MTL - Dressed As a Farm Boy, He Cheated on His Way Out of the Desert.

Chapter 30 Giving pillows when you are dozing off

 “I’m not hurt, second brother, please help me.”

Li Laosi was so tired that he only shouted excitedly after unloading the red deer.

"As soon as I entered the mountain, I saw the footprints of the red deer. I chased it to the other side of the mountain and squatted in the grass for a long time before I hunted this red deer. Good guy, I estimate it weighs about four hundred pounds! "

At this moment, Mrs. Li and the others were startled when they heard the noise.

 After confirming that Li Laosi was not injured, everyone gathered around the red deer and were extremely happy.

Tao Hongying quickly took an old cloth to wipe Li Laosi's face and took him back to the house to change clothes.

“It’s really a sleepy pillow! I was worried about asking for a favor because I didn’t have anything to offer as a door-to-door gift. This solves the problem!”

Old Mrs. Li smiled and ordered her sons to work, "Second, second and third son, you two quickly skin the red deer and divide the meat."

“Mom, let’s stew venison tonight! This is good stuff, a great supplement!”

Wu Cuihua looked at the fat and strong red deer with bright eyes. Before Mrs. Li could reply, she was thinking about herself again.

“I’m going to the county to call Ergouzi back. Anyway, our whole family can’t finish the venison, so I’ll ask him to take some away...”

 “How dare you!” Old Mrs. Li stared at her and pointed at her angrily and cursed.

“You shameless thing, I’m not dead yet, it’s your turn to take charge of the family? If you dare to recruit Wu Er back, I’ll kick you two sisters out!”

Wu Cuihua shivered in fright, quickly shrank her neck, and did not dare to say anything more.

Everyone pretended not to hear or see, and helped fetch water and find buckets. After working for almost an hour, the red deer finally separated from its skin and flesh.

 Put the skinned deer skin and antlers aside and sell them to the county tomorrow morning.

Divide the remaining venison into two halves, cut one half into more than ten small pieces, and let Li Laosan take the children to deliver a piece to each house.

The remaining half of the venison must also be divided. The family will eat one piece and leave a few pieces hanging at the mouth of the well to keep fresh.

 The most important thing is to put a big piece for Li Laoer and Jiaren, and some apples and pears.

Then I asked Sister-in-law Zhang to lead the way, and together we went to her natal home to inquire about the academy.

Jiaren was also lucky. It happened that Zhang Ersao's nephew came home to pick up something, and he happened to meet him.

Hearing that Jiaren also wanted to study in the academy, the family received the father and son politely.

 Zhang Ersao's maiden name is Chen, and she comes from a well-to-do family.

The yard is large and neat, and it is said that there are many fields. No wonder it can afford to study for the children.

 Zhang Ersao's nephew is named Chen Feng. He has been studying for more than three years. He is polite and courteous. He is very gentle in dealing with others and has no airs.

The elder sister-in-law of the Chen family was also enthusiastic. She brought snacks and tea from the backyard and greeted her sister-in-law and Li Laoer and his son.

"Look, you're here now. Why are you bringing so many things? They all belong to the villagers. Sit down quickly. Are you tired from walking all the way?"

Li Laoer said a few polite words. Seeing that the Chen family men were not here, he didn't want to talk much, so he got straight to the point and mentioned what he wanted to say.

"Sister-in-law, we are here this time to ask Mr. Chen about the academy. My son is also old enough, and our family wants to send him to study."

 “Ah, it’s not a big deal.”

 Sister-in-law Chen waved her hand and quickly signaled her son to speak.

 Chen Feng saw that everyone was looking at him, so he started to introduce them slowly.

"Our academy is located in the west of the county seat. It is called Hanbo Academy. The dean is a retired teacher from the county. He is knowledgeable, rigorous and very responsible. There are now forty-three students in the academy. They have been studying for several years and have never passed the Tongsheng test. Yes. We can eat and live in the academy, and if it’s close to home, we can also study on a day trip.”

 He subconsciously glanced at Jiaren and said again.

"If you want to live and eat in the academy, you have to pay 300 wen a month. The pens, ink and paper you need to read and write every month are also 300 wen. The end of the month is 500 wen. In total, each student needs at least one or two taels a month. silver.

Every festival or teacher’s birthday, you have to prepare additional gifts. It depends on your heart, but it shouldn’t be too shabby. ”    As expected, Li Jiaren frowned after hearing this and tugged on Li Laoer's sleeve.

“Dad, some of them are too expensive, let’s go home and discuss it.”

Li Laoer smiled and nodded, stood up and thanked the Chen family's mother and son before leaving.

Sister-in-law Chen could not keep them and her son, but she allowed Sister-in-law Zhang to stay for one night.

 After leaving the Chen family yard, the father and son walked half way in silence before Li Lao Er spoke to his son.

"Son, one tael of silver is not much. Dad will go to the county town in a while to find an errand to support your education. You are still young, follow the family's arrangements, and don't say you won't study in the future. Dad is not capable, but he wants you to make a career. Shining on the lintel."

 “Dad…” Li Jiaren’s eyes were slightly red and he didn’t know what to say.

 After returning home, Li Laoer relayed everything about the academy to the Li family. Everyone was stunned after hearing this.

It is indeed a bit expensive. You have to know that a family’s monthly expenses for firewood, rice, oil, and salt will not cost more than a tael of silver.

 The room was silent for a while, and Li Laosi was the first to speak loudly.

"No matter how expensive it is, we still need to educate our children. Our family can afford it! I will continue to hunt in the mountains tomorrow. The money I get from hunting a fox is enough for my eldest nephew to study for three months!"

 “Yes, I can also go out and do some masonry work, and the wages are quite good.” Li Laosan also supported it.

“Tomorrow Hongying and I will finish the work at home and go pick dry goods and sell them in the county town. We can also make money.”

Even Zhao Yuru, who has always been a man of few words, also expressed his stance.

Several children even jumped up and shouted, "We can also help, earn money to buy paper and pen for my eldest brother."

Jiayin was held in the arms of Mrs. Li. Seeing the family so united, she couldn't help but get excited.

She waved her little hands and shouted, firmly voting in favor.

Jiaren is fair and fair, smart and polite, and likes to read. We can’t let such a good seedling go to waste!

 She has to work hard to get food for the family so that her eldest brother can study!

Jiaren could not help but wipe his tears and once again promised Mrs. Li and the whole family that he would never let down the family's expectations.

Orange Mrs. Li wiped her eldest grandson’s tears.

“Studying is for understanding. It’s better to get ahead. Even if you don’t pass the exam, it’s better to be able to find a way to support your family like your father.”

Jiaren nodded heavily, "Milk, I remember it."

 Zhao Yuru and Tao Hongying started working that night, preparing bedding, clothes and some daily necessities for Jiaren.

Early the next morning, Li Laoer picked up a piece of venison, a pair of rabbits and a pair of pheasants as a meeting gift for his husband, and set off for the county town with Jiaren.

 Li Laosi is going with him. He wants to sell the deer antlers and skins.

Li Laosan was not idle either. He took Jiayi and others to build houses for several families in the village.

Li Laoer and his son found the door of Hanbo Academy according to the address mentioned by Chen Feng.

Before entering, he heard the sound of reading loudly. Li Jiaren was excited when he thought that he would study here in the future.

 The old man guarding the gate was quite kind. After getting a few pennies, he went to help find Chen Feng.

 Chen Feng originally thought that Li Jiaren would not come, but he did not expect an unexpected surprise.

"It's great that you are here. Come with me to see the teacher. Class hasn't started yet."

 He led Li Laoer and his son into the academy and whispered on the way.

 (End of this chapter)