Translator: Dj2203
Editor: Dj2203
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Zhuang Li closed the window, shutting out the laughter and noise from outside.
He knew without asking that the family who had just walked in were Zhuang Tian’er’s parents and younger brother, the eldest son of the Zhuang family. The original owner’s parents were from the second branch of the family, and they hadn’t returned yet.
“Besides hunters, have herb gatherers had similar experiences?” Zhuang Li sat at the other end of the desk, slowly flipping through his younger brother’s homework.
Zhuang Jiuge thought about it carefully and nodded, “Yes, Doctor Dong often complains that all the herbs in the mountains have been picked clean, so he has to go to the deep mountains in the west. But he’s the only doctor in our village, so who else would go to the mountains to pick herbs? And nobody knows what the herbs look like.”
Zhuang Li nodded and didn’t ask any more questions, but a cold smile crept into his heart: “System, guess how Zhuang Tian’er got the ginseng?”
Even someone with a low IQ like 7480 had figured it out by now: “Was it given to her by that Doctor Dong?”
Zhuang Li praised, “System, you’ve become smarter.”
7480 blushed shyly.
Zhuang Li tapped the table lightly, pondering to himself: “Everyone in this village is Zhuang Tian’er’s tool. The hunters are responsible for hunting meat for her; the doctor is responsible for collecting precious medicinal herbs for her; the Zhuang family is responsible for providing her with food, clothing, and shelter; even the animals can solve her problems.”
“There are many more people who will step forward to help her whenever she needs them. She can take whatever she wants from these people, and she can also delete or even tamper with their memories. She is the underground ruler of this village.”
“Given this, if she was not lucky, who would be?”
Zhuang Li closed his workbook, shut his eyes, and said, “I’ll take care of Zhuang Tian’er, that monster.”
Zhuang Jiuge looked at him nervously and asked with concern, “Big brother, is your head hurting again?”
Zhuang Li opened his eyes and said in a gentle voice, “Don’t worry, your elder brother has already broken Zhuang Tian’er’s spell, so your hands are no longer shaking, and my head doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Zhuang Jiuge was overjoyed and whispered in her older brother’s ear, “When did you learn magic?”
“I don’t know which book I read it in, I’ve forgotten.” Zhuang Li casually replied, then rubbed his younger brother’s head and earnestly instructed, “Your essay is very well written. As long as you write neatly, you will definitely pass the next imperial examination. So you must work harder in the future. I believe you will grow into a towering tree.”
Zhuang Jiuge nodded happily, his eyes no longer clouded.
….
A few quarters of an hour later, Zhuang Lao Er and his wife walked into the house under the starlight. Instead of visiting their parents in the west room, they went back to the east wing to check on their two sons first.
Zhuang Lao Er was a tall and strong man, his arms bulging with muscles that were glistening black with sweat, making him look very powerful. Besides working in the fields, he also worked at the docks unloading goods.
Merchants who came and went saw that he was strong and honest, so they hired him to guard the warehouse to prevent theft. He never cheated or stole anything from his master, and he was also serious and meticulous in his work. So over time, he built up a good reputation.
Every wealthy businessman who frequented the docks knew that Zhuang Lao Er was reliable; so whenever there was work to be done, he was the first person they thought of.
So Zhuang Lao Er never had to worry about finding work and could always earn four or five taels of silver a month. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to afford to send his two sons to school.
Zhuang Lao Er’s wife was also very capable. She made pancakes at home and took them to the dock to sell, earning dozens of copper coins every day.
The couple lived a prosperous life, unlike the eldest son’s family who toiled in the fields all day but couldn’t even feed himself. To be honest, the entire Zhuang family relied on the second family for sustenance.
“Da Bao, does your head still hurt?” Zhuang Lao Er bent down and walked into the east wing, asking with a slightly anxious expression.
The already cramped house became even smaller after his intrusion.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Zhuang Li shook his head.
Zhuang Jiuge said excitedly, “Dad, let me tell you…”
Before he could finish speaking, he saw his older brother shaking his head almost imperceptibly, so he immediately changed his words, “I took my older brother out for a walk today, and he’s much better now.”
“That’s good. Go out more often in the future, don’t always stay cooped up at home. As long as you two brothers still want to study, your father will support you to continue your education. No matter what outsiders say, your father believes that you will definitely be successful in the future. If all else fails, you can go to town and tutor the young masters and sons of rich families. You can earn several taels of silver a month, which is much better than your father, this rough old man,” Zhuang Lao Er said in a deep voice.
His wife, Liu Chunhua, walked in carrying a basket, a mysterious smile on her face: “Dabao, Erbao, look what good things your mother brought back for you!”
As she spoke, she lifted the cover of the basket.
Zhuang Li and Zhuang Jiuge went over to take a look and saw a large, fat roast goose lying in the basket, steaming hot and emitting a rich, savory aroma.
“Gulp!”—That was the sound of Zhuang Jiuge swallowing.
Liu Chunhua chuckled, pinching her youngest son’s ear and scolding him with a smile, “Look at you, so greedy! You’re such a wimp! Come on, let’s go to the west room to eat with your grandparents first, then come back and the four of us will finish the roast goose.”
“Okay! I’m going to wash my hands right away!” Zhuang Jiuge cheered and rushed out.
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