Chapter 241 Tao
After the officials left, the common people were reluctant to leave, especially the villagers outside the city. Those who knew Old Man Chen, Old Man Lu, Mrs. Chen, or any of the people from Daxing Village gathered around them to question them. It took at least a quarter of an hour before they were allowed to leave.
Everyone in Daxing Village returned to the village in a daze, as if they were walking on a cloud of cotton. But Sang Luo handed over the plow and refused the reward. In her heart, she felt that the matter was done and it was over, and she no longer worried about it.
She thought she could live her life as usual, but she had no idea how many people were affected by her behavior that day.
Chen Lie seemed to have found his own way.
When he was studying, he wanted to earn a way out so that he could give Sang Luo a good life, protect Sang Luo, and let Sang Luo indulge in the things she liked. But after that day, everything was different.
He saw his own path in Sang Luo and Inspector Zeng, a clearer and more definite path to take after studying, taking the imperial examinations, and becoming an official.
Shen Ning and Xu Wenyin, vaguely, also had their own dreams in their hearts.
Compared with the previous provincial school examination, Daxingzhuang once again came into the eyes, ears, and mouths of the people of Shezhou, and it was a much bigger sensation than that time.
At the same time, word spread about how Sang Luo and the people of Daxing Village helped the mountain people settle down in the mountains during those years, allowing them to survive on the supplies in the mountains.
Konjac tofu and yam were known to everyone at once. Even the fairy tofu, which is no longer available, became famous in Shezhou City.
Chen Youtian went to the provincial government office to sign up for the production of new plows. The first batch of plows made by the government office was delivered to Daxingzhuang first. The two plows of the Shen family were the first to arrive. As the surrounding villages gradually received new plows, a strange sight appeared in Daxingzhuang.
Farmers from nearby and distant villages, two people from each household, carried their newly acquired plows that they had just tried out and headed towards Daxing Village. As soon as they entered the village, they would first ask which field Mrs. Sang owned.
Zhao Da and Zhao Si were unable to plow much of the Shen family's 30 acres of land, and had to ask unfamiliar farmers from the surrounding areas to come and help plow the land.
It's not that they don't want to do it, but they just don't have the opportunity. No one knows who started it or how it spread, but it seems that getting a new plow and going to Daxingzhuang to plow the fields for Sangluo has become a grand event for nearby farmers to participate in. The more plows the government issues, the more teams will come.
The Shen family only had thirty acres of land. Even if the government's plow was not that fast, it could not sustain sixty or seventy people coming a day. Each person only worked for more than half a day, so there was nothing left by the next day.
But this was not the end of the matter. After the work in the fields was done, there was still the mountain land. Instead of using the plow, they used hoes. Two people from each household came and worked for more than half a day before leaving. The Shen family's fields were busier than the mountains. It was really, and countless people came to watch the fun.
During that period, whenever they saw groups of three or five people walking on the road carrying hoes or plows, the two groups would greet each other by saying, "Are you going to Daxing Village?"
"Yes, yes, you too?"
"Yes, let's go together."
It's just like saying hello when meeting someone and asking if you've eaten.
I don't know who was so observant but discovered that the Shen family would plant all kinds of fruit trees that could be found in the mountains on their own land, and the news spread within a few days.
I don't remember when it started, but from time to time, people would send fruit trees to the Shen family. They were all dug from the mountains near their village. Each village only sent three or five trees, but there were so many people sending them. There were people from the Feng clan, the Gan family, the Zhou family, the Zheng family, and the Dongger family that Sang Luo recognized, but there were many more that she didn't recognize at all, and they didn't even bother her, they just put the things down by the house and left.
Zhao Da and Zhao Si were very happy for their master. Of course, when they came to work at the Shen family, their parents, brothers and children also came to help.
However, the two brothers were dumbfounded when they saw that the villagers of Shezhou had reclaimed more than 40 acres of mountain land in just seven or eight days.
The trees were kept, and the weeds and shrubs were cleared and the soil turned over. When someone sent fruit trees, I asked Zhao Da and Zhao Si which type of fruit trees they wanted, and I helped plant them.
Right now, everything is clean and tidy. We have cleared a few small plots of orchards, and the rest of the land has been opened up. If we want to plant beans, vegetables, and yams, we can plant them directly.
Zhao Da scratched the back of his head and asked his younger brother: "Is there still work to do for us later?"
There is no more work to do.
This is really too sudden.
Zhao Si was quite happy: "Mrs. Sang is kind-hearted. That plow saves us so much effort. Who wouldn't be grateful? It doesn't matter if there is no work to do. I'll ask Mrs. Sang later."
…
Sang Luo was also aware of the grand scene of villagers from outside Shezhou coming to work every day. However, when Zhao Si came to ask if there was no heavy work at home and whether they still needed to work, Sang Luo was still stunned.
"Yes, of course. I have more than 70 mu of mountain land. Uncle Zhao, do you think I can grow enough crops myself?"
In fact, Shen Lie, Shen An and Shen Ning didn't let her do any heavy work at all, and she almost had no part in any light work.
Zhao Si was delighted to hear this: "That's good, that's good. We are happy to work under you, my lady. The villagers are envious of us working in your family."
Sang Luo smiled, and while Zhao Si was coming over, she simply asked him to wait, went back to the house and took out a bag of seeds, saying, "That's perfect, Uncle Si, please help me sow the grass seeds on the four acres of land."
"Grass seeds? Four acres?"
"Yes, this is Astragalus membranaceus. The pigs, sheep, rabbits, chickens, ducks and geese raised at home all like to eat it. It tastes good and grows fast for poultry and livestock. It is just the right supply, and it saves Aning from having to cut grass everywhere every day."
The protein content of this fresh grass is extremely high. It is a very good fodder for raising livestock and poultry. One crop can be harvested two or three times. If planted well, the yield per mu of fresh grass can be several thousand kilograms, which is enough.
In fact, in addition to raising livestock and poultry, this is also a very delicious wild vegetable. When it is fresh and tender, it can be stir-fried with water or bacon, and it is so delicious. Sang Luo also plans to sell this regularly to the East Market. Isn't the city lacking a delicious meal right now?
The most important thing is that as long as you don't use this thing as fertilizer, you don't need to be too time-constrained. You can plant it as long as the temperature conditions are met, and it has a flowering period of up to four months a year.
Sang Luo was planning on making clover honey.
She does know how to make sugar, but even if she gets sugarcane, would she dare to sell it except secretly making some for her own consumption?
Honey is different.
At that time, honey was considered a luxury item, and the selling price was not low at all. Beekeeping and collecting honey to feed poultry and livestock were not only good things, but they could also be sold as vegetables. It was worry-free and easy to manage. Where could you find such a good thing?
In fact, she had asked Chen Lie to plant a lot of this stuff at the bottom of the valley during those years in the mountains, otherwise there wouldn't be enough grass seeds to save up. Of course, the land was not big at that time, so the seeds were only used for sheep to eat and as green manure.
Zhao Si was now extremely impressed with Sang Luo. After hearing that she had a plan, he asked her in detail about which field the vegetables would be planted. He then received a lot of vegetable seeds and went to work with a few small cloth bags.
…
After Zhao Si left, Sang Luo thought that the work on the farm at home was gradually getting on track. After the busy farming season was over, she could hire people to dig the foundation and build a wall. So she took out a pen and paper and began to draw a floor plan according to the size of her own homestead.
Before he had drawn a few strokes, Shen Ning, who had finished his housework and went to Shen's house to study pen making with Xu Wenyin and other girls, came back.
"Sister-in-law, we have collected 200 brushes. Wen Yin and I are discussing whether we should give them away to sell today?"
"That's great." Sang Luo put down her pen and asked Chen Ning with a smile, "How did you discuss it?"
Chen Ning came to Sang Luo's table and said, "We are thinking of setting up a stall outside the state school before the end of the school term. Sister-in-law, do you think it's okay?"
"We'll know if it works after we try it. Have you decided on the price?"
Sang Luo vaguely remembered that she bought a brush at a joss stick shop in Qiyang County a few years ago for thirty-five coins. Now that it is outside the provincial school and money is worthless, Sang Luo really has no idea what the market price is.
Chen Ning smiled and said, "My second brother has checked it for me. The cheapest ones are more than 30 wen each, and there are also 100 or 200 wen each. Ours are made of bamboo, and we are setting up a small stall. Wen Yin and I have discussed selling them for 25 wen each to try."
Sang Luo thought that there were only forty students in the provincial school, many of whom came from well-off families, so she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to sell too many. However, she didn't say anything and just smiled and let her try.
When Chen Ning saw that her sister-in-law agreed, she happily prepared. Sang Luo asked and found out that she even asked Chen Ershan to help her make the thin wooden box for selling brushes. It was a box when folded up and a stall when unfolded. Moreover, she also asked Chen Ershan to set up a stall when she went to the state school.
The provincial school was full of men. Chen Ning was thirteen years old this year and already knew to pay attention to these issues, so he drafted Chen Ershan into the army.
Sixteen-year-old Chen Ershan was not only tall, but also had martial arts skills. It would be good for him to take Chen Ning and Xu Wenyin into the city together. At least Sang Luo wouldn't have to worry about their safety. As for his poor speaking skills, she didn't care since she saw that the two little girls were not going to be idle.
Sang Luo laughed: "You've thought it through so well. Go ahead."
"It's still early. I'll wash and cut the vegetables first. Sister-in-law, don't rush to make dinner. Just wait for me to come back. The stall at the state school won't be there for long. My brother and I will be back around the same time after school."
Sang Luo smiled and dismissed him: "Okay, I don't feel unwell, I'll make dinner, you can go about your business."
…
It was the first day that Chen Ning set up the stall, and You Zheng just came back, and he came back with Shen Lie and Chen An.
There was no box in her hand, so she thought it was left at Xu's house. Sang Luo saw that she had a smile on her face and asked, "Looks like it's sold?"
Chen Ning was very happy, nodded happily, and took the purse from his waist: "Sister-in-law, I sold three of them. My brother's classmates bought them for 75 coins. I gave them a discount of 5 coins and took 70 coins. I will keep them here for safekeeping. We will divide the money later when everyone gathers together."
Forty-five articles.
Seventeen coins fell into Shen Ning's hands.
Sang Luo was very happy to see the little girl had a good start, and she smiled and invited the brothers and sisters to wash their hands and have dinner.
It was not until I went to bed at night that I asked Chen Lie which classmate bought the pen.
Shen Lie touched his nose and said he was Wang Yunzheng’s sixth uncle.
How could a member of the Wang family use such a pen? He did this out of support because he recognized Xu Wenyin.
Chen Lie smiled and said, "Let her have fun for a few days. After a few days, she will come to her senses and come up with another idea."
There are only forty students in the provincial school, and most of them come from wealthy families. If Shen Ning only relies on setting up a stall in front of the provincial school, the amount of money he can sell will be limited, and the time and energy spent on setting up the stall is quite a lot.
Shen Ning reacted quickly. The stall had only been open for five days. Except for the first two days when Shen Lie and Wang Yunzheng and their classmates came to buy some, there were obviously fewer people buying in the next two days. On the fifth day, there was a complete failure and not a single candle was sold.
In the evening, Xu Wenyin and others also came to the Shen family. In Shen Ning's room, the four girls leaned against each other, holding their chins, thinking of ways, and whispered together for half an hour. When it was completely dark, Qin Fangniang and Shi Erlang's wife were calling people in the farm, and the three of them hurried home.
Before going to bed, the aunt and sister-in-law soaked their feet together. Shen Ning frowned: "Sister-in-law, this brush is selling a little slowly."
Sang Luo suppressed her laughter and said, "There are not many students in the state school, and most of them use expensive pens. Think about it, besides the students in the state school, who else needs to use pens?"
Is there anyone else who uses a pen?
Chen Ning lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then slapped his forehead fiercely: "Sister-in-law, do you think that there are children as old as A Xu in the state capital now? Have they also started to find a teacher to teach them how to read?"
The imperial court has started the imperial examination, so isn’t it obvious that studying is a career option?
The children in their village all study every day, and Axu and Zhou Wulang are particularly serious.
Finally coming to her senses, Sang Luo smiled and nodded: "Yes, so you have to do their business."
The business of the children who might start to study in Manzhou City? Where can they buy pens and ink if they study? Shen Ning thought along this line of thought, and his eyes lit up slightly: "Sister-in-law, I know, I will sell the pens to the several pens and ink or incense and candle shops on the street outside the state school at a slightly lower price?"
She made one trip a day, which took her an hour, but she only set up her stall outside the provincial school for more than 25 minutes, because no one would come later, and how could she sell more than the pen and ink shop that was open all day? The more Chen Ning thought about it, the more right it was. Yes, didn't her sister-in-law also sell tofu and other things to other families?
With so much time, she could make more pens or read more, or discuss paper-making with her sister-in-law. Wouldn't that be better than working for an hour every day and earning a few coins?
While thinking, he struck his left palm with his right fist: "That's the way it should be. Give the pen and ink shop more profit. Although we make less profit from each pen, we will definitely sell more than when I set up a stall in front of the provincial school. Parents go to buy pens for children, and they won't come to the provincial school alone to buy pens after school."
But I thought it through.
At the end of the first month of the lunar year, Chen Ning was busy with his new business. Together with Xu Wenyin, he negotiated with the incense and candle shops and the calligraphy and painting shops outside the provincial school one by one. The price of a pen was 15 cents, and they changed from retail stalls to wholesale.
On the same day, an official ship from Shezhou to the capital docked in the afternoon. The ship's attendant carried a wooden box into the carriage that came to pick up the ship, and drove the carriage straight to the imperial city, carrying the wooden box containing the memorials.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
