Chapter 32: Raising Chickens and Ducks

“That’s great!” Aunt Zhao laughed, “You are indeed kind-hearted, Lord Zhou!”

Zhou Yu lowered his head to look at An An, who was drowsily nestling in his arms. But on such a cold day, taking her outside made him feel reluctant.

An An tried hard to open her eyes wide, looking up at Zhou Yu with a determined look, as if saying, “I’m strong, not afraid of the cold!”

Her round, bright eyes, originally black and white, were now filled with tears from drowsiness, making them appear even more clear and moist. The whites of her eyes revealed a steel-blue color that only children could have.

But the heaviness of sleep soon took over, and she could no longer keep her eyes open. Her thick, long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings as her eyes closed.

The little one seemed startled and opened her eyes again, then shut them, and opened them once more…

Her little neck seemed to become soft, and her small head wobbled, almost falling down.

Zhou Yu found her both adorable and pitiful. He quickly handed the child back to Aunt Zhao and gently reminded her, “Take her home to sleep soon, make sure she’s bundled up tightly, and be careful not to let the wind get to her.”

Aunt Zhao, clearly ready to leave, hurriedly stood up to bid him farewell.

At that moment, a few people from the house across the way came out. Uncle Chen Jiushu spoke, “There’s no use telling you guys. I’m just an old useless man. Whatever you need, talk to Lord Zhou.”

Xu Xia took a step forward, ready to separate the few raggedly dressed and visibly troubled people from the group.

Aunt Zhao quickly greeted Uncle Chen Jiushu and left.

The villagers, upon learning of Zhou Yu’s identity, immediately bowed in reverence.

Uncle Chen Jiushu spoke on their behalf, “Lord Zhou, these are people from the neighboring village. They came to ask for your help in digging a well. Sigh, life is hard for everyone, and if we had one more well, maybe our lives would improve a little.”

The villagers also began explaining their requests, which boiled down to this.

Zhou Yu raised his hand slightly, signaling them to rise. “Please, stand up.”

The villagers slowly got up and stood awkwardly, repeating a few words over and over, “Please, Lord, have mercy on us!”

Having spent enough time with Zhou Yu, Uncle Chen Jiushu no longer felt much fear of him, and without putting on any airs of authority, he invited Zhou Yu to sit and personally poured him some water, signaling for the others to sit as well. “Our Lord Zhou is truly a man of the people. He sees our struggles and remembers them in his heart!”

Zhou Yu glanced at the old man with amusement, thinking, how is it that he’s not acting as he did when he was constantly wary of me?

Uncle Chen Jiushu coughed lightly, stood up, and said, “Well then, you all take your time to talk. I’ll go dig a few radishes…” and stepped out to give them some privacy.

Zhou Yu gave the group a glance and nodded slightly. “Don’t worry, I’m already considering what you’ve asked for. I’ll come by in the next few days to see if we can dig a well. But don’t get your hopes too high. What you weren’t able to do in the past might not necessarily succeed now.”

He knew that after the well had been dug in Tongshu Village, they had attempted to dig wells around their own village, but they had failed.

The head of Huaihua Gully spoke hesitantly, “Lord, we think it was because we dug too shallow with just picks and shovels that we didn’t find water. When the drought came, the well-digging team didn’t come back. We don’t have the proper tools, so we couldn’t dig very deep.”

Zhou Yu waved his hand. “No need to say more, I understand. Have you all prepared for the winter?”

A small smile appeared on the villagers’ faces as they replied, “Every household got some grain, not enough to eat every day, but at least we won’t starve.”

Zhou Yu asked, “What about next year’s seeds? Are you ready?”

“Ready, ready,” they said, smiling even more, “We have some of our own, plus the ones you gave, it’ll be enough to get by.”

One person cautiously asked, “Lord, about the land tax…”

“Don’t worry,” Zhou Yu smiled slightly. “Before you’re fully rid of the disaster, all taxes and labor obligations will be waived.”

The words were light, but they caused an uproar in the room. After the excitement cooled down, they cautiously asked, “Really, Lord?”

“Absolutely,” Zhou Yu said seriously. “Even if I’m reassigned, nothing will change. When the reconstruction begins and taxes are levied again, it won’t be full taxation right away; there will be reductions. The details will be announced by the government.”

This was incredible news. The villagers hurriedly knelt and kowtowed in gratitude.

Zhou Yu couldn’t stop them in time, and soon heard the thudding of their heads on the ground. When they finally raised their heads, their foreheads were all red.

With little left to say, Zhou Yu asked Xu Xia to escort them out.

In the courtyard, Uncle Chen Jiushu handed them two radishes, “These are from our village, well cared for and grown nicely. I know you’re not short on food, but these are just a small token of my old man’s appreciation.”

The villagers’ eyes lit up at the sight of the plump, white radishes, and they hurriedly thanked him. One asked, “These radishes are so good, have you saved some seeds?”

“Yes, yes,” Uncle Chen Jiushu said cheerfully. “When the seeds are ready next year, just come by and take some. We’ll have plenty!”

The villagers thanked him repeatedly, then happily took their radishes and headed home.

Zhou Yu spoke with Uncle Chen Jiushu for a few more moments, asking, “Do you think the village can raise chickens and ducks now?”

“Well… not quite yet,” Uncle Chen Jiushu furrowed his brow. “Although we have some grain now, the famine has scared everyone. They’re more concerned with food for themselves, so they’re hesitant to raise poultry.”

Zhou Yu nodded slightly.

He thought, perhaps others might hesitate, but the Zhao family would certainly be willing.

An An should have some good food.

Before going to bed that night, he instructed Xu Xia, “Keep an eye out. If you find anyone selling chicks or ducklings, buy a few and send them to the Zhao family.”

After a pause, he asked, “Is it very expensive to raise poultry?”

“It’s not too costly,” Xu Xia scratched the back of his head. “When they’re young, you feed them more carefully, but as they grow, it’s easier. People in the countryside raise poultry more casually, just feeding them whatever they have.”

“Egg-laying hens need better feed, though, or they won’t lay many eggs.”

Zhou Yu thought for a moment. “Then, I’ll have some of my rations set aside for them, specifically for raising chickens and ducks.”

Xu Xia was startled, then laughed, “Young master, you scared me! When I said they need better food, I didn’t mean they should eat like humans. It’s more like mixing in some bran and wheat husks to feed them. I don’t know the exact details.”

Zhou Yu laughed as well. “According to the current calculations, one jin of fine grain can be exchanged for ten jins of coarse grain, and one jin of coarse grain can be exchanged for ten jins of bran. If I take out half a jin of fine grain, would that be enough for them to feed the poultry for a year?”