My humble days in ancient times

Xu Ruyi said to Xu Qinghe seriously, "We still need to dig more soil to raise the wasteland in the west. We need to build a spacious house there next year and plant some fruit trees."

Xu Qinghe narrowed his eyes slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "Why don't we ask the villagers who came over to help continue digging? They've dug the soil before, so they'll be more adept at the job."

Xu Ruyi responded without hesitation: "I think so too. The wages will still be paid according to the original amount."

So the brother and sister went to find the village head again.

The village head listened and nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, I can find those people to do it."

Xu Ruyi continued, "The wages remain the same as before. The weather will be cold in a few days, so we need everyone to hurry up and work."

The village head nodded seriously: "Don't worry, I'll let them come over to work tomorrow."

Xu Qinghe then added, "There's a small stream at the foot of the western hillside. Let's dig it wider and deeper. It will come in handy in the future."

The village head understood immediately and said, "Okay. Then let them dig deeper and wider."

The last time the house was built, the villagers were paid 30 wen a day. Wang Youliang, an experienced bricklayer who was also in charge of the construction, was paid 50 wen a day, and the head of the village was paid 80 wen a day.

So, the village head was in high spirits all day long. Wang Youliang was also all smiles and cheerful, and even the villagers couldn't help but be happy and wished for more.

This is such a great job. Not only is the salary generous, but also a meal is provided at noon. Such generous treatment is hard to find in the area within dozens of miles.

When the village head called them together to continue digging for Xu Ruyi's house, no one refused and all agreed happily.

The next day, as soon as the sky was getting light, everyone started working busily.

Everyone was chatting happily while digging, laughter was heard one after another, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

The harmonious scene only changed slightly when Wang Erdan came over.

Wang Erdan was pushed here laboriously by Jiang on a cart. Wang Erdan got off the cart with difficulty and tried his best to walk with his uninjured foot, hopping back and forth, looking like a funny rabbit.

Seeing this, Wang Youliang asked with concern, "Erdan, why are you here? Why don't you stay home and rest? What if you tire your legs again?"

Wang Erdan grinned, "It's really uncomfortable to be cooped up at home every day. I came out to get some fresh air today. I didn't expect Xu Ruyi's new house to be built so quickly."

Wang Youliang smiled and said, "Yes, we've bought the wasteland and hills, and built the house. You can come over and watch us work to kill time. Just don't get too close. There's too much dust here, and it might get you dirty."

Wang Erdan asked with a puzzled look on his face: "The house has been built, why do we still need to dig the soil?"

Wang Youliang wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Since Miss Xu asked, let's do it. Let's do it."

Wang Erdan continued, "Yes, I heard the wages are thirty cents a day, which is really good. I also heard the food is not bad either."

When everyone heard what Wang Erdan said, they understood clearly that there was a hint of envy in his words.

Wang Youliang laughed and joked, "Erdan, if your leg wasn't injured, you could still work for 30 cents a day. What a great thing!"

Wang Erdan smiled helplessly and said, "Of course, if my legs weren't injured, I would definitely come here to dig the soil."

Zhang Shan dug the soil vigorously while panting and asked, "Erdan, how is your leg now?"

Wang Erdan frowned and said with a slightly distressed look, "I can walk a few steps now. As long as I don't exert myself, it doesn't hurt. It looks like it'll take another two or three months to fully recover."

Zhang Shan grinned after hearing this. "It seems Doctor Qian was right. This will really take about half a year!"

At this time, Old Li also staggered over and wanted to watch them digging. A gust of wind blew violently, and the dust instantly flew up.

Old man Li was choked by the dust and quickly took a few steps back.

When Old Li saw Wang Erdan, he hurriedly said, "It's been a long time since we last met, Erdan. I see you've recovered quite well."

Wang Erdan gave a forced smile: "Not bad!"

Zhang San looked up at Old Li and said jokingly, "Want to come down and dig for fun?"

Old Li quickly waved his hands and shook his head, saying, "I'm too old to do this. Let you young people do the work!"

After a while, Widow Wang, Huang Guiyun and others came over slowly.

Widow Wang said to Wang Youliang with a big smile on her face, "Can I come here to dig the soil?"

Wang Youliang glanced at Widow Wang and said with a curled lip, "You have skinny arms and legs, and you always complain of being tired no matter what you do. What can you do?"

Widow Wang was not happy when she heard this. Her eyebrows raised and she retorted, "If I can't do something as simple as digging, wouldn't I be useless?"

The other women also agreed, saying in unison, "That's right, don't underestimate people."

Seeing this, Wang Youliang joked, "This is a man's job. Miss Xu has a list, and you're not on it!"

Huang Guiyun looked calm and unhurried, because Xu Shi was digging the soil.

Widow Wang was unwilling to give up and hurriedly asked, "Didn't Miss Xu need a few people to help with the cooking? How am I doing?"

Wang Youliang crossed his arms and said helplessly, "It's too late. Miss Xu has already asked Aunt Zhang and Aunt Li for help."

This time Xu Ruyi did not cook herself, but wisely paid wages and asked Aunt Zhang and Aunt Li to help.

They were busy cooking in the spacious and bright kitchen of Xu Ruyi's newly built factory.

Aunt Zhang said as she was chopping vegetables, "These two kids are really capable. Look at this kitchen, it's so big."

Aunt Li smiled and agreed, "This is for making chili oil in the future. These two kids are really smart and amazing!"

After Aunt Zhang and Aunt Li finished cooking, the village head strode over and called them to come over for dinner.

The village head just walks back and forth when he is free. He does this mainly to supervise the villagers. With him in charge, the villagers will be cautious and dare not cause any trouble.

When the village head came over, he found Wang Erdan, Widow Wang, and Huang Guiyun all there, so he shouted to them, "It's time to eat, what are you still looking at here? Go back and eat!"

Widow Wang looked embarrassed and hesitantly said, "The main thing is that we are not too hungry now. Besides, it doesn't matter if it's a little later."

The village head's face darkened and he said sternly, "They're all going to eat soon. What are you standing here watching? Go back!"

After that, the village head shouted to the people who were working, "Stop what you are doing and go eat!"

As soon as everyone heard that it was time to eat, they immediately stopped what they were doing, put down their shovels, brushed off the dirt on their bodies, and strode happily towards the new house.

When Widow Wang and the others saw this situation, they realized that it was boring and left tactfully.

As they approached the new house, they couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, it's so spacious."

I thought it was quite good when it was built, and now after cleaning it feels even more refreshing.

There was a long table made of several large wooden boards in the room, and everyone sat around it, making it very lively.

Everyone took the bowls they brought with them to get their meals. Today's dishes included tempting stir-fried pork with green peppers, shiny and soft roasted eggplant, and carrot and pork rib soup, which we rarely make at home.

Although Aunt Zhang and Aunt Li’s cooking skills were not as good as Xu Ruyi’s, they were still acceptable in the village, so everyone was quite satisfied with the meal.