I trade in both worlds

He first used a magnifying glass to carefully observe the surface of the jade, looking for any possible flaws or cracks.

He then measured the density and hardness of the jade with professional instruments to ensure its authenticity.

Then, he judged whether the internal structure of the jade was tight by the sound it made when knocking on it.

During the entire identification process, Xu Ziqing stood nervously by the side, watching the expert's every move with bated breath.

Finally, the experts completed the identification work.

He put down the instrument in his hand and looked at Xu Ziqing and Xu Xu with a smile: "The quality of these two pieces of Hetian jade raw stones is very high, with bright colors, high transparency, clear textures and rich layers. They are rare and excellent products."

After hearing the expert's appraisal results, the villain in Xu Ziqing's heart kept jumping around and making "Yeah" gestures.

After leaving the appraisal room, Xu Ziqing and Manager Zhang signed the auction agreement and went home. The auction of the two rough stones was tentatively scheduled for the end of July.

Time passed unknowingly and it was July. In the morning, as soon as Xu Xu got up, Xu Jianli came and knocked on the door.

Xu Xu smiled and greeted, "Brother Jianli, why are you here so early?"

"It has to be earlier. I came to your place several times yesterday, but you were not at home. Where did you go?" Xu Jianli asked curiously.

Xu Xu paused, then smiled and replied, "Oh, I took a few kids to the county in the morning, and went up the mountain to look for some mushrooms in the afternoon."

Xu Jianli nodded and said, "Let's go to the ancestral hall at the beginning of the Si hour later."

"Is there something wrong?" Xu Xu looked at him puzzledly.

"It's about establishing a clan school." Xu Jianli said and prepared to leave: "Okay, you go ahead and do your thing. I'll go back first. Remember to go to the ancestral hall at the beginning of the Si hour."

"Got it. Take care, Brother Jianli." Xu Xu stood at the gate of the yard and watched him walk away. She turned around to close the door and saw someone walking towards her house.

As the person slowly approached, Xu Xu realized it was Xu Jizong and called out to him, "Second Uncle."

Xu Jizong waved his hand.

Xu Xu took a few steps forward and asked, "Second Uncle, why are you here so early?"

"Where have you been these days? I couldn't find you." Xu Jizong asked her with a stern face.

"Oh, I went to the county town. I'll tell you in detail when I get in." Fortunately, Xu Jianli had just asked the same question, otherwise he would definitely not be able to react.

After entering the yard, Xu Jizong looked at the quiet house and asked in a low voice, "How many children haven't woken up yet?"

Xu Xu also said softly: "I haven't woken up yet, come in and sit down."

"No, don't wake up the children. What were you doing in the county town these days?" Xu Jizong found a small stool in the yard and sat down.

Xu Xu poured a bowl of soy milk that she had cooked in the morning to Xu Jizong: "Sister Xu Ziqingqing and I tried to make a soap for washing our faces. We wanted to sell the house. The shopkeeper of Jinxiu Pavilion introduced her boss to us. The boss sent a general manager over in the past few days, so we went to discuss the sale of the house."

Hearing that it was a serious matter, Xu Jizong felt relieved and asked with concern, "Did you sell the recipe?"

"We sold it for three thousand taels, and we split it equally. After selling the recipe, we had to teach them how to make it, so we stayed away for a few more days." Xu Xu replied.

"Okay, then you be careful. It's not convenient to take several children out, so just leave them with me. I'll help you look after them. There are a lot of people outside, and you may not be able to take care of them with you, so it's better to leave them with me." Xu Jizong instructed.

"I understand, uncle. You don't have to go next time." Xu Xu nodded in response.

Xu Jizong nodded and asked, "Did you ask the clan leader to build a clan school?"

"Yes." Xu Xu explained, "Xiao Jin and Xiao Zhun are too young. None of the private schools nearby will accept them. Besides, the private school teacher in the next village is a student. He can teach them a lesson, but his knowledge is limited. If I let them go to the county town to study on their own, I would be worried. After all, they are still too young. If they live in the private school by themselves, it will be difficult to take care of their daily life."

Xu Xu paused, and then continued, "So I thought, if there is a clan school in our clan, it would be great, so the teacher can also invite a learned scholar."

"Ask a scholar to be your teacher?" Xu Jizong looked up at her in surprise: "This is not an easy thing to do."

"I do have such an idea." Xu Xu nodded: "If Xiao Jin and Xiao Zhun want to take the imperial examination in the future, they should lay a solid foundation now. Moreover, I also hope that our Xu family children can go to private schools to study, so that there will be more scholars."

Xu Jizong was silent for a while. "It is always a good thing for the clan to build a clan school. I heard that you plan to spend fifty taels to build a clan school?"

"Yes, I originally wanted to hire a teacher for Xiao Jin and his brother, but it would cost a lot every year. If the clan could build a clan school, it would save a lot, and more Xu family members would benefit from it."

"That's right." Xu Jizong nodded: "The clan agrees to build a clan school, so I will also take out fifty taels to build a clan school like you."

Thinking that Xu Jizong's cake shop was doing pretty well, and that the fifty taels could be earned back in a month or two, Xu Xu did not persuade him any further.

"Okay, nothing else, I'll go back first." Xu Jizong finished the soy milk in one gulp, put down the bowl, stood up and walked out: "I'll wait for you to come over later and then go to the ancestral hall together."

"Okay, take care, second uncle." Xu Xu stood at the door and watched Xu Jizong walk away before closing the door.

At the end of the day, Xu Xu handed Xu Tiantian to Xu Ziqing and went to Xu Jizong's house alone.

"Where is the child?" Xu Jizong was sitting in the shade at the gate of the courtyard, holding an old palm-leaf fan in his hand. When he saw Xu Xu coming alone, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

"Sister Qing brought me some fabric this morning, and I asked her to help look after the child." Xu Xu explained with a smile.

Hearing this, Xu Jizong nodded, stood up, dusted himself off, and said, "Let's go."

The two walked side by side on the road leading to the ancestral hall. Along the way, they met many tribesmen. Some of them were carrying farm tools on their shoulders, while others were carrying baskets in their hands. They all had excitement and anticipation on their faces.

"I heard that a clan school is going to be built." A clan member carrying a hoe said with a smile on his face: "My children will finally have the opportunity to go to school, and they don't have to farm like me for the rest of my life."

"Yes, yes." Another member of the clan, holding a basket, echoed, "Maybe our Xu family will produce a high-ranking official in the future!"

They all hope that their children can also go to school.

When we arrived at the entrance of the ancestral hall, many clansmen had already gathered there, with at least one representative from each household.

The patriarch stood in the middle. There was a table next to him. Xu Jianli was sitting at the table writing something.

She looked around and saw the tribesmen standing or sitting, enthusiastically discussing tribal studies.

Looking around, Xu Xu was the only woman, which made her feel a little nervous.

Xu Jizong patted her shoulder soothingly, which instantly made Xu Xu relax.