The moon was like a hook, the night was serene, the lonely light lit the lamp oil, the brush did not rest; the ink was gently crushed, the wrist was slowly retracted. Two figures were left on the wall, accompanying each other in their hearts.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan ate dinner and slept for four hours. They woke up in the middle of the night to study and practice calligraphy. Both of them knew that happiness was not given to them by others. They had to pursue it themselves. While they were young, they were more sensible than other children. They had to learn more in order to be useful in the future. This was especially so for Zhang Xiaobao. He still had to take the imperial examinations. With an official position, it would be more convenient for him to do things.
Their plan was to sleep for five and a half hours a day. After dinner, they would sleep for four hours. They would wake up and study for four hours. After dinner, they would sleep until two and then sleep until six. After dinner, they would train by playing games. After taking a shower, they would sleep for an hour. After lunch, they would sleep for two hours if there were no important matters. That was how the day was going to be. They would make special arrangements if they encountered special situations.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan had been specially trained to sleep. There were two types. One was to enter a deep sleep quickly, which would speed up the recovery of the body. The other was to be half asleep. If there was no movement and no threat, it meant that they were asleep. If not, they would immediately wake up and react subconsciously.
The two of them were still learning the Analects of Confucius. In fact, they had already memorized it. However, when Zhang Xiaobao's father taught them, they were able to comprehend it by analogy. Any sentence he took out would contain a certain story. Even so, they were not High Scholars. Other than the fact that Zhang Xiaobao did not understand the rules of the examinations, it also showed how difficult the imperial examinations were.
Pomegranate slept early and lay down in the outer room. She had many things to do during the day and did not have such treatment. However, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan had given it to her. There were also two people patrolling at night in the outer room, so she did not have to worry about not being able to react in time.
"Zhou Xihu's uncle will be here soon. County Magistrate Cheng actually came up with such a despicable move. If the yamen had not come to inform us at night, I would have thought that County Magistrate Cheng would treat those people well so that they would not be able to focus on others."
After writing for more than an hour, Wang Juan stopped. She rubbed her wrists and flicked the oil lamp. With two crackling sounds, the light was brighter.
"Yes, those people are just low-ranking officials and have no real power. You don't have to worry about County Magistrate Cheng offending them. What's more, as long as County Magistrate Cheng doesn't let them know who arranged it, they can only hate the villagers over there. When they go back, it's impossible for them to take revenge. The villagers' lives are worthless, but their future is more important.
One lamp was too dim. If he added more and changed it to a candle, he would earn so much money but not spend it. If he burned his eyes, where would he go to treat it? Someone, take three candles and light them all. "
Zhang Xiaobao analyzed the situation for a while and felt his eyes ache. He called for the night watch outside to bring in the candles. When the two maidservants who were chatting and eating snacks heard the commotion inside, they didn't dare to be negligent and brought in the candles. They didn't bring three candles, but a bundle so that it would be easier to change them later.
When the candles were lit, the brightness of the room immediately changed. Zhang Xiaobao was satisfied. "It's okay. By the way, is my father also studying at night? Send some candles to my father too. If he doesn't want them, take my oil lamp. Even if you earn money, your family will suffer. Why should you earn more? "
The two maidservants didn't say anything. They took the oil lamp and went out. One of them continued to stand guard while the other went out. Looking at the night sky outside, she shivered. Fortunately, there was a torch in the courtyard that swayed with the wind, so it wasn't so dark. She gave herself courage and walked to another courtyard.
Just as she walked to a dark corner, she noticed that there seemed to be a shadow moving there. She was so scared that she almost dropped the lamp in her hand. Seeing that the shadow moved and stopped moving, she finally let out a sigh of relief. Remembering that this was the person who had been arranged by the manor, she finally felt relieved.
She had just been here for a month, and her family of five had fled here. During the spring plowing, not a drop of water had fallen. They had all signed death contracts. Today was her first night watch. She had only heard about it, but was not familiar with it. Naturally, she was afraid at night. Now that she felt the arrangement of Zhuangzi, a happy smile appeared on her pale face. She felt that this was the feeling of home. Helping each other and working hard, she didn't have to worry about anything else.
She didn't know that Zhuangzi had put in a lot of effort when choosing people. Out of so many families, only two families were chosen. They even had to report to the government.
"It seems that this drought is inevitable. I'm relieved. It's so gloomy during the day, but there's not a single drop of rain. When will our food, chickens, and ducks be sent there? It's a long journey, and it will take a long time. "
Wang Juan dipped the brush in the ink and was ready to write. She asked Zhang Xiaobao.
"In two months, when the locusts are showing signs, we will set off. When we arrive, they will be in a hurry to destroy the locusts. Cherries can also bring the newly hatched chickens with us. We can eat the locusts, sell the eggs, and exchange them for other things."
"Are we bringing the chickens back?" Wang Juan asked again.
Zhang Xiaobao nodded affirmatively and said, "Of course we're bringing them back. We can lay eggs and we hope to increase the income of the farmers. We don't need to feed them extra food on the way back. The locusts can fly. I think we can have some here in the name of destroying the locusts for the people. The righteous will be on our side."
Wang Juan, who was about to write, put down the brush when she heard this. She stared at Zhang Xiaobao and said, "Are you stupid? What righteous? When there was a plague of locusts, the people were kneeling down. It was that Yao guy who took the responsibility and started to destroy the locusts. "
"You're right. History says that he destroyed the locusts in time. In fact, it's just that he didn't let the locusts spread widely. Those two places suffered a lot. Li Longji wanted to destroy the locusts, but he didn't want to take the responsibility of offending the heavens. The officials and the people didn't want to destroy the locusts.
If that's the case, we can't use the righteous name on the way back. We have to think of a way … That's right, we can eat the locusts on the way back. We can use the eggs to exchange for other things other than food. We can say that these chickens are specially used to deliver eggs to the people during the disaster. We can ask Yao guy to send down a memorial. With so many chickens and ducks, it's a grand display of grace. "
Zhang Xiaobao finally found an entry point. He picked up the brush and continued writing. Wang Juan smiled and said, "You're such a liar. What grand display of grace? The locusts are even grander. Shouldn't they be destroyed? You can't control the strength of your writing. Why don't you tie a sandbag? "
"No, I don't want to leave any sequelae with my small arms and legs. Tomorrow, Zhou Xihu's uncle might be here. I'll learn."
Zhang Xiaobao yawned and picked up the towel in the basin beside him. He wiped his face and felt more energetic. He continued writing.
*****
"Is this something for humans to eat? There's not even a bowl of soup. Bah! " In the small village in the mountains, County Magistrate Cheng and the group could finally eat. The villagers served rice, one rice ball after another.
To be precise, it was steamed rice with coarse bran and some wild vegetables. When one took a bite, one would feel a bitter taste in the mouth. When one wanted to swallow it directly, one would find that one's throat was almost torn. As long as one bit hard, one's mouth would be full of dregs. Cold water would be poured down. Starting from the neck, the line was burning hot.
In addition to this, which could be considered as a part of the meal, there was also a side dish, dandelion, and a wild vegetable called bitter butterfly seed, which was bitter and pungent when mixed with large grains of black salt.
After eating a few mouthfuls, one person couldn't stand it anymore. He spat out two pieces of coarse bran and complained loudly.
"Don't spit it out. Eat it. It's better than starving. Didn't you hear the villagers say that this is the best thing they usually eat? If you spit it out, you'll starve yourself. Don't expect to eat our food. Tomorrow morning, you'll have to wake up and work for the village. When that time comes, you'll be hungry and weak. Let's see if they'll give you anything to eat at noon. "
When the other official heard this person complaining, he felt that the food in front of him was even more disgusting. He had no choice but to interrupt that person. He picked up a piece of side dish and stuffed it into his mouth. He chewed twice and then took a bite of the rice ball. He used all his strength to mix the two things together. He drank a mouthful of water and let out a long sigh.
"Everyone eat. It's okay. My stomach feels much better. I'll work for two days and wait for County Magistrate Cheng to send someone to bring the money and other food. Then I'll be able to get through it. The two assistant ministers are eating happily. Do we not know the hardships of the people?"
When everyone heard this, they turned their heads to look. Indeed, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Rites were eating the same thing. Even the Minister of War was eating. It was said that his nephew wasn't an ordinary playboy. Since he wasn't picky, then he should eat too.
Everyone gritted their teeth and started eating. The two assistant ministers were eating happily. The rice balls were also filled with fermented rice, chaff, and wild vegetables. The side dish in front of them was also the same. If one didn't look carefully, they wouldn't be able to tell the difference. However, if they opened it up and looked carefully, they would know what was different.
The rice balls they were eating had shredded meat in the middle. The wild vegetables were soaked in oil and finely ground. The fermented rice was steamed before it was kneaded in. The side dish was salted differently. It looked black. It was fried meat sauce.
"Yes, it's not easy for the people to eat this kind of thing normally. We have to be diligent and thrifty. It's good to eat coarse grains occasionally. What do the two ministers think?"
Zhou Qiong used his tongue to pull out two pieces of meat and chewed them in his mouth.
"That's right." The assistant minister of the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Rites spoke at the same time. They now knew that it wasn't easy for the people. They forced themselves to eat the food with added ingredients. As for the food without added ingredients, it was clear just by looking at the others. How could the people afford to eat meat and use oil?
The other officials couldn't even speak. They could only nod and agree. After eating, they would go to bed early. They would start working tomorrow. They would help the villagers carry water and water the fields. The reward would be the food for these two days.
"My lords, perhaps you feel that the food is bad. It'll be better tomorrow. Tomorrow, I'll ask them to prepare some soup and two more dishes." Qin Village had been standing at the side waiting on them. At this time, he opened his mouth and said with an apologetic expression.
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