Finding Work

Zhou Erlang borrowed a large cauldron from the Qian family and also borrowed a smaller one from his second uncle, seizing the opportunity. Qian Shi glanced at him but said nothing.

Zhou Erlang was elated and took the money from Qian Shi to buy a cart in the county town. Qian Shi and the village head had inquired about the cost of the cart, but they still gave him an extra hundred wen, saying, "Consider it a precaution." If you can buy it for less than eight hundred wen, that would be even better. If not, it's okay to spend a little more.

This depleted most of their savings, and Qian Shi sighed and waved them away.

Mao Bao was happy at the thought of having a cart at home. She believed that money should be spent after it's earned; otherwise, it's just a pile of copper sitting at home.

She reassured Qian Shi, "Mother, don't worry. We will definitely earn a lot of money."

Although Qian Shi did not have high expectations, she still smiled at her youngest daughter.

A cart was considered a valuable asset in a rural household, almost as valuable as half a bed. A bed could last a lifetime and be passed down through generations.

When Zhou Erlang pushed the cart back home, he was beaming with joy, with two thin red cloth strips tied to the cart. The village children followed, making a commotion and clamoring around. When Mao Bao returned from the fields in the afternoon, the first thing she did was rush to see their new cart. She even climbed onto it and had Zhou Wulang push her around the yard.

Upon witnessing her younger sister climb on, the older siblings, who had been forbidden to do so, also decided to climb up.

The entire Zhou family was filled with laughter and joy.

Although Zhou Erlang was ambitious, he was also cautious and did not dare to buy too many things. The next day, when he and Zhou Wulang went to the market to buy meat, he reduced the amount slightly, considering it was a new place and they didn't know the market prices.

Mao Bao couldn't go that day, but she had her own plan. She quietly instructed Zhou Wulang to buy eggs for resale. "Don't sell them at noon; you can cook and sell them for dinner at one when each." "That way, they will have a vegetable to eat."

Because Mao Bao's ideas were always good, Zhou Wulang decided to follow her instructions and quietly bought a basket of eggs, just thirty of them.

That afternoon, Zhou Wulang returned with a smile on his face. He handed the money bag to his mother and then quietly gave Mao Bao thirty wen, saying, "People really bought them."

Mao Bao looked at the money in his hand in surprise. "Wu Ge, why didn't you give the money to Mother?"

Zhou Wulang said, "I'll save this small amount of money for myself." Mother doesn't even know we're selling eggs.

Mao Bao looked at him with a compassionate gaze. "Wu Ge, but San Ge knows." "Mother doesn't know yet, but when San Ge returns, he will definitely find out."

Zhou Wulang hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should ask San Ge to keep it a secret for him.

After contemplating San Ge's sincere expression, Zhou Wulang lowered his head and went to find his mother. He explained that he had discovered thirty coins in his pocket, only noticing them after changing his clothes just now.

Qian Shi had already counted the money and frowned, feeling that the thirty wen was excessive. She asked, "How did you earn these thirty wen?"

"Selling eggs, one by one, he sold them for dinner."

Qian Shi glanced at her fifth son and took the money.

Zhou Erlang and his wife returned a little later because their journey was farther. After selling the soup, they still had most of the vegetables left, so they decided to add them to their meal at home.

He said, "As long as the soup sells, the vegetables will sell one day too." "Mother, this business can be done, and the profit is in the soup."

Qian Shi nodded and then looked at He Shi, saying, "Tomorrow, you will go with Wu Ge and assist him." San Ge has been gone for almost ten days. You can also check on him.

He Shi agreed happily.

Zhou Wulang lowered his head even further.

Zhou Lulang looked at Wu Ge and felt that it was all his fault. They would have less money to divide once San Ge was gone.

Mao Bao was enjoying her bone, while Zhou Erlang couldn't bear to give the meaty bones to the laborers, so he brought them back. As soon as they were hot, he gave each of the children at home a piece.

She was now happily sharing various ideas with them. "When San Ge is gone, don't bring dry rations." Just go there and make pancakes for San Ge. "Freshly made ones are better."

Qian Shi pondered, "In two days, it will be almost ten days, right?" By then, the laborers will also need to go home for provisions. Er Di, San Di, why don't you tell the laborers that you will also sell pancakes? Even if you don't charge, you can accept grains in exchange.

Qian Shi, accustomed to cooking, was more precise in her measurements. She found a slightly larger bowl and filled it with a bowl of grain and a bowl of wheat, saying, "One bowl of grain for one bowl of rice, one bowl of wheat for one pancake."

Feng Shi hesitated, "Will it be a loss?"

Qian Shi assured her, "It won't be." Although the profit is small, if all of them exchange at your place, with a hundred people, you can earn at least thirty bowls a day. "That will be enough for the family to eat for several days."

Feng Shi was tempted and glanced at Zhou Erlang.

Zhou Erlang pondered, "It's feasible, but it will be a bit tiring."

Mao Bao interjected, "That's nothing." The Shenbao family's house is almost finished. When the time comes, let Si Ge help. After all, he's not willing to go to the fields, so let him knead the dough.

Zhou Erlang laughed heartily and patted her head, "Yes, let him knead the dough." "The young boy has a lot of strength."

And so, the matter was settled.

Mao Bao was happy, eating with her eyes almost closed. When Zhou Sirlang returned from the Bai family, Mao Bao even praised him, "Si Ge, don't always say that I have good ideas and don't share them with you." "I've already found the next job for you."

Zhou Sirlang asked her, "What job?"

"Doing business with Er Ge and Wu Ge."

Zhou Sirlang became excited, "Do they need me?" Will there be too many people?

"Not many, not many." It was Big Sister's suggestion to start another small business.

Zhou Sirlang was pleased. This way, he should also be able to earn some money every day. Even if the money doesn't end up in his hands, at least the debts in his name would be reduced.

But when he found out that Mao Bao had assigned him the task of kneading dough, his smile faded.

Kneading dough was exhausting, especially when it was for hundreds of people.

Zhou Sirlang went to look at Mao Bao with a mix of sadness and anger. Was she really his sister?

Was she really his sister?

Mao Bao was oblivious, happily teaching everyone how to recognize words with a stick. She felt that her writing had improved somewhat. At least, it looked pretty good, with her thoughts and body connected, and it appeared quite nice.