The fourth son ranks fourth. Originally there was an elder sister above him, but she is already married.

There was an elder brother who died young.

So now there are only four people in the family.

Before the last darkness fell, in order to save some lamp oil, the family moved two low lamps to the yard.

The parents share one case, and the fourth son and the second brother share one case.

The so-called low table is actually a thick wooden board with four legs made of bamboo.

The surface of the table was somewhat bumpy, like pockmarks, and the four table legs were uneven, so small wooden blocks were needed to cushion them.

But compared to squatting at the base of the wall with a clay bowl in hand, it is already considered decent.

"Oh, it seems I came at the right time."

The family picked up chopsticks and was about to have dinner when the courtyard door was pushed open and a man walked in. Seeing this scene, he couldn't help but smile.

Hearing this voice, Si'er's family all stood up quickly.

"Zhang Tingzhang, why are you here?"

As the head of the family, Si'er's adult said hello.

"I just passed by your yard and smelled the aroma of rice, so I couldn't help but shamelessly come in."

The director of the pavilion said jokingly, "How about it, do you mind having an extra pair of chopsticks?"

“I can’t even invite you on weekdays!”

Master Si'er said in panic, then turned to his mother-in-law, "Quickly, give the pavilion chief a pair of chopsticks and a bowl."

The woman was about to turn around when she was stopped by the director of the pavilion:

"Don't panic, cut the cooked meat first."

As he spoke, he handed over the oilcloth he was carrying. His posture was slightly lame as he walked.

The woman was a little hasty and did not dare to stretch out her hand, and glanced at her husband.

"Take it, how can the director of the pavilion take advantage of our family? Cut them all and send them up."

The woman then took it, and then took her chopsticks and bowl away together, giving her place to the chief of the pavilion.

Si'er helped go to the kitchen and brought some bowls and chopsticks to the pavilion chief: "Please, pavilion chief."

Zhang Tingchang touched Si'er's head and said happily: "Okay! Everyone, please sit down."

The woman quickly cut the cooked meat and brought it to the table. Zhang Tingchang stopped her again and said, "You don't have to be busy anymore, and you don't have to add food to the fire. It's good like this."

The woman had no choice but to respond and then retreated.

"How is Si'er doing at school lately?"

"Back to Uncle Zhang, I got first place in the last exam."

Si'er replied respectfully.

"Okay, okay, this is the good boy of our village! When you go to Qiongdu Academy, I will pay all the expenses there, so you can study hard and don't have to worry about your family."

Zhang Tingzhang said happily.

The so-called "recruitment" means that students have their own source of food and clothing, and do not have to bear the burden from their families.

The only thing you have to do is to sign a contract, and after you come out, you have to work for the Xinghan Society's property for a certain number of years.

It's just that Si'er's master is an honest farmer. How could he know this when he heard this?

Hearing Zhang Tingzhang's words, he stood up hurriedly, feeling a little at a loss. His lips moved, but he didn't know how to answer.

"Oh, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit like this, people still think I'm a bad guest!"

Zhang Tingzhang forced Si'er's elder to sit down, "I am half of Si'er's husband after all. In the future, Si'er will be successful, and my face will also look bright."

Zhang Tingchang had fought with Feng Junhou in the Battle of Longyou, but he was injured later. Three of his left toes were chopped off by thieves, so he had to retreat from the army.

However, his stay in the army was not in vain, he at least learned some words.

In his free time on weekdays, he likes to talk to the children in the village about military matters. He also acts as a half-assed teacher and teaches the children some braille.

Si'er was alert and learned quickly, so Zhang Tingzhang tried his best to persuade his family to send Si'er to school.

Facts have proved that Zhang Tingchang has seen the world after all. Judging from the current situation, it is certain that the fourth son will go to Qiongdu Academy. Even going to Nanxiang Academy is also very promising.

Seeing that the family was about to turn over, Si'er's family really regarded Zhang Tingzhang as a benefactor.

"Eat, eat, eat! Eat quickly!"

Zhang Tingchang picked up the bowl himself first and took a few big mouthfuls. The bowl was mostly empty in one go.

Si'er saw Zhang Tingchang eating quickly, then took the bowl and prepared to add more rice.

"Wait a minute."

Zhang Tingchang suddenly stopped him and saw him dividing some cooked meat and green vegetables on the table and handing them to Si'er, "Go and give it to your mother. As a son, you must remember to be filial."

"

Si'er took it and bowed deeply to Zhang Tingzhang, then turned and walked towards the kitchen.

After walking a few steps, you can still see him raising his arm and wiping it.

"Si'er is going to be a promising person in the future. I came here this time, firstly, to see him. He is studying in school and is very busy, so I gave him some meat to supplement him."

Zhang Tingzhang sat there and said to Sir Si'er, "Second, I have something I want to discuss with you."

"Ting Zhang, please speak."

The master of Si'er quickly put down his chopsticks and stood up again, but remembering Zhang Tingchang's instructions, he had to hold back. However, his body still twisted, and it was obvious that he was uncomfortable.

"I have been the director of this pavilion for several years. I have personally settled many families within these ten miles."

"To be honest, I know exactly what kind of family it is."

Zhang Tingchang took another piece of meat and put it in his mouth. While chewing, he pointed at the vegetables on the table and said, "It doesn't matter how much food your family eats, but I know that your family has enough food."

"Now the imperial court wants to buy grain, and it's at a high price, two hundred and thirty yuan. It's probably spread all over these days, so..."

Speaking of this, Zhang Tingchang glanced at Si'er's adults and asked, "What are your family's thoughts?"

Sir Si'er didn't expect that the pavilion chief came to his house and wanted to ask him this question.

At that moment, his hands and feet became confused. The whole rough man looked like a bride, his face was a little swollen and hot, and he didn't know where to put his hands and feet.

He was speechless for a long time, and then he managed to say a few words: "Tingzhang...this is the food at home..."

After talking for a long time, I didn't know what he wanted to express.

Zhang Tingzhang couldn't help but sigh when he saw him like this.

He already understood what the other party meant.

"How is the wheat growing this year?"

"It's... not bad."

"Yes!" Zhang Tingchang said with deep feeling, "It seems that this year's summer grain harvest is good again."

"A few years ago, who would have dared to imagine that we would be where we are today? By this time, we would have already started eating chaff and swallowing wild vegetables."

Si'er's master stammered in reply: "Thank you, Lord!"

There is only one monarch in Yuexun, and that is Junhou Feng.

Of course, some people call Feng Junhou Feng Jun.

In ten or twenty years, it is not impossible to be called Grandpa Feng.

All seven and six counties in Nanzhong are called Feng Guiwang, with the exception of Yuexun County.

If Feng Junhou knew about this, I am afraid that a lot of his resentment over the years would be dissipated.

"Yes, thanks to the Lord." The pavilion chief sighed, "It's just that he left a good life for the people of Yuexi, but he went to Liangzhou to endure hardships!"

Speaking of this, Zhang Tingchang said with a sad and worried face, "I heard that the barbarians in Liangzhou are cruel. Last year, just after you were appointed governor of Liangzhou, you encountered a famine again."

"Now that the imperial court wants to transport grain to Liangzhou, but there is a shortage of supplies, I just hope that the prince will be safe in Liangzhou and that those barbarians will not take the opportunity to cause trouble to the prince."

"ah!"
Chapter completed!