farmer's little girl

Chapter 40 Not only the Lu family is famous, but the Du family is also famous
The other people in the second room also knew in their hearts that if it wasn't like this, there should be movement in the Du family by now.

Even if the family doesn't have enough staff, it's okay to hire someone to collect it. The big deal is losing some money.

Lu Guangzhi wiped his sweat and laughed sarcastically: "They stole this marriage by themselves. Since they dare to snatch it, they must dare to bear the consequences. It's also fortunate that our family didn't marry the eldest sister, and we don't know how my sister-in-law is living in Du's house." What's the matter?" His tone was obviously not concerned about Lu Guili, but gloating.

Mrs. Mei glanced at the man, stopped quickly and said, "What are you talking about, why don't you hurry up and eat your meal."

Lu Guangzhi glanced at Lu Minghai, smiled mischievously, and lowered his head to pick up the rice.

In fact, everyone knew that what Lu Guangzhi said was not wrong, but with Lu Minghai in the end, some thoughts could not be expressed even if it was obvious that it was the case.Fortunately, Lu Minghai's face just darkened for a moment, but he didn't say anything.

For a while, everyone buried their heads in their meals and didn't speak any more.

Lu Jiaoyue felt worried.

Because just now she saw that her mother was not joking, but serious, but now she doesn't want to marry.The situation at home is not good, she still has too many things to do, how can she get married.Thinking about my own age, I seem to be able to understand why her mother said that, and I was very entangled for a while.

Unconsciously, a voice sounded in my mind——

"...I can support a family. I don't make much money but it is definitely enough for you to spend, and I will treat you well. Jiaoyue, will you marry me?"

Lu Jiaoyue couldn't help blushing, why did she think of him?
When I was in a mess, I suddenly heard someone calling myself: "Yue'er, what are you doing in a daze, pack up your things and go back quickly. Go back and rest at home, don't come to bring us water in the afternoon, there is still water in the pitcher. Even if it’s not enough, I’ll let your brother go back and get it.”

The person who spoke was Mrs. Mei.

She and Lu Minghai didn't plan to go back at noon, they planned to rest for a while, and then went to work in the field.The weather in autumn has always been changeable. If you collect the grain in the field one day earlier, you can relax one day earlier.

Lu Jiaoyue hurriedly sighed, packed the dishes in a hurry, and went back with the basket on her back.

In the afternoon, Lu Jiaoyue sent water to the field again.

After delivering the water, she went back with the empty jug.

After cleaning the house and doing embroidery work for a while, she saw that it was almost time, so she started to make dinner.After the dinner was ready, Lu Minghai and others who had been busy in the field all day also came back.

Lu Jiaoyue had already prepared the bath water, and after washing up, they changed their clothes before coming to the dining table to sit down.

After dinner, Lu Jiaoyue was clearing the table when Mrs. Qiao came over suddenly.

"Second sister-in-law and second brother, I just finished eating."

"Has his third aunt eaten?"

Mrs. Qiao smiled, "I've eaten, I've come to you to talk about something." Mrs. Qiao also knew that everyone was exhausted from harvesting the grain these days, so she didn't bother to make a fuss.

"What's the matter?" Mei said, "His third aunt, sit down."

Mrs. Qiao came to the edge of the Kang and sat down, "I don't know if you have heard about the incident in the upper room?"

Seeing the dazed look of the second bedroom couple, she just smiled and said: "It has something to do with the Du family, isn't it because there has been no movement in those acres of land? The Li boy came to ask the Du family when they would come to collect the grain." The reason why he didn't call the Hu family was because the old man was afraid that his daughter-in-law would lose face.

Mrs. Qiao curled her lips and said, "According to me, our father just likes to worry about it. Anyway, the land has already been given to the Du family. No matter what he does, he insists on asking people to ask. No, that Widow Du Come to the door, just left."

Mei asked subconsciously, "What is she here for?"

Qiao raised the corners of her mouth sarcastically, "Come and cry, sorry, the family is short of staff, so let our father and the others help her family collect the food."

"Then dad agreed?"

"I didn't agree to it at first, but now, people are talking about our precious sister-in-law, saying that she is not in good health, not to mention that she has to be taken care of every day, and she has to eat eggs to make up for her body every day. I'm pissed, she I didn't know earlier, people got married and came in, and they talked about things every day... But this is none of our business. This sister-in-law of the family is like this." Qiao said that she was filled with righteous indignation, and her mouth was full of foam, as if she was complaining about the injustice of the upper house.

"Does that mean that Dad agreed?"

Mrs. Qiao nodded: "Mother couldn't help it at first. Father has nothing to do with that Widow Du, and the precious daughter is in her hands, so I can only agree."

For a while, everyone in the room fell silent, and they didn't know if they were frightened by Widow Du's shamelessness, or because they still had lingering fears.

Lu Jiaoyue, who was clearing the dining table, paused for a moment, feeling emotional ups and downs in her heart.

It was the same in her previous life, but the two mu of land that his family gave her as a dowry was not in their village, but in a nearby village, not far from Du's Village.Even so, Widow Du often came to sell her pity.Parents are honest and sincere, thinking that they are all in-laws, and they can help if they can. They started this way, so that the two acres of land were cleaned up by family members every year.

Because of this matter, she had a dispute with Widow Du at that time. It was the first time in her life that she had blush with someone else, and it was her own mother-in-law, so she was really impatient.But she doesn't know how to quarrel, she is no match for Widow Du, and she returned to her mother's house angrily after a few words from her.

In the end, it was my mother who persuaded her to come back, saying that it was nothing to do, the family had too much labor, and it was nothing to be a helper.The life of the Du family is difficult now, and when things get better in the future, we don't need to help.

In fact, she knew that her family members were afraid of embarrassing her, and fearing that she would be treated poorly in her in-law's family, so they were so humble.In addition, Du Lian came to pick her up in person, and said in front of her family that his mother was ignorant, so don't argue with her.Her parents kept trying to persuade her to reconcile, and she thought that life must go on and she couldn't cause trouble to her natal family anymore, so she went back with Du Lian.

But it turns out that she made a fuss because she didn't solve the fundamental problem, but let her family understand a fact——

That is, your daughter-in-law can't work, which daughter-in-law doesn't work in the fields, your Lu family is your Lu family, if you enter someone else's house, you have to abide by the rules of other people's house.

Widow Du didn't say these words clearly, but her and Du Lian's behaviors all behaved like this.Since then, almost without Widow Du's asking, his father and brother have helped clean up the two acres of land, sowing, fertilizing, weeding, and watering. Without any effort by the Du family, the packed grains have been delivered to the hands. .

It wasn't until then that she understood the tricks here. Widow Du really had a good plan, not to mention getting other people's land, and getting a few free laborers for acting in a play. The key is that she was stupid enough to fall into her trap.But she couldn't do anything, she could only watch helplessly, thinking in her heart that she would save her family trouble and go to work in the field by herself, but her body was useless, and instead she became tired and sick.

This situation did not stop until the Du family moved to the county and sold the two acres of land in order to raise money.Obviously she sold her dowry, so she should be unhappy, but Lu Jiaoyue at that time was relieved instead.

Over there, Mrs. Qiao continued: "I have nothing else to do here today. I just want to let you know. I'm afraid the other side will come to ask us for help. Think about it, the upper house can work in the fields now." There are only father, eldest brother and boy Ren. Although boy Li can do it, he is still too young. Originally, the six mu of land they shared was enough for these few people. This is an extra five mu out of thin air. If we don’t ask for help , I am afraid that the food will not be harvested."

In the past, the Lu family had [-] mu of land, and the total number of people who could work in the three houses was six people. Lu Guangli and Lu Guangzhi were not counted. After all, they were not yet old. Do light work.Six people have [-] mu of land, that is to say, one person works on an average of [-] mu of land.However, Lu Mingchuan, Lu Minghai, and Lu Guangyi have always been good hands in the field, and one person can be the envoy of two people, and they can finish the work in the field.

But now the family is divided, the second and third bedrooms are each divided into three acres, but the Jiadu family on the other side of the big house has a total of eleven acres of land.The number of lands has increased, but the number of people who can do the work has decreased. It is impossible for the manpower on the other side of the house to be completed by those few people.

"Anyway, our family can't help. You know that the third child is slow, and we don't have any extra people in our family. We rely on the two of us to do the field work. We will never be able to spare time to help the big house. Do things." Qiao took the lead in expressing his attitude, and then pointed out: "Second brother and foster boy are both good hands at work, I guess Dad will ask you to go over and help."

After finishing speaking, he fixed his eyes on the expressions of the couple, probably wanting to hear what they meant.

Mrs. Mei glanced at her man, and said to Mrs. Qiao: "His third aunt, don't talk about your family, there are only two people in our family who can work, and the second boy is still young, I don't want to exhaust my son. I haven't finished the work in my field, so I don't have any free time to help others. Besides, I'm not afraid of making fun of you. It's not like you don't know what happened before, so it's fine to help our father and mother. But what kind of reason is there to help the Du family? Our family is not so cheap, and we go to the pole to help others!"

Qiao smiled and stood up, "Second sister-in-law, you are right, you can talk about it wherever you go. Well, today is a busy day, and everyone is very tired, so I'll go back first."

Mrs. Mei nodded and watched Mrs. Qiao go out.

After Mrs. Qiao left the courtyard, she turned to look at Lu Minghai, "Father, you are not unhappy when I say that, right?"

Lu Minghai smiled wryly: "If I can be unhappy, everything you say is reasonable."

That's true, although there is a bit of tension between the second room and the upper room, but filial piety is the law of nature and ethics.If one day the old man Lu and his wife really can't do it anymore, it's right for the second room to help, but if the Du family is added, it will change a bit.

We are filial sons and filial grandsons, but we are not filial sons and filial grandsons of the Du family. How can we help your family? !Especially with the previous incident, the people in the second room would only agree to help unless their heads were flooded.

In fact, Mrs. Qiao also knew that no one would go to the second room, but now that the two families have separated, and they both dislike Mrs. Hu and the old couple, they can be regarded as a united front, and naturally they must speak with one voice.It also prevents the second room from agreeing, but the third room does not agree, making the third room mean and making people laugh.

Mrs. Mei wondered if Mrs. Qiao's worry was a bit superfluous. The troubles at home and there were like that. How could her in-laws have the nerve to ask her to help the Du family's land.But this kind of thinking only lasted for one night, and it was broken the next day, because someone from the upper room asked Lu Minghai to come over.

Lu Minghai planned to go there alone, Mei-shi was afraid that he would suffer, so he went with him.After he left, Old Man Lu's face turned a little unhappy. He probably didn't expect Mrs. Mei to follow, but the matter was imminent, and after the couple of three came over, he still told the matter.

"You also know the situation at home, so I want to ask you to help, but it's your sister and brother-in-law, so just treat them as pitiful and help them out."

Qiao raised her brows and said, "We also want to pity them, but who will pity us? Father, look at the third child—" She dragged Lu Mingshan and made him turn around in front of old man Lu, "In our third room, only the third child is a strong laborer. There are so many jobs in the field, and he and I do it alone. You can see that he has been peeled from the sun."

Lu Mingshan's current situation really doesn't look very good. He was a handsome man at first, but now his whole body is darkened a lot, and there are a lot of flakes on his face, all of which are caused by the sun.

In fact, almost all the men present are like this. It is not a lie that they face the loess and their backs to the sky. When a season of crops is harvested, it can peel off several layers of skin.

"It's only three acres of land, and one person can finish it." Old man Lu couldn't help but said.

Lu Mingshan was listless, like a dehydrated eggplant, "Father, just let me go, you are talking about the elder brother and the second brother, not me. The work on the three acres of land alone is very fast. I'm exhausted, let alone come to help."

Old man Lu couldn't help but put his eyes on Lu Minghai. In fact, he called the second and third bedrooms over today, that is, for Lu Minghai and his son.The Erfang father and son are both good hands at work, and one person can be the envoy of two people. With their help, the grain in the field will definitely be harvested.

Since Lu Minghai came in, he kept his eyelids down. Since he didn't receive the old man Lu's eyes, he couldn't help calling out: "Second brother—"

Mrs. Mei glanced at her father-in-law and said, "Father, it is reasonable to say that our family has plenty of money, but it's fine to help the Du family. You ruined my girl's relationship before, and let our family collect food for his family later. Our family How cheap, with a hot face and a cold butt on the pole."

Mrs. Mei now understands that with this in-laws who are unclear, you can't come around. If you put on a good face, they don't know what to do. If you put on a cold face, and they pull down to beg, it's better to just make it clear and have a good time. In case others say it dry, she herself will be annoyed.

Old man Lu was a little embarrassed, and kept silent with a sullen old face. Cui Shi who was beside him couldn't help but said: "Second brother, for your sister's sake, please help."

Lu Minghai was silent for a while, and said: "After she did that kind of thing, she is no longer my sister."

"Second, how can you be so cruel!" Cui cried.She has also been very haggard recently, her whole body has aged a lot out of thin air, and her hair is half gray.

Seeing such a mother, Lu Minghai couldn't bear it either. He thought for a while and said, "Anyway, I can't help with this job. If I help, I won't be ashamed to see my daughter. It doesn't have to be done by someone from our family. , isn’t that land the Du family’s, isn’t there food in the field, please help, pay the wages, I don’t believe no one will come!”

In fact, it's not that old man Lu has never thought of this method. Firstly, it's hard to find manpower. During the autumn harvest, they are all busy with the work in their own fields. Who will come to help you.

Secondly, farmers are concerned about money. Farmers originally rely on farming for food. This is instinct. Only those who dislike too little land and those who dislike too much can do it by themselves. Asking people to go to the field to collect grain will cause trouble. joke.

The third is that old man Lu and Widow Du have dealt with each other several times, knowing that this woman is difficult to deal with, he agreed for a while because he couldn't bear it. Woolen cloth.Now suddenly it is said that someone should be hired to help, who will pay for the money?And if you ask someone for help at this time, if you don't pay a big price, I'm afraid no one will come.

In particular, he still has a deeper concern in his heart, and it is difficult to express it in front of people at this time.

Old man Lu was still silent, but Mrs. Qiao spoke up. She pushed Lu Mingshan and said, "Father and mother, there is still a lot of work in the field, so we won't stay any longer. Second brother and second sister-in-law, are you leaving?" It seems as if the two are on the same road.

"Father, let's go now. You should consider the method I mentioned."

After speaking, Lu Minghai stood up, and walked out of the upper room with his wife and his wife.

The old man Lu took a few puffs of dry cigarettes before looking at Lu Mingchuan, "Boss, what do you think about this matter?"

Lu Mingchuan frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's hire people as the second brother said, and then use food instead of wages."

The old man Lu muttered: "Your sister also spends money in Du's house, and the food in this field is given to others..."

Lu Mingchuan interrupted: "I reckon that if you give [-]% of the harvest, someone will come to pick up the job. If [-]% is gone, there will be [-]% left, enough for our sister to spend."

"Someone in the village will probably make fun of it." Old man Lu couldn't help but said again.

It’s not like someone will make a joke. Farmers rely on farming to make a living. If you don’t do it yourself, ask others to do it. If you tell it, you may be laughed at by others.

"Father, what do you think we should do? You promised him the words, but now you know it's difficult. Anyway, that land is not ours, so what are you worrying about!" Lu Mingchuan said with a hint of impatience.Recently, he has also been fed up with the fact that the Du family's incidents have occurred one after another, and even individuals have to be tempered.

The old man Lu's face changed unpredictablely, he didn't know what he thought of, he suddenly sighed, and said: "Okay, then invite someone."

Hu's face on the side is not very good-looking.

She knew her sister well, and it was more difficult for her to take out the money after it was in her pocket.Now she already regards the grain of the five acres of land as her pocket, and suddenly she lost [-]% out of thin air, she will definitely not give up, and she may not know what to do when the time comes.

But Mrs. Hu couldn't say anything to stop it, unless she was willing to paralyze her man and son, this job could only be done.She couldn't bear to tire her man and son, so she instigated the old couple to call the second and third families, but unfortunately the second and third didn't take over at all, especially since the second came up with such a method, her plan could only fail.

Now, the Hu family is not sure whether it is right or wrong to plan on marrying my sister-in-law into the Du family.Obviously she thought well at the beginning, even if the Du family came to ask for it with their sister-in-law, they were not the Dafang family anyway.

But now that the second bedroom and the third bedroom have been separated, these matters have all fallen on the head of the big house.

There is little land in the second house, so the land of most people in the village has been confiscated, and their land has been confiscated.

The next step is to dry the grain.

At this time, the benefits of agile hands and feet are revealed. Before others can harvest the land, they can go to the wheat field to occupy a place to dry the grain.You must know that the wheat field is only so big, but there are so many people who need to dry their grain, and there is not enough for it every year.And while the sun is good, hurry up to dry the grain, and then you won't be afraid of being drenched in the rain.

After the grain is dried, it is threshed and raised.

Threshing is to use a stone mill to crush the piled wheat over and over again until the wheat grains and straws are separated.In the raising field, the milled wheat grains are raised high with wooden shovels, and the wheat ears, husks, dust and other debris on them are blown off by the wind, and the clean wheat grains are separated.

This kind of work is boring and tedious, and it has to be repeated over and over again to get out relatively clean wheat grains.

When everything is done, the grain is bagged and shipped home.Afterwards, there is another job to do, which is to pick up the straw and pile it into haystacks, which will be used to light the fire for cooking in the future.

The Lu family's land only grows wheat, so the work is relatively easy.Some other families, because of the soil quality of the land, also grow other crops, and the relative work is much more complicated.

On the other side, the Lu family also released news that they would ask someone to collect food.

For a while, the villagers who knew it talked about it.

At the time when the Lu family split up, many people didn't know the inside story, they only knew that the family split up, but no one knew how it was split up.On weekdays, several families work in the fields, and they are all together anyway, so they can't be seen for a while.Now that the Lu family asked people to collect grain, everyone was a little surprised. In the past, there was never a lack of people to do the work in the Lu family's fields, so why did the regulations change this year.

Immediately afterwards, a rumor spread, and the person who spread the rumor was unknown. Anyway, most people in the village knew how the Lu family was divided.One son was only allocated three acres of land, and because the old couple lived with the big house, the big house had six acres.

Then someone asked, Lu's land is more than that.

Someone replied, I will marry that youngest daughter of the Lu family as a dowry, and it is really a big deal to marry five acres of land as a dowry.

Now the whole Daxi Village is boiling. Isn't it a big deal to give a married girl five acres of land as a dowry?No wonder the boy from the Du family village was willing to marry the sick second girl of the Lu family!If he had known that the old man Lu and his wife were so willing, Lu Guili would not have fallen to the point where no one came to propose marriage.

For a while, all kinds of discussions arose, not only the Lu family became famous, but also the Du family became famous.

The Lu family is famous because the old man Lu is willing, and because he is stupid. In the eyes of the country people, giving a dowry to a married daughter is a foolish behavior.And the Du family is famous because they are smart. If they are not smart, they will marry a sick child and get five acres of land out of thin air?

Now, when the Lu family goes out, it is indispensable for someone to inquire openly and secretly. What are they inquiring about?Naturally, I asked what the Lu family thought at the beginning, giving the second and third children so little land, and giving the married daughter so much.Also ask if Lu's second child, Lu's third child, has any grievances in his heart, and whether he has any complaints about this matter.
(End of this chapter)