Chapter 24: Serf Economics

When Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev entered the drawing room, his mother, Varvara Petrovna Lutovinova, was berating a trembling servant.

She was a shrewd and formidable middle-aged woman who looked instantly unapproachable; though she was not tall and her figure somewhat frail, when she began her scolding, the servant before her dared not even glance at her, keeping his head bowed and his body trembling, occasionally managing to mumble a few indistinct words before fear forced him to swallow them back down.

Yet this servant faced more than just verbal abuse; when her anger peaked, this lavishly dressed middle-aged woman rose abruptly and slapped the servant hard across the face twice.

However, for the young girl of about ten who was being struck, this was still bearable, and she even felt a certain relief, for who in the entire Spasskoye-Lutovinovo estate did not know the methods of the landlady Varvara?

Serfs were whipped merely for failing to clear snow in time or for breaking dishes, and on one occasion she had ordered a serf tied up in the stable and whipped continuously for several hours, leaving the man permanently disabled.

She had also forced a serf to kneel on broken glass, standing barefoot in the depths of winter, or made others labor while shackled in iron chains.

Once, an elderly serf was exiled directly to the reclamation zones of Siberia for labor simply because he failed to remove his hat in time to salute her as she passed, completely disregarding his family circumstances.

In short, stories about the landlady Varvara were known to everyone in the estate, so receiving a few blows was truly no great matter.

Furthermore, to be honest, such conditions were not uncommon in Russia at this time; saying they were practically ubiquitous would not be an exaggeration.

Leaving other things aside, if one party clearly recognizes that the other is subject to their control, what will the relationship between these two parties look like?

Even in later generations, many leaders and superiors with a modicum of power treated their subordinates like grandsons to bully and order around; so when a landowner possessed nearly unlimited power over serfs, what would that look like?

But to return to the main story: when Turgenev arrived in the drawing room and witnessed such a scene, he immediately asked:

"Mother, what has happened?"

"This blind creature! I have just returned from outside, yet she refused even to pour me a cup of tea; perhaps the devil has clouded her eyes." Hearing her son's voice, the middle-aged woman slowly turned around; the ferocity on her face instantly receded, and although she maintained her domineering and stern demeanor, she appeared significantly softer:

"Dear Vanychka (Ivan's nickname), what do you need from me?"

"Let her go, let her go! I will pour the tea for you; do not make things difficult for her over such a trivial matter!" This young man, usually gentle by nature, now seemed faintly annoyed; while gesturing for the servant to leave quickly amidst her grateful gaze, he picked up the cup to pour tea for his mother.

Seeing his actions, although Varvara felt displeased by his earlier rebuttal, she ultimately tacitly allowed it; once the young Turgenev placed the tea before his mother, he eagerly said:

"I have read an exceedingly fine short story, Mother; let me read it to you! You really ought to hear it!"

"Very well, Vanychka, read it." Seeing her son so excited, Varvara did not dampen his spirits; instead, she nodded and listened attentively while sipping her tea.

Seeing that his mother had focused her attention, the young man summoned all his strength to read the article from the magazine, hoping only to convey the faint hopes and cries of that poor child.

"Nine-year-old boy Vanka Zhukov, three months ago..."

After reading with great emotion and vivid expression, Turgenev eagerly looked at his mother, whose expression had remained unchanged, and hurriedly asked:

"Dear Mother, what are your thoughts?"

Varvara, tempered by the years, naturally perceived what kind of answer her son desired; thus, after a moment's hesitation, she offered One's own view:

"That despicable couple should not have treated this serf's grandson in such a manner. He is not their property; how dare they mistreat him so? In our estate, he would never receive such treatment."

"How could you think that?"

Although he knew his mother's character all too well, the young Turgenev at this moment still gazed at his mother in disbelief:

"You have received a Lianghaode Sect education and are widely traveled; can you not hear what the author truly intends to express?"

"Vanychka, is such an answer not sufficient?" Feeling the shift in her son's attitude, Varvara, finding it somewhat unbearable, replied impatiently:

"What do you think this author wants to say? Yes, he speaks of the plight of this serf's grandson, but are we responsible for such things? You know, I give alms to the poor and donate to the church; many people I know cannot even do that.

Moreover, do you not know that many people I know sell serfs and their children separately, and yet no disorder has arisen so far? Perhaps reality is not as this inexperienced author depicts; how can an adult possibly understand a child's thoughts? There are too many unbelievable elements in this."

"You are simply confusing me." Turgenev glanced again at his mother, momentarily forgetting what he should say.

"It is you who have stayed away from home too long and have forgotten how to manage the family's property." Seeing the conversation return to this point, Varvara simply began imparting her experience:

"Do you think those serfs are easy to deal with? If you lay down the whip in your hand, they will certainly not work hard for you. If you relax your guard even slightly, they will dare to speak ill of you behind your back, steal all your property, and wish nothing more than to stamp heavily upon your head twice!

If you do not find ways to deal with them and establish an image of irresistible authority in their hearts, sooner or later they will turn against you!

But you must have a clear measure of exactly how to deal with them; if the method is wrong, they will unite against you..."

"Stop speaking, Mother, stop speaking." Unable to bear these words he had heard countless times before, the young man, whose heart was already stirred by that short story, now felt even greater pain; he merely waved his hand and said:

"I must go out again; I have matters to discuss with others! Let us leave it at that for now!"

I really quite like my Brother Tu; although during this period in Russia he was cursed at like a dog (moment of silence), we will discuss this gradually later.

Also, this is another round of recommendations, but in this trial run alongside me are several LV5 big shots, and quite a few LV4 veterans too; for a small newcomer like me, even if I exert all my strength, how can I possibly defeat them? (weeping bitterly)

I am destined to become fertilizer for the big shots (tragic).

Begging in advance for Tuesday's follow-reads; this small newcomer truly does not want to crash and burn in this round (bitter).

Finally, I must thank everyone for your support; since this is already a very niche subject, plus it is exceptionally difficult to write, as one must balance many things, taking care of both entertainment value and numerous other factors, I have to spend a great deal of time every day researching materials and reading the original texts of certain Russian novels; therefore, when I started this book, I actually had very little confidence.

It was originally just a trial, but I did not expect the results so far to exceed my expectations; thank you all for your monthly tickets and strong support (heart fingers).

I will continue to work hard; massive update bursts are coming soon in the following chapters.

Finally, I must thank the big shots "Fu Bo 137" and "Better to Drink Wine" for their donations; I never expected to receive them, so I am truly very grateful (rubbing hands like a fly).





(End of Chapter)