Farming Beneath the Changbai Mountains

In fact, Village Chief Zhou also understands that it is impossible for the Xu family to visit Ginseng now, so he is just complaining. "Ahem, let's wait until spring starts to talk about these things. Anyway, there's nothing to do in this snowy place. Come, let's drink. We won't mention these things today."

Everyone drank all the wine in the glass together, and then talked about other topics.

Zhixin and the others were at the table on the ground. Last year, several families sold sticks to Zhiming, and the price was much more expensive than others. Later, everyone in the village knew about it, and they all wanted to sell it to Zhiming this year. "Brother Zhiming, are you going to collect the sticks this fall? Don't forget about my family then. I will leave them all to you."

Zhiming smiled, "Of course we will accept it, let's talk about it when the time comes. Our capital is too small, and the sales are not fixed yet, so we can't accept too much. Brother, don't worry, if we accept it when the time comes, we will definitely inform everyone of."

A person over there continued, "What does it matter if we have less money? Just like last year, just take the goods first and then pay after they are sold out. We are all from the same village, so what are we afraid of? Zhiming Brothers can't cheat, right? "This man's surname is Li, and he is the one who bought the Xu family's house to marry his son. He is a very generous person. Last year, it was his family and the Xing family who dared to lend sticks to Zhiming on credit. Later, Zhiming increased the price, so Boss Li was even more polite to Zhiming.

Some people didn't know about this, so they asked Boss Li, and Boss Li told everyone what happened at that time. As soon as they heard that Zhiming gave the job on credit and Zhiming increased the price by 10% after returning, everyone was a little excited. If the family is not waiting for money, they can get more than ten taels of silver if they borrow it for a month or so. Even loan sharking is not that fast, right?

"Oh, since that's the case, we can give you all the sticks on credit when the time comes, or we can pay you after you come back after selling them. We are not in a hurry to use the money. They all belong to the villagers, so this is nothing." The people on the side also said the same thing.

"Everyone, this matter needs to be discussed carefully. I have just started the stick business. There are too few customers, so I really can't order too much goods. Let's talk about it in the autumn. If the merchants want it, If there are more, I will collect more here. When the time comes, we must pay close attention to the harvest in our village. Is this okay?" Zhiming is also a little embarrassed. There are about a hundred households in the village. If we count them all, it will still be enough. There must be five or six thousand kilograms of sticks for takeout? With the way he is now, he simply cannot sell so many mallets. This matter is really difficult to handle.

Zhixin was trying to smooth things over, "Okay, this is the Chinese New Year, let's not talk about that, let's have a drink. Today we just have a good meal, and we can talk about the rest later." With that, he gave everyone another Filled with wine.

Everyone knew it in their hearts, so they had their own calculations in mind but didn't show it on their faces. "That's right, brothers Zhixin and Zhiming are inviting us to drink today. Let's not talk about anything else, just drink." Everyone raised their glasses and paid tribute to Zhixin and Zhiming.

The meal took quite a long time. The men kept drinking, and gradually some of them drank too much. At the end of the day, Village Chief Zhou saw that everyone in the room was drunk and staggering, so he took everyone away.

The Xu family had to go back to town. The old man and Brother Zhixin drank a little too much. In the end, Wenhan and Brother Wencheng drove the car, and everyone returned to the town. When they got home, it was already Shen Shizhong, so Chen asked everyone to rest, and the servants at home could just get some food for themselves.

Sister Jinghan returned to the backyard and had nothing to do, so Jinghan ran to the study to find a book to read. At this time, it was gradually getting dark outside, and the windows of the house were papered and not transparent, so it was even darker inside the house.

"Jinghan, why are you still reading at this time? You don't want your eyes anymore?" Wenhan pushed the door in and scolded Jinghan when he saw Jinghan reading.

"Brother, I'm just sitting around and feeling uncomfortable. I won't read it anymore. I'll take it back to the house and read it later." Jinghan smiled and closed the book.

Wenhan came to Jinghan's side, reached out and touched Jinghan's head, "You are such a restless person. Take advantage of these few days to have a good rest. After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, there are still many things to do. You have to be busy. My grandpa is celebrating his sixtieth birthday this year, and the restaurant you are planning to open is going to open. I heard my grandma say that day that you and Zixuan will be engaged in February. Are these things not enough for you to take it easy? Just have a good rest for a few days, do you hear me?" Wen Han felt a little sorry for Jing Han. Wenhan wanted to study in the county, so the family couldn't take care of it. Jingya got married again. Now Jinghan and Jingwan can take over the family affairs. But housekeeper Jingwan is okay, but when it comes to making money, she can't keep up with Jinghan.

"As an adult, I study in the county, and I can't get involved in family affairs. You have to take part in many things, which is really difficult for you. Jinghan, you don't have to just think about making money, think more about yourself. I think it's pretty good that the family is as good as it is now, as long as we can maintain the status quo. I'm afraid you're too tired. After all, I'm too useless and I have to worry about everything." Wen Han said slightly. Somewhat frustrated.

Jinghan chuckled and said, "Brother, don't act like this. It's your business to study. I'm not looking forward to anything else. I just hope that you can pass the exam. By then, our family will be I feel truly proud. It would be even better if you could get into the imperial examination and become an official. We sisters would have a backer in the future. Brother, you don’t have to think about anything, just study well and take care of these things at home. As for me, you don’t know what I am like? When have you ever seen me say I was tired?”

Wenhan sighed and said nothing more. He just reached out and patted Jinghan on the shoulder.

Jinghan picked up the book she had just been reading, "Brother, I'm going back to the room. If you want to read, please light two more candles. Don't burn out your eyes. The most important thing for a scholar is his eyes." Jinghan was worried. He gave instructions once before going out.

I took the book and returned to the backyard. I saw Jingwan and Jingxian also having nothing to do, playing with the rope. Jinghan lit a candle, then held the book and read for a while. She felt sleepy, so she put the quilt down and got into bed to sleep. "Jingwan, Jingxian, you should go to bed too, it's getting late."

Jingwan and Jingxian also got on the kang and took off their clothes, blew out the candles, got into bed, chatted for a while, and then stopped.

On the tenth day of the lunar month, Zhixin brought his wife and children to the Lin family and had a good gathering with the Lin family. Of course, Zixuan took the time to spend some time alone with Jinghan and asked Jinghan about the engagement. Jinghan doesn't have any objections to this. It would be better to settle it as soon as possible. Zixuan is an outstanding boy. Maybe many people are thinking about him. Everyone will feel at ease after settling down. Jinghan heard from Wenhan that there were many masters in the county school who were interested in Zixuan.

When Zixuan heard that Jinghan had no objection to the engagement, he almost jumped up with joy. After getting engaged, the two of them will be a serious unmarried couple. From now on, they can get along with each other openly without fear of others misunderstanding.

Time passed quickly, and in a blink of an eye it was already the twentieth day of the first lunar month. Zhixiang and Wanting came back from the county and had no intention of leaving. The old man is very strange. Logically speaking, Zhixiang should have gone back at this time. What is going on? So the old man asked Zhixiang.

"Dad, you forgot, this year is your sixtieth birthday. I have already taken a leave of absence from the county magistrate, and will come back after your birthday. My eldest brother said that I will take care of it for you." Zhixiang Explained to the old man.

The old man slapped his head and said, "This man is really not smart when he is old. He can even forget his own birthday. Isn't he sixty? Time is not forgiving. I am already sixty. Okay, yes It's okay to take care of things. Anyway, our family is not short of money now. Isn't it just a sixty-year-old life for everyone to live together? Everyone agrees, this is a happy event.

The old man's birthday is on the 25th of the first lunar month. It's only a few days away, and the Xu family has begun to prepare for the birthday. There are a lot of things to do, such as preparing banquets, steaming longevity peaches, and notifying relatives and friends. The Xu family has been very busy these days. Fortunately, after the 20th of the first lunar month, all the businesses in the town started to open. There were some things that I hadn't bought a year ago, so I hurriedly bought them. In addition, all the furniture used for the banquet was rented from a special place.

On the twenty-fifth day of the first lunar month, many people came to the Xu family, including people from the village and neighbors from the town. Several of Ye San's brothers also came, as well as some relatives from the Yue family, and even people from the Lu family in the county came. At this time, the small courtyard of the Xu family became lively. Everyone was chatting and laughing, and first wished the old man a birthday.

Today, Xu Chengkuan is wearing new clothes that Huixin made in a hurry a year ago. I haven't picked it up yet, so I'm just waiting to wear it when I celebrate my birthday. The old lady, also wearing new clothes, was accompanying the old man. The two of them were sitting in the living room, smiling and talking to the visitors.

The Zhixin brothers were entertaining guests outside. The four brothers, all dressed in new clothes, stood in the yard and talked to the people who came to pay their respects.

Xue's sisters-in-law and all the maids and wives in the family were all busy in the kitchen. It’s hard to hire a cook during the first month, and you can’t set up a stove in the yard, so you can only cook in the pots in the kitchen and backyard. Fortunately, Mrs. Zhu is a good cook herself, and Mrs. Xue is also a good cook. Of course, this banquet will not be difficult for them. There were also many wives nearby who came to help, so it wasn't too hectic.

Jinghan and the others were not idle either, they were all helping in the kitchen. Even if there is a plate and bowl, someone needs to be there, right?