Chapter 002: Although Chang Xile is not very old, he carries a lot in his heart

The prosperity of the Chang family's third branch today is largely due to the courage of the third elder, Chang, who ventured out to explore opportunities, coupled with his capabilities that enabled him to build this family fortune. However, now, due to Chang Xile's extravagant spending, little remains except for these unsellable items. Although this house is still quite decent, outsiders are unlikely to come here to purchase properties, and the local residents of Taoyuan Village tend to reject outsiders. After all, resources are limited, and the arrival of outsiders is perceived as a division of their own interests. Moreover, the current legal system emphasizes collective punishment, making them even less willing to accept outsiders. While this house is still quite decent, outsiders are unlikely to come here to purchase properties, and the local residents of Taoyuan Village tend to reject outsiders. After all, resources are limited, and the arrival of outsiders is perceived as a division of their own interests. Furthermore, the villagers cannot afford to buy, nor are they inclined to do so, which is why it has been preserved.

Although young children do not understand tax policies, they gradually gather some information through listening and observing. Every year, during the summer and autumn seasons, a portion of the grain and cloth produced at home must be given to the village chief. The village chief, accompanied by several young men, takes the items collected from everyone to the county town. The children are unaware of the adults' worries; they only know that during this time, those who go out often bring back small trinkets from the city. At this time, a group of children always squats at the village entrance, eagerly waiting.

Chang Xile intends to take a step back and challenge the difficulty. After all, regardless of his actual age or his current age, he is considerably older than these two children. Engaging in this is purely a whim, so he did not choose the reeds that were scattered alone, but directly selected the bundled reeds. As a result, the first attempt ended in failure

From then on, Chang Le became Chang Xi Le

Chang Xile, not daring to show off, sat down on a grass mound in the corner with the help of the two children, Xing'er and Yangzi. Although summer had already begun, the heat had not yet set in, and the sunlight shining on Chang Xile made him feel quite comfortable. However, the grass mound was a bit low, and sitting with his legs bent felt somewhat unfamiliar. According to his own memories, this world did not yet have chairs; only the rural folk liked to make seats out of straw, while city dwellers would sit on their knees.

Chang Xile also became interested. When he traveled through time, the children either went directly to the amusement park or played with their iPads, and very few people engaged in these old games.

I can manage on my own now

Upon hearing this, Yang Zi immediately forgot about Chang Xile's intention to join and grabbed a reed pole, then suddenly let go, scattering the reeds all around. Yang Zi selected the one at the edge and used it to pick up the others. Being young, his hands were not yet dexterous, and he did not know to first look for the scattered ones nearby. After picking up three poles, he inadvertently caused the other wooden sticks to move.

Although this home appears somewhat shabby in Chang Xile's eyes, the memories of the original owner reveal that the Chang family's third house is among the best in Taoyuan Village, especially that large house, which looks quite impressive and is envied by many. Most families in Taoyuan Village live in mud and thatch houses, while the poorer ones reside in bamboo houses or entirely thatched cottages. While summer may be bearable, the cold winds in winter are quite unbearable, and during heavy rain, these structures are prone to collapse.

A five-year-old child is at the most playful age, especially here where the children, despite their young age, have to help with some light farm work. The leisure time for farming families is very limited. Recently, Xing'er and Yangzi have been taking care of him, helping him with water and assisting him with his needs, which makes him feel quite uncomfortable being looked after by such a small child. In a previous life, such a situation would have made the news.

Xing'er usually does not play these games with him, and his little friends do not like to play this either

Wang quickly said: "Mother, you take care of my uncle here, and I will go make arrangements right away"

However, he can no longer face his elders and fellow villagers, who have saved diligently and worked hard to support him. Aside from studying, he knows nothing else. Now that he has become like this, it is not to mention being able to repay them; he is likely to be a burden and a useless person.

"Uncle, you are awake!" A small dark figure rushed in quickly, exclaiming joyfully, and supported Chang Xile's body before he fell, allowing him to lean against the headboard of the bed

Xing'er performed much better than Yang Zi, but she only picked a small handful before being defeated.

Water. Often joyful yet difficult to speak, the voice is hoarse

Xing'er’s eyes suddenly brightened, the determination in her gaze turning into hesitation. Yang Zi looked left and right, unconsciously sucking on his pinky finger. "You can't eat your fingers," Chang Xile said, taking Yang Zi's finger out of his mouth. "You all play; seeing you have fun will make me happy too"

Chang Xile had just returned from a near-death experience, and the Chang family was quite worried. They repeatedly instructed the two children to take good care of Chang Xile, and the children took these words to heart. If it weren't for the pressing farm work, the Chang family would certainly have left one laborer behind to look after Chang Xile. However, it was Chang Xile who insisted on refusing, and with no time to spare, it ended up being the two little ones who took on the responsibility of caring for him.

The original body had already drained this family dry by going to school, and this illness has completely exhausted them. The others can only work desperately. Otherwise, they will be unable to pay the summer tax

However, later Chang Xile learned that their family was exempt from land tax because he was a scholar. Xing'er misunderstood; in reality, it was because they had borrowed money from others and needed to repay part of it during the summer tax season, otherwise those people would be unable to pay the summer tax.

Chang Xile did not explain much to them, saying: "You all start first, I will go last"

"I've arrived! I've arrived!" exclaimed Xing'er happily, who had been anxiously waiting and watching closely from the side.

Xing'er is clearly more lively than Yang Zi, and also more entertaining. However, although she does not wish to stay at home, she diligently and obediently carries out her tasks without the slightest hint of negligence

Although Chang Xile is not very old, he harbors many thoughts and has developed the temperament of a scholar

It is a significant event when Chang Xile wakes up, and the entire courtyard becomes lively. However, in the end, only Granny Sun and the eldest daughter-in-law, Wang, are allowed to enter the house to avoid disturbing him

The large house is very spacious, with the ground made of stone about one meter high, and the walls constructed of rammed earth. To enter the house, one must walk up the stone stairs. The main entrance consists of two heavy wooden doors, and on either side of the door are rectangular wooden stumps. To pass through the door, one must step over a threshold that is as high as a calf.

May I play?

Chang Xile laughed and said, "Anyway, there is nothing to do right now"

Xing'er is the daughter of Chang Xisheng, the second son of the Chang family's third branch. Yang Zi, whose full name is Chang Chengyang, is the youngest son of the first branch, and he is only five years old, while Xing'er is six. Due to their young age, they were left behind to take care of Chang Xile, while the slightly older children went to the fields to help with work. The even younger ones were carried on their mothers' backs using slings as they went to the fields.

Initially, Chang Xile agreed to the engagement with the daughter of the Qian family, partly because he indeed had a favorable impression of her—the one he was to be engaged to was the fourth daughter of the Qian family, who had been raised in seclusion and was entirely different from the hardworking peasant girls he had known while running about in the fields. This stark contrast held an inexplicable allure for the still youthful Chang Xile; on the other hand, it was also motivated by the wealth of the Qian family.

This approach left Chang Xile feeling deeply ashamed, yet having reached this point, he found himself with no way back. If he did not achieve something noteworthy, how could he face the expectations of the elders and fellow villagers who believed in him? What he was studying was not merely books, but the affection accumulated through the hard work and sacrifices of his community. Perhaps the people of Taoyuan Village never realized that their actions placed such immense pressure on Chang Xile; they were enthusiastic when it came to contributing money and goods, yet rarely inquired about his studies. However, Chang Xile was eager to rise above his circumstances, wishing to change the current state of poverty, for himself and for these beloved people.

This has made the invisible burden on Chang Xile's shoulders even heavier. He can only strive to study hard, hoping that one day he will achieve success in the imperial examination.

Chang Xile is regarded as an impressive figure in the hearts of everyone in the village, and Yang Zi and Xing Er hold this belief even more strongly. They did not expect that playing with sticks would turn out to be worse than themselves, which they found quite refreshing

Then I will let Yang Zi start first

Xing'er no longer refused, quickly ran into the house, and after a short while, ran out again, holding a roughly six-inch long reed stick. Excitedly, she said to Yangzi: "Let's play with the sticks!"

Chang Le is now referred to as Chang Xi Le. He is no longer merely an individual, but a new entity that integrates the memories and emotional responsibilities of two people. He struggles to rise from the bed, drenched in sweat. This rebirth has drained him of tremendous energy and physical strength, and having already been in poor health, he now feels even weaker.

Often smiling with a sense of helplessness, I secretly moved my right hand slightly. I hadn't felt it before, but now I truly realize that this hand is indeed not very functional.

Chang Xile was completely bedridden, and it was not necessarily the case that he would leave immediately. However, he was determined to do something for the elders and fellow villagers, which led to the arrival of Chang Le

The nature of the tax system in this world is not clear to me; I only learned about it when Xing'er casually mentioned that everyone was worried about the summer tax.

Chang Xile was fed sweet soup by Granny Sun, which gave her the strength to speak, "Mother, I am hungry"

"Then you can play in the yard; I will call you if I need anything," Chang Xile said. Although these two children were among the more mischievous and clever ones in the household, they were also incredibly earnest. When left in charge, they would sit right beside him, watching him intently, hardly daring to blink. If it weren't for the fact that he had been too weak in the past few days to pay them any mind, he would have truly found such enthusiasm overwhelming

This world is not just Taoyuan Village; all farmers are like this. They work at sunrise and rest at sunset. Due to low productivity, their year-round toil barely allows them to make ends meet. In the event of a disaster or war, even survival becomes a luxury.

Tears streamed down Granny Sun's face. Ever since Chang Xile learned that she could not take the imperial examination, she had been suffering from a lack of appetite. After being jilted, her disinterest in food only worsened, and she could only be force-fed to avoid starving. If she ate too much, she would even vomit. This is why she had lost so much weight in such a short time. Now, she was actively asking for food; could it be that she was on the path to recovery?

The second floor has a similar layout, divided into four rooms, designated for children who can sleep independently. The common area is also used as a storage space, where two coffins are placed. These were prepared early by Chang Laosan for himself and his spouse, in accordance with local customs. Essentially, once a family reaches the third generation, it is customary to prepare coffins in advance for unforeseen circumstances. Most rural households are self-sufficient, only purchasing items that cannot be produced, such as salt; otherwise, they would never spend money on goods, as cash is scarce among farmers. If one does not prepare in advance, and suddenly passes away, there would be no time to make a coffin. This is because firewood must be cut from the mountains, then dried and processed, which requires a considerable amount of time.

Chang Xile surveyed the surroundings, taking stock of this home

Yang Zi pouted, and although unwilling, she stepped back.

The two little ones immediately widened their eyes, and Yang Zi said in disbelief: "Uncle, you play this too?"

Yang Zi broke into a grin and clapped his hands, saying, "Great, great!"

Chang Le had already met his demise, perhaps it was fate that allowed him to replace Chang Xi Le. The only request from Chang Xi Le was m. hetushu. comcom to repay his family and the people of Tao Yuan Village. Chang Le wished to live, thus he agreed.

The large house is built very high, with wooden boards separating it into two levels. The lower level consists of a main hall and four small rooms, with two rooms on the north side and one room each on the east and west sides. The main hall is quite spacious, not only for receiving guests but also for storing harvested grains and other items, such as foot-operated rice pounding tools, all piled up here. It is even used for silkworm breeding, and one can smell the distinct odor of silkworms before even entering the house. The main hall is quite spacious, not only for receiving guests but also for storing harvested grains and other items, such as foot-operated rice pounding tools, all piled up here. It is even used for silkworm breeding, and one can smell the distinct odor of silkworms before even entering the house.

Chang Xile lay in bed for three days, and only then was he barely able to get up. After taking a few steps, he felt a bit dizzy; his health was truly poor, and he needed to gradually recover.

Chang Xile, who is studying away from home, naturally understands how difficult the path of the imperial examination is; it is not merely a matter of having good knowledge. To speak of nothing else, the expenses involved are substantial, and relying solely on the meager resources of the villagers, such as eggs and firewood, is utterly insufficient for him to continue his studies. Even if it were possible to support him, it would be at the expense of draining the entire village's resources, which Chang Xile could hardly accept. Therefore, he agreed to the Qian family's proposal for marriage, using his own marriage as a means to alleviate the burden on his family and the villagers, thereby paving the way for his own future. Even if it were possible to support him, it would be at the expense of draining the entire village's resources, which Chang Xile could hardly accept. Therefore, he agreed to the Qian family's proposal for marriage, using his own marriage as a means to alleviate the burden on his family and the villagers, thereby paving the way for his own future

Yang Zi and Xing Er both burst into laughter, as it turns out that even the formidable uncle has his moments of weakness

The two little ones exchanged a glance, their faces filled with wonder. Apart from eating, sleeping, and studying, joy was the only thing in their hearts; they had no interest in anything else, let alone such trivial tricks.

With a lively spirit, they rushed out the door. Upon hearing that Chang Xile was actively asking for food, everyone felt a sense of relief in their hearts. The desire to eat indicates that the illness has improved significantly

I never expected that a calamity would bring everything to an end. Chang Xile felt that this was the retribution for his own sordidness, as he could not change his impoverished condition, and thus heaven was punishing him. The pride of a scholar left him with a lingering guilt, and when the incident occurred, he was unwilling to pursue the matter of right and wrong at that time. The Qian family called off the engagement, which, although it caused him immense pain, also brought a sense of relief deep down. When he did not have to face the Qian family, he always felt that his character was despicable, bowing his head in the presence of money. The Qian family called off the engagement, which, although it caused him immense pain, also brought a sense of relief deep down. When he did not have to face the Qian family, he always felt that his character was despicable, bowing his head in the presence of money

"Uncle, wait for me, I will go get you some water right now." The little black shadow, who is Chang Chenghuai, the eldest son of the Chang family's third branch, hurriedly ran out upon hearing this, shouting loudly as he ran, "Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, Uncle is awake, he wants to drink water!"

Chang Xile came to her senses and smiled slightly, "I feel much better now. If you want to go out and have fun, you may do so, but don't wander around aimlessly, and don't forget to come home."

Xing'er saw his face turn pale and hurriedly stepped forward to support him, "Uncle, please sit here"

Chang Xile felt a mix of amusement and exasperation upon hearing this. Although the two children were still quite young, they were indeed quite capable. While he was currently feeling weak, he was not incapacitated; it was just that his movements were somewhat inconvenient. This was why the Chang family had decided to let the two little ones stay behind to take care of him. Yang Zi had always been the youngest male in the family, with only a cousin who was less than a year old beneath him. Having been entrusted with this important task, he felt like a little man now and was eager to show off, unwilling to leave, especially since he would surely be scolded if he did.

Due to not having a proper diet for several days, Wang brought a nourishing millet porridge, which Chang Xile found truly revitalizing as he drank a bowl. Although he still felt heavy and his limbs were somewhat unresponsive, it was certainly an improvement compared to his last moments in his previous life, where he lay on a hospital bed in a state of near death.

At this moment, Xing'er brought over two straw stools, handed one to Yangzi, and sat down beside him, saying, "Uncle, we are not going anywhere; we would be scolded to death by our grandparents and parents."

"Uncle, do you still feel unwell?" Yang Zi's round eyes blinked as she stared at Chang Xile, her expression serious, resembling a little adult.

The layout of the Chang family residence consists of a large room on the north side, with a small room on each of the east and west sides, and a fenced area with a gate on the south side, resembling a traditional courtyard. The central open space is quite spacious, with the ground pressed down to a very flat surface. The small room on the east side was specifically built for Chang Xile, allowing him to live alone in a room, providing a quiet environment for his studies. Like the large room, it is also made of mud and tiles. Although the construction may seem quite simple for Chang Xile, the space is spacious and bright, kept very clean and tidy. The small room on the east side was specifically built for Chang Xile, allowing him to live alone in a room, providing a quiet environment for his studies. Like the large room, it is also made of mud and tiles. Although the construction may seem quite simple for Chang Xile, the space is spacious and bright, kept very clean and tidy. The room on the west side serves as the kitchen, which is relatively simple, being a mud and thatch house.

On the west side of the second floor, there is a small door that leads outside. The entrance is quite small, requiring adults to bend down to pass through. Outside, there is a bamboo platform supported by wooden stakes, which covers an area of approximately 20 square meters, used for drying clothes and grains, among other things. Taoyuan Village is located in a mountainous area with very little flat land, so this method is employed to utilize space and create flat surfaces. As a result, almost every household constructs such a platform, which is also referred to as a drying platform.

Although Chang Xile inherited the memories of his predecessor, his own memories are severely lacking, primarily consisting of how to study diligently, leaving him somewhat ignorant of external matters. However, this is not a significant issue; he can gradually understand everything as his body recovers. There is no need to worry about any differences in his words and actions, as everyone will simply assume he learned them from the city. Most of the people in Taoyuan Village have never left the village, and they likely know even less about the outside world than he, an outsider. Therefore, no one doubts his accent or other issues; they automatically attribute them to what he learned from outside.

The Chang family has three branches, consisting of four sons and one daughter. Chang Xile is the youngest. The eldest sister has already married outside the family, and there are currently three grandsons and three granddaughters. The oldest is nine years old, and the youngest is less than one year old. Excluding the married daughter, there are a total of fifteen family members.

Yang Zi waved his hands and shook his head, saying like a little adult: "I have grown up and no longer like to play; I want to take care of my little uncle and take him to the restroom"