Reclaiming Wasteland: Carefree Mountain Farmer

Chapter 140 Mountain Farmers' Daily
"Shan Nong Daily! Bumper soybean harvest! Full granaries of radishes!"

"Shannong Daily! The powerful families of Chenzhou are oppressing the common people; they will be executed in the autumn!"

"Mountain Farmers' Daily! We are recruiting male laborers for flood control and dam repair. They can earn thirty coins per day!"

"Shan Nong Daily! The owner of a printing factory in the southern district of Luoyang is seeking a husband for his daughter, requiring an unmarried man who can write the character 'Shan Nong' (山农), regardless of his background."

The teenager Si Jiuba stood at the street corner shouting, while his two younger siblings stood beside him learning how to do the work.

A scholar with long hair, wearing a crown and long robes despite the hot weather, walked over.

"How much is it?"

"Five coins, the price has never gone up."

Looking at the person who was wearing so many clothes in this sweltering heat, Si Jiuba did not show the respect one would give a scholar.

The clerk handed over five copper coins and looked at the little girl with two braids, black hair, and bright, spirited eyes.

498 didn't like people looking at him like that, so after handing over the newspaper, he said irritably, "Here you go."

Feeling a little embarrassed, Wen Shumo took the newspaper and left.

Wenshu Mo walked to the carriage not far away and got in.

There was a woman in the car who was two years older than Wen Shumo, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old.

Chen Xianzhi said gently, "Husband, why don't we just send the servants to buy things? There are too many people in the city, and it wouldn't be good if we were recognized."

Wen Shumo dislikes his wife's way of educating him, her gentle way of telling him what to do and what not to do, which has been going on for seven or eight years since they got married.

"It's alright. King Wu even spared the former crown prince, so why would he bother with us who fled south?"

Chen Xianzhi looked at Wen Shumo gently, "Better safe than sorry. Our family is not what it used to be, so we must be more careful in everything we do."

Wen Shumo only read the newspaper, refusing to look at the beautiful face he had seen for so many years, and even less wanting to make eye contact with her before apologizing.

"It's not just our family that's coming back; let's visit Uncle Li first."

The carriage had already started moving again. Chen Xianzhi saw her husband reading the newspaper, so she leaned against him and placed one hand on his leg.

Wen Shumo did not react at all; his wife beside him was like a chain, controlling most of his movements.

From clothing, food, shelter, and transportation to the friends we make, even things we do alone, like drinking tea and reading, seem to be monitored.

"What does it say?" Chen Xianzhi asked gently, pointing to a section of small print for her husband to read aloud.

The above are all numbers. Chen Xianzhi doesn't know most of the characters used by the Shan Nong ethnic group, but she knows a little bit and recognizes some numbers and the common character for money.

Therefore, she is not afraid of her husband talking nonsense.

Wen Shumo looked at the newspaper and answered calmly.

"These are the prices at the market today: cabbage is 3 coins per pound, radish is 2 coins per pound, scallions, leeks, and garlic are 7 coins per pound, and cucumbers and winter melons are 1 or 4 coins per pound."

"Three-year-old rice is five coins per pound, last year's rice is eight coins per pound."

"Millet is four coins per pound, beans are three coins per pound, wheat is five coins per pound, and if the grain exceeds one hundred pounds, an extra three pounds will be given."

Chen Xianzhi pressed her cheek against Wen Shumo's shoulder and asked curiously, "Why is the price of grain so cheap here? Except for rice, which is more expensive than in the south, everything else is much cheaper."

Wenshu Mo felt hot, so he lifted the curtain and looked out the window to get some fresh air.

"The Mountain Farming Kingdom is skilled in agriculture. Along the way, we saw many thriving grain fields. There are few people and a lot of land here, so it's normal for prices to be cheap."

Chen Xianzhi also looked outside. "There are quite a few people. I heard that there are a million people in Luoyang City and more than a million outside the city. It's several times more lively than Lin'an Prefecture, and much more lively than when we left last year."

Wen Shumo replied, "King Wu governed well, unlike the King of Qin who indulged in wine, women, song and dance."

Although the King of Qin became emperor, the affairs of the south were basically managed by his ministers.

Chen Xianzhi sighed, “Our family was once a wealthy family. Two years ago, we were a noble family. After we went to Lin’an Prefecture with the Emperor, our house and land in Luoyang were taken over by Prince Wu, and our title was seized by your elder brother and sister-in-law. Now we can only come back and think of a way. If only you had listened to me and hadn’t left.”

Wen Shumo didn't remember Chen Xianzhi saying such a thing. The group that went to Lin'an Prefecture with Emperor Wen was not the same group. Later, when people learned that the capital was going to be moved, they all went early to reserve their spots. No one said they wouldn't go; at most, they would complain a little.

Because no one trusted the Arctic Martial Arts Association to keep its promise not to go south, high-ranking officials and nobles, in order to avoid being ambushed and becoming prisoners, went to the south early to buy houses and land with gold and silver.

Arctic Wu did indeed head south back then, so there's nothing wrong with that.

Despite feeling extremely distressed after being with his wife for many years, Wen Shumo couldn't pinpoint what she had done wrong.

Although there were no children of their own, the concubine had children, ensuring the continuation of the Wen family line. There was no need to divorce the wife.

She is gentle, beautiful, and virtuous. Everyone who has met her says they are lucky to have married such a wonderful woman.

The clerk remained silent, and Chen Xianzhi said gently, "We'll be going to the Ministry of Revenue's residence soon, so think carefully about what to say."

As Wen Shumo pondered this matter, he felt an inexplicable aversion, yet, as he had for many years, he had no outlet for his feelings.

"it is good."

The education he received from childhood, as well as the feedback from his family and those around him, made Wen Shumo feel that his wife was not wrong, and that this was how a woman should be.

Perhaps there was something wrong with him, so Wen Shumo was even more afraid to talk about it with anyone and could only keep it to himself.

The two men came to the door to request an audience. After they identified themselves, a servant went in to announce their arrival, and they were soon invited inside.

Li Chengren and his wife received the Wen family.

“I have received your letter. Luoyang is now stable and there will be no more fighting for the time being. We will not pursue the matter from before. I will find an opportunity to introduce you to His Majesty.”

Li Chengren knew Wen Shumo and was very satisfied with this perfect couple.

Wen Shumo and Chen Xianzhi immediately said, "Thank you for your help, sir!"

Li Chengren smiled and said, "No need to be polite. The court is in dire need of talent, so you should learn the Shan Nong ethnic script as soon as possible."

“I’ve already learned quite a bit,” Wen Shumo asked. “I see a lot of young people with short hair on the street. Should I get a haircut too?”

Li Chengren smiled and said, "No need, His Majesty doesn't force this, it's up to you. It's just that a haircut and changing into the clothing of the mountain farmers would be better. It's hot today, so short clothes would be cooler."

Facing Li Chengren, who had already cut his hair and changed his clothes, Wen Shumo bowed his head and said politely, "I see many people on the street doing the same thing. Since you have come to Wu Dynasty, you should naturally abide by the rules here."

Li Chengren said with satisfaction, "Do you have a place to stay in the city? Nowadays, rent in the city is very expensive. Many places have been taken over by His Majesty to build houses for the civil and military officials and the mountain farmers. There are very few vacant houses. Why don't you stay here with me?" Wen Shumo replied, "There is a house in the south of the city that has not been taken over. It was originally a place that my wife sold to her mistress for her to live in. Since someone lives there, it has not been taken over. I just went to check on it. The mother and child are both fine. Now, more than ten people can live here without any problems."

Li Chengren immediately said, "Brother Li's wife is virtuous and manages the household well; she is truly a virtuous helpmate. Brother Li is so fortunate!"

Faced with the praise from others, Wen Shumo and his wife maintained their polite smiles as always, looking like a perfect couple.

After drinking and asking some questions, Wen Shumo and his wife took a carriage back to their residence.

Lanterns were lit along both sides of the road. It was already seven or eight o'clock in the evening, but the road was so crowded that it was impossible to move an inch.

The couple weren't in a hurry to go home, and looked around at the street market.

"So today is Qixi Festival, no wonder it's so lively."

"Yes."

The silence between the two was not awkward; it was followed by fireworks and firecrackers set off from the Luoyang Imperial Palace, making the entire city of Luoyang even more lively.

At this moment, there is no need to say anything.

At this time, Luoyang was far more bustling than in previous years, with its people well-fed and clothed, and the surrounding area peaceful and stable.

As soybeans and millet are harvested in central and southern Shanxi, wheat from the mountains and the surrounding areas of Kyushu is also safely stored in the granaries.

The joy of the harvest spread from the mountains of Kyushu to more places. Flood victims from parts of Meishu, Damingfu, and Qishu, who had been affected by the Yellow River floods, embarked on a third journey westward to help with the wheat and millet harvest, witnessing the legendary paradise of Kyushu.

Harvest statistics began to be compiled in various regions. Each household was temporarily exempt from paying grain taxes, but they all reported on this year's harvest.

In the second year of the Wu Dynasty, Emperor Wu of the North Pole sat on the dragon throne at the entrance of the Golden Palace, receiving the kneeling worship of tens of thousands of his subordinates on the steps and in the square below.

"Your servant greets your master! May your master enjoy boundless blessings and live ten thousand years!"

After nearly a year of calm accumulation, Beijiwu put some pressure on his subordinates, reminding them of their identities.

It's not a new thing for civil and military officials to act like lackeys; they acted like lackeys in the civil court, and they do the same here.

"Flat body."

Arctic Martial's voice was calm yet powerful.

"Thank you, Master!"

More than a thousand civil officials and more than nine thousand military officials stood up.

Compared to civil officials, military officers were more willing to accept the title of "servant".

Many of them were originally of low status, like Xue Chonghu and Meng Hetong, lowly soldiers, and many of them were death row inmates sent to their deaths during sieges.

There were also slaves, servants, or ordinary farmers.

These people have no aversion to being slaves; they have been slaves for over a hundred years, from childhood to adulthood.

The Arctic warriors provide food, drink, and women; they offer hereditary high-ranking positions and land that can be passed down to their descendants.

"This year's rice and grain have been stored in warehouses. The total amount of rice and grain in various regions can feed tens of millions of people for two years. Thousands of households in various regions have also grown a lot of grain."

"There is no shortage of grain in any place. From now on, grain will no longer be distributed as stipends. All civil and military officials above the rank of banner chief will receive a salary increase of at least five taels and at most three thousand taels!"

"To prevent unworthy descendants from destroying farmland production, from now on, all hereditary official titles and ranks will be subject to permanent basic farmland, except for the use of 2% for purposes such as the expansion of their descendants' mansions and cities!"

"Any household that fails to plant rice or wheat for three consecutive years will be fined one-fifth of its income!"

The crowd chorused, "We thank our master for the reward!"

The Northern Army enacted a law stipulating that those who inherit official titles and lands must cultivate wheat and rice for generations to come!

Starting this autumn, their fields will be basic farmland where only wheat and rice can be grown!

There isn't enough winter wheat seed. If we plant two million mu of winter wheat this year, we can plant twenty million mu next autumn.

Today, the 20 million mu of arable land in Yuzhou alone can roughly feed 10 million people. With the addition of vegetables and grains, the Arctic Army can drive down grain prices to the point where no one wants to farm!
However, we certainly can't be that ruthless now. We need to let the others make some money, otherwise they won't be happy to develop the land and build water conservancy projects.

"Mountain Farmers' Daily! Mountain Farmers' Daily! Bumper harvest, enough to eat for two years!"

"Mountain Farmers' Daily! Mountain Farmers' Daily! River embankment construction and water conservancy projects, wages are 25 cash per day!"

"Shan Nong Daily! Shan Nong Daily! The imperial examinations will be reopened next autumn, after the autumn harvest in September!"

"Shan Nong Daily! Shan Nong Daily! A school has been set up in the city to teach Shan Nong literature, with an annual fee of three thousand coins!"

Wen Shumo walked up to Si Jiuba and said, "Give me a newspaper."

"Here you go." 498 was in a good mood today because she was planning to take her younger siblings to school.

Selling two hundred newspapers a day can earn you one hundred coins. You don't get paid for working in the afternoon, but you have to go, otherwise you won't be allowed to sell newspapers.

Excluding the few days of rest, he earned at least two taels of silver a month, which is two thousand cash.

Meals are free, and accommodation is also free. Apart from buying clothes and some sweets and pastries, there's basically nothing else to spend money on.

A numbered communal household slave, whether male, female, or child, can support three or four people.

Looking at the happy little girl who was thinking about things, Wen Shumo couldn't help but say kindly, "My family is short of a maid. If you have nothing to do, you can come to my house to work and earn some money."

Si Jiu Ba rolled her eyes at him, because she was pretty and cheerful, and was already used to this kind of thing.

"I'm not going! Who wants to be your maid? Get out of here, don't delay my work!"

"Okay." Wen Shumo left awkwardly, gradually developing a special feeling for this unique young girl, and would come to buy a newspaper every day.

Si Jiuba had no idea that she was liked by a man a generation older than her. The young girl was preoccupied with figuring out how to spend the money she would have left after enrolling her younger siblings in school.

With a monthly income of over two thousand coins, after deducting the school fees for his younger siblings, he would have over twenty taels left over a year.

Keep some money for stationery, some for clothes for three people, some for food and a stove for heating in winter, and there will be more than ten taels of silver left.

Thinking of good things brings a very happy smile to my face.

"Mountain Farmers' Daily! Mountain Farmers' Daily! Bumper harvest, enough to eat for two years!"

(End of this chapter)