Farmer’s Blessed Girl

Chapter 16 – Sons & daughters

Mr Zhuang stroked Man Bao’s hair and said with a smile, “Take the writing brush and ink home first, and I’ll go to Master Bai’s house tomorrow. Come to school in three days’ time.

“As you’re still young, we don’t need to have a formal programme. I’ll first teach you to recognize some characters. When you’re older next year, we’ll learn how to write and study more systematically.”

Tomorrow was the 15th. The students enjoyed two off days every month i.e. on the 15th and the 16th.

Man Bao happily agreed, and went home with her father and brothers. Of course, she was the one holding the box containing all her gifts from Mr Zhuang.

As soon as she arrived home, Er Ya and Er Tou, who were at home, swarmed her and touched the inkstone in awe.

Only to have their hands slapped away by their mother, Feng who scolded them, “Don’t simply touch it. This belongs to little aunt. Stay away from these gifts, understand?”

Man Bao was unhappy, and pulled Er Tou and Er Ya to her side and said, “Once I’ve learnt how to write, I’ll teach all of you.”

Feng thought for a moment and said, “Little sister-in-law, forget about teaching Er Ya. Just teach Er Tou.”

“Why? Er Ya is smarter than Er Tou.”

Feng laughed, “It’s useless for girls to study. Furthermore, Er Ya has to go cut hogweed.”

Man Bao replied, “Why is it useless? After learning the characters, you’ll be able to read books in the future. There’re many stories in the books, and they are good reads.”

Feng laughed hilariously, “If you’ve time to read stories, why don’t you weed the fields, instead? Want to listen to stories? I’ll tell you stories!”

Er Ya couldn’t help saying, “Mother, I want to study.”

Feng patted her head, “Don’t incite your aunt. Have you washed the clothes today? If you haven’t, hurry, go to the riverside and get this done.”

Er Ya was somewhat aggrieved, but she didn’t dare to cry. She lowered her head and went to get the dirty clothes.

Man Bao puffed up her face in anger, but before she lost her temper, Feng carried her to a chair and carefully placed the box of gifts in front of her.

“Little sister-in-law, where was the paper you brought back previously? Let Er Tou look for it and bring it to you to study.

“If you are tired, take a break, and tell me when you are hungry, and I’ll get you something to eat.”

Man Bao stared at her second sister-in-law in a daze. She thought, now, this was the second sister-in-law I was familiar with. However, the one who reprimanded Er Ya just now was also the second sister-in-law!

The depressed Man Bao sat in her chair. Feng couldn’t discern Man Bao’s sadness from her little face, so once she said all she needed, she went to work in the kitchen.

Er Tou had ran off to find the manuscripts which Man Bao brought home.

Man Bao had many words she wanted to say and questions to ask. She couldn’t ask anyone, so she talked to her system.

“Keke, why didn’t Er Sao let Er Ya study?”

The system simply and brutally told Man Bao the reason, “because she values boys more than girls.” This was the conclusion derived by research conducted by humans in the future.

This was the first time Man Bao heard such a statement, but it was simple and easy to understand as one could just look up the meaning of the word.

She was shocked, “Why? She is also a woman.”

“This is mankind’s traditional thinking which had been perpetuated for thousands of years,” the system said.

“The root lies in the farming society. Production depends on physical strength, men are stronger than women, and thus, males are valued.

“Over time, aberrant ethics developed where humans believed only male descendants can continue the family line while women are subservient to men.”

Man Bao replied, “My parents love me very much, and my brothers also value me.”

A burst of electric current suddenly flashed through the center of the system, and cut off the conclusion Keke had deduced. So, he kept quiet.

The system said, “You’re the only exception. Don’t you realise this? The women in your family, except you, are all inferior to men.”

Keke was a collection system and not an education system. So, he didn’t know there were things he shouldn’t be saying to children.

He gave Man Bao an example, “Your mother is subservient to your father, and your sisters-in-law are inferior to your brothers. Your nephews also receive preferential treatment over your nieces.

“Usually, your brothers and nephews eat rice for breakfast while your sisters-in-law and nieces take porridge. They can only eat rice when it is a busy season for farming.

“Your sisters-in-law have to bring the water basin for foot wash and pour the water for your brothers, but the men have never served their wives this way.”

Man Bao was stunned, “My mother said my brothers had to exert a lot of energy working in the fields, so they’ve to eat rice.”

Keke responded, “Well, your sisters-in-laws are also doing physically hard work.”

Man Bao thought for a while – indeed, what Keke said was true.

Her little brain cells churned, and she asked, “Will there be a time when women will be stronger than men? And humans will value women over men?”

Keke, “According to the research of historians in the future, before the slave society existed, society was matrilineal, that is, one dominated by women. This type of society prefers women over men and represents what you have just mentioned.”

Man Bao asked curiously, “Were women stronger than men at that time?”

“No, they win by giving birth, because they can have children and create a workforce. As such, their status is higher than men, and their children only recognize their mothers and don’t know who their fathers are.”

Man Bao pondered for a while, shook her head and said, “That’s not good. I don’t like those who prefer males or those who prefer females. Everyone is human. Can we have equal treatment?”

The system seemed to realise his host was rather extraordinary. He was stunned for a while before responding, “This is possible in the future because of the development of science and technology, the improvement in productivity, and the changes in production relations.

“Jobs of the future require mental capacity/ brain work. In terms of intelligence, girls are no worse than boys. So gradually, the two will become equal.”

Man Bao didn’t understand the first half of the sentence, and the system felt it was too hard to explain the relationship between productivity and production relations.

So, he simplified it, “The economic base determines the superstructure. If your sister-in-law can earn more money than your brother, then your brother will have to listen to your sister-in-law, and your sister-in-law will be even more strong-willed.”

Man Bao seemed to be enlightened and asked, “Does that mean if Er Ya makes more money than Er Tou, second sister-in-law will love Er Ya more and allow her to study?”

Keke said, “Theoretically, yes.”

Man Bao immediately jumped out of her chair and said solemnly, “I think this is wrong. Second sister-in-law should love Er Ya because Er Ya is her daughter. How can she love her because she can make money? I’m going to persuade second sister-in-law.”

The system allowed her to do as she pleased.

Man Bao ran to the kitchen to find Feng, and said, “Second sister-in-law, Er Tou and Er Ya, do you like Er Tou better than Er Ya?”

While washing the pot, Feng smiled and asked, “Where did you hear this from? They’re both my children. Why would I dislike Er Ya?”

“Then why don’t you let Er Ya learn to recognise characters?”

Of course, Feng said, “It’s useless for her to study.”

Man Bao was stunned, “Why, how could it be useless? Studying is very useful. Otherwise, why would so many people spend money to study?”

“That’s for boys. Are there any girls who fork out money to study in school?”

Man Bao, “Me!”

Feng replied, “Little sister-in-law, you’re different. Mr Zhuang didn’t accept your fees. He doesn’t even plan to ask you to buy textbooks. Your studies don’t require any money.”