Traveling through ancient times, I led my family to prosperity

When Sheng Xuan called Zhong Zhu's door, all the neighbors came out, including Grandpa Sheng, Sheng Kai, Sheng Hao and the whole family, young and old.

Everyone rushed to fetch water to put out the fire. If the fire spread, the surrounding neighbors would be affected as well. Their houses were connected to each other, and if the fire could not be controlled, the houses might collapse.

Fortunately, the wind was light tonight and many people in the village were awakened by the fire. Without being called, strong laborers from every household came with buckets of water to put out the fire.

While Sheng Xuan was coming back to fetch water, Xiao Lan asked, "Dad, how's the fire?"

"It's much smaller than before, and I've got it under control." Sheng Xuan answered as he walked out with the bucket.

Fires often occur during the Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival. During the festival, every household will set off firecrackers. Firecrackers are in strings, and they can easily explode into the firewood pile when they are set off. It may also be caused by children in the village setting off firecrackers next to the firewood pile. It is difficult to see the sparks when the firecrackers jump into the firewood pile. It seems nothing serious at the time, but when the sparks slowly come to life, they will cause a fire. Firewood in winter is dried for a long time and is completely dry, which is the most flammable time.

When they came back from putting out the fire, Sheng Xuan and Zhang were sweating. "The pile of firewood was almost burnt out. Luckily, his family still had a pile of firewood stored in the yard. If we use it sparingly, it should be able to last until the spring."

Xiaolan's firewood was piled in the tofu workshop behind the house. Sheng Xuan was a little worried, so he wiped his sweat and said he wanted to go over and take a look. "You guys go to sleep first, I'll keep an eye on it."

Sheng Xuan didn't sleep much in the second half of the night. He went out for several times. His tofu workshop needed firewood, and the firewood he had at home was not enough, so he couldn't waste any of it.

The next day, Zhang Qingfeng and Fu came early. They brought Zhang Qingshan's message, saying that the wood and stone materials were almost ready and they could be used as needed. They were gradually taking over the tofu stall.

After Xiaolan's family had breakfast, Shengxuan went to post a recruitment poster. In fact, if you hire acquaintances to work in the village, as long as you provide three meals a day, you don't have to pay them. However, the house that Xiaolan's family wants to build is a large project, and it may not be enough to just hire villagers. Shengxuan is a kind person. In addition to the 22-cent daily wage, he also provides a lunch. This treatment is the best in the town.

It was the slack season for farmers, so they recruited enough people the next day and agreed to start work on the 18th day of the first lunar month. Xiaolan's family built a big house, and she didn't want to stretch the battle line too long, so she recruited a lot of people this time, not only from the village, but also from other villages.

"The third family is not ordinary. They are now one of the most prominent families in our village."

"Look at the fact that they hired these old people to build a house. You can tell it's a big house. They are willing to spend money. They are people who are going to live a big life in the future."

"His family is doing well now. My wife is helping out at his tofu shop. This time he was looking for workers to build a house, and I accepted the job."

No matter what the villagers said, Xiaolan's house was going to start construction. The next day, truckloads of stone and wood were transported in one after another, and Zhang Shanfeng and Zhang Qingnian also came. Now that the weather was not as cold as before, the craftsmen from other villages came early, set up a shed on the spot, and waited for the groundbreaking tomorrow.

As the firecrackers sounded, the foundation of Xiaolan's new house was dug. Xiaolan had discussed the style of the house to be built with her family early on, and the family also expressed their ideas. After adding and subtracting, Sheng Xuan took the final version of the drawings as the general commander, while Zhang Shanfeng and Zhang Qingnian needed to supervise the workers.

After the experience of working in the tofu workshop, Sheng Xuan has completely accepted the idea of ​​hiring people to do work and no longer takes on all the responsibilities.

The people who worked on the construction of the house had to provide them with a lunch. As there were so many people invited, Zhang and Xiaolan were too busy to handle it, so she hired two more wives from the village to help.

The food at Xiaolan's house was quite good, with two dishes per meal, one meat dish and one vegetable dish, and the rice was a mixture of bean rice and millet. Just for the food, even without any pay, many people were willing to help.

Xiaolan was in charge of the expenditure of money, keeping accounts for wood, stone and workers, and paying them. Sometimes she would go to the site with Shengxuan to check. The wages for her family's house construction were settled on a daily basis, and the workers could get their wages every day, which made them very motivated.

Xiaolan's family's tofu business supports the capital chain for building the house, and there is still a surplus so far.

By mid-February, the wind was not as cold as in winter, and Xiaowen was going to go to the private school in town.

The private schools in the town were funded by the gentry and wealthy businessmen of the town. Farmers who could afford it would send their children here to learn to read and write. However, children from wealthy families would not come here to study, but would usually hire teachers to teach at home.

Sheng Hong also studies in this private school and has been there for many years, but he is still a student.

When Mr. Sheng learned that Xiaowen was going to a private school, he specially called Sheng Xuan and Xiaowen to the upper room. He simply told him to study hard and asked Sheng Hong to take good care of Xiaowen. After all, he had studied in the private school for so many years and was considered a local boss.

Xiaolan also wanted to go to school with Xiaowen, but the private school did not accept female students, and she was helpless. However, she had learned some words in the past few months because of her busy work in the tofu shop, but this was far from enough.

Although the town is far from home, Sheng Xuan and Zhang still decided to let Xiao Wen go to school as a day student. First, Xiao Wen is young, and his family would be worried if he lived in the town. Second, the tuition fee for the private school plus three meals a day in the town was also a considerable expense.

"Xiao Wen, you must study hard in the private school. We don't require you to pass the exam to become a scholar or a juren or something like that, but you must be able to read and write. Our family's literacy depends on you." Xiao Lan said.

"Yes." Xiao Wen nodded and said, "Second sister, don't worry, I will study hard. From now on, I will teach you what I have learned every day after school. I promise to teach you as much as I have learned."

Xiao Lan was immediately happy, but she was a little worried when she thought about Xiao Wen going to school as a day student. "Dad, let's hire a long-term worker. In addition to picking up Xiao Wen in the morning and evening to go to the private school, he can also help you share some of the work at other times."

"But we really have no place to live at home." Sheng Xuan said. "The house will be almost finished by mid-June, and then we can hire permanent workers."

Xiao Lan nodded. She could only think of another way.

When talking about this topic at lunch, Zhang Qingfeng said, "Tell the shopkeeper Xu of Tianxianglou that his servants come to get the tofu pudding every evening. Ask them to take Xiaowen with them. As for the mornings, I can get up early to send him to the private school."