Chapter 232: Question
Editor: Atlas Studios
“Then should the farmers spend the rest of their lives farming and being poor?” Xiuhong’s eyes were red as she said indignantly, “We’ve worked so hard, but the gains from a year of hard work are not even comparable to a month or even a day of income for others. The Imperial Court also increases the taxes all the time. I still remember that one year, when the grains harvested by our family were not even sufficient for us to pay the taxes, Grandma had no choice but to pawn everything my father left for us…”
Xiuhong looked at the fields on both sides in a daze and said, “Farming depends entirely on the heavens. Just like a few years ago, the heavens didn’t bless us and the yield per acre was less than 120 catties. Grandma stayed in the fields all day long and was so tired that she couldn’t straighten her back. Cousin, I think raising rabbits is excellent because other than working a little hard at the beginning, things get much easier after the pasture grows taller. Furthermore, the rabbits can be put up for sale in just four months. Each batch earns us several times more money than the crops in the fields. But you’re right. If everyone stops farming, what will we eat?”
“But just because of this last sentence, the farmers have to work themselves to death farming their land in order to serve those who don’t farm?”
Mu Yangling couldn’t help but stop in her tracks. She said seriously, “That’s why I want everyone to not have to work so hard in the future and live on the whims of the heavens. Xiuhong, I know it’s very difficult, but someone has to move forward. If more people walk on that path, that path will start to widen. Your opinion isn’t wrong, but I hope you can keep it in your heart, okay?”
She wasn’t afraid that Xiuhong would cause the farmers to stray from farming, but she was afraid that Xiuhong would be hurt because of this.
Xiuhong asked, “Will I be able to make others accept my thoughts when I have enough ability in the future?”
Smiling, Mu Yangling said, “You have to become someone that others respect and believe in. Even if you have the ability, others might not believe in you. Faith can’t be changed just like that.”
Xiuhong nodded thoughtfully. Mu Yangling didn’t know if she understood.
The two of them bumped into Liu Ting and the rest who were going to the Mu family to build the house.
The rest of the Liu clan looked enviously at the roe deer on Ah Ling’s shoulder. Someone shouted, “Ah Ling, you can’t just let your Uncle Ting have all the good stuff. I am also your uncle, I don’t dare to ask for roe deer meat like them. Later, just catch a rabbit so that we can have a nice meal.”
Laughing, Mu Yangling said, “Don’t worry. After the house is completed, I’ll go into the mountains and catch a wild boar to send to you.”
“That’s good. Your cousins are all craving meat so much that their eyes are red. Remember, even if there are no wild boars, you can just let us try the roe deer meat later.”
Liu Yuan kicked him and scolded jokingly, “You’re quite thick-skinned. Alright, come to my house for dinner tonight. You don’t have to wait for Ah Ling to send it to you. I’ll let you eat your fill tonight.”
The others cheered, “Brother Yuan, there’s still me.”
“Uncle Yuan, can I go? Although I’m not Ah Ling’s uncle, I’m her cousin.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Liu Ting pushed them and waved his hand. “Alright, alright, let’s go quickly. The sun is about to rise. Ah Ling, your aunt and the rest haven’t gone to the fields yet. Hurry up. If you don’t see anyone when you go back, just climb over the wall and enter.”
Mu Yangling responded and quickened her pace.
When they arrived, Liu Daqian and Liu Erqian’s families were indeed not at home. Mu Yangling carried the roe deer over the wall and placed it in the courtyard first. She covered it with something before turning around and taking off the linen cloth on her shoulder. After patting her shoulder, she asked Xiuhong, “Is there blood on my clothes?”
Xiuhong took a closer look and replied, “No.”
“That’s good. Although they’re old clothes, they can still be worn. Let’s go and find Great-uncle and the rest in the fields.”
Xiuhong looked around and saw that someone from the neighboring families was secretly looking at them from the back of the courtyard. She asked in a low voice, “Cousin, can we just leave the things here? Would someone steal them?”
Mu Yangling only glanced at those people and said, “Let’s go. They don’t dare.”
Liu Daqian and Liu Erqian had a good relationship. Be it in Nearhill Village or in West Village, the two families worked together as one. This was because Liu Ting and his three cousins had a good relationship and the two elders were around to guide them. As such, there had never been any unhappiness.
However, this time, Madam Liu-Zhang was very unhappy. Her husband, Liu Zhuang, could not return from the military camp, but the remaining two strong laborers, Liu Ting and Liu Yuan, still went to the Mu residence to help build a house. Even if they couldn’t decline the Mu family because they were relatives, they could’ve just sent one person. Why did they have to go together?
Now, she had to do the plowing.
Seeing her long face, Liu Daqian couldn’t help but frown. He said to Liu Lang, “Ah Lang, go pull the plow with your mother and get your aunt to help support the plow.”
When Eldest Aunt heard this, she tugged at him and said, “The eldest son and Ah Lang have been out working for a few days. It’s better to let the third son’s family do it.”
Madam Liu-Zhang said indignantly, “Mother, I haven’t been idle at home either. Moreover, Eldest Sister-in-law went to help the Mu family out of her own accord…” Seeing Liu Daqian glaring at her, Madam Liu-Zhang gradually lowered her voice.
Liu Yang frowned at his mother and jogged forward to pull the rope. “I’ll do it.”
Madam Liu-Zhang quickly pulled off the rope and lectured him, “What are you doing, child? Is this your job?”
His eldest aunt also said to him, “You’re still a kid and have to wait another two years before you can help out. Come over quickly. Don’t cause trouble for your mother and the others.”
Liu Yang was a little indignant. When he looked up and saw Mu Yangling and Xiuhong walking over, he was slightly stunned. Then, he was overjoyed. He jumped up and waved his hand as he shouted, “Cousin, Cousin, over here!”
Mu Yangling had already seen them and was walking over hand in hand with Xiuhong.
When Madam Liu-Zhao saw Mu Yangling, she heaved a sigh of relief and pushed her son. Liu Lang jumped up and ran over, howling as he ran.
Liu Lun and Liu Yang felt that it was fun, so they followed his example and rushed over. In order to increase the effect, the two little ones even pulled some grass and waved it around.
Liu Erqian was putting on a rope at the side when the children suddenly shouted, startling him, causing him to almost fall to the ground. He looked up to scold them with a smile.
Liu Rong also rushed over. Liu Lang and the others were old enough to know that they shouldn’t pounce on her and hug her like before. So, they stopped in front of Mu Yangling and asked, “Why didn’t you tell us you were coming over last night? I could have asked my grandma to buy two catties of meat.”
Xiuhong snorted and said, “We don’t lack meat. When has Cousin ever come to your house empty-handed? You don’t have to worry about the meat. We brought some.”
The three boys were too embarrassed to pounce on them, but Liu Rong, who was behind them, wasn’t held back. She ran over and hugged Mu Yangling and Xiuhong. Smiling, she said, “It’s great that you’re here. This way, my mother won’t have to fight with my aunt.”
Liu Lang knocked her head and whispered, “Lower your voice. Don’t let Mother hear you.”
Liu Yang and Liu Lun nodded in agreement. “You’re going to get an earful later if she hears you.”