"Please forgive me, please forgive me."

Old He suddenly realized he had spoken too much given their acquaintance, and he slapped himself twice.

"Hey, you're right, old brother, there's no need for this."

"Dad, I've bought the vegetables, and also got five eggs."

"Go, go cook, and be quick about it."

"Okay, dad."

He Chu went into the kitchen to cook.

The old servant behind the middle-aged man also got up to help.

"Let me help you get the fire going," the old servant said.

"No, no, I can manage, you should rest."

"I haven't started a fire in a long time, a bit eager to do it," the old servant said.

"Well, alright, you can do it."

He Chu lit the fire and made room.

The old servant sat down.

He Chu opened the pot lid,

and asked:

"What kind of tastes do you and your master prefer?"

The old servant said:

"Heavy oil, strong flavors."

He Chu laughed upon hearing this,

and said:

"Well, that's my specialty. I thought you and your master preferred lighter flavors, many nobles in the capital prefer that."

The old servant shook his head and said:

"Not eating meat and salt leaves you weak."

"Indeed, let me tell you, although our family kills pigs and we've never lacked meat since childhood, I've never grown tired of eating it, haha."

"Being able to eat is a blessing," the old servant sighed.

As the fire burned,

the old servant's gaze fell on the basket hanging on the wall, filled with papers.

"Are you practicing writing?"

He Chu had just tossed in the eggs, and said:

"Yes, just learning to read."

"Learning characters is good; once you know them and gain knowledge, you can become an official."

"No, no, I have no intention of becoming an official. I learn to read so I can help my dad write letters when he misses my sister, who's married into another family and has strict etiquette in a noble family, making visits difficult for her.

"You're quite filial."

"Filial or not, I don't think so; you're kind to say so. Oh, by the way, do you eat lard?"

"Yes, it's quite tasty."

"Absolutely, I'll add more lard and make pork soup with some greens later, it's delightful."

"I'm already salivating."

"Don't worry, our He family's hospitality for friends and family, we always serve enough food!"

"Generous."

...

"Old brother, how was the marriage handled in your place?"

"We held it once in Nan'an, and I guess, in the capital, my son-in-law said there will be another ceremony."

"That's good, did you prepare things like new clothes?"

Old He waved his hand and said:

"My son-in-law asked me to go, but I don't plan on going, nor will my son."

"Why?"

"The marriage was done back home; it doesn't seem necessary to show up again here."

"Is it because you're afraid of people's opinions?"

"Not exactly."

"Did your daughter forbid you from going?"

"How could that be? It's just that I don't feel like joining the bustling crowd; every family has its way of doing things.

I'm planning to visit other pork butcher shops in the capital soon, check things out and take my son to see various farms outside the capital.

If things go well, maybe we'll return to the trade. After slaughtering pigs for most of my life, not using the butcher's knife for many days makes me feel empty inside."

"It's like a general taking off his armor, quite the adjustment."

"Oh no, I would never compare myself to a general. I'm just a pig butcher, nowhere near a great general."

"Everyone in the world has their role, and our Yan country can keep improving without distinctions of high or low, noble or humble."

"You speak wisely, young brother. I remember hearing old folks say back then when the barbarians invaded, they burned, killed, and looted; His Majesty led the army personally, and everyone, regardless of previous occupation, picked up weapons to join the emperor's army against the barbarians.

Life back then was tougher than now, even our Yan emperor fell in battle.

Now it's better; barbarians don't dare to invade, and the Jin people have been defeated, we're not afraid of Chu or Qian State.

As long as there's no war now, we common folk can settle down and live well."

"Isn't life good?" the middle-aged man asked.

"Young brother, I can't speak for others, but these past two years, my pork sales haven't been as good as before; if life were good, my shop should be selling more meat.

If common folks can't afford pork, how can that be called a good life?"

The middle-aged man nodded and said, "Yes."

But,

soon,

the middle-aged man said again:

"Old brother, but some things can't be judged just by what's happening now, you know too, a hundred years ago when our Yan state fought the barbarians, it was really tough. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Now, although we've defeated the Jin people, and Yan has beaten Qian and Chu State,

it's peaceful now.

But what about ten, twenty, thirty, or fifty years from now, generations later?

What happens when our emperor passes away? I..."

Old He jumped up in fright, covered the middle-aged man's mouth, and whispered fiercely:

"Oh dear, what are you talking about? What are you talking about? This is the capital, do you have a death wish!"

The middle-aged man gestured that he understood.

Only then did Old He release his hand and sit back down.

Then,

the middle-aged man continued: