SIMILAR
Xu Ran had finally completed one of his goals for the year by borrowing money from others, and he still had two more to achieve.
This autumn, he planned to participate in the imperial examination at the county level, which was held from September 9 to 11. He only had around a month to get ready. Shao Yu stepped in to help him with his family matters, and Gao Quan provided help with his fields. As a result, Xu Ran was free to cram for the exam.
Tangtang and Guoguo accompanied Xu Ran, so he was not alone. Xu Ran was very domineering, as he insisted on the two poor boys reading books, practicing calligraphy, and running with him every day. Tangtang and Guoguo, predictably, had had enough of such hardships and fled one day.
After searching for Tangtang and Guoguo for a few days, Xu Ran discovered them in the new house's yard, where they were practicing martial arts from Gao Quan. Yes, indeed! It's martial arts!
It astounded Xu Ran, and he quickly realized Gao Quan was not as straightforward as he seemed. Xu Ran, on the other hand, had no intention of figuring it out as long as Gao Quan did not damage his family. Furthermore, Xu Ran was open to having Gao Quan teach his children a martial art that would at the very least improve their ability to defend themselves.
After some discussion with Gao Quan, Xu Ran agreed to allow Gao Quan to continue teaching the two children martial arts. In the evening, Xu Ran inquired about Tangtang and Guoguo's willingness to learn it.
After all, learning some martial art, in Xu Ran's opinion, is often difficult, at least more difficult than studying knowledge in books. It was the first time in their lives that Tangtang and Guoguo had made opposing decisions. Tangtang favored academic knowledge, while Guoguo chose martial arts.
People's interests were naturally divided. Both martial arts and academic knowledge were valuable to acquire, and Xu Ran's only request was that they stay focused on their objectives.
Tangtang had to learn some basic skills to defend himself, even though he didn't enjoy learning martial arts. Meanwhile, even though Guoguo disliked reading, he needed to learn to read and write at the very least. The two children paid close attention to Xu Ran and kept his words in their minds, suggesting that they would not easily abandon their goals.
Xu Ran nodded with satisfaction and went back to Liu Tong.
Liu Tong was taken aback when he learned that Gao Quan was a professional martial artist, but he soon came to believe it. Gao Quan, he realized, should be like that. Xu Ran was perplexed and inquired of Liu Tong as to why.
Liu Tong said, "Well, Ran, I never mentioned my dad and daddy to you, right?"
Xu Ran nodded.
Liu Tong went on to say, "You see, my father had actually studied a martial art. He was an excellent hunter. I used to beg him to teach me martial arts when I was a child. He turned me down because I was a Ge'er. I pleaded with him many times. He finally decided to teach me how to hunt. Unfortunately, my father and daddy died not long after I began to learn it."
"Okay... but does it have anything to do with Gao Quan?" Xu Ran was confused.
"My dad's and Gao Quan's accents are strikingly similar. Despite the fact that my father was born in Liu Village, he grew up elsewhere and did not return until I was born. With my daddy and me, he returned to Liu Village."
"Do you know where this accent comes from?"
Liu Tong shook his head. "I don't know. My dad didn't tell me, and the farthest place I've ever been is the town. I have no idea."
"How did your dad and daddy pass away, Tongtong?" Xu Ran asked.
Liu Tong thought for a moment and replied, "Illness! He became ill unexpectedly and died shortly after. My eldest uncle took me to his family because I was young at the time and didn't know my father and daddy had died. I didn't have much time to consider it. Yes! It's weird! Ran!"
Xu Ran also found it strange. Did Gao Quan have anything to do with Liu Tong's dad? Moreover, Liu Tong's dad and daddy died so accidentally. There must be something unknown.
Xu Ran shook his head, clearing his mind of the odd thoughts that had been running through his head. It's probably best not to worry about it now that Tongtong's father and daddy have passed away. Perhaps knowing less would be preferable. After all, Xu Ran didn't think he'd be able to defend his family now that he'd discovered the fact.
Xu Ran thought for a moment and said, "well, Tongtong. Gao Quan is teaching Tangtang and Guoguo martial art, right? How about going to see them next time? Then you can figure out whether Gao Quan has the same martial skill as your dad did."
"Okay," Liu Tong nodded.
Then he asked Xu Ran, "But Ran, even if they knew each other, what can we do?"
Xu Ran scratched his head and felt that it was a problem. He did not know what to do either.
Xu Ran said with a little impatience, "Nothing! Anyway, we know they knew each other. It might be useful in the future."
Liu Tong agreed, and they discussed to go to watch the training the next time when Gao Quan taught Tangtang and Guoguo martial art.
With Xu Ran's permission, Tangtang and Guoguo took their studies more seriously. Tangtang was serious about it, even though he didn't like it very much. Guoguo, on the other hand, was so excited that he behaved like a monkey all day, jumping up and down.
Xu Ran and Liu Tong went to watch the training. They saw that after teaching Tangtang and Guoguo a few skills, Gao Quan went to practice by himself.
Liu Tong watched them very seriously. He even saw his dad from Gao Quan, whose movements were nearly the same as those of his dad.
Xu Ran turned to face Liu Tong, then Gao Quan. And he realized what was going on. He took Liu Tong away while Gao Quan was oblivious to Liu Tong's strangeness. Xu Ran and Liu Tong didn't bother Tangtang and Guoguo; instead, they concentrated on honing their martial arts skills. Gao Quan was unconcerned about it as well.
Xu Ran took Liu Tong home and asked him in a low voice, "What's wrong, Tongtong? Did you find anything?"
Liu Tong nodded. "Yes, Ran. He seems to learn the same kind of martial art as my dad. I almost regarded him as my dad just now."
It could happen to certain occupations, according to TV plots Xu Ran had ever seen. Both Gao Quan and Liu Tong's fathers had obviously received professional training. They may have been guards or secret guards.
Xu Ran patted Liu Tong on the back and said, "Tongtong, forget it. Today you haven't seen anything. We'll say we don't know anything as long as Gao Quan doesn't do anything bad to our family."
Liu Tong was dazed for a moment, and then nodded submissively, "I got it, Ran. I'm just a little sad."
He was put in Xu Ran's arms. "Tongtong, he's not your father. It's been a long time. Don't be depressed. At the very least, you have Tangtang, Guoguo, and the baby in your womb, don't you? We're a family. And now you're expecting a child. Tongtong, if you're sad, it won't be good for our baby!"
Hearing Xu Ran's last words, Liu Tong suddenly smiled.
Xu Ran was pushed away by him. "I'm aware of it, Ran. It's a little difficult to accept at first, but it's all right now. Don't worry, I'm not going to cry." Xu Ran caressed Liu Tong's face and kissed him on the forehead.
The two of them smiled, indicating the end of this incident.
Many village residents went to Xu Ran for their corn at the end of July. A few had agreed to sell their corns to Xu Ran, and the rest had come to inquire about the corn seeds' price. Xu Ran, on the other hand, turned them down and told them to go buy seeds in town.
Xu Ran's decision was reasonable. Besides, while there was still someone greedy, it had nothing to do with him, his price for buying corn wouldn't be too poor. Just about ten sellers remained, and Xu Ran had never sent the corn rice noodles to them. They were satisfactory to Xu Ran. Perhaps he will be able to help these people in the future.
The majority of the corns in the field had been harvested, and Xu Ran had only saved about a half-tonne of corn seeds for the following year. For a wide area, these will suffice.
Xu Ran even left Zhuo Yun a few seeds, but not many. And if someone was willing to pay a tael of silver for seeds, he wouldn't be able to buy much. If no one bought them, these seeds would most likely turn into popcorn and be eaten by Zhuo Yun and Qin Shuwen.
Xu Ran then visited the village head and check the seller list. Although the corn seed was cheap, it should be paid, and he could also give these people guidance of planting corns.
The village chief had his own seeds, and he had enough corn to feed all. He and his family learned how to make the sweet and glutinous corn rice noodles from Xu Ran. They were popular with both adults and children. As a result, he hoped that his villagers would plant more corn.
He couldn't force the villagers to do what he wanted, as much as he wished. That was the end of it. Only the wise will be able to make a fortune. Xu Ran went to Wu Mei after reviewing the name list and gathered them all together, urging them to buy more wasteland.
In any case, in the winter, people had little to do. They could even get some exercise by reclaiming the wasteland. The rice grain could be ready to harvest as early as mid-August. In their yards, there were nearly a hundred trolleys, and they could make a lot of money in the fall.
Xu Ran was supported by Wu Mei and others. In any case, the barren land was only worth two taels of silver. They would only need to pay twenty taels of silver if they each purchased ten acres of land. They could afford it if they lived in a more prosperous area.
Xu Ran added, "If you trust me, it would be a good idea to purchase these lands in my name and tell others that they are being lent by me, so you won't have to pay the taxes as long as I pass my exam... sure, you'll have to pay them yourself if I fail. It's up to you!"
"Well," Wu Mei said with a motion of his hand. "What exactly are you referring to? Of course, we have trust in you! That's all right! In your name, I'll purchase my lands! We'd cover the cost if you failed, but I believe you'll be able to pass the exam!"
Liu Tong and Wu Lan nodded in agreement and shared their best wishes to Xu Ran after hearing this. When Xu Ran rubbed his nose, he felt a tremendous amount of pressure. After all, those were taxes on thirty acres of property!
Xu Ran was well aware that he needed to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming test, but he had no idea what the content of the exam at the county level would entail. Despite the fact that the Xu Village had a large number of residents, no one had earned the prestigious title of "Xiucai (people who passed the imperial examination at the county level)" in several years.
And nobody knew why.
05.11.21