Porridge and side dishes [farming]

Chapter 108 Officers and Soldiers Eat Meat

When Er Gouzi said this, Li Ji also thought of this.Although Li Ji is not as capable as Er Gouzi, but he is also a young man with a strong blood. How could he be a monk all the time?

It's fine if it's quiet, but Er Gouzi can make a fuss, so there's really no way to guarantee that the people in Westinghouse will listen.

"There should be people living in our old house." Li Ji said, "Why don't we arrange them somewhere."

Er Gouzi nodded: "I can't hear you over there."

"It's just that the old house is too dilapidated, and it has been vacant for another year. This house is most afraid of being let go. If I really live in it, I am afraid that it will collapse. Let's hold on for a couple of days. Let's repair the old house first. It’s good that the two sides live their own lives. Let’s have a good discussion with them tomorrow.”

"What about tonight?" Er Gouzi asked again.

Li Ji could hear something else from Er Gouzi's tone.With a slight flush on his face, he reluctantly said: "Then toss lightly."

Li Ji was shy enough on his lips, but in fact he had a special feeling.While doing it, Ah Zhe trembled when he was discovered. Who knows how exciting this feeling is.

Although it's not like getting up early, I still get up late the next morning.Although Li Ji was used to waking up at regular intervals, last night he had already stayed up until midnight, so he struggled for quite a while.

When he woke up, the sun was high, Li Ji sat up to reflect, saw the person lying next to him, and remembered that both of them had returned.

Er Gouzi lay there without moving, watching Li Ji put on his clothes little by little.The clothes are still the original clothes at home.The clothes for working are relatively rough, wear-resistant and durable.Compared with the silk and satin in the Taiye's mansion in the county, I naturally didn't notice it.But for the duo, it's the clothes that suit them best.

After washing his face, he smelled the fragrance of rice when he opened the door.Li Ji knocked out and heard Lan Gang serve the dishes.Turning around and seeing Li Ji, he hurriedly put down the plate and bowed to Li Ji: "Master, you are awake."

Li Ji was very embarrassed, they were servants of the county magistrate's mansion, but not Li Ji's servants, cooking was such a trivial matter, and Li Ji couldn't afford it without those precious lives.

"We also woke up late to keep you busy. Where's Uncle Ge?" As he got older, Li Ji felt embarrassed to call him by his name directly.And it's not easy to calculate seniority, so I simply use age as seniority and call him uncle.

Ting Lan said: "Go back, Ge Er went to feed the animals. I heard the call early in the morning, and the barn for the feed is next to the animal pen. Seeing that the masters were sleeping soundly, we opened the barn to feed them. The pigs need to be boiled, so they haven’t been fed yet, and the rest should be fed by now.”

Li Ji was even more embarrassed when someone did all the work of sleeping late.He laughed and said: "Don't call us master, this is not the county grandpa's mansion. From then on, we will be our own behind closed doors, and we can just call them by name. We can't bear to save a mouthful of masters and slaves."

Li Ji saw that the food was basically prepared, and he went to the livestock pen to see that it was basically fed.Or how could they say they were quick and quick, and they said they were helping to do it together, but now Li Ji and Er Gouzi have nothing to do.

Li Ji got some food with Er Gouzi and opened the door.Ge Er didn't know, so Li Ji told him that there was a livestock pen not far from the door, which was also his own, and the animals there also had to be fed.

After feeding the animals, the two of them washed their faces and mouths, and had a meal together.

After the food was set, the two of them went to the kang, and Ge Er Tinglan and his wife bowed their heads and waited attentively.How can Li Ji adapt to this?

"Sit down and eat together." Li Ji said.

Ge Er shook his head again and again: "How did this happen?"

Li Ji thought about it seriously.Both of them have served their master since they were young, and it will not happen overnight if they want to change.

Thinking of this, Li Ji changed his mind and said, "Let me ask you, what are you doing here?"

The husband and wife looked at each other, and Ge Er said: "Master Hui, the master sent us to serve the two masters, to relieve the master's worries."

Li Ji nodded: "So, the reason why you guys came here is to make me and Er Gouzi live more comfortably, so it's okay for me to say that."

The two nodded.Li Jidao: "Since we want us to live comfortably, then everything must follow our preferences. You have no objection to this."

The husband and wife shook their heads, which meant something.

"That's good. If you want us to be more comfortable, throw the set of rules in the mansion far away. Er Gouzi and I can't get used to it. Since we were young, we have only been elders, never masters, and neither The idea of ​​being someone's master. Since you are here to help, we won't stop you from doing whatever you want with your wages. But if you keep being so polite, then you are not serving us, and you are really making things difficult for us."

After Li Ji said this, he looked at Er Gouzi: "Say a few words, too."

Er Gouzi didn't even think about it: "Listen to Xiao Ji."

The two dogs in this family listen to Li Ji, so naturally Li Ji is in charge.

Ge Er Ting Lan had served several masters, but he was the first one to ask as much as Li Ji.

Li Ji said again: "You guys came here to help with wages, of course I wouldn't give you your money for nothing. Even if the family hires a long-term worker, you should do what you deserve, but when you get along, you don't have those people in the house. The rules are normal, that’s all.”

Now that this is all said and done, is there any reason to refuse?Ge Er listened to Landu and bowed to express that he had written it down.

"Let's change the salute first. We are all rough people. We can't enjoy these things. We sit down and eat, and there are other things to do after eating. You just came here. I don't know what's going on. Er Gouzi and I will meet. Take yours. You work and we work."

The two went to the dining table, sitting opposite each other for the first meal of the family, which was considered harmonious.

After eating, I went to the livestock pen to separate the rabbits.Then pick up the eggs and put them in one place, these are to be kept for sale.

Now the two of them are not short of any money. They can't make a few pennies from selling eggs, and it's not enough to waste time going back and forth.Going back half a year, this amount of money is small, but it can add up to a lot over the years.

Now that there are more money saved, there are more ways to earn money.In addition, Er Gouzi has the father of the county magistrate.Li Jidong thought that there must be a once-for-all solution to give eggs a simple and fast sale.

Li Ji asked Ge Er: "Uncle Ge, you have seen the big world. Help me think, where can these eggs be sold quickly? It's best not to bother, and you can go out regularly and quantitatively?"

Li Ji thought about selling it in restaurants like rabbit meat.But eggs are not as expensive as meat.Meat does not need to be raised for a period of time, and it takes some time to reproduce, but eggs are basically one a day.

Raising ten or eight chickens can supply the daily egg consumption of a small restaurant.Even if sometimes there is not enough to eat, it is convenient to go out to the vegetable market to buy two catties and come back.

Ge Er thought about it: "As far as restaurants are concerned, the long-term supply must be insufficient. The small ones know that there are two feasible options. The first is that some pastry shops use more eggs, and then they may be purchased by the government. Like Eggs are the most cost-effective nutrition for meals in normal yamen gates, or the army, or even the upper station, use a lot of eggs. These are usually collected from the people, and they eat a lot. The master is If you are the county magistrate of our county, this matter is easy to talk about."

These words made Li Ji suddenly realize, why didn't he think of this?

"Will there be a family that relies on giving eggs to officials? I have a lot of eggs in my house. If I raise more chickens in the future, the number may increase." My family is full and cannot let others eat. The family is hungry.

"You don't have to worry about it, my lord." Ge Er smiled, "It can only be said that there are not enough eggs, but it cannot be said that they cannot be bought. The eggs are much cheaper than meat. Officials work for the court, and there are vegetarians out there. Reason? Why do you need one or two eggs a day to have the strength to work. It’s just that the conditions in our county are not good, and the eggs collected in the city are not many, but whether the village comes down to collect them or let them send them over, It's not a solution, and the eggs offered are often too many and sometimes few. If you have too many eggs, it will let the court breathe a sigh of relief."

Meat must not be eaten every day, and the money of the imperial court is not much.This egg has become the cheapest food to replace meat.

Only when you are full can you work in the house. If you can't even keep up with your nutrition, you will suffer like monkeys one by one. What can you do for the court? ,

This makes sense, Li Ji nodded and said: "Since that's the case, change tomorrow...forget it, next time I will tell the master when Er Gouzi and I go back. In fact, the rabbit meat is entrusted to the master, and now the egg is also needed." trouble people."

Ge Er smiled and said: "Look at what you said, the uncle is the son of the master, and you will also be half of the son of the master. It is naturally much easier to do such a small thing as a family. Speaking of it, in fact, your rabbit meat It can also be supplied to the army stationed in our county. Speaking of our army...well, look, what do I say. "

Ge Er stopped in the middle of his words, where would Li Ji be?He hurriedly said: "What's the matter? Tell me. I have never been out of the village in my life. If you say a few more words, I can see the world."

Li Ji said so, and Ge Er continued: "If you want to talk about this army, it is also thanks to our master. Before the master came to office, the army here has not been paid at all for three years. In previous years, at least it will come down. Since the previous county magistrate was transferred away, the higher-ups have found all kinds of excuses to delay the payment of military salaries. Originally, there were more than 3000 troops, and the soldiers fled and fled. There are only about a thousand people left. Hunting and selling meat and skins in the mountains barely survived."

How could Li Ji think of this?If someone else said it, Li Ji would definitely think it was a joke.What is an army?It is the shield and sharp blade of the entire court.Only strong soldiers and strong horses can resist foreign enemies and frighten the world.

Obviously it is the basic existence of the court, why make the army so poor that they need to hunt and make a living by themselves?

"Why? The imperial court refuses to pay the soldiers?"

"How is it possible not to give it? According to the law, even the most ordinary soldier has a full year's salary of ten taels of silver, and there are additional kinds of food. If it is not a glutton, it is almost a year. Money." Ge Er sighed, "Silver coming out of the treasury is also a soldier's salary of twelve taels a year. But you should have some idea. Those corrupt officials scraped off some oil and water, and they really told the soldiers In the hand, in fact, one or two taels of silver is considered good."

Ten taels of silver, some people may not be able to earn so much in their entire life.If a normal farming family can save two or three taels of silver a year, it is considered to be in good condition.

"If it's one or two taels of silver, it's enough to eat." Li Ji sighed.Anyway, there are still days to live, and how much can feed them.

Ge Er shook his head: "It's not that simple. This place is remote, and the Holy Majesty may not think of it once in ten years. Otherwise, in the case of a shortage of official positions, let this place not think of sending one over for several years." The county magistrate governs. A place forgotten by the emperor, there is no kingly law to speak of. Without the county magistrate, the local command envoys are at odds with the people above. They are oppressed by various reasons, and there is no place to reason .”

Li Ji only felt itchy teeth.The army was originally there to defend the country, once the war breaks out, they will shed their blood to protect the people in the city.In the end, he was stabbed in the back by his own people, and even eating became a problem.

"What about after the master comes?" Li Ji hurriedly asked.

"Although the master was demoted to this side, there is still some relationship with the superior. I won the silver taels. Although it is not much, it is enough to eat. But the food and grass that the superior sent down later, many of them are moldy. You can't eat it. And a lot of the armor and spears in the army were made more than ten years ago, so they don't look good. The master is smart. You know that the master treats the people honestly and honestly, and doesn't take a penny, but for the money sent by the merchants, That's all taken as ordered." When Ge Er said this, Li Ji also understood.

"You mean, the county magistrate collected the money and gave it to the army?" Li Ji said.

Ge Er nodded: "Most of them are used on the army. The county magistrate's original words. This army is the strongest wall in the city. Only when it is built can the people really live and work in peace and contentment. Although it is impossible to let people in the army We eat meat every day, but we are able to eat every meal. The protection and weapons have been changed, and some strong and good horses will be purchased regularly. Compared with the surrounding areas, our county is not in good condition. But the army It can be said that there is no better treatment and configuration in the whole province."

Hearing what Ge Er said, Li Ji breathed a sigh of relief.Although I know that the war is far away, I may never need the army in my life.That's why soldiers are so embarrassed and forgotten these days.

But it doesn't matter whether it is a peaceful and prosperous world or a chaotic world.With the army around, the common people can have roots in their hearts and feel that they are not afraid of anything.

"If my rabbits and eggs can be supplied to the army, I will make [-]% of the profit. I will raise as many as I want in the future. There will be more around now, and it will be easy to raise more. When we will not have enough manpower, we will hire more from the village. Some people come. Let me boast. Give me three to five years, and it will not be difficult for the entire army to eat meat and eggs."

Li Ji gave [-]% of the profit, which can not only reduce the cost of military purchases, but also ensure that Li Ji will not lose money, so he can achieve the best of both worlds.

Ge Er didn't expect Li Ji to have such a long-term idea.If you are a businessman from a family, it is not surprising to say such a thing, because you have the conditions and knowledge, plus some good hearts, it is not surprising to say such a thing.But Li Ji is a serious countryman, so he can say such a thing.

"If you really have this intention, you can tell the magistrate next time you go back. After that, you can also help the magistrate resolve a knot in his heart."

Li Jidao: "Touch the egg in my hand. Now the number of eggs eaten at home is getting less and less. Because there is so much, I can see it every day, and I can't eat it if I want to eat it. In addition, there are colored fish, Eggs are less visible."

If this little egg can really make the soldiers in the county stronger, Li Ji will earn less if he earns less.

Left and right Li Ji is not short of money, as long as he can earn money, he can save money.

Pick up eggs in the morning, noon and evening, and there are two or three baskets of eggs in total every day.In addition to the eggs saved in the past, there are now more than ten baskets.In hot weather, he was also afraid that the eggs would be spoiled, so Li Ji thought about taking them with him when the county magistrate sent him to deliver ice next time.

The first batch of eggs was given to the magistrate as a filial piety, and ten baskets were sent over. How to eat and distribute them is the magistrate's own business.

After that, if the eggs are saved, they will be sold and sent to the yamen servants or the army, depending on the arrangement of the county magistrate.

Thinking of this, Li Ji became more motivated.

"Come on, let's be busy in the afternoon and gather a few more pairs of rabbits to mate with cubs. If you feed more, you will have more meat. Even if you don't buy a few coins for rabbit meat, you can make a lot of money. We earn money by transferring rabbit skins."

Even if all the rabbit meat is given away at that time, Li Ji will not be able to accompany him.Rabbit skins are valuable, and good-quality rabbit skins can command high prices.It’s just that the rabbit meat is peeled, especially in summer. If you want to ensure that it is not bad during transportation, you need to marinate it.

In this way, even if there are more rabbits and chickens, they are not afraid of sales.The more animals you raise, the more wealth you will accumulate.

Li Ji knew that the county magistrate was not short of money, so he would be a dude from now on.He and Er Gouzi are a couple, and they will not be short of money in the future.It's just that deep in Li Ji's heart, what makes him safest is often not the money in his hands, but the animals raised.

This group of animals is moving money and food.With them, even if there is a famine in the future, eating a few a day is enough for one or two years.The more you raise, the more fearless you feel.

Li Ji didn't expect that it was just a casual conversation, but it solved the future sales of the rabbit.

Before controlling rabbit breeding, there are only a few pairs of male and female rabbits and cages at the same time, and the rest are separated.Now you can reproduce unscrupulously.

Ge Er and Ting Lan used to serve people with the easy work of serving tea and water. Where did they do such rough work?Fortunately, both of them are strong and endure hardships.All the dirty work is rushing to do it.Li Ji and Er Gouzi still do a lot of goods every day, but it is already very easy for two more people to share.

There is no shortage of work in the morning, and part of the work can only be let go in the afternoon.There is no other reason, there are guests.

The morning is usually a busy time, and unless there are special festivals or birthdays, the normal visits are usually in the afternoon.

At this time, the village head should have told about Er Gouzi. Even if he repeatedly stated that it was the same as before, it was inevitable that some people would want to come and get closer.

In this way, Li Ji can't stop people from coming to give gifts on their own initiative, can they still block the outside?

The first guest smiled at the door with a gift, and Li Ji gave Ge Er and Ting Lan a look.

Then Li Ji knew how wise it was for the county magistrate to send these two people over.

Er Gouzi sat on the kang, Ge Er and Ting Lan stood on the left and one on the right, like two door gods, trying to get closer and say a few more words, but they couldn't do it.And most of the talking was done by Ge Er and Ting Lan. Er Gouzi should eat and drink over there, and he didn't pay much attention to anyone.

If we go back two months, even if some small-minded people know that Er Gouzi has the same personality as ordinary people, they will inevitably curse inwardly. Ignore them, even if they are cursing or hitting, no one dares to feel dissatisfied.

Until the afternoon, watching people come again will delay the work at home.Ting Lan stood directly under the tree at the door, and stopped anyone who came, and it didn't work out, she just wouldn't let them in.

He is a servant of a big family, so he should not be easily offended.Someone asked Li Ji for help, but Li Ji replied with an aggrieved expression, pretending to be under the control of his subordinates.

Originally, it stands to reason that Li Ji just took in Er Gouzi who grew up, and he deserved some credit, but it wasn't that big of a deal.It is normal to be looked down upon or even disrespected by servants of the same family.

He didn't dare to rush in for fear of offending, so he told Ting Lan to leave the gift he brought, and he stood at the door for a while and then left.

That's it, there are a lot of gains in this day.

Li Ji counted, but also could not laugh or cry.They should be realistic.If these gifts were placed in the county grandpa's mansion, let alone giving them away, they would be no different from slapping someone in the face.But there are rare things in the village.

Butchered chicken, a pot of wine that costs a penny, or some rare snack bought from the city.These things are probably much better than the gifts sent to the old man to celebrate his birthday.

Now that it was sent to Er Gouzi, it was obviously trying to give Er Gouzi a good impression.

After counting, since it was collected, it will be kept for use.

In the evening, Li Ji found an opportunity to tell Ge Er Ting Lan about letting them move out when they started preparing dinner.

Ge Er was taken aback when he heard this, and said: "It stands to reason that it's really against the rules for us to live in the same house as you. But meat lives in an old house, and it's far away from here to serve... ah, it's also helpful to help you." Trouble. There is still space in the backyard, so why not build a small house. Just enough for us and my wife to live in."

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