At this moment, in the setting sun, in front of Heifu's house, he was surrounded by dozens of people. They were all common people in the village, and there were more women than men.
It stands to reason that although there is no farm work in winter, farmers are not allowed to relax. Because the laws of the Qin State stipulate that after February in spring, people are not allowed to cut wood in the mountains and forests. The ban is not lifted until July. Only coffins made of wood need to be cut due to death.
, so it is not subject to seasonal restrictions.
Therefore, all adult men in farmers' families have to take advantage of the winter when there are no bans to chop enough firewood after spring. If they are skilled, they can also go up the mountain to set traps and nets for catching birds and beasts, and go down to the river to collect fish and turtles, which is a good subsidy.
Household use.
As for women, in addition to weaving, they hold wooden pestles at home and pound endless amounts of grain all day long.
This afternoon, which was supposed to be business as usual, was interrupted when Rizheng's wife came to the door.
Li Zheng's wife told the peasant women who were busy at home that she heard that the Zhong family living in Lidong had made a new rice pounding device, which could greatly reduce the time for pounding rice, and it did not require much effort, and there was no need for sore arms.
.
"These were all leaked by the wife of the craftsman Citron while chatting with her neighbors. I heard that they were finished in the middle of the month and were kept at Zhong's house. They have spent more than half a month pounding dozens of stones of millet!"
"Is this true?"
As soon as they heard that there was such a good thing, the women in the house immediately exploded, throwing down the wooden pestles in their hands, clamoring to go and take a look.
Just as they were walking out of the house chatting and laughing, preparing to knock on the door as usual, Li Zheng appeared.
He told them with a gloomy expression that he had just gone to find Citron who made this artifact, but to his surprise, Citron was unwilling to make it for anyone else, and even took his wife to Zhong's house!
"Citron said it." Li Zheng said to the gathered men and women: "He said he swore an oath that he would not make this thing for others!"
When many women heard this, they immediately started shouting.
"This is really unreasonable!"
"As a craftsman, shouldn't he make utensils for our soldiers? He has an order, how dare he not do it!"
Seeing the indignation among the people, Li Zheng raised his hands and said incitingly: "Listen to me, for several generations, the villagers in the sunset have become like a family. They worship their ancestors together in the twelfth lunar month and drink together in the village."
When we get together, we also take out the food from each family and share it. Whenever there is something good, it should be shared with everyone in the house! This is the rule that has been set long ago in the house!"
"right."
"That's right!"
Everyone agreed, although no one took this so-called rule seriously for a long time.
"But now, Zhong and Citron are unwilling to hand over this thing, and don't want to let the women in the village pound rice to save some energy. Even if I am Li Zheng, there is nothing I can do to them. Since I can't convince them two, I hope you will
Come with me and persuade them to give this thing to Zhong. If it is really useful, how about asking Citron to make one for every household?"
"What Li Zheng said is very good!" When everyone heard that Li Zheng wanted every household to use that good thing, they were immediately happy and agreed one after another.
So, not long after, outside Zhong's house, the once empty half-acre of mulberry forest was crowded with people, and the ground was trampled into a mess. There were still people standing on tiptoe, looking over the wall and looking inside.
More village women started shouting outside:
"Zhong, come out and say something!"
"Is it true that rice pounding can save labor and time?"
"Citron, if there really is such a thing, as a craftsman, why don't you make it for someone here?"
The wooden door of Zhong's house was closed tightly, and the people inside said nothing, except for the faint sound of children crying...
…
Seeing Zhong's family blocked in the door and being questioned by people inside, Zhong Zheng felt extremely relieved in the sunset.
Although Li Zheng is small, he is also the leader of a Li. He is responsible for taking charge of household registration, checking illegalities, and collecting taxes and services. Whoever sees him on weekdays should not bow to him respectfully?
But ever since Hei Fu went to serve in the county town and came back with meritorious services, his family became more and more arrogant and did not take him seriously. Hei Fu, that little brat, would greet others kindly when he met others on the road.
He looked so upright, but he didn't even want to nod his head. Does this guy really think that he is a great person if he wins the title of Duke?
Because Heifu asked his family to keep silent and not to reveal that he was going to be the director of the pavilion until it was done, everyone including Li Zheng and Li Zhong didn't know...
Li Zheng and the Zhong brothers had some grudges to begin with, and he had already thought about it. When Zhong and Heifu come to borrow cattle again this spring, he must know who has the final say here!
But the opportunity came faster than Li Zheng expected. Two days ago, when his wife went to Libei for a visit, news came back: the craftsman Citron's wife, who is also Heifu's sister Huan, let it slip while chatting with the neighbors.
, boasting that Citron Gang Heifu made a rice-pounding instrument that can be stepped on with feet, which can save half the time of pounding millet, and it is effortless...
Li Zheng didn't believe it, but he couldn't resist his wife's nagging. Today he went to Citron's house to ask about the matter.
Unexpectedly, Citron hesitated and hesitated, obviously having something on his mind!
Li Zheng was doubtful, so he pretended to go to the toilet and went to the backyard of Tang's house. He actually saw a rice-pounding instrument that looked exactly like Tang's!
Now Citron couldn't argue, and Li Zheng ordered him to make a similar one for himself and send it home the next day. Unexpectedly, this Citron was cruel enough, so he refused Li Zheng on the spot and smashed the thing! Then he took him with him
My wife and daughter ran away to Zhong’s house...
Li Zheng failed to succeed, and he was so angry that today's scene happened.
He couldn't get it himself, so he pretended to be fair and wanted to make this whole family look bad and make everyone in the city hate him!
"Let's see how your family will gain a foothold here in the future!"
Just as Li Zheng was proudly watching the Zhong family being surrounded, Tian Dian came over. He whispered to Li Zheng, saying that things are not as good as in the past, and Zhong's younger brother Heifu is not an easy person to get along with. He is well-known throughout the county.
As for the sound, who knows what will happen in the future, so don’t do anything wrong!
"So what if I just do it?"
Li Zheng was not angry. He was originally a stubborn little landowner. He was proud of his family's status as a "scholar" and wanted to maintain his status in Li Zhong.
When the matter has reached this point, it is no longer a matter of rice-pounding utensils, but a matter of his prestige in the community. If even a small worker dares to defy him, and even the brothers of the Zhong family cannot deal with it, how can he still do it?
How can he be the one here? The old man from the prison gate who has a higher title than him is coveting this position at any time!
Therefore, Li Zheng insisted on going his own way and said to Tian Dian: "Don't try to persuade me anymore. Today, I will make the Zhong family bow their heads and obediently offer the artifact!"
Tian Dian shook his head and left. Before leaving, he said that he would not help each other in this matter.
"My lord, I don't need your help! I am the master of this sunset!"
Seeing Tian Dian's cowardly appearance, Li Zheng was very contemptuous. He continued to say some inciting words to the Li people, making them even more resentful towards the Zhong family, as if the Zhong family owed them a debt if they did not hand over the artifact.
Life in the countryside is like this. The place is small, you can't see each other when you look up, and there is a lot of friction. Although neighbors are usually harmonious, once your family has something that my family doesn't have, and I want what you have, it will lead to jealousy.
envious.
Since Heifu came back, the Zhong family has been prospering. Not only have the doors and walls been newly repaired, but they can also eat some fish and meat every few days. In order to keep the secret of Tadi, they don't invite neighbors to their home these days.
Sit down...
Slowly, the surrounding neighbors began to have some opinions about the Zhong family, and various emotions began to brew. There were many people who secretly said that their family was arrogant and looked down upon others. Now, those husbands and sons are being added to the fire.
When he went out and was left alone at home pounding rice, he didn't know the village women, so he was willing to follow Li Zheng to watch the fun...
Some even maliciously threw mud at his brand new door to express their jealousy.
Seeing that it was almost done, Li Zheng pretended to stop everyone. He separated from the crowd, raised his proud head, stood in the front row, put his hands on his hips, and shouted loudly to Zhong's family: "Zhong, if you don't come out, we will
If you go in by yourself, your mother and children will be frightened, so don’t blame us for not being compassionate!"
He knew that although the black man was a ruthless man, he was not at home today.
As for Zhong? Haha, Li watched him grow up. Zhong has been an honest and responsible child since he was a child. After he injured his leg on the battlefield, he became even more humble in front of others and would not argue about anything.
, I will be tolerant in everything. In the past, when I was borrowing cattle, borrowing farm tools, or dividing fields, I was embarrassed, and I just smiled helplessly, not daring to have any objections.
Therefore, if you are upright and determined, you will definitely bow to yourself!
As soon as he finished speaking, the dark wooden door of Zhong's house opened with a creak.
Zhong had one foot outside the threshold and one foot still inside. He held the door with his left hand and hid his right hand behind his back.
He looked at the dark villagers outside, looked at the arrogant Li Zheng, his face turned pale, and the injured leg inside the threshold seemed to be shaking slightly...