Chapter Seven, Mountain Bandits

Uncle Wang did not stop him, especially seeing Chen Mo's pained expression yet still insisting on paying the bill, which was somewhat amusing and also evoked a sense of inexplicable emotion. A considerate child easily earns goodwill

What about the future? Chen Mo felt somewhat confused. In his understanding, the future... perhaps would not differ much from the present. At most, he would acquire a bit more land. If he could secure a hundred acres of fertile land in this lifetime, Chen Mo believed he would have achieved something remarkable. However, there would always be some regrets.

Uncle Wang fell silent upon hearing this. For people of their background, education was a luxury. In this day and age, as long as one could read and write, even if they could not become an official, they could still live well by working as a clerk in the government office, or serving as a village elder or headman. If they were fortunate enough to become a county magistrate, it would be a blessing from their ancestors, something they would not even dare to dream of.

On the way home, Chen Mo felt that the atmosphere among the crowd was somewhat tense, completely unlike the ease they had experienced on the way there. This puzzled Chen Mo, but under such circumstances, he did not dare to speak up, as it felt as if the sky would fall if he did.

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Mo suddenly said: "I want to read."

These principles, Chen Mo has only heard of; he has not yet experienced a true year of disaster. He has only heard about the horrors of such years but has never witnessed them. Although he feels a bit envious of the prosperity of this county town, if given a choice, he would still prefer to stay in his small place, where at least he has land to cultivate, which gives him a sense of security.

This is indeed a path, albeit one that is equally fraught with difficulties

"What have you brought?" A dark-skinned man glanced at Chen Mo and said, "Why did you bring a child along?"

Uncle Cai and three other local heroes unloaded several bags from the vehicle and delivered them to the other party.

Uncle Wang looked at Chen Mo's somewhat radiant eyes, feeling an inexplicable tightness in his heart. For people like them, it is likely that they will be forever distanced from the world of books.

"Is everything taken care of?" The village head patted Chen Mo's head.

Uncle Wang nodded slightly and did not say much more. In his view, this might just be a fleeting whim of a child. As he grows older, the pressures of survival may help him see reality more clearly, dispelling these unrealistic fantasies. He would then work diligently in farming, managing his life, and preparing some land for the next generation. After three generations, perhaps there would be an opportunity for education.

These two words left Chen Mo feeling dazed throughout the journey, and even after returning to the interior, he still felt his legs trembling slightly

I said it is in the future, when you grow a little older" Uncle Wang said with a smile, shaking his head

In Uncle Wang's view, this path is actually filled with faint hope. Not to mention that the current conscription in the Han Dynasty is extremely strict, even if one were to enlist, among the hundred thousand troops of the Han, how many would truly be able to stand out in the end

It is a pity that the child was born into the wrong family; if this child had been born into a wealthy family, perhaps they could have achieved something significant in the future

It is not just very difficult; it is essentially impossible

Chen Mo's matters have been settled, but the issues concerning Li Zheng and the others have not yet been resolved. Compared to Chen Mo, Li Zheng and his group not only need to sell the furs they brought but also have to purchase a considerable amount of goods. Money, in rural areas, is not particularly useful; aside from necessities such as salt, cloth, and some tools, they are generally self-sufficient. Even if there is a demand, as long as it is not a year of disaster, neighbors can exchange goods with one another to meet their needs.

That is good. The village head nodded and signaled for everyone to hurry the donkey cart out of the city.

"Er Gou." As he watched Chen Mo sit back down and silently drink water, Uncle Wang suddenly asked, "Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?"

In the future? Chen Mo pondered and said: "After this year's autumn harvest, I plan to cultivate a few more acres of land, hire two tenant farmers, raise some chickens, and then..."

Is it difficult? Chen Mo couldn't help but ask when he saw Uncle Wang not speaking

At the end of the hour of the goat, the village head returned with Uncle Cai and the four others, pulling a donkey cart. Chen Mo, still a child at heart, had all his previous gloom dispelled and joyfully welcomed them.

At noon, the two individuals had a meal at an inn on West Street, spending thirty coins. Chen Mo felt that Uncle Wang had saved his life, and he believed that he should treat him to this meal no matter what. With a twinge of reluctance, he settled the bill.

"Just in time, he is also coming over. This child is sensible; perhaps in the future, he will be allowed to take this path." The village head looked around and then waved to Uncle Cai.

Uncle Wang nodded upon hearing this, as he did not wish to dampen Chen Mo's enthusiasm, and inquired, "So, are you planning to enlist in the military? This path is not an easy one"

"Well, it's all thanks to Uncle Wang." Chen Mo actually wanted to talk about what happened before; he thought Uncle Wang was very impressive at that time, but Uncle Wang did not allow him to speak, although he did not know why

The two parties seemed to be engaged in a transaction. Chen Mo did not understand why they did not go to the city. He secretly glanced a few times and saw that the bag contained not only meat and salt but also several knives.

Oh~ Chen Mo nodded somewhat in confusion, feeling that Uncle Wang's implication was that something would happen shortly

Although Uncle Wang has a rugged appearance, his smile inexplicably brings a sense of reassurance to others

The items in the donkey cart seem to be even more than when we set out

Also

Of course, this is predicated on having a good year; if a year of disaster occurs, it would be a calamity for ordinary people like them

Uncle Wang fell silent for a moment before finally speaking: "Mountain bandits! This matter, do not mention it to your mother, otherwise, you can forget about coming out with us in the future"

Until the transaction was completed, after leaving, Chen Mo clearly felt that everyone had breathed a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere was no longer as oppressive as it had been at the beginning. It was only at this moment that he approached Uncle Wang and quietly asked, "Uncle Wang, who were those people?"

Uncle Wang smiled wryly and nodded; he did not know how to speak to the child. Seeing that Chen Mo was still pressing for answers, he quickly changed the subject and asked, "Then why do you want to practice martial arts?"

"Uncle Wang, are we on the wrong road?" Chen Mo leaned closer to Uncle Wang and poked him. He remembered the way and wouldn't have taken a detour to this side of the mountain.

I haven't made up my mind yet; I need to ask my mother for her opinion. However, there is no rush. I have asked my grandfather, and currently, the conscription age in the Han Dynasty is thirteen years, so there are still four years left.

Chen Mo scratched his head, unsure of how to explain the existence of deities. He learned things quickly: "I thought studying would be difficult, but if I could master martial arts and achieve merit for the country in the future, it might be somewhat easier."

Everything is here, take a look

The area around Xiaqiu is close to the Huai River, with waterways crisscrossing and few mountains, though there are still some. On the road, they encountered a group of four people, each of whom appeared very fierce. Moreover, they reminded Chen Mo of the dog from the Li Zheng family before he became familiar with it, as well as the unacquainted Uncle Wang and Zheng Tu.

Most importantly, given their background, it is simply impossible for them to have access to books, and even if you were to provide them with a volume of books, someone would still need to teach them

Scholars are indeed of a high social status, and they cannot simply be hired with money. Moreover, scholars place great importance on lineage. What can commoners offer to educate them? The reputation of a dung collector?

Thirty coins, if placed in the village, would be enough for the mother and son to eat for three days at current prices, but now it is only enough for one meal. Chen Mo silently vowed in his heart that he would never come to the inn to eat again in this lifetime

"That's right, there are still some matters to attend to." Uncle Wang shook his head and said in a low voice, "No matter what happens later, do not make a sound, just watch."