The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 731 - 720: The Family is Here

Chapter 731: Chapter 720: The Family is Here

Sometimes, Zhou SiLang had to travel to faraway villages he wasn’t familiar with, and he feared being taken advantage of by the villagers, so occasionally he would bring along two people to accompany him to the countryside.

Zhou Lijun knew that these people usually begged on the streets, but as long as there was work to be found, they’d accept even the most laborious tasks.

It wasn’t surprising to Zhou Lijun that Zhou SiLang would seek them out.

Familiar with the area, she found a child in front of a restaurant on Kangxue Street and asked, "Where’s San Er?"

The child recognized Zhou Lijun and, after thinking carefully, said, "Last night, he was around Ganxiang Pavilion. Why don’t you look for him there?"

Although beggars had their own territories, they were also nomadic.

So by the time Zhou Lijun brought San Er home, Manbao had already returned from the pharmacy.

San Er, happily eating a bowl of noodles, felt a bit uncomfortable when another person entered the small courtyard and shifted his body slightly.

Zhou SiLang quickly introduced him, "This is my youngest sister."

Manbao waved in greeting, then set down her basket and sat down beside Zhou SiLang. After glancing at his hand, she turned to San Er, "I remember you; we’ve met before."

San Er was stunned.

Zhou SiLang, afraid she would bring up the past when they gave him unpalatable meals, quickly interjected, "I know you have a good memory, and you remember everyone you meet. I asked San Er to come because there’s something important."

Zhou SiLang took the opportunity to bring up the matter of hiring men to transport grain. This was directed at both Manbao and San Er, "I haven’t seen Dachong and the others for a while, so I wanted you to help me call Dachong and the six of them. I want to hire them to drive the carts, just for a round trip or two."

San Er asked, "How much is the pay?"

Zhou SiLang replied, "Eighty wen, we’ll cover all the meals for the round trip."

A glint appeared in San Er’s eyes. "Zhou SiLang, do you think I can do it?"

Zhou SiLang was at a loss for words looking at the eight or nine-year-old San Er...

San Er said, "Big Brother Dachong and the others didn’t get any land this time, so they joined a group of traveling merchants. They said we can’t be refugees and beggars in Yizhou City forever. Being young, we’re even less likely to get land."

He added, "But Zhou SiLang, don’t underestimate us because we’re young. We can handle driving and carrying goods. If it’s too much, we can just take half the pay."

Zhou SiLang didn’t want to agree initially, but when he heard they’d work for half the pay, he couldn’t help but ask, "Who else is there?"

"There’s my big brother, Second Brother, and Quanzi. You need six people; we are those six people."

Zhou SiLang frowned as he looked at San Er.

Manbao also looked at San Er and asked, "Are they about your age?"

San Er straightened his back nervously and said, "Zhou SiLang has seen them. They’re a bit older than me, already fourteen."

"Fourteen my foot," Zhou SiLang scoffed. "How did you figure out they’re fourteen? The oldest among them is only twelve or thirteen. Driving carts is not a problem; it’s just ox carts and mule carts, quite simple. But what if we encounter robbers? Do you expect this bunch of kids to rush up and fight for their lives?"

San Er quickly countered, "Zhou SiLang, don’t underestimate us. We are really good at snatching things. If we really meet robbers, we might be even better than the laborers you hire on the streets."

Seeing their skeptical looks, San Er became anxious and insisted, "Really, I’m not lying to you. We’re really good at swiping things. Even adults can’t beat us. When we were returning to Yizhou City, we snatched food all the way back."

Zhou SiLang was hesitant, but Manbao firmly decided, "Fine, we’ll take you guys."

Zhou SiLang glared at her.

San Er cautiously looked at Zhou SiLang.

With his own sister having agreed, how could he retract his word?

Zhou SiLang could only nod slightly.

San Er cheered and, setting down his bowl, exclaimed, "Then I’ll go tell my big brother and the others right now."

With that, he ran off.

Zhou SiLang finally turned to Manbao and demanded, "Why did you agree so readily?"

Manbao replied, "As long as they can drive carts, there’s no need to worry about being robbed."

"Why not?"

Manbao chuckled, "I’ll make a trip to County Magistrate Tang. If he hasn’t caught the culprits yet, I’ll have him send someone to meet you guys on the way. Add to that our numerous group, and I don’t believe any thieves will dare to rob you."

"You’re that powerful, able to have County Magistrate Tang send people to meet us?"

"I wouldn’t normally be able to, but now I can," Manbao said with a smile. "Today, our pharmacy received a man with an injured arm. Do you know who he is, how he got hurt?"

"Who is it? How did he get hurt?"

"A county officer. The news about your roadside robbery got out somehow, and travelers on the official road have been worried these past few days. Among them are several medicine merchants who donated medicine to the County Governmental Office. They visited the office, and County Magistrate Tang sent men to escort them. That’s why there have been county officers on the road lately."

Manbao continued, "Since there are already county officers around, why not ask County Magistrate Tang to also take care of us? After all, we’re doing business with their office. If we’re safe, their affairs will go smoothly too, right?"

Zhou SiLang was curious, "But how did that officer get hurt? Did they encounter the robbers?"

"No, he got hurt when he walked without looking, stepped on a small stone at the roadside, slipped, and fell. He used his hand to support himself, and then his hand got injured."

Zhou SiLang: ...

Manbao said, "As long as they can drive, it’s fine. We’re even saving on wages, only forty wen a day. Think about it, we’ll save forty wen a day. It’ll take three days round trip, so that’s one hundred and twenty wen less per person, and with six people that is..."

Zhou SiLang counted on his fingers, realized he couldn’t do the math, and looked at Zhou Lijun.

Zhou Lijun announced, "Seven hundred and twenty wen."

Zhou SiLang’s eyes widened. He slapped his thigh and declared, "Settled, we’ll use them and nobody stop me."

Zhou Lijun ignored him, hugged Manbao’s arm, and asked, "Grandpa and the others should have received the letter by now, right? It’s been three days since it was sent."

But before long, they heard a knocking sound from next door, followed by a very familiar voice, "Excuse me, does anyone around here know about a family that came from Luojiang County to study around here? The teacher’s surname is Zhuang; he brought two students surnamed Bai, and one surnamed Zhou..."

Manbao was startled, then suddenly sprang up and rushed to open the door. Peeking outside, she saw the neighbor coming out, and two weary men stood at the front door, leaning slightly as they spoke to the neighbor.

Manbao exclaimed with delight, "Second Brother, Liulang!"

Zhou ErLang and Zhou Liulang immediately turned back, unable to contain their smiles. Manbao rushed out to embrace them, crying out, "Second Brother, Liulang, how did you get here?"

Zhou Lijun also rushed outside, calling out, "Dad, Sixth Uncle!"

She too rushed forward but instead of hugging them, she just stood, smiling at them.

Zhou SiLang, with his right hand on his waist, cautiously made his way out. Zhou ErLang and Zhou Liulang were stunned to see him, especially since he was still somewhat swollen from bruises, and his bound hand was obviously seriously injured.

Zhou ErLang approached him, looking carefully at his hand, "Four, are you... crippled?"

Zhou Liulang was on the verge of tears, his eyes reddening, "Silang, don’t worry. From now on, we’ll take care of Fourth Sister-in-law and the kids."

Zhou SiLang: "... I’m just crippled, not dead. No, wait, I’m not even crippled."