Traveling through time as a peasant girl to turn things around

When the fourth brother returned home that morning, many people were already there: the village chief and his wife, Sun Quan, his grandfather, his eldest uncle, his second uncle, his first cousin, and his second cousin. Sun Quan said, "Your son has been away for a long time, and I'm waiting for you to go in the water. I was exhausted yesterday."

The hemp we fished out yesterday is almost dry. It needs to be dried before it can be stacked, and it can be stored for a long time after it is fished out. It is also okay to tear it off immediately after it is fished out. There are some drying on the stalks in the yard. Old Lady Li saw that they are very good. Today, I let the fourth child go into the water, and Sun Quan took over. The others tear the hemp into batches. It is easier to tear it while it is wet, and it saves space when drying. One person pulls one end at a time, and the other person tears it from the root and pulls it away. When they tear to the thinnest part of the end, the whole batch is torn off and hung on the poles. The poles are high enough to be long enough for drying. The key is to fish out the hemp. Washing it is difficult, so it must be washed thoroughly. Only then will the torn hemp be clean, and the hemp batches that are finally hung out will be the best. After drying, straighten it, and roll it into bundles of about one pound.

The whole process is incredibly laborious and stressful. Some of the hemp soaks take five or six days to soak, so they need to be harvested quickly. Chai Zhen's father started working yesterday, peeling the hemp skin. Everyone is busy, including both daughters-in-law, and the entire family is involved.

Zhang Qing, the village chief's wife, arrived after breakfast to help. She and Old Lady Li twisted hemp rope into thin cords to make shoe soles. These were incredibly strong and durable, resisting wear. Of course, cotton soles were more comfortable for babies one or two years old. They used the ropes themselves, and even the thinnest ropes couldn't be broken by two men.

Today, old man Chai Zhen was not tearing hemp or hanging it up. He was doing something more important. He brought his son and the village chief to the gate, and said to them, "

First, find a large, open space. The space should be as large as the rope you need! It should be open and flat.

Second, determine the desired length. Drive a hole-pierced iron rod into the ground at one end, inserting a crank handle with a hook at one end through the hole. At the other end, a length equal to the rope's length, plant a wooden stake about a meter high and tie the rocking sled to it. The rocking sled consists of a long fixed board, a rocking board of the same shape and size, and three iron rods with rings inserted in between.

Third, place the three twisted strands of wattle, each more than twice the length, into the hook of the iron crank on the ground iron rod at one end. At the same time, tighten the crank to prevent the wattle from slipping out of the hook.

Fourth, straighten and tighten the six pieces of hemp bramble that pass through the iron hook [three pieces pass through the iron hook together to make six pieces], and tie them two by two to the three iron rings on the other end of the rocking cart.

Fifth, prepare the splicer. The splicer is made from a round piece of hardwood. One end is larger than the other, and it has grooves carved into it that are the same thickness as the two strands of wattle. The grooves are arranged radially along the tapered surface of the splicer.

Sixth, place the six strands of thorn bushes straightened between the two ends, two by two, into the three wooden grooves of the splicer.

Seventh, the crank handles and the trolley at both ends swing simultaneously and in the same direction. The wattle strands are first joined in pairs in the wooden groove of the trolley. As the two sides swing, the already joined thick rope sections push the trolley, slowly moving from the iron rod end toward the trolley. At this point, it's crucial to hold the trolley firmly in place and keep it moving forward steadily. The wattle strands, already joined into three strands, are then combined by the trolley, creating a "three-split rope."

After it is made, cut off one end of the rocking wheel and tie it tightly to prevent the strands from loosening. Take the other end of the crank handle out of the hook and seal it intact.

If you want to make a two-split rope, there are only two cranks on the trolley and only two grooves on the splicer. If you want to make a four-split rope, there must be four cranks on the trolley and four grooves on the splicer.

This whole process is very important and requires a large flat area, which cannot be done at home.

The three of them looked out the doorway. It was a fairly large area, just a wasteland. There weren't any major obstacles, just a lot of grass. Old Chaitou said, "Lao Gui, I've been meaning to talk to you about this for a while, but I've been so busy I haven't gotten around to it. Today's the perfect day. I was thinking of talking to you about it. My house is outgrowing. I'd like to expand the south wall a few meters. Is that okay? With so many people in my family, I need to expand the house." Sun Gui said, "That's no big deal. Take as much as you need. You don't even need to report it. Your family has household registration, so everything around the house is yours." Old Chaitou said, "We brothers have to talk to you about business. We need to let you know. We don't want to make things difficult for you later."

The village chief surveyed the vast expanse, the northeastern corner. No villagers came here. A thousand meters east, it was all overgrown with trees and grass. South, it was also far from the villagers... no one was building houses there. Lao Gui said, "Uncle Zhen, let's clear the land in front of our gate as much as we need, creating a dedicated area for our work. We'll surround it with sorghum stalks and build a latrine. Let's try clearing a little over twenty meters first." Chai Zhen said, "Okay, you two, grab your sickles and hoes, and get to work. I'll go home and look for those things!"

The two brothers looked at each other. "Let's go, get some tools, and get to work!" The village chief, thinking about finding someone, entered the courtyard, but everyone was busy, and he felt embarrassed. Chai Xin and Chai Dong saw him and asked, "Why are you still using a hoe and a sickle?" "It's a flat piece of ground." They also picked up hoes and worked together. Shuai Shuai came up with a plan: tear off the roots and fix the stems inside. It could be done by one person, so they tried it out. Shuai Shuai, Paipai, Jia He and Jia Xing, the four of them, could tear the hemp quickly. Hanging the hemp strips alone saved space and was faster!

Four old men worked quickly outside the door, digging up the grass and branches, even the thorny ones, with their hoes. Chai Ping'an had them hooked to the east end of his house. He had formed a circle around the east wall. He had chopped down two large trees, the trunks now laid out in the open space outside the south wall. The branches were also dragged outside the east wall and placed against it to dry and burn. Chai Ping'an brought in a roller to compact the ground, finally making a smooth surface in half a day.

Chai Zhen, get the tools! It's almost time for dinner! The four of them worked together to put the tools in place and go get some hemp to try! Ping An, Lao Xin, and Lao Dong brought the hemp and combined the three pieces of hemp into a rope. Chai Zhen explained as he worked, showing everyone how to do it. Everyone worked together, step by step...

The meal was ready, and everyone in the family washed their hands and prepared to eat. Seeing that none of the elders had come in, the men ran out to see, and soon the women also ran out. As soon as they went out, they heard shouts, "Success! Success!!!" Someone suggested, "Give it a try!" The fourth brother shouted, "Divide the people. Grandpa, you take charge. Sun Quan, come here, we'll go to one end, and you two brothers will go to the other end." Chai Zhen shouted: Start! The four of them pulled hard at two ends! Chai Xin and Chai Dong joined at two ends, making it six people in total. Chai Zhen and the village chief watched, smiled, and said, "It's done. We'll weigh it later and sell it by weight!"

This section is 20 meters long. Old Lady Li weighed it and it weighed 8 kilograms, which means I used 8 kilograms of hemp skin. This is a good piece of hemp torn from the coarse hemp.

Old lady Li said, "Everyone is tired after a morning of eating, let's eat first." Old lady Li and the eldest son's wife cooked a meal, cabbage, carrots, potatoes and meat stew, mashed garlic and chili peppers with vinegar and sesame oil, and hand-rolled noodles. As soon as the meal was served, many people exclaimed, "Hehe, it smells so good!" Chai Zhen took a bite, his eyes widened, his stinky son eats so well! When did his son...! Just lower his head and eat! Eat! The village chief Sun Gui had that expression. Zhang Qing and his wife looked at each other and lowered their heads to eat. It was so delicious!!! They had never eaten such delicious food before. Chai Ping'an said, "It won't be long before we can have good meals every day!" Chai Xin and Chai Dong also wondered when their younger brother would eat so well, and they would follow their younger brother in the future! Sun Gui said: Ping'an, remember to save the seeds, let's plant some too! Old man Chai said, "Save them so that there will be seeds when it's time to plant. I'm trying! For now, I won't tell you when I go out."

After lunch, everyone sat in the yard for a while. A few old men went out to prepare the ground for expansion. A few young people were fishing and tearing hemp. The fourth brother said, "It's time to change, Sun Quan, go in the water." It stinks! It's almost choking him to death! He took a bath at noon before eating. Sun Quan looked at the fourth brother who was as thin as a monkey and said, "You look so thin, fourth brother, eat more and gain some weight." He came close to the fourth brother and whispered, "You work hard all day and still don't fall asleep on the kang! You've suffered a lot. As your brother, I feel sorry for you, so I'm going in the water!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and jumped into the water, shouting, "Get to work!" Chai Xin, Chai Dong, Jia He, and Jia Xing were tearing hemp. This afternoon, Wang Min, Zhang Baohua, and Zhang Qing were twisting hemp ropes. They were twisting them into thin strands, like sewing thread, but slightly thicker.

Wangwang, Mumu, Huanhuan, and Hengheng were having a blast on the big kang in the west room. The four little ones, now full and still, sat on the kang, watching their little sister suckling. "The little sister is so small!" "She's only been born twenty days ago, she's not little anymore." "The little sister smiles at me." Mumu said, "The little sister is so cute, I'm going to protect her when I grow up." Wangwang said, "Yes, I will protect her too! She's the only little sister in our Chai family!" "Grandpa said that now that we have a baby girl, we should all work harder and our lives will get better and better." The four little kids were not big, but they spoke like little adults, knowing how to protect their families and work together.

The Chai family is hardworking and united! The children know this and have lived in harmony since childhood. Old Mrs. Li Ru smiled happily.

Old Lady Li said, "My sister is going to sleep, so you boys should take a nap too. When my sister wakes up, we can play together." Old Lady Li heated the kang, pulled back the quilt, and all four boys lay down. Old Lady Li covered them with the quilt. The kang was warm, and the quilt was cozy. Mumu said, "Second Grandma, it's so warm." Old Lady Li said, "Mumu, go to sleep!" Old Lady Li looked at Mumu and Wangwang, who were wearing thin clothes. She said to Li Ru, "Let's make cotton-padded jackets for the two boys." Li Ru said, "Mother, you decide. The children are young and can't handle the cold. We have flowers at home, so make them for the children. I won't sleep anymore, so I'll sleep tonight. Mother, you go cut the flowers, and I'll make them." Old Lady Li said, "Okay. I'll go find the flowers and the cloth." Li Ru fed the children, and Guoguo fell asleep.

Li Ru found her needle and thread, while Old Lady Li gathered the cotton and cloth and placed them on the corner of the kang. She took out Wangwang's clothes, cut slightly larger than this one, and made them from the same floral fabric as Guoguo's. She also made a floral cotton jacket, layered over a blue top and black pants. It was the same as Huanhuan's top. Li Ru started by sewing the top inside out, turning it inside out, and filling it with cotton. She started with a slightly thicker piece, then worked on the thickest one, to wear during the coldest winter months.

After laying out the pattern, she turned it over, so the stitches were all inside and the outside was smooth. While Li Ru worked, Old Lady Li spread out the blue cloth and cut a coat. Then she cut cotton trousers. Once the black trousers were finished, Old Lady Li went to work as well. "I'll make Mumu tonight. The two children came today, and I saw they were wearing so little they were shivering from the cold." Neither of them stopped working.

Sun Quan said, "Fourth Brother, I don't think we can fish anymore tomorrow. I tried tearing it off, but I couldn't. We'll have to stop for a day or two. Let's stop after we finish fishing!" Fourth Brother: "Okay, we'll stop for a while. Go back and check on what you soaked. Is it ready? If it's, call everyone else. We'll do this during the day, and then we'll collect it tonight. After dinner, go back and get some sleep."

Old lady Li looked at the sky and went to cook dinner. Zhang Qing said, "Hongying, don't cook for my family. I'll go back and cook." "Just eat here today, and you can go back and cook tomorrow. Don't leave today. I'll make leavened bread for everyone in the evening. Try it." "Now that you've said this, I won't say anything else. Okay, I won't leave." Zhang Qing coiled up the hemp rope and went to cook with Hongying.

Old Lady Li placed the large pot on the stove and added water. She considered the number of people and added millet and a washed pumpkin. Zhang Qing watched but didn't ask, just working while she kept the fire going. Old Lady Li said, "Qing, watch the pot while I feed the chickens." After a pause, Old Lady Li returned with a basin full of risen dough. She added flour and spread it on the working surface. [Kneading the working surface] Zhang Qing came over to knead the dough while Old Lady Li chopped scallions. After the dough was kneaded, she cut it into pieces, rolled it out, sprinkled it with salt, poured oil on it, sprinkled it with chopped scallions, rolled it into small pieces, rolled it out, and put it on the iron to make pancakes. Once one was done, she cut it open. Old Lady Li said, "Qingzi, try it!" "How is it?" "Hmm, not bad." It was delicious. I'll do the same when I get home. Old Lady Li said, "You know why I asked you to stay?" Zhang Qing smiled. "Well, we're sisters, so we're better off. Let me make the pancakes. I'll learn." "There's nothing much to learn. I'll give you a piece of starter before you leave. Soak it in a little water, then put it on top. Once it's soaked, cover it tightly and place it on the stove. Let it sit for a while. If there's more in the basin, press it gently with your hands. When bubbles form, it's ready. Add the dough as you see fit. Roll it into small pieces, cover with a cloth and let it rise again. Then steam it, and the steamed buns are ready. When you want to eat the pancakes, just bake them, and when you want to eat the buns, just steam them." Zhang Qing made the pancakes. Old Lady Li went to prepare the ingredients: carrots, cilantro, and scallions. She prepared a large bowl of dough and added sesame oil. Everyone ate this meal later, and they remembered it for a long time! Soft, fluffy, fragrant, and salty.

Sun Quan took a bath before eating. These two meals were the first time in his life that he had eaten such a good meal. He didn't say a word, just ate the porridge, the vegetables, and the cakes! After eating, he said, "Aunt Li, do you have any more of these cakes?" Li Hongying said, "Take a few with you when you leave." "Aunt Li is still the best, hehe!"

Sun Quan grabbed a bunch of cakes and left. Zhang Qing asked, "This kid!" Old Lady Li said, "Don't stay. Go back and get some sleep. We have to go back to work!" "Yes." The village chief and his family left.

"Chai Shuai, Chai Xin, Chai Pai, Chai Dong, you all go back to sleep. At midnight, bring the carrying ropes and go pull the hemp stalks," Chai Zhen said. "We'll unload them here! Finally, we'll make some money. We'll pay the women per head, and they'll be weaving hemp cloth in a few days. You'll get paid daily, depending on how many days they work. Go back and get some sleep. Keep your voice down so you don't get hurt." Got it. "The child is sleeping here, I'm not leaving. I'm not going back either! I'll take the vegetables and steamed buns in my room for my family to eat."

After saying this, Old Man Chai went to the west room to hold his granddaughter! It wouldn't be Old Lady Li's turn to hold her for the next two days. Old Man Chai, despite being sixty, looked youthful. Little Baby smiled at Great Grandfather, dimples flashing across his face. Old Man Chai also looked at his great-granddaughter, beaming. "This little girl, soft and sweet, wrapped in a beautiful, tender, floral cotton-padded jacket, is so adorable it melts anyone's heart." "Ahhh, calling Great Grandfather!" "Ahhh, ahhh, ahhh," she began to sing. After a good afternoon nap, she was excited at night, crawling all over Grandpa. Little Baby, thinking she was climbing a mountain, tugged hard. "Hahaha," he thought. "What did you eat? You're so strong! Your feet are kicking so hard. You can even hold on with your hands." He thought to himself, this child? Amazing! So cute! Suddenly, Little Baby held a bunch of candied haws in her hand. "Ahhh, Grandpa, eat!" Little Baby held it up and offered it to Grandpa's mouth, "Eat, eat." "Ahhh." "Hehe." Chai Zhen was shocked. He took the candied haws, bit off one, and chewed it. It was delicious, sweet and sour. He then shared the candied haws with the four children. They had never even seen this thing, let alone eaten it. This was clearly a fairy. He looked at the child, kissed her, and said, "Grandpa just wants you to be well, child!" The child saw clearly that his great-grandfather really wanted her to be well! He was even more moved!

The men all went to bed. Old Lady Li closed the door and locked it. She went to the west room and said, "Li Ru, lie down for a while. Grandpa will watch the children for you. You can sleep for a while."

She, Wang Min, and Baohua made clothes for the children. Old Lady Li also cut a cotton-padded jacket for Mumu. The two wives sewed cotton trousers. As they were working, there was a knock on the door. Old Lady Li went out and asked, "Who is it?" "Auntie, it's me, Chai Shuai's wife and Chai Pai's wife." Old Lady Li recognized who it was. She opened the door and let them in, then closed and locked it. They went to the west room together. As soon as they entered, Shuai's wife and Pai's wife called out, "Grandpa is here!" Chai Zhen said, "Well, come in and sit down. Have you finished working in the fields?" The wife in the east said, "I finished today. Dad said there is work for us, so we came to see." Chai Zhen said, "There will be work in a few days, weaving linen. Can you do it?" "We both know how to do it." "Okay."

"I'll let you know in a few days when to start. I'll see what's important to do these days. I'll be busy in a few days. Your two sisters-in-law are making clothes for the children, so you can start working now and come back later." Old Lady Li found a needle and handed it to them. "You two make outerwear. This is a cotton-padded jacket for the children. Since the children are small, you two can make blue tops and black pants. Go ahead. With so many people, it'll fill up quickly. One for each of us. This jacket isn't thick at all. I'll cut the sides and make thicker ones later." Old Lady Li stopped working and went to look for cloth. She found some blue floral cotton and underwear that would suit Wang Chenmu and Mumu, so she took out two sets and wrapped them up.

Old Mrs. Li went to the west room, spread out the cloth, and began cutting again. She said to the eldest daughter-in-law, "Do you think this blue floral cotton-padded jacket would look good on the children?" "Yes, it's pretty, all the children can wear it." The east daughter-in-law looked at her child's floral cotton-padded jacket, which looked like a beautiful little girl. She then looked at the one her aunt had brought, which was also beautiful. Chai Zhen looked at it and said, "Don't tell anyone when you go out. Tell them when you have no other choice. Just say a relative brought it. We have another branch of the Chai family, and they are away! Don't talk about family matters when you are away. Be careful of your mouth! If anyone makes a fuss, don't blame me for using the family rules!" Chai Zhen intimidated his family. Protecting his granddaughter was also protecting his family! For a family to thrive, unity and good character are essential! Maintain a positive attitude! "Grandpa, we understand." The four granddaughters-in-law were relieved after hearing what he had said. Looking at the little ball in their arms, they smiled. Brothers and sisters, five, can wear whatever they want! Beautiful! Kindness cannot be foolish! Chai Zhen smiled foolishly, and the little ball looked at his great-grandfather and smiled! "Hehehe, Grandpa is so good, Grandpa is so cute!" "Baby loves Grandpa." Chai Zhen said, "Grandpa loves you too." After saying that, he was stunned! He felt like the child was talking to him! "Yes, Grandpa." The old man felt so comfortable!