Warning

Mǎn Bǎo happily replied and also mentioned, "The older children are learning to read very quickly." Now they can write the names of our county and village, as well as their own names.

Xiǎo Qián nodded and smiled, saying, "Then you should teach them more. They don't need to learn poetry and essays; they just need to recognize some characters." The most important thing is to know how to count. "That's the most crucial."

Qián had her own wisdom. It's better if children can recognize characters, but if they can't, they should at least know how to count. At least they won't be cheated when purchasing items.

Mǎn Bǎo expressed that she would teach them all.

Qián then patted her head, encouraging her to study well, "Don't worry about the family affairs. Your mother's health has improved significantly." You just need to grow up healthy and quickly.

Mǎn Bǎo didn't quite understand why her mother said this, but she still nodded happily.

Qián said, "Alright, your fifth brother has brought back your chicken. Go take a look."

It was only then that Mǎn Bǎo understood why her mother had said those words. She mischievously grabbed her mother's shoulder and said, "Mother, I am healthy, and you should be healthy too."

Then she bounced off to see her chicken.

In the corner outside the chicken coop, there were two chicken coops. Mǎn Bǎo ran over and, at first glance, was shocked to see the chickens in the coop. They were both cowering in fear, with ruffled feathers and blood from pecking wounds. Mǎn Bǎo's approach made them even more frightened, portraying her as a bully.

Mǎn Bǎo squatted in front of the chicken coop, their appearance was too familiar. She glanced at the two chickens and then ran to find her fifth brother.

Zhou Wǔláng was counting money. Today's flower baskets did not sell out completely, so the profits were slightly lower than the previous two days.

He counted it once, recorded it in his little book, and then pushed it over to Mǎn Bǎo to count.

Mǎn Bǎo temporarily ignored the money and asked, "Fifth brother, did you buy the chickens from the cockfighting people?"

"Yes," Zhou Wǔláng said matter-of-factly, "You mentioned that Mother didn't want to eat the chickens I brought back." I believe it is pointless to keep hens that do not lay eggs. If they are not laying eggs now, they will start laying after some time. In the end, my mother still didn't want to eat them, so I went to buy fighting cocks. They are already in that state, and they won't survive even if we keep them. It's better to slaughter and eat them.

Zhou Wǔláng winked at her and said, "And they're cheap." The money for one chicken can buy two.

Mǎn Bǎo couldn't help but give him a thumbs up, "Fifth brother, you're so clever."

She swallowed and asked, "Then why not slaughter one tonight?"

"Mother said, 'It's too late.'" Dinner is already prepared. "We'll do it tomorrow," Zhou Wǔláng sighed. "Mother said that if I spend money recklessly again, she won't let me go to the county town." Mǎn Bǎo, in the future, please ask someone else to buy chickens for you.

Mǎn Bǎo hummed, "If you don't help me, I'll buy them in the village."

She rolled her eyes and said, "I already have a plan."

Zhou Sìláng curiously asked, "What plan?"

"I'm not telling you," Man Bao said, counting the money. She not only calculated their private accounts but also the portion that needed to be contributed to the public. Afterward, she distributed the money to everyone and kept a record.

Zhou Wǔláng looked at her enviously and asked, "Mǎn Bǎo, how did you become so skilled at this?" I've been studying for so long, and I still can't figure out how to calculate the public contribution.

Mǎn Bǎo said, "Practice makes perfect." In the future, randomly select two numbers to calculate. Eventually, you'll get the hang of it.

Kēkē said that this was mental arithmetic, which could exercise the brain and improve logical thinking. In simple terms, it could make intelligent people even smarter and less intelligent people slightly smarter.

When Mǎn Bǎo was younger, she didn't have many toys, and her favorite activity was playing a game with Kēkē.

She tested Kēkē, and Kēkē tested her.

She was the best at counting in the family.

After managing the accounts, Mǎn Bǎo stored the money entrusted to her by everyone and challenged them with two math problems for entertainment.

Two-digit addition and subtraction even made Zhou Sìláng break out in a cold sweat. Mǎn Bǎo taught them, "Start by using your fingers to count." If your fingers aren't enough, use your toes. If you practice enough, you won't need to use your fingers anymore.

"But even if we use our fingers and toes, is it still not enough?"

"Then count someone else's," Man Bao said matter-of-factly. "I often borrow my father's fingers and toes to count." Look, I don't need to borrow them anymore.

The brothers and nephews were all stunned. They never expected that their father (grandfather) had lent his fingers and toes to his youngest sister (niece).

During dinner, Lǎo Zhōu felt that Lǎo Sì, Lǎo Wǔ, Lǎo Liù, and several grandchildren were looking at him strangely. He couldn't help but touch his face and ask, "Do I have rice on my face?"

The sneaky onlookers immediately shook their heads and awkwardly lowered them to eat.

Mǎn Bǎo was oblivious to all of this and was busy finishing her meal. She had always had a good appetite. Qián would limit the older grandchildren's dinner portions, but she always made sure her young daughter ate until she was full so she wouldn't go hungry.

Mǎn Bǎo knew that food should not be wasted. She cleaned her bowl down to the last grain of rice and then obediently said, "Mother, I'm full."

Qián glanced outside and saw that there was still light, so she asked Mǎn Bǎo to teach the older children how to recognize characters.

A group of children ran into the courtyard, playing and learning characters at the same time. They continued until the last rays of the setting sun disappeared completely, and darkness fell. Only then did they stop recognizing characters and began reciting the "Thousand Character Classic" that Mǎn Bǎo had taught them.

The sound of pages turning echoed from the courtyard, catching the attention of a villager who glanced towards the Zhōu family, enviously commenting, "The Zhōu family is destined to raise scholars."

"Forget it, it's just a little girl reciting a few lines of characters." It's not even certain if they can recognize the characters. "If it were so easy to become a scholar, wouldn't the world be full of scholars?"

"What do you know?" As long as individuals can recognize characters and can count, they can work as accountants in the county. "Just watch, if that girl can study in school for seven or eight years and teach what she learns to her brothers and nephews, in less than ten years, their family will be different from ours."

He sighed, "How did such a good girl end up in their family?"

As he spoke, he looked at his wife with disdain. His wife was very indignant and scolded him, "Do you not see who her father is?" Am I incapable of giving birth? "It's your fault!"

The children looked curiously at their parents. The couple was about to argue, but the old man sitting above them tapped the table with his pipe and said, "What's all this noise?" That's the root of our Zhou family. It only produces one or two viable seedlings every few hundred years. Isn't it good for them to have some prospects?

The daughter-in-law couldn't say anything, so she scolded her son, "Watch your mouth and don't talk nonsense outside." If I hear anything unpleasant…"

Her son lowered his head and obediently agreed.