When Chen Xian returned home, Cuihua had already prepared dinner, and the large vat was full of water.
Chen Dazhu quickly stepped forward and picked up Chen Xian's basket.
I was somewhat surprised to see something covered in thorns.
"Father, this thing?"
Then Chen Siniu boasted, "Big brother, how did you know I caught a baby pheasant?"
He quickly grabbed the pheasant and met his friends at the village entrance, exclaiming, "Hey, how did you know I caught a baby pheasant?"
After Chen Erzhu finished explaining, Dazhu and Cuihua looked surprised.
"Does Dad mean this thing is edible?"
Chen Erzhu used a knife to cut the pineapple in half, dividing it into two equal parts.
Cuihua nodded repeatedly: "It's sour and astringent, but it's still edible, though a bit sharp."
Chen Dazhu asked in surprise, "How come no one discovered this before?"
Chen Xian: "They're all hidden in the bushes, there are thorns everywhere. If it weren't for catching pheasants, we wouldn't be able to find them at all."
He pondered for a while.
Should we tell the village head?
I lay down on the deck chair under the persimmon tree and pondered it carefully.
Chen Erzhu leaned out and whispered, "Father, are you thinking about whether or not to tell the village head?"
Chen Xian remained silent.
In this day and age, the problem isn't scarcity but inequality. We're all just a few people, so why should your family be well-fed while my stomach rumbles?
Moreover, the walls were all made of earth. Any noise from the house could be heard through the alleyways. The noise would be noticed by passing women in the village. A hungry person's nose is sharper than a dog's. They can tell what kind of food someone has eaten by just by smelling it.
When the Chen family was stewing chicken, I scoffed and said that closing the window while stewing chicken was just self-deception.
It's just for psychological comfort.
Su Liniang lowered her head and walked slowly over.
Perhaps it was because of his tall stature, which is rare in this era, that he felt somewhat inferior.
She lowered her voice and said, "Husband, my family are hunters. When my father was alive, we would eat meat from time to time. When those gossipy people found out, they were jealous and spread rumors that my family ate meat."
"I think it's best to separate some from the villagers, since most of them are good people."
Her voice was clear and resonant.
It sounds wonderful.
Chen Xian nodded, "Li Niang is very intelligent."
Su Liniang smiled, pursing her lips.
Chen Erzhu looked at Chen Xian quietly, as if waiting for his father to speak.
Chen Xian glanced at it and said, "I'm going to the village head's house."
Chen Erzhu was extremely depressed.
Finally, a voice came from outside, "Erzhuzi is the same."
That feels great.
The village head's house.
Chen Xian saw an old woman in the courtyard squinting in the sunlight, trying to thread a needle. She seemed to have tried several times but still couldn't get it through. She moistened the thread with her tongue and continued trying, as if she didn't believe it.
"Auntie, is Uncle Gui home?"
Chen Gui was the previous village head of Qingxia Village.
As he grew older, he applied to the government to recommend his eldest son, Chen Qingshan, to be the village head.
Although he has retired, he is generally more effective than Chen Qingshan when it comes to important village matters.
After all, Chen Gui was of high seniority and prestige within the clan.
From weddings and funerals to land encroachment, seeking his mediation usually yields satisfactory results.
As far as the eye can see, the courtyard is paved with blue bricks. At this time of year, few people are willing to use blue bricks to pave the ground. The mud-brick houses are clearly more solid and sturdy than the mud bricks of ordinary houses.
A slight smile. From ancient times to the present, it is human nature that water that is too clear will have no fish. As long as it is not too excessive, others will just pretend not to know.
Madam Qian was slightly taken aback. "Xian-ge'er, is something the matter?"
Chen Xian smiled calmly.
"I need to speak with Uncle Gui about something."
"Unfortunately, the old man and the eldest son went to the county town to discuss this year's tax revenue with the county magistrate."
Perhaps Chen Gui foresaw the extent of this year's disaster and approached tax officials in advance to discuss whether the grain tax could be reduced this year.
Chen Xian had no choice but to leave.
When it was time to light the lamps, Chen Gui and his son returned.
moan and groan.
"Old woman, the year is probably going to be tough for the village."
"What's wrong?"
"I didn't even get to see the county magistrate; I only saw the criminal clerk, who said the magistrate had gone to the countryside to inspect the disaster situation."
"this?"
Qian was filled with doubt and uncertainty.
Chen Qingshan was deeply worried.
"Dad, don't say anymore. The big well in the village isn't producing enough water. Usually, after one night, the water level would be about five feet below the wellhead. Last night when I went to fetch water, the water level was more than ten feet below the wellhead."
Qian said helplessly, "Quickly restrict the villagers from drawing water. In this year's famine, who cares about taxes? We can't let people die of thirst right now."
Chen Gui sat on the threshold, puffing on his pipe, the smoke swirling around him.
"Oh right, Brother Xian is here."
"Um?"
"he?"
"Hmm, they didn't say what it was about?"
Madam Qian muttered under her breath, "That's just a good-for-nothing. He's a perfectly fine man, lying in bed all day, with no desire to work at all. If it weren't for the fact that his eldest son is still able to work, his children would probably starve to death."
Chen Gui shouted.
"Alright, mind your own business. His uncle is in charge, so you have no right to scold him."
Chen Qingshan sighed, "I don't know what Brother Xian has been through. When we were students, although we were both not very bright, we were hardworking and practical people. I just can't figure it out."
He and Chen Xian were classmates, and they had developed a certain bond as fellow students, so he didn't say anything sarcastic.
Chen Gui: "Yeah, maybe. His family is big, so all the burdens fall on him. When his wife was alive, she could share some of the burdens and talk to him about things."
With his wife dead, he had no one left to complain to or talk to. He couldn't bear it.
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