Chapter 115 As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement!
(Thanks to 1jy for casting 2 monthly tickets.)
The lights in Li Shiyue's house didn't go out until very late. Dog Lao San carried his third aunt home on his back. He went into the kitchen in the dark and boiled a pot of water for his third aunt to soak her feet.
Liujiatun is located near Daheishan Mountain, so there is no shortage of firewood, and the kang (heated brick bed) in the house is very warm.
As soon as the third dog carrying the bucket of water entered the house, he felt a wave of heat hitting him.
"Third brother, you..."
Before Third Aunt could finish speaking, Dog Third interrupted, "Aunt, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
They haven't left yet, have they?
As mentioned in October, it doesn't necessarily mean they have to fight; they also have manual labor that needs to be done.
"Hey, remember this: nothing is more important than your own life."
The next day, the weather cooperated and it stopped snowing, but the sun didn't come out either; the sky remained overcast, looking like it would snow again.
However, Li Shiyue and Li Qiutian drove a donkey carrying a cart full of firewood, while Li Wangshui and Zhou Lanhua drove a mule cart also carrying a cart full of firewood, heading towards Qingsong Town.
Dazhuang and Xiaozhuang were placed at Li Shiyue's house for Li's mother and others to look after.
The firewood on these two carts was collected by the families of Liujiatun over the past few days. Ever since they went to Qingsong Town to sell firewood last time, everyone has been consciously accumulating firewood, hoping to earn more money.
Upon entering the town, led by Zhou Lanhua, they first went to the shopkeeper who collected firewood and sold both cartloads of firewood. The four of them then left the empty carts behind the shop and went out to buy things.
As the weather gets colder, even though every household in Liujiatun has a kang (heated brick bed) in their house, there is no shortage of fuel for burning. The mountains and fields are covered with withered branches and fallen leaves, and anyone who wants them can go and collect them.
But a person can't stay confined to the kang (heated brick bed) forever, can they?
Therefore, thick clothes and bedding are very necessary.
Cotton is now available, but it was introduced from the Western Regions. They had seen it when they were in Henan Province. Although it is very warm when stuffed into clothes, it is not cheap at all.
But now that I have money, I'll just spend it!
Cotton, cloth, needles and thread—Li Shiyue even bought a pair of leather boots for everyone in her family, and in the end, she used all the money she had to buy grain.
With two big eaters in the family, no matter how much food there is, it's never enough.
Of course, the villagers also asked them to help carry things. Thanks to their good memory, they bought everything they needed. The four of them then went into a restaurant, ate some soup noodles to warm themselves up, and then walked with their bags and bundles to the back of the firewood shop.
It was nearly mid-afternoon when the four of them braved the wind and snow to return home laden with their loot.
After distributing the money from selling firewood and the items each family wanted to take, everyone dispersed. After all, it was really cold that day, and it was snowing. After being outside for a while, their feet felt numb with cold.
As soon as they got home, Li Shiyue and Li Qiutian drank hot soup. After a bowl of hot soup, they felt warm from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads.
After a hearty meal, the family gathered on the kang (heated brick bed) in the east room, under two oil lamps, to look at the things that Li Shiyue and Li Qiutian had bought.
As they were looking around, Zheng Meiniang suddenly said, "October, shall I go with you this time?"
Li Shiyue overheard Zheng Meiniang's words while she was still talking to Li Wangming.
When Li Shiyue looked at her, Zheng Meiniang continued, "Your aunt may not be as young and strong as you, but she is still quite strong. I'll keep an eye on things so I can feel more at ease."
Otherwise, I really wouldn't feel comfortable leaving you at home waiting like your mother."
"Mother..."
After calling out to Zheng Meiniang, Li Qiutian didn't know what else to say, so she looked at Li Shiyue.
Just as Li Shiyue was about to speak, she heard Li Wangming beside her say in a low voice, "It's all my fault! I'm the one who's incompetent, which is why I sent the women in the family out to fight!"
Why is my body so...unhealthy...?
Li Shiyue, quick-witted and agile, grabbed Li Wangming's arm, stopping him from hitting himself.
"Second Uncle!"
Li Shiyue grabbed Li Wangming's shoulder, forcing him to look up at her: "Second Uncle, what you said is not right!"
I didn't just bring my older sister and the others out to do this business for the sake of my family!
I have my own selfish motives, and it's for my own benefit!
I don't know how I got this much strength, and I eat a lot. Given our current situation, wouldn't it be a waste of my strength if I didn't go out and fight?
In the past, I would listen to my second uncle reciting his lessons at home, and I would always remember, "As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement."
I am a woman, but I am stronger than any man.
"If men can fight outside, why can't I?"
Li Shiyue winked at Li Wangming: "Second Uncle, don't worry, there will be many more times when the family needs you in the future."
We're too busy right now, but next spring, Second Uncle, you'd better get ready to go study in Sanshan County!
Your family doesn't necessarily expect you to achieve any academic success, but if you can get a good degree, won't your family also benefit from it?
I really envy Grandpa Youfu's family's land that they don't have to pay taxes on!
If my second uncle could also pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, that would be the best thing ever!
Seeing that Li Wangming's complexion had improved, Li Shiyue breathed a sigh of relief and a hint of happiness appeared on her face.
"Second Uncle, now you should take good care of your health and wait to go to school in the county town next year. The family is counting on you to improve their social standing."
After comforting Li Wangming, Li Shiyue quickly turned around and jumped onto the kang (a heated brick bed), leaning against Zheng Meiniang.
Li Shiyue acted like a charming young girl, pulling on Zheng Meiniang's arm and shaking it back and forth, saying coquettishly: "Aunt, this time we're just going to scout ahead, why do we need so many people to come with us?"
I only called Brother Ma and Brother Mole to come with me, didn't I?
Don't worry, I run so fast, if anything happens, I'll know to run.
If the scouts come back and it's really possible to go, then my aunt can come with us.
Looking at Li Shiyue, who was acting coquettishly with Zheng Meiniang, Li's mother sighed inwardly. When children become more capable, it becomes difficult for parents to manage them.
Li's mother originally wanted to find some time to talk to Li Shiyue about these things, but what Li Shiyue said to Li Wangming and Zheng Meiniang just now was also Li Shiyue's way of silencing her.
After everyone had said a few more words, Li's mother urged Li Shiyue, Li Qiutian, and Li Xiatian to go to sleep quickly, since they were scheduled to get up at four in the morning.
Before dawn, Li's mother and Zheng Meiniang got up and tiptoed into the kitchen to start preparing food.
Boil water and let it cool, then fill the water bag later.
This time, Li Shiyue bought ten jin of flour, and Zheng Meiniang made pancakes from it all.
Li's mother took out the pickled vegetables from the jar, chopped them finely, and put them into an oil paper bag.
At dawn, there was a knock on the door of the Li family.
Ma San arrived, bringing two other people with him.
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