farmer's little girl

Chapter 103 Across Ghost Head Beach Again

Compared with the second-bedroom family, the big family's life is much worse.

There are nearly ten people in total, and it is impossible to live on three acres of land.Originally, he thought that he could use the Zhou family's land to plant, but he didn't know that the second child's family was so disrespectful.

When Lu Mingchuan came back from Erfang's house, old man Lu called him over to ask him. Knowing that the second child would not rent the land to him, old man Lu still couldn't believe it.He repeatedly asked if it was because Lu Mingchuan didn't speak out because of face. Lu Mingchuan was annoyed by the question and lost his temper. Only then did Old Man Lu realize this reality.

Hu's face was very gloomy, Cui wiped away tears and murmured that the second child was a white-eyed wolf, and old man Lu sat on the kang and smoked dry cigarettes one after another, coughing from choking after a few puffs.Lu Guangren's complexion was not very good, he cursed, turned his head and left.

The next day, the old man Lu asked his family to inquire, and he heard that the Zhou family's land was leased to the Liu family, so he had no choice but to stop thinking about it.

But no matter what, life is still passable.

The land at home can't support so many people, so I have to find another way.After planting the few acres of land at home, Lu Mingchuan took his son out to do odd jobs. He found a job in the town to carry goods. Lu Guangren thought that carrying goods was too tiring and wanted to find an easy job. , even ran several places, but no one wanted him.

You must know that odd jobs are usually found by acquaintances. In the past, Lu Guangren went out to work with Lu Guangyi. Lu Guangyi was diligent and kind, and many people liked to ask him to work together.But Lu Guangren was always lazy, but with Lu Guangyi helping him to do what he was supposed to do, everyone turned a blind eye.But now that Lu Guangyi is not coming, people will naturally not want him. You must know that the helpers like them are all paid by the host family. will be a burden to others.

Lu Guangren was repeatedly frustrated, so he had no choice but to go back and carry the goods with his father, but after a few days of work, he couldn't continue, he was too tired.

Lu Mingchuan reprimanded him for not being as good as this father, Lu Guangren was so angry that he turned his head and went home.After staying at home for a few days, he was carried back by his father.Even if you are tired, you have to work. The whole family is waiting to eat, and if you don’t work, you will starve to death.

Even so, the money they earn is only enough to buy rations, and they can only buy coarse grains, which is enough for the family to eat.

When people are poor, there are more conflicts. Since Mrs. Hu was dismissed and returned to her natal family, the key to the granary has been handed back to Mrs. Cui.When people get older, it is not uncommon for them to have no money or food in their hands. Even if this meal is obviously enough, but thinking about it in the future, the hand that scoops up the food will always tremble unconsciously.

He ate nothing for a few days, and all the men in the family protested.

But it's useless to protest, how can we survive until the autumn harvest if we don't save some food?Especially when Qiu Cuihe was pregnant, she used to like to put on a show, screaming every day that she was dizzy and had no energy, and the family had to feed her a meal of fine grains and an egg every day, so others could only eat bran and swallow vegetables.

Little Hu has been working hard to fight Qiu Cuihe, but it's a pity that her rank is too low, and Lu Guangren is facing Qiu Cuihe again, so she can only suffer.Especially now that Qiu Cuihe is pregnant again, she cannot provoke her.Little Hu has long held her breath, but now her rations are still being deducted. She eats bran and swallow vegetables as a big one, but eats fine grains and eggs to nourish her body as a small one. How can she bear it?

The little Hu family who had finally calmed down began to make noise again, and there were noises in the courtyard of Lu's house every day.But now that Sanfang has moved away, they can only quarrel with themselves.

However, some villagers passed by and could hear a few words, all of them privately commented that the old couple of the Lu family became more and more confused as they got older, and that it was most useless to quarrel with the two capable sons and keep the older one.It doesn't matter if it's useless, what a mess at home.It is also said that marrying a wife is unvirtuous and will harm the three generations. In the future, every family should keep their eyes open when they marry a daughter-in-law.

These gossips naturally spread to the ears of the second room people, but now they don't have time to care about this, their own affairs are not busy enough.Hearing this, at most he just smiled and shook his head, but Lu Minghai would sigh twice, but it was just a sigh.

At the same time, Zhou Jin and others who went to the south had just arrived at Guitou Beach.

The reason why this ghost head beach is called ghost head beach is because the waterway here is complicated and the river is rugged, and there are often accidents with passing ships here.

There was no river course here, but this strange waterway was formed because of the diversion of the Yellow River.In this waterway, which is only a few tens of miles away, there are dozens of river branches intricately intertwined, and the bottom of the river is full of mud. Because of the impact of the water potential, the terrain is often changed. Some places are deep, some places are shallow, and there are countless dark spots. eddy.

There are often passing ships that are not familiar with the terrain and run aground here, or touch the reef at the bottom of the river, and the ship is destroyed.

It stands to reason that this place should not be used as a section of the canal, but only this place has the shortest distance between the two places, and it can be put into use without requiring too much engineering.The imperial court also wanted to build this place, but unfortunately there is too much silt at the bottom of the river, and manpower and material resources are insufficient. So far, it can only be widened to accommodate merchant ships.

Because of the complex terrain here, there are often water bandits lurking and robbing passing ships, so it is called Guitou Beach.

Because of the previous experience, Zhou Jin and his group couldn't help tensing up when they passed Guitou Beach, and they were very afraid of meeting the group of water bandits last time again.After all, I have made countless preparations in advance this time, and I am not afraid of the water bandits' attack. Even if they do come, they will return home in defeat.

Thinking so, the whole heart is still on it.

Fortunately, there were no accidents when passing by Guitou Beach. Even the water surface, which was always turbulent in the past, has calmed down a lot today.

After walking for a whole day before leaving this water area, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

This time Mei Zhuangyi didn't get seasick after boarding the boat, so he was very active, but in less than half a month, he got acquainted with the entire ship, from the merchants to the helmsman.It's like a fish in water, even the aunt who is in charge of cooking for the boat knows what he likes to eat, and every time she cooks, she will cook one or two of his favorite foods.

Leaving Guitou Beach, the waterway ahead is very easy to walk, and more and more boats come and go.

Mei Zhuangyi went to the deck to breathe, and was just about to have a chat with some of the boatmen, when someone said that the merchant ship behind them had been following their ship for more than half a day.It seems that they have followed since they were at Guitou Beach, but everyone was so engrossed in sailing that they didn't pay much attention.

Qi Chunshang was also there, and as the owner of the ship, the handlebars in charge of sailing the ship would report to him if there were any abnormalities.Hearing this, he looked back, and sure enough, he saw a merchant ship following them at a distance of about tens of meters.

Mei Zhuangyi also looked over.

The two looked at each other for a while, and Qi Chunshang said: "There is a flag hanging on the mast, which seems to be the logo of some business company, and it should be on the same road."

In fact, these boat handles also thought so, but after Qi Chunshang boarded the boat, he told everyone to pay attention to the situation outside, so they said so.

Mei Zhuangyi didn't take it to heart either. He stood on the deck for a while and went back to the cabin.

The boat arrived at the Tongji lock soon.

Here, it is necessary to wait for customs clearance and lock release, so there are a lot of ships waiting here.From a distance, the river hundreds of meters ahead is full of boats waiting to pass the lock.

Zhou Jin and the others couldn't help sighing that it was unlucky. You must know that there are many sluices in the canal. If you are lucky, you can pass the sluice on the same day. If you are unlucky, it is not uncommon to wait three to five days.Looking at the situation in front of me, I'm afraid there will be another three or five days to wait.

Sure enough, three days had passed, and it wasn't their turn yet.

In fact, it's not that it's not their turn, but that someone always jumps in line.

On the canal, ships from all walks of life are also divided into three, six or nine classes. The official ship is the highest class, and the official ship is also divided into ranks. As for how to divide, Zhou Jin and others are not clear.The next class is merchant ships or cargo ships, which are also divided into classes. Ships in charge of water transportation can go first, other merchant ships and cargo ships can stay behind, ships with rich and powerful merchants can go first, and those without money and power can stay behind.Again, the first class is a civilian ship, but the civilian ship has nothing to do with the ship Zhou Jin and the others are on.

Zhou Jin and the others belonged to the category of merchant ships with no money and power, and could only watch helplessly as official ships of various sizes went first, followed by water transport ships.Coincidentally, there were only a handful of boats that encountered water transport in the past, but today they happened to encounter a team.There was a continuous line of dozens of ships, and it took three divisions before all of them passed the lock.

The Tongji lock is not a big lock, and it can only accommodate three or five ships to pass through the lock at a time.The last time Zhou Jin and others went to the south, they saw the largest gate with a length of more than 30 meters, an arch height and width of more than ten meters, and geese wings on both sides more than [-] meters long. Such a large gate can allow dozens of ships to The ship passes the lock.

It takes about half a day to discharge the water every time the lock is passed. Mei Zhuangyi estimates the number of ships ahead, and it will probably be their turn to pass the lock until tomorrow night.

He wandered around the deck in his free time, and then set his eyes on the merchant ship not far behind them.

It was the same ship as last time.

He looked curiously for a while, because the ship was relatively close to the ship as he was waiting to pass the lock, so from this ship he could clearly see the situation on the ship behind him.

There were only a few people standing vaguely on the deck of that ship, and they were all dressed in the handlebar style, but none of the other people were seen.I can't blame Mei Zhuangyi for watching too carefully, but waiting here to pass the lock. Many people on the boat can't bear the loneliness and will come out to walk around and let the wind go.

I didn't see two ships not far behind, because they were so close, the people on the two ships had already chatted.

The people on this boat were so calm, Mei Zhuangyi couldn't help but take a second look.

Because of being careful, in the afternoon and the morning of the next day, Mei Zhuangyi would always wander to the deck and look back when he had nothing to do.

The boat has been very quiet, except that the boat has changed a few faces, but no one else has seen it.

He couldn't help being even more curious, so he simply moved a chair out of the cabin, sat on the deck basking in the sun, and stared at the movement on the ship behind him.

"I haven't seen you for the past two days. I thought you were messing around again, but I didn't expect to lie down here basking in the sun." Zhou Jin slapped him on the shoulder from behind.

Mei Zhuangyi stretched his waist, "If the sun is so good, if you don't come out to bask in the sun, you will get moldy if you stay in the cabin."

Zhou Jin chuckled, but didn't say anything else, just found a seat at random, and sat down on the deck.

The two were chatting one after the other, Mei Zhuangyi stretched out his hand to block the sun, he always felt a little sunburned for no reason.Obviously it's only mid-March now, and the sun hasn't reached the point where it can shine on people.

"Did Xiaoyue'er cry when you left this time?" Mei Zhuangyi had nothing to say.

Zhou Jin's face froze for a moment.

Mei Zhuangyi glanced at him, and said with a light smile: "The people who have a family are different from those who have not. You used to laugh at Hu San and the others. If you don't go home for a day, you will be worried. Why don't you laugh now? gone."

Zhou Jin snorted in embarrassment, "I've been waiting for this day for you too."

Mei Zhuangyi laughed, "Then you won't be able to wait, even if you do wait, it will probably be when your hair is almost gray."

Zhou Jin raised his eyebrows, "What's wrong? You really don't plan to get married? This time when I go to Mei's house for the Chinese New Year, my grandma told me that I'm helping you." When it comes to exposing faults, no one will let anyone else.

This time Lunmei Zhuangyi's face was stiff, and after a long while, he sighed and said: "I really don't want to get married, I always find it very boring, I spend my whole life around my wife and children on the kang, life is not interesting at all."

It was rare for Mei Zhuangyi to be serious for a while today, and Zhou Jin also persuaded him: "Grandma is worried about you, you can't just hide this matter, you have to think about it in your heart. When I go back this time, I think grandma will talk about it. "

Mei Zhuangyi stood up, "Okay, let's go to eat, and find Brother Qi for a drink or two along the way."

Seeing his friends talk about him, Zhou Jin didn't force him anymore.

Before leaving, Mei Zhuangyi glanced back again.

It wasn't until the second watch in the middle of the night that it was Zhou Jin's turn to enter the lock.

There were a total of five cargo ships traveling together, and this one was at the bottom, while the other four ships had already passed in front, and all the ships that passed the lock with them this time were unfamiliar ships.

After entering the sluice gate and passing through the sluice hole, the boat stops on the water surface, waiting for the gate to be closed to release the water, lower the water level, and enter the next river channel.

It was very dark, without a moon, lit only by the lights lit on the ships.

The sound of the water is rumbling, and the ears are filled with the sound of water. The communication between the people on the boat has to speak loudly so that the other party can hear it.

The merchant ship behind came to the side this time, level with the ship that Mei Zhuangyi was on, so it was more convenient to observe, and because he couldn't sleep, Mei Zhuangyi simply came to the deck again and looked at the opposite side.

The boat on the opposite side was very dark, only the torches were lit at the bow and stern, and the rest was shrouded in darkness, and there were no lights in the cabin.

Mei Zhuangyi watched boredly, when suddenly there was a sound of footsteps from the opposite side.Because of the close distance, Mei Zhuangyi heard it easily, but he couldn't see the person coming, he only knew that the person coming was not short.

It wasn't until the person got closer and closer, and actually came towards him, that Mei Zhuangyi could see the person clearly through the lights on his own boat.

It was him!
Mei Zhuangyi was so surprised that he couldn't close his mouth from ear to ear.

The visitor smiled at him, and the scar on his face suddenly became hideous, like a big centipede turning its head on it.

Mei Zhuangyi couldn't stand it, and couldn't help saying: "Can you stop laughing, it's really ugly."

Wang Yao's face couldn't help becoming stiff, and he maintained a strange expression for a long time before slowly returning to calm.

"Aren't you afraid of me?"

Mei Zhuangyi rolled his eyes, "Why am I afraid of you?" He glanced around, "I'm afraid of you in this kind of place? You should be afraid of me."

"Why should I be afraid of you?"

"Aren't you afraid that if I yell, someone will come and arrest you?" You must know that the water gates everywhere are guarded by officers and soldiers, and water bandits are the most disgusting type of people on the river, almost like street rats, people People shouted and beat them.Now they are passing the gate, as long as Mei Zhuangyi yells that there are water bandits, Wang Yao will be like a turtle in a urn, unable to escape.

"You are really brave! What? Who are you planning to rob this time? The business is huge? You have come to this kind of place." Because he was fearless, Mei Zhuangyi looked very relaxed.

Wang Yao glanced at him, "Could it be that in your heart I only rob people and can't do anything else?"

Mei Zhuangyi choked on his saliva, "What else can you do, water bandit!"

Wang Yao was silent for a while, and said: "Are you curious? If you are really curious, what I said earlier still counts. Come with me, and I will let you be the second leader."

Mei Zhuangyi glanced at him, "I'll give the same answer, don't do it."

Wang Yao paused for a moment, turned his head and left without speaking.

Mei Zhuangyi shouted to him: "Hey, are you really not afraid that I will call someone to arrest you?"

Wang Yao stopped and didn't look back, "Would you do it?"

Mei Zhuangyi choked on his own saliva again, and then muttered after a while: "You let me go once, and I let you go once, then we'll be even. Next time we meet, I won't show mercy."

In the darkness, Wang Yao smiled and walked forward again.

Mei Zhuangyi stood on the deck, thought for a while, and then turned back to the cabin.

At this time in the cabin, no one was asleep, Zhou Jin was sitting with Qi Chunshang, Liu Congfa and others talking.Seeing him coming back from outside, Zhou Jin was a little surprised: "I thought you were sleeping inside."

Mei Zhuangyi scratched the back of his head, "Why sleep, it's noisy outside."

Zhou Jin nodded, "That's true."

Qi Chunshang greeted him, "Where are you going, come and sit down and talk, your Brother Liu and I can't sleep, so we talk together to waste time."

Mei Zhuangyi laughed, "I couldn't sleep, and I felt suffocated, so I went for a stroll on the deck." He didn't mention meeting the water bandit Scar King.

After exiting the Tongji Gate, the merchant ship Wang Yao was on followed behind Mei Zhuangyi and the others for dozens of days.

This made Mei Zhuangyi feel restless, but it was hard to say anything in front of others, and he deeply regretted why he made such a bold statement that day. This guy was relying on him, did he rely on what he said? times, so this time he never lost track, so even this time?

During the period, he often made gestures and strokes to that side, and even made threats with evil shapes, but it was a pity that there was always silence there, and Wang Yao never showed up, just like those days before.

Until their ship arrived at the destination, Mei Zhuangyi didn't care about the water bandit at this time, and everyone agreed on a time for the return journey, and they went to run separately.

Zhou Jin also separated from him, this time they still planned to sell food, but Mei Zhuangyi planned to get something else back.So Zhou went to Xuzhou, and Mei Zhuangyi went to Suzhou.

On the way to Suzhou, Mei Zhuangyi got off the car halfway to eat and drink tea at a roadside tea house, and unexpectedly ran into Wang Yao again.

This time Wang Yao was alone, with no one around him.

Seeing Mei Zhuangyi sitting alone at an empty table, Wang Yao came over and sat down.

First ordered a bowl of tea, then ordered two catties of cut meat and some steamed buns.The teahouses on the side of the road are simple and only sell this kind of food.

After the meal was served, he didn't move his chopsticks, but looked at Mei Zhuangyi and said: "We are also destined, first we walk in the same way, and then we eat at the same table. My business can't last long, and I have a group of brothers waiting for me." After eating, I plan to change my business. Seeing that you are eloquent and a businessman, you probably have some connections, how about a partnership?"

"partnership?"

Mei Zhuangyi was surprised for a long time and couldn't close his mouth from ear to ear. The water bandit leader also wants to do business?

Suddenly one day, Lu Jiaoyue woke up early without morning sickness, and felt very hungry.

She didn't care about tidying herself, so she put on some clothes, got off the kang and ran out, and said to Mrs. Mei who was washing clothes in the yard: "Mother, I want to eat the pancakes you baked."

It's been a long time since Mei's daughter called her hungry. It should be correct to say that Lu Jiaoyue vomited whatever she ate recently, and she has no appetite every day. If Mei wants to let her have a bite of food, she has to force her.It was rare to hear that her daughter wanted to eat something, Mei didn't care about her joy, so she let out a crisp hey.

After washing her hands, she went to the kitchen to make dough for her daughter to eat pancakes.

A plate of crispy and delicious crepes was served, as well as a bowl of egg water.Lu Jiaoyue has been lethargic since she was pregnant, and she always wakes up very late in the morning. At this time, there are usually only her and Mei Shi left in the family.Knowing that her daughter is a bad eater, Mei would not leave breakfast for her, but cook it fresh.The porridge cooked in the morning was finished, so Mei made a bowl of egg water for her daughter because she was afraid that her mouth would dry out after eating the biscuits.

She thought that her daughter would probably not know how to drink it. A few days ago, she used her daughter's favorite egg water to coax her to drink it to replenish her body, but Lu Jiaoyue always thought it was fishy.Who would have thought that after Lu Jiaoyue ate a piece of pancake, she would pick up the egg water and drink half a bowl in one go, and she said it was really delicious while drinking it.

fragrant?
So it's not bad?
Mei couldn't help being overjoyed, and repeatedly urged her daughter to eat more, but Lu Jiaoyue didn't refuse, she ate a plate of five pancakes, and even drank a large bowl of egg water, before she felt her stomach and said she was full .

"Don't be afraid, I'm just afraid that you won't be able to eat. Now you are eating alone for two. How can you have a cat-like appetite like you did before? Mother will make it for you if you want to eat at noon."

Lu Jiaoyue was still caressing her stomach, but her attention was quickly diverted by 'what's for lunch', she thought for a while, her eyes lit up and said: "Mom, I want to eat leek dumplings."

"It's simple. The leeks in the vegetable garden have just sprouted. Mom will cut some and make dumplings for you at noon."

When they came back at noon, they heard that Lu Jiaoyue was no longer abusive, and everyone else in the second room was very happy.

I really can't blame them for making a big fuss, but Lu Jiaoyue suffered a lot a while ago, she can only drink some soup and water every day, and she can't touch meat. Seeing that she is getting thinner and thinner, the whole family is very worried.

Lu Guangyi and Guiya were also full of joy, but there was a hint of reluctance in their expressions.

Lu Jiaoyue saw it in her eyes and remembered it in her heart. She didn't think much about it, but felt that something must have happened to her eldest brother and sister-in-law.

After that, she took the time to ask Gui Ya, although Gui Ya was amazed at her sensitivity, but she didn't tell the truth, she just told her to leave it alone, it was nothing wrong.

Lu Jiaoyue didn't believe in asking, but Guiya told the truth.

It turned out that she and Lu Guangyi had come back from the county and met Chen Tiegen at the entrance of the village.

Erfang's house was at the end of the village, so he didn't pass by the village entrance, but took a small path on the side. To meet Chen Tiegen here, it was obvious that he deliberately waited for the two of them here.

After Chen Tiegen stopped the two of them, he said some faltering words, and finally expressed his intentions.

He also wanted to set up a small stall in the town, and wanted Lu's soy milk.

"Jiaoyue, you are pregnant, don't worry about it, your brother and I can handle it."

"Sister-in-law, what are you going to do?"

Gui Ya paused, "Ignore him."

"Then what did my brother say?"

Guiya didn't speak this time, because the two of them had a disagreement over this matter.

(End of this chapter)