After working in the fields all day, Liu Jing was so tired that he had no appetite at all. After returning home, he couldn't wait to go back to his dormitory to rest. Lying in bed, half asleep, he was awakened by a knock on the door.
Liu Jingqiang stood up and opened the door. Seeing the sleepy look on his face, Lai Ci felt very distressed and advised: "Zhongda, if you find it difficult to persevere, don't force yourself. As the saying goes, no one is perfect, even Confucius
He also admits: 'I am not as good as an old farmer.' It is not a shame for a gentleman to do nothing about farming."
"Thank you sister-in-law for your concern. If one day I really feel that I can't hold on anymore, I will definitely tell my sister-in-law." Liu Jing smiled and nodded. He had never suffered anything in his last life, so this tiredness was nothing.
"Alas." Lai Ci had expected that he would say this. He sighed softly, handed him a pile of clothes in his hand, and said: "You two brothers are of similar stature. This is your brother's short jacket. You can keep the brown jacket."
Get dressed."
Liu Jing nodded and said, these clothes are short clothes that are convenient for working, and he can use them just right.
"Sister-in-law, don't stand outside the door. Come in and sit for a while."
"I won't come in." Lai Ci shook his head, not wanting to disturb Uncle Ji's rest. "Bring me the clothes you wore in the fields today. I'll wash Hu Tou's clothes later and wash them for you too.
"
Lai Ci was born in a high family in Lingling, and there were four maids who came with her as a dowry. However, the Liu family had declined at that time, and it was definitely a big burden to support four maids.
Lai Cixiu was smart and did not embarrass her husband's family. He sent the three of them back soon, leaving only one maid at his side.
The maid died of illness last year. Since then, Lai Ci has no one available around her, so she had to start trying to do something within her power.
"No, no need..." Liu Jing shook his head repeatedly. He understood his sister-in-law's kindness. He was not helpless, so he would not bother her.
Seeing that Liu Jing did not agree to it anyway, Lai Ci had no choice but to give up his thoughts, told Uncle Ji to have a good rest, and left.
After seeing Lai Ci off, Liu Jing lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
…………
As time went by, Liu Jing gradually adapted to the high-intensity working life. He set out at sunrise every day to work in the fields until he returned at sunset.
In the evening, he copied the "Book of Songs". As the saying goes: "It is better to read the book of songs a thousand times than to write it once by hand." He read the poems and practiced calligraphy at the same time, which could be said to kill two birds with one stone.
The food at home has also been improved because of a deer presented by Liu Zong, the clan brother. Before, he had a vegetarian meal of rice every day, which made everyone miserable, but now he can finally eat meat.
The best farming time for rice planting is March, early April can only be considered a medium farming time, and late April is a low-grade farming time.
Song Liang deliberately concealed his illness, which in fact delayed a lot of time, causing the family fields to miss the best opportunity to plant rice. Liu Jing and others got up early every day and raced against time to catch up with the progress, and finally completed the project before mid-April.
Delaying it until late April will definitely affect the harvest.
With all the land at home being cultivated, Liu Jing was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Although the subsequent steps of soaking seeds, transplanting rice seedlings, weeding, irrigation, etc. were also not easy, time was no longer pressing. All he had to do was follow the steps.
If he wanted to feel more relaxed, he could just hide under a tree and direct his servants to work like other tribesmen or slaves in large households.
It's just that his reputation as "working hard to support guests" has just spread among the nine ethnic groups in the village. If he is greedy for comfort, it will definitely affect his reputation. Naturally, he will not lose big for small things.
However, he does have more free time every day. Instead of wasting time on meaningless things such as chatting, dazing, napping, etc., he might as well take the opportunity to read more books.
In the days that followed, Liu Jing often went out with books. In his spare time, he would rest under a tree and read Confucian classics. It was so leisurely and comfortable.
Not long after, word spread in the countryside that Liu Jing "took the hoe and cultivated the land, and was eager to learn." When talking about him in private, people felt that such a person should have a brighter future and should not devote himself to farming and waste time.
As a result, Liu Jing's reputation has grown. The most intuitive feeling is that when he goes to and from the fields every day, no matter whether he is a member of the Liu family or a prisoner or a guest, everyone who sees him is polite and respectful.
The Han Dynasty had great respect for virtuous people. Even if they were as evil as bandits and bandits, they would not dare to harm virtuous people easily. They considered it an unjust act and would be punished by God.
As the sun set that day, Liu Jing was returning in a bullock cart and passed by his neighbor Liu Liang's house, when he faintly heard crying coming from inside.
Although Liu Jing was surprised, he didn't think much about it. As soon as he got home and washed off the dirt, Liu Liang came to see him. His eyes were obviously crying, red and swollen, and he was very embarrassed. He didn't have any energy left to lead the children on the run. His command is steady and high-spirited.
Liu Jing asked: "Ayu, I just heard crying outside your door. Did something happen?"
Liu Liang was a little embarrassed when his brother heard him cry. But when he thought about his father, he immediately felt sad and couldn't help crying: "Brother Cong, my father was captured by the thief Cao. They He said my father killed someone."
"so serious?"
Liu Jing couldn't help being shocked: "Your father killed someone?"
Liu Liang choked up and said: "Some time ago, my father was selling fish in the city, and he had a conflict with someone. It was nothing. But today, the man suddenly died suddenly at home, and the thieves were going to kill me." The father took him away.
Brother Cong, my father was unjustly accused! That man obviously only suffered some superficial injuries. My father’s injuries were much more serious than his. My father was fine, so how could he die? His death was definitely not mine. My father must have contracted some serious illness as a result."
"When exactly did it happen? Was it more than twenty days?" Liu Jing asked quickly. This point is very important. Han law: "Sit down and hurt someone, die within twenty days, and abandon the market." That is to say, the injured person will be killed within twenty days. If someone dies within ten days, the person who caused the injury will be held responsible for the murder.
Liu Liang calculated it, no more, no less, exactly twenty days.
The two of them looked at each other, speechless for a moment. How could things be such a coincidence? Even if it was just one more day.
Liu Liang burst into tears with a look of despair. Liu Jing said calmly: "Ayu, don't panic. There may not be any room for maneuver in this matter. I will go visit Brother Liu Bosi and listen to his opinion."
Everyone knows Liu Zong's name. If he comes forward, things may turn around.
Liu Liang was so excited that he was about to give Liu Jing a discount. Liu Jing hurriedly stopped him and said seriously: "We are both from the same clan and close neighbors. How close is our relationship? There is no need for this. Don't be anxious. Go home and wait for my news. Can."
"promise."
Without further ado, Liu Jing will set off immediately.
Liu Zong's residence is located at the north end of Liu's Wu. His family has the highest watchtower. Liu Zong's family is rich and noble, and their houses are extremely luxurious. There are three courtyards in the front, middle and back. The courtyard walls are all built with bricks, pavilions and pavilions. Very magnificent.
Liu Jing was lucky. Liu Zong happened to be at home today. He was taking a nap in his dormitory at the moment. He felt very unhappy when he was woken up. It was not until he heard that Liu Jing was visiting that his face brightened slightly and he motioned to invite the person into the front hall.
Not to mention Liu Yuan's relationship, although he only had contact with Liu Jing once, it left a deep impression on him. He once told the other party that if he encounters difficulties, he must come to him. Liu Jing is here today. I want to come. There must be something important.
Liu Jing was led into the front hall by his servants. After waiting for a long time, Liu Zong came out accompanied by two maids. Seeing him smelling of alcohol, with disheveled hair and sleepy eyes, he knew he came at the wrong time, so he bowed and apologized. Said: "Di Jing came to the door unpretentiously and disturbed brother Cong's rest. I hope you will forgive me."
Liu Zong sat crookedly on the couch, yawning and laughing: "There was a banquet at noon to entertain some friends from afar, so I drank a few more drinks. Haha, it made Zhongda laugh."
Liu Jing exchanged a few pleasantries and then talked about Liu Liang's father.
After hearing this, Liu Zong immediately slapped the case and said: "This matter must be caused by the leftist thief Cao Fu."
"The results of the left thief Cao Cao?" Liu Jing's eyes focused. It seems that things are not as simple as he thought. The thief Cao, the meritorious Cao, the chief bookkeeper, the chief clerk, the supervisor and the thief are all listed as the "Five Officials" of the prefect, and the result is Zhang Xian, the prefect of Changsha. A close confidant, with a respected position and great power.
Liu Jing asked tentatively: "I wonder if I can ask my brother Liu Yuanlong to come forward...?" Liu Pan holds the post of Wu Guan Yu, and his status in the county is second only to the meritorious Cao Huanjie. If he comes forward, his results will probably not be in disgrace to him.
Liu Zong shook his head and said: "I'm afraid not. Zhongda, you don't know something. He is from a poor family. He does not observe etiquette and is fond of applying. Han Zhixue has a greedy and cruel personality. The eldest brother is a noble man and has always despised him and treated him as a villain. …”
The implication is that the two of them are at odds with each other. It would be better not to ask for Liu Pan, but asking for Liu Pan will only make things worse.
Liu Jing's heart sank when he heard this. What should he do?