The sun was setting in the west, the last remaining warmth had dissipated, and warm orange light shone on the river, making the river look like a golden-orange jade belt.
Xu Ling, his younger brothers, sisters, and Gu Daliang worked together to cut half an acre of rice, and then transported the rice to the village threshing field for spreading and drying.
The wheat threshing field is where the villagers of Lianhuawanzi dry their grain. It is very large and the ground is very flat. During the busy farming season, the sound of the stone rollers squeaking here never stops.
"A rocky mountain is so beautiful. People come around it every day. They are obviously growing rice, but they are harvesting white flour."
This riddle that came from nowhere is about Shi Nianzi and has been passed down from generation to generation in Lianhuawanzi.
The children wore pigtails that skyrocketed and ran and played in the wheat field. After a while, they were scolded by many adults.
Each family has its own space in the wheat field, and usually whoever cuts the crops quickly gets to dry the grain first.
Those who had cattle and carts at home had the upper hand.
Gu Daliang was originally worried that there would be no place to dry his rice after it was taken back. If there was a delay and it rained, this year would be in vain.
Now with Xu Ling's help, he can get the grain back from the fields in time. He is a little tired, but he is happy.
Pushing a cart while walking in the wheat field also attracts special attention.
Many people greeted Xu Ling and Gu Daliang, and they also greeted them back.
After unloading the rice into the open space, Xu Ling asked his younger brothers and sisters to spread the rice while he and Gu Daliang continued to pull the rice.
Coming down again and again, doing this is no easier than doing business outside.
Xu Ling didn't say a word about how tired he was.
When it was getting dark, Gu Tao came to them with Daya in his arms and asked them when they would go home so that they could cook.
Xu Ling had been hungry for a long time. "We can go back after we finish pooping in the fields."
Seeing that there was not much rice left in the field, Gu Tao went home and told his mother-in-law.
After drying the last load of rice, they finally finished their work. Xu Ling and Gu Daliang were discussing taking turns to stay and watch the scene, when suddenly Gu Daliang and his uncle came over.
Gu Litian lived at home, with an older brother and an older sister, and a younger brother named Gu Licai.
Gu Licai is Gu Yao's father.
He came over, smiled and chatted with Gu Daliang for a few words, and wanted to borrow a trolley.
"It's better to marry far away. Look at you, there are so many people helping you work. It's not like me, just a daughter, marrying a scholar who doesn't know how to work." Gu Licai clearly cared about Xu. Ling's face was praised a few times.
Gu Daliang chuckled and responded with a smile, but didn't take it seriously.
At that time, they separated, and it was his third uncle who was the one who caused trouble.
His uncle Gu Limin left early, and his third uncle was afraid that Gu Tao would drag down the family by marrying Xu Ling, a bastard, so he took the opportunity to ask for a separation of the family.
He kept Gu Daliang's grandparents by his side, and asked other brothers and sisters for a pension fund every year. As the youngest son who provided for his parents in old age, he also received the most land.
Usually when Gu Licai is in the village, he often brags to people that he is the father-in-law of a scholar.
Why do you now dislike scholars who don’t know how to work?
Gu Daliang was serious, but he was not stupid. Not to mention that Xu Ling had changed now. Even if Xu Ling was still the same gangster as before, no matter how much he scolded him, he still had to say a few nice words in front of others.
"Third uncle, Yaoyao's life is good. Doesn't the Zhao family have cows? Why don't I lend you one? It's not so tiring to work like this!"
Grandpa Zhao Zhen raises six cows and is recognized as a big cattle farmer in the village. His family has more than ten acres of fertile land, and the family is not divided into separate families. The whole family supports Zhao Zhen. It is impossible to say that other people have no objections.
However, Zhao Zhen has a good reputation and can read, which is why others put their best effort into it.
The Zhao family valued cattle more than their lives. They sent their other grandchildren to cut cattle grass or herd cattle every day. How could they lend their cattle to Gu Licai?
Gu Licai was mortified by the meaning of his words. Yes, no matter how well his daughter married, if she couldn't help him as a father, wouldn't it be in vain?
Xu Ling was eating melon and watching the show, which he found quite interesting.
Gu Licai couldn't help but praise Xu Ling again, "Xu Ling is promising now. If you make so much money and go home, your family's life will be better in the future."
Xu Ling smiled modestly: "I haven't earned much yet."
Xu Ping and Xu An were so hungry that they could eat people. They wished they could go home early to cook, but when they saw someone holding them back, they couldn't wait impatiently.
Xu An pulled the corner of his clothes and asked complainingly: "Brother, are you okay? I'm so hungry."
Gu Daliang hurriedly said: "Then you go back first. I'll look at the rice here. Just bring some to me after you finish."
Although everyone in the village is acquaintances, there are not many sneaky and dishonest people like Xu Ling, so everyone is wary.
Hearing this, Gu Licai quickly said: "What are you left with? You all go to eat. I will just watch it for you. Lend me your cart."
After going in circles for a long time, Gu Licai finally revealed his purpose.
Xu Ling agreed without thinking.
They returned home and it was already dark.
Xu Ping and Xu An were joking in the front, while Xu Ling and Gu Daliang were walking behind and chatting.
Xu Ling said that he wanted to build a new house for his family before winter.
Gu Daliang hesitated for a while and then asked: "Xu Ling, tell me everything. You didn't do anything bad outside, right?"
Xu Ling didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and repeatedly assured, "My money is all hard-earned money, and it is pure and clean. Don't worry."
"Can you make so much money just by selling the Qiuli ointment you mentioned?" Gu Daliang's mind was full of doubts.
Xu Ling told the villagers that a jar of one hundred pennies was a lot, but if you wanted to build a better new house, you would need at least double digits.
Not to mention that Xu Ling still owes foreign debts.
When Xu Ling saw that there was no one else around, he regarded Gu Daliang's family as his own family and did not want to hide it from them, so he told the truth.
"How much?" Gu Daliang suddenly raised his voice, with an expression he had never seen before, which startled the two children in front of him.
Xu Ling looked calm and said, "Brother, please keep your voice down."
"One can is 480, two cans is 900, three cans..."
Gu Daliang scratched his head and couldn't figure it out.
He has never read a book. He has been working at home since he was a child. When he grows up, he works in the fields like his father. It would be good if he can count his fingers and toes.
Xu Ling came to his rescue and said, "Ten cans can be sold for four and a half taels of silver."
Gu Daliang said in confusion: "What about a hundred cans?"
"Forty-five taels."
Gu Daliang's eyes widened and he swallowed.
He finally understood why Xu Ling was so generous.
"You make so much?"
This is enough for Xu Ling to pay back the money!
Xu Ling explained to him what working capital was and what fixed expenses were. Gu Daliang listened attentively.
Walking back to Xu's courtyard, Xu Ling's mouth felt dry and Gu Daliang's view of him completely changed.
He didn't understand anything, but he couldn't help but give a thumbs up and praised: "Xu Ling, your brain is really good!"
