The old scholar, whose surname is Zhao, is eighty-eight in his fifties this year. He passed the college examination at the age of twenty, and it has been thirty-eight years now.
His father died young, so only his mother and wife took care of it and provided for him to study. However, there was no improvement in the examination for decades, and during this period, his mother also became seriously ill. He studied all day long and did not work in production, so he had no savings at all.
Just this time, the old man was gone.
At this point, he gave up his intention to continue his scientific research, and turned around to set up a private school to educate some children from the neighborhood, so as to provide some income for the family.
"Are we going to take the children's examination?" Zhao Laoxiucai was sitting on a stool in the main room. Seeing the situation of this family of four, he thought that his mother had brought his son and daughter-in-law to ask for advice, and he immediately felt a sense of intimacy.
This is how his mother hired him as a husband.
"Have you ever read a book before?"
"I read some at home."
"If you have some basic knowledge, it's not like you can't give it a try." Old scholar Zhao stroked his beard.
He saw that the young man in front of him was wearing an ordinary farmer's bunt, but he had a brilliant temperament. He thought that he had some background in poetry, but he didn't know why he had been delayed, and he had to wait until now to take the exam as a child student.
"The Children's Examination usually starts in February every year. If you prepare well, you should be able to catch up." Looking at the generous gifts piled on the table, Zhao Lao Xiucai said with a smile: "There will be several candidates from my small private school next year."
It’s not difficult to go to the exam and vouch for you.”
Qin Manzhi originally thought that the old scholar spoke slowly and in a formal manner, and she didn't know when she would be able to talk about the guarantee, but she didn't expect that he agreed so quickly. She was so happy that she almost went up to him to worship him.
"It doesn't need to be like this, it doesn't need to be like this."
The old scholar has seen many parents like this, and they all look forward to their sons' success, so he can understand it. He usually has no airs and doesn't like people to come and visit him.
He was easy to talk to, so Qin Manzhi took the courage to help Li Guihua and asked about Meng Xue Shuxiu, and thanked her profusely when she got the answer.
After that, it was getting late, and if we continued talking, we would have to eat, so we didn’t want to miss someone’s meal, so they got up and left.
After leaving the old scholar's house, Qin Manzhi comforted Aman, who was noisy in his arms, and said: "I think the old scholar is a good person. From now on, we will have to visit him during the New Year. What will happen to our brother Ling if he studies?"
I understand, it’s better to come and ask.”
Shen Ling didn't expect Qin Manzhi to think of this. Although with his current level, it was no problem for him to become a scholar, he still bowed down solemnly and bowed, lowering his hands to his knees.
"Thank you, mother, for planning for me."
If they weren't still on the road, based on what Qin Manzhi had done and the words she said with utmost intention for him, Shen Ling would probably have knelt down and kowtowed to her.
"Hey, it's not important, it's not important. As a family, we should take care of each other." Waving his hand, Qin Manzhi pulled the young man to stand up and walked to the front in two steps, leaving a place for the young couple to walk behind.
"I'll go back and copy books in the next few days."
"Is your hand okay?"
"Well, it's okay to take a quarter of an hour to rest for a while, so we can have some peace before going to Songling Town."
It was rare for Shen Ling to reveal his plans.
Zhuang Keqing knew after a moment's thought that he was so anxious because he wanted to do something for this family, so he didn't think about stopping him.
It's just copying books. It's okay. At worst, I'll pour some water on him and give him a hot compress at night, and then massage it, but it won't make him so painful that he can't sleep.
Several people then returned home.
After walking all morning, he didn't have the energy to do anything fancy when he came back. Zhuang Keqing simply baked pancakes, fried some pickles and eggs, rolled them up and ate them directly.
In the afternoon, while Shen Ling was studying silently, Qin Manzhi went to Aunt Li's house next door to talk about Shu Xiu. She simply fed the chicken and ran out again.
"I'm going to the mason's house and I'll be back in a while. Don't worry about me."
Shen Ling was silent for half a page when he heard the girl say this at the window. When he raised his head, he saw no one.
When he thought that the other party had told him to find a stonemason, he knew that he was going to help him with the calligraphy slate, and some enthusiasm surged in his heart. He closed his eyes and calmed down. After calming down, Shen Ling resumed writing. Silent writing.
Everyone is planning for themselves, so he should also work hard.
The days passed quickly.
Shen Ling was copying books at home every day and never went out easily. The neighbors who came to buy tofu or visit the house on weekdays did not see this new son-in-law, and they couldn't help but feel a little strange.
"Why doesn't this Shen boy come out all day? How long has it been?"
"That's right. There's no soil under the soil. I see that Widow Qin is the one who feeds the chickens and cuts the grass at home."
"I don't know what you want to do with this new son-in-law?"
"Bah, what do you know? I want to be a scholar, but I'm not allowed to study every day?"
"Yes, yes, our Erlizi Village has to point to this banker to become a scholar."
At this point, these women who grabbed melon seeds and started to eat them raised their eyebrows and looked like they were laughing.
But they didn't know that Shen Ling got up early these days, learned to push the cart, and helped Zhuang Keqing and his daughter transport soy milk together. He basically did all the other heavy physical work at home that the two of them had to do together. It’s packed.
During the day, he devoted all his energy to copying books and did not waste any money on lamp oil at night.
Zhuang Keqing also agreed. It wasn't that he was reluctant to spend a few pennies on lamp oil, but copying books at night was not good for his eyes. He was young and couldn't hurt his eyes just to save money.
Finally, the day of the Lunar New Year arrived, and this time Zhuang Keqing remembered to prepare the brine-dried beans for Butcher Zhang, plus other bean products sent to the Zhao family and sold on the street, and it was another large cart.
Today she took all her belongings with her, a total of three coins. She planned to sell all her belongings and then collect them together to buy an animal.
Shen Ling's book was to be finished the day before. At this time, it was carefully wrapped in oil paper and carried in his arms.
It was still dark when they set off.
Zhang Datong was not familiar with Shen Ling, so after saying hello, he went to push the trolley and didn't say anything after that.
The cart creaked and creaked as they walked all the way out of the village. It was getting brighter and brighter. Halfway through, Shen Ling was about to get up and get down.
How could Zhang Da be willing? His help was not in vain. The girl also paid her wages. After all, she just hired him to do the work. How could she let her master do the work?
"Uncle Zhang, let Shen Ling give it a try. He will always have to do this job at home in the future. Now that you are here, you can teach him." Zhuang Keqing said this, and then stuffed a still warm egg into it. With his hands wide open, the man was stunned.
We raise a few chickens at home, but no one is willing to cook and eat the eggs. They are all sold at fairs. Even if there are some left over, the old ones and the little ones will have to eat them. Whose turn will it be?
He can hardly remember what eggs taste like.
"This, this." Zhang Da didn't know how to respond to the stall. Shen Ling grabbed it sideways and successfully took the handle of the cart. When he pushed the cart up with a creak, Zhang Da couldn't get his hands on it.
"Hey, hey..."
Zhang Da wanted to go grab it, but Zhuang Keqing spoke again, "Uncle Zhang, this time I want to go to town and buy an animal."
"Buy livestock?" After hearing this, he gave up his intention of continuing to push the cart. But seeing Shen Ling's thin figure, he stretched out his hand to support him.
"Indeed, you should buy a donkey, either a mule or a donkey. However, if you still want this animal to have calves in the future, then buy a donkey. If you don't have to have calves and just work, I think a mule is better."
Zhang Da talked about these things about animals in a clear and logical manner, without his usual dull and talkative behavior. Zhuang Keqing didn't understand this at first, but after hearing what he said, he became somewhat interested.
"Then how about buying a mule?"
The sky was already getting slightly brighter, and the light of dawn was shining through the gaps in the dense leaves on the roadside. Through the thin white mist, beams of thick and transparent light pillars were formed.
The country road had no scenery at all, but at this time, the morning light, mist, green trees, grass, and the smiling girl with rosy cheeks made Shen Ling confused for a moment.
"Shen Ling?"
Zhuang Keqing didn't know why the other party suddenly froze. She stretched out her hand, shook it, and said with a smile, "Do you like little donkeys more?"
Shen Ling lowered his head in embarrassment.
"It's up to you to decide."
It wasn't a special season, or even a charming atmosphere. It was just an ordinary delivery trip. How could I still be thinking like this?
Hearing the sound of a girl discussing with a man, Shen Ling couldn't help but fall into doubts about her own moral character.
