Therefore, thanks to Zhou Hao's mediation, the iron ore was mixed in with the caravan transporting goods and was successfully transported to Yongzhou.
In the eleventh month of the lunar calendar, the weather grew increasingly cold. Everyone had put on their cotton-padded coats. Whether it was just her imagination or not, Liu felt that winter seemed to have arrived earlier this year, and it was incredibly cold! Wasn't it said that winters in the south weren't cold? But Old Han said, "Where is there a winter that isn't cold? Winter is tough too!"
Old Han's eldest daughter-in-law was about to give birth, and knowing that Liu was a midwife, she came to ask for her help.
There used to be a midwife in Wangjia Village, but she went to the county to enjoy a comfortable life with her son the year before and stopped working! That's why she shamelessly came to Liu to ask if she could help her and take this opportunity to build up her reputation. But Liu's family is not short of money now, so it's understandable if she doesn't want to do it.
Based on her understanding of Liu, the other party should be very willing to return to his old profession, after all, it was a skill that Liu had relied on for half his life.
Just as Old Madam Han had predicted, when she heard that she was to be invited to perform the ritual for the deceased, Madam Liu readily agreed, saying that Daya would just have to give the word!
In late autumn, Qin San Niang began preparing charcoal, and her family chopped a lot of firewood. They lit their kang (heated brick bed) very early.
The newly built house is naturally much better sealed than the old house. Even without underfloor heating and heated walls, the temperature rises rapidly once the kang (heated brick bed) is lit!
As the weather gradually turned cold, Qin San Niang, who was afraid of the cold, stayed indoors every day and didn't want to go out. She was secretly glad that Da Wa was already able to independently inspect the shop and negotiate some small business deals on his own. Although he had encountered countless setbacks before, he was gaining more and more experience, and now she wasn't worried much anymore.
Two weeks ago, the He family moved with Xiao Chang'an's entire family, which was expected.
Before leaving, Liao Hongying was very reluctant to part with them and cried for a long time in front of them. Wu Chunhua, however, cried even harder than her! The two of them had been working together every day since they started making hand warmers, and they must have developed a deep friendship.
Although Wu Chunhua didn't know the real reason why He Xiujia had come, He Xiucai was extremely intelligent, and that Young Master Xiao was also quite remarkable. They would definitely bring honor to their ancestors in the future! As a simple, uncultured village woman, she felt that the gap between her and Hongying would only widen. She felt a little sad. She had thought that they could still get along for a while, but she didn't expect that they would part ways so quickly!
However, thinking that their lives would get better and better, Wu Chunhua felt relieved. Third Sister was right, all good things must come to an end, but those destined to meet will always meet again.
The most heartbroken person in this whole affair was Wang Shenxing, the second son. He and He Mingzhe were inseparable, always together on their way to and from school. When they suddenly heard that they had to be separated, both of them had tears welling up in their eyes.
Even so, what was bound to happen would still happen. Knowing he couldn't keep him, Xiao Er gave He Mingzhe his most precious whistle, a gift from his mother when they were fleeing.
He Mingzhe gave him a wooden puppy, saying it was carved in the likeness of Xiaobai, so that they could recognize each other as a token when they grew up.
Xiao Bai: Do I look like that? I don't believe it!
Qin San Niang's initially melancholy mood was lightened considerably by the two children. This era was truly inconvenient; the distance wasn't actually that far, only four or five hundred kilometers, but in today's world, it felt like an insurmountable chasm. Perhaps only when the world was at peace could they meet again.
Liu was also very puzzled as to why the scholar would move his whole family so far away. Shiligou was so much better; there was no war there. The north was in such a mess! Qin Sanniang only said that Young Master Xiao was a high-ranking official in the north. He had taken a liking to Master He's talent and had invited him to come and offer advice.
Madam Liu added, "I felt from the beginning that Young Master Xiao was no ordinary person, and sure enough, he turned out to be a high-ranking official in the north! Tsk tsk tsk, this is great news! Scholar He was originally going to take the imperial examination and become a high-ranking official, and now this has come true ahead of schedule! I wonder if he can help his children and grandchildren after he becomes a high-ranking official?"
Qin San Niang naturally understood what Liu Shi meant, implying that it was a piece of cake. Besides, their two families had business dealings! Even though they were separated by distance, they still needed to keep in touch frequently.
Liu was overjoyed and immediately prepared plenty of food and supplies. She even made two bedding sets for the family overnight, saying they would make them more comfortable in the carriage. The He family was deeply moved once again, and Liao Hongying was on the verge of tears. If her husband hadn't insisted on leaving, she truly wouldn't have wanted to endure such a arduous journey.
He Yingyuan was also helpless, but if he did not go back with Xiao Chang'an, all his hopes would be dashed. After all, the coming year was a crucial period for the change of dynasties, and the merit of supporting the new emperor was not so easy to obtain.
Now, he has money and manpower, everything is ready except for the final push. He's going on a long journey, but his return is just around the corner! It's just that he can't tell outsiders this!
So, on a chilly morning, two horse-drawn carriages slowly drove out of Shiligou and gradually disappeared onto the official road at the village entrance...
Those who came to see him off included the three families of Qin San Niang and others, as well as the village head Chen Sheng and many villagers. Everyone was grateful for the past year when Master He had established a school and taught the children. Although the villagers were saddened by He Yingyuan's departure, they could accept it, because they knew beforehand that Master He was going to take the imperial examination, which was a path to officialdom. If the examination hadn't been postponed, he would have left long ago.
Moreover, before leaving, he recommended a new teacher to the school. This teacher was of excellent character and had been certified by Da Wa's mother. The child's studies would not be delayed. Therefore, everyone was filled with gratitude towards He Yingyuan!
The He family's house is now vacant and has been sold to the Lu family at a very reasonable price.
They never imagined that one day they would be able to live in a large brick and tile house. Although there were quite a few people, the house was spacious enough, and the Lu family was very happy!
The He family already had two main houses, two side rooms, and east and west wing rooms. The children were still young, and the house was indeed enough for several families! Old Man Lu thought that when the children were older, they could expand the house behind the mountain. The house was well-built and solidly constructed, and it would last for hundreds of years!
Moreover, Madam He was a clean person, and the house was brand new, which made the Lu family women very happy!
Several days after moving in, Old Mrs. Chen was still a little disoriented; this really was their home! It was even better than their old house in Lujia Village!
People thrive when they move, but trees die when they're moved!
For the first time, the Lu family members resonated with this statement. If they had stayed in Lu Family Village back then, even if they had survived by chance, their lives would have been miserable.
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