Traveling through time as a peasant girl to turn things around

That evening, Little Milk Bag said, "Grandpa, let's divide the things in the cart!" Old Lady Li went ahead to close the gate. Jia He, Jia Le, and Li Dong went to move the things, piling them up in the yard. The cloth was unrolled, and the women stepped forward. "Wow! It's dazzling!" Little Milk Bag said, "This is Uncle Huang's gift to our family. The waterwheel will benefit the whole country." Little Milk Bag simply said, "Let's divide it up. Take your pick." Old Lady Li first held out a piece of dark blue silk with a dark pattern for Chai Zhen. "Dad, this dark blue silk with a dark pattern is nice. Can I make you a dress?" The daughter-in-law was thinking first of herself, so Chai Zhen comforted her, "Okay, then make you a nice dress." He had several suits in his bag, all made in Yeheng, Beijing. Little Dong had already taken all his clothes to the east room. He had the most fancy clothes, but he had left many in Beijing and hadn't brought them back. He figured he wouldn't have enough to wear while farming in the countryside. Old Lady Li took the silk back to her room. Old Lady Li asked Xiaodong to choose fabric again. "Grandma, I won't make it, and I won't wear it either." Old Lady Li said, "No, everyone else in the family has it. Look, this light-colored brocade suits you." Xiaodong thought about it and said, "Okay, I'll listen to Grandma and wear the fabric." Old Lady Li then asked Chai Ping'an to choose. She liked the dark green with a blue pattern and took it back to her room. Little Milk Bag asked, "Grandma, let you choose it yourself?" "Okay, Grandma will wear a satin dress, too. Something festive, with a dark purple pattern." Old Lady Li said, "Xiaohong, you also choose this dark purple pattern so we can both wear the same one." Ru Niang said, "Okay, we'll both wear red." Old Lady Li asked Ru to take it to her room. For Li Guang, Ru gave him a dark blue and yellow brocade with a dark pattern. Li Dong chose for himself and chose a light green and silver-white jacquard brocade. He gave it to his sister and took it to the west room. He asked Li Ru to make it for him. Li Ru and Wang Min looked at each other, unsure which to choose. Little Milk Bag walked over, and Wang Min picked her up, saying, "Guoguo, help Auntie choose. We've never worn it, and it looks too fancy. I don't know which one to choose, or maybe just not make it. I don't think I'll wear it." Jia He stepped forward, took a look, and chose one for her. "This one's the one! It's light purple with gold and dark green patterns that complement it beautifully." Little Milk Bag exclaimed, "Okay, this one's the one! Uncle is such a good picker. It's really beautiful." Wang Min: "Then this one. Once it's made, we'll wear it during the New Year." Little Milk Bag: "Auntie, for spring and autumn. We have other nice clothes for winter." "Brothers, Guoguo, come and choose. These are the same ones. They're light blue silk with bamboo leaf patterns. Brother Dong is making one set, Huanhuan one, Hengheng one, Brother Chaiye one, and Brother Wangwang and Mumu are all making the same. They'll be school uniforms, clothes specifically for school." Xiaodong understood. The other little ones knew it could only be worn to school. Granny Li: "Okay, that's settled." Little Milk Bag: "Grandma, I'll design the style, just change the size." Granny Li: "Okay. Guoguo will design it, I'll cut it, and Ru will make it." Granny Li asked Juanzi, Zhang Ying, and Granny Li to choose. Zhang Ying said, "We can't." Granny Li: "No, we all have one." Little Milk Bag: "I'll help Master Zhang choose. This light green one?"

Little Milk Bag looked at Zhang Ying and asked. The light-colored jacquard is just right for the teacher, it is elegant and generous, and extraordinary. Little Milk Bag took out two jade hairpins, the dark one for the teacher and the light one for Juanzi. Little Milk Bag: "Everyone in the family has them." The two of them put them on their heads. Old Mrs. Li saw that it was different. "She looks like a daughter of a wealthy family." Little Milk Bag chose a piece of peach-colored floral satin and a piece of green jacquard brocade for Juanzi. "Sister Juanzi, make two sets of clothes. You will wear clothes when you hold the baby, so you can wear them alternately." Juanzi: "I don't want to give them up. I will keep them for festivals. The clothes made by grandma are fine. I don't have to worry about them getting damaged while working." Little Milk Bag: "It's up to you. Just make two sets. You are the youngest and most beautiful girl in our family." Someone laughed "Hahaha". Juanzi glanced at it and said, "Hmph." "Okay, I'll wear it. I want to look my best." Old Lady Li said, "Chai Hua and Chen Jun, you choose yourselves, or I'll choose for you." The two looked at each other and said, "Well, we won't choose. I'll make it for you. Whatever it looks like, we'll all wear it." "Okay, I'll make it for you." Old Lady Li: "Mr. Li, I'll make it for you too. Li Qi's Ru will make it." "Okay, I'll make it. Just like Huanhuan and Xiaodong, they're all little boys." Li Qi's heart sank at that. He glanced at his grandfather, said nothing, and lowered his head to eat. Old Lady Li had recently asked Li Dong to build a large wardrobe for Master Li and his son, so they have room for their clothes. There are so many books in the bookcase. We're waiting for Guoguo to design the bookcase. I was in such a hurry to get back this time that I forgot to bring the glasses, so I can't make the bookcase. Little Milk Bag only remembered when he saw Master Li. But he brought back a lot of books, thinking he'd send them to school tomorrow. Little Milk Bag gave the pens and paper to his brother, Master Li. There were three kinds of pens: ballpoint pens, fountain pens, and brushes. The paper was also high-quality. Large, white paper. Li Jingwen's eyes widened. He had never seen such fine paper before. He touched it and it felt smooth, white, and thick. He took out the ballpoint pen Guoguo had given him. Guoguo said that this kind of pen is called a ballpoint pen. When writing "Taohua Village School," Master Li's strokes were smooth, powerful, and elegant. Little Milk Bag watched and felt in her heart that the ancients' handwriting was so good. She secretly made up her mind to learn calligraphy from Master Li.

After a while, the cloth was sorted, and there was still plenty left. Chai Zhen had Old Lady Li take it all away and put it in the storeroom. She also distributed the paper and pens. Old Lady Li said, "Everyone, go do what you need to do." Everyone washed up, went back to their rooms, and those who needed to practice martial arts outside did too. Little Milk Bag returned to his room, and Chai Ye followed him in. Chai Ye slept with Li Ru. Juanzi and Zhang Ying shared a room. The two returned to the house, lit the oil lamp, and discussed making new clothes. Juanzi said, "The Chai family is so good to me." Zhang Ying said, "Yes, there are few families like this who treat us like family. I am old, so I will teach the children here and will not leave. Let's not talk about food first. This family treats us like family, and I feel at ease. When I have free time, I will reclaim some wasteland and grow some crops and vegetables. I am willing to endure hardships and hardship." Juanzi said, "Me too. I don't suffer from idleness or hardship. I don't get beaten or scolded. My masters are all good and don't treat me like a servant. I even want to call Old Lady Li "mother". I live a good life with my masters. Aunt Li asked me to treat Chai Ye as my younger brother. So I do and kiss Chai Ye." Zhang Ying said, "You are right."

Xiaodong went back to his room to study, while Chai Zhen went to the village chief's house to discuss the autumn harvest and the money the villagers would earn from selling watermelons. Sun Gui said, "Second uncle is holding a meeting tomorrow to discuss preparing for the autumn harvest and distributing the money. It's all good news." Chai Zhen said, "Of course." Chai Zhen continued, "This time in the capital, you left early. Since then, our family has bought a mountain, and the emperor has also awarded us a lot of land. Tomorrow, I'll ask the villagers if anyone wants to work in the capital after autumn. Sign up. The pay is good. People from my hometown can get at least eighty wen a day, which is over two taels of silver a month." Sun Gui said, "That's good news. With such high wages, I don't need to farm." Chai Zhen said, "Now that you mention that, I remember that if you can't farm in the capital, you can rent it out to others. Anyone who wants to farm at home can rent it out. That way, we have the best of both worlds." Sun Gui clapped his hands in agreement. This was a great idea. The two discussed the village's development prospects...

When the little kid saw Old Lady Li come in, he got out of bed and said, "Grandma, let's go to your room." He pulled Old Lady Li with him and they left. Old Lady Li looked at Guoguo and said, "You kid... Grandma, let's go." Chai Ye was playing with building blocks on the bed while Li Ru was tidying up the kang. As soon as she entered, Old Lady Li picked up Guoguo and said, "Go ahead," and she looked at Guoguo. The little kid waved his little hand, and a large box appeared. "Would you like to see it?" Old Lady Li put Guoguo down and opened it. "This—that's a lot!!" The little kid said, "That's not enough. Grandma, this is ten thousand taels of silver. Take it and spend it. Our family is not short of money anymore. Guoguo is a wealthy woman. We have shops, land, factories, and more than ten hills in the capital, and we're building them." Old Lady Li said, "Let me digest it. It's a lot, it's a good thing. Grandma... Grandma, give some money to the eldest and third uncles." "I gave it to my mother." "Okay, I'll call the others."

When Jia He came in, Grandma Li said, "All four of you brothers have it. This is for you and the third brother. Take it." "Where did mother get so much silver?" Little Milk Bag: "Uncle was rewarded to our family by the emperor. He has 10,000 taels of gold and 100,000 taels of silver. Guo Guo did not discuss it with the family, but only told the great grandfather. He bought more than ten hilltops and a shop in the capital. Now our family has a house in the capital, and we have money left. Share it with everyone. Don't be frugal and be reluctant to eat or wear. Spend it when you should. Second uncle makes a lot of money in a day when he opens the shop. He makes money every day and has nothing to lack." Jia He heard that it was a reward, "Okay, I'll take some." Grandma Li: "You take 5,000, and the third brother takes 5,000. If we have any problems in the future, we can all contribute. We have no shortage of money. Whatever ideas you have, do whatever you want to do." Little Milk Bag also said quickly, "Uncle, Guo Guo wants to tell you something. Uncle, do you want to open a carpentry shop in the capital? Guo Guo has a lot of work and is looking for people to do it? The future is bright, you'll make a killing. They're building houses and villas there, a tourist destination. I'm planning to talk to my uncle about it, and you two can come along. There's new furniture too. "Uncle, think about it, there's no rush, wait until after autumn. Auntie can go too, our house is big, a huge mansion." Little Naibao gestured with his hands as he spoke. Jia He smiled and said, "Okay, niece, think about it." Jia He found a box to hold the silver and took out half. The rest went to the third child.

Wang Min was stunned for a long time when she saw Jia He carrying so much silver into the house. She trembled and said, "This, this - this -" Jia He: "You are really a little woman. This is what our Guoguo brought back. She said it was a reward from the emperor for presenting a waterwheel. All four of us brothers got it. I got 5,000, the third brother got 5,000, and the second brother got it in the capital. He opened a shop in the capital and makes a lot of money every day. Guoguo also wants me to open a carpentry shop in the capital. I'll think about it."

Wang Min got off the kang and asked, "Does Mom have any?" Jia He: "I didn't ask. Mom told me to, so I brought it." Jia He: "I'll go ask right away." Without leaving the silver behind, Jia He went to Old Lady Li's room and asked as soon as he entered, "Mom, do you have any money to spend? Let me get you some!" Old Lady Li and Little Milk Bag looked at each other and laughed. Old Lady Li: "We don't need any money. How could you think I wouldn't have any? Son, be smart. You're not as good as fruits!" Jia He: "Mom!" Little Milk Bag took out another bag and handed it to his uncle. Old Lady Li said, "Take it. Spend it or not. It looks good." Old Lady Li opened it for him. "Gold, or ingots!" Old Lady Li stuffed it into his hand. "Mom knows my children are all good. You don't have to worry about me. You forgot, I sell milk every day and make money too!" Jia He and Little Milk Bag laughed. Hahaha! Haha! Jia He: "Even my son has forgotten. He's only busy with his own things. Don't work too hard, Mom. I earn enough to support you." Old Lady Li: "Yes, Mom knows. Everyone in our family earns money now." Huan Huan and Heng Heng both know how to feed the chickens and sell eggs. Old Lady Li smiled. Life is busy, but also reassuring. Little Nai Bao: "It'll get better and better. We don't need to move for the rest of our lives, and we'll never lack for food. Just get by!" Old Lady Li picked up Little Nai Bao and kissed her, "Grandma's Guo Guo." Jia He smiled happily, too. "Yes, we can't even eat all the food we harvest from the land we farm." A satisfied smile spread across his face. "Mom, I'm going out now." "Go ahead and put the money away with your wife." ...