I played as an assistant in ancient times

Chapter 116 Primary and Secondary

"It's cold, you go to the car to warm up for a while, I'll pack up and we'll go." What his uncle said was really right. Shen Xiaoye glanced at the four and a half pieces of cloth left on the pole. Fortunately, he sold a lot yesterday and just now.

She glanced at the roadside in front of the stall again. Grandpa was asking people to make way so that the mule cart could be pulled behind his car. The little black cat who was helping to watch the goods on his car shrank back behind the curtain with a guilty conscience and sent a message: "I told Shen Changsui, but by then your grandparents were already here."

Shen Xiaoye seriously suspected that the little guy retreated back to the car because he was cold, so he didn't see his grandmother at the first time.

Now was not the time to think about this, she moved the cloth to allow her grandmother to enter the carriage.

But grandma shook her head and said, "Entertain the guests first."

The women gathered in front of the stall started to speak at this time.

"Yes, little girl, I have been choosing for a long time, please help me cut it."

"I don't need to cut it, just take a piece of plain white cotton cloth, but you can lower it again."

"It's not easy for a little girl in such a cold weather. Just cut two meters of printed cloth for me."

"Hey, who are you? You come here to show off your wealth."

The woman next to her pulled her and gestured to look at the old lady that the stall owner was helping.

The woman saw that Lin's hair was gray and that even her big sheepskin coat could not cover up the inconvenience in moving half of her body.

So he frowned, took out three strings of money from the basket, picked up another sixty and stuffed them into Shen Xiaoye's hand: "Count, two hundred and forty coins, not a less."

"Thank you for your patronage." Shen Xiaoye nodded quickly to thank her, and the woman and her companion left with the cloth.

The other customers also stopped bargaining. They lived in the inner city and knew very well that the cloth in front of them was much cheaper than what was in the store.

Grandma Lin patted her hands and asked her to sell out first. It only took a while for the remaining items to be sold out. Some people came over and were disappointed when they saw that they were gone.

Someone even asked her if she would come again tomorrow. Shen Xiaoye just said that new goods would arrive in a few days and everyone was welcome to come again.

She decided to get a thousand horses first, and then smuggle some more into the space.

Grandfather Shen Shanyou came over to help collect the bamboo poles and asked, "Why didn't Geng come with us?"

"Dad, Mom, Xiaoye and I are here." Shen Changsui lifted the car curtain and handed a hand warmer to the direction where the voice came from. With his blindfolded eyes, he looked at where Lin was.

Lin, who was fixing her granddaughter's hat, stared at him for a few breaths, sniffed, reached out to take it, and suppressed the tears in her eyes: "It's very cold, put down the curtain quickly."

"Grandma, please sit down too. There's a small red clay stove inside." With so much charcoal, Shen Xiaoye would not let her uncle and herself down.

She touched her grandmother's cold hand as she sent her to the car, and couldn't help but worry that her grandfather didn't have a heater in the car, "Grandpa, did you make the car yourself?"

"We hired several people and spent half a day to make it. They didn't even apply tung oil on it. They just put the oilcloth on it and it came." When the grandfather saw his wife getting into the carriage, he quickly led the horse and harnessed it, then raised his chin and pointed at his wife behind the curtain.

Lin sat in the car, holding her youngest son's hand, and checked again and again to see if he had any injuries. Even when soldiers lifted the curtain to check when entering the city, she did not look away.

Shen Changsui thought that his mother would not take off his clothes to see, so he just held her hand and said, "Your Majesty has sent an imperial physician to see him, and he will be well soon.

The son was also rewarded and given silk, brocade and charcoal."

Lin nodded, not knowing how much he had listened, and said nothing along the way. He walked straight from Dongmen Street and passed two blocks, and arrived at Lingchunfang where Shuntianfu Street was located.

There are many alleys here, and Grandpa Shen Shanyou is not very familiar with the newly built inner city, so he followed Shen Xiaoye's carriage closely.

Soon we arrived at the residence. He was quite surprised. He got out of the car and said, "The house looks quite big and is close to the Imperial College. Is the rent expensive?"

"No matter what the price is, just pay it." Grandma lifted the car curtain and glanced at him.

Shen Xiaoye smiled and said, "We didn't ask for money. Fourth Master Lu let us stay here for free."

When the old couple looked at each other after hearing this, she had already opened the door and Grandpa Bai quickly removed the threshold.

But someone behind the two carriages said unhappily, "What's blocking the road ahead?"

"Excuse me, we'll be in right away.

"Sorry for delaying you for a while." Shen Xiaoye came over and saluted. In fact, the alley was not narrow, and two carriages could run side by side. But it just so happened that there were pedestrians passing by in the alley at this moment, including a peddler carrying goods.

Unexpectedly, the driver of the carriage was relentless: "You guys should move closer to the wall. How dare common people use the carriage? You are so arrogant."

"Excuse me, uncle, when did our Great Zhou prohibit the common people from using single-rider carriages?

Is there any article or clause in the criminal law that states this, or is there any instruction in the Taizu's edict? Please explain it to me." As far as Shen Xiaoye knows, at the beginning of the country, there was a shortage of horses, so even officials used donkey carts to travel.

But in recent years, the number of horses in the Great Zhou has gradually increased, and there will be no problem as long as the common people do not use two horses to pull the carriage.

The driver obviously didn't expect that he failed to scare people and was even pushed back by her. He saw disdain in the passers-by's eyes when they glanced at him. He was about to say something else, but the little girl who caused his mother to be beaten with a stick turned her head and walked away.

It turned out that after grandpa led her carriage into the house, Shen Cungeng ran out to lead the mule and shouted, "Cousin, go home. It's useless to talk to a jerk who doesn't know anything."

After the mule cart entered the door, Uncle Bai replaced the threshold, snorted at the driver, and slammed the door shut. He knew that there were not many good people among his neighbors to the west.

Among the passers-by who watched the whole process, there were also scholars. They laughed and left, leaving only a few people behind who passed by with snickers.

Shen Xiaoye didn't care about that. She was moving down all the food and clothes that the two elders had brought, saying, "Did grandma bring all the goodies from the winter solstice?"

There was a pile of peanuts, sweet potatoes, dates and persimmons, as well as half a bag of chestnuts and a frozen leg of lamb, smoked chicken and smoked rabbit.

"These were brought here by some young men from the village who went to the mountains.

They said that thanks to your grandpa renting a car to buy dry food and deliver medicine, the elders at home didn't have to go home hungry." Lin told her to be careful, "And your cousin Lin's uncle and his family sent us food, which we couldn't finish at home."

Shen Xiaoye asked again: "Is my aunt okay?"

"She's pregnant. I know you are all fine, and she's fine too." Lin would never say that after the able-bodied men came back, the eldest daughter-in-law heard that her eldest son had a knife fight with the Northern Barbarians and disappeared, and she almost had a miscarriage.

"By the way, you haven't told me about the cloth yet. It looks to me like it was dyed at home."

"It was dyed at home. I secretly brought some with me when I set out, intending to use it to smooth relations on the road." Shen Xiaoye immediately told her plan again, she said: "Business in Wengcheng is still easy to do.

My cousin and I will set up stalls in the east and west sides of the city, and it will be easier to sell than going to the market."

"No." Grandpa stopped discussing his son's injury with the Taoist priest in a low voice and directly objected.

Shen Xiaoye was puzzled: "Why? We have thousands of pieces of cloth at home, and we can't expect to have another Miao boss."

"I'm not against you transporting the cloth to sell, but I don't agree with Geng'er staying. How long has he missed his studies?" Grandpa clearly distinguished the main from the secondary: "So he will go back to the county to study tomorrow."

"I'm here..." Shen Cungeng's words were interrupted, and his grandfather said seriously: "You can't concentrate on studying here, and your mother at home is also worried about you and Xiaoye."

Seeing that his eldest grandson's hands were covered in dirt and half of the yard was covered in coal dust, he knew that he would not be able to concentrate on his studies if he continued to stay there.

Shen Changsui said, "Geng Ge'er can't keep up if you go back, so you can ask a teacher to give you private lessons. Remember to report to the teacher that you are safe before you go home.

Also, when Xiaoye comes next time, please bring me the book I am using."

"Oh." Shen Cungeng hadn't touched a book for two months, and felt guilty thinking: You have all made the decision, and I can only listen.

Fortunately, grandma suggested that they would have hotpot in the evening, which instantly warmed his heart.

But he was not as good as his fourth uncle at slicing mutton. The whole time he was staring at Taoist Hengxi showing off his skills with a kitchen knife.

In fact, the hot pot at this time is not complicated. The base ingredients are simple and you can eat it in its natural state without any embellishment.

While preparing the side dishes, grandma learned that Lu Guan would be back in the evening, and there would be three of them, the master and the servant. She couldn't help but say, "The room is a little tight, so, let's go later tomorrow. I'll go home with you after seeing the imperial physician for treatment.

Here, I'll hire a careful helper to take care of your meals."

"Lu Guan has already found a dentist to help the cook.

"Grandma, aren't you worried about Fourth Uncle?" Shen Xiaoye observed her carefully.

She sighed and smiled, "My strength doesn't allow it! I can't help him, and he has to take the trouble to tell Geng Ge'er to add charcoal for me and be careful when boiling medicine for me.

Well, things have all happened at the same time, and seeing him standing in front of her alive, grandma is satisfied. "

"Okay." Shen Xiaoye didn't dare to tell her at all that her uncle might go to the battlefield. After Lu Guan came back, she told him not to let it slip.

Lu Guan patted his chest to assure, and then said: "You know, I came to deliver the money, but I waited for two hours.

After entering, there was no sales pitch. I was taken to the sand table and given a summary of the various maps they had collected.

When I walked out of the palace gate, I saw double images before my eyes. "

Shen Xiaoye: "Does this count as handing it over to the public?"

"Well, in the end, the emperor said he wanted to give it a try, and also said that we cannot compete with the people for profit.

When I was anxious, I asked whether this person was a commoner or a scholar or a nobleman. " Lu Guan shook his head.

Shen Xiaoye couldn't help but give him a thumbs up and said, "You should come to the palace less often in the future."

They didn't know that after the emperor tried honeycomb coal and found it useful, he immediately summoned several meritorious officials who were engaged in coal mining, and within just one night, they produced countless iron and clay stoves for making coal balls.

More coal and soil were gathered together by the Imperial Stables and soon entered mass production. After the coal was produced, half of it was prepared to be transported to the border passes, and the other half was prepared to be delivered to various cities in Shuntian Prefecture.

In comparison, making coal briquettes is child's play for Shen Xiaoye and his team. After making several hundred kilograms of coal, the whole yard was filled with coal.

This time when the old imperial physician came, he actually asked to buy it.

But who would want his money? The old man felt embarrassed, so he went home and told his wife about it. His wife said, "Then buy the cloth from him. I think the material is pretty good.

It can also be used as a gift during the Chinese New Year.”

The old doctor's rank was not very high, but he was the most successful among all his relatives, and he always gave practical gifts during festivals.

While they were discussing how much they wanted, Shen Xiaoye had already set off to return to Linghe County, and grandma really had to go home after only staying for one night.

It is more than a hundred miles from the capital to Linghe, and it would take two days even if one walked at the fastest speed. When they arrived at the county town, the first thing they did was to visit Mr. Pan.

The teacher said: "There is still a month before the Chinese New Year, and the long year of schoolwork, ah, since Mr. Shen told me about his injury, I have listed some books for him.

Although he can't see it for the time being, if any of you have time, you can read to him so that he can have an impression of him first.

As for Cungeng, it would be better if you prepare to live in the academy, you have fallen behind too much."

"Thank you for your trouble, sir." Shen Xiaoye and her cousin bowed together. She sighed to herself: The rented courtyard is so lonely.

When they left, Grandpa Shen Shanyou insisted on leaving a few baskets of charcoal for Mr. Pan. He was a good teacher.

When Shen Xiaoye returned home, her uncle had taken over the work of her cousin Lin. She touched her aunt's bulging belly and asked, "Did you pay her?"

"I gave it to her, but she just didn't want it. She said if I give her more money, it means she doesn't consider me a relative." Aunt Huang is now relaxed and smiling again.

Shen Xiaoye nodded: "My cousin and aunt are real people.

So, I can give them cotton to make cotton clothes in a few days, is that ok?"

“It’s feasible. Go to the county town and buy it at a higher price. Then find someone in the village to exchange some.

I remember there were two cotton farmers who didn’t come back, so you can get a higher price for them.” Huang couldn’t help but feel lucky that her husband was alive, even though he had so many scars on his body.

Shen Xiaoye nodded again and said, "Aunt, can I borrow my uncle from you?"

"You kid, you've tricked me. Just lend it to me." Huang waved her hand generously.

For a moment, laughter was heard in this small bedroom.

Shen Xiaoye did not ask her uncle to go to Beijing, but the two of them rushed to Lu Guan's farm together and traded cotton with him who was waiting there.

Moreover, the cotton was seeded, which saved her a process.

Then she went straight to Qi Village and discussed with Old Lady Xin about asking her to gather some women to help weave cloth. She also promised to bring several colorful handkerchiefs to the Qi family.

Old Mrs. Xin was particularly willing, “It’s your business, I trust it.

Zhier and my eldest nephew both said that your family is full of love and righteousness. "

Shen Xiaoye laid out a lot of copper coins and small change, divided them into piles and said, "Thank you for everything. This is the wages, half of it in advance.

This one is yours, I would like you to be a steward and help keep an eye on it."

“No money, kid. Others want a deposit, but you pay first without doing any work.

And I don’t want it either. Why should I get paid for just moving my legs?” Mrs. Xin pushed back.

Shen Xiaoye held her hand down and said, "The old lady must take it. If you take my money, you must give it your all.

There is no such thing as working for nothing. If you don’t want me, I’ll find someone else.

Uncle Xin is not far away." Before coming, Shen Xiaoye went to visit Xin Laojiu. He was very lucky because his sons did not have to take turns in military service after the family division because they were underage.

The old lady had no choice but to accept it. Both parties went to the head of the village to formally sign the deed, and then cartloads of barren cotton were brought into her house.

After Shen Xiaoye arranged all these, he quickly returned home to transport the cloth to the capital. During this time, it was already the twelfth lunar month.

Her cloth was really popular. Two carts of it were divided into two city gates for sale. However, all the cloth was gone in just a few days.