Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

New Year's Eve was still arranged in Yandaixie Street. Last year, there were eight people in the family, and this year, there were nine people celebrating the New Year together. Little Xu Ning was arranged to sit on a high-legged child's stool. This was a stool specially made by Xu Damao. It just so happened that Xu Ning could sit on it by himself now.

Xu Xiaoling seemed to be a grown-up girl. Xu Damao heard from his mother that his sister had started dating at school.

Xu Damao still taught his sister a lesson out of concern.

"Xiaoling, I heard from mom that you found a boyfriend at school? What does the guy's family do? Can you tell me?"

"Brother, I'm not in a relationship. My classmates and I just got along well, talked a few more words, and went out for fun a few times."

"Xiaoling, you are an adult now, it is normal for you to fall in love, but I want to tell you that when a woman gets married, it is her second life, and when she gets married, she does not marry the man, but the man's family. Before you make a choice, think carefully about whether their family is suitable for you. In fact, it is very important to be well-matched."

"Brother, if you say so, you and my sister-in-law are also a good match?"

"Well, your sister-in-law and I, that's me marrying above my station. But your sister-in-law and I are together because of our family connection, so we can't generalize. Anyway, you will live your life on your own from now on. Just be cautious."

Xu Xiaoling didn't take it seriously, but she was soon slapped in the face, but she didn't know it now.

Because her so-called partner was also being interrogated by his family on New Year's Eve.

After Xu Fugui had his New Year's Eve dinner, he had a task to do: go to the cinema to watch a movie tonight. After the New Year's Eve dinner, he went to the cinema to work overtime.

Lou Zhenhua and Xu Damao were chatting in the warm hall.

"Da Mao, now that you are a leading cadre, how do you feel?"

"Dad, actually I haven't changed much. I'm just a little closer to the factory leadership, so I may get more information, but there's not much change. I still have to take charge of the movie. But the factory's publicity department's affairs are completely in the hands of Deputy Director Li. After all, I'm currently relying on Chief Li and Deputy Director Li. I'm just a chess piece now. But don't worry, just live a safe life, and be a chess piece. I'm still useful."

"You think clearly, that's right. Before you become powerful, this is the only way. Are you still doing your business?"

"Well, it's just a transfer between units. People trust me, and it's profitable for me. I still have to do it when the risk is not big. This is also a network resource I got by chance, and it may be of great use someday. I'm a small person, and it's good enough for me to be able to handle it with ease."

"Well, be careful and don't overdo it. Xiao'e has asked me several times, and she is still worried that something might happen to you."

"Dad, I know. I will be more careful. By the way, Dad, let me show you something, see if you can figure out anything!"

Xu Damao took the Ru kiln and the painting he had brought back from Yard 95 from the bedroom to the living room.

"Well, can you please take a look at this painting?"

Lou Zhenhua actually doesn’t know much about antiques and calligraphy and paintings. He knows how to collect but doesn’t know how to do it. Fortunately, he was very rich in the past, so he would buy good things at high prices, and naturally someone would appreciate them.

But he still looked at the scroll that Xu Damao unfolded.

The painting is indeed very good.

"Da Mao, I don't really understand these things either. Even though I have collected a lot of interesting things, I don't really understand them myself. How have you been learning in the past few years? You are also collecting things."

"Well, I have collected some. Collecting things is too expensive. I always feel that there is not enough money in my pocket. As for learning, I have made some progress. I have a lot of experience in porcelain, but not so much in calligraphy and painting. But the day after tomorrow I will formally go to worship a master, a master who works in the Palace Museum, and he has agreed to take me in as his disciple."

"That's a good thing. This subject is highly professional. It's completely different to have someone to guide you or not. Sometimes it's just a trick. If it's explained, everything is simple. If it's not explained, you will never get into it if you have to figure it out on your own. So study hard. If you need funding, you can come to me."

"Thanks Dad, I will."

You know what, Pu Yulin’s disciple-taking ceremony is really ceremonial.

On the third day of the first lunar month, Xu Damao went to Pu's house carrying cigarettes, alcohol and tea.

As expected, almost everyone in the Pu family was there, including Pu Yulin and two of his disciples: Liu Suhua and Kong Xizheng.

"Xiao Xu, you have met my wife several times, Yan Zhen, who works at the Peking Opera. This is my eldest son, Yan Ji, and he takes his mother's surname. My daughter, Pu Su, works at the Peking Opera with her mother. My third son, Pu Ju, used to work at the Palace Museum with me, but he is out now. And this is your eldest sister Liu Suhua, and your second brother Kong Xizheng."

After some introductions, they kowtowed and offered tea, and then had a meal together.

The two bottles of Fenjiu that Xu Damao brought today were just used at the wine table. After a conversation, I learned that the eldest sister Liu Suhua was in the museum restoration team, and the second brother Liu Xi was working at the Xicheng District Cultural Center, responsible for the specific work of the district's cultural protection units.

Yan Ji is a teacher at the Conservatory of Music. His wife Yu Qiong is also from the Conservatory of Music. They have two sons, Yan Junhao, 6, and Pu Junluo, .

Pu Su is a Qingyi singer in the Peking Opera. Although she is not the best Qingyi, she is still a star. Her husband Dong Zhaofeng is a teacher at Jingdu No. 2 Middle School. They have a three-year-old daughter, Dong Xin.

Pu Ju is 25 years old, the same age as Xu Damao, but he is still unmarried. He now works in the Summer Palace.

Xu Damao was also very fortunate. He had the interpersonal relationships with his master Pu Yulin in terms of literature, and the interpersonal relationships with Zhang Taihe in terms of martial arts. Compared with others, he really had some unique advantages.

The relationships I have with Pu Yulin are all cultured and knowledgeable. Fortunately, I have a solid foundation, otherwise I would really be at a loss.

In fact, Xu Damao was worrying too much. If he couldn't pass this hurdle, how could Qu Yulin accept him as an apprentice?

But Xu Damao suddenly had an idea today, and his idea of ​​a matchmaking suddenly popped up. Pu Ju is 25 years old and unmarried, so Hu Wanxi from Zhuanta Hutong is just right. Although Hu Wanxi and Pu Ju are five years apart, isn't five years the best age difference?

Just when he was thinking hard, Liu Suhua suddenly patted his shoulder and said, "Hey, hey, Junior Brother Xu, what are you thinking about? You're out of the circle."

Xu Damao then woke up from his dream: it turned out that he was a guest at Pu's house.

"Sister, I was indeed distracted just now, but I remembered something interesting. I can't tell you now. I will explain it to you when I have the chance later."

Xu Damao gained a lot from the master's association with the Pu family. In the future, he will be able to get guidance from famous teachers and will definitely make great progress in his profession. He also felt that he had suddenly entered the circle of literati. He didn't feel it before, but now he really feels how important the circle is.

It was very strange that he, a projectionist at the Red Star Steel Mill, suddenly crossed over to the cultural and artistic circles in Kyoto. Xu Damao had a hunch that it would be of great help to his collection of old items in the future.