Chapter 395 Literacy

As soon as he finished speaking, the refugees below began to talk in a flurry.

Some people's brows relaxed, some nodded continuously, and there was a little more hope in their eyes.

The team, which originally had drooping heads and unsteady steps, gradually became more lively. Many people straightened their backs and nudged each other with their elbows to pass on messages.

Chen Ah Da struck the gong again. The brass gongs gleamed in the sun, and the clang-clang-clang sound drowned out the chatter. "If you want to participate, line up here to register."

He spoke in a loud voice, and beads of sweat on his forehead flowed down his cheeks and hit the lapels of his shirt on his chest.

But he didn't feel hot at all, instead he was full of energy.

He pointed to a place not far away, where two literate yamen runners had already set up a table and pen and ink, waiting to take notes.

Most of the refugees hurried over there, their straw sandals rustling in the dust.

Someone ran so fast that he almost tripped. He staggered to steady himself and rushed forward again, fearing that he would miss the spot if he was a step late.

But some refugees stood still, their eyes moving back and forth between the registration office and the porridge shed.

Even after watching the refugees leave, they hurried forward and ran quickly to the porridge shed, fearing that they would not be able to eat the thin porridge.

"Come on, Wang Ermaizi. Let's go sign up for literacy training together." Zhang San pulled his companion. His eyes sparkled, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, clearly showing that he was very concerned about this matter.

Unexpectedly, Wang Er didn't move. He glanced at Zhang San with a sidelong glance, his mouth curled down. "I'm not going. I'm studying in the morning and clearing land in the afternoon. Wouldn't that be exhausting? I don't have to do anything and only have half a bowl of porridge to eat. Why should I go through this?"

His voice was full of impatience and a hint of disdain.

Zhang San frowned in confusion, his smile fading. "But this half bowl of porridge isn't enough to fill us up. It can only keep us alive, but we'll still be hungry. And lying here all day is boring. Now I can not only learn to read, but I can also earn food through my own labor. Why not?"

He couldn't understand why his companion was so stubborn.

Wang Er shrugged his shoulders, looking nonchalant. "But I won't starve to death."

He suddenly shook off Zhang San's hand. "Oh, you're so annoying. If you want to go, just go by yourself. Don't delay me from making porridge. I need to sleep after I finish drinking it." After saying that, he turned his head and stopped looking at Zhang San.

Zhang San had no choice but to stamp his feet as he looked at Wang Er's stubborn back. With a look of helplessness and regret on his face, he turned and walked towards the registration office.

There were fewer people serving porridge, so Wang Er got his porridge quickly.

The porridge in the wooden bowl was so thin that you could see your reflection in it, and a few grains of rice were floating in the clear soup.

But even so, this was the only one in the surrounding towns, and it was the only ration they could get.

There is really not much in a bowl of porridge. An adult male can finish it in two mouthfuls.

He licked his lips with some reluctance, then brought the bottom of the bowl to his mouth, licking it carefully with his tongue, fearing that even a grain of rice would fall.

His eyes were fixed on the pot of porridge. Since everyone had signed up, there was not much porridge left in the pot. If he could drink it all...

Thinking of this, his eyes were full of desire and his feet unconsciously moved forward a few steps.

Two yamen runners with knives stood next to the pot. They stood straight, their hands on the hilts of their knives, and glanced at the refugees with sharp eyes, with unquestionable majesty.

Wang Er had to suppress the unrealistic thoughts in his mind. He moved his throat and swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

But then he turned around and looked at the people who were excitedly signing up not far away. A sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth, and a hint of calculation flashed in his eyes.

Haha, can’t I just steal some if there’s not enough food?

They just robbed children and women. They looked so weak that if we just threatened them a little, I don’t think they would dare to complain!

At that time, these people would go to open up wasteland to earn food for him, and he would lie under the tree and sleep. It was really wonderful!

Thinking of this, he returned to his seat with his empty bowl.

It just so happened that this place was not exposed to the sun at that time, and there was a bit of coolness from the shade of the tree. He lay down, crossed his hands behind his head, closed his eyes and began to sleep leisurely, and soon he began to snore lightly.

After Zhang San registered there, he came back to queue up for food with a wooden sign with his name on it in his hand and a satisfied smile on his face.

The anxiety he had felt about starving to death suddenly settled down at this moment. He believed that as long as he worked hard according to the requirements of the Annan County Magistrate, he would be able to earn a fortune again sooner or later!

"Mom, please be patient. Once we have food, we can use it to exchange for medicine for you." Zhang San quietly poured the porridge in his bowl into his mother's bowl, and then said excitedly.

On the way to escape, his mother was unfortunately blinded. It was only when a traveling doctor dug out two herbal roots and applied them to her that the condition stopped getting worse. However, if he wanted to completely cure her, it would take more than just two unknown roots.

There are a lot of medicinal herbs needed, and the traveling doctor asked him to prepare at least five taels of silver.

There was no way before. My life was almost gone, so who would care whether my eyes could see or not?

But now it’s different. They can open up wasteland, learn to read and write, and all of these can bring them food!

If he took the food, as long as he was frugal, he could have some left to buy medicine for his mother.

At this time, he believed that food was more useful than silver. He would definitely be able to exchange it for medicinal herbs to treat his mother's eyes!

Aunt Zhang held the bowl in both hands, carefully brought it to her lips, and took two sips. "San, work hard tomorrow and study hard. County Magistrate Zheng is a good official, you can't fool him! He gave us food, so we have to repay him. He saved our lives!"

Aunt Zhang was not well educated and could not give any profound lectures, but she knew that if it were not for County Magistrate Zheng, she and her son would have starved to death long ago.

"I know, mother! I'm a good worker at home, and now that I'm here, I'll naturally help County Magistrate Zheng make the wasteland straight."

"And mother, did you hear that? The county magistrate said that if we do a good job, we can settle down in Annan County. Then maybe the wasteland we reclaim will be ours. I will naturally do my best to take care of it!"

Aunt Zhang also changed her mind when she heard this.

That's exactly what happened. Given County Magistrate Zheng's personality, he wouldn't let them suffer any loss. If they could truly settle down in Annan County, that would be a good thing.

With trembling hands, she handed the bowl of porridge to Zhang San. "Then you should eat more, so you'll have more energy to work tomorrow. I don't have to work, so it's okay to eat less."

Zhang San hurriedly stopped her. "Don't worry, Mom. I need to work tomorrow, so we gave you plenty of porridge today. I'm full." He deliberately patted his stomach to make a loud noise.

Aunt Zhang couldn't see, so she naturally believed her son's words, and felt even more grateful to Zheng Qinghe in her heart.

Even when I fall asleep at night, I still recite sutras for Zheng Qinghe, praying to the Bodhisattva to bless him with a long life!