Chapter 28 Dingming goes to the provincial capital

Chapter 28 Dingming goes to the provincial capital

By the time Aunt Sun had packed her things, it was already afternoon. The winter sun was warm. She put on a warm cotton jacket and walked on the country road. Everything seemed peaceful and harmonious.

Huang and Aunt Sun came back from picking vegetables from the garden, while Sun Bomin and his two brothers were killing chickens, ducks and geese.

Yu Ge'er was chewing on wild green dates, which tasted sour and sweet.

Sun Shan pretended to be a pig and asked, "Cousin Yu, where is my eldest cousin studying? I heard my eldest aunt mention a college. What kind of college is it?"

She turned her face to the side and looked at Yu Ge'er innocently.

Brother Yu was a carefree person who answered all questions. He took a bite of a date and said, "My eldest brother is studying at Guangya Academy, which is one of the top ten academies in Guangzhou. This academy has produced many scholars, juren, and even jinshi."

When talking about the school where his eldest brother attends, even Yu Ge'er, who doesn't like studying, looks full of longing.

Sun Shan blinked and said, "My cousin is amazing. He actually went to study in such a good academy. Didn't my aunt say before that my cousin studied in the He Family Academy?"

Yu Ge'er finished eating a green date, spat out the core, and said with a look of "you don't understand" "Big brother only received enlightenment at the He Family School."

Then he said proudly: "The teacher in our clan said that big brother has good talent and it is a waste for him to study in the He family school, so he recommended big brother to Guangya Academy. Hehe, the He family recommended two students, and big brother is one of them.

If you want to enter Guangya Academy, you can either take an exam or rely on recommendations.

It’s so hard to get in, only one out of 300 people is admitted. Fortunately, the elder of the He family has a good relationship with the dean of Guangya Academy, so he was able to recommend a place.”

After a pause, thinking that Shan's cousin still didn't understand, he explained: "Although my eldest brother was recommended by the He family, it is not easy to get a recommendation in the He family. You need to have good qualifications, talent, and diligence, and you can only get it if the teacher likes you. My eldest brother has loved reading since he was a child, and the clan said that he has a good chance of passing the imperial examination."

The He family has produced scholars, juren, and jinshi, but fame and honor are not easy to come by.

If one could pass the imperial examination and become a Juren, one would already have a very high status in the clan, not to mention becoming a Jinshi.

Sun Shan said with a sparkle in his eyes: "My cousin is really amazing."

Yu Ge'er said proudly: "My eldest brother must be very capable. He is the one that the family values ​​the most, especially my grandfather. He gives my eldest brother whatever he wants and often scolds us for not being good at studying. Humph."

Speaking of this, Yu Ge'er became indignant. He had tried hard to study, but he just couldn't do well in his studies. It wasn't my fault.

My third, fourth and fifth brothers also went to school, but their grades were not very good.

My eldest brother is an oddball in the family and he has caused us a lot of trouble.

Sun Shan looked at Yu'er with disdain and said righteously, "If you don't work hard when you are young, you will regret it when you are old. Cousin Yu, I think you just like to play around and don't study hard. It's right for Grandpa He to scold you."

Uncle He, who was standing nearby, heard what the two cousins ​​said, chuckled, patted Sun Shan's head, and said seriously: "Shanzi is right, don't learn from cousin Yu, you must study hard."

Sun Shan nodded seriously and said, "Uncle He, I will go to school next year. I will study hard and take the exams for the title of scholar, juren, and champion."

When Brother Yu heard Sun Shan's boast, he laughed and angrily scolded, "Shanzi, you won't grow tall if you talk big. You will be short in the future just because you love to lie."

Uncle He rolled his eyes at his son. It was normal for children to talk nonsense. He said sincerely, "Well done, Shanzi. You must study hard."

Seeing them talking nonsense in all seriousness, Aunt Sun asked with a smile, "Brother, Shanzi will be sent to school next year, right? Where will he be sent to?"

There are no educated people in Sunjia Village. The village chief with the highest education has only studied for a few years and knows a few words, which is enough to manage the entire village.

The three Sun Bomin brothers were plucking feathers and responded, "Send them to Zhengjia Village, to Zheng Tongsheng's school."

Every ten miles or so, there was a Zheng Tongsheng, who was an old Tongsheng in his forties or fifties. Those who needed to go to school and learn to read were usually sent there.

All five boys in the Sun family go to school there.

Uncle Sun said, "Sister, you will definitely not go to school next year. Zheng Tongsheng said that he has learned all the characters, which is enough for him to work in the future."

Sun Dingming is the eldest son of the second wife and the oldest grandson of the Sun family. He will be 14 years old next year and will be considered a little adult.

Sun Dingming, who was helping to chop firewood in the yard, heard the adults' discussion and his face turned red, looking at a loss as to what to do.

I started school at the age of 8 and had studied for several years. Suddenly I didn’t have to go to school anymore, and I felt lost.

Aunt Sun asked Uncle Sun: "Dingming is not going to school anymore, what are you going to do?"

Uncle Sun hesitated and said, "I don't know either. I'll see if there are any job openings in the county. If not, you can only stay at home and work in the fields with me."

It is very difficult for rural kids to find a job. Usually they are introduced by acquaintances. The Sun family has no relatives in the county town. They have an aunt named Sun in the suburbs, but it is difficult for them to take care of the Zhou family, let alone the Sun family.

Aunt Sun glanced at Uncle He.

Uncle He understood and said gently, "Second brother, how about this? Our store needs a helper. Let Dingming come to our place. I wonder if you are willing to let him go?"

After all, the journey is long and I can only go back once a year or two. Now I am in Guangzhou and I definitely can't go home often.

Uncle Sun, who was plucking chicken feathers, was stunned for a moment and asked in disbelief, "Brother-in-law, are you saying that Dingming should go to the city?"

Uncle He nodded.

Aunt Sun continued, "Dingming is not young anymore. It would be better for him to go to the capital with me to work instead of staying at home. If nothing else, it would be good for him to broaden his horizons."

If I stay in Sunjia Village, I will just be a farmer for the rest of my life.

If you have the ability, it would be nice to do some small business in the capital. If you don't have that ability, it's good to go out and see the world, earn some money and come back to marry a wife.

Suddenly, Uncle Sun stopped plucking the chicken feathers, pulled Sun Dingming, who was chopping wood, and said excitedly: "Ming'er, kneel down and thank you, uncle and aunt."

There is no need to think about it, you must go to the provincial capital, this is a rare opportunity in a century.

When Sun Dingming heard that his aunt was going to take him to the provincial capital, he was excited and nervous, and didn't know what to say.

When his father told him to kneel down, he knelt down immediately. Sun Shan felt sorry for Mingge's painful knees.

Uncle He and Aunt Sun quickly pulled him up, and Uncle He said gently, "Don't kneel down all the time. We don't do that."

Uncle Sun didn't think so, and said excitedly: "Brother-in-law, it is a blessing for Mingge to have an uncle like you. He should kneel before you."

It is difficult for country people to go to the county town, let alone to Guangzhou. Ming Ge'er has the opportunity now, and if he doesn't seize it, he will be in vain for his life.

Aunt Sun patted Ming Ge'er and scolded him with a smile: "Don't listen to your father. We are going to the capital to work. If you work hard and study hard, Aunt Sun will be satisfied."

Sun Dingming quickly agreed: "Uncle, aunt, I will study hard and will not let you down."

At this time, Aunt Sun, who was busy in the kitchen, came out and saw that the atmosphere was not right. She asked in confusion, "Boss, what's wrong?"

Don’t make a mistake and get blamed by your elder sister?

Uncle Sun waved his hand and said, "Eldest sister said she wanted to take Dingming to the city to work."

After hearing this, Aunt Sun was even more excited than Uncle Sun. She widened her eyes and asked in disbelief, "Master, what did you say? Dingming is going to the capital with my eldest sister?"

The eldest son is just like the head of the family, honest and simple, only knows how to work and has a sloppy mouth. Why does the eldest sister fall for Dingming?

Aunt Sun smiled and said, "Second brother, your brother-in-law and I have discussed that Dingming is the eldest grandson of the Sun family. He will not study anymore and will not stay in Sunjia Village. It is better for him to go to the capital to broaden his horizons. What do you think?"

What can we do? They will definitely raise their hands and feet in agreement. This is a great fortune.

Aunt Sun said incoherently, "Big sister, whatever you say is fine. I'll listen to you."

Aunt Sun nodded with satisfaction: "How about this, Mingge will work in my shop until he becomes proficient in the job. We won't hire him for nothing. 500 wen a month, with food and accommodation provided. Do you have any objections?"

Sun Bomin said excitedly: "Sister, why should we pay him? You took him there because you think highly of him. If you want to pay him, he doesn't deserve it since he knows nothing."

It's 500 wen a month! If I say it's not my elder sister helping me in disguise, no one will believe it.

Aunt Sun also said, "That's right, big sister, no wages are required. It's good enough to have food and accommodation provided. Why should we pay money?"

The food and drink in the city are always better than those in Sunjia Village. If you give them a meal, many people will rush to work for it.

Uncle He stopped the couple and said seriously, "You must pay me. How about this? 300 wen a month, including food and lodging, and one set of clothes for all four seasons. Don't refuse."

Huang, the grandmother next to him, also agreed: "Second brother, second brother's family, you just listen to your brother-in-law."

When did Chunlan decide to take her children to the city? I'll ask her later in the evening. Now I have to agree. It's impossible for others to ask for my grandson to work in the city.

Uncle Sun and Aunt Sun looked at each other and felt heartbroken.

Why do my elder sister and her husband look at Ming Ge'er? He is just like my second brother, wooden and not smart at all. My elder sister and her husband have no taste. Ding Guang in my family is much better than Ding Ming.

The couple didn't even think about the fact that Dingguang was only 10 years old and still studying, so why would Aunt Sun take him to work?