Living in the mountains and forests as hunters

Chapter 4

Zhao Yiyi didn't stay in the mountains for a long time, but she was ready to go back when the sun was just in the middle. Weeding the harvested fields, she has to be responsible for carrying water, not cooking fires!Seeing that it was time to cook, how could she not go back!

After tidying up the harvest in the morning, I sorted out the wild vegetables that people in this world often eat and put them in the basket in my memory. I cleaned up the rest, and then began to sell them in grocery stores. One catty of mushrooms and two catties of wild vegetables were finally sold for 60 yuan, which is really a good harvest. Zhao Yiyi looked at this dense forest and was very happy. This is the backing of the whole village. A sloping middle road is the most difficult place to walk, and one who is not careful can easily get injured and fall down!So there are really few children here to pick wild vegetables, and because of this, the plants here are very dense, which surprised Zhao Yiyi, but it is already autumn, and the wild vegetables at this time have begun to grow old. I'm afraid there will be no second harvest to collect.

With a basket full of wild vegetables on her back, Zhao Yiyi was finally ready to go home. On the way, she also broke some old bamboo. The fence at home was a little loose. She was going to go back and strengthen it. He is not a craftsman, but he can still do this simple thing, and he used to be a master of things.

It's just that when Zhao Yiyi arrived near her home today, she suddenly found that her home seemed very lively!There are only five or sixty people in this village, less than twenty households, but now there are more than ten people standing at the door of their own house. What's wrong?Zhao Yiyi suddenly felt very bad, hurriedly quickened her pace and walked towards her home.

When Zhao Yiyi walked to the door, some of the villagers around the house had already seen her, but the way they looked at Zhao Yiyi was a bit strange, what should I say!It seemed to be a little pity, a little pity, or a little helpless, in short, he didn't say anything, just watched Zhao Yiyi walk into the house step by step in such a quiet manner.

"sister."

When I entered my yard, the first thing I saw was my younger brother, sitting on the stone slab at the door of the house, with some tears on his face and red eyes, what's wrong?Could something have happened again, but what happened to the wild boar on the shelf next to the vegetable field on the other side?It looked like it had just been killed, and it weighed two hundred catties!How could this thing appear at home?Zhao Yiyi became more and more uneasy, put down her things hastily, and walked into the house, wanting to see what happened.

Sitting in the middle of the main room was Mrs. Zhao Qian, with a somewhat stiff smile on her face, and beside her was a man she didn't know. The blood stains added a bit of hostility to him, and the thin clothes couldn't hide Kong Wu's powerful body. He looked like a tall man, with hands that were constantly rubbing, the size of cattail fans. It was a little messy, and his face was yellow with long-term hunger like them, but his eyes were very bright, and Zhao Yiyi seemed to see light flashing in those eyes when Zhao Yiyi looked over the moment he entered the door.

"Dani is back."

Zhao Qian didn't know whether he was relieved when he saw Zhao Yiyi came back, or what, his rare face relaxed a little bit, and there was a hint of a smile on his face, and then he suddenly seemed to think of something, and his eyes became a little bit embarrassed After taking a deep breath, he said to Zhao Yiyi with half apprehension and half firmness:
"This is An Dalang, the family your third aunt told you about. He is here to hire you today. The wild boar outside is the bride price."

Zhao Yiyi's eyes popped out. How can I say that I have a family when I keep quiet?Even the dowry has been paid?When did this happen?Why don't you know anything?Could it be that I have a memory problem?It's incredible.

Maybe Zhao Yiyi's expression is a little wrong, maybe it's because it's uncomfortable to say these things in person, or maybe it's not used to talking about marriage in person, anyway, waiting for Zhao Qian's words to come out, that Ann over there Dalang stood up suddenly, and said to Zhao Qianshi:
"That, that, I'll look at the yard."

After finishing speaking, she walked out of the room quickly. Zhao Yiyi hadn't reacted yet, the man had disappeared, and on the other side, Zhao Qian seemed very satisfied with An Dalang's going out, so she didn't stop her, but just walked over quickly He grabbed Zhao Yiyi's hand, pulled her down and sat down beside him, and then continued:

"Danny, I know this happened suddenly, but, but, mother, there is really nothing you can do. Look, your father is gone. According to the rules, it takes three years to keep filial piety. You are fourteen this year. Well, after three years, it will be seventeen. At that time, who else can you talk about? Don't you become an old girl? This is not to let people say that I, as a stepmother, deliberately delay you So it’s for you and for me that I have to hurry up and marry you off during your father’s [-]-day filial piety. This is safe. Of course, my mother is also telling the truth, the first mother here also has selfish intentions, there is no way, the family There is really no way out. It looks like there are two acres of land at home, but your father was ill at that time, and the land was not properly taken care of. This autumn harvest, it would be good if you can pay enough taxes, and there is basically no need to count on the surplus grain. Come on, we don't have any income, and if one is bad, our mother will starve to death and freeze to death in three winters, so if we marry you, we can survive with the dowry."

Speaking of this, even a fool would understand, Zhao Yiyi made up his mind, this wild boar looks fresh, and it is heavy enough, if it is carried to the town, it can be sold for two taels of silver, that is two thousand It's enough to buy food or quilts. It can indeed allow the family to survive the winter safely, and even leave some for the spring. This dowry is indeed heavy enough. In this poor place, it is simply The upper-middle class, but can their family have the strength to make them give this dowry regardless of filial piety?Zhao Yiyi was confused again, and a trace of doubt appeared on her face.And Zhao Qian's heart was relieved after seeing it, at least the child didn't start a fight right away, that's good, he still has room to speak, and he can also talk about his thoughts to her, so he didn't hide it from her, it was very neat He patted Zhao Yiyi's hand and said softly:
"Mother, I won't lie to you. This An Dalang is a mountain dweller. He has no land and lives on the mountain. He has no parents and no mother. He lives alone. The conditions are not good. He is 21 this year and is seven years older than you." , have not been married until now, so it can be seen how difficult it is for the mountain people to marry a daughter-in-law. See, there is not even a matchmaker. If your third uncle hadn't met him when he was chopping firewood on the mountain, he would not have known such a person. Telling you to the mountain people, my mother will lose all her face, maybe people will say that my stepmother is cruel and won't choose a good family for you, but my mother has thought about it. If I marry you off, then there are no candidates around here at all, unless you look for them in the villages deep in the mountains or in the towns below the mountains, otherwise there will only be some people who are useless, not to mention whether we have any in the town Candidates, the village in the deep mountains is so far away, it’s inconvenient to see people, how can you know what! And those who are useless, how can such a candidate be successful? No matter how cruel I am, I can’t delay your life no matter how much money I want! How should I put it, he has hunting skills, you can always have enough to eat anyway, no in-laws, alone, it sounds bad, but actually think about it, there are no mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and sister-in-law matters bother you, so Thinking about it, it’s considered clean. In one, no matter how bad it is for you to marry, after a few years, your brother will grow up and be able to serve as an adult, and the family will be able to support one or two at that time. Anyway, our third mother is suffering. A few years. Do you think what mother said makes sense? "

Do you think it makes sense?After hearing this, Zhao Yiyi only had one thought, that is, this stepmother is really not bad. Anyway, at this stall where food was about to run out, she didn't think about selling herself to some messy place. That's it, absolutely. Zhao Yiyi was grateful, but she had inquired about it. At this time, being a girl for a rich family can sell three taels to five taels. If the heart is cruel, it is possible to sell it for ten taels. , if this is the case, these ten taels of silver will definitely allow the mother to last comfortably for five or six years. In this small valley, except for oil, salt and cloth, it basically doesn't cost money, and it can cost a year. In this era, women's status is low. It's not a stepmother, but if her younger brother wants to sell her, the government can be established. If there is no family, she becomes a single household. Uncles can sell people. Under such circumstances, what Mr. Zhao Qian did is really very particular, and it really belongs to someone with a heart.

"Mother, I know."

Zhao Yiyi knew that the world was like a knife, and now that the betrothal gift was accepted, she couldn't help but say no, besides, what if she said no?resist?is it possible?Is this one pushed?What about after that?Under the crisis of starving to death, there is no need to rush, this Zhao Qian will not be so good next time, and she thought about it just now, this man does not seem to be a talkative person, he looks a little dull, She looks like an honest person, and she does look a little solid. To live in this world, solidity is more important than anything else. In a country like what Zhao Qianshi said, if there is no relatives and only one person to live, then she will have less trouble in the future. The most important thing is what she suddenly thought of. Now that she lives on the mountain, without the distractions of people, is it easier for her to sell things to the grocery store?If this is the case, my good days will come soon!

Although she was still a little bit unwilling in her heart, and felt that the major event in her life was a bit dramatic, after all, Zhao Yiyi was a calm temperament, but she thought clearly about the pros and cons in a blink of an eye, and nodded lightly, while Zhao Qian looked at Zhao Yiyi nodded, and heaved a sigh of relief. This child looked like she couldn't get a needle in. She didn't know what she was thinking. He could listen to everything he said, it seemed that he had neglected this child in the past, but now that he was about to get married, he had to make up for it anyway.

Mrs. Zhao Qian is a neat person. Really, if there is a problem of broken mouth, I am afraid that the popularity in this village will be better. At this time, thinking that this stepdaughter has been wronged because of this family, she hurriedly began to think more about Zhao Yiyi. A few points.

"Although those who get married in filial piety can't hold any banquets or treat guests, there is always a dowry, Dani, so you take the big rattan box that your father made for you, and this is your dowry box. Take away all the clothes you used to wear, yes, Dug, Dug, go, talk to the village chief, borrow a cow, and quickly ask someone to help carry this wild boar to the town to sell, yes, Ask your brother Dazhu to take you there. He knows someone and can sell it for a good price. When he comes back, he will buy ten liters of black flour and three feet of cloth. No need for floral cloth. It costs money, just ordinary dyed cloth will do. , Yes, let your sister-in-law Osmanthus pick it out."

Zhao Qian yelled outside, ordered Duhu to do something, turned around and went to his own room, crawled under the bed, took out a wooden box, opened it in front of Zhao Yiyi, took A brass bracelet and a brass hairpin came out:

"Mother told An Dalang that she will get married in three days, and today I have torn up some cloth, so I can hurry to make you a new dress. When you get married, the village will probably send some gifts. Although there are not many, we There is always a gift in return, no matter how poor you are, you can’t shorten the number of gifts. When you get married, the black noodles will make twenty big steamed buns, one for the whole family. This bracelet is my mother’s dowry. But it’s jewelry anyway, so mother will give it to you, and mother’s family can’t afford not to have all jewelry. Mother will keep this hairpin and give it to Dahu’s wife in the future.”

As Zhao Qian said, Zhao Yiyi began to count the money in his mind. Seven liters of black noodles cost 70 renminbi, ten liters equals 20 renminbi, no matter how cheap the cloth is, it costs 60 renminbi a foot, and three feet equals 100 renminbi. The big rattan box at home is worthless. I made it at home, but if I bought it outside, it would be worth hundreds of cash. If you calculate it like this, if you take it out, her dowry is not considered a dowry in this village. Ugly.How many people's daughters are a dowry with a bundle of fur skins.

Zhao Yiyi sighed inwardly. Compared with modern houses, cars, diamond rings, banquets, wedding photos and a series of wedding procedures, this era is really rudimentary and outrageous!
Watching Zhao Qianshi put the copper bracelet on her hand, Zhao Yiyi was about to say something, when the main room had already entered, and the village chief's wife, Aunt Liang, frowned and asked Zhao Qianshi loudly as soon as she entered the door:
"Is this a deal with Dani? Is it really for the mountain people? If you can't live on, just tell my family. Why are you so anxious! Can't you find it out?"

Most of the village's surname is Zhao, even the name of the village is Zhaojiawozi, and the village head's family is also surnamed Zhao, counting as members of the Wufu clan, they are naturally in charge of Zhao Yiyi's family affairs, listen When Zhao Yiyi promised to marry the mountain people, he was still married by Rexiao, so he came here in a hurry. I was afraid that something serious happened to the family, so he had to do it. After all, the mountain people had no land. Say, it's really not a good thing.He even wondered if this Zhao Qian didn't want to treat Dani well after watching the man die?Thinking about throwing people out?
But as soon as she came in, she saw Zhao Qianshi putting a bracelet on Dani, and Aunt Liang's anger stopped, so when it came to the third sentence, the question changed, it was not an accusation, but an inquiry, Zhao Qianshi Seeing that it was the wife of the village chief, she quickly got up and gave up her seat, then sighed and said:
"How can I keep bothering you all the time? When his father was sick, if it wasn't for the help from the village, he probably wouldn't be able to survive for so long. But this time, it's not just because of the difficult life. Dani is fourteen. If you don’t hurry to get married, how can you find someone after three years! I wanted to find someone who lived close to me and was a good person, so that their siblings could support each other in the future, but after searching around here, I was stunned. There is no suitable one. My third sister came over and said that although An Dalang is a mountain man, he is good at hunting and can live a good life. You don’t have to worry about eating, maybe you can still have a mouthful of meat from time to time, and you will have some strength even after giving birth, right? Many women in our place die before giving birth. Why? It’s not because of bad food! "

Having said that, let's not talk about Zhao Yiyi, even Aunt Liang couldn't help sighing when she heard it. It's true to say that, although it seems that there is no land and no guarantee, but there are more hunters than them. Opportunity, although hunting is a little more dangerous, but whoever lives in the mountains does not come from danger.Those with strong abilities naturally have ways to survive.

"Forget it, it makes sense for you to say that. By the way, isn't that An Dalang who helped to tie the fence in your yard?"

Huh?Is that person really in the yard?Still working?At this moment, even Mrs. Zhao Qian was also surprised. He hurriedly stood up and looked out of the window. Zhao Yiyi also leaned over to take a look. The guy who looked a little dull was indeed working. Seeing the villagers pointing and pointing at the side, they didn't seem to care at all, honestly, they were a little cute, Zhao Yiyi's heart was moved for some reason.

Was this man her husband in three days?Has he already entered the identity of the son-in-law?Why do you look so modern, those modern men who work at the mother-in-law's natal house every day of rest!Judging by his agile appearance, it seems that honesty, duty, and dullness should be followed by an evaluation of diligence.

"He has real eyes, and he looks really good. If it weren't for the mountain people, I'm afraid he would be a rare good son-in-law. You have done your best for Dani. Don't worry, I will tell the head of the family to let Dazhu and the others Help me more. If you have any work at home in the future, don’t be alone. Just say it, you can’t write two characters of Zhao in one stroke. It’s always a family. If you’re embarrassed, wait for the big tiger Now, just come and help take care of my grandchildren."

After saying this, Aunt Liang turned around and wanted to leave, but she only took a few steps before stopping again, pulled out a copper hairpin from her head, and inserted it into Zhao Yiyi's head:

"Since I'm going to get married, my aunt has to give it away as well. I'll give you this hairpin. It's a worthless thing, but it can make you look good. It doesn't look very festive with a bald head, doesn't it?"

After finishing speaking, he left quickly without waiting for Zhao Qianshi and Zhao Yiyi to say anything.

(End of this chapter)