Mu Shi took his daughter to the office to pay taxes and get the stall.
In the past, markets and marketplaces did not charge taxes and freely allowed the commoners to set up stalls to sell small things. However, the Great Zhou Dynasty had been defeated repeatedly over the years. Coupled with the extravagance of the royal family, it was no longer enough to rely on poll tax and land tax. Therefore, the taxes on commerce were extremely heavy. Even the markets in the towns and marketplaces in the countryside started collecting taxes.
In the past, when Xingyuan Prefecture was not the border, people had to pay taxes when they entered the city. Later, because Xingyuan Prefecture became the border, other than ordinary taxes, they were also forced to raise taxes for military pay from time to time. Because the taxes were too heavy, Xingyuan Prefecture almost rebelled. In response, the Imperial Court could only cancel the city entrance taxes and some miscellaneous charges. But even so, the additional taxes they had to pay every year were still very hefty.
Therefore, there were fewer people setting up stalls now. Even though they arrived late, there were still stalls to choose from.
Mu Shi was already a regular in the market, so the moment the person-in-charge saw him, he gave him a sign and said, "The stall you usually use is empty. Take it."
After thanking him, Mu Shi paid the tax with the copper coins. Then, he pushed the cart to his stall.
Seated cross-legged behind him, Mu Yangling asked curiously, "Father, is that our biological great-aunt? Why haven't I seen her before?"
"She even carried you before. When you refused to drink milk, she taught us to feed you with rice soup. You survived thanks to her."
Is that so? Mu Yangling's eyes were filled with confusion. How could she not remember when she had memories since she was born?
Mu Yangling tilted her head and recalled carefully. This made Mu Shi laugh and say, "Silly girl, how could you remember when you didn't yet have memories then? Don't think about it anymore. Your eldest great-aunt hasn't returned to our village since you were four years old. Naturally, you haven't seen her."
"Did Eldest Great-aunt marry far away?" In this era, only those who married far away would not return to their parents' home.
Mu Shi shook his head. "No, she lives in West Mountain Village, which is right behind the mountain. We'll reach it after crossing the mountain to the west of our house. It's very near."
Mu Yangling was shocked. "Then why didn't Eldest Great-aunt go home? Ahh, it's dangerous on the mountain. She's old and needs to take a detour."
Although West Mountain was not as dangerous as the mountain in front of their house, it was still lush with ferocious beasts roaming around. Therefore, most people would have to take a long detour, which would take an extra two hours.
However, Mu Shi shook his head. "That's not all." Mu Shi pondered and said, "Your eldest great-aunt married into the Ma family of West Mountain Village. She only has one son, your uncle…"
Eldest Great-aunt Ma-Liu led a hard life. In fact, it could even be said to be tragic.
She had lost her husband when she was young. It had not been easy for her to raise her son, but he got involved in a fierce fight and died early. Her daughter-in-law also suffered severe injuries in an attempt to save him. Later on, bearing those serious wounds, she gave birth to a baby boy, which died within an hour from birth. Now, she only had two granddaughters to rely on.
Mu Shi said, "Your uncle was led astray by his cousin, but not only did that cousin's family not feel guilty, they even blamed your eldest great-aunt, saying that she jinxed her husband and children. Your great-uncles couldn't help her much, so your eldest great-aunt was disheartened and didn't return to her maternal home."
Mu Shi said apologetically, "Back then, your eldest great-aunt treated me well, but all these years, my attention was so focused on the two of you that I forgot about her. She is single-handedly raising two young children, in addition to being bullied by her brother-in-law and his wife. I wonder how she's doing in West Mountain Village." The more Mu Shi spoke, the more uneasy he felt. His expression became a little ugly. "When we get home, I'll go to West Mountain Village to see your great-aunt."
Mu Yangling also had a good impression of this great-aunt. When she heard this, she smiled and said, "Father, why don't I go? You're so burly. If you go, Eldest Great-aunt will definitely be unhappy, for she'll think that you're helping them out of pity. I think it's better for me to go. West Mountain is not far from our house anyway. With my speed, I'll be able to cross it in an hour."
Mu Shi was never worried about his daughter entering the mountain. His daughter was stronger than him, and her survival skills in the forest were even stronger than his. Mu Shi could only categorize these as talents. Otherwise, he really could not figure out how a nine-year-old child knew how to guard against poisonous snakes and insects in the forest, as well as how to determine the direction in the dense forest.
"Boss, how much are these rabbits?" A young wife carrying a basket asked.
Seeing that there was business, Mu Shi quickly stood up and smiled. "This rabbit costs 20 copper coins a catty."
The young woman frowned in disdain. "Has this rabbit been dead for a long time? Is it worth 20 copper coins?"
Mu Shi patted his chest and said, "It's all caught this morning. Don't worry, I'm famous in this area. I never sell wild animals killed the previous day."
The young woman raised her eyebrows and looked at him with a smile. "What if there are leftovers?"
Mu Yangling rolled her eyes in her heart, feeling that the other party was wasting her efforts acting coquettish. As expected, Mu Shi replied seriously, "If there are leftovers, our family will dry them and keep them as rations. We never sell leftovers to outsiders."
As the young woman hesitated, Mu Yangling smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, the wild animals sold by us are the freshest on this street. Why don't you ask around? They are all sent over on the same day. Moreover, our wild animals are considered the cheapest on this street."
Seeing that she was called 'sister-in-law' by a child, the young woman felt happy. Thinking that it made no difference whether she bought it here or elsewhere, and this shop did look good, she pointed at one of the rabbits and said, "Then I want this one. Boss, weigh it for me."
"Alright." Mu Shi quickly weighed it and said, "Three catties and nine taels. I'll count it as three and a half catties. Just give me 70 copper coins."
The young woman carefully counted out 70 copper coins from her purse and gave it to Mu Yangling. She smiled and said, "If your rabbit is delicious, I'll be a return customer. But if my husband finds out that it's not fresh, I'll come back and find you."
Mu Shi patted his chest and promised, "Don't worry, our family often sells wild animals on this street. If you don't find it fresh tonight, just look for me tomorrow."
Only then did the young woman leave in satisfaction.
Mu Yangling looked at the 70 copper coins in her palm with starry eyes and whispered, "Father, I was the one who shot this rabbit."
Mu Shi laughed heartily. "Alright, take this money. You can use it to buy candy to share with your younger brother later."
Mu Yangling pursed her lips. "I don't like to eat candy. I'll save it to buy some millet for Mother and Brother." Shu Wanniang's spleen and stomach were weak, and her brother, Mu Bowen, was also a little frail, so they had to eat millet and other nutritious food.
Mu Shi was relieved to see that his daughter was so sensible and considerate.
Mu Shi often sold wild animals here, so there were many regular customers. In no time, the remaining wild animals were sold out. Mu Yangling happily counted the copper coins and said to Mu Shi, "Father, we've earned 538 copper coins. Let's buy some pork ribs later and stew them for Mother."
"Alright, I'll buy you another catty of pork belly."
Mu Yangling immediately grinned like a flower, revealing a small dimple on her left cheek, making Mu Shi's mood improve.
When Mu Shi brought his daughter to buy pork, Mu Yangling could not help but swallow her saliva. Although their family had never lacked meat, wild animals' fat content was nowhere comparable to domestic animals'. In this era, other than those rich families who preferred wild animals to domestic animals because they were tired of eating chicken, duck, and fish, ordinary people preferred eating domestic animals because they were fat.
Mu Yangling also liked to eat domesticated pork and chicken more now because they had higher fat content.
Mu Shi was familiar with Butcher Chang, who lived in town. Usually, when Mu Shi had no time to set up a stall, he would sell wild animals to Butcher Chang and let him resell them.
At the sight of Mu Shi, Butcher Chang said with a smile, "Old Mu, I heard that you've made a lot of money?" There were no secrets in town, which was why the minute Mu Shi left the Wafting Fragrance Eatery, news that he had made eight taels of silver started spreading everywhere.
Mu Shi was helpless. "There won't be much left after we pay the taxes."
Butcher Chang was also a little sad. "That's right. The taxes this year are too heavy."
Sticking her head out to look at the pork on his chopping board, Mu Yangling said, "Uncle Chang, give my family a catty of pork belly and a piece of pork rib." Her crisp voice broke the somewhat depressing atmosphere.
Butcher Chang grinned. "Alright, young lady, wait a minute. Uncle Chang will cut it for you now."