Mu An took Mu Ying to read and write in the yard, while Mu Yunhan squatted in the field to take care of the medicine seedlings. When he saw Mu Er's wife coming back, he said, "Mom is back."
"Yes." Mrs. Mu Er lowered her head and responded before walking into the kitchen with a gloomy look on her face.
Mu An and Mu Ying were unaware. Mu Yunhan frowned, stood up and followed in.
Mrs. Mu wiped her tears with her back to the door.
Mu Yunhan hugged her arm and said, "What's wrong?"
Madam Mu Er lowered her head: "It's nothing. Some dust fell from the roof and got in my eyes."
"I'll go to Gu's house after lunch. I won't recover from my injuries." Mu Yunhan knew something was wrong: "The wheat in the field is almost ripe. Has Mom thought of asking anyone to help?"
"Why don't I invite you to Mrs. Zhang's house? She has a large family and is hard-working." Mrs. Mu's attention was diverted and she forgot to be sad: "I have to buy a few big vats of wheat."
"I know, let's go and do it." Mu Yunhan took the money and went out. He first went to Aunt Zhang to discuss the matter of harvesting wheat: "Fifteen copper coins per person a day, and two meals."
Aunt Zhang readily agreed: "What money do you want? It's just a few acres of land. We have many family members and we are all skilled workers. We can cut it for you in one day."
The Zhang family has a lot of labor. The old couple and their four sons, plus their daughter-in-law and grandson, must have 14 or 5 laborers. With the division of labor and cooperation, the work can be completed in one day.
Mu Yunhan said: "That's not possible. Other families don't need money and only care about food. It's an exchange of labor. Our family has no labor. You must accept the money, otherwise we will have to hire others."
When the Zhang family's eldest daughter-in-law heard about it, she rushed out and said with a smile: "Han girl is so sensible, your mother is so lucky."
This is because they want money. After all, they usually work as helpers, and strong laborers only get ten copper coins a day. It is really rare for women, children and children to get so much.
Aunt Zhang was quite dissatisfied, but her daughter-in-law had already expressed her position, so it was hard to say anything.
Mu Yunhan said: "There's just one thing. My mother is a widow. Her house is small and there aren't that many pots and pans. I'm afraid I have to bother my aunt and sister-in-law to cook at home. We'll give the food, meat and vegetables, and the cooks will be paid.
As usual."
This prevented the Zhang family from coming in and out of her home and discovering the secret of the seedlings.
Cooking can be done anywhere, but it is more convenient to be at home, and there is still money to be paid. The daughters-in-law of the Zhang family laughed heartily: "Why are you so embarrassed?"
Mu Yunhan laughed: "If it's convenient for the sisters-in-law, why don't they help us watch it at night when our house is drying wheat grains, and I won't pay you any extra wages. Is that okay?"
Countryside people have special drying grounds for drying wheat and rice. Unless it rains, harvesting is not done at night. Some ruffians will take the opportunity to steal, so there must be someone to guard it.
It is inconvenient for Mu Yunhan to be an orphan and a widowed mother. Even if he finds a thief stealing wheat at night, he cannot catch up and can only cry in vain.
Mr. Zhang said: "Leave it to us. Without a grain of wheat, I am no longer a human being!"
Mu Yunhan thanked her and asked Aunt Zhang privately: "Did my mother hear any unpleasant gossip?"
Seeing that she couldn't hide it, Aunt Zhang had no choice but to tell her.
Sure enough, he has something to do with the Zhao family and the Wang family.
Mu Yunhan bought five large jars in one go and asked someone to help them take them home. They were not allowed to enter, so they just left them at the door, and then asked Mrs. Mu to come out and help.
The family worked together to push the big vat into the yard and find a place to put it. Mu Yunhan went to Gu's house again. (To be continued)