Yu Shi put the food aside, and still said uneasily: "You make it clear to me first." ”

Zhang Shi smiled and said, "Lady, to tell you the truth, we have made friends with nobles." ”

"Noble? Which nobleman? Who have you seen today? Hugh wants to say one more sentence and hide two sentences! Yu asked.

Zhang Shi said: "Don't worry, lady, I saw Lieutenant Peng today." You say it's a great opportunity. ”

Yu said: "Is it for the sake of Xu Dutou?" ”

Zhang Shi said with joy on his face: "Lieutenant Peng didn't tell me in detail, but what kind of person he is, his ancestor is a person who served in front of Taizu's saddle, and now he lives in this county, and he is polite to me today, and he doesn't take a stand at all." ”

"Xu Dutou's affection is so big? You didn't ask carefully? Yu Shi finally had some doubts in his heart.

Zhang Shi said with a smile: "I just wanted to see if I could overturn the case all the way, so I didn't ask." But regardless of whether he was recommended by Xu Dutou or not, he recommended me to meet Ling Jun in the second hall, and he reminded me all the way how to talk to me properly, what kind of character Ling Jun is, how can I sweat all over my body and think about other things. ”

Yu Shi shook her head, although she didn't know why County Lieutenant Peng did this, but she always felt that there was no white pie in the sky, and Zhang Shi didn't ask but accepted the benefits of others, which was always inappropriate, and made people feel that they had other plans.

Yu asked, "Shilang, Ling Junken will give us justice?" ”

"What do you think this is?" Zhang Shi smiled and took out a few silver ingots from the cloth pocket hidden close to him.

"Didn't you say raw silk? Didn't you get the money back? Yu was surprised and delighted when he held the silver ingot.

"Wu Sishang was also taken, and now the money has been recovered, today Ling Jun is very happy, and gave us more than 80 yuan on the spot."

"More than eighty? And half? ”

Zhang Shi said with a smile: "Ling Jun said that the other half of the money and raw silk were entered into the case as evidence, and they had to be submitted to the state, and they could not be returned if they were returned." ”

"Today, Ling Jun was very polite to me, and he also mentioned the second brother, saying that the second brother had used his name to stab the door and begged Ling Jun to extend his reputation. Ling Junzan's second brother not only wrote a good article, but also wrote a good word, looking like Wang Youjun! In his words, he still attaches great importance to the second brother. ”

Yu said: "When Zhao Zhisi bullied our family, he didn't take it out and say it, but then Ling Jun remembered it. ”

"The money entered the yamen, it was really difficult to get out, saying that it was going to the state, but in fact, you want us to ask someone to intercede, why don't you ask for it in front of Ling Jun?"

Zhang Shi said: "When I saw Ling Jun, I couldn't say a few words, how could I think about this." ”

Yu shook his head slightly, there was always a stone in his heart that was difficult to fall, and there was something wrong in the middle, but he was more happy than worried when he saw so much money.

"Although I didn't get back 200 guan, these more than 80 guan are also lost." As Yu spoke, he quietly took the silver from Zhang Shi's hand, and then complained: "Since you take the money and go straight home, and go to the road to buy wine and meat, what if this money is taken away?" ”

Zhang Shi laughed twice: "What Madam said is that you can collect the money yourself, and I will raise money to return it to Zhao Zhisi tomorrow, so that our house will not have to be sold, and even pawn sales will not be used." ”

Yu Shi was delighted, but after thinking about it for a while, he said: "Although this house doesn't need to be sold, it's a pawn!" ”

"Why?"

"What do you think? Xi'er has to continue to study and find a smart teacher, how can she do it without ten or eight times a year, not to mention the cost of ink and paper. ”

"It makes sense, if it weren't for the lady's reminder, I would have forgotten about this stubble. This time, the family suffered a loss from having no readers, not only Xi'er, but also the third brother also needed to find a famous teacher and continue to read the book. Zhang Shiyan said.

Hearing Zhang Shi say this, Yu Shi wanted to speak again and again, and finally said: "Shilang, you might as well ask your uncle what he means, he doesn't seem to have much interest in reading." ”

Zhang Shi suddenly remembered that his younger brother didn't seem to be interested in reading: "But what can the third brother do if he doesn't study at this age?" ”

Yu Shi said: "You went to the family shop when you were thirteen years old, and now your uncle is thirteen years old. ”

"But if my uncle wants to find a job two or three years later, he can teach Xi'er to read at home, or when the family is better, it's not too late for my uncle to plan to study again."

Zhang Yue said in her heart, what her sister-in-law said was not true, where was she willing to teach Zhang Qiu to read by herself.

"This ......," Zhang Shi said with a little hesitation, "In the past, when the family had a hundred acres of land and a shop, the third brother was still unwilling to study hard, but now ...... How did the third brother plan to do so? ”

Zhang Yue replied: "I have studied Mengxue for many years, although I have not worked hard, but I can still read and hyphenation. But these days, I always want to read some of the teachings of the sages and understand some of the teachings of the sages that teach us to be human beings. ”

Zhang Shiyan said happily: "The third uncle has indeed grown a lot recently. ”

Yu Shi showed an expression of 'is this so' and said: "Shilang, this scripture is different from Fameng, ordinary village school teachers can't succeed, you have to find a master." My brother was a Ming Jing, and he invited several gentlemen back then, but he couldn't get through with a hundred and ten dollars, and in the end he didn't have to go into business. ”

Zhang Yue understands that for example, "Thousand Character Text" can be taught by village pedants, but the Ming Jing is different, and the meaning of the Jing must be understood. For example, Zhang Yue can recite the entire "Mencius", but he doesn't understand the meaning of what he says from beginning to end, so he must ask a teacher to teach you to study the scriptures.

In order to make an example, it is also necessary to read a special commentary, which is the official standard answer.

Zhang Shi said disapprehantly: "The third brother has studied for a few years, even if he doesn't have a way, it doesn't matter, in the future, I will ask Xu Dutou to find an errand for a scholar in the Yamen, so that he is not exposed to the wind and sun, and it is enough to talk to those officials who were born in Jinshi." ”

"What should Xi'er do? In the future, he will not study the scriptures and history and start writing articles? Can the family still afford two scholars right now? Yu interrupted.

Zhang Shi coughed twice, how could his own son not be in pain? What's more, Zhang Qiu does have a talent for reading, and Mr. Mengxue praised him several times.

Zhang Shi said: "Of course Xi'er has to study!" In the days to come, let's live a little tighter, and I will never treat you two badly. ”

"I have nothing to say if you want the third brother to study, but where does the money come from? You need to be clear! ”

Zhang Yue hurriedly said: "Brother and sister-in-law, let's talk about this matter later, don't be in a hurry." ”

Zhang Shi disagreed and gritted his teeth and said: "In the final analysis, it's still money, if you can't borrow some from your uncle Zhou, it's a big deal to give some interest." ”

Zhang Shi was stunned when he heard this, what kind of food did the eldest brother eat, and he was addicted to it. Yesterday, he also said that he would no longer rely on Lao Taishan...... Yes, this time I borrowed money from my brother-in-law.

Yu seems to have become accustomed to it, and seems to have become numb.

Yu said: "The matter of finding a teacher for my uncle can be postponed, but Ling Jun and Peng County Lieutenant need to thank you first." Sooner or later, Ling Jun will have to be transferred, but Peng County Lieutenant is different. ”

Zhang Shi said: "The lady is taught. This time, if it weren't for the close care of County Lieutenant Peng and his secret efforts, we would not be people who don't know how to repay us. I'm going to prepare thirty thanks, isn't that too much, lady? ”

Yu Shi shook his head when he heard this and said: "In the future, our family will have to look up to people everywhere in Pucheng, although it is more than thirty times, but this money cannot be saved, at least I am not afraid that Zhao Zhisi will embarrass us again." ”

Zhang Yue thought to himself, the Yu family is really from a big businessman's family, and he is still knowledgeable.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yue said: "Brother and sister-in-law, there is no need to give it to Lieutenant Peng." ”

"How does this work?"

Zhang Yue said: "Peng County's nephew is my classmate and friend. This time I ran into Qiao San......"

Zhang Yue told the story one by one.

"Third brother, your mouth is so tight, you don't say anything in your stomach," Zhang Shixun said excitedly: "I'll just say that the third brother has a future, let's grow up!" ”

Yu Shi was surprised at first, and then said with relief: "I didn't expect my uncle to be able to talk to Captain Peng?" Earlier, I was a little worried about whether Lieutenant Peng had other thoughts, and it was not good for us to receive favors from others for nothing. It turned out that my uncle had walked the way, and now I was finally relieved. ”

After speaking, Yu Shi finally smiled: "Uncle, this time my sister-in-law is really impressed with you. ”

Zhang Yue said modestly: "How can Lieutenant Peng look up to me, he looks up to the second brother." ”

Yu Shi Zhengse said: "Uncle is modest. My sister-in-law doesn't want to be notorious, if you really want to study and make a name for yourself, I don't object to it, but does my uncle have a plan for himself in his heart? ”

Zhang Yue said respectfully: "The lesson of my sister-in-law is that in the past, I wasted my time, not only did I not study hard, but also wasted my father's and brother's money to save face in my classmates......"

Zhang Shi waved his hand and said, "A brother said this. ”

Zhang Yue took out the copy of "Mencius" from his arms and said: "On the day our family was emptied by Zhao Zhisi, I kept this "Seven Chapters of Mencius", and I heard that my brother said that this book was left by my father. In the past few days, I have been reading this book hard every day, and I have asked my brother and sister-in-law to take the test. ”

Yu Shi took "Mencius" from Zhang Yue's hand and asked: "In the past few days, you have slept until you get up at three poles every day, how can you really memorize it?" ”

Zhang Yue's face turned slightly red and said: "Extravagant coercion, don't dare to slack off." ”

Yu hesitated slightly, turned the book to a certain volume and handed it to Zhang Shi.

Zhang Shi held it and said: "Just this "Lilou", where do you memorize it, third brother." ”

Zhang Yue said: "It's my brother, I'll try to memorize one or two." Mencius said: "Leaving Lou Zhiming, the skill of the public losing the son, not by the rules, can not become a square member: the teacher is open, not with six laws, can not be five tones; The way of Yao Shun, without benevolent government, can not rule the world peacefully......"

Zhang Yue memorized it from beginning to end, without pause. Zhang Shiyu looked at Zhang Yue with a surprised face, is this the previous Zhang Yue? Is it really the previous Zhangyue?

Zhang Shi said in a trembling voice: "How did the third brother memorize such a thick book?" ”

Zhang Yue said: "Maybe our father is blessed by heaven." ”

Zhang Shi's eyes were slightly red and said: "Daddy likes the children in the family to be able to read the most, if he knows what he knows, I don't know how happy he is." ”

Seeing her husband like this, Yu Shi also said: "It's good that the third brother has this heart, but I hope that there will be a beginning and an end to studying in the future." ”

"Thank you, sister-in-law." Zhang Yue stood up and made a gesture.

Zhang Shi hurriedly smiled: "Third brother, I'll just say that your sister-in-law is reasonable!" ”

Yu Shi said angrily: "You don't want to change the square to praise me, the yamen is clear in advance?" ”

Zhang Shi thought for a while and said: "But thank the county lieutenant Peng for still asking for help, and ask him to help when the other half of the money is returned, otherwise the yamen will not know how long it will be delayed." Tomorrow, let's prepare some water gifts to go to Pengfu, and also prepare some tea fruits, thank the neighbors of the chief for their help in the past few days, lady, you should always promise me. ”

Yu pursed his lips and smiled: "I seem to have nothing to say." I cook and clean up the food, and my uncle eats more today. ”

After speaking, Yu put the tender chicken in a bowl, scalded the wine in the pot, and cooked a pot of vegetables and vegetables.

Yu Shi poured two bowls of wine and said, "Uncle, drink one too?" ”

"Thank you, sister-in-law."

Yu poured another bowl.

Zhang Shi raised his lamp and drank half of the wine, and suddenly said: "I don't know where the second brother is at the moment?" Did you eat well? Are the clothes warm on your body? ”

Zhang Yue secretly sighed that the eldest brother is still worried about the second brother.

Yu shook his head, filled a bowl of rice and said, "Eat a full meal first and then drink." ”

"It's fine." Zhang Shi put down the wine and picked up the bowl.

Zhang Yue also put down the wine cup, and now the family is eating it in a big gulp. Although there is meat in the meal, it is still the standard dish of the southerners as Sima Gong said, 'rice and soup and fish'.

After the failure of the Jin army to attack the Song Dynasty, the Jin army retreated northward and "abandoned the corn mountain", while the Song army "had many people from Fujian, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, and could not eat millet, so there were dead people every day."

I love rice. I didn't have a bowl of fragrant rice in my stomach for a day, and I always felt that something was missing, and it was a little unsatisfactory.

Zhang Yue watched Zhang Qiu put his face into the bowl and ate it very sweetly.

Zhang Yue tore a chicken leg and put it in Zhang Qiu's bowl. Zhang Qiu raised his head, looked at himself with eyes full of little stars, and said, "Third uncle, can Xi'er eat?" ”

"Hmm."

Zhang Qiu glanced at Yu's, then picked up the chicken leg and took a bite, full of happiness.

Zhang Yue also feasted on it, and finally scooped the fish soup and soaked it in the rice, rolled the chopsticks and ate it with a clatter, and then walked to the side of the tank and brushed the bowl with a loofah.

In the past, when there were servants in the family, he always threw away the bowl, but now he can't live the life of a young master......

After listening to the ear, Zhang Shi said vaguely: "It's because I can't live with the lady...... It's because I failed my father's entrustment and didn't manage this family well and take good care of my second brother. It's a well-off family, and I'm still barely able to eat and wear, I'm really useless. ”

"Shiro, what are you talking about? Home and everything is prosperous, and the future will be fine. ”

"I'm afraid I'm going to suffer the lady in the future......"

Yu Shi said softly: "As long as you have me and Xi'er in your heart, no matter how bitter it is, it will make it." ”

The words gradually became softer, Yu Shi put away the dishes and chopsticks, and Zhang Shi played with Zhang Qiu.

Zhang Yue also finished washing his dishes and chopsticks, and walked to the door to look.

At this moment, the Huanghua Temple on the mountain sounded the sound of twilight drums, and it was time for the monks to have evening classes, and under the twilight, the usual noisy Shuinan New Street also had tranquility.

The neighbors have lit their lamps, the old men are already sitting at the tables eating wine and eating, the housewives are busy in the kitchen, the children are laughing and playing, and the aroma of food wafts far away with the night breeze.

The fireworks in this world, all the flavors of the clutch, are all in the firewood, rice, oil and salt of every household.