NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 259.2
Meanwhile, far away in the Great Hong Dynasty, Old Zhao had also returned home for the New Year.
More than two months ago, he had no choice but to go to Great Xia to make a living on his own due to the snowy and icy conditions that made it impossible to go up the mountain to chop wood and hunt, and with the food supply tight due to a rats infestation.
His wife was overjoyed to see him back: “I thought you wouldn’t be coming back this year!”
“How could I not come back for such an important holiday!”
Old Zhao put down his heavy bundle, took off his hat, exhaled a breath of warm air, rubbed his hands together, and shivered a bit as he said, “It’s still as cold as ever here!”
“Isn’t it cold in Great Xia?” his wife asked.
Old Zhao shook his head: “To tell you the truth, it’s not cold at all. There’s no snow and no wind! Over there, I felt hot wearing just one cotton-padded jacket! Here, I’m wearing three layers and still freezing like hell!”
“You came back so quickly. Does that mean you didn’t find any work and didn’t make any money?” his wife asked worriedly.
Due to various reasons, their family had neither money nor food.
If Old Zhao hadn’t made any money either, then they would be in for a tough year.Old Zhao burst into laughter: “You guessed wrong this time, I’ve brought back quite a bit of money!”
His wife’s eyes lit up: “How much? Show me quickly!”
“Take a look!” Old Zhao opened his bundle and pulled out a full bag of copper coins.
His wife immediately snatched it to count, and after a while, she exclaimed in surprise: “There’s actually 500 wen! You were only gone for two months and you’ve earned so much!”
“That’s not all. Look what else I have here…”
Old Zhao took out a small bag of rice from his bundle, about 20 jin.
There were also some noodles, about 4 jin.
Plus, there were some dried goods, roughly two jin.
In addition, there were some fragrant candies.
“These are for you, eat up!”
“Thank you, Dad! You’re the best!”
The two children at home became happy.
The wife was shocked: “Did you earn all this yourself?”
“Of course!”
Old Zhao was very proud: “I did the hardest work over there, earning 300 wen a month! In these two months, I’ve earned a total of 600 wen! I spent 100 wen to buy some food to bring back, and I still have 500 wen left! Honestly, this job pays much more than chopping wood and hunting!”
Old Zhao felt that he could support his family and earn money again, standing tall with pride.
His wife became anxious: “Have you lost your senses? Why did you come back if you’re making so much money over there? We can celebrate the New Year every year, but money isn’t something you can earn every year!”
“I know that, but they gave us a holiday, and it lasts for half a month. Even if I wanted to earn money, I couldn’t!” Old Zhao said helplessly.
“A holiday? And it lasts half a month?” His wife was dumbfounded.
She had never heard of such a thing; it sounded like a fairy tale to her.
“Ah, I’ve been on the road all day, and I’m hungry too. Can we talk while we eat? I’ll tell you, this trip really opened my eyes!” Old Zhao said, holding his stomach.
Then, his wife prepared a meal, and as Old Zhao ate, he spoke with excited gestures.
In Great Xia, as long as you’re a bit diligent and put in the effort, there’s work to do, food to eat, and money to earn.
Everyone has the opportunity to live in a large, sturdy, and affordable concrete house.
Not only men have work, but women can also work and earn money.
Children have the chance to go to school and strive for academic and professional success.
Besides, there are all sorts of delicious and fun things there, making his wife and children long for such a life.
So wonderful? Could this be the legendary Celestial Empire?
Thinking about the life they led in Great Hong, it was incomparable.
“I’ve made up my mind now!”
Old Zhao said, spitting with excitement: “After this New Year, I’ll go back and continue to work, earn more money, and give you three a better life!”
“Just do your best, no need to overdo it! After all, the three of us depend on you for support!”
While sewing clothes, his wife sighed: “Imagine if we were citizens of Great Xia! Then you wouldn’t have to leave home to make money. I could earn money too, and the children would have the chance to go to school…”
“Yes, if only we were citizens of Great Xia!” Old Zhao murmured while eating.
Only those who have been to Great Xia know how wonderful it is and how happy its people are.
As long as you’re willing to work, you can live the life you desire.
Unlike here, where hope is unseen in a lifetime.
……
At this time, many Great Hong people who had left their hometowns returned. They brought not only money and food but also news about the situation in Great Xia, which they shared with their friends and family.
A dream began to take root in everyone’s hearts.
How wonderful it would be to become the common people of Great Xia!
***
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256/273.5
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