Chapter 408 Xiaoman is in danger
The orioles dance in the forest, and the swallows whisper late by the pond.
Summer has entered, and as soon as the Xiaoman solar term has passed, the weather suddenly becomes hotter.
Fortunately, the summer flowers are still there, there are many insects, and the fish and shrimp are very active.
Water birds such as Qingzhuang, egrets, water chickens, rails, and oil gourds.
As well as mountain birds such as white-headed woodpeckers, yellow-eye eyebrows, white-eye eyebrows, three-eye eyebrows, fine linen poles, cuckoos, starlings, old gray-headed crows, magpies, turtle doves, old yellow quails, etc., they began to appear in large numbers and flew from all over the country. Come over.
There are birds everywhere in the fields, in the mountains and forests, along the reservoir and the old river bend...
There are even flocks of birds here at the farm. They look dark when they fly. The scene was completely blocked out, with people coming and going, playing and foraging, it was unprecedentedly lively.
It is difficult for Chen Ling to sleep in now.
At dawn, there are birds chirping non-stop on the trees, some with long tones and some with short tones, like a chorus of various birds.
The sound goes straight into people's ears, making it impossible to sleep again.
Every day there is no shortage of new birds competing with old birds for territory to build nests. Birds of different types often fly from the sky to the ground, and from the trees to the grass.
Some ferocious birds, such as magpies, cuckoos, crows, etc., are not satisfied with driving away the new birds, and chase them for several miles in the sky, chirping while chasing them. Attack violently.
There are also some small birds that compete for bird's nests. They have feathers like sparrows and are only the size of a matchbox. But they are as stupid as sparrows and cannot build nests. They chirp in groups and search everywhere. Place to stay.
After finding the bird's nest, it is often chased far away in the sky by the little swallow.
There were also some birds that were injured in the fight and were unable to fly, so they were all picked up and eaten by two pairs of mountain beaver families in the orchard.
Little children are the happiest in this season.
Every day, I would come to the farm, or go behind the Earth Temple, and hide my little body tightly in the tall and lush grass, or simply directly in the green wheat field, squatting behind some fat and fleshy animals. birds.
Their way of catching birdies is also more advanced than when Chen Ling and others were young.
When Chen Ling was a child, he used all kinds of strange floor traps and sling traps to catch birds.
These little things all use clips made of wire.
First go to the firewood pile and wheat straw pile to catch some insects and put them into cans.
When catching birds, take out bugs in places where birds often hang out, and stick the bugs on the mechanism of the clip, which is called "stick" in the local area.
It means a small stick that is propped up, a thin and straight hard wire that can move.
The greedy bird eats the bait on the stick, pecks it down, and the clamp will be triggered, snap it down hard, and clamp it.
Each of them brought a few clips. They dug a small shallow pit under a tree or beside a ditch in a place with few human traces and a wide view, propped up the clips, and placed them in the pit.
Then bury it with fine soil, leaving only the insects exposed.
When burying the clip, your hands should not touch the "stick".
Otherwise the hand will be caught.
After placing the clip, hide and squat quietly.
As soon as the birds fly over, they will suddenly jump out of the grass and blast the birds towards the place where the trap is buried...
That guy, each little kid can catch a bunch of birds in half a day.
Wear it on your body every day and show off in the village.
Wang Zhenzhen also runs out to catch birds after school every day.
She is not greedy, and the bird she catches is not for herself to eat, but just for fun.
After catching them, they feed them to Erbaldi and the little cat.
Sometimes I give it to other little dolls and ask them to help catch bugs.
When I get back, I feed her little crows and little cuckoos.
There are more birds.
Not only are the little dolls happy, but the cats and dogs at home also benefit from it.
Even the weasel family, which often wanders away from home, has recently returned.
Walking in the orchard every day, I would catch some birds for tooth sacrifice when I saw the opportunity.
This little day is really beautiful.
"Hey, dad, mom, brother-in-law, come back for breakfast soon."
Early in the morning, Chen Ling and his two elders were busy watering the wheat in the wheat field. Having been busy for two hours now, Wang Susu has already prepared breakfast.
Seeing that the sun was rising and the temperature was getting higher, Wang Zhenzhen quickly asked them to call them home for dinner.
"I got it, let's go back now. You and your sister can eat first."
I saw Wang Zhenzhen standing on the ridge outside the orchard and shouting towards me. Ruirui was still lying on the ground. Heiwa also yelled, and Chen Ling added: "Watch Ruirui, don't let him command the dog to run around."
Then he and Wang Cunye, carrying shovels, wore Wearing rain boots, stepping on the muddy ground, we walked out of the wheat field.
After passing Xiaoman, the temperature rose rapidly.
You still need to water the wheat again.
Although Chen Ling’s wheat is very strong, resistant and free from pests and diseases, it still needs to be irrigated again.
In the Xiaoman solar term, the ears of wheat begin to be full, but are not mature yet, so it is called "Xiaoman".
"Xiaoman Xiaoman, there is a risk in wheat."
The so-called "one risk" means that at this time of year, wheat has just entered the milk-ripening stage and is very vulnerable to dry heat. This leads to insufficient grain filling, dry seeds and reduced yield.
At this time, it is crucial to irrigate the wheat again and water it again to prevent dry and heat attacks.
"Brother-in-law, you heard that Jukun's cattle also became violent yesterday. They made a long gash on the old man's leg and shed a lot of blood..."
Wang Zhenzhen broke the steamed buns apart and added some pickles and refreshing side dishes in the middle. While eating, he shook his head and said: "Er Mao Donkey's little stubborn cow used the method taught by his brother-in-law. He became a good boy in just two days. It's great. Now the two donkeys are leading it, and it can go wherever it wants. I took Xizi past his door, and he even grabbed a handful of candy balls for me to eat, saying that you are very capable."
Wang Cunye said with a smile: "Ang, he asked your brother-in-law, but he asked the right person."
He then said to Chen Ling: "There are many people buying cattle in the village now, both good and bad. I bought them all. If I hadn’t known that everything has been very busy recently, and everyone has to water the wheat, no one would come to call you. Otherwise, you see, people come to your door every three days, asking you to help train the cows. "< br>
Gao Xiulan also said: "Many young people have never raised livestock. They bought bad cows and they don't know how to train them when they come back. It's all because you raised cows and just rushed to get rich."
Chen Ling Wang Susu and his wife looked at each other, smiled and shook their heads, saying nothing.
The villagers will follow if they are willing to learn, and they don’t care.
"Dad, Mom, you eat more, and eat more eggs. Our eggs nourish people."
Wang Susu peeled the eggs for the two of them and handed them to them.
When Wang Zhenzhen saw this, he was not to be outdone, "Dad, I'm going to rub your legs while you water the wheat fields. You have to work all day long. My brother-in-law knows that your legs are not good and he still helps you."
Wang Cunye has one hand. Holding the egg, he put one hand on her forehead and gave her a headache: "You are the only one who can say, rub my legs just for me, and tell your brother-in-law what to do."
Hearing this, Chen Ling glanced at the little girl. : "Since the eldest brother and the second brother are coming for the Dragon Boat Festival, someone will support you, right?"
"A little bit~"
Wang Zhenzhen stuck out his tongue and made a face at him.
Ruirui, who was guarding two big dogs playing next to her, also followed suit and made a slight face.
Gao Xiulan and Wang Susu couldn't help laughing.
Gao Xiulan pulled her little daughter's head over and said, "You are such a naughty girl. How old you are and you are still so naughty. Let Ruirui follow your example."
She then said to Chen Ling: "You and Su Su can't always spoil her. She's too old to be sensible. If she continues like this, she won't be allowed to ride the bicycle."
Chen Ling said quickly: "It's okay, mother, just follow me." It’s just a joke, is there anything we can’t say as a family?”
Actually, in Wang Zhenzhen's eyes, compared to Wang Qingwen and Wang Qingzhong, his brother-in-law looked more like an older brother when getting along with him.
He indeed treats his sister-in-law as a younger sister.
Having no sister in two lifetimes is not a precious thing.
Buy whatever you want and take it with you wherever you want to go.
Wang Zhenzhen was naturally very casual in front of him and dared to say anything. Chen Ling likes to tease little girls, and if they make her anxious, she will dare to fight with him in front of her parents.
He was also merciless in the arrangement.
The second elder always said that she was ignorant, but in fact, in the little girl's heart, this was a sign of intimacy.
However, this girl has always been heartless. She pretended not to hear what her parents said, and continued to roll around coquettishly in Gao Xiulan's arms, covering her ears.
It made the old lady a little embarrassed.
"Don't worry, Susu, don't worry. Your father and I are not tired. It's not like what Zhenzhen said. Lingzi can't bear to let us two do heavy work..."
"We have it here. There are rivers and canals, and a spring was opened on the mountain wall a while ago, and the water flow is very abundant. We just stand in the field to divert the water and watch the water fill up, just to prevent it from overflowing. "
"Yes, your mother is right. The water in the spring is flowing faster and faster, and we can pour the water very quickly. You can go do whatever you want tomorrow. This job is much easier than collecting herbs. "
After the meal, it was time to continue watering the fields. Wang Susu came out a little worried.
Although my sister said it unintentionally, she was really worried that Wang Cunye would tire out his sick leg.
After all, he is older.
"Well, I understand. Then I won't go to the village for a consultation today. I will deliver water and cook for you at home. If you need anything, please call me."
After hearing this, Wang Susu glanced at Chen Ling, responded softly, and nodded to the two elders.
Irrigating the wheat fields is tiring even if it is tiring, and it is not tiring even if it is not tiring.
Chen Ling does all the hard work such as digging trenches and diverting water.
The only thing left is to keep an eye on the water flow, so that the water can be irrigated evenly, and not too much water accumulates in one place, otherwise it will soften the soil at the roots of the wheat, affect the breathing of the roots, and then soak the roots and drown the wheat.
This kind of work is naturally very easy. Just put on a straw hat and bring a tall bamboo chair to watch. It is boring and energy-consuming in the hot sun.
The ears of wheat in the wheat field are also prickly. After staying there for a long time, my arms and legs are very uncomfortable.
On the other hand, Wang Zhenzhen was still running around in the orchard with Ruirui in his arms.
Chasing birds for a while and catching fish for a while made Ruirui laugh happily.
She also asked Heiwa Xiaojin to follow closely, fearing that Ruirui would fall out of her arms.
"Lingzi, the wheat fields here are flat and there are no low-lying waterlogged areas. Don't wait here...go and drive the cattle and sheep out and let them pasture. If you don't let them pasture for a while every day, They are restless in the circle."
Wang Cunye said to Chen Ling when he saw that the terrain in the area of two or three acres in front was very flat.
"Okay, then I will let it go on the south slope. If anything happens, please call me again."
Chen Ling returned to the orchard and put the three oxen in the barn with the The little green horse and a group of sheep in the sheepfold were all let out.
Then he called up the little white cow, whipped his whip, and went to the grassy slope together.
As for the chickens, ducks and geese, don’t worry about them. When you open the door in the morning, they will run away all over the mountains and plains by themselves.
Seeing Chen Ling go grazing on the grassy slope, Wang Zhenzhen hurriedly followed with Ruirui in his arms. As soon as they arrived, all the family's dogs, cats, and hawks came soon.
After a while, Wang Zhenzhen went back to deliver water to his parents. A few weasels appeared sneakily out of nowhere, rubbing and rolling at Chen Ling's feet.
It attracted a group of dogs and small tabby cats to surround them, and soon they were jumping up and down happily chasing each other, running all over the slope for a while.
Ruirui also broke away from his arms and crawled around in the soft grass, shouting and chasing them with excitement on his face.
Heiwa Xiaojin couldn't stop him even if he wanted to. He barked twice at Chen Ling, but saw that Chen Ling was just watching and had no intention of stopping the little thing from crawling around.
In desperation, I had to follow him closely behind and run around.
When I find places with thorns and thorns and deep grass where there are many snakes and insects, I quickly stop them in advance and bark to stop the little things from moving forward.
Chen Ling smiled happily when he saw this, and followed leisurely with his whip in hand.
When the little kid had finished playing, he walked forward and picked him up, patted him clean, and put him on the back of the little white cow. He also leaned on the broad and strong cow. The father and son were surrounded by flowers and greenery. On the beautiful grassy slope, facing the mountain breeze, it is really comfortable.
At this time of year, the rapeseed flowers have faded, but there are still many wild flowers blooming on the grass slopes. The soft grass and fragrant flowers are fragrant. The mountain breeze blows gently, and there is a faint fruity fragrance.
“Dad~”
The little thing sat on the back of the cow and played happily with cats and dogs.
Suddenly he felt an itch on his neck. He stretched out his hand to scratch it, and unexpectedly took out a small green grasshopper.
This was really a surprising discovery. His eyes lit up and he hurriedly got down to show Chen Ling.
"The brat is so awesome, he would pounce on grasshoppers. Feed it to Hei Wa."
Chen Ling complimented him upon seeing this.
Little things are not afraid of anything. Not to mention grasshoppers, bees and caterpillars dare to grab them.
Hearing his father's compliment, the little baby smiled. He supported the cow's back with one hand, tilted his chubby little body, and stretched his other hand in front of Heiwa.
Hei Wa looked at the father and son helplessly, then reluctantly stuck out his tongue and ate the little grasshopper in one bite.
Seeing this, Ruirui clapped her hands happily and shouted to Chen Ling: "Dad~"
Then she pointed at Xiao Jin.
Chen Ling was immediately happy: "Good guy, you are holding this bowl of water quite evenly. Everyone has a share."
As he said that, he kicked the grass twice and blasted out a bowl of water. The green and tender little grasshopper let him hold it.
Watching the little thing being fed into Xiao Jin's mouth meticulously, she was so happy that she kept clapping her hands.
The two dogs had no complaints, sticking out their big tongues and wagging their tails.
Sometimes I go digging ditches to divert water, and sometimes I play with my son on the grass slope for a while.
The day passed quickly and the sun was about to set.
Wang Susu cooked dinner and came to play with the father and son on the grass slope. The little white cow was lying on the grass, its tail swaying back and forth, showing a lazy, gentle and naive attitude, very leisurely and contented.
The sunset glow on the horizon has smeared half of the sky, and is still playing with the white clouds, showing no sign of receding.
Under the red glow, tired birds return to the forest, and flocks of birds in the dark sky fly past one by one like dark clouds.
There are only some playful starlings, turtle doves, and even sparrows. They fly up and down the slope at staggered intervals, jumping up and down on the broad and thick legs of the little white cow. on the back.
From time to time, it uses its pointed mouth to comb its hair and its long claws to massage its body.
While eating grass, the little white cow mooed affectionately to show friendship.
When the young couple who wanted to drive them home saw this scene, they suddenly couldn't bear to disturb them. Ruirui also calmed down and watched quietly without blinking.
Until Wang Cunye and Gao Xiulan called them...
Under the afterglow of the setting sun, Chen Ling drove a large group of cattle and sheep home. Little green horse.
Behind her, Wang Susu was holding the little white cow. There was also a little milk baby lying on the cow's back, which was babbling and moaning non-stop.
“Xiaobai is really lovable everywhere. Birds like to play with him, and Ruirui can’t bear to let him go.”
Chen Ling looked back and saw the white bull, which was getting bigger and bigger, gentle and graceful. When he heard the praise, he flapped his ears happily and mooed with a smile on his face.
“Yes, I am so good-tempered that I am lovable everywhere.”
“…Well, today we only graze the cows, and our wheat fields have to be watered for another day. I will do it by myself tomorrow. Just stay in the wheat field for a day. Let dad tend the sheep and cattle, and let mom pick some apricots. After watering the wheat field the day after tomorrow, we will go around the county and give some apricots to each family."
"Yes. ”
The wheat is a little yellow, and a girl looks after her mother. This is the official custom.
This means that before the wheat harvest, the daughter goes to her parents’ home to honor her parents and ask about this year’s wheat harvest.
If you are too busy, your son-in-law will also call over to help.
But here at home, the father-in-law and the mother-in-law live in their own home. Not to mention the little yellow girl looking after the mother, the eldest uncle and the second uncle have agreed in advance that they will come to their place during the Dragon Boat Festival. Pass.
It is said that the girl is pregnant with her second child and will definitely be too busy. She has to help them harvest wheat.
In this situation, even though Chen Ling usually didn't say anything, he knew in his heart that it was not easy to meet such a family member. It was a blessing that had been cultivated in several lifetimes.
But he couldn't bear to let his father-in-law and mother-in-law work for them all day long. Every time, he would discuss with Wang Susu in private and find various reasons to let them work less.
(End of this chapter)