Xiao Bao's mother continued to explain, "One faction resisted and hated the Dayin people, resolutely refused the imperial court's offer of amnesty, and returned to Limu Mountain to live, and was called Sheng Li."
The mountain was covered with poisonous plants and snakes, and the Li people were brave and warlike. The officials and soldiers of the Dayin Dynasty never managed to win against them.
Even though the Dayin Dynasty controlled Hainan Island for many years, it was unable to conquer Limu Mountain.
The term "Shu Li" is the opposite of "Shu Li," referring to those who are willing to communicate and live among the Dayin people, and even the Dong and Nanyue peoples.
Those who gather seafood here, and live alongside us Dong people, are called "Shuli."
Through this in-depth conversation, the Song family suddenly came to know the woman in front of them in a new light.
Although she dressed simply and was no different from other women, upon closer conversation, I discovered that she was knowledgeable and articulate.
Although it was unclear whether other women did the same, the Song brothers still expressed their respect.
Xiao Bao's mother was a little embarrassed and tucked her hair behind her ear. "My father was originally the chieftain of the Dong ethnic group, but later the Dayin people invaded..."
The Dong ethnic group split, and my father was killed by his own men. I luckily escaped and married Xiao Bao's father...
Life was hard, but Xiao Bao's father treated me well, so I was content.
So that's how it is. As the daughter of the clan chief, her perspective and manner of speaking are bound to be different.
Seeing that Xiao Bao's mother was not impatient, Song Chenghou asked two more questions.
"Sister-in-law, if what you say is true, Yazhou is not rich in real estate, does that mean everyone makes a living by fishing?"
Xiao Bao's mother sighed, "If it's just the few of us to feed, living by the sea, how could we possibly go hungry?"
Upon hearing this, Song Chenghou sensed a hidden meaning in the words and listened patiently.
After spending time with them yesterday and today, Xiao Bao's mother also discovered that this group of exiles was very different from those who had been exiled before.
They were well-mannered and polite, and most importantly, they saved Xiao Bao...
Not only that, but even when they themselves were destitute and no one else dared to help, they still rescued the little girl...
I saw with my own eyes that they treated the little girl very well, as if she were their own daughter.
Xiao Bao's mother finally abandoned her last remaining concerns and walked away from the crowd...
The Song brothers understood and retreated to the back.
Xiao Bao's mother whispered, "Although the imperial court's control over Hainan Island is weak, it doesn't mean that the people of our four prefectures are exempt from paying taxes..."
They can't do anything on Mount Limu, but if the people of our four prefectures resist, our army will come immediately..."
Upon hearing this, the Song brothers frowned. "If we can't even survive, how will we pay taxes?"
Even if the tax burden is heavy inland, at least the land has been allocated and there is production on the land.
Hainan Island is not rich in resources; it doesn't even have enough food to feed itself, so how can it pay taxes?!
"Leaving aside other states, let's talk about the people of Yazhou, especially those on Limu Mountain."
In ordinary families down the mountain, the women are responsible for farming and beachcombing, barely making ends meet...
The men either went to sea or worked in the mines to the west, using their labor to pay off taxes.
Upon hearing this, Song Chenghou immediately frowned.
Xiao Bao's mother continued, "Our Hainan Island doesn't produce rice or millet on land, but there are still many treasures in the sea and mountains."
The purple seashells are said to be especially favored by women of the Great Yin Dynasty, and can be used for cleaning and furniture decoration.
The Moon Pearl, produced in the sea, is a unique treasure in the world. Its shape is perfectly round, resembling the moon in the sky, hence its name.
They are so rare that the Tanka people have to fish for them day and night. If they can catch a few of good quality ones in a month, they are considered lucky.
Those who lack fishing skills, or are too old and not good swimmers, go to the mines to the west. The mountains to the west of Yazhou are rich in azurite...
It was listed as a tribute item sent to the imperial court annually.
Seeing that their eldest brother, Song Chenghou, looked increasingly pale, the Song brothers asked, "Brother, what's wrong?"
After hearing so much from Xiao Bao's mother, who wasn't exactly untrustworthy, Song Chenghou bluntly stated, "The island's inhabitants are struggling to even have enough to eat..."
Instead of encouraging farming, sericulture, and seafood fishing to improve their lives, they drove the main labor force in their households to shellfish fishing and mining...
It's clear that neither local officials nor tribute-paying courtiers care about the lives of the local people!
Even more treasonous words were stuck in Song Chenghou's throat, yet he hadn't uttered them...
Even so, Xiao Bao's mother was already very moved when she heard him say this. She said, touched, "Do you know? This is the first time I've ever heard someone speak up for us like this..."
It's a pity my benefactor isn't the prefect of Qiongzhou, otherwise, we would be living a much better life..."
Song Chenghou naturally declined, but immediately realized that he and his brother needed to settle down as soon as possible and start earning money...
Otherwise, if you can't pay your taxes, you might soon be in big trouble!
Song Chengjian, the second son who had been holding Wen Shishi and Wan Shui, spoke up at this moment, "Sister-in-law, I don't see any houses on the island. Do you all sleep on the boat?"
Xiao Bao's mother pointed to her thatched hut and said, "We live in the thatched hut, but it's only a temporary measure."
The Tanka people make a living by fishing, and entire families live on their boats. We fish for sea clams and pearls, just to pay taxes and survive...
Most of the time, they still live on land, and everyone gathers together.
However, you haven't seen it yet. Hainan Island experiences a lot of typhoons, especially Yazhou.
When the typhoon hit, the trees on the island were uprooted, and the thatched houses were blown away...
Fortunately, we didn't have much to begin with. We only moved the boat and our belongings from the house before the typhoon hit. We had to rebuild the thatched hut...
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