tiger at home

But Liu Chen persuaded the county magistrate to transport water from Menghu Village, stopped the job, and picked a lot of people and horses to transport water, and pocketed a lot of money from it. Tiger Village received 40 copper coins per person, and what he reported was 50 copper coins per person, the county magistrate received 3 copper coins per small bucket of water.

Although there are many people in the town who make money, there are also a lot of places where they spend money. Especially this summer, they charge 3 copper coins for each bucket of water. It is midsummer, and food, drink, and washing are indispensable every day It takes one or two buckets of water, and some people need to add a few more buckets to do business. In this way, many people are discouraged by the high water bill.

Many people packed their bags and went back to their relatives in the village. Some had neither relatives nor money to pay the water bill. They could not save money on food and drink, so they had to save money on washing. It can be said that the stench in the town is so bad that every household can’t bear it. To fetch water for washing, to sweep the streets, and to clean up the stalls, the weather is hot and perishable in summer, and now there is no place with clean air and good air.

Besides, in Tiger Village, after half a month of transporting water to the town, Hongcheng, 100 miles away from the town, also sent someone to contact, saying that they wanted to transport water there. The severe drought in the entire southern region is rare in a hundred years. There is water in their village. If they sell it to the surrounding villages, they have to sell it to the town. Now they have to supply the water source of Hongcheng. How can the Yongchun River in a small tiger village afford it?

Liu Bigui called Liu An and Liu Xi over to discuss on the spot, but they couldn't reach a conclusion, so they went to the town to find Liu Chen, but the county magistrate found out and invited them over. Yes, in the end it was Liu Bigui who said that he wanted to go back to the village and discuss it with the whole people, but the county magistrate had to throw out the temptation, the water price was raised, and each person in Hongcheng got 60 copper coins, and it was only a quarter of the people, but it was enough for them Several people have headaches.

As soon as this news came out, many people were worried, but there were also many people who were delighted. Tiger Village held a meeting in front of Liu Bigui's house at the head of the village.

"Is there enough water in the Yongchun River? There are 3 to [-] people here!"

"Two days ago, the water from the mountain col could reach the bottom of the river. If the water from Hongcheng is supplied again, the Yongchun River will have to be drained!"

"Then what about our farmer? We are still planting rice!"

"What kind of rice is there to grow! Once Hongcheng's water source is supplied, we will have to fish a lot! It's more profitable than farming!"

"Yes, yes, what kind of rice do we grow, we can just sell the water!"

"But we've been planting the rice in the field for more than a month, and now I want you to give it up, are you willing?"

A lot of people gathered here, with different opinions and quarrels. After talking for a quarter of an hour, Liu Bigui rang the copper plate. Standing on a big stone, he said loudly, "I will settle the account for everyone. 60 copper coins per person, the total number of people in Hongcheng is nearly 12, and we need to provide water for 3 people, which is 1800 taels of silver. There are more than 500 people in our Tiger Village, which means that everyone can get more than three taels of silver. It’s only the beginning of June, depending on the weather, at least one or two months of water supply is required, that is to say, as long as the Yongchun River can last, we can earn more than three taels per person, but if the Yongchun River is dry Even if we can’t supply water in the fields, we have to provide them with water. If we don’t even have water for our own food, we don’t know how much money we can get.”

As soon as this remark came out, everyone was silent for a while, but they were obviously moved by the temptation of the three taels of silver. Only one person said at the beginning that the water in the Yongchun River had never been dry, and the water in the Yongchun River must be enough, and everyone began to affirm. This is about selling water to Hongcheng.

It is obviously impossible to give the money now, so Hongcheng gave half of the price first, but each person received nearly two taels of silver, and when they actually saw the money, everyone would shut up about the notion that there was not enough water in the Yongchun River , the banker doesn’t need to grow any more, as long as he can sell water and get money!This is a hundred times easier than farming!

However, everyone soon stopped laughing. The number of people in Hongcheng is large. From the first day they came to fetch water, the water level of the Yongchun River dropped straight. After the people who joined the town to use water, they began to come. The water was fetched from the mountain, but now it takes half a cup of tea more than the day before. The long distance to fetch water every day made everyone startled and began to panic.

The well water in Lin Ziqian's yard is gone, and now he spends a stick of incense going up the mountain to fetch water every day. He has practiced, and he is not tired of fetching water, but the people who fetch water in every household are starting to become men. up.The mountain road is not easy to walk, especially in summer, where mosquitoes, snakes and ants are hidden in the dense vegetation. After walking through it once, the feet and legs are very itchy, the vegetation is dense, and the hard stones are hidden in it. Half an hour's journey to fetch water is too far, and the woman is too tired to fetch water.

In this way, some orphans, widows, old and weak in the village find it inconvenient to fetch water. Liu Bigui began to organize. Every day, 12 men ride bullock carts up the mountain to fetch water. Among them, men over the age of 12 and under the age of 15 take turns to be on duty.

Making money is a good thing, but seeing the water in the Yongchun River dry up at a terrible rate day by day, and going further upstream to fetch water every day, many fields withered due to no one plowing and watering, a kind of farmer An atmosphere of desolation, malaise and uneasiness permeated the village.

People became silent and anxious, even worse than before. Even the heavy silver in his pocket reminded him of his existence, but it was not enough to make up for the horror caused by the depletion of the river.

People always wonder, will the Yongchun River really dry up?I have never heard of the Yongchun River drying up, no, the Yongchun River will definitely not dry up, but today I will go forward for another cup of tea, at this speed, where will it go tomorrow?

Lin Ziqian's small stall is no longer open, his medicine is not enough, many people have been bitten by mosquitoes in the forest because they went to the mountains to fetch water, and all the large quantities of plasters he prepared have been used up, not to mention these repellents. The wormwood poultice needed for the wormwood poultice is gone.

The severe drought in the whole south, the lack of herbs in the pharmacy, and the high price, Lin Ziqian's free herbs became a little white rabbit under the siege of a group of beasts. to take any off-the-shelf medicinal herb from his stall.

There is not enough herbal medicine, and because it takes a lot of time to fetch water every day, Lin Ziqian now only teaches Lin Zijin to read and write at home every day, or reads various medical notes to consolidate the experience of recent visits.

Now everyone in Menghu Village is no longer desperately looking at the crops, but they still have no free time. Aunt Wang's family immediately drove Wang He, Wang Peng, and even Wang Hong over after learning that Lin Ziqian was working as a school teacher at home.

Wang He and Wang Peng used to study with the teacher in the village, but since the busy farming holiday two months ago, the teacher has not asked them to go back to class until now. If the teacher did not call, they naturally would not remind him. Have fun playing at home.

Originally, they were not happy to be called to attend lectures, but who told their little friend Lin Zijin to be detained at home by Lin Ziqian every day?After they came over, Lin Zijin saw that his little friend was very excited.

Of course, Wang Hong has been in school for several years, but he is very active and can't sit still. After attending school for several years, he didn't go to school. Qian is shorter than him, but still looks like a little teacher, with a little flush on his face.

"Zhao Qiansun, Li Zhou, Wu Zhengwang..." The tender voices of the little guys seemed like a handful of refreshing springs on this summer afternoon, splashing away the drowsy Duke of Zhou's appointment.

Among the chattering readers, Wang He suddenly said, "Is there really someone with the surname Hua? I really want the surname Hua too!"

"What do you want your surname to be called Hua? Is it Huahe?" Wang Peng asked, and Lin Zijin burst out laughing unkindly.

"Don't worry about it. Your surname is Hua, and your name is Hua Peng. It's so ugly!" Wang He stuck out her tongue.

,

"I don't want my surname Hua, I want to be surnamed Wang, the king's king! What a mighty surname!" Wang Peng said.

"According to what you said, if you want to be surnamed Hua, doesn't your father have to be surnamed Hua? Your brother also needs to be surnamed Hua, Hua Hong, Hua Hong, puff, hahaha, Huawu has a hundred-day red, it's pretty smooth!" Lin Zijin threw himself on the table while talking and laughing, covering his stomach with his hands.

Pfft, Lin Ziqian smiled unkindly, he glanced at the embarrassed Wang Hong, turned his head away from him, but still shrugged his shoulders.

Flowers without zinnias?Hua Hong?Paired with Wang Hong, a peasant boy in black lacquer clothes who always wears untidy clothes and sits untidy, it is like wearing two blush, a big mole at the corner of his mouth, and always wearing red and green flowers from Dahuaishu Village. The matchmaker is just as funny.

For a moment, except for Wang Honghei's face, everyone else couldn't stop laughing.

Happy times always pass faster, and after a while, Lin Ziqian was about to carry water to the field, and he went out with a pole, but Wang Hong wanted to follow, and he snatched Lin Ziqian's hand The shoulder pole, just one sentence, "I'll do it."

Lin Ziqian refused to let him come, but he seemed to be awkward and insisted on not returning it to Lin Ziqian. Lin Ziqian had no choice but to follow him up the mountain.

It's not that I look down on you, but walking back and forth for half an hour on the mountain road carrying water is really tiring and difficult!

However, such words obviously cannot be said. Although he and Wang Hong are neighbors and have known each other since childhood, and Wang Hong always helps him silently, for some reason, there is always an awkward atmosphere pervading between them, and they will often Entering a state where both parties are quiet and don't know what to say.

Unlike Liu Mingyang, Liu Mingyang loves to talk and laugh. He always has something to say, even if he is dissatisfied with him in his heart, he can say it with a smile. When he stays with Liu Mingyang, he can't help laughing ,A good mood.People like Liu Mingyang should be able to get along with many people, but when Liu Mingyang was talking to others, he never ignored him. The two of them got along very well, and he also cherished the relationship with Liu Mingyang. friendship.

But why is it so strange to get along with Wang Hong for a long time?Is it because Wang Hong doesn't like to talk?

Lin Ziqian and Wang Hong went up the mountain, and Wang Hong walked forward alone carrying a shoulder pole. Neither of them spoke. It seemed extraordinarily loud, and unconsciously, an awkward atmosphere spread.

Lin Ziqian tried to ease the atmosphere, he glanced at Wang Hong who was walking in front, "Hey, your younger brother and sister are quite funny, do you often laugh at you at home?"

Lin Ziqian's words were originally a joke, but Wang Hong walked ahead without looking back, "No."

"No? I think they are quite courageous! You must be very used to them."

Wang Hong still didn't look back, "It's okay."

"There are many plants and trees on the way up the mountain. I will give you a bottle of aloe vera cream when I go back. I will take it back and rub it. I will also see if Uncle Wang has any itchy legs. I made the aloe vera cream according to the prescription in my father's handbook. It works very well. I did it for the first time last time." When I went up the mountain, my feet and legs were covered with red pimples, or there were red marks one by one, and it was extremely itchy. I used the one left by my father, and it was much more comfortable to the touch. Although it was not made by my father, I I have been studying pharmaceuticals for several years, and I am already very proficient..."

Lin Ziqian chattered a lot, but Wang Hong remained silent, Lin Ziqian was thirsty, recalling Wang Hong's high-spirited boss among a group of people of the same age, isn't he very talkative?why?

Lin Ziqian felt that he must be stupid for talking like this all the way, so he stopped talking, but for some reason, he felt that the atmosphere was even more awkward.

Carrying water for half an hour's journey was really not covered. When Wang Hong came back and walked on the road, water kept splashing out. Halfway through, everyone had only half a bucket left, and the clothes on Wang Hong's back were also All drenched with sweat.

Lin Ziqian went up to take the pole, "Take a break, I'll replace you after walking for so long."

"No need." Wang Hong avoided it.

"It doesn't matter. I fetch water every day, and I have developed my strength. Give me the pole and let me pick it for a while." Lin Ziqian touched the pole and wanted to take it, Wang Hong saw him like that and handed it over.

As soon as Lin Ziqian picked up the pole, he felt that Wang Hong breathed a sigh of relief. He walked so limply that he couldn't lift his legs.

Sure enough, it was the right decision to take over the water!

Lin Ziqian carried the water to the field. Along the way, Wang Hong said he wanted to change it, but Lin Ziqian refused to let it go. It was not until he was almost in the field that he gave the pole to Wang Hong who had been insisting.

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