"Really?" The little beggars' eyes all lit up, and they stared at Du Baozhu without blinking, for fear that they had misheard this moment.

Du Baozhu was looked at by them, and it was rare to blush: "It's true, you are literate, and you can do more things for me in the future, and it's not a big deal to teach you." ”

"Thank you, little lady!" The little beggars cheered, and their expressions were no different from those of ordinary children.

When the little beggars were eating, Du Baozhu asked the guys to boil a few pots of bath water for them. After eating, let them line up and take a bath in the firewood room in the backyard.

The little beggars washed off their faces and revealed their sunken and dark faces. The dude kee's unique men's uniforms were worn on them, like a sack one size larger.

Chen Niao uncomfortably tightened his belt, trying to make himself look stronger. When Du Baozhu saw it, he smiled and tidied up the corners of his clothes for him, and comforted: "You are still young now, and you still have time to grow tall." When the food is good, it will naturally grow faster, so there is no need to worry. ”

Chen Bird's face instantly became hot, if it weren't for running in the sun all day and tanning all day, I was afraid that his face would have turned red into a lantern at this time.

He thought for a moment and retorted in a low voice: "I'm twelve this year, not too young. "I'm two years older than you.

Du Baozhu didn't hear the hidden meaning of his words, but when he was afraid that he didn't need him, he nodded and said, "Well, it's not small." You work hard, your wages are indispensable, and you save two years enough for you to marry a daughter-in-law. ”

Chen Niao opened his mouth and found that he couldn't say anything, so he had to close his mouth hard and tighten his belt fiercely.

Now that the fortress of the tea garden has begun to take shape, Du Baozhu plans to place this group of little beggars in the tea garden and be a companion with Ah Xuan and Ah Chang and others. They are not much different in age and should be able to get along.

However, it was already dark at this time, and it was more dangerous to walk the mountain road, so I had to temporarily place the group of children in the wine shop: "There are people keeping vigil at the coupon store next door, if there is anything missing, just ask for them." ”

Chen Niao nodded solemnly and watched Du Baozhu and his party leave. When Du Baozhu's carriage turned around the corner and was nowhere to be seen, he walked back with his head bored.

Who knows, without taking two steps, he bumped into Zhang Gan: "Tsk, this little girl's skin is really good enough to pick the door, there is nothing in this wine shop." ”

Zhang Gan and Chen Niao are good brothers, if Chen Niao is the leader of this group of little beggars, Zhang Gan is Chen Niao's dog-headed military advisor.

At this time, Zhang Gan was rummaging behind the counter of the wine store, and after a while, a dusty wine jar was turned out from under the counter.

I shook it casually, and it was empty, and there was no sound at all. He didn't think about it, so he threw the jar behind him.

When Chen Niao saw it, he hurriedly pounced on it and caught the wine jar.

Zhang Gan didn't hear the sound of the wine jar falling to the ground, and when he looked back, he saw that it was Chen Niao, so he smiled and said, "Boss, it turned out to be you, and I came back as the little girl." ”

Chen Niao's face was dark, and he put the wine jar back in place with both hands: "We are Du Ji's buddies now, be careful and don't let the master get bored." ”

He paused and added: "Show more respect to the master's family, don't let people look down on us." ”

Hearing this, Zhang Gan glanced at Chen Niao with oblique eyes, and sneered: "I said boss, don't you really want to stay in Du Ji as a buddy for the rest of your life?" We have all agreed before, and when we have saved enough money for the journey, we will go south to join the rebels. Are you scared? ”

"I'm not afraid." Chen Niao pursed his lips, his face tightened: "But you and me are not the only ones in our beggar gang, but also Xiaoguo'er and those who can't join the army." It's rare to meet a kind master who is willing to teach us to read and write, and I don't want to miss it. ”

"Hmph, that's nice, it's not that you're afraid!" Zhang Gan put away the smile on his face, stared at Chen Niao coldly, and said, "Do you not want to go to war because of Du Ji's nourishing life?" Don't forget that when we were trampled in mud soup in the past, we all swore an oath. We're going to get ahead, we're going to trample all those who trampled on us into the mud! ”

"To get ahead, you don't necessarily have to join the Rebel Army." Chen Niao was not instigated by Zhang Gan's words: "You have also seen Du Xiaoniang's methods, she is a few years younger than us, but Wang Debao and Sun Fang are not good in her hands." Isn't following her more promising than the Righteous Army? ”

The argument between the two grew louder and louder, and soon the other partners of the beggar gang were recruited.

Xiao Guo'er and the others grabbed the brand-new clothes on their bodies, looked at Zhang Gan and then at Chen Niao, their faces were full of worry: "Boss, do we still want to go to the south?" ”

“…… It's the first time I've ever grown up and I've ever known what it's like to be full...... And Sister Du has to teach us literacy, I ...... Don't want to go. ”

The child who spoke was glared angrily by Zhang Gan, his voice became smaller and smaller, and when he said the back, he almost only opened his mouth, but the longing in his eyes could not be concealed.

Seeing this, Chen Niao raised his voice and said, "Don't worry, everyone, let's not leave for the time being, let's wait and see." If Du Ji can really do what he says, let's learn our skills. If Du Kee deceives us, let's go south again! ”

When everyone heard the leader's words, the big stone in their hearts finally fell to the ground, and they hurriedly cheered and ran upstairs: "I want to sleep with Hora, no one is allowed to rob me!" "The puppy loves to wet the bed, let him sleep on the outermost!" “…… You talk nonsense, I, I'm grown up now, and I haven't wet the bed in a long time! ”

After all, the liquor store is not a place to sleep, there is no bed. Du Baozhu had to ask Shopkeeper He to bring the straw mat that used to wrap the wine jar from the warehouse, and a few quilts from home, so that he could barely build enough bunks for the children to sleep.

Although the floor is simple, it is still a luxury for the children of the beggar gang. They scrambled to grab their favorite territory, crying, laughing, noisy, and all kinds of sounds.

Chen Niao looked up at the light leaking down the stairs, and turned his face to look at Zhang Gan: "I'm not afraid of war, and I'm not afraid of death." It's rare for everyone to live a peaceful life, so let's make them happy for a few days. ”

Zhang Gan was full of resentment, but no one was on his side at this time, and it was useless for him to say anything. I had no choice but to pout my lips and said angrily: "You should be a turtle with a shrunken head!" Anyway, when I have saved enough money for the journey, I will go to the Righteous Army. I'm different from you cowards, I'm going to go to the battlefield to kill corrupt officials, I'm going to be a general! ”

Chen Niao lowered his eyes, did not refute Zhang Gan, but did not agree to go to the south with him, just stood silently. Seeing his reaction, Zhang Gan's heart became even more angry, and he flicked his sleeves and left.

Chen Niao stood alone in place, staring down at the shadows jumping on the ground, not knowing what to think. It took a moment before he clenched his fists and stepped onto the steps.

For the first time that night, he slept deeply. When I opened my eyes again, it was already dawn, and all my companions were gone.

He was startled, but soon noticed that there seemed to be a noise downstairs.

Walking slowly in the direction from which the voice came, he soon saw a cute little girl like white jade ice and snow standing in the middle of the beggar gang, handing out something one by one.

Everyone gathered around her, only Zhang Gan stood in the corner with his arms crossed and sneered.

"What is this doing?"

"The daughter of the official family is giving breakfast to everyone." Zhang Gan glanced at Chen Bird, and said with a smile: "She will buy people's hearts!" ”

"In front of the Lord's house, be careful when you speak." Chen Niao knew that Zhang Gan was still angry with him, and he didn't argue with Zhang Gan. After smoothing the wrinkles on his shirt, he pulled Zhang Gan and squeezed into the crowd: "I have to walk a lot of mountain roads today, so I have enough to eat." I don't have the strength to carry you halfway. ”

Zhang Gan's body is not as strong as Chen Niao, and he was not less taken care of by Chen Niao when he was wandering in the past. At this time, he was reminded by Chen Niaoyi, his face was swollen and red, and he snatched the dough and bit it angrily: "Don't worry, why don't I eat the white dough?" I'm not going to save money for these rich people! ”

Chen Niao was snatched away by him, his face did not change, but he glanced at Du Baozhu vigilantly. Seeing that she didn't hear their conversation, she took the new bread and ate it with confidence.

In fact, Du Baozhu had already noticed the movements of the two, and it was not strange to see their differences. After all, these children are used to wandering, and it is normal for them to live a life of collective management.

In this regard, her mentality is very correct: love to stay, love to go, Du Ji does not lack such a few semi-laborers, there is no need to force them.

After everyone had breakfast, Lu Ming took the roster and counted the number of people, and only set off after confirming that it was correct.

"Azhu!"

The mountain is sparsely populated, and Du Baozhu is afraid of accidents, so he specially asked Du Guangyi to send sentries to guard the mountain pass. Therefore, Du Guangyi got the news early and came to greet her.

When Du Baozhu and his party approached, Du Guangyi found that there seemed to be many more fresh faces around his eldest sister, and he couldn't help but wonder: "What are you doing here with a group of children?" There are many wild beasts in the mountains, what if you frighten them? ”

As soon as he heard that he was being underestimated, Chen Niao immediately puffed up his chest and said loudly: "We are not afraid of wild beasts. When we were hungry in winter, we went into the mountains and dug rabbit holes! ”

Du Guangyi was startled by Chen Niao's voice, and then he noticed that there was a skinny black boy beside his eldest sister.

He is a jumpy person, as soon as he heard Chen Niao talk about hunting, he started to compare, and said with a smile: "What kind of ability is digging a rabbit hole?" I've also hunted tigers! ”

Just saying that he was not satisfied, he opened his teeth and claws to compare the action of the tiger pounced: "There are tigers in the mountains, and there is more than one." You radish heads, it's not enough for them to have a dish! ”

"Alright, big brother." Du Baozhu couldn't help Du Guangyi, so he hurriedly grabbed his sleeve: "There is still business." "Chen Niao is so strong, she is really afraid that Du Guangyi will stab him a few more words, and he will go to the mountains to fight tigers.

Du Guangyi was pulled by the eldest sister, so he withdrew his hand unsatisfied, and returned to the topic: "Such a small child, he can't be single-shouldered, he can't pick his hands, he really can't stand it, you better take them back." ”

As he spoke, he leaned into Du Baozhu's ear and muttered in a low voice: "If the money is not enough, I still have fifty taels of silver here, you can spend it." ”