novelSusiti Chapter 2 A Small Farm
Chapter 2 A Small Farm
Li Xuan and Li Ji did not live in Lijia Town; Li Xuan's home was in the countryside ten miles away. With boats from the south and horses from the north, the Guangling countryside was dotted with numerous canals and waterways. Lijia Town was built along the water and had its own wharf.
Li Xuan and Li Ji arrived at the dock, retrieved their small boat, and, despite their rumbling stomachs, untied the ropes.
Li Xuan rowed the boat, and Li Ji skillfully took out some boiled taro from a jar in the cabin, one for himself and one for Li Xuan: "Brother, eat up, it was boiled this morning, it's still soft and tender. Now is the perfect time for taro."
Li Xuan ate it in two bites without any hesitation; he really put in a lot of effort to walk back ten miles. Besides, he and Li Ji were both at an age where they could never get enough to eat, and they felt weak if they didn't eat something.
The small boat rocked and swayed away from the dock. Li Ji sat at the bow, holding a book and reviewing his lessons. In October, it got dark earlier and earlier, and by the time they got home, it was too late to study.
The two brothers had no money and studied by oil lamp every day. Li Ji was very sensible and made the most of his time on the way home to review what the teacher had taught that day and to preview the lessons for tomorrow.
As Li Ji recited his lessons aloud, Li Xuan silently rowed the boat. His boatmanship was quite skillful, and even in the quiet autumn river, he made very little noise, minimizing any disruption to Li Ji's studies.
About half an hour later, it began to get dark. Li Ji put away his books and prepared to take over from Li Xuan.
Li Xuan shook his head and said, "Brother Ji, please sit down. I'm not tired. Today was the last lesson of the day. The teacher just talked to us and didn't require any studying. I'm in good spirits."
Li Ji asked curiously, "Brother Xuan, what was the Master's last lesson about? Was it just talking to you guys?"
While rowing rhythmically, Li Xuan explained to Li Ji, "The Master said that the imperial examinations will be held in Jinling next year, and that families with the means can go to Jinling to try. If you want to participate in the examinations, you must not waste this year and must continue to study hard at home. Next year, you will be escorted by your clan to Jinling."
Li Ji asked curiously, "Brother Xuan, do you think Jinling is bigger or Guangling is bigger? Guangling is already very big and prosperous, but Jinling Stone City is the capital, so it must be bigger and more lively."
Li Xuan chuckled and said, "What, is Brother Ji going to Jinling to take the imperial examination? Your knowledge is still shallow, you certainly won't be able to pass next year's examination. You'll have to wait at least four or five years."
Li Ji smiled sheepishly: "Brother Xuan, are you going to take the imperial examination? If you do, we'll need a servant to carry your books. I'll be taller next year, so I won't embarrass you."
Li Xuan looked amusedly at Li Ji's eager anticipation, then cruelly interrupted Li Ji's fantasies: "I will not go to Jinling to take the imperial examination. In these times, the ruling class changes hands frequently, and those who can keep their official positions certainly have soldiers under their command. If I pass the examination next year, and the state of Yu falls the year after, who will recognize Yu's achievements?"
Li Ji was dumbfounded: "Huh? You can deny my academic achievements?"
Li Xuan asked Li Ji, "Where in the world today are there imperial examinations? When emperors and regional governors appoint officials, it's all based on recommendations from their subordinates. They are simply granted to meritorious soldiers and generals, as well as to relatives and noble families. If the State of Yu collapses, or if the current emperor of Yu collapses, what's so strange about his successor not wanting to pursue official positions?"
As for me, I've been very tired from studying these past few years, so I might as well rest at home for a while and properly manage the family fortune. Even if I were to become an official in the future, I couldn't go empty-handed. Bandits and wars are rampant everywhere; if we don't have money and can't recruit advisors and personal guards, we'll surely be killed before we even reach our post.
Li Ji's face fell, clearly saddened that he couldn't go to Jinling. But he quickly cheered up and asked, "So, brother, you'll be staying home. You'll still take me to school every day from now on?"
Li Xuan laughed heartily and said, "Yes, yes, yes, your brother takes you to school every day. After school, he takes you home."
Li Ji's excited cheers echoed through the autumn reeds, spreading with the rolling ripples into the endless distance.
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After rounding a river mouth, Li Xuan skillfully steered the boat into a deep bend in the river. In the distance, a dock could be seen, along with two larger boats moored there.
Under the glazed twilight sky, a boy about the same age as Li Xuan was excitedly waving at them from the dock.
Li Ji cleverly grabbed the rope and shouted to the boy on the dock, "Brother Chang, catch it!"
After saying that, Li Ji used all his strength to throw the cable, which flew in a parabola toward Li Chang, who was two steps away.
Li Chang chuckled as he gripped the mooring rope, carefully cooperating with Li Xuan to bring the boat to a safe stop. He then deftly secured the rope to the dock. The water in the bay was calm, so the boat didn't need to anchor; the rope was sufficient.
After securing the boat, Li Ji, carrying his schoolbag, leaped ashore, followed closely by Li Xuan.
Li Chang was overjoyed at Li Xuan's return. Since Li Xuan no longer needed to attend the clan school, he would have more time to take Li Chang out and about. As a mischievous young man in his prime, he longed to go out and achieve great things, and had long since grown tired of staying in a small village catching sparrows.
As they walked, Li Xuan asked, "Brother Chang, is everything alright at home?"
Li Chang smiled and said, "Everything's good, everything's good. Aunt He and her team mended the fishing nets today. I went down to the river to test them out, and they're indeed sturdy and easy to use. There was even a big black fish when we hauled them in!"
Li Ji exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, a big black carp! I've seen it in Yangzhou. Only the best restaurants serve big black carp. A fish stew like that is so expensive!"
Snakehead fish, also known as "dragon's offspring" in ancient times, is said to be related to the Dragon King by blood. Since ancient times, it has been a royal tribute, purchased and consumed by the upper classes. From the Great Yu Dynasty onwards, folklore circulated that dragons were lustful and that snakehead fish had aphrodisiac properties. Therefore, before marriage, men who could afford it would try to eat snakehead fish as a tonic, hoping for abundant offspring and healthy descendants.
Li Xuan and Li Ji don't need to consider marriage for the time being. Li Chang is focused on making his way in the world, so naturally he's not considering marriage either. Therefore, this big black fish will definitely be sold to Yangzhou City.
Li Xuan said happily, "What other fish are there? After we send Ji Di to Li Family Town tomorrow, we'll go to Yingxun Bridge in Yangzhou to sell them."
Li Chang laughed and said, "The rest are all cheap stuff. There are silver carp, pomfret, and some small minnows. Daddy said the weather is getting cooler, so he doesn't want us to go to the river every day."
Li Xuan nodded: "It's not just the cool weather. With the autumn harvest approaching, we need to make serious preparations. The granary must be thoroughly cleaned and ventilated, and all harvesting tools must be checked and in good working order. We should follow the rules and harvest the fragrant rice first, then the millet."
As the two talked, a row of houses came into view. The largest house was Li Xuan's home, and attached to it were six thatched huts, where Li Chang and his son and five tenant families lived respectively.
In turbulent times, human life was as worthless as grass. Although there was much wasteland in the countryside of Guangling, and the two emperors of the Yu Kingdom actively encouraged farming and land reclamation, the peasants still aspired to become tenants of powerful families in order to secure a peaceful life.
Li Xuan's father was an official, but he had passed away, leaving Li Xuan with his clan to rely on. While the Guangling Li clan had declined in official rank, it still held considerable prestige and influence in the countryside. Therefore, these tenant farmers did not abandon the young Li Xuan; instead, they protected him as he grew up.