Traveling through ancient times to survive

Uncle Hu orally told the secret recipe for making charcoal several times, and the village chief took note and thanked the Hu family for their help again.

The two sides pushed and pulled each other again, and Brother Hu anxiously pulled his mother's clothes and hinted with his eyes.

Aunt Hu said bluntly: "Village Chief, my second son is getting old and wants to marry a girl from your clan. Do you think it's okay?"

The village chief was puzzled: "Who does your second son like?"

"Zhao Chengshan's eldest daughter."

The village chief suddenly realized what was going on and said, "Does your family need me to come and act as a lobbyist?"

Aunt Hu was embarrassed: "Village Chief, thank you for your help."

"I can help your family raise the issue, but I can't force him if he doesn't agree."

Hu Erge was afraid that the village chief would not take him seriously, so he said sincerely: "Grandpa village chief, I am interested in Miss Zhao Hong, please help me."

The village chief frowned and said, "Is this also the condition for offering the secret recipe?"

Aunt Hu punched her son hard: "What are you talking about!"

Then he apologized to the village chief: "Village chief, you misunderstood. We just want a normal marriage, not forced marriage. Our Hu family is not rich, but we are afraid that the Zhao family's requirements are too high, and our family cannot afford it. Please help us talk a little. Don't worry, we are sincere in seeking marriage, and the betrothal gift is equivalent to that of other families in the village. After we get married, I will definitely treat the girl as my own daughter."

The village chief asked Brother Hu seriously: "Do you spend a lot of time together?"

"Don't get me wrong, we haven't had much contact in private. I just have a crush on Zhao Hong and want to marry her."

"I need to ask Hongya first."

As for why he didn't ask Zhao Chengshan and his wife, the village chief had also heard that the couple did not treat their daughter as a human being. If they knew about this, Hong Ya's reputation would be ruined.

"Of course."

After seeing off the three members of the Hu family, the village chief sent someone to secretly invite Zhao Hong over.

"Red girl, you are sixteen this year, right? It is because of my negligence that I failed to take good care of the people of the tribe, and you have suffered."

Zhao Hong did not feel resentful. If it were not for the village chief, she and her sister might not have had the chance to grow up.

"It's not your fault. You have managed it well."

"I'm glad you don't blame me. Now you are old enough to get married. What are your parents' plans?"

Zhao Hong looked indifferent, as if she was talking about someone else's family: "I don't know, maybe she will marry whoever offers the highest gift."

The village chief sighed and said, "Just now, the second boy of the Hu family asked me to marry you. What do you think, girl Hong?"

Zhao Hong agreed without hesitation: "I do."

The village chief advised: "Hong girl, think about it carefully. I am not forcing you to agree. If you don't want to, I will reject the Hu family."

Zhao Hong smiled and said, "Thank you, Grandpa Village Chief, for considering me. Aunt Hu is a sensible person, and the eldest and his wife of the Hu family are not difficult to get along with. Moreover, they are close to home, so it is convenient for me to take care of my sister. This is already the best choice."

"If you are willing, I will go to your parents' house to propose marriage?"

"Thank you, Grandpa Village Chief."

Zhao Hong came quietly and left quietly without attracting any attention.

Time passed quickly, and the road to the back mountain was soon dug through with the efforts of all the villagers. Everyone went up the mountain together, digging holes and cutting trees under the snow.

The back hill was bustling with activity when the village chief suddenly announced that he was going to build a kiln to burn charcoal on the hillside. The village was instantly in an uproar and everyone rushed to the village chief's house to ask about the details.

The village chief selected three men from the Hu family, his eldest son Zhao Desong, and four honest and hardworking villagers, a total of eight people, as the main persons in charge of charcoal making.

Each kiln can produce more than 1,000 kilograms of charcoal. It takes about two days to burn one kiln. Thirty kilograms of charcoal from each kiln is handed over to the person in charge as labor fees.

The Hu family was chosen to have three people. The villagers protested at first, but after knowing that the charcoal recipe was handed in by the Hu family, they stopped objecting and gave a thumbs up to praise the Hu family for their righteousness. The Hu family is very popular, and everyone greets them with a smile.

Eight charcoal kilns on the back hillside began to work non-stop, with thick smoke billowing that could be clearly seen ten miles away.

Just when Brother Hu thought that the village chief had forgotten to propose marriage and was getting anxious at home, the village chief finally went to visit the old house.

The village chief came straight to the point: "Brother Yuanmu, I have a good marriage proposal and would like to talk to your family about it. I wonder if you are willing?"

Zhao Yuanmu was overjoyed: "Which one is it?"

"The second son of the Hu family presented the charcoal recipe."

When Zhao Yuanmu heard this, he thought it was indeed a good marriage. The Hu family was very popular in the village. The family quietly offered the charcoal recipe, but who knew if there were other recipes hidden? There were many people who wanted to marry into the Hu family, and now this pie in the sky had fallen into his family. Zhao Yuanmu was so happy that his mouth was crooked.

Zhao Yuanmu replied eagerly: "Yes! We are willing."

"Since you are willing, I will go to the Hu family and talk to them."

Mrs. Zhao thought to herself that since the Hu family could come up with the recipe, they must be very rich, and this was the opportunity to make a fortune.

Mrs. Zhao couldn't suppress her inner joy, her eyes sparkled, and she asked for a sky-high price: "Uncle Village Chief, how much do the Hu family want to give as a dowry? If it's less than fifty taels, my Zhao Hong won't marry."

"Since your family is not sincere, I will look for someone else."

After saying that, the village chief turned around and left. Zhao Chengshan held the village chief back and said, "Uncle village chief, don't go. She is confused and talking nonsense. Let's discuss it again."

Zhao Chengshan turned around and angrily scolded Zhao Dasao: "Stupid woman! Shut up! Do you have the right to speak here?"

The village chief still looked unwilling to talk further, and only after Zhao Chengshan's family said all the nice things he could did the village chief agree to stay.

The village chief looked at you and said, "The Hu family is very popular in the village now. Our clan must marry into the Hu family. I only talked to you first because of your Hongya's ability."

Zhao Chengshan said sincerely, "Yes, yes, thank you for considering Hongya first. I would like to thank you on behalf of Hongya."

"If your family is willing, then show your willingness."

Zhao Chengchuan said righteously: "Village Chief, we are definitely willing to accept such a good marriage. As long as Hongya can live well, we don't need the betrothal gift!"

The village chief was surprised and asked, "Do you really think so?"

"Of course, as Hongya's biological father, how can I not love her? Dad, you think so too, right?"

Receiving the hint from his son's eyes, Zhao Yuanmu nodded and said, "That's right, Hongya is obedient and sensible. As long as she is good, the betrothal gift is nothing."

The village chief was satisfied: "We can't not have a dowry. Others will laugh at Hong Ya for giving away money. Now that there is a disaster, our dowry will be lower than usual, just three taels of silver, which will give the Hu family enough face."

"Just do as you say."

"Well, I'll put aside my old pride and talk to the Hu family. Of course, they may not agree, so don't hold your hopes too high. I can only say that I'll try my best."

"Thank you for thinking about us, Village Chief. It's okay if it doesn't work out. Just do your best."