Chapter 38: Grain

When guests arrived, the Village Chief naturally received them with courtesy, even bringing out the fine tea he had been saving.

To his surprise, once the tea was served, the man who looked like a scholar took only a single sip before setting it down with an air of refined arrogance. “Old man, you already know why I’ve come. I wonder if you could do me a favor.”

The Old Village Chief looked troubled.

The scholar glanced at Zhao Mancang.

Mancang spoke up immediately. “Village Chief, this is my teacher, Scholar Li. He is a Juren who holds an official degree. Even Magistrate Huang of our Shanghe Town treats him with great respect when they meet.”

“The teacher came here specifically to buy grain. If you could help us out, he will certainly remember your kindness.”

Deep down, the Old Village Chief respected scholars, let alone one who was a Juren.

But as soon as the topic of selling grain came up, he simply puffed on his pipe and remained silent.

Scholar Li had not expected that after making a special trip, this rural peasant would refuse to give him face. His expression soured.

Fearing his teacher’s anger, Mancang hurriedly said, “Village Chief, everyone in town is saying that taxes will be waived this year. Why are you making everyone keep so much grain? If the prices drop later and they lose money, they’ll all end up blaming you.”

The Old Village Chief paused. “Is that tax waiver true?”

Scholar Li nodded with an air of condescension. “I did indeed hear the news from Lord Huang. It is almost certain.”

The Old Village Chief frowned. “Then it is not a hundred percent certain. Grain is the lifeblood of the common people. It is only right to be cautious.”

“Oh, Grandpa Liu, surely my teacher wouldn’t lie to you just for some grain? We are buying it with cold, hard cash. The teacher simply tried the grain from our village and liked the taste, which is why he made this special trip,” Mancang said.

The Old Village Chief tapped his pipe. “I cannot control what your family does, but I will not be the one to lead this effort.”

Scholar Li said indifferently, “If the Village Chief is unwilling to help, so be it. However, we want to buy grain, and if the villagers are willing to sell, do not stand in our way.”

“Hey, watch your tone!”

Liu Bingkun had been silent until now, but he could no longer hold back. “What do you mean by standing in your way? The villagers aren’t blind or deaf. If they don’t want to sell, my father can’t exactly force them.”

“Uncle Kun, don’t be angry. That’s not what we meant,” Mancang quickly explained.

Liu Bingkun did not have his father’s patience. “That is exactly what you meant! You think you’re the only smart ones, don’t you? If grain were so easy to buy, why aren’t you buying it in town? The grain shops there are still open. Why waste your time here?”

Scholar Li’s face darkened.

Mancang stepped between them. “Didn’t I say? The teacher simply thinks our village’s rice tastes better, which is why he made the trip.”

“Like hell I believe that! Everyone uses the same rice seeds. How different could the taste be?”

Liu Bingkun didn’t believe a word of it. He continued, “Go, get out! My home does not welcome you. Zhao Mancang, you are a man of Shanghe Village after all. What are you playing at, encouraging everyone to sell their grain at a time like this?”

He reached for a broom as he spoke.

Scholar Li had never been treated this way. He flicked his sleeve and stormed out. “How uncouth!”

With a dark expression, Mancang looked at Liu Bingkun with feigned heartbreak. “You can’t even grasp a good opportunity when it’s handed to you. No wonder Shanghe Village gets poorer every year.”

Liu Bingkun reached out as if to strike him. “You little brat, I think you’ve forgotten your roots.”

Fearing a beating, Mancang scrambled away and hurried to catch up with Scholar Li.

Scholar Li didn’t even want to look at him. “I was a fool to believe your nonsense. You can’t even handle buying a bit of grain. With your skills, you expect to pass the Imperial Examination¹? You’re destined to be nothing more than a study companion for the rest of your life.”

Mancang felt a surge of anger, but he kept a fawning smile on his face. “Teacher, they are just short-sighted country folk. I will definitely find a way to buy more.”

Since he still had a use for him, Scholar Li’s expression softened slightly. “Buy as much as you can, the more the better. The batch from last time was quite good.”

Mancang naturally agreed at once.

Having no other options, he went home and threw a tantrum at his parents. “I told you this concerns my future! Can’t you put some effort into this? The teacher comes from a wealthy family; that tiny bit of grain isn’t even enough for them to eat.”

“Dad, Mom, you have to help me think of something.”

Zhao Wencheng was also worried. “The Village Chief is blocking us. Without his word, no one is willing to sell. What can I do?”

Mancang suddenly asked, “What about Second Uncle’s house? He must have grain, right?”

“He sold those three mu of land. Now he has to buy grain just to feed himself. What grain could he possibly have?” Zhao Dasao said with a curl of her lip.

Mancang’s eyes flickered. “Since Second Uncle buys his grain, he must know where to get it. If he’s willing to tell me, I’ll be truly grateful to him.”

“But our two families have severed ties. Your sister tried to talk to him before, and he ignored her completely,” Zhao Wencheng said, looking troubled.

But Mancang said, “Second Uncle has doted on me since I was a child. If I go and say a few kind words, it’ll be fine. Besides, I’m just asking for a lead, not his money.”

With that, he headed straight out the door.

Zhao Laoda and his wife looked at each other. Zhao Dasao said worriedly, “Will this work? Your brother has a heart of stone.”

“Let him try,” Zhao Wencheng said. He really had no other choice.

“Oh, I forgot to tell him they moved,” Zhao Dasao remembered.

Mancang trudged toward Zhao Mengcheng’s house. He walked all the way to the old house, only to find it stripped bare, looking as if no one lived there.

“Second Uncle, are you home?” Mancang called out.

A neighbor heard him and poked his head out. “You’re Mancang, right? Haven’t seen you in a long time.”

“Grandpa Wang, where did my Second Uncle go?” Mancang asked, turning around.

Uncle Wang’s expression was a bit strange. “Don’t you know? Mengcheng and the kids moved to the new house a long time ago. It’s just out back.”

“A new house?” Mancang was shocked. He knew Zhao Mengcheng was selling Tofu, but he hadn’t expected him to have earned enough to build a house.

A calculating glint flashed in his eyes. Mancang secretly plotted to get back on good terms with his uncle. Given how soft-hearted his uncle used to be, if he had money, he would surely support his own nephew.

Mancang had mediocre talent for studying, but he had learned plenty of schemes. He had many expenses in his daily life and was currently worried about his family’s lack of money.

“Are you crazy? They’ve severed ties. Why did you tell him where Mengcheng’s new home is?” Auntie Wang pinched her husband.

Uncle Wang said defensively, “We’re all from the same village. Even if I didn’t say anything, he’d find out just by asking around.”

Auntie Wang countered, “Zhao Laoda looks honest but is treacherous inside, and his son is even worse. Tsk, tsk, and he calls himself a scholar, yet he let his family sell his own sister.”

Wang Ming heard his parents arguing and came out to say, “No matter what he’s planning, Brother Mengcheng won’t let him get away with it.”

“What else could he be planning? He’s trying to find ways to buy grain from the villagers,” Auntie Wang said with a curl of her lip.

Wang Ming immediately said, “Dad, Mom, I don’t care what others do, but our family cannot sell.”

“Of course. Your older brother also sent word back saying that grain prices in the city are changing every day, and they aren’t letting people buy in large quantities lately.” Their eldest son was a clerk in a grocery shop, so he knew a thing or two.

Mancang searched along the path and soon spotted the new house. His eyes lit up at the sight.

The small farmhouse courtyard, built with blue bricks² and tiles, was kept spotlessly clean. The windows were bright and the rooms tidy, making the whole place look exceptionally spacious.

In an instant, a surge of jealousy rose in Mancang’s heart.

This jealousy reached its peak when he saw his three younger cousins playing in the yard.

“Zhao Chun, Zhao Mao, Xin’er, is Second Uncle home?” Mancang asked, hiding his true thoughts.

Zhao Chun was practicing with his slingshot. His face fell the moment he saw the visitor. “What are you doing here? Our families have severed ties. We don’t need to see each other anymore.”

“Silly child, we are brothers. Blood is thicker than water; how can it be severed so easily?”

Mancang put on an expression as if Zhao Chun were being unreasonable. “I know my parents went too far. I’ve come specifically to apologize today. If I hadn’t been away studying in town and remained unaware, I never would have let them do that.”

“Second Uncle, please forgive them this once for the sake of our shared blood.”

Zhao Mengcheng was practicing his calligraphy inside. Hearing the commotion, he came out to look and scoffed inwardly.

The original owner’s nephew was not very skilled at deception; he couldn’t even hide the jealousy in his eyes. He was clearly treating Zhao Mengcheng like a fool to be coaxed.

“There’s no need for an apology. Since ties are severed, there’s no need for contact. Don’t call me Second Uncle either; I can’t afford the title.”

Mancang had not expected such a blunt refusal with no room for negotiation. He felt quite embarrassed for a moment.

“Second Uncle, whatever happened was my parents’ fault. You have to give me a chance to make amends. Our grandparents passed away early, and now only you and my father are left as brothers. If they knew in the afterlife that you two have stopped speaking to each other, they would surely be heartbroken.”

Zhao Mengcheng didn’t fall for it at all. “Let them be heartbroken then. They should have been heartbroken years ago when your father kicked me out.”

Mancang frowned. “Second Uncle, you…”

“What do you actually want? I’m busy and don’t have time to entertain you.” Zhao Mengcheng strongly disliked Zhao Laoda’s family, including this nephew he was meeting for the first time since his transmigration.

Zhao Mancang was indeed studying in town, but Zhao Mengcheng didn’t believe he was unaware of something as significant as the two families severing ties.

Furthermore, Zhao Mancang had returned half a month ago, yet he hadn’t even shown his face back then.

Flipping through the original owner’s memories, it wasn’t hard to find that this nephew never did anything unless there was something in it for him. He definitely had a purpose for showing up at the door today.

Zhao Mancang frowned with a hurt expression, but seeing that Zhao Mengcheng remained unmoved, he hurried to explain, “Second Uncle, I actually came today to offer you a way to make some money.”

“My teacher wants to buy some grain. The rice shops have too many rules. If you have a way to get some, you can take a commission when the time comes. The price is negotiable.”

Zhao Mengcheng’s face darkened. At a time like this, when rice shops were already starting to limit sales, Zhao Mancang coming to his door was clearly digging a pit for him.

His expression grew even colder as Zhao Mengcheng said indifferently, “I have no way. I don’t even have enough for myself. If you know where to buy cheap grain, tell me instead.”

“How could you not know? Everyone knows your family has no land and has to buy grain to eat,” Zhao Mancang said urgently.

Zhao Mengcheng sneered. “That is all thanks to your father.”

“Second Uncle, I am your biological nephew. Just think of it as helping me out. I will definitely remember this favor,” Zhao Mancang pleaded.

Zhao Mengcheng’s face went cold. “What use do I have for your favor? I really don’t know anything. Leave quickly, and don’t force me to get physical.”

Before he had even finished speaking, Zhao Chun suddenly pulled back his slingshot. With a sharp crack, the projectile struck the ground right next to Zhao Mancang’s feet.

Zhao Mancang was startled and pointed at him, cursing, “What are you doing!”

“Still not leaving? If you don’t leave, I’ll hit you in the face,” Zhao Chun said, pulling the slingshot to full tension once more.

Zhao Mancang knew best how much of a scoundrel this cousin was. In the past, he had often framed him on purpose, and every time, Second Uncle and Second Aunt would protect their well-behaved nephew while harshly punishing the unruly Zhao Chun.

Who would have thought that today Zhao Chun would dare to act directly in front of his Second Uncle? Not only did Second Uncle not stop him, but he also looked supportive.

Zhao Mancang gritted his teeth and left, feeling extreme hatred in his heart. No wonder his mother always said Second Uncle was an ungrateful wolf; it was indeed true.

“Wait,” Zhao Mengcheng suddenly spoke.

Zhao Mancang stopped in his tracks, intending to give him another chance.

Zhao Mengcheng spoke unhurriedly, “Do you know that your sister was sold?”

“What!” Zhao Mancang was truly shocked.

Zhao Mengcheng waved his hand. “Go back and ask your parents.”

Zhao Mancang’s expression shifted uncertainly, but remembering that he hadn’t seen his sister during his last two visits, an ill omen rose in his heart.

“Finally some peace and quiet,” Zhao Mengcheng said, shaking his head.

Zhao Laoda’s family was always trying to be clever. The old man had been impatient to kick his brother out back then, refusing to even divide the family property fairly.

When the original owner found work and his life improved, they started visiting again. Zhao Dasao was always eager to take advantage, never leaving empty-handed.

The two younger niece and nephew followed their parents’ example. Despite benefiting from the original owner, they were not only ungrateful but also constantly framed and bullied the original owner’s three children.

Zhao Xiaohua had gained some sort of divine ability, but her first thought wasn’t to improve her family’s situation; it was to steal her cousin’s opportunity and rush to be sold as some sort of Empress.

And now Zhao Mancang was even more full of himself, bringing his schemes right to the front door.

Zhao Mengcheng felt that this entire family was sick. Fortunately, they had severed ties early; otherwise, having such people as relatives would only bring endless trouble in the future.

He patted Zhao Chun’s head in praise. “Well done. You were very imposing just now.”

Zhao Chun jumped three feet high, shouting happily, “If he dares to come again, see if I don’t pelt him to death.”

Zhao Mengcheng laughed. “Using a slingshot isn’t considered proper skill. After the New Year, I’ll help you find a martial arts hall to practice.”

“Really, Dad? You’re the best!” Zhao Chun was driven wild with joy, already imagining himself becoming a master who could ride the clouds and be invincible under heaven.

Zhao Mancang rushed home and asked as soon as he entered the door, “Where is Xiaohua?”

The couple looked embarrassed.

Zhao Mancang’s heart sank. “Did you sell her?”

Zhao Dasao stammered for a long time before explaining, “Mancang, we had no choice. Your father’s leg is injured, and the family has been hit by disaster. Everything costs money. Besides, Xiaohua was willing herself. She said it was a path to wealth.”

She was about to explain the matter of her daughter becoming an Empress when Zhao Mancang interrupted her.

“Mother, you’re going to be the death of your son! What decent family would sell their daughter? If my classmates find out my family sold a daughter, who will ever respect me again?”

Zhao Mancang’s anger and fury weren’t out of concern for his sister, but out of worry for his own future. “Furthermore, one needs a clean family background for the exams. If others find out I have a sister with a servile status³, I won’t even be able to participate in the County Examination⁴.”

Zhao Dasao only just learned about this and was instantly terrified. “This… what should we do? I didn’t know either.”

“It’s all that girl Xiaohua’s fault for being so headstrong. She was the one who cried and made a scene, forcing me to sell her.”

Zhao Wencheng pointed at Zhao Dasao and cursed, “I didn’t agree to it at first, but you were blinded by that girl’s talk. Now look at what’s happened. If Mancang’s future is ruined, selling ten Xiaohuas wouldn’t be enough to make up for it.”

Zhao Mancang didn’t believe this. His sister had some minor cleverness, but how could a young girl dare to sell herself?

Suddenly, Zhao Dasao said, “It’s fine. The name written on the bill of sale was Zhao Xin, not Xiaohua.”

Manager Ma had asked that day if she was called Zhao Xin, and Zhao Xiaohua had agreed immediately. Zhao Dasao had signed and pressed her thumbprint in a daze.

Zhao Mancang frowned and had his mother recount the entire story from beginning to end. Only then did his expression relax slightly. “What you signed was a private agreement⁵, not an official deed. Moreover, my sister used Zhao Xin’s name. Even if the authorities investigate, they won’t find anything on me.”

“Heaven be praised, my Mancang is blessed and can turn misfortune into luck,” Zhao Dasao muttered prayers repeatedly.

Zhao Mancang’s face remained grim. “Dad, Mom, from now on you must tell me before you do anything. Otherwise, no matter how hard I work out front, I won’t be able to run fast if you’re dragging me back.”

Zhao Laoda and his wife naturally nodded and agreed repeatedly.

Seeing that his son was no longer angry, Zhao Wencheng finally dared to ask, “Did the second brother tell you the way?”

Zhao Mancang’s face turned even uglier as he shook his head.

Zhao Wencheng began to curse loudly, “I knew that bastard was no good. Back then, those two old farts were biased toward him. Who knows how much money they secretly gave him.”

“Now that he’s severed ties with me, the whole village is calling me the bad one. If I had known, I never should have…”

Zhao Mancang interrupted him impatiently, “Enough. What’s the use of saying this now?”

“Dad, you should hurry and think of a way to get some more grain.”

Zhao Wencheng gritted his teeth and climbed up despite his injured leg. “Come, Dad will take you to beg some people.”

On this side, Zhao Wencheng swallowed his pride and went from house to house to beg people. He patted his chest and gave guarantees, while Zhao Mancang chimed in from the side, swearing to the heavens and cursing the earth, promising that taxes would be waived this year and everyone would definitely have more grain than they could eat.

Sure enough, a few families were moved, thinking it might be okay to sell a little.

Zhao Mengcheng didn’t bother with these matters. By now, signs of trouble were already appearing in the city. Even those selling tofu knew that grain prices were rising, and rice shops had begun rationing sales.

Those who could still be tricked into selling grain at this time could only be said to be greedy; they couldn’t blame anyone else.

After driving away Zhao Mancang, he returned to the house to take stock of his family’s grain, feeling relieved only after confirming there was enough for the family to eat for two years.

Although there were only one adult and three children in the Zhao family, their grain consumption was fast. Zhao Mengcheng needed to use Mental Power, making his stomach a bottomless pit; he could digest as much as he ate.

Zhao Chun and Zhao Mao were also at the age where they were growing, and they would feel famished if they missed a single meal. Zhao Xin was still small, so as a girl she ate slightly less, but Zhao Mengcheng didn’t plan to raise his daughter to be frail and weak, so he let her eat as much as she could.

Thinking of this, Zhao Mengcheng felt the grain wasn’t enough. It was already difficult to buy grain in town now, so he planned to buy some other miscellaneous grains; anything edible would do.

However, this had to be done secretly. Otherwise, if everyone knew his family had grain, the Zhao family would become a target once things got bad.

“Dad, what are we eating tonight?” Zhao Chun ran in to ask.

Zhao Mengcheng happened to see a large pumpkin. “We’re having pumpkin rice.”

He picked up the large pumpkin with one hand. This one had to weigh over ten pounds, feeling heavy even in his arms.

“I’ll help you.” After filling his stomach, Zhao Chun’s innate great strength was beginning to show. He actually carried the large pumpkin on his head and walked steadily.

While Zhao Mengcheng was cutting the pumpkin and scooping out the pulp, the two boys had already started boiling the white rice.

Zhao Xin also brought over a small winnowing basket⁶. “Dad, put the pulp here and I’ll pick through it. We can roast the pumpkin seeds to eat later.”

“Alright, go sit by the door and take your time,” Zhao Mengcheng said with a smile, placing all the pumpkin pulp into his daughter’s basket.

Zhao Xin moved a stool to the doorway and slowly picked out the seeds. Her fair, chubby hands pinching the fair, plump seeds were seriously adorable.

Zhao Mengcheng lifted the lid of the pot and saw that the white rice was about seventy or eighty percent cooked. “That’s about right.”

He scooped out the rice with a slotted spoon, then poured oil into the pot. He stir-fried the cut pumpkin chunks, adding a bit of salt.

Then he pressed the rice he had just removed back on top of the pumpkin to braise them together. Once steamed over a low fire, it would be ready to eat.

“It smells so good. The pumpkins from our house are bigger and taste better than anyone else’s,” Zhao Mao commented.

Zhao Chun also nodded. “Not only is the pumpkin delicious, but the other vegetables are better too.”

Zhao Mengcheng smiled without saying a word. This was the subtle effect of his Mental Power. Just as the three children’s health would improve and remain free of illness by living near him, his power had a similar effect on their surroundings.

The fruits and vegetables in the backyard also benefited from this grace. Not only did they grow lush and green, but their flavors were exceptional.

Previously, the flood had collapsed half the courtyard, and the backyard had been buried under the walls. Zhao Mengcheng had thought the vegetable garden was completely ruined.

When the mud walls were cleared away later, he saw that the large pumpkins were actually still standing.

When he lifted the lid of the pot again, the unique sweet fragrance of pumpkin wafted out. The entire pot of rice had turned a golden yellow, possessing a simple and rustic beauty.

Zhao Mengcheng didn’t make any other dishes, serving the food directly into four large bowls and bringing them to the table.

The father and his three children sat around the square table, one on each side. Each of them held a large bowl and began to eat. Every bite was fragrant and sweet, making it impossible to stop.

This was the scene Liu Bingkun encountered when he arrived at the door.

The four members of the Zhao Family were focused on their task, the table otherwise empty as they all ate their pumpkin rice.

“Brother, is this all your family is eating?” Liu Bingkun’s heart ached for them the moment he saw the pumpkin rice.

Pumpkins were tasty, but they didn’t keep a person full for long when eaten as a main meal. “Is it because you’re short on silver after building the house? If you’re out of money, just tell me. You can’t let the children suffer through the days on nothing but pumpkins.”

He figured Zhao Mengcheng was probably too proud to ask for help. People outside thought he was living a life of luxury every day, yet here he was at home eating pumpkin rice.

He would have to go out and set the record straight later, lest everyone think his brother had made a fortune and allow Zhao Laoda and those other fools to tarnish his reputation.

Liu Bingkun said pityingly, “Look at these three, their little faces have already turned yellow.”

The three little ones looked up in confusion. What was Uncle Kun talking about? Why shouldn’t they eat pumpkins when they were so delicious? Their father had even added red dates and dried longans into the rice, all buried at the bottom, along with brown sugar. Anyone who tasted it would know how good it was. Slurp.

Zhao Mengcheng glanced at the three little ones. Perhaps they really had eaten too much pumpkin lately, as their skin did seem a bit yellow.

He laughed inwardly. Pumpkins were delicious, but they couldn’t eat them every day, or else all four of them would turn into little yellow people⁷.

Zhao Mengcheng didn’t explain. “Have you eaten? If not, have a bowl yourself.”

Once he tasted it, he would know the deliciousness of pumpkin rice.

Liu Bingkun shook his head. “People from the town have come to collect taxes. They’re at my house right now. My father sent me to call everyone. Hurry over as soon as you’re finished eating.”

“They’re coming at this hour?” It was almost dark.

Liu Bingkun sighed. “Tell me about it. Those officials are in a real hurry, acting like they want to haul the grain away this very day.”

He paused and emphasized, “They said they only want grain for the taxes this year. You cannot pay with silver instead.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mengcheng lost his appetite for a slow meal. His family only had so much grain; if they gave it away, they wouldn’t have enough to eat.

He finished his rice in a few quick bites and stood up. “Let’s go. I’ll go take a look right now.”

Translator’s Notes