Chen Xiaobei sat down next to Chen Dachun. Chen Dachun poured him a cup of wine, and the two smiled at each other and drank it down.
Putting down his wine cup, Chen Xiaobei continued, "Brother Dachun, there's something I need to explain to you in advance. While you've been ill, Brother Dayong has been in charge of the village guard."
Without needing to elaborate, Chen Dachun understood. He smiled and waved his hand, "It's alright, it's alright. I can barely walk, so just arrange some tasks I can handle."
With Chen Dachun's attitude, Chen Xiaobei felt relieved. He nodded.
"That's good. When we deliver vegetables to the county town, you can be in charge of driving the cart."
Hearing this, Dachun seemed very pleased. "Hahaha, leave this to me, you can rest assured, I guarantee I'll complete it."
After finishing, he lowered his voice, "Brother Xiaobei, there's something I find difficult to bring up."
Seeing Chen Dachun's hesitant expression, Chen Xiaobei thought he had encountered some difficulty and said with conviction, "Brother Dachun, whatever it is, just say it. As long as I can do it."
Chen Dachun spoke in an even lower voice, "This matter, I mentioned it to you a few days ago, about wanting to take a second wife. Can you help me look for one..."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei almost spat out his tea.
They say that when one is well-fed and warm, they begin to indulge in carnal desires.
This fellow had only just managed to stand up today and could barely walk steadily, yet he was already thinking of this matter.
What surprised Chen Xiaobei even more was yet to come. Chen Xiaobei looked at him and asked in a low voice, "Do you have any particular young woman in mind?"
"Yes, yes, it's Lidong's widow, Qiu Mei." After saying this, Chen Dachun smiled sheepishly.
He smiled, but Chen Xiaobei was stunned. Had he misheard? He dug his ear vigorously.
"Brother, did I hear that right? You said who? Qiu Mei?"
Chen Dachun, his face red, said in a low voice, "Yes, we know Lidong well, and we all know what kind of person Qiu Mei is. I'll help raise Lidong's child. Besides, they say if you have a girl first, you're sure to have a boy next time."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei was helpless. Who said that? There was no basis for it. In his past life, he had seen many instances of people having girls first and then girls again. However, one thing was that compared to Cuihua, whose stomach hadn't moved for years, Qiu Mei might be more fertile. That was all.
"Let Hongyu listen to Qiu Mei's thoughts on this later," Chen Xiaobei agreed vaguely.
"Brother Xiaobei, this matter rests entirely on you. Please hurry."
"Oh, and I want to build another courtyard. We can't have so many people crammed into one yard."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei fell silent. He knew that although Dachun's words were unintentional, they were directed at him. This trend was not good.
After lunch, he returned home. Cui Hongyu was busy with housework when Chen Qiaoer walked over.
Chen Qiaoer sat by Chen Xiaobei with a twig in her hand and said with a smile, "Brother, brother, I'll write the characters Sister Ziyan taught me the other day for you."
Hearing Chen Qiaoer say this, Chen Xiaobei suddenly realized that ever since Ziyan left, the children hadn't been to school for several days. This wouldn't do. This matter needed to be resolved quickly; they couldn't give up halfway.
But who could be the teacher? Although Cui Hongyu was literate, she was already pregnant and would need to rest soon. He would have to find someone else.
Seeing his indecision, Cui Hongyu spoke up, "Why don't I do it? You won't find anyone suitable in a hurry."
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. Last time, it was Cui Hongyu who helped find Shen Ziyan. This time, he had to do it himself. But whom to find? Chen Xiaobei thought hard and suddenly slapped his head. That's right, he should go find Feng Xiaoyue. Feng Xiaoyue knew many people! He could ask her to help him find someone.
With this thought, Chen Xiaobei couldn't sit still. He mounted his swift horse and galloped towards Xiaojia Town.
Xiaojia Town, Sihai Restaurant.
Feng Xiaoyue was still busy.
It was early winter now, and the sun set very early. People would come for dinner early in the afternoon, so Feng Xiaoyue had to quickly prepare dinner for the evening with her staff.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, Feng Xiaoyue, while busy with her work, smiled and invited him to sit down. She then called out to Xiaomu, who was busy behind the counter, "Xiaomu, quickly pour Brother Xiaobei a cup of tea."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand, "No need for tea. I'm here for something that requires your help."
"Just say it. As long as I can do it, I'll do my best."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. He believed these words were heartfelt from Feng Xiaoyue.
"Xiaoyue, Ziyan left a few days ago, and now there's no one in my village to teach the children to read. Do you know anyone suitable who can do this? Could you introduce them to me?"
"Oh, I used to pay Miss Ziyan ten taels of silver a month. The new teacher will be paid at the same rate."
"Also, I need another teacher to teach the villagers to read. Ten taels of silver a month as well."
After hearing his words, Feng Xiaoyue fell silent for a moment, then said, "Brother Xiaobei, if you say that in Wannian City, ten taels of silver can definitely find a very good teacher. But here, I dare not promise you."
Chen Xiaobei could understand this. After all, this was a remote rural area. Truly learned scholars would probably be unwilling to go to Hetou Village, unless they had a strong connection with Hongyu like Ziyan did.
Just then, they heard laughter from outside, and Fang Jun rushed in impetuously.
"Xiaoyue, Xiaoyue! I just received a letter from Grandpa. He's returned to his hometown and will be coming to Xiaojia Town to see us in a couple of days."
Feng Xiaoyue nodded, "That's great! That's wonderful. My parents were also planning to visit."
After saying this, Feng Xiaoyue's eyes suddenly lit up. She looked at Chen Xiaobei, then at Fang Jun, "Brother Jun, there's something I want to discuss with you."
"Brother Xiaobei needs to find a teacher. Would you be willing to go?"
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei was also startled.
"Miss Xiaoyue, isn't that inappropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it? Brother Jun doesn't have anything to do right now. Oh, and don't worry, Brother Jun's scholarship is excellent. If Grandfather Fang hadn't forbidden him from taking the imperial examinations, he would have become an official long ago."
Chen Xiaobei believed this. How could the grandson of a prime minister lack knowledge?
"It's just that my conditions are really limited. If Brother Fang Jun were to go, it would be too much of a hardship for him."
At this moment, Fang Jun shook his head, "Brother Xiaobei, none of that matters. As long as you are willing, I can go tomorrow."
Seeing Fang Jun's decisive response, Chen Xiaobei smiled and nodded, "In that case, I won't be polite."