Chapter 015: Traitorous Minister 15
The production level was low at that time, and the poor people lacked entertainment, so they could only chat about gossip in the surrounding villages after dinner.
The most talked-about thing in the village recently was Xiao Dashi's affair with someone else. His wife had cheated on him and forced him to raise another man's child. The two eventually divorced, and Huang quickly married her cousin, which was quite a spectacle.
The more timid people would intentionally or unintentionally talk about how big a fuss the Huang family had made about the banquet and how many tables they had set up. The more shameless people would ask Xiao Dashi how he felt and whether he regretted it, which was quite immoral.
So much so that when Aunt Zhao's family sent the young boy Shancai to school, it hardly attracted anyone's attention. Even if someone noticed it, they would just laugh at Aunt Zhao's family for having such delusional thoughts, and would not say much. After all, it was not their money that was being spent.
That night, Aunt Zhao's eldest son, Shanmu, took advantage of the darkness and quietly ran to the gate of the Xiao family: "Brother Yan, Brother Chen, are you asleep?"
Shanmu is just like his name, he is like a piece of wood, honest and loyal, not very good at adapting. But he has one good point, that is, he is willing to listen to others, such as his mother and wife.
Aunt Zhao told him not to be seen, so he sneaked into the door. If Xiao Yan didn't have good hearing, the sound of breathing would probably not even scare a chicken.
Without Xiao Yan's instruction, Xiao Chen immediately put on his outer robe and trotted out, turning back and saying, "It's windy outside, I'll go open the door."
There was a rustling sound outside, and Xiao Chen came back jogging with the biggest smile he had seen in days on his face.
"Brother, Brother Mu said Aunt Zhao said Sister Zhilan said that the painting of Guanyin, the Goddess of Childbirth, was bought by Madam Xu for a large sum of money and she also gave us a reward. She asked us to divide the money!"
The words sounded like a nesting doll, but Xiao Yan understood it. The base map he had used to persuade Aunt Zhao and Chen Zhilan was sold by Chen Zhilan for a good price.
Chen Zhilan received dividends, while Manager Pan received commissions.
For example, the money obtained from Chen Zhilan was divided among the three of them according to the profit distribution, and the reward was divided equally. However, Manager Pan divided the money based on the commission of each piece, with each piece of embroidery being divided into 30% and 70%. The reward belonged to Manager Pan, and the remaining 70% went to them.
It was said before that the settlement would be made at the end of next month, but now Chen Zhilan has distributed the reward money in advance. The only possibility is that the reward money is large!
It has only been a few days and we have received such a large reward. This is very encouraging!
Xiao Yan naturally would not miss the first money-sharing activity.
In the main hall of the Zhao family, a bundle wrapped in cloth was placed in front of the table, with an oil lamp burning next to it. The whole family gathered here.
Seeing the two of them, Shancai's face was full of joy as he offered a long chair: "Brother Yan, Brother Chen, come sit here with me!"
Aunt Zhao glared at him and said, "You are so sweaty, aren't you afraid of dirtying Yan'er's clothes?"
What Xiao Yan was wearing today was a new dress that he had bought a few days ago and had been embroidered by Xiao Chen himself.
The smoky blue clothes made him look even more ethereal.
The young man is like smoke, elegant and ethereal, like an immortal.
Shancai was not angry after being scolded by Aunt Zhao. He looked down at his clothes that were stained with ink from practicing calligraphy, then looked at Xiao Yan's handsome and extraordinary figure, and said immediately: "Mom, I want to make new clothes too!"
Aunt Zhao rolled her eyes: "I think you are just trying to eat shit! Look at you, you look like a mud monkey, and when you put it on, you look like an old tree spirit. And then look at Yan'er, do you dare to wear it when you look so good?"
Except for Shan Tao who has a lighter complexion, the other men in Aunt Zhao's family have dark yellow complexion and average looks. If they put on the clothes, their skin color will indeed look darker.
Mainly, this is because of appearance. If you are good-looking, you will look good even in tattered clothes. If you are ugly, even if you wear luxurious clothes, it will look like a giant monkey trying to dress like a human, which is funny and weird.
Shancai laughed and said, "My dear mother, I look like you. Please don't say that about yourself."
Aunt Zhao: “…”
Aunt Zhao slammed the table and scolded with a smile, "You still dare to be so stubborn? I think you are asking for a beating!"
Shancai quickly hid behind Xiao Yan: "Mother, my dear mother, Yan'er and Chen'er are still here, please give me some face!"
He changed the subject, pursed his lips, and looked at the bundle on the table: "Don't forget the important things!"
Aunt Zhao naturally hadn't forgotten. She opened the bundle and told Xiao Yan, "Madam Xu gave me a hundred taels of silver as a reward. One tael is worth one string of coins. Sister Zhilan took thirty-three taels, which is a little over three hundred and thirty-three coins. She still has sixty-six taels and six hundred and sixty-seven coins left."
Xiao Yan nodded and said, "We can't separate even a penny. Logically, this should be attributed to Sister Zhilan, but since she doesn't want it, then let's return it to you next month. This way, we won't hurt our relationship over a penny."
Although a penny is a small amount, it will inevitably hurt the feelings between each other in the long run. This is to prevent it from happening.
Aunt Zhao also had the same idea and had no objection.
Suddenly, he received more than 33 taels and 330 coins. Xiao Chen, who was in charge of the money, was so happy that he smiled and looked delighted.
He handed the new embroidery pattern he had made in advance today to Aunt Zhao, and then held the silver and touched each one.
The embroidery patterns should not be changed frequently, otherwise it would be a waste to change them every day. Even if he had time to paint, there were only three embroiderers in Aunt Zhao's house, and they would not be able to embroider in time.
Xiao Chen has piles of new drawings piled up, so that he can avoid having no time to paint when he is studying in the future.
Aunt Zhao hesitated a little: "Brother Yan, I know you always have good opinions. Let me tell you something. Please help me make a decision."
"Aunt, do you want an embroiderer?" Xiao Yan asked.
Aunt Zhao nodded quickly and praised, "That's right. You guessed it before I even said it. If my second son were as smart as you, I wouldn't be so worried."
Shancai protested, "Mother, you can praise Yandi if you want, but why are you also talking about me?"
Xiao Yan: “…”
Xiao Yan felt nothing inside, and even felt like laughing.
To avoid being too hated, Xiao Yan spoke up for him: "Everyone has different strengths. For example, Mu Ge may seem a little unmanly to others, but he is honest, hardworking, and a good worker."
Shanmu was not good at speaking and could not do embroidery, but he was the only one who took care of all the work at home and in the fields. When there were a lot of embroidery works, he would even help carry them to the town.
"Take my younger sister for example. Although she's slow, she's incredibly careful and doesn't make mistakes easily. The painting of Guanyin, the Goddess of Childbirth, is also my contribution."
Shan Tao seemed a little uncomfortable being praised in public, and shyly hid behind Aunt Zhao.
"And my little brother's recent calligraphy and painting have shown some strengths, but there are still some shortcomings. Painting requires a calm mind; being too impatient will only produce poor results."
Xiao Chen shrugged his head and said, "Big brother, I will learn from your teachings."
The pressure of having no money forced him to be too impatient to make money, and he also ignored some details in various aspects.
Now that Xiao Yan has pointed it out, Xiao Chen also knows where his shortcomings are.
Shancai: "???"
"Brother Yan, what about me?"
Although he was being criticized by his younger brother, Shancai was very much looking forward to it.
Xiao Yan was recognized as the smartest person in his family, but he didn't realize it at first. However, since he went to study with Mr. Wang, whenever he encountered something he didn't understand, he would come back to ask and always get advice.
He even had a vague feeling that Xiao Yan, and even Xiao Chen himself, were far more talented and knowledgeable than Wang Xiucai.
However, this idea was too bizarre and too shocking, so he didn't tell anyone. After all, these two brothers, apart from studying with their father, had never truly entered a school, so how could their talents and knowledge far surpass Wang Xiucai?
Isn't this just wishful thinking?
It's like a child who has just learned to walk, and suddenly someone says that he can not only walk and run, but also ride a horse and gallop. It's ridiculous.
Shancai didn't know the reason, but he just thought that these two brothers must be the legendary child prodigies. It's not impossible for child prodigies to be extraordinary.
In addition, this matter was a private matter between the two brothers, and Shancai heard that Xiao Chen was going to take the imperial examination, so he was afraid that excessive publicity would be detrimental to them, so he did not tell anyone. However, in his heart, he treated Xiao Yan and the other two as wise men.
What's more, the two families are neighbors and do business together. They are not much different in age and have similar personalities, so they are naturally closer to each other. Of course, they are also a little afraid of the brilliance of the child prodigy and are somewhat less casual.
Only a stupid person who meets a child prodigy might experience this feeling, the subconscious admiration brought by talent.
Aunt Zhao scolded, "What are you talking about? What did the teacher teach you today?"
She had already agreed with Mr. Wang that she would focus on learning mathematics first.
Generally, teachers would not allow other people to interfere in their teaching, but Aunt Zhao made her purpose very clear. She just wanted to learn mathematics and some characters. In addition, when Mr. Wang just settled in the village, it was thanks to Aunt Zhao that she asked her husband to help, so she had some face with Mr. Wang.
If someone else had come, he would probably have been kicked out by Mr. Wang.
Shancai stiffened his neck and refused to be diverted: "Oh, mother, please don't interrupt me. You know how smart Yan Ge'er is. I also want to hear Yan Ge'er's advice to me!"
Xiao Yan: “…”
He had indeed intentionally placed Shancai at the back to liven up the atmosphere. Otherwise, if a hundred taels of silver were to be rewarded, who knows how many people would have trouble sleeping tonight. Well, this specifically refers to Xiao Chen.
"Brother Cai is eloquent and knows when to advance and when to retreat, which is truly rare. However, he is too soft-hearted and easily deceived."
This kid can't keep any money on him. He is the kind of sucker that the old people who are poor and sick, and those who sold themselves to bury their fathers, like to cheat.
Xiao Yan then said, "If you want to hire an embroiderer, it's not impossible. But this is a serious matter. I think it would be better to ask my third uncle's wife to come."
They are all from the same village, and it is difficult for any family to hide something, let alone such a big money-making thing that they cannot hide from others.
Rather than waiting for others to become jealous and do something secretly, it is better to take the initiative and curry favor with you from the beginning.
My third aunt's wife is the first wife of the head of the village. Her family has a high status in the village and most people dare not offend them. With her as a partner, there will be less trouble. Anyway, you have to spend money to hire people. My third aunt's family is also tight-lipped and can keep things secret.
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