Daily life of farming and supporting a family on the ancient Loess Plateau

The next day, Ji Yongling had just left home, intending to go to Yang's place to help, when she ran into Yin Qiuju, who was looking for her.

Seeing Yin Qiuju bow respectfully to her, Ji Yongling was still somewhat at a loss.

She didn't know why Huang Daopo had come to her again. After she returned from Zhao Family Village last time, she told Yang about Xiuqin's request, and Yang also told Baldy Guang.

Upon hearing this, Baldy Guang refused, cursing and swearing.

He felt that Xiuqin was asking for an exorbitant amount of money. Before they had even gotten married, she was already borrowing money from the man's family. She was like a bloodsucking wolf.

Baldy Guang said that a poor man like him couldn't afford to marry a woman like that!

However, according to Ms. Yang, Baldy Guang's son was determined to marry Xiuqin, saying that he would not marry anyone but Xiuqin, and the father and son even had a falling out for a while.

However, things are still undecided.

“Young Lady Ji, my master has asked you to come and attend the ceremony. I’m here to deliver an invitation,” Yin Qiuju said respectfully to Ji Yongling.

"Huh, attend a ceremony? What kind of ceremony?" Ji Yongling asked in confusion.

Does she intend to become Huang Daopo's "friend who dies, I will not die" kind of friend? She has no intention of cultivating Taoism to become an immortal. She can't even recite a few lines of the Tao Te Ching. Why should Huang Daopo invite her to witness the ceremony?

Yin Qiuju smiled and said, "My master is organizing a meeting and would like to invite you, young lady, to be a guest of honor."

meeting? Taoist meeting?

Is it the White Lotus Sect or the Red Flower Society?

Ji Yongling quickly recalled some grassroots organizations she knew about in later generations and couldn't help but shudder.

Could Huang Daopo really be that "capable"?

Why did she have to start an illegal, unofficial organization? What personal goals is she trying to achieve, or is she being used by someone?

If this gets out of hand, it could lead to widespread death and destruction...

Ji Yongling dared not think any further! No, she had to stop it right away!

When Ji Yongling rushed to Zhao Family Village, Huang Daopo smiled and said that she was preparing to establish a women's society for homeless women and wanted Ji Yongling to be a witness.

Ji Yongling was finally relieved.

As long as it's not a secret religious organization like the "White Lotus Sect" that rebels against the imperial court, that's fine!

Without a certain level of organizational ability, and without military and economic support, trying to run such an organization is tantamount to sending people to their deaths! She didn't want the poor people of the Northwest to become expendable resources for some organization leaders!

However, Ji Yongling didn't quite understand why Huang Daopo would invite her to attend the ceremony when she established the society.

Huang Daopo smiled and said, "Girl, you are also a woman, but I see in you a kind of tenacity that is not willing to admit defeat and not afraid of difficulties. You are a capable person! I sincerely hope to befriend you, and I also hope that the women in the community can be like you, not willing to admit defeat, not afraid of difficulties, not relying on others, and living uprightly."

"Thank you for your kind words, but I'm just an ordinary farm girl. I don't deserve it!" Ji Yongling smiled.

Whether this is Huang Daopo's flattery or her true feelings, it doesn't matter.

She believes that people's emotions and spirits can be contagious! If she can truly influence some of the women around her and help them become self-reliant, it would be a good deed.

"The time has come; offer incense and pay homage to the gods!"

"We share the same ideals and are willing to swear an oath with our lives. Sisters in the society will support each other in times of danger and rescue each other in times of difficulty; the elders will be like elder sisters, and the younger ones like younger sisters. Heaven and Earth bear witness to this heart; those who betray this oath and forget this kindness will be condemned by both Heaven and Man!" (Oath referenced from Dunhuang Manuscript No. S.527)

Several women, including Xiuqin and Cuiling, held three incense sticks, their expressions solemn, and knelt in devout worship.

They swore an oath by blood and pledged their lives to the land, thus establishing this early form of women's federation in ancient times.

After the ceremony, Granny Huang solemnly lit an incense stick before turning around and saying, "As you join the society, you must help each other like family. Regardless of whether you marry or not, all members must abide by this agreement. If a member is in trouble, other members should spontaneously donate a jug of oil, a pound of flour, and a peck of millet."

If a member dies in an accident, the members will pool their resources to buy a simple coffin and hold a memorial service. Anyone who leaves the society prematurely will be required to treat the entire society to a meal before leaving. If any member encounters hardship in the future, they must not seek help from other members, and other members need not offer assistance. Do you understand?

"Understood! We are willing to abide by today's agreement and stand with our fellow members!"

Such a solemn and righteous oath, full of affection and loyalty, moved Ji Yongling deeply.

In ancient times, life was difficult for women. If they were desperate and had no other way out, having such an organization to help them at least gave them a way to survive and prevented them from falling into despair and helplessness.

A surge of heroic spirit also ignited in Ji Yongling's chest.

She took out a pair of iron chopsticks from her body and handed them to the women in front of her, saying, "We women should never think that women are born weak and men are strong! In fact, women can be strong, and must be strong!"

For a woman to live well in this world, she must be as self-reliant and strong as a man. As the saying goes, "Relying on a mountain, it will crumble; relying on a person, they will run away!" In this life, the person we can truly rely on is ourselves!

I am deeply pleased to have been invited by Master Huang to witness this ceremony today. Here, I present each of you with three iron chopsticks. You can use them as hairpins, and when needed, they will be your sharpest weapons! One chopstick is for the country, one is for your family, and one is for yourself!

"For the country, for the family, and for yourself!"

Xiuqin and the others shouted in unison, then carefully took the shiny iron chopsticks of unknown material from Ji Yongling's hand, as if they were the most precious treasures in the world, and carefully stuck them in their hair.

Seeing this, Ji Yongling was deeply moved and continued, "We women may not be as strong as men, but we have hearts and wisdom! From now on, the women of your women's society must unite as one and face the storms ahead together."

Whether weaving cloth or farming, or facing various difficulties, we should support each other and advance and retreat together. Only through unity can we defeat all powerful enemies!

"Thank you, young lady! We will definitely help each other!"