Chapter 31: The Hero Weeps Blood and Tears

s briefly passed each other at the doorway.Baozhu's eyes were sharp, and she suddenly cried out, "Sister Wan'er"When Mrs. Jia heard the voice, she looked over and recognized her. "It's really Wan'er,"...I will introduce you to a gentleman named Sun in a little while. He is the most learned scholar at our Hanbo Academy and also the brother-in-law of the headmaster.

The dean doesn't often come to the academy, this Mr. Sun manages the daily affairs instead. His meticulous class is the best performing in the academy, you'll be sure to learn well by following him.

Li Jiaren nodded repeatedly and opened his mouth to express his gratitude.

Mr. Sun was having tea when he heard that a new student was coming to study with him. He didn't refuse.

Lee Jia-ren can write and do math, he dresses neatly, and speaks politely.

Mr. Sun was satisfied with Master Li's few words of instruction, so he accepted the gift of greeting that Lao Er had brought, and then instructed Jia Ren to formally pay homage to his master at the academy in three days.

Li Laerzi and his son quickly thanked the others and left the academy, both of them overjoyed.

At this time, Li Lao Si also sold deer skin and antlers, and came to join them.

The antlers fetched five ounces of silver when taken to Bai Caotang, while the deer hide was cheaper, bringing half an ounce from a leather goods shop.

A head of fattened pig sold for over six ounces, almost enough to pay for Mr. Jia's half-year's worth of school fees. He finally felt a little less guilty in his heart.

When the three returned home, they learned that Jiaren had been accepted by the most learned master at the academy. The entire Li family was overjoyed.

That evening, they steamed two bowls of rice and braised a wild chicken to celebrate.

It's a good thing that the Li family wants to send their child to study, and they haven't been secretive about it.

Soon, everyone in the village knew about it, and they all admired the courage of the Li family.

Over the past few days, people from the village have been coming to Li's house every other day, all wanting to see Jiaren and get acquainted with the future scholar in advance.

"Jiarren, when you get to the academy, you must study hard. You were born into a good family, and when you become successful, remember to repay your grandmother!"

Jia Ren readily agreed, and when Li Lao Tai saw his flushed face, she drove him to the backyard to chop firewood.

"This child is truly filial and well-behaved, he's sure to have a bright future!"

"Lao Li's children are all outstanding, especially the youngest, Jia An, who is also smart and quick-witted! My second egg is bigger than Jia An, and he only knows how to be naughty and mischievous..."

Li Laotai smiled and listened to their compliments, then gave each person a few roasted chestnuts and politely said a few words.

At this time, even the village head elder came.

"Auntie, my wife heard that Jiaren is going to study in the county. She specially sewed him a lucky charm pouch for passing the exam with flying colors. It's filled with herbs that invigorate the mind and keep one alert. He can just sniff it when he studies at night and he won't feel sleepy."

He said this, then handed over a box, inside of which were two deep blue sachets sewn from fine cloth, embroidered with the pattern of "golden list inscribed names", very delicate.

Li Laotai hurriedly thanked the village chief and asked him to sit down for tea. Jia Ren, hearing the commotion, also dropped his axe and came to greet them.

"Our village will have students from now on! Jiaren, this child, is sure to make our QingShui Village proud!"

The village head patted Jiaren's shoulder, liking his steadiness and politeness.

"Then I'll take your words as good luck," Li Lao called for everyone to sit down again, then remembered something and said.

"By the way, big brother, these past few days, while Jiaren is still home, could you please take our family to pay respects to the original owner of this yard"

Before I went to the county town to sell antlers, Li Lao Si bought half a basket of yellow paper incense candles. This stuff is not good to keep at home, it needs to be burned as soon as possible.

The village head was stunned for a moment, then readily agreed.

"Okay, I can go tomorrow."

"Then I'll have Hongying prepare things tonight." Lao Li was decisive, and that settled it.

That evening, Tao Hongying made several white steamed buns with fine flour and steamed the rabbit meat until cooked, placing it in a bowl. She also arranged two plates of fruit.

The next morning, the whole family packed their things and waited at the village head's doorstep.

The village head also brought some food and wine, then led the Li family's large group on their way.

The original homeowner had no children and after his death, the village head still helped bury him deep in the mountains.

A lonely tomb stood there, and the Li family felt a pang of sadness looking at it.

Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru deftly arranged the offerings and incense, and helped the village head pour the wine.

Perhaps Wu Cuifang felt that this place was inauspicious and was unwilling to help at all, wishing she could be eight miles away from it.

Hiding behind the crowd, Li Lao Er couldn't be pulled away even with all his might.

The village head sat before the tombstone, his expression mournful.

Initially, on the battlefield, I fought fiercely with the enemy, bleeding and sweating, risking my life nine times out of ten.

None of these could make this tough man shed even a single tear, but now his eyes are easily reddened.

"As an old brother, I died a dishonorable death."

The village head knew that some people in the village were gossiping about Li's family's courtyard these days, and he was afraid that the Li family would misunderstand. He intended to take this opportunity to explain things.

"Back then, during the war, we were ambushed at night. Many brothers were killed right in their tents, their throats slit. My brother was luckily out relieving himself when it happened, saving his life. But he's been plagued by nightmares ever since, never able to sleep soundly at night."

Later, we arrived at this clear water village. He married a wife and life was not bad. But one time, he had a nightmare at night. His wife didn't understand, calling him several times, but he mistook his wife for the enemy army and accidentally killed her.

The Li family members gasped in shock, and the village chief's face grew even more sorrowful.

"When I got there, my brother was sitting there dumbly, saying sorry to his wife and wiping his neck in front of me..."

The Li family's hearts were heavy with overwhelming pity. A once prosperous home was now in ruins, shattered by tragedy and leaving them bereft.

Li Lao sighed, "He's a pitiful person too, village head brother, you can rest assured, our Li family has also benefited."

She bowed deeply and whispered a promise.

"As long as our Li family lives in this Qing Shui Village, I will have my grandchildren come to pay their respects every year. I won't let these brothers down there have their incense offering interrupted."

That's exactly what the village head wanted to hear, so he quickly thanked him.

"I would like to thank your family on behalf of my brother."

Everyone burned paper and kowtowed together, tidying the weeds on the grave.

As usual, the village head wanted to keep them for a while longer, so the Li family set off down the mountain together.

The Li family's commotion naturally reached the ears of everyone in the village.

Some say Li Jiaren is righteous, while others say he's bold. Of course, there are no kind words about him once he reaches the Liu family.

"What a waste of money! To give such good things to a dead person! The whole family is blind!"

Mrs. Guo was so angry that she sat at the gate of the courtyard, shouting angrily. The Li family was willing to make up for a dead person, but they wouldn't give her family a penny.

Liu Lai Fu came back from the city a couple of days ago and saw his own wife had beaten his sister-in-law until she was bruised and swollen, not even able to let out a fart.

Hearing Mrs. Guo's incessant scolding, he grew increasingly agitated and decided to head straight into the city to find Wu Erdog at the gambling den.

"Wu Er, what are you still doing here Your sister's in-laws are so rich, why don't you just let your sister support you"

Liu Laifu's words were sarcastic, leaving Wu Erdog bewildered.

He had gambled away all the money he earned as a clerk, and now he was penniless and worried.

Upon hearing this, he hurried back to Li's house.

When Wu Cuiflower saw her younger brother come back, she was busy preparing food for him and planned to take out the remaining venison and smoked rabbit.

"Second Sister-in-law! This venison and rabbit, Mother said to keep them for New Year's. If your brother wants to eat, he should go up the mountain and hunt himself!"

Tao Hongying wasn't polite at all; she directly closed the warehouse door.

Jiayin leaned on her mother's back, watching the excitement unfold. At this moment, she stretched out her little hand and babbled twice to cheer for her mother!o Li's house.It so happened that Li Zhensheng and Li Laoer were returning from the city together, and they ran into the village head at the gate. They quickly invited him into the house.Jia Yin was pl...