The village chief knew the situation in the village very well. In some families, the women were above the men and made decisions. If the men came to listen, they would be bad-mouthed and learn bad things. It would be better for them to come. Besides, if he said that they were not allowed to come, would those who just wanted to watch the fun really not be allowed to come?

　　The village hasn’t been so lively for a long time. Every household has fertile fields and is hoping for a good harvest. In recent days, the children have been asking for half a piece of maltose, and you can see meat and oil on the table.

　　There are also families who continue to deduct.

　　”Why is it mixed loofah again? It’s old.” said Aunt Wang’s youngest son.

　　The man also said: “Even the watery soup can reveal a human figure, so grab a handful of food.”

　　”That’s right, mother. When the paddy fields are fertile and the harvest is good this year, can we save some rice for our own consumption? I want to eat white rice.” The youngest son said halfway, but saw that his mother’s face was not good, so he added anxiously: “We can also stew dry rice with grains.”

　　Aunt Wang said with a gloomy face, “Now everyone is thinking about the future. What if that method doesn’t work? It’s useless. We eat well now, but after we finish eating, will the whole family starve to death next year?”

　　“And eat white rice.”

　　Aunt Wang scolded her youngest son.

　　”But Uncle Li’s family used the method of fertilizing the fields and had a very good harvest—” the youngest son retorted.

　　Aunt Wang glared at him, and the youngest son had to shut up, but he didn’t understand in his heart, whether it was dry land or fertile land, it was a good thing, the crops in the land were fertile and the harvest was more, isn’t that good? Why didn’t his mother like to hear it?

　　It’s niu dan’s house. His mother has been cooking eggs for him recently, but she divides one egg into two portions.

　　There is food there too.

　　Every household in the village was like this that night. Some were looking forward to the good days in the future when the crops would grow fertile and the harvest would be good. Some, like Aunt Wang’s family, continued to live frugally and did not dare to think too much, fearing that their plan would fail and the fields would be ruined.

　　No matter what, the next day came.

　　Li Zhouzhou got up at the first rooster crow. He got up early during busy farming seasons and slept a little longer when he was free. When Li Zhouzhou opened his eyes, he saw his husband leaning against his chest. He couldn’t help but smile. After watching his husband sleeping quietly for a while, he got up quietly.

　　I had to make fire, cook, lay eggs, clean the chicken coop and pig shed. The manure was piled up, and I could work on the peanuts in the dry fields when I had some free time. There was no rush.

　　This year the harvest was good, and after paying taxes, I kept some for myself, and sold 20 dan of grain to the government for a total of 1 tael, 600 coins. I saved all this, and if the paddy fields were good this year, I could sell more and save 2 taels, plus the pigs and my father’s pig slaughtering money, and all in all, I would have 6 or 7 taels of silver.

　　This is still a pig. Li Zhouzhou is thinking about raising a piglet in a few days.

　　This way, I can have eight or nine taels of silver. After deducting the household expenses, the one tael of silver I would use to buy paper, pens, and books for my husband, as well as the tuition for my teacher, can be used to pay for the money. At least I can save three or four taels.

　　Three taels a year, that’s six taels in two years, and I’ll be able to give you more money for your travel when you go to the prefecture or county to take the exam.

　　Li Zhou was doing the accounting while making breakfast, thinking that the future would be more promising, with a smile on his face. As the multi-grain porridge was just put into the pot, Gu Zhao woke up, put on his clothes, fetched water to wash, and went into the kitchen to help.

　　Dad got up too.

　　The table and chairs were brought out, and the family had breakfast in the yard. It was cool outside in the morning, with a slight breeze, and it was comfortable to eat hot food.

　　After dinner, my husband and father were going to the dam. Li Zhouzhou originally said that he would not go and would stay at home to clean up the pots and dishes, but my husband pulled his hand and asked him to go and listen.

　　”My husband, you are here now. You can tell me how to fertilize the paddy fields when you come back. I won’t go there anymore. I can still do some work at home.” said Li Zhouzhou.

　　Gu Zhao was unwilling to do so, he treated Zhou Zhou as his partner. The general environment could not change the fact that outsiders viewed Zhou Zhou as a “housekeeper” and “wife”, but he could not do that.

　　”Let’s go and have a look together. This is my first time speaking in front of so many people. I’m nervous.” Gu Zhao said coquettishly with a smile, “If anyone doesn’t like me and wants to talk back at me, no one will back me up.”

　　”As long as Zhou Zhou is here, I feel at ease.”

　　Li Zhouzhou was angry at first. How could someone not appreciate the kindness of his husband when he was doing it for everyone’s benefit? But he heard what his husband said later. With him around, his husband felt at ease.