PDLP Chapter 63 Returning with a Full Load
Chapter 63 Returning with a Full Load
A group of people carried the wild boar down the mountain in a grand procession, everyone's face beaming with joy.
Those leading the way carrying the wild boar were especially overjoyed. On the surface, they were carrying wild boar, but in reality, they were carrying a real dream of their families having a hearty meal. Families usually went out to forage in groups of three to five, with each person receiving five jin (2.5 kg), totaling at least ten or even twenty jin (5 catties). Adding the extra five jin from carrying the wild boar, they figured it would be enough to feed a family for several days. With this calculation, their motivation was even stronger. Carrying the wild boar and shouting slogans, they gradually reached the foot of the mountain amidst everyone's anticipation.
The Wen family members walked forward surrounded by everyone. Wenwen saw that Wen Chengjian was holding sweet potatoes, mushrooms, a few bunches of wild vegetables, and a few small red fruits. She thought of the siblings who had just given them the sweet potatoes, and the few small red fruits that the spoiled Chen Zishuo had awkwardly handed over. Although the items were small, they all contained their gratitude.
Sometimes, under special circumstances, people bridge the gap in unique ways, and a small gesture can evoke a lot of emotions.
"Big brother, what are you thinking about? How are you feeling?"
"I didn't think much about it. Hunting wild boars is easy for me, and this ease allows everyone to have a good meal, so it's the right thing to do. Don't refrain from doing good just because it's a small thing, right?"
Wenwen blinked, silently giving herself a thumbs up. "Big brother is right."
Wen Qikang held the piglet and whispered to Wenwen, "Wen'er, we'll use this piglet to trade for some brown rice later."
Wenwen: Yes, this is a disguised way of showing filial piety.
"Okay, I'll go with you later, and we can buy a clay pot while we're at it."
"Still want to buy?" Wen Qikang was reluctant.
“Buy it. My brother just said, ‘Don’t refrain from doing good just because it’s a small thing.’”
Well, these people's level of thinking immediately improved a lot.
Wen Qikang stopped talking, turned to look at the excited crowd, and walked forward with firm steps.
This noisy group of people soon came into view.
The group of people carrying the wild boar at the front felt the envious glances from the crowd. They followed the instructions of the constables, placed the wild boar in an open area, and waited to be slaughtered and the meat divided.
It was in this lively atmosphere, under the expectant gaze of their family members, that the Wen family made their high-profile appearance.
Wen Qikang carried several wild rabbits on his back and held a piglet in his arms, his eyes gleaming.
Wen Chengfeng carried several pheasants on his back and held two small rabbits in his arms, his face beaming with joy.
Wenwen carried a small bundle of firewood on her back, which looked to be about seven or eight branches, each about a foot long. She held a few wild eggs in her hand and smiled happily.
Wen Chengbin was covered in pheasants, their feathers a motley collection that made him look like he was wearing a floral cotton-padded jacket from a distance, giving him a rustic air. Around his neck hung a ring of wild rabbit fur, like a rabbit fur scarf, which added a touch of sophistication. This neither-here-nor-there image, coupled with his wide grin, made him almost unbearable to look at.
The most extravagant, eye-catching, and unique figure was Wen Chengjian. He was covered in rabbits, white, black, and black and white stripes, with a ring of pheasants hanging from his waist, creating a colorful display. From a distance, he looked like he was wearing a fur coat, exceptionally wealthy and unapproachable. However, he also carried sweet potatoes, mushrooms, a few bunches of wild vegetables, and some small red berries in his hands, making him surprisingly down-to-earth and a sight to behold, drawing envy from onlookers.
Actually, all these images were designed by Wenwen. She just wanted to tell everyone that her family will never lack meat in the future, and the aroma of meat will waft out every day. Please don't be too shocked.
When the Wen family members saw these arrogant individuals approaching, they were all shocked. They wanted to laugh but dared not, their faces turning red with embarrassment. With strange expressions, they took a few steps forward and pulled the group into their encirclement, removing the wild game from their clothes with complicated feelings.
The Wen family was once again surrounded in the most remote corner, far from where the constables were to gather. To get there, one had to cross the encirclements of all the prisoners' families. On the surface, they were isolated, but in reality, the Wen family was quite content.
Wen Qikang said a few words to his family and then took Wenwen's hand and walked towards the yamen runners.
Wen Qikang was carrying a piglet and three pheasants and three rabbits on his back, while Wenwen was carrying two pheasants.
The little piglet in my arms was so lively, it straightened its head and turned around to look around. It was completely unaware that its fate had just begun and was about to end. So many people were watching it, and it was nodding its head and blindly joining in the fun.
Wenwen asked quietly, "Third Uncle, how much can we get in return for all of this?"
"Hard to say, it depends on my mood and fate. By the way, should we buy that earthenware pot?"
“Buy it, I have plenty of money.”
Wen Qikang shook his head speechlessly.
The constable in charge of the exchange saw the two of them carrying things on their backs from afar and immediately beamed with joy. Another wealthy customer had come to deliver money, and he was sure to welcome them.
Upon arriving, the constable feigned a cold expression and asked, "We have plenty of meat to eat today, and even less brown rice. You can only exchange these for 10 jin. Do you want to trade?"
Wenwen had anticipated this and made a request, "We'll exchange it, but we still have earthenware pots, and we'd like to exchange those too."
The constable glanced at the corner of the stove, where three chipped, lidless earthenware pots had just been thrown away. His eyes darted around. "Yes, I do," he said, "but they're a bit pricey, 15 taels each. How many do you want?"
Wenwen was willing to exchange this time, and her mood was not affected at all. "Two."
Seeing that she agreed without hesitation, the constable narrowed his eyes and said, "How about this, I'll give you 40 taels, all three of them, and I'll also throw in 3 packets of barbecue seasoning."
The bailiff didn't even wait for her to agree, and turned around to order: "Wang Gui, weigh out 10 catties of coarse rice, and bring over 3 packets of seasoning along with the earthenware pot."
Look, how can they not be assertive when business comes knocking on their door? Their bundled sales are all premeditated.
Wenwen knew perfectly well what was going on. She watched as Wang Gui put down the brown rice and the earthenware pot, opened his palm, and laughed arrogantly, "Three packets of salt, 30 taels, fair and square, still the same price."
Wen Qikang glanced at it calmly and said nothing.
Wenwen looked up and carefully examined the man, Wang Gui, the cook. She really wanted to know how much salt he had prepared, and whether it sold well. Was he waiting for her to buy it? Since she was his only customer, he was a VIP among VIPs. Wouldn't repeat customers enjoy discounts?
Wang Gui, growing impatient, interrupted her reverie, "Give me the money, quick and easy."
Wenwen didn't seem to mind at all and readily paid the money to settle the matter.
The uncle and nephew, carrying the items they had exchanged, weaved their way through the prisoner's encirclement.
All the prisoners were cheering and eating and drinking to their hearts' content.
Everyone had a good haul tonight, and everyone was eating and drinking. The yamen runners slaughtered two large wild boars and distributed the pork as agreed. Lord Zhu, ever merciful, gave a bowl of meat soup to those who had no harvest.
Looking around, a bonfire was burning at the foot of the mountain, and everyone was beaming with joy, laughing and singing loudly. Anyone unaware of the situation would think it was a large bonfire party.
Wenwen looked up at the starry sky and wondered how long such happy days could last.