Xiaoyao Nongjiazi

After lunch, Mrs. Tong told Mr. Zhong that Mrs. Ming was interested in Chen Xiucai and wanted to marry the Chen family.Mr. Zhong frowned so much that he could kill mosquitoes, he didn't even smoke, he extinguished the sparks, and put them on the table casually.

"How could the eldest daughter-in-law know about Chen Xiucai and still be so fond of him? She even made inquires about the news. This is not a matter of a day or two. She must have started preparing for it long ago."

Tong was taken aback, but she didn't think there was anything wrong: "The news of the Chen family had spread to the village a long time ago, and I heard about it, but I didn't think about it. As for the elders' preference for Chen Xiucai, that's understandable. I have confirmed it personally, that person is indeed a good-looking talent, knowledgeable, not the Chen family bragging."

"No, the elders don't think so far. There must be other things hidden here, don't let girl Xin get in the way."

Hearing Mr. Zhong's words, Tong Shi was startled, if this is only Ming Shi's wish, then it's all right, it doesn't matter whether it succeeds or not.If it had anything to do with the eldest granddaughter, things would be troublesome.Except for the fact that that girl had suffered from Qingran's hands when she was a child, she had never seen her suffer.It was only at this time that Tong Shi realized that girl Xin was not simple.Thinking about it this way, if the Ming family is rejected, the eldest granddaughter is likely to make trouble.It's about the girl's family, so it's no small matter. If it damages the reputation of other girls, who will pay for it?

The more Tong thought about it, the more annoyed she became. Seeing his wife like this, Mr. Zhong felt uncomfortable, and comforted him, "Isn't there a shadow? Later, when you find out about the eldest daughter-in-law, she's just straight. I can see the clues. If this matter has nothing to do with Xin girl, wouldn't everything be easy to handle? Whether it is to agree or to refuse, there are many choices."

Tong Shi didn't want to take a lunch break with a stomach full of anger, so he knocked on the door and called Ming Shi to the upper room.

Ming's work was relatively successful this time, and Tong's didn't ask anything at first.Later, after a couple of small chats, a similar question popped up out of nowhere. After too many times, Ming finally revealed his secrets and covered his mouth with his hands, but nothing could be undone. One sentence was enough.

"I know your plan, so I'll do what you want. I'll talk to Matchmaker Qin later." Tong was so tired that she sent someone to leave and lay on the bed, but couldn't fall asleep, and finally fell asleep. , It's time to get up again.

When Zhong Qingran got up, he saw Tong's haggard appearance, grabbed his arm and felt his pulse, and then he felt relieved, he was a little angry, and he would be fine with a little attention.

"Grandma, you go back and rest, and I'll do the rest."

Seeing the posture of the third grandson, Mrs. Tong was happy: "Yo, Qingran, when will you feel the pulse, you look pretty decent, if it wasn't for my grandma knowing that you don't have medical skills, I should have been tricked by you. Grandma is really a little I'm not feeling well, I'll leave it to you, I'll go back to the room and lie down, and come back later."

Tong didn't push her back, she was really angry this time, her eldest granddaughter is so old, don't even think about grounding her feet, a good peasant girl, her little friend came to look for her, and she wouldn't let her out every time, isn't that right? Make people suspicious?

If she couldn't control Zhong Xin's actions, she really wanted to do something, and the Zhong family really couldn't stop her.Forget it, let her be fulfilled, at most, the family will advance the money first, so Ming's don't want to rely on it.

Tong shi held a breath in her heart, thinking so angrily.

Who in the average farmhouse has ever seen a girl with 30 taels of silver in a pressed box?This should be replaced by several other houses. Tong's has not been so heartbroken yet. At worst, they should be separated out. The key is that it is the elders who pay for it.The old couple will always follow Da Fang, doesn't that mean taking money out of their pockets in disguise?

The Zhong family finally got up, and marrying a granddaughter would cost such a lot of money. Although the public can only spend six or seven taels at most, who doesn't know the tricks in it.Starting with this, will the family have to find ways to compare with the eldest granddaughter when holding weddings in the future, how much can be dug from her hands?

Tong felt that she was too kind as a mother-in-law and a grandmother. Although she was not soft-spoken when she scolded people, it was rare for her to actually hit someone, let alone not treating her granddaughter as a human being. Even her The third daughter-in-law, who was the most disliked, didn't bother her much, but just asked her to do more work.If it weren't for this, how could she be so angry that she would have no place to vent her anger, because she was thinking that it was Zhong's family anyway, and there was no reason to guard against thieves for a thousand days.

Tong Shi thought about it, and when she thought that the silver that had just fallen into her pocket would fly away with its wings, she felt uncomfortable, and then she relaxed her brows and fell asleep when she thought of her third grandson who was good everywhere.

Zhong Qingran has practiced it during this period of time. Not to mention the red crawfish in several ways, the taste is not bad, comparable to Tong's. Let's say that the amount of each pot is at least two or three catties, and at most four or five catties , so that the strength of his right arm has greatly increased, and his endurance has also improved, which is completely different from when his leg injury happened just right.

Zhong Qingran is quite satisfied with the status quo, if he doesn't think deeply about it.

When Tong woke up again, there was only half of the sun left in the sky.Ming's has been waiting impatiently for a long time. Fortunately, Zhong Qingran had told his family not to disturb Tong's before going out, otherwise she would have gone up and knocked on the door.

Seeing Ming Shi walking around in front of the upper door, Tong Shi naturally didn't give him a good face.It's just marrying a granddaughter, and they want to take away most of the Zhong family's property. Although most of the money is from the boss's private account, it is also a part of the Zhong family. Thinking of this, Tong's heart ached.

Knowing Ming's thoughts, Tong didn't delay, taking Ming's to Qin's matchmaker to take care of the matter while there was still a little time before dinner.

The family was busy with Zhong Xin's marriage, and Zhong Xin himself was not idle.Just like Tong's ability to trick Ming's, Zhong Xin didn't give up too much, and his routine skills were even more proficient, beating around the bush, and after a few words, Ming's was completely covered.It's not that the Ming family is really that weak, it's just that they don't have defenses against their beloved eldest daughter.

Seeing the hope of getting married, Zhong Xin gave up her original idea of ​​contributing the pattern that the third brother insisted on.She is also a person who wants face, if it is not for her own sake, how can she ask her brother for things?

Zhong Qingran didn't know that the family's money was about to decrease, and he was sitting on the bullock cart drowsy.Now that the Zhong family's shrimp pond has been dug, the frequency of use of the ox cart has been greatly reduced, and it has almost become Zhong Qingran's exclusive car, which makes the two brothers above envy.

Jian Mingyu glanced back, then looked away as if nothing had happened, and lightly flicked his whip to drive the bullock cart.

When approaching the entrance of the village, Zhong Qingran finally woke up, and said to the front: "Mingyu, my house will be busy in a few days, and I don't have time to come out to sell red crayfish. Can you spare time?"

Jian Mingyu pondered for a long while before saying, "Yes."

"Then I will sell it to you alone. I will probably be in charge of the family business."

"Are you so worried about me?"

"There is no doubt about the person, and the employer is not suspicious. I have worked with you for so long, and I haven't found any problems with your character. Besides, if you weigh yourself before going out, even if you want to, you can't spend a few copper coins."

Jian Mingyu didn't say anything, just raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and his eyes became clearer.

When they got home, they saw that Tong Shi was in high spirits, directing Ming Shi to do this and that, even Zhong Xin couldn't escape.Zhong Qingran narrowed his eyes, is there something to say here?If it weren't for his grandma's temperament, he would be kind to the big house and wouldn't torment them for no reason, not to mention that among them, they were both happy and procrastinated∑ Shu Shu Zhong Qingran was able to move around freely for more than a month, and he had never seen such a scene. , is it because Tong's bad face in the afternoon has something to do with his mother and eldest sister?

With things on his mind, Zhong Qingran ate dinner very quickly, and returned to his room to draw a picture before calming down.

When there was only a little light left in the yard, Zhong Qingran went into the upper room next door in the dark as usual.As for Mr. Zhong and his wife, Zhong Qingran could ask whatever he wanted, so there was no need to be scruples.

This time, Mrs. Tong took a long time to pick up the key points and say it again.Zhong Qingran was a little helpless, he was trying to find ways to make money so that he could send all the younger brothers in the family to the school, and here came a hindrance.But he really can't get involved in this matter, can he persuade grandma not to agree?Isn't this the rhythm of enmity with his elder sister?

The Great Zhou Dynasty had a great bondage on women. Although modern women have not been able to achieve equality in the true sense, they are not comparable to them.Zhong Xin wanted to climb up with all his heart, so it's fine if Zhong Qingran didn't support him, at least he couldn't get in the way.

Back in the room, Zhong Qingran was lying on the mat, thinking about something.

Others may not know how much background the family has, but Zhong Qingran is an exception. As long as he asks, Mr. and Mrs. Zhong never hide it from him.After more than a month of business, except for the first few days, on average, the rest of the time can earn half a tael a day. In addition, he contributed about 150 wen a day for the past month, and the two brothers together can also earn One hundred texts, the family's monthly income is at least 20 taels.

It seems to be a lot, but Zhong’s family has a weak foundation. It cost 20 taels to buy the land, 40 yuan to pay the tax for the red deed, and 15 taels to repay the debt. , If the family saves silver to death, it will be around [-] taels.Next year, my uncle will go to Fucheng to take the college exam, and he needs to set aside a certain amount of money, after which the eldest sister's [-] taels of expenses will be taken away. The Zhong family will return to the pre-liberation, and it is impossible to afford another student.

Thinking of the picture of being forced to leave by Zhong Xin, Zhong Qingran's face turned a little bit bad.His eldest sister clearly confirmed a sentence, a dog that doesn't bark bites a person is a pain.Usually calm, giving people a gentle and warm feeling, whenever there is a movement, he will step on the bottom line of the person, making people hurt but hard to refuse.

Zhong Qingran has never dared to underestimate his elder sister since last time, as can be seen from the two recent incidents.With such a thorough study of the human heart, as long as her mind is as clear as ever, even if she enters the Chen family, she can still fight for a world, as long as there is no external interference.

If it were someone else's family, neither he nor Mrs. Zhong and his wife would agree. It would be nice not to assign her to someone else at will, and if they want to take away more than three-quarters of the Zhong family's wealth, that's even worse. nothing.

For those who love their daughters a little, adding a little more on the basis of the dowry is enough to make many girls envious.To be able to reach the level of the Zhong family, one really needs to be blessed to have it.

Zhong Zhengren only found out about this at night. He knew that Ming's had two big babies, but he never thought that the pain would be like this. Not to mention those far away, no matter how capable Chen Xiucai is, his daughter must be able to control it.Another point is that now the eldest daughter can ignore her parents and let them raise money everywhere in order to form this marriage. If she really becomes an official wife in the future, will she still have them in her eyes?Zhong Zhengren expressed deep doubts.

"You mother-in-law, do you feel that life at home is getting better and you want to loosen your muscles? Why don't you make a decision on such a big matter without telling me, or I will send you back to your mother's house tomorrow?"

Perhaps it was the influence of Mr. Zhong and his wife. From the eldest to the fifth eldest in the Zhong family, it was not that they were pushed into a hurry, and generally seldom hit people.But compared to being sent back to her natal family, Ming would rather be beaten.She is so old, if she is really sent back to her natal family to be remade, this face will be lost, how will she face her children in the future?

Seeing that the Ming family was going to be abusive, Zhong Zhengren had expected it: "If you dare to shout loudly, I will personally send you home tomorrow morning. I want to see. The farming will be busy in a few days. Can your sisters-in-law How long can I bear with you?"

Speaking of this, Zhong Zhengren sighed again and again, wiped his face casually, and said with rare earnestness: "Even if according to what you said, Gongzhong can give up to seven taels, you take five taels, and Xiner can make it up, make it 15." Two, isn’t the remaining half all foreign debts? When people hear that we spend 30 taels to marry our daughter, what do you plan to do when you marry a daughter-in-law?”

Ming really didn't think so much, she opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything in the end.

Ever since he knew that the family was going to spend a lot of money, Zhong Qingran has been hiding in the room and drawing pictures.This time, he learned the lesson from last time, so he went directly to Mr. and Mrs. Zhong.

Both old eyes are a little farsighted, so they hold the drawing paper and look at it from a distance.

"Qing Ran, this looks like a trick, when did you learn it?" Tong Shi sighed and asked casually.

"Grandma, last time I went to Jinxiufang with you, I saw embroidery patterns, but this time I tried it casually, and the drawing was not very good." This is not because Zhong Qingran is modest, what he said is the truth.

Although he had drawn some paper-cut patterns in modern times, he still searched for materials as he wished. Sometimes when the inspiration came, he just drew a stroke, but he never deliberately delved into it.The paper-cut pattern can be used as a flower, and because of this, Zhong Qingran felt a little pity. If he had known that he would wear it until the Great Zhou Dynasty, he would have prepared a lot.

The painting in Tong's hand was his own idea. It is difficult to transform the accustomed illustration techniques. Naturally, the drawing is not as good as before, but it is enough to fool people. At least Tong seems satisfied.

Tong’s side is women’s style, while Mr. Zhong’s side is men’s style. Animals are in three types, namely flower patterns, rattan weaving pictures and children’s toys made of cloth, and the rest only have pattern patterns.

The family background of Zhong's family was at the forefront of the general village, and the daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law in the family can more or less do embroidery.Mr. Zhong can conclude from the drawings given by his third grandson that the two kinds of physical drawings are for his family to make. As for the appearance, let's ignore it for now.

Mr. Zhong guessed, "Qingran, do you want to set up a workshop?"

"Well, Grandpa, last time we sold our recipes at a huge loss. Hongtai Restaurant made a lot of money, and our family only got a mere 50 taels of silver. Of course, my family really can't eat that stuff, and they deserve it when others eat the big bucks."

"Grandpa, these are small gadgets, which are easier to imitate. Let's take our time, hire a few masters first, and expand later. Do you think it's feasible?" Zhong Qingran is full of confidence. He has a huge amount of paintings in his head. I don’t know how many medicinal sketches were forcibly instilled, not to mention that he was born in the Academy of Fine Arts and then worked as an illustrator. Even if the product produced that day was imitated the next day, his memory alone was enough to support him. Years, not to mention that he is not a craftsman and has the ability to create by himself, even if he eats this bowl of rice, he will be buried.

This is what Zhong Qingran has only recently figured out. Selling patterns only earns once, but starting a workshop is different.It is better to be cheap than to be cheap to others.

Mr. Zhong tapped his finger on the table, he was not good at this, he just thought the pattern in the painting looked pleasing, so he turned his head and asked Mrs Tong: "Old lady, what do you think of these paintings?"

"Very good, old man, look, isn't the little thing in this painting very funny?" Tong just happened to find a picture of a kitten tripping over a ball of thread and rolling into a ball. Did not laugh out loud on the spot.

Zhong Qingran provided color pictures this time, and picked up soft brushwork that he hadn't touched since graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts.In terms of painting skills, it is not as good as the few charcoal drawings given to Zhong Xin last time, and it is not inferior in other aspects.

Color pictures are always more fascinating than plain manuscripts, and it is normal for Tong to be amused.

Mr. Zhong took it over and took a look. His old face could no longer be stretched, and his expression softened a lot. Although he doesn't like such things, it's funny to take a look at it when he has nothing to do.He doesn't hate any old man, let alone girls and wives. If this business can be done, it will indeed be profitable.

This is where the problem lies. Apart from selling red crayfish, the Zhong family usually went to the villages and towns to sell their own products, and it was the first time for the Zhong family to open a workshop.

It costs money to buy materials and hire people. The Zhong family can’t afford to hire highly skilled craftsmen, so the market competitiveness is not enough. Except for some that are not so easy to imitate, most of them can only be sold as new ideas. The person who eats the first dish can't get enough to eat, so the first batch of goods must be as large as possible, so the risk is not small.

It's okay to say rattan and the like, or hire someone to cut it on the mountain, but the fabric will not be made, it is all bought with white money, and no one can guarantee that the business will be successful.The Zhong family has no sales outlets and no shops, so they suddenly produce a large amount of goods. Once they can't sell the counterfeit products of other merchants before they go on the market, and the goods are backlogged in their hands, how many times can the Zhong family withstand it?

Mr. Zhong was worried about gain and loss, and suddenly let an old farmer who had been dealing with the land all his life change his career to set up a workshop, which was no less than a small earthquake.You know, Mr. Zhong had never thought about this idea before.

"Xing Ran, can you still draw paintings like this in the future?"

"Yes. Grandpa, don't worry about this, I have a lot of sketches in my mind now."

"You also know that the money in the family is not too little in the farm, and it is a bit stretched to use it for business." Mr. Zhong tapped his fingertips on the table lightly, his eyes were far away, "I see that you want to run the workshop well. Well, it’s impossible to set up a stall, that’s too low-grade. It’s best to rent a shop in Pingyang County. I’m not sure about this. If you think about it, the rent will cost a few taels a month, and at least half a year. I’m afraid the family’s money won’t be enough. Start with this number."

Zhong Qingran knew the situation of Zhong's family, he didn't want to do it overnight when he came here this time, but he just wanted to let Mr. Zhong know what to do, and start to make preparations slowly from now on.Anyway, it's going to be busy farming soon, and there's no time to deal with this matter, so the head of the family can make up his mind.

"Grandpa, there is no rush for this matter, we have to wait until after the busy farming season."

"Qing Ran, can't my family do it?" Tong seems to have heard the sound of Qian Changjiao running away, with a look of reluctance.

"Grandma, I have to ask you this question. Can parents and the others sell at a high price? If not, you have to hire someone to support you." Zhong Qingran didn't care. Now that the family doesn't have enough money, the family can help That would be best.

"Your father and the others make utensils, such as baskets and baskets, which are usually sold in the market and are not very valuable. The ones in your paintings are obviously different, more like decorations and playthings. If they can make them, say Maybe the price can be higher." Tong's interest is obviously in cloth toys and flower patterns, and he took out the stack of paintings in his hand, his eyes lit up, "Our family still has some wealth, it is not conspicuous in Hewan Village, we have to put it in In an ordinary village, it is also a high-class family. Except for your mother's poor craftsmanship, your four aunts are all skillful. The girls in the family are not very old, and your eldest sister is the most skilled. Eleven, I have learned needlework for more than four years, and I can meet people."

Tong Shi talked about these things in a logical manner, as if her eyes were shining: "Qing Ran, don't look at grandma's age, this embroidery skill is no worse than that of a few daughters-in-law, but in recent years, her eyes have been a little difficult, so you can't stare at them for a long time, otherwise grandma will I want to participate. Of course, no matter what, it’s still incomparable to a professional embroiderer. Qing Ran, why not just make some cheap materials at home and invite a skilled embroiderer to sit in charge. It is necessary to spread too much at once."

Zhong Qingran nodded in agreement. He had never done business himself, so it would be more secure to brainstorm.It must be okay to make a small profit in this business, but who knows what will happen if it becomes bigger?If you don't do it well, you will be out of touch, and you may be tricked by profiteers.Still step by step, the foundation is solid, and skyscrapers can be built.

Back in the room, Zhong Qingran felt relaxed.He is a boy and a half who wants to achieve something, without the support of his elders, it is very difficult to make it work. With the approval of Mr. Zhong, this matter is not afraid of being messed up.

On this side, Zhong Qingran focused all his attention on how to make money, while on the other side, Matchmaker Qin handled things very neatly. After only two days, the Chen family agreed to take a look first.

That day, for the first time ever, Tong took Mingshi and Zhong Qingyang, Zhong Xin, the twin siblings, out of the house and returned in the middle of the afternoon.Immediately afterwards, a matchmaker came to propose marriage.Since the autumn harvest was coming up, there was not much time left for the two parties to discuss, and the two sides quickly reached an agreement to hold various ceremonies including engagements after the autumn harvest, and to get married at the end of the year.