Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 233: Sun Zhang Xing’s thoughts

“Yes, stop talking, stop talking!” Sun Zhang Xing and his wife looked at each other and moved away from the topic with a smile.
Looking serious, Sun Zhang Xing said: “Miss Lian, the money for the doctor was paid for by Master Ah Jian.
We left in a hurry and I forgot to bring it.
Ask Master Ah Jian how much it was and we will send it to you later!”

Sun Zhang Xing paused and then continued, embarrassed: “We will have to wait until the end of the first month to ask someone to come repair our shack.
I’m worried our family’s Ah Ming can’t bear the cold.
Could we stay at your compound for a few days? How much you want, we will give for rent…”

When Sun Zhang Xing said this, he privately felt distressed.
After just saving some money, how could he not feel sad to spend it like this?

However, the events of last night had really scared the couple.
No matter how important money was, it was not more important than the life of their son! If it were to happen again, how could their son stand it?

Gritting their teeth, they would just rent Miss Lian’s extra space! They could figure things out after winter was finished.

Lian Fang Zhou hurriedly said: “It’s fine to stay for a few days, its too much to talk about rent! It doesn’t cost a lot of money to see a doctor or order some medicine, so don’t mention it! If you are really bothered, just help with some of the housework!”

“How can this be done!” Sun Zhang Xing resolutely refused, saying: “Miss Lian’s kindness touches our hearts, but we have troubled you so much last night! Who paid the silver to knock on the doctor’s door in the middle of the night, I understand very well! Our family of three can’t live for nothing! What would we become? We must pay you properly!”

Seeing that he insisted, Lian Fang Zhou nodded and smiled: “Alright, give me two coins and don’t worry about this!”

Sun Zhang Xing had seen with his own eyes last night that Ah Jian had given the doctor only two silver coins.

His eyes were hot and he smiled reluctantly: “Miss Lian’s words, I really don’t know what to say… alright, two coins and we will take advantage! We will move back after the fifteenth of the first month!”

“Uncle Sun is too polite!” Lian Fang Zhou said.

Sun Zhang Xing took out two coins and handed them to Lian Fang Zhou, the couple thanking her very sincerely.
Remembering that Sun Ming was still ill, they got up and left.

Third Aunt glanced at the two coins and smiled at Lian Fang Zhou: “This Sun Zhang Xing is quite sincere.
Even though you said you didn’t need money, he still paid it! I was worried he’d listen to you and not give it!”

Lian Fang Zhou couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Third Aunt gave her a firm look and continued: “And you, what ‘can’t be collected’? Brother Sun still has to settle accounts! How many people would be willing to help him with a situation like last night? Only us! Don’t say anything, two coins or more, that was the life of their family’s only seedling!”

“Alright, Third Aunt! My family has had enough difficulties at home.
We can help so this can be regarded as accumulating wealth and virtue! Besides, didn’t I ask for money? But you still have so much to say!”

“Hmph, that’s what you said! Alright then, take it as accumulating virtue and luck!” Third Aunt finally shut her mouth.

Truthfully, Lian Fang Zhou had guessed that the reason Sun Zhang Xing insisted on paying was for Sun Ming.

Sun Zhang Xing had given the money to prevent others from gossiping that his family was ‘taking advantage.
She had heard that Sun Ming’s grades at school were very good and many people were hoping that he would be selected as a talented person.
If there was gossip about his family, it could ruin his reputation! Wouldn’t they lose a lot this way? In any case, this should be the reason Sun Zhang Xing paid her.

Thinking about this, Lian Fang Zhou interrupted her own thoughts and laughed at herself.
How could she think like this? Wasn’t this a bit too coldblooded? No, no, no!

However, Lian Fang Zhou was right.

After leaving the village, when there was no one else around, Madam Miao complained to Sun Zhang Xing, distressed: “Miss Lian told us that they didn’t want money, why did you still have to give it to them!? They have money now, they don’t lack this little bit! We did our duty by offering and she didn’t want it, this was her kindness.
Isn’t it justified even if we receive it? In the future, we will just think about other’s goodwill and keep this kindness in our hearts!”

Madam Miao sighed, upset.

“You’re just a woman, what do you know?” Sun Zhang Xing also looked around and sighed.
“Even though Miss Lian doesn’t care, even though she’s rich now, we still have to give her the money.
Otherwise, think about it, what kind of family would we become? What will those villains in the village say? We came here so long ago, we have forgotten how much people talked before, but have you forgotten your son? What if someone says something about this to your son, what should he do then? Our son will have to take the imperial examinations in the future, his reputation absolutely cannot be affected by the slightest amount of dirt! Do you understand?”

Madam Miao’s face was pale in a cold sweat!

Her heart full of lingering fear, she nodded again and again: “I understand! I understand!”

Sun Zhang Xing face dropped and he sighed: “Alright.
Anyways, Miss Lian is really kind, only asking for two coins! Our family’s current situation, our son will take the exams in the first month of next year.
He’s a talented student, he must not be wronged in terms of food and clothing.
Not only can he not be wronged, it must be better than before! And our shack, I think it has to be repaired, it can’t be delayed.
And then add our daily expenses! Money is needed everywhere, so when Miss Lian said two coins, I pretended to be old and confused! Don’t we still have a lot of dried meat and hares? Let’s pick a few good ones and send them to Miss Lian.
Take the rest to the compound and give them to Sister Zhang! Let’s eat our own food, we can’t eat for free!”

Although Madam Miao’s heart was still anxious, she knew that this time she had to follow her husband, so she nodded and said: “Okay, I will do this.”

Sun Zhang Xing couldn’t bear to see her like this, wasn’t he also distressed? But…

He sighed again and said: “When our son is admitted as a scholar, he will be much better! When he is chosen, our hardships will come to an end! Ah Ming is so smart and sensible and filial! We will definitely be blessed in the future.”

Madam Miao’s eyes lit up and her haggard and pale face showed two or three points of what could be called a radiant look.

She loved listening to this kind of thing, it was the motivation for all her perseverance.
Whenever she was tired, hungry or tortured by the miserable wind and rain, as long as she thought about this future, she felt warm and full of strength.
 

“Alright,” Madam Miao nodded gently, sighing like an endless yearning, “at that time, we will no longer have to worry about food or clothing, we can live in a good house, eat well, and wear winter clothes.
As long as it is warm, I will be satisfied!”

“Yes, one day in the future!” Sun Zhang Xing nodded, his eyes bright.

T/N: Don’t judge the Sun couple too harshly.
From all accounts, they’re very, very poor and putting everything they have into supporting their son.
While they do come off as a little miserly, they are legit struggling and they actually have a ways to go before their son is anywhere near being able to support them (he’s only 13 at this time).