Chapter Forty-Three
Mu Mian walked over at some point and said with a smile, "Jin'er, are these the helpers you hired? I just watched them in the fields for a long time. They're quite efficient. How much silver do you pay them per day? If the price is right, I'll hire them for two or three days too. It just so happens that my father and husband aren't home these days, and there's a lot of work to do. Lingyun and I are a bit too busy."
Mu Jin's eyes darted around, just as she was thinking about how to settle this favor.
After much thought, there was nothing the family could give, except for the wild vegetables that Wen Zhaoran had picked out from the fields.
If they were to take it, those men would probably be overjoyed.
However, for their parents, earning money was far better than the wild vegetables that could be dug up anywhere in the fields.
That way, people won't have anything to say about it, and your reputation won't be ruined.
Hibiscus leaned close to Cotton's ear and whispered something in detail.
Mu Mian was speechless. She glanced at Wen Zhaoran, then at the men who were gulping down the cold water Zhou Si had poured for them.
Shaking her head and sighing, "Tsk tsk tsk, it's a good thing Zhaoran promised Zhou'er, the most promising scholar in our village, otherwise she really wouldn't have been able to keep such a good-looking husband."
Mu Jin smiled and said, "As the saying goes, 'In books there are houses of gold, and in books there are beauties like jade.' With houses of gold and beauties like jade facing each other, it can be seen that a beautiful appearance is as precious as gold."
Mu Mian waved her hand, "I can only hope to be reborn in his likeness in my next life."
Seeing that it was getting late, Mu Jin asked again, "Are you sure you want to hire them to do odd jobs at your house?"
Mu Mian nodded. "We have too many fields at home, we're really too busy."
If it weren't for seeing them busy in Mu Jin's fields, Mu Mian really wouldn't have thought of hiring anyone.
Upon hearing this, Mu Jin cleared her throat and called out to the men whose eyes were constantly glancing at Wen Zhaoran.
"Brothers, I have some work to do here. Weeding in the fields and transplanting cotton seedlings. Would you like to come?"
The men put down their empty bowls, their eyes lighting up at the news.
"Brother Lin, is it really true?"
Mu Jin smiled and said, "They're all right here. Would I lie to you in front of them?"
Mu Mian smiled and said, "Fifteen coins a day, I estimate I can hire you to help out for three days."
The group nodded in agreement. They had only intended to loosen the soil around the corner of the wooden boat, but they hadn't expected such an unexpected discovery.
They were used to doing farm work in the fields. Although they earned less than carrying heavy loads in town, it wasn't as tiring.
They didn't have much land, but they had many brothers. If they earned a few dozen copper coins, they could buy a few pounds of meat for their families, and their parents would definitely approve.
"Brother Qiao, are you starting work tomorrow, or this afternoon?"
Mumian thought for a moment. The work on Mujin's side was almost finished. She should weed and transplant the seedlings as soon as possible, and then apply fertilizer to the field.
"Come this afternoon, and I'll pay you eight coins for half a day's work."
Several men hurriedly said, "Brother Qiao, we'll go over this afternoon."
After saying goodbye to Wen Zhaoran, I happily went home for lunch.
Mu Jin had been thinking of giving them some elm seed steamed buns to try, but before she could even bring herself to say anything, the person strode away.
He sighed and laughed, "Indeed, I still prefer the golden house."
In any case, the work of weeding the fields is finally over.
Mu Jin told Zhou Si to go back and cook lunch first, while he gathered the weeds in the field and put them at the edge of the field.
Wen Zhaoran had already picked a basket of wild vegetables and brought them home for Zhou Si.
This afternoon, he planned to steam some purslane and eat it with minced garlic; it would taste delicious.
The sun wasn't too strong that day. After Zhou Si finished preparing lunch, the three of them each filled a large bowl and sat under the big locust tree at the edge of the field to eat the steamed purslane.
Wen Zhaoran loved this dish the most. After finishing one bowl, he went back and scooped out more than half a bowl.
Seeing this, Mu Jin smiled and said, "The remaining weeds should yield two baskets of wild vegetables. We'll wash them clean and save them for you to steam and eat later."
Wen Zhaoran blushed. "Brother, you're just making fun of me. Your husband clearly loves it too."
Zhou Si chuckled, "Shepherd's purse dumplings are delicious. Tomorrow, I'll have my older brother buy two pounds of meat. We can have a taste while it's still fresh."
Mu Jin thought for a moment and nodded. These days, Xiao Qingcai can earn fifty coins a day, and occasionally she can buy two catties of meat, which is enough.
After lunch, the three of them moved the weeds under the locust tree and, taking advantage of the wind, picked out the wild vegetables.
"These grasses are edible for our livestock, it's a pity we don't raise them."
Farmers are truly reluctant to waste anything; even the weeds in the fields, Zhou Si would think of taking home to feed the livestock.
"I'll take some home to feed the chickens, and as for the rest, I remember Brother Nianjun raises sheep, so I'll deliver them to his family later."
Zhou Si nodded, thought for a moment and said, "Brother, how about we get a piglet this summer? We can slaughter the pig for the New Year and exchange it for some money."
"We'll see when the time comes; we don't even have a pigsty at home yet."
Zhou Si and Wen Zhaoran sighed in unison. Thinking about it carefully, they realized that their family was still lacking in everything.
It's said that even a broken home is worth a fortune; even a farmer's possessions can amount to a considerable sum of money.
The next day, Zhou Lin brought back two jin of pork with alternating layers of fat and lean meat when he returned home in the evening, making Zhou Si's mouth water.
"I haven't eaten dumplings since the Lunar New Year."
Mu Jin smiled and said, "Then eat more tonight."
Zhou Lin worked hard and worked up a sweat, feeling sticky and uncomfortable.
When I got home, I filled a bucket with cold water and went back inside to call Mulan to help me wipe my back. After wiping away the sweat, I finally felt a little better.
"Will the work at the Zhao residence be finished by tomorrow?"
Zhou Lin washed his face and shook his head. "I can finish the carving the day after tomorrow. When my master comes, I will learn the carving patterns from him. It will take about ten days."
Hibiscus dampened the cloth, wrung it out slightly, leaving not too much water.
He spread out the cloth and placed it over Zhou Lin's broad, well-defined back, carefully wiping it.
"You can rest assured and learn from Uncle Heng. Si'er and I are here at home, we can manage."
Zhou Lin nodded, "After we finish this busy period and the composting is done, it's time to apply fertilizer. I'll ask my master for two days off then."
The couple whispered to each other inside the house, while Zhou Si kneaded the dough and chopped the meat in the kitchen.
"Done, your back is wiped clean. I'm going to the kitchen to make dumplings. You can wipe the rest yourself."
After Mu Jin finished speaking, she stood up and handed the cloth to Zhou Lin.
Blanch the shepherd's purse, chop it finely, and mix it into the minced meat.
This time, because Wen Zhaoran absolutely refused to add black flour, the dough was made entirely with refined flour.
The dumplings I made were white, plump, and round, so chubby and delightful.
Zhou Lin changed into clean clothes and went to the kitchen to help with the fire.
Seeing that quite a few dumplings had already been made, she hesitated before asking, "Should we send some to my parents?"
Mu Jin paused in her dumpling-making. "It's getting late. My parents must have already eaten. It's hot today, and the dumplings won't keep. Besides, the flour and stuff are obviously used, so it's not appropriate for us to use their food. It's like borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha, isn't it?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Lin sighed. He dared not make a decision on his own, fearing that Mu Jin would be angry if she found out, and asked, "How about I cut off a pound of meat for my parents and send it over tomorrow?"
Mu Jin put down the wrapped dumplings and turned to Zhou Lin, who was starting the fire, saying, "It's not a holiday or festival, but you're sending meat to your parents. They'll definitely think you've made a lot of money and ask you for it. If you really don't have the money, will they believe you? Will they be able to justify it? Even if they insist on giving it to you, can you actually produce the money? We haven't even replaced the pots at home yet."
Zhou Si chimed in, "Brother, what you say makes sense. Mother has been asking you for money quite a bit these past few days, hasn't she?"
Zhou Lin nodded. He didn't know why, but he always felt a lingering sense of guilt when he ate well by himself.
But knowing that Mu Jin was right, and recalling the smell of stewed chicken she had smelled at her doorstep earlier, she said, "Never mind, we can just eat it ourselves."
Zhou Si sighed, realizing that when her older brother was at home, he always thought of their parents no matter how much she suffered. Even now that they had separated from the family, he hadn't completely changed.
The dumplings floated to the surface as soon as they hit the pot. Mu Jin and Zhou Si had wrapped them tightly, and not a single one had any filling leaking out.
Wen Zhaoran mashed the garlic, Zhou Si added soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil, mixed it, and poured it into a bowl.
"Brother-in-law, this wooden garlic mortar is just the right size, it works very well."
Zhou Lin smiled and said, "When you get married, I'll give you a garlic mortar and pestle as part of your dowry, exactly the same size."
Mu Jin almost spat out the dumplings she had just eaten. Where was the mortar and pestle that came with her dowry?!
Wen Zhaoran didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with it and even nodded.
"Then brother-in-law, remember to choose a good piece of wood for me."
Mu Jin and Zhou Si: "..."
Oh well, as long as the child likes it, that's fine. Anyway, no one will see it if it's put in the box.
The meat Zhou Lin cut was perfectly marbled, with a rich aroma and the fresh scent of shepherd's purse. One after another, it was so delicious that you couldn't stop eating it.
This time, the dumpling wrappers were rolled out large, and Mujin made about a hundred dumplings. The three of them ate to their hearts' content, and there were still about twenty dumplings left over.
Mu Jin had originally intended to send some to Mu Nianjun, but then she thought that since she hadn't asked Zhou Lin to send dumplings to Zhou Wu Shi and the others, she was afraid that if she offered to send some to someone else now, he might have some reservations.
Mu Jin was also helpless. Zhou Wu was like a leech; as soon as she saw Zhou Lin had blood, she would immediately suck it up.
There would never be peace at home. If she could give him anything and didn't always try to take everything from his house, he wouldn't be in this situation.
"Put the rest in the pot and warm it up to eat tomorrow morning."
Mu Jin thought for a moment, then spoke softly. After she finished speaking, she couldn't help but let out a burp; she was truly full.
This was the first time Zhou Lin had ever eaten so many dumplings in his life, and he joined in.
Mu Jin looked at him, and the two smiled at each other, patting their bellies. If they could eat like this every day, life would be wonderful.
The minced garlic in the bowl was cleaned up very well; a quick rinse with water was all it took to remove it.
This bowl used for holding garlic needs to be washed quickly, otherwise the dried garlic cloves will be difficult to clean.
As darkness fell, Mu Jin carried the oil lamp and returned to the house with Zhou Lin.
When night falls, without moonlight, it's pitch black for farmers. As soon as it gets dark, most of them are reluctant to spend money on oil lamps and go back to their houses to sleep.
The moon gradually rose, and the village was quiet and peaceful, with only the occasional bark of a dog.
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