When the pears are green

Chapter 192: Cutting Bamboo Sticks

There was a series of knocks on the door. Song Li tightly grasped the dagger she was using to sharpen bamboo sticks, walked to the gate and asked loudly, "Who is it?"

"Sister-in-law, I'm Jiang Qian."

"Wait a moment, brother. I'll go open the door."

Song Li returned to the stool, placed the dagger on a pile of sharpened bamboo sticks, and then walked back to the gate and opened it.

"Second brother, what's the matter?" Song Li asked as he pushed open half of the gate.

Jiang Qian first asked if Jiang Qingzhou was at home, and then said that he was going to the county school tomorrow, and wanted to ask Jiang Qingzhou and Song Li to help take care of Jiang Zhong and Jiang Ping after he left home.

"Don't worry, second brother. If Qingzhou and I can be of any use to you, we will do our best. In the past, you focused on studying, and your sister-in-law could support the whole family alone. Now that you are a scholar, you no longer have to worry about land taxes and corvee labor, and you will definitely take good care of Pingshu and Chong'er." Song Li talked to Jiang Qian openly and secretly.

Jiang Qian smiled awkwardly. He complained a few words out of habit: "Yingniang is illiterate, likes to gossip with the women in the village, and is a bit rude. I'm afraid she can't take good care of Chong'er."

"How can you say that, second brother? Uncle Ping is illiterate, and he didn't stop you from passing the imperial examination. Second sister-in-law is Chong'er's biological mother, so she will naturally do her best for Chong'er. If second brother is really worried, you can rent a yard near the county school and let second sister-in-law and Chong'er go there together. This way, second brother can see Chong'er every day." After Song Li finished speaking, she made the excuse of going home to cook and closed the gate.

Song Li picked up the dagger and continued to sharpen the bamboo sticks. She didn't expect that Jiang Qian, who would rather not study than help Zhang Ying with work last winter, would now despise Zhang Ying for only knowing how to work.

There was another knock on the door, this time it was Jiang Qingzhou and his three companions.

After Jiang Qingzhou pulled the cart into the yard, Song Li told Song Xing and Jiang Qingye to spread the bedding from the west room on the bed in the main room first, and then asked them to help Li Yi move the bedding and clothes into the west room.

Although there were no thieves in Jiangjia Village, Song Li did not dare to bet that the thieves would let Jiangjia Village go. After discussion with Jiang Qingzhou, she decided to let Song Xing and Jiang Qingye live in the main room first, and Li Yi live in the west room.

If what happened in the town was done by people who couldn't make a living, it wouldn't be terrible. The most frightening thing is that someone would take advantage of the situation and attack women and children.

Song Xing, Jiang Qingye and Li Yi hurried to the west room to move things. Song Li told Jiang Qingzhou that Jiang Qian came to see him.

Jiang Qingzhou just nodded. He was afraid that if he said too much, Song Li would transfer her prejudice against Jiang Qian to himself.

Jiang Qingye thought Li Yi didn't have enough strength, so he asked her to go play in the yard first.

Li Yi curiously picked up the bamboo tip sharpened by Song Li, and then gently pressed the tip of his left thumb on the sharpened tip.

"what!"

Li Yi cried out in pain, and she quickly threw the bamboo stick in her hand onto the pile of bamboo sticks, lowered her head and kept blowing on the place where she was stabbed.

"Does it hurt?" Song Li asked with a smile after coming out from the kitchen to check the situation.

Li Yi nodded, then frowned and asked, "Sister, what are you cutting it for?"

Song Li pointed at the wall and said it was to prevent thieves.

Li Yi thought of Master Li who was left alone in the study. She asked Song Li with a bit of sadness: "Sister, will it be dangerous for my grandfather to stay alone in the study? I heard that the people who were robbed last night were all from ordinary families. Since those thieves are after money, why don't they just rob those wealthy families directly."

"Don't worry, the master is definitely not in danger. When you go to the study tomorrow, you can help the master cut some bamboo sticks and let him stick them on the wall. The reason why thieves don't rob wealthy families is because those families have their own guards. Once caught, they may be beaten to death. Therefore, thieves usually only rob ordinary people who are unarmed." After Song Li finished answering, he patted Li Yi's shoulder soothingly, and then asked Li Yi if he wanted to cook with her.

Li Yi nodded, but before he took a few steps, Jiang Qingye called him back to the west room to spread out the bedding.

Jiangjia Village had a peaceful night. Apart from the occasional barking of dogs, there was no other noise.

Song Li, who was delivering bean sprouts to the restaurant, also sent Jiang Qingye and the other two to the study. Li Yi happily pulled Master Li's sleeve and asked him to learn how to peel bamboo sticks from Song Li.

Song Li took the kitchen knife from Li Yi. She first cut a thin bamboo and then patiently sharpened the top.

Li Yi watched Song Li's movements carefully, ready to start sharpening bamboo sticks with Master Li in a while.

Master Li looked at Song Xing and Jiang Qingye, who also had serious expressions on their faces, and smiled as he asked them to have lunch in the study at noon.

Song Li paused for a moment, then smiled and refused Master Li: "Master, this won't do. They say that young men will bankrupt me. What's more, these are two young men!"

"Mrs. Jiang knows that things are not peaceful right now. I am also afraid that someone will target the two children running back and forth. I saw a child who was cut and chopped off a few years ago. It was so tragic. Let them have lunch here at noon. It will be my return of favor."

Master Li's words touched Song Li's heart. After thinking about it for a while, she nodded and agreed to Master Li.

More and more children came to the study, and Master Li became busy.

After telling Li Yi not to hurt his hands, Song Li left the study and went to the restaurant to deliver bean sprouts.

While weighing bean sprouts, Zhang Er told Kaixin and Song Li that his neighbor had his leg broken by three thieves last night. Fortunately, the neighbors were awakened by the barking of dogs, and the man was able to save his life.

Song Li was terrified after hearing this. After paying the bill from the shopkeeper, she hurried home. She wanted to go home and continue cutting bamboo sticks, and wait for Jiang Qingzhou to come back at noon, and then stick some of them on the wall.

"Xiao Li, Xiao Li..."

Wu Mingshu shouted loudly to Song Li who was passing by her, but Song Li was busy walking and did not notice Wu Mingshu's voice.

Seeing Song Li walking further and further away, Wu Mingshu hurriedly ran after her.

"Xiao Li, I called you for a long time just now, but you didn't hear me. What are you thinking about?" Wu Mingshu asked after catching up with Song Li.

Song Li quickly explained that she was in a hurry to get home and didn't notice it.

"Sister Wu, the town has been uneasy at night these past two days. Is our village okay?" Song Li asked.

Wu Mingshu sighed and replied, "There was also a burglary in our village. Dad said that he would organize people to patrol tonight. My father wants Yang Yu not to go to my house to propose marriage yet, because he is afraid that it will attract attention."

"Uncle Wu is right. With thefts happening all the time, it's better to keep a low profile. I heard today that someone was beaten by thieves. Sister Wu, please tell my parents when you get back and ask them to cut some bamboo sticks and stick them on the wall."

Wu Mingshu quickly agreed. She said that Wu Wei originally didn't want her to come with him, but she was afraid that Wu Wei and Yang Yu wouldn't be able to explain it clearly, so she begged Wu Wei to come with her.

Wu Mingde, who came to look for Wu Mingshu, interrupted with a smile: "I think the eldest sister said one thing and meant another. How could Dad not explain it clearly? It is obvious that the eldest sister wants to see Brother Yang."

Wu Mingshu blushed after being exposed, and she asked Wu Mingde not to tease her.

After Song Li chatted with the Wu siblings for a few words, she said goodbye to them and went home as she was in a hurry to sharpen bamboo sticks.