Chapter 5, The Hen That Was Thrown into the River

The woman also hurriedly followed, her face filled with anxiety. The morning fog was thick, and Ning Yi, standing under a tree, was not very noticeable. The woman likely did not pay attention to the person beside her. Seeing that the riverbank was ahead, she swung a kitchen knife down with great force, letting out a grunt of effort. However, she missed completely, and the knife slipped from her hand, splashing into the water.

Bang

For instance, if one truly intends to accomplish something, the identity of a son-in-law can indeed be quite troublesome; however, this is not a significant issue, as opportunities abound in this day and age. Cooking without monosodium glutamate, he has some knowledge of its production method, which seems simple but is actually somewhat complex. Nevertheless, with about a year of effort, it is likely feasible to achieve mass production. By combining some new dishes and modern culinary concepts, one could establish a food city, which would certainly yield some profit.

Theoretically, teaching a chicken to crow is meant to provide the chicken with a sense of security, enticing it to come over. However, now that the hens are so frightened, calling for a brother is of no use, and calling for a sister is equally futile

After a while, the woman groggily woke up just as Ning Yi was about to lean down. Suddenly, a loud slap echoed in the morning breeze. The sound of the slap was exceptionally crisp. The woman, with a sobbing tone and a mournful voice, said, "You scoundrel, what... what are you doing..." She clutched her chest and desperately retreated. At that moment, her clothes clung to her body, and her long legs kicked against the ground, presenting a pitiful and fragile appearance.

"Giggling..."

Every flood season, there are always disaster victims who come. If the year is better, there are fewer, but there are always some. If the year is poor, such as when the Yellow River floods once every few years or other natural and man-made disasters occur, the city will inevitably become tense for a period of time. The military will guard the city gates, prohibiting disaster victims from entering the city. The governor will convene wealthy merchants to discuss matters, which in reality is to initiate donations. Everyone contributes piecemeal to provide porridge and meals. In winter, there are always people who freeze to death, which also depends on the year. In good years, fewer die, but in bad years, it is self-evident. Beggars struggle to survive the winter, and if it snows, the next day one will often see those who have frozen to death huddled together, a common sight.

Once one becomes accustomed to witnessing such events frequently, it becomes a norm. However, Elder Qin occasionally remarks, "These are not good years." There have indeed been good years, particularly during the initial years of the Wu Dynasty, which could be described as a time of peace and prosperity. The talents of Emperor Wu Heng and Emperor Wu Huizong are often lauded, and Ning Yi finds himself somewhat dizzy from it all. Yet, every dynasty experiences periods of peace and prosperity. At this time, the Wu Dynasty bore a striking resemblance to the late Northern Song Dynasty. Outside the relatively affluent Jiangnan region, several peasant factions were in rebellion, and strongmen and bandits were not uncommon. The northern region, ruled by the Yelü clan and known as the Liao Dynasty, repeatedly invaded the borders, leading to negotiations for peace. A few years ago, a treaty was signed, and both sides referred to each other as brotherly states. Of course, the Liao were the elder brothers and the Wu the younger, yet even after signing, conflicts continued, with small-scale border incursions never ceasing.

If other pedestrians were to pass by at this moment, they might very well give Ning Yi a beating because of this scene

Then came the intense splashing sound, splish-splash, as the river surface churned beneath the thick fog

In this day and age, without music, anyone who has lived in a world where various songs can be downloaded infinitely and listened to daily can imagine just how dull it would be. The performances in brothels may not be visually appealing, and the famous courtesans may not sing beautifully, but if you cannot hear anything at all, suddenly hearing a song that is somewhat acceptable would naturally feel like heavenly music. If one could establish a entertainment venue, there would be great potential. Songs, dances, and various forms of entertainment could be incorporated. The lyrics of modern songs are generally not suitable, but localizing the melodies and singing styles would not be a problem. A more subtle approach, in line with the contemporary dance philosophy, or adapting some poetry for people to sing could also work. The famous courtesans may not sing beautifully, but if you cannot hear anything at all, suddenly hearing a song that is somewhat acceptable would naturally feel like heavenly music. If one could establish a entertainment venue, there would be great potential. Songs, dances, and various forms of entertainment could be incorporated. The lyrics of modern songs are generally not suitable, but localizing the melodies and singing styles would not be a problem. A more subtle approach, in line with the contemporary dance philosophy, or adapting some poetry for people to sing could also work.

Happiness often arises from unhappiness, and prosperity always comes from contrast. For Ning Yi, who has experienced modern metropolises, Jiangning, no matter how prosperous, is merely so-so. However, there is no need to be overly critical about these matters; after all, the rustic and natural flavor is genuine. Those who live here are generally easily satisfied, and as long as they have enough to eat and wear, they can smile with joy.

The person who has married into the Su family has basically given up on the idea of opening a brothel for now. They can set that aside for the time being. The Su family runs a cloth business, and starting a tavern on their own would also be troublesome. For instance, they could first propose a few ideas for the Su family's cloth business to demonstrate their value, and then... oh, they would then be assigned to manage the cloth business or something similar, proving themselves further. Ultimately, they would end up in the same profession as in their previous life. After that, they could use their funds to open a tavern, telling them, amidst their doubtful gazes, that it is quite profitable. Next, they would need to find someone to procure a series of equipment, brainstorm various experiments, and set up a production line and documentation. The reason for doing this would simply be because they miss the days when not a gram of MSG was added to each meal. Isn't that just ridiculous?

This period is the most intriguing time for the metabolism of Jiangning City. The disturbances and splendor of the night have already dissipated, and new vitality is just beginning. The city gates outside have been opened, and the vegetable farmers or vendors rushing in for the early market are arriving one after another, heading towards various markets. The number of people one encounters is few, yet they all impart a sense of greenery and vitality. Occasionally, one can see individuals with weary faces, hurrying along the roadside, some even disheveled; most likely, they spent the night in a brothel and are now hastily leaving for daytime obligations, a certainty. The shops have opened partially, but the beggars have yet to rise.

Ning Yi was not worried about this; the humiliation of Jingkang had not yet occurred. Although the emperor was different, if it did happen, the outcome would certainly be different as well. The emperor had not yet moved the capital to Jiangning, and the nation's strength still existed. If a war were to break out, they could always sustain it. Even if the capital were moved, adopting the Southern Song model, the Southern Song had managed to endure for quite a long time, hadn't it? If the Jin state were to attack again, he would likely have already lived out his life. The Southern Dynasties had four hundred and eighty temples, how many towers and pavilions were shrouded in mist and rain? One could see the Southern Song—uh, it seemed that this was not about the Southern Song. Ning Yi pondered for a moment, finding no conclusion, and thus set it aside—whatever, they could always sustain the fight. Even if the capital were moved, adopting the Southern Song model, the Southern Song had indeed managed to endure for quite a long time, hadn't it? If the Jin state were to attack again, he would likely have already lived out his life. The Southern Dynasties had four hundred and eighty temples, how many towers and pavilions were shrouded in mist and rain? One could see the Southern Song—uh, it seemed that this was not about the Southern Song. Ning Yi pondered for a moment, finding no conclusion, and thus set it aside—whatever, after all, life in the Southern Song was indeed bearable.

On an autumn morning, the eastern sky has just begun to reveal a faint glow, and milky white mist drifts through the ancient city. The painted boats on the Qinhuai River glide slowly, shrouded in layers of thick fog, resembling a celestial palace floating in the heavens

Even if the other party is a woman, this first aid is not necessarily a pleasant task; she is not some swimsuit beauty. At this moment, the woman appears disheveled, her hair a mess, resembling the legendary drowned ghost, in a pitiful state. Ning Yi felt anxious in his heart and performed several chest compressions, causing her to expel a considerable amount of water. He then slapped her face but found there was still no response, so he pinched her cheeks and began administering artificial respiration.

It is said that many individuals with good swimming skills who act heroically in the face of danger have perished alongside panicking drowning victims.

You ... ... gulu ... ...

Ning Yi stood under the tree by the river, resting his chin on his hand as he watched the scene.

Two sounds, one is that of a woman, and the other is that of a hen. Returning to https://www.hetushu.com, amidst the hazy mist, a hen is frantically running between the road and the trees over there. Soon after, a woman in a gray and white cloth skirt appears, holding a kitchen knife, relentlessly pursuing the hen. The woman and the hen are desperately circling in the mist, appearing and disappearing.

As for breaking away from the indulgence in food, drink, and entertainment, spending decades to develop firearms to lay the foundation for an industrial revolution, and staging a rebellion to become an emperor so that people two hundred years later can board airplanes and the like, it is truly foolish to think that one could enjoy any of it oneself. It would be far more meaningful to open a gourmet food city and an entertainment city.

There were also those who raised slender horses, and in later generations, the slender horses of Yangzhou became renowned throughout the world, starting from the Ming Dynasty. However, similar trades had already existed at that time, albeit on a smaller scale. Nevertheless, it was an investment that naturally accompanied the brothel districts. Girls raised alongside slender horses had better prospects than those in typical brothels, as they at least had the opportunity to learn music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and singing, making it more likely for them to eventually join the ranks of famous courtesans.

A short, abrupt exclamation.

Humming the melody of the blue Caribbean Sea, Ning Yi couldn't help but laugh at his own thought. It might not be so troublesome to actually do it, but just thinking about it felt quite interesting. It would be better to directly buy a few hundred pounds of kelp to boil and crystallize, but while kelp is easy to purchase, if they were to conduct experiments in this regard... on one hand, they would say it is wasteful, and on the other hand, perhaps someone would remind him that a gentleman stays away from the kitchen

The morning breeze was cool as he stood by the river bend made of piled stones, tossing pebbles into the water while contemplating these ideas in his mind

In the background, the woman also sat there, huddled, watching his figure gradually disappear at the end of the road

I knew it would be like this... Ning Yi tilted his head for a while, slumped his shoulders, and let out a long sigh before sitting down on the road behind him. The two stared at each other by the river for a while, and Ning Yi raised his hand: "Is everything alright now?"

That woman is truly unfortunate, having lost her hen and broken her knife, while she walks back drenched to the skin. Ning Yi thought with a sense of glee. In such circumstances, being exposed to the cold wind is a painful experience; however, thinking of others who are even more miserable slightly alleviated his own suffering

The blue Caribbean Sea hummed a beginning, but forgot the rest behind the book, thus transforming into "Two Tigers." As it hummed the second time "Two tigers run fast," the sound of a rooster crowing came from the road behind.

It is unclear how much time had passed when Ning Yi finally dragged the woman up the steps on the riverbank several dozen meters away. He was soaked to the skin and in a disheveled state, lying on the bank and spitting out water several times before he could recover. He then turned to look at the woman he had rescued; she had already swallowed enough water and had fainted, lying still.

In fact, for the time being, these cannot be dealt with either

Ning Yi was startled by the decisive momentum of the knife, and only then did he realize that the woman's body had already leaned forward, her arm waving as if she were about to fall into the river. He instinctively shouted, "Hey!" and reached out to grab... one of the woman's hands. As she turned back, her other hand instinctively reached out, and just as Ning Yi was about to pull her back with force, the stone beneath his feet slipped...

Ning Yi had decent swimming skills in his previous life, but unfortunately, such skills cannot be carried over. This body originally belonged to a frail scholar, and its swimming ability is not particularly good. The physique was weak and had suffered injuries before. Although Ning Yi had been recuperating for several months and had engaged in training, the improvement in just a few months was ultimately limited. The woman also seemed to lack good swimming skills. The two of them were struggling in water that was not particularly deep, and several times Ning Yi tried to calm himself to speak, only to be pulled underwater by the other party.

He also only starts to think about eating, drinking, and having fun after being bored for a long time

Hello! Ning Yi slapped that woman’s face several times. Her long hair resembled seaweed, appearing utterly desolate, and she showed no reaction.

Regarding trivial matters, he has always had his own open-minded approach. Since the situation cannot be changed, one can only use this method to temporarily make oneself a little happier

"It's fine if there's nothing wrong." After answering to himself, Ning Yi forcefully got up from the ground, curled his lips, and turned to walk in the direction he came from. A cool breeze blew, and it was truly cold.

As he thought this, he watched the man and the chicken fight for a while. Just when he felt that the woman's figure was quite nice, the hen suddenly changed direction, sprinting towards him, rushing past Ning Yi, and decisively jumped into the river

Do not ... ... gulu gulu gulu ... ...

In the thick fog of late autumn, Ning Yi hummed a tune while running along the path by the Qinhuai River. This morning exercise had become a fixed routine for him, as he had plenty of time. As he moved forward, the ancient brick and wood structures lining the road appeared intermittently, accompanied by various trees. On the Qinhuai River, painted boats drifted by, and occasionally, one could see boatmen or weary flower girls appearing at the bow of the boats.

Ning Yi occasionally discussed these matters with Old Qin. Jiangning is considered a good city, yet in reality, it is filled with beggars wandering about in groups, and the phenomenon of selling sons and daughters is not uncommon. Of course, there are also many wealthy families here. If one can sell a child into a decent household as a servant, they need not worry about food and clothing in the future, which could be seen as a blessing from their ancestors. Thanks to the flourishing entertainment district along the Qinhuai River, many beautiful impoverished girls have a path to take. If they can learn poetry and songs, and if the madams manage their establishments well, they might become famous courtesans by selling their talents rather than their bodies. With a bit more luck, they might even marry into a wealthy household as a concubine. However, the vast majority of those with bad luck can only sell themselves for a lifetime. When they grow old and lose their looks, if the madam is kind-hearted, they may be granted freedom. Fortunately, in such places, rules can form, and if one can abide by these rules, they can generally get by in life without too much hardship. Of course, the concepts of good and bad are relative here. If an aging courtesan has no money, most brothels will still take them in to do some menial work to see out their remaining years, rather than casting them out directly. After a long time, there is still some conscience and welfare present. If it were not for cities like Jiangning and Yangzhou, even these basic provisions would be hard to guarantee.

Hello ... ... gulu gulu ... ...

The woman stared at him in silence

Brother brother brother brother ... ...

The three lotus roots floated on the emerald pond ... ... You live by the Qinhuai River and yet cannot swim ... ... Ning Yi sighed a few times in helplessness, then adjusted the woman's body to a flat position and began to perform first aid according to the steps he had learned before

He had no thoughts of saving the Chinese nation or establishing any lasting achievements in ancient times. He was already weary, as if he had laid down the burden of fervor. He had long been accustomed to the many injustices and darkness around him; modern society was also dark. Even though the world was filled with suffering, it could not evoke his sympathy or resonance—not that it was absent, but it was insufficient. As for the grand achievements of becoming an emperor, it was childish for someone who could only live for sixty years to think about matters that spanned one hundred and twenty years. However, on the other hand, during moments of boredom, such as after finishing a run and standing by the relatively secluded bend of the Qinhuai River, sweating and resting, Ning Yi would occasionally irresponsibly entertain thoughts that might seem slightly more positive to others.