"Losing money?"
Information appeared in Qin Feng's mind.
The problem of the Great Zhou Dynasty having more women than men had persisted for many years, and it was not something that could be solved by sending a bride.
Every year, only a small portion of the bridal procession would be selected in the first round.
For example, this time, there were more than 20 girls, while Qin Feng and the others only had four people.
In order to digest these unmarried women and stimulate population growth as much as possible, the Great Zhou Dynasty encouraged concubines. As long as one could support them, it was not a problem to take in as many concubines as possible.
After Qin Feng and the others finished choosing, if any of the surrounding villagers fancied a girl or a few girls, they could also choose to be concubines. The chosen girl could not refuse either.
However, there was one more person in the family. Not only did they have one more mouth, but they also had to pay an additional tax every year. Very few families dared to choose a concubine.
Therefore, every year, there were many girls of the right age who could not get married even if they joined the bridal procession.
Although this was caused by objective reasons, he still had to pay 20% of the tax.
Such a girl was known as a 'money-losing good'.
Guan Hanyan was a famous money-loser in the neighborhood. She had participated in four bridal escorts in a row, but she was still unmarried at the age of eighteen.
It wasn't because she was lazy or had a bad personality, but because she couldn't get exposed to the sun, especially in summer. As long as she was exposed to the sun for a few minutes, her skin would swell and even get blisters.
Such people were called Ye Mei in the Great Zhou Dynasty, which meant that they could not see the light and could only live in the darkness.
Guan Hanyan's family used to be quite well off. They could buy one or two catties of meat during the New Year to satisfy their cravings. However, ever since she turned sixteen, she had to pay an additional 20% of taxes every year. The family's life had become more and more difficult. Now, it was difficult to even make ends meet with one meal a day.
What was even more unfortunate was that her sister had suddenly contracted a strange illness last year. She often trembled and sweated, and sometimes she would faint.
All of this proved that she was an unlucky person.
Farmers are ignorant. Who would dare to marry such a woman?
" What Charm? It's clearly just an allergic reaction to the sun. Just apply some sunblock and it'll be fine…Feudal superstition kills people!"
Qin Feng pitied this girl.
The village chief held a bowl in his hand and walked side by side with the bailiff captain.
"Same old rules, draw lots. One bar first."
The four of them took turns to take out a ball of paper.
Qin Feng opened the paper ball. There were four lines drawn on it, and the last one was picked.
However, Qin Feng didn't care too much. In any case, if he and the others chose the same girl, they could also compete. There wasn't much difference between choosing first and choosing later.
The village chief looked at the paper in their hands. He smiled at the hunchback Li Shitou." Shitou, you are the first. Choose."
Just as Li Shitou was about to speak, Guan Hanyan suddenly rushed out of the group."
"Big brother, I know how to weave and eat very little. Please give me a way out. I will definitely work hard and repay your kindness!"
In order to increase his bargaining chips, he gritted his teeth and wrapped his patched clothes, revealing his curvaceous figure to show that he was taking good care of himself.
"D * mn, this figure is heaven-defying!"
Qin Feng didn't realize that Guan Hanyan had such a good figure because of the loose clothes.
The places that should be straightened were straightened, the places that should be perked were perked, and the places that should be thin were thin…
An angelic face, a devilish figure, a melancholic temperament…a standard goddess!
However, the villagers didn't buy it and scolded Guan Hanyan for being shameless.
"Stand back!"
The bailiff shouted coldly.
Guan Hanyan obediently stood back in line. Her face was so red that it was almost dripping with blood. Her body trembled slightly, but she still looked up at Li Shitou.
If she could, she didn't want to be called shameless, but she had no choice.
For the past two years, she had been spinning day and night. Even so, her sister-in-law still beat and scolded her every day. Her brother and parents did not care.
Before they left, Sister-in-law said that if they couldn't get married this time, they didn't have to go back. They could just follow the bailiffs to the county government and sell themselves to the brothel.
In fact, this was also the last resort of many money-losing goods.
If they couldn't get married and couldn't afford to pay taxes, they could sell themselves to a state-run brothel. In this way, they wouldn't have to pay taxes.
Guan Hanyan would rather die than sell herself to a brothel.
However, it was not easy to die.
If she committed suicide, her family would be held accountable. The lightest punishment would be to pay a large sum of money.
This was unfilial.
Guan Hanyan returned to the team and continued with the selection.
The village chief pushed Li Shitou.
Li Shitou didn't dare to look at Guan Hanyan. He pointed at the strongest girl in the team.
Stone Lee's parents nodded in satisfaction.
The first criteria for a country bumpkin to find a wife was that she was strong, capable, and had a good upbringing. They were really worried that Stone Li would be impulsive and choose the beautiful Guan Hanyan.
After Li Shitou was Zhang Mancang.
Zhang Mancang took two steps forward and looked at Guan Hanyan with a complicated expression.
Guan Hanyan's expression changed and she lowered her head slightly.
Just when Qin Feng thought that Zhang Mancang would choose Guan Hanyan, Zhang Mancang pointed at a strong and fertile woman.
Next was the hoodlum Xie Guang.
Xie Guang went up to the girls and looked at them one by one. When he saw Guan Hanyan, he was especially careful.
The ruffian's gaze was frivolous and rude, making Guan Hanyan feel disgusted from the bottom of her heart. She subconsciously wanted to retreat.
However, in order to get married, she finally endured the disgust in her heart and stubbornly looked up at Xie Guang.
She had already made a decision in her heart. When Xie Guang chose her, she would commit suicide. At that time, she would have nothing to do with her parents.
As for implicating Xie Guang, she didn't care.
Guanjia Bay was not far from Hexi Bay, so Guan Hanyan knew who Xie Guang was.
Not only was he lazy, but he also liked to tease his wife and young lady.
A few girls she knew had been teased by Xie Guang when they were digging wild vegetables.
It was a good deed for the people that such a bastard was implicated!
"Why are you looking at me like that? Seducing me?"
Xie Guang smiled wretchedly." It's useless to seduce me. I don't dare to marry a jinx like you." However, if you follow the officials to the brothel, I can take care of your business. You have to serve me well."
"You…You…"
Guan Hanyan's tears were rolling down his cheeks.
"Are you going to choose or not? If not, then get lost. I'm wasting everyone's time."
Qin Feng couldn't stand it anymore.
Qin Feng was a self-proclaimed scholar and paid attention to the fact that a gentleman only used his mouth and not his hands. Usually, he was bullied by Xie Guang many times and would always walk around when he saw him in the village.
But today, this coward actually scolded him in public. How could the great Xie Puti endure it?
He rolled up his sleeves." Hey, you poor thing. Are you itching for a beating again?"
"Stop!"
The village chief stood between the two of them and shouted coldly," Qin Feng, go back and stand properly. Xie Guang, hurry up and choose. Don't waste the time of the officials!"
The word "official" was emphasized.
Although Xie Guang was a bastard, he wasn't a fool. He immediately realized that Qin Feng was tricking him.
Zhang Mancang and Li Shitou chose very quickly. When it was his turn, he had wasted a lot of time. The bailiffs were already getting impatient.
If he had hit Qin Feng in front of the bailiffs, then he would have disrupted the bridal escort team. This was a serious crime.
Xie Guang cursed Qin Feng in his heart and pointed at a pretty girl.
"Qin Feng, it's your turn!"