Shanghe Village is located in the southwest region and is part of the fiefdom of a certain prince.
Every year, the people rented land from the government to grow crops, and 70% of the land was taxed, with the remaining 30% being used for their own consumption.
But they cannot survive on this alone. Fortunately, the poor farmers have their own houses, and the land around the houses can be used to grow some vegetables. If they work hard on weekdays, they can also supplement the family income and avoid starving to death.
But having one more mouth to feed in the family was not easy after all, so when his younger brother Sun Shouyi came of age, he cruelly let him leave home and find another way out.
That day, Sun Shouzhong got off work and returned home in the evening glow.
At this time, the country was called Zhen.
The staple food for the people of Zhen State was mostly millet and sorghum.
In poorer places, such as Shanghe Village, people mostly rely on grains to get enough food and clothing, while rice and meat are only available to the upper class.
Ordinary people eat two meals a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. For those who have few laborers in their families, who cannot earn much money, and who do not have much land to cultivate, it is possible to have only one meal a day.
Sun Shouzhong's family routinely eats two meals a day.
When not working, I eat one meal a day.
But since my wife became pregnant, she has to prepare the two meals a day at home.
"When the baby gets older, he becomes more noisy."
After becoming pregnant, Liu Hua's temperament became much gentler. When she saw her husband coming home from work, she talked to him while busying herself with preparing the cooked bean rice and placing it on the small wooden table for her husband to eat.
"Let me listen." Sun Shouzhong grinned and leaned his head over, his ear against his wife's round belly, listening to the child's noise, his eyes filled with the tenderness of a new father.
"Okay, let's eat first, otherwise the rice will get cold." Liu Hua smiled and pushed her husband's shoulder.
Just as the couple was enjoying themselves, an inopportune voice rang out:
"Are my brother and sister-in-law home?"
"Why is your brother back today!" Liu Hua suppressed the smile on her face and said unhappily.
It would be fine if he came here to eat and drink during the festivals, but he also comes on ordinary days. This poor family can never afford to support him.
Sun Shouzhong was also puzzled, "Maybe something happened."
Noticing his wife's unhappiness, he scratched his head, knowing that it was all due to lack of money, but after all, he was his own brother, and he couldn't just let him go. He had to coax his wife back to the room, and he went to open the door himself.
“Shouyi, what’s the matter—” His voice stopped abruptly.
When his eyes saw the fat chicken held by his younger brother, they froze in place.
"Brother, have you eaten? This is a snack for you."
Chu Qi smiled and handed the fat chicken forward.
"Cluck, cluck--" The fat chicken fluttered its wings, and a few gorgeous feathers fell off in an instant. It hung its head and chirped weakly twice.
"Where did you get the chicken?" Sun Shouzhong did not answer immediately, his brows showing worry.
If you want to raise chickens, you must first be a scholar.
Poor peasants are neither qualified nor have the extra financial resources to raise them.
Where did Sun Shouyi, who has always been able to barely make ends meet, get the chicken?
Sun Shouzhong was afraid that his younger brother might be confused and steal from someone else's house.
Stealing is a serious crime. If you are caught, you will be imprisoned and beheaded.
"Don't worry," Chu Qi knew what Sun Shouzhong was thinking, "I caught this myself, so please eat it without worry, brother."
Sun Shouzhong was still skeptical. He knew almost everything about his brother's abilities. Normally, he relied on the old cow that came up to him to help plow the fields for food and clothing. Now he could actually hunt such a fat chicken.
It looks so fake no matter how you look at it!
"Although life is hard now, you must not sacrifice your life for a bite of food." He said earnestly: "I will pretend I didn't see it today, brother, please return the chicken to the owner."
"If you want to eat meat, I'll have some free time and go fishing with you in the river." After thinking for a while, Sun Shouzhong added.
"I really got it from hunting. If you don't believe me, I will guarantee it with the lives of my whole family. If you tell me a lie, I will punish you with lightning."
Chu Qi said in a serious tone.
Sun Shouzhong was dumbfounded.
Your whole family, including me soon.
When he heard the thunder and lightning, he became even more anxious. He wished he could go forward and cover his brother's mouth. He looked at the dark sky in panic, fearing that his oath would work and a thunder would strike down and kill his entire family.
However, nothing happened.
Sun Shouzhong calmed down, and seeing his brother's serious expression, his doubts began to waver a little.
Perhaps he should trust his brother.
Growing up, my younger brother has been honest and has never lied to anyone.
I wouldn't lie to him about such a big thing.
Thinking of this, Sun Shouzhong felt touched again. His brother had finally caught a chicken, but he was so generous and gave it all to him to eat.
"Okay, I'll trust you for now, but... this chicken is too expensive, I'll just take half of it. You can take the remaining half back and eat it when it's ready."
Sun Shouzhong was happy at the thought of eating meat, and saliva appeared in his mouth uncontrollably.
I haven't eaten meat in many years!
The last time I ate meat was when I caught a mouse.
However, this place was poor and the villagers had hidden all the food. Not only could the rats not steal the food, but if they were discovered they would be slaughtered. Over time, there were no rats left in this area. No one knew whether they were eaten up or just escaped.
"It's okay, brother and sister-in-law, just eat. My hunting ability is very strong now. I caught three chickens in one go today. I brought one here to honor you."
Chu Qi corrected herself silently in her heart: I picked three.
With her peerless martial arts, what was originally a hunting ground for wild beasts has now become her prepared meal. She can choose whatever she wants to eat.
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