Natural disasters in books: I stockpiled goods to escape famine in ancient times

Song Da and the other two opened their eyes wide and couldn't close their mouths for a long time.

Song Da asked tentatively, "Brother Zhang, did you say that you have found a private school? For us?"

The other two looked at Zhang Wu closely.

Zhang Wu was immediately amused: "You are so young, and your ears are already not working well?"

The three were excited. This was the private school in the deep alley in the south of the city. They were not unfamiliar with this place. In the past, when they went there to beg for food, they would always stop and eavesdrop under the wall of the school. Although they could not understand, the three of them were thirsty for knowledge.

For ordinary families, it is already a rare blessing to have a literate person in the family, let alone a beggar, who can change one's fate.

Therefore, when Zhang Wu first taught the three people to read, they worked so hard.

Now hearing that they were going to send a few people to study in a private school, how could they not be excited? If Zhang Wu hadn't been here, the three of them would have danced with joy.

Only Song Er was happy but not so excited. He looked up at Zhang Wu and saw that he was in a good mood, so he spoke carefully: "Brother Zhang, can I...can I not go to the school?"

Zhang Wu frowned: "Why?"

Song Dasong San stopped smiling and looked at him intently.

"I...I can recite the Thousand Character Classic and know quite a few characters, but I still want to learn martial arts from you." Seeing Zhang Wu frowning, Song San quickly explained, "Brother Zhang, it's not that I don't like to learn, I just think knowing how to read is enough for me."

"Do you think that just knowing how to read is enough? Do you know how many people in this world want to study but cannot? Do you understand what the book says? Practicing martial arts is not something that can be done overnight, and studying is certainly not the same. I let you study not to force you to pass the imperial examinations, but to help you understand reason. What's the point of sending you to a private school just to learn how to read? How can you be useful to your master in the future?"

Song Er lowered his head amid Zhang Wu's harsh questioning.

Song Da and Song San also stood properly.

Zhang Wu glanced at the three of them, his face serious: "Reading can enlighten you. Books are all about the personal experiences of our predecessors, and there are many interesting things that can broaden your horizons. You are so young, it is a good time to study hard. Now that you have this opportunity, you should cherish it. If you really can't read, no one will force you to read. Besides, when did I say that I would not teach you martial arts if you read?"

Song Er suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining: "You mean I can learn martial arts from you even if I study?"

"Ah."

Song Er jumped to Zhang Wu's side and pulled his sleeve: "Then I will go to school. I will study hard and not embarrass you."

Zhang Wu smiled but quickly withdrew his smile and said in a deep voice, "Remember what you said today."

"Don't worry, Brother Zhang. I've remembered it and will definitely study hard with the teacher and won't slack off."

"Okay, follow me out."

"Yes."

Zhang Wu took the three of them to the cloth shop first, and bought two sets of ready-made clothes for each of them. He also bought an extra piece of better fabric, and then went to the bookstore to buy pens, ink, paper, and inkstone. As for the pork and pastries, they would buy them early tomorrow morning so that they would be fresh.

In the afternoon, Song Da and Song San were reading in the house, while Song Er was practicing the new moves taught by Zhang Wugang in the yard.

As he had to take the three boys to the school to meet the teacher early the next morning, Zhang Wu did not go home that night and simply stayed in the city for the night.

Before leaving, Zhang Wu told Huang Ying and Song Shiwei that he would not be going home, so he was not afraid of them worrying.

Zhang Wu just came back at noon the next day. When he heard that Song Shiwei was in the room, he went straight to her.

"Master, I am back."

Song Shiwei opened the door and walked towards the main room while asking, "Have you arranged everything?"

"Everything has been arranged. The teacher of the school was very happy to know that Song Da and his friends could read, so he accepted the money. I prepared a piece of cloth, six catties of pork, six packs of snacks, and a top-quality brush for the teacher. The annual tuition for each person in the school is five taels of silver, which I have paid in full."

Song Shiwei nodded: "Do you have enough money?"

Zhang Wu grinned and said, "It's enough, there are still several hundred taels. When you are out of money, I will ask the master for more."

"Don't be reluctant to use the money I give you. Also, some of the money is given to you as a reward. Remember to distinguish them. Remember to give them to your wife to keep. I will give you the money you use to do things for me. Don't mix them up."

"Master, rest assured. You told me before that all my money would be given to Yingying for safekeeping. Now, everything I have on me belongs to you."

Only then did Song Shiwei feel relieved.

-

Half a year passed in a flash. During this half year, Zhang Wu went to the city every now and then to see Song Da and the other two. Occasionally, he stayed in the city for a night to teach Song Er martial arts.

Huang Ying and Feng Ru have completely integrated into the Damo Village. They often chat with the women in the village, go up the mountain to pick wild vegetables, or go to the market in the city. The sisterhood between Feng Ru and Zhao Hui is growing rapidly. After practicing calligraphy and body movements every day, the little girl goes to play with Zhao Hui. She also follows the village children into the mountains to pick bird eggs and into the river to catch fish. Their days are very fulfilling.

Song Shiwei's life was much more boring. He either read in the main room or went into the space to feed livestock and work. Since he came to the city to take in Song Da and the other two half a year ago, he has not left the house except for occasionally going up the mountain to hunt.

Li An has been to the Desert Village quite often in the past six months. Ever since the rainstorm stopped and the northern border resumed travel, many products from various places were shipped to the Zhou family's shops, and Li An often delivered those rare things.

Although it was in his own name, Song Shiwei and the others knew that it was Zhou Huai's idea, so Song Shiwei did not take it. As a result, Li An did not say that it was for Song Shiwei to play with and appreciate, but directly said that it was for Feng Ru to play with. There was no way to refuse this, but he only let Feng Ru take it once out of ten times.

Feng Ru also guessed something and often used her free time to embroider purses or clothes for Li An. Since Li An didn't say that they were given by Zhou Huai, those people just thought it was his idea and regarded it as returning a favor.

As the day when Song Shiwei was about to leave was approaching, Zhang Wu and others had not gone out in the past few days, and they were feeling more and more reluctant to leave. If Song Shiwei had not asked him to stay in the northern border to take care of Huang Ying and her family and keep an eye on the developments in the northern border, Zhang Wu really wanted to bring his family with him to follow Song Shiwei.

At noon that day, several people had lunch in the main hall. Knowing that Song Shiwei liked to eat food with strong flavors, Zhang Wu prepared a series of strong-flavored dishes such as braised rabbit meat and stir-fried diced chicken.

As soon as the food was served, Huang Ying, who had been smiling and talking a moment ago, turned around, covered her chest and ran out the door, retching as she ran.

Zhang Wu was so frightened that his face turned pale and he quickly ran out to see her.

Song Shiwei held the chopsticks in his right hand and the bowl in his left hand, and a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes when he saw this.

Feng Ru leaned out from the side and asked in a clear voice, "What's wrong, sister-in-law?"

Song Shiwei smiled and said, "Maybe there will be some happy event."

"Happy event? Sister, what happy event?"

Song Shi smiled but said nothing. Turning around, he saw Zhang Wu helping Huang Ying in. Both of them looked a little unhappy. Song Shi said, "Go make her another bowl of plain noodles. After she finishes eating, take her to the city to see a doctor."

Huang Ying waved her hand when she heard that they had to go to the city to see a doctor: "I'm fine. Maybe I ate too much these days and my stomach is upset. There's no need to see a doctor. Maybe I'll be fine later."

Song Shiwei didn't say anything else, but instead glanced at Zhang Wu.