Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 231: A knock on the door in the middle of the night

What did this mean!

Feeling silly, Lian Fang Zhou subconsciously meet Ah Jian’s gaze and decided to ignored Lian Ze’s words.
She hurriedly laughed: “Then why aren’t you playing? You didn’t quarrel with anyone, right?”

“No!” Lian Ze said, his expression honest.
He looked at Ah Jian earnestly: “Brother Ah Jian said that martial arts are very important and I should come back to practice, so I did!”

Ah Jian nodded approvingly and took off his repaired clothes, setting them aside.
He smiled: “It’s rare that you have this much heart, let’s go to the backyard!”

“Go on!” Lian Fang Zhou smiled and watched them leave.

The children of poor families started working at home at an early age and which family did not help out in day to day life? Not the mention, there were no entertainment programs in ancient times.
Even if there were some amusements, few children had the time to play.

The New Year was the rare opportunity for delicious food, time to play, and firecrackers, so children were always very excited.

It was surprising that Lian Ze had not become distracted and still remembered to come home and practice his martial arts, showing that he was very diligent about this matter.

He had the aspiration, so why wouldn’t he learn?

Lian Fang Zhou immediately felt very pleased.

About half an hour later, Third Aunt returned with Lian Fang Qing and Lian Che.

Lian Fang Zhou was amused, wondering how the three had met up.
She waved them to sit down and warm up by the fire, pouring them some hot tea to drink in small sips.

The two small faces were flushed with cold and their fingers numb, but their eyes were bright as they shouted: “It’s not cold!”

Third Aunt hurriedly said: “Why are you home alone? Did Ah Jian got out? Does this mean that Ah Ze returned?”

Lian Fang Zhou smiled at her: “Ah Jian and Ah Ze are practicing marital arts in the backyard.”

“What?” Third Aunt was stunned, her voice dazed: “But the New Year’s celebration hasn’t finished, this is really…”

“Whether he likes it, it’s also a skill to learn!” Lian Fang Zhou smiled faintly, taking the opportunity to educate Lian Fang Qing and Lian Che, so they could learn to persevere like their second brother.
Both children nodded, agreeing.

Soon Ah Jian and Lian Ze returned.

Their hair was a bit messy and their clothes were blown by the cold, but they were panting and sweating profusely.

After drinking a cup of hot tea and taking a break, Lian Fang Zhou pulled out the red envelopes, smiling.
“Everyone is here now, it’s time to give out the red envelopes!”

There were three small red packets and the children were all very happy, especially when they heard Lian Fang Zhou say that the money was theirs to keep.
It was gratifying to know they wouldn’t have to give it back.

Third Aunt also received one as Lian Fang Zhou said a few words of gratitude.
She was really grateful to Third Aunt; if she hadn’t come to live with them, Lian Fang Zhou would have been much more reluctant to allow Ah Jian to stay, after all.

Ah Jian didn’t ask for one, taking his and handing it back to Lian Fang Zhou.
He smiled casually and asked her to save it for him.

Lian Fang Zhou knew that he had always been like this and took it back with a smile.

“Let’s go to the compound and take a look, I don’t know what they are doing! They should be ready to receive their red envelopes now and have finished their celebrations.
However, if there are too many idle people, its easy for accidently to happen and good people should be careful at night!” Lian Gang Zhou said to Lian Ze and Ah Jian.

The two agreed and put on their thick coats and hats, walking over with lanterns.

After two workers had made mistakes, Qin Feng was very strict on weekdays.
Today, he only allowed the servants to play in the yard, they were not allowed to enter the village.
Zhang Xiao Jun was ordered to close the gates after dark and no one dared complain.

Qin Feng strictly forbid gambling, offering other games for fun.
Though they did not dare use money, they were able to use some things like melon seeds and peanuts.

Lian Fang Zhou and the other two arrived, handing out the red packets and giving a few good words.
Everyone was very excited.
They were polite and respectful, lively talking with the three masters for a long time.

After they returned home and finished eating supper, Lian Fang Qing and Lian Che were a little sleepy but they insisted that they were not tired, saying they were going to stay awake until the firecrackers went off.

Feeling bored, Lian Fang Zhou casually told a few stories to pass the time.
Unexpectedly, not only the children, but the older people were fascinated by them.
Ah Jian was the most surprised, he had not expected her to be so whimsical.

When it was finally time, the sound of firecrackers burst into the night sky, one after another.
The Lian family went into the yard with a long string of firecrackers.

With the pop of firecrackers, the 30th year of the Jian period officially passed into the 31st.

New year, new hope.
For Lian Fang Zhou, her career had just begun!

They called ‘Happy New Year!’ to each other, laughing, as they went inside.
Lian Fang Zhou smiled: “Ah, let’s go to bed! You can get up early tomorrow to celebrate the new year.”

This time, everyone was tired.
Each of them yawned and agreed; washing up and heading to bed.

After a while, dozing as if in a dream, Lian Fang Zhou thought she faintly seemed to hear the eager slap of the door and shouts.

At first, she thought it was just her imagination.
However, as her consciousness became sharper, the sound of the knocking and shouting became clearer.

She sat up and quickly dressed, lighting the lamp and calling over the partition for Third Aunt.

Third Aunt could hear the noise as well.
When Lian Fang Zhou came over, she was sitting up and rubbing her eyes as she dressed.
Anxious, she said: “What is this? How shocking, it’s New Years Eve, don’t tell me something has happened!”

“I don’t know who it is, I can’t hear clearly.
It shouldn’t be someone we are familiar with.
Let’s go and see before discussing it.” Lian Fang Zhou told her.

When the two came out, Ah Jian and Lian Ze were also leaving their room.

“What happened? Fang Zhou, who is calling you?” Ah Jian’s eyes were deep.

“I don’t know!” Lian Fang Zhou smiled, annoyed, and shook her head.
The four of them went out together.

As soon as the courtyard gate opened, before Lian Fang Zhou had time to speak, she saw a tall figure weeping.
“Miss Lian!” the figure cried, kneeling down, shocking the four people!

Ah Jian subconsciously stepped forward and blocked the three of them behind him.

“You are— Uncle Sun!” Lian Fang Zhou was taken aback and hurriedly asked Lian Ze to help Sun Zhang Xing, saying anxiously: “Uncle Sun, what’s the matter? Speak slowly!”

The visitor was Sun Zhang Xing, the hunter who lived in a shack by the village.

At this time, Sun Zhang Xing had tangled hair, messy clothes, flushed eyes and his face was haggard and anxious, making him look ten years older.

He refused to get up, only raising his head to look straight at Lian Fang Zhou.
His gaze was filled with despair and prayer.
It seemed that even if she asked for his life, he would agree without question.

“Miss Lian, please, please, save my Ah Ming! Miss Lian, I will be a horse and a cow to repay you, please save my Ah Ming!” Sun Zhang Xing begged, his voice full of tears.
An adult man would never cry like this unless he was desperate!

“Brother Sun Ming?” Lian Fang Zhou’s expression changed, and she demanded: “What happened!?”