Farming and reading family

She also hoped that Du Weiqing would teach Xiaowu to write, so that he could become a leisurely writer in the future.

Besides, they have a college at home, so Xiaowu won’t be left without a place to go.

But Xu Boyan is also fine.

He can get along well anywhere and there is no need to worry about him being bullied in the future.

"Yes." Chen Ke nodded with a smile.

"A severe drought occurred just as we started paying taxes. I wonder if the government will reduce or exempt taxes." Gao E looked at Chen Ke's expression.

Chen Ke frowned. After the flood in the previous life, He County was peaceful for several years and there was no drought.

But after rebirth, many things have changed. Could it be that even the climate has changed?

"I don't know about this either. If you want to know, I can go to He County and ask." Chen Ke suggested.

"No need." Gao E smiled. "I just want to ask if my husband knows."

Judging from Chen Ke's reaction, he seemed a little surprised by the drought. It seemed that the current situation was different from what he remembered from his previous life.

Chen Ke nodded.

As Gao E left, she took another look at the bell hanging on the door frame.

"What's wrong with this bell?" Lu Qingluo became curious.

"How could a man of his age hang such a thing?" Gao E smiled and went to find Du Weiqing.

After finishing his lecture, Du Weiqing went to his house to drink some water. He saw Gao E waiting at the door and taking care of the Acorus calamus he had just had someone dig up.

"How did you find time to come to the academy?" Du Weiqing poured himself some water.

"I want to discuss with you the matter of planting fruit trees and raising chickens and ducks in Qingtan Gorge." Gao E said directly.

"A good academy is not your farmland." Du Weiqing joked.

"You're saying your academy can leave my farmland." Gao E said angrily, "Grow something so they can understand the four seasons. Raise some chickens and ducks so they can wake up at the sound of the cockcrows and know that the ducks know first when the river warms in spring."

Du Weiqing laughed heartily: "I don't think scholars can refuse this reason."

"Actually, there's a drought this year, and I'm worried that the academy won't be able to keep up with the supply." Gao E was not joking.

Du Weiqing also thought about it seriously. In the past, he didn't even care about his own family's daily necessities, but now he has to consider the livelihood of the entire academy.

"Who has my husband been close to recently?" Gao E asked suddenly.

Du Weiqing paused and asked, "Why? Do you suspect Chen Ke is having an affair?"

"I just want to ask, he wants Lord Xu to start writing for Xiaowu, what do you think?" Gao E changed the subject.

When it comes to giving Xiaowu the first chance to write, Du Weiqing really wants to, but it depends on who Chen Ke and Gao E want to find.

"Master Xu is back?" Du Weiqing was surprised.

"No, he wants to take Xiaowu to the capital." Gao E said unhappily.

"Xiaowu is so young, can he bear the fatigue of traveling to the capital?" Du Weiqing was worried.

"Why don't you try to persuade him?" Gao E suggested.

Du Weiqing thought for a moment and said, "Forget it. I'm so busy with the affairs of the academy right now that I don't even have time to look after my own children."

Gao E laughed.

"You said to plant trees and raise chickens and ducks, etc. It's up to you." Du Weiqing didn't understand either.

"Okay." Gao E nodded.

After leaving Du Weiqing, Gao E thought that Chen Ke had become capable and could take things into his mind.

"Qingluo." Gao E called out when she saw that there was no one around.

"Hmm?" Lu Qingluo was watching the students of the academy go to the cafeteria.

"Sneak back later and keep an eye on Chen Ke, but don't get angry no matter what you see. Go back and tell me." Gao E instructed.

Lu Qingluo perked up: "Do you suspect he has someone else outside?" She said puzzledly, "But this academy is full of men."

Gao E gave Lu Qingluo a look, still too naive.

Lu Qingluo: What are you looking at?

Gao E and Lu Qingluo left together. Lu Qingluo quietly turned back and found a place to see the students in the academy. There is something different about scholars.

When the children came back in the evening, Gao E got angry when she thought about what Chen Ke had said during the day about Zhengyan and the others not being able to make it, so she called the four children over.

The four of them looked at each other and felt that their mother was a little angry.

"Mom, is there something wrong?" Chen Zhengyan said respectfully.

"I know Zhengyan and Zhenghui are not planning to take the imperial examinations, but listen carefully, the four of you, no matter what you want to do, you must study, so that you can avoid many detours." Gao E taught.

The four children didn't mind her saying this. They thought their mother was very capable and what she said was naturally right.

"As long as you pass the exam, you can do whatever you want, and your mother will support you." Gao E said with a serious face.

"Mother, why do we have to take the exam to become a scholar?" Chen Zhengchuan looked puzzled. "Dad did take the exam, but it was useless."

"Come here." Gao E said as she took the ruler.

Chen Zhengchuan is indeed very naughty in normal times, but he didn't dare to act naughty in front of his mother. He lowered his head and stretched out his hand.

Gao E hit Chen Zhengchuan on the palm of his hand, causing him to tremble in pain.

"In our family, there is no such thing as a son not blaming his mother's mistakes. Anyone can point out their mistakes, but you cannot say that parents are useless for no reason." Gao E looked at Chen Zhengchuan.

Chen Zhengyan bowed and said, "It is my fault that I neglected my teachings. Please punish me, mother."

"The eldest brother is like a father. When the father is not around, you don't have to take all the responsibilities on yourself." Gao E asked Chen Zhengyan to stand aside.

Chen Zhengyan saluted and stood aside.

Gao E looked at Chen Zhengchuan: "Is what mother said right?"

Chen Zhengchuan thought for a moment and said, "Dad is a scholar, and there really isn't anything wrong with him. As a son, I really shouldn't say that."

"That's all I need to know." Gao E motioned Chen Zhengchuan to stand back. "Tell me what you want to do in the future?"

Chen Zhengchuan instantly became energetic: "I want to make a lot of money like my third uncle."

Gao E had already seen through it: "Then do you know that a gentleman loves wealth but earns it in a proper way? Do you know how difficult it is to keep wealth? Do you know how to make money?"

Chen Zhengchuan shook his head.

"From now on, any child of the Chen family who wants to do something must first obtain the title of scholar. This will help them to nourish themselves, cultivate their virtues, and correct themselves, so that they can achieve their own goals." Gao E looked at them.

As for not having to kneel when meeting officials and the many conveniences when going out, Gao E did not tell them.

When they really become scholars, they will naturally know these benefits, instead of taking the exam to become a scholar just for these benefits.

After teaching the four children, Gao E felt that she also had to give some instructions to Hu Zhexing, as Hu Zhexing was a scholar after all.

The next day, Lu Qingluo came back angrily. He entered the house and slammed his sword, looking like he was going to kill someone.

"What's wrong?" Gao E asked Hanyue to take Xiaowu out first.

Lu Qingluo lowered his voice after seeing Xiaowu walk away: "How did you know Chen Ke had someone in the academy?"

"Who is it?" Gao E asked slowly.

"A student named Yi Nanzhi, disguised as a man, lives in a tent outside the academy." Lu Qingluo looked at Gao E. "How about I help you kill her?"

"Have the two of them done anything inappropriate?" Gao E asked Lu Qingluo not to be so impulsive.