Chapter 37 - Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Preparing to Build a House_1 (1/2)

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Preparing to Build a House_1

Translator: 549690339

Now that he had finished planting his 300 golden eared mushrooms, he was preparing to discuss it with his parents and brothers in the front yard, when he saw Chen Cunzheng, standing at the entrance of his yard with his hands behind his back.

Chen Sanyou, the village leader, was in his forties. He was a gentle and polite man who was willing to help others. He held considerable prestige in

Dongchen Village, second only to his older brother, Clan Leader Chen Fu.

Upon seeing Chen Cunzheng approach, Jiang Sanlang quickly went up to greet him, and with a chuckling smile, said, “Uncle Chen, please come in and sit down.”

Only then did Chen Sanyou stride in, looking around as he questioned,

“Sanlang, I see you’ve been busy recently. What are you busy with?”

Jiang Sanlang rubbed his hands together and laughed, “I haven’t been too busy. I just harvested some mushrooms from the mountain and planted them.” “What kind of mushrooms?” Chen Sanyou asked curiously.

Jiang Sanlang brought him into the bamboo shed, pointed at the twenty pieces of mulberry wood on a rack, and said, “I planted golden eared mushrooms.

They’re said to be nourishing food.”

Chen Sanyou stretched his neck to take a look. He couldn’t recognize it, so he murmured, “How strange.”

Jiang Sanlang chuckled naively.

Upon exiting the bamboo shed, Chen Sanyou said in a solemn tone, “Sanlang, it’s fine to plant mushrooms, but don’t neglect your fields. Growing grains is the foundation for us farmers.’

Jiang Sanlang immediately nodded, “Uncle Chen, rest assured. Our fields are all planted. Not a single acre has been neglected.”

Chen Sanyou nodded and sighed, “Yesterday, Lizheng came to inform us that the Imperial Court will be collecting a large amount of food and cloth after the summer harvest. Every acre of our village’s fields will be taxed an additional 10%. You better prepare. If you can’t meet the requirements, neither of us will have an easy time.”

Jiang Sanlang frowned, “Another tax increase? Uncle Chen, is the Imperial

Court going to war with someone again?”

Chen Sanyou shook his head, “I’m not sure. There’ll be official orders when the time comes. We can only wait.”

He walked a few steps, then stopped, and continued,

“Also, you better start farming the fields by South Mountain. No matter what you plant, it’s better than letting the land lie fallow. I expect food prices to rise in the next six months. If you tend to those fields a bit, it’s better than going hungry in winter.”

“Uncle Chen is right.” Jiang Sanlang replied, “I was planning to tend to the South Mountain fields. When the time comes, I’ll definitely ask you for advice.”

“Mm.” Chen Sanvou left. satisfied. with his hands behind his back.

Jiang Sanlang saw off the village leader, his face growing serious.

Every year before the Imperial Court went to war, it would collect grain and fabric. If the war dragged on, it would draft soldiers.

At that time, the common people would probably have to face hardships again.

Fortunately, he had managed to earn a few dozen taels of silver. Even if there was a draft, his three brothers could use the silver to pay for substitutes.

Therefore, he’d need to reconsider the house construction.

There’s an old saying that goes, “Peach blossoms in March, rain in April.” It was now the end of April, and the sky was densely covered with dark clouds, looking like a storm was brewing.

Chunniang sat by the window, occasionally glancing outside, anxious.

These past few days, she had been pondering her daughter’s words, worried that the Chuanhe River would flood, and inundate their house.

“Sanlang, let’s hurry to South Mountain and build a house. Ah, I haven’t been able to sleep well these days.”

Jiang Sanlang, who was playing with their son at the time, was taken aback. He glanced outside and frowned.

The rainfall in early summer was indeed heavy. It hadn’t cleared up for several days.

After thinking for a moment, he said, “How about we start by building three straw huts on South Mountain? If there’s heavy rain, we can take refuge there.”

Chunniang immediately nodded, “Let’s build straw huts then. Sanlang, I just can’t take it anymore.” She had spent all night on tenterhooks, not daring to close her eyes.

“Then I’ll talk to our parents and older brothers about it tomorrow to see if they want to build any,” said Jiang Sanlang.

Chunniang glared at her husband, “If you’re going to build it, just build it. Why do you always bring up your parents and older brothers? If they don’t want to go, are you not going to build it?”