Chapter 79 He Yuzhu Learns to Write
After Xu Damao and the others took a few buns back to the east wing, He Yuzhu carried his load and went to the central courtyard.

Entering the main room,

When He Daqing saw He Yuzhu coming back so early with so many buns, he asked the same question as Xu Damao.

After He Yuzhu told him about the wounded soldiers,

He suggested,

"Dad, I think we should not go to Dongzhimen anymore.
The Drum Tower is also good. It is close to home and has many people. There are also many neighbors in Yandaixie Street and Nanbeiluoguxiang.
If I run into those soldiers again, I may not be so lucky next time."

When He Daqing heard He Yuzhu say that he met wounded soldiers who had fled from the front line, even though he saw He Yuzhu standing in front of him, his heart couldn't help but rise.
After hearing his suggestion, I nodded.
"Okay, then we won't go to Dongzhimen this afternoon.
I heard that your uncle Gui is also selling fried tripe in Gulou, let's go to his place to join in the fun."

When I returned to the front yard and just walked into the east wing, I saw Xu Damao and others heating up buns on the floor stove and blowing on a few roasted sweet potatoes [hissing].

"Where did you get this thing? Did you roast the sweet potatoes in my house?

I gave you the money."

Seeing He Yuzhu coming in, Xu Damao blew the sweet potato from his left hand to his right hand and said,
"What are you talking about, are we so unreliable?

This is what Aunt Yi gave us.

She and Aunt Zhang heard that we were going to have mutton soup today, so they went to help you without even finishing breakfast.
These sweet potatoes finally fell into our hands.

It was just baked and is still hot. How about eating some? We will share some with you."

"I've been running all morning, and I'm a little hungry. Give me something."

After getting half a roasted sweet potato from Xu Damao, He Yuzhu called his sister to his side and touched her back.
"It's OK, damn, don't play as crazy as today next time,

If you catch a cold, you will be in trouble."

“I understand, brother.

The baked sweet potatoes are so sweet, don’t you think they are Zhaodi?”

"Mmm! So sweet."

Seeing He Yushui eating roasted sweet potatoes and discussing with Xu Zhaodi whether the sweet potatoes were sweet, He Yuzhu knew that his sister didn't take it seriously at all.

But He Yushui is only 4 years old, it is normal for him not to pay attention to this, and he is too lazy to correct it.
Just pay more attention next time.

Then he looked at Xu Damao who was chewing sweet potatoes like he had grown a beard.

"Da Mao, I don't have anything to do. Give me your textbook and brush so I can learn how to write."

Hearing He Yuzhu's request, Xu Damao was obviously stunned for a moment. He took out the textbook and brush from the schoolbag on the kang and muttered,

"What do you want this for?
We who are studying don’t want to write, but you who are not studying want to write.”

"What do you care about me? I can't learn it!"

"I don't care about you. I just feel sorry for my paper. This stuff is not cheap. I don't have much. You can take it easy."

"I see. I'm going out to buy some paper this afternoon.
Yours is not in vain."

While talking, He Yuzhu had already opened the "Kaiming Chinese Textbook" handed to him by Xu Damao.
Looking at the illustrations in the textbook,
He Yuzhu had to admit that although this era was rotten in every aspect, education was still pretty good.
At least the textbook looked a lot more interesting than later ones.

Even He Yushui and Xu Zhaodi were attracted by the illustrations. "Brother, the pictures here are more beautiful than those in the comic book.
Can you teach us to read?"

Seeing his sister poking the book with her fingers and looking up at him, He Yuzhu still smiled and nodded in agreement, even though he knew that she might only be enthusiastic for three minutes.
While teaching He Yushui, he took the brush and started writing.

Seeing He Yuzhu writing carefully, but the calligraphy he wrote was horrible.
Xu Damao and Yan Jiecheng who were standing beside him laughed at him.

"Zhu Zi, your handwriting is so bad, it's almost the same as when we first learned it two years ago, it's simply unbearable to look at."

"That's right. If my father saw your handwriting, he would scold you every day."

Looking at the two people who were gloating over other's misfortune, He Yuzhu was too lazy to pay attention to them.
So he raised his hand roughly to drive him away,
"Go, go ...
What's wrong with not being able to use the brush well?
You have only been writing for two years longer than me. Just wait and see. After I practice for a year or two, I will definitely be able to write better than you two."

"Yes, yes, we'll wait. You can practice slowly. We're going out to play in the snow."

When he heard that they were going to play in the snow, He Yushui, who had just been clamoring to learn how to write, quickly climbed down from the kang, leaving He Yuzhu alone in the room.

Time flies and it is already noon.
He Yuzhu put away the thick draft on the kang table, preparing to use it for making a fire later, then put on his clothes and shoes and went to the middle courtyard.

At this time, Yan Bugui, Jia Zhangshi and others had also come to the main room and were waiting to drink soup.

"Dad, is the mutton offal soup ready? Let's cook another pot after lunch because we have to set up a stall at the Drum Tower in the afternoon."

"Almost done. I'll start heating up the buns and you can eat them later."

After the father and son finished talking, Yan Bugui said,
"Zhu Zi, I just heard Damao and Jiecheng say that you were writing in your room this morning. How was your writing? Do you want Uncle Yan to teach you?"

Hearing Yan Bugui's words, He Yuzhu turned to look at him with interest.
"Thank you, Uncle Yan.
Anyway, I am not working recently, so I will definitely learn from you, so you have to teach me well. "

"What's the big deal? Your father treated us to steamed buns and mutton soup today. I certainly can't take advantage of your family for nothing. I'll teach you how to write as a way of repaying your family's favor."

As soon as Yan Bugui said this, Jia Zhang was very angry.
"Old Yan, what do you mean?

So we are just eating and drinking for free and taking advantage of the Qing Dynasty!
I said if you want to repay the favor, you should spend some money to buy some good wine and food to treat He Daqing back.
I just wrote two words without spending a dime.
That’s not sincere.”

Jia Zhang's sharp remarks made Yan Bugui look embarrassed, and he retorted without hesitation.

"Mrs. Zhang, you can't say that.

This is about writing and learning culture. How can it be measured by money?

I treated He Daqing to a good meal, and that was it. But I taught Zhuzi how to write, and Zhuzi learned it well, which will benefit him for the rest of his life.

How come everything becomes so vulgar when it comes to your mouth? "

"What's wrong with me being vulgar?

You are noble, but you are so noble, but you are just like me, a vulgar person, who eats and drinks here for free.

If you are noble, then just don't eat. What are you doing here? "

Seeing the two people choking, the deaf old lady leaned on her crutches.

"What are you doing? The kids are still here. Are you guys just exposing each other's secrets?"

(End of this chapter)