Reclaiming Wasteland: Carefree Mountain Farmer

Chapter 225 Shannong Certification
As autumn arrives and the weather turns cold, even those in the 498 area can feel the noticeable change in the weather.

After finishing selling newspapers in the morning, Si Jiuba looked around but couldn't find Wu Yue anywhere.

Where did Wu Yue go?

Chai Yuzi's maid was eating melon seeds and chatting nearby. She was wearing a black and white dress similar to those worn by newspaper employees, with banana and orange patterns printed on it.

"The princess is jumping rope outside the door," Shan Tao, a maid in her twenties, replied with a smile.

Selling newspapers is not a tiring job, there isn't much to do each day, and you can work while sitting down.

It's just a simple matter of collecting money and handing over newspapers. After finishing the morning's work, you can sit and chat over tea, and take turns taking a nap in the afternoon. You don't need to serve the ladies.

Being a servant of King Wu was much better than being a maidservant to a Han Chinese; it seemed like they could earn a lot of money every day.

Si Jiu nodded and went out to look for someone, feeling that many people had spoiled Wu Yue a lot lately.

Although Wu Yue was entitled to a share of the profits, she had recently become increasingly indifferent to money due to the influence of several wealthy women and young ladies.

I used to have to tell myself before spending even a few cents, but now things are really bad.

When the accounts were reconciled last time, a few taels of silver were missing. Although Chai Yuzi and Chen Xianzhi made up for it on the spot, Si Jiuba was still wary and started staying at the counter all day the next day to keep a close eye on things.

It was eventually discovered that Wu Yue was responsible...

Chen Xianzhi and Chai Yuzi clearly knew about this all along, but they didn't tell me.

Si Jiuba had considered telling his parents, but he vaguely sensed that Wu Yue was very afraid of Beiji Wu. If he told them, it would probably be very bad for Wu Yue.

After having this idea, 498 dared not make a fuss about it anymore.

She could also sense the terror of Arctic Martial Arts. If Arctic Martial Arts Arts found out about this, Wu Yue would be lucky to escape with a beating.

As soon as Si Jiuba stepped out of the door, he saw Wu Yue playing jump rope at the entrance.

Wu Yue played with not only her younger siblings, but also other children from the neighborhood.

Chai Boshi's younger brother, Wang Li's daughter, and Chen Xianzhi's son were all present.

In a very short time, Wu Yue became the boss, surrounded by flies like a rotten egg.

She was enjoying herself, and seeing a group of children playing together, she didn't want to kick them out.

"Wu Yue, it's getting cold. I'll take you to buy some clothes."

Si Jiu Ba has been taking care of Wu Yue as if she were her own daughter. Especially since Wu Yue has been living with her lately, and with the entrustment of King Wu, she naturally treats her as someone even more important than her own sister.

"It's none of your business." Wu Yue was having a great time and said impatiently, "My father will prepare beautiful clothes for me!"

Looking at the young masters and ladies nearby, and then at the bouncy Wu Yue, Si Jiu Ba turned around helplessly and went back.

When I returned to the room, I saw Shan Tao and the other maids and young ladies sitting there chatting, with snacks they had brought from home laid out on the table.

Shantao greeted, "Fourth sister, come and have some snacks."

Chen Xianzhi's maid, Nuanfang, smiled and said, "It's almost noon. What should we eat for lunch? I'll have the cook make something."

Wang Li added, "That depends on what Your Highness would like to eat. We'll ask her later."

Wang Li also had maids, but they were not presentable; they were not the kind of young ladies who had received a good education and were willing to serve as maids.

Although Wang Li's father-in-law, Li Tangqing, was also a high-ranking official in the imperial court, he did not serve as an official in the capital for more than a few days because King Wu disliked him.

It's either in Yangzhou or Yanzhou, or in Ezhou or Xiazhou.

Although he was given an important position, his salary and benefits were far less than those of other high-ranking officials of the same rank.

Because he became an official at a young age, Chai Boshi is now also an official in the capital.

The imperial court had no shortage of women and would often send out educated women.

The palace maids alone were given out several times, and most of them ended up in the homes of officials and nobles.

The scribe Mo family also held a stable official position. Although they were long sidelined in the city, as surrenderers from the south, many former southern forces had come to join them.

Women from wealthy families like Chen Xianzhi naturally knew how to train maids.

Si Jiuba looks like a farm girl; her wheat-colored skin, exposed to the wind and sun for a long time, doesn't resemble that of a girl or maid from an official's family.

Let alone compared to a woman like Chen Xianzhi, even standing next to a maid like Shan Tao, she looks like a country bumpkin.

Standing alone, Si Jiuba gives off a lively, sunny, and confident vibe, but standing next to the young ladies and maids of wealthy families, she looks like a typical dark-skinned girl from the countryside.

I took over the household registration at the age of ten and became a newspaper vendor, 498. It's been almost ten years now.

For the first time, Si Jiuba felt very uncomfortable. Even though this place was his own home, he felt like an outsider.

Whether it's a young lady or a maid, they can't get along with 498.

498 doesn't understand their cultural games, doesn't understand poetry, and doesn't like drinking or gambling.

After fidgeting around the room for over half an hour, Si Jiuba still felt very uncomfortable.

At that moment, a man walked in and stared at the clerk who was eating beef slices.

"Hello, I'd like to buy a newspaper from the day of the autumn harvest."

Shan Tao glanced at the man who looked like an old farmer, "Sold out."

Startled, Si Jiuba broke out in a cold sweat and quickly stood up, saying, "We haven't sold out!"

Si Jiuba walked over quickly and said to the old man, "These past few days, we've been selling thousands of copies of the day's newspaper every day. They're basically sold out very quickly every day. I've specially prepared 50,000 extra copies to keep at home. They're 20 cents each. If you want just one newspaper, I can give you a discount; it'll only cost 5 cents."

The man in front of him was indeed an ordinary old man. Upon hearing this, he hurriedly said, "Then I'll buy one. Here are five coins. Count them."

498 quickly took the money, handed over the newspaper, and only breathed a sigh of relief after the person left.

Seeing Si Jiu Ba's nervous expression, Shan Tao asked, "Fourth Sister, why are you so nervous?"

Si Jiuba glared at her angrily, "If you want to drink, go inside or go home. Don't do this kind of thing in my workplace. Our newspaper's mission is to do publicity. Selling newspapers is just to support us newspaper boys. King Wu's mission is to sell newspapers, not to make money!"

"The original 496, Hu Yan's family was kicked out of the capital and had their household registration revoked because they didn't sell newspapers properly."

"Luckily I saw you today, otherwise if you had caused trouble and King Wu had found out, none of you would have been able to escape!"

Wang Li quickly stood up to comfort her, saying, "Sister, don't be angry. That person just now looked like a country bumpkin. He's not worth getting angry over. Besides, what could possibly happen to the princess selling newspapers here?"

At this moment, Wu Yue curiously entered the house and looked over. She clearly heard the noise inside and came in to take a look.

Si Jiu Ba glared angrily at Wu Yue, pointing a finger at her and saying, "Don't expect her to clean up your messes! If something really goes wrong, see how Prince Wu disciplines her! Wu Yue, tell me yourself, if your father finds out what you've done, how will he punish you?"

"If someone gets into trouble and makes your father angry, would you dare to plead with him and say a good word for them?!"

Wu Yue, feeling guilty under Si Jiu Ba's glare, quickly turned her head away and looked to the side. "You guys are arguing, what does it have to do with me? I'm perfectly fine, my dad won't hit me..."

As they were talking, Wu Yue slipped away, not wanting to get involved in such troublesome matters.

At this moment, Chen Xianzhi came out of the house. Seeing that the atmosphere inside was not right, she smiled and said, "Sisters, what's wrong? Is the princess being naughty again?"

Sijiu was embarrassed to resolve some issues before, but today the maids' drinking and misbehavior crossed a red line, and could very well lead to her death.

"You all go back, I don't need any help here! Wu Yue and I can manage on our own!"

With a cold face, Si Jiuba directly told people to leave.

Chen Xianzhi was unaware of what had happened; Chai Yuzi had gone out shopping.

"What's wrong?" Chen Xianzhi asked Wang Li.

Wang Li replied, "Just now, someone came to buy a newspaper, and Shan Tao said that the newspapers were sold out. Then Si Jiu Ba came and sold the newspapers. After seeing the person off, he got angry and even called Princess in and scolded her."

Wang Li, a country woman, felt that there was something wrong with 498, but Chen Xianzhi's expression immediately hardened, clearly knowing why 498 was angry.

Chen Xianzhi's face was solemn, and she looked extremely frightening.

"Yamamo! Slap yourself!"

Shan Tao was frightened and quickly replied, "Fourth Sister, I know I was wrong. Please don't be angry, okay? If my mistress finds out, she will definitely blame me."

Chen Xianzhi's face darkened further. Her maid was Nuanfang, and this Shantao was Chai Yuzi's maid. Seeing Chen Xianzhi about to explode, Si Jiuba shouted, "Stop talking! You can all leave!"

Just as Chen Xianzhi was about to speak, Wu Yue's terrified scream came from outside the door.

"father……"

The women were immediately startled, and their legs began to go weak.

Si Jiuba was so frightened that his heart was about to jump out of his chest, and he started sweating profusely.

Was that old man a spy?
"Did you do something wrong? Why are you so scared of me?"

Beijiwu didn't come in; he continued talking to the children outside the door.

"No..." Wu Yue's voice was filled with fear.

Beijiwu stood outside the door, looking at several children nearby.

"Sixteen, what did your sister do wrong?"

Little Sixteen looked at Beijiwu blankly, "I don't know, we've been playing here the whole time. There was a fight inside just now, and we were scared so we didn't go in. Seventh Sister went in."

Beijiwu casually said, "You guys keep having fun. Go back when it's time for dinner. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I had some mooncakes made and some bananas, fruits, and pomegranates sent from the south to my home. Go back early."

After finishing his sentence, Beijiwu walked towards the shop.

When the children heard that there was more good food at home, they quickly lost interest in playing.

As Beijiwu entered the shop, he saw the women kneeling on the ground.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Beijiwu glanced down at the table and saw unwashed salted peanuts and beef slices, along with dipping sauce and a plate of nearly empty oranges.

There were also two jugs of wine on the table, and a faint smell of alcohol filled the room.

Beijiwu walked past Chen Xianzhi, who was kneeling at the front, ignoring the woman with her buttocks sticking out.

Beijiwu stood in the middle of the room, looking at the layout and furnishings around him, and then at the 498 who was kneeling on the ground but not touching the ground with his head. Instead, he raised his head and stood up straight, looking at his body.

"It's the Mid-Autumn Festival. I just went back and found out that Wu Yue has been staying with you recently, so I came to visit."

“Get up and speak. Are these your friends? They don’t look like they’ve come to buy a newspaper.”

Before Si Jiuba could speak, Chen Xianzhi immediately said, "Your Majesty! We are just helpers selling newspapers here. Business is so good that we've all come here to help out."

Arctic Martial revealed a speechless and helpless expression.

"Although my name contains the character 'Wu' (武), very few people or animals can deceive me; in fact, I have never encountered one."

“You lot, kneel down and talk. I don’t have a bad habit of not killing women.”

"Wu Yue, come in and kneel down."

Beiji Wu's voice pierced through everyone's bodies, and like a tiger's claw, it froze Wu Yue, who was about to escape, in place, unable to move.

run?
How could he possibly escape...

Wu Yue walked in with a chill running down her spine, and knelt down on the ground very carefully and with a wronged expression.

"Sixteen, close the door, and then you all go home."

Arctic Martial Arts gave the child face and planned to close the shop to deal with the situation.

At this moment, several children were standing at the door and refused to leave.

Li Tangqing's granddaughter, Wang Li's daughter Li Yan, knelt at the door with the other children.

Upon seeing this, Beijiwu asked, "Go home, don't kneel in the doorway and get in the way."

Li Yan looked up at the terrifying Arctic Martial Arts School, "My mother is inside..."

Beijiwu frowned and asked directly, "Who is your father?"

Li Yan replied, "My grandfather was Li Tangqing, an official in Xiacheng, and my father was Li Anmin, a servant in Xiacheng."

Beiji Wu roughly guessed what was going on, but he didn't know exactly what Wu Yue had done in this incident.

"Take your kids home for the holidays, don't get in the way here."

Beiji Wu casually said, "Don't come again. Sijiuba, settle your wages with them. Wuyue, take your sisters home. I'll find someone to help you with the newspaper selling from now on. Sijiuba, go back to school."

"Yes!" Si Jiu Ba breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed.

Chen Xianzhi hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! My coming to help was something I did on my own, and it has nothing to do with my husband!"

Arctic Martial asked 498, "Who is her husband?"

498 replied, "It is the document of the Tibetan governor."

No one wanted to go to Tibet, and the Northern Army was too lazy to mobilize its forces.

"The document is not badly written. I didn't mean to make things difficult for him. But aren't you women good enough to enjoy yourselves at home? Why do you have to come out and cause trouble? You can't stand not making a fuss, can you?"

Chen Xianzhi hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, please forgive us! My family has achieved what we have today thanks to Your Majesty's great favor. My husband and I both have a heart to serve the country and are willing to dedicate ourselves to Your Majesty until our dying breath! We want to do what we can to help!"

Beiji Wu had no interest in listening to her mushy words. Countless women in the harem were willing to do such things; it was not this woman's turn.

"Pack your things and go home for the holiday. Who are you spending the holiday with this year?"

When Beijiwu spoke with Sijiuba, he understood the general situation in a simple conversation and determined that Sijiuba was probably the only innocent one.

498 replied, "I went home to celebrate the holiday with Xiaogua and Huyan, while my younger sister Xiaoya celebrated the holiday at her fiancé's place."

Beijiwu nodded. "That's good. You really can't handle everything here by yourself. Find some capable people to do the work."

"Your captain has been gambling with a group of officials' wives lately. He's been acting recklessly and frivolously. His mind has been corrupted beyond redemption. He's been taking the tasks I assign him lightly, leaving important work to others, while he dresses up in a jewel-encrusted outfit to attend some birthday party."

"Let her family have a good holiday today, and tomorrow they will all go back to their ancestral home and be removed from the public household registration!"

Si Jiuba was terrified. She felt immense sympathy and pity for the captain who had taken care of her, but she dared not beg for her life.

What Arctic Wu said is all true...

Beijiwu coldly said, "I will arrange for Shannongren to take over as team leader the day after tomorrow, hoping to curb the unhealthy practices of the propaganda team!"

"Alright, enjoy the holiday in peace. I'm not one to hold grudges. You lot, don't cause trouble for no reason in the future, and don't try to meddle in my family affairs. I'm only sparing your lives today because I'm in a good mood, but you won't be so lucky next time!"

Beijiwu said a few polite words, then walked directly past a group of kneeling adults and children.

"Wu Yue, follow!"

Wu Yue hurriedly stood up, breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly followed.

The rest of the people escaped from the Arctic and their families' lives.

Mountain farmers can only associate with other mountain farmers, and those in public households should act like public households.

As a public servant of King Wu, if you accept the enticements of the bureaucratic group, then get out!

Household registration is extremely important to the people of northern China; it is of paramount importance!
For men and women who value their lives and are afraid of death, if they had to choose between household registration and their lives, most people would grit their teeth and choose household registration.

This is the value of a public household registration.

With a single stroke, Beiji Wu cleaved the clear sky and created a distinct division between the two worlds!
Men and women throughout the northern provinces no longer dared to sit down and eat with external forces.

There is a wall erected by King Wu between public households and free individuals; anyone who dares to cross it will have to pay the price!
It is not the boundary between Han Chinese and mountain farmers, but the boundary between public households and non-public groups. Top officials like Li Tangqing and Wenshumo are still non-public groups.

There is only a very thin bridge between the two sides, certified by Shandong Agricultural University!

Only by obtaining the certification of rural residents can the bureaucratic group be qualified to engage in equal dialogue with the public household group.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, there are even fewer respectable jobs suitable for women in Luoyang...

(End of this chapter)