Chapter 875 People’s Will
It is as big as a small bucket, and the bottom of the bucket is only about ten or twenty centimeters from the ground. If you encounter small rocks on the ground, you must be careful to let the bucket go around it.
Otherwise, the stone will easily hit the bottom of the barrel.
At that time, there will be a "dong" sound. It is a small matter for the little man to trip because the bucket is unbalanced, but it is a big thing for the bucket to be damaged.
Although it looks a bit funny, the people I saw in the village did not laugh at it. Instead, they greeted me warmly:
“Si’er, are you going to school?”
“Yes, uncle.”
“Si’er, are you back so early today?”
“Yes, Auntie.”
Even the cowherd boy who was waiting to fetch water from the well also said:
“Brother Si, have you returned to the village?”
As he spoke, he reached out and took out two or three small wild fruits, "Here, I picked these when I was grazing cattle today. They are so sweet!"
"Thank you!"
Si'er was not polite and took it and put it in his mouth.
“You’re welcome. When I go to school next year, remember to help me more. I also want to go to Qiongdu Academy..."
The adults nearby burst into laughter after hearing this.
Not every school-age child in the village has the opportunity to go to school.
On the contrary, less than half of them have the opportunity to go to school.
And boys account for a considerable proportion.
After all, these days, a family is very lucky to have enough to eat.
Of course, in order to encourage girls to go to school, the Xinghan Association also has policies.
For example, girls do not need to go through Qiongdu Academy to go to school. As long as they pass the exam, they are basically sent directly to Nanxiang.
Study for one, two or three years, and positions will be assigned based on aptitude.
The lowest one can also join Nanxiang citizenship and obtain a team leader position in the workshop.
Especially in recent years, the shortage of workshop weavers has been really huge.
The woman works in the workshop, and the money she sends back every month can repay her family's investment in studying for her in one year.
Two or three years are enough for the family to live a good life.
But people’s ideas cannot change in a few years.
In the consciousness of the common people, women belong to other people’s families after all.
For boys, studying is a lifelong matter in the family.
So those who can allow girls to go to school are mostly wealthy families who still have money left after providing for boys.
However, in the past two years, more and more girls have gone to school.
Because of the shortage of weavers in the workshops, the Xinghan Society implemented a policy.
With the guarantee of the government, the Xinghan Society made contracts with families who had female children.
The Xinghan Society will advance a sum of money to send the girl to Nanxiang Academy and work in a workshop, and then pay back the money slowly.
After repaying the money and earning money for the family for another two or three years, it will be time to get married.
It feels a bit like signing a deed of selling oneself.
However, the female weavers in the workshop are very popular, let alone becoming the "steward" in the eyes of the people in the workshop.
At any rate, once that step is reached, a woman will have nothing to worry about in her life.
On the other hand, it is like the cowherd boy. Although he is a boy, he has not been able to go to school for the time being, so he must be very envious of his fourth brother.
“Danwa, go back and urge your elders to send you to school as soon as possible. Otherwise, after this year, the fourth baby will go to Qiongdu to study!”
The primary school education is a two-year system, which is neither too long nor too short for the Yuexian people. It is just right.
It’s too long and the family can’t afford it.
If it’s too short, you won’t learn much.
After two years of school, even if you can't go to Qiongdu Academy, you can still learn some arithmetic and understand a few hundred words.
It would also be great to keep an account of the food at home and be able to calculate the accounts when going out to sell silk.
Others outside don’t dare to fool you easily.
Those who have a long-term perspective can think of the next generation, at least starting at a higher level than others.
Si'er was always ranked first in school, and people from all over the country knew that this village had a promising child.
When villagers talk to people from other villages, their aura becomes even stronger.
“I’m not afraid, the feng shui in our village is good!”
Danwa answered loudly.
Everyone burst out laughing again, and the well was filled with a happy atmosphere.
It is certain that the village has good feng shui. Otherwise, how could there be scholars?
“That’s not true. Even your cattle drink from the well water, and they are better off than those in other villages.”
Someone joked to Danwa.
Danwa was waiting in line to carry water with a bucket, but he was not carrying it for his family, but for a buffalo tied not far away.
“My Ada said that the water in the well is clean, so our cows can drink from it.”
Danwa said with a red face.
The ox is rented from the government and is a cow.
Last year, because the cow gave birth to a calf, she did not have to repay the interest to the government for three years.
If a calf can be born within these three years, then the calf will belong to the family.
If you really have a cow of your own at home, your life will be better.
So it is natural to serve carefully.
As long as it is not taken out to work, this cow even has its own special wooden bucket for drinking water.
Seeing Danwa's appearance, everyone laughed again.
On the other hand, an old man cursed:
“You are a bunch of idiots. This is how good they are at raising cattle. How funny is it? In the next two years, this boy’s cow will really give birth to a calf. I wonder if you will be jealous.”
“Uncle, how can we not know these truths? It’s just a joke.”
Someone said as they lifted the water from the well and poured it into Danwa's bucket, "Here, let's go."
Soon it was Si'er's turn. He was not strong enough to carry two full buckets of water. He could only carry two half buckets of water. He lowered his head and looked at the road.
The carrying pole pressed on his small shoulders, making him stoop a little like a little old man.
After fetching water, he started to make dinner.
Use a bamboo tube to measure the rice that the family needs for dinner, put it into a gourd, fill it with water, and then carefully shake it from side to side to keep shaking the rice out of the gourd.
Because the rice is dried in the barn, soil and sand will be mixed with it, so washing the rice means sifting out these impurities.
In the end, there was only some fine gravel and a little bit of broken rice left in the ladle.
He poured the mixture of fine gravel and broken rice into an old earthenware pot.
After washing it twice in a row, I put the cooking pot with rice on the stove.
Then he grabbed a few more handfuls of bran, put them into the old earthen jar, mixed them with water, and mixed them evenly.
…
He barked a few times and put the earthen pot in the yard. Several chickens came over with fluttering wings and started to grab food.
Looking to the west, half of the sun had already hidden behind the mountains. He wanted to make dinner quickly.
Smoke quickly rose from the small courtyard built of yellow mud and straw.
The woman also came out of the silkworm room and began to choose vegetables.
Under the afterglow of the setting sun, every household began to cook dinner, and the entire village was shrouded in green smoke.
Farmers working outside also began to carry farm tools or drive cattle back to the village one after another.
After dinner was ready at home, voices came from the door of the small courtyard.
“You’re back? Wash your hands quickly and have dinner.”
“You’re back. Si’er has already prepared the water. Remember to wash your hands before eating dinner.”
Si'er took the cow rope from his second brother and led the cow into the cowshed.
Very ordinary and everyday, and at the same time very peaceful.
The fourth son ranked fourth. Originally there was an elder sister above him, but she was already married.
There was an elder brother who died young.
So there are only four people in the family now.
Before the last night fell, in order to save some lamp oil, the family moved two dwarf lamps to the yard.
The parents share one case, and the fourth son and the second brother share one case.
The so-called short table is actually a thick wooden board with four legs made of bamboo.
The table surface is somewhat bumpy, like pockmarks, and the four table legs are uneven. Small wooden blocks are needed to cushion the table for balance.
However, compared to squatting at the base of the wall with an earthen bowl in hand, it is already considered decent.
“Oh, it seems I came at the right time.”
The family picked up the chopsticks and were about to have dinner. The courtyard door was pushed open and a man walked in. Seeing this scene, he couldn't help but smile.
Hearing this sound, the four children and their family all got up in a hurry.
“Zhang Tingzhang, why are you here?”
As the head of the family, the elder Si'er greeted him.
“I just passed by your yard and smelled the aroma of rice, so I couldn’t help but shamelessly come in.”
The director of the pavilion said jokingly, "How about it, do you mind having an extra pair of chopsticks?"
“I can’t even invite you on weekdays!”
Master Si'er said in panic, then turned to his mother-in-law, "Quickly, get a pair of chopsticks and bowls for the chief of the pavilion."
The woman was about to turn around when she was stopped by the director of the pavilion:
“Don’t panic, cut the cooked meat first.”
As he spoke, he handed over the oilcloth he was carrying, walking with a slight limp.
The woman was a little hastily and didn't dare to stretch out her hand, and glanced at her husband.
“Take it, how can the chief of the pavilion take advantage of our family? Cut them all and bring them up.”
The woman took it and then put her chopsticks and bowl away together, giving her place to the chief of the pavilion.
Si'er helped go to the kitchen and brought bowls and chopsticks to the pavilion chief: "Please, pavilion chief."
Zhang Tingzhang touched Si'er's head and said happily: "Okay! Everyone, please sit down."
The woman quickly cut the cooked meat and brought it to the table. Zhang Tingchang stopped her again and said, "There is no need to be busy anymore, and there is no need to reheat the meat and add vegetables. It's good like this."
The woman had no choice but to respond and then retreated.
“How is Si’er doing at school lately?”
“Back to Uncle Zhang, I got first place in the last exam.”
Si'er replied respectfully.
"Okay, okay, this is the good boy of our village! When you go to Qiongdu Academy, I will pay all the expenses there, so you can study hard and don't have to worry about your family."
Zhang Tingzhang said happily.
The so-called "recruitment" means that students have their own source of food and clothing and do not have to pay for it at home.
The only thing that needs to be done is to sign a contract, and after coming out, you will work for Xinghanhui's property for a certain number of years.
So the so-called all-inclusive fee by Zhang Tingzhang is at best some miscellaneous expenses.
It's just that Si'er is an honest farmer, so how can he know these things?
Hearing Zhang Tingchang's words, he stood up in a hurry again. His hands and feet were a little at a loss. His lips moved, but he didn't know how to answer.
“Oh, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, you act like this, others still call me a bad guest!”
Zhang Tingzhang forced the elder of Si'er to sit down, "I am half a gentleman of Si'er after all. In the future, Si'er will be successful, and my face will also be bright."
Zhang Tingchang had fought with Feng Junhou in the Battle of Longyou. Later he was injured and three of his left toes were chopped off by thieves, so he had to retreat from the army.
However, his stay in the army was not in vain, at least he learned some words.
When he is free on weekdays, he likes to tell the children in the village about military affairs. He also acts as a half-baked teacher and teaches the children braille.
Si'er was alert and learned quickly, so Zhang Tingzhang tried his best to persuade his family to send Si'er to school.
Facts have proved that Zhang Tingchang has seen the world after all. Judging from the current situation, it is certain that the fourth son will go to Qiongdu Academy, and even going to Nanxiang Academy is also very promising.
Seeing that the family was about to turn over, Si'er's family really regarded Zhang Tingzhang as a benefactor.
“Eat, eat, eat! Eat quickly!”
Zhang Tingzhang picked up the bowl first and took a few big mouthfuls. The bowl was mostly empty in one go.
Si'er saw Zhang Tingzhang eating quickly, and took the bowl again, preparing to add more rice.
“Wait a minute.”
Zhang Tingzhang suddenly called him, and saw him dividing some cooked meat and green vegetables on the table and handing them to Si'er, "Go and give it to your grandma. As a son of a human being, you must remember to be filial."
There were guests at home, and the woman could not serve the table, so she had to hide in the kitchen and eat alone. Zhang Tingzhang's behavior was really very thoughtful.
Si'er took it and bowed deeply to Zhang Tingzhang, then turned and walked towards the kitchen.
After walking a few steps, you can still see him raising his arm and wiping it.
"Si'er will be a promising man from now on. I came here this time, firstly, to see him. He is studying in school and is very busy, so I gave him some meat to supplement his health."
Zhang Tingzhang sat there and said to Sir Si'er, "Second, I have something I want to discuss with you."
“Mr. Zhang Tingzhang, please speak.”
Si'er's master quickly put down his chopsticks and stood up again, but he remembered Zhang Tingzhang's instructions and had to hold back. However, his body still twisted, and it was obvious that he was uncomfortable.
"I have been the head of this pavilion for several years. I have personally settled many families within these ten miles."
“To be honest, I know exactly what his family looks like.”
Zhang Tingzhang picked up another piece of meat and put it in his mouth. While chewing, he pointed to the vegetables on the table and said, "It doesn't matter how much food your family eats, but I know that your family has enough food."
“Now the imperial court wants to buy grain, and it’s at a high price, two hundred and thirty yuan. It’s probably spread all over these days, so...”
Speaking of this, Zhang Tingchang glanced at Si'er's adults and asked, "What are your family's thoughts?"
Sir Si'er didn't expect that the director of the pavilion came to his house and wanted to ask him this question.
At that moment, his hands and feet became confused. The whole rough man looked like a bride, his face was a little swollen and he didn't know where to put his hands and feet.
He was muttering for a long time, and then he managed to utter a few words: "Ting chief...this is the food at home..."
After talking for a long time, I didn’t know what he wanted to express.
Zhang Tingzhang couldn't help but sigh when he saw him like this.
He already understood what the other party meant.
“How is the wheat growing this year?”
“Alright… not bad.”
"Yes!" Zhang Tingchang said with deep feeling, "It seems that this year's summer grain harvest is good again."
"A few years ago, who would have dared to think that we would be where we are today? By this time, we would have already started eating chaff and swallowing wild vegetables."
Si’er’s master stammered: “Thank you, Lord!”
There is only one monarch in Yuexun, and that is Junhou Feng.
Of course, some people call Feng Junhou Feng Jun.
In ten or twenty years, it is not impossible to be called Grandpa Feng.
Out of the seven counties in Nanzhong, all six counties are called Feng Guiwang, with the exception of Yuexun County.
If Junhou Feng knew about this, his resentment towards Nanzhong over the years would probably be dissipated a lot.
“Yes, thanks to the prince.” The pavilion chief sighed, “It’s just that he left a good life for the people of Yuexi, but he went to Liangzhou to endure hardships!”
Speaking of this, Zhang Tingzhang said with a sad and worried face, "Last year, when the prince was appointed governor of Liangzhou, he encountered a famine again."
"Now the imperial court wants to transport grain to Liangzhou, and when the supply is poor, it heard that the barbarians in Liangzhou are cruel, and they will cause trouble even if nothing happens."
"Now I just hope that the king can be safe in Liangzhou and not get into trouble because of those barbarians."
"ah!"
Hearing the news, Si'er's master finally couldn't help but stand up and shouted, "Is something wrong with you?"
(End of this chapter)