Chapter 26 Three Brothers Enter County School

Lingshan County Government

Early in the morning, Xu Yaozu came to the Chief Clerk's Office to handle official documents. Not long after he sat down, he saw the county magistrate's long-time attendant walking towards him in a hurry.

"Master Chief Clerk, the county magistrate invites you to the back hall to speak."

When Xu Yaozu saw that the attendant who came over was Chang Qing, who was in charge of the county magistrate's personal affairs, he knew that the county magistrate wanted to discuss private matters with him.

I went to the back hall and met the county magistrate, and it turned out that they were talking about private matters.

However, Xu Yaozu was confused when he heard County Magistrate Wu talking about the ladies in the rear house, and he didn't know what he meant.

Magistrate Wu also felt that he had gone too far, so he said bluntly:

"You know, Master Xu, that our county office will soon go to the capital to report on this quarter's affairs. When I go to see you, I must give you some of our Lingshan County's specialties."

County Magistrate Wu coughed embarrassedly.

"The cherries that your ladyship sent yesterday were very good, but it was a pity that they could not be put into a small box.

So I want to ask, do you have any money at home? Of course, this is my personal matter, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have any. If you do, I will pay you money.”

Xu Yaozu really didn't dare to agree to this matter. Who knows if Nian'er still has it.

"Please forgive me, sir. The cherries were sent by my eldest daughter, and she didn't leave any message to ask if there were any more.

If you are worried, I will ask Zhuo Jing to go home and ask today."

County Magistrate Wu stood up happily.

"Then I'll trouble you, Madam. Haha~

By the way, I heard from my wife that your son wants to go to the county school, right?"

Xu Yaozu had been worried about this matter these past two days. When he heard the county magistrate ask this, he knew there was a turning point.

"That's right. My son has some talent for studying. I heard that all the teachers in the county school are well-versed in classics, so I came up with this idea."

County Magistrate Wu laughed and said, "The teacher of our county school is indeed very talented. Actually, this is not a difficult task. Let me write you a letter of recommendation."

Xu Yaozu was delighted to hear the news and thanked again and again.

“…”

After hearing this, Old Man Xu couldn't help but ask curiously, "Then why did I give you three?"

"The county magistrate knew that I had a pair of twin nephews and stepchildren who were the same age and had both been to school, so he wrote two more letters."

Xu Fugui and Zheng were very happy, especially Zheng. Yesterday, the eldest maid had just told her about the benefits of her eldest brother being an official, and today this good thing fell on her.

The others were also happy, only Old Man Xu couldn't help but look at Xu Nian and asked:

"Big girl, do you still have that cherry?"

Old Man Xu was worried that if the county magistrate failed to get this done, his plan to enter the county school would also be in vain.

Xu Nian understood and said, "I still have some in my room, Dad can take them."

Zheng slapped her thigh and said regretfully, "If I had known that these cherries were so expensive, I would not have let the fifth girl eat them. What if the county magistrate thinks they are not enough?"

Xu Yaozu comforted him, "Your Excellency is not a narrow-minded person. We just need to do our best."

“…”

Because Xu Yaozu and his wife were going to take the three brothers to the county school tomorrow, the Xu family did not fall asleep until late that night.

Second bedroom

Zheng kept on giving instructions to the two brothers for nearly half an hour. If Xu Fugui hadn't tried to dissuade her, it would have taken even longer.

After the two brothers left, Zheng was still not sleepy and prepared some clean clothes for them.

Because the county school has a dormitory, that means that from tomorrow Xu Ji and the other two will have to spend all their time in the county school except for the ten-day breaks.

"Hey~ I remember that my eldest brother always wore a robe when he was studying. He and his brothers didn't have any decent clothes either. I wonder if they would be laughed at."

Xu Fugui was a careless man, and said indifferently: "We are going to study, not to see who is dressed better. You are just worrying about that."

Zheng rolled her eyes in anger and turned around, not wanting to pay any attention to him.

No, she has to talk to the eldest girl tomorrow. She has realized that in this family, the one with vision is the eldest girl.

Three bedrooms

Little Wang gently patted her son's back to lull him to sleep, while chatting with Xu Youliang:

"It would be great if our little Liuzi was a few years older, so he could go to the county school as well."

Xu Youliang chuckled and said, "If you had married me a few years earlier, maybe you would have been able to do it."

Little Wang spat lightly and said coquettishly, "I'm talking to you seriously, but you're so dishonest."

"If you ask me, you think a lot, and it doesn't matter where you study.

Besides, didn’t Dad say that we should send Xiao Liuzi to the village school to start his education? "

Little Wang just sighed, after all, the teachers in the village could never compare with those in the county school.

Xu Youliang saw that his wife lowered her head and didn't say anything, thinking that she had some thoughts, so he couldn't help but persuade her:

"Little Liuzi is only five years old. Look at other families that send children of his age to school. It's because their fathers are willing to spend money."

Little Wang couldn't help but complain in her heart, wasn't it the eldest girl who insisted?

"I didn't say anything. I still remember all the kindness my parents have shown me."

Seeing his daughter-in-law was so charming and angry, Xu Youliang couldn't help but whisper, "Don't just remember the good things. You should also give them a grandson."

“…”

The Xu family had limited space, so Xu Yaozu could only squeeze in with Xu Weian and a few others, while Tian slept in Xu Nian and Xu Ling's room.

Tian looked at her daughter's room, which had no place to stay, and couldn't help but feel curious.

"Nian'er, what are you doing?"

Xu Nian moved the things aside to make room for walking.

"I planted these vegetables. I'll send some to mom when they grow."

Tian held her daughter's hand and felt distressed. "It's all because of your parents' uselessness that you have to take care of the household affairs."

Xu Nian smiled brightly, "Mom, I am very happy. I like doing this."

…

On the second day, because the county school was at the foot of Lingshan Mountain, ten miles outside the city, the Xu family got up early in order not to be late.

It was the first time for the three Xu Ji brothers to leave their family, let alone the twins. Even the calm Xu Ji felt a little uneasy.

Zheng was afraid that she had missed a word, so she kept talking to the twins.

Xu Nian also pulled Xu Ji aside and said, "You are the older brother, you must take good care of your younger brothers when you are outside. Of course, don't forget that you are still a child. If there is something you can't decide, you must tell your parents, okay?

Although Dad is only a small clerk, I won't ask you to compromise and swallow your anger."

Xu Ji nodded, feeling reluctant to leave his elder sister who was more nagging than his own mother.

The young clerk who listened to the whole thing said: "..."

Then Xu Nian gave Tian the cherries he had prepared, as well as a basket of bean sprouts, which he wrapped in a torn jacket to prevent them from freezing.

The beans that Xu Nian gave to the Xu family and those that he took to Tian were all grown from the space. Not only were the beans thick and crisp, but they also tasted great.

Xu Nian also asked Wang for 600 coins and divided them among the three brothers.

"My mother will prepare your pens, ink, paper, inkstone, clothes, etc.

This money is for your pocket money. Don’t compete with others in school, but if you make a few friends, don’t be stingy, understand?”