m Cui and Lord Hou. All the records of income and expenditure are here. If you don't believe me, you can check them."When Li Lao Er brought out the account books of the Marquis and Mrs. Cui, Guo Qing...Li Laoer was so angry that his teeth ached, he grabbed his wife and pulled her back to their bedroom.

"If you can't speak, just shut up! The people at home were kind, how did it become wrong in your mouth!"

Wu Cuifua was also momentarily jealous and quick-witted, she was a little panicked at this moment, but it was really too late.

Li Laoer was also getting angry. He quickly closed the door, so that his family wouldn't hear him scolding and feel embarrassed.

Especially Jia Yi, he's in his teens now. Seeing his mother beaten to a pulp must be really upsetting for him.

Wu Cuifang got a good scolding and finally calmed down.

Of course this is temporary, for how many years has she been like this, forgetful and unable to change...

Li Lao Er had been pondering over this for several days. That night, he went to his mother's room and said a few words to her.

"Looking for work in the city" Li Lao Tai was a little surprised, but after thinking about it, she didn't think much of it.

The son had been working as an accountant at their family home. Had he not fled, it would have been a decent job.

Today, I'm doing chores at home. My son is studying and even needs his brother to help him. It's understandable that he's eager to make money.

But since she had just settled in and was unfamiliar with the city, she still felt uneasy and said.

"Second brother, wait a while. After the new year when the weather warms up and our family is more stable, you can go to the city to look for work."

Li Lao Er saw Li Niang's worry and reluctance, his heart feeling a sour ache.

After his father passed away, the family relied on his mother to support them. It was really hard for her, and he couldn't let her worry any longer.

"Alright, Mother, I'll go visit again in the spring."

Thus it was settled, and before long the winter solstice arrived. A first snowfall came silently in the dead of night.

A thin layer of snow had fallen on the ground, not fully covering it. In places, patches of black soil could still be seen.

But the children in the village were overjoyed, running around and playing everywhere. Jia Anjiaxi was also one of them.

The sound was novel and intriguing, and Jia Yin also wanted to join in. Unfortunately, she could only lie on the kang

and gnaw on her toes.

She wanted to grow up, quickly!

After the snowfall, Lao Si went up the mountain even more diligently.

He wanted to hunt some large game, save the pelts, either to sell or to make clothes for his daughter and nephews to keep warm during the winter.

But I've walked all over these mountains and haven't seen any large beasts.

Occasionally, I could catch one or two rabbits. The skin wouldn't even be enough to make a small cloak for Jia Yin...

Li Laosi had been listless for several days. Li Laotai couldn't bear to see her son like this, so she sent him out to clear his head.

"Lao Si, don't go up the mountain these two days, take a walk in the city. It just so happens that Fu Niuer is going to be one hundred days old, you go buy some meat and big bones to come back. At home, we'll make dumplings and the bone broth can also be simmered for several days of dishes."

Before Li Lao Si could respond, Jia Yi had already jumped up.

"Milk, milk! I want to go into the city with Fourth Uncle too!"

This boy usually loves to follow Jiaren around. Now that Jiaren has gone to the academy, Jiahu is always in the kitchen. He doesn't want to get involved in the pranks of those little brats, Jiaxi and Jia'an, so he feels a bit lonely.

Of course Li Lao knew these things, and there was no work at home anyway. So she simply nodded in agreement.

"Alright, let's go with your Uncle Four."

Li Laosi remembered Liu Biaotou and took out a smoked rabbit and a mountain chicken from the warehouse. After entering the city, he went straight to the鏢局 with Jia Yi.

"Wow, brother! I was just thinking about you, and here you are!"

Liu Biaotou saw Li Laosi, and with a hearty laugh, put his arm around his shoulder and walked him outside.

"Come on, let's go to my place. My wife will cook us two dishes, and we brothers can have a good drink!"

Liu Biatou was big and burly, but his wife looked petite and gentle, graceful like a woman from the Jiangnan region.

"Sister-in-law, I apologize for the trouble." Li Lao Si bowed to Liu Biao Tou's wife, feeling embarrassed to have caused her inconvenience.

"Qiu Sheng, come and have a seat. I've heard Old Liu mention you many times. Today, you finally came to my home. Feel at ease here, just like your own."

Old Liu's daughter-in-law made tea for Li Lao Si and had her son and daughters come out to greet Jia Yi.

Li Laosi and Liu Biaotou were sitting in the main hall drinking tea, talking about recent family matters.

Occasionally, laughter from the yard could be heard. The two of them craned their necks to take a look.

It turned out that Jia Yizheng and Liu Biaotou's son were sparring.

They were about the same age. Although Liu Biantou's son had been learning martial arts since he was young, Jia Yi was also naturally strong.

The two little ones were evenly matched, neither could get the upper hand.

Liu, the leader of the鏢 guards, watched Jia Yi spar with his son for a few rounds. He saw that Jia Yi had already learned the opponent's moves and used them quite skillfully. He was delighted and praised him.

"Oh, this kid is a good prospect. If you're willing to let him go, he could come to the General Bureau for two years and learn some real skills."

At that time, even if you were able to earn money to support your family, it wouldn't be enough. In the future, you could also take the martial arts exam and become successful. Then, there would be no need to worry about anything!

Lao Si Li loved his nephew, who was born with the same innate strength as him, and knew that his nephew liked martial arts. He couldn't keep his nephew at home.

But the nephew is after all his second brother's son, he can't help it either.

"Since it's to learn martial arts from Big Brother Liu, I'm naturally at ease. But this child belongs to my second brother's family, so I need to discuss it with his parents. If they agree, I'll send him over."

With his words, Head Liu was even more delighted.

"Don't worry, this child will never disappoint you if I get my hands on him."

Just as the two brothers were talking, Liu Biao's wife brought in the food.

"The dishes are ready, you guys have some wine first, I'll call the kids to come eat in the kitchen."

"Mother! I want to eat meat!" Little Fatty, the son of Liu Biaotou, saw that he was about to lose to Jia Yi, so he cried out for meat as an excuse to take a break, causing everyone to laugh.

Li Lao Si smiled and patted Jia Yi's shoulder, feeling very proud.

At the dinner table, Lao Si Li and Liu Da Tou were drinking and having a good time. With the plentiful dishes to go with their drinks, both brothers had had a bit too much to drink.

After three rounds of wine, Li Lao Si was a bit tipsy. Holding his cup, he mumbled to Liu Diao Tou about his heart's desires.

He wanted to give his daughter the best life, but he couldn't even bring down a large beast.

Liu, the head of the鏢師 (protection agency), slammed his wine cup down upon hearing this.

"My foolish brother, what problem can't silver solve"

He leaned closer to Li Lao Si and whispered.

"I recently took on a鏢 mission, heading south. It's not as cold down there, and it's less harsh, plus the pay is high."

After saying that, he saw Li Laosi's eyes light up and laughed.

A round trip takes about a month, and it costs ten ounces of silver per person!

"So much!" Li Lao Si's head, which had been muddled before, cleared up at the sound of ten taels of silver.

"That's right! This is a great job, easy and the pay is good. If you weren't coming today, I was going to come looking for you at your place!"

Liu Biao's expression held a hint of triumph.

"They chose us because of our鏢局's reputation built up over the years. What do you say Join us on this trip and make a fortune. You can earn enough silver to give your family a good New Year."

Li Lao Si held his cup for a long time without drinking, licking his dry and parched lips. Finally, he gritted his teeth and drank the liquor in one gulp.

"Good! Big Brother Liu, I'll go home and tell my family then we'll follow you!"

"Haha, good brother, it's about time we did this!"

Liu Biatou laughed with glee, finally getting his eye on a good helper.to hug Jiarren, and whispered, "I'll have someone send a message to my mother right away. At the last flower-viewing banquet, she mentioned this to me and has been worrying about it ever since, unable...