pastoral life

Since they tasted the sweetness of catching sparrows that day, these people have been around sparrows for several days in a row, sparrows in clear soup, pickled sparrows, cured sparrows, roasted sparrows... At the end of the meal, Xiaotan hid when he saw sparrows. Mingzhu really can't eat anymore, but it's a pity to catch too much and throw it away. Mingzhu looks at this eyeball and has a care in her heart.

The village where they live is called Chuanshandang. Because there is a famous Guanyin Temple nearby, the dirt road is relatively flat and spacious, and the ox cart can pass over the horse cart, so they don’t have to rely on legs to get to the town. If you have time If it's suitable, just ask someone in the village who has a bullock cart for a ride. Everyone in the village needs help with things, and generally they won't refuse, so Mingzhu and Wang Mingchuan took Li San The ox cart of my mother's family drove the black charcoal from the earthen stove and half a basket of sparrows to the city.

"City people are really willing to buy this?"

"I don't know either."

Mingzhu was sitting next to Wang Mingchuan with a bamboo basket in her arms. The dirt road had been potholed by the rain earlier and the sun was now uneven. Throw it up, and when you drop your butt, it hurts like being hit by a board.

Looking at Mingzhu's appearance, Wang Mingchuan knew that he was uncomfortable, but he couldn't stop the bumpy state for a while, so he had to use the straw from the car to spread another layer of straw on the seat.

"There's not much work in the field right now. If you have nothing to do, go to the city and try it. If you get money, you can just buy two piglets and bring them back to raise, so that you can save meat by the end of the year."

It was time for their chicks to hatch. Mrs. Jiang told him which eggs could hatch into chicks, and he paid attention to saving them. Even when they saw Xiaotan, they were so greedy that they didn't take them out and waited to save them. Fifteen chickens are enough for the hens to hatch. It's not that I haven't thought about going directly to the city to buy chicks, but I don't have any money and I'm afraid that the hens won't bring them back to Old Peck, so Mingzhu only has one or two. Di Zan, originally fertilized ones had to be taken out after fertilized ones, so Xiaotan and the others not only seldom eat meat, but even eggs are hard to eat. Think of catching sparrows to satisfy my greed.

"I heard from you San Niang that the Xue family's Jiaojiao was promised to Wang Ju's son?"

Fang Tiezhu is a man from Li San's family, and he was given the ten pairs of straw sandals that Mingzhuzuo had at the beginning. For this reason, Wang Mingchuan was very jealous. After all, even he only had two pairs of straw sandals, and Fang Tiezhu could have ten pairs at once. .

"I've never heard of it. Who is this Wang Juren?"

"Hey, Wang Ju doesn't even know anyone. Your eldest cousin worships him as a teacher and waits for high school, but you don't even know anyone?"

"It turned out to be Master Wang."

Mingzhu secretly scolded herself for talking too much, Xue Mingzhu must have known about Xue Mingyu's apprenticeship in the past, but fortunately, Fang Tiezhu was a solid-eyed mind without so many detours, so the omission just now should be okay.

"If you want me to say that if Chuanzi can continue to study, he will be able to be a master in the future. At that time, who would not know what Chuanzi is capable of? Chuanzi is the best among the boys who go through the mountains. He is a child. It's a pity to throw away the books and no longer worship them just because of the work at home."

Wang Mingchuan listened and didn't talk to him. Mingzhu naturally knew that he was sad because he thought of his parents, so he took the initiative to reach out and patted him on the shoulder. Because he was afraid that Fang Tiezhu would talk about this topic again and Mingchuan would be unhappy, Mingzhu hurriedly The wind turned.

"Has Xue Jiaojiao's wedding date been set?"

"It is said that it will be carried over in two months."

"Why are the days so tight?"

Mingzhu just asked casually, but got this shocking news. If the ancient woman was too close to get married, her reputation would be bad, and only those who went wrong would be like this. In a hurry to get married, Xue Jiaojiao said that although she is over seventeen years old, she can still wait for a year, at least half a year, how could she carry her over after a month?

"Hmph, Mrs. Zhao said that he had made an appointment earlier and only didn't let the villagers know about it, but his broken voice can cover up the matter? Besides, the matchmaker's door-to-door gift transfer didn't just happen in front of his house. Once it’s over, there will be no trace of the wind coming out.”

Hearing this, Mingzhu couldn't ask any further questions, although Fang Tiezhu said it was related to the reputation of the girl's family, but he couldn't get entangled, otherwise it would be a disaster if it got out.In this era when his reputation surpasses the heavens, he doesn't want to be the one who doesn't want to be cast aside by everyone.

**

The weather is getting warmer and the sun is getting up earlier. Although it was still early when Mingzhu entered the city, the number of people on the road gradually increased. Fang Tiezhu was going to the restaurant to deliver charcoal, so he arrived at the city gate The two bright pearls on the edge separated from him.The two of them were not familiar with the city for a while, so they didn't dare to find a place to set up a stall easily. They just carried an earthen stove and a basket on their backs. To buy steamed buns.

"Ma'am, here's a steamed bun."

"Okay, let's continue, be careful of hot hands."

After Mingzhu took the steamed buns, she was not in a hurry to leave, she only asked the aunt who sold the steamed buns:

"Ma'am, my brother and I got some wild goods at home and want to sell them. Where do you think they should be placed?"

"Wild goods? Live or dead?"

"Of course it's dead. It's just some pickled mountain sparrows. Are these things collected in restaurants?"

"If it's alive, I've heard that there are restaurants collecting it. You have already pickled it, and I don't know if anyone wants it. Son, if you follow my story, you set up a stall next to my steamed bun shop. Those people who come to buy steamed buns will always buy it. There are some other things that are delicious, you should give it a try, maybe you can sell some of them."

Mingzhu originally had this idea, but she just asked if someone took the initiative to show her favor, and the aunt gave her face. Mingzhu and the two of them naturally thanked each other for setting up the earthen stove next to the steamed bun shop and taking out the charcoal. get together.This aunt is also a rare kind-hearted person. Seeing that the two of them had set up the earthen stove, she took out a red-hot wood with an open flame from the stove where she put the steamer, and set Mingzhu and the two on fire, and the two did not refuse. After a few tosses, it was easy to make a shape, and then I started to roast sparrows.It is impossible to bring too many seasonings with you when you go out, so the sparrows brought by Mingzhu are all marinated in the morning, and now they can be grilled on charcoal.

"Eat something first. Even though I got up early with some pancakes, it should be too much tossing for so long."

Mingzhu gave Wang Mingchuan half a steamed bun, and gave him a bunch of roasted sparrows to eat.

"Eat first, I'll bake it myself, don't just worry about me starving myself."

Without waiting for Mingzhu to refuse, Wang Mingchuan directly took three more skewers from the basket and put them on the stove to roast.The sparrow has more bones and less meat. After these things are baked, no one buys them and they can finish them both.

After Mingzhu cleared up the food in her hands, she started to sell. At first, there were not many people, and there were few roasted sparrows for breakfast. What's more, everyone in the family has not come out yet, but there is a look Wang Mingchuan couldn't help but give it a try.The pearls are all sold for three renminbi. Although the sparrow is not worth a few dollars, the seasonings used to marinate it cost a lot. I got it back and paid for it.Of course there are those who are too expensive, but there is no shortage of rich people in the city. Those who have spare money in their pockets and like to try something new always buy one or two when buying steamed buns. Half a basket of sparrows comes out all morning. It was sold out, which was really beyond the two people's expectations.

"Auntie, you keep the money. Today is thanks to you. If there is more money tomorrow, can I come here again?"

"Oh, why are you so polite, kid?"

The auntie accepted the ten copper coins with a smile after a lot of pushing. Although it wasn't much money, it was given for nothing. People and children have the heart to know that she is good, and this is also a favor. Worth it.

"Just come again tomorrow, you didn't look at it, because of this roasted chickadee, people who used to buy only one steamed bun can now buy three or four, and I can be regarded as being honored by you two brothers." Come on, come on, kid, take this steamed bun and take it back for your family to eat."

After being polite, Mingzhu wrapped steamed buns in oiled paper and put them in a basket. After bidding farewell to the aunt, the two of them carried an earthen stove and waited for Fang Tiezhu at the gate of the city.Although the way back was only three or four miles away, it was still a bit difficult to carry an earthen stove all the way back. Fortunately, Fang Tiezhu stayed in the city for a whole morning and came back to pick them up. I saw Fang Tiezhu driving an ox cart from afar, Mingzhu When he was about to wave his hand, Wang Mingchuan pulled him behind him.

"What's the matter?"

Mingzhu turned to look at Wang Mingchuan, and then saw someone standing next to him at some point.

"After Mingzhu married a man*wife, why didn't she know her name when she saw her as a brother?"

Hearing this, Mingzhu took some time to look at the person in front of her. She thought that this person should be Xue Mingyu, the son of Master Xue. His appearance was good, but his greasy hair and powdered face looked a bit lacking in masculinity. Maybe it was because he hadn't seen the light all year round. This person's complexion is extremely fair, even with a layer of powder... Mingzhu frowned, well, this person is not as white as with a layer of powder, but has powder on his face at all.

Why did the elders learn the habits of Mr. Zhao!

"I haven't seen my brother for a long time, how are you doing recently?"

"It's just for the preparation of Qiu Wei, tsk tsk tsk, the township test is not as easy as the courtyard test, but now it's killing me—by the way, I remember that Mingchuanhe should prepare for the courtyard test this year, why are you still wandering around the city? , although the college test is simple, you have to be careful about it."

The whole village is not unaware of what happened to the Wang family. Xue Mingyu said this clearly to embarrass Wang Mingchuan. Mingzhu looked at the man's face and felt extremely disgusted. Mingchuan had already been included in his family, so naturally he didn't like others to abuse him at will. , and was about to push back with Xue Mingyu, Wang Mingchuan, who had never been good at speaking, grabbed Mingzhu and answered first:

"What my elder brother taught me is that I will go back with Mingzhu. Although the rural examination is difficult, my elder brother's talent will not make mistakes. Mingchuan is waiting for you to believe me."

After a few words, Fang Tiezhu approached with the cart, Wang Mingchuan directly pulled Mingzhu into the car without reminding Fang Tiezhu that there was an acquaintance standing there, and he sat upside down after the wheels of the bullock cart rolled again, which is very polite He waved goodbye to Xue Mingyu eagerly. He was polite and decent, but he couldn't stop him even if he wanted to. Xue Mingyu stomped his feet in anger, and in the end he still watched the two leave helplessly.

"Bah, with your virtue, you still want to take the college examination, but it's just that you have a good appearance, and your body is as hard as a rock, so who cares?"

**

"You have a grudge against that Xue Mingyu?"

After a busy day, Mingzhu didn't have time to ask Wang Mingchuan until after a break in the evening. During the day, this man's attitude was a bit strange after meeting Xue Mingyu. Mingzhu always wanted to ask why, but she never found the opportunity.

"It's not a big grudge, you just remember to stay away from him when you see him in the future."

Mingzhu's heart was scratched even more by talking like this, she couldn't help recalling Xue Mingyu's virtue today, his face was painted thicker than the wall, it was clearly a...

"He used to belittle you?"

Mingzhu just asked tentatively. After all, Wang Mingchuan was good-looking and a scholar, and his fellow villager could be regarded as outstanding, so if anyone is good, the first choice should be Wang Mingchuan.

Wang Mingchuan was quiet.

Mingzhu was completely embarrassed, well, it turned out that he was really fooled, when he thought of Xue Mingyu's pale face leaning towards Wang Mingchuan, he felt awkward all over, and couldn't fall asleep after tossing and turning all night. It was not until Wang Mingchuan groped and crawled over to hold him down that he was safe.

"Don't think too much, that person used to be unruly when he was in the village, and anyone who knew about it avoided him. I have nothing to do with him."

"Really nothing?"

After getting this answer, Mingzhu was obviously relieved, and then she continued to ask a question, which was obviously the tone of the lady's questioning of the husband, which made Wang Mingchuan stunned for a moment, and when he realized it, his face was so gentle that it could melt water , only stretched out his arms to circle the person from the quilt into his own quilt, and hugged him without letting go:

"Of course not. You and I are husband and wife. I will never lie to you."

The author has something to say: this article is double clean, both the front and the back are clean, dear friends who think too much can try to get those evil thoughts out of their minds, but you have to believe in my integrity.