My humble days in ancient times

Xu Qinghe and Xu Ruyi discussed: "Should our family buy some more servants? Now the fields and orchards need people to take care of them." He looked a little worried, and his brows were slightly furrowed.

"You can buy it, but I also hope to give the villagers some work to do." Xu Ruyi nodded slightly, with determination in his eyes.

"But the villagers in our village are gradually getting richer. I'm afraid that by then they won't want to work under the sun anymore." Xu Qinghe shook his head helplessly, his tone full of worry.

"No, there are a lot of people in the village. Even if one doesn't do it, someone else will. Besides, there's the village next door! Don't worry!" Xu Ruyi comforted her brother.

Xu Qinghe was helpless: "You are just too kind-hearted."

Xu Ruyi shook her head. "I have a kind heart, but I'm also too cautious. People in this world are so evil. It's too tiring to be on guard all the time. I might as well give them a sip of soup."

Xu Qinghe was shocked to hear Xu Ruyi say this. He had always thought his sister was timid and unaccustomed to being a rich girl. It turned out that she could see through people's hearts at such a young age.

Xu Qinghe took a sip of tea and fell into deep thought.

Xu Ruyi continued, "Some people don't sell their peaches the first year their orchards bear fruit. Instead, they give them away to fellow villagers. They don't start selling them until the second year."

Xu Qinghe opened his mouth in surprise, looking a little stunned.

"The fish in the pond in front of the yard have also grown fat. When the lotus flowers in the pond bloom, the villagers come to sell eggs and sit under the willow trees in the pond. The fish swim back and forth in the water. The villagers can all see it. Some villagers even joke that they can catch a few by jumping in!" Xu Ruyi described it vividly with a smile on his face.

Xu Qinghe continued to drink tea and listened to Xu Ruyi calmly, his eyes full of tenderness.

Xu Ruyi also picked up the teacup and drank tea, pausing for a moment.

"What are you going to do?" Xu Qinghe asked.

"I want to give some peaches to the villagers. Forty peaches per household. The rest I can sell." Xu Ruyi said in a calm tone with a firm look.

Xu Qinghe hesitated for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll listen to you."

Xu Qinghe immediately went to find the village head, who picked up the gong and started beating it "dang dang dang".

Many villagers immediately gathered under the big tree near the headman's house when they heard the gong. People hurried over from all directions, and the sounds of footsteps and conversations intertwined.

The village head saw many people coming and said, "Everyone, please be quiet. I have something good to tell you today." His voice was loud and clear, drowning out the noise of the crowd.

After the head of the village finished speaking, he looked at Xu Qinghe. Xu Qinghe immediately walked to the head of the village and said, "Hello, uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters. The peaches in my family are ripe. I think this is the first year, and the peaches should be given to the villagers to taste." His face was filled with a warm smile.

Everyone showed a happy expression when they heard this, and their faces were full of anticipation and surprise.

Xu Qinghe paused and continued, "It's like this. I decided to give forty to each household and keep the rest to sell."

After Xu Qinghe finished speaking, many women became very excited and chattered about it, thinking that they would have peaches to eat.

The village head thought for a while and said, "Qinghe, sell all the peaches!" His expression was serious and he seemed quite earnest.

"That's right, that's right, it's not easy to grow it." There were also many voices agreeing with the village head's statement.

"No need. There will be plenty of days to sell in the future, right? The peaches will start to be picked in the next two days. You just wait at home then!" Xu Qinghe said with a smile.

The next day, the villagers all ran to the yard as if they had agreed on it.

Xu Qinghe and Xu Ruyi were shocked to see many villagers.

The village head said, "After you left yesterday, Qinghe, we had a brief discussion. We decided that each family would pick one person to help you pick peaches. We can't eat peaches for free!"

After the head of the village finished speaking, everyone laughed, and the laughter echoed in the yard.

"Okay, since the villagers are so enthusiastic, I agree!" Xu Qinghe responded readily.

So Xu Qinghe led the way in front, and everyone followed behind into Taoyuan.

Pick them from the easternmost part of Taoyuan and go west.

Xu Ruyi arranged for the servants to bring ten carts.

The villagers picked peaches all day long, from sunrise to sunset, and the peach orchard was filled with laughter and joy.

In the evening, Xu Ruyi and Xu Qinghe brought several carts of peaches into the village and distributed them door to door. They were all big, red peaches.

Some villagers felt embarrassed.

Uncle Zhang said, "You gave us both of your children. Aren't you planning to sell them for silver this year?" His eyes were full of concern.

"Uncle Zhang, there will be plenty of time in the future. Peach trees bear fruit every year anyway." Xu Ruyi replied with a smile.

"Good boy." Uncle Zhang nodded, his face full of relief.

Old Li took the peach and said, "It looks delicious. Thanks to Qinghe and Ruyi's wealth, an old man like me with almost lost teeth can also eat such good peaches!" He smiled so hard that his eyes narrowed into slits.

"Then you have to eat more. This peach is a juicy peach, a southern variety. My brother bought the fruit seedlings with great difficulty." Xu Ruyi said playfully.

"Okay, okay, I can eat several of these peaches a day, don't worry!" Old Li responded happily.

When he arrived at Tian Yuhe's house, Xu Dachun ran over like a happy little rabbit, picked up a big peach and ran home.

Xu Dachuan hurriedly said, "Slow down, don't fall." His voice was full of concern and his face was nervous.

Tian Yuhe had no choice but to follow him closely, fearing that he might make a mistake.

Li picked up one, wiped it carefully and ate it: "Not bad, delicious, and full of moisture." She nodded continuously while eating, with a satisfied smile on her face.

Xu Dafu said cheerfully: "You two shouldn't stay in the sun all the time, your skin will get tanned." There was a hint of heartache in his tone.

Aunt Zhang and Li Hehua were happy for Xu Ruyi.

Aunt Zhang took Xu Ruyi's hand and said kindly, "The peaches are growing so well this year, next year will be just as good. This variety of peaches is not bad." Her eyes were full of admiration.

Xu Ruyi nodded and said with a smile, "These are authentic peaches, welcome to try them!" She looked playful and cute.

The head of the village and Zhou were also filled with joy.

Zhou said, "You two kids, ah, many adults are probably not as good as you in doing things." Her words were full of emotion and relief.

"My brother and I just want all the villagers to taste the peaches. They are not easy to buy here. But if anyone likes to eat them next year, they have to pay to buy them from my house!" Xu Ruyi blinked and said with a smile.

"Okay, I'll be the first to buy it next year." Zhou responded loudly, her laughter echoing in the air.

Arriving at Luo Daying's house, Xu Eryan was ecstatic. Her eyes lit up as she counted the fruits and filled the basket.

After filling the basket, he said, "No, that's enough. If you don't finish it, it will rot."

The servant still took the rest to her into the house.

Xu Ruyi said to Luo Daying, "We agreed to give each household 40 pieces, so there won't be a shortage. If the two of you can't finish them, give some to my wife's family to try!"

Luo Daying didn't think it was too much, and immediately gave twenty to Xu Dayan's family with a smile on his face.

Auntie Pang's family got the peaches. Auntie Pang's face was full of joy and she said excitedly: "Thank you Qinghe and Ruyi, thank you driver brother!"

When they arrived at Huang Guiyun's house, Erhu immediately rushed out and said, "Sister Ruyi, can I choose for myself?"

"Of course." Xu Ruyi replied with a smile.

"Then I'll choose the biggest and reddest ones." Erhu said excitedly, staring at the peaches.

Wang Erdan ate the peaches happily, but couldn't help muttering to himself: I was still hesitating whether to go to the peach orchard to steal some, but I didn't expect them to give them to me for free.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little ashamed of his previous shameful thoughts, and at the same time he felt sincere admiration for the generosity of the Xu brothers and sisters.

But he soon showed greed.