Clam Pearl

On the first day of the New Year, the top three families in the capital will enter the imperial palace, and hang two red lanterns made at home in pairs on the two ends of the Tianji gate of the imperial palace, the most prosperous road in the world.

Of course, Tongtian Dao is actually an outer doorway that courtiers passed in the early court. The real name of this road is Yujie, and now the common people call it Tongtian Dao in private.

This Royal Street is the widest street in Liang Kingdom. It is not long, only three or four miles long, but it is very wide. It can accommodate ten double-wheeled carriages in parallel without feeling crowded. Generally, emperors go out, champions parade through the streets, and princesses use it when they get married. It's a very auspicious place.

At both ends of the Royal Street, there are two rows of 69 bluestone pillars carved with animal patterns. The heads of the pillars are all carved with symmetrical corners of animal heads, and there is a ring in the mouth of the beast.

Every year on the first day of the new year, there are 68 people in the front row, with civil servants on the right and generals on the left.Write the prepared imperial red lantern and the official position clearly, and hang it on the mouth of the beast.

No. 60 nine poles are for the elderly over 88 years old, and hang a pair of red lanterns to extend the life of the nobles in the palace.

The custom of hanging lanterns is original, and it means celebrating together, rejoicing together, and having fun together.

However, in the eyes of the people all over the world, this lantern that leads to the sky is the acme of ordinary people's road to wealth.Therefore, the officials just joked like this in private, exhausted, but they just wanted to go to Tongtian Road to light two lanterns.

Early in the morning of the first day of the new year, on the fourth watch day, Mrs. Gu, Mrs. Gu, put on a dress together, commanded the family car, and carefully invited the red lantern, which was protected like a new one, from the altar. All the children have to go up and touch it, hoping to hang a lantern with their own name once in this life.

Before Gu Zhao woke up, he was forced to dig out of the bed. He has not had a good life these days, and he has lost the right to sleep for a long time.

I don't know who dragged him here, anyway, he touched the lantern in a daze, and saw his brother and sister-in-law going out, followed by a group of slaves holding long poles, especially he didn't know what happened, it can be seen that this person usually What a confused bastard.

Brother and sister-in-law are not at home, Gu Zhao is in charge of the overall situation at home, it is just a symbol, he is carried up to sit in the main room, after finishing his formalities, he can't just sit in Suyun courtyard and wait for everyone to come to pay New Year's greetings, right?How decent in the main hall, his brother loves him.

The juniors came up and said auspicious words to salute, he yawned, touched his head regardless of size, and replied in a daze with a universal auspicious words that he had memorized long ago: "Be good! You are smart and clever, and you will be named on the gold list next year!"

After finishing speaking, Huarui and the others handed out the prepared purses one by one.

Gu Zhao's words are a bit strange, although it is really auspicious, but his eldest nephew is already at the fifth rank at the age of 50, and he still scratches his head and says in a daze, he is good, smart, and he will be named on the gold list this year.

Gu Maode looked at the two purses, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, but he weighed them and felt that the uncle was as solid as ever. He looked at Bi Liangli and asked, "Uncle drank a lot yesterday?"

Bi Liangli showed a helpless face, and stretched out a slap.There is no way, if you have something on your mind, you have to drink two cups of dull wine, and you are a pure man if you don't share it with others.Last night, Gu Zhao was a pure man, he got drunk after drinking five taels, he had something on his mind.

They were gesturing here, when Shang Yuanzi, General Gu's mansion, Gu Laoyuan Wai Lang brought his whole family.Shangyuanzi Gu's mansion and here are not more than five generations of relatives, and they are also offshoots. The oldest man in his family, a man in his 70s, is very pitiful, just like Gu Maode's peers, and he has to call Gu Zhao uncle.

According to the genealogy, Gu Zhao is an uncle from the first line, which is precious.

Old man Gu Wailang was a festive person. When he saw Gu Zhao, he really paid respects to the juniors. What he said was probably taught by the same master as Gu Zhao.

The following salute: "Oh, my little uncle, my old nephew wishes you, this year you will be smart and smart, and you will be named on the gold list."

Yawning, Gu Zhao took two purses, touched the old man's old white hair and said, "Good boy, you're smart this year, and you'll be named on the gold list!" After speaking, he handed the two purses to him and waited for the next one.

The old man Wailang didn't care at all, but he was very fond of playing with the pair of purses in his hands. He had a loud voice, so he called out: "Hey, I can still get this! It's still my little uncle Seventh, open and bright, your brother If you are reluctant to give it to me, it is an iron cock! Hey! Iron cock!"

In front of people, he opened the purse and poured it out. Gululu's four full, wishful-shaped golden keys rolled out. They were solid and beautifully crafted.

"Hey! That's good, Uncle Seventh, how about giving my nephew another pair of fun?" After finishing speaking, the old man walked directly in front of Gu Zhao.

Gu Zhao patted his head again: "Good boy, smart and smart, the title of the gold list..."

Hey... Another couple!

The old man was happy, walked away, went back, walked away for a while, half a meeting, and got six pairs.

Is Chinese New Year, it’s a celebration, the house is full of joy, hahaha, Gu Maode clutched his stomach, pointed at the old man Wailang and scolded: “You old bastard, shameless, Yunhe took your father away, it’s simply Shame on you, Shang Yuanzi..."

"Hey, that's what I said, brother, don't be hard on money, I can still get this in my life, I have to thank my little seventh uncle, don't stop me, I will ask for more, and I will save it this year... Oops... Slip away..."

Their little Seventh Uncle was completely out of shape, and was already snoring with his face up.

Immediately, the servants rushed to his brother's sister-in-law's room, took off his shoes and arranged for him to sleep. Maode was worried, and called Hong Dan. They looked carefully at the stamens and prepared water. Uncle Qi drank a lot, and after a while his mouth became dry and he asked for water.

After arranging for Xiao Qishu, Maode walked forward, before reaching the door, he heard someone laughing inside, his wife Su's voice was really crisp and proud.

"Our little Seventh Uncle said, I don't want you to come in vain. It's the first time we've seen each other. The county government invited us in. They are all his relatives, so...you take the purse, and we'll get together again. A meeting gift for you to go back and try something new!"

Maode entered the house without disturbing his relatives, he stood by and watched with a smile on his face.

Su's pride, she first pointed to two pieces of light-colored cloth and boasted: "This is called soft cloth. In the past, the cloth we wore was incomparable to this. This is the mulberry that Uncle Seven found in the south. Lin, the silkworm we raised was specially woven for our family. It is one foot wider than the usual cloth. The most rare thing is that it is used for close-fitting clothes, and it is the softest. I gave three of them to my family, and after using this cloth, you won’t notice anything else. Come and feel it... This cloth is very rare, there are only two hundred or so a year.”

The relatives went up and touched it, yo, really, this feeling is soft, fluffy, very comfortable...

"You can't say it when you go out, otherwise, we won't be able to keep much, only our old Gu's family won't have enough..." Su continued to show off.

After boasting the cloth, Su asked someone to bring out eight small snack boxes, including dried fruit, preserved fruit, and shiny jelly beans.

"It's not worth much, it's just for celebration. This is for our children's sweet mouths. You can't buy it anywhere else. We also worked hard to make it ourselves. Isn't this the first time Xiao Qishu sees everyone, and he will be gone next year!" Su Shi Yang Yang Pazi giggled coquettishly.

Another person came in carrying two shallow wooden barrels, the handles of which were wrapped with red silk. The first barrel contained golden oranges, and the second contained a pair of coconuts.

"This orange is not rare, but it is rare this season, so I bring it back to try it out. Have you never seen these two big ones? They are called fathers. They are the fruit of several generations. They are very auspicious, but the skin cannot Eat, go back and cut and drink the juice, it's sweet."

Su was a little thirsty, took a sip from the teacup, put down the cup and looked strangely at the young and old who were still waiting in the room, she spat, swung the handkerchief and scolded: "Look! It's gone... still If you want it, it’s just these few things, it’s exhausting your little Seventh Uncle, this is a rush, I don’t know how much work was wasted, hey... you guys, you must be filial in the future, you know!"

Everyone in the room laughed together. In fact, things are not valuable, they are just caring. He was smiling, and Gu Jungong, who had hung up the lantern and came back, entered the room: "Yo... I heard laughter from a distance. In previous years It's not so lively!"

Gu Maode went over to pick up the robe, and said with a smile: "Can you be happy, and share the things. Uncle Qi gave a meeting gift, one for each family."

Gu Yan stretched his sleeves, went to pick up an orange, broke it and sat in the main hall to eat, his family was like this, not as dead-hearted as the scholarly family.

"Hey, I said old man, Renxiao Qiye has given everything, what don't you give me? Renxiao Qiye gave me eight purses!"

Gu Laoyuan Wailang immediately came over to show off.

"You old bastard, didn't you cheat?" Gu Yan pointed at him and cursed.

"Hey, no, Uncle Renxiao Seventh touched my head and praised me for being good, and told me to go to the No. [-] Scholar Exam!" The old man winked, and the whole room burst into laughter again.

After laughing, the old man Wai Lang walked over to Gu Yan and asked, "Is it settled?"

"Hang up, let's whip together at the palace gate. When we shout long live, we will go up neatly here. The third one! Our family has no shortage of strong sons. He is a good player. When I left, the Ministry of Industry , Ma Shangshu’s house still hangs with that. I’m afraid when I look at it. Is it a hanging lamp or a hanging person! It looks like it’s handmade, or there are few hangings. It’s also very neat for the first time in our family. You saw it with your own eyes that time, right? I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I asked our children to help me die! Hey, guess how many times?”

Gu Laoyuan Wailang stroked his beard and compared him to five.

"Cut...that's early, let's hit it three times! Brush! Brush! Brush! It's done!" Master Gu threw three orange petals into his mouth.

"Are we lighting butter candles from Qingbei this year?" Veteran Uiro asks every year.

"That's right, it's just his family's. Others' lamps don't work well. It was set up the first year. With such a thick arm, it can be lit until March. It must be the best lamp to go to my old Gu's house at night. It's bright." Master Gu was happy, feeling comfortable all over.

"That's it, our lamps are like this every year!" The old man Wai Lang gave a thumbs up. Long live the Lord?"

Gu Yan also stood up and bowed: "See you!"

"Everything is fine with our Long Live Lord!"

"Okay, far away, that sound, turn on the lights!! Nephew, you didn't hear it, you can hear our long live voice outside Shangjing and the countryside. , Swipe! Swipe! Swipe! Hang it up, it’s all right..."

The old man Wailang patted his thigh and praised: "Yes!"

That's right!He listens to it once a year, and every time he praises it, he doesn't feel tired at all.He is alive next year, and he will come again!

As soon as they talked, the juniors in the room were silent, their eyes were shining, full of admiration, envy, admiration, admiration, and wishing to die just because of the pair of lanterns.

This can be regarded as the primary ideological and moral education class of the old Gu's family.

Gu Zhao woke up, turned over and moved the quilt, and asked tentatively outside the curtain, "Qiye?"

"Hmm..." Gu Zhao replied.

"Master Qi is awake!" Hong Dan's voice came from outside.

Why is Hong Dan in his room?Gu Zhao was still in a daze, and rubbed his eyes to see, but the bed curtain was like a lion throwing a ball. Isn't this his elder brother's bed?

Bi Liangli entered the room from the outside, pursed his lips and smiled at him, with a hint of doting in his eyes.

"Hmm... why did I fall asleep..." Gu Zhao was a little embarrassed.

Hongdan brought a group of little slaves in, carrying fish-pattern basins, small bowls, mouthwash bowls, incense boxes, tooth boxes, and towels.

Everyone rushed to wait for Gu Qiye to get up, and after drinking a cup of tangerine peel water that had been brewed earlier, Gu Zhao only liked to drink this in winter.

As soon as he stretched out his hand, Bi Liangli hugged Gu Zhao, but his feet were swollen again.Now Gu Zhao's foot disease is a big problem in the family.

The excitement of the day has passed, and it is evening now, and the female relatives have returned to Ermen for excitement. There are 27 tables in the Guangde Hall in the front yard, thick mats are spread in the hall, and the famous Hundred Beasts Group in Beijing is invited. Baixi) troupe, juggling.

Guangde Hall is the largest hall in the family. During festivals and nights, the Gu family members will gather here. This hall consumes more than 200 tallow candles every night, which is worth [-] guan. .

Bi Liangli carried Gu Zhao into the hall, went to the center, spread a thick cushion on a chair, put on a long apron, and surrounded Gu Zhao when he was seated. Isn't he still sick? what.

The hall fell silent, and the man who was taming the tiger on the central mat stopped his work and lay motionless on the ground.

Gu Zhao sat down, and said to Gu Yan who looked at him with a loving face: "Leave me alone, tell them to drink and play tricks."

Gu Yan smiled and said: "You didn't recognize the younger generation, they got your money during the day, now ask them to come up to greet you, so you can recognize the younger generation at home, don't go out, The family members don’t recognize it completely, and they are laughed at when they speak out.”

Gu Zhao's face was slightly flushed. He had just woken up and ate a bowl of milk in the back, but at this moment, the light was dimmed, giving him a layer of pink, making him look like a beautiful woman.

After Gu Yan finished speaking, some slaves laid out the prayer mats, and there were people at the same table, and all the people at the same table stood up and came to them.

First, Gu Maohuai, an old man from Shangyuanzi General Gu's mansion, brought his eldest son Gu Yunhe, second son Gu Yunmi, second son Gu Yundao, and seven nephews and grandchildren to meet Gu Zhao.

"Yo, Uncle Seventh, my old nephew wishes you a New Year's greeting, and I wish you a title on the gold list this year." After finishing speaking, he looked at him eagerly, and everyone around him laughed.

"You old bastard, you got a few copies during the day, and you come here to play with Xiaoqi's money, do you want to lose face?"

Gu Zhao felt that the old man was very kind, so he hurriedly returned the half-respect: "The old man is so old, I don't dare to do this in the future." After speaking, he took a finely crafted Yao Pei from his body, and put his hands on it. In the hands of the old man: "This is a small item from the south, and the old man will give it to others."

"Yo, there's mine." The old man was very happy, and as soon as he finished speaking, there was another burst of laughter.

The branch of the old Gu's family opened three branches, and Gu Zhao's branch is the main branch, with seven brothers.

Gu Zhao's father had eight brothers, who died in the war and left two, one in Shangyuanzi and one in Xiangliandao.

The grandfather divided into three branches, one lived in Yuanyan Dao, the other lived in the Dao, and the other lived outside the Dao.

The Gu family is very big. A long time ago, it was a well-known scholarly family, the Gu family in Pingzhou, a family full of nobles.

Later, it was not that the first emperor raised troops and rebelled against the previous dynasty.Gu Zhao's grandfather lost his poems and books, and took a group of old brothers in the family to fight with the late emperor. Gu Zhao's father and brother had eight, and the remaining two died.

The old house still lives in the Fucheng of Pingzhou County, where Gu Zhao's father died, and now the whole family is in Beijing, and the half-rooted ones are Shangyuanzi's family and Yuanyan Dali Dali Si Shaoqing Gu Mingluo's family.

Another thing is that Gu Mingwan, a doctor in the Ministry of Rites on the main branch, lives in the old temple, and he is in charge of the main branch there, and he doesn't come here during the New Year's Eve.

Old Gu's family is in Beijing, not counting as a large family with a large population. There are only a dozen or so people who have been named in front of Jinshang, and there are only about [-] males who show their faces, not mentioning women. There are many generations, and there are more generations with inscriptions.

A long time ago, Gu Yan and his generation also had characters, but they were discarded because they were bestowed by the imperial court, so their generation has two characters.

In fact, now in Beijing, there are more and more families of various clans. The Gu family died a lot of people in the war. The population is not large, and the population is not considered prosperous. That's why there are uncles like the Gu family, five-year-old, nephew and grandson. There are forty or fifty things,

That prosperous family can't have such interesting things.

A group of people recognized it, but Gu Zhao still didn't remember it. There were a few promising ones he liked, so he rewarded his belongings, but he didn't give him his purse again.

In a blink of an eye, the old seat in front of Gu Yan was gone, and a new seat was served for Gu Zhao. Gu Yan slapped his hands, and the tiger couldn't stand it anymore, and he let out a majestic howl when he opened his mouth... Immediately, the Guangde Hall burst into applause.