Chapter 9

Chapter 9

When Ji Yuan got up early in the morning, he still didn't have to cook. The kitchen door was still locked, and even the cowshed was locked.

Unexpectedly, my third uncle's family had become smart. They didn't let him work and didn't have to provide him with food. They told others that it was because it was to make him study hard.

Since I don’t have to work anymore, I don’t have to worry about food. It’s good enough to give me a place to live.

Ji Yuan knew what they were thinking just by looking up, and he felt relieved.

As usual, he went to dig spring bamboo shoots and herbs, but today, when he got there, he found someone who had gotten up earlier than him and was digging bamboo shoots while yawning.

It seems that when the villagers heard that he got up at four in the morning to dig up wild animals to make money yesterday, they were tempted.

In fact, this is not cost-effective.

He seemed to be able to make some money, because he had Uncle An Wu helping him with sales.

If you dig it yourself and then go to the county town to sell it, you can't earn ten cents a day. It's better to go to the county town to move things and carry things, where you can earn more than thirty cents a day.

Ji Yuan didn't say much, just greeted people, and knew that his livelihood was completely cut off.

I simply dug up two bamboo shoots, found some wild vegetables and firewood, and went back to Xiao Jiyuan's original home.

Xiao Jiyuan's own home is not far from Uncle Ji's home, but it looks very dilapidated now.

His family originally had some land, but when little Jiyuan's mother fell ill, the land was mortgaged and given to a family with the surname Ji in the village.

Afterwards, something unexpected happened in the family and naturally those lands became unaccounted for.

When his parents passed away, this room was all that was left for the five-year-old Jiyuan.

Just by looking at the courtyard wall, you can tell that before the accident happened in Xiao Jiyuan's family, they were a hardworking family.

The kitchen is in the yard, and there are also a main room and two bedrooms. The smaller one on the right was built after Xiao Jiyuan was born, so that he could live in it when he grew up.

Ji Yuan saw a lot of memories in little Ji Yuan’s memory. He was so young, yet he remembered so many things.

But now these three houses have no roofs.

Uncle Ji removed all the roof and door panels to expand his house.

There is no need to find a reason. Xiao Jiyuan lives in their house, so the things here are naturally theirs.

Ji Yuan took the wild vegetables and bamboo shoots to the kitchen, and everything in the kitchen was taken away.

Only the stove and some scattered firewood were left, and their color had changed over time.

"Fortunately there is a stove." Ji Yuan searched around and finally found a broken pottery jar. He used these things to make breakfast.

After drinking the hot bamboo shoot soup, Ji Yuan felt like he was coming back alive.

It’s a pity that there is no salt. It may work for a while, but it won’t work for a long time.

Ji Yuan cleaned up the kitchen and cooked here from now on.

You can’t die of hunger.

It's very difficult to kill him!

He also cleaned the yard and put the broken benches in place, using them as his desks.

Now that he doesn't have to do housework at his uncle's house, he has more time to concentrate on reading and practicing calligraphy.

Ji Yuan first recited what he had learned before, and then practiced calligraphy.

Although Master Zhao gave him dozens of sheets of paper, he did not dare to waste them, let alone practice big characters according to traditional calligraphy. He tried to write small characters so that the paper could be reused many times.

Ji Yuan found joy in the midst of hardship, writing a piece of calligraphy and reciting a passage from a book, until he knew all the articles by heart. Then Ji Yuan opened his eyes.

This was actually the most enjoyable day of his learning.

It’s just that Xiao Huang is not here, otherwise he could still talk to Xiao Huang.

Ji Yuan looked at the sun and went to find Uncle An Wu again, this time asking him to help buy some salt.

Buy some paper and ink.

With these, he can get by.

But I still have to find a way to make a living in the future.

After finishing the chores, there was still plenty of time in the Epoch, and it was even more relaxing than usual.

On the way to the private school, I happened to run into An Dahai who was in a hurry.

Ji Yuan knew that An Dahai usually went to class on time, so what happened today?

"Today is the tenth day of the lunar new year!" said An Dahai.

"What happened on the tenth day?" Ji Yuan wondered.

"You forgot, but I have an exam on the tenth day of the first lunar month!"

Master Zhao gives exams three times a month, on the first day, tenth day and the end of the month, not a day less!

Another classmate added: "If you don't do well in the test, you will be slapped on the palm!"

"But after the half-day exam, you can have the afternoon off!"

Ji Yuan perked up instantly.

Thinking back to my last answer sheet.

Those words are really unbearable to read.

It’s over, it’s over. I always feel like I’m going to get beaten too?

Having the afternoon off is a good thing.

He was just thinking about his next livelihood.

In Master Zhao's place, they have half a day off on the tenth day of every month and half a day off at the end of the month.

This vacation is short enough.

Master Zhao is indeed a strict teacher.

Ji Yuan, the auditor, sat outside the private school. The teacher led everyone in a review as usual. The content of today's exam would definitely be more difficult than the last time.

In the morning, the exam was over. This time, Master Zhao went outside to collect Ji Yuan's test paper without having to hide it.

After Master Zhao left, the students became active.

How could it not be lively when a group of half-grown kids are together?

An Changsun was whispering to Ji Li, and An Changsun mocked, "Cowherd boy, where are your cows?"

"He can't even herd the cattle. They belong to my family!" Ji Li shouted. "If you don't work, you can't eat. You'll starve to death!"

Many students in the private school were scolded by their parents last night.

Nothing more than what.

Look at others and look at you.

Why don’t you study hard?

Many are hostile to the era.

With the village chief's grandson An Zhengfei taking the lead, everyone laughed even more.

Ji Yuan didn't want to argue with the kid, but An Dahai said directly: "We are all classmates, why do you have to talk like that?"

"Who would be in the same class with a cowherd boy?" An Zhengfei was scolded by his grandfather yesterday, and he was even more indignant. "If he can pass the exam and become a scholar, I will write my name An backwards!"

They were talking animatedly, but Ji Yuan turned a deaf ear to them. He picked up his pen and wrote, concentrating on each stroke. He seemed even a little contented.

An Xiaohe, the best student in the private school, looked at everyone, held the book in his hand and covered his ears to read.

He really doesn't want to study here anymore.

A group of people learned nothing, and Master Zhao was also very old-fashioned. He insisted on laying a solid foundation.

It would be great if I could go to the county school.

After Ji Yuan finished writing, he put down his pen, looked up at the indignant An Dahai, and said with a smile: "Brother Dahai, don't pay attention to them. Can I discuss something with you later?"

Although An Dahai didn't understand, he nodded anyway.

Just then, Master Zhao came back after putting away the test papers and gave a few more instructions, and that was the end of today's half-day.

An Dahai, An Xiaohe and their younger brother went home together.

This time there is an extra era.

An Dahai said: "What did you want to say just now?"

Ji Yuan didn't hesitate and said directly: "I want to meet your mother. I heard that your family bought a lot of livestock and she is taking care of them all by herself. I wonder if she needs help."

The boys from the An family all looked over.

Their family of more than 30 people live together, and all their belongings are public property.

When it comes to finding help, it is not up to Mrs. An alone to decide.

Ji Yuan said directly: "As long as I have something to eat, I am good at taking care of livestock."

This is true. The calf raised by the third uncle of the Jiyuan family is the best-raised calf in the entire Anji Village. It is bigger than other calves, and its fur is smooth and shiny.

Ji Yuan has considered it seriously.

Mr. An had two cows, two donkeys, pigs, chickens, ducks and geese.

I heard from Uncle An that his family bought some chicks a few days ago and is also planning to raise some more pigs to sell during the Chinese New Year.

In this situation, Mrs. An would definitely not be able to handle it alone.

He didn't ask for money or anything, just food, and besides, he didn't eat much.

That's why I would recommend myself.

An Xiaohe beside him couldn't help but say, "You really have been herding cattle all the time."

Ji Yuan explained earnestly: "For food, anything is fine. Only when you are full can you have the strength to write."

Children of this age rarely speak out openly.

Ji Yuan felt that he was not a child anymore, and it was good enough that he could survive and study.

He also promised Xiao Jiyuan that he would have enough to eat in the future.

In order to achieve this goal, he also has to beg shamelessly.

Besides, he was sure that Madam An would agree.

Soon they arrived at Mr. An's house.

An Dahai took Ji Yuan directly to find his mother.

After explaining the purpose of the visit, Mrs. An was a little surprised, but as the old saying goes, the An family has not split up, and everything should be discussed with the elders in the family.

But when I think about it, it doesn't need humans.

My parents-in-law are frugal and only hire temporary workers during the busy farming season, no matter how tiring the work is.

Ji Yuan bowed to Madam An and said, "Aunt An, I just need to eat with you. While I'm doing this, I can also help Brother Dahai with his studies."

An eight-year-old child doesn't need much food.

But Mrs. An was attracted by the latter sentence.

Help Dahai read?

Good thing!

Yesterday she also casually said that Ji Yuan was so good at studying that he could teach Dahai.

After all, Master Zhao praised it.

An Dahai was stunned. Why was he still involved?

Mrs. An thought about the third son's son, An Xiaohe, who was a good student, and her parents-in-law always used this to criticize her.

Then thinking that Ji Yuan's cattle breeding was indeed good, he gritted his teeth and said, "Then you wait, I'll go talk to my parents-in-law."

"But the matter of studying is a childish trick of yours, so stop talking about it."

Otherwise the one from room three will come over and take advantage of us!

Ji Yuan understood and waited here with peace of mind.

I don’t know what Madam An said, but she took Ji Yuan to thank Mr. An, and the matter was settled.

On weekdays, I get up early in the morning to cut grass and help herd cattle. I just focus on raising cattle, but I only have two meals, breakfast and lunch.

The most important meal in the evening is not taken care of.

Mrs. An thinks her father-in-law is stingy, but this makes her feel a lot more relaxed.

After all, cows are different. They need to go out to graze, so she can save a lot of trouble.

Do what you say.

At noon that day, Ji Yuan ate the meal brought by An Dahai, half a bowl of brown rice with vegetables, and a plate of beans.

The two young men buried their heads in their food.

After dinner, An Dahai complained: "You said you would teach me to read, but can I read well?"

"Sure." Ji Yuan finished the last grain of rice. He wasn't actually full, but he was satisfied. "You just didn't find the right method before."

Mrs. An, who had lost her temper, was also muttering.

Yuan Ge'er has only been studying for a short time, while her own Dahai has been studying for one or two years. Why does she ask Yuan Ge to teach Dahai?

Could it be that you are confused?

Just as I was thinking about it, I saw the third room coming over happily: "Today is the tenth day of the first lunar month, the private school exam, the results are out."

The third wife asked her six-year-old girl to ask Master Zhao for her report card.

As soon as the exam was over, she hurriedly asked someone to get it and read it in front of the whole family.

The old couple of An stopped in their tracks. They were indeed attracted. Mrs. An was about to leave when she heard the third sister-in-law shout, "Sister-in-law, don't go! Listen to this, too."

What are you listening to? Isn’t the first one yours, An Xiaohe?

Madam An turned and left, only to hear the surprised voice of the third sister-in-law: "First?"

“The first one is not the stream!”

"It's Ji Yuan!"

"how so?!"

"He has only been studying for a few days."

Mrs. An was stunned, then ecstatic!

It seems that the recruitment was correct!

In the future, her son Dahai will definitely be able to learn well if he follows Ji Yuan!

Just provide meals!

She cooks for herself and also takes care of Ji Yuan’s meals!

At this time, at Uncle Ji’s house.

The family of three surrounded Xiao Huang anxiously.

"Eat, eat."

"No, drink some water."

Since last night, the calf at home has refused to eat or drink, and refuses to go outside even when being pulled.

Stubborn as hell.

If I don’t eat something, I’ll get hungry!

Xiao Huang looked stubborn and kept looking outside.

Ji Li couldn't help but ask, "Niu, Niu is looking for Ji Yuan?"

When Xiao Huang heard Ji Yuan's name, his eyes immediately widened.

It is true!

Can't it see the era, and it won't eat or drink? !