New ink fragrance in old times

"I'm almost becoming a robot from doing this job, but I still feel proud when I see the Lin family's huge territory." Lin Mo muttered while wiping the sweat off his face.

Old Master Lin stood in the yard, the afterglow of the setting sun casting a shadow on his weathered face. He glanced around at his family members who had been busy all day and said in a loud voice, "Everyone, work hard. Tomorrow we're harvesting corn in Songjiapo. This year's harvest looks good, so we have to strike while the iron is hot and bring all the grain home as soon as possible so we can feel at ease."

Everyone smiled with relief.

Lin Mo thought happily: The rice has finally been harvested, and now only corn is left, and I will be free soon.

In the early morning, there was still a faint crescent moon hanging in the sky and the stars had not yet disappeared, but the Lin family was already ready and set off in an orderly manner for Songjiaopo, a rare journey.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of soil and dew, heralding a busy and fulfilling day. Some held sickles, some carried bamboo baskets on their shoulders, some pushed carts, and some pulled oxen, their steps brisk and firm.

As the sun gradually rose higher, people were sweating in the corn fields of Songjiaopo.

At lunchtime, the Lin family sat together in the yard, the table was filled with hot food, and the air was filled with the aroma of food.

Old Master Lin picked up his bowl, took a sip of the soup, then put it down and looked at everyone seriously. "We need to keep working hard. One group will go to the back hill to harvest the corn, which hasn't started there yet. Another group will stay in Songjiapo and finish harvesting the remaining corn. What do you think?"

"This is a good idea." Lin Wenru nodded first, and others also expressed their agreement.

Lin Mo sat aside, quietly listening to Grandpa Lin's arrangements. He was too tired to talk.

"A few of our laborers will go to the back mountain. The fields there are vast and there are lots of corn, so they require a lot of strength. The women will stay at home and harvest the crops in front of the door. It is convenient as it is close to home." Grandpa Lin continued to assign tasks, considering everything very carefully.

"What about us?" Lin Sizhe couldn't suppress his curiosity and raised his hand to ask.

"You little guys, harvest corn here at the doorstep first. After you're done, follow your grandma to the back mountain to help. How about that?" Old Master Lin looked at Lin Sizhe with a smile.

"Okay! Grandpa!" Lin Sizhe high-fived excitedly, and Lin Mo could only nod.

"The corn in front of the door has been harvested today, so we only have the corn in the back mountain left." Lin Xueqin took over the conversation, his eyes full of confidence.

"Yes, today is the 23rd, we will definitely finish harvesting before the end of the month." Lin Xuejin said excitedly.

However, Old Mrs. Lin sighed softly: "It's still much slower this year. At this time of year in previous years, the corn would have been harvested long ago, and everyone would have had a few days off." Her words revealed a hint of regret for the slower progress of the harvest this year.

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's eat first. Let's work harder and we will finish it." Old Master Lin said from the side.

Mr. Lin’s words were like a shot of adrenaline, as if they could dispel all worries and fatigue.

Old Mrs. Lin nodded slightly. Although she was still worried, she also understood that the most important thing now was to conserve her energy.

The family quickly finished their lunch, and according to Mr. Lin’s plan, everyone in the Lin family became busy.

The men carried bamboo baskets and held sickles and headed towards the back mountain in a mighty procession; the women stayed at home, either doing housework or going to the fields closer to home to harvest corn.

Lin Mo, Lin Sizhe and other children followed the plan and worked with Old Lady Lin and the others in front of their house. Although they were not very strong, their seriousness and enthusiasm remained the same.

"Third brother, look, this corn cob is so big." Lin Sizhe held up the corn he had just broken off, his face full of pride.

"Yes, we have to work harder and finish early so that grandma can make us something delicious when we get home in the evening!" Lin Mo responded with a smile, and his hands moved more skillfully.

As the last basket of corn from the cornfield next to the Lin family's yard was carried into the yard, the women of the Lin family showed joy of victory on their faces.

Mrs. Lin: "Okay, everyone take a break and go to the back mountain to help later."

The women of the Lin family were ready to go again, and with full of energy and anticipation, they set out on the road to the back mountain. Although the road to the back mountain was rugged, it was close to the Lin family and they arrived in less than a quarter of an hour.

……

Everything was silent, and moonlight streamed through the window lattice, spilling into the room. Lin Mo lay in bed, his eyes slightly closed, but his mind was as clear as a mirror, as he carefully counted the days.

"Today is the 25th, and the corn in the back mountain has been harvested." He said to himself: "The rice is harvested, the corn is harvested, perfect."

Lin Mo couldn't help but smile, he felt that the days were becoming more and more promising.

The joy of the corn harvest has just faded, but Lin Mo's life has not been put on pause.

The first ray of sunlight in the early morning penetrated the mist and shone into the Lin family courtyard, indicating that the new day would be busy and fulfilling.

"Brother Mo, we have to go to Yanwan to help today. Those corn stalks are waiting for us to put them away." Old Mrs. Lin's voice came from the kitchen.

Hearing this, Lin Mo stood up and said, "Okay, grandma, I'll go get ready."

Lin Mo thought: Corn stalks? What is that?

When Lin Mo came to Yanwan with Old Lady Lin, he suddenly realized that the corn stalks Old Lady Lin mentioned were actually straw.

"Sanlang, you've come at the right time. The corn stalks here are almost piled up. Come over and help tie them up. We need to take them home later." Xing'er shouted to Lin Mo.

"Coming." Lin Mo responded with a smile and joined the group tying straw.

As the sun sets and the last ray of sunlight disappears on the horizon, all the straw in Yanwan has finally been harvested.

On the way home, Old Man Lin couldn't help but sigh, "We have to hurry up. The end of the month is almost here, and we have to finish harvesting the corn stalks in Songjiapo and the back mountain. If we miss this period of good weather, the work later will be difficult."

Lin Wenru, who followed closely behind, nodded vigorously in agreement: "Brother, don't worry. By the end of the month, I guarantee that not a single corn stalk will be left in the field. They will all be collected safely."

Lin Xueqian's eyes flashed with confidence and enthusiasm. He took over the conversation: "That's right, Dad. Cutting corn stalks is a very simple job. I can handle two or three acres of land in a day by myself without any problem."

Lin Xuejin also joined the discussion: "Yes, with so many of us working together, and with my second uncle's family coming to help, we can not only finish harvesting the corn stalks before the end of the month, but we might even finish it ahead of time. Then we can breathe a sigh of relief."

The family walked and talked like this, and everyone's heart was full of energy.

Chapter 62