Traveling Through Farmhouses: Taking the Baby on a Famine Escape

"Brother Hao, let's have a feast about Yu Jie and Er Bao, so everyone can have some fun."

Zhou Yuhao looked at Zhang Xixi; his wife was in charge of everything at home.

“We should have a lively celebration. I think the day after tomorrow is the best time! We can invite the whole village to our house for a feast,” Zhang Xixi said quickly.

He then looked at Zhou Dashan and the others, "Please come over early the day after tomorrow, brothers."

Zhou Dashan and the others said with a smile, "We will definitely be there for such a joyous occasion."

"Then we'll head back now!"

Zhou Yuhao stood up. "Brothers, let me see you off!"

After everyone left, Zhang Xixi went to the kitchen. "Sister Xiu, has anything major happened at home these past few days?"

Sun Xiuxiu shook her head. "It's nothing serious, just that someone came to rent our cow."

"Which village are you from?!"

“They’re from Wang Daniu’s village. My husband said he’d like to discuss it with you when you get back.”

"That's it!"

There's no more arable land left in this deserted village. The family's dozen or so oxen are only used for plowing and planting; otherwise, they're idle, which is such a waste.

Moreover, it's a waste of manpower to assign one adult to herd the cattle and another to cut grass for them.

When Zhou Fu returned from herding the cattle at dinner time, Da Bao also came back with him.

"Dabao, where did you go!"

"I went to the mountains with Jingyang and the others!"

Da Bao was very happy to see Zhang Xixi and the others return. He had been so lonely being left alone at home for the past few days.

"Mom, did you bring back any good food?"

"I brought it. It's in the main room. Go get it yourself!"

Very good!

Da Bao cheered and led Zhou Jingyang and the others to the main room.

"This child doesn't care at all how Erbao and the others did on their exams, what a little foodie!"

Da Bao overheard this as he returned to wash his hands and immediately retorted, "Mom, how can you say that about me? I didn't ask because I have faith in Er Bao and Uncle; they'll definitely pass the exam."

Seeing Da Bao's aggrieved look, Zhang Xixi immediately apologized, "Alright, Mom was wrong. Our Da Bao loves his family very much."

"I forgive you because you sincerely admitted your mistake!" Da Bao said seriously, deliberately putting on a stern face.

“Thank you, Dabao!”

After saying that, the mother and son looked at each other and laughed.

After dinner, Zhang Xixi talked to Zhou Fu about the cattle, "Zhou Fu, how many cattle do you think would be a good deal?"

The family now owns a thousand acres of land, and there are also Wang Daniu and his family. Although some of them returned home after the land reclamation was completed, there are still thirty people in the family. Their children are all studying in the village.

"With Wang Daniu and the others around, I think keeping five cows will be enough!"

Zhang Xixi nodded, agreeing with her.

"Then go and tell those people who come to rent cattle that you can sell them the cattle instead of renting them to them. If they don't have enough money, they can pay in installments. You don't have to pay all at once. You can pay monthly or yearly. If anyone wants to buy, sign an agreement with them."

"Yes, boss!"

Zhang Xixi thought for a moment and then said, "Also tell the villagers to see if anyone wants to buy it, and you can go and handle the transfer of ownership as well."

"it is good!"

Zhou Yuhao has always supported Zhang Xixi's decisions, and this time was no exception.

The next morning, Zhou Yuhao took Zhou Fu out to buy ingredients.

Although we have enough grain and vegetables at home, it's not enough, so we have to buy some from the villagers.

Old Wang's pig farm was very successful. Because of the sweet potato residue left over from the factory, she not only sold pork, but also piglets.

This time, Zhang Xixi ordered a pig from his family.

Zhou Yuhao and his group not only went to buy things, but also greeted the villagers and invited them to a banquet the next day.

Everyone enthusiastically agreed upon hearing the news.

Zhang Xixi also asked Zhou Yuhao to hire a professional cook from the village, and she entrusted them with the cooking for tomorrow.

On the day of celebrating Zhou Yujie and his classmates passing the imperial examination for the first time, almost everyone in the village came.

Even the factory workers came over for lunch.

After a lively day, Zhang Xixi's face was practically frozen from smiling.

The women all came over to say nice things, either congratulating her or saying that she was blessed.

In short, Zhang Xixi is lucky!

A few days later, the school was about to start, and Zhou Yujie and the other two went to school to study.

I really don't want to waste a single moment.

Da Bao's studies haven't improved, so he's stopped going to school and is being taught at home by Zhou Yuhao.

In the morning, I would read and practice calligraphy; in the afternoon, I would go to the mountains to ride horses and hunt.

Da Bao is very happy with this kind of life.

March has arrived in the blink of an eye, and Erbao and his friends will soon be starting school.

That day, Zhang Xixi and the others packed up Zhou Yujie and Erbao's daily necessities, clothes, and books. Chen also packed a lot of homemade pastries for them.

That evening, Zhang Xixi gave each of them ten taels of silver as tuition and living expenses.

They also gave Zhou Yuhao a silver note worth one hundred taels, just in case something unexpected happened.

The next morning, Zhang Wenbo and Zhou Yuhao took their three children and Zhou Zixuan to the county town in a horse-drawn carriage.

When Da Bao woke up and saw that his uncle and Er Bao had left, he suddenly felt bad!

"I'm all alone now!"

"And there's us, and the Jingyang brothers, and your uncle and his family will be back in ten days."

"real!"

"Would your mother lie to you?"

Da Bao said happily, "In that case, I'll go eat another piece of cake to comfort my wounded little heart!"

Zhang Xixi laughed. This child really has a big heart!

It was already the next day when Zhou Yuhao and the others returned.

Zhang Xixi asked Zhou Yuhao to explain in detail the accommodation situation and college situation of Erbao and his classmates.

After Zhou Yuhao patiently finished explaining, he asked, "Since you're so worried, why don't you come with us?"

"It's not that women aren't allowed to enter the academy, but if I go, I'll just be waiting outside anyway, so I might as well not go!"

Zhang Xixi thought to herself that if it weren't for this damn rule, she would have gone with them long ago.

Zhou Yuhao also felt that the rule that women could not enter or leave the academy was too inhumane!

"By the way, Magistrate Sun has been promoted and transferred to the prefectural city as an assistant prefect."

"This Magistrate Sun is a good official. I hope he will continue to keep the people in mind. I wonder what kind of magistrate will be transferred here?"

"They're said to be from Fuzhou Prefecture, and they're already on their way!"

Zhou Yuhao told Zhang Xixi everything he had found out.

I'll visit my parents' home for a bit!

"I'll go with you!"

The Zhang family's dessert shop has never opened any branches, but it has many regular customers and business is very good every day.

For the past two years, they have been making a profit of forty or fifty taels of silver per month. The Chen family felt that this income was already very good, so they did not think about expanding further.