Chapter 933 The Village's Number One Scourge
About half an hour later, a noise came from the doorway.
"Old woman, come out quickly! We've met some kind people!"
The old man returned home with a string of pheasants in his hand and a big smile on his face, while behind him, Qi Heng pulled a pile of firewood as high as a small mountain.
"Why did you gather so much firewood?"
The old woman was dumbfounded. The elderly couple had limited physical strength and could not lift heavy objects. When they were short of firewood, they would go to the mountainside near the village and collect some small branches.
Take advantage of the good weather and do it a few more times; it should be enough to burn for several days.
There wasn't much firewood left at home today, and it looked like it was going to snow. To avoid going hungry and cold, her old man went out to collect firewood late at night, and even then, he wouldn't let her come along.
An old married couple, the old man has been caring for her for many years, day after day.
The old woman looked relaxed. Although she was poor, her life was going well. She took the pheasant from her husband and said with a big smile, "You've raided a pheasant nest!"
Needless to say, the chicken must have been killed by the young man who came to stay; her husband didn't have that ability.
The couple had lived in the village for decades and had seen pheasants hopping around before, but unfortunately, they were not agile enough to catch up with the pheasants and rabbits.
"That Qi family lad is really skilled! Old woman, we can also benefit from his kindness today and have some chicken soup to nourish ourselves!"
The old man patted the chicken feathers off his hands and assured him, "Young Qi, your aunt may not have many other skills, but she's an expert at making chicken soup. Everyone in the village praises her. Go wash up and come back to drink the soup and eat the chicken."
"Grandpa, judging from how quick and efficient Grandma is, her cooking skills must be excellent."
Qi Heng cooperated readily, finding a wood-chopping knife and helping the elderly couple chop wood.
He was strong and efficient, and in a short while, the firewood was neatly and evenly piled into a small mountain.
Lin Yuesha, unperturbed by the cold, stood aside and watched Qi Heng chop wood.
Ordinary people live simple lives, enjoying plain food and drink, neither stealing nor robbing, having no enemies, and sleeping soundly every night.
Someone like Qi Heng probably can't understand their happiness.
If one day Lin Yuesha sees through the vanity of life, she wants to find a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains, far away from the hustle and bustle.
Qi Heng finished chopping firewood, and Lin Yuesha, being very perceptive, quickly served him hot tea, earning another round of praise from the elderly couple.
"Yes, a couple should be in harmony, loving each other, and life will pass quickly."
The old man sighed, saying that if he had a next life, he would get married earlier and enjoy a few more good years.
"What do you mean by 'so early'? I came to your house at twelve, we're the same age, and we got married at fifteen. Do you expect me to marry you at ten?"
The old woman laughed and scolded, "How old are you and you still can't be serious!"
"If I were like an old scholar, spouting classical phrases all day long and giving you a headache, would we have gotten this far?"
The old man talked about the scholar in the village. He said that when the villagers saw him, they would talk about how he was full of erudition and knowledge, but they couldn't understand him and would run away when they saw him.
That scholar also particularly enjoyed testing others. All the scholars who passed through the town were stumped by his tests and wished they could become his disciples.
Upon hearing this, Lin Yuesha asked with great interest, "Since there is such a capable person, why not take the imperial examination to become a scholar and advance further?"
“Daughter, the old man didn’t explain clearly. You’ve probably misunderstood. The scholar is in his early twenties and hasn’t gotten married yet.”
There's a story behind the scholar.
The scholar's family was originally a well-known landlord in this area, but unfortunately, their fortunes declined, though they still had a lot of books in their house.
His family wanted him to go to school, but he refused no matter what, insisting on farming and becoming a wealthy idler.
"So, in a fit of anger, the scholar's grandmother threw him under the old pine tree to reflect on his actions for the night."
After sitting for just one night, the scholar suddenly had an epiphany and took the initiative to go home to study. He did not seek a teacher but studied on his own at home, burying himself in his studies.
Who knew that this person seemed to have unlocked his full potential, becoming self-taught and soon becoming extremely knowledgeable, and he also had an excellent memory.
"That Scholar Zhuang, the last time he saw me, he tested me on ancient poems by poets from the previous dynasty. How could I, a peasant, possibly know such things?"
The old man looked helpless when he mentioned Zhuang Xiucai. He wanted to go home, but Zhuang Xiucai blocked his way and wouldn't let him go.
"Scholar Zhuang said that I could only pass if I promised to recite ancient poems for him."
Others robbed and swindled for money, but Zhuang Xiucai wanted knowledge. The old man had no choice but to agree, and only then could he return home safely.
For a period of time, I dared not go out, for fear of running into Scholar Zhuang.
The old man sighed repeatedly as he recalled those painful days. He hid at home for a few days, and when he heard from the villagers that Scholar Zhuang had gone to the city to participate in a literary gathering, the whole village celebrated.
Elderly people and children who usually stay indoors are more festive than during the Lunar New Year, and they are all coming out for a walk.
If we were to name the biggest scourge in the village, it would undoubtedly be Scholar Zhuang.
After the celebration, the old man thought the matter was over and he was no longer worried, so he stopped trying to avoid it.
Unexpectedly, three months later, the old man met Zhuang Xiucai, who had returned to the village, and greeted him naturally.
"When Scholar Zhuang saw me, the first thing he asked me was how well I was memorizing the ancient poems!"
The old man was utterly ashamed. He was truly impressed that Zhuang Xiucai remembered things so clearly from three months ago.
"Was it Zhuang Xiucai who made the villagers recite an ancient poem together?"
This Zhuang Xiucai is a remarkable person. Lin Yuesha has a heart that loves talent. If she gets him under her command, she will never have to worry about the mountain of account books again.
"No, the village chief memorizes the Three Character Classic, but the children memorize something more difficult. Scholar Zhuang said that we should respect the elderly and care for the young, so he asked me to memorize simpler ancient poems."
And so, the old man would remember the first part of a sentence but forget the second. If he were truly suited for studying, he wouldn't be stuck making a living by tending a few acres of land.
"If you see someone carrying a folding fan in the dead of winter, you must stay away from them."
Even though it's dark now, Zhuang Xiucai is elusive; he might just wander around aimlessly in this freezing weather.
The old man could talk about similar bizarre stories about Zhuang Xiucai for three days and three nights without stopping.
Although Zhuang Xiucai's faults often caused trouble for the villagers, his character was absolutely impeccable, and he would always lend a helping hand whenever he saw any difficulties the villagers faced.
During festivals, Zhuang Xiucai would bring snacks and cured meat to visit the villagers. He treated the villagers like family and visited them frequently.
"Grandpa, I'll take my wife to wash up first, and we'll talk when I get back."
It was getting late, and Qi Heng politely interrupted the conversation.
There is a natural hot spring in the village. Villagers carry water from the hot spring home to wash up, but it gets cold in winter, so the water gets a bit chilly when they carry it back.
Lin Yuesha first found a needle and thread and made a menstrual belt. Since she couldn't take a bath during her period, she simply wiped herself down.
"The old man said that Zhuang Xiucai is a very interesting person."
Although he is annoying when people test his knowledge, he has many good qualities.
There's also the old pine tree that the old lady mentioned. Zhuang Xiucai sat under the tree for one night and came to a realization. Could it be that the old pine tree was giving him some guidance?
"Let's go and see for ourselves tomorrow."
Qi Heng and Lin Yuesha exchanged glances, the couple understanding each other without words. If Zhuang Xiucai was indeed as the villagers described, he would be a very good laborer.
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