Farmstead families never drive away crickets that enter their courtyards or houses. They believe that the arrival of crickets will bring them good luck and a fruitful harvest.

"Xiao Qi, do you hear what the crickets in our house are saying?" Lian Manman asked Xiao Qi. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Firewood and fine rice, firewood and fine rice." Xiao Qi immediately replied.

That’s right, farmstead families interpret cricket chirps as "firewood and fine rice." The more crickets chirp this way, the more firewood and fine rice they will bring to the household, meaning a more prosperous life.

When Lady Zhang’s children were still in swaddling clothes, she spoke of it this way.

The group returned home, the front hall lights were on; it was Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi who were waiting for them to come back. Upon entering the front hall, Lian Manman recounted everything that happened at the old residence to Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi.

"It seems Old Master Lian has come to understand, wanting to discipline his brother and Jizu’s temper," Lady Zhang said.

"Yes, and put an end to laziness," Lian Shouxin agreed.

Old Master Lian is shrewd and knows how to adapt to the times. When he found that the original plan couldn’t work, and the Fourth Household was determined to make Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi fend for themselves, he had no choice but to change his mind.

Of course, that enlightening remark from Wu Lang must’ve played a part.

To make Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi survive, they’d have to become qualified farmers. The group with Lian Shouyi was easier to work with; the most difficult part was changing Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu.

This labor service was the best opportunity.

And Old Master Lian solemnly summoned them, firstly to show them his attitude, and secondly to gain their support.

At present, Old Master Lian couldn’t fully control the groups of Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi. He needed Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang to support him.

"Grandpa is wholeheartedly thinking of them, just not sure if they’ll appreciate it," Wu Lang said.

...

The next day, Lian Manman heard that Lian Shouren was sick. However, when it was time for the villagers to set off for labor service, Lian Shouren still went along.

Old Master Lian had made up his mind this time.

"If he could just persist like this, then it would be great," Lian Manman said.

While Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi, and Lian Jizu were leaving for labor service, Lian Shouli came to Lian Manman’s house again in the evening.

"Old Fourth, mother has something to tell you." Lian Shouli spoke to Lian Shouxin, "Mother wants you to sell all the peanuts and not keep any. She says that she and our father are old and can’t eat peanuts."

"Okay." Naturally, Lian Shouxin did not agree to this request.

"Third Uncle, does Grandmother need money?" Lian Manman asked.

"Mm." Lian Shouli nodded, "Grandmother says she wants the money from selling peanuts to buy a stone mill. If the money from peanuts isn’t enough, Grandmother asks you to sell a bit more grain as you see fit. After all, that grain is surplus and unused."

"What does Grandmother want a mill for?" Xiao Qi asked curiously.

"What kind of mill does Grandmother want?" Lady Zhang also asked.

"She wants a big stone mill, the kind for milling flour." Lian Shouli said.

"Why buy it? Our family never mills our own flour," Lian Shouxin said.

Every month, Lian Manman’s family sends Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou the rations, all well-milled rice and flour. The money for milling rice and flour is covered by Lian Manman’s family, without needing Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou to pay.

There’s a ready-made mill in town. If one were to mill rice and flour one’s self at home, money could be saved, but it requires a lot of effort. The Upper Room doesn’t have the livestock to use.

"Mother just wants this stone mill," Lian Shouli remarked.

"Does Grandpa know? Does he agree?" Lian Manman thought for a moment and asked.

"When Grandmother told me this, Grandpa was present. He didn’t say a word," Lian Shouli said.

After Lian Shouli left, Lian Manman’s family started a discussion.

"What does his Grandmother want with this stone mill?" Lady Zhang wondered, puzzled.

"Dad, shall we do as Grandmother said?" Lian Manman directly asked Lian Shouxin.

"Let’s sell the peanuts first," Lian Shouxin replied.

Soon, Lian Shouxin sold the 320 pounds of peanuts that were supposed to be given to Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, getting 3,840 Wen money. Afterwards, Lian Shouxin went to the old residence again and confirmed with Lady Zhou before preparing a big stone mill with Lian Shouli for Lady Zhou.

The stone mill was very heavy, it was brought to the old residence using a mule cart and it took several long-term workers to place it properly. The stone mill, as requested by Lady Zhou, was placed in the courtyard, near the window sill of the Upper Room East Room.

Lady Zhou examined the stone mill and personally went to push it. Unlike the small stone mill used for making sauce at Lian Manman’s home, this stone mill weighed about a hundred pounds, making it hard for even a grown man to push with just arm strength.

Lady Zhou used all her strength to turn the stone mill, and then she nodded with satisfaction.

"You should’ve delivered this month’s rice to me, shouldn’t you?" Lady Zhou said to Lian Shouxin.

According to the days, it should’ve been a few days later, but early or late doesn’t make much difference.

"... I’ll go back and send someone to mill the rice and flour, and deliver them tomorrow," Lian Shouxin said.

"Return now and deliver it to me, not the milled ones," Lady Zhou insisted.

"From now on, don’t give me milled rice and flour, just directly send sorghum. There’s someone at home to mill it," Lady Zhou told Lian Shouxin, then coldly sneered at Lady Gu who was standing at the door.

Lady Gu shivered, as if placed in an ice cave.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

Sending one update first, there’ll be another in the evening, requesting pink. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation.)