Font Size:
With many siblings and parents still around, the family had not yet divided their property.
This setup allowed for the land to be tended to without the need for immediate tasks like harvesting or planting, which could disrupt other work.
On the other hand, when it came to selecting apprentices for basket weaving, there were more applicants, making it more challenging to finalize the selections.
Basket weaving was a craft that required precision, dexterity, and a willingness to learn.
After two to three days of screening, and a trial period, Jiang Mixia and Jiang Youcheng finally settled on two individuals: 18-year-old Jiang Dongkou and 17-year-old Jiang Qiang.
With the selection process completed, the work naturally commenced.
The tasks were divided accordingly—cutting and splitting bamboo where necessary, and learning the craft. As a result, the courtyard of Jiang Mixia’s home became livelier than usual, with the presence of three individuals working.
After a few days of adjustment, the trio gradually became adept at their tasks. Following the guidance of Jiang Mixia and Jiang Youcheng, they worked methodically, each handling their responsibilities with precision.
Jiang Mixia’s family was highly satisfied with their chosen candidates. However, there were those who were less content.
For instance, Jiang Datou had been feeling quite distressed for the past couple of days.
Jiang Datou felt distressed because he hadn’t been selected for the bamboo cutting work. At 22 years old, he was a robust and powerful individual, even stronger than Jiang Banggu, making him the most suitable candidate for the task. Additionally, his father had passed away, his mother was bedridden, and his wife had fallen ill a couple of years ago, leaving her with facial paralysis and limited hand function. Although she could manage some tasks and help with simple chores during good days, working in the fields was out of the question.
As a result, he greatly needed the monthly wage of four hundred wen. With this income, coupled with the harvest from the family’s few acres of land, they could afford food, medicine for his mother and wife, and even have some surplus, making life more manageable.
Unfortunately, Jiang Youcheng and Jiang Mixia had not chosen him for the job, leaving Jiang Datou feeling perplexed. He even wondered if they were intentionally targeting him because he had teased Jiang Mixia back when she was naive. However, he couldn’t understand why they would hold a grudge for something that happened when they were all much younger.
As Jiang Datou grew increasingly agitated, he walked back home carrying the freshly cut bamboo poles from the fields. Passing by Jiang Mixia’s house, he shot a fierce glare.
His eyes were filled with resentment.
At that moment, Jiang Chunhe happened to walk by and also paused, glaring at Jiang Mixia’s house in a similar manner.
It had been a long time since he had successfully hunted anything. Having been scolded as useless by Jiang Youcai several times, he found himself compelled to join the others to work in the fields.
At this time, nearing the end of the autumn harvest, the bamboo had already been braided and hung on racks to dry at home. Some of the bamboo poles from the fields needed to be brought back to prepare for use as firewood during the autumn and winter. The remaining portion would be cut into small pieces with a scythe, mixed with soil, and formed into a large block to ferment the bamboo for use as fertilizer, to be spread back into the fields before planting wheat.
Most of these tasks fell on Jiang Chunhe.
He was unhappy and quite angry. He blamed Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun, those two troublemakers, for his streak of bad luck. If they hadn’t beaten him up and ruined his luck, why wouldn’t he be able to catch anything?
The more Jiang Chunhe thought about it, the angrier he became, his eyes almost spewing out fire. He even spat in the direction of Jiang Mixia’s house. But these actions did little to calm him down.
Upon seeing Jiang Datou nearby, Jiang Chunhe’s eyes darted around. “Jiang Datou , what are you up to?”
“Hmm,” grunted Jiang Datou.
Jiang Chunhe usually seize someone else’s prey during hunting, thus Jiang Datou doesn’t like him so much so he only replied with a grunt.
“Hey, I also feel indignant on behalf of Brother Datou . My third uncle hired someone to work, specifically seeking strong and capable individuals. But although brother Datou is strong and capable and also reliable, my uncle declined to hire you. Isn’t that unfair to brother Datou ?” Jiang Chunhe said, then continued, “But brother Datou , don’t dwell on it. That’s just my uncle’s character. Look at how he treats our family; he’s always causing trouble.” If you didn’t know, you’d think they had suffered greatly at his hands!
“When it comes down to it, this person is only concerned about money. He doesn’t care about fairness. Brother Datou , let me tell you something, but don’t tell anyone.”
“What is it?” Jiang Datou asked, leaning in as Jiang Chunhe looked secretive.
“The other day, just as it was getting dark, I saw Jiang Banggu carrying two chickens to my uncle’s house. When he came out, his hands were empty, and the next day my uncle put him to work. It’s clearly because he received a gift from Jiang Banggu.”
“My uncle is really something. He fixates on small things like two chickens. Nowadays, to work at someone else’s place, you have to give gifts to get in. Otherwise, you won’t be allowed in. It’s just picking on honest people, isn’t it?”
“So, those of us who can’t sweet-talk or play games are just meant to sit on the sidelines? If my uncle continues like this, I’d say he’s running a truly unethical business. It’s just that others are too timid. If it were me in this situation, given my temperament, I’d definitely make a scene and make sure his household doesn’t know peace!”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Datou’s face turned ashen.
He was an honest man, not one for much conversation. He believed that in this world, one had to be honest in order for others to be willing to work with and trust them.
But now, honest people were being blatantly taken advantage of, while those who knew how to flatter and manipulate were securing jobs and making money.
Was there any fairness left in the world?
Seeing Jiang Datou’s clenched fists, Jiang Chunhe realized he had provoked him enough. With a wry smile, he said, “Oh, it’s quite late. I better head back now.”
“Jiang Datou , I won’t say anything more…”
After Jiang Chunhe had walked away for some time, Jiang Datou came back to his senses. He looked towards Jiang Mixia’s house, his expression growing darker. His fingers made cracking sounds as he clenched his fists, and after a while, he started to walk home, pulling the cart filled with bamboo poles.
After spending some time at home and ensuring his mother and wife had finished their dinner, and with nightfall approaching, Jiang Datou couldn’t contain himself any longer. He headed towards Jiang Youcheng’s house.
He felt it was necessary to ask why he wasn’t chosen for the work. If it turned out to be true, as Jiang Chunhe had suggested, that they were deliberately targeting honest people, then he would make a scene at Jiang Youcheng’s house.