The Little First Grand Secretary in My House

by Usui Takumii

not mine novel hall and isohungry.

5. 21 to 25

What good can we do at this time?

Zhao'er had vigilance in his eyes.

Xue Tao'er ran over, leaned closer and whispered, "Isn't my aunt's father, he said he wants to talk to the dog."

Xue Tingxiang also heard the movement outside the room and came out.

"Don't go, I'll push." Zhao'er knew that it would be no good for Yang Zhong to find a young man because of his elder status. What about the previous incident?

"No problem."

Having said this, Zhao'er was taken aback for a moment, and Xue Tingxiang remembered that he would never speak like this in normal times.

He smiled and said, "It's okay, you're still afraid that I won't succeed if he eats it."

"Can……"

At this time, Xue Tingxiang had already passed her to the main room, so she could only follow in a hurry.

Here in the main room, as expected, the wine is in full swing.

Yang Zhong's white and chubby face was flushed from drinking, and he looked like he was slightly drunk. Mr. Xue's dark red face glowed red under the light. Xue Qingshan also sat on the side, along with Xue Juncai, Xue Qingbai and Xue Qinghuai.

Women are not at the table.

Seeing Xue Tingxiang walking in, Yang Zhong said: "Our little talent is here, come and let me see."

He waved his hands, not treating himself as an outsider at all, and when Xue Tingxiang approached, he opened a pair of drunken eyes and looked up and down: "I don't see anything changed, how did you become so promising?"

As soon as these words were sarcasm, the court immediately fell silent.

Xue Qingshan focused on eating vegetables between his sandwiches, as if he didn't hear him. Xue Juncai seemed to be sitting upright, but in fact he was looking at this place intentionally or unintentionally.

The rest of the Xue family were a little embarrassed, especially Mr. Xue, his face was a little stiff, but he hesitated to speak.

Zhao'er was about to attack, when Xue Qinghuai suddenly stood up, smiled and picked up the wine bowl: "My father-in-law, I respect you for a bowl, this wine is brewed by my father himself, and most people can't drink it when they come here. Don't look at your old man When I came, I quickly dug a jar and said to drink a few more bowls with you."

Yang Zhong looked at Xue Qinghuai with a smile, and without hesitation, he picked up the wine bowl and drank it down in one gulp, and ate a few mouthfuls of food. Taking advantage of the situation, Xue Qinghuai hurriedly winked at Zhao'er and Xue Tingxiang, telling them to leave quickly.

Xue Tingxiang smirked slightly, and planned to take Zhao'er away, and listened to Yang Zhong before he even took a step.

"What's the matter? Why is the elder leaving before he finished talking? Although I am not your own grandfather, I am also your own grandfather. Is this old man not paying attention to me, or what?"

The hat was buttoned too big, Zhao'er was about to say something, Xue Tingxiang gave her a hand.

He took two steps forward, pretending to be listening respectfully: "Since my in-laws and grandpas have taught me, I will just listen to you." After a pause, he continued: "It's just that my in-laws and grandpas are also scholars, so I think they know how to be rude. reason"

"According to what you little brat thinks, as an elder, I can't say that you are a junior?"

The smell of alcohol came straight to Xue Tingxiang's face, and there was also a strange smell of various vegetables mixed in it.

Xue Tingxiang did not evade, and nodded calmly: "Naturally."

"Hey! Look! It's really different."

Yang Zhong tapped Xue Tingxiang a few times with his finger, and looked at the rest of Xue's family with a smirk, and the villain first complained: "In-law, is this your family's tutor?"

It was obvious that Yang Zhong was here to make trouble, and of course it was for Xue Juncai. When he came back from Lizheng's house before, Mr. Xue guessed that the big room would definitely make a fuss, but he didn't expect that the fuss should be here.

In fact, as the son and daughter-in-law, how could the married couple blatantly quarrel with Mr. Xue? After all, they swore before that whoever wins will go, and whoever loses should not complain. And Yang Zhong, as Xue Juncai's grandfather, couldn't be more appropriate to stand in for him. If it works, it's good, if it doesn't, it won't hurt the relationship between father and son.

"relatives by marriage……"

Mr. Xue was about to speak, but was interrupted by Xue Tingxiang's voice.

"Although my parents are both deceased, there are my grandfather, uncles, and other elders of the Xue family. Even if there is something wrong, it is not up to people of other surnames to point fingers here. Although my grandfather and my family are connected I want to kiss you, but I definitely didn't go to the Xue family's table, eat the Xue family's food, and scold the Xue family for their reasons."

Because there are guests, candles are rarely lit in the house, which illuminates the room brightly.

Standing in the middle, the boy is thin and thin, but he is tall and straight. He was wearing a shabby clothes, the cuffs and the front of the clothes were a little white, but it made people feel an inviolable aura.

"Could this be the way of in-laws and grandpas being guests? One day when I, the Xue family, went to your house as guests, I would point and point at the Yang family, and be eccentric. Presumably, my in-laws and grandpas would not be angry. After all, coming here is not indecent. Thanks ah Master is always the junior in the family and talks about his in-laws and grandpas, but the boy is only his in-laws and grandpas, he is a literati, he is respected by the younger generation as a person who understands etiquette, now it seems that it is nothing more than that!"

"you--"

There was silence in the room, and no one thought that Xue Tingxiang would explode on the spot regardless of his seniority.

Xue Qingshan stopped eating, and suddenly felt restless.

But he didn't stand up to speak for his father-in-law. Xue Tingxiang's hat was too big, which brought the face of the whole Xue family and even the Xue clan. If he speaks for it, he is echoing the fact that the face of the Xue family can be trampled on the ground by the Yang family.

In particular, this is not in line with what he planned.

Yang Zhong's face was flushed red, and his lips trembled with anger: "You kid, you dare to teach your elders a lesson at such a young age."

"Don't dare! A gentleman is harmonious but different, and a villain is the same but not harmonious. The boy is just telling the truth. I also hope that the in-laws and grandparents should be cautious in their words and deeds, so that they can be the appearance of a gentleman."

This is teaching myself through the words of the sage!

Yang Zhong laughed back angrily, and pointed at him with his finger: "Okay, okay, it's really amazing. After studying for a few days, people are different. You really think that it's a big deal if you win the handsome talent today, even if you furious."

"A gentleman has nothing to fight for, and he will definitely shoot! When he bows and rises, he goes down to drink, and his fight is also a gentleman."

This sentence comes from the eight chapters of "The Analects of Confucius". It roughly means that a gentleman will not argue about anything. If there is a dispute, it must be upholding the way of a gentleman. Neither humble nor overbearing, neither angry nor complaining, and having fun with wine after the competition is the battle between gentlemen. It's not that you must be flushed in the face, like a black-eyed chicken, that would be out of style.

It is about being a person and dealing with affairs, and at the same time, it is using the words of the saints to ridicule Yang Zhong for not having the manners and tolerance of his elders, and to make things difficult for his juniors in order to protect his grandson.

There were only four scholars present, and the others were all at a loss. They could only see that Xue Tingxiang was not at a disadvantage, but Yang Zhong was so angry that his seven orifices seemed to be smoking.

Forget about Yang Zhong, Xue Qingshan and his son couldn't help being a little bit surprised when he was angry.

You must know that although Xue Tingxiang has studied the Four Books, he only understands the superficiality and does not understand the meaning of the scriptures. But just now he uttered two sentences in a row, both of which are from the Four Books, and if he didn't understand the meaning of the scriptures, how could he use them to harm others.

Could it be that someone taught him behind his back? No wonder his performance was so unexpected today.

And right at this moment, other changes took place in the field.

It was Yang Zhong who stood up in anger and wanted to teach Xue Tingxiang a lesson, but was stopped by Mr. Xue, Xue Qinghuai and Xue Qingbai.

"Well, you little bastard, you have learned to swear before your hair grows."

"A gentleman does not mirror water, but mirrors people. Mirroring water, the appearance of meeting, mirroring people, you can know good and bad, but if you want to come to your relatives and grandpas, you don't understand this sentence."

Xue Tingxiang had a smile on his face, obviously there was nothing wrong with that smile, even a bit shy, and his words were gentle and polite, but it made people taste a bit ironic.

"I know if I understand you or not, I know you are swearing, I must teach you a lesson today!" Yang Zhong struggled to raise his hand, and at this moment, a violent shout sounded in vain.

"Father-in-law!"

It was Mr. Xue who spoke.

"My father-in-law, I respect your in-laws, but this is my Xue family!"

Mr. Xue's complexion was very ugly. He had been tolerant just now because of the other party's identity, but Xue Tingxiang was right. There was a whole family sitting in the room, all of whom were surnamed Xue. There was absolutely no reason for someone surnamed Yang to teach others a lesson. .

No matter how much the family makes trouble, it is wrong for outsiders to intervene.

There was silence in the room, only the sound of Yang Zhong panting heavily.

The sound of a stool falling to the ground sounded, and it was Xue Qingshan who stood up.

At this time, Yang Shi, who had been hiding in the house, also ran out, and said angrily and anxiously: "Father, what are you doing! Why did you drink some wine and start to make trouble."

She explained to the dark-faced old man Xue: "Father, don't blame me, my father is like this, when he starts to drink. Oh, father, what do you think you are making a fuss about?" Then she complained to Xue Qingshan: " Juncai's father, and you too, why don't you stop him from making trouble like this."

Yang Zhongdao: "I'm making trouble, what's wrong with me?! Xue Lianxing, don't forget what you promised me back then. Juncai is your eldest grandson, so you plan to let it go?"

"Father, stop talking, I'll help you down to rest."

The Dafang couple, one on the left and the other on the right, helped Yang Zhong out, and Yang Zhong seemed to be really drunk, shouting that you should really let go, and stumbled and was helped out by the couple.

Because of this commotion, the Xue family was extremely quiet afterwards.

Mrs. Zhou originally asked Zhao'er and the two of them to eat, but they said they had eaten, so they went back to the house.

A table of food and wine, only half eaten, old man Xue sat there alone, eating food and drinking wine, no one dared to disturb.

Mrs. Zhao hid in the back room, don't look at her usually yelling at Mr. Xue, but when Mr. Xue really got angry, she didn't dare to make trouble.

Xue Qinghuai walked to the table and sat down, saying: "Father, it's getting late, let's rest early."

Mr. Xue nodded, but when he put down his chopsticks, he sighed again.

Xue Qinghuai couldn't help but persuaded: "Father, don't think too much."

"Look at the eldest couple. Why don't you remember your kindness? The second has only been dead for a few years. Even if the child is not sensible, there is no need to do so."

Xue Qinghuai understood what the old man meant, but he couldn't answer these words well, so he could only say awkwardly: "Maybe the eldest brother and sister-in-law don't know that the in-laws guild will make such a fuss."

Mr. Xue snorted, but did not speak.

"But Gouzi didn't suffer, you see he was mad at sister-in-law."

Hearing this, Mr. Xue couldn't help but twitch his eyebrows and eyes: "I followed the second child."

Xue Qingsong has this kind of temperament, usually taciturn, but don't push him into a hurry, he can surprise everyone.

"This big family has been living in harmony and beauty, but it's getting more and more difficult." Mr. Xue sighed, probably because he drank some wine, and his emotions were particularly leaking.

Xue Qinghuai didn't respond.

After a long time, Mr. Xue sighed: "Let your wife clean up this table, and you should go and rest earlier."

"Hey, I'll let her clean it up

---

In the second room, Zhao'er went to pour some hot water, and after washing their feet, they went to rest on the kang.

A big Kang, two quilts, one for each person.

But Zhao'er couldn't sleep today, and when she came back from the main room, she was a little excited.

She rolled over and over again.

"You do not sleep?"

It is reasonable to say that they would not rest so early, but today both of them have been busy all day, so they turned off the lights after recruiting children to go to the kang. However, there is a moon outside, and you can still see clearly in the room.

Zhao'er sat up halfway, and moved to Xue Tingxiang's side.

"Dog, tell me what you meant when you scolded that old killer just now?"

Zhao'er knows how to swear, and has sweared before, but she has never seen such a method of swearing, and Yang Zhong is so annoyed by the swearing, and Xue's family doesn't even know how to persuade him. From Zhao'er's point of view, isn't this the culmination of swearing, can you swear without uttering dirty words?

She wanted to learn this method, and it would come in handy.

Xue Tingxiang turned over and gave her a backbone.

Zhao'er poked his shoulder with her finger: "What's wrong? Why are you angry again?"

He didn't move, and she moved closer.

The two of them were only separated by one person, and they wore thin clothes when they slept. Zhao'er leaned over, and even though Xue Tingshan had his back on his back, he could feel a wave of hot air rushing towards him, mixed with a wisp of faint fragrance.

There was a strange softness slightly attached to his shoulders, Xue Tingshan's back was stiff, and she heard her say on top of her head: "Don't take that old killer's words to heart, it's not that I said uncle and aunt are too narrow-minded." It's too much, and even made such a fuss, do you really think that grandpa will regret it? Even if the family doesn't say anything, there are still so many people watching outside, so don't worry, we'll go to the school to make a decision."

She was very close to him, and the heat of her words sprayed on the tips of his ears, making him shiver again and again. At the same time, a hot numbness rushed from the tips of his ears to his neck, causing waves of unconscious trembling.

His breathing was a little tight, and he couldn't help turning over.

Zhao'er was still talking, and she didn't expect that he would turn over suddenly, and his face just crashed into her arms.

Xue Tingxiang's brain went blank for a moment, and he subconsciously fell backwards. It is obvious that it is about to leave at the touch of a touch, but it clearly feels a suffocating softness, and there is something faintly raised.

He recalled some situations in the dream, and he only felt his nose was hot, as if something flowed out.

"Are you alright?" Zhao'er heard a thud, saw him motionless, thought that something was wrong with him being bumped, hurriedly leaned over to look at his face.

"Why are you panicking! Really. Come on, let me rub it for you."

He covered his nose with one hand and pushed her with the other: "I'm fine, it doesn't hurt." He quickly turned over and said falteringly: "It's getting late, go to sleep."

"You haven't told me what you mean by that!"

"It doesn't mean anything, just let him take a pee and take a picture of himself!"

"Ah?!" Zhao'er was stunned, and said after a while, "So that's what he meant, then you just let him take a pee and take a picture of yourself, and you said so much."

Seeing that he didn't answer himself, Zhao'er sat for a while and then lay down.

"Okay, go to bed now, I won't disturb you anymore."

Yang Zhong stayed at Xue's house for one night and left the next day.

Because it was rushing to the busy farming season, the Xue family resumed their usual work, and no one mentioned the previous incident, as if nothing happened that night.

Everything is so busy yet full of peace.

On this day, Xue Tingxiang and Zhao'er went to town early in the morning.

Different from the past, today Xue Tingxiang wore new clothes.

The clothes were brought out overnight by Zhao'er, because Boss Chen said that he would take Xue Tingxiang to Qingyuan Academy. This trip is very meaningful, so naturally it can't be as casual as before.

The gray-blue cotton gown was made by Zhao'er after imitating those school shirts in the town. Although the style is simple, it looks extraordinarily straight and docile after being washed with starch. Although Xue Tingxiang is thin and thin, his shoulders are flat and his back is straight. Wearing this student shirt, he has a particularly graceful temperament.

When they arrived at the place, Boss Chen took Xue Tingxiang out, while Zhao'er stayed at Dongliju.

The two of them went all the way to the east of the town, the more secluded they became as they went outside, and after walking for almost a cup of tea, they saw a building with white walls and black tiles standing at the end of their line of sight.

Seeing Xue Tingxiang's gaze resting on the building, Boss Chen said: "That is the Qinghe Academy." After a pause, he raised his hand and pointed to a building not far behind the Qinghe Academy: "That is the Qinghe Academy. Academy."

The two walked forward and passed Qinghe Academy, and saw that this academy was really extraordinary. The whole building exudes a magnificent temperament, the gate tower stands majestically, with a few golden characters "Qinghe Academy" written on the door plaque, and the two black-painted gates are closed tightly, with a look of repelling people thousands of miles away. momentum.

"It's too late for you to regret it now." Boss Chen said.

Following the sound of talking, the two of them crossed the Qinghe Academy, only to see the obviously much dilapidated small courtyard not far away.

The small courtyard is rigorous and simple, with clear water and white walls, and gray and black tiles. Even the door plaque is much smaller than that of the Qinghe Academy, with a few simple big-character books on it——

Qingyuan Academy.

Obviously, no matter where you look at it, it is not as good as the Qinghe Academy, but standing under the square door plaque and looking at the words on it, Xue Tingxiang felt a peaceful and peaceful atmosphere.

"Since the kid is here, I don't intend to regret it."

Boss Chen glanced at him appreciatively, and went to call the door.

Not long after, an elderly Zhaifu opened the door from the inside.

He seemed to know Boss Chen, and he led the two of them in without asking too much.

This school may not seem big, but it is actually small but well-equipped. It is the same as a general school. After passing the screen wall, there is a lecture hall on the central axis. There are two houses on the left and right sides. The temple on the left is built to worship the saint Confucius, and the house on the right is the place where the gentleman sits and rests and collects books.

After the lecture hall, there must be a shooting garden, a hall, a kitchen, etc. Xue Tingxiang knew the layout without looking. Because in his dream, he studied in Qinghe Academy for several years, but Qinghe Academy is much more spacious and grand than Qingyuan Academy.

Boss Chen led Xue Tingxiang to the right side of the house with ease, and when he reached a wing room, he straightened his clothes and sleeves, and then brought Xue Tingxiang in.

This wing room is furnished in a simple and elegant way, and there is a large painting on the central hall facing it, on which are written the words 'peace and distance'. Standing in front of the words was a thin middle-aged man, wearing a dark blue scribe shirt and a square scarf.

When he heard the movement, he turned around, and saw that he had long eyebrows, a thin face, and a few strands of beard. Judging from his appearance, he is a very serious and rigid person, but his eyes are calm and deep, obviously a person of great wisdom.

This person is Lin Miao, the owner of Qingyuan Academy.

"Brother Anqi, I'm here to bother you again." Boss Chen cupped his hands with a smile.

"The good brother of Mo."

Lin Miao smiled, obviously he had a good relationship with Boss Chen. After the two exchanged pleasantries, Boss Chen pointed to Xue Tingxiang and said, "This is the young man I told you about."

Lin Miao looked over.

Obviously Xue Tingxiang has extensive knowledge, and he has never seen any kind of person in that dream, even the Ninth Five-Year Master, he has seen several, but there is an inexplicable sense of awe.

"Boy Xue Tingxiang, I have met you." He clasped his hands together and bowed in salute.

Lin Miao nodded: "Since you're here, stay here. The school will open in ten days, so you can just come here when it's time."

"Mr. Xie."

Boss Chen glanced at Lin Miao, as if he wanted to say something, seeing this, Xue Tingxiang tactfully said that he was going out for a walk, so he avoided going out.

After Xue Tingxiang went out, Boss Chen said: "Brother An Qi, don't you believe in the eyes of a younger brother? I have observed these days, and this son has a calm mind, is diligent and hardworking, and is quite talented in reading. He only needs one A good teacher, if there is a good teacher to guide, I think the future will be limitless in the future."

The reason why Boss Chen said that was because Lin Miao's performance was too plain. He originally thought that Lin Miao loves calligraphy, and after reading Xue Tingxiang's calligraphy, and his lobbying, he should accept him as a student no matter what.

This student is different from the students in the academy, and can be regarded as a student entering the room. As the saying goes, a teacher for a day is a father for life. A young child has more than one teacher from the beginning of school until he takes the first exam.

When you start learning, you are called a teacher, that is, a teacher of enlightenment. The karma teacher is the teacher who teaches the karma, also known as the scripture teacher. Those who teach their work must pass on their scriptures, and those who pass on their scriptures must educate their people, so a teacher is extremely important to a student. There are also human teachers and seat teachers, which will not be mentioned here.

As for what Boss Chen said about "accepting students", the teacher is more like a combination of a professional teacher and a human teacher to students. He not only needs to teach them, but also teaches them the principles of life, which is different from treating ordinary students. The teacher has to cultivate it carefully, and it can be regarded as inheriting his mantle.

Of course, students have to pay relatively, and they must truly be teachers for one day and fathers for life. This kind of relationship is not father and son, but victory is father and son, which is very popular among scholars today. The intertwined relationship among scholars in Shilin was laid on this basis, and gradually developed into a towering tree.

Lin Miao laughed: "You really value him very much."

Boss Chen sneered: "If I didn't miss you, you would think that I have the time to meddle in your business. Don't forget the October competition, if Qingyuan Academy loses again this year..."

Boss Chen didn't say what he said next, but Lin Miao understood what it meant.

He sighed softly: "Everything is determined by God, if it is the case in reality, you can't force it."

Boss Chen repeatedly shook his head and stomped his feet and said, "Oh, I'm not talking about you. Your temperament is the most troublesome. You talk about the way of a gentleman with others, but others never follow you. Year after year They were all defeated by that villain, and now there are no good seedlings who are willing to come here to study, what should we do in the long run."

"Brother Mo Zhi, you don't understand."

"Yes, yes, I don't understand, I just know that if this continues, the reputation of the Qingyuan Academy will be lost in your hands."

After finishing speaking, both of them were silent.

Lin Miao looked tired, and Boss Chen seemed to know that he had made a slip of the tongue. He slowed down his tone, and said, "I can't do anything about you. Anyway, I brought him for you. I'm really optimistic about this child. As for the rest, you can figure it out yourself."

Lin Miao nodded: "Brother Mo Zhi, thank you in advance for my brother, but the matter of accepting apprentices will be discussed later. Don't worry, he has entered the Qingyuan Academy, and I will teach him carefully."

Boss Chen also understood where his heart knot was, and he didn't force it. The two chatted for a while, and Boss Chen said goodbye.

When Boss Chen came out of the wing, Xue Tingxiang had just returned.

He was taken by Zhaifu to wander around the school, and he could see that the school was a bit old, and the paint on many buildings was peeling off, but every flower, plant and tree could be seen to be elegant.

It's like a place to study, unlike the Qinghe Academy, where there is a smell of copper everywhere.

The two left hand in hand, Xue Tingxiang asked Boss Chen about Shu Xiu on the way.

After asking about it, I found out that the repairs at Qingyuan Academy are very cheap, apart from the usual six rites of apprenticeship, only one tael of silver is needed a year.

As for the usual etiquette of filial piety, it only depends on family background and intentions, and it doesn't matter whether you give it or not. In addition, regarding the dormitory study, you can choose to do the dormitory study or not, but you must come to the morning study every day. As for meals, you can choose to bring your own rice, or you can choose to pay a certain amount of money every month and have it supplied by the school, both of which are debatable.

It's not like the Qinghe Academy that requires students to live in dormitories, just to charge the expensive accommodation and meals.

According to Boss Chen, in the past, when the Qingyuan Academy had court subsidies, the annual tael of silver was not collected. It was only later that the subsidies were lost, and the gentlemen and handymen in the academy had to support their families before they were charged. Silver taels.

Boss Chen sighed in his tone, and Xue Tingxiang also sighed in his heart.

In his dream, 'Xue Tingxiang' had been studying in the Qinghe Academy for three years. If he had known about the existence of this Qingyuan Academy, Zhao'er would not have been so busy for his training. It would not be so desperate to give up, and he would not waste three years in Qinghe Academy.

Fortunately, the reality and the dream finally deviated, and the inexplicable Xue Tingxiang felt relieved.

---

After lunch, Xue's family members went to rest, and Mrs. Zhou cleaned up the place and went back to the house.

When he entered the door, he saw a man leaning on the kang. Xue Qingbai was really tired after working in the field all morning.

Seeing his daughter-in-law coming in, Xue Qingbai said: "You are tired, come and have a rest."

"I'm used to doing anything when I'm tired." Zhou said as he took off his shoes and got on the kang. She sat cross-legged next to Xue Qingbai's lap, pressed his calf that was as hard as a stone, and said with some distress: "But you, if you really can't do it, just take a rest, and I won't rush you to do that. By the way, please help me." What the hell are you talking about, why haven't you seen dad talking about it?"

The Xue family has 30 acres of land, and the few men in the Xue family alone are not enough. Even when the second eldest Xue Qingsong was still there, he would hire a few helpers in the village every year during the busy farming season.

They are all from the folks in the village, so we can't let people help them all the time. This principle applies everywhere, so Xue's family always spends money to hire people. This matter is old calendar, and it stands to reason that there should have been some movement, but this year is a surprise, and the seeds will be planted soon, but Mr. Xue has not made any movement.

When this matter was mentioned, Xue Qingbai frowned.

He hesitated for a moment: "I see Dad looks like that, maybe he doesn't want to invite someone this time."

"Don't want to invite people? Don't want to invite people, so what should I do?" Zhou's face was a little ugly, "In such a place, if you don't invite people, won't you be exhausted to death?"

Xue Qingbai smacked his mouth: "I don't think the family can afford the money."

Hearing this, Zhou's face became even uglier.

Xue Taoer was in the back room, and she had heard her father and mother talking for a long time. She couldn't help but came out of the room and said, "Father, how could the family not be able to get this money. One person pays 30 yuan a day regardless of food, and please pay five yuan at a time." Well, it's less than a tael of silver to do it for five or six days. If it's spending money, isn't money more important than people? Maybe it's because of the trouble in the big house before, grandpa still wants to send Xue Juncai to school, That's how it is."

"Thirty acres of land, three people planting, dad is trying to exhaust you to death!" Zhou's voice was full of tears.

Although Xue Qinghuai, the fourth son, also helps in farming, he still has a job as a peddler. Being a peddler is easier than farming and earning money. This old business couple will never let them stop. However, Mr. Xue is getting older, and his hands and feet are no longer as agile as before. That is to say, Xue Qingbai is the one who works hard on the 30-odd acres of land.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Dad will also go to the ground. Maybe this is all my wild imagination. Dad is planning to do this."

With a sneer on the corner of Zhou's mouth, he didn't speak.

Xue Taoer's face was full of resentment.

Xue Qingbai touched his head uncomfortably: "Okay, don't worry, I will mention this to Dad later."

"Anyway, you can figure it out on your own, and you're exhausted, leaving us orphans and widows. Think about the second brother and second sister-in-law gone, what's the dog's life like! Xue Qingbai, don't forget, you also have a son people!"

After Zhou finished speaking, she took her daughter into the back room.

This is the always virtuous Mrs. Zhou, the first time he said such harsh words in front of Xue Qingbai, he couldn't react for a while, and it took a long time to show a bit of bitterness on his face.

On the way back from the field in the afternoon, Xue Qingbai mentioned to Mr. Xue about hiring part-time workers.

Xue Qingbai was usually a taciturn person at home, and he always only worked and didn't talk. It was the first time he said such superfluous words in front of Mr. Xue, probably because he knew what Mr. Xue was thinking in his heart, and he felt a little uncomfortable.

Mr. Xue looked at his three sons.

Compared with the eldest and fourth children, the third child looked much older. Although he was born with a tall figure and good facial features, there were many fine lines on his face that did not match his age.

This is the result of being exposed to the sun for a long time in the ground. It is the skin that has faded layer by layer, and the dryness that lacks moisture all the year round, so that this kind of fine lines are produced, as long as people who plan and eat in the soil all year round are like this .

He was dark and thin, because he had just returned from the field, his clothes were drenched with sweat, and his face was greasy. Obviously it's only less than March now, and ordinary people have to wear jackets.

Old Master Xue's eyes darkened, and his already slightly hunched back bent downward. He smiled wryly: "Dad is too naive. He always thinks that the family is not well-off and he can do something, but he forgets that people are not hard-working. Dad will go to the village and ask later to see if there is any idler to invite. Come back a few."

Hearing what Mr. Xue said, Xue Qingbai was even more embarrassed. He stomped on the ground with his feet in straw sandals, and then rubbed his palm again: "Father, if it doesn't work, let's do it ourselves first, and wait until we can't do it."

Mr. Xue straightened up and said loudly, "Please. You take the cow back, and Dad will go to the village to ask."

When the sun was about to set, Xue Qinghuai came back from the outside with a pick.

As soon as he entered the gate, he bumped into a few men from the village, turned his head and told Mr. Xue that he would come early in the morning, and walked out. After greeting each other, he put the pick into the barn and went back to the house.

Seeing him coming back, Mrs. Sun went to fetch water for him to freshen up.

While Xue Qinghuai was washing up, she suppressed her voice and said, "Father came back from the field in the afternoon, so he went to the village to hire someone, and I guessed that Sanfang couldn't help it, and told Dad about it. "

Xue Qinghuai wiped her body and said, "I should invite someone, but I will talk about this matter if the third brother doesn't talk about it, so I don't have to exhaust everyone."

Sun spat and said: "Don't get meddled in this matter, just wait and see. Don't think that the third sister-in-law is usually silent, she has something in her heart. I thought she couldn't hold back and wanted to take this risk. Head, really can't bear it!"

"Look at what you're talking about. Don't you feel sorry for your man? Don't I need to do the work in the field?"

Mrs. Sun stopped talking immediately.

Xue Qinghuai glanced at her: "It's not that I said you, you put your mind on the business, and the whole family insists on arguing about the merits, are you tired?"

Mrs. Sun didn't want to listen: "You think I'm so tired. I don't want to offend your elder brother. I plan to wait for Maodan to be two years older. I beg my elder brother to teach him. Maybe Maodan has that ability. If you can pass the exam for a child-born scholar, you naturally don't want to offend Da Fang."

Xue Qinghuai didn't take it seriously: "You don't need to beg for Maodan's study, and he will naturally be able to enter the private school of big brother when he reaches his age."

Sun gave him a supercilious look: "Are you stupid or not, is it the same to teach with your heart or not to teach with your heart? Look at the handsome boy in the big house, and then look at the dog. They are also taught by the big brother. Why? Gouzi has learned less than handsome talent? Which master will teach his apprentice not to keep a good hand, isn't he afraid that if he teaches Gouzi, he will make the handsome boy less obvious."

"But this time it was Gouzi who won against Juncai."

Sun stifled: "Who knows what kind of shit luck he has had, he has not won for so many years, and he won in that day. Besides, even if he is a dog, if the second brother and sister-in-law are not gone, you will be your eldest brother." Teach him with heart. Look at Shuan Zi from Sanfang, he is not too young. Your elder brother always says he is stupid. From my point of view, Shuan Zi will come back to help the family in the fields in a few years. Yes. I don't want my idiot to come back to work early and work hard for others all my life, and people still think you smell like sweat."

Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghuai's face immediately darkened.

Sun's words hit his mind. In fact, among the brothers of the Xue family, except for the youngest Xue Qingbai who is a bit dull, the other three brothers are not bad at thinking.

Xue Qinghuai is more than ten years younger than Xue Qingshan. When he started to understand, his eldest brother was the cusp of his parents. He only spent his days in the room reading and learning, and he didn't have to do any work.

No one knew that Xue Qinghuai wanted to study very much. When he was a child, he helped the family herd cows. He took the opportunity to go to a private school in a neighboring village to eavesdrop on the teacher's lectures to the students, but he knew that it was impossible for him to study. , can no longer afford another one.

The second brother learned the carpenter's craft early on, and the third brother devoted himself to the field. He didn't want to farm, so he chose to be a shopkeeper. In fact, this is also very good. With a skill, I finally have the ability to settle down.

After so many years, he got married and had a son. Could he let his son follow in his own footsteps?

"It's not that I said, the big brother and sister-in-law have too many eyes. The old man of the Yang family made a fuss that day, and Juncai had a minor illness in the house these two days. Looking at it this way, your father might want to take Juncai away. Send it, otherwise why would you be reluctant to hire a few helpers."

Xue Qinghuai came to his senses, smiled and said: "Where does the family have that kind of money?"

Although the Xue family's family is in front of the old couple, Xue Qinghuai knows how much food is produced in the field every year, how much can be paid after paying taxes, and how much he can earn from trading as a shopkeeper.

In fact, if it is only for two children, the Xue family's wealth is enough, but there is still Xue Qingshan. Xue Qingshan went to Qinghe Academy to study for five years, and after that, he always asked for some money from home every now and then, saying that he was going out to socialize, and he also emptied his gold and silver mountains.

"If you don't have any money left, can't you sell the land? Isn't the land just money!" Sun blurted out.

Xue Qinghuai scolded her: "Don't talk nonsense, my father can't sell the land."

The land is the reliance of the older generations of the peasant family, and no one will sell the land unless the family is about to starve to death.

Sun sneered: "It's hard to say. I have seen through your sister-in-law and brother these few years. They have as many eyes as that hornet's nest. The quarrel when you were the old man of the Yang family was for nothing. Just wait and see. There is a moth!"

Xue Qinghuai felt a little irritable, and said impatiently: "You have a lot of things to do, and you can tell a story about things that have no shadow."

Sun stared at him with her eyes: "it's not that everyone in your family is thinking too much, you think I'm willing to be so tired?! What am I doing for, not for you and for our son! When can we be separated, I'm free, You are free too. But judging from the current situation, there are still some who are suffering. Since I have been suffering, why don't you let me talk. I'm talking, you listen, you have to listen if you don't want to."

Outside, Mrs. Zhou called for dinner, Mrs. Sun cast a sideways glance at the man and went out, but Xue Qinghuai sighed.

Even though Mrs. Sun has various flaws, she still has general knowledge. If you don't understand the general situation, it is estimated that the family will have been in trouble for a long time.

When eating, the atmosphere at the dinner table was very dull, everyone just buried their heads in their meals and didn't speak.

Mrs. Zhao took a few mouthfuls, then suddenly put down her chopsticks and stood up.

"What are you doing here? Didn't you eat any food?" Mr. Xue asked.

"I'll go and see Juncai. This kid has been strong since he was young, but this time he's so sick that he can't eat for a few days. I'll go get him a bowl of egg noodles. You don't feel sorry for this grandson, I feel sorry for him!" In the end, Zhao couldn't hide her anger. She touched the key at her waist and went to the back room to get flour.

White flour is fine food in Xue's family, and Zhao's usually locks it in a cabinet in the back room.

"you……"

Mrs. Yang quickly stood up: "Mother, don't bother, what kind of egg noodles are you giving him? This white flour is a fine grain, and everyone hasn't eaten it yet, so there is no reason to cook for him." She said to the man in the back room. Zhao said, looking at the others in embarrassment.

"I'll leave as soon as I say it. Juncai is so sick, who is in the way of eating a bowl of egg noodles. Whoever has an opinion, let him tell me!"

Not long after, Mrs. Zhao came out with a bowl, Mrs. Yang smiled awkwardly, and hurriedly followed.

Dinner was over soon, Zhou took Xue Taoer to clean up the mess, and the others went back to their respective houses.

On the other side of the kitchen, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law made a bowl of egg noodles, and Mrs. Zhao brought them to the East Chamber herself.

In the east chamber, Xue Juncai lives alone in the west chamber.

This was originally Xue Qingshan's study room, but when Xue Juncai grew up, he set aside a special area for the kang. There is a room in four squares, with a big kang by the window, bookcases, desks and other things beside the wall, and two chairs. There are a few calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall, but Xue Qingshan bought them from outside for the sake of being arty.

On the kang, Xue Juncai lay there with a pale face and dry lips. Seeing Mrs. Zhao coming, he hurriedly sat up from the kang and called grandma.

The cry of 'Grandma' made Zhao's tears come out immediately, he stroked his head and said: "Get up and eat a bowl of noodles, and if you don't want to eat, you have to eat as much as you want. Only when you are healthy can you have the strength to study."

Xue Juncai showed a look of pain, and said in a low voice: "Even if I take care of myself, I can't read anymore."

Mrs. Zhao slapped him: "Nonsense, what can be read but not read. And your father, why can't read. Get up and eat noodles. This is made by grandma for you. There are eggs in it, but Fragrant."

"Grandma, my grandson is not filial, but I really can't bear it. I just need to think about... I thought about it, and studied hard for a year. When the time comes, I will take the exam to be a scholar, and I will be proud of you for my father and grandpa. Can……"

Yang Shi stood aside and began to cry, Zhao Shi was also heartbroken.

Xue Juncai was her first grandson, and she was also the grandson she brought up from infancy. She loved Xue Juncai since she was a child. Who in the entire Xue family didn't know that Xue Jun was Zhao's darling, lumpy meat, whoever provoked him would be unlucky. This time, if the incident wasn't too big, and she, a woman, could not intervene, she might not be able to tell what it would be like.

"Don't worry, eat noodles first, there will always be a way."

...

When Mrs. Zhao came back, Mr. Xue was sitting cross-legged on the Kang, smoking dry cigarettes. There is a water basin on the kang table, and a bowl of rice is warmed in the water basin.

"Eat quickly, what have you been doing for so long?"

Mrs. Zhao walked to the edge of the Kang and sat down without making a sound. Seeing that she was not moving, Mr. Xue said again: "What's the matter? Didn't you eat any food?"

"What's wrong with you, what's wrong with me? You don't even go to see what Juncai is now, he's not your grandson, isn't he your grandson?" After roaring twice, Mrs. Zhao raised the corner of her clothes Wiping his eye sockets, he cried and said, "You cruel one, I said I would go find that brat and you wouldn't let me, but look at Juncai, my grandson is so filial, he is so sick and still keeps saying he wants to give it to the family. Feel elated. Just live for your face, who will spend our own money, can't you decide for yourself?

"Juncai has done a good job in learning. Who doesn't praise him for his achievements? The boss also said that he will go to the academy to study for a year and a half. It will be no problem to get a scholar in the end. Now all this is ruined by that brat! Let me It seems that those two gentlemen are deliberately suppressing my handsome talent, that old scholar was invited by Zheng Lizheng, who knows who they are targeting..."

These words made Mr. Xue's eyebrows twitch.

He also went to talk to the patriarch about it, but the patriarch told him not to think too much. But compared to Xue Tingxiang who suddenly seemed to have opened his eyes, Mr. Xue must have taken a fancy to Xue Juncai.

This is a thought that has been deeply rooted for many years, and it is also because Xue Jun is the eldest grandson, and the person who will establish the Xue family in the future. Could it be that because he lost this time, he was really not allowed to go to school.

But it costs money to go to school. How do you get the money?

Mrs. Zhao was crying and complaining at the same time, but Mr. Xue didn't speak, he just smoked the pipe more and more hard.

After smoking a bag of tobacco leaves, he suddenly woke up. He threw the cigarette bag at the foot of the kang, took off his shoes, and leaned sideways on the kang: "Sleep!"

Mrs. Zhao was taken aback by his movement, but didn't dare to say anything more.

Dongliju, Boss Chen flipped through the stack of rice paper in his hand, feeling like he had found a treasure.

"Very good, the writing is more refined than before."

Xue Tingxiang said modestly: "It's also because I wrote too much."

Boss Chen told Ah Cai to go to the counter and get a tael of silver for him.

"In a few days, the school will open. Don't forget to go when you are. Don't forget to pay homage to the teacher. As for Shu Xiu, if you don't have enough money, it's okay to take it slow."

Before Xue Tingxiang could speak, Zhao'er had already said: "Uncle Chen, don't worry, this Qingyuan Academy is not the Qinghe Academy that asks for money, we have enough money for Shu Xiu."

Boss Chen nodded, and said to Xue Tingxiang: "As for me, I still have a lot of book copying jobs, and the price is generous for you. You can take it home and copy it, or copy it in the store. Of course, if you have time, come here. You can also read the book."

"Thank you, Uncle Chen."

"Thank you, anyway, whoever you hire is not hired. Your handwriting is good, and it is said that I took advantage of you." Boss Chen is a sensible person, and he knows that scholars have their own arrogance, so he said this.

But Xue Tingxiang really kept this kindness in his heart.

After that, he took over a job of copying books from Boss Chen, and then he took Zhao'er out of Dongliju.

The two walked forward all the way, and when they were about to walk out of Nanshi, he suddenly pulled Zhao'er to change the course.

"What's wrong? Where is this going?"

Xue Tingxiang didn't speak, just dragged Zhao'er away, Zhao'er didn't understand until they arrived at the noodle stall where they ate noodles last time.

"Boss, here are two bowls of sliced slices. I want extra toppings."

He chose a clean empty table and sat down, seeing that she was still standing, he pulled her to sit down.

"What else do you eat? I'll take you to eat."

The young man's expression was very serious, Zhao'er's eyes became inexplicably hot, and he said with a smile: "How much money have you made just now, and you just eat and drink like this."

Xue Tingxiang's eyes darkened, but Zhao'er didn't realize it yet, and he said that he would take it away if he had money, and he would go to the school immediately.

After talking for a long time, Zhao'er didn't see any movement from the other party, so Zhao'er raised his head to look at him, and sure enough, he saw that the little man looked angry.

In fact, Xue Tingxiang's anger is not obvious, and it may be a kind of expressionless face to outsiders. It's just that Zhao'er is too familiar with him, so he reacted immediately.

Look at him, his lips are slightly pursed, his cheeks bulge a little unconsciously, and he still looks at her with a pair of dark eyes, he is either angry or something!

"Why are you angry again?" Her tone was full of helplessness.

He still didn't speak, so she could only lean closer: "What did I say to make you angry again? Okay, okay, I'm wrong."

He pursed his lips: "I said I brought you here to eat after earning money."

Just because of this angry?

Zhao'er was still in a daze, and he said again: "I'm your man, I should take you out for dinner."

After saying this, Zhao'er almost choked on his own saliva, and then stammered after a while: "What's wrong with you, dog? Why are you talking about this?"

Xue Tingxiang narrowed his eyes slightly, and looked at her: "Am I not your man?"

Well……

"Don't you think of me as your man?"

"Don't tell me you don't want to be my daughter-in-law, do you have other men in your heart?"

This series of questioning directly made Zhao'er at a loss as to how to answer, and his mind was in a mess.

"Stop, stop, what are you babbling about!" She tried her best to organize her words, and said, "Isn't it just eating a bowl of tea, why did so many things come up. Look, here comes the tea."

As soon as the words fell, the boss came with two bowls of hot and fragrant tea.

"Don't move, don't move, be careful of burning, the two guests take it slowly." The boss put down the slicer, said that there was garlic and vinegar on the table, take care of yourself if necessary, and left.

"Eat it quickly, it won't taste good if it gets mushy." Zhao'er said, put some vinegar in one of the bowls, and pushed it in front of Xue Tingxiang.

Xue Tingxiang likes to put some vinegar in his noodles, not too much, he is afraid of sourness, but not too little, as it will lose the vinegar taste. Back then when Mrs. Qiu was still there, she couldn't control her son's taste, so she was able to accurately control Zhao'er.

This taste has followed Xue Tingxiang for a long time, but since Dazhao'er died, he is no longer jealous.

Because there is no one who can help him release the jealousy, he has tried to let it go by himself, but every time it ends with choking acidity.

Thinking of these in his heart, Xue Tingxiang's heart suddenly calmed down.

She didn't die, which is actually quite good, he will have a lot of time to let her understand that he is her man, not her brother.

"You can eat too." Xue Tingxiang took out two pairs of chopsticks from the bamboo tube and handed Zhao'er a pair.

Zhao'er sneaked a glance at him from below, and finally heaved a sigh of relief.

He finally stopped being angry. This strange temper is exactly the same as when he was a child, and he will not change when he grows up!

She thought helplessly in her heart, picked up the chopsticks and started eating.

After the two finished eating, Xue Tingxiang called the boss to settle the account.

He handed the one tael of silver to the boss, and the chubby noodle stall boss looked embarrassed. It turned out that the small noodle stall rarely received money, and the bills were paid with copper coins, and the boss had no change at all.

Xue Tingxiang was stunned, he actually forgot about this.

Just when Zhao'er was about to take out copper coins to pay, he suddenly said "wait a minute" and took out a few copper coins from his belt, no more, no less, exactly eight.

It was the one that Zhao'er gave to him when he went to Dongliju for the first time that day. I was thinking of using the money I earned to treat her to noodles, but who knows that I still used her money in the end.

After leaving the noodle stall, Xue Tingxiang asked: "What else do you want to eat, let's go buy it."

Zhao'er looked at him in surprise: "What else to eat, I'm going to be exhausted right now."

Without saying a word, he dragged Zhao'er all the way to Dongshi.

I bought some fruits in this shop, some oil cakes in that shop, and some peanuts and kidney beans. There were six or seven paper bags tied together, all of which Zhaoer loved to eat.

With previous experience, Zhao'er didn't dare to say that he spent money indiscriminately.

Just carrying these paper bags all the way and walking behind him, Zhao'er felt strange, and an indescribable feeling spread in her heart.

After a while, she shook her head helplessly.

What a child's temper!

After dinner, Mr. Xue asked Xue Qingshan and his three brothers to talk.

Seeing this, he was about to say something, Mrs. Sun found an excuse to stay as usual, so Mrs. Zhou did not leave, and Mrs. Yang sat beside Xue Qingshan without moving.

As for the juniors, they were all sent back to the house.

It is customary for Mr. Xue to smoke a pot of cigarettes before he briefly talked about the matter.

"Father, what are you talking about? You want to sell the land?"

It was Xue Qingbai's voice.

In the second room, Zhao'er couldn't help but glance at Xue Tingxiang when he heard the voice. Neither of them spoke, just listening quietly in the room.

In the main room, Xue Qingbai said excitedly: "Father, whatever you do, you have to sell the land. The land is the livelihood of our farmers, and it is the dependence of the older generations. After the land is sold, we can use whatever we eat and drink. ah."

Mr. Xue raised his hand to interrupt him: "Young three, don't get excited, just listen to what dad has to say, that's what I think."

Having said that, he started to stuff shredded tobacco into the cigarette pot again, lit it up and took a deep breath, before saying, "I think it's not easy to be talented. After studying for so many years, I finally got through it and now I don't want to learn anymore. It's always a pity. I just wanted to send him to that school to study for a year, no matter how good or bad it is for a year, the boss said that with Juncai's knowledge, he can end up with a year of study. If Juncai really wins, our family's life in the future It's better."

"What about the dog?"

"Of course the dog will go too." From the beginning to the end, Mr. Xue had no intention of not letting Xue Tingxiang go. Everyone in the village watched, but he had no face to back down. "That's why I want to sell the land. You brothers know about our family's situation. It's hard to send one away, but it's not so much money to send two away."

After a pause, he continued: "It's not all sold, just sell two acres to make up for Gouzi and Juncai's school expenses for a year. Our family has so much land, selling two acres of land is not a pain in the ass." bone."

"It doesn't matter whether he sells one mu or two mu, he will always sell the land. Dad, what will the villagers think of our family when the time comes?" Xue Qingbai said.

"It doesn't matter how you look at it. I sell the land for my grandson to study, and I don't have to talk to anyone about it." Don't look at Mr. Xue's stubborn mouth. He can say this kind of thing, which shows that he really cares.

In the countryside, selling land is a very shameful thing.

"Anyway, I told you about this, and I will go to the seller in the next two days."

Seeing that Mr. Xue was so determined, Xue Qingbai held his breath and asked: "We have plowed that land, and now we are buying it, then our previous efforts will not be in vain."

"That's right, brother, you see, daddy is going to sell the land in order to send Juncai to study, so why don't you say a word?" Mrs. Sun pinched Xue Qinghuai a few times from behind, but he didn't speak, and couldn't help but make a sound .

Xue Qingshan evasively said: "Look at this, isn't this Dad's idea?"

"Sister-in-law, you don't say anything? This land is sold now, but if you want to buy it back later, you won't be able to buy it."

There is a lot of land near Yuqing Village. All the wasteland that can be reclaimed has been opened up these years. There is only so much land, but the population is increasing every year. Whoever owns the land is tightly in their hands and is unwilling to take it out. Now that Mr. Xue said he was going to sell the land, and when word got out, someone came to buy it.

It is easy to sell, but it depends on luck if you want to buy it back.

Yang's eyebrows were lowered and said: "Land is dead, people are alive. When a talented person becomes a scholar, no matter how much land can be bought back. Besides, this is not Dad's idea. I am a woman, and I can't talk about it at home." talk."

Seeing Dafang and his wife sitting peacefully at the side, and being careless about waiting for others like black-eyed chickens, Sun was stuck in his heart and couldn't get out.

She sneered and said, "Brother said that Juncai would finish after one year of study, and the elder brother also said that he would definitely get in, but I haven't seen it in so many years. If he doesn't get in after one year, will he still be able to study later? Continue reading Go down, do you still want to sell the land?"

Xue Qinghuai gave her a hand: "What are you talking about?"

"What am I talking about, I'm talking! Why should the whole family have to stick to Dafang? The land is planted by third brother and our family, and you have to go out to sell goods every day. If Dafang and his family don't have to do anything, When you want to spend money, the money will come at your mouth, and if you don't have money, you won't sell the land, this Xue family is not just Dafang's family!"

"Fourth daughter-in-law!" Mr. Xue patted the kang table.

Sun waved Xue Qinghuai away and took his hand, and said sharply: "I've had enough, I can sell the land if I want, dad, let's talk plainly today. I won't mention the dog, although I am narrow-minded I like to argue with people, but I also heard from Maodan's father that the second brother made a lot of money for the family by relying on his carpentry skills. After the second sister-in-law left, Gouzi didn't spend much of the family's money.

"If the dog goes to school, I have no objection. This is what the family should give. But let's talk about the big house. Let's not talk about how much the big brother spent on studying. It's the old calendar. Now let's talk about Juncai. Did Juncai not study today?" For money, the family can sell the land to support, so if you don't have the money to go to school in the future, will the family also sell the land to support! "

She didn't wait for Mr. Xue to speak, and said again: "By the way, not only us Maodan, but also Shuanzi from the third brother's family. They are all grandchildren, and a bowl of water must be level. As long as Dad, you said today, Maodan went to school. Qian's family also sells the land, so I have no objections."

Mr. Xue was surprised that all the dry tobacco fell off, and the shredded tobacco hidden in the smoke pot rolled out, scalding him so much that he slapped his trouser legs again and again.

He was so angry that his hands were shaking, and he stared at Xue Qinghuai: "Fourth brother, don't you care about your daughter-in-law?!"

Xue Qinghuai went to pull Mrs. Sun, trying to drag her back to the room, but Mrs. Sun insisted on not leaving. She sat down on the ground and couldn't get up: "I'm just waiting for my father to say something today, and you can give me a clear word."

"What are you doing, come back with me!" Xue Qinghuai roared, and grabbed her again.

Mrs. Sun slapped his hand away: "You're not good at me, Xue Qinghuai, are you still a man? You work like an old scalper for the family. If you don't have a good one, you won't spend a penny of the money. Look at it." I will wear whatever my sister-in-law wears, so why would I fall in love with a man like you!"

She began to cry as she scolded, and then shouted to Mrs. Zhou: "Sister-in-law San, tell me something, are you willing to continue living like this? I admit that it's wrong for me to run on you and make you work harder. That's my fault." I can't be angry. Why do some people sit there and be young mistresses? We are the fate of the old servant. If she doesn't do it, I won't do it. But today this matter is related to our two families, you say something!"

Zhou Shi pursed her lips tightly, Xue Qingbai subconsciously pulled her, but she still didn't.

She took two steps forward, licked the broken hair at the side of her temples, and kept her eyes lowered: "Brother said that Shuanzi of my family is stupid, and it's fine if he can read a few words. What a prospect. Just one, the bowl of water that the four siblings said is flat, if it is really to send Juncai to school and sell land, Dad, you will always give us an explanation."

"What do you want to say, this place and this house belong to me!" Old man Xue blushed.

"It is true that this land belongs to my father, but Shuan Zi's father usually grows a lot of this land. Shuan Zi's father has no skills, unlike his eldest brother who can read books, and unlike his fourth brother who can sell goods, he just goes there with all his strength." The envoy of the land serves every day like a child. Dad said he wanted to send Juncai to school, and he said he would sell the land, so why don't you consider Shuan Zi's father's feelings?"

Xue Qingbai squatted down, a big man, he was wronged like a child: "Father, that land cannot be sold!"

"Third!"

"Of course, if you always want to sell, we can't stop it, but let's make it clear in advance that if you want to sell, you can sell the land of the big house, and we can't sell the land of the other three houses."

Unlike Sun's, Zhou's emotions are not agitated, even extremely calm. She was able to say these words, obviously thinking for a long time in her heart.

In fact, this is indeed the case. Zhou knows that his son is not a seedling who can study. Since he can't study, he can only farm at home. The son will marry a wife in the future, and the daughter will marry in the future, all of which need money, but the Xue family's money has never been spent on the other three households, and it has all flowed to the eldest household.

Just as Mrs. Sun said, no one wants to be an old servant and serve others all her life, but Mrs. Zhou is her daughter-in-law after all, and she has nothing to say in Xue's family. But she is not a clay figurine, and she has her own thoughts and thoughts, and she has endured to the extreme for so many years. It is simply that Sun's family took the lead today, so he took the opportunity to clarify the matter.

"What do you mean by that?"

Mrs. Zhou still lowered her head: "Daughter-in-law is nothing interesting. There are too many people to separate the family, the tree grows taller, and the parents do not separate the family. We all understand these reasons. But this family will be divided sooner or later, even if it is not now. , and it will be divided in the future. Since it is necessary to divide, naturally each of the four houses will have one share, and there is no reason for any one house to be exclusive.

"The four younger brothers and sisters have said so much before, so the daughter-in-law will not repeat it. Each house has its own children, each of which is a small family. They must support the family, and the children must start a family and start a business. Father, you want to support the eldest brother, even if it is for a talented person. We don't have anything to say, but the big one is the only one that needs to be confessed, and the other three families should stay put."

Mr. Xue was so angry that he laughed back: "You are giving me the whole family, and your mother and I are not dead yet!"

Xue Qingshan stood up, with a desperate look: "Third son, don't care about your wife! What is she doing, she is treasonous!"

Mrs. Yang also changed her previous appearance and repeatedly reprimanded Mrs. Zhou, saying that she actually provoked discord in the family.

Mrs. Sun chimed in: "Sister-in-law San agrees with what she said. I have no objection to selling the land. If you want to sell it, you can sell the big house. At that time, you can sell it as you want, and we have nothing to say."

"Third and fourth, you think so too!" Seeing the turmoil below, Mr. Xue seemed to be more than ten years older, and asked Xue Qingbai and Xue Qinghuai.

"I……"

The two brothers looked at each other, but they were silent.

At this time, two people walked in from the door.

But it was Xue Tingxiang and Zhao'er.

There was such a commotion in the main room, and the two of them had been standing outside the door and listening for quite a while.

"Dog..."

Zhao'er didn't know what the little man wanted to do, so she couldn't help but give him a hand. Xue Tingxiang gave her a comforting look before he stepped forward and said, "Master, I have something to say."

His sudden interruption made everyone look over.

"The grandson just listened to a few words outside, and what the third aunt and the fourth aunt said made sense."

Without waiting for Mr. Xue to talk to Xue Qingshan, he said again: "Grandson is also studying, and he will spend money from the family in the future. If the family has money, it's fine, but there is no money. Big brother has been studying for so many years, so he is not allowed to learn. It's always a pity. But the grandson also wants to learn, but he can't do what Kong Rong did.

"Shuanzi is eight years old this year, and Maodan is four years old. I can't let the two older ones learn, and the two younger ones won't let me learn. My sister-in-law is going to get married soon. In two years, Sister Taoer will also talk about others. It's all tight." If you want to use the money, how can you use it for someone or not? If you use it for someone, it will inevitably make the people who don't need it feel uneasy. Rather than having conflicts in your family because of these things, it's better to divide the family early."

Upon hearing this, Zhao'er immediately stopped dragging Xue Tingxiang, and stood behind him obediently and listened.

Mr. Xue was about to say something, but was interrupted by Xue Tingxiang: "My lord, listen to me. There is indeed a saying in the village that parents do not separate the family. At this time, it is inevitable that outsiders will laugh at the separation. You can only separate the family, but people don't. Live separately, each room is in charge of the flowers in each room, as for the rest, it is as usual."

"Who will plant the land in that family, you plant it?" Xue Qingshan looked at him with a sneer.

Xue Tingxiang smiled slightly, confident in his mind: "You can grow it yourself, or you can rent it out. It can also be planted by the father and the third and fourth uncles as before, and those who don't work will give food or money. Whatever the price outside, just follow No one will suffer at any price."

"Then do you still want to go to the school in the town? The family is separated, who will pay for your schooling?"

This matter does not scare Xue Tingxiang, he said indifferently: "Since they are separated, each of them will have their own destiny, and there is no one to blame!"

"You kid is a set of things, I don't agree!" Xue Qingshan cursed, showing his true nature.

He never expected that he planned to put pressure on Mr. Xue to find a way to send Juncai to school, but it would turn into a farce like family separation.

Xue Qingshan has self-knowledge, he has never been in the field since he was a child, let alone the Yang family, he is a married woman, and his son still has to study, who will do the work in the field after dividing the family? Besides, he was still thinking about the money the fourth child earned as a shopkeeper, and the dead money produced in the field alone was not enough to cover the expenses of the big house.

---

There was a dead silence in the room, Mr. Xue's face was ashen, he parted his lower lip, but he didn't know what to say.

Xue Qingshan blushed and cursed loudly: "Well, you are the third and fourth, your wings have grown hard, right? You are not afraid of making dad angry! And you, you brat, your hair hasn't even grown yet. Dare to stir up trouble! You have read all your books into the belly of a dog? You are everywhere, if it weren't for you, why would there be such a mess at home!"

He stretched out his hand and wanted to hit someone, Zhao'er pulled Xue Tingxiang away, and clamped the big palm he slapped.

"Uncle, talk is all about talking, why did you start? You are a scholar! What else is there because of the dog's house, why is it like this at home, don't you know in your own mind?"

Xue Qingshan is tall, plus he has put on weight over the years, making him look tall and strong. Standing in front of him with a small body like Zhao'er is undoubtedly holding back the car with his arms, but he is a big man, and he couldn't move away even after a few swings: "Let go! What are you, when is the Xue family going?" It's your turn to speak!"

Zhao'er sneered: "I don't count anything, just one thing, I never feel at ease spending other people's hard-earned money!"

"you……"

"Okay, shut up! Shut up!" Mr. Xue yelled almost hysterically, and he slapped the kang table loudly.

It was quiet down there, and Mr. Xue on the kang was as stiff as a rock.

It took him a while before he could move. He slowly took out shredded tobacco from the pouch, stuffed it into the pot and lit it.

Zhao'er threw away his hand, Xue Qingshan quickly retracted his hand. He sucked in the air-conditioning, opened his sleeves, and sure enough, there were a few red fingerprints on the lower part of his wrist.

Where did this damn girl get her strength from!

Mr. Xue took several deep puffs of cigarettes before he calmed down. He looked at these people in front of him with painful eyes. These people were all his descendants, but now they made such a fuss for money.

Whose fault is it?

Mr. Xue was a little stunned. He admits that the family favors the older one, but the older one is the one who established the family. Shanzi was smart when he was young, and he is good at reading, not to mention handsome, and has been praised since he was a child.

If a small family from a poor family wants to get ahead, they can only use the whole family's strength to provide for one person. That's how his master got out back then. Later, he passed the examination as a scholar and benefited the entire Xue family. He always felt that he was right, but now he is not so sure.

For a while, Mr. Xue was in a state of confusion, and many pictures flashed through his mind.

There are the joy of the eldest son when he was just starting school, the pride of his passing the school entrance examination, the elder grandson showing superhuman intelligence, and he lamented that there are successors; Worried and unwilling faces, and many, many more...

And all of this was frozen again, and became the following faces with different thoughts.

Mr. Xue opened his mouth again, and he heard a hoarse and dry voice: "Okay, if you want to share, I will share it with you!"

"Father!" Xue Qingshan didn't dare to answer.

Yang was also so panicked that she didn't know what to do. She looked at her man, and then at Mr. Xue. Seeing that Mr. Xue's appearance really didn't look like a joke, she suddenly made a move, and shouted hastily into the back room: "Mother, don't you care?!"

Mr. Xue suddenly felt an unbearable irritability, and shouted angrily: "Shut up! This family is still my boss!"

Immediately, everyone was afraid to make a sound, and the door curtain that was lifted inside was lowered again.

"Tell me, how do you want to divide?"

The people in the third room and the fourth room looked at each other, and went to see Xue Tingxiang again, but Xue Tingxiang didn't speak this time.

Afraid that things might get worse, Sun took a step forward and said, "Just like Gou'er said just now, divide the family's land. By the way, there are still houses, and each family belongs to each family."

Zhao'er suddenly said, "Then what about our house? Do we live in this place now, or do we move back to the old place?"

Let me talk about this, the house that Erfang lives in is not Erfang's.

Xue's house is similar to the houses in the country, generally in the form of a courtyard. The three rooms in the main room are where Mr. Xue, Mrs. Zhao and the little girl Xue Cuie live, and the other room is a granary, which is used to store grain and some more expensive things.

On the left and right are the east and west wing rooms, the stove room, the cowshed, the barn, and the pigsty, chicken coop and vegetable field are behind.

In the past, Xue's house was enough to live in, but since Xue Qingshan brothers got married and had children, Xue's house became tense.

At that time, the Xue family was relatively well-off. The eldest Xue Qingshan built a house when they got married, and the second son Xue Qinghuai also built a house when they got married. When the third child got married, the Xue family's money had already started to become tense, so they said to cover it slowly.

This slowdown has been slowed down for so many years.

When the second-bedroom couple left, Xue Qinghuai was still unmarried and lived in a room by himself.

After he got married and gave birth again, one room was no longer enough, so Mr. Xue decided to change the second room to the fourth room, and the two children of the second room moved into that room.

It's okay to live in this way, but since it's about sharing the house, it's natural to make it clear.

Hearing this, Sun's complexion immediately turned bad.

Yang twitched the corners of her mouth sarcastically, and the dog bit the dog. But before she put away her smile, Sun gritted her teeth and said, "Zhaoer, if you want this room, Fourth Aunt will return it to you."

Since then, Zhao'er's attitude towards the Sun family has changed somewhat.

Regardless of the fact that Mrs. Sun usually flatters the big house and likes to squeeze people from the other two houses, but when it comes to right and wrong, it is a bit unexpected today.

Zhao'er shook her head: "Fourth Aunt, I don't want to ask you to ask for a house. Since we are talking about the distribution of houses and land, we must make it clear. Your family has a large population, and we don't want your house, but the area behind the house Give us a piece of land."

The land behind the house was bought by Xue's family long ago. This kind of homestead in the village is not expensive, with a total of more than two acres, it only cost more than two taels of silver. The Xue family had long said they wanted to build a house, but every year they said they would build it, and every year they didn't have any money left, so the land was left empty to make a vegetable field.

"This—" Mrs. Sun hesitated, "How can a house and land be counted the same?"

"Fourth Aunt, I want the land, not the house. Anyway, the dog and I don't need it right now. When we have money, we can build it ourselves."

"That's fine, let's assume that your fourth aunt and fourth uncle have taken advantage of you. The land is supposed to belong to a family, and our fourth room will be given to the second room. When you start a house someday, your fourth uncle and I will be together. I'm going to help you all..."

"Give me another two taels of silver." Xue Qinghuai interrupted suddenly.

When Mrs. Sun heard the words, she was stunned for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, make up another two taels of silver, and I will give it to you when your fourth uncle and I have money."

Zhao'er hurriedly refused: "I don't want money, how can I ask for money from my fourth uncle and aunt."

"It has to be given to Fourth Uncle." Xue Qinghuai said firmly.

Having said that, it's not easy to push Zhao'er anymore, it just defaults.

The two families here are talking back and forth, while Mr. Xue's expression on the other side is frighteningly ugly.

Children can't help themselves, let's divide, early division, good morning!

"Is there anything else?"

"The cattle, pigs, and chickens at home..."

Xue Qinghuai gave Sun a hand and said, "Forget about these things."

"Without cattle, what should I do when farming?"

"There is only one cow at home..."

The kang table was slammed by Mr. Xue: "Have you finished talking? It's finished, now let me talk."

He supported the Kang table and sat up straight: "Your mother and I are not dead yet, Cui'e is getting married at the end of the year, and the dowry has not been paid yet. According to the old rules, your mother and I will follow the big house, but we two old things are still there. To eat and drink, so the family land is not divided into four, but five."

"The family has a total of 32 mu of land, which is divided into five shares. The family has six mu. The extra two mu are given to the second room. I learned the craft of a carpenter. He is well-known for his craftsmanship and is well-known in ten miles and eight villages. He also made a lot of money for the family. The second child contributed a lot to our family's acquisition of a few acres of land later.

"As for the six acres shared by your mother and I, we have it in our hands if we live. If we die, the four families share it equally. The cows in the family are considered common, and the two pigs are still young. They will be slaughtered and divided at the end of the year. The chickens are also divided in this way. If you want to keep them together, you can raise them together. If you don't want to keep them together, you can raise them separately. If the rations are enough, they will be enough to eat this year's harvest."

It is said that they all want to separate the family, but when Mr. Xue talked about it as if he was settling accounts, everyone felt uncomfortable.

"But let me tell you something first, since you two are arguing about the separation of the family, your mother and I will not care about the future marriage of each house."

Mrs. Sun accompanied her with a smile: "Of course I can't let my parents take care of me anymore."

"As for Cui'e, when she gets married, you are brothers and sisters-in-law. If you have the heart, you can give me something. If you don't, it's fine. Your mother and I have six acres of land and don't need you to support me. When I get old, I can't do it anymore. Say it again."

At this time, the door curtain of the back room was suddenly lifted, and a person rushed out from inside.

It was the Zhao family who had been forbearing for a long time.

"Why don't you support them? Raising such a big son is for nothing? All of them are blood-sucking leeches, they are white-eyed wolves! Now it's time to settle the score with the old lady. Is it worthwhile for the old lady to give birth to you? Does it count if you grow up with shit and piss? Now that you have grown up, you have to separate from your family. If you divide the family's things and don't support your parents, the old mother can forgive you, and the ancestors can't forgive!"

Mrs. Zhao's words were so sharp that Xue Qingbai and his brothers bowed their heads in shame and did not dare to speak. There were all kinds of emotions in their hearts, which were mixed.

Xue Qingbai has always been the most filial among several sons, and also the most obedient to his parents. Hearing these words, I felt quite uncomfortable, and regretted how I opened my mouth.

"Mom, how about we..."

Zhou's voice sounded in vain, and interrupted him: "Mother, why don't you give it to me? Even if Dad says no, we will give it to you! We will give it to you according to the village's custom, even though we have separated, but We are still living together, and we will still be filial to you and Dad in the future. The reason we want to separate is not because we don't want to be filial to Dad and you, but because our family is not rich. no?"

These words successfully silenced Xue Qingbai. Yes, it is natural to take care of parents, but no younger brother takes care of the elder brother's family.

"To put it bluntly, you guys think that the boss spends too much money!" Mrs. Zhao sneered.

The few people below said nothing, isn't this obvious, and they need to say it clearly.

Mrs. Zhao smiled even colder: "Okay, you have the ability, you want to live on your own. You think the old man is spending money from the family, so if the old man has the ability in the future, you must not post it in a shameless manner. !"

Zhao's words made everyone embarrassed.

Yang Shi said hypocritically at the side: "We have no talent for being talented. Uncles and aunts look down on us, so how can we come to gain our favor in the future..."

After all the words have been said, if you don't say a word, you will be begging for nothing and want to get others' money.

Zhao'er sneered and said, "Auntie, don't worry, even if the dog and I are poor enough to beg for food, we won't come to your house to beg."

Zhou also said: "Sister-in-law, don't worry, we know what our fate is. We will be muddy legs thrown in the ground all our lives, and we can't change it! If you don't want to get rich, you don't have that fate to get rich."

Seeing this, Sun naturally couldn't keep silent anymore. To put it bluntly, now Sanfang is a grasshopper on the same rope, no matter how snobbish she is, she has no face to pretend to be dead here.

She was about to say something when a loud bang sounded in vain.

It was Mr. Xue who lifted the Kang table.

---

The kang table rolled down from the kang and hit the ground with a loud noise.

Fortunately, this kang table was made by Xue Qingsong back then, and the wood he found in the mountains himself was solid, so it was not smashed.

Everyone was taken aback.

"What are you talking about! What are you talking about! Shut up!"

Old Master Xue's face turned pale, and his lips trembled. Even when he said that he was going to separate, he was not so excited, which is enough to prove how angry he is at this time.

He looked at the group of people below with painful eyes, and suddenly sat back on the kang, and waved his hands weakly: "Everyone go back to the house, and we will talk about other things tomorrow."

"Father, what about the title deed?" Mrs. Sun hesitated.

Without waiting for Mr. Xue to speak, Xue Qinghuai grabbed her and pulled her outside: "Okay, are you enough? What's the matter? Let's talk about it tomorrow, and I can't miss you?!"

Everyone in the house dispersed.

No one expected that it would end like this. Everyone felt a little unspeakable in their hearts. The thing they had been thinking about for a long time finally came to pass, but no one was happy.

Xue Tingxiang was very silent. Seeing him like this, Zhao'er didn't know what to say. The two of them took a rest after returning to the house, without talking for a whole night.

The morning light is faint, and the sky is breaking.

Everyone in Xue's family got up, but the courtyard was strangely silent.

No one spoke.

There was a lot of movement and activity, but no one spoke.

Still as before, those who should cook should cook, and those who should feed livestock should. After breakfast, Mr. Xue called the whole family together and asked Mrs. Zhao to bring out the box containing the title deed.

The Xue family's land was bought in this way for one mu or two mu, and the land deeds were divided into several pieces. Fortunately, this is the case, otherwise, they would have to go to the county government to divide the land, and to go to the county government to cut the land would naturally have to go through Lizheng, and now this matter cannot be concealed.

Mr. Xue divided the land deed, each family has six acres of land, and the second room has two acres more.

Each house stepped forward to take the title deed.

When it was Xue Tingxiang's turn, Mr. Xue suddenly said: "It stands to reason that if you go to the school, the family will pay you money, but yesterday you said that you will have your own destiny, and you must never blame the family in the future."

He said he didn't complain, but Mr. Xue's voice was somewhat angry. After all, Xue Tingxiang started this matter, if he hadn't made such a fuss, how could the family have become like this.

In fact, he knew in his heart that he couldn't blame his second grandson for this matter, but suddenly the whole family became like this, which completely overturned his family's desire to share weal and woe with Meimei. Under extreme pain, it is normal to vent their anger.

"The grandson won't complain."

Looking at this thin grandson, Mr. Xue's eyes flashed with complexity. He opened his lips several times, and then reached out and took out a worn-out purse from the box.

"Don't say that I, a master, favors one over another, since I agreed to it in front of Li Zheng and the patriarch, it is natural to do what I say. This little money has been saved a long time ago, and it is the only money left in the family. You, it's enough to go for a while. As for the future——" He paused, sighed: "Let's have our own destiny."

Xue Tingxiang took the purse.

Everyone in the room looked at the purse.

Especially the Dafang couple, who seemed to be calm, but actually had needles in their eyes, wishing they could get into their purses to see how much money was in there.

Xue Tingxiang smirked slightly, opened the purse as if unconsciously, and took out a piece of broken silver from it, which looked about two taels in size.

He took the piece of silver in his hand, and put the purse back intact.

"What are you?" Mr. Xue's eyes were filled with shock and puzzlement.

Not only him, but everyone else.

Besides Zhao'er, Zhao'er understands why the little man would do this. All along, she thought that the little man blamed these people, but she was worried but powerless, but now it seems that she was thinking too much.

Of course, Zhao'er is not without complaints, but she has always felt that it is too unworthy to put all her thoughts on blaming others, and she is too sorry for herself.

So she obviously has many ways to deal with the big house, to make them feel bad, and even to make everyone feel bad by breaking the cans, but she didn't choose to do this, but chose to earn what she wanted with her hands.

She wished the little man could do the same.

Although she doesn't understand the principles, she understands that a good man should stand upright, instead of turning into a blood-sucking leech like Xue Qingshan, always thinking of sucking blood from others to support herself.

"Thanks to the help of an elder, my grandson has already found a school to enroll in. The school is very cheap, and the money is enough."

His words stunned everyone in the room.

Mr. Xue couldn't help asking: "What school is it? How can a good school be cheap."

These people were all deceived by Xue Qingshan's experience, and they all thought that a good school must be expensive. In fact, this is indeed the case. Qinghe Academy is the best academy in Huyang Township, and is even well-known in Xia County, but the so-called 'good' is a matter of opinion.

In the dream, he had studied in that school for three years, so he knew the way of it all too well.

If you are willing to spend money, you can please the gentlemen inside, or those with outstanding knowledge, and it is very easy to get ahead. As long as you follow the right path, big and small are also children. Going the wrong way, but those with "great perseverance" can also try their luck by luck.

For example, a real peasant boy like Xue Qingshan sent a full five years of money into it. Qinghe Academy also wanted to admit a few more peasant children into the academy, so Xue Qingshan also stepped forward.

But that's all there is to it, and you have to rely on your real skills when you get to the college exam.

Xue Tingxiang suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart and said the name of Qingyuan Academy.

Xue Qingshan next to him couldn't help snorting.

Mr. Xue asked him: "Boss, but this school is not good?" He also faintly heard the sneer.

Xue Qingshan quickly suppressed the expression on his face, with a serious look: "Okay, why not, this school is one of the best schools in Huyang Township." But it used to be.

"Then why is Shu Xiu so cheap?"

This question is a bit difficult to answer, Xue Qingshan thought for a while before saying: "This Qingyuan Academy is too small, and its name is not prominent. The museum is different, and it is well-known in our county. The county magistrate and Jiaoyu often come to the hall to teach the students in the hall. Dad, you forgot what I told you about the relationship between the museum owner and the county magistrate. hold head high?"

Mr. Xue nodded, and then looked at Xue Tingxiang: "Since it's not as good, I'd better go to the Qinghe Academy. After all, your uncle has studied there, and there are some benefits in it."

Xue Tingxiang was in a complicated mood.

Seriously speaking, his grandpa still cares about his grandson.

Of course, this is no comparison with Dafang and his son.

In fact, Mr. Xue is very good to the Xue family. He usually handles things in an orderly manner. Occasionally, when the Zhao family gets messy, he can take care of it. The only thing that is easy to get confused is when a bowl of water is uneven.

Seriously speaking, this is not to be confused. The parents of a large family should consider the overall situation. For Mr. Xue, Dafang is the eldest son and grandson, and the most promising person in the family, so it is naturally biased.

This is the case for small households from poor families. If they want to get ahead, they can only do their best to make offerings. Once in the early stage, one person will attain the Tao and ascend to heaven.

The truth is that it is true to say so, but people are people, not cold truths, who wants to make wedding clothes for others forever? Who wants to be at the mercy of others forever?

Especially after going through it year after year like this, it seems that there will never be an end in sight, and people's hearts are floating.

Everyone is right in their own standpoint, what is wrong is that people have different hearts.

These truths are only understood by Xue Tingxiang after experiencing that dream. In fact, he in the dream did not finally understand all this until many years later.

"Grandson..."

Xue Tingxiang was about to speak, but was interrupted by Xue Qingshan's words.

"Father, don't worry about this matter. Gou'er is not good at learning. Even if he goes to Qinghe Academy, he will waste his money. It's better to find a random academy and learn first."

"Can……"

Xue Tingxiang pursed his lips slightly, without moving his eyebrows or eyes: "Master, I went to that school to see it, it's pretty good, I decided to study there."

"Look, he even said so himself."

Xue Tingxiang nodded and suggested: "Uncle, actually, I think elder brother can also go to this academy. My family is not rich, so I really don't need to go to such an expensive academy."

"What do you know!" Xue Qingshan was full of contempt, he wanted to say something, but fell silent under the warning eyes of Mr. Xue.

In fact, Xue Tingxiang didn't intend to say this before, because he knew how the Dafang people would react, but Mr. Xue's dissuading words made him change his mind. Sure enough, speaking out, they responded this way. That's fine, he has a clear conscience.

"Since you have made your decision, Grandpa will not say more. I hope you will have a great future in the future, and don't disappoint your father's expectations."

Xue Tingxiang nodded: "Grandson will definitely work hard."

After that, Mr. Xue made some explanations about the separation of the family, and all the people in the house dispersed.

After everyone left, Mr. Xue sat alone on the kang, smoking his dry cigarette with a lonely expression. The lingering green smoke hovered in the air, behind which was his old face with ravines and a pair of slightly bleak eyes.

The Xue family's land was not worried about selling, and when word got out, several families in the village came to ask.

Mr. Xue chose the family with the highest bid and sold two acres of land for a total of twenty-four taels of silver.

Now the land price is the same, if you want to sell it at a higher place, it is not impossible, but at most, you can sell it for one or two taels per mu. The Xue family is waiting to use the silver, so naturally they can't wait until then.

After receiving the silver, Xue Qingshan hurriedly took Xue Juncai to the town.

Unlike Qingyuan Academy, Qinghe Academy has a large number of students who come here to study every year. If you go late, you may be afraid that they will not be accepted, so the sooner you go, the better.

In the evening, Xue Qingshan came back with his son, with a smile on his face.

Xue Juncai couldn't hide his joy, he had an unfamiliar bookbag on his body, with the words Qinghe Academy embroidered on it. It was bulging inside, as if it contained something.

The father and son entered the house and came out after a while, Xue Jun changed into brand new clothes.

It turned out that the Qinghe Academy issued student shirts, which are different from ordinary student shirts, this one is unique. It has a pale blue bottom, a toga with large sleeves, a wide soap-colored piping on the placket and cuffs, and a belt of the same color around the waist. Some look like raw shirts, but they are not.

But I have to say that this clothes can enhance a person's temperament, and Xue Juncai has an extra sense of elegance and coquettishness when he wears it. He was born to be handsome, so it made people unable to take their eyes off him.

"It's so beautiful!" Yang said with a smile and narrowed her eyes.

Mrs. Zhao also nodded repeatedly, saying that the clothes are good. Xue Qingshan stood aside with a particularly bright face, and asked how the others were doing with a smile. Even Mr. Xue, who was sitting in front of the door, couldn't help but smile a little more on his face.

In such a situation, other people in the courtyard would naturally have to say something nice, which was considered a good thing after all.

Everyone took turns to praise, Xue Juncai held his head high, but he still had to act modestly.

He glanced at Xue Tingxiang and asked, "Tingxiang, did the Qingyuan Academy send out shirts?"

Xue Tingxiang shook his head slightly: "Congratulations first brother. The school has not opened yet, but Shu Xiu is so cheap, it probably won't be issued."

"That's true. You don't know, this school not only distributes shirts, but also books and pens. The pens are not worse than the ones I usually use, and the shop sells for several hundred yuan."

This is a bright display.

Zhao'er was overwhelmed. Instead of worrying about it, it feels like arguing with a child, don't care about it, why are you so indifferent!

She has never been in the character of letting others be bitter and not fighting back, so she smiled fakely and said: "Such an expensive Shuxiu is only handsome. You think it is taking advantage of others."

Xue Juncai moved his eyes and looked at her: "Zhao'er, you think it's good too, don't you? If you don't let the dog come to Qinghe Academy, I, as the eldest brother, should take care of him."

Who cares about your care!

It's just that this must not be said in person, Zhao'er gave him a dark look: "No need, we are reluctant to sell the land!"

These words blocked Xue Juncai so that his face turned red immediately, and he hesitated to say anything, so he could only stare at Xue Tingxiang.

Xue Tingxiang was stared at inexplicably, and was wondering why the other party was like this, so he listened to Zhao'er and said: "Let's go back to the house and make a list, you will go to the school in two days, there are many things to buy, don't miss them. "

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