living in 16th century england

Chapter 5 Liberty and Privileges

Early the next morning, Matthew got on his horse, and he was going to work.

Neither the blacksmith shop nor the winery is near the farm.For ease of shipping and sale, they are all in Plymouth.

There is a division of labor between father and son, and Matthew is in charge of management.His father specializes in various relationships.

Matthew didn't go to school, but he went to short-term "schools", like training courses.

A person who thinks he is well educated can travel around as a teacher.To impart knowledge and teach people to write for a living.If someone is willing to pay, then stay, if the money continues, then stay for a long time.

If he is favored by some nobles, he might become a hired teacher for noble families.The salary is certainly not low.It would be a good choice to be hired as a clerk by a ruling official in a certain place.

Therefore, the upper limit of this occupation is very high, and it is possible to enter and leave the palace.The lower limit is also very low, maybe you have to go to the pier to carry big bags to make ends meet temporarily.

As for going to the monastery, it also requires money, and I will try my best to bring you private goods.Matthew never thought about it.On the contrary, these floating "scholars" interested him more.

Because this is one of the ways he understands the sixteenth century.

Matthew has learned English, but he can only and must pretend to be illiterate.Because many modern English vocabulary and even grammar did not exist in the 16th century.A lot means: about 50 to 90.

In Shakespeare's time, there were only about 14 words in English.In modern times, there are about 60 to 100.Therefore, this literary giant must be semi-literate in modern times.

Even the same word with exactly the same letters can have completely different meanings.

Like "freedom" and "privilege".

Teacher: "Freedom and privilege are synonymous."

The young Matthew cursed in his heart, what the fuck is this a liar who came to scam money?

Teacher: "Privilege is freedom."

Young Matthew couldn't help it: "How can freedom be a privilege?"

The teacher smiled and said: "With privileges comes freedom. To have freedom, the premise is to have privileges. Although freedom is not all privileges, privileges must have freedom. Boy, do you understand?"

Of course the young Matthew didn't understand, his mind was confused: "(╯‵ ′)╯︵┻━┻"

"This must be a liar!"

But after participating in a few more "training courses", Matthew had to admit it.Liberty and privilege were indeed synonymous, at least in the early sixteenth century.

He even remembered a certain movie that chanted to die for freedom.Nima is so funny.

It's time to change everything.

But Matthew remembered Li Bai's Thoughts on a Quiet Night.Learned this a long time ago:
The moonlight in front of the bed,
Suspected of frost on the ground.

Looking up at the bright moon,
Looking down at your hometown.

Only when I grew up did I realize that this is not the original text at all.

The original text recorded in the Song Dynasty is as follows:
Looking at the moonlight in front of the bed,
Suspected of frost on the ground.

Looking up at the mountains and the moon,
Looking down at your hometown.

The problem is, even knowing that he has been cheated, he still thinks the revised version is better.

Then there is another problem. Are these intentional or unintentional tampering and modification right?

Matthew didn't know.However, he understood better what someone meant when he said that all history is contemporary history.

The winery sounds very high, but if you change it to a workshop, you will feel ordinary.People who play with words, there are many ways to make you feel fresh and inclined.When describing the West, they change a lot of words.Replace "farmer" with "farmer".Village Zhuangzi, replaced by a manor farm.

But it's useless to replace the shit with something indescribable, so I don't write it.In this way, a school of idyllic scenery full of exotic customs and tallness comes alive on paper.

But I can't write.Because the wine shop is not in the city.The reason is that there are too many indescribable things from various sources in the city.

That's what Matthew thinks~ You must at least find a clean water source for winemaking, right?

Sanitation was undoubtedly one of his most important decision-making considerations in this era.

There are too many plagues in this era.A few years ago, there was also a sweat fever, and he died of sweating like rain, with a mortality rate of more than 30%.Matthew suspects that this is how Henry VIII's brother died.

After inspecting, Matthew went to the warehouse to check the inventory, and found that it was almost empty.The steward immediately explained: "Captain Jack took away 140 barrels early in the morning... The payment is quite a lot, and the procedures are complete... I heard that he bought another boat."

The so-called Captain Jack is Danny's good friend William and his father.The one who ran the sea trade.Andrew's good partner, another member of the Hawkins family.

Matthew nodded and asked casually, "Where are they going this time? Netherlands?"

Steward: "I asked, but he didn't say anything."

Matthew was expressionless, but he was dissatisfied in his heart, and asked, "The production capacity is obviously insufficient now, what suggestions do you have?"

The manager immediately said: "Continue to expand production and hire a few more people. Our wine supply has always been in short supply."

Matthew: "You can figure it out. But first go to inquire and find out who's wine can't be sold. As long as the condition is good, you can buy it at a low price."

The steward immediately objected: "Master...their production process...uh...chaotic, very careless, even if the wine is okay, the taste will not be good...it will ruin our brand."

Matthew: "This is a comparison. If you put it in other places, it will definitely be sold. Just don't use the name of the Hawkins family. After this step is completed, our wine price will increase by 10%. Then the purchased wine Sell ​​it at normal price."

The steward stared wide-eyed, trying to understand the meaning of Matthew's words.

Matthew: "If my dear Uncle Jack comes again, give him a discount on the new price."

The steward was stunned.

Matthew put on his hat and was ready to leave when he left the warehouse.When he arrived at the door, some old hired workers saluted him, and Matthew immediately called out their names, and stopped to chat for a while.

The steward also joined in, and he was once one of them.

Soon someone reported new news: "Master, I heard that Scotland has a very strong alcohol, just like those sold in the monastery, but it's not wine."

Someone interjected, "Water of life?"

"No, no, it's not the kind used by those liars..."

The so-called eaux-de-vie is high alcohol, and later refers to high alcohol.

At this time, the British Isles were still the territory of Catholicism, and monasteries were spread all over the place.The number... more than 600 in England alone.

But it would be a mistake if you see them as purely religious facilities.This is an economy that holds a large amount of land, monopolizes the production of wine, high wine, and alcohol, and taxes!

Alcohol has been regarded as a miracle drug for many years. Although it does not claim to cure all diseases, it is almost the same.

Then there was a quack doctor named Arno or something.During treatment, alcohol was sprinkled all over the patient's body and wrapped in textiles.Not surprisingly, it ended up accidentally catching fire.

So the patient's screams became famous in history, and alcohol became notorious.

Matthew: "Do you know how it's brewed?"

Everyone knows that this young master likes to listen to all kinds of gossip and anecdotes, even if there is no beginning or end.

This kind of chatting is also one of the ways Matthew collects information.

It's not that Matthew has never thought about brewing spirits and alcohol, but in this era, Catholic monasteries monopolize the production of wine, alcohol and alcohol. Once you offend them, there may be a stake waiting for you.

Why bother?
However, it shouldn’t be a problem to make some for your own use, right?Matthew couldn't help looking at these old employees, recalling which of them had the strictest mouth.

However, this would require someone to come up with the idea of ​​distillation.As long as he thinks he has a share of the credit, then invest and then give him some share.In this way, you can harvest an old scalper who works hard.

As soon as I thought of this, someone said: "I heard that ordinary wine is burned with fire, and then the gas is collected to get stronger wine."

Suddenly someone said how do you know and so on.As soon as Matthew's eyes lit up, it was him.

If it was not a last resort, Matthew would not even enter the city, but the blacksmith shop was near the port.

This was actually a mistake, because the customers of the blacksmith shop were originally supposed to be those sailors, but they didn't expect that agricultural tools would be the most trafficked.Because the bazaar is also nearby.

When the locals want to go to sea, their weapons have already been prepared, and they may be inherited from their ancestors.When foreign people enter the port, the weapon has already been bought, unless it accidentally falls into the sea.

Riding through the city with a handkerchief to your nose.The image of a pampered rich man immediately became popular.

The entourage walked in front leading the horse, but Matthew looked to both sides vigilantly. Some houses here have two floors.Generally speaking, it is normal for someone to dump all kinds of sewage, even indescribable things.

But it seems to be lucky today.

The port area is much cleaner.Because foreign sailors will be more cautious in unfamiliar places.And as a fear of the plague, locals seldom come here unless necessary.

In the blacksmith shop, you can clearly see the ships in the port. The so-called port is just some wood nailed in the water, and the boards are laid on it so that people can leave.Quite rudimentary.

However, Matthew enjoyed observing the boats most of all.For example, the Kirk ship of the Hanseatic League over there is estimated to be 180 tons.This kind of ship has a long history and used to be the main merchant ship of the Hanseatic League.Made in many European countries.

But the Portuguese caravel dhows over there are the most worth seeing.This 100-ton sailboat is a new type of ship, known for its easy handling and fast speed.

In other places, there are small boats of seventy or eighty tons, or even less than 50 tons.

No way, in the first few years of the sixteenth century, the largest ship in Europe was only 400 tons.

But Matthew's main concern is not this, he is concerned about the life of these ships.

According to what he has learned over the years, most of these small boats have a service life of only four to five years. Even if the owner is willing to spend money on maintenance and the construction is careful, it will last ten to eight years at most.Of course, there are very few lucky children who can use it for a longer period of time.

What's this?This is a natural forced scrapping.

Matthew sighed, it would be a pity not to earn such a large amount of money.

(End of this chapter)