Chapter 53

He Cuihua returned from outside the city yesterday and brought back a few wind-dried chickens and half a pig from her parents' house. She prepared a good meal for the evening, but Zhao Jin came back late due to extra practice in the afternoon. As a result, He Cuihua had to reheat the food twice and scolded Zhao Jin severely.

In comparison, Mu Shulan received much better treatment. When He Cuihua heard that the little girl would be staying at their house for a few months, she was not surprised or hesitant. Instead, she happily went to arrange the room. The Zhao family's residence was quite large, and it was easy to spare a room for the little girl.

Zhao Zhentang directly gave He Cuihua two silver ingots and instructed her, "She doesn't even have a change of clothes. Tomorrow, buy a few yards of cloth to make her a set. Get everything she needs and don't neglect her."

"You always know how to speak. Would I neglect my own daughter-in-law?" He Cuihua complained, but her face was full of smiles.

Mu Shulan had been at the Zhao family for more than a day or two and was not at all shy. She ate heartily and kept Zhao Jin engaged in conversation, while the adults watched with smiles on their faces.

However, they had their own matters to discuss. It turned out that He Cuihua had returned to her parents' house this time to deliver silver to her brother. The He family was well-off and had some influence in the village. After marrying their daughter to Zhao Zhentang, no one dared to provoke them. The He family was neither poor nor greedy and had never taken advantage of the Zhao family; they just maintained a normal relationship.

He the Butcher slaughtered pigs, and the family's farmland was cultivated by Zhao Jin's uncle, He Youfu. They had a considerable amount of land and five hired workers. Normally, their income should have been sufficient without borrowing money. However, this year, they had a cash flow problem. Before paying the taxes, they were cheated by grain traders, who bought their grain at a low price and paid them less silver. After paying the taxes, they found themselves short of cash. Although they could manage to get through the New Year, they would have no money left for the spring, when they needed funds for living expenses and buying seeds.

He Youfu was a straightforward man who did not want to trouble others and was also concerned about his reputation. He did not want others to know about his difficulties. It wasn't until a few days ago that Zhao Jin's aunt went to her in-laws to cry and诉苦, and only then did they learn about the situation. He the Butcher did not have much silver either, so he sent someone to the Zhao family for help.

"If I hadn't gone, they would have had to sell the land," He Cuihua said unhappily.

"Your father and brother are too concerned about their reputation. It's harder for them to ask for help than to reach the heavens. I'll talk to the household clerk. The prefecture doesn't lack the silver your family needs. It's really troublesome," Zhao Zhentang said, taking a sip of wine, seemingly unconcerned.

By now, Zhao Jin also knew that the prefecture office had six departments, corresponding to the six ministries. The household department was responsible for taxes and land in the jurisdiction of Xuzhou, and the household clerk managed this department. Although the clerk's position was slightly higher than that of a constable, they were still considered low-ranking officials. However, the prefect served a nine-year term and was a scholar from the imperial examination, while the actual affairs of the region were managed by these clerks. Moreover, the clerk's position was hereditary, and generations of the same family managed the same affairs, making them truly powerful figures in the region.

Fortunately, the constables were also locals from Xuzhou, and Zhao Zhentang was a well-known figure. He could ask for help and had the face to do so. Tax matters, which seemed overwhelming to the common people, were trivial to the household clerk, who could resolve them with a stroke of the pen.

With someone in the government, things were easier to handle. Zhao Jin listened carefully, but he neglected the little girl beside him, leading to several incoherent responses. As a result, Mu Shulan got angry and started eating on her own.

"Damn the single-whip tax, everything is converted to silver. There isn't that much cash in the countryside. Selling grain at a low price in autumn to get silver for taxes and buying grain at a high price in spring to survive the famine. This back and forth ruins many families..."

Zhao Zhentang put down his wine cup and complained. Zhao Xing smiled and shook his head, saying, "Brother, what you're saying is old news. After Zhang Xiang's death and the family's punishment, the single-whip tax was suspended."

"Even if the single-whip tax is suspended, the lower officials still collect as much as they can, not a single coin less," Zhao Zhentang's voice rose.

Zhao Jin was a bit stunned, wondering why a discussion about something that didn't concern them had turned into an argument. Zhao Xing shook his head, and He Cuihua came out to mediate, giving Zhao Zhentang and Zhao Xing each a piece of flatbread. She sat down and said, "Don't argue about this. Aren't you two brothers doing well now?"

"Our parents suffered for nearly twenty years and didn't get to enjoy the good life with me. ... Now, the people in the garrison are suffering!" Zhao Zhentang drank another cup of wine.

He Cuihua shook her head helplessly and complained, "We can't mention paying the imperial grain anymore. You always get like this when you talk about it."

Zhao Xing's expression also turned gloomy, and his voice was hoarse when he spoke, "Brother, don't bring up the past. We're living well now, and that's enough."

After saying this, Zhao Zhentang leaned heavily on the chair, sighed deeply, and laughed self-mockingly, "Worrying unnecessarily. When you have a good life, you shouldn't dwell on the past."

Recalling past hardships during times of prosperity helps one appreciate the present happiness. Zhao Jin often reminisced about the past at dinner parties after reaching the middle ranks in his previous life, so he knew that although the current atmosphere was a bit tense, it wasn't truly depressing.

His father and uncle must have had a hard time in the past, and his grandparents' deaths were likely related to their hard work. Zhao Zhentang had mentioned these things more than once at the dinner table, but Zhao Jin had never paid much attention or didn't understand them.

However, these were just passing thoughts. What Zhao Jin was thinking about now was the single-whip tax. He remembered the name, but what caught his attention was his father's complaint about "selling grain at a low price in autumn to pay taxes and buying grain at a high price in spring to survive the famine." This was a significant issue with many possibilities...

While he was deep in thought, he felt someone poking his arm several times. He looked over and saw that it was the little girl, Mu Shulan. When she saw that he had noticed, she leaned in and said, "Brother Jin, your family is just like mine. During meals, the adults always talk about things we don't understand."

Mu Shulan's voice was not low, and everyone at the table could hear her. The Zhao brothers, who had been lost in their memories, were taken aback and then burst out laughing.

The atmosphere at the table immediately improved, and He Cuihua smiled and patted the little girl's head, saying, "Little Lan is so smart."

Zhao Jin then realized that the little girl had said that to lighten the mood. She was indeed very clever, but his mind was already elsewhere.

After his evening exercise, Zhao Jin would usually make his bed and go to sleep. However, he knew that before he went to sleep, He Cuihua would come in to tuck him in, even though it was unnecessary. This was a mother's love for her child. Normally, Zhao Jin would say goodnight and then drift off to sleep.

Today, He Cuihua came in a bit later. The Zhao family's residence was large, and there were plenty of rooms, but she had to tidy up for the little girl. She only came in after settling everything.

"Mother, what did Father mean by 'selling grain at a low price in autumn to pay taxes and buying grain at a high price in spring to survive the famine'?" Zhao Jin asked directly. As family, they were the closest blood relatives, and there was nothing they couldn't discuss.

Sure enough, He Cuihua thought it was just a teenager's curiosity and sat down next to Zhao Jin to explain.

All the people in the Ming Dynasty had to pay imperial grain and taxes and bear the burden of corvée labor. This was the duty and responsibility of the common people. Except for those with official titles and government officials, no one was exempt. Even the military households in the garrisons had to do the same, and their burden was even heavier.