Traveling Through Farmhouses: Taking the Baby on a Famine Escape

Madam Zheng said anxiously, "Why didn't you say so earlier? I was thinking of leaving our eldest son at home to help his parents with some chores. I could have brought my younger son over to cook some meals. But what are we going to do now!"

Wang Daniu comforted him, "No rush, no rush. I haven't talked to the boss about this yet. We can bring our eldest son over after she agrees. Just make sure you work hard here. As for the kitchen, just listen to Cuihua. She's the boss's nephew's wife."

Zheng wiped away the tears that had welled up in her eyes and nodded heavily.

Wang Daniu took his son and Zheng to Zhang Xixi's house.

"Master, this is my wife, Zheng Dahua. Do you have anything to say to her?"

Madam Zheng was surprised to see such a young master, and quickly curtsied, saying, "Greetings, Master!"

Zhang Xixi sized up Zheng Shi. She was dressed neatly and cleanly, with regular features and her hair was combed neatly. She looked like a hardworking person.

"No need for formalities, Da Hua, you've come at the perfect time. I desperately need help. Why don't you rest today and go to the kitchen to cook with Cui Hua tomorrow morning?"

Madam Zheng waved her hand, "Master, there's no need to rest. I haven't been tired at all on the way here today!"

Zhang Xixi smiled and said, "You don't need to rest, the child needs to rest too!"

After saying that, he took a piece of cake from the table and handed it to the child, "What's his name?"

"Call the bolt,"

The cake looked very expensive, so Zheng wanted to take it from the child and return it to Zhang Xixi.

Zhang Xixi immediately stopped her, saying, "These pastries are homemade and don't cost much."

After saying that, she put the plate in front of them and said, "You should try some too, don't be shy."

Knowing Zhang Xixi's personality, Wang Daniu took two pieces of cake first and gave one to Zheng Shi.

Finally, Zhang Xixi asked Zheng to take the remaining cakes back, saying that Da Bao and the others at home were tired of eating them lately, which made it impossible for Zheng to refuse.

After returning home in the afternoon, Zheng didn't rest. She took her son to the kitchen and asked Cuihua to help wash vegetables and such, leaving Sun Xiuxiu with nothing to do.

Wang Daniu and his family finished work before sunset, moved their beds to the dormitory, and put the bedding from the tent inside. Wang Daniu's family lived in the room at the very end of the first row, while the others freely formed groups of four to a room.

Just as they finished, the sun went down. Everyone went to the kitchen, grabbed their big bowls, and lined up to get their food. Sun Xiuxiu served the rice, and Cuihua scooped the vegetables.

Zheng was somewhat surprised as she watched from the side.

While serving the food, Cuihua explained, "Because there are too many people and too few tables, my third aunt suggested this method. This way, there won't be any fighting over food at the table. And we only serve them the first round; if they're still hungry, they can just come and get more themselves."

Zheng was shocked once again. She had heard of families that fed their farmhands well, even if they had sweet potatoes added, it was still just rice. They also had meat, whereas at home, they might not get to eat meat even once every ten days or half a month.

Besides, the busy farming season is over now, and my family is eating wild vegetable soup and sweet potatoes. How can we eat like that?

After dinner, Zhang Xixi asked Zhou Fu to write an employment contract and explained it to Wang Daniu word by word.

The most important thing is that Wang Daniu will be the manager of Zhang Xixi's family's fields from now on. His wages will be paid monthly at five taels of silver. The rest are the job duties and some breach of contract clauses.

Because Wang Daniu couldn't write, they made him put his fingerprint on the document, and Zhang Xixi signed it, making two copies.

Although Wang Daniu didn't care about the contract, Zhang Xixi took it very seriously because she, as a modern person, values ​​the spirit of contracts.

After returning home, Zhang Xixi asked Zhou Fu and Sun Xiuxiu to come to the main room together.

"I want to talk to you today about your future."

The two panicked upon hearing this, exclaiming, "The boss wants to kick us out!"

"Was there something we did wrong?"

Zhang Xixi said seriously, "No one wants to drive you away. I have seen your performance over the past three months and I am very satisfied. But if you really intend to sign the indenture and become slaves, your two sons will not be able to go to school and will be of lowly status for the rest of their lives!"

Sun Xiuxiu was a little reluctant to see her two sons become servants in the future, but they had no skills and nothing to their name, so what could she do?

We have no choice but to accept our fate!

Zhou Fu weighed the situation in his mind and concluded that, given the current development of his employer, his family would definitely have many businesses in the future.

As long as he teaches all his skills to his two sons, they will be able to live well in the future. That's all!

"Master, we still insist on signing a contract of servitude."

Zhang Xixi could tell from Zhou Fu's determined expression that he had made up his mind, but this gave her another idea.

"I plan to sign a ten-year employment contract with you. During this period, you must remain absolutely loyal to me and not betray me, otherwise I will hand you over to the authorities."

Zhou Fu was stunned for a moment; he could stay without signing a contract of servitude.

"Master, what about my two sons?!"

Zhang Xixi pondered for a moment and said, "They can choose not to sign, stay here, or go to school. I will pay for their tuition. However, I hope they can protect my Zhang family after they have completed their studies. Therefore, I want them to write a letter of commitment. Is that too much to ask?"

Zhou Fu waved his hand gratefully and said, "Master is a truly kind person. What you said is not excessive at all. It is all what I should do."

Zhang Xixi thought for a moment and then said, "Zhou Fu, your wages are two taels a month, and your wife's are one tael a month. The job duties are the same as what you used to do. Just write out four copies based on Wang Daniu's contract."

Seeing that Zhou Fu was thinking about how to write the contract, Zhang Xixi asked again, "Your wages are much lower than Wang Daniu's, so you don't have anything to say?"

Zhou Fu and his wife both shook their heads. They knew in their hearts that they were the ones who got the better deal. They ate and lived here, and the employer even sent their two sons to school and paid them wages. This was already very generous of them.

"That's settled then. Get the contract drafted as soon as possible!"

After Zhang Xixi finished speaking, she told them to go back, as it was getting late and they needed to rest.

Since signing the contract with Zhou Fu and his family, the two men have been smiling much more. They no longer have to worry about their sons becoming homeless. However, their two sons cannot go to school immediately and will have to wait until after the autumn harvest.

As long as I can go to school, waiting a little longer is acceptable; it's no big deal!

Wang Daniu usually had a lot of contact with Zhou Fu, so he naturally learned about this matter. He felt that he saw hope for his son's education and decided to go and plead with the employer after the autumn harvest.

After Zheng arrived, Zhang Xixi and the others ate at home again. Sun Xiuxiu's daily work consisted of cooking, washing clothes, tending the vegetable garden, and feeding the chickens.