Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 177 Ignorance
Seeing Chen Xuan eating with relish, Xiao Miao smiled happily and her nervous mood relaxed. She was worried that people would dislike her cooking for not being tasty, even though Zhao Erhe and the others had been praising her cooking for a while.

But when she thought that the place would be completed in a day or two and she would have to leave, she felt a little lost.

Everyone here was very nice. They never said anything bad to her or scolded her for doing something wrong. The past twenty days or so were the happiest and most relaxing days she could remember.

She feels very happy because she can have two full meals a day, with some oil and water, and she can also get paid.

The boss has a kind heart. I haven't seen the real young master yet. He must be a good person and will surely live a long and healthy life...

"Did Xiao Miao encounter something unhappy?" After eating half a bowl of rice, Chen Xuan saw Xiao Miao picking at the food in a depressed mood, and couldn't help but ask with concern.

She is a poor child, sensible, obedient and hardworking, which makes people feel sorry for her.

Xiao Miao quickly shook her head. She had lost a front tooth a few days ago during her teeth replacement period. She smiled happily but with a hint of trepidation as she said, "Boss, Xiao Miao is not unhappy. On the contrary, I am very happy."

"What happy news is there? Tell me about it," Chen Xuan said in silence.

Looking out the window, Xiao Miao said excitedly, "Boss, Master Fang has agreed to take me in as a carpenter apprentice. I'll officially become his apprentice once this place is finished. I'll then be able to learn some carpentry skills. After I learn them, I'll be able to support my grandfather and younger brother. I'll definitely be able to live a good life in the future."

"Really? Congratulations," Chen Xuan was sincerely happy for her. It was something he had expected and he was not surprised at all.

Zhao Erhe and the others should have known the news and were not surprised.

But Xiao Miao still apologized, "I'm sorry, Uncle Zhao and Uncle Jiang, I didn't tell you before because I wanted to share this joy with my boss, Brother Chen Xuan, as soon as possible. Without him keeping me working here, I wouldn't have this opportunity."

"It's okay, it's okay. We are happy for you to have this opportunity," Zhao Erhe and the others said with a smile.

This is a little girl who knows how to be grateful. She knows very well who treats her well. She even keeps her joy in her heart and waits to express it after meeting them. She thinks she has concealed it well.

She only knew that being a carpentry apprentice would allow her to live a good life in the future with her skills, but she never thought that her grandfather would grow old, her younger brother with brain disease would become a burden, and she would have to get married when she grew up.

But she is still young, and those are not things she should worry about and bear now. She should just be simple and happy.

After thinking for a while, Chen Xuan asked, "So, how are you treated after becoming Master Fang's disciple?"

In fact, in this era, it is normal for apprentices to do thankless work, usually without wages, and it is normal for the master to have a bad temper and beat and scold them at any time. If you meet a stingy master, not only will he let you work for free, but he will not even teach you real skills. Although Chen Xuan thinks that Master Fang is not that kind of person, he still can't help asking.

Speaking of this, Xiao Miao suddenly said happily: "Boss, the master said that I should work hard with him in the future. I am still young now, so I can only do some odd jobs. When I grow up, he will teach me carpentry skills. When there is work, I will work together. Food is provided, but there is no salary. I will get it when I can work on my own in the future. However, if I perform well, there will be rewards. This is how my brothers and sisters all came through."

After hearing what she said, Chen Xuan felt relieved. It was pretty much what he thought.

But I have to say that Master Fang is a really nice person. Normally, apprentices don't get paid, and they have to abide by industry rules, but beyond that, he will give rewards based on their performance, which is a disguised form of care. It's really rare for Xiao Miao to meet such a good master.

"Follow the master and learn well from him. Who knows, you might become a master craftsman in the future," Chen Xuan encouraged.

Xiao Miao quickly shook his head and said, "I dare not think about it. I am content as long as I can earn money to support my family."

She knew what Chen Xuan meant by the master craftsman. Not everyone is qualified to be called a master craftsman. Those with such superb skills are noticed by the government. Once one gets the title of master craftsman, he can enjoy certain subsidies from the government, which is equivalent to eating the emperor's food. However, usually when the government has something to call for, the master craftsman has to deal with the government's affairs first, and his wages are not as high as those of ordinary people.

In short, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. With the reputation of a master craftsman, you can earn more and get certain protection from the government.

Then Xiao Miao looked at Chen Xuan seriously and said, "Boss, when I have learned enough in the future, if you want to build something, just call me. I won't charge you any wages and will work for you for free, but you have to provide the materials yourself, hehe."

She felt embarrassed as she spoke.

"Okay, thank you in advance," Chen Xuan said with a smile.

Xiao Miao nodded seriously and said, "That's settled then. From now on, if the boss has any problems, you can't ask anyone else for help."

They were almost ready to make a pinky promise, but then she hesitated and asked cautiously, "Master, we made a lot of food today. If we can't finish it later, maybe I can give some to Master?"

"Of course you can. It will be a waste if you can't finish it," Chen Xuan nodded. He knew in his heart that Xiao Miao also wanted to show her filial piety. After all, the relationship between master and disciple is like blood relatives, so he is naturally happy to fulfill her wish.

Xiao Miao immediately jumped off the stool and bowed earnestly, saying, "Thank you, Master." It was too late to stop him.

After the meal, Xiao Miao cleaned up the dishes and washed them carefully and attentively. After cleaning up, she served a large bowl of food to Master Fang, which made Master Fang very happy. He looked at Xiao Miao as if he was looking at his own junior.

"That's great. After Xiaomiao becomes my disciple, the hard times will gradually fade away. At least it will be much better than before," Zhao Erhe said sincerely while looking outside through the window.

Although Xiao Miao will earn hard-earned money as a carpenter in the future, it is still much better than having one meal a day and going hungry in the past.

Jiang Kai suddenly thought of something and said with a smile: "Once a person has a close relationship, as long as they are not cold-hearted, they will often be loyal to you."

"What do you mean?" Chen Xuan asked curiously.

Pointing outside, Jiang Kai whispered, "A few days ago, Master Fang decided to accept Xiao Miao as his apprentice and personally sent her back. I was worried, so I secretly went to see her. They went back to discuss Xiao Miao's apprenticeship. Then Xiao Miao's grandfather said that the family couldn't afford a decent apprenticeship gift, so they planned to go back to the countryside to find relatives and spend some money to buy some wood for Master Fang. After all, they need it as carpenters."

"Master Fang refused to accept it no matter what, but finally agreed reluctantly. However, Master Fang promised that he would help make a coffin for the wood given by Grandpa Xiaomiao for free. Isn't it a kind of loyalty?"

"He is really affectionate and righteous," Zhao Erhe said sincerely.

Chen Xuan asked in confusion, "A coffin? Is Xiao Miao's grandfather old enough to have a coffin prepared in advance?"

"About the same. Her grandfather looks to be in his forties or fifties. He has been working hard all year round and has not eaten well. His body is seriously weak. If he doesn't get sick, he will be fine for ten years. But if he gets a minor illness or disaster, it's hard to say. His body will deteriorate quickly. So it is necessary to prepare a coffin in advance," Jiang Kai sighed.

Chen Xuan also felt sad about this. This is the case in most people's lives in this era. Many people prepare coffins for themselves at a young age. Some people who have no descendants will even pray for their souls to be reincarnated in advance and prepare their graves. When they feel they are about to die, they will just lie down in the grave and end their lives.

Zhao Erhe also said, "I've secretly gone to see Xiao Miao off a few times. From what I've observed, to be honest, his grandfather's spirit has long been gone. Perhaps it was when his son jumped into the water and his daughter-in-law ran away that he lost his spirit. He's been holding on because he can't let go of his grandchildren. If he passes away, what will happen to his young grandchildren?"

Chen Xuan fell silent after hearing this. There were so many similar sufferings in the world, and Xiaomiao's family's situation was just one of the insignificant ones. He just happened to encounter it, and he had never heard of the others.

Speaking of which, Xiaomiao's family's situation is relatively good. At least they have a future and will not suffer from the endless suffering they once had...

Not long after Master Fang finished his meal, he took the initiative to find Chen Xuan and took him to inspect the renovated yard inside and out to see if there was anything that needed to be corrected.

Chen Xuan listened and watched carefully. After all, once the work was completed and the wages were paid, it would be troublesome and time-consuming to make changes if there were any unsatisfactory aspects.

It has to be said that the craftsmen's craftsmanship was quite exquisite, not only meeting Chen Xuan's expectations, but even exceeding them.

After the inspection was completed, Chen Xuan pointed out two places that needed slight modifications. They were minor problems that could be solved in a few steps.

Well, no matter how satisfied you are, you still need to find faults. It is not to cause trouble for others. If you point out the shortcomings, the craftsman will feel more at ease, for fear that you will cause trouble to him again later.

After receiving Chen Xuan's approval, Master Fang confirmed on behalf of the other craftsmen, "Boss, since there's no need for major revisions, after confirming this, shall we begin painting?"

"Okay, thank you all for your help," Chen Xuan nodded.

They were also happy that the work could be completed smoothly. Master Fang smiled and said, "It's not a big deal. It's what we should do. We'll apply the first coat of paint today. The weather is good, so we can apply the second coat tomorrow morning and the third coat tomorrow afternoon. After it dries, as long as there is no human damage, it will look new even if it is kept for 10 to 20 years."

Chen Xuan still believed this. Thinking of the craftsman spirit of this era, he thought that the other party was not bragging when he said that it could last for 10 to 20 years unless it was damaged by human beings. It was estimated that if it was damaged for one day, as long as the other party was still alive, they would bring tools to the door to repair it for free. If the other party died, his apprentice would do it for him.

There is nothing special about the woodshed, it is just a place to shelter from the wind and rain. The bathroom was also built according to Chen Xuan's requirements, and it can be used for bathing and sauna, but you have to do it yourself, so it is not as convenient as modern ones.

Chen Xuan had also seen the toilet. There was actually a specially made toilet seat made of wood. It seemed that this thing had existed in this world for a long time.

Finally, Chen Xuan asked curiously, "Master Fang, you've installed underground drainage in the bathroom and toilet. Where does the sewage go? It can't be in the river behind, right?"

Master Fang quickly replied, "How dare we? The small river behind us is for domestic use. Many people along the river wash their clothes and vegetables in the river. If we dare to discharge sewage into the river, if people find out, they won't cause trouble to our employer, but we will be beaten to death."

He then added, "Boss, don't you know that there are perfect sewage and drainage pipes under Mo City. They are like a maze, and there are even many people living underground who are not willing to see the light. In short, the filth will be discharged to a designated place through the pipes. By the way, if there is a leak in the future, you can find someone who specializes in clearing it. Many people make a living by doing this."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan expressed his ignorance. This ancient city's public facilities were surprisingly complete, but he had never paid attention to these details before...

(End of this chapter)