Chapter 10 Undercurrents in the Village
The next day, when it was dawn, Adams put on his clothes, called his wife and three and a half sons, walked out of his thatched hut, and walked slowly towards the stone house in the center of the village.
The nobleman's butler announced the arrival time when the rooster crowed, and he still had plenty of time.
Not far away, he saw several people walking together in front of him.
After taking a closer look, I realized that it was the Gretel family from the village.
There are six members in Gretel's family. He and his wife have two sons and two daughters.
The Gretel family is also a relatively wealthy farmer in the village, relying on helping people deliver messages.
Of course, old Gretel was getting old, had broken his leg a few years ago, and was no longer sending messages.
Now it was his two sons, Big and Little Gretel, who were doing it.
The two of them, each with a horse, took turns delivering messages to those in need in the village.
In normal times, they would plow the fields independently, and the family could live a decent life.
Adams still remembered that his family was always one of the most in the village for sending rye to the mill every fall.
Adams remembers everything, Adams remembers everything! Adams prided himself on his memory.
He waved his hand violently and called out, Mr. Gretel, Mr. Gretel!
The Gretel family stopped and turned their heads.
The leader, Old Gretel, has gray hair, and the wrinkles on his face are like the roots of an uncle's tree. He is dark and shiny.
His eyes were cloudy, and he looked at Adams for a long time, but he couldn't recognize Adams.
Adams had no choice but to take his family and walked quickly to the Gretel family.
When he was only four or five steps away from Old Gretel, Old Gretel saw Adams' face clearly and said, So it's Little Adams from the mill, you're so early today!
Old Gretel's voice was hoarse and weak.
Adams touched his nose in embarrassment, Mr. Gretel, I have grown up. I am not little Adams anymore. Look, this is my eldest son, little Adams. This is my youngest son, little Adams, this is my younger son, little Adams!
Adams pointed to the three children next to him and said.
The oldest one was about seven or eight years old, dirty all over, and still had two blue snots.
The second child was about five or six years old. He was skinny and shy. When Adams pointed at him, he shyly hid behind Adams' wife.
The last child was only three or four years old and was held by Adams' wife.
Mr. Gretel, I am not young anymore, please don't call me Little Adams in the future. Adams said earnestly.
Good! Old Grete nodded and said, Little Adams!
Discouraged, Adams finally decided to ignore the matter.
He walked up to Old Gretel, first looked around cautiously, and after finding no one was paying attention, he whispered furtively, Mr. Gretel, you said that our new lord summoned us suddenly, Do you know why?
Then it's simple, you can ask the lord yourself. Old Gretel said, casting a glance at Adams.
Mr. Gretel, don't make fun of me. How dare I ask him in person? Adams cursed the old fox in his heart, and said with a dry smile.
After a pause, Adams lowered his voice again, and said, I heard from others that our new lord is going to collect taxes!
And the tax is not low! I heard that 50% of the tax will be charged!
Mr. Gretel, the Frost Moon is coming soon. You said, if 50% of the tax is taken away, how will we survive this winter?
Yeah, how should I live? Old Gretel still looked resigned.
Adams scolded old Gretel a few times in his heart, so he had to put on a smile like an old chrysanthemum, and said straight to the point, Mr. Gretel, Mr. Gretel, I know you have a good relationship with the big shots there. I think those big shots I must have reminded you, our tax...
Little Adams, those big men have their own ideas, we just need to be ourselves! Old Gretel still said calmly.
Adams was in a hurry. He had already talked about this point, but Old Gretel still didn't reveal any secrets.
Mr. Gretel, Mr. Gretel, just tell me, just tell me. For my dead father's sake, for his friendship with you! If I don't know today I shall die of anxiety, Mr. Gretel!
Little Adams, why do you always know things we shouldn't know? Sometimes, ignorance can make us happier! Old Gretel sighed, he felt very helpless about the gossip character of his old friend's son .
But, Mr. Great, I'm not happy now! I'm going to be unhappy! Until I know! I promise, I won't tell! Please, Mr. Great...
Mr. Adams, don't worry, he's just a child! We'll get through this winter safely. Standing behind Old Gretel, his eldest son, Big Gretel, a young man with a bit of arrogance on his face, suddenly chime in.
The title of Baron of the Child was not only spread in the city of Patras, but also spread to the small village of Nise.
Hearing Great Gretel's words, Adams felt much more at ease.
Old Gretel, on the other hand, had a gloomy face, a stern light flashed in his cloudy eyes, and he cursed at his elder son, Who told you to talk nonsense?
Full of energy, how could he look weak like before?
Big Gretel didn't take it seriously, he felt that his father was getting old and his courage became smaller.
He met Old Gretel's eyes, puffed up his chest slightly, and said disapprovingly, Father, the big men in the city are saying that he is just a child. What are you afraid of?
Whether he is or not, that's the game of those big men, not what we should be talking about. Now, you shut up. I won't let you talk until the darkness falls.
Old Gretel still had his prestige, and although Big Gretel was still aggrieved, he had to shut his mouth, snorted secretly, and turned his head away.
Old Gretel's other son, the little Gretel who had been silent all this time, quietly raised a smile, and then, it was gone in a flash!
Old Gretel, hehehe, the older you are, the less courageous you are. I can't see your courage anymore! A strong man with a beard on his face passed by. Hearing what they said, he went to In front of them, he interrupted in a calm manner.
His waist alone is as thick as two big Gretels!
The third son of the Potter family! Old Gretel turned his head to look at the big man, and said in a cold tone.
Adams, on the other hand, became enthusiastic. He patted the big man's arm and said with a little envy.
Jacques Potter, you've grown stronger!
Haha, eat more to grow fast! Adams, you have to eat more to grow strong and strong like me! Jacques Porter said proudly.
Immediately, Adams thought of old Potter's frowning face for eating, and his heart trembled.
He can't afford it!
If Jacques Porter hadn't relied on his physical strength and often blackmailed other villagers for food, would he have grown up to what he is now?
A whole village bandit!
It's just that no one in the village can beat him!
This made him even more arrogant!
I just heard you talking about the tax collection of the new lord, right? Jacques Potter said as if no one else was there, his voice a little loud.
Adams' face turned pale, and he quickly tugged on Adams' sleeves, saying, Keep your voice down. Aren't you afraid that Lord Lord and the others will hear you?
Hehe... a child, a few followers... what is there to be afraid of! Isn't it enough for me to fight alone? According to me, as long as he wants to collect taxes, our whole village should unite and let him know that our village difficulties! Jacques Potter clenched his fists and said excitedly.
Let's go. I'm old and hard of hearing. If I'm late, I won't be in the front row. Old Gretel said suddenly, and then took his family away.
Once Old Gretel left, Adams didn't dare to stay. He smiled dryly and said to Jacques Potter, Jacques, then we're leaving too!
After speaking, he took his family and left in a hurry.
Leaving Jacques Porter standing where he was.
Looking at their leaving figures, Jacques Potter showed disdain in his eyes, and said, Useless old dog! A child is afraid! Hey, I'm hungry again, I'd better go eat something before going over It's not too late!
Which place to find food this time? Just go to Smith's.
Saying that, Jacques Potter left in the opposite direction!