Siheyuan: Starting from Building a Village

"Brother Zheng, what are we eating today?"

This has become a question that Erlang always asks at mealtime.

"Mutton and potatoes."

As Liu Guozheng spoke, he cut the mutton into as small pieces as possible.

Throw the bones into the pot and cook them to make a simple version of potato and mutton soup.

"Erlang, watch the pot. When it boils, skim off the foam and then add the potatoes."

The remaining mutton that is suitable for slicing can be sliced. If it cannot be sliced, just chop it up and put it into the pot to cook with the bones.

There are no red willow branches here, so naturally you can't enjoy red willow branch grilled skewers.

Other branches may be used instead.

Liu Guozheng had already made up his mind to order a self-service roast lamb. He had no choice but to eat it that way because there was only one pot with bone soup still simmering.

"Guo Zheng, is there anything I can help you with?"

Yang Youde also took a shower and changed his clothes.

"Old Yang, why don't you get some plates and chopsticks? Get seven or eight sets. That way, we can show off your cooking skills."

It’s not possible to eat without bowls and chopsticks, and it’s also a good opportunity to test Lao Yang’s cooking skills.

"Row."

Yang Youde naturally would not refuse. He had been doing carpentry for decades, so this little job was no big deal for him.

"Also, when it's done, call the four masters working over there and ask them to come over for dinner."

"it is good."

Yang Youde carried his tools and went straight to where the wood was stored.

"Brother Zheng, we are done washing."

"Okay, let's take a break first, and dinner will be served soon."

Liu Guozheng looked back and found that the third brother was really handsome, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a righteous face.

The two little girls also have good facial features, especially their big eyes, which are dark, bright and full of spirit.

"Old Third, where are you from?"

After the ingredients are prepared, we have nothing to do, so we just chat.

"From Lu. Lu Province."

"Is there anyone else at home?"

"No...no more. When I go back, there will be no one left."

"You were injured and transferred to another job. Didn't they arrange a job for you?"

Logically speaking, retired soldiers who have suffered injuries and shed blood for the country should not be reduced to fleeing famine. Even if they are not assigned a job, they should still receive disability allowances, retirement allowances, and the like.

"I didn't have a job, so I just gave some money and donated it all."

"Old Three, how old are you this year?"

"Twenty-twenty-two?"

The third brother thought about it carefully and seemed uncertain. It seemed that the head injury still had some impact on his memory.

"Can you tell me how you got hurt?"

"Help...Help him. He's been in the water for too long. He's lacking oxygen and his nerves are affected. That's what the doctor said anyway."

Erlang gave a thumbs up and praised: "Old Third, good job, you are really manly."

Liu Guozheng nodded and said nothing. There is always a group of people, a group of ordinary people. They don’t have gorgeous appearance or prominent identities, but they are willing to lend a helping hand when others need help, and strive to add their own style to the world.

"Third brother, you can live here peacefully from now on. I don't want to become rich, but having enough food should not be a problem."

"I..I know. I won't leave."

Of course the third brother is willing. If he can settle down and solve the most basic problem of food and clothing with his own hands, who would be willing to leave his hometown?

"Danni, Erni, what about you?"

"do not know."

The two little girls looked at each other and said in unison.

"Is there anyone else at home?"

"No, no more."

The sound was very small, and it felt a bit cautious.

After saying that, he leaned closer to the third brother.

"Ghost elf."

"You two should stay here and go back whenever you want."

I see. It's not that he doesn't know. Maybe he doesn't want to mention it again. More likely, he doesn't want to go back.

It's just raising two more little girls, I can still afford it.

"Thank you, Brother Zheng."

"Brother Zheng, we can also work."

When they heard that they would not be sent back, the two girls hurriedly expressed their opinions.

"Haha, what can two little girls do?"

Erleng said with a smile.

"Well, I can do the laundry."

“I can collect firewood and boil water”

The two girls expressed their dissatisfaction.

"Okay, you two little girls, pick up some firewood and boil some water when you have nothing to do."

"When there's a chance, I'll send you two to school."

Children who have experienced hardships mature very early. Liu Guozheng said this to reassure them and to show their value. This is the opportunity they have earned through their labor, so that they will not have wild thoughts.

"School? Can we go to school?"

That longing look in the eyes is heartbreaking.

In that era in rural areas, let alone girls, a large number of boys did not have the opportunity to go to school. The main reason was that they could not even solve the problem of food and clothing, so how could they get the money to go to school?

At that time, children aged five or six had already begun to learn to reduce the burden on the family by collecting firewood, cutting grass and doing other work within their ability.

So a large number of people are blind, cannot read, and cannot even write their own names.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you can."

The answer was firm and decisive. This is a promise and something that must be done in the future.

Don’t even think about the next three years. The teachers are so hungry that they have no mood to teach. The classes are only taught half a day. There’s no other way. People can’t hold on.

When Li Dabao comes, ask him to go back to the city to get some current teaching materials so that he can tutor the two little girls when he is free.

Although my previous life never went to school, I actually graduated from a university. Even though it was a second-rate school, I could still tutor elementary school students without any problem.

"Brother Zheng, what's the point of going to school? It's still just three meals a day."

Erlang obviously has his own opinions about going to school.

"You kid, after some time, you have to learn it too. It doesn't matter how many characters you know, but you must be able to write your own name."

From Erlang's words, Liu Guozheng could tell that this guy definitely didn't go to school.

"what?"

Erlang was depressed and blamed himself for talking too much. He didn't expect that just by saying one word, Brother Zheng would make arrangements for him.

Liu Guozheng said angrily: "What? Can't you learn to let the third brother beat you up?"

"Beat me. Let's talk about it after he can beat me."

Erleng didn't believe it.

"Haha, when you have time, you two can practice."

Liu Guozheng smiled, and Erleng felt uncomfortable.

Looking at the third brother, he is the kind of person who does things in a very methodical manner. Unless Erlang can beat the third brother.

It's unlikely. After all, the third brother has been to the battlefield and has experienced the test of life and death.

Erlang’s farming skills are still not good enough.