Volume One, Chapter 19: The Collective Economy

“Master Niu, I suggest our village should first develop a collective economy.”

“What do you mean by collective economy?”

“A collective economy means the village develops certain projects and involves the villagers. For example, I provide fishing nets to the village. Villagers use these nets to fish, but the catch belongs to the village, and we pay the villagers wages.”

“Oh?”

Hearing Zhou Wu's words, Master Niu felt as if something new had entered his mind but couldn’t quite grasp it.

“Moreover, the projects developed by the village will not only provide more job opportunities for the villagers but also generate additional income to pay taxes to the imperial court.”

Taxes were the imperial court’s most crucial tool to assess local regions. Although the Niu family village had poor harvests in previous years, they should theoretically have enough to sustain their people. However, the court didn’t care if people starved; it took a large portion of the grain anyway. Just barely meeting the minimum quota saved Master Niu from severe punishment.

“Alright, scholar, since you’ve studied and know better, we’ll follow your lead. If you don’t fancy being the village head, I’ll keep the position for now. With my reputation, I can clear obstacles for you in the village. Just focus on your work.”

In the end, the two reached an agreement. Zhou Wu had accepted his new reality: since he had traveled back to this time, he would live honestly here and use his knowledge to improve the lives of those around him.

Though Zhou Wu had many ideas, after discussing with Master Niu, they decided to start with the fishing industry. The very next day, they gathered all the villagers for a collective meeting.

“Alright, everyone, quiet down.”

The meeting took place beneath the large locust tree in the village center. Master Niu and Zhou Wu sat in the middle, surrounded by villagers. The noisy crowd fell silent at Master Niu’s command.

“I have important news to share with you all today.”

As soon as Master Niu spoke, whispers erupted among the villagers.

“Important news? What could it be for Niu family village?”

“Could it be the tax collectors arriving?”

“It’s only been a few months; that’s too soon.”

“Then what? Another conscription?”

At these words, fear instantly spread across the villagers’ faces.

“Alright, stop guessing wildly. It’s neither tax collection nor conscription. It’s a reform for our village. Now, let the scholar explain.”

Master Niu quickly cut off the villagers' wild speculation.

“Everyone, what is reform? Simply put, change. Our village has thrived on this land for generations, but have you noticed that our lives are getting poorer and poorer?”

Zhou Wu’s words struck a chord. War, taxation, natural disasters – the greatest victims were always the common people.

“So we can’t live like before anymore. Remember when I served you fish at my home some days ago? Let me ask, was the fish delicious?”

“How could it not be? The meat was excellent!”

“Indeed, the scholar is remarkable, bringing us so much fish.”

“When will the scholar invite us to eat fish again?”

The villagers buzzed excitedly, all yearning for meat and better days.

“Ha! Treating everyone to fish is a small matter. What I want is for every one of you to be able to eat fish regularly.”

This declaration set the crowd abuzz with disbelief. Even Master Niu hadn’t dared make such a claim. Why should a young scholar be so confident?

Still, some supported Zhou Wu, since he was the village’s only educated person, a newly titled scholar, and came from an official family, so surely he had greater insight.

“I’ll briefly explain the village plan. First, we’ll form a fishing team. Every household will send one able-bodied person, male or female. The village will assign tasks based on ability, and wages will be paid every ten days.”

“What! Wages too?”

“At first, I thought it would be forced labor again.”

“Master Niu is generous today.”

“No, it’s the scholar who’s generous, ha.”

Previously, collective village labor was unpaid and often neglected basic needs like food and drink.

“I must warn you, the fishing nets are not just the scholar’s secret but the village’s. Anyone who leaks this will face my wrath.”

“Don’t worry, Master Niu, we’re not the type to betray our own.”

“Exactly, the village only needs one ‘Niu’ to be sharp.”

Eventually, every household registered one member with Master Niu, who then assigned their roles.

The next morning, Zhou Wu led a group of selected strong men on his horse-drawn cart, alongside Master Zhang’s mule cart, to the seaside.

Since it was their first time, Zhou Wu accompanied them personally. Once everyone got the hang of it, he planned not to come every day.

“Niu Er, show everyone how it’s done.”

“All right!”

Niu Er eagerly grabbed a fishing net and cast it skillfully. The villagers watched closely, but the water remained still.

“Nothing caught?”

“Seems it’s not guaranteed every time.”

Just as the villagers grew disappointed, Niu Er slowly pulled the rope. The net tightened, and ripples appeared on the water’s surface. As the net rose, the waves grew stronger, revealing large fish thrashing inside.

“Got them! Really got them!”

“Wow, so many fish!”

“This is way too easy!”

When something is unknown, it seems complicated and incredible. But once you glimpse the secret, it all feels simple.

Within a day, everyone had learned how to use the nets. Zhou Wu realized he wouldn’t need to come tomorrow because he had more important matters to attend to.

The first day’s catch was four carts of fish, limited by their inexperience and having only one net.

The morning’s catch was taken straight to the county town for sale. Due to time constraints, the afternoon catch was processed in the village by women, who gutted and cleaned the fish before drying them. This made storage easier and allowed for sales.

County Town.

“Ugh, it smells so fishy. What is that?”

“Fish, so many…”

A horse cart moved slowly through the street, spreading the pungent fishy odor far and wide. The unsuspecting townsfolk began complaining.

“Why don’t we just sell them here?”

With several hundred pounds of fish to sell, it was a considerable fortune. Master Niu had sent a few strong men to sell the fish, but they had no experience and stood awkwardly, unsure how to call out to buyers.