I sell hot pot in Dasong [farming]

The next day, Yu Sanniang and Yu Qibao came to work at the hotpot restaurant.

Si Nan knew that the two siblings came here without telling Hu Shi.

If it were someone else, thinking of Hu's temper, he would definitely not dare to accept them, maybe Hu would make a fuss at any time.

Si Nan was not afraid, not only accepted it, but also mixed a bowl of sweet peach smoothie for Yu Qibao.

After getting the smoothie, the little guy's slender eyes widened all of a sudden, the spoon was useless, he gnawed on the smoothie, and half of his face was buried in it.

Still stupid, after he finished gnawing, he held it up for Erlang to gnaw.

Erlang hated it to death, turned around and went into the back kitchen, and brought out a bowl by himself.

Yu Qibao gave up.

In fact, he was reluctant to give up the smoothie at all, because it was Erlang, so he reluctantly gave up for a while.

Erlang is so kind, he deliberately refused to eat his food.

It must be to make him eat more!

Yu Qibao happily ate the smoothie and indulged himself happily.

Fortunately, he didn't forget to work, and ran towards the fan with the bowl in hand, eagerly stuffing smoothies into his mouth while running.

Accidentally dropped a piece of peach flesh, Qibao suddenly exploded with extremely high speed, and caught it with a spoon.

Everyone in the room laughed.

Sure enough, love is the most effective motivation.

The fan designed by Sinan is very simple, similar to a bicycle. It uses the principle of gears and hinges. Without electricity, it relies on human power as the source of power.

There is a pair of pedals at the back of each fan. People sit on the stool and step back and forth like riding a bicycle, and the fan starts buzzing.

It doesn't take too much effort, even a child can do it.

There is also a hand-operated type, which is smaller than a floor fan. At first glance, it looks a bit like a hair dryer that makes a fire. It can be placed on the table, hold the handle and shake it lightly, and the wind will blow out.

The hand-operated fan has small blades, relatively soft wind and low noise, so it is suitable for bedroom or study.

After Si Nan made it, he specially sent one to the official family. The happiest thing was not the official family, but the little palace lady in the imperial study.

——No need to beat the fan anymore!

There are floor-standing and hand-cranked hot pot restaurants.

Yu Qibao looked at the floor-standing model, which looked magnificent, and chose one without hesitation.

He had only heard of it before, but hadn't really seen it before. When his little foot stepped on it hard, the fan whirred and turned, which shocked him a lot, and he jumped back with his head in his arms.

"The monster is here!"

"The demon wind is blowing!"

Everyone laughed.

In fact, when they first saw Fan, they were not much better than Yu Qibao.

With Xiao Zai's encouragement, Yu Qibao finally accepted the fact that Fan is not a monster.However, he was still cautious when stepping on it, and tilted his small body to hold the smoothie far away, for fear of being blown away by the "demon wind".

Because of the existence of Qibao, the atmosphere of the hot pot restaurant was extremely joyful throughout the morning.

Yu Sanniang felt ashamed and avoided him from beginning to end, not wanting others to know that she had such a stupid brother.

The little lady was very grateful to Si Nan for accepting them, and was dedicated to doing the dirty work.

At first everyone didn't pay attention, and she dragged out two large buckets of swill.When she was dragging the third bucket, Huai Shu forcefully stopped her.

"Can you do this job? Look at your slender arms and legs, they are so tired." Huai Shu, a straight man of steel, obviously cared, but his words were extremely unpleasant.

Yu Sanniang came up so strong, she picked up the slop bucket in front of his face, and poured it into the sewer with a splash.After pouring, stretch out the "little thin arm" in front of his eyes, "Look, is it broken?"

The locust tree swallowed.

Not only fierce, but also fierce.

However, Yu Sanniang still didn't hold him back, so he put on the waiter's uniform and went to the front to greet the female customers.

"This is Erdou's. I haven't worn it yet. You two are about the same size. You comb your hair up and dress up like a gentleman...it's more convenient."

Yu Sanniang looked at the red and blue uniform, she liked it very much, but she didn't answer, "Would Erdou be willing to take his new clothes?"

Er Dou stuck his head out from the back kitchen, and smiled innocently, "I didn't want to at first, but Brother Huaishu promised me a new slingshot, so I am willing."

Yu Sanniang looked at the pagoda tree in surprise, is this guy so kind?

Then he couldn't help but reflect, was his attitude towards him just a little bit bad?

The locust tree also looked away, the tips of its ears blushed quietly.

Don't know why.

In the back kitchen, Sinan patted Erdou's small forehead, "Nice job!"

Erdouhan smiled, but he was honest.

A happy day has passed so happily.

Although there were not many customers in the store, everyone was no longer depressed, but entertained with all their heart as before.

As for the source of customers, Sinan didn't expect that Shopkeeper Yu of Wushui Building would honestly clarify for him.

He thought of an idea and is now preparing.If it succeeds, not only will this crisis be passed smoothly, but the hot pot restaurant will also be able to take it to a higher level.

The vegetables and meat were not sold out, so Sinan divided the employees and took one home with him.

He was studying new dishes in front of the stove, while Tang Xuan sat at the stone table and read official documents.The children who were playing across the two people raised their heads from time to time and looked at each other.

Every evening, the small courtyard of the Si family is so warm.

The rest of the children were playing, and only the cub was seriously writing big characters.

A few days ago, Sinan prepared a full eight copies of Shuxiu and sent the children to Yixin Shushu.

The husband accepted the children, but refused to take Shu Xiu.

He knew that these children were adopted by Sinan, and felt that even a merchant like Sinan could have such a kind heart. He had read sage books for decades and worked as a court official, so he should have the heart to help the world.

Si Nan didn't insist anymore, but just added a few taels of extra meat to the small hot pot that was sent to the school every day.

After Xiao Zai finished writing the big characters, he turned out the "Book of Songs" and read it shaking his head.

Thanks to Sinan's previous guidance, the little guy has developed the habit of previewing before class. Every day after taking a bath, while other children are playing, he will review the lessons he will learn the next day.

When he read something he didn't understand, he would come over to ask Simon with the book in his hand.

Sinan was a little busy today, scratching his head and ears with worry from those little loaches.The cub hesitated for a moment, and instead of disturbing him, he mustered up the courage to walk to Tang Xuan's side.

"My lord, Zai Zai, can I ask you a question?" Xiao Zai asked very politely in a soft, cute voice.

Tang Xuan... was actually a little nervous.

This was the first time that a child took the initiative to talk to him.

He tried his best to be gentle and amiable, "Well, you ask."

—Actually, it’s still kind of scary.

The cub blinked his round eyes, bravely held the book in front of him, and pointed to a line of poetry with his round little finger: "Here it is said that 'July is in the wild, August is in the sky, September is in the house, and October is in the house." Get under my bed'—why say a cricket? Can't it be a little ferret?"

The children were afraid to ask Mr. these weird questions, but Sinan encouraged them to ask anything, and he could always give witty and interesting answers.

In contrast, Tang Xuan seemed quite satisfactory, and his explanation was precise and official: ""July" talks about the harvest scene and working conditions throughout the year. These four sentences use the migration of crickets from the field to the bed to illustrate the seasons. ferrets do not have such a habit.”

"Oh, yes!" Xiao Zai nodded his head and quickly wrote it down.

On his hand is a "pen clip" made of bamboo tubes and wood chips. The design drawing was drawn by Si Nan, inspired by modern mobile phone holders and pen grip correctors.

The cub is not completely handless, just missing the fingers, and the little hand is covered with scars, and it is a small ball like a robot.

Sinan asked Cui Mutou to make a cylindrical "prosthetic limb" and put it on Xiaoyuan's hand to act as a finger.There is a small clip on the prosthesis, which can be adjusted in size to hold different types of writing brushes.

The most subtle thing is that after the brush is clamped, the angle with the arm is just the most standard pen holding posture.

When it was put on for the first time, the cub raised his arms in a daze, and didn't dare to move for a while.It wasn't until Si Nan reminded him that he carefully touched the paper lightly.

The soft tip of the pen scratched across the rough grass paper, leaving a thick black ink stain.The little guy trembled violently, as if frightened.

Still, with his eyes wide open, he tried to write a second stroke.

Then the third stroke, and the fourth stroke, until I finished writing two crooked, almost shapeless square characters—Sihong.

This is the name Si Nan gave him. I wish him to have lofty ambitions like Honghu and a strong will like Honghu to do what he wants to do and become who he wants to be.

Note that it is a wish, not a request.

Xiao Zai is different from other children. He doesn't want to be a cook, carpenter or military general. He wants to study, study classics and history, and be a great scholar.

The children gave Xiao Zai's prosthetic a cute name - Zai Zai's hand.

Since he got Zai Zai Shou, Xiao Zai has been obsessed with writing big characters. Every time he comes back from the hot pot restaurant, he will immediately take out a pen and paper to practice writing.

Today, the little guy has written very proficiently.Not only can you write big characters with a large pen, but you can also take notes with cow hair and lower case.

——The habit of taking notes was also cultivated by Si Nan.

In order to make it easier for him to write it down, Tang Xuan deliberately slowed down and said it again.

He said something, and the cub remembered it.

The little guy would raise his head from time to time and ask him how to write which character.Tang Xuan dipped his finger in clear water and wrote stroke by stroke on the table.

The deep and mellow voice, combined with Zai Zai's soft and waxy voice, is like the two of them, one big and one small, contrasting sharply, yet extremely harmonious.

Sinan looked up from time to time, full of happiness.

The cub has not long learned to write, and the frame is a bit scattered, but it is very neat.It's just that every time the strokes are drawn to the right, the little guy will pause unconsciously. Although he tries to hide it, Tang Xuan can still see it.

He frowned and took the cub's hand.

The cub was startled, and quickly retreated.

However, it was impossible for him to be stronger than Tang Xuan, and in the end the "Zai Zai Hand" was still taken off.

Seeing his little round hand, Tang Xuan fell silent.

The cub hung his head, his eyes filled with tears.

The children fell silent, each at a loss.

Si Nan looked up and was stunned——

His beloved little cub, such a delicate and tender little hand, was actually worn out by the prosthetic limb into layers of blisters, and some places were even worn out and festered!

Si Nan squatted down slowly, gently holding the cub's hand.

Xiao Zai hurriedly withdrew his little hand and hid it behind his back, choked up and said, "Brother Master, don't be angry, I will be obedient from now on... No, I won't write too much anymore."

When Si Nan put on his prosthetic for the first time, he specifically told him to rest properly and not get tired.

Xiao Zai is not obedient, he likes to write too much, he wants to write another after writing one, and he doesn't want to stop.

Sometimes when Sinan sees it, he will remind him, Xiao Zai pretends to agree, and when Sinan is busy, he will secretly wear it again and continue writing.

The little guy is very smart, not only did he hide it from Sinan, but also from other little friends, even when Sinan helped him take a bath, he didn't find out.

The reason why Tang Xuan noticed it was because he had a similar experience.

Back then when he was studying in the palace, he was always inferior to Zhao Xing and Zhao Zongshi, and was ridiculed by Gao Taotao every time.

After learning riding and archery, he finally found what he was good at, so he practiced every day, every day, and he practiced when others were eating and sleeping.

The blisters on the fingers broke off, and the broken pustules slowly turned into calluses... No one understood the pain better than him.

Si Nan didn't say a word of reproach, but just hugged the silently crying cub, turned his head, and quietly wiped away a few tears.

One big and one small are blaming themselves, one blames themselves for not being careful enough, and the other blames themselves for being ignorant.

On this day, Si Nan didn't sleep all night, and made more than a dozen cotton pads in one go. Each cotton pad was made of the softest silk and stuffed with precious silk cotton.

In ancient times, silk and cotton were not cheap for ordinary people. If a girl got married and there were two silk and cotton clothes in the dowry, the husband's family must take a high look.

Si Nan picked good ones to buy, spent a lot of money, and only used them for the cubs.

The rest of the children were not jealous at all, but scrambled to help Xiao Zai transform into a "Zai Zai Hand".

——Put one for the "Zai Zai hand" for writing, one for the "Zai Zai hand" for brushing teeth, and one for eating... oh, the one for eating and the one for brushing teeth are the same, so keep a few for washing.

In order to prevent similar things from happening again, Sinan set a strict "study schedule" for the children: boxing in the morning, reciting in the morning, practicing calligraphy in the afternoon, playing for a while after bathing in the evening, and writing two big characters before going to bed. more.

——Other parents are worried about urging their children to study hard, but his worries are preventing their children from studying too much.

It's also funny!

After that, Xiao Zai no longer practiced calligraphy in a "revenge style", but followed the learning schedule made by Si Nan.

On the surface, it seems that the children are doing the same thing, but in fact, for a few hours in the store, the cubs acted as mascots while silently reviewing the "Book of Songs" they had memorized in the morning.

The little guy's admiration for Tang Xuan skyrocketed, and he would be the first to come to him if he had any problems.In a small courtyard, such a picture appears almost every day——

One big and one small sat at the stone table, with an open book of "The Analects" placed in the middle, and they talked to each other.

The voice of the one who spoke was honest and eloquent; the one who listened was serious, occasionally answering "yes" with a cute little milky voice.

At this time, Si Nan would sit in front of the stove with his cheeks on his hands, thinking dreamily——

This is what the wives and children are talking about!

The road to happiness is running towards me!

***

On this day, Zhao Xing finally fulfilled his promise and brought Zhao De to the shop for a treat.

The personal officials and relative officials of the Imperial City Division all came, and they were clearly divided into two camps.

One camp obviously listened to Tang Xuan's command, entered the door and treated Si Nanke politely, one small boss at a time.

The other camp seems to be Zhao Xing's people, with a slightly conflicted expression, obviously very curious about the hot pot restaurant, but trying to suppress it, insisting on showing a tugging look.

Zhao Xing suffered a lot from Si Nan, and this time he made up his mind that no matter what the taste of the hot pot was, he would insist that it was unpalatable and take revenge on Si Nan.

Therefore, as soon as he entered the door, Zhao Xing stared at Sinan with wide eyes like a little bullfighting bull.

Si Nan laughed unceremoniously.

Zhao Xing was even angrier.

In contrast, Zhao De behaved very calmly, just quietly following behind Zhao Xing, as if this matter had nothing to do with him.

Si Nan raised his eyebrows, his rank is quite high.

Let Zhao Xing come when you have the ability to pay the bill.

All the people who come are customers, if they finish eating honestly like this, pay the money and leave honestly, Sinan promises to be polite throughout the process.

It's because someone wants to be a demon.

After Zhong Jiang delivered the meal, he hurried back to say hello to everyone, but unexpectedly, Zhao De was ridiculed.

"Why, the hand is useless, and the person is useless? If you don't do serious business, you will be here as a dog's leg? Cut, thanks to your face, I would have found a dry well and jumped into it."

As soon as these words came out, the lively hot pot restaurant fell silent.

Everyone looked at Zhong Jiang intentionally or unintentionally, and they actually agreed with Zhao De's words in their hearts.Of course, I didn't agree with him scolding Zhong Jiang, but I felt that Zhong Jiang's running errands in a hot pot restaurant was really disrespectful.

Zhong Jiang's face was ugly, but he was worried about the business in the store, so he suppressed his anger.

Si Nan didn't want to suppress it, and looked at Zhao De with a half-smile, "The five waters in Bianjing City are probably the most lacking of dry wells. Even if there are, Zhao Yatou probably won't have a chance to jump."

Tang Xuan asked cooperatively: "Why?"

"Because Yatou Zhao won't cut off his hands! Everyone knows that Yatou Zhao is the best at handling errands. If you have credit, go up on your own and catch thieves and fight your subordinates. How could you rush to the front line of suppressing bandits like Brother Zhong and let the thieves Have a chance to cut off his hand?"

Everyone was startled, and then remembered how Zhong Jiang's hand was broken.

"Do you think it's embarrassing for Brother Zhong to be injured? Could it be that he was injured because of gambling money and whoring? Was it robbery? Or selling private salt?"

Si Nan looked at Zhao De, and smiled sarcastically: "Even the children on the street know that Zhong Jiang of the Imperial City Division was injured for clearing and suppressing Wuyou Cave, for handling imperial missions and protecting the common people. The great hero of the capital!"

What he said made everyone feel moved, and at the same time secretly felt guilty that they shouldn't agree with Zhao De's nonsense just now.

Si Nan unceremoniously gave Zhao De a big hat, "Even the officials have allowed Brother Zhong to enter the Imperial Horse Prison, so you are allowed to insult and slander him here? If you insult him, you are insulting the hero and the officials!"

"I didn't say that!" Zhao De reacted quickly, and immediately refuted loudly, "Don't be ridiculous, what I'm talking about is someone who came from the imperial city, but because of a mere injury, he was depressed and refused to be an official. Not to mention the service at home, but still curled up in this small restaurant to do errands, how decent!"

Sinan raised his eyebrows, "Oh, so I misunderstood, what you mean is that because Brother Zhong suffered a 'small injury', he was kicked out of the Imperial City Division by the officials, and he was not even given the opportunity to work for the king. None?"

Zhao Deteng stood up, "I—"

"You have a guilty conscience." Si Nan stopped him and said every word, "You just look down on the wounded soldiers, wishing that they would not see their day!"

"Not only Brother Zhong, but also other soldiers who have returned from the battlefield, those who have lost their arms and legs, and have to endure bone-biting pain every cloudy and rainy day. Don't they deserve to find a job with a good salary? Are you working and raising your family in an upright manner?"

"I didn't say that! You don't want to spit blood!" Zhao De blushed with anger, but he didn't know how to refute, he could only repeat these two sentences.

Everyone in the Imperial City Department knew clearly that Zhao De did not really look down on all the wounded soldiers as Si Nan said, but just wanted to take the opportunity to laugh at Zhong Jiang and add trouble to Tang Xuan by the way.

However, they were indeed persuaded by Si Nan. It was wrong for Zhao De to laugh at Zhong Jiang. There is nothing wrong with Zhong Jiang's work in the hot pot restaurant. On the contrary, it is admirable.

After all, not everyone can save face for their family, and there are many people who are devastated.

Sinan's tone changed, and he began to take a lyrical route, "We all know in our hearts that Brother Zhong's monthly wages at the hot pot restaurant may not even compare to your fraction, but every copper he earns is decent, It's clean, what's the shame?"

"I just asked, what's so embarrassing about it!"

In just one sentence, sonorous and powerful.

Zhao De's face was livid, and he wanted to say something, but was held back by Zhao Xing.

Everyone was silent.

Si Nan's words hit their hearts like a heavy hammer.

They wear the stars and wear the moon, regardless of the cold or heat, they have worked hard for more than ten years, defeated tens of thousands of their peers and entered the Imperial City Department.

Who can guarantee that they will not get hurt?

If you get hurt, do you have to be insulted by others?

If you are lucky and you are safe and sound, what about the brothers you care about?What about the soldiers who protect the people?

Don't say anything else, just talk about Tang Jiajun.

At that time, if it weren't for the great general of the Tang Dynasty who would rather die than surrender, and the princess slay herself out of righteousness, would the Song Dynasty have the peace it is today?Can they sit here and eat hot pot safely?

They are all generals, and they know the misery of generals best.

Someone blushed, stood up, and raised a wine glass to Zhong Jiang, "The first glass, respect brother."

Zhong Jiang tried his best to suppress the wetness in his eyes, and waved his hands, "The boss has strict rules, and drinking is not allowed during working hours."

Si Nan smiled and said, "Today is a special case. It's fine to just have a drink."

"DJI, let's have a drink."

"Look, Si Xiaodong's family has agreed."

Everyone stood up and toasted Zhong Jiang.

Among them is Zhao Xing.

Zhao De refused to respect, and was glared at by Zhao Xing, so he reluctantly stood up.

"Okay, since the boss has sent a message, let's have a drink."

"Respect brother!"

Zhong Jiang held up the green cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Everyone applauded in unison and had a drink with them.

They didn't know that Zhao Zhen was outside the store at this time, and he heard what Si Nan said clearly.

Huaishu looked at him for a long time, thinking that he was a customer, but the other party stood there again, neither speaking nor entering the shop.

Huaishu hesitated for a moment, and greeted him politely, "Is the official here to eat hot pot? There are still seats in the private room upstairs, can I arrange it for you?"

Zhao Zhen wiped away the little tears from the corners of his eyes, and waved his hands kindly, "No, let's forget about today, let's do it another day, I will definitely come another day."

"Okay, if you want to eat later, let your family know, and I will save you a good seat." Huaishu bowed, and did not neglect him in the slightest because he did not enter the store.

"Okay, that's great." Zhao Zhen smiled lovingly, turned around and got into the carriage.

Entering the car, he nodded for a while, sighed for a while, was relieved for a while, and struggled for a while, with extremely rich expressions, obviously trying to attract the attention of others.

Zhang Mao smirked, and asked cooperatively: "What's on the official mind?"

Zhao Zhen opened up the chatterbox as he wished: "Say, why does such a good young gentleman have no intention of being an official? You also checked, he used to be good at school, presumably he was going for a scientific examination, why did he suddenly give up?" ?”

Zhang Mao cupped his hands, "I feel that people may have their own ambitions. You see, although Mr. Si Xiaolang only runs a small hot pot restaurant, his desire to serve the country has not diminished in the slightest."

Zhao Zhen sighed: "That's what I said, I still hope that he can become an official. I'm not bragging, if he wants to become an official in the court, maybe Xiwen will have a successor."

Zhang Mao smiled and didn't express his opinion. In fact, he agreed with it in his heart. He even felt that Sinan might be able to do better.

Mr. Fan Zhongyan was dedicated to serving the people, but he was too stubborn. He was feared by the clan and some powerful officials, so many advanced government orders could not be implemented.This Mr. Si Xiaolang was born with a delicate heart, and he must have an idea to balance the relationship between all parties.

Of course, it doesn’t mean that rigidity is bad, it’s just that the situation is different and the method should be adjusted.

The carriage rolled by, and the interior of the carriage was quiet for a moment.

Zhao Zhen said abruptly: "The last time you checked him, you said he could write lyrics?"

Zhang Mao nodded and took out a song from his sleeve.Knowing that the official family will come to the hot pot restaurant today, I thought I might ask about it, so I brought it along.

Zhao Zhen took it with full anticipation, and got ready to read the masterpiece. Unexpectedly, the smile on his face froze just after reading a line.

Zhang Mao lowered his head with a smile on his lips.

Zhao Zhen coughed lightly, "Why are there flowers, willows, love, and love? Isn't there a first family to rule the world?"

Zhang Mao said respectfully: "This is the least 'flower and willow'."

The corner of Zhao Zhen's mouth twitched, and he said after a long while: "It's said that 'Poetry is based on character', but it doesn't seem to be the case."

"That's right!" Zhang Mao smiled and said, "Didn't the king of Yan Jun only write sentences like 'a big bow bends and bends'?"

Zhao Zhen clicked his tongue, "Looking at it this way, the two are really a match made in heaven."

Zhang Mao paused. Is this how "a couple born in heaven" is used?