Reclaiming Wasteland: Carefree Mountain Farmer

Chapter 69 The Convert

Ma Tuchai is not an immigrant; she has been a local since childhood and knows the situation here very well.

The Hu and Han people have come and gone, but the tradition of eating plenty of fish and meat has never changed.

"Now that the time for collecting taxes has passed, all regions are sending grain to the border troops as provisions and military pay, and it's a waste to eat this grain."

“The military farms also cultivate their own land. The price of the millet and other grains they harvest is lower than that of rice and wheat, so the price is relatively low. It’s less than half a day’s journey from here, so there’s no loss on the way. They leave early and return late.”

“At this time of year, all the garrisons want to exchange their grain for money, so the price is lower than usual.”

“The military farms eat government grain transported from the interior. The grain they grow themselves can’t be sold at a high price. And the Hu people usually barter, so they are short of money.”

“One tael of silver can buy two or three shi of wheat, which can be exchanged for four or five shi of millet.”

Beijiwu said directly, "Okay! You take care of this."

Ma Tuchai smiled and said, "There's no rush. We should buy it when winter comes. If we buy it now, the price won't be that low. Every year, Gaoliuwei gets 70,000 to 80,000 shi of grain. There are seven guard posts to defend against the Mongols. Just think how much grain that is!"

"If we don't use up all the grain, we won't get any subsidies from the imperial court. So, two or three months before the New Year, we'll use up all the grain. Whoever complains about a lack of grain, the imperial court will give them grain."

The military settlements had few people and plenty of land, and the farmers were all top-notch laborers who were soldiers. At the same time, the farm tools and oxen were provided by the imperial court, and the grain produced was used to feed the border troops, so there was naturally no food pressure.

However, the commander of the garrison could not sell the grain to the interior, and it would be a waste to feed his own people, so he always had to find ways to make some money for himself.

If the Arctic warriors could get money, the garrison would sell them military rations, and even military swords, horses, armor, and iron bows.

Three or four hundred shi of grain is nothing to a garrison with a million mu of land cultivated by military farms. It's just enough to earn some pocket money, and there's no need to worry about corruption or embezzlement.

Kitahara Guard was not the only guard post defending the north; there were seven guard posts along this border.

The Hu people didn't have much money either, and the area was mostly populated by poor military households who had immigrated there. There was a lot of land but few people, and only a handful of merchants, so there wasn't much to make of.

Every time I went out to do business, I had to spend money. The military settlement always gave me things, but never money.

Beijiwu made his fortune several times, all from money obtained from wealthy merchants and nobles.

The border troops also had money; the imperial court would pay the soldiers guarding the border, but this money was often deducted at each level, leaving very little.

Corruption is a common problem in all dynasties.

Arctic weapons don't need to worry about this for the time being.

They don't pay here.

No wonder nomadic peoples with slave systems were able to defeat feudal dynasties; as long as they had no money and did not farm, they did not have problems with money and food.

Arctic Wu stood even more firmly on the side of slavery. In terms of home defense and development, although slavery lagged behind capitalism, it was far better than feudalism.

If we don't practice slavery, everyone will run away!
Of course, the widow who was giving him advice was also a slave.

"You're a good woman. Take off your clothes and come up here. I want to see if you can have a child!"

Beijiwu gave Ma Tuchai a chance to show off, and at this moment he was watching Ma Tuchai, wanting to see if she had any weapons hidden in her clothes.

Ma Tuchai quickly proved that Beijiwu was overthinking things with his actions.

The Hu widow, whose husband had just died, smiled and took off her clothes in front of the murderer who killed her husband, and climbed onto the kang (heated brick bed) of her enemy's house.

***
Early in the morning, Ma Tuchai, who was still asleep, was woken up by the little girl. "Tuchai, get up and eat."

Xi Dan nudged Ma Tuchai; this woman was sleeping very soundly.

Ma Tuchai wanted to continue sleeping. "Bring me the food, I'll eat later."

Xi Dan stared in shock at Ma Tuchai, who was still sleeping in, and quickly said angrily, "I'm not going to take care of you anymore."

After speaking, Xidan got off the bed covered with dry straw and walked towards the kitchen on the east side.

Beijiwu was exercising in the yard, while the others got up early to wash their faces and brush their teeth, take care of the livestock, fetch water, and cook.

Not long after, Ma Tuchai got up on her own.

The young widow in her early twenties was so exhausted last night that she fainted. She came out of the bedroom early this morning, tidying up her beautiful hair.

My body still felt weak and aching, as if it had fallen apart, but my face was radiant with energy, clearly indicating that I had recovered.

Her husband was dead, and now she had a younger, more handsome, and stronger man in her life. Ma Tuchai was more than willing to accept it.

Li Bing was cooking. She looked up at Ma Tuchai but didn't say anything. She continued chopping vegetables on the cutting board to prepare soup.

Xi Dan was diligently tending the fire while also overseeing two iron pots.

Hearing the commotion in the backyard, Ma Tuchai went straight there and saw Beijiwu cleaning his gun in a grove of trees.

Looking at the young general who had exerted himself on her last night and was now practicing his spear skills in the woods, Ma Tuchai's face showed a happy smile.

Beijiwu, wielding a long spear, repeatedly thrust it at the trees while moving swiftly, striking the stationary wooden stakes as he went.

After stabbing more than ten pieces of wood in succession, Beijiwu suddenly exerted force with his feet and jumped forward three meters high.

He gripped the wooden spear with both hands and swung it down hard at a tree branch!
boom!
The wooden gun broke in two, with one piece flying off and hitting a nearby tree.

The struck branch shook violently, dropping more than a dozen leaves and insects.

Arctic Martial's hands were a little numb. After practicing his marksmanship, he realized that he was still missing a weapon that he could handle.

A long-handled weapon is best.

It would be even better if I could have a full set of heavy armor, so I could withstand arrows and launch a one-sided attack on the nearby bandits.

Beijiwu dropped the wooden pole and walked into the house.

Ma Tuchai quickly swung her hips and walked over, saying, "Sir, I have only just met you and now I know what a capable man is!"

Beijiwu had a pretty good impression of this woman. She was sensible, articulate, and more open-minded than other women.

"Go wash your face and get ready for dinner. Don't talk to me unless it's important. We mountain farmers are men who do great things; we don't have time for women."

Arctic Martial only uses her as a tool and doesn't want to chat with her to relieve boredom.

Ma Tuchai quickly replied, "Yes, sir! A man should be like you! I've heard my father say since I was little that the men of the mountain tribe are the bravest men on the grasslands!"

Beiji Wu was too lazy to talk to her, and the history of the mountain farmers wasn't that long either.

(End of this chapter)