Chapter 3: The Tenant Farmers Delivering Grain

Uncle Liu is thoughtful! Li Xiu felt a warm current surge within him once again, but he soon curiously asked, "Uncle Liu, are the prices of vegetables very high now?"

Upon considering this, Li Xiu immediately began to contemplate the issue of making money. The first thing that came to his mind was the information he had previously obtained from Liu Laoda. If he could manage to grow vegetables during the winter, he would undoubtedly make a significant profit. However, in order to grow vegetables, it was essential to construct a greenhouse, which would require a considerable investment. Yet, given his current situation, where could he find the funds to build a greenhouse

After that, Li Xiu chatted with Liu Laoda for a few more moments before finally sending him off. Once Liu Laoda left, he rushed into the kitchen at almost a sprinting speed, preparing to start a fire to cook. In the Tang Dynasty, people used a fire striker to ignite the flames, and it took Li Xiu a considerable effort to get the fire going. He then added water to the pot and grabbed a handful of flour to sprinkle in, making a pot of the simplest noodle soup. He also cut a small piece of tofu, crushed it with chopsticks, and sprinkled salt on it to create a dish of tofu without green onions or sesame oil. As for the grass carp, he set it aside because it was too time-consuming to process.

Liu Laoda spoke lightly, but Li Xiu felt a heavy heart. How could there be so much work to do in winter? At the same time, he was deeply moved. Liu Laoda's family had both the elderly and children, and their food supply was already insufficient, yet they still thought to send him some. Two bags of flour may not seem like much, but if saved, it could help him get through a winter. If he couldn't think of a way to make money, these two bags of flour might very well be his lifeline.

Of course it is expensive. Two months ago, when the autumn vegetables just came in, you could buy a large quantity for just one cent. However, now that the weather is getting colder and winter is approaching with the possibility of snow, the supply of green vegetables is decreasing. The prices are skyrocketing, and this is not even the most expensive time yet. In another month, it will be impossible to buy them even with money.

At that moment, Li Xiu lifted the lively grass carp and placed it into the bamboo basket, putting away his fishing rod in preparation to return home to cook. However, before leaving, he politely bowed to the middle-aged man, said nothing further, and then turned to leave.

When Li Xiu woke up, the window in the west had already turned yellow, indicating that it was dusk. Having eaten well and rested enough, Li Xiu felt much more energetic, and his mind became exceptionally agile. Having shed the busy life of his previous existence, he now felt as if he had unloaded a huge burden, and his whole body was incredibly relaxed

Li Xiu looked conflicted as he stared at the drool-covered roast chicken in front of him, lacking the courage to take a bite. This prompted the middle-aged man to express his impatience, saying: "What’s the matter now? I’ve already eaten the dirty parts; is there still a problem?"

However, just as the middle-aged man was thinking about this, he suddenly saw Li Xiu beside him abruptly lift his rod, and the fishing line snapped taut. Following that, a large grass carp was pulled out of the water, appearing to weigh at least seven or eight pounds. This made Li Xiu extremely excited, as he could finally enjoy a hearty meal!

Li Xiu was excitedly heading home with a fish in hand, but just as he was about to reach home, he suddenly saw someone standing at the door waiting. As he approached, he realized that the person was a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, wearing a coarse cloth short jacket patched with numerous patches. His dark face was covered with wrinkles, and his hands and feet were particularly large, clearly resembling a simple and honest farmer.

"Uncle Liu, what brings you here?" Li Xiu said politely upon seeing Liu Laoda. In Li Xiu's memory, Liu Laoda seemed to have some distant familial connection with Li Xiu's deceased mother. He was an honest and straightforward person, and in the past, he had always helped Li Xiu manage the Li family estate. Therefore, Li Xiu held Liu Laoda in high regard.

Li Xiu was not a person who was overly concerned with appearances, and he indeed urgently needed food for survival. Therefore, he did not act pretentiously any longer, expressing his gratitude and opening the door for Liu Laoda to push the wheelbarrow inside. Liu Laoda then helped Li Xiu carry the flour to the kitchen and place it in the flour jar, which had a lid that could be secured with a stone when not in use, thus preventing mice from stealing it

Finally, Li Xiu drank three large bowls of noodle soup in succession, and the mixed tofu was also eaten clean. At this point, he let out a long, satisfied burp and returned to the bedroom with a look of happiness, lying down on the bed, not wanting to move at all. When a person is full, it is easy to feel drowsy, and Li Xiu was no exception, ultimately falling asleep just like that.

After the middle-aged man finished shouting, he angrily returned to his seat to continue fishing, likely for the first time in his life feeling so despised by someone. Li Xiu was taken aback upon hearing the other person's words, as they were delivered in a tone reminiscent of an elder reprimanding a younger person. From the words spoken, it was clear that the other party had recognized Li Xiu's identity and was also a comrade of Li Jing. However, after thinking for a long time, Li Xiu could recall many surnames such as Qin, Cheng, or Li, but he could not think of anyone with the surname Ma.

Master, this year we are suffering from locust plagues. You, being kind-hearted, have exempted everyone from rent and even taken on the land tax yourself. We are grateful for your benevolence, but Master, you also need to eat. Therefore, several of us tenants have contributed some grain and milled two bags of white flour to send to you. After all, you need to get through this winter as well!" Liu Laoda respectfully bowed to Li Xiuxing and then patted the bags on the cart beside him.

The middle-aged man beside him looked at Li Xiu, who remained steadily seated at the fishing platform, yet his face revealed a look of disappointment. In fact, he had recognized Li Xiu's identity from the very beginning. Although he and Li Jing were merely acquaintances, he could not bear to watch the other man's son go hungry. Even though Li Jing claimed not to acknowledge this son, blood is thicker than water after all

Li Xiu nodded upon hearing this. In fact, as far as he knew, during the Tang Dynasty, winter was not devoid of green vegetables. For instance, some had already begun to cultivate vegetables in winter using hot springs, although the yield was extremely low and entirely controlled by the royal family. However, with so many members in the royal family, they sometimes had to bestow rewards upon ministers. It was likely that even the current emperor, Li Yuan, could not enjoy fresh vegetables at every meal during winter. Perhaps this could be a profitable venture

"I didn't expect this kid to have some luck, catching fish like this?" The middle-aged man, watching Li Xiu leave, couldn't help but stroke his chin and show a look of surprise. However, this only surprised him slightly, and he did not take Li Xiu to heart as a result.

When Li Xiu clearly saw the appearance of the person in front of the door, he rummaged through the memories of the previous Li Xiu and quickly found information about this person. The individual’s surname is Liu, and he does not have a formal name. In his youth, he was referred to as Liu Da, and as he grew older, he was called Liu Lao Da. He is one of the only five tenants of Li Xiu, and his family lives in a small village across the river, which is named after Li Xiu's surname, called Li Family Village. In his youth, he was referred to as Liu Da, and as he grew older, he was called Liu Lao Da. He is one of the only five tenants of Li Xiu, and his family lives in a small village across the river, which is named after Li Xiu's surname, called Li Family Village

After being scolded, Li Xiu could not retort. If it were any other time, he would have probably lost all face to stay here. However, his hunger took precedence, so he could only put on a brave face and stare at the fishing float, praying in his heart for a fish to bite soon, so he could leave this place earlier. Unfortunately, it seemed that Li Xiu's luck was poor, or perhaps the bait was too rudimentary, as he sat there for quite a while without any fish biting.

There is ... ... saliva. Li Xiu considers himself an honest good child, so he decides to speak the truth.

Grain! Li Xiu was taken aback to hear that Liu Laoda was actually delivering grain to him, and he couldn't help but feel excited, wishing he could accept it immediately. However, he soon recalled the child who had fought a dog for a bun, and looking at the patched-up Liu Laoda in front of him made him feel as if something was blocking his heart. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Uncle Liu, do you have enough grain to eat this winter?"

Upon hearing Li Xiu's question, Liu Laoda was momentarily taken aback, but soon a hearty smile appeared on his face as he replied, "How could that be? Every winter, the food is insufficient, let alone this year when we have suffered a disaster. However, we have hands and feet, so in winter, we can go out and find some work. Not only do we get meals, but sometimes there is also a wage. If we endure a bit, it will pass."

One still has to think of ways to earn some money, at least to ensure that oneself and Uncle Liu's tenants do not have to go hungry this winter Li Xiu suddenly spoke to himself at this moment If one wants to enjoy a leisurely life, money is certainly indispensable Otherwise, if one cannot guarantee what to eat or wear, then what is there to enjoy at all

As expected, the middle-aged man's expression darkened further upon hearing this, and he seemed to be on the verge of an outburst. This caused Li Xiu to feel a bit worried, and he glanced around, searching for something like a brick for self-defense

After carrying the flour, Old Liu took a block of tofu from the wheelbarrow and placed it on the kitchen counter, smiling as he said: "Master, when I passed by the market on my way back, I knew you liked to eat vegetables, but now the price of vegetables has risen to 10 wen per jin, which is almost equivalent to half a dou of grain, and there is a price but no market, so I could only buy you a block of tofu to go with your meal"

It is precisely for this reason that he deliberately threw a roasted chicken to test Li Xiu. At first, Li Xiu's display of spirit impressed him; after all, he was the son of Li Jing. However, Li Xiu's subsequent behavior left him greatly disappointed. A grown man actually acted in a petty manner like a woman, showing no trace of masculine boldness. This was not befitting of someone from a military lineage; perhaps he had read too much and thus became foolish. Furthermore, he thought it was childish and ridiculous that Li Xiu had hung so many hooks on the fishing line, a method likely conceived only by a bookworm like him. Yet, Li Xiu's subsequent behavior left him greatly disappointed. A grown man actually acted in a petty manner like a woman, showing no trace of masculine boldness. This was not befitting of someone from a military lineage; perhaps he had read too much and thus became foolish. Furthermore, he thought it was childish and ridiculous that Li Xiu had hung so many hooks on the fishing line, a method likely conceived only by a bookworm like him.

As soon as the noodle soup was ready, Li Xiu eagerly served himself a large bowl. He drank it while exclaiming in pain from the heat, making sounds of discomfort. After finally managing to get a bowl of noodle soup down, Li Xiu felt a significant sense of fulfillment. Those who have never experienced hunger would find it hard to understand the happiness of having food in their stomachs

However, to his surprise, this middle-aged man, although he appeared to be a criminal, had quite a good demeanor. At least he did not resort to violence against him. Instead, he suddenly opened his mouth wide and, with a "crunch crunch," swallowed the entire roasted chicken, bones and all, before angrily shouting, "I have long heard that you are a bookworm, but I didn't expect you to have so many bad habits. Back in the day, when Ma had meals with your father on the battlefield, he never complained about Ma's saliva!"

"Master, let me help you deliver the flour to the kitchen!" Seeing Li Xiu remain silent, Liu Laoda smiled again with a simple-hearted expression, knowing that Li Xiu was a scholar, somewhat sensitive, and fearing that he might refuse, so he took the initiative to speak up