Chapter 31 - Transmigration: The Farm Life of a “Fool”

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

And, as I said before, if you wish to read ahead, you can head over to my Patreon to get early access to all the translated chapters.

If you’re able to provide me with the Raws of the Novels I need, you'll be the first person to receive my translation of them. You’ll also gain instant access to up to 30 advanced chapters for the novel of your choice.

For more details, you can check out the Raw Provider new page. 

Success

 

 

Xu Ran was someone who could handle spicy food, and so could Liu Tong. Xu Ran had specially boiled a few potatoes, waiting to try them with the first batch of chili sauce once it was ready. Of course, this was just an experiment.

 

Following Xu Ran's instructions, Liu Tong carefully added the seasonings one by one to the pot. As soon as the fragrance emerged, he poured the hot oil over a bowl of chili powder. The moment the oil touched the chili, it sizzled and erupted with a blend of spicy heat and rich aroma.

 

The temperature was just right. Xu Ran eagerly carried the bowl to a bamboo table on the side, where the boiled potatoes were already prepared.

 

Using a small wooden spoon, Xu Ran scooped up some of the chili sauce, spreading it over the potato. The bright red sauce, glistening with oil, was speckled with bits of fermented soybeans, making it irresistibly appetizing.

 

After letting it cool for a moment, Xu Ran couldn't wait any longer and took a bite.

 

Liu Tong stood nearby, watching him anxiously.

 

The chili sauce was indeed spicy. By the time Xu Ran finished the entire potato, his lips were red, and he remained silent for a while, which made Liu Tong even more nervous. "Ah Ran, how is it?"

 

Xu Ran was savoring the taste, the same flavor his mother used to make. It had been so long since he'd tasted it, and now, finally, he could enjoy it again. Overcome with happiness, he pulled the anxious Liu Tong into a tight embrace. "Tongtong, thank you, you're amazing."

 

Liu Tong, who had been extremely nervous moments before, was now caught off guard by Xu Ran's sudden embrace, standing there confused.

 

After holding him for a while, Xu Ran let go. "Tongtong, you did it! You really made it!"

 

"Really?" Liu Tong asked in disbelief.

 

"Of course! If you don't believe me, try it yourself." Xu Ran said, handing Liu Tong a potato with some chili sauce on it.

 

Liu Tong carefully took a bite, then his eyes widened. "Ah Ran, this is delicious! I really made it!"

 

"Yes, you did! Tongtong, you're amazing," Xu Ran praised him generously, not holding back his compliments.

 

Riding this wave of excitement, the two of them quickly got back to work.

 

That evening, the whole family gathered around the table, happily dipping their potatoes into the chili sauce and enjoying the meal.

 

The next day, Xu Ran and Liu Tong distributed the chili sauce to Wu Mei and the other two families, and it received unanimous praise.

 

Although the chili sauce was good for personal use, Xu Ran knew that if they wanted to sell it, the flavor still needed to develop a bit more. It would taste even better after aging for some time.

 

With the chili sauce taken care of for the moment, it was now September, and the rice harvest was approaching.

 

Wu Mei and the others had several acres of rice to harvest, and now was the time. After discussing with Liu Tong, Xu Ran decided they would help the three families. After all, if it weren't for Wu Mei and the others, their own family might not have survived the past year.

 

Without any tools at home, Xu Ran and Liu Tong brought the children and went to Wu Mei's house empty-handed. The three families had already agreed to harvest Wu Mei's rice first, then move on to Liu Qing's, and finally to Wu Lan's. With so many hands, it shouldn't take long to finish the work.

 

Harvesting crops was always a race against time, a matter of beating the weather with swift action.

 

Since Xu Ran wasn't skilled in the work, he stayed home to watch the children, cook meals, feed the pigs, and gather pig fodder—essentially becoming a stay-at-home husband, much to his dismay.

 

During harvest time, everyone needed to eat well to have enough strength to work. This also gave Xu Ran the opportunity to visit the town again.

 

Xu Ran's memories of the town were from seven years ago, so he had no idea what it looked like now.

 

Liu Tong, worried about Xu Ran going alone, had Xu An drive his ox cart and accompany Xu Ran into town.

 

The main thing they needed to buy was meat. Although people here had the habit of smoking cured meat, one pig wasn't enough to feed a family for an entire year, so during busy harvest time, they would buy fresh meat.

 

Fatty meat was more expensive than lean meat, but Xu Ran didn't like fatty meat—it was too greasy for him. However, Xu An and the others seemed to enjoy it. Xu An happily asked the butcher to cut five pounds of fatty meat for him at ten copper coins per pound, spending fifty coins in total. Xu Ran also bought some pig intestines and a string of pork sausages, as well as plenty of pork bones. Since the weather was hot, these unwanted items couldn't be stored for long, and the butcher practically gave them away, charging Xu Ran only thirty copper coins.

 

Seeing the things Xu Ran bought, Xu An frowned. "Xu Ran, this stuff doesn't even taste good. Why are you wasting money on it?"

 

Xu Ran chuckled. "Brother Xu An, don't worry! I know how to cook it, you'll see."

 

Since Xu Ran put it that way, Xu An didn't argue further. After all, thirty copper coins wasn't much, and he could afford it. Still, he felt that Xu Ran was being spoiled by Liu Tong.

 

Later, Xu An also bought some white flour. White flour was a luxury, and most families could only afford to eat it twice a year—once during the rice harvest and again during the New Year.

 

Xu Ran, however, had nothing he needed to buy. Even if he did, he didn't have the money for it—he was as poor as could be.

 

Before leaving, Xu An still pulled out some money to buy candies for the children. No matter how hard life was, the kids couldn't be deprived.

 

Xu Ran knew that Xu An's family was relatively well-off, but he thought that even they were still too poor. Deep down, Xu Ran was eager to change this way of living.

 

On the way back, Xu Ran was quiet, feeling somewhat downcast. He wondered if perhaps becoming an official was the only way out.

 

In the memories of the Fool, there were many days of relentless studying, burning the midnight oil, and waking at dawn to continue. Yet, in the end, it all led to disappointment. The Fool held deep resentment over this failure.

 

Xu Ran was contemplating whether he should pursue a government career. He didn't like the scheming and politicking that came with it, but he also wanted to provide a better life for his family and children.

 

He remembered reading somewhere that those with official titles were exempt from military service and taxes.

 

Although the military service didn't worry Xu Ran for the moment, the issue of taxes was more pressing. His family didn't own land yet, but sooner or later, they would. He had no intention of handing over the fruits of his hard work to the government for free.

 

Xu Ran made up his mind. He would do whatever it took to pass the exam and become a xiucai*. Having a title would be beneficial not just for himself, but for his children as well.

 

[T/N: A xiucai (秀才) was a title in imperial China given to individuals who passed the first level of the imperial examination system, specifically the county examination. The xiucai was considered a scholar and held a certain social status.]

Last Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter

 

❧ Join Bella Novels' Newsletter by clicking here ↫ and
receive an email for each New Update -͙✧˖*°࿐