Zhang and the old lady of the Wu family worked very efficiently. They quickly made a carriage curtain with fur.
"Sister-in-law, how about this? I'll sew these furs together. Then you can put down a curtain."
"Okay, that's a good idea. We can get it done faster if we split up."
So, the old lady of the Wu family and Zhang each did their own work.
After more than half an hour, Zhang had sewed the first piece of fur and put the old coarse cloth on it to complete the work.
This job was easy. Zhang first measured the size of the curtain, then made a quilt cover pattern out of old coarse cloth.
Finally, she stuffed the fur into the old coarse cloth.
After she had sewn the edge of the quilt cover shut, she used a needle to sew two more lines on it so that the fur would be fixed to the old coarse cloth and would not slide around.
"Sister-in-law, I've finished sewing a car curtain. Would you like to come and take a look?"
The old lady of the Wu family put down the fur in her hand, turned around and carefully touched the car curtain, which was thick and soft.
"This car curtain is so warm when it's sewn like this. I think it can be used as a blanket under my body."
Zhang laughed, "Sister-in-law, it's actually possible. It's just a bit troublesome. That's why I just made the bed. And when I made the bed, I put another quilt on top of the fur."
"That blanket is heavier, so the fur underneath won't move around. Also, I want to save some coarse cloth."
When Mrs. Wu heard this, she understood what Zhang meant. "Yes, you are very thoughtful."
"Sister-in-law, the curtain at the back, if we both follow this, it will be quick."
"Well, I've already laid out three beds of fur for the carriage curtains. Now, let's each sew one.
"Okay, sister-in-law. Let's do as you say."
Before Zhang and the old lady of the Wu family had finished sewing the fur, the two daughters-in-law of the Wu family arrived.
With two more people joining the team, who often make clothes, everyone worked even faster.
While the village chief was finding a place for everyone to rest and eat, Zhang, the old lady of the Wu family, and the two daughters-in-law of the Wu family had already sewed the curtains for all six carriages.
The old lady of the Wu family went home happily with her two daughters-in-law and the three carriage curtains.
While Yun the butcher was setting up the stove, Zhang took out the newly made car curtains and replaced all the previous cloth curtains.
"Mom, once you changed the curtains, the wind stopped blowing into the carriage. It's warmer inside now."
"It's good to be warm, otherwise why would my mother go to the trouble of changing the car curtains?"
"Mom, you have such skillful hands and you are so capable."
As Third Brother Yun spoke, he began to praise.
"Okay, you guys go play in the car. Mom's going to see what your dad is planning to cook."
"Mom is the best."
Zhang clapped her hands and got out of the car.
The sky was overcast, but the fog had dispersed somewhat, and I could see farther than before.
However, the slight breeze blowing on people made them shiver with cold.
"Boss, what are you planning to make for lunch?"
"Wife, I heated up the steamed buns you made earlier. I also heated up a plate of meat sauce. There's sweet potato porridge in the pot."
"It's too cold. I need something hot to drink."
"That's right, Master. I didn't expect you to be busy preparing dinner while I was just changing the car curtain."
"Wife, you're here just in time. You come and light the fire. I'm going to take the eldest and second sons to the nearby woods to collect some more dry firewood."
"If it snows tonight, it will be hard to find dry firewood later."
"Master, are you planning to put a few more bundles of dry wood on top of our mule cart?"
Now the roof of the Yun family’s carriage is full of things.
There were more than ten bundles of hay on the top of the donkey cart, which were used to feed mules and donkeys.
The mule cart at the back was loaded with bundles of firewood. Fortunately, when the Yun family bought a new cart, they replaced all the carriages.
The new carriage had more space and a larger roof. The firewood stored there was probably enough for the Yun family to use for half a month.
"Wife, we need more hay, not just firewood. Our mules and donkeys need hay even if it snows. We can't afford to feed them with just grain."
Zhang's expression changed. "Master, we have to plan carefully for the food we eat now."
Butcher Yun hurried to comfort Zhang, "Wife, I know, I understand. I'm just trying to store more hay and firewood before the snow starts."
"After the snow melts, we'll always be able to find dry firewood and grass. The village chief just came over and specifically told everyone to collect more firewood and prepare more hay at noon."
"For this, we can have a two-hour break at noon."
Zhang was surprised. "So that's how it is. But the village chief is right. If it snows at night, we'll need firewood for cooking and heating."
"It's dark in the middle of the night, and there's really no place to find firewood."
"Okay, boss, take the eldest brother and the others and go quickly. Try to bring back as much firewood and grass as possible."
"Not only can we put straw on the roof of the carriage. We can also put a thick layer of hay under the carriage where we sleep."
"That way, you can sleep warm, and when the grass runs out, you can use it to feed the mules and donkeys."
"Wife, you're right. Why didn't I think of that?"
"By the way, boss, when you go to collect firewood later, if you meet the villagers, remember to tell them about this."
"I don't want to wait until night to lend the firewood and grass we worked so hard to collect to others. We all have hands and feet and can do the work. We can't always try to take advantage of others."
"Okay, wife. Don't be angry. I'll talk to the village chief later and ask him to tell the villagers."
"That's best."
Butcher Yun took Brother Yun (eldest brother) and Brother Yun (second brother) to collect firewood. Yun Yiyi and Brother Yun (third brother) couldn't stay at home, so they went along with them.
Xie Zirui was worried that someone would come looking for him, so he stayed at home to help Zhang light the fire and did not go with them.
Zhang was at home listening to the village chief loudly calling out to the villagers, asking them to prepare more firewood and hay.
The village chief also said that if it snowed at night, anyone with grass or firewood at home was not allowed to lend it out. Anyone who was lazy would have to go collect firewood themselves in the middle of the night.
There were indeed a few lazy folks in the village, their homes lacking in firewood and grass. Plus, since it wasn't guaranteed to snow tonight, they'd finished gathering supplies for lunch and were now napping in their cars.
The village chief saw them and started scolding them. In the end, they all carried their baskets and went out to collect firewood and cut grass.
They also knew the village chief's temper. Since the village chief had said that no one was allowed to borrow books from outside, they would definitely not be able to borrow books at night.
They dared not speak in front of the village chief, but when they reached the woods behind, they started cursing as the cold wind blew.
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