced about half a month apart, with the civil exams first and the martial exams later, so he was well aware of the timing.

“Indeed, we can’t disrupt Xingye’s studies.” Li Yaozu hesitated for a moment, then nodded heavily, not bringing up the matter again.

However,

While Li Yaozu did not revisit the topic, Wei Tu kept the matter in mind.

“What does Li Yaozu want by trying to sideline me during the busy autumn season?”

On the way back to the Li residence, Wei Tu pondered the reasons behind Li Yaozu’s actions.

Master Li Yaozu was known to be difficult to deal with, a consensus among the servants at the Li residence. This also implied Li Yaozu’s shrewdness and the difficulty of deceiving him.

If he had considered that changing attendants might affect the eldest young master Li Xingye’s studies, it was inconceivable that Li Yaozu had not thought of this.

Back at the Li residence,

Wei Tu confided his confusion to Caixia, the senior maid, who had been with him since his arrival at the Li residence. Their relationship was always good.

The news of his marriage to Xinghua being approved by Li Tongshi was also conveyed to him by Caixia, via Chunlan.

“In my opinion, it’s possible that the master has taken an interest in Sister Xinghua.” Caixia led Wei Tu to a secluded corner of the corridor and quietly voiced her judgment.

“Recently, the mistress has been unhappy. A few nights ago, I overheard the master and mistress arguing, with the master being involved with the wives of other tenants.”

"Master wants to send you away, and with the rented land left unattended, Sister Xinghua will be at his mercy." Caixia spoke clearly, word by word.

"What a sinister scheme."

Upon hearing Caixia's words, Wei Tu’s face darkened immediately. He felt an intense hatred and wished he could tear Li Yaozu apart.

In the past, he had heard of some tenants offering their wives to landlords in exchange for better land. But he hadn’t expected that even the seemingly "kind" Li residence was rife with such scheming.

Li Yaozu's suggestion for him to become the eldest young master's attendant was likely not his true intention. Instead, he was using this as a ploy to coerce Wei Tu into giving up Xinghua, which was his real aim.

Refusing to comply meant that the grain he had labored for a year would be wasted. It also meant that renting good land next year would be impossible.

As for why Li Yaozu didn’t directly coerce the unmarried Xinghua, Wei Tu could guess a few reasons.

Firstly, it was because Li Tongshi was strict and somewhat jealous, not permitting Li Yaozu to take concubines or mistreat the maidservants. Even Caixia, who had served as a maid for so long, remained untouched.

Secondly, there was the family reputation. Rumors about Li Yaozu favoring maidservants would tarnish the family’s name. Li Yaozu himself would also prefer to avoid such scandals.

Thirdly, mistreating maidservants and denying them status was a complex issue. Forcing tenants' wives to comply was a much simpler matter.

In the countryside, where there is no feudal code of 'death being insignificant compared to the loss of one's honor,' such matters can be easily glossed over as long as they are not discovered.

"I understand now. Thank you, Caixia."

After a moment, Wei Tu slowly relaxed his clenched fists, bowed to Caixia, and expressed his gratitude.

“It’s no big deal.” Caixia smiled, “When I was punished by the madam in the past, Sister Xinghua secretly brought me food. I’ve always remembered that kindness.”

…….

Back in the main hall.

After feeding the half-grown black horse, Wei Tu practiced some health-preservation exercises to warm up.

“With my current strength, achieving a martial title isn’t guaranteed, but it’s certainly not far off. I will go directly to Li Tongshi to negotiate for my release. Given her intelligence, she should not obstruct me.” Wei Tu thought to himself.

Shallow waters cannot nurture a true dragon.

He believed Li Tongshi should understand the potential troubles of keeping a martial artist with rebellious thoughts at home.

“If even that doesn’t work and if Li Tongshi is not wise”

A hint of ruthlessness appeared in Wei Tu’s eyes.

With a mind set on vengeance, he felt a murderous intent rising. With his current strength, slaughtering the entire Li residence would be no difficult task.

Of course, he wouldn’t do that because he remembered the Li family’s favor of sparing his life. However, escaping from the Li family and turning to banditry or becoming a vagabond would be possible.

He had had enough of being subservient.

Two paths lay before him: Either redeem his status and participate in the martial exams, or become a bandit and live by the sword!