Under the big locust tree.
The ten captains appointed by Li Zheng stood beside him.
Team members were selected one by one based on their age and seniority. Most of them picked their uncles, uncles, cousins, etc., who were directly related to them. To be honest, there were only so many people in the village. If you go around, basically everyone is related by blood. , it’s just a matter of distance of bloodline.
Finally it was Zhao Sanniu's turn, and he remembered Cheng Wanwan's instructions.
He was only fourteen years old, the people he picked were all under twenty years old, and none of them had the surname Zhao.
Zhao Dawang was almost furious. He was fifteen years old, one year older than Sanniu. He thought that Sanniu would definitely choose him as a team member, but he read his name one by one but did not call him.
"Ahem!"
Zhao Dawang tried his best to hint.
Mrs. Zhao grabbed his ear and said, "What are you doing, kid? San Niu chooses whomever he likes. Why are you worrying so much?"
Mrs. Sun twitched her lips: "It's true that San Niu has so many people in our old Zhao family, his second uncle, third uncle, and Dawang Erwang, can't they all patrol? Why did he choose so many people with foreign surnames?" ?”
"Why are you so capable of stirring up trouble!" Mrs. Zhao glared at her angrily, "Breakfast hasn't been made at home yet, so hurry back and make a fire to steam some steamed buns."
Sun gritted his teeth.
Isn't she right? Why does her mother-in-law always favor the big house? When she gives birth to a son, let's see if her mother-in-law is still partial.
She left angrily.
After Zhao Sanniu selected ten people, he got stuck. He was the last one to choose the team members, and the room for choice was already very narrow.
When he heard Zhao Dawang cough violently, he had no choice but to say: "The eleventh one, Zhao Dawang."
Brother Dawang is not an elder, so it shouldn't be considered a violation of his mother's words.
He continued to look among the crowd, but looking around, he saw that they were all elders of the Zhao family. Those people would tease him every time they saw him. He wanted these people to be his team members and listen to his orders. Just think about it. impossible.
But we really can't choose anyone. We can't let the eleven-year-old Zhao Erwang patrol.
At this moment, Zhang Dagang walked out of the crowd and said, "Sanniu, you choose me, I can still fight."
Zhang Dagang was over twelve years old, which was considered very young. He took the initiative to stand up, but Zhao Sanniu was ready to refuse without even thinking.
Then, he thought of what Zhang Dagang said two days ago. He said that he saw Widow Zhang and Zhao Fugui walking into the wild forest with his own eyes... thus clearing his mother's suspicion.
Zhao Sanniu nodded: "Okay, the twelfth one, Zhang Dagang."
At this point, all team members have been selected.
Li Zheng was afraid that some people would be unconvinced and say harsh words, so he warned: "The patrol team will continue to expand. Members who perform well will be promoted to captains, and others will have the opportunity to join the patrol team. Okay, let's break up the meeting!"
People in the village dispersed.
Zhao Sanniu raised his chin and looked at Cheng Wanwan: "Mom, I have become the captain, hehehe."
Zhao Sidan said with envy: "Third brother, you are so awesome."
Cheng Wanwan pressed his shoulder: "Li Zheng believes in you and is willing to promote you. You have to work hard and not embarrass your father, understand?"
Zhao Sanniu straightened his back immediately: "I can!"
Cheng Wanwan then looked at Zhao Ergou and said in a gentle voice: "I seem to have lost a little weight. It's okay. Mom will prepare delicious food for you."
Zhao Ergou was very uncomfortable wearing new clothes.
His original patched and tattered clothes were scratched by branches and rocks during many trips up the mountain in search of water. The county magistrate waved his hand, and each of them had a new set of clothes. These clothes were not made of coarse cloth and felt very soft. Soft.
He said: "Let my sister-in-law change these clothes and give them to my mother."
Cheng Wanwan glared at him: "Nonsense, my mother is missing this outfit. Just wear it properly. This is a reward from the county magistrate. Tell me, what happened in the past five days?"
Zhao Ergou began to talk about what he had seen in the past five days.
It was nothing more than how to find water sources and how to determine the route of ditches. Some villages did not cooperate and were suppressed by the county magistrate.
"On the fourth day, Feng Shui masters were sent from Fengshui Town and Hekou Town." Zhao Ergou said, "They want to learn how to find water sources. I didn't hide anything. This is my fault. Please punish me. "
Cheng Wanwan looked at him seriously: "Then tell me, why didn't you hide anything?"
Zhao Ergou lowered his head: "We have traveled to Ping'an Town for more than 30 villages for four or five days. Hekou Town is even bigger, with nearly 50 villages. If they are all handed over to us, we will indeed be able to start from the counties of Hekou Town." I will make a lot of money on my hands, but at the same time, it will take longer. It seems that the rice can be harvested in half a month. If it continues, I am afraid that the rice fields in other towns will not be harvested..."
"Then why do you think mother will punish you?" Cheng Wanwan's voice was very gentle, "You have done a good thing. Doing good deeds can accumulate virtue, and you will be rewarded in the future."
Zhao Ergou's eyes sparkled: "Mom, do you really not blame me?"
Cheng Wanwan couldn't help but rub his head.
"Of course I don't blame you. You made five hundred coins this time, which is really great. Let's go home."
When I walked to the door of my house, I heard Aunt Wang next door cursing at the door. Aunt Wang grabbed Wang Yongcheng's ear and said, "You prodigal, is this how you spend your money? Pork has become more than 40 cents a pound. Buy some." Why don't you come back with corn and black noodles? Why do you want to buy meat! It's just a small piece like this, forty cents, damn prodigal man, why did I marry you, a piece of shit!"
Wang Yongcheng said hurriedly: "Didn't you say that the children haven't eaten meat for a year? I happened to see a meat seller, so I bought some. I didn't lose anything. I asked the butcher to give me a small pig bone to make soup later. Give it to the children to drink.”
Everyone who went out together this time made five hundred coins. Everyone bought meat to take home. How could he not buy it and feed it to his mother-in-law and children? There was nothing he couldn't bear to part with.
Loach licked his lips: "Mom, I want to eat meat."
Xiaomai swallowed her saliva and said, "Mom, I don't eat meat, so I just take a sip of soup."
Aunt Wang shook her head: "Okay, okay, everyone, come in, but you can't eat all this piece of meat in one meal. No one has such a wasteful way of eating. Each person has a piece of meat and stir-fry wild vegetables, and the rest is pickled and eaten later." Eat slowly.”
"Mom, I also bought some meat." Zhao Ergou walked into the yard and took out two loads of meat from his wide sleeves. "It's two kilograms in total and cost ninety cents. There are still four hundred and ten cents left here. money."
He gave all the money to Cheng Wanwan.
Cheng Wanwan put away the copper plate, took out a knife, and cut off half a finger of pork: "Er Gou, give it to your grandpa and grandma. You have made a lot of money this time, so you should respect the old man." .”
Zhao Ergou nodded and took two taels of meat to the Zhao family's old house.
At this time, the old house is preparing the main meal for the morning, and the whole family is busy working in the yard.
"Oh, Ergou, this outfit is so beautiful." Mrs. Wen couldn't help but praise, "I feel the material. It's fine linen and satin material. One foot of cloth costs almost ten cents. The magistrate is really generous. .”
Zhao Ergou was a little embarrassed. He must change out of this dress, wash it, put it away, and keep it for later when he gets married.
He picked up the pork in his hand and said, "Grandma, my mother asked me to take this to honor you."
