Chapter 430: Chapter 223 Plan_2
"It’s all about skills. Uncle Three, if you had a skill, you’d earn more money and the work would be much easier than digging soil, smashing rocks, and carrying wood," said Lian Manman.
"All I know is farming. What other skill could I have?" Lian Shouli replied earnestly.
"Manman makes sense," mused Lian Shouxin. He too wished Lian Shouli could find a job that was easier yet paid more.
"Isn’t Uncle Three a carpenter?" Wu Lang suddenly said, "The ice cart Xiao Qi and I have – Uncle Three is the one who planed and joined the wood boards for that."
"That’s nothing. I never studied it, just watched others do it and remembered. Then I figured it out on my own," Lian Shouli said.
Lian Shouli was generally acknowledged for his dexterity. Whether setting up a Kang bed-stove, constructing a cooking range, or building a shed, no one taught him. He simply learned naturally by watching how others did it.
Even when the tables, chairs, and benches in the shop had minor problems, it was Lian Shouli who fixed them, inserting dowels, chiseling here, hammering there, and he’d have them sorted out in no time.
"In my opinion, it’s a good thing if Uncle Three wants to work in the mountains," Lian Manman shared her thoughts. "Uncle Three is smart and skilled with his hands. Let’s talk to Uncle Huang and see if we can get Uncle Three to assist those carpenters and painters, those craftsmen who make money. Uncle Three could earn some money and learn a skill too."
Not just Lian Shouli, but Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye’s eyes lit up as well.
"Sister Manman, if that’s really possible, it would be wonderful," said Lian Yeye excitedly.
"Even if I earn a bit less, as long as I can learn a skill," Lian Shouli was also thrilled.
The simple thinking of tenant farmers is that with a skill in hand, one would never lack a bowl of rice to eat in this lifetime.
"Then, Uncle Three, you discuss it with Dad and I’ll talk with Old Huang tomorrow," Lian Shouxin said, "No matter what, I’ll get this matter sorted out for you."
Lian Shouli was straightforward and honest, not one to easily ask for help, which was why Lian Shouxin took his request very seriously. Of course, Lian Shouxin had another consideration – Lian Shouli still didn’t have a son, and having a skill to fall back on could provide some security in the future.
Lian Shouli promptly returned to the family home, and shortly after, he was back again.
"Old Fourth, Dad wants you to come," Lian Shouli said, rubbing his hands, appearing somewhat uncomfortable, "When I was speaking with Dad, Erlang was there too. He...he wants to work in the mountains as well."
When family is involved, an individual matter often becomes more than just that; it can unfold into many facets that, sometimes, are unimaginable. The saying ’pull one hair and move the whole body’ might not quite fit the bill, but the situation is close to that.
So everyone returned to the family home.
"...since the fields haven’t been planted yet, spending a couple of months working in the mountains is fine," said Old Master Lian, who seemed to approve of Lian Shouli and Erlang going to work in the mountains.
Old Master Lian had his reasons. His children were growing up; it was time to arrange Sanlang’s marriage, and Lian Xiuxiu was at the age to be betrothed. Lian Jizu and Erlang were expected to continue the family line. With children being born and needing support, earning some money over those two months could lighten the household load.
"Old Fourth, you’re good at talking to the overseers in the mountains. What do you think about getting Old Second, Old Third, Erlang, and Sanlang all up there to work?" Old Master Lian asked Lian Shouxin.
What started as just Lian Shouli going to work now involved four people. Finding Lian Shouli a job that was less strenuous and where he could learn a skill might now become more complicated.
Lian Manman glanced at Lian Shouli, and from his expression, she could tell he had realized this too.
Intelligence and honesty are two excellent virtues that are hard to find in one person at the same time. Those who are smarter often lack honesty, while those who are honest are not always the sharpest.
Without a doubt, Lian Shouli was the latter.
If someone with a bit more cunning had encountered such an opportunity, they would surely guard it zealously. But Lian Shouli lacked the instinct for protecting his interests.
"My Second Brother..." Lian Shouxin began, noticing Lian Shouyi was not in the room.
"Don’t know what he’s up to. I sent Sanlang to find him. I make the call on this matter; having him work will keep him from wandering around aimlessly every day," Old Master Lian said.
"Dad, they started hiring in the mountains several days ago. I’m not sure if they’re still hiring now. I’ll check tomorrow," Lian Shouxin said, not promising too much. It was easy to find work, but he worried Lian Shouyi would be picky.
"That’s fine, we won’t be choosy about the job," Old Master Lian was a reasonable man, trusting that when Lian Shouxin said he would do his best, he truly would.
After discussing the matter, Old Master Lian did not ask Lian Shouxin to leave immediately.
"Regarding your eldest brother, I’ll also look for someone in the next few days. After all, he’s read for so many years and is a Scholar. No matter which village, we should find him a teaching position. As for Jizu," Old Master Lian sighed when mentioning Lian Jizu, "the boy didn’t succeed with his studies, and he’s not cut out for farm work either. Considering he has some schooling, I plan to have him study for another year... and if he fails the exams again... he’ll just have to give it up and come back to farm with me!"
Old Master Lian had plans for everyone in the family in mind.
"Old Fourth, since you own a shop and meet a lot of people, you could help find out which villages need a teacher and introduce your eldest brother to them," Old Master Lian told Lian Shouxin.
"Alright, I’ll keep that in mind," Lian Shouxin nodded.
"There’s one more thing," Old Master Lian continued, "Sanlang is of age now, it’s time for him to take a wife. And Xiuxiu, it’s time to find her a place to marry into..."
***......***
Here is one more release, seeking your pink support. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
