My Husband Comes from the Future
My Husband Comes from the Future Chapter 140.1

Chapter 140: Lantern Festival 1/4

Since Li Qingzhi crossed over to this world, he felt that entertainment activities for the ordinary people in this world were a bit lacking.

The people in this era didn’t live well, and entertainment activities weren’t necessary for them, but if there were some… they would be very happy.

Not to mention, during the New Year, when there was a temple fair in front of the temple, Li Damao and Li Ermao would be happy for many days.

When Li Qingzhi mentioned “food festival,” Magistrate Gou didn’t understand, but when Li Qingzhi mentioned the temple fair… Magistrate Gou immediately understood!

“Allowing both the common people and shop owners to set up stalls is not a problem, but these lanterns… the lanterns are not cheap,” Magistrate Gou frowned.

Li Qingzhi suggested, “Sir, we can buy some materials ourselves and hire people to make the lanterns. This way, it won’t cost much. And we only need to make some ordinary lanterns for illumination. As for those eye-catching lanterns… sir, there are already many shops at the new pier. You can ask those shopkeepers to decorate their own stalls with beautiful lanterns. Then, you can personally select the ten best-decorated stalls and write plaques for them.”

If they hired ordinary people to make the lanterns, it wouldn’t cost much, and as for letting those shops decorate their own stalls…

Magistrate Gou only needed to help with writing plaques; it’s a win-win situation!

The more Magistrate Gou thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. After discussing with Li Qingzhi, he also gave some ideas, such as how to arrange the stalls.

“Can we still collect rent for those stalls?” Magistrate Gou asked.

“We can, but it’s better to collect less. How about collecting rent daily? The money they pay can be used to hire people to clean up the area and maintain order,” Li Qingzhi suggested.

If the rent was too high, it might discourage people from setting up stalls.

Magistrate Gou nodded repeatedly, then called his two stewards along to discuss further.

When Li Qingzhi and Jin Xiaoye arrived, it was around 8 o’clock, but they ended up chatting until noon, almost twelve o’clock.

Mrs. Gou couldn’t bear it anymore and sent someone to urge them to have lunch.

Nowadays, people wake up early, and those who don’t stay up late get up earlier than usual… Magistrate Gou’s family usually gets up around five in the morning, and they had breakfast around six, so they were already hungry!

Li Qingzhi was hungry too, but when Magistrate Gou was talking to him, he had some refreshments brought up… he already had two plates.

Li Qingzhi followed Magistrate Gou to the dining area.

Magistrate Gou’s dining room was quite spacious, with few family members. Normally, there would probably be only one table set up, but today, there were two tables set up, with a screen separating them.

Jin Xiaoye brought Li Damao and Li Ermao to eat with Mrs. Gou and her two daughters.

Li Qingzhi ate with Magistrate Gou, the two stewards, and Gou Ying.

Gou Ying was unhappy; he didn’t want to eat with his father and wanted to eat with his mother! But unfortunately, his mother said he was already grown up and didn’t let him go to that table…

Gou Ying was young, and his thoughts were written all over his face. Magistrate Gou could see his unhappiness and felt a little upset.

Li Qingzhi observed this father and son duo and thought to himself, “…”. They hadn’t even started eating yet, and they were already giving each other looks!

During the meal, there were braised pig ears, braised duck, and braised chicken from Juewei Zhai on the table, as well as several dishes prepared differently from those in Chongcheng County.

For example, the fish… In Chongcheng County, most people eat steamed fish, with some being braised or sweet and sour, and some making soup, but hardly anyone stews fish.

There was a large pot of stewed fish, containing not only fish but also pork and several vegetables, looking rich and flavorful… Li Qingzhi had been here for so long and had never seen anyone eat fish like this.

But Magistrate Gou obviously liked it very much and recommended Li Qingzhi to try it, “Nephew, try this stewed fish. It tastes very good! The fish here is too bland for me. I had fish head tofu soup at a restaurant before. The soup was delicious, but the fish was tasteless…”

Gou Ying interjected, “I also saw someone put the fish in water to cook it, and then dip it in vinegar to eat! It’s the first time I’ve seen someone eat fish like this. It must be very unpleasant! The taste of the people here is really strange!”

Li Qingzhi: “…” Many people in front of the temple eat fish like this, and they don’t necessarily dip it in vinegar; they might dip it in soy sauce.

Right, it’s not necessarily that the fish is boiled in water; it might be steamed directly.

The locals here are used to strong flavors, and he’s even more adaptable. 

“Gou Ying!” Magistrate Gou frowned at his son, feeling that his son’s comment about the food being “unpleasant” was a bit impolite.

Li Qingzhi is a local! How could his son casually say that the food here is unpleasant?

Gou Ying felt a little aggrieved, not understanding why his father had scolded him.

“The adults are talking, children shouldn’t interrupt…” Magistrate Gou began his usual lecture to his son. After lecturing for a while, he added, “This child has been spoiled by me…”

At first, Gou Ying didn’t react, but as Magistrate Gou continued, he couldn’t hold back anymore: “When have you ever spoiled me?”

Magistrate Gou didn’t expect Gou Ying to retort. He felt embarrassed in front of others and was about to get angry on the spot…

“Sir, I think Young Master Gou is clever and smart. You shouldn’t be too strict with him,” Li Qingzhi intervened.

“Where is he clever? He doesn’t study well all day. You guys are just flattering him for my sake…”

Magistrate Gou’s speech was too fast for Li Qingzhi to intervene, and then… Gou Ying dropped his chopsticks and left.

Li Qingzhi didn’t see anything wrong with Gou Ying’s behavior; it was Magistrate Gou who started by not stopping his criticisms!

But obviously, in this era, people thought Gou Ying’s disobedience to elders was a bit excessive.

Magistrate Gou was particularly angry: “This brat!”

If it weren’t for the guests present, Magistrate Gou would have definitely chased after his son to have a confrontation.

But for now… Magistrate Gou suppressed his anger and continued eating with Li Qingzhi, but he couldn’t help but complain more about his son in his words.

The two stewards chimed in, thinking that spoiling a child was akin to killing him.

Li Qingzhi: “…”

After dinner, the two stewards left, and Li Qingzhi continued to discuss with Magistrate Gou about what they should do next.

As they talked, Magistrate Gou mentioned his son Gou Ying again, expressing his frustration.

“Sir, you’re using the wrong approach. At this age, the more you scold him, the less he’ll listen to you, and he’ll be more inclined to oppose you.”

“That’s right!”

“If you go along with him, he’ll listen to you.” Li Qingzhi advised.

“I’m a father, and I have to cater to him?”

Li Qingzhi sighed, “Sir, at least don’t scold him anymore.”

Magistrate Gou frowned, “If I don’t discipline him, he might become unruly!”

“But even if you discipline him, he hasn’t improved,” Li Qingzhi said to Magistrate Gou. “Sir, if he weren’t your son but rather a relative’s son, would you speak ill of him in front of others?”

Of course not… Magistrate Gou fell silent.

“Sir, if you were dining with someone and they kept speaking ill of you, would you not get angry?”

Certainly, he would get angry! Magistrate Gou realized he was in the wrong. “But I’m his father, what’s with his attitude…”

“Sir, if you don’t want your child to distance himself from you, it’s best not to keep scolding him all the time,” Li Qingzhi advised.

Suddenly, Magistrate Gou had an idea and asked Li Qingzhi, “Nephew, you have many ideas… Do you have any way to make my son study and behave better?”

“Sir, why don’t you send him to study with Li Xiucai?” Li Qingzhi suggested.

“Even if I personally supervise him, he still won’t study properly…” Magistrate Gou felt he had more knowledge than Li Xiucai.

“Sir, he’s defying you!” Li Qingzhi pointed out.

After some thought, Magistrate Gou said, “Tomorrow, I’ll have his mother take him to Li Xiucai’s place… What else?”

What else? Li Qingzhi suggested, “Sir, there’s much to be done at the new dock. Why not let him help out there after school?”

Li Qingzhi felt it was best if this father and son had less contact.

Additionally… at his age, Gou Ying had the most energy. Making him study all day would surely annoy him. Studying during the day and helping out in the evening might make him happier and less inclined to argue with his father.

“What help can he offer?” Magistrate Gou looked skeptical.

Li Qingzhi: “…”

After some persuasion from Li Qingzhi, Magistrate Gou finally agreed not to speak ill of his son anymore and also agreed to let his son help out at the new dock.

Remembering how the two stewards had sided with Magistrate Gou and criticized Gou Ying earlier, Li Qingzhi added, “Sir, I happen to be going to study with Li Xiucai and planning to visit the dock in the evening… Let me take Young Master Gou with me.”

If he didn’t take Gou Ying, he would have to let him follow Zhu Qian. At least Zhu Qian wouldn’t speak ill of Gou Ying in front of him!

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