New Trickster

  The Zhang family's jealousy towards Lü Shi was like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, but Lü Shi didn't know about it. He only knew that his negotiation had been successful, and so the Zhang family sent three stewards to him in the afternoon, no longer being arrogant, but instead showing their full enthusiasm and sincerity, genuinely discussing with him the construction of the irrigation canal, the distribution of water, and also fixed a price of 10 cents per mu of land. Of course, this price was non-negotiable, but the subsequent irrigation would be 5 cents per mu until autumn harvest. However, Lü Shi proposed that the Zhang family couldn't be compared to other villagers, and the first irrigation fee had to be paid in advance without any delay.

  Lü Shi's idea was that the Zhang family, with a bunch of little tigers and himself as a big foodie, seeing Mrs. Zhang frowning every day, digging wild vegetables in the mountains to fill everyone's stomachs, it's really pitiful. Since the Zhang family agreed to this matter, they should first take out some money and grain to buy some rice and noodles to supplement themselves, so that the children and himself can eat their fill.

  The request was made, and the three stewards did not go back to ask for instructions, but readily agreed. They then ordered several servants to hurry back to Zhangjiabao, and soon brought over rice and flour to hand over. The children cheered, and Zhang Dajie wiped away tears, unable to help but let out a long sigh of relief.

  When no one was around, she quietly asked Lv Shidao: "Uncle, can you now divide some out and send it to Zhao's grandmother next door? Since her son was taken away by the government to go north, there has been no news from him. The old lady is struggling to make a living with two children, and it's already been half a month since we've seen smoke coming from their house."

  Lv Shi smiled bitterly and said, "All these are up to my sister-in-law at home, but whatever she arranges is fine." Zhang's wife immediately thanked him repeatedly, shouldered half a bag of millet, and hurriedly pulled Xiaoyan to rush to Grandma Zhao's house.

  Lü Shì felt a sense of emotion, under this sky, the kindest are still the ordinary people at the bottom of society. But now he's not afraid, anyway, the windmill runs day and night, as long as one person takes care of it, the tens of thousands of wen earned will be enough to cover his own food and drink expenses while staying with Zhang Lao Shi.

  Everyone was delighted with the unexpected wealth, Lv Shi planned to buy shoes, food, salt and clothes for Xiaoyan and several children, and Le Ke was welcomed by the cheers of three children.

  Of course, I should also make a suitable dress for myself, and I can no longer wear the patched-up hemp shirt given by Zhang Laoshi. I want to try the loose-fitting clothes with large sleeves of this era, but the clothes of this era are not worn casually, they have strict hierarchical divisions. As a monk who is not above the status of a scholar, the imagined loose-fitting clothes with large sleeves are absolutely not wearable. To put it bluntly, I am just an impersonator, and I don't even have a household registration. In ancient times when household registration was strictly managed, if it weren't for Zhao Da Hai's protection, I would have been caught by the government and thrown into prison long ago. Of course, now that refugees are everywhere, the government is neither willing nor able to manage them, and the household registration system has almost been abolished.

  After listening to Lü Shi's arrangement, Zhang Laoshi just foolishly rubbed his hands and smiled stupidly beside Lü Shi, while Zhao Dahan even brought a jar of wine and mixed with Lü Shi.

  Two brothers became more and more inseparable, from time to time going up the mountain with Lü Shi's longbow and using Zhao Da Hai's archery skills to shoot some wild game, then returning to Zhang Laoshi's home to drink.

  Lü Shi also humbly asked Zhao Dahan, an old military household, for archery lessons while hunting. He changed from his original "hit wherever he pointed" to "ten shots and five hits". Although this still brought laughter from Zhao Dahan, it was already a good result for a beginner. During this time, Zhao Dahan also taught Lü Shi some spear techniques, but Lü Shi really didn't have the knack for it. In the end, he picked up a broken sword and swung it around, using his tall and powerful physique to create a fierce wind. Of course, Zhao Dahan laughed while pointing out some tips, and Lü Shi listened carefully because he knew that in the impending chaotic times, having good martial arts skills was essential for survival.

  As for Zhao Dahi's drinking capacity, Lü Shi is inferior to him. It's not that he can't drink as much, but rather that he can't drink freely and unrestrainedly, fearing that if he gets drunk, his own secrets will be revealed in his sleep talk, which would be very bad.

  Looking at the honest and kind Zhang Lao Shi around him, the devout and respectful three brothers of the Zhang family, the innocent and happy Xiao Ya, the rough and chivalrous Zhao Da Hai, all these are the real existence that opens one's eyes every day. For these people, I must live a good life and bring them to live a good life.

  Such days slowly ground away Lü Shi's feelings of loneliness and anxiety as a transmigrator.

  When I first crossed over, the voices in my ears always had a sense of unreality, and the things that happened before my eyes were also an unreal existence. Rushing through the crowds, I felt a piercing loneliness, as if everything was an illusion.

  But now, Zhao Dahan's bright laughter, Xiao Yazi's tender words, Zhang Laoshi's meticulous care, and Da Sao's sincere protection are all within reach. For such brothers and such loving people, one should also persevere - this is what Lü Shi is thinking now.

  Day after day passed in this dull and uneventful way, Lü Shi had already forgotten that he was a transmigrator, forgotten about the evil Zhang family.

  The windmills in other villages are also nearing completion, and everyone is eager to move them back and start operating. As a result, the craftsmen who live on Zhongjun Mountain have finally had a big increase in income, and their lives are gradually improving.

  Lü Shi walked through the village every day, and everyone who saw him would respectfully call out "Master". Lü Shi would return their greetings one after another. As a result, Lü Shi became embarrassed and eventually stopped going out unless necessary, instead staying at home to play with Xiaoyu and teach him how to write.

  Zhang Lao Yuanwai has not had any unusual movements during this period. The fields under the name of Zhang's family have also been irrigated and cultivated with ease under the windmill's irrigation. If the Sha River does not dry up, it will be possible to irrigate five times or more this year, which means a bumper harvest is in sight. In fact, the one who is most pleased is still the Zhang family. Therefore, the Zhang family is also very respectful to Lü Shi, and occasionally, San Guan Jia can bring some meat dishes to Lü Shi to relieve his hunger, and chat with him along the way. However, every time he gets drunk and walks away, he repeatedly reminds Mr. to be careful on the road, etc.

  The windmill was built three more times, but the fields far from the land were also powerless for Lv Shi. After all, he couldn't invent a water pump that didn't exist in this world at all, and could only refuse the pleas of those farm families with heartbreaking words. Without a source of water, Lv Shi, even as a traverser, was helpless.

  Due to the stability of his mind, he gradually stopped fantasizing about returning to his past life. At night, Lü Shi was always frantically thinking about the knowledge from his previous life - business, manufacturing, planting, physics, chemistry, and so on. However, the result was that it drove him crazy, as he really didn't have any extraordinary abilities like those who had crossed over into this world with great powers, where one idea could make a large group of people rich. He really couldn't manufacture guns or cannons, and he truly was useless in every way. Every time he thought about it, he would be overcome with sorrow in the dark of night, grasping at his short hair in desperation.

  Every time he sees a household in the village carrying their children and belongings, joining the endless stream of refugees with dull eyes, Lu Shi's heart is filled with tears and blood.

  This great Ming, this Han family's attire, what can I do for you? But with limited heart and strength, what can be done?

  One day is just helping Zhang Lao Shi's family with farm work, and then drinking with Zhao Da Hai. When drinking, it's more time to sigh about hardships and less time to enjoy happiness.

  Zhao Dahi basked in the glory of Lü Shi, because on that day's fight, everyone saw their friendship, so Zhao Dahi was no longer the extortionate official in the eyes of his neighbors, but a good man who took care of one side. So, wherever he went, the people were sincerely respectful, which made Zhao Dahi truly proud, and of course, he also knew where this pride came from.

  This day, before dawn, he got up to look for Lü Sheng and talk to him.

  I was also inexplicably surprised, how did I get along so well with that monk? Lu Shi's ordinary and dull words were like a key to my heart, is this what literati call a kindred spirit?

  In the distance, I saw that monk in the misty dawn, doing his push-ups. Zhang Jiaolao, that brother's absolute follower, was also imitating him step by step. Even when he saw his own goddaughter Xiaoyu, who clung to him, this godfather didn't care and continued to exercise.

  Zhao Dahi hugged his arms and leaned against the door frame, smiling as he watched Lü Shi finish the whole set. Then he said: "There's wine, you monk can drink?"

  Nalü Shi smiled and said: "The Buddha's taste is getting higher and higher, so let's forget about the horse urine."

  The term "horse urine" was coined by this brother, who said that ordinary wine is generally like horse urine and cannot enter the mouth of a Buddha. After Zhao Dahan's actual verification, he indeed admired the brother's accurate description.

  The two of them chatted and laughed, finding a shaded area to sit in. Zhao Dahi still followed his usual routine, drinking wine by himself, while Lü Shi also stuck to her usual routine, watching Zhao Dahi drink wine.

  "Lü Shi brothers, you said that at the time you were so brave and heroic, why did you still have to yield to that old Zhang Mou?" This was something that Zhao Dahi had always been resentful about.

  Lv Shi smiled and said, "Actually, one person's power can't compete with a hundred-year-old clan. At that time, I was just showing you that you couldn't take me down, I could destroy the windmill at any time and walk away from his strong momentum. But to say it again, if this windmill is destroyed, I will also leave, then how will these brothers like Zhang Lao Gege spend this disaster?"

  Zhao Dahai nodded silently.

  "So struggle has its own methods, grasping the opponent's vital points to achieve one's goals. Impulsive actions may bring temporary gains, but they can also lead to harm for those around you, which is a mistake. Therefore, when I demonstrate my strength, I let everyone take a step back. As the saying goes, 'retreating a step reveals a vast expanse', that's the principle. If it really comes down to a life-or-death struggle, then no one will benefit. While harming others for personal gain is possible, harming others without gaining anything oneself is not worth doing."

  Zhao Dahai burst out laughing and, although he still had some reservations about his brother's idea, this time it was precisely the solution he had previously scorned that brought things to a perfect conclusion, leaving him deeply impressed. He didn't argue anymore, but instead drained a bowl of wine in one gulp and fell fast asleep amidst the lush wheat sprouts.

  The wheat is growing well, and Lü Shi also feels drowsy. On this summer night, a good sleep is the only way for him to communicate with his past life.

  I hope this serene home will never have any changes, and it will remain so until the end of time.