When wealthy families in the Wu Dynasty gave birth, they would spend money to find a wet nurse. In addition to providing food and drink, they would also give a large amount of money.
Children of ordinary families naturally do not have this treatment. They are usually fed by their mothers. They eat when there is milk. If there is no milk, they only drink a little rice porridge. The rate of malnutrition and premature death is extremely high.
Mrs. Gu and Mr. Gu were able to be domineering in Xiaoshi Village for so many years because Song Laoer said to the outside world that Xiao An's survival was due to the care of her mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
If children who are deficient in milk can drink milk powder, at least their chances of survival will be improved.
And the price of a few hundred cents per pound is affordable for the sake of the children.
Song Liyun was not stingy. On the second day, in addition to setting up a dozen tables of flowing banquets to treat the villagers to a meal, he also gave gifts to Mrs. Li Zheng and several other wives who often came to the house to accompany Yang Hua.
A few feet of green cloth and a bag of snacks brought constant laughter both inside and outside the courtyard.
Song Liyun stayed in Xiaoshi Village for a few days.
She remembered to bring milk powder to Yang Hua, and Yang Hua did not forget her.
On the Kang table, there are a lot of men's shoes and socks, and Song Liyun only needs a few final stitches to finish.
Yang Hua knew that her sister-in-law could ride a horse and do business, but she didn't like needlework.
Clothes can be bought, but it only makes sense to give them to your husband by making a few stitches yourself.
In the past few months, she, Mrs. Li Zheng and her second aunt were not only making clothes for the children, but also busy making shoes and socks for Song Liyun that the new wife needed to give away.
Seeing her busy with these things with her big belly, Song Liyun was moved and angry.
On the one hand, you say that you are sincere only if you do it yourself, but on the other hand, you say that a few stitches count as your sincerity. Isn't this deceiving oneself and others?
Do the embroiderers in the sewing workshops act like brides every day?
Yang Hua covered her mouth in joy, and Mrs. Li Zheng was so angry that she came forward and beat her: "Look at what you said, otherwise you will live at home, waiting for you to embroider the dowry and get married!"
Xiao An was coming back with Abu. As soon as he entered the door, he heard that Mrs. Li Zheng refused to let his sister get married. He ran over in a few steps and said with a blush on his face: "No, brother A Shi promised to get married before the first snow falls. Second sister is sure
I can’t embroider it.”
Madam Li Zheng laughed loudly: "Xiao An! You are willing to let your second sister marry so far away. It will be difficult for you to come back to see you in the future!"
Xiao An scratched his head. He thought it only took one day to ride to the Bahrain tribe: "It's not far! The second sister doesn't have time to come back. I can go see her. It's more convenient than going back to Xiaoshi Village to see the elder brother!"
Madam Li Zheng was stunned: "So close? It's really not far. What does your brother Ashi look like? Have you seen him?"
As she said this, Mrs. Li Zheng glanced at Abu. At first she saw this boy who looked like a bear. She almost thought it was Song Liyun who was talking about the marriage. She felt relieved knowing that he was just a follower.
When mentioning Brother Ashi, Xiao An grinned: "Brother Ashi is prettier, taller, and stronger than the elder brother!"
He had spent a long time with Zhao Tingduo and learned how to ride a horse from A Shibu, so he naturally felt better than his brother.
Madam Li Zheng glared: "How can you talk about your brother like that!" But she was happy in her heart.
Although Song Zhenping is not tall, her eyebrows and eyes are still pretty.
Especially now that he has even meals and decent clothes, he feels like he stands out from the crowd among ordinary villagers.
If what Xiao An said is true and he is better looking than Song Zhenping, then he is a first-class talent, and he can rest assured.
Seeing that her uncle was staring at her for saying that her brother was not good, Xiao An stuck out her tongue and ran off to play with Abu.
He is much more lively now, especially when he returns to the village this time, everyone is smiling at him.
While several people were laughing and talking, Song Zhenping entered the room with sweat on his face: "Xiaoyun, follow me to the backyard!"
After Song Zhenping came back, he built another courtyard in the empty space behind it, and there was a side courtyard next to it, using the layout of Baolin House.
The Kang in the main room in the backyard was also set up for Yang Hua's confinement period.
Song Zhenping took Song Liyun into the side courtyard.
Seeing a room full of oats piled on the roof, Song Liyun's eyes widened.
Song Zhenping looked a little embarrassed, rubbed her hands that were rough from working and said: "Xiaoyun, I didn't go back to Ruijin Town to prepare a dowry for you.
You were getting married, and I didn’t know what to give you, so I planted oats.”
Song Zhenping told her the reason for not returning to Ruijin Town.
It’s hard to leave one’s homeland, where there are the graves of his parents, the memories of his growth, and the well-meaning villagers.
Second, in Ruijin Town, the honest Song Zhenping felt more and more that he could not help his sister.
Song Liyun was there to help make money at the guard station. He had already paid enough of the military corvee he would have to pay for the rest of his life, and there was no need for him to perform military service.
At home, Mrs. Yun takes care of daily life, Uncle Han is in the workshop, and Shopkeeper Mu is in charge of business. Even the ten acres of land and the vegetables in the backyard are cooked by others.
He and Yang Hua couldn't sit idle at home like the young master and his wife. They still felt at ease returning to Xiaoshi Village, raising some chickens and ducks, and carrying hoes to the fields every day.
Song Liyun feels that everyone has their own preferred lifestyle. Xiao An likes to watch others eat in restaurants, and it is understandable that Song Zhenping likes to grow food in the village.
It’s just that oats are not something ordinary farmers like to grow, so they will lose the income from corn and wheat.
"Brother, you will have no income if you do this. I will give you money..." Song Liyun took out a stack of banknotes.
Song Zhenping waved his hands repeatedly: "No, Xiaoyun, the acorn vermicelli can be processed soon, and then you can exchange money.
The oats harvested can also be ground into flour, and the rapeseed harvested this year can be squeezed for oil and sold to buy grain. Besides, the money you asked me to bring back last time has not been used up yet!"
He harvested a lot of rapeseed from the rapeseed he planted in the spring and squeezed enough oil for a year. The rest was also bought by other people in the village.
Now the acorn workshop is about to start, and the next step is to sell acorn noodles.
Oats do not have to be chosen. In addition to planting them in his own land, Song Zhenping also planted many thin fields that others did not like, and the harvest was good.
In this way, he felt that he could help his sister.
Seeing that Song Liyun only smiled and said nothing, Song Zhenping quickly opened a pile of straw curtains next to him: "Xiaoyun, look, these are the wild beans I asked someone to collect in the village, and these charcoal..."
As he spoke, he showed Song Liyun the coarse grains and charcoal that he had obtained from someone in the village, like a treasure.
"From now on, when you come back to your parents' house every year, I will prepare a lot of oats, sorghum, beans and charcoal fire for you. You can take it to the grassland to feed the livestock."
"Xiaoyun, no matter what happens in the future, you must remember that I am your brother and this is your home.
Although I am not as capable as you, but now that I have land, my work can support you and Xiao An..."
Song Zhenping's face turned red, and his mouth was always clumsy, but he continued: "If you don't have a good life in the grassland, don't endure it, don't be wronged.
If the worst is possible, go back to Xiaoshi Village. There are houses, land, and Mr. Li here, so you can live a peaceful life.
If Luo Baihu and the others say that we are military households and want to force you, then let me go to Suijin Town to be a military household, and we cannot let you waste your time on the grassland."
Song Liyun's heart felt warm after hearing this, and his eyes felt sore and uncomfortable.
Finding a place to live without being criticized is the only way Song Zhenping can protect his younger brothers and sisters under his wings.