"I'm not hurt, second brother, please help me."
Li Laosi was exhausted, but he excitedly shouted after unloading the deer.
"I saw deer tracks as soon as I entered the mountains. I chased them all the way to the other side of the mountain and spent most of the day crouching in the grass before I finally hunted this deer. Goodness, I estimate it weighs about 400 pounds!"
When Grandma Li and the others came out after hearing the commotion, they were also startled.
Once they confirmed that Li Laosi was not injured, they all gathered around the deer, overjoyed.
Tao Hongying quickly grabbed an old cloth to wipe Li Laosi's face and pulled him back into the house to change his clothes.
"This is like a godsend! I was just worried about not having any presentable gifts to give when visiting relatives, and this solves that problem!"
Grandma Li chuckled and instructed her sons to get to work, "Second and third sons, you two hurry up and skin this deer and divide the meat among yourselves."
"Mom, let's stew venison tonight! It's a really good thing, very nourishing!"
Wu Cuihua looked at the plump and strong deer with bright eyes, and before Old Lady Li could reply, she was already making her own calculations.
"I'll go to the county and call Er Gouzi back right now. Anyway, our family can't finish all this venison, so let him take some with him..."
"How dare you!" Old Mrs. Li glared at her, pointing at her and cursing angrily.
"Shameless thing! I'm not dead yet, and you think you can take charge? If you dare bring Wu Er back, I'll kick you both out!"
Wu Cuihua trembled with fright and quickly shrank back, not daring to say another word.
Everyone pretended not to hear or see anything, and helped fetch water and find basins and buckets. After working for almost an hour, the deer's skin and flesh were finally separated.
The skinned deer hide and antlers were set aside; they would be taken to the county to sell tomorrow morning.
The remaining venison was divided in half, and one half was cut into more than ten small pieces. Li Laosan took the children and delivered one piece to each household.
The remaining half of the venison should also be divided properly: one piece for each family member, and a few pieces to be hung in the well to keep it fresh.
Most importantly, a large piece of fruit was packed for Li Lao Er and Jia Ren, along with some apples and pears.
Then they asked Zhang Ersao to lead the way, and together they went to her family home to inquire about the academy.
It was also Jiaren's good luck that Zhang Ersao's nephew happened to come home to pick up something and they ran into each other.
Hearing that Jiaren also wanted to study at the academy, the family received the father and son with great courtesy.
Zhang Ersao's maiden name was Chen, and she came from a well-off family.
The courtyard is large and tidy, and it is said that there is also a lot of farmland, no wonder they can afford to send their children to school.
Zhang Ersao's nephew is named Chen Feng. He has been studying for more than three years. He is well-mannered, polite, and very gentle in his dealings with others. He is not pretentious at all.
Sister-in-law Chen was also very hospitable, bringing out some snacks and tea from the backyard to greet her sister-in-law and Li Lao Er and his son.
"Look, you've come all this way, why bring so much stuff? We're all from the same village. Please sit down, you must be exhausted from the journey."
After exchanging a few polite words, seeing that the Chen family men weren't around, Li Lao Er decided not to mince words and got straight to the point.
“Sister-in-law, we’ve come to inquire about the academy with Young Master Chen. My son is of school age, and we’d like to send him to study there.”
"Ah, it's not a big deal."
Sister-in-law Chen waved her hand, quickly signaling her son to speak.
Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Chen Feng began his introduction in a leisurely manner.
"Our academy is located in the west of the county town. It is called Hanbo Academy. The headmaster is a retired teacher from the county. He is learned, rigorous, and very responsible. The academy currently has forty-three students, all of whom have studied for several years but have not yet passed the preliminary examination. We can eat and live at the academy. If it is close to home, we can also commute."
He glanced at Jiaren subconsciously, and then said.
"It costs 300 coins a month to eat and live at the academy, and another 300 coins a month for the writing brushes, ink and paper for reading and writing. Tuition is 500 coins a month. In total, each student will need at least one tael of silver a month."
On holidays and teachers' birthdays, additional gifts must be prepared; the amount depends on the sentiment, but it cannot be too meager.
Sure enough, Li Jiaren frowned after hearing this and tugged at Li Lao Er's sleeve.
"Dad, some of them are too expensive. Let's go home and discuss it."
Li Lao Er smiled and nodded, stood up to thank the Chen family mother and son, and then prepared to take his leave.
Sister-in-law Chen was reluctant to let the father and son stay, but she allowed Sister-in-law Zhang to stay for one night.
After leaving the Chen family courtyard, the father and son walked in silence for half the journey before Li Lao Er finally spoke to his son.
“Son, one tael of silver isn’t much. I’ll go to the county town to find a job in a while and I can afford to send you to school. You’re still young, so listen to what the family has to say. Don’t ever say you don’t want to study. I may not be capable, but I want you to be successful and bring honor to our family.”
“Father…” Li Jiaren’s eyes were slightly red, and he didn’t know what to say.
Back home, Li Lao Er recounted the entire story of the academy to the Li family, leaving everyone speechless with astonishment.
It is indeed a bit expensive. You know, a family doesn't even need to spend one or two taels of silver a month on firewood, rice, oil, and salt.
After a moment of silence, Li Laosi was the first to speak loudly.
"No matter how expensive it is, we must let the children study. We can afford it! Tomorrow I'll go hunting again. The money I get from selling one fox will be enough for my nephew to study for three months!"
“Yes, I can also go out and take on bricklaying jobs, and the pay isn’t bad either,” Li Laosan echoed.
"Tomorrow, after Hongying and I finish our chores at home, we'll go collect dried goods and take them to the county town to sell, which will also earn us some money."
Even Zhao Yuru, who is usually quiet, expressed her opinion.
The children jumped up and down, shouting, "We can help too, and earn money to buy paper and pens for our older brother!"
Jiayin was held in Grandma Li's arms, and seeing the family so united, she couldn't help but feel excited as well.
She waved her little hands and shouted "Ah ah!" as she resolutely cast her vote in favor.
Jiaren is fair-skinned, intelligent, polite, and loves to read. We can't waste such a good talent!
She had to work hard to get food for the family so that her eldest brother could go to school!
Jiaren couldn't help but wipe away his tears and once again assured Grandma Li and the whole family that he would never let them down.
Grandma Li wiped away her eldest grandson's tears.
"Studying is for understanding principles. It would be even better if you could make a name for yourself. Even if you don't pass the exam, it would be good if you could find a job like your father to support your family."
Jiaren nodded emphatically, "Grandma, I've got it."
Zhao Yuru and Tao Hongying started preparing bedding, clothes, and other daily necessities for Jiaren that very night.
Early the next morning, Li Lao Er took the gifts he had prepared for his husband—a piece of venison, a pair of rabbits, and a pair of pheasants—and set off for the county town with Jia Ren.
Li Laosi was traveling with him; he wanted to sell the deer antlers and deer hides.
Li Laosan wasn't idle either; he took Jiayi and a few others to repair houses for several families in the village.
Following the address given by Chen Feng, Li Lao Er and his son found the entrance to Hanbo Academy.
Before even entering, he could hear the clear sound of students reciting their lessons. Li Jiaren felt a surge of excitement at the thought of studying here in the future.
The old man guarding the gate was quite amiable. After receiving a few coins, he went to help find Chen Feng.
Chen Feng had thought Li Jiaren wouldn't come, but there was an unexpected surprise.
"You've arrived, that's wonderful! Please come in with me to see the teacher; class hasn't started yet."
He led Li Lao Er and his son into the academy, speaking quietly along the way.
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