Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Upon hearing Xia Hong’s words, the three hurriedly moved him to the wooden bed, then returned to the table, sipped the fragrant wine in small gulps under Xia Hong’s guidance.

”This wine can foster the growth of my flesh!”

”It has the effect of enhancing cultivation!”

”No wonder, no wonder only registered people can buy wine.”

Upon hearing Su Zhi’s final comment, Xia Hong thought of Cai Qiu’s Six-class System, shaking his head slightly.

Earlier, more than four months ago, he learned through the mouths of County Guard Army soldiers about this so-called Six-class System. With the additional information from Su Jing and the four local siblings over this period, he basically understood all about it.

”You told me earlier, the entire Evergreen Valley, with a population of over 1.2 million, has at most 5,000 people with civilian and military registration. Among those with military registration, most have long since moved to the County City and never returned. Besides, there are 70,000 to 80,000 people who are either of Slave Status or lowly status, some serving as slaves for others, some doing lowly or shady jobs in the city. Where did you hear these figures? Accurate?”

The three drank slowly, only mildly intoxicated. Upon hearing Xia Hong’s question, they looked at each other for a moment. Then the third brother, Su Zhi, nodded and replied, ”These figures were told by the leader at our old village. His entire family had civilian registration, and they settled in Qinghua City. Even if there’s some disparity in numbers, it shouldn’t be too large.”

Qinghua City is a town located at Evergreen Valley’s outlet, under Bai Shui County. Its name and position clearly indicate its role in controlling Evergreen Valley, giving it a special status. The Cai Qiu Feudal Town has fewer than ten similar towns.

”Nobles, elites, military, civilians, slaves, lowly statuses - Six-class System. First-class is nobility, the direct lineage of Caiqiu Fan and six surnames. They can wear brocade and three silver ornaments, and can have one ring with two jades; Second-class elites include high-ranking officials and military generals from various counties and cities. They can wear silk and two silver ornaments, and have one ring with one jade; Third-class Military Registration is essentially military households. They can wear satin and one silver ornament, and can have one jade; Fourth-class Civil Registration wears damask; Fifth-class Slave Registration wears gauze; Sixth-class lowly statuses wear linen......”

Recalling the four siblings’ description of the Six-class System and the corresponding behavioral norms and constraints associated with each rank, Xia Hong showed a faint smile, raised his wine cup, and gently asked the slightly drunk three siblings, ”Do you think Cai Qiu’s Six-class System is good?”

The three were momentarily stunned by the question.

Su Xu was the first to set down his wine cup, replying in a deep voice, ”For us, in lowly statuses, of course it’s not good! But it’s different for those above. Some business activities are only allowed for them; many can even receive money annually without moving; they can freely move, hunt, and gather, while the quota they need to submit is far lower than ours; and when it comes to cultivation resources, the higher the registration rank, the more they can buy. We, the unregistered ones, cannot buy even if we have money...”

After Su Xu finished speaking exhaustively, Su Zhi couldn’t help but add, ”It’s pure exploitation from top to bottom. The good gets better; the bad gets worse. For ordinary people without connections like us, you either serve as slaves to others or register as lowly statuses. There’s no other path. But if you choose these two paths, to overturn them in this life would mean always gauging others’ moods.”

Su Xing’er also nodded, her expression dimmed, ”Our parents lost their lives trying to gain registration.”

After hearing the siblings’ words, Xia Hong nodded faintly.

Not entirely oblivious, indeed the good or bad of the Six-class System depends on who you ask.

For Su Jing and his siblings, and the vast majority of the 1.2 million people in Evergreen Valley without registration, it’s certainly bad; but for those with Civil Registration and higher, it’s entirely different. And looking up to the Military, Elites, and Nobles’ above, it’s a different world altogether. These folks are likely to fight tooth and nail to maintain this Six-class System.