Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 578 - 297: Kind Father and Filial Son_2
The remaining land was all planted with high sorghum. The whole family, following Old Master Lian’s arrangement, was split into several groups.
Xiao Qi led the ox, while Lian Shouxin handled the plough. Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, Lian Manman, Wu Lang, along with Lian Yeye handling the seeding, soil banking, and although Old Master Lian had intended to create the ridges himself, he was called over by Lian Shouxin to take care of the seeding instead.
Creating ridges was the most exhausting work. Lian Shouxin brought his wife and children to help with the farming in order to relieve Old Master Lian from the strenuous task; naturally, he wouldn’t let him be responsible for that part of the labor anymore.
This was one group.
The second group had Erlang responsible for creating ridges, Lian Shouren taking care of seeding, and Lady He banking the soil. There were three other groups too, comprising Lian Shouyi and Lian Shouli in charge of creating ridges, Lady Zhao and Lian Jizu managing the seeding, while Sanlang, Si Lang, and Liulang were responsible for banking the soil.
Lady Gu, Lady Chiang, and Lian Yeye didn’t come out to work the fields as, according to Old Master Lian, they would be of more hindrance than help with today’s rush of work; thus, they had stayed home to prepare dinner.
While working, Lian Manman couldn’t help but nod inwardly at Old Master Lian’s group arrangement. It was indeed the most efficient way to assign tasks based on who could do more.
With the extra help, Old Master Lian’s spirit and enthusiasm were exceptionally high today. He followed the plough and took care of the seeding, and during any moment of respite, he’d also go and urge on his children and grandchildren.
Old Master Lian despised idling—Lian Manman had known this all along. Perhaps due to the low efficiency in the past few days, Old Master Lian became even more anxious. When Lian Manman’s family ploughed their fields, Little Yellow Ox would rest after ploughing a row or half a row. Xiao Qi had wanted to do the same this time, but Old Master Lian wouldn’t allow it.
"Walk slower, it’s better than just standing around resting. There are only a few more rows left, and once this task is done, we’re finished," Old Master Lian said.
With no other choice, Xiao Qi continued to lead Xiao Huang. Xiao Qi had a little trick: before they started working the fields, he had told Lian Shouxin that he wanted to lead the ox. This wasn’t because he wanted to be lazy; he felt sorry for the animal and didn’t want Little Yellow Ox being driven too hard by Si Lang and the others. If he led the ox, he could make it move slower and not wear it out.
Despite Xiao Qi’s pace not being slow, Old Master Lian was impatient. Not wishing to speak out directly, he closely followed the plough and Lian Shouxin for the seeding, sighing heavily.
Lian Shouxin had no choice but to keep cracking the whip, making the ox move at a brisk pace. Yet no matter how fast the ox moved, Old Master Lian could keep up. He would seed for a while, and upon noticing that he was falling behind the plough, he’d call for Lady Zhang and the others behind him to seed, while he continued to chase after the ox, urging it on. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
Sweat beaded on the ox, and Xiao Qi’s lips drooped in distress.
Old Master Lian was not just chasing after the plough; he also prompted Lian Shouyi, Erlang, and the others. Of course, he himself didn’t remain idle either, sweating profusely, and within a half day’s work, he only took time for a single smoke of dry tobacco.
Old Master Lian’s urging did have a significant effect. As the sun was about to set, there wasn’t much land left to seed. Watching the neighboring families packing up one after another, Old Master Lian showed no intention of stopping.
"Everyone give it your all. If we finish seeding before nightfall, we won’t need to come back tomorrow," Old Master Lian once again cheered everyone on.
Everyone knew full well that unless they finished seeding all the fields today, Old Master Lian would not let them go home. Hence, despite being utterly exhausted, they all buried their heads in their work.
"Even more tiring than working our own land," Lian Manman said quietly to Lady Zhang.
"Don’t talk, when we get back, let’s rest for a couple of days and do nothing," Lady Zhang replied softly.
"I was supposed to stay home and cook today," Lady He said as she walked past Lady Zhang, "something about having help, as if they don’t like my cooking. I’ve cooked plenty before, and I haven’t killed anyone with it."
Lady Zhang’s expression shifted slightly, but she pursed her lips and said nothing.
Finally, when night had completely fallen, the field was seeded to the end.
"Let’s go, everyone go home for dinner," Old Master Lian stood up straight, his tone full of satisfaction.
The field was finally done, and the whole family breathed a sigh of relief, forming a crowd around Old Master Lian as they walked back.
Xiao Qi, leading Little Yellow Ox, trailed behind. Along the way, he gently patted the animal. Lian Shouxin, following with the plough, also walked slowly. He knew his youngest son felt sorry for the ox and couldn’t bear to urge him on.
"Old Fourth," Old Master Lian stopped in his tracks, waiting for Lian Shouxin’s family to catch up, "come, let’s all go back to my house for dinner."
Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin exchanged glances.
From what Old Master Lian meant, the evening meal prepared by Lady Zhou was white flour pancakes and braised pork, a rare treat for a tenant farmer’s household. Precisely because it was such a treat, Lady Zhang felt even more that she should not partake.
"We have leftover food at home from lunch, Dad, we won’t come back for dinner," said Lady Zhang.
"Leftovers can be eaten any time. Tonight your mother made white flour pancakes, pork stewed with vermicelli, and she’s prepared a portion for you all, so come back with me for dinner," Old Master Lian insisted.
"How about this, let the children’s father go. We’ll stay behind," Lady Zhang said after thinking.
"What nonsense is that, you all should go," Old Master Lian said decisively.
"Dad, you go ahead, we’ll follow once we’ve harnessed the animals," Lian Shouxin said, watching the distant crowd.
"Alright, but hurry up, we’ll wait for you to start dinner," Old Master Lian resumed walking after hearing Lian Shouxin say this.
"Children’s father, take Wu Lang and Xiao Qi with you for the meal," said Lady Zhang.
Three men and one ox had worked the field, yet only three men were going for the meal, which should prevent Lady Zhou from disfavoring anyone.
To speak honestly, Lady Zhou treated Wu Lang and Xiao Qi no differently from her other grandsons. In the typical patriarchal tenant farmer’s household, such an arrangement wouldn’t embarrass Old Master Lian publicly.
"With that, what will you three women eat when you go back? There wasn’t any leftover food or dishes from lunch," Lian Shouxin said gratefully to his considerate wife.
"Dad, won’t you go by yourself? Xiao Qi and I will go home to eat with Mother," Wu Lang suddenly interjected.
***...***
Delivering the second update, asking for your support.
Seeing comments from readers about the pace of the story, Ruoyan will try to adjust and speed up the pace. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote with recommended tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
