Chapter Six, the so-called prosperous era

The hidden dangers buried by early policies gradually began to reveal signs. The borders of the Tang Dynasty were divided into ten fiefdoms, each governed by a military governor who held absolute power, consolidating military, political, financial, and civilian authority in one person. The fiefdoms gradually became local lords, and the central court's control over them weakened increasingly. In order to expand their military capabilities, the fiefdoms began to rely heavily on their armed forces, imposing heavier burdens of labor and taxation on their subjects.

"The Ding family brothers want to harm you, you... you should go out and hide for a while," Song Gensheng said anxiously

However, Gu Qing currently has few chips in hand, and the only resource she can utilize is the coal discovered today. Smelting iron privately is tantamount to courting death, and Gu Qing does not have the courage to challenge the law of the king at present. What else can be done with the remaining coal?

The Ding brothers are also orphans. Their mother passed away when they were very young, and their father died on the battlefield five years ago while serving in the military against the Tubo. This left the two Ding brothers without any guardians. Initially, they fought with others for food, but gradually they became accustomed to using their fists to obtain everything they needed. Now, they no longer farm themselves, relying instead on some illicit means of income to survive, and their lives are better than those of ordinary villagers

However, later on, the prosperous era became less and less like a prosperous era

Song Gensheng sighed and said: "In the village, there are many poor families. Those who cannot support their children often sell their daughters. At the age of eleven or twelve, they are married off or sold into wealthy households as concubines or maids. The Ding brothers act as intermediaries, and many daughters from the village are taken away by them. They sign contracts and press their fingerprints, and the daughters are taken away. When they return, they throw back a few dozen coins, without knowing how much they have deducted in the process.

The military might of the Tang Dynasty remains formidable, yet signs of decline have begun to appear. Victorious reports during campaigns against enemy states are no longer frequent, and there are occasional accounts of defeats.

The head is aching severely, and thinking is exhausting. A clever housewife cannot cook without rice; starting from nothing, if this life is a game and fate is the one controlling it, then it must have been set to hell mode. To avoid losing face and to clear the game, one must have a strong enough fate.

The victories and defeats of armies throughout the dynasties in their campaigns against enemy states seem to be closely related to the diligence of the emperor. Initially, the spirited Li Longji, in alliance with Princess Taiping, eradicated the Wei faction. Two years later, he ascended to the throne, holding the national treasures, ruling from the north facing south. After his ascension, Li Longji devoted himself to governance, striving to prevent the imminent collapse of the state, and personally crafted the renowned Kaiyuan era. It must be said that in his early years, Li Longji was an extraordinary emperor

In my mind, I faintly hear the sound of shattered values. Is it an illusion

Song Gensheng came to his senses and sighed: "Today when I went out, I saw several people gathered under the big locust tree whispering to each other, occasionally pointing towards your house. I took a glance at them; none of them are from our village. I heard that the Ding brothers have been recuperating at home these past few days and sent someone to the neighboring village to deliver a message. It seems they have found some help to deal with you. The few outsiders I encountered this morning were indeed called by the Ding brothers."

The small goal set by Gu Qing is as difficult as climbing to the sky for the peasant households in Shiqiao Village

The villagers gathered in groups of three to five in various places. As Gu Qing revealed a friendly and approachable smile, the villagers suddenly scattered in panic with a loud noise, as if Gu Qing had transformed into a fart that exploded in the crowd, driving everyone away.

Gu Qing pondered for a moment and said: "I have always forgotten to ask, just how bad are the Ding brothers?"

Gu Qing's smile froze on her face, and she stood still in place for a long time without moving

Gu Qing does not wish to be a farmer; he does not discriminate against farmers, he simply does not understand farming. From a personal interest perspective, farming is undoubtedly a profession with particularly low or even negative returns, and it also carries significant risks. Farmers cannot change their fate because they have no other skills apart from farming and hard labor, but Gu Qing is different

Why do you know they want to harm me

Is this what life is like, lonely as snow? Is this what it means to draw the sword and look around in confusion?

Song Gensheng exclaimed, "Do you not know?"

Upon seeing Gu Qing return, Song Gensheng stepped forward and pulled Gu Qing's arm as they entered the door

As the burdens of the common people become increasingly unbearable, the so-called "prosperous era" appears glamorous on the surface, yet in reality, it is akin to fire fueling oil, precarious as a house of cards. However, the wise Son of Heaven, who sits firmly in the Long Court of Chang'an, remains engrossed in the sense of achievement from having personally crafted the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, lost in the tender embrace of Yang Guifei, and no longer approaches state affairs and the welfare of the people with the same diligence and care as before. He entrusts the power of the court to treacherous ministers like Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong, while his thoughts gradually shift to the Huaqing Pool and the performances of the pear garden.

Gu Qing sat on the threshold, gazing blankly at the stars in the night sky

In the prosperous era, the villagers of Shiqiao Village mostly struggle to ensure their basic needs are met. If the year is favorable with good weather, they fare better; however, if disaster strikes, life becomes difficult for the farming households in the village. After paying the taxes to the government each year, the remaining grain must be consumed according to a plan, allowing only a small amount to be eaten each day. At the same time, they hunt, catch fish, and gather wild vegetables, mixing all the edible items with millet, so that they can barely survive through the year. After paying the taxes to the government each year, the remaining grain must be consumed according to a plan, allowing only a small amount to be eaten each day. At the same time, they hunt, catch fish, and gather wild vegetables, mixing all the edible items with millet, so that they can barely survive through the year

Uncertain how much time had passed, the cool night breeze brushed against Gu Qing's shoulders, making her feel a bit chilly. She got up, sighed, and returned to her room to sleep

I am just an ordinary village tyrant. I am violent, I hit people, I dig pits, but I know that I am a good village tyrant

Year after year, this is the current situation in Shiqiao Village. No one has thought about change, as the farmers depend on the weather for their livelihood, and no one knows how to bring about change

Is this truly a prosperous era? The common people are forced to sell their daughters to survive, where is the slightest glimpse of prosperity?

Gu Qing's mouth twitched, always feeling that "brain disease" and "brain damage" meant the same thing, yet unable to provide evidence, it was inconvenient to kill him

Gu Qing took a deep breath

The current awkward silence is different from what Gu Qing had imagined. In Gu Qing's understanding, having defeated the old version of the village bully and saved the villagers from peril, he should be embraced like a star surrounded by the moon. Why, then, do the villagers react to him as if they have seen a ghost?

Gu Qing frowned: "This is the work of human traffickers, utterly immoral"

After a pause, Song Gensheng felt relieved again: "I forgot that you have a brain disorder, and have forgotten many things..."

Song Gensheng helplessly said: "What can be done? The family truly cannot support them. If we do not find a good family for them, the whole family will starve. Selling them off actually provides a way out. In fact, this is a mutually agreed transaction; it cannot be said that the Ding brothers are wrong. The villagers resent them because they are too domineering in the village, and they hate their bullying of the villagers and their neighbors. However, there is no animosity towards them for facilitating the sale of daughters."

Standing under the old locust tree in the center of the village, Gu Qing's expression was somewhat awkward

Seeing Gu Qing's expressionless face and not saying a word, Song Gensheng sighed: "I told you the day before yesterday that the Ding brothers would definitely not let this go easily. They have always been narrow-minded and bear grudges. You nearly took half their lives; how could they not hold a grudge against you"

Early the next morning, Gu Qing stepped out of the house, intending to stroll around the village in search of inspiration for making money

Gu Qing asked with interest: "What unconventional wealth are they generating?"

It is likely still the aftereffects of the incident two days ago when the Ding brothers were beaten. The little lamb has suddenly transformed into a fierce tiger, and the villagers must be struggling to adapt, especially since the Ding brothers nearly had their legs ruined. Such methods have instilled a sense of fear among everyone.

This is the first time Gu Qing has made an appearance in the village since the time travel, and the effect is quite moving

Feeling a bit down, Gu Qing turned around with a cold expression and walked back. Upon reaching the entrance of her home, Song Gensheng was pacing back and forth in front of his own wooden gate, looking anxious and restless

Song Gensheng was left speechless: "... ..."

It is now the ninth year of the Tianbao era of the Great Tang Dynasty, exactly nine years since the prosperous Kaiyuan era. Since the Kaiyuan era has left a significant mark in historical records, it naturally possesses its own profound heritage. Although the era name has changed and the character of the once diligent emperor may have also transformed, the echoes of that prosperous age still resonate in the world.

Gu Qing frowned: "I merely disabled their legs, what is the big deal? Why do they want to harm me?"

To change the current situation, one must first earn money

The prosperous era still appears to be a prosperous era, yet no one notices that a faint twilight is gradually enveloping the vast territory of the Tang Dynasty.

Is it not a matter of concern to have crippled someone?