Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Zhao Beichuan couldn't stay idle after waking up and started cleaning the livestock shed.

After a long time without seeing him, Dahua hadn’t forgotten him. It nuzzled against him, snorting affectionately.

"Alright, alright, you've covered me in hair." Zhao Beichuan laughed as he patted its head, checking the mule's mouth, which had fully healed, leaving only a faint white layer.

Although Lu Guangsheng had also tended to the livestock shed during this period, he was old and couldn't clean it as thoroughly as Zhao Beichuan.

Zhao Beichuan took a shovel and cleared every corner of the shed, then carefully laid down a layer of clean sand, significantly reducing the smell inside.

After tidying up the mule’s area, he cleaned the pigsty. The two pigs now weighed over fifty pounds each and would charge at anyone they saw. Zhao Beichuan had to hit them several times with a stick to drive them into a corner.

He scooped out two baskets of manure and dumped them into the compost pit next to the toilet, to be used for fertilizing fields in spring.

Finally, he cleaned the latrine, scooping out human waste, and the stench wafted all the way back.

Lu Yao, overwhelmed by the smell, clutched his waist and shouted, "Zhao Beichuan, what are you doing!"

Soon, Zhao Beichuan emerged from the garden, "I cleaned the toilet."

"You really can't stay idle! You’re supposed to rest for a couple of days, but here you are, working yourself to death. Even a moment of rest makes you itch all over."

Zhao Beichuan didn’t argue, just grinned, showing his white teeth.

"Go take a bath before coming in! You stink!"

"Alright." Zhao Beichuan fetched two buckets of water and went to the side room to wash. With Lu Miao visiting and Xiaonian growing up, it wasn’t appropriate to bathe bare-chested in the courtyard anymore.

Lu Yao found some clean clothes and a towel and went to the side room to help wash his back.

The night he returned was too dark for him to see clearly. Now, looking at Zhao Beichuan’s shoulders, he saw two deep indentations!

Lu Yao touched them tenderly, "Does it hurt?"

"It doesn’t hurt anymore," Zhao Beichuan said, sitting on a stool.

"This damn dynasty, it’s truly disgusting..."

This was the first time Zhao Beichuan heard him swear. He looked up and saw Lu Yao’s red eyes, making his heart soften. "It’s over now. The next labor duty won’t be until next year."

Lu Yao wiped away his tears, "The money you brought back, combined with what we have, is almost enough to buy the title of gentry. We won’t have to serve labor duty after the New Year!"

"It’s too expensive, five hundred taels..."

"But that’s better than losing our lives! We can earn money back slowly, but once life is gone, there’s nothing left."

Zhao Beichuan pressed his face against Lu Yao’s hand, "Okay, I’ll listen to you."

After scrubbing his back, he still had a lot of dirt and oil to wash off. His hair was also itchy, so Lu Yao scooped some ash from the stove bottom to help scrub it several times.

After washing and dressing, they sat in the courtyard, using a comb to remove lice.

Originally, the lice in the Zhao family had been eradicated, but Zhao Beichuan brought them all back from his labor duty, and even Lu Yao felt itchy, indicating that lice and fleas had infested their bedding.

While combing Zhao Beichuan’s hair, Lu Yao asked, "I haven’t asked about your rest these past two days. Did you see any of the Wang brothers along the way?"

"You mean Lu Yun’s husband?"

"Yes, Father came to see you yesterday and then hurriedly went to Willow Village. I don’t know what’s happening with the Wangs."

"Don’t worry. I came back with You Tian and his two brothers. We arrived home almost simultaneously."

Lu Yao was relieved, "That’s good! I was worried Lu Yun might get anxious and affect his health."

*

At noon, Xiaodou returned from school, shouting, "Big Brother!"

"Hey!" Zhao Beichuan was munching on a sugar pancake with his cheeks puffed out. "Come in quickly; your sister-in-law made sugar pancakes."

Xiaodou ran in, hugged Zhao Beichuan for a while, and then washed his hands to eat.

Lu Yao picked out a few neat-looking sugar pancakes and placed them in a food box, along with a large bowl of braised tofu and pork soup from another pot.

"Don’t forget to deliver this to the Lin family later. Walk slowly so you don’t spill the soup."

Although the sugar pancakes were simple, Lu Yao’s method differed from ancient techniques. He used oil dough, making the pancakes layered, soft, and delicious.

Zhao Beichuan was puzzled, "What’s this for?"

"Your little brother has made a significant connection. He’s attached himself to a leg thicker than a barrel."

Xiaodou explained, "This meal is for Lin Zijian’s grandfather. Every day after school, I spend the afternoon at his place, where he teaches Zijian and me."

"What’s his background?"

"He’s the Vice Chancellor of the Shang Jing Imperial Academy."

Zhao Beichuan looked confused, not understanding the position.

Lu Yao explained, "The Imperial Academy is where officials and nobles in Shang Jing study. He’s an administrative official there."

With this explanation, Zhao Beichuan understood and patted his little brother’s shoulder, "With such a great opportunity, you must seize it and not slack off or play around."

Xiaodou nodded, "I understand."

After eating, Xiaodou hurriedly carried the food box to the Lin family. Because he had the soup today, he walked slowly and arrived at the Lin residence nearly at noon.

The servant opened the door upon seeing him. Zhao Beichuan was now a distinguished guest at the Lin residence, and everyone liked him for his politeness.

He went straight to the backyard, where Lin Zijian and Grandpa Lin had been waiting for him for quite some time.

"Beichuan, you finally came!" Lin Zijian jogged over, eager to take the food box from him.

"Slow down, slow down, there's soup inside; don't spill it."

The two of them placed the food box on the small stone table and opened it, the aroma of tofu and pork ribs wafting into their noses.

Lin Jingxian hurriedly instructed the servants to fetch bowls, chopsticks, and spoons. "You haven't come these past few days; has something happened at home?"

"My eldest brother has returned from his labor service!"

Grandpa Lin stroked his beard and smiled. "Labor service is hard work; it's good news that he's back safely."

Xiaodou sighed. "Sigh..."

Lin Zijian, munching on a flaky sugar cake, asked, "Your eldest brother is back, so why are you sighing?"

"My eldest brother suffered a lot this time. Thinking about him having to go back next year for labor service makes my heart ache."

Lin Jingxian thought for a moment and said, "If you don't want your eldest brother to serve labor duty, there is a way."

"What way?"

"Take the county examination next February and become a Scholar." Scholars in our dynasty have the privilege of being exempt from labor duty. Xiaodou is only seven years old next year, but this exemption can be given to his eldest brother first. Once he becomes a higher scholar, he won't need to serve labor duty anymore.

Xiaodou's eyes lit up. "Can I do it?"

"Why not?"

The county examination isn't difficult. As long as one reads the Four Books and Five Classics thoroughly and understands a bit of poetry and rhythm, one can pass. Higher examinations require deeper knowledge.

Passing the examination at seven might sound exaggerated to the common folk, but in the noble circles of Shang Jing, which capable young noble doesn't start schooling at five and take the examination at seven? It's just that nobles have their own ways and don't rely on the imperial examinations.

Beichuan is naturally gifted in studies and perseveres diligently. With proper guidance, he really has a chance to become a Scholar.

Polishing a piece of jade into a beautiful gem is an exhilarating task, and Grandpa Lin was excited.

"If you want to take the examination, come here after school starting tomorrow. Grandpa will no longer teach you playfully."

Both children nodded simultaneously. Lin Zijian, inspired by his classmate, looked determined.

"Very well, let's start with the Four Books today..."

*

Before dawn, when the rooster crowed three times, the Zhao couple had already gotten up to start making soy milk.

Zhao Beichuan could only rest for three days before he couldn't stay idle any longer. Last night, while they were performing marital duties, Zhao Beichuan urged Lu Yao to open the shop quickly, saying every day of delay meant less money earned.

Lu Yao spat at him, "Are you obsessed with money? I wanted you to rest more, but you can't even stay still for a moment."

Zhao Beichuan held his waist tightly, making him speechless. "Look at how well I've recovered."

It took Lu Yao a while to find his voice. "Ah, you bully me. These past few days, you've almost broken me."

In response, he received even more vigorous movements.

After finishing, they took a quick shower and soaked the beans. The next morning, they got up early to grind soy milk and make tofu. The shop opened its doors.

The elderly man who collected night soil was the first to arrive. Seeing Zhao Beichuan, he exclaimed, "Oh, the male owner is back!"

"Back," Zhao Beichuan replied, wearing a coarse apron and bending over to fry oil sticks, handing one to him.

"Thank you, thank you." The old man quickly took it and went inside, ordering a bowl of soy milk to eat with it.

Soon, several regular customers arrived, all greeting Zhao Beichuan warmly. "You're back from labor service?"

"Yes, back."

"I heard this year's labor service was different, many people died in town."

Zhao Beichuan wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Indeed, not only in town, but also in the villages."

The old man became interested and brought a stool outside to sit and chat while eating. "Did you really go to the border?"

"We did, transporting over two thousand stones of grain from Ping Prefecture to the border of Ying Prefecture."

"My goodness, such a long journey with grain must have exhausted many people!"

Seeing the oil sticks were done, Zhao Beichuan pulled the firewood away from the pot. "The lives of commoners aren't worth much. When officials tell us to go east, we dare not go west."

The old man finished his oil stick and nodded. "That's true. I saw many coffin shops and funeral supplies in the city recently. Yesterday, there was even a fight outside a funeral supply store. Two families were fighting over a piece of mourning cloth."

Life is hard, and death is even harder.

After he left, more customers arrived, all asking about the labor service. Zhao Beichuan responded to each inquiry, gradually dissipating the lingering anxiety he felt about the labor service.

They closed the shop at the end of the morning hour and drove the mule cart back home.

Lu Yao wasn't too tired and took out fabric to make another set of clothes for Zhao Beichuan. This labor service had worn out both sets of his coarse clothes, and he needed a new set for work.

Zhao Beichuan, as usual, went to clean the animal shed and feed Dahua. Xiaonian had already fed the other animals; the child was becoming more efficient at his tasks.

*

At noon, Xiaodou finished school and ran off after eating a couple of bites.

"Where are you going?" Zhao Beichuan called out.

"To Lin Zijian's house."

"You run over there every day; aren't you afraid they'll get annoyed?"

"Oh, you don't need to worry about it; I have something to do." Xiaodou tried to run away but was hauled back by Zhao Beichuan by the collar.

"Tell me what it is. You're not going anywhere until you explain." The Lin family was of higher status than they could easily approach. Being too eager would only invite disdain.

Xiaodou cried out in frustration, "Big Brother, let me go! I really have something important. Sister-in-law—"

"Calling her Sister-in-law won't help. You can't keep running over there!"

Lu Yao came out of the house. "Zhao Beichuan, what are you doing?"

"He's being disobedient; I need to teach him a lesson."

"I'm not being disobedient. I'm going to the Lin family to listen to Grandpa Lin tell stories."

Lu Yao stepped forward and pushed Zhao Beichuan's hand away. "Even if you enjoy listening, you can't go there all the time. Isn't Grandpa Lin sick? Wouldn't he find it annoying if you kept bothering him?"

Xiaodou shook his head quickly. "No, Grandpa Lin told me to come every day at noon. If I don't, he'll make me copy books as punishment."

Lu Yao and Zhao Beichuan exchanged puzzled looks, unsure of what the old man's intentions were.

"I don't have time to explain; I'll be late!" Xiaodou ran off, and Zhao Beichuan couldn't catch him, cursing under his breath.

Lu Yao kicked him. "Are you stupid? You share the same mother. If you call him a little bastard, what does that make you?" But this matter was indeed strange, and he needed to visit the Lin family.

Lu Yao packed some braised goods from the pot and prepared a dish of steamed baby bok choy, then headed to the Lin family with the food.

When Lady Lin heard he had arrived, she warmly greeted him. "Master Lu, it's been a while."

"Lady Lin," Lu Yao nodded in acknowledgment.

"The sun is strong outside; come inside."

Lu Yao followed her to a small parlor next to the main courtyard, where servants had already prepared tea and snacks.

"I've come today... to ask about something."

"Feel free to speak."

"My younger brother Beidou has been coming to your house every day to study with Old Master Lin. I'm worried it might disturb his peace..."

Lady Lin smiled. "Oh, you came for that? Don't worry. Since eating your meals, his health has improved greatly. He must see potential in Beidou and wants to nurture his talent."

"Wouldn't it interfere with his rest?"

"Not at all; he loves teaching people to read." She owed the Zhao family a debt of gratitude. If not for Zhao Beidou, Lin Zijian wouldn't have developed an interest in reading, now competing with him daily, afraid of falling behind.

"Don't worry. We wouldn't allow anything that affects his health."

Lu Yao nodded, feeling relieved.

As he was leaving, Lady Lin gave him a box of jasmine tea. Lu Yao waved his hands in refusal. "This is too valuable."

Last year, when delivering tofu to the station, he had asked merchants about the price of tea. Even the cheapest tea cost 100 coins per liang, and the Lin family's tea was surely expensive. This box alone must be worth several liang of silver.

"Don't be modest. We always eat your meals for free. If you don't accept it, I'd feel guilty eating them."

Lu Yao reluctantly accepted it. With Xiaodou receiving such excellent tutoring, even if he didn't become a jinshi, becoming a scholar shouldn't be a problem!

*

Time flew by, and it was August; the village's crops were nearly ripe.

In recent days, Lu's father had been running between the two villages, fearing someone might steal the harvest.

To his surprise, two young men were also standing guard at the Zhao family's fields whenever they could.

At first, he thought they were scoping out the area and glared at them suspiciously each time they met.

Perhaps sensing the seriousness of the elder's expression, Gao Qinghe explained, "Uncle, we're not bad guys. We're here specifically to help Da Chuan watch the fields."

Lu Guangsheng was taken aback. "Why are you helping him?"

"If not for him, we would have died during our labor service. Da Chuan helped us a lot, and I remember his kindness."

Lu Guangsheng hadn't expected this and found himself looking at the young man more favorably. "Neighbors should help each other. If we can't rely on each other, who will help us?"

Gao Qinghe blushed, remembering his past actions. "You're right!"

During the autumn harvest, Zhao Beichuan helped for a few days. After the harvest, Lu's father insisted he take half the grain. Zhao Beichuan refused, but Lu's father sternly said he wouldn't help plant next year if he didn't take it.

Reluctantly, Zhao Beichuan took a few bags of millet for their household.

By the fifteenth of August, Zhao Beichuan came early to pay the taxes, fearing his father-in-law would pay again, leaving him with little grain after a year of hard work.

Sure enough, the next day, Lu Guangsheng and Lu Lin arrived with a cart full of grain to pay the land tax for the Zhao family, only to learn from the Village Headman that Da Chuan had already paid.

The two returned to Lujia Village.

Upon entering, they saw several people in the yard. Recognizing the Wang brothers, Lu Guangsheng hurriedly got off the cart. "Is Lu Yun in labor?"

Wang Youtian's face turned red with urgency. "She went into labor last night and hasn't given birth yet. Please hurry and check on her!"

Lu Guangsheng's legs trembled, almost making him sit down.

Lu's mother rushed out of the house with money. "Don't delay; let's go!"