Struggle in Ancient Times

Liao Tingyu left a recipe for his family; this was based from his investigation in the town. In this dynasty, tofu was very common and every household could make it themselves so the tofu was sold cheaply. But there was no such thing as bean curd.

In this paper, it was written the method of making bean curd and cooking it. As a new variety, he expected this thing to enter people’s home easily just like a tofu.

Their family owned a mill at home, ever since there was no corn, mother Deng always sighed when she saw the mill. Such a big expensive thing was useless. Now, mother Deng listened to this new recipe, “Okay, this mill was bought well by xiao-erzi. Your recipe came in time, originally, I was planning to give our ox to the villager. It’s great to have this method.”

Liao Tingyu never thought he would save their ox from hard work, “Why do you want to give it away? The ox only eat grass and it doesn’t need us to feed it. Also, it helped us in the field.”

“This ox could help us, but we only have two acres of land. Our ten acres was rented out and those tenants don’t borrow our ox. The imperial court still wanted to tax us for this ox, every year we still have to pay for it.” Mother Deng spoke righteously but she stopped once she saw Liao Tingyu’s displeased expression.

“No, we won’t give it away even if there was no recipe. Mother, it’s not like you don’t know how miserable the ox in the village. Ah-Hua helped us a lot and I want to raise it.” Liao Tingyu shouted angrily.

Mother Deng was stunned by his temper, it had been so long since she saw her youngest like this, “Okay, okay. Don’t worry, mother knows. I will take good care of ah-Hua.”

Liao Tingyu took out money from his arms and gave it to Liao Ming, “This is the reward from the school. Father, you took it to do the business.”

Liao Ming looked at the five taels in surprise, “I will take this recipe. You don’t have to worry about our business, you keep this for yourself. I saw the free food in the school wasn’t good, you can buy more outside. You take it, father and mother still have some saving.” Liao Ming pushed the money back to Liao Tingyu,

“If you want to eat something, you can buy the ingredient and ask the chef to cook it for you. But you still have to pay them something. Don’t just make them do it for nothing. Your own teacher, you have to respect them well. Buy them meat and wine.” Liao Ming thought his son was still naïve boy and needed some educations. He didn’t care how much money his son owned, after all he was the most promising child in their family.

Liao Tingyu nodded his head to show he listened to his father, “I know that you have some money, but you must accept this. I have more and I only eat out once in a while, it didn’t cost much. My job also paid me two teals a month. You don’t have to worry, just keep this for emergency.”

Liao Ming looked at the money his son stuffed again, his eyes were red and sore. That was it, his son already grown up and filial to his parent.

.

In their own room, mother Deng put away the money, “Xiao-erzi is really rich now. Today he spent a dozen taels, this clothes probably cost a lot.”

“When our son entered the school, didn’t he give money to you?”

“That’s true.” Mother Deng nodded and sat on the bed, “Honestly, it’s a good thing I didn’t send ah-Hua out. Old man, didn’t you see it? xiao-erzi was so angry, it was scarier than you.”

“When did I ever been angry with you?”

“I just said it casually. I didn’t know that kid cared so much about the ox. Ah-Hua is so old now, if it died, we have to pay the yamen.” Mother Deng said while counting her fingers.

“Xiao-erzi is teaching in the town. Look at those things the student gave him, he isn’t short on anything or money.” Liao Ming took off his clothes and hugged mother Deng to lay on the bed, “Okay, don’t think about it. It’s late, go to sleep.”