Category: Farmer’s Blessed Girl

Chapter 50: Enticement

Zhou Wulang explained, “Take our village for example. To get to the county town, we pass through four villages along the way. The typical travel time is two hours. So we need to set out by the latest at the Mao hour(5am-7am). We’ll reach the next village around two subdivisions into the Mao hour. If we arrive early, we wait at their village entrance until that time subdivision before calling out – if no one responds, it means no travel companions and we can proceed.”

The little companions listened intently. Man Bao even raised her little hand to ask, “Then why didn’t we wait for others the last time we went?”

“We had many adults going from our family that time, no need to deliberately team up. Your eldest brothers Zhou Dalang and Zhou Erlang were adults, while Wulang, Liulang were youths. Even Da Ya and Er Ya were bigger kids – who would dare accost us?”

But for solo travelers or just two or three on the road, teaming up was convenient for both parties.

Continuing this way, they’d pause at each village entrance while villagers from other villages would also arrive early to wait at intersections. Just on this one trip, Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang witnessed how the villagers coordinated with each other.

Excitedly, he told Man Bao, “Liulang and I felt we could go to the county town market every day!”

Delighted, Man Bao ran back to her room and took out a bag of sugar from Ke Ke, simply wrapping it in oiled paper before bringing it out to Zhou Wulang with solemn words, “Fifth Brother, I’m entrusting our money-making plan to you.”

Zhou Wulang snuck a peek inside, barely containing his excitement as he cradled the oiled paper. “Little Sister, have no worries.”

Since they were surrounded by Zhou Silang, Zhou Liulang and the other children, the adults could only hear their words but not see their hands or the object they held.

Old Master Zhou felt his fifth and sixth sons were growing up and could consider their prospects and marriages, so he was willing to give them some leeway to go out and experience the world. Even if unsuccessful, gaining some worldly experience at no cost was fine.

Da Tou and the others knew they had a stake in this business venture too – their uncles’ earnings were theirs too, filling them with determination.

Only Zhou Silang felt endlessly melancholic to only watch from the sidelines, unable to even join the discussion, let alone participate.

Aware the issue of sugar shouldn’t be known to their parents, Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang covered for each other to take the item back to their room and hide it before coming out again, excitedly planning their money-making endeavors.

Man Bao kept pitching one idea after another, plausible or not – just saying them for everyone to discuss.

The system couldn’t help but say in her mind, “Host, your shopping mall is now open.”

Man Bao replied indifferently with an “mm” before continuing to explain the plan to sell flower baskets to Zhou Wulang and the others the next day.

The system fell silent for a moment before suddenly projecting something in her mind – a transparent bottle containing a green liquid. Man Bao found it quite pretty, finally catching her attention.

Full of interest, she asked, “Ke Ke, what is this?”

The system replied, “Estimated to be a medicinal cure for your mother’s illness, effective in one dose.”

Man Bao’s eyes widened as she immediately said, “I want to buy it, I want to buy it. Ke Ke, quickly purchase it!”

The system said, “You have no money.”

Man Bao paused before hurriedly checking the price, seeing rows of zeros.

Nearly deflated with disappointment, Man Bao sighed heavily.

But the system then encouraged her, “Although the required points seem extremely far for the host, as long as you persist, there’s still a high chance of eventually purchasing it. This is a newly listed medicine in the mall that I understand will be available long-term.”

Man Bao’s spirits lifted. “So as long as I can afford it eventually, I can buy it anytime?”

The system replied, “Yes!”

Finally cheered up, Man Bao asked, “Ke Ke, tell me how to earn points?”

“Get your brothers to help. Do you remember that ligustrum tree we saw on our county town trip? Have them collect a few branches with the berries. I estimate recording the ligustrum would earn dozens of points. Little by little, there’s a chance of eventual success.”

The system gently enticed, “Think about it – if you could record one organism never recorded before every day, that’s at least fifty points each. For already extinct species, it could be hundreds or thousands of points. There are 365 days in a year – if you persist for a year, calculate how many points that would be?”

Man Bao counted on her fingers. One hundred days was five thousand points, three hundred days fifteen thousand points…

Her eyes widened as she became excited, her little body quivering as everyone looked on nervously. Zhou Wulang carefully reached out to poke her.

Man Bao grabbed his finger, eyes shining as she looked at him. “Fifth Brother, you have to promise me something. If you do, I’ll buy you a bag of sugar every day from now on.”

Zhou Wulang’s heart pounded as he asked tentatively, “You…you want…”

“Help me dig up flowers and plants.”

Zhou Wulang and everyone else finally relaxed with laughter. “Okay, whatever you want, just tell Fifth Brother and I’ll dig them up for you even if I have to climb mountains and cross seas!”

“No need for mountains yet,” Man Bao said. “Just the hill we rested at on our county town trip will do. Don’t you remember?”

She described the ligustrum’s appearance and berries. “Fifth Brother, help me collect two branches with the berries on your way back home tomorrow.”

“Just this?”

“No, I’ll tell you if I think of anything new to find later.”

Zhou Wulang saw no issue with some flowers and plants, thumping his chest. “No problem. But Little Sister, what do you want those branches for? I told you the berries are inedible.”

“Medicinal herbs, I have a use for them.”

“Medicinal herbs?” Zhou Wulang scratched his head, not understanding but still nodding in agreement.

Xiao Qian Shi and the others reheated the dinner dishes to serve. Old Master Zhou rapped the table, calling the children over from the courtyard to eat.

“You said you wanted writing lessons, but all I heard was idle chatter all afternoon.”

Only then did Man Bao and the others remember they hadn’t practiced writing yet that day.

Unable to resist, Man Bao tilted her little head in lament, “I’m really too busy!”

“Yes, busy recuperating too.” Qian Shi glanced at her forehead, now blackened, and said, “No more fighting from now on. What if your head gets cracked and you become a fool?”

“That won’t happen, I’ll never become a fool.” Man Bao was full of confidence – she had Ke Ke in her mind who would surely protect her intellect.

On this, Man Bao was especially confident.

Chapter 49: Compensation

“Your fifth uncle, however, was quite the scholar and official, becoming a censor in the capital at a young age. It’s just unfortunate that he was struck by a stray arrow while campaigning east with the late emperor and perished. As for your husband and his brother’s generation, need I mention your husband’s studies?”

Ashamed, Old Master Bai lowered his head.

“But Bai Qi was a true scholarly seedling, passing the imperial examinations at a tender age. Had fortune favored him, we might have had to rely on his family instead,” Old Lady Bai said. “Don’t just look at how young Shanbao is now, he has already shown his distinction. How old is he this year, yet he has the Analects completely memorized. Ask your son if he can recite even the first chapter.”

Bai Erlang immediately shrank back, saying nothing.

Old Lady Bai continued, “Setting aside such interests, just considering our bond…” She gripped Old Master Bai’s hand tightly, tears falling. “She is not only your sister-in-law but your maternal aunt. We were raised together as parent-cousins under the same grandparents. We few brothers and sisters are all who remain in this world. Treat them as your own maternal family and care for this widow and orphan wholeheartedly.”

These words were clearly directed at Lady Bai.

Lady Bai immediately knelt to apologize, vowing, “Rest assured Mother, the Old Master and I will properly serve Aunt and Young Master from now on.”

She turned to reprimand Bai Erlang, “Erlang, no more bullying your cousin. If I hear you bully him again, I…I will beat you.”

Pursing her lips, Lady Bai said, “I will beat you.”

Under his father’s glare, Bai Erlang didn’t dare cry despite his stinging bottom.

With things settled between the family of four, they dried their tears and returned to their rooms.

The steward who delivered the compensation gift to the Zhou family had just returned and reported to Old Master Bai, “…We sent a bottle of medicated wine for treating bruises, two pieces of meat, two fish, and two packages of pastries. Old Master Zhou was very agreeable, saying the child only had some superficial bruising that would heal with some rest.”

Old Master Bai rebuked his unfilial son again before saying, “She’s just a girl, as long as she doesn’t scar.”

The steward lowered his head. “It seems unlikely. I caught a glimpse of the little lady of the Zhou family – no visible injuries, just some swelling on her forehead, no open wounds.”

With a wave, Old Master Bai dismissed him.

Over at the Zhou family compound, the children led by Man Bao squatted in the courtyard, eyeing the two fish, two meats, and two packages of pastries, all struggling not to drool.

Da Tou and the others were so envious. “The little cousin really is something else, even gets meat, fish and pastries after a fight!”

Da Ya emphasized, “Pastries too!”

Man Bao felt her forehead. “Why don’t we pick another fight with Bai Erlang next time?”

Overhearing from the side, Old Master Zhou nearly slapped his daughter’s head before remembering her injury – a blow to the head could make her foolish. So he settled for a verbal dressing down instead. “Don’t talk nonsense, fighting is fun? Not to mention you’re younger than him, you could only lose. You started this, yet you want them to send gifts? How could that be?”

Old Master Zhou said, “If the Bai family asks us to compensate them, we can’t afford two meats and two fish.”

Man Bao sighed wistfully before eyeing the pastries and drooling. She then turned and clung to her eldest sister-in-law, acting spoiled. “Sister, can we open the pastries to eat?”

Though she didn’t like sweets much, she loved pastries.
She had sniffed them earlier – so fragrant!

Without hesitation, Xiao Qian Shi checked with her mother-in-law Qian Shi, who nodded approval. She unwrapped one package, first giving Man Bao two pieces before one to each child, then re-wrapping the rest to let Man Bao slowly finish them.

But with a sly look, Man Bao first stuffed one piece each into her father and mother’s mouths before staring yearningly at Xiao Qian Shi.

Unable to refuse, Xiao Qian Shi gave her another two pieces.

Man Bao smiled sweetly before doing the same, stuffing the pieces into her two other sisters-in-law’s mouths, then looking at Xiao Qian Shi again.

Exasperated to see her sisters-in-law had gotten some, Xiao Qian Shi opened the oiled paper and shoved the last two pieces at Man Bao. “There, that’s all of them!”

But Man Bao brought one piece to Xiao Qian Shi’s mouth, her voice dripping with sweetness. “Sister, you eat too. It smells so good!”

Xiao Qian Shi’s exasperation immediately melted into laughter. “You really are clever.”

He Shi didn’t eat the pastry but laughed, “Man Bao treats her sisters-in-law differently. Ours didn’t make it to our mouths.”

Feng Shi joined in, “Well, she was nursed by the eldest sister-in-law after all.”

A hint of pride in her voice despite humble words, Xiao Qian Shi said, “This child treats everyone in the family the same. Her honeyed words could charm anyone – all our children combined don’t match her.”

The three sisters-in-law continued their mutual admiration until Qian Shi instructed from the side, “Have the meats cut up and stir-fried. With no well, leaving them raw won’t keep long. Cooked, they’ll last a bit longer.”

She added, “Dinner is prepared but take some out to stir-fry together as supplemental dishes. Man Bao is injured and needs nourishing.”

The three daughters-in-law dared not continue idling and busied themselves with the tasks.

They didn’t eat the pastries themselves but handed them to their respective husbands to enjoy.

Of course, Zhou Dalang and brothers weren’t foolish enough to just eat them, instead taking them back to store properly and share among their small families later that night.

Qian Shi also called her daughter over, giving her the pastries while smiling and gently touching the injured forehead. “Eat up, it’ll help you heal faster.”

But Man Bao pushed the pastries back. “Mother, you eat.”

Qian Shi shook her head. “I’m taking medicine, can’t eat pastries. You eat.”

Unsuspecting since her mother did have dietary restrictions, Man Bao happily took a bite before scampering off to play with Zhou Wulang and the others.

Sitting nearby, Old Master Zhou broke off a large piece to stuff into his wife’s mouth.

Qian Shi smiled, not refusing this time.

Man Bao was very interested to hear about Zhou Wulang and the others’ county town visit that day, peppering them with eager questions.

Having felt they’d seen the wider world, Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang allowed themselves to be surrounded by their brothers and nephews, puffing up as they vividly recounted the day’s events.

After incidents of even adults being abducted in this area, the villages had established travel rules for going to town.

Leaving aside those from the same village, which was small anyway – anyone intending to go to the county town the next day would give a shout, and those interested would agree on a meeting time at the village entrance. If no one else, they would set off alone, but even the departure timing had a principle.

Zhou Wulang said, “The best timing to reach the county town is around the Chen hour(7:am-9:am). Everyone walks at roughly the same pace, so counting back from the town, villagers hoping to travel together know exactly when to wait at their respective village entrances.”

Chapter 48: Reminiscing

Old Master Bai was also pained to see Bai Erlang’s state, thinking the two brothers had been beaten again. While telling someone to take him to get cleaned up and checked, he asked the servant who brought the children back.

The other two students who returned with Bai Erlang were also taken to bathe and change clothes.

The servant knelt down, head lowered, and recounted everything he had witnessed in detail.

Old Master Bai’s face grew colder and paler. The arriving Old Lady Bai and Lady Bai didn’t know how to face Lady Liu.

Fortunately, Lady Liu remained composed, counseling Old Master Bai and his son, “Children will always cause a ruckus. The two are of similar age, this is normal.”

How was it normal? If it were just fighting and arguing, that would be one thing, but he tried putting a sack over his head!

Enraged, Old Master Bai angrily stormed into his second son’s courtyard.

Seeing his demeanor, Lady Bai was alarmed and quickly supported the old lady.

Old Lady Bai couldn’t be bothered to console Lady Liu, immediately following behind and calling out, “Just give him a light spanking…don’t injure the child!”

Lady Liu also hurried to catch up. Though trailing behind Old Master Bai, they soon heard Bai Erlang’s wails and shrieks.

Old Lady Bai was so startled she nearly sat down. Lady Liu rushed past her, shouting, “Bai Li, if you injure the child, we’ll have no face left to stay here!”

Just as Old Master Bai had his son over his lap, spanking his bottom, he paused at Lady Liu’s words and flung the still wailing boy to the ground, angrily pointing, “You cry, but if you don’t cry yourself to death today, you’ll make your father die of anger!”

Lady Liu quickly grabbed a quilt from the bed to wrap the child, who had been pulled out mid-bath, making the handprints on his bottom all the more obvious – likely the worst of his injuries.

Hugging the crying Bai Erlang, Lady Liu wept, “Old Master, he’s only seven or eight, all children act up! Didn’t you misbehave as a child? Did your mother and I beat you like this? Children need proper guidance – with your beating, you could ruin even the best child!”

“Let him beat!” Having finally arrived leaning on her daughter-in-law, Old Lady Bai panted against the door frame, angrily saying, “Let him beat him to death and be done with it, then he can live alone in this manor. Sister, I’ll leave with you, no need to offend him further.”

Lady Liu chided, “Sister, if he doesn’t know how to discipline children, then you should teach him. What’s the point of antagonizing him like this?”

Lady Liu checked on Bai Erlang, seeing his swollen bottom was not too serious, her only worry being the child getting so frightened he develops a fever overnight, which could be life-threatening.

She instructed Lady Bai, “Stop crying, you need to take charge since your mother-in-law is elderly. Have the servants fetch his clothes to get him changed, then make him a calming soup lest he gets too scared.”

Having raised two children herself, Old Lady Bai agreed, immediately relaying Lady Liu’s instructions to her daughter-in-law.

Not just them, Bai Shanbao and the other two children were also given calming soups before being respectfully sent home.

The chaotic Bai manor finally settled down.

Only then did Lady Liu wearily tell Old Master Bai, “We should send a conciliatory gift to the Zhou family too, since their little lady was reportedly injured as well.”

Old Master Bai nodded repeatedly before instructing the steward.

The two children had been brought together. Though just spanked, Bai Erlang’s eyes were still red, while Bai Shanbao, aware of the beating, pretended to behave with lowered head but kept glancing over with mocking looks when the adults weren’t watching.

Bai Erlang glared back angrily when unwatched.

But how could the adults not notice?

Seeing the two children still couldn’t get along affectionately, the adults fell silent.

Lady Liu thought she’d better hurry and build their own house, hopefully moving out before the new year so some distance might ease the frosty relationship between the cousins.

Old Lady Bai also sighed, waiting until Lady Liu and daughter-in-law took Bai Shanbao to rest before telling her son, “You and Qi’er used to get along so well, closer than blood brothers. How did it become like fighting cocks between you two in this generation?”

“We’ll have Dalang take care of things when he returns.”

Lady Bai couldn’t help but say, “Dalang is so much older than Shanbao. The two children may not fight, but isn’t he also too old to still be studying?”

“That depends on if he can test into the county school. Master Zhuang is from the prefectural academy – I just want him to guide Dalang a little.”

Lady Bai didn’t really understand why her mother and husband insisted their children befriend Bai Shanbao, who was just a child after all.

Seeing her daughter-in-law’s downcast silence, Old Lady Bai could guess her thoughts. Ever since Lady Liu and daughter-in-law moved in with Bai Shanbao, the daughter-in-law had been unhappy.

With a sigh, Old Lady Bai told Old Master Bai, “Your brother Qi is gone, leaving your sister-in-law and her child widowed and destitute. Bullied by the clan, they can only rely on you now. The kinship between our two families is naturally different from others.”

These words from Old Lady Bai were not just for Old Master Bai, but for Lady Bai too. “When your father entered the clan school as a country bumpkin, though of the Bai clan, he was far removed from the main lineage. If not for your grandfather’s capabilities managing the family business well and donating generously to the school, your father could never have studied in Longzhou.”

Patting her young grandson’s head, Old Lady Bai continued to Old Master Bai, “Even so, he was often bullied, protected only by your fifth paternal uncle back then.”

Red-faced, Old Master Bai knelt, “Rest assured Mother, I will take good care of Sister-in-law, raising Shanbao like my own son.”

Pulling him up, Old Lady Bai said, “That’s not what I meant.”

Then what did you mean?

Old Lady Bai just looked at him. “You know the bond between our two families, but the children may not. If you don’t explain, they’ll think your sister-in-law’s family just came to mooch.”

Only then did Old Lady Bai look at Lady Bai and her grandson. “Your grandfather and fifth uncle were close friends back then. It’s just a pity your grandfather was not as scholarly as your fifth uncle, only becoming a county magistrate. He had a temper – scolded by an official twice, he quit and returned to farm.”

Lady Bai: …She knew this story too. Even now in the county town, some still called her grandfather a man of quality.

Chapter 47: Group Fight

That’s what they said, but they also helped restrain Bai Shanbao.

Would Bai Shanbao just stand there waiting to be caught?

Of course not. He was someone used to fighting. As soon as the sack touched his head, he struggled to the side. Two people held him down, and he started shouting and kicking. In that brief moment, Man Bao also crawled out from behind the reeds. Seeing Bai Erlang jumping up to pin Bai Shanbao down and try to put the sack over his head, she was stunned.

But only for a moment. She immediately called for Da Tou outside while rushing over to push Bai Erlang.

So the five children became a rolling, fighting mess, pushing and hitting each other.

Seeing Bai Erlang persist in trying to sack Bai Shanbao’s head, his little companion could no longer hold back, shouting “They’ve all seen us, idiot!”

Bai Erlang paused, then angrily said, “Who are you calling an idiot?”

The other hesitated, but unhesitatingly continued restraining Man Bao and Bai Shanbao while shouting back, “You, who else is an idiot?”

Each was the treasured child of their family. Although your family is the landlord’s and richer with better snacks, we’re willing to follow your lead, but not foolish enough for this.

The two bickered, and Bai Erlang’s grip on Bai Shanbao loosened. Taking advantage, Man Bao persistently kicked Bai Erlang, allowing Bai Shanbao to push him off and get up from the ground. He pinned Bai Erlang down instead, shouting while clenching his fists to hit him.

The servants on the high ground had noticed the situation below at Bai Shanbao’s first shout and immediately ran down in alarm from the high ground, but the place they’d chosen was a distance from the river bank, so it took them a while to arrive.

And before they got there, Da Tou had already rushed over, first pushing away the person fighting his little cousin, then taking over and fighting the other side himself.

The two were of similar age and soon rolled into a tussle, with Da Tou not afraid to hit his opponent, though the other dared not lay a hand on Man Bao, after all she was a girl and younger. The two boys grappled and slapped gleefully.

Of course, Man Bao sided with her little companion and big nephew. When the servants arrived, all six were embroiled in the melee.

The servants shouted sternly, restraining everyone before separating the two groups to check on their young master.

Not only was Bai Shanbao covered in mud all over his face and body, his forehead was cut with several bruises on his face.

Looking at the others, their conditions were similar.

The servants looked at their young master piteously, holding back tears. He was the family’s only child! The old lady had told them to watch over the young master, yet they’d let him get beat up like this – they would surely face consequences at home.

But Bai Shanbao had no such concerns. Pushing a servant aside, he took a step toward Bai Erlang and issued a stern warning: “Villain! You played dirty with an ambush. If you’ve got guts, issue me a challenge note. See if I don’t break your head!”

Man Bao also felt Bai Erlang was too despicable, not only ambushing them but outnumbering kids younger than him. But seeing their own tattered state, she thought his tactic not bad.

Unable to take the provocation, Bai Erlang immediately rolled up his sleeves and said, “If it’s a fight you want, I’m not scared. Let’s go right now!”

“Bring it on!” Bai Shanbao also rolled up his sleeves. “Come on!”

Man Bao cheered him on from the side. “You can definitely do it! Hit his face, pinch his arms!”

Da Tou looked around and even found a mudball for him.

Finally unable to hold back, a servant knelt down wailing, hugging their young master’s legs. “Young master, please spare me! If the old lady and madame find out you were fighting outside, they’ll flay me alive! Let’s go home quickly!”

Just then, Zhou Silang also stumbled over. The group amid the reeds had been noisy but from outside, he couldn’t see where they were, especially with the kneeling servant.

So he called out, “Man Bao! Da Tou! Where did you two run off to? Come out right now!”

Zhou Silang and the Bai family’s servant thus led the tattered group of kids back. Upon entering the village just as families were sitting down for dinner, the sight of the six muddy urchins didn’t draw much attention from the villagers at first.

Such scenes were normal for country children.

But then they noticed the little lady of the Zhou family walking at the front and were surprised. “Ai ya, Man Bao, you were out fighting too?”

They looked at Zhou Silang. “Silang ah, did you beat up your little sister?”

Zhou Silang scowled. “Do I have the guts for that?”

Indeed, unless he had eaten a bear’s heart and a tiger’s gall bladder, how dare he lay a hand on the Zhou family’s precious treasure?

The villagers watched Man Bao with keen interest, even asking her, “Man Bao, did you win or lose this fight?”

Man Bao wasn’t stupid. She could tell it wasn’t a kind question, so she snorted, “Of course I won! If not, call your grandson out, and I’ll beat him in front of you.”

The other person laughed. “This little girl has quite the temper. How can she fight?”

“I’ll discipline my nephews and grandsons.”

The person paused, only then realizing he was of the same generation as Zhou Dalang, making him the same as Man Bao – so his grandson was indeed her nephew! He didn’t dare provoke her further for fear she’d really confront and beat his grandson.

The Zhou family’s treasure was usually prim and proper, always accompanied when going out, rarely looking so disheveled.

They remembered in the first couple years after Man Bao learned to walk, she played with Da Tou and the others under the big tree at the village entrance. A couple of village boys snatched the candy in her pocket and even pushed her into a puddle.

One of those boys was even the village chief’s grandson! Afterward, Zhou Silang sternly led his brothers and nephews to confront and reprimand the two kids.

The chief’s daughter-in-law and wife didn’t dare utter a word, and the chief himself brought eggs to visit Man Bao, who was reportedly shocked and delighted, but fell into a high fever.

From then on, when disciplining their kids, adults could allow fights with Da Tou and the others but warned against making trouble for Zhou Man Bao.

As a child, her health was weaker than most, so who knew if such a fright could have worse consequences.

Seeing the tattered state Man Bao was in now, the villagers said nothing out loud but inwardly worried for her and the kids who had beaten her up.

Zhou Silang glared sternly at Zhou Erlang and the others before carrying his precious little sister home to bathe and apply medicine.

The servants, of course, brought the rest back to the Bai residence.

At the Bai manor, the adults were again alarmed.

Seeing her son’s bruised face, Zheng Shi swayed and clutched him, wailing in anguish.

Liu Shi also wobbled but steadied herself, rebuking her daughter-in-law before telling her to take the children away first. Only then did she turn to the old Master Bai and say, “Your brother’s wife is too careless. What child doesn’t get a few scrapes and bruises?”

Yet inwardly she, too, felt heartbroken.

Chapter 46 Face to Face

As soon as the end of school bell rang, the children respectfully bid Teacher Zhuang farewell. After he waved them off, with a whoosh they happily ran out.

Man Bao naturally didn’t fall behind, hugging her books as she dashed out. Bai Shan Bao was even faster, running outside only to encounter Da Tou who had come to pick up Man Bao.

Yesterday after finding out that the children all went home by themselves after school, and the Bai’s residence wasn’t far from the school, Liu Shi decided that for Bai Shan Bao to integrate into the school quickly he couldn’t be treated special. So they had all agreed he wouldn’t be picked up today.

Bai Shan Bao was more than happy with this and had talked about playing with classmates.

So now Liu Shi hadn’t sent anyone to fetch him, only dispatching a servant to watch by the riverside. If Bai Shan Bao went to play by the river they would bring him back.

Seeing that Man Bao still needed someone to fetch her, Bai Shan Bao felt very proud, saying she was still a baby without weaned.

Man Bao said, “You’re the one not weaned. I stopped drinking milk when I was eight months old. Humph, Da Tou came to carry my books.”

“That’s right, I came to carry books for little aunt.”

Although she said this, Man Bao also decided to tell her mother that night, to have Da Tou and the others stop picking her up after school.

Man Bao felt looked down on, so she ordered Da Tou as authoritatively as possible, “We’re going to dig lotus roots. Da Tou, lead the way!”

Da Tou felt that although little aunt was just a child with fanciful ideas, with her size if she went to dig lotus roots she’d be digging herself into the ground instead.

However, seeing Bai Shan Bao next to them, he felt he couldn’t lose face for little aunt in front of her classmate. So his eyes turned as he said, “Little aunt, let’s take the books home first. We still have to get the hoes.”

Man Bao’s raised head paused for a second. She scratched her head, straining to recall as she asked, “Do you need a hoe to dig lotus roots?”

Da Tou thought of her being her silly. “Of course, lotus roots are in the mud.”

Bai Shan Bao contemptuously glanced at Man Bao, thinking her stupidness. Even though he didn’t farm he knew things in dirt had to be dug out with hoes.

He felt they were peers and also Da Tou’s elder. So with a wave of his hand he said, “Fine, let’s go.”

Watching them walk in another direction, Bai Er Lang who was observing couldn’t help but scratch his cheek in distress. “What to do?”

Bai Er Lang gritted his teeth. “Follow them. It’s just the three of them, we’re bigger than them.”

The other two buddies also felt the three of them could definitely beat these three little ones, so together they dragged their sack and followed.

Da Tou led them back to the Zhou home. After putting down the books and poking around finding no adults home, he knew Granny must have gone to the vegetable garden. Today the family was harvesting napa cabbage so Granny had to be in charge.

Man Bao and Bai Shan Bao were both urging him. After all they were children and very impatient.

With no other choice, Da Tou could only find Er Ya who was in the kitchen cooking. He told her to go to the fields and find fourth uncle, telling him to just go straight to the lotus pond by the river bank to meet them.

Er Ya looked at the cooking rice before hurrying off.

Da Tou took out a nice thick stick, “The family took all the hoes. We’ll use sticks instead.”

Man Bao and Bai Shan Bao naturally had no objections. As long as they could go.

And so everyone headed towards the riverside, following along the bank forward. Once out of the village tail they walked a bit more until a river beach. The river had scoured out quite a large wetland here before turning back on itself to continue flowing. The children didn’t know where this river ultimately flowed. They heard it went into the mountains.

More than once Man Bao had wanted to follow the river to see where it led. Da Tou obviously knew of little aunt’s dangerous idea so cautioned her as they walked, “You can’t follow the river or you’ll never see us again. And don’t go near the water, if you fall in my arms are too short to grab you.”

Man Bao didn’t know if she was listening or not, only nodding.

Arriving at the spot, Bai Shan Bao looked around. He discovered many tall weeds here with sparse leftover lotus leaves by the river bank.

It was called a river beach but near where they stood the soil was already hardened. Because it had rained yesterday there were still many small pools holding water. The water was very clear, the bottom of the pools clearly visible.

Bai Shan Bao curiously squatted down to look, even reaching out to measure the little pools.

After just a glance Da Tou said, “It must have been the village chief’s cattle here eating grass.”

He exclaimed emotionally, “The grass here sure is green, long and delicious.”

Bai Shan Bao curiously asked him, “Have you eaten it before?”

Da Tou thought him silly, “Grass is for cattle to eat, have you eaten it?”

Bai Shan Bao stumped him. “Then how do you know it’s delicious?”

The little water pools on the ground captured Man Bao and Bai Shan Bao’s attention, temporarily forgetting about digging lotus roots. Of course Da Tou wouldn’t remind them, letting them play here.

The river had receded now so this large area was dry land. No matter how much they fell down, as long as they didn’t run towards the water they wouldn’t fall in.

The two inexperienced little buddies ran around the tall reeds, even crying out when they saw little fish swimming in the pools.

The servant Liu Shi sent to watch young master was observing the two children from afar squatting by a pool with their little heads practically leaning together as they chatted. He decided not to approach for now.

After all there was still a good distance from the river here.

Who knew what the two children were chatting about, but they started a game of blind man’s bluff. Da Tou clearly wasn’t participating, only watching from the side.

So the servant saw when their young master had just hidden in the grass, the older boy immediately pointed him out to the Zhou girl.

Servant: ……*speechless* How shameless. But this child isn’t bad, at least he’s still watching over them.

The servant decided to forgive them. Glancing left and right, he found a high vantage point to more fully observe the situation below.

He could give them three quarter hours to play at most. No matter what, they had to go home after that.

Just as the servant shifted position, temporarily losing sight of them, Bai Shan Bao had already guessed that Da Tou was feeding Man Bao clues. He strongly opposed this and said if it happened again he wouldn’t play anymore.

Man Bao promised it wouldn’t happen again. And so the two little friends reconciled. Since Man Bao had cheated, this time Bai Shan Bao went to hide while Man Bao sought.

Man Bao knew the tall grass made it a bit hard to find people, but she deeply understood the benefit of startling the prey. So she randomly chose a direction to crash into, immediately yelling, “I see you, I see you, don’t move…”

And so Bai Shan Bao nervously moved a bit and Man Bao immediately located his position.

Bai Shan Bao was quite angry. Before Man Bao even reached him he turned to run aside…

Where three littler buddies were squatting! They had still been discussing how to throw the sack over Bai Shan Bao when the person suddenly charged out in front of them.

Bai Er Lang’s actions were much quicker than his thoughts. Before his mind reacted his body had grabbed the sack to throw over Bai Shan Bao’s head.

The two buddies: ……He already saw our face, what’s the difference between putting the sack over or not?

Chapter 45 The Soulful Artist

Liu Shi asked her grandson what he had learned today.

Bai Shan Bao was very experienced in dealing with his grandmother. He only told Grandmother about what Teacher Zhuang taught and said in class, and didn’t mention his and Man Bao’s plan to catch bugs to scare second cousin.

With just a little thought, Liu Shi knew her grandson couldn’t have been that well-behaved in school, moreover Teacher Zhuang had brought up the county magistrate’s responsibilities out of the blue.

There must have been a reason for it, but she didn’t ask too much. Instead she called her grandson over to tell him what a county magistrate was and what a county magistrate needed to do.

Bai Shan Bao listened carefully, deciding he would tell Man Bao about it tomorrow. Hmph, he knew a lot more than her.

Seeing her grandson listening carefully without his usual rebelliousness, Liu Shi spoke in more detail with a warmer attitude.

Bai Shan Bao asked when he didn’t understand. He also mentioned what Man Bao said about their county magistrate being a bad person for collecting extra entrance fees.

Only then did Liu Shi understand why Teacher Zhuang took them to see ants and watch the autumn rain, and also told them stories.

Liu Shi said, “The county needs money to build roads, maintain dikes, and water conservation projects. If Magistrate Fu uses the money for these purposes, raising entrance fees isn’t unreasonable.”

Bai Shan Bao understood this point – everything takes money.

His mother said the reason they moved to the mountains was because the clan bullied the widow and orphan, trying to swallow up all their family property.

His mother said those assets were for making money. In the future he would need money to study, take the exams, get a wife, become an official. That money was to be saved for him.

So from that time, Bai Shan Bao knew money was a very important thing. Even someone as powerful as the clan chief shamelessly tried to rob them of their money.

Liu Shi however felt that moving to Qili Village was the right decision.

Although their relationship with the Zhou family was close, since they decided to live here long term, it wasn’t right to always stay in their home. Her intention was to buy land in the village and build a small compound to move into. That would keep the two families close enough to look after one another, yet have their own separate households. Wouldn’t that be comfortable?

Zheng Shi didn’t have any objections. She was used to listening to her mother-in-law in everything.

Bai Shan Bao on the other hand had a lot of ideas. Playing nearby, upon hearing Grandmother’s words he ran over, “Pick one by the river. In the future bring the water into the house and dig a big pond to raise turtles. I want to raise turtles.”

“Why are you still thinking about raising turtles?” All because of fighting over a turtle back home, this child split open their second uncle’s grandson’s head. Grandmother even paid a lot of gifts as compensation. Just thinking about it now still pained Zheng Shi.

But Bai Shan Bao persisted, “I’m going to raise turtles and when they grow big make turtle soup for Grandmother to drink.”

Zheng Shi’s expression was quite speechless. Liu Shi however understood her grandson’s meaning. She patted his head with a smile, “Good good, we’ll dig a pond for you to raise turtles. What else do you want, tell Grandmother at once to make plans.”

Bai Shan Bao thought a bit, “I need to think carefully about this.”

“Go ahead and think about it then tell me when you’ve decided.”

Since buying land and building a house was not something Liu Shi could decide on her own, it had to be discussed with Master Bai.

Bai Shan Bao wasn’t worried about all that. After reviewing today’s lessons, he started drawing his imagined yard with brush and ink.

He was currently at the “soulful artist” stage. Besides himself probably no one could understand what he drew.

But Bai Shan Bao didn’t know that. Thus the next day he happily brought his masterpiece for Man Bao to see, telling her this would be his new home.

Man Bao looked it over up and down for a long time, holding her cheeks uncertainly asking, “Which side is the front?”

Bai Shan Bao positioned the painting, explaining, “Look, this is my room. I’m going to build a swing here so when I wake up I can swing. Here I’ll dig a pond and raise turtles, so I can swing while watching the turtles. See, this is a turtle.”

Man Bao had never seen a turtle before. She asked, “Can you eat turtles?”

“You can. Turtles can live a very very long time. I’m planning to fatten it up and make turtle soup for my Grandmother to drink, so my Grandmother will also have a long life.”

Man Bao’s eyes lit up, “Really?”

Bai Shan Bao nodded, “Of course it’s true. Back home everyone said turtles represent longevity!”

“Then how many do you have? Can you sell one to me, I also want to raise turtles.”

Bai Shan Bao asked, “Why do you want to raise turtles?”

“To feed my mother. My mother is always sick. After she eats turtle she’ll also have a long life, then she won’t always be sick.”

Bai Shan Bao felt turtles were hard to come by. Otherwise back then he wouldn’t have fought his cousin for that one. But since he had just become friends with Man Bao, it wasn’t good to reject her. So he hesitated and said, “I’ll have my mother buy an extra one. If she can get one I’ll give it to you to raise. If not, then when my turtle has babies I’ll give you one to raise.”

Man Bao didn’t think it was right, “It takes two turtles, a male and a female, to have babies.”

“Who says so?”

“Chickens and pigs are all like this. People too,” although Man Bao was still small, she actually knew a lot more. She listed it out for him, “My family’s hen hatches chicks. My mother checks the eggs, says only eggs from mating with a rooster can hatch chicks. In spring, elder cousin specially invited a boar from the neighboring village to mate with his sow so she could birth piglets. People also have to marry before having babies.”

Therefore, “You have to buy two turtles, a male and a female. Then they can give birth. Have one baby a year, ten in ten years. When they grow up we eat the two grown ones, continue raising the rest to keep breeding…have more and more turtles.” Man Bao counted and shocked even herself, “Wow, then we’ll have a lot of turtles!”

Bai Shan Bao felt she made sense and decided what to discuss with his mother that night.

Seeing he was willing to listen to her advice, Man Bao grew even more lively. Pointing at his blueprint she said, “Besides raising turtles you can also plant lotus roots in the pond. Do you know lotus? There’s lots of them downstream by the riverbank. The summer flowers are really pretty. Lotus seeds and lotus roots are delicious to eat.”

Man Bao got excited, “I’ll take you to dig lotus roots, okay? I went to watch last year and already know how to dig them.”

Bai Shan Bao asked, “Didn’t we say we were going to catch cabbage worms today?”

Man Bao casually said, “We can catch them some other time. Let’s go dig lotus roots first. Lotus roots are much prettier than worms.”

Since Bai Shan Bao wasn’t too keen on catching bugs either, he nodded in agreement.

Chapter 44 Teaching Literacy

Zhou Silang squatted next to Man Bao and sighed repeatedly, “Youngest sister, did fourth brother offend you?”

Man Bao nodded, “You offended our whole family.”

Zhou Silang was silent for a long time, then said, “I said I really changed, do you believe it?”

Although she didn’t believe it in her heart, Man Bao still nodded, “I believe it, so fourth brother, you have to work hard to pay back the money you owe the family and sisters-in-law.”

Zhou Silang’s shoulders sagged, “Farming doesn’t make money.”

Man Bao disagreed, “Many people farm, my parents farm, elder brothers and sisters-in-law farm, the Bai family also farms.”

“That’s all good land.”

“Hundreds of years ago, thousands of years ago, tens of thousands of years ago, the land was the same. It wasn’t nurtured by people?” Man Bao had already asked Ke Ke, very confident, and comforted Zhou Silang, “Don’t worry fourth brother, first develop the land. In the future, I will bring fifth and sixth brother to help you nurture the land. In the future, I will tell my father that the land you opened up should be divided to you. You can earn money slowly, if you can’t pay it back, you still have your son.”

Zhou Silang: ……

Man Bao had already planned it all out, “Although your son has to repay your debts, but when he divides the family property he will get more land than Da Tou and the others. He will definitely be willing. Actually I also want Da Tou and the others to open up their own land, so that when they have descendants in the future it can be passed down.”

Zhou Silang: “……Man Bao, you think too much.”

Man Bao: “Of course, the teacher said that people should think far-sightedly, not just see what’s in front of them. Just now I was thinking, why is the Bai family so rich?”

Zhou Silang: “Because they have a lot of land.”

“That’s right, because they have a lot of land, enough to hire many, many people to help them farm. He only needs to lie at home and count money,” Man Bao said ambitiously, “If our family also had a lot, a lot of land, couldn’t we also become landowners like the Bais?”

Zhou Silang turned around and left.

Man Bao was still very enthusiastically asking him to stay, “Fourth brother, don’t go, I haven’t finished speaking yet.”

Zhou Silang didn’t want to pay attention to her anymore.

Land reclamation was tiring. It was almost all physical labor. Every day when Zhou Silang returned home, he just wanted to sit on the ground without moving. After eating, he would take a simple rinse bath. Before it was even dark he would lie in bed.

Zhou Silang touched his sore and painful shoulders and lower back. For the first time, tears of regret flowed down. He really knew he was wrong.

Zhou Silang wiped away tears in the room. Man Bao took the opportunity before it was dark to gather all her little friends to teach them literacy.

Zhou Wu Lang and Zhou Liu Lang were also curiously squeezed in to watch.

Man Bao first taught them the names of their county, township and village, then their own names. She said, “This is what the teacher taught me, saying that I have to memorize it. If I accidentally get lost or get taken away, I can still remember where my home is and what my name is.”

Feng Shi couldn’t help but tsk tsk, “Children’s words are nonsense. Don’t talk nonsense, little girl. How could you possibly get lost?”

Xiao Qian Shi however said, “This method is good. Hurry up and let the children remember, fifth brother and sixth brother too. In the future when you go to the county town by yourselves, don’t get lost.”

“Sister-in-law, fifth and sixth brother are half grown up, who would still kidnap them?”

“You can’t say for sure,” said Xiao Qian Shi. “Nowadays it’s peaceful times, labor is needed everywhere. In case some shameless person kidnaps fifth and sixth brother to use them for hard labor. That kind of thing has happened before.”

Feng Shi was surprised, “That kind of thing has happened before?”

“Of course,” seeing the little girl jump in front of her with bright eyes looking at her, Xiao Qian Shi knew she liked to listen to these kinds of stories, so she smiled and said, “It was when I was little. Two brothers from our village, one in his twenties, one just an adult, went to the county town to find work. They got separated from fellow villagers and were kidnapped. Their family assumed they had died. After many years, the younger brother came back alive, he was no longer human shaped. He said they were locked in a stone quarry, only given one steamed bun a day. Many people were worked or starved to death. Otherwise why do you think every time people go to the county town they go in groups? It’s because of things that happened in the past.”

Man Bao looked at fifth and sixth brother, struggling over it, “Fifth brother, sixth brother, don’t go to the county town anymore, okay?”

Although Zhou Wu Lang and Zhou Liu Lang’s hearts shook a little, thinking of the generous profits, they couldn’t bear to agree.

Old Zhou smoked a pipe off to the side, “Second son, tomorrow you take fifth and sixth son to walk the route and teach them the rules.”

Zhou Er Lang acknowledged it.

Man Bao curiously asked her father, “Dad, there are rules for walking too?”

“Of course, tomorrow when your fifth brother gets back let him tell you.”

Man Bao looked forward to it.

It was everyone’s first time learning words, of course they couldn’t recognize too many. So Man Bao only taught them the three characters for Qili Village.

Everyone copied it in the dirt with sticks. Seeing the children diligently playing after dinner instead of running out to play, the three daughter-in-laws also smiled with satisfaction.

Xiao Qian Shi and Feng Shi were just about to call Da Ya and Er Ya to wash dishes, but seeing them earnestly drawing on the ground, they hesitated. Xiao Qian Shi still pulled Feng Shi saying, “Forget it, we’ll wash them. Let the nephews and nieces play together.”

Usually washing dishes and such chores were done by Da Ya and Er Ya. Although Feng Shi was a little unhappy there was another chore, seeing her happy daughter, she still nodded in agreement.

Oh well, learning a few words would at least prevent them from not even knowing where their home was.

Man Bao taught earnestly and the students studied earnestly. By the time the sky was dark and they couldn’t see clearly, Man Bao threw away the sticks and they started playing games.

Few people in the Zhou family would ask Man Bao what she learned at school, because even if she told them they wouldn’t understand. Every day when Man Bao came home, they would only ask if she was bullied or not. Knowing she wasn’t bullied they wouldn’t ask further.

As for how Man Bao was doing in her studies, was there any need to speak of it?

Of course it had to be very good. In the Zhou family young and old, who in Qili Village was smarter than their youngest sister (little aunt)?

The Zhou family was at ease, but the Bai family’s attitude towards Bai Shan Bao was different.

Bai Shan Bao had just returned home, his butt hadn’t even touched the chair before his mother Zheng Shi pulled him over to check him out, first asking if he had fought that day.

After getting a negative reply, she asked if he had bullied anyone. After another negative, she finally asked if anyone had bullied him. Only after finding out no one had, did Zheng Shi breathe a sigh of relief. As for her son deliberately stomping in puddles, soaking his shoes and pants, those were all minor things.

She had the servants take her son to bathe and change clothes, made him drink a bowl of ginger soup, before taking him to see his grandmother.

Chapter 43 Seeing Through Phenomena to Essence

It was still sunny at noon but by late afternoon, dark clouds already filled the sky.

Man Bao and Bai Shan Bao leaned over their desk to peer outside, both somewhat excited. Ants moving did mean rain was coming!

Teacher Zhuang also saw the weather. After class, he had the students stay in the classroom to wait for family pick up. Then he brought Man Bao and Shan Bao to the yard where he lived next door.

Leading the two children to the study, he said, “What you saw this morning were ants moving. What do you see now?”

Man Bao said, “It’s raining! Ants moving means rain.”

Teacher Zhuang smiled, “Silly children, you have the order reversed. It’s not ants moving that makes it rain but the sky is about to rain so the ants have to move home to a safe spot. Humans seeing this know rain is imminent.”

Teacher Zhuang spoke slowly. The two children counted on their fingers and realized he was right so they nodded.

Teacher Zhuang pointed at the rain curtain outside and continued asking, “What do you see now?”

The two children simultaneously said, “Rain!”

“These are all phenomena,” Teacher Zhuang said. “Man Bao, since your parents told you ants moving means rain, you determined ants moving causes rain. Shan Bao, since you never heard this before, you only saw ants moving. But do you know what teacher thinks of upon seeing ants?”

The two children shook their heads.

“Teacher doesn’t just think rain is coming but also realizes there are so many ants under my house that I need to start preventing and eliminating pests at home. And I would think ants can destroy miles of dams…” Teacher Zhuang slowly told them about ants.

Man Bao and Shan Bao listened dumbly. Where would they know tiny ants could not only gnaw a large tree to death but even destroy buildings and dams.

After finishing about ants, Teacher Zhuang also spoke of the autumn rain outside – how they were currently only seeing rain but it held different meanings for different people.

For children like them, the autumn rain only temporarily trapped them at school. But for farmers, it meant they could start plowing fields and fertilizing grass in preparation for next year’s farming.

Yet for people wanting to head out, the rain brought more harm than good because no one knew how long it would delay them.

Teacher Zhuang patiently explained this to the two children. It seemed scattered and irrelevant but his next words circled back to the earlier issue with county magistrates.

“This morning I asked what a county magistrate does and what you told me was your direct superficial impressions from sight and sound. But actually, what you said isn’t the complete truth,” Teacher Zhuang said. “Sometimes what your eyes see and ears hear don’t necessarily match your thoughts. You need to look and listen more, think more. If there are too many emotions in your heart, then set them aside for the time being and refrain from conclusions first. Revisit these matters later when you’re calmer and perhaps there will be different gains.”

The two children understood a little but still didn’t completely grasp it. However Teacher Zhuang didn’t require them to understand right then. He only had them remember his words for future comprehension when the time came.

While talking, people from both Bai and Zhou families arrived to fetch the children. Man Bao and Shan Bao bade the teacher farewell. The two children held hands dashing out into the rain, soaked all over but extremely delighted. They intentionally splashed through puddles to wildly kick water, making themselves even happier.

Outside the yard, warnings and scoldings from both families’ elders rang out. While splashing water with loud patters, the two children ran towards their own families.

Teacher Zhuang watched from the door, repeatedly stroking his beard while pondering Man Bao’s words in his mind.

Why is the county magistrate increasing city entry fees again?

Teacher Zhuang naturally knew more than the Zhou family. Actually back when Prefect Fu first arrived at Luojiang County three years ago, he implemented a round of city entry fees already while also increasing corvée labor and taxes. Then within two years, Prefect Fu repaired a section of the official path and reinforced Luojiang’s dams. He even dug a canal for the county town.

The county magistrate term lasts three years. Since Prefect Fu wasn’t transferred out this year, it meant he had another term. But no one knew whether he planned some political affair this time or would do nothing at all.

Teacher Zhuang felt rather worried.

But clearly he couldn’t discuss these issues with the children.

After being carried home by Feng Shi, the first thing Man Bao did was go to the kitchen for hot bath water. It couldn’t be helped. The child went splashing so not only were her shoes wet but her pants were also quite damp.

While stroking her little hands, Qian Shi scolded her. “You’re really more and more of a headache! How come you seem more naughty after entering teaching hall?”

Man Bao said, “Bai Shan Bao also splashed water.”

“He’s him and you’re you. Who knows, maybe he learned it from you. You should go there to learn good things not bad things, and definitely not to lead other children astray!”

Man Bao sighed, “Alright, I won’t splash water from now on.”

A child’s promise was as reliable as July’s weather.

After having Feng Shi bathe her and feeding her a bowl of hot water, Qian Shi let her go play with only the warning. “Don’t go out splashing water and rain or else I won’t let you study tomorrow.”

Right now Man Bao dearly loved learning. How could she bear not going?

So she could only sit in the hall waiting for her elder brothers to return.

Zhou Si Lang hid from the rain with his two younger brothers under a tree. When the rain wasn’t heavy, they ran back. But they were still rather wet.

Zhou Wu Lang and the others helped with land reclamation today and also chopped quite a bit of bamboo. As soon as they came back, they made eyes at youngest sister.

Man Bao understood. After Zhou Er Lang returned, she would pester him for help making flower baskets.

Zhou Er Lang was just thinking that previously, Man Bao’s bamboo flower basket earned a lot. Although he didn’t say anything out loud, Zhou Er Lang was actually quite moved inside. But recently he also had many matters requiring attention so he couldn’t make time. Seeing Man Bao ask, he instantly knew it was Fifth and Sixth Son’s idea. He didn’t decline and said, “Have Fifth and Sixth Son strip the bamboo strips first. I’ll weave them when I get back.”

Even Elder Zhou said something rare. “When I come back from the fields, I’ll help weave as well.”

After pondering some more, he felt Fourth Son opening up wasteland was too unreliable, hesitatingly saying, “Why not have Fourth Son stop wasteland reclamation. That land below the hills opened up still might not be fertile after two years of cultivation. What’s the point? It’d be better for him to stay home and help out with some matters, much more practical.”

Zhou Si Lang’s spirits roused, wanting to nod.

But Man Bao didn’t agree. She said, “Father, it’s to punish Fourth Elder Brother’s disobedience. Teacher said, ‘Rash changes day to night’ is a major taboo. What if Fourth Elder Brother feels doing wrong things is no big deal in the future?”

“He wouldn’t dare or else I’d beat him to death!”

Man Bao looked down on her father. “You definitely can’t beat Fourth Elder Brother to death or else you’d be too sad.”

Elder Zhou was choked speechless. Waving his hand he said, “Alright, let your Fourth Brother continue land reclamation. Fifth and Sixth Son, consider if you can sustain this flower basket business long term.”

Chapter 42 Making Amends

Teacher Zhuang didn’t explain too much to them. He had a lot to say but needed the children to be able to understand and accept it.

The two children were still small with ample time. Teacher Zhuang wasn’t impatient.

Teacher Zhuang turned to test Bai Shan Bao’s progress since he had just arrived. He needed to figure out the boy’s level to arrange his curriculum.

Bai Shan Bao had memorized the Analects. He just hadn’t learned the latter half’s meanings yet.

After asking some questions, Teacher Zhuang was satisfied upon knowing Shan Bao learned from his previous teacher and Madam Liu. He nodded for the two children to return inside for class.

It was Man Bao’s first time feeling another child was more amazing than her. Following behind Shan Bao she said, “You read much faster than me. I started studying when I was one but only knew Thousand Word Text.”

Bai Shan Bao felt she was indeed dumber, saying, “I began studying at two. I memorized Thousand Word Text in just three months.”

Of course, Bai Shan Bao didn’t tell her he had only memorized without recognizing any words or writing until three years old when he finally learned the words from textbooks.

To avoid falling behind since there was such a smart deskmate, Man Bao listened especially attentively in class. She also loved racking her brains so she came up with many questions.

For example, after Teacher Zhuang briefly explained the meaning of gentle, kind, respectful, frugal and modest – gentle, upright, dignified attitude, thriftiness, and humility, Man Bao asked what type of conduct could be considered gentle, righteous, dignified, economical and modest.

Because she thought about it and felt she matched all five terms. Wasn’t she a sage already?

Seeing his shameless bragging disciple, Teacher Zhuang hadn’t gotten the chance to speak yet before Bai Shan Bao cut in, “Let’s not mention the rest. You don’t match upright, gentle, dignified, modest at all.”

Bai Shan Bao said, “You were biased helping your nephew yesterday so you’re not upright. You fought me so you’re not gentle or dignified. And you bit me too so that’s even less modest.”

Man Bao glared. “Then should I just let you bully my nephew and I? I want to become a sage like Teacher Confucius, not an idiot.”

Seeing the two children about to argue again, Teacher Zhuang rapped the desk saying, “Are you two still listening to class or not?”

Only then did Bai Shan Bao and Man Bao sit properly upright, obediently resting their hands on their knees and raising their heads to listen to Teacher Zhuang’s lecture.

This time Teacher Zhuang gave concrete examples of Confucius’s conduct that demonstrated his gentleness, kindness, respectfulness, frugality and humility.

They only had one morning class that day. Teacher Zhuang had them self-study word recognition and recitation before going to teach his senior students.

Although having seen this many times already, the System still couldn’t help praising the ancients’ wisdom. Judging from education resources, ancient times were far more backwards than the future.

Yet it was in such a backwards era that a teacher’s profound knowledge and individualized teaching surpassed many eras far into the future.

Especially after the prevalence of eight-legged essays that directly standardized literary conventions, education started becoming standardized and monotonous.

Naturally the System didn’t tell Man Bao any of this. It only silently watched her brag to Bai Shan Bao about already memorizing the lecture portion and also remembering Teacher’s explanations.

Bai Shan Bao disdainfully said, “I already memorized it long ago and understood it already too. I memorized the whole text.”

Sensing Bai Shan Bao’s arrogance, Man Bao felt greatly motivated. “I’ll surpass you in the future.”

She didn’t just spout big talk. She really did it. Man Bao reopened the folded textbook and started reading the subsequent Q&A portion.

Having recognized many words already, she could read it herself. Moreover, Teacher Zhuang had formatted breaks between sentences when transcribing the book for her so she didn’t need to figure out sentences herself. She just shook her head while reading aloud fluently.

The first read was obscure. The second read became much smoother without stumbling. By the third read it made more sense. After one more read, Man Bao could shakily recite it from memory.

Man Bao was brimming with confidence. Feeling she memorized it, she opened the next portion to continue reciting. In just a short while, Man Bao memorized three to four textbook portions.

Bai Shan Bao was shocked with wide eyes. He also didn’t have time to play sneakily anymore and hurriedly opened his book to memorize as well.

He absolutely could not lose to her.

When the noon bell sounded, the children flocked out noisily to run and grab their large bowls to line up for food at the kitchen.

With shorter legs, Man Bao ended up in the back while Bai Shan Bao didn’t react since it was his first day, still not used to things. It was the Man Bao who ran up to the door and noticed something wrong. She turned back to grab his bowl and pull him to line up together.

So the two youngest ended up last in line.

But Man Bao wasn’t worried at all. She even proudly told Bai Shan Bao, “My sister-in-law cooks. Stick with me and you’ll definitely get more to eat.”

Originally Bai Shan Bao didn’t feel there was anything to brag about it. But hearing Man Bao speak so proudly, he also unavoidably felt some admiration.

Indeed, when it was their turn, Xiao Qian Shi smiled at them before ladling them a lot of dishes.

Students could return to eat in the classroom but most students didn’t care to. They preferred standing or sitting in the yard to eat instead while some even ran over the grass across the street to play and eat.

So Bai Shan Bao also squatted beside Man Bao to gobble down his meal. He felt the teaching hall food was quite delicious and ate with great relish.

After the meal, students could play around the teaching hall vicinity but of course couldn’t go near the river. At this time everyday, Teacher Zhuang would sit by the entrance watching. Anyone who neared the riverside would not only get hit on their palms but also assigned lines to copy and memorize.

So although everyone eyed the nearby river longingly, up till now no student dared run wildly to play by the river.

Of course Man Bao wouldn’t go either. She ran back to grab the box of bugs wanting to practice courage together with Bai Shan Bao. She already decided that after the bugs lost use to her, she would give them to Ke Ke.

Ke Ke: ……

Then Man Bao and Shan Bao played those dozen or so bugs to death.

Man Bao felt somewhat apologetic and decided to bring the bugs home to feed the chickens for more eggs. She told herself she’d catch more for Ke Ke later.

That was what Man Bao thought and told Ke Ke.

What could the System do? It could only agree. It certainly couldn’t force Man Bao to catch bugs for it!

Thus, Shan Bao and Man Bao agreed to catch bugs together tomorrow.

The two children unanimously felt they weren’t afraid of bugs anymore. If that was so then of course they should go catch bugs. Most importantly, with the bugs tossed away, how could they not toss some back?

The two seemed to forget about yesterday’s fight already as they planned what to do tomorrow. They subtly glanced at Bai Er Lang holding court inside the classroom.

Bai Shan Bao also tattled to Man Bao. “He’s especially bad. As soon as I arrived, he wanted to snatch my hobbyhorse. I didn’t give it to him so he threw a tantrum and rolled on the ground.”

Man Bao was curious. “What happened after? Did your mother give it to him?”

“She didn’t,” Bai Shan Bao arrogantly lifted his little head. “Grandmother was going to give it to him but I threw a tantrum too. Then he got beaten by uncle. Hmph!”

Chapter 41 Ants Moving Home

Bai Shan Bao said, “Then you have to be as impressive as Confucius. Zigong said Teacher Confucius was gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and modest so everyone was willing to share stories with him.”

Man Bao was very confident. “I can definitely do it too. Right, what does gentle, kind, respectful, frugal and modest mean? It means humble, right?”

Bai Shan Bao looked down on her. “You don’t even know what they mean yet say you can do it. Bragging children aren’t good children.”

“What do you know. Ke Ke said to set a goal first before doing something. That’s how to make plans. Of course the bigger the goal the better!”

System: “……”

Bai Shan Bao’s eyes spun as he doubted her words. “Really?”

Man Bao firmly nodded. “Of course it’s true.”

“Then, then when I grow up, I want to do bigger official positions than my father. I don’t want to do the same job as him.”

Man Bao exclaimed in great interest, “What position does your father have?”

Bai Shan Bao said somewhat arrogantly yet also humbly, “My father is the county magistrate.”

Man Bao didn’t have good feelings towards county magistrates. She said, “County magistrates aren’t good people. They always take our money.”

Bai Shan Bao became unhappy. “My father is a good official. He even received praise from the imperial court.”

Teacher Zhuang had just entered the classroom and overheard the children’s conversation. He wrinkled his brows. They were still so young yet were already rashly discussing politics?

What did those brats know about what a county magistrate does?

Teacher Zhuang brought the two children out to the yard to speak.

From his experience, Bai Shan Bao felt nervous since being called out alone by the teacher was never for a good thing.

But it was different for Man Bao. Compared to sitting in the classroom to listen to lectures, she was more used to sitting in the yard and reading books with Teacher Zhuang. So she very happily followed along.

Seeing Man Bao so cheerful, Bai Shan Bao felt it shouldn’t be a bad thing and also relaxed while going over.

Teacher Zhuang sat down on the stone bench and beckoned the two children over to ask, “What were you two talking about just now?”

Shan Bao lowered his head. In his view, the teacher asking this meant reprimanding them for talking during class.

But Man Bao didn’t think that way. Hearing Teacher ask, she happily recounted everything they said just now and even asked, “Teacher, are there also good county magistrates?”

Teacher Zhuang couldn’t help asking her, “Why do you feel county magistrates are bad?”

Man Bao told him about what happened when she went to the county town the day before yesterday. How they had to pay an extra wen to enter and what her Fifth Elder Brother heard in town that eventually even pedestrians entering the city would need to pay fees.

So she felt county magistrates were bad because they only took money from the common folk like them.

Teacher Zhuang silently pondered for a bit before asking, “Do you know what a county magistrate does?”

Shan Bao looked at Man Bao then at Teacher Zhuang. Feeling this Teacher Zhuang differed from previous ones, he stopped cowering and rushed to answer, “The county magistrate is the parent official for a county responsible for the common folk.”

Teacher Zhuang stroked his beard with a smile, asking “What else?”

Bai Shan Bao originally wasn’t a docile child. If he was docile, he wouldn’t have often been called out in ancestral school before. Not to mention making faces at Man Bao yesterday right in front of the teacher and his elders.

Thus with Teacher Zhuang’s encouragement and Man Bao’s example beside him, Shan Bao rushed to answer together with her.

Man Bao said, “They collect entry fees!”

Shan Bao said, “They’re judges.”

Man Bao said, “They collect grain taxes. My family just handed over taxes not long ago.”

That was the time Zhou Si Lang accompanied the village to escort the grain. Then he picked up gambling.

Shan Bao said, “They also catch thieves and uphold justice for the common people.”

Shan Bao tilted his head and thought for a bit. Scratching his head, he said, “They also must urge the people to farm grains and plant mulberries to raise silkworms.”

Man Bao retorted him, “How dumb. Our family farms so of course we know what to plant when it’s time. Why would the county magistrate urge us?”

“They have to urge it. Don’t believe me, ask Teacher. Grandmother said county magistrates have to encourage agriculture and sericulture. It was because Father went to urge planting that he encountered bandits and died.”

Teacher Zhuang didn’t expect Shan Bao was the descendant of a martyr. His expression became even gentler. He reached out and stroked Shan Bao’s head, saying “What you both determine are merely superficial impressions and that’s wrong.”

The two children were baffled.

Seeing the children’s bewildered gazes, Teacher Zhuang had thousands of words stuck in his throat. The children were still small so even if he explained, they might not understand.

Teacher Zhuang fell into contemplation, hanging his head seemingly thinking of something unknown.

The two children quietly waited. After a long while without Teacher speaking, Man Bao scratched her head then swayed left and right. She accidentally bumped into Shan Bao.

Shan Bao glanced at Teacher before using his little body to bump her back.

Man Bao nearly fell down. Blinking her eyes, she also bumped him back.

It seemed the two children found it fun to compete in strength. While Teacher Zhuang wasn’t paying attention, their little bodies squeezed together, forcefully pushing back and forth.

Still sunk in thought, Teacher Zhuang’s gaze fell onto the nearby anthill. Instantly getting an idea, he raised his head and saw the children squeezing and shoving each other. Helplessly coughing lightly,

The two children instantly stood properly. But since Shan Bao retracted his strength faster, Man Bao was a little slow and directly crashed into him, knocking him onto the ground.

The two children tussled into a ball. Teacher Zhuang feared they would cry but surprisingly, they crawled up after rolling once.

Teacher Zhuang felt amused yet irritated. He waved them over. “Come here.”

The two children walked over so Teacher Zhuang pointed at the ants on the ground. “What’s this?”

The children rushed to say, “Ants!”

“Right. They’re ants. So are they good or bad?”

The two children were stunned. “Even ants can be divided into good and bad?”

“You categorized the county magistrate as good or bad so why can’t ants be good or bad too?”

Man Bao said, “Then it’s bad because they snatch food from us. See how they’re transporting rice. It must be stolen.”

Shan Bao nodded.

Teacher Zhuang burst into loud laughter and asked, “Then I won’t ask if the ants are good or bad now. I’ll just ask what you see.”

Shan Bao said, “They’re lining up to transport things.”

Having played with ants before, Man Bao knew a bit more to say, “When ants move, it’ll rain soon.”

Teacher Zhuang asked her, “How do you know ants moving means it’ll rain soon? Do you see rain coming?”

The two children raised their heads to look at the blazing sun in the sky, shaking their heads simultaneously. But Man Bao insisted, “Mother said so. Ants moving means it’ll rain.”

Teacher Zhuang nodded. “Then let’s see if it rains today.”

Shan Bao whispered to her, “The sun is so strong. How can it rain?”

Man Bao also started feeling doubtful. It was something oft said between mother and them so she remembered it. But she never carefully paid attention before on whether ants moving really meant imminent rain.