stingy landlady

Chapter 27 Buying Cow Dung

In the morning, Zhou Mingzhi arrived early as usual, knowing that the old man was an early riser. The old man was getting on in years and needed less sleep; if he had something to do, he would get up even earlier.

Sure enough, as expected, it was the old man who opened the door for him.

"Xiao Zhou! You're up pretty early!"

"Good morning, sir!"

After two days of getting to know him, Zhou Mingzhi realized that the old man disliked empty formalities. But who doesn't like nice words?

"Dazhu and the others will have to wait a while. Shall I show you around?"

"That's wonderful! Grandpa will show me around the village and our land! I couldn't be happier!" The two of them went for a walk.

After getting up, Dazhu whispered to Li Shi, "Mother of the child! Dazhu and our father are going to buy cow dung to take to the fields later. Get the money ready! I don't know the price, but I'll estimate it at 100 cash per cartload. Let's buy 17 cartloads first, which is 1.7 taels."

We're still short six taels and four mace of silver for wheat seeds! Bring them to me later!

After thinking for a moment, he said, "They're going early, but there's not much food for them over there. Why don't you bake some pancakes for them to eat before they go? Last night we were drinking and talking about buying cow dung, and we forgot to mention buying wheat seeds. Let's see if Dad remembers to give us the money. If he forgets, please remind me. The grain shop owner is waiting, and we need to pay first."

Li also whispered, "We've been spending money like water lately! Buying people, seeds, chicks, and we'll be catching piglets in a couple of days! We can't save any money at all! I was planning to buy fabric for everyone to change their clothes! It's really like money is flowing out of our pockets!"

As Dazhu walked out, he said, "That's why Dad's always worried that we'll mess up the business! He even said yesterday that he'd help arrange the work in the fields! He told us to work hard and not let it interfere with our business!"

Dazhu opened the door, and Zhou Niangzi and her two children were already there. Zhou Niangzi was carrying a basket filled with bean sprouts and garlic shoots, covered with a cloth.

"Master, Madam! I picked up some bean sprouts and garlic shoots on my way here, so that Miss San won't have to make another trip."

Dazhu nodded and walked out.

Madam Li asked Madam Zhou, "Yang Liu! So early! Have you made all the arrangements on your end? Has your father taken his medicine?"

"Thank you for your concern, Madam. My father is feeling much better this morning! He was taking his medicine when I arrived. The porridge is also ready and I've put it on the kang (heated brick bed). He can eat it by himself in a little while," Madam Zhou replied.

"No need to thank me! We're family, no need for formalities. This morning, I'll make some cornmeal and wheat flour to make a few pancakes! Later, your husband and my father will go buy cow dung so they can eat it before they leave. Otherwise, they'll starve after a day. Just eating dry food won't do, so I'll also make some vegetable soup for them." Li said as she thought.

As she spoke, Madam Zhou had already lit the two stove pits: "Xing'er, Qiong'er, you two go and get some firewood and watch the fire! I need to knead the dough first; it needs to rest for a while!"

“Okay! We only have this much work to do every day, it’s about the same amount, you’ll get used to it!” said Mrs. Li.

After Guizhi got up, she saw Zhou Xing and Zhou Qiong and said, "How are the chicks? I dreamt last night that feeding chicks with garlic water is good. In a little while, I'll get some garlic, chop it up, and put it in the water to feed the chickens."

“It was quite cold last night, and I was worried the chicks would get cold, so my grandpa told me to put a brazier under the chicken coop. The fire wouldn't catch fire, and the chicks would stay warm,” Zhou Xing said.

"This morning when I fed the chicks rice, they ate so happily! I also changed the water for them," Zhou Qiong's soft voice came from inside.

Guizhi laughed and said, "You two are both awesome! Once we raise the chickens, the hens will lay eggs and we'll have eggs to eat! And we'll kill the roosters and eat meat! Hahaha!"

Zhou Xing and Zhou Qiong were also happy, thinking about the future life of having eggs and meat to eat, which was something to look forward to.

Madam Zhou and Madam Li worked quickly. By the time the old man and Zhou Mingzhi returned from their walk, the pancakes were already cooked. They also made bean sprout soup, adding some scallion leaves—the yellow and green colors looked beautiful!

It is a feast for the eyes, nose, and taste buds!

Guizhi went to call the old man over for breakfast.

The elderly couple were discussing the use of money.

"We've never grown wheat before, and now we have to buy wheat seeds and cow dung, which will cost about six or seven taels of silver. We don't even know if the harvest will be good or not. It might even delay the planting of corn and soybeans," the old woman rambled on.

“I’ve heard before that wheat can be grown two seasons. If you’ve never grown it before, you don’t know the ropes, right? We toil in the fields all day, never going anywhere, we don’t know anything. Why are we sending our fifth son to school? It’s because we hope our children and grandchildren will be better off than us!” The old man knew the old woman was reluctant to spend money. He, too, was trying to save wherever he could!

As soon as Guizhi entered the door, she called out, "Grandpa! Time for breakfast! My mom made these pancakes especially for you, they smell so good!"

The old lady was fiddling with her piggy bank in the inner room when she heard the sound. She quickly covered it with a piece of clothing and said, "It's Sanya! You go back first. I need to talk to your grandfather about something. He'll go eat later! You go back now!"

The old man also said, "Sanya, go back first! Let your Uncle Zhou eat first, and I'll go get some pancakes to eat on the way!"

Guizhi didn't go inside. Instead, she turned around and walked out, saying, "Grandpa, I'll go back and help my mother with the chores!"

The old lady listened to the sound of Guizhi opening and closing the door, then gestured for the old man to check if Guizhi had been eavesdropping. Upon learning that Guizhi had returned home, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“After the eldest son separated from the family, his life got better and better! He does business every day and makes money every day. Old man, what do you think? How about we ask him to help us pay for some wheat seeds and cow dung first? We can pay him back when the wheat is harvested.” The old lady added, “The fifth son is going to take the imperial examination, which will definitely cost a lot of money!”

The old man sighed, "Old woman, I'm no good! Dazhu and his wife are good people! Even though they were separated from the family, have they been unfilial to us? Have they been unkind or unjust to their younger brothers? They bring food to the fifth brother every day, which saves a lot of money on living expenses, doesn't it?"

The old woman was speechless. Who isn't selfish? Even between mother and child, both are flesh and blood, but even the five fingers aren't all the same length!

The old man said earnestly, "Old woman, it was my decision to buy wheat seeds and cow dung. If you want to complain, blame me! Let's pay this money first, so that when the fifth son goes to take the imperial examination, Dazhu won't stand idly by! Don't let a few taels of silver cause discord in the eldest son's family. It's better to lose more than you gain, and it will be too late to make amends later."

The old woman remained silent. They were all her own flesh and blood; the eldest son had done nothing wrong! Though reluctant, she counted out five taels and two mace of silver and handed it to the old man. She added, "Old man, go to Dazhu's place and eat something to fill your stomach, then go buy some cow dung. Close the door behind you when you leave; I'm tired, I'll lie down for a while."

The old man, clutching the silver, felt no joy, only a heavy burden weighing on his heart! He was getting old, and besides farming, he no longer had the ability to earn money. Everything depended on his sons. Now, an opportunity presented itself: if he could plant one more crop, he could have multiple sources of income, and taxes were only paid once a year. The potential gains were unimaginable.

The laughter and chatter inside Dazhu's house abruptly ceased with the arrival of the old man. Everyone greeted him warmly. The house was bustling with activity, everyone talking and laughing – a truly delightful scene.

The old man couldn't help but think, "It's so good to be young!"

The old man handed the cloth bag containing the silver to Li Shi: "Give this to Dazhu when he comes back. Tell him it's money for buying wheat seeds. Take it!"

Looking at the copper coin in the old man's hand, Li said, "Dad! Dazhu asked me this morning to remind you about buying wheat seeds! He said he wanted to take some out to help the family!"

The old man stretched his hand forward again, thought for a moment, and then placed it on the kang (a heated brick bed). "You and Dazhu are both good children! You didn't earn much money after the family split up, but you always thought of us old folks! We didn't raise you for nothing!"

The old man sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), and Daya had already brought over a bowl of soup. Erya placed the flatbread on a plate and brought it out, saying, "Grandpa, drink the soup and eat the flatbread!"

The old man nodded, took a piece of bread, and continued, "Dazhu's wife, you talk to Dazhu. The family has already separated; as the eldest brother, he can't always be selfless. Can he help his younger brothers forever? You took the money from the farming this time, so shouldn't you share half with them after the wheat harvest? If you share, won't your younger brothers and their wives have objections? If you don't share, won't you feel resentful?"

Li stammered, "Father, I didn't."

The old man said, "Put the copper coins away safely! Now that the family has separated, family is family, and money is money! When Fifth Brother takes the imperial examination, you can't refuse to help him if you can!"

Li nodded hurriedly in agreement.

Guizhi smiled and said, "Grandpa, come and eat! There's been a lot going on these past few days. My mom said she's going to make a new set of clothes for my fifth uncle once she's done with this busy period!"

"Your mother is so thoughtful! This pancake is quite good, very soft and delicious!" The old man ate the pancake and drank the soup.

Just then, the fourth brother walked in. "Sister-in-law, do you have any more pancakes? These pancakes look pretty good!"

Li put away the money bag on the kang (heated brick bed) and replied, "Fourth brother is here. There are cakes; I specially brought out extra. Sanya, get some cakes for your fourth uncle. Take them all out! Lay out all the soup too! Don't leave the pot full. Let Zhou Niangzi cook the rice!"

"Why is the fourth brother here so early? Is there something you need to see your eldest brother?" the old man asked, puzzled.

"Hehe, Dad, I'm not looking for my eldest brother, I'll go with you! After buying cow dung, someone needs to load it into the cart, right? I'll go do the work!" The fourth brother said, taking a piece of flatbread to eat.

"Dad! Sister-in-law! Fourth Brother beat me to it again! I'll go work with you too. Sister-in-law, I won't be polite with this pancake!" Erzhu reached out and took a pancake to eat.

When there are too many people, there aren't enough pancakes to go around.

Li said, "Dad, you didn't eat enough in the morning, so come back for lunch! I'll cook more so you can all come back and eat! Tell Sanya to tell Mom that we don't need to cook for you."

Several grown men ate their flatbread and drank their soup quickly. After finishing, they wiped their mouths and went together to Erdaogou to buy cow dung.

Inside, the women continued busily washing, chopping, stir-frying, mincing, and making dumplings. Zhou Qiong and Guizhi also joined in making dumplings, while Zhou Xing tended the fire and carried firewood. Occasionally, he would run errands, fetching things here and there.

When Dazhu returned from herding the cattle, he hitched up the oxcart, and several people began to load food boxes onto the cart.

Li handed the copper coins to Dazhu and said, "This is from Father. He said he would help Fifth Brother with the money he needs for the imperial examinations. Oh! By the way, I asked Father and the others to come back for lunch! Second Brother and Fourth Brother also went, saying that loading the cow dung onto the cart would require some work! When you come back this afternoon, remember to buy more meat, or even a chicken, and some wine. After a day's work, you should eat something good tonight."

Dazhu and his men rushed to the town and headed straight for the grain shop. Seeing a horse-drawn carriage parked at the door, Dazhu got off and went inside.

The shopkeeper was talking to a middle-aged man wearing a brown short jacket when he looked up and saw Dazhu, so he hurried over to greet him.

"Dazhu, you've finally arrived! Manager Zhao is about to leave, and I'm currently discussing with him about having him wait a moment for you. So, is your father going to buy wheat seeds?"

Dazhu had already taken out the money bag given to him by the old man and handed it to the shopkeeper, saying, "Buy, shopkeeper! This is the money my father used to buy 260 catties of wheat seeds for thirteen acres of land."

This is the remaining balance I owe after paying the deposit yesterday!

As he spoke, he handed over his own money to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper took the copper coins, counted them, and quickly went into the accounting office to write a receipt and stamp it!

"Dazhu, here you go. Come back in three days with the receipt to collect the wheat seeds." The shopkeeper handed the receipt to Dazhu and told him the collection time. Only then did he let Dazhu leave, as he still had to discuss matters with Manager Zhao.

After the soybean sprouts were sold out, a few people sat at the entrance of the college, waiting for the students to finish their classes.

When the fifth brother, Wang Yiyun, came over for lunch, Guizhi sidled up to him.

"Fifth Uncle, what kind of imperial examination are you taking?" Guizhi asked in a low voice.