Chapter 546 548. Autumn Harvest
Gaoling Village
The Gu family worked hard for more than ten days and finally stored all the grain from the fields into the warehouse.
Now all the able-bodied laborers in the entire tribe have begun to work on the tribe’s fields.
Over the years, since Gu Wenheng passed the imperial examination, he has helped the clan purchase some clan properties, and all the income has been used to supplement the clan's expenses.
As the old patriarch, Gu Sanbu naturally did not want his people to develop the habit of getting something for nothing.
These clan fields, whether it is sowing, tending, or harvesting, are all completed by the Gu family members working together.
Looking at the heavy ears of wheat, all members of the Gu family were excited.
This means that the clan will have a large additional income this year. Although they will not receive any silver, every household can enjoy the convenience.
Even other people from other families in the village were busy working in the fields with sickles in hand.
Because their children attend the clan school in the village and enjoy the same treatment as the children of the Gu family, based on this alone, they have gained a great advantage.
Therefore, during the busy farming season of autumn harvest, they would take time out to help out for a few days, which they regarded as a token of their gratitude.
"Everyone will have to work harder this year. There are dozens of more acres of land, so everyone has to work harder." Gu Sanbu said these words about everyone's hard work, but he had a big smile on his face.
"Uncle, we don't mind if you do more hard work. But you, the sun is so strong now, you should hide under the tree." Gu Mingchun waved the sickle in his hand, full of energy.
Now when they go out, everyone will respect them as long as they mention that they are members of the Gu family.
Nowadays, there are so many clan fields that are exempt from taxation. Except for a part that will be exchanged for silver, the rest will be stored in the clan’s granary. If there is any big event in the village, the clan can get a certain share from it.
"Then you better speed up. I'll give you a big pot of braised pork at noon."
Gu Sanbu knew that if he wanted the horse to run well, he had to feed it with grass. Every autumn harvest time, the village would arrange all the food and dishes.
"We just had stewed goose yesterday, and today we have braised pork. I really hope the autumn harvest will last a little longer." Liu Heizi swallowed his saliva. Although life at home is better now, his mother and wife have been frugal, and they don't have so much oil and water on weekdays.
"Don't worry, this will still take several days," Gu Daping paused and turned his waist, "In order to give everyone more strength, all the oil and water have been prepared."
"Why didn't we see Gu Yuanjin and his brothers coming here today?" someone asked in a low voice.
"I know about this. It seems that they need to deliver goods to the county town and Shangjing, so they specially asked the old clan leader for leave. However, they also asked their farmhands to come and help. They are busy in the front direction."
"You don't know this, right? This is just an excuse they gave. The reason is that his old man got into trouble again."
When someone is gossiping, there are others who prick up their ears and listen quietly.
"Tell me what's going on. I've been busy working in the fields these days and haven't heard any news."
"Then don't delay the work in your hands. I'll tell you what you do." The person who spoke glanced at Gu Sanbu who was standing under the tree, then squatted down and began to pass on his first-hand information under the cover of the wheat ears.
"Yesterday at midnight, I was sleeping soundly at home when I suddenly heard a burst of abuse that sounded familiar.
I didn't want to respond, but the voice got louder and louder. Guess who it was?"
"It's already this late, why are you still keeping it a secret? Have you been to town to listen to storytelling a few times? You've learned a trick."
"You have all seen through this," the person who was speaking laughed, "He is our Gu Zhifu's biological father. I never knew a man could act like a shrew.
I was really curious about what was going on inside, so I quietly walked to the corner and listened. "
"It's late at night and everyone is asleep. I guess you must have listened carefully!" someone nearby joked.
"Then you are right. After listening for about a quarter of an hour, I finally figured out everything.
After all, it seems that this old man is starting to get up to some shady ideas again.
Don’t we have a clan rule that a man can take a concubine only if he is childless after he reaches the age of 40?
Someone found a side door and came up with a brilliant solution."
"Tell me quickly, tell me quickly," more and more people gradually moved closer, everyone was curious.
"Hehe, this uncle is still strong and healthy. He is already a great-grandfather, and now he can still raise a child outside."
The other party didn't say it explicitly, but everyone present knew it by the way they winked at each other.
"That's not right. Didn't Yuan Jin and his brothers refuse to give the old man money? Where did he get the money?"
“So this is also the reason why the Yuan Jin brothers didn’t come here today. They must have gone to clean up the old man’s mess.
This old man is also a talented person. I don't know how he got in touch with the wealthy families in the town. People don't dare to offend him, but they also want to get involved with the Seventh Brother, so they have to work hard on him.
Listening to the quarrel yesterday, it seems that not only the house but also the money was taken, and even the concubine was arranged by this person."
"This is too much," someone immediately said angrily, "We are all united in protecting the reputation of Gaoling Village, fearing that it will affect the reputation of Lao Qi by mistake.
As a father, he took the lead in attacking his son.
No, we can't keep this a secret. We have to tell the old patriarch."
As he was about to stand up, he was pulled down by someone beside him. "You can't do anything stupid. The old patriarch is so old, and his health has not been as good as before in the past two years. If he gets angry again, will you be responsible if something happens?"
"But the truth will come out sooner or later. If we don't tell anyone now, won't the old patriarch be even angrier when he finds out?"
"Wait a little longer! Aunt Oishi is not a fool. Maybe she can suppress the matter this time."
"What do you call this..."
"What are you doing there? Don't hide there and slack off, otherwise you won't have any braised pork for lunch today." Someone in the distance saw them gathering here and shouted.
The other people in the field also looked in their direction. We exchanged glances, then returned to our respective places and continued to work.
Li Cuicui has had a gloomy face since yesterday. Now the eldest brother and the others haven't come back yet. She doesn't know how much this old man has taken from others, and whether he has traded his son's future for anything.
Gu Dashi held his waist and stood under the eaves, trying to stay away from the crazy woman.
That unfilial son made a family rule that forbids taking concubines. Now that he hasn't even brought anyone into the family, it doesn't count as a violation.
This damn old woman doesn't want to serve me anymore, so why should she control me?
(End of this chapter)
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