Chapter 3, The tree wishes to be still, but the wind does not cease

Did you steal it

Ascaris

Oh, little bug? It's alright, it's alright, Daba is not afraid, not afraid...

Above the "li", there is also this simple administrative division called "du", but Lu Sixiao knows that this area does not have a "du", but is called a "qu". In the "qu", the leaders are not called "quzhang" but "liangzhang", which are held by those wealthy households with a larger amount of land tax.

After all, in the eyes of these villagers, Yangzhou is a good place, and it is also a large place; being able to go to such a place to learn a trade is a promising opportunity.

In addition to the split skin, the hangnails on the ten fingers are also referred to as "Lu Si's headache." After stopping to bite off the ragged skin on his fingers with his teeth, Lu Si let out a quiet bitter laugh, thinking how nice it would be to have a box of Baque Ling at this moment

Lu Si also smiled slightly, then tapped the egg on the shovel, and surprisingly, he directly poured the raw egg into his mouth, swallowing it down without any hesitation, the taste of raw egg not bothering him at all.

Then with a sound of "ah," there was an expression of lingering sentiment

Lu Si also found it difficult to explain anything to the couple Zhou Wang, fearing that they would dig deeper into the matter, so he deliberately buried his head and pretended to be digging a trench with force.

However, the Zhou family's circumstances are somewhat better than those of the Lu family, so they married off Zhou Wang early. His wife is from the vicinity of Xinxingchang and has the surname Qi. Lu Si usually calls her "Sister-in-law Zhou Er." The couple has a son who is quite adorable, and during his free time, Lu Si often carries him around.

Although it is unknown what materials are used to make the deworming medicine these days, seeing that Zhou Wang did not take it to heart, Lu Si estimated that the medicine must be effective, so he did not say much more

After consuming two yams along with that raw egg, there was no urgency in his stomach. Lu Si exhaled while looking at his hands, which were covered in cracks, and walked back to the field to continue working

Guangyuan is not the type of child to be lazy; he works very hard. Uncle Lu Si, seeing this, naturally cannot allow his nephew to be underestimated, so he gritted his teeth and worked diligently as well

This is truly tempting

The "Li-Jia System" and the "Wei-Suo System" share a commonality in that they both exhibit the rudiments of military organization. When the government has matters to address, it can swiftly mobilize the farmers through the village head.

Thus, the county government, the six offices, the grain chief, and the village head (the local elder) constituted the grassroots governance of the Ming Dynasty

Lu Youcai had his nephew and grandson perform agricultural tasks that were not particularly strenuous; they were simply digging drainage ditches in the middle of the field, aimed at preventing excessive rainwater from flooding the wheat seeds

Lu Wenliang could not understand why his cousin was unwilling to go to Yangzhou to learn the craft, but no matter how he tried to persuade him, his cousin always replied with the same words: "I will not go to Yangzhou"

After this scene, Lu Si lost the motivation to continue digging the ditch and called Guangyuan to return with him. The uncle and nephew carried their shovels, one in front and the other behind, hurrying home. When they reached the village entrance, they saw the village head, Elder Ma, speaking to the villagers who were returning from the fields.

Looking at his uncle's somewhat hunched figure, Lu Si did not know how to express himself and could only let out a sigh: it is not that he does not want to go, but that the place of Yangzhou is truly not a place one can visit, it could cost him his life

Sister Zhou from next door was preparing to pack her things to go back and cook, at that moment, her son Daba, who had been playing with small fish in the ditch, climbed up covered in mud and said to his mother that his stomach hurt badly

Although Lu Si's grandfather allocated land to his three sons during his lifetime, over the years, the land of the three families has been cultivated as a single plot

The egg is raw, and there is still a chicken feather stuck to the shell

What happened

Enough, stop picking; dig a hole and bury the worm

Do not say, the growth of sweet potatoes is indeed simple, requiring no maintenance at all, and they can even thrive in saline-alkali soil. Therefore, in just twenty years, many regions in the north of the Yangtze River have cultivated sweet potatoes.

Lu Si forcefully thrust the shovel into the mud and looked up at Zhou Wang, saying, "I told my uncle that I am not going."

Originally, Lu Guangyuan, who had a warm heart, decided not to go when he saw that his uncle was not going either

Although the ditch dug by the uncle and nephew is neither wide nor deep, it takes at least half an hour to dig a good ditch. To put it simply, working in the fields is quite exhausting

Why don't you go! ... ... Go to the big place in Yangzhou and learn carpentry skills from the masters. If it weren't for your uncle's connections, who would take you there?

Lu Si had been digging for a while and was starting to feel overwhelmed. Although the original owner of his body was skilled at farm work, he had never done it himself. Furthermore, the cut on his hand was painful, and by the end of winter, the temperature had already dropped, making the cut hurt even more.

However, it is estimated that the old gentleman is quite upset at the moment, and this year he will not be able to rely on others any longer

Zhou Wang, however, was not surprised at all. While instructing his wife to clean their son's bottom, he also told her to go to the town's pharmacy tomorrow to get some deworming medicine. It seemed that he, as a father, must have had the experience of suddenly having worms drop from his own belly.

Um, where

When Lu Si arrived at the field carrying a shovel, his neighbors, the Zhou couple, greeted him. Zhou Wang is a one-eyed man, blind in one eye.

Sister Zhou Er's complexion was frighteningly bad, and she spoke with a tremor.

The larger fish in the canal have already been caught by the villagers, and the remaining ones are inedible; otherwise, Lu Si would have rolled up his trousers and gone in to catch them long ago

It turned out that there were several long, writhing worms tangled together on the ground

Although aware that roundworms are merely parasites within the human body, and having frequently taken deworming medicine during childhood at school, Lu Si still felt a bit flustered upon seeing this repulsive thing once again

Wealthy families may look down upon this item, treating sweet potatoes as feed for pigs, while impoverished families regard sweet potatoes as a staple food

Therefore, whether in the eyes of Lu Youcai and his son, or in the eyes of Zhou Wang and his wife, acquiring a skill is always superior to farming.

The sun gradually rose higher, and if they worked a little longer, the uncle and nephew would be able to return home for a meal. In the distance, wisps of smoke had already begun to rise from the village.

The village head is still not qualified

"Master, with such beauty in Yangzhou, why do you not go there?" Lu Guangyuan held the shovel in his hand, without needing to ask, it was certain that he had his share of work in the fields.

In addition to the position of the village head, the founding emperor also stipulated that each village must have an elder, commonly referred to as the village elder, who is specifically responsible for educating the populace, encouraging agriculture, and adjudicating minor civil cases.

At least, it is not that bitter

Farmers have never rested for even a moment for generations

More than twenty years ago, Xu Guangqi, an official from his family home in Shanghai who had lost his father, believed that sweet potatoes were an excellent crop for alleviating famine. He introduced this crop to Southern Zhili and promoted it on a large scale in the prefectures and counties of Jiangbei, such as Huai'an and Yangzhou

What do you know! ... ... Stubborn! ... ... Is it really promising to just stay cooped up at home all day long!" Lu Wenliang was so exasperated with his cousin that he couldn't do anything about it, and since he couldn't persuade him, he had no choice but to go and talk to his father.

Unexpectedly, his little uncle was as stubborn as a rock, refusing to go no matter how much his grandfather scolded or pleaded, to the point of being willing to be beaten to death rather than go

Lu Guangyuan smiled with a "heh heh" and remained silent, which was an implicit agreement

In my impression, the area in Jiangnan most severely affected by schistosomiasis is the Qingpu district of Shanghai.

Alright, if you do not go learn a trade, then go work in the fields

When Guangyuan ran over to take a look, he was also stunned there. However, curiosity quickly drove Guangyuan to break a small stick to poke at the roundworm, which frightened Sister Zhou Er and Dabao, as if Guangyuan were poking at a snake.

The fireworks also lend a sense of authenticity to this unfamiliar era of Lu Si.

No matter how strong a laborer is, once infected with schistosomiasis, he becomes completely incapacitated

It's nothing, I don't want to go... I want to wait for my grandfather to come back before discussing it.

Firstly, it is because Uncle Lu Youcai wants to support the two younger brothers; secondly, the two younger brothers are often not at home.

The term "li zhang" is equivalent to the village team leader in Lu Si's previous life. When Emperor Hongwu, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, established the country, he implemented the "li jia system" for rural areas, which divided 110 households into one "li". The 10 households with the highest grain tax would serve as the "li zhang", while the remaining 100 households would be designated as "jia shou".

In this day and age, there is no running water, and few villagers have the means to dig wells. For the majority, their drinking water is sourced from the river next to their homes, making it quite normal to develop intestinal worms.

Lu Si thought something had happened, and without saying a word, rushed over with a shovel. However, upon arriving at the scene, he was immediately struck with shock.

Lu Guangyuan had been afraid of his grandfather since he was young, standing to the side without daring to speak. However, he secretly hoped that his uncle would agree to go to Yangzhou, after all, Yangzhou was a significant place. In the countryside, anyone who could return from Yangzhou was regarded as superior, walking with a certain pride that set them apart from others

Regardless of whether he is willing in his heart, his current profession is that of a farmer. Moreover, given the temperament of his uncle Lu Youcai, if he dares to be lazy, he will certainly be scolded again when he returns home at noon

Lu Si's sister-in-law, Tian E, who is also Lu Guangyuan's mother, is a woman who knows how to manage her life well. The eggs produced by the chickens raised at home are never consumed by the family; instead, they are taken to the market to exchange for oil, salt, and other necessities. It is a rare occasion when she allows her family to eat a few.

Old Ma, while pasting the notice he received from the county onto the old locust tree beside him, loudly informed the villagers: "The county has sent a notification, asking each village to send people to Huai'an Prefecture for river dredging. As per the usual practice, each household must send one able-bodied laborer. Those who do not wish to send someone can provide grain instead. If anyone wants to substitute, come to me separately later."

Lu Si did not tell his nephew why he could not go to Yangzhou; he merely patted his nephew, who was a year older than him, and said with a slight grimace: "I will go to the field first; you go to your home and bring back two sweet potatoes... I am hungry"

Little Four, I heard from your uncle that you and Guangyuan are to be sent to Yangzhou to learn a trade, is that true

In Lu Si's impression, for the past ten years or so, breakfast has basically consisted of boiled sweet potatoes and porridge.

Generally, the village head serves a term of 10 years in rotation, with the order determined in advance based on the amount of grain contributed. Additionally, each year, one village head leads 10 villagers to serve as laborers, managing the affairs of the village.

Lu Youcai is truly capable, and with his younger brother not at home, as the elder uncle, he must take care of his nephew. It was not easy to leverage the connections from his wife's family to secure a good deal for the two children, yet Xiao Sizi seems completely oblivious and is acting foolishly.

How do you know?" Lu Guangyuan said, half-convinced.

Not long after, Lu Guangyuan arrived, bringing not only two cooked sweet potatoes for his uncle but also an egg

As for that place in Yangzhou, Lu Si really does not dare to go

Yam is the term used by the people of Huaiyang to refer to sweet potatoes. This crop only appeared during the Wanli period, and it is fragrant, sweet, and smooth. In addition to being very delicious, it can also satisfy hunger

Compared to life itself, no matter how promising a future may be, it is merely smoke and clouds

If Lu Si wants to rebel, the first hurdle is Old Ma, the village chief, along with the 10 farmers who serve under him for a year.

Lu Si made a sound of acknowledgment, while biting into a sweet potato, he walked to the edge of the ditch to watch Zhou Wang's son playing with small fish below.

He couldn't help but wonder if his uncle was trying to arrange some kind of deal for him elsewhere, even if it meant working as an assistant in town would suffice

Fortunately, the water sources in the Shanggang area are relatively clean and free from schistosomiasis. Otherwise, the villagers would truly suffer.

"Why aren't you going? Isn't it good to learn a skill?" The speaker is Sister Zhou Er, who is clearly puzzled by Lu Si's refusal to go to Yangzhou to learn a trade.

Looking at Lu Sichao's face, I noticed that the little fellow had several white spots on his face, which, if I am not mistaken, are definitely caused by insect bites

The basic representatives of landlords and gentry at the lowest level during the Ming Dynasty were those who could serve as grain officials

Given the current state of his hands, it would be surprising if he does not develop frostbite by the twelfth month of the lunar calendar

Xiao Sizi, you are being unreasonable. Be good, is sending you to Yangzhou to learn a trade meant to harm you? Don't you consider how old you are, how old your father is? What, do you still want your father to suffer his whole life to support you?

Old Ma is quite a decent person. I heard that his ancestral home is in Suzhou, but later during the "Hongwu Dispersal," they were relocated to Yancheng.

Little Fourzi has come to dig a ditch

Oh, oh

In simple terms, Guangyuan feels apprehensive about going alone to an unfamiliar place, fearing that he might be taken advantage of. Having his uncle accompany him makes things much better; at the very least, if something happens, there is someone to discuss it with. Moreover, the two have grown up together since childhood, playing together, and suddenly being apart is something Guangyuan is not accustomed to.

As for why there are regions instead of a unified system, it may be due to adjustments made over the course of more than two hundred years of development based on local circumstances. Each area has its own distinct management methods, and the terminology varies accordingly, adapting to local conditions.

Hearing his uncle say that there are worms in the water, Lu Guangyuan instinctively looked down at his own belly, only to be met with his uncle's disdainful glare: "Don't worry, you don't have worms in your belly."

Alright, everyone is here, so stop the noise and listen to me!

After saying a word to Guangyuan, Lu Si turned to Sister Zhou and said: "Sister Zhou, it is best to boil water at home from now on, and do not let Daba drink cold water anymore... there are bugs in the water"

Lu Youcai had the shovel brought in from outside and threw it in front of Lu Si's feet, then walked away in a huff

Zhou Wang put down the shovel and looked at his wife in confusion, only to see his son seemingly terrified by something frightening, hiding directly behind his mother, not even pulling up his pants properly

Seeing this, Zhou Wang and his wife no longer inquired further. Not far away in the fields, villagers were already engaged in various activities such as digging ditches, carrying water, or weeding.

Sister Zhou Er thought her son had diarrhea, so she hurriedly put down what she was doing and came over to take off her son's pants. It is certain that children do not shy away from others, but unexpectedly, just as Da Bao squatted down to relieve himself, Sister Zhou Er let out a startled cry, scaring both Lu Si and Guang Yuan, who were not far away.

Insects, insects ... ...

Zhou Wang and his wife are also digging a ditch, while their seven-year-old son, Dabao, is playing with small fish in the nearby channel. The water inside has already dried up by more than half, so there is no danger

Lu Si smiled and said, "There are no spots on your face."

Sister Zhou Er may have truly never seen a roundworm, and is feeling quite flustered.

Master, please take your time eating, I will go dig over there

... ...

Lu Youcai, who was weaving a bamboo basket, became furious upon hearing that Xiao Sizai was unwilling to go out and learn a craft. He angrily threw the half-finished bamboo basket far away and then stormed over.

No matter how skilled the wife of a poor family may be, it is difficult to cook without rice. This saying holds true in any era.

This is not being stingy, but rather a common state of affairs for ordinary families these days

I do not understand what you are thinking; with a skill in hand, you need not fear going anywhere without food to eat