Chapter 3: The Former Historical Writers

Liu Mu snatched the ceramic jar and examined it closely before barely distinguishing its contents. Most of it came from the pig, with many resembling the greasy residue from skinning, as well as some miscellaneous fat from the internal organs. The greasy residue from skinning refers to the cleaning of the inner side of the hide before processing, and it consists of a small amount of very dirty, poor-quality oil that is difficult to describe in words

(Note: Men of the Tang Dynasty referred to themselves as '某' (mǒu). However, it is estimated that readers may not prefer this, so it is written as 'I'.)

Liu Mu heavily struck the clay pot twice.

In the past, no matter how unfortunate the protagonists I created with my willow wood pen were, they were never as miserable as I am now

Liu Mu's loud laughter frightened the five little girls, could it be that they were hurt in both head and heart, and then went mad from despair

Is changing one's name important

As Liu Mu raised the ceramic pot high, just as he was about to smash it forcefully onto the ground, a thought suddenly emerged in his mind

"Go home," Liu Mu said in front of his two older sisters and three younger sisters

If it were not for the original memory of Liu Mu, just by looking at the figures of these five women, Liu Mu would definitely not match their ages. The five women are dressed uniformly, all wearing the most ordinary gray linen jackets.

One room has been completely destroyed, another room has half of its roof burned, and only one room remains relatively intact

Indoors, there isn't much furniture anyway, so if it burns, it burns.

The first thing is to change the name. It just so happens that Fourth Lady and Fifth Lady have not yet officially been given a grand name

This was the first time Liu Mu took a good look at his two older sisters and three younger sisters

Aunt Liu Zhi was extremely worried, but she did not dare to speak out for fear of startling Liu Mu. She could only quietly say to Er Niang: "Er Niang, please go fetch some oil, and San Niang and Si Niang can set up a stove to prepare breakfast"

I, Liu Mu, was once regarded as a prominent figure in historical literature, having produced thirty million characters over the course of ten years, traversing the eras of Qin, Han, Tang, Song, and Ming. In the past decade, the materials compiled for the historical literature alone filled more than ten boxes of printed paper, totaling fifty thousand sheets.

Turning around, I pushed the door and looked back.

The dowry, they look down on our family's poverty. My elder sister is about to turn 29, and if she doesn't get married by then, she will be a leftover woman. I will save enough dowry of one million within nine months for my elder sister.

But the five girls cried until they were in tears, as the old saying goes, losing a family fortune of ten thousand is just like losing one item; for every item lost, there is one less, and it is difficult to replace even one.

There is a marriage certificate, kept in that dilapidated house of his, but it is evident that these three individuals no longer care about such a thing. After casting a few disdainful glances at Liu Mu, they quickly departed.

The white sage inquired: "What are your plans for tomorrow?"

Inside the temple, Erniang, Sanniang, Siniang, and Wuniang were just returning from fetching water to pour into the water tank in the temple, while Dainiang was wiping the floor of the main hall

In novels, there are techniques for tormenting the protagonist at the beginning.

The four young girls all looked bewildered, and Aunt Liu Zhi spoke up: "What is there to discuss? We should work hard to earn some money and save some grain to get through the winter. Of course, repairing the house is a major matter"

Given the poverty of the Liu family, there would be no makeup on their faces; instead, they are mostly covered in dust

"Daliang, what is the reason for this?" Sister Liu Ruyan asked.

Seeing her two older sisters and three younger sisters crying, Liu Mu suddenly laughed out loud at the sky

Before Liu Mu could finish speaking, Er Niang Liu Tiao rushed back into the room, wiping her tears, and collapsed onto the straw mat, crying to the point of nearly fainting. Da Niang Liu Zhi bit her lip tightly; she wanted to cry, but she could not let out a sound, for she was the eldest sister and had to be strong

Erniang stepped out of the house, standing by the door and gazing blankly at the willow trees.

Liu Mu laughed enough, and then cried again

Liu Mu, who spent ten years collecting countless materials and wrote over thirty million words of time-travel novels.

Liu Mu raised his hands to examine them, then extended them in front of the White True Person: "I have a pair of hands. It is better to rely on oneself than to seek help from heaven, earth, or others. Perhaps the True Person is unaware, but just now three matchmakers came and happened to block me outside the temple, and the engagement has been called off. Thus, I will return first to prepare the dowries for my elder sister and second sister."

Liu Mu arrived outside the door of Bai Zhenren's residence and gently knocked on the door. After Bai Zhenren opened the door, Liu Mu said: "Thank you. I have noted down the matters of yesterday and today, and I will report them tomorrow"

But

This is indeed oil, but this oil is not meant for human consumption

Eldest sister is renamed Liu Ruyan, second sister Liu Ruyu, third sister Liu Rubei, fourth sister Liu Ruhua, and fifth sister Liu Ruyun. This is settled. Now, fourth sister and fifth sister, go gather some clean firewood. Eldest sister, prepare a simple breakfast, and second sister and third sister, you both take out all the money in the house to buy oil, specifically this kind of oil

Standing in front of the house, I look at these three rooms

Who am I

Liu Mu did not mind these things; in his memory, there were some unfavorable rumors about Bai Zhenren, suggesting that this Bai Zhenren must also have a story to tell

As for names and such, they truly did not take it to heart. Although they could recognize some characters, it was not many. Whether it was called Liu Tiao or Liu Ru Yu made no difference in their eyes. Even if they recognized some characters, it did not mean they understood the meanings behind them

Liu Mu looked at the three matchmakers who were hurrying away with a hint of a cold smile, as if they were fleeing from this place. Was it because this place was terrifying, or were they afraid of being tainted by their own poverty? Or perhaps it was the ill fortune that was so derogatorily referred to within the temple?

Liu Mu's lips curled into a slight smile as he turned around, holding a ceramic jar, and sat on the steps in front of the main house: "Am I the head of the family?" Liu Mu asked in an inquiring tone, to which his elder sister Liu Zhi replied: "Of course, you are, Da Lang."

Liu Mu shook his head: "Let’s do it this way, I will make the arrangements. The first thing is that our family was rejected for marriage this morning. My elder sister's, my second sister's, I..."

Note: The Tang dynasty had two meals. The morning meal is called breakfast or the main meal. The afternoon meal is called supper or the light meal

"En!" replied Aunt Liu Zhi, while the other four showed little reaction, all keeping their heads down

Then, I will take the lead, and let us discuss the days to come

However, Bai Zhenren understood clearly that this was about the assistance provided in the past few days, as well as the promise of future gratitude from Liu Mu

Two elder sisters are simply wrapped in burlap headscarves, while the three younger sisters have the smallest one with horn braids and the oldest one with her hair partially wrapped.

"Well, you may go!" Bai Zhenren's tone was also quite indifferent, and after speaking, he directly closed the door and returned to his room

The Taoist temple is not far from the small dilapidated house of the Liu family, only about 5 li away. It didn't take long to reach home while walking.

Laughter arises from the confidence that one can improve one's life, yet the reason for tears is the so-called oil brought forth by one's twin sister, which in the heart of Liu Mu only evokes endless sorrow

A modern person hearing this would undoubtedly think it refers to yesterday, today, and tomorrow

The tranquility of Liu Mu surprised Liu Zhi, who had been holding back tears, while Er Niang Liu Tiao also ceased her weeping upon hearing Liu Mu speak. It could be said that their inability to marry due to being jilted was one matter, but Liu Mu's marriage was of greater significance, as it pertained to the issue of continuing the Liu family's lineage through this sole descendant.

Liu Mu continued, "Of course, there is also mine"

How could this be? I, Liu Mu, am a living legend, a living miracle