"I'm not hurt, second brother, please help me."
Li Laosi was so tired that he didn't yell excitedly until he unloaded the red deer.
"As soon as I entered the mountain, I saw the footprints of the red deer. I chased it all the way to the other side of the mountain and squatted in the grass for a long time before I hunted this red deer. Good guy, I estimate it weighs about four hundred pounds! "
At this moment, Mrs. Li and the others were startled when they heard the noise.
After confirming that Li Laosi was not injured, everyone gathered around the deer and were extremely happy.
Tao Hongying quickly took an old cloth to wipe Li Laosi's face and took him back to the house to change clothes.
"I'm so sleepy and I'm giving you a pillow! I was worried that I didn't have anything to offer as a door-to-door gift, so I've solved it!"
Mrs. Li smiled and ordered her sons to work, "Second, second and third, you two hurry up and get rid of the favor. " Skin the red deer and divide the meat."
"Mom, let's stew the venison tonight! This is good stuff, a great supplement!"
Wu Cuihua looked at the fat and strong red deer, her eyes were bright, and she didn't know how to eat it yet. Waiting for Mrs. Li to reply, she went back to her own calculations.
"I'll go to the county to call Er Gouzi back. Anyway, our whole family can't finish the venison. Let him take some away..."
"How dare you!" Mrs. Li stared at her eyes and pointed angrily. she cursed.
"Shameless thing, I'm not dead yet. It's your turn to take charge of the family? If you dare to recruit Wu Er, I'll drive you two sisters out!"
Wu Cuihua shivered in fright and quickly shrank her neck, saying nothing. I dare not say it anymore.
Everyone pretended not to hear or see, and helped fetch water and find buckets. After working for almost an hour, the red deer finally separated from its skin and flesh.
The skinned deer skin and antlers were put aside and sold in the county tomorrow morning.
The remaining venison was divided into two halves, and one half was cut into more than ten small pieces. Li Laosan took the children and delivered a piece to each house.
The remaining half of the venison must also be divided. The family will eat one piece and leave a few pieces hanging at the mouth of the well to keep fresh.
The most important thing is to put a big piece for Li Laoer and Jiaren, and some apples and pears.
Then I asked Sister-in-law Zhang to lead the way, and together we went to her parents' house to inquire about the academy.
It was Jiaren's good luck. It happened that Mrs. Zhang's nephew came home to pick up something, and he happened to meet him.
Hearing that Jiaren also wanted to study in the academy, the family received the father and son politely.
Second Sister-in-law Zhang, whose maiden name is Chen, comes from a wealthy family.
The yard is large and neat, and it is said that there are many fields. No wonder it can afford to study for the children.
Zhang's second sister-in-law's nephew is named Chen Feng. He has been studying for more than three years. He is polite and gentle in his manners and has no airs about others.
The eldest sister-in-law of the Chen family was also enthusiastic. She brought snacks and tea from the backyard and greeted her sister-in-law and Li Laoer and his son.
"Look, you're just here. Why are you bringing so many things? They all belong to fellow villagers. Sit down quickly, are you tired from walking all the way?"
Li Laoer said a few polite words and looked at the absence of the Chen family man. There's a lot of gossip, let's get straight to the point and mention the point.
"Sister-in-law, we are here this time to ask Mr. Chen about the academy. My son is also old enough, and our family wants to send him to study."
"Ah, this is not a big deal."
Sister-in-law Chen waved her hand and signaled quickly. The son spoke.
When Chen Feng saw everyone looking at him, he slowly began to introduce.
"Our academy is located in the west of the county seat. It is called Hanbo Academy. The dean is a retired teacher from the county. He is knowledgeable, rigorous and very responsible. There are now forty-three students in the academy. They have been studying for several years and have never passed the Tongsheng test. Yes. We can eat and live in the academy, or if it's close to home, we can also study on a day trip."
He subconsciously glanced at Jiaren and added.
"If you want to live and eat in the academy, you have to pay 300 wen a month. The pens, ink and paper you need to read and write every month are also 300 wen. The end of the month is 500 wen. In total, each student needs at least one or two taels a month. Silver.
Every festival and teacher's birthday, you have to prepare additional gifts. It depends on your heart, but it shouldn't be too shabby."
Sure enough, Li Jiaren frowned after hearing this and tugged on Li Laoer's sleeve.
"Dad, some of them are too expensive. Let's go home and discuss it."
Li Laoer nodded with a smile, got up and thanked the Chen family's mother and son before leaving.
Sister-in-law Chen couldn't keep the father and son here, but she allowed Sister-in-law Zhang to stay for one night.
After leaving the Chen family yard, the father and son walked half way in silence before Li Lao Er spoke to his son.
"Son, one tael of silver is not much. Dad will go to the county town in a while to find an errand to support your education. You are still young, follow the family's arrangements, and don't say you won't study in the future. Dad is not capable, but he wants you to make a career. Shine on the lintel."
"Dad..." Li Jiaren's eyes were slightly red and he didn't know what to say.
After returning home, Li Laoer told the Li family everything about the academy. Everyone was stunned after hearing this.
It is indeed a bit expensive. You have to know that a month's worth of firewood, rice, oil and salt for a family will not cost more than a tael of silver.
The room was silent for a while, and Li Laosi was the first to speak loudly.
"No matter how expensive it is, we must educate our children. Our family can afford it! I will continue to hunt in the mountains tomorrow. The money I get from hunting a fox is enough for my eldest nephew to study for three months!"
"Yes, I can also go out to collect mud. It's a good job and the wages are good." Li Laosan also supported it.
"Tomorrow Hongying and I will finish our work at home and then go pick dry goods and sell them in the county town. We can also make money."
Even Zhao Yuru, who has always been a man of few words, also expressed his opinion.
Several children jumped up and shouted, "We can also help, earn money to buy pens and paper for the eldest brother."
Jiayin was held in the arms of Mrs. Li. Seeing the family so united, she couldn't help but get excited.
She waved her little hands and shouted, firmly voting in favor.
Jiaren is fair and fair, smart and polite, and he likes reading. We can't let such a good child go to waste!
She has to work hard to get food for the family so that her eldest brother can study!
Jiaren couldn't help but wiped away his tears and once again promised Mrs. Li and the whole family that he would never let down the family's expectations.
Mrs. Li wiped her eldest grandson's tears.
"Studying is for understanding. It's better to get ahead. Even if you don't pass the exam, you can find a job to support your family like your father."
Jiaren nodded heavily, "Mistress, I remember it."
Zhao Yuru and Tao Hongying started that night Busy work, preparing bedding, clothes and some daily necessities for Jiaren.
Early the next morning, Li Laoer picked up the meeting gift for his husband, a piece of venison, a pair of rabbits and a pair of pheasants, and set off for the county town with Jiaren.
Li Laosi is going with him. He wants to sell the deer antlers and deer skins.
Li Laosan was not idle either. He took Jiayi and others to build houses for several families in the village.
Li Laoer and his son found the door of Hanbo Academy according to the address mentioned by Chen Feng.
Before he entered, he heard the sound of reading loudly. Li Jiaren was slightly excited when he thought that he would study here in the future.
The old man guarding the gate was quite kind. After getting a few pennies, he went to help find Chen Feng.
Chen Feng originally thought that Li Jiaren would not come, but he did not expect an unexpected surprise.
"It's great that you are here. Follow me in to see the teacher. Classes haven't started yet."
He said quietly on the way as he led Li Laoer and his son into the academy.