Gou Sheng and Wang Xiao Hei glared at him resentfully, chewing their food more forcefully.
Old Liu noticed the dissatisfaction of the group at a glance. He exchanged a look with Jiang Yimian before nodding and saying, "Big Tree is right. We still need to clear the land these days. There's a lot going on in the small depression, so Gou Sheng and Xiao Ye and a few other children will go to learn to read together."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiaohei's dim eyes lit up. Before he could feel smug for long, he heard Old Man Liu continue, "You guys help out on the mountain during the day. When you go to pick up Xiao Ye and the others in the evening, take the opportunity to learn a few characters. Yi Mian will test you when you get back."
"ah?"
"ah?"
"ah?"
The three of them exclaimed "Ah!" in unison, making everyone at the table laugh.
Old Liu glanced at the three of them and said irritably, "What are you 'ah' about? Just learn one or two characters while you're at it, or do you want to learn to read with Ono and the others?"
Zhao Dashu shook his head repeatedly, saying only, "Don't worry, sir, we understand."
He felt that farming was better than spending all his time learning to read.
They were all used to farm work, and although clearing land was a difficult task, they could do it easily. However, they could not read.
Knowing one or two is fine, but it's really impossible to remember more than that.
Although they said they didn't want to learn to read, they knew that Grandpa and Sister Yimian were right. Being literate had many advantages. At least when selling things, they wouldn't have to worry about miscalculating the coins and being cheated.
Therefore, the group did not object further, and after the meal, they went back to clearing the wasteland.
Jiang Yimian went to check on the fish fry and loach fry. Seeing that the ones in the buckets and basins were still lively, she changed the water, put the buckets and basins in a place where they could get some sun but not so much that they would die from the sun, fed them, and then carried a basket of things down the mountain with Gou Sheng and the other three.
Zhao Xing'er originally didn't want Daya to come along, but after hearing Jiang Yimian say that Daya was very smart and that it wouldn't hurt for her to know a few words, so that she wouldn't be bored by herself, she agreed.
Xiao Ye, Xiao Nuan'er, and Daya were all very happy on the way. Hearing that they were going to learn to read, they were well-behaved and quiet, unlike before when they would ask all sorts of questions. Instead, they looked serious and focused, clearly intending to do well.
Looking at Gousheng, he was listless, his shoulders slumped, showing none of his usual liveliness.
Jiang Yimian walked over to Gou Sheng with a sigh and said, "You really don't want to study?"
She rarely forces others to do things they don't like, but when it comes to reading, one shouldn't be too indulgent; it's always good to know a few words.
But if Gousheng really doesn't like it at all, she won't force him.
Gou Sheng paused for a moment, then nodded and shook his head. "I don't really like it, but I feel I have to do it. My mother and father were very happy to hear that I can learn to read."
He knew that being able to read was good, but he felt sleepy as soon as he saw a book, and the square characters made his eyes feel dizzy. Besides, reading wasn't that important to him now, since it couldn't be exchanged for food or coins.
What he needs most right now is copper coins.
Jiang Yimian thought for a while before saying, "What do you want to do in the future? Or what do you like, not just playing around?"
Gou Sheng stroked his chin and pondered for a while before saying, "I like making furniture with my father, such as cabinets and tables. If I have the opportunity in the future, I would still like to be a carpenter."
He was very happy to see those pieces of wood turn into cabinets and tables.
Jiang Yimian nodded before continuing, "If the master writes an employment or monetary contract on paper, or specifies the amount of timber needed, how can you know how much the master will pay you, how much for the timber, and how much timber is needed if you can't read it?"
Gou Sheng paused, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I... I can find someone who can read to help me."
"What if that literate person tries to cheat you? The master needs pear wood, but he says he needs cheap poplar. If what you make doesn't meet the master's requirements, do you think the master will give you money?"
After Jiang Yimian finished speaking, she looked at Gou Sheng and saw that his face was full of worry and he was silent. So she didn't say anything more and followed Xiao Ye and the others.
Just when Jiang Yimian thought Gousheng wouldn't say anything more, Gousheng hurriedly caught up with her, his previous worry gone, and he said energetically, "Sister Yimian, don't worry, I will study hard and won't let anyone deceive me and my father."
My father had been cheated once before, and not only did he not receive the copper coins he was owed, he also had to pay the employer a lot of money. He would not let himself be cheated again.
Once Father's leg injury heals, I will help him carefully review the contracts he will be writing down in the future.
Jiang Yimian breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the other party had understood and was no longer as resistant to learning to read as before.
When the group arrived at Zhang Xiucai's house, Zhang Xiucai was flipping through a book in his hands. Next to him was an open box full of well-preserved books.
Jiang Yimian was taken aback. Even though she knew how difficult it was to take the imperial examinations in ancient times, she was still surprised when she saw the box full of books.
The box contained about a hundred books, all neatly arranged and well-preserved except for some dust and little damage.
If Ono and the others can learn about a third of all these books, it will be easier for them to go to the academy when they are old enough.
Seeing that Zhang Xiucai was completely absorbed in the book in his hands and hadn't noticed the others, Jiang Yimian tentatively called out, "Uncle Zhang?"
Zhang Xiucai then came to his senses. He looked at the people standing in front of him for a while before remembering his conversation with Jiang Yimian that morning. He responded and got up, leaning on his cane, to push the box to the corner.
Seeing this, Gou Sheng hurriedly went to help, and said somewhat nervously, "Uncle Zhang, should we call you Master Zhang or Mr. Zhang from now on?"
He heard that's what the scholars in the academy called him.
Scholar Zhang was taken aback. He glanced at the group of people before saying, "Call me Master Zhang."
Gou Sheng finally breathed a sigh of relief and called out, "Master Zhang."
Ono and the others quickly called out, "Master Zhang."
Zhang Xiucai was momentarily dazed by the address, and after a while, he smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, go and bring over a few stools."
Gou Sheng and the others quickly responded and brought over small stools to sit in front of Zhang Xiucai.
Seeing this, Jiang Yimian carefully put the contents of the basket into the kitchen before cautiously retreating.
But she didn't leave. She listened carefully at the door for a while and found that Zhang Xiucai was asking the group about their literacy.
Gousheng, Xiaoye, and Xiaonuan'er all spoke about their literacy levels without difficulty, while Daya remained silent.
Zhang Xiucai frowned and looked at Daya, then asked again, "Daya, how many characters do you know?"
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