Chapter 90: Act First, Report Later
That night, the family of four gathered in their room to secretly plot.
Wen Xiuyi said, “We have to buy a cow. Without one, nothing we make will be useful. We can’t have people walking in front while the plow runs behind them, right?”
Wen Yao replied, “Grandma will definitely disagree.”
Wen Xiuyi looked at her. “Then we keep digging the fields by hand.”
The siblings leaned back in unison, their faces filled with rejection.
Datou sat cross-legged beside them, looking from one to the other. “Then we can secretly buy one and not tell Grandpa and Grandma.”
Wen Xiuyi glanced at the siblings, scooped Datou into his arms, and said, “The two older ones aren’t as clever as the little one, right, son?”
Datou blushed and secretly checked his brother and sister’s expressions. Only when he saw they weren’t upset did he relax.
“Datou’s right. We won’t tell your grandparents. We’ll act first and report later. Otherwise, we really won’t survive this. And what if we buy even more land later? Are we supposed to keep working like fools forever?” Wen Xiuyi said while ruffling Datou’s hair.
Datou obediently let him.
After playing enough, Wen Xiuyi continued, “We must buy a cow, but a cow alone isn’t enough—we need tools. Jun, bring paper and a brush. I’ll draw something.”
Wen Jun fetched paper and brush. Soon, a curved-beam plow appeared on the paper, labeled with parts and instructions.
After watching for a while, Datou said, “This isn’t like the village head’s plow.”
He had seen that one before—it was straight.
“You’ve seen it?” they asked.
Datou nodded and quickly drew the village head’s straight plow. His lines were childish but clear and decisive.
The three were stunned—not by the straight plow, but by his speed and confidence. A genius, just like in the original story, they thought. We must find him a good teacher someday.
Comparing the drawings, Wen Xiuyi explained, “The village head’s is a straight-beam plow—an early type. It’s faster than manpower but hard to turn and difficult to lift soil. This improved version is the curved-beam plow. It turns easily, digs more lightly, and with a cow pulling and a person guiding, efficiency will increase hundreds of times.”
“Is it hard to make?” Wen Yao asked.
“A skilled carpenter can do it,” Wen Xiuyi said. “Tomorrow Yao and I will go to town to ask Liuzi’s father to make one and buy a cow from the broker. Jun and Datou will stay home and take the scolding.”
Datou puffed out his chest. “Dad, don’t worry. I’ll handle Grandma.”
Wen Jun calmly added, “Grandma won’t scold us. She’ll scold you.”
Wen Xiuyi twitched. “Son, that hurts. Sleep now. Yao, wake me early and think of an excuse for going out.”
The next morning, the father and daughter hurried out. Luo Shi asked where they were going. Wen Yao smiled sweetly, “I have something to do in town. Dad will accompany me.”
After a long look, Luo Shi said only, “Come back early.”
Once outside, Wen Xiuyi whispered, “Your grandma’s look almost broke me.”
“Should I tell her we’re buying a cow?” Wen Yao teased.
“You want me dead so you can inherit early?” he whispered, glancing nervously back.
After a quick meal, they set off.
At home, Datou sat beside Old Wen and read aloud. The courtyard filled with his clear voice, and passersby sighed that the Wen family had truly changed.
Meanwhile, Wen Nong was thrilled to see Wen Xiuyi go to the dock with him—until Wen Xiuyi helped set up the stall and immediately left to find Liuzi.
“Uncle, aren’t you running the stall?” Wen Nong asked, stunned.
“No. I came to find Liuzi’s father. And don’t forget your studies—if you fail the homework I assigned, your grandma will deal with you.”
Wen Nong: “…Someone save me.”
