"I think Lao Jin is unnecessary," Lian Shouyi broke the silence, "It's time for the eldest brother to send money."

Lian Shouyi means that Lao Jin is going to collect debts, and Lian Shouren will definitely send the money back on time.

No one agreed with Lian Shouyi's words. Lian Shouren was beaten again that time, and then lived at home for a few days before returning to the county town. After that, he had no news.

Lian Shouren should not forget how he owed usury. He was about to pay back the money, but he had not raised any money. How much money he raised, and when would he send it back? Even if something was delayed, he should ask someone to send a letter back to make the family feel at ease.

As a result, there was no movement on the other side.

Lian Man'er recalled what she saw as Lian Shouren's actions. Lian Shouren was indeed a person who was irresponsible and was not reliable in his work.

Mr. Lian was originally an impatient person. If he could wait until this time, he would have been full of expectations for Lian Shouren. Now that he has summoned several sons, it means that his trust and expectations for Lian Shouren have been shaken. Mr. Lian couldn't sit still.

The old man's eyes swept across his sons one by one.

"Tomorrow morning, the second and third brothers, you two go to the county town." Mr. Lian said, "Let your elder brother come home and bring back the money that should be paid back."

"Does your brother have to wait until that day?" Lian Shouyi said, "Brother is a busy man now."

"What's he doing? He doesn't know what such a big deal?" Old Master Lian yelled.

"What are you angry with me?" Lian Shouyi curled his lips and muttered in a low voice.

After the old man shouted in one sentence, he suddenly started to cough violently.

Lian Man'er hurriedly ran out, poured a bowl of water and handed it to Mr. Lian.

"Master, please drink a little water and say something slowly." Lian Man'er said.

Zhou moved to Mr. Lian and slapped Mr. Lian's back hard. Mr. Lian waved his hand and told Zhou not to pat him again. He took the bowl from Lian Man'er's hand and drank the bowl of water.

"That money is not a small amount. If the heavens can't pay back the money, then it will be profitable! If you go, just say it's me. Bring back the money and your elder brother... Let Jizu come back too, it's almost the New Year." Old Master Lian took a breath and calmed his anger a little. Then he slowly said.

"Get up early tomorrow to cook." Old Master Lian said to Zhou again.

…………

The next day, there was movement in the yard of Lian's family early. Zhang got up from the kang and put on his clothes while touching Hei. Lian Man'er woke up. When she sat up and put on her clothes, she saw a light in the direction of the upper room through the paper-paste window.

"My breasts and they got up too." Lian Man'er said.

"Well, aren't your second uncle and your third uncle going to the county town today?" Zhang replied.

Because Lian Shouli was going to the county, Zhao had already gotten up and boiled hot water for Zhang and the others. Zhang, Lian Zhier and Lian Man'er's mother simply washed up and planned to go to the breakfast shop to start construction.

Lian Shouli and Lian Shouyi had already had breakfast and were standing in the yard. Zhou and Lian Xiuer were filling the bag with buns and frozen tofu. Old Master Lian was smoking a pipe and watching.

Lian Shouren's family followed the rules and wanted to return to the village to celebrate the New Year. These buns and frozen tofu were given to Mr. Lian and the eldest daughter of Zhou, Lian Xiu'er.

"Tie the bag tightly so that half of things can fall out." Mr. Lian instructed.

Lian Shouli walked over and tied the two bags in circles with hemp ropes. Zhao walked out of the room, holding half a piece of worn cotton door curtain in his hand, and put it on Lian Shouli's back. Zhou also took a piece and draped it on Lian Shouyi's back.

Lian Shouli grabbed the bag and half-squatted down. Zhao helped him hold the bag up. When Lian Shouli stood up and said, he carried a sack of cakes on his back.

"Mom, give me two money," Lian Shouyi stretched out his hand at Zhou.

"What money do you want? When you get there, can your elder sister eat less or drink less? Let's go quickly." Zhou pointed to the door and urged.

Lian Shouyi was unable to do so, so he had to carry a bag of frozen tofu under Zhou's urging.

"Dad, mom, we're leaving." Lian Shouli said to Mr. Lian and Zhou.

"Go, be careful on the way. Remember my words, go and go early and go back early, and don't let your family worry about it." Old Master Lian waved his hand.

Lian Shouli and Lian Shouyi then walked out under the gaze of everyone.

Thirty-li Yingzi is away from Jinyang County, and walks thirty-limits on the official road. At this time, the traffic was not developed, but it was not impossible to call a cart. However, it was done by rich people, and the merchants all chose to walk. For example, Lian Shouli and Lian Shouyi had to carry two sacks of things and walked all the way to the county town.

The Lian brothers have to walk on this road at least once a year, which is to give buns and frozen tofu to the elder sisters in the city.

On the way to the shop, Zhang and Zhao walked in front, Lian Zhier, Lian Man'er and Lian Ye'er followed behind. Xiaoqi was allowed to sleep for half an hour because of his young age. When the shop opened the door before breakfast, he would come to help.

"I wonder if Ye'er's father can come back today." Zhao whispered.

"This is not accurate." Zhang said, "In previous years, there was nothing wrong, I could come back when I had supper. This year is hard to say."

Lian Man'er and others were also talking about it later.

"Can Sister Huaer pay back the money?" Lian Zhier said with some concern.

"It's hard to say." Lian Man'er only said two words.

Lianzhier and Lianyeer turned their heads to look at Lianman'er.

"Can she still rely on the debt? Then who will pay the money?" Lian Zhier frowned.

"It's not our turn," Lian Man'er said.

"If she wants to bet on the debt, I will fight with her." Lian Ye'er said. Lian Man'er and the others have split up and can break up. But Lian Ye'er and the others are different. If there is really something wrong, it must be the honest Lian Shouli and Zhao's family are in trouble first.

"Ye'er, what are you afraid of if you are so angry? Look, Lian Hua'er dare not not pay back the money." Lian Man'er said.

…………

By the time of the afternoon, snowflakes fell from the sky again, and they were getting heavier and heavier.

Lian Shouli and Lian Shouyi did not come back.

After dinner, Lian Man'er's family went to the shop again. As soon as they left the door of the west wing, they saw Mr. Lian standing at the door, allowing the snowflakes to fall on his head and shoulders.

"Fourth brother, why haven't your second brother and your third brother come back yet?" Old Master Lian asked when he saw Lian Shouxin.

"Dad, isn't it snowing anymore? It must be my elder sister who will stay for one night and come back tomorrow." Lian Shouxin said.

"Well, that's the reason." Mr. Lian said.

"Dad, it's cold outside, you can go into the house." Lian Shouxin said.

"Yes." The old man agreed, but stood still.

"Dad, I'll help you to the house." Lian Shuxin hurriedly walked over, held one of the arm of Mr. Lian, and helped him into the house.

Mr. Lian was a little strange. Lian Man'er thought uneasily.

The next day, the snow stopped, Lian Shouyi and Lian Shouli did not come back, Lao Jin came for dinner again, and this time he brought a pot of wine.

On the third day, the weather was clear, and Lian Shouyi and Lian Shouli were still missing. Lao Jin came for lunch, but did not leave. After dinner, he left slowly.

This day is already the third day of the twelfth lunar month.

Even the old man had a blister on his mouth and several fire sores were born in his mouth. He could not eat any steamed buns and millet rice now, and he could only eat some of the stuffed rice porridge cooked for each meal. In just two days, the meat on his cheeks was lost, making his cheekbones appear to be stretched high, and his eye sockets were also locked in.

Zhou was a little panicked and took out the japonica rice he couldn't bear to eat and cooked it for Mr. Lian to drink every time.

"The fourth brother, go to the county tomorrow to see what's going on. If this person doesn't come back, your father should throw it out!" Zhou's tone was no longer as arrogant as usual. Throwing it out was their local dialect, but it was just that people were not good enough and died, and they would be carried out to bury it in the soil.

Zhou has never experienced any storms in her life. Even if she encounters something, she just needs to hide at home. She has always had the old man to shelter her from the wind and rain.

Even the old man's body has always been strong, and he doesn't even seem to have the slightest diarrhea. Seeing his current appearance, Zhou was frightened. The other sons were not there, and the fourth son was the only son in the family, so she could only rely on him.

"Okay, I'll check it out tomorrow." Lian Shuxin gritted his teeth and agreed.

"My grandfather is like this now. Uncle, second and third uncles are not at home. My father goes to the county again. What should I do if there is anything at home?" Lian Man'er disagreed.

"Sir, what are you talking about? You and your children's family?" Zhou said angrily, but hesitated as usual. She was a little hesitant. Lian Man'er's words were right. If Lian Shuxin left and something happened to her family, who would she rely on?

"This is not OK, that is not OK. What do you think?" Zhou said angrily.

"Or I'll go, no matter what, I'll come back that day." Lian Shouxin looked at the old man Lian who was sleeping in a drowsy state, looked at Zhou, whose eyes were red, and said.

"Dad, if you don't talk about the second uncle, you don't know what kind of person the third uncle is. He hasn't come back yet. If you go, you promise to come back?" Lian Man'er said.

Even though Lian Shouyi was unreliable, Lian Shouli was honest and thoughtful that his family must have wanted to come back. But he didn't come back, and he didn't know what happened in the county town, which tripped him up. Even Shouxin was just as honest as he went to the county town. Even Shouxin was afraid that he could not change anything even if he went to the county town.

"Dad, let Brother Erlang go there." Lian Man'er said in a low voice and said to Lian Shouxin.

Lian Shouxin's eyes lit up suddenly. Why didn't he expect that Erlang was the most suitable candidate?

…………

Early in the morning of the fourth day of the lunar month, Erlang set out.

Lian Shouxin worked in the shop, but his eyes looked at the official road from time to time.

As it was almost noon, a carriage drove from the official road toward Sanshiliyingzi, and Lian Shouxin moved his eyes away.

The carriage gradually approached. It was a carriage with a shed. The curtains were falling and I couldn't see who was sitting in the car.

A man ran behind the carriage.

"Dad, look at it." Lian Man'er shouted.

****
Chapter completed!