Chapter 28 Teaching People to Raise Silkworms

Chapter 28 Teaching People to Raise Silkworms

Because there had been work done in the yard and there were stools available, Shen Xia asked the aunts to sit down.

After a while, Song Jiang helped Shen Xia bring out the moth dustpan. Not knowing why Shen Xia kept it, he gently placed it on the table.

Xiaowu also placed the cocoons next to it.

There is paper in the dustpan, and some eggs have been laid now.

Everyone looked at this thing in surprise. Although they had seen it in the mountains before, no one knew what it was used for.

After taking a look, Shen Xia smiled and introduced them to everyone: "Look, ladies and gentlemen, this is the silkworm moth. They are laying eggs right now! These tiny particles will hatch into little silkworms in just a few days."

"After about half a month of growth, the young silkworms will start to spin silk and eventually turn into silkworm pupae like this." Her voice was clear and pleasant, as if it carried a kind of magic that filled people with curiosity and anticipation about everything before their eyes.

People gathered around and carefully observed these magical creatures. They were amazed at the wonder of life and admired Shen Xia's erudition.

Shen Xia continued to patiently explain the growth process of silkworms, allowing everyone to have a deeper understanding of this ancient breeding technology.

During this process, some people raised some questions, and Shen Xia answered them one by one.

She used easy-to-understand language to make complex knowledge simple and clear, so that everyone could understand it easily. Several people listened with great interest and exclaimed in admiration from time to time.

"What you need to do is to take the silkworm eggs back and raise them. When they grow into silkworms, give them to me. I will buy them for 40 coins per pound."

At that time, no one knew how much Shen Xia's 40 cents per pound was worth. Only after they raised more fish did they realize how much money it was.

Because now for them, it is good enough to have enough food to eat. A coolie in a town only earns 600 wen a month, and a light laborer only earns 300 to 400 wen a month.

After Shen Xia finished speaking, everyone was eager to try it, even if it would require a little more effort on their part.

After hearing this, Song's mother even wanted to raise the child herself.

Xiaowu thought that he could do this himself, and then he could earn money to spend on his sister.

Then Aunt Liu asked, "How much do we need to buy the silkworm eggs from you?"

“No money.”

When everyone heard this, they became even more excited.

But Shen Xia still said the ugly words in advance, and hit: "This silkworm can be stingy and generous. Just now, you also heard me say that you must pay attention to the way of breeding."

"Also, although you can earn money, it's also hard work. If you don't pay attention, it's all in vain."

When they heard this, they were not worried, because this kind of hard work was nothing to the farmers, as long as they could make money.

At this time, Aunt Jiang also said, "Don't worry, Shen Xia, we plan to raise it ourselves. If it doesn't work out, we will consider it our own and won't blame you. If it doesn't work once, we will raise it twice. If it doesn't work twice, we will raise it three times. There will always be a day when it will work."

Shen Xia had to look up to Aunt Jiang for what she said. She had a good vision.

It's also good to cooperate with such people, but they won't cause trouble.

"Yes, that's right. Don't worry, Shen Xia." Aunt Zhou also said at this time.

"Well, okay, do you see this dustpan?"

"You'd better make it into a square shape. These two days, you can stay at home and weave the winnowing baskets. When they are ready, I will let you come and get them."

"I've already told you what it eats and when. If you have any questions, you can ask me."

Shen Xia continued.

Now everyone knew what to do, and they felt relieved. Some of them planned to go back, and asked their husbands to make winnowing baskets in the next two days.

Watching everyone leave.

Shen Xia went to close the wooden gate.

There is really no privacy here. We have to hurry up and make money to rebuild the yard.

Then only family members were left in the yard.

Song's mother said, "Xia Xia, can I raise her? Yes, but I can't raise too many."

"Why?" Song's mother asked puzzled.

"That thing is so tiring. I have to go out to look for mulberry leaves for it whether it's sunny or rainy. I don't want my mother to be too tired." Shen Xia explained.

"I'm not afraid of being tired." Song's mother whispered. Although she was very touched by Shen Xia's words, she still wanted to do her best for the family.

"The main thing is that I need mother's help with other things. If mother goes to raise silkworms, I will be busy." Shen Xia thought about it and felt that she would not feel at ease if she didn't find something for Song's mother to do, so she said this.

When Song's mother heard that she could help Shen Xia, a smile immediately appeared on her face.

Shen Xia felt relieved when she saw Song's mother smiling.

"Sister, can I keep it?" Xiaowu also wanted to keep it.

Shen Xia thought about the child's temperament and said, "Okay, if you want to raise one, go ahead."

"Oh, okay." Xiaowu jumped up happily.

Is it so joyful to raise silkworms?

Looking at the time, it’s not too late.

Shen Xia said to Song Ming: "Second brother, how about we go to the mountain again?"

"Okay, Xia Xia, let's go if you say so." Song Ming said gently.

Song Jiang sat quietly beside her without saying a word. She liked to take her second son with her wherever she went.

Then he said to Song's mother, "Mom, just prepare the meal. I will make dinner when I get back. There are not many medicines left at home, so my second brother and I will go to the mountains to pick some."

"Okay, slow down. Do you want to call the eldest brother to come along as well?" Song's mother suggested.

"No, mother, there's not much to pick,"

"Let your elder brother help you at home! Isn't the wheat soaked? You can just take it out and put it on the winnowing basket."

"Well then! The sooner you go, the sooner you can come back!"

"OK, all right."

As usual, Song Ming and Shen Xia each carried a backpack and went out.

Just left the yard.

"Second brother, let's go find Xiaotian together!" Shen Xia suggested.

"Okay," Song Ming agreed happily.

The two of them just kept walking along the path.

It took more than a quarter of a second to reach Xiaotian's home.

What came into view was a dilapidated thatched house, which was a world apart from the Song family's.

Although the Song family was not wealthy, they still had four houses to live in.

However, Xiaotian's house only has two rooms, which seem extremely cramped and simple. The roof of this thatched house is already broken and incomplete, with many leaks, and the walls are also mottled by the erosion of time.

Song Ming shouted in the yard: "Xiaotian, Xiaotian."

"Who is it?" An old voice came from the room.

Then an old man came out, he was probably around fifty years old, it seemed that he was Xiaotian’s grandfather.

He looked at Song Ming and said, "It's Song Ming! What do you want from Xiaotian?"

"Grandpa Chen, I'm going to find Xiaotian. Let's go to the mountains together." Song Ming said.

"Oh, okay. Xiaotian is going to wash the vegetables and will be back soon." The old man said slowly.

I haven't heard the old man coughing for a while, so it seems he's recovered.

Grandpa Chen asked the two of them to come into the house and sit for a while.

When you walk into the house, you can see simple furniture, including a shabby bed, a wobbly table and a few chairs with missing parts.

The whole room was filled with a damp and decayed smell, which made people feel depressed and uncomfortable.

Despite such a harsh living environment, they still stay here and live a simple and tenacious life.

Maybe the room has no ventilation so there is a strong musty smell.

Shen Xia still sat on the bench without changing his expression.

"Don't be disgusted by my humble abode." said the old man politely.

"Grandpa Chen, you're too polite. Isn't our family the same?" Song Ming said.

After the two sat down, Grandpa Chen poured them a bowl of water.

At this time, the way to entertain guests is to pour a bowl of water for them.

Those with better conditions would be treated with a bowl of sugar water, while those who were wealthier would be treated with tea.