章 5: Chapter 5 Like a Human
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In the center of Hongshan Village stood the house of the Chen Family.
Compared to the simple mud and straw structures of the surrounding villagers, the Chen Family's house, made primarily of blue bricks, appeared particularly conspicuous and out of place.
Returning from Shen Qing's house, Chen Yuan pushed the door open and went inside.
In the courtyard, the snow had already been cleared away.
Chen Tai, the second oldest, and Chen An, the third oldest, were both lifting stone locks, training their strength.
"Eldest brother," Chen Tai set down the stone lock and asked, "Was everything successful? Did Shen Fang agree?"
"Almost, but then Shen Qing unexpectedly returned and disrupted things," Chen Yuan replied regretfully as he walked back into the room.
The youngest, Chen An, interjected, "I say there's no need to be so troublesome. Just bind her and send her over directly."
"The Song and Dong Family opened a brothel and are in need of people, willing to pay a high price of thirty taels for beautiful women. If we miss this opportunity, it will be gone."
"Shen Fang looks decent; she should be worth that price. Once we get the money, perhaps all three of us brothers can enter the Martial Arts Hall, become martial masters, move to the county town, and no longer be stuck in this mountain valley."
Chen Yuan glanced at his brother and said, "From Hongshan Village to the county town is about fifty or sixty li, and now the snow is heavy, the wind is strong, and the road is difficult. Who will carry such a large person, you or me?"
"When the snow stops, and if the Shen siblings still don't relent, then we'll act. By then, merchants in the city will come, and we can directly rent a mule cart or a horse cart to the town, making it much more convenient."
"Before that, I'll see if I can persuade them. If the two of them are foolish enough, we can save ourselves a lot of trouble."
"Big brother, as long as you have a plan," Chen An suddenly remembered something and asked, "Big brother, do you still have the Nine Skills of Martial Arts that Father gave you?"
"I still have it. Why?"
Chen An said, "I've had some insight these past days and want to ponder over it. If you don't need it, lend it to me for a couple of days."
"Alright, I'll find it for you later. Recently, you've all started training your strength, and the consumption of meat is significant. If there's nothing urgent tomorrow, remember to go into the mountains and hunt some game for a supplement. In Martial Arts, training the body is crucial."
Chen An agreed, "Big brother, second brother and I know it, and we plan to go into the mountains for a trip tomorrow."
Chen Yuan looked around and noticed that only their brothers were at home, curiously asking, "Where's Father?"
Chen Tai, who was lifting the stone lock again, replied, "He said this morning that he was going on a long trip to see a friend and should be back by tomorrow."
"Oh."
…
Shen Fang cleaned the pheasants thoroughly, picking up each feather.
Holding a pot of meat, she hesitated, "I have a small appetite and can't finish so much. Why don't we leave half to air-dry and eat it later?"
"Just one chicken, how can half be enough to fill the two of us?" Shen Qing sat by the stove, stoking the fire, "We eat bran cakes every day; we can't even poop. We need some oil to lubricate our intestines."
At this, Shen Fang's face became somewhat uncomfortable, as if remembering something unpleasant.
"Rest assured, I'll go up the mountain again tomorrow, and I won't come back empty-handed."
In the end, Shen Fang couldn't argue against Shen Qing.
The entire pheasant was processed by the siblings.
A bowl of steaming chicken soup was gently placed on the table by Shen Fang.
The golden-yellow chicken soup emitted a faint meaty aroma, with a few green scallions floating on the surface.
Though only seasoned with some salt and no other spices, the natural freshness of the ingredients was enough to leave a lingering taste.
The pheasant, simmered for a long time, was tender and juicy.
With a gentle tear, one could feel the threads of the chicken's texture, its fragrance filling the air.
It tasted much better than the bran cakes they ate every day.
Shen Qing picked up a bowl of chicken soup and drank it, feeling warmth spread throughout his body, as if he were soaking in a hot spring, bringing a sense of comfort.
"Finally an opportunity to honor this Five-Organ Temple."
In the cold winter, there was meat to eat and hot soup to drink.
After being in this world for more than a month, Shen Qing felt like he was finally human.
He set down the bowl, scooped himself another bowl of hot soup, and asked, "Elder sister, what did Chen Yuan say to you today?"
Shen Fang took a sip of chicken soup, holding the bowl in her hands for warmth, and recalled, "The same things as before, asking if I'd be willing to be sold to a big family in the city as a maid."
"What do you think?"
"I want to try. If I go, I can exchange for some money, and you, little brother, will have it better."
Shen Qing knew that thoughts like Shen Fang's were common in Da'an County.
Many poor families squeezed into the wealthy households in the city, willing to become servants for a meal.
For people like them, serving a rich family was also a good way out.
If they happened to win the master's favor one day, they might receive rewards and rise to prominence.
At the very least, they wouldn't starve to death.
After pondering for a while, Shen Qing said, "Sister, would you listen to me?"
"As the only male in the family, of course, I'll listen to you."
"If I say so, even if it means becoming a concubine, you shouldn't go."
In the Great Zhou Country today, people were divided into different classes.
Emperors, nobles, officials, doctors, warriors, farmers, artisans, merchants, and slaves.
The so-called 'maid' was essentially a slave household with a signed contract.
As hunters living by the mountains, they depended on hunting for their livelihood, having a slightly higher status than the homeless vagabonds, yet lower than farm households with land.
Ultimately, their household registration was classified under agriculture.
As for slave households, they were the lowest in Zhou Country, only a bit higher than the non-class prostitutes.
Once entered into the slave registry, it meant becoming the private property of the master, subject to arbitrary punishment or death.
Their descendants would be slaves for generations, with no chance of turning back.
Being a maid in a wealthy household might seem glorious, but in reality, it was a precarious existence.
Of course, there was a more important point Shen Qing hadn't mentioned to Shen Fang.
Chen Yuan's intentions probably weren't as simple as having her as a maid.
Moreover, selling his own sister for money,
Shen Qing asked himself and couldn't bring himself to do such a conscience-lacking thing.
The money would burn his hands if he held it.
"Alright, sister will listen to you. If Chen Yuan comes again, I'll refuse him."
Perhaps feeling Shen Qing's concern, Shen Fang, although expressionless on the surface, was extremely pleased inside.
"Drink the soup quickly, or it'll get cold."
The pot of chicken soup was entirely consumed.
Their famished bodies seemed to have received nourishment like a refreshing rain.
Both of their faces turned much rosier.
After tidying up a bit, Shen Qing didn't delay. He grabbed his bow and arrows and slipped into the bamboo grove behind the house, intending to practice Bow Technique while there was still light.
Time waited for no one he wasn't willing to waste too much effort.
Shen Qing wasn't sure if it was the chicken soup, but standing there in the snow, he didn't feel as cold as before.
Just as Shen Qing drew his bow, a cry rang out from the village.
"Murder! The Chen Family Brothers have committed murder!"
The shout quickly spread throughout the village.
Shen Qing saw many villagers emerging from their homes, rushing toward the Chen Family's direction.
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