Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1353 - 438: The Six-Class Registration System, Stirring Breakthrough, Direction_4

"Xing’er possesses natural talent far surpassing our own. While we could previously handle only about 4 to 5 pounds of common Beast Blood, she managed to absorb 8 pounds at once."

"She boosted her strength by a remarkable 700 pounds in a single go! Xing’er’s top-grade Battle Body is now secured; this is truly wonderful."

Receiving praise from her three older brothers, Su Xing’er’s face naturally lit up with joy. She then turned her gaze towards Xia Hong, initially a little shy, but soon inquired involuntarily, "Sir, at what age did you break through to the Cold Resistance Level? How many pounds of Beast Blood were you able to utilize during your breakthrough? Could you share this with Xing’er?"

Su Jing and his other two brothers also looked toward Xia Hong with curiosity.

Beyond Xia Hong’s evident strength, his most striking feature was his youthfulness. Even setting aside his bearing and expression, his very face appeared younger than theirs.

Such youth combined with such power clearly indicated an extraordinary aptitude. Xia Hong himself had previously remarked that, in his assessment, Su Xing’er's aptitude was merely decent at best.

Therefore, the four siblings harbored a strong curiosity about the quantity of Beast Blood Xia Hong could handle when he achieved the Cold Resistance Level.

Naturally, his age was a matter of equal interest to them.

Upon hearing Su Xing’er’s pair of questions, Xia Hong’s expression shifted to something rather peculiar. He observed her for several seconds, perceiving a subtle, hidden anomaly within her eyes, before finally shaking his head and stating, "I am old enough to be your father..."

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Great Xia dynasty. By calculation, Xia Hong has inhabited this world for nearly thirteen years, placing his current age at 30.

Su Xing’er is merely 15, making his statement factually accurate; he is indeed old enough to be her father.

With this thought, Xia Hong let out a soft chuckle and added, "Your disposition bears a slight resemblance to my own daughter; she is only eight years younger than you."

Hearing this, Su Xing’er’s pupils visibly dimmed for a moment, though she managed to mask it well. Aside from Xia Hong, her three brothers failed to notice the subtle change.

"As for the amount of Beast Blood one can handle at a single time..."

Recalling his own experiences during his early breakthrough to the Cold Resistance Level, Xia Hong smiled and shook his head, continuing his sentence, "It was approximately over 100 pounds!"

The moment Su Jing and his siblings heard this figure, their expressions froze.

In the subsequent days, Su Xing’er continued to employ Soaring Snake Blood, diligently working to refine her Skin Membrane and further augment her strength. By the seventh day, her foundational strength had just surpassed 150,000 pounds, and the membrane’s ultimate potential could no longer be contained, resulting in a direct breakthrough.

Upon her breakthrough, Su Xing’er instantly commanded a strength of 3 manes, thereby surpassing her three elder brothers in terms of basic power.

Su Jing and the other two siblings were, as expected, immensely pleased.

As it was daytime, the three brothers led their younger sister out of the cave.

Su Xing’er experienced the world outside during daylight for the very first time. She remained remarkably excited even as night descended, and she eventually returned to the cave.

"Come, gather 'round for a drink with me. All four of you have achieved a breakthrough; this cask of Qingyang Wine is to celebrate your success."

Upon entering the cave, the four siblings detected the rich aroma of wine. Hearing Xia Hong’s invitation, their eyes gleamed with anticipation.

While wine was available in Cai Qiu, unfortunately, none of the four had ever had the privilege of tasting it, nor did they possess the means to purchase it. Thus, they had never sampled its flavor.

The quartet quickly approached the table and took their seats.

Xia Hong proceeded to pour a cup for each of them.

"We thank you for the wine, sir!"

Su Jing, being the first to reach for his cup, expressed his gratitude to Xia Hong before quickly downing the contents.

"Hey, take it easy..."

Xia Hong had not yet finished his sentence when Su Jing had already consumed the entire cup in a single gulp.

This was a premium Qingyang Wine, designated specifically for individuals at the Xianyang Level. Those at the Cold Resistance Level could only manage a faint taste. Consequently, Su Jing’s hasty, single draught led to the anticipated outcome.

His face immediately flushed a deep red, and his eyes quickly took on a hint of bewilderment. Within mere moments, his body suddenly slumped heavily to the ground.

Bang......

Su Xu and the remaining two had not even had time to react. Witnessing their elder brother collapse, they hastily rose to assist him.

"It’s fine, it’s fine. Let him rest for a bit."

Heeding Xia Hong’s words, the three siblings carefully moved him to the wooden bed before returning to the table. Under Xia Hong’s gentle guidance, they then savored the fragrant wine in small, deliberate sips.

"This wine aids in the nourishment of my flesh!"

"It possesses properties that enhance cultivation!"

"No wonder, no wonder only registered individuals are permitted to acquire such wine."

Upon hearing Su Zhi’s concluding remark, Xia Hong’s thoughts turned to Cai Qiu’s Six-class societal structure, and he gave a slight shake of his head.

Some four months prior, through conversations with soldiers from the County Guard Army, he had been introduced to the concept of the Six-class System. With additional details gleaned from Su Jing and the local siblings over this intervening period, he had formed a fundamental understanding of it.

"You mentioned previously that Evergreen Valley, with its population exceeding 1.2 million souls, possesses at most 5,000 individuals with civilian or military registration. Of those registered for military service, the majority have long since relocated to the County City, never to return. Furthermore, between 70,000 to 80,000 individuals endure either Slave Status or lowly status, some serving as personal slaves, while others engage in menial or illicit occupations within the city. From where did you procure these figures? Are they precise?"

As the trio sipped their wine, only mildly tipsy, they exchanged glances upon hearing Xia Hong's inquiry. Ultimately, the third brother, Su Zhi, affirmed with a nod, "These statistics were shared by the leader of our former village. His entire family was officially registered as civilians, and they had settled in Qinghua City. Even accounting for some numerical discrepancies, the difference should not be substantial."

Qinghua City, a settlement situated at the egress of Evergreen Valley and subordinate to Bai Shui County, held a unique standing due to its name and strategic location, which clearly designated its role in overseeing the valley. The Cai Qiu Feudal Town counted fewer than ten other towns possessing such significance.

"Nobles, elites, military, civilians, slaves, and lowly statuses – the Six-class System. The First-class comprises nobility, the direct descendants of Caiqiu Fan and the six prominent surnames. They are permitted to adorn themselves with brocade, three silver ornaments, and can possess one ring accompanied by two jades; the Second-class elites encompass high-ranking officials and military commanders from various counties and cities. Their attire may include silk and two silver ornaments, along with one ring and one jade; the Third-class Military Registration designation essentially applies to military households. They are allowed satin and a single silver ornament, and can possess one jade; Fourth-class Civil Registration individuals wear damask; Fifth-class Slave Registration personnel are restricted to gauze; while Sixth-class lowly statuses are clad in linen..."

Recollecting the siblings' detailed exposition on the Six-class System, along with the associated behavioral protocols and limitations for each stratum, Xia Hong offered a subtle smile. Elevating his wine cup, he gently posed a question to the slightly inebriated trio, "What is your opinion of Cai Qiu's Six-class System?"

The siblings were taken aback by the query, falling into a momentary silence.

Su Xu was the first to place his wine cup down, responding with a solemn tone, "For individuals like us, occupying the lowly statuses, it is naturally disadvantageous! However, the situation differs for those positioned above. Certain commercial ventures are exclusively accessible to them; many can even receive annual stipends without any obligation to labor; they possess the freedom to travel, hunt, and forage, while the mandated contributions they must submit are considerably less than what is expected of us. Moreover, concerning cultivation resources, the higher one's registration rank, the greater their purchasing power. We, the unregistered, are denied even the ability to purchase, regardless of our financial means..."

Following Su Xu's comprehensive explanation, Su Zhi felt compelled to interject, "It is blatant exploitation, extending from the top to the very bottom. The privileged prosper further, while the disadvantaged are cast deeper into hardship. For ordinary individuals lacking connections, such as ourselves, the only recourse is either to become subservient slaves or to register under a lowly status. No alternative paths exist. However, should one opt for these two avenues, the prospect of improving one's lot within this lifetime is contingent upon perpetually appeasing the whims of others."

Su Xing'er also offered a nod, her expression growing somber, "Our parents perished in their attempts to secure official registration."

Upon absorbing the siblings' heartfelt accounts, Xia Hong gave a slight nod.

It was evident that their perspectives were not entirely misguided; the merits or demerits of the Six-class System indeed varied depending on the observer's standing.

For Su Jing and his siblings, and indeed the vast majority of Evergreen Valley's unregistered populace exceeding 1.2 million, the system was undeniably oppressive. Conversely, for those holding Civil Registration or higher ranks, the reality was starkly different. Gazing upwards towards the Military, Elites, and Nobles above them revealed a world entirely separate. These privileged individuals would undoubtedly defend such a Six-class System with fierce determination.

"Cai Qiu, Chen Cang, Hezang, and Wei Bo – these four Feudal Towns predominantly operate under this very Household Registration System. It is probable that Lulong, the remaining town, adheres to similar practices, implying that settlements within the same region are likely to employ comparable structures..."

Xia Hong contemplated for a brief moment, a subtle gleam appearing in his eyes.

"In that case, the matter simplifies considerably; by focusing on the demographic distribution within the Six-class System, one can approximately ascertain the underlying political leanings of these feudal towns. Where there is exploitation, there will inevitably be resistance; sustaining such a rigidly stratified system is far from an effortless undertaking!"