Traveling through time as a peasant girl to turn things around

The shop was opened for half a day in the morning, and a closed sign was hung outside the door at noon. It will reopen after the New Year and on the eleventh day of the first lunar month.

There wasn't much in the shop; the milk bags had been put away, and the warehouse had been packed up. Chai Zhen locked the door. The family returned to their residence, ate, and, instead of taking a nap, locked the door and went home.

Along the way, the sound of horse hooves was heard.

When Jiale got home, he went to the north courtyard—the prince's residence. The caravan was still going out, so no one was idle. Everyone was working separately. One person was the worst off, with both feet injured. He had difficulty walking, so Jiale asked him to watch the fire and boil water. He only boiled water for drinking when he didn't take a bath. Most of the work was done while sitting. Three people were assigned to the water room. Sometimes it was very busy. They all had difficulty walking and were not very old, in their early thirties. Jiale said: "Work hard, maybe you can even find a wife. You will get paid every day, starting from at least fifty coins." The three of them became more confident when they heard this. Jiale went to the woods west of the river again. There were old soldiers cutting trees and the carpentry shop collecting wood. Jiale said: "Old brothers, work today for one day and rest tomorrow. It's the New Year. We should have a good New Year when we are back." "Yes, I'll listen to you. Let's rest tomorrow."

Sun Gui was incredibly busy, calculating the wages for the past two days and only paying them out on the evening of the 29th. The women burst into tears when they received their earnings. "After living half our lives, we can finally earn money." "I made new clothes, and they look so nice in them." Wang Min also settled the wages. Some earned as much as five taels of silver, and they made a lot every day, even working overtime at night. Huo Hua's wife also made a lot of money; she was good at handicrafts! The men earned even more; some of the woodcutters earned twenty taels of silver, and they also made a lot every day. Some veterans even received one tael of silver. Everyone wanted to stay. Finally, Sun Gui said, "Let's all take a break tomorrow for the New Year. Come back to see me after the sixth day of the New Year."

On the last day of the Lunar New Year, every household steamed buns, fried food, and made dumpling fillings. Old Lady Li stopped selling milk that day and gave it to the veterans. They drank it, saying, "We'll come back tomorrow, and continue to drink it until the 16th day of the first lunar month." This was to help everyone recuperate. The seriously injured soldiers were given the drink when they arrived.

Old Lady Li couldn't bear to see the veterans suffer. Some were still children, fighting for their country but unable to return home, stranded alone in a foreign land. She treated them like family, saying, "Everyone needs to have enough to eat every day. I'll send you food in a few days, and we'll see when you have a harvest." One wounded soldier, a child of twelve, went to the battlefield. Other soldiers told him that when he returned home, his parents had died, and his house and land had been taken by his uncles, who had driven him out of the village. That's why the general had sent him here. He had been wounded in the shoulder, unable to exert any force...

Little Milk Bag and his brothers, dressed like cotton balls, went to the storeroom with Jiale and brought out two large baskets of eggs. "Third Uncle, remember to give everyone three eggs a day." Jiale: "Got it, Housekeeper." The kitchen had a fireman who knew how to cook. Little Milk Bag drove a dozen sheep into the yard and said, "Everyone, have mutton dumplings with white and red radishes." That night, they made mutton soup with green onions and chilies, which was delicious. Jiale called a few people to the corner outside to slaughter the sheep and eat the meat. Little Milk Bag: "Roasting is also good." Little Milk Bag brought out a lot of seasonings. "Remember to invite Guoguo when you roast them." Hehe. "Okay, I'll definitely invite you little ones." ...

At noon, every household ate dumplings, including the veterans. Little Naibao and several children joined in the fun. Old Lady Li had no choice but to come and help with the cooking. Finally, everyone in the Chai family brought in the dumpling filling: Li Jingwen and his grandson, Chen Jun and Chai Hua, He Shouyi, Sun Gui, Zhang Qingshan, and even the school tables. They all gathered there. Chai Zhen had someone notify the village elders, and over a dozen of them had gathered. Zhang Qingshan gave a speech, "Everyone, rest assured, stay here. We'll be reclaiming the land for three years and exempt from paying the public grain tax. This is the Emperor's order. Thank you, Emperor. If you have any difficulties, please let me know. I'll do my best to help you." Sun Gui also said a few words to reassure everyone, and then he built houses for everyone, allowing anyone who wanted to live on their own to do so. Chai Zhen said, "What I eat, you eat too. We've all been brought together by fate, to Taohua Village. We're all one family." Zhang Qingshan said, "Eat. Eat well, eat your fill."

The children and women sat together. The men drank and chatted. Today's wine was Guoguo's, not too strong, and the women drank some too.

Everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest all afternoon, eating and drinking to their heart's content! It wasn't until dusk that everyone went home. Every household had couplets pasted on their doors and built a big bonfire, preparing for a big fire on New Year's Day, symbolizing a prosperous year.

At night, they had a simple meal, and the Chai family brought out peanuts, sunflower seeds, and tea. The veteran was in the north courtyard, and the Chai family was at home, all eating snacks and keeping watch.

Zhang Qingshan and his wife, along with Sun Quan's wife and children, were reunited at Sun Gui's home, where they were staying until the 16th. Sun Gui's youngest son was home on holiday, playing with his nephew. The family chatted and laughed. Zhang Qingshan asked, "Qing'er, I'm taking the county exam after the New Year. How are you preparing?" Sun Qing replied, "Grandfather, I think I'm doing pretty well, but I'm not sure if I can pass." Zhang Qingshan replied, "Then let's go to the study tonight. I'll explain some of the questions myself. Let's go." Sun Qing said goodbye to his grandmother, parents, and sister-in-law and went to the study. Zhang Qingshan tutored Sun Qing for over ten days, benefiting him immensely. But that's another story.

On New Year's Eve, at midnight, Guoguo brought out a bunch of fireworks and the whole family gathered outside. They set off fireworks, which soared into the sky, lighting up the Taohua Village sky. People from every household gathered in their yards to watch, while some ventured outside to watch. A large crowd gathered in the open space from a distance. The fireworks went on for an hour, and everyone was having a blast, enjoying themselves.

Go to bed only after having enough fun.