Grandma Li quickly invited them inside for tea, and then asked Jiaxi and Jia'an to go to the fields and call Li Laosan and Li Laosi back.

Soon, the main room was filled with people.

The village chief was also straightforward and got straight to the point, explaining his purpose.

“Sister, we’ve come here to discuss something. My six brothers have a total of twenty acres of land. But they’re in poor health, and farming it is very strenuous for them every year.”

Moreover, the delayed harvest means that besides the grain tax, there's only enough left for basic sustenance. The land was originally fertile; if cultivated properly, it could have earned two taels of silver a year. It's a waste no matter how you look at it.”

He sighed and then said.

"So, the reason I came here today is to ask your family if you want to take over these twenty acres of land? Your family has a lot of manpower, so you should be able to manage these twenty acres."

In the autumn, besides paying the grain tax, just leave enough food for my old brothers. Of course, they can also help with some small tasks in the fields on weekdays.

No one will slack off when it comes to something they can do. See, is that alright?

Grandma Li was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at her three sons, who were also surprised.

“Brother Village Chief, come to think of it, aren’t you old brothers being taken advantage of? Otherwise, you can continue farming the land. We’ll come and help you once we’re done with our work at home.”

“No, that’s not how it is,” Uncle Zhao from next door was the first to speak.

“Sister, we’re practically crippled. Every year during spring planting and autumn harvest, we just can’t handle the heavy physical labor. Seeing our perfectly good fields turned into such a mess makes us feel terrible.”

If your family had taken them in, things certainly wouldn't be like this anymore. We'll help out a bit. In the autumn, we'll just get some food rations, enough to keep us from starving.”

The other old men also chimed in.

"Yes, I have three mu of land. Last year I only planted two mu, and that was with the help of the villagers."

"It's such a waste that such good land has fallen into the hands of us cripples."

Grandma Li could tell they were sincere; ten mu of land was indeed a bit too little.

She thought for a moment and then said.

“I know you old brothers mean well and are trying to help our family. But we can’t take advantage of you, after all, life isn’t easy for anyone. How about this, we’ll take over these twenty acres of land.”

Don't say that you only need one ration of food in the autumn. From now on, whatever we eat, you will eat. Even if the fields yield no harvest, you won't lack food.

"That won't do!" the old men immediately objected.

Although the Li family was struggling financially, they couldn't skimp on food because they had many children.

The Li family usually eats the best food in the village.

Not only did she frequently buy white rice and fine flour, but Tao Hongying would also bring back meat dishes when she cooked.

If they were to eat with the Li family from now on, the Li family would have to feed six more mouths, which would be a huge loss.

"Yes, we only need a few bags of sorghum."

"I'm too old to do any work, as long as I have something to eat, that's enough."

The Li brothers are all kind-hearted and usually take good care of their old man.

At this point, it's natural to offer advice.

"Uncle Zhao, just listen to my mother. We brothers will just focus on farming and harvest more grain in the fall."

“Yes, it’s always a hassle for you to cook. The other day you even burned the sorghum porridge. Now you won’t have to eat burnt porridge anymore.” Old Li was really honest and kind, and his words made the old men blush.

There was no woman in the house, and they usually just ate whatever they could find.

Burnt rice is a common occurrence...

Old Mrs. Li made the final decision, "Then let's do it this way. The village chief is here, so he can write up a document. From now on, the fields belonging to these old brothers will be cultivated by our family."

Then we'll cover all the meals, and maybe two sets of clothes and shoes a year. Write it all down, so we won't be afraid of gossip later.

The old men were all very excited; it was better than they had ever imagined.

We won't have to worry about food and clothing anymore.

Uncle Zhao quickly said, "The clerk should write one more sentence: From now on, chopping firewood and growing vegetables will be our responsibility. Nobody should try to take it from us; we can still do these jobs."

"Okay, it's settled then."

The village chief slammed his hand on the table, his face flushed with excitement, and urged Li Lao Er to quickly write the document.

Li Lao Er took out paper and pen and wrote carefully and clearly.

Then the three brothers and the six old men all pressed their fingerprints.

Finally, there was the village chief, the witness.

For a time, everyone was happy.

After seeing off the old men and the village chief, Old Lady Li held her granddaughter and remained silent for a long time.

Jiayin struggled to her feet and went to rub her grandmother's furrowed brows.

Grandma Li snapped out of her daze, smiled, kissed her granddaughter, and then called her sons to talk.

"We've added twenty more acres to cultivate, but we still don't have enough manpower. Here's what we'll do: Second brother, go to the cattle and horse market and buy a mule."

It would be best to bring a cart; it's convenient for hauling things. Later, when Hongying has more tools for cooking, or to pick up and drop off Jiaren, she'll need them too.”

When Li Lao Er and the others heard this, they all became excited.

Adding livestock to the household is a big deal.

Mules are not as fast as horses, but they are easier to care for and have better stamina.

They are skilled at everything from farming and plowing to pulling carts.

It's even better than a donkey for daily life, but the price...

"Mother, I'm afraid it will cost twenty taels of silver. Will that put a strain on the family?"

Grandma Li waved her hand, reassuring her sons.

"Don't worry, we still have more than sixty taels at home, that's enough for us."

Li Lao Er and the others then became happy and started shouting.

"Tomorrow is the cattle and horse market north of the county seat, let's go and take a look."

"Yes, it would be best to ask around in each village as well, just in case there are suitable ones."

"We won't have to borrow the village chief's donkey cart so often anymore."

Grandma Li patted her granddaughter, smiling happily.

With that idiot Wu Cuihua no longer in the house, we don't have to be on guard against her all the time.

It's easier to talk now, and no one interferes when we discuss things.

Meanwhile, Wu Cuihua, who was being targeted by Old Lady Li, was truly in dire straits.

She sat on the ground, slapping her thigh and crying and cursing.

Before I knew it, a month had passed since I was kicked out of my home.

In the dead of winter, she washed clothes in icy well water every day, and her hands swelled up like steamed buns, covered in chilblains.

Unfortunately, the old lady of the house only gave her ten catties of sorghum rice a month, and she still had to cook for herself to fill her stomach.

Originally, this amount of food was only enough to feed her halfway.

But when Wu Ergou came over occasionally and found out that she lived and ate by herself, he also came over to freeload.

He gets up early, eats breakfast, and leaves, spending the day at the casino before returning in the evening to eat and sleep.

It's so much more comfortable than being homeless before.

This made things difficult for Wu Cuihua, who had to tighten her belt and make sure her younger brother ate as much as possible.

While everyone else gained weight over the Chinese New Year, she lost a significant amount of weight.

Today was the day for rations to be distributed, and she was happy that she could have a full meal.

As a result, the grain bag was gone in the blink of an eye.

"Who the hell is this? How dare they break into my house and steal my food! Why doesn't lightning strike them dead? They're childless bastards, rotten wretches!"

At this moment, every household in the courtyard is cooking.

She sat at the doorway, shouting and cursing, so naturally everyone could hear her clearly.

Nobody wants to be living a peaceful life and suddenly be labeled a thief.

As a result, those with bad tempers stepped forward.

"Hey Wu, before you start cursing, shouldn't you rub your eyes? Are you blind, or do you think we're blind too? You have a thief living in your house, things are stolen, and you're blaming others. How dare you!"

Wu Cuihua jumped up from the ground with a yell, put her hands on her hips and cursed back.

"You're saying someone's house has a thief? You're the one who's blind!"