On the farmland of Pompeii's territory, people braved the scorching heat, bent over and holding sickles in their hands, sweating like rain to cut wheat.
Although the heat was unbearable, the farmers felt cool in their hearts, as if they had eaten ice cubes, which was very refreshing.
Because there is a lot of food this year.
Although this year is a good harvest year, we have never seen so much grain during the good harvests in previous years. The grains of wheat are very full and huge.
It's golden, like gold grains.
There is no need to wait for the wheat grains to be cleaned out. Experienced farmers can tell with their own eyes and hands that this year's grain harvest will be about 30% to 40% more than in normal harvest years.
Thirty to forty percent.
This is absolutely a terrifying number.
Originally, the atmosphere in Pompeii was relatively peaceful and relaxed. The Pompeii knights never criticized the free people harshly and did not charge heavy taxes. They only collected fair taxes based on output.
The freedmen were happy to pay this tax.
After all, they have provided for the Pompeii family for generations, and the Pompeii family is responsible for protecting them, which is fair.
Under such circumstances, the lives of the free people in Pompeii were very prosperous. They could not even be considered rich, but they could definitely be regarded as living and working in peace and contentment.
This year's harvest is 30% more than in previous years. So next year, can we eat more meat and add a new piece of clothing for our wife and children?
Besides, because of the role of oxen and plows, they plan to expand their farmland at least twice, so the harvest next year will be more than double this year's.
It gets better and better year after year.
Although they used to live and work in peace and contentment, who doesn't want a better life? So the farmers are very happy. Although they sweat profusely, they are happy in their hearts.
The Seventh Tunnel of Pompeii.
The first to ninth settlements of Pompeii, together with the Iron Horse settlement, formed the smallest unit of the free people of Pompeii. The population of the seventh settlement was not large, with more than 130 people and 18 households.
The population here refers to adults, not children.
Except for one carpenter, everyone in the village has made a living by farming for generations. Even the carpenter will help his family take care of the farmland when farming is busy.
This is the tradition that has continued in Pompeii territory, with agriculture occupying the absolute main position.
Asma.
He is a middle-aged farmer with a very ordinary figure in Pompeii. He is tall and strong. He has been engaged in agricultural activities all year round, making him as strong as a cow.
The skin color is dark, just a little bit different from black charcoal.
Because Asma is the eldest son in the family, he lives with his parents. His parents are old and unable to work, so the burden of farmland at home falls on him.
Fortunately, Asma married a capable wife who can cook good food at home and do skilled farm work in the fields.
Moreover, his family also has three children, two sons and a daughter. The daughter is still young, but the two sons are already teenagers, which can also reduce the burden on the family.
All in all, he was a very ordinary Pompeian farmer, a farmer who lived and worked in peace and contentment.
Asma used to feel that she was very satisfied with her current life. She had plenty to eat, a wife, and children. Isn't she still satisfied?
Asma also felt that his life would be so dull, growing old like his parents, watching his children get married, and then waiting for his son to take over the farmland in his hands, and he would start a semi-retired life like his parents.
Ordinary, but happy.
But now this ordinary life has suddenly changed. There will be a bumper harvest this year and new farmland will be developed next year.
Wonderful.
It was already afternoon in Asma's family's farmland, and Asma's parents couldn't work any more, so they went home early on strike.
In the farmland, there were only Asma, his wife, and three children.
There are also bundles of tied wheat and a donkey cart. These wheat will be brought home, first undergo simple processing, and then sent to the wheat flour workshop to turn into white wheat flour.
Except for a part that is kept at home for eating, and a part that is taxed, most of it will be sold to the Pompeii family, who will then sell it to Kaiyue City.
This happens every year.
The difference is that this year's harvest is greater.
Asma smiled like a child, stretching out her rough palms from time to time, bending down and stroking the wheat grains. The grains were so full and the ears were so heavy.
"Last year was also a bumper harvest, but this year's harvest is greater than last year's. I think it can be 30 to 40% more. What do you think, Mir?"
After Asma smiled happily, she turned back and asked her wife.
Mir is also a typical Pompeian peasant woman. She is stout and beautiful, and seems to be two different creatures. However, she is hardworking and an excellent peasant woman.
"I think it's about 30% to 40%." Mir also opened his mouth and smiled.
The couple were very happy, and so were their children.
At this time, there was a sound of wheels. Asma looked up and saw his neighbor Ammu driving a donkey cart loaded with wheat towards home.
"Hi, Asuma."
Eminem stopped and said hello happily.
"Hi, Eminem."
Asuma also smiled and said hello.
"By the way, remember to come to my house tonight and bring some bacon and sausages. I'm going to have a cocktail party to celebrate this year's harvest."
Eminem said to Asma.
Asma was stunned for a moment, and then said happily: "Okay."
Asma likes to drink, but she usually drinks in moderation because although her family can afford it, they are not particularly wealthy.
But this time he readily agreed to bring out bacon and sausages.
Mir was usually a shrewd peasant woman who calculated carefully, and she didn't make a sound at the moment.
Because this year is a bumper harvest, it is worth celebrating.
Isn't it?
That night.
In the courtyard of Eminem's house, all the adult men from the Seventh Village came. There were twenty or thirty people, making the small courtyard very crowded.
Everyone grilled sausages brought from home, ate dishes cooked by Eminem’s family, and drank wine.
Singing happily.
"Hey, it's actually Pompeii wine. Eminem, you're bleeding heavily this time." Some people noticed something unusual after taking a sip of wine and said in surprise.
Pompeii wine is very expensive for external sales, costing one gold coin per barrel, but only five silver coins for domestic sales.
But it is still very expensive for farmers.
This time they brought the bacon and sausages themselves, and the wine was prepared by Amu's family. This time it can be said that it was a big hemorrhage.
"Everyone only has one glass of Pompeii wine, not even a drop more. The rest is just ale, so be satisfied." Eminem shrugged, obviously not really about to bleed.
"Hey, everyone. Let's drink to our Pompeii, to our next generation of Pompeii Knights, Luther Knights."
Eminem suddenly raised the wine glass in his hand and shouted.
"For the Knights of Luther."
"The Great Knight of Luther."
The men all raised their glasses and responded enthusiastically.
Luther, Pompeii.
The next generation of Pompeii knights.
His prestige in Pompeii was growing day by day.
Just like what the knight said.
"Knight Luther, your prestige increases day by day with your kindness."