When she started working, Zhang Hulan thought that many villagers would bring lotus roots to sell to her, but in the end only a few brought some.
The lotus roots we brought were few, only about ten pounds per person. During the period of food shortage, almost all the lotus roots on the mountain had been dug up, so how could we get more?
Planting is in February, and Zhang Hulan feels that she has to send people to other places to buy some back, otherwise what will she use to feed the pigs, chickens and ducks in the future?
Zhang Hulan told Luo Changqi and the others about the matter. There were a lot of things going on in the farm, and Luo Changqi and Yuan Gang were both unable to leave, so Huang Zhong was finally transferred out to handle this matter.
Zhang Hujun just needs to find a bought servant to follow him.
Zhang Hulan gave Huang Zhong 100 taels of silver. Huang Zhong asked Zhang Hulan, "Niece, what are you going to do with so much silver? How many lotus roots do you plan to buy?"
Zhang Hulan said: "Uncle Huang, one acre of land requires about 200 kilograms of seeds. I need to plant at least 500 acres, which means 100,000 kilograms of dry lotus seeds.
You will need to buy a donkey cart or an ox cart to transport it back, and this money may not be enough.
It will probably take you a while to come back, so don't skimp on your food and lodging. If you don't have enough money, ask me for more."
Huang Zhong was quite surprised that he had to buy 100,000 kilograms, and he didn't know if he could buy so much.
Huang Zhong said: "Niece, I don't think there are many to buy in the nearby counties. I think we need to go a little further."
Zhang Hulan nodded and said, "You have to go somewhere farther away. It's probably hard to buy in the county town of Ding'an Prefecture. I suggest you go to other prefectures."
Huang Zhong said: "Then I'll go to Jiangyuan Prefecture. It's not too far from Ding'an Prefecture."
Zhang Hulan nodded, "Okay, just make the arrangements as you see fit."
Huang Zhong took the silver and picked ten people to go with him.
…
The fifteenth day of the first lunar month soon arrived. After the Lantern Festival, Zhang Xiaojun and the other two would go to the academy to study.
Thinking that they could only come back once every two weeks, Wang and Xiang Chunhua felt reluctant to let them go.
During this period, Zhang Xinyue drew a lot of "peace charms" every day. Zhang Hulan could see that the little girl really liked them.
Since my daughter likes it, send her to learn it.
So on the 16th day of the first lunar month, when Zhang Hulan sent Zhang Xiaojunhuai, Zhang Xiaobing and Shanzi to the academy, she also took Zhang Xinyue with her.
Before going out in the morning, Xiang Chunhua kept her eyes on Zhang Xiaobing, who was dressed neatly.
Zhang Hulan said, "If you want to send Xiaobing to the academy, then we can go together."
"Okay!" Xiang Chunhua agreed immediately.
But then he said with some embarrassment, "Forget it, it will cost a lot of money for Xiaobing to study, I'd better work at home."
"Go ahead, I won't deduct your wages..."
"Really?" Xiang Chunhua's eyes suddenly lit up.
Xiang Chunhua still has the habit of taking advantage of small opportunities, but in Zhang Hulan's view, this is not a problem.
As long as you can distinguish between inside and outside and know where your home is, it's fine. Zhang Hulan is still very satisfied with Xiang Chunhua's current performance.
Today is the first day of school, and there are many students and parents at the entrance of Weixin Academy.
Students who live in the county town or its surrounding areas do not have to live in the college, and students who live farther away have brought their luggage with them.
Zhang Xiaojun, Zhang Xiaobing and Shanzi, each of them carried a small bookcase, which contained enlightenment books and writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone.
Zhang Hulan, Xiang Chunhua and Luo Changqi carried quilts and spare clothes for them.
The academy gave instructions and asked me to pay the tuition fee first and then report to the teacher.
Zhang Xiaojun and Shanzi were both a little embarrassed because the children who attended the enlightenment class were all five or six years old, or six or seven years old.
Zhang Xiaojun is already fourteen years old and tall. Standing among those children, he stands out.
Shanzi was not much better. At the age of twelve, he was much taller than the other students.
The other children looked at the two with curiosity. They all thought that the two tall characters might have come to the wrong place.
Zhang Xiaobing was fine, he was only eight years old and about the same height as other children.
I got to know the teacher and the location of the church, and then went to find a place to live.
There were four children in one dormitory. Zhang Xiaobing strongly requested to live with Zhang Xiaojun and Shanzi so that he would feel safe.
Even if Zhang Xiaobing didn't say it, Zhang Hulan would have mentioned it to her husband. It would be better to take care of the three children if they lived together.
After settling the three people, Zhang Hulan told them, "You three should study hard in the academy, don't cause trouble, but don't be afraid of trouble either.
If someone bullies you, you just fight back. As long as you don't kill or maim them, I'll take care of it no matter what happens.
But if you take the initiative to provoke others, don't blame me for beating you."
Zhang Xiaobing patted his chest and assured, "Don't worry, auntie, we promise not to cause any trouble."
Zhang Hulan smiled and patted Zhang Xiaobing's head, saying, "Don't cause trouble, but don't be afraid of it either, okay?"
Zhang Xiaobing nodded, "Yeah, I know."
Zhang Xinyue said, "Don't be afraid, little soldier. I'm going to the mountain to learn magic. When I learn magic, I will beat anyone who dares to bully you."
Now Zhang Xinyue’s mind is full of going to the mountains to learn “magic”, and drawing talismans is also magic in her opinion.
Zhang Hulan then told Zhang Xiaojun, "Xiaojun, you are the oldest, you must take good care of Xiaobing and Shanzi in the future."
Zhang Xiaojun nodded, "Yes, I will."
Luo Changqi also gave a few instructions, "You must practice basic skills every morning and don't slack off.
The moves I taught you cannot be used casually to hit others, as it is easy to get hurt.
But if someone bullies you, you should fight back as long as you know when to fight back."
The three of them nodded together, "Yeah, we'll remember that."
After settling everything down, Zhang Hulan and the others left, with Xiang Chunhua's eyes filled with tears.
Zhang Hulan said, "That's fine. They only go home once every two weeks. It's not like they won't go back."
When I left the academy, Zhang Hujun was already waiting at the city gate.
Zhang Hulan asked Xiang Chunhua and Zhang Hujun to go back first, and she took Zhang Xinyue to Ziyang Temple.
On weekdays, there were no Taoist children at the foot of the mountain to help guard the means of transportation, so Luo Changqi had to wait at the foot of the mountain while Zhang Hulan took Zhang Xinyue up the mountain.
On the way, Zhang Hulan asked Zhang Xinyue, "Yueyue, why do you want to learn to draw talismans so much?"
Zhang Xinyue replied: "Because the amulet can protect mother from harm! I will draw a lot of amulets for mother to protect herself, so that mother can be safe forever."
Zhang Hulan felt warm inside when she heard this.
When they reached the top of the mountain, Zhang Hulan found Daochen, Dao and Daoxu standing at the entrance, smiling at them.
When Zhang Xinyue saw Daohe, she immediately shouted happily: "Daohe, I brought you some candy."
Zhang Xinyue ran forward and stuffed a bag of candy into Daohe's hand, "I brought this especially for you. Share it with Daoxu and the others. Don't eat it alone."
Daohe smiled and said, "Thank you, Junior Sister!"
"Junior sister?"
Daohe smiled and said, "Yes! After you become my disciple, you will be my junior sister. You have to call me senior brother from now on!"
"And me, you also have to call me senior brother!" Daoxu said.
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