Chapter 89: Then let’s buy a cow of our own.

After dinner, the whole family gathered together, exchanging stories and banter. The topic that dominated the conversation was Wen Xiuyi’s performance in the fields today. Each family member took turns describing to Wen Jun and Wen Nong, who hadn’t participated, the scenes of Wen Xiuyi laboring on the land.

Both men struggled to suppress their laughter—Wen Nong dared not laugh, while Wen Jun was simply embarrassed. Truth be told, had he been in his father's place, he would have fared no better; perhaps even worse.

But since everyone else was busy, he couldn't be the one to hold the family back.

"I'll stay home and help out these next few days," Wen Jun said.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Old Wen and Madam Luo exploded.

Old Wen fired off three refusals in succession: "No. Not necessary. Don't need you."

Madam Luo, earnest and concerned, pressed, "You focus on your medical studies. Don't worry about the household chores, we've got it covered."

Before Wen Jun could reply, Wen Xiuyi spoke up first.

"Father, Mother, that's not right." Sitting upright, he declared, "Jun is part of this family too. Just because he's now studying medicine under Doctor Jin doesn't mean you should take over all his responsibilities. He needs to understand that the family is his support, yes, but we're also working hard for his future.

Only then will he not forget where he comes from. If you keep coddling him, doing everything for him and telling him to just focus on his studies, aren't you afraid you'll raise another one like me?"

After finishing his speech, Wen Xiuyi silently scoffed to himself: Raise another ingrate like my predecessor? But their Jun is different; he’s a child who knows gratitude.

Old Wen and Madam Luo had spent their lives worrying over Wen Xiuyi, indulging and accommodating him. Now, it was this son telling them that their overprotectiveness and taking on everything themselves was wrong.

For a moment, Madam Luo and Old Wen were at a loss—was it really their fault that the eldest son had turned out that way?

Wen Xiuyi was unaware of their thoughts and simply turned to Wen Jun. "Son, your thinking is right, but you can't devote yourself entirely to family matters. After all, your studies come first. Just tell Doctor Jin you'll help out at home for a couple of days during the busy farming season, then return to your studies afterward."

Wen Jun finally found a moment to interject. He twitched his lips and said, "Father, Grandpa, Grandma, it's not that I don't want to go. Doctor Jin is busy these days; he told me to go home and study on my own for now."

Wen Xiuyi grew curious. "What's Doctor Jin busy with?"

Wen Jun shook his head. "I don't know the specifics, only that a distinguished guest from the capital has arrived. Shopkeeper Qiu hasn't been at the shop either. From what Hong Hai told me, ever since Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu took over the Hall of Benevolence, this guest comes every year."

Wen Xiuyi understood at once—a guest from the capital, indeed distinguished.

"Alright then, you can help out in the fields the next few days," Wen Xiuyi waved his hand. As for the time-saving methods he’d been considering? He’d think about those after tomorrow. There was no reason his daughter and he should suffer while his son remained untouched by hardship.

The next day, with Wen Jun joining in, Wen Yao was relieved of her duties. Madam Luo cited her lingering foot injury as the reason, assigning her to watch the children and prepare meals for the workers building their house. Wen Ying and Big Head became her little helpers.

It seemed like the easiest job, but in reality, it was the most tedious.

Sure enough, after a day, even the usually unflappable Doctor Wen couldn't take it anymore and sought advice from Professor Wen.

Wen Xiuyi wore a look of smug satisfaction.

"Heh heh, when it comes down to it, you still need your father."

Wen Jun and Wen Yao replied in unison, "Yes, yes, Professor Wen, you're so learned—please give us a tip, we can't take it anymore."

Wen Xiuyi chuckled, "Go home first and ask your grandfather if there's a better way."

The siblings rolled their eyes together—wasn’t that the same as saying nothing?

That evening, as the family gathered for tea, Wen Xiuyi suddenly asked, "Father, do we always rely solely on manpower for this work? How long will it take us? Isn't there any other way to improve efficiency, to work faster?"

Old Wen puffed on his pipe—he was only allowed a few puffs in the courtyard, and he cherished these moments. Hearing Wen Xiuyi's question, he looked up and replied, "There are ways, but our family doesn't have the means."

"How so?" Wen Xiuyi adopted an attentive posture.

Old Wen continued, "In our village, only the headman's family has an ox. Using an ox is much faster than relying on people, since the ox pulls the plow and you just guide it. It’s not exactly fast, but compared to manpower, it’s much better.

But not every household can afford this. Those with better means rent an ox from the headman or someone in the neighboring village, but there are conditions—you have to take good care of the ox. They're precious, and not everyone is willing to sell. If the ox is overworked, the owner will be heartbroken, so unless you’re on very good terms, it's rare for anyone to lend one.

Without an ox, you just have to rely on yourself."

He finished and took another puff, enveloped in smoke, savoring the moment.

Wen Xiuyi exchanged glances with his children and then said, "Father, why don't you go ask the headman to rent us an ox?" Before Old Wen and Madam Luo could scold him for being wasteful, he quickly added, "Hear me out first.

Look, our land has doubled compared to before. These dozen or so acres, plus our original fields—how long will it take to plow them all? There are only so many of us. If we wear ourselves out, it's not worth it, is it?"

Old Wen and Madam Luo fell silent, both deep in thought.

After a while, Old Wen spoke. "But the headman may not lend it. They need the ox for their own fields. If we wait until they're done, the ground will probably be frozen, and then it'll be much harder."

Wen Xiuyi suddenly had an idea. "Then why don’t we just buy an ox ourselves?"

At his suggestion, everyone stared at him as if he were mad. Madam Luo didn't even look up, just let out a cold laugh. "You think it's as cheap as cabbage? Buying an ox? Do you know how much an ox costs? Some people work half their lives and still can't afford one."

Wen Xiuyi instinctively asked, "How much?"

Madam Luo finally looked up, shooting him a disdainful look, scoffing before returning to making shoe soles.

Wen Xiuzhu, afraid his elder brother would be embarrassed, quietly explained, "Here, an ox costs at least fifteen taels of silver. If it's a strong, young adult, it's even more expensive."

The three men exchanged glances. Fifteen taels—fifteen thousand copper coins. Buying an ox would not only help with plowing, but could also pull carts. Wasn’t that the equivalent of spending fifteen thousand to buy a tractor?