Having relied on his mother for survival all along, how could Da Wa not know that what his mother said came from the bottom of her heart? It was just that, as a child, he was unwilling to go against his mother's wishes! He knew that his mother liked scholars and hoped that they could study well, pass the imperial examinations, provide for their family, and eventually change their social standing.
He also knew that scholars were different from ordinary people and hunters. For example, Mr. He could easily gain everyone's respect, while Uncle Qingshan was a hunter. Although everyone thought he was good because he had absolute strength and could hunt prey that others could not!
So whatever you do, you have to do it to the best of your ability. Da Wa is not sure if he can do it to the best of his ability if he stops studying and starts learning martial arts. He is afraid that he will achieve nothing and his mother will be very disappointed.
But now, his mother said she hoped he could be happy! The eldest child broke down instantly.
“Practicing martial arts and hunting are both good choices! Your mother thinks they are excellent. I'll see if your Uncle Qingshan has the time. You can become his disciple then. Just one thing: Uncle Qingshan only has one daughter, Azhi. If you become his disciple, you must be filial to him for the rest of your life!” Nowadays, people believe that a teacher is like a father for life. There is nothing wrong with what Qin San Niang said.
"Of course! Mother, I will study hard! I won't let you down!" Da Wa was overjoyed that his mother agreed to his request so easily!
"Son, life is short, you must live for yourself. As long as you live with integrity and strive for your ideals, your mother will be proud of you!"
You don't need to do anything to please me. You are all your mother's children, and I will always love you!
Qin San Niang felt it was necessary to make things clear to the child. The eldest child was thoughtful and couldn't let go, which was both a strength and a weakness. People like this are easily tired, both mentally and physically!
Finally, the mother and daughter happily agreed that for the next year, the older child would go to school with the younger one to learn to read. If he learned enough characters, he wouldn't need to take any more exams. He could focus his energy on martial arts, hunting, and helping her with chores.
As for A-Nan, she still enjoyed going to school with A-Zhi. Although her aptitude was average, girls weren't expected to pass the imperial examinations anyway; just like the older children, recognizing characters was enough. When they turned twelve or thirteen, Qin San Niang planned to have A-Zhi learn some new skills, so she would have a marketable skill. However, she really couldn't see what kind of work the child was suited for yet!
Sometimes, looking at her soft and gentle appearance, Qin San Niang would think, "Forget it! I should just work hard to earn money myself. When the children grow up, if necessary, I can find a son-in-law to live with me and keep an eye on them. That'll be fine! Besides, don't my two older brothers look after them? There shouldn't be any problems!"
Now, she truly understands the feeling of having a daughter! Like a flower she has carefully nurtured, no other rascal is worthy of her!
The next day arrived at the day that Qin San Niang and Guo Er had agreed upon.
After explaining the situation to Liu and the others, she rode her horse to He County. She didn't encounter Guo Mengzi when she entered the city, and thinking it wasn't his turn to work, Qin San Niang didn't stop and headed straight for Yangshu Street.
When they arrived at the house, Qin San Niang dismounted and was quite surprised. The door of the house was wide open, and it was noisy and bustling inside.
"Boss, you're here!" Gou Dan'er's voice rang out, followed by an even louder roar, "Boss, the boss is here, hurry up and come out!"
Guo Er, who was working inside, heard Gou Dan'er's shout and knew that Qin San Niang had arrived. He shook off the mud on his body and hurriedly ran out.
When Qin San Niang entered, she saw this scene: many women and children were enthusiastically pulling weeds inside. Although their clothes were tattered, they were all smiling, sweat dripping from their foreheads, and their eyes were shining.
"The master is here, come in quickly!" Guo Er ushered Qin San Niang in, then kicked Gou Dan'er, who was standing next to her, "You blockhead, hurry up and get a stool! Do you want the master to stand?"
Dog Egg wasn't angry at all after taking a kick; he quickly went to get a stool!
"Guo Er, you're quick! Where did you find these laborers to start cleaning so soon?" Qin San Niang asked.
Although Yangshu Street is a slum, the residents here wouldn't dress so shabbily, with patches upon patches! The original inhabitants, though they also suffer, can wash and change their clothes. This group of people in front of me seems to have no clean clothes at all; the patches on their clothes are coming undone! They look more like homeless people!
Guo Er wiped his hands and put a stool down for Qin San Niang. "Boss, I can't hide it from you. These people are all homeless people recruited by my brothers. Most of them are refugees, but there are also some local widows and orphans! After hearing about your good deeds, they all came to help with the work. It's like they're building their own homes!"
"Oh? That's well done," Qin Sanniang praised. She hadn't expected Guo Er to have such a clever mind, gathering everyone in advance! If it were a home they had built themselves, it would surely have a different meaning, and they would cherish it even more. "But, with so many people, where will they stay tonight?"
In Qin San Niang's opinion, the house was really dilapidated and there were no beds. It was still a bit cold, and most of the people there were thin women and children. If they got cold at night, it would be a big problem.
"Master, Boss Guo has already thought it through. The roof in the main hall has the least damage, so we'll repair it today. That way, it'll keep us sheltered from the wind and rain tonight. As for the beds, it'll be simple. We'll just use some old door panels to make do with these people!" Gou Dan'er replied with a grin, thinking that this master was truly kind-hearted, not caring where the refugees would stay. They were overjoyed to have a place to go; this shelter from the wind and rain was much better than sleeping on the streets.
Hearing him say that, Qin San Niang thought it was a good idea. After all, sleeping on the streets was a common occurrence for her when she was on the run, and if she could persevere, then these people could too.
Seeing her nod, Guo Er continued, "Boss, the property deed you asked me to transfer a few days ago has been completed. Please keep it safe!"
As he spoke, he took out a thin piece of paper from his breast pocket and handed it to Qin San Niang. "Also, I've found workers to repair the roof. Ten cash a day, including lunch. Is that alright with you?"
Ten coins a day isn't much. There are many people looking for work, but very few jobs available. So many craftsmen have lowered their prices to eight or nine coins a day, and even that doesn't include meals.
Guo Er said cautiously that the craftsman he had found was his own brother's father, and he was afraid that Qin San Niang would think he was showing favoritism.
Da Gen'er and Er Gen'er's family was not well-off. Their father had not received any work for a long time, and their mother was sick. The cost of medicine alone was several hundred coins every month. He couldn't bear to see his brothers lose their mother.
If we disregard everything else, the brothers are absolutely compatible when it comes to filial piety.
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