The skilled widow is busy farming

Chapter 51

Xiuniang sent Yingzi out and talked alone with the uncle, Uncle Chunkai, and Yingzi's parents.

"Do you think Yingzi has changed now?"

"It's changed a lot. It's like Miss Qianjin's money. You taught me well. Even what I say in daily life is well-founded, polite and considerate, and I also listen well."

Li Chunkai couldn't help but nod. He could see the changes in his granddaughter, and he was very grateful to Xiu Niang.

"I have other expectations for Yingzi and Qing'er. Don't accept her marriage casually."

"what do you mean……"

Li Chunkai has studied, and Yingzi's second brother is a scholar. This time he and Brother Rui will take the imperial examination together.

"Yingzi and Qing'er are the most outstanding girls in our village at present, and they are also the most capable. I have ideas about their marriage. When Brother Rui can come to Beijing to take the exam, I will take my two children to the capital in the future to learn arts. It’s almost time for it, and it should look pretty.”

"You really dare to think about it."

The grandpa looked surprised.

"Can you just say it?"

"How sure are you?"

The old man rubbed his chin and thought.

"With Yingzi's steadfastness and ability to endure hardships, I am [-]% sure, and my eldest brother and sister-in-law are helping me to lead the way. Brother Heng should have a few chances this time. My eldest brother will contribute in the capital, as long as Brother Heng can take the lead. , my next plan will be much smoother."

Brother Heng will be looking for a wife in the capital when he is young. It is commonly known as catching a son-in-law under the list. He is also a relative of the eldest brother Xiu Niang, or a close relative. He is a member of a poor family and is not ashamed. Officials in the capital can consider marrying the Li family.

Once you have the first step, you can proceed to the second and third steps.

"You think far enough, we are not as good as you."

Grandpa quickly figured out the whole problem. Every descendant became a pawn in Xiu Niang's heart, and they all had to play their part for the Li family clan.

That tapestry painting is a great gift. It can help the eldest brother and make him feel more sorry for his sister. It can also make the eldest brother and sister-in-law willing to work for the Li family. This is the connection of friendship.

"What do you think?"

"You can consider it. I listen to you, boss. In the future, Yingzi's affairs must be approved by me. You are not allowed to agree to others without my approval. I have other arrangements for Yingzi's marriage."

"Yes, we made a note."

"Keep your mouth shut when you go out. Let me know who ruined the girl's reputation. I will break his legs and drive him out of the clan."

"Yes."

"Okay, I'm leaving."

"Xiu'er, stay and eat."

"No, I'm going to find Brother Chun. I don't know where I went crazy. This naughty kid is getting more and more naughty. I've made everything at home. Sister-in-law, I'm leaving."

"Okay, then I won't keep you, come and play anytime."

"Ai!"

In fact, Yingzi's mother didn't quite understand Xiu Niang's intention.

Yingzi's father poked his daughter-in-law with his hand, "Are you relieved, Xiu Niang?"

"I really don't understand her intentions, but she is the best among women, and she can also compete for a position among men. If she can make grandpa listen to her, it means that she is much smarter than us. Just say daughter Has it changed much this year?”

Yingzi's father thought about it again and again, then nodded, "Like Miss Qianjin, the interpersonal relationships are becoming more and more elegant. Many people praise her and Qing'er."

"Really, if I were you, could I teach such a girl?"

"No."

"Then what are you worrying about? All the gold was bought for the child. I will get a bracelet after living with you for the rest of my life. People are not much better than you and me, so there is nothing to worry about."

"That's right, then just listen to Xiu Niang. We don't understand either. I hope that my daughter will marry well and not have to endure hardship."

"That's it, go chop wood for me."

Yingzi Niang glanced at her husband.The pub business is particularly good in the summer, and the night market has more people than in the winter, and it is full almost every day.

Brother Jing and his sister-in-law's cooking skills are also quite good, and they have received praise and satisfaction from customers, and the number of repeat customers has gradually increased.

At the beginning of autumn, the fields started to get busy. Xiu Niang rushed to the tavern to make another payment to several families before autumn. Each family received 45 taels of silver during the summer. She was really happy.

Part of the capital has been recovered, and now I still have 100 taels left to repay the money I paid to buy the shop.

She gave the money to her grandfather to buy the grain needed for the winery.

The autumn harvest has started to get busy. Everyone is harvesting grain. This year is a bumper harvest, and the villagers are very happy even if they are tired.

As soon as the autumn harvest was over, the second uncle asked the Yamen to bring people to take away the grain. Then he took people to several surrounding villages to collect grain. This time he bought more and had enough money.

We also sold a batch of cooking wine. Previously, we sold only stock, and the response was very good. Now the wine shop is seeing repeat customers.

Brother Rui and the others entered the examination room, everything was ready except for the east wind. Li Heng and several scholars from the village went to Beijing to rush for the examination and left by boat.

"This money is for you to rent a house. Go ahead. I wish you a happy journey to the gold medal list."

Grandpa and others sent them off together.

Li Heng bowed to the elders.

After seeing a few people off, everyone waited anxiously for Li Rui and others to leave the examination room.

When they came out of the examination room, they were already dirty, smelly, and very tired. Xiu Niang specially asked the doctor to come over and check on them. There was nothing wrong with them, they were just tired.

After waiting for several days, the list was released. Li Rui ranked first, and brother Yingzi also ranked No. 3 on the list.

This time in Lijiacun, six people took the exam, three were on the list, and three were unsuccessful. The three people on the list all ranked at the top, which attracted much attention.

The uncle made a quick decision and detained the people in the village. He was not allowed to go out and did not invite guests. He only held a family banquet.

One is to warn the villagers not to use their children's names to deceive others or promise others anything, and the other is not to try to influence the scholars.

Juren can be exempted from part of the tax, but only for their own family.

After repeated discussions, Li Rui's tax-free land quota was finally given to the [-] acres of Citian, and he did not want it. In this way, Citian would not be taxed and could earn a lot more to support the family education.

The great grandfather and several clan elders reported the good news, and the clan members were all very grateful, and no one mentioned it in name anymore. They didn’t name themselves, let alone others.

Being named in the name of a scholar can be tax-free, but once it is found out, it will be a handle, but hanging up the ancestral field is not a crime and is legal.

Xiuniang explained the pros and cons clearly to the elders and relatives of the clan. Brother Ping was also a civil servant before, so he was very familiar with these.

Lijiacun, the three successful candidates, can finally feel proud and proud and will not let others look down upon them.

The county magistrate sent people to bring gifts and invited Li Rui to do clerical work.

"Second Aunt, can I do the paperwork?"

"You can do it. What I mean is that you give this opportunity to Li Geng."

"Okay, but why?"

Li Rui didn't have to fight for this opportunity. At any rate, he could get [-] copper coins a month, which was also a share of income.

"You are the first person to be elected, but the effect may not be good if you go there. The county magistrate is asking for advice, but Li Geng is different. He is not as ranked as you but much better than others. It is justifiable to fight for this opportunity. With a little help, the county magistrate will I won’t worry about you interfering in the county’s official affairs, and I won’t have to worry about the county magistrate making unreasonable demands. Should I refuse or agree?”

"Oh, I didn't expect there was this level. Okay, I'll go talk to Gengzi."

"If you preach my words, he will know what to do."

"Yes."

"You will stay in the clan school to help, teach the children, concentrate on studying and wait to enter Beijing in three years. What I expect from you is not to be a clerk."

"I understand."

Li Rui immediately nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)