Traveling through ancient times: living a different life

The rice fields are like golden waves, swaying in the breeze, and the harvest time is coming soon.

The other fields at home had begun to be harvested. Because of the fish and some spiritual spring water in these two fields, the rice was growing very well. When my grandfather saw this, he couldn't help but touch the plump rice grains with his trembling hands.

“When you harvest these two fields, make a mark on the bags and use them for planting crops next year.” Grandpa said with a smile to his family and helpers who were harvesting rice.

Just looking at the rice ears, you can tell that the yield of rice in the second half of the year is not as high as that in the first half, except for the two acres of land for raising fish. But they are also very satisfied. With two seasons a year, after paying taxes twice, there is still a lot left. This year, we have some extra money, so we can keep more grain. Every farmer has a belief deep in his heart that as long as there is surplus food at home, there is no need to panic.

In the afternoon, the village chief came to our house. Grandpa asked in surprise: "Village chief, why are you free to come here today? You are not busy in the fields. What's the matter?"

"Last time I was at the market in town, I reported the potato issue to the mayor.

The mayor told me to go and tell him two days in advance when your family harvests this acre of potatoes, and he will ask the county magistrate to come along."

"Okay, thank you!"

A few days later, the county magistrate and the mayor came, and everyone gathered around the fields. At first, the county magistrate and the mayor stood by the field and watched the Chen family and villagers dig potatoes, but later they couldn't help but dig them themselves.

He finished the work on one acre of land in less than an hour, without bothering two people. He also took the county magistrate and the mayor to see the fish farming in the rice fields.

"Your family is really full of ideas. How did you come up with the idea of ​​raising fish in the fields?" the county magistrate asked with great interest.

"It was my eldest son who came up with the idea. He said that the water in the rice fields was so deep, so we thought we could raise fish. So we tried it in the autumn planting season to see if it would work."

Chen Feng told a lie that he was not very satisfied with and could not give his granddaughter away.

The county magistrate thought: This is obviously not the truth, but he did not want to delve into it. Anyway, it was a good thing. He was happy in his heart, but he did not show it on his face. He smiled and said to Chen Feng: "Your family has made new contributions again. I will report it truthfully. The emperor will definitely reward you heavily. Just wait for good news!"

The county magistrate brought the mayor, the legal advisor and a group of yamen runners to the Chen family to have another meal before saying goodbye and leaving. The whole family felt that this was too much work and they didn't know whether it was a good thing or not, so they decided to keep a low profile in the future.

Grandpa expressed his concerns to the whole family, and everyone agreed that one should not become too famous, as one’s roots are shallow and the first one to stick out will be shot down.

Before we got the good news, we got the news of the corvée. In the afternoon, we heard the sound of gongs in Daping. Everyone went there. The village chief stood on a platform and announced loudly, "This year, the corvée will be collected by one person per household. You cannot pay with money. We will build a river bank west of the county town. We will set out in three days."

The mood of the villagers below was like a huge rock falling into the river, splashing water everywhere, and there were discussions, quarrels, and a lot of noise.

"Wasn't it possible to use silver before? Why has it changed this year?"

"It's so cold today, repairing the riverbank is such a pain!"

"It would be warmer if we went a month earlier than now in November. It's cold in the mornings and evenings now!"

Everyone knew that they could not escape the corvee, and every villager had a bitter face, which drowned out the joy of the autumn harvest.

The family sat together in the main room, feeling depressed.

Grandpa spoke first: "In the past, corvée labor was paid with silver. I only have three sons, and each of you is a treasure to your parents. I don't want you to suffer that pain. I would rather spend money to buy peace. But why is it changed this year? It's really worrying."

Grandma, Mrs. Wang, and Second Aunt were wiping away their tears.

Qinghai spoke first: "I'll go this year. The county town is not far from here. I'll be back in just a month."

"No, I'm the eldest son, so I'll go. I'm in better health than my second brother. Last time when I was working in the county town, my second brother got sick!"

"It's not a matter of distance. It's almost winter now, and the weather is very cold. At night, the laborers just put up a simple tent on the construction site to live. They eat dry biscuits and cold water. Every time they go to perform labor service, they either die or are left with only half their lives."

Bi Yue looked at the family's gloomy mood and had no choice but to suggest, "I have an idea, I wonder if it will work?"

"What method?" the family asked in unison.

"We can rent a house in the county town and sell some food where we are doing corvée labor. First, it will be convenient for us to take care of our father. Second, we can do some small business. We don't need to bring food with us. We can buy it from me without spending any money."

Everyone's eyes lit up, this is a good idea.

Fourth uncle hurried back at noon the next day.

When I heard in the academy that I could not use silver to get a place in the labor service this time, I was extremely anxious. At the same time, I also blamed myself for not passing the exam to become a scholar the previous two times, causing my brothers at home to suffer and even lose their lives. I felt very guilty.

As soon as I entered the house, I went to the table in the main hall and poured myself a glass of water. The family members gathered around and asked:

"Why are you back? Did you ask for leave?"

"Father, mother, brother, I heard about this in the academy and asked around. I found out that the county had been hit by heavy rain for several days last time. A lot of rocks and mud collapsed from the mountain on the west side of the river, flooding most of the river. There is a reservoir there. If it is not repaired, when the rain comes, the flood will be blocked there and will definitely flood the surrounding houses. The prefecture has issued an order to the county magistrate that this year, all villages cannot use silver to exempt themselves from corvée labor, and all of them must go."

The family members knew this was the reason. Since they couldn't avoid it, they could only use Yueyue's method. Grandma told her youngest son about her granddaughter's idea, and Qinghui also thought it was feasible.

At around ten o'clock in the morning on the third day, a group of eunuchs, the county magistrate, the county magistrate, the town mayor, and yamen runners came to the Chen family in a mighty procession.

The county magistrate introduced that this was eunuch Chang from the palace, who came from the capital to your house to convey the emperor's order.

The family members hurriedly welcomed all the guests in, poured tea and water, moved the table and set up stools, and asked the distinguished guests to sit down and have a rest. Then they asked someone to notify Tingsong, set up the incense table, and began to read the imperial edict.

Tingsong, who had just arrived at school, hurried back when he heard the news. Fortunately, he made it in time and knelt down beside his parents.

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims that Chen Qingyun, a villager in Shuwan Village, Sishui Town, Yuanshui County, has grown high-yield crops and figured out a method of raising fish in rice fields, which is a great achievement that benefits both the country and the people. He is hereby conferred the title of Ninth-Rank Agricultural Official, and is awarded five hundred taels of silver, ten pieces of brocade, twenty pieces of cotton cloth, and ten pearl hairpins. This is my decree."

The villagers who were watching the show outside the house were whispering, not daring to speak loudly, and lamented that the Chen family was becoming prosperous.

Grandpa, grandma and the whole family kowtowed to express their gratitude. The father received the imperial edict and was extremely excited. These were all the honors brought to him by his daughter.

After the reading, Eunuch Chang quietly told Chen Qingyun that the emperor thought that your family was far away from the capital, so you don't need to go to the capital to express your gratitude. If you have any problems, just negotiate with the county magistrate, Lord Wu. He hopes that Lord Chen will make more contributions and continue to work hard.

My father quickly took out a purse and handed it to the eunuch, "Thank you, Eunuch Chang, for clearing up my doubts."

They also invited everyone to have dinner at home. Eunuch Chang and the county magistrate and his entourage did not want to stay any longer, and prepared to return to the county town in a mighty manner.

Grandpa quickly followed the county magistrate and asked, "Master Wu, can the Chen family be exempted from the corvée this time?"

"Now that your family is an official family, you can be exempted."

"Thank you, Master Wu."

After seeing everyone off, she turned around and was about to speak, but grandma spoke to the villagers first:

"The Chen family is inviting the whole village to a banquet tomorrow, everyone must come!"

The whole family happily went into the house to see the imperial edict and gifts.