Chapter 23

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.

薛庭儴的说法，让周氏和孙氏的眼睛都亮了。之前她们只想到要卖地就卖大房的，万万还没想到还有这种办法。

周氏想得是以后能自己当家了，孙氏想的则是靠着男人卖货，家里再种几亩地，赚来的钱都自己花，那日子过得不要太美。

孙氏一拍巴掌，道：“狗子这办法好，这种办法面面俱到，谁也说不出什么。”

“老三、老四，你们也是这么想的？”

同样的话，薛老爷子已经问了第二遍了。

他一双老眼紧紧地逼视下面两个儿子，只要薛青柏和薛青槐不点头，两家的妇人是翻不起什么风浪的。

“他爹！”周氏看着薛青柏。

“槐哥！咱自己当家了，到时候可是想送毛蛋去哪儿上学，就送他去哪儿。”

两个男人都是面露挣扎之色。

良久，薛青槐抹了把脸，上前了一步：“我觉得这法子也不错。”

“老三，你呢？”薛老爷子的手下意识攥紧了烟锅，明明那烟锅十分烫手，他却没感觉。

薛青柏连头没敢抬，声如蚊吟：“要不，就听孩他娘的吧。”