Chapter 133: Exchange
Editor: Atlas Studios
Mu Yangling covered the seeds with soil and was about to pack up and leave when Liu Lang ran over to invite her. “Come to my house for a meal.”
Mu Yangling shook her head. “Forget it. I’ll go to Cousin Li’s house.” Mu Yangling glanced at the Liu family’s fields and said, “Go back and tell your mother that if she still comes over in the afternoon to help Cousin Li plant crops, I’ll go over and help you plow. In the evening, while the sun isn’t vicious, I’ll help you plow enough land to keep you occupied tomorrow morning. How about that?”
Since Mu Yangling’s advantage was her strength, she could achieve the greatest results by helping to pull the plow and alternating between the two sides. Even though there is one fewer person plowing on the Liu family’s side, the number of people planting seeds did not decrease. Since she would always be ahead of the people planting the seeds on each side, there would no longer be a phenomenon of them not having enough plowed land to plant.
On the other hand, now that Liu Li’s family had an additional person helping to plant the seeds, their speed was not slow either.
Liu Lang knew for certain that his parents would agree. However, looking at Mu Yangling’s petite frame, he was very worried. In a lowered voice, he asked, “Can you handle this? You’ve been pulling the plow for a day. Even cows have to rest.”
Mu Yangling said blankly, “I don’t feel tired, because to me, it’s just like walking for a day. Considering I’m in good health, I can even walk for a day and a night, much less a day.”
Liu Lang, who could barely pull the iron plow, looked at Mu Yangling speechlessly, his eyes filled with grief and indignation.
Mu Yangling chuckled in embarrassment and changed the topic. “By the way, doesn’t your section have plowing oxen? Isn’t it your turn yet?”
Liu Lang said unhappily, “Don’t mention it. The plowing oxen is still at my section commander’s house. Before his family finishes planting their crops, the subordinates won’t have their turn. By the time it’s my family’s turn, the planting season will have long passed.”
Mu Yangling’s eyes widened. “Your section commander actually wants to finish planting his family’s land before passing the oxen to someone else?”
“Otherwise, do you think everyone is as fair and kind-hearted as Uncle to give up using the oxen and rotate it between his subordinates?” Liu Lang said angrily, “If only my family had been assigned to the same section as your family back then. Then, our family would definitely be able to use an ox and won’t have to work so hard now. In fact, my father collapsed on the bed right after returning, his shoulders visibly twitching. My mother has cried a few times over this.”
Each section was only allocated five plowing oxen. Mu Yangling felt that since her father didn’t know how to plow the land or plant, it would be a waste to leave the plowing oxen at her house. So, she suggested that each family could only use an ox for four hours before letting the oxen rest for an hour. Then, the oxen would be passed on to the next family. When it was the Mu family’s turn, they would skip it.
Mu Shi had always listened to his daughter, so he did as his daughter suggested. With Mu Shi in charge, nobody bullied the weak in his section. However, it was different for the other sections. Most of the section commanders would hoard the plowing oxen for a long time or favor his relatives and friends. Mu Yangling could also imagine that. But she did not have any good solution, so she waved her hand and said, “How about this? I need help with detailed work in two days. If your mother agrees to help me, I’ll help you plow your land. What do you think?”
“Detailed work? In what way?”
Of course, the more detailed the experimental plot, the better. Mu Yangling couldn’t explain it in a short period of time, so she said, “You’ll know in two days. Anyway, go back and ask your mother. If she agrees, ask her to come over with you and your brother to help me the day after tomorrow.”
That was equivalent to pulling out three of the Liu family’s laborers.
Liu Lang was an expert in farming. At the age of 12, he could already be ordered around as if he was an adult. Although Liu Lun was younger, Madam Liu-Zhang was famous in the village for her ability. Under her command, one laborer was as good as 1.5 laborers. Hence, her two sons were equivalent to three laborers.
Liu Lang replied after some hesitation, “Then I’ll go back and ask my mother for her opinion.”
Madam Liu-Zhang agreed without thinking. She twisted her husband’s arm and whispered, “If you and Uncle Yuan have to pull a plow for hundreds of acres of land, your shoulders would be totally wrecked by the time you’re done. Do you not want these two arms anymore? I’ll only be there for two days. No matter how detailed the work is, it’s only four acres in two days. To Ah Ling, pulling a plow is like playing. With her help, how much easier will you and Uncle Yuan have it?”
Liu Ting also lowered his voice and said, “I’m afraid Father won’t agree.”
“That’s because your father is being stubborn. I’ll talk to Mother and ask her to persuade Father. Second Uncle will definitely agree.”
When Mu Yangling carried the plow back to Liu Li’s house, Madam Liu-Ma was standing at the door and looking around. When she saw Mu Yangling coming over, she heaved a sigh of relief and was about to take the iron plow from her shoulder with a smile. “The food is ready. Go wash your hands and eat.”
Mu Yangling avoided her hand slightly and smiled. “Aunt, let me do it myself.”
Mu Yangling placed the iron plow in a corner of the courtyard. Only then did she have the time to size up their courtyard. Smiling, she said, “Aunt, your house is really clean.”
Madam Liu-Ma smiled and said, “Your Cousin Li cleaned this up. He can’t bear to see it dirty and messy, and has to tidy up everything before he feels comfortable. Quickly wash your hands and eat. I’ve braised the fish you brought. We don’t have much to offer you. Hope you don’t mind it.”
Of course, Mu Yangling wouldn’t mind. She washed her hands and sat down at the table boldly. She said to Madam Liu-Ma, “Aunt, you don’t have to stand on ceremony with me. Cousin Li and I went through life and death together. When we fought the Hus back then, he even helped me block the Hus’ knives. If you need anything in the future, just go to Chenggu Garrison to look for me. I’ll definitely help if I can.”
Madam Liu-Ma was stunned for a moment before she said with a smile, “We’re all from the same village. You’re younger than him, so it’s only right for him to take care of you. On the other hand, I didn’t do anything, but you two juniors have come over to take care of me.” Madam Liu-Ma wiped her tears and continued, “Speaking of which, it’s fate. Back then, your cousin even studied under the guidance of your mother. In the past two years, when he saw your mother, he even addressed her as ‘Teacher’. By the way, are your mother and younger siblings alright? This war is really chaotic.”
Back when Shu Wanniang gave birth, Madam Liu-Ma was one of the rare people who sent eggs over. At that time, Mu Yangling still remembered Madam Liu-Ma teasing the twins with a smile, saying that she was here to visit Liu Li’s junior brother and sister on his behalf.
The memories only lasted for a moment before Mu Yangling smiled and said, “My mother is doing well, and so are my younger siblings. Aunt, if you want to see them, you can go over and take a look.”
After Mu Yangling finished eating, she sat at the threshold and took a nap. Madam Liu-Ma did not disturb her. After doing the housework, she went into the house to weigh the wheat seeds.
Waking up with a start, Mu Yangling raised her head and said to Madam Liu-Ma, “Aunt, do weigh more. Aunt Ting1 might come over to help in the afternoon. I’ll go over to my great-uncle’s place after I’m done plowing here. You and my aunt can plant the seeds together.”
Madam Liu-Ma paused for a moment before saying, “Will this inconvenience your aunt? Y-Your Cousin Li isn’t very popular in the clan at the moment.” Although it was difficult, Madam Liu-Ma still said it.
Mu Yangling half-closed her eyes and leaned against the door frame. She said nonchalantly, “Who cares? We live our own lives. Why should we care about those gossips? Aunt Ting isn’t that kind of vulgar person.”
Mu Yangling dared to say that because she knew that Madam Liu-Zhang was indeed not that kind of person. She was an open-minded and straightforward good person. Mu Yangling felt that she would not be wrong about her.