Chapter 700
After Zhang An and the others had picked cherries and peaches and came down the mountain, the rest of the family had almost rested, so they all continued to go to the fields.
"Zhang An, where are your fish-catching leather pants? Find them quickly and put them on for me."
The fat man who was bitten by a leech in the morning was frightened. When he came back, he thought of Zhang An. Leather pants worn by Anjia to catch fish.
That thing can be worn directly to the waist, and it is more effective than water boots. There is no need to worry about being found by leeches again.
"Let me tell you, as for this, you will be laughed at by others if you dress like this."
Seeing that he was so armed, Zhang An really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
No one in the village has ever worn leather pants to go to the fields, not even when plowing the fields.
If a fat man goes out dressed like this, he will definitely be laughed at by everyone.
“Is it necessary or not? When we are doing work, we should have better protection. Isn’t this a joke?”
The fat man said seriously, anyway, as long as you don't get bitten by leeches, it doesn't matter if you are fully armed.
It was just a few jokes made by everyone. For him, this was much better than having several leeches stuck to his legs.
"Then I'll find it for you."
The fat man said so, what else could Zhang An say, except find the leather pants and give them to him.
But because the fat man's figure was too wide, the leather pants Zhang An wore only reached the top of his thighs and could not be lifted up his buttocks.
But the water in the field is up to my knees at most, which is enough.
When we arrived in the field, everyone laughed immediately when they saw the fat man wearing leather pants and going to the field.
“You fat man, you secretly went to get the equipment yourself without telling us.”
Seeing the fat man proudly running into the field wearing leather pants, Chen Ze didn’t even know What should I say?
He really didn't expect that Fatty would come up with this idea.
"What do you mean I did it secretly? Zhang An's family still has a few sets. You can just go and get them if you want."
The fat man wearing leather pants walked more casually in the fields. .
Unlike in the morning, you have to be careful every step you take with your bare feet in the field, for fear of stepping on something.
"Oh, only useless people need this thing, we don't need it. Look at the many people in this field, who is the same as you."
Chen Ze really didn't think about looking for leather trousers, because when he was planting small seedlings last year, he also went to the fields with him, so strictly speaking, he was not a raw melon egg.
In addition, when Zhang An's family's fields were being plowed, Zhang An and his son plowed several times, each time plowing very finely, and the mud in the fields had long since turned into soft silt.
And last year, garlic was planted in this field. Unlike the field where rapeseed is planted, hard roots will be left after harvesting.
So even if you walk barefoot in this field, you don’t have to worry about stepping on anything.
Although there is a risk of being found by leeches, he is not as afraid of leeches as Fatty is.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s useful or not, as long as it’s comfortable to wear.”
The fat man didn't care about Chen Ze's verbal ridicule, because putting these leather pants on made him feel much better than in the morning.
At two or three o'clock in the afternoon, the sun in the sky is at its strongest.
Although I was standing in a field full of water and the wind blew from time to time, it was still very hot when it should be hot.
Everyone in the field brought their own bamboo hat to protect themselves from the sun. Even Chen Ze and the three of them had one at Zhang An's house.
This bamboo hat is a good thing in the countryside. It can provide shade on sunny days, and it is also breathable. It does not get hot at all when worn.
On rainy days, you can still wear it to protect yourself from the rain. Although it is made of bamboo strips, there will be many gaps.
But because of the unique craftsmanship, rainwater falling on it will not soak into it at all.
Of course, these bamboo hats were not made by Zhang An himself, but the masterpieces of the old men in the village.
When Zhang An asked them to weave bamboo baskets before, he asked them to weave some by the way.
Up to now, many old people in the village have added some patterns to the bamboo hats, and then sold them to tourists outside. It has been regarded as a kind of handicraft like later generations.
"There's not much left. Let's take a break, drink some water and eat something."
When the field under his feet was planted, Zhang Jianguo greeted everyone.
Of the several acres of Zhang An's family's land, the two largest ones have been planted, and there are only three smaller ones left, about an acre or more.
It will take another hour or so at most to get it all done.
Now is the hottest time, and we are not busy rushing forward, so we must let everyone rest for a while. This will happen to anyone in the village.
"Then take a rest for a while."
Everyone in the field was not polite, twisted their waists and went to the ditch to clean.
Especially those in the village. Today, Zhang An’s family has invited so many of them to come. It goes without saying that they understand that it will take one day to finish planting this field.
If there are a lot of fields that have not yet been planted, even if the owner calls for a break, they will actively refuse.
After all, if it takes a whole day to complete a day's work, everyone will think that they are lazy and not trying their best.
Once this word of mouth spreads, if other families look for people to work in the future, they will not look for them again.
Now I see that there are not many left, so I don’t worry about not completing the task.
After washing their hands and feet in the ditch, everyone ran to sit under the field ridge.
Because the sun is already far to the west now, there is shade under this field bank, which is a good place to hide in the shade.
Lu Cheng and Chen Ze are not very particular. Like the old ladies in the village, they all sit directly on the grass under the field ridge without being dirty at all.
After all, compared to the paddy fields full of silt, this place is already very clean.
"Come on, come on, let's all eat something and drink some water. It's going to be hard on you today."
At this time, Wang Fang brought back from home what Zhang An and the others had picked at noon. Here came cherries and peaches, a basket of freshly fried scallion pancakes and a bucket of freshly made ice powder.
Wang Fang did not go to the fields in the afternoon, but stayed at home to prepare dinner and take care of her grandson.
After all, the food for so many people is not simple at all. It must be prepared by one person at home. Of course, the old sisters-in-law in the village will not be polite. In the village, it is natural for them to eat from the families they work for.
So we all got up and made a bowl of ice powder and sugar water, took two cakes, and some cherries and peaches, and then sat back down in our places to start.
Chen Ze and the others are not polite. After all, coming here is like returning to a second home.
“This sugar water is still more comfortable to drink, and it’s cooler than eating those old popsicles.”
After taking a few sips of the cool ice powder sugar water, several old sisters-in-law couldn’t help but sigh. .
In this season, no matter whose family they work for, the master’s family will arrange food during lunch time.
But most people will make some cakes and bring some tea. Better-off people may buy some biscuits and some popsicles.
However, compared with the Zhang An family, there is still a slight gap. Everyone can decide for themselves which one is good and which one is bad.
Although Zhang An’s family grows their own cherries and peaches, everyone knows that the price they can sell for them is several times higher than their own kiwis.
And the sugar water and ice powder are not bad either. After adding ice cubes, it is the most comfortable to drink on this sunny day. To be honest, it is not inferior to the happy water of later generations. .
When there was a big market in town, a bowl of this sugar water would cost 20 cents, and it was not as delicious as the one Wang Fang made herself.
"Hahaha, if it tastes good, you should drink more. Today I specially made more, and the ice cubes were just frozen last night."
Wang Fang heard that everyone liked it. , and said with a smile.
Although it is not difficult to make this ice powder, if you want to make it delicious, you still need a little craftsmanship.
And one more thing, making ice powder requires adding ice cubes. In the whole village, not many people have refrigerators at home to freeze ice cubes themselves, so this ice powder has surpassed the popsicles sold by the old man.
Below the field ridge, everyone was enjoying the cool breeze and eating lunch. It was so comfortable. It felt like the fatigue and heat from the work just now had been wiped away.
In fact, Zhang An's farm is right in front of their house. They can go back home to rest and have something to eat and then come out without any delay.
But sometimes, working in the fields is all about the atmosphere. During the rice-planting season, it has become a habit for everyone to rest and eat lunch in the fields.
After all, the home is so comfortable that everyone is worried about being exposed to the sun after going home for a while.
Little Siqi followed her grandma here and was squatting on the ground, holding a piece of scallion pancake and chewing it attentively.
Next to him, Zhang Jianguo was eating with one hand, and had to hold his sweet grandson with the other hand before he drank half of the ice powder and sugar water.
“Hey, there are so many people from Zhang An’s family going to the fields today. They are almost finished planting.”
At this time, Huang Erye led their cattle passing by on the road and looked at the resting ones. Everyone said hello.
"It's not that fast. There are still two small fields left. Second Master, don't be too busy leaving. Come and have something to eat together."
Seeing Second Master Huang, Zhang An stood up immediately , walked over to help remove the plow from his shoulders, and asked him to come over and eat together.
If it were anyone else, the most he would do is say hello, but for elders like Mr. Huang and Zhang Jianwen, he has always invited them sincerely, without any polite words.
Huang Erye also knows Zhang An’s temperament and has never been able to refuse, so he is not polite.
"Second Master, your family went to plow the plows today, and they will be planted tomorrow."
Zhang An brought some food to Second Master Huang, and then asked.
The fields of Mr. Huang's family were plowed only a few days later than those of Zhang An's family. Now that they are carrying plows to the fields, they must be plowing again in preparation for planting rice.
"The rice seedlings at home are almost ready. When your second wife Huang saw so many people in the village starting to do it, she started to talk about it. In fact, it can still be done for a few days at night, but since she has said it, there is nothing else at hand, so hurry up It’s good to fall down.”
Grandma Huang has always been impatient, Zhang An has known this for a long time.
But it is also because of this that the old man has made his family's life better and better over the years.
"What about Damingzi? Why didn't he come over to help?"
Zhang An asked strangely when he didn't see Huang Ming.
In normal times, whatever job Mr. Huang Erye wants to do, that guy from Da Mingzi will definitely rush to do it. He is much more reliable than his father and his second uncle.
“He got up this morning and took the train to the provincial capital to purchase goods. Before he left, he told me that he would start plowing again when he came back. But it was just a matter of lightening the fields. I finished it in half a day by myself. What’s the point? Wait for him to come back. "
Mr. Huang couldn't be more satisfied with his grandson who is very filial to his two elders.
"He said so, if you don't wait for him to come back, run and finish it yourself, you will be blamed then."
Zhang An smiled and said, for Huang Ming often complained that Mr. Huang and the two elders quietly finished the work in the fields at every turn. He had heard this more than once or twice.
"Just don't tell him. When the time comes, I will say that you were with me, and he won't say anything."
Huang Erye smiled and said, he knew that as long as he said this, he would , Da Mingzi in the family must believe it.
If he was talking about other people in the village, Huang Ming would never believe it, but when it comes to Zhang An, he would not have any doubts.
Because Zhang An was no worse to Mr. Huang than his own grandson. He often saw what the two elders were doing and would just start copying the work without even saying a word.
"You can't do this. They say you don't get rewarded for no work. I'm still busy with my own affairs, and you still give me credit for nothing. How can this be okay?"
Zhang An didn’t know what to say to the old man’s actions.
But no matter what, this person has finished the work by himself, and it is too late to say anything.
"By the way, Mr. Er, I have prepared a lot of rice seedlings in my field today. After planting, there will be a lot left. When you plant the rice seedlings tomorrow, come over and plant them. Although there will not be enough for them all. Of the fields, most of them can still be used, otherwise they can only feed sheep and horses, which is too wasteful.”
The rice seedlings prepared by Zhang An’s family this year are growing surprisingly well, and now there is only one acre left. The paddy fields on the left and right have not been planted yet, and there are still less than half of the rice seedlings left in the rice field.
If it were normal seedlings, then not many people would want them, so they would basically have to cut them and take them home to feed their livestock.
But there are many people who want their blood rice. If they tell anyone about it, they will definitely be robbed by other families in the village.
But Zhang An will definitely not tell anyone, otherwise there will be too many people coming to his door, and it will not be good for anyone who gives it or not.
So I'd better settle it privately, so that if people come to ask, they will say that it has been sent out.
After all, he is more willing to give it to Mr. Huang and others who are closer to him than to other families.
"Why are there so many left? Then I will pick up your rice and plant it tomorrow, and use our rice seeds for the rest."
Since Zhang An's family is here With so much left, Mr. Huang naturally gave up his own seedlings without hesitation.
(End of this chapter)