Zhou Labor

After returning home, Zhou Ming quickly adjusted his mood.

Indeed, in this world with a high degree of class solidification, there were very few avenues for advancement for the common people. Although in many stories narrated by commoners, he had heard of many tales where a farmer's son, by rescuing a knight, luckily became a knight's squire and eventually rose to become a noble, how many such examples were there in reality?

Perhaps it was precisely because they were rare that such stories could spread widely.

Shaking his head, it was clear that he had been misled by these stories and had taken a wrong turn.

It seems I need to change my approach. Just being a farming peasant like this is useless; I'll never get ahead in life.

Many thoughts flashed through Zhou Ming's mind.

Become a merchant?

This world already had many traveling merchants engaged in reselling goods between various territories. Because the produce and prices in each territory were different, coupled with poor information exchange, the probability of making huge profits was high. If he joined these traveling merchants and relied on some ideas in his head, becoming a rich man wouldn't be difficult.

Become a bandit entrenched in the mountains?

The area of this world was vast. Many noble territories were less than 10% developed, filled with impenetrable black forests (where the light inside was black due to excessive plant density) and marshy wilderness. There were many wild animals and ample space for activity. If he raised a banner and gathered a group of people in the wilderness, becoming a carefree mountain king would be no problem.

There were also freelance professions like craftsmen, mercenaries, and sailors, which he could choose if he left the Glan Territory.

However...

Alice.

His only sister. Taking her with him to flee far away wouldn't be fast, and they could easily be caught by the lord.

Moreover, with Alice's appearance, even if he took her away from the Glan Territory, if they encountered strong men with ill intentions outside, with his ability alone, he wouldn't be able to stop those human traffickers or mercenaries from taking her to some place and selling her for a good price.

Zhou Ming felt a headache coming on. He had raised his sister Alice himself; it was impossible not to have feelings for her. Abandoning her to go out and make his way alone was even more impossible, unless he had the kind of overwhelming strength that could defeat a dozen knights.

Looking at his body, which was just over 12 years old, he didn't even have enough ability to protect himself...

Let's tough it out for a few more years. I'll strengthen my body a bit more. Once I have the ability to protect myself, everything will be easier.

Thinking of this, from that day on, Zhou Ming increased the intensity of his daily training. Morning training increased to 800 push-ups, 200 frog jumps, 200 pull-ups, and a 3000-meter run. The evening spear thrust training increased to 2000 times.

However, Zhou Ming's new training regimen hadn't been in effect for long when the butler Brunode, accompanied by several servants with unfriendly expressions, knocked on his door, completely disrupting his training plan.

"Ryan, starting next week, you've been assigned to work as Zhou Labor on the lord's farm. Don't forget to go to work!" Butler Brunode's face was filled with a sense of vengeful pleasure.

"Zhou Labor? Isn't Zhou Labor only for villagers aged 16 and above? I'm only 12, why do I have to do Zhou Labor? This doesn't comply with the Territory Law!"

Zhou Ming retorted. Although the lords in this world heavily exploited their villagers, it hadn't reached the point of killing the goose that laid the golden eggs. Most Territory Laws stipulated that only villagers aged 16 and above had the obligation to do Zhou Labor.

"Young Master Edward's words are the law! For a lowly peasant like you, who is full and idle, always thinking about living in the castle and becoming a knight's squire, Young Master Edward said that he must find something suitable for you to do to dispel these absurd notions! You must do Zhou Labor starting next week, otherwise I will take back the land you cultivate and cancel your eligibility to rent oxen and heavy plows!"

Butler Brunode had Zhou Ming cornered! Cultivated land, oxen, and farming tools were the foundation of a farmer's survival. Without these things, the only paths waiting for a farmer were waiting for death or fleeing.

"I will go next week, Butler Brunode."

Zhou Ming lowered his head and said in a deep voice, his fists already secretly clenched.

"Hahahahahaha~"

"A lowly peasant, still wanting to fly up the branches and become a phoenix? Give up that idea!"

"Exactly, exactly. Doesn't he even look in the mirror and see who he is?"

"He'll be dealing with straw his whole life. When he gets old, he'll realize how ridiculous he was when he was young."

Brunode and his servants left with loud laughter. Zhou Ming, left in the house, had his fingernails digging into his flesh.

Three days later, early in the morning.

Zhou Ming, carrying a hoe, followed the town's farmers to work in the lord's wheat fields east of the castle.

"Ryan, don't work too hard, but don't be too slow either, or Brunode will make you work very late. Also, don't slack off for too long in between, or your Zhou Labor for the day won't count as finished, and you'll be asked to come back tomorrow until Brunode admits you've completed three Zhou Labor days." During the work, the kind-hearted Uncle O'Neil reminded Zhou Ming.

"I know, thank you, Uncle O'Neil."

Zhou Ming, who was focused on weeding, nodded. He noticed that the steward Brunode's gaze was fixed on them. Seeing the faint smile on his face, his heart sank, and he lowered his head again, silently weeding the field.

As evening approached, sparse stars twinkled in the sky. The farmers in the field could only vaguely see each other's outlines.

The day's work was finished. Looking back at the 5 mu of wheat field he had hoed today, which was no less than what the other adults had completed, Zhou Ming felt relieved. There should be no problem now.

"Little Ryan, not up to standard, today's Zhou Labor doesn't count!"

A voice filled with smugness came, completely crushing the sliver of hope in Zhou Ming's heart.

"Steward Brunode, I hoed 5 mu of land today, that counts as one Zhou Labor day," Zhou Ming stepped forward and argued softly.

"No, no, no," Brunode shook his head and said, "These 5 mu of land were not completed by you, but by Mr. Wade from the town. Your completed task amount is 0."

The farmers nearby discussed amongst themselves.

"This is too shameless. Little Ryan worked all day right under our noses, and Brunode actually said Little Ryan worked for nothing today."

"I was wondering why Wade didn't come with me to do Zhou Labor today. Turns out it's because Brunode is his uncle, and he's having Little Ryan work for him."

"Poor Little Ryan, I wonder how he offended Steward Brunode to be treated like this..."

"Shh, keep it down! Brunode is narrow-minded and a miser. Don't let him remember you!"

Afraid of offending Steward Brunode, no one dared to stand up and speak for Zhou Ming.

Seeing this scene, Zhou Ming didn't say much. He just silently carried his hoe and returned to his home.

For six consecutive days, while all the farmers had finished their three days of Zhou Labor and returned to their own fields, only Zhou Ming remained, still working in the lord's wheat field. Steward Brunode also continued to sit by the field with a few servants, supervising him with interest.

"Dad, I have good news! Young Master Edward has agreed to let me be his knight attendant!"

At this moment, a round-faced, chubby boy ran over from the edge of the field. The excess fat on his face jiggled as he excitedly reported the good news to Brunode.

"Really? That's great, my son! Wonderful, wonderful! I'm so proud of you!"

The short, stout Brunode jumped up and excitedly hugged his son. Their two masses of fat collided with a thud, and both were moved to tears.

"Congratulations, Young Master Baum, you will definitely become a noble aristocrat in the future!" Several servants also stepped forward to flatter and fawn, praising the chubby boy named Baum to the skies.

"Huh, Dad, who is that person working in the field? Is today a Zhou Labor day?" Seeing Zhou Ming, who was burying his head in weeding, Baum asked in confusion.

"No, no, this kid is the farmer boy who participated in the attendant selection at the castle last time. I'm making him hoe more weeds now to clear his head," Brunode explained to his son with a smile.

"Dad, clearing his head like this is useless. This way is better." Baum waddled over with his plump backside and kicked Zhou Ming's backside.

"Hahahahaha~"

Looking at Zhou Ming rolling on the ground, Brunode, his son Baum, and the few servants burst into laughter.