Chapter 0004: Mutual Support in Adversity

Xu Jin could not help but feel bewildered, and said with a smile: "If the rice is gone, then it is gone. I will just go ask Fourth Brother for some more. Stop crying!"

"Er Niu, come in, is there something you need?" Xu Jinqi said

Xie Xiaowan lowered her head and wiped the corners of her eyes, whispering: "No... it's not that... it's just that my husband is too good to me!"

Xie Xiaowan sat across from him, with only a small half bowl of rice in her bowl, slowly picking at it with her chopsticks, occasionally stealing glances at Xu Jin. She felt secretly pleased; her husband ate so well, which proved that his health had greatly improved. As long as her husband was well, she could work with peace of mind. The days ahead would surely get better and better. It would be even better if her husband could pass the examination and become a scholar, but of course, it wouldn't matter if he didn't.

Indeed, the taxes and corvée labor during the Ming Dynasty were relatively light. For instance, during the Qin Dynasty, the tax rate reached as high as 70%, meaning that for every 100 jin of grain collected, nearly 70 jin had to be submitted to the government, which was exceedingly excessive. Moreover, the corvée labor during the Qin Dynasty was also extremely burdensome and harsh. The famous uprising of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang in Dazexiang was sparked by their inability to reach the designated location on time due to heavy rain blocking the roads while they were serving their corvée. Failing to meet the deadline would result in execution, so they decided to revolt instead.

Xu Jin was also starving, and in an instant, a bowl of steaming hot rice was emptied. A small hand immediately reached out to serve him another bowl.

Xu Jin exclaimed in astonishment: "Why are you crying?"

Pei expressed skepticism, saying: "That bookworm, his speech is so clumsy, he is far inferior to his father. If he can pass the provincial examination, that would be the pinnacle for him; if he can pass the imperial examination, it would be a miracle!"

Xu Jin's mood suddenly became inexplicably good; in his past life, he had tasted all kinds of delicacies, yet at this moment, he felt that this simple meal of plain rice and vegetables was the most delicious.

Why are you blaming me? You borrowed money to buy medicine for my treatment; otherwise, I would have already died

It is important to understand that the medical conditions in ancient times were extremely poor, with a notably high mortality rate even among the children of emperors. It was quite common for ordinary people to succumb to a simple cold or flu.

I am sorry, it is all Xiao Wan's fault, there is no rice left, leaving my husband hungry!" Xie Xiao Wan said, wiping her tears and feeling guilty.

Among the various forms of labor, dredging rivers is undoubtedly the most arduous and dangerous. Typically, dredging is scheduled after the autumn harvest; this not only avoids interfering with farming activities but also coincides with the dry season of the rivers, making it easier to clear the silt.

Xu Jin naturally did not want to serve in the corvée labor; given his physical condition, the likelihood of him perishing while clearing the waterways was one hundred percent

During the Ming Dynasty, it was stipulated that a male would be considered an adult upon reaching the age of 15 and would be obligated to perform corvée labor. Xu Jinming will turn 15 next year

A bowl of fragrant white rice, accompanied by a plate of boiled cabbage, constituted Xu Jin's first lunch during the Ming Dynasty

Xu Youguang grunted in response, while the woman beside him, Pei, who was busy with needlework, expressed her dissatisfaction: "Head of the household, our family's grain supply is limited, why do we need to send so much grain to that bookish fellow, Lao Shi?"

Xu Jin finished off more than half a bowl, and only then did he comfortably exhale a sigh of warmth. When one is so impoverished that they cannot even afford to cook, one truly realizes how fortunate it is to have food to eat

... ...

Xu Jin was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, but it seemed that if he did not eat, this girl would certainly not eat either; she merely picked up her bowl of rice

Being able to have enough to eat and having hope for life, this is the happiness seen through the eyes of a little girl, simple and unpretentious

Er Niu said: "Aunt, do not worry, we have enough food to get through the winter. Seventh Uncle, I am going back now"

This young man is indeed the second son of the village head Xu Youguang, whose full name is Xu Huang. He is only sixteen years old, and his stature is truly remarkable. It is said that today he was the one who rescued Xu Jin from the river.

Hey, save it! The earth cow threw the cloth bag over its shoulder and walked away in a hurry

Seeing this, Xie Xiaowan happily began to eat, and she picked up a piece of cabbage to place in Xu Jinjie's bowl. Xu Huang also smiled and added a piece to Xie Xiaowan's bowl, causing her eyes to instantly curve into two crescent moons as she scooped rice while glancing at Xu Jin from above the rim of her bowl

A robust youth, as strong as an ox, stood outside, estimated to be nearly 1.9 meters tall. In the cold weather, he surprisingly wore a short-sleeved long shirt, revealing his muscular arms, and on his shoulder rested a large cloth bag

Xie Xiaowan looked at the full jar of rice, feeling a bit dizzy with happiness, and said: "Husband, there is so much rice! Second Uncle is truly a good person; we must thank him properly later!"

"Oh dear, how shameless! I feel so ashamed!" Xu Jin secretly despised himself, but when he thought about the fact that this little girl in front of him was his legitimate wife, it seemed... a hug wouldn't be too much to ask.

However, during this season, as the weather turns cold, one can easily imagine the experience of being soaked in mud during the harsh winter months. With insufficient food, inadequate clothing, and poor sleep, many people fall ill and lose their lives

Pei could not stand her husband's show-off attitude and scoffed, "Whether he has truly gained insight will be revealed in the upcoming spring's scholar examination next year"

"My lord, I am eating!" said Xie Xiaowan

Xu Jinzheng was in a state of indecision when a boisterous voice called out from outside the courtyard. He turned around and was momentarily taken aback.

Xie Xiaowan raised her head and sniffed, saying: "My lord, do you not blame me?"

It is precisely for this reason that many people are unwilling to clear the waterways, preferring to pay in silver to avoid service. However, the wealthy are only a minority, and the vast majority of farmers can barely afford to eat, thus they have no choice but to grit their teeth and serve.

Uh, don't... what's wrong, did I scare you?" Xu Jin said somewhat apologetically

The young girl was already quite beautiful, and at this moment, her demeanor subtly exuded a hint of alluring charm, which stirred within Xu Jin an impulse to embrace her

Er Niu entered the courtyard with a smile: "Aunt, where is the rice jar? Mother said she wants to take the cloth bag back!"

Xu Jin couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing, but upon seeing the little girl's nervous expression, he felt an inexplicable warmth in his heart. Instinctively, he reached out to wipe away the tears on her face and said gently, "Silly girl, fine, I won't say anything!"

After Xu Youguang reminded Xu Jinjiao about the conscription matter, they chatted for a while before parting ways. Xu Jin furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment when he suddenly heard the sound of sobbing. Turning his head, he discovered that the young girl, Xie Xiaowan, was lowering her head and wiping her tears, her frail body trembling slightly, which was quite heart-wrenching.

If it were modern times, a girl eating so little might be for the sake of dieting, but clearly that is not the case now; this girl is saving her rations for herself

Xu Youguang said proudly: "Hey, I knew it, Lao Shi has suddenly become enlightened after soaking in the river water. If we build a good relationship now, this kid will surely remember our family fondly if he really gets into a good school in the future"

Xie Xiaowan stared in astonishment at Xu Jin, her dark grape-like eyes gradually becoming veiled with a layer of mist

Father, the rice has been delivered to Uncle Ten's house. Uncle Ten asked me to convey his thanks to you and Mother. Oh, and Aunt is also worried that our family's grain supply is insufficient, so she asked me to bring back half of the rice. I said it is not necessary! Er Niu returned home and reported everything to his father in detail.

... ...

Xie Xiaowan hurriedly led Er Niu into the house, where the latter poured all the rice into the rice jar, which was surprisingly filled to the brim, estimated to be nearly 3 dou of rice

"Alas, what an easily satisfied little girl!" Xu Jin sighed inwardly and smiled, saying: "Isn't this how it should be? Good girl, hurry and eat, look at you, you've become as thin as a bamboo!"

Xu Jin was both moved and somewhat ashamed: "Xiao Wan, why aren't you eating?"

Since ancient times, farmers in various dynasties, in addition to farming and paying taxes, were also required to perform corvée labor, and the Ming Dynasty was no exception. Corvée labor, in simple terms, means working for the government for a period each year without pay, while also having to provide their own food and tools, with all aspects of living and transportation relying on their own resources

Therefore, each time the river channels are cleared, many common people lose their lives, most of whom die from illness, while some are drowned

Xu Youguang said casually: "Wife, today Guo Bapi came to find Lao Shi to urge the debt, what do you think the outcome was?"

How is it?" Pei inquired curiously as she set down her needle and thread

Xu Jin nodded and said: "Er Niu, please thank your parents for me"

Xu Jin furrowed his brow, for it was only then that he noticed that there was only a small half bowl of rice in Xie Xiaowan's bowl, while he had eaten two large bowls himself, and hers had hardly been touched. Moreover, most of the boiled cabbage had already found its way into his own stomach.

Xie Xiaowan exclaimed in panic, "Husband, please do not speak carelessly, it is inauspicious!"

Xie Xiaowan blushed as she picked up her bowl and took a bite, then shyly said: "My husband, I can't eat that much!" After saying this, she quickly scooped half of the rice into Xu Jin's bowl.

It is precisely because he has been hurt in the past that Xu Jin, after experiencing that failed marriage, has no intention of remarrying. If he has needs, he would rather spend money to satisfy them, and he no longer engages in romantic relationships.

Xu Youguang recounted the events, and Pei, upon hearing it, exclaimed in astonishment: "Oh my, Guo Bapi is quite the clever one, to have suffered a loss at Lao Shi's hands; this is truly remarkable!"

Since experiencing betrayal by his wife, Xu Jin no longer believes in the loyalty of love; he sees spouses merely as birds of the same forest, who fly away when disaster strikes. This may seem a bit extreme, but in today's society, where material desires abound, it is quite common for couples to share wealth but not adversity.

Xu Jin and his family finished the remaining food, and when he raised his head, he happened to meet Xie Xiaowan's gaze, who shyly lowered her eyes.

Xu Jin felt a stir in his heart and smiled, saying: "Second brother is truly thoughtful, please come in!"

At this moment, the wall that Xu Jin had built in his heart seemed to be somewhat loosening. If there is still unwavering loyalty and mutual support in this world, then perhaps it is now

Xu Youguang said: "Hey, what do you know? That kid Lao Shi is not simple; he might just become a successful candidate for the imperial examination. If we build a good relationship now, we might benefit from it in the future."

Xu Jin poured all the remaining rice in the pot into Xie Xiaowan's bowl, filling it to the brim, and placed it in front of her, commanding in a firm tone: "Eat, finish it all!"

Xu Jin unceremoniously snatched the little girl's bowl away, causing her small face to turn pale. She looked at Xu Jin with some fear, not understanding what he intended to do.

Xie Xiaowan said uneasily: "Er Niu, you have given us so much rice, is your family's grain still sufficient? Should we take half of it back?"

Uncle Ten! Uncle Ten!

The phrase "silly girl," which sounds rather old-fashioned, comes from the mouth of a fourteen-year-old boy. It sounds quite strange, but to Xie Xiaowan, who is in the prime of her youth, it brings a sense of happiness from being cherished by her partner, causing her to blush and shyly lower her head.

Er Niu chuckled and said, "Father just asked me to deliver some grain to Uncle Shi!"

Xu Jin smiled and responded with a sound of agreement; Xu Youguang indeed had quite an insight, no wonder he could become the village head.