clang farming notes

On the second day, before the sun climbed to the middle, six or seven sergeants on horseback came, including the one who guarded the city gate last time.

Zhao Ba had grown impatient for a long time. He heard the sound of horseshoes in the distance and went out to meet him. After a while, he led several people into the yard leading the horses. He tied up the horse he was riding, and then he gave way and entered the house.

The three members of the Du family were agitated by Zhao Ba early this morning, especially for Du An, who wished he could make all the meals right away.

Fortunately, a lot of ready-made ones have been prepared years ago. Some of them can be steamed in a pan, and some have already been packed. It will not take a lot of effort to stir-fry, fry or boil.Duan got up early in the morning and cooked some dishes that took a lot of time in advance, and the rest would have time to wait for people to come in.

Duan thought that most of the soldiers can eat. The staple food is dumplings filled with meat. It is very convenient to eat and cook at any time. If it is not enough, there are some steamed buns, which can be reheated quickly.

The dishes were also meat dishes, originally there was a piece of fish, but Zhao Ba said that his brothers might not have the patience to criticize, as long as there is a big piece of meat and a big bowl of wine, no one will be able to pick it up.

Duan thought about using the meat that was fried years ago to make braised pork, sauced a large bone, and made a big pot of mutton.I made the bone soup with pork ribs stewed in advance, and added finely shredded sauerkraut. I boiled a large piece of pork belly in it, and I also cooked a few pieces of particularly fatty ones. Then I cut it into white meat. eat.

There are not many dishes, but the portions are full, which is very affordable.

When these people entered the house, they first met with Fang Shengsi, then Zhao Ba introduced the three members of the Du family to them, and after meeting each other, one of them said: "The neighbor who went to the city with you last time? It turns out that I am a scholar, so I can't complain about being more particular."

Du Zhongping knew that these soldiers always disliked scholars, so he said: "People say that you are a scholar who is useless, but they are not as strong as you, and there is a child with you, so you have to be more careful. In the future It is also necessary for everyone to take care of them."

There was a man who looked more mature and said: "My brother can't talk, don't bother him. Since he is my brother Zhao Ba's friend, there is no need to talk about whether to take care of him or not. If there is something to do, just say hello, and there will be nothing else. It’s just that when our brothers trouble Mr. Du, we should ask for your advice.”

Du Zhongping was just being polite at first, but he didn't expect this person to be so polite, and the last sentence was a little out of his head. Looking at Zhao Bafangsheng, he seemed to know nothing, so he had to be polite to that person.

After Duan met these people and bowed to each other, he hurriedly went to the kitchen to make peace. Fang Shenglue also went to help after a few words.

When Jin'er saw these people, she couldn't help being a little scared because they had a strong aura about them, so she pestered Du Zhongping every step of the way.However, these few finally saw a child, and always wanted to tease him, so Jin'er just buried his head in Du Zhongping's arms, did not lift it up, and only pointed his butt towards everyone.

Because it was the New Year's Eve, seeing that the children had to be given some New Year's money, but the few people took out some broken silver, and Du Zhongping had nothing to do with these people, so he insisted on refusing to accept it, saying that it was too polite, To break the child's blessing.A few people can't force it, that's all.

After a while, a table of wine and dishes was set up, and the shochu made years ago was also scalded in hot water.Everyone sat around, and the Du family accompanied them to the table.Presumably these people had a very good friendship with Zhao Ba, and they were really hungry after rushing all morning, so they were not too polite, and they seemed to be wolfing down.

The two of the Du family had a few drinks with them, then they said goodbye and went back.One could tell at a glance that this friend who hadn't seen him for a long time would have a lot to say, and it would be a little inconvenient for the two of them to be outsiders, so they still had this wink.

In the afternoon, the three members of the Du family were sitting around on the kang eating snacks, and the two older ones were teaching Jin'er to count with peanut benevolence, when Fang Sheng came over.

Du Zhongping asked, "Why isn't Brother Sheng here anymore, but what can I do to help?"

Fang Sheng found a place to sit down, and said: "It's okay. It's just that I didn't want to be with them when I was a soldier. I came here with my intentions so that they can talk freely. It's just that I don't want to stay with you at night. I'm afraid I won't be able to live there."

Du Zhongping said: "You just need to live here." At the same time, he asked him to sit on the kang to keep warm.

Fang Sheng went to the kang and sat next to Du Zhongping as he said, and couldn't help saying: "Sure enough, it's still warm in your house."

Du Zhongping said strangely: "It's all the same house. Your house is just cooler on the kang. If you think it's cold, just burn an extra fire, and you have a lot of firewood?"

Fang Sheng replied: "Although there is a lot of firewood, your firepower is stronger. I still feel a little cold, but he feels hot. If it's just that, it's fine. At worst, let him wear less clothes. It's just winter." If it's hot, he'll be full of blisters in the spring, so I have to wear more clothes, so I'll just let him go."

Duan had been playing with Jin'er all the time, and after hearing Fang Sheng's words, he said, "But, sleeping on the hot kang in winter is very comfortable, so there is such a saying? But remind me, when the spring begins We must make some cool meals. But the kang doesn’t dare to cool down, we two adults are not afraid, I’m just afraid that Jin’er will get better if he catches a cold.”

A few people couldn't help but talk about what kind of wild vegetables can be eaten in the spring, and how to cook them.Then I turned to what kind of vegetables to grow in my own yard. The dishes in the north and the south are somewhat different, so I can’t help but compare them. There are few seeds, but the yard is big anyway, so there is nothing that cannot be planted.

The topic turned around and then turned to spring plowing, Fang Sheng said: "Just now at the dinner table, it was said that some kind of potatoes were planted by the superiors, and the seeds were brought in at the beginning of spring. I don't know what it is, but since the superiors said, Whether it’s good or not, I’m afraid you have to plant some.”

Du Zhongping was taken aback when he heard this, and hurriedly asked for clarification.

Fang Sheng continued: "It is said that it came from overseas. It was originally planted in the garden by rich people. Later, someone discovered that it was edible, so they pushed it out for planting, but the south is full of rice. Yes, if you are willing to grow this kind of thing, you have to push it to the north. I also think that there are so many soldiers here, who spend money on food, and some of them are in a hurry to go to the doctor: how much more can this bean be? Can't eat?"

Du Zhongping couldn't say that he had seen and eaten this thing before, this "potato" was not a common bean, so he had to follow along with a few random words.

A few people didn't care about the people next door, they just talked and laughed, and had dinner freely, and Fang Sheng took a rest at Du's house when it was late.

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Because the second day of the Lunar New Year was the day for married girls to return to their natal homes, several soldiers gathered at Zhao Ba's house for a day, and after breakfast on the third day of the Lunar New Year, Zhao Ba accompanied them to visit Lizheng.

Fang Sheng guessed that they would have to drink for a while at Lizheng's house, and went back to tidy up the house after having breakfast at Du's house.

Originally, it was customary not to visit relatives and friends on the third day of the Lunar New Year, but it's just that the soldiers are on rotation, so they can't take care of these.

Arriving at Lizheng's house, she was welcomed warmly. Sister-in-law Wang greeted the two children to greet the uncles and uncles, and then went to the kitchen to prepare the food and drinks. In matters of shame, my family is no better than Zhao Ba's family. There is no woman in his family, so naturally no one will pick it up. Besides, just because these people can remember the friendship from home every year, they must not be treated lightly.

Everyone in the room was very affectionate, seeing Lizheng's two sons, everyone liked it very much, and took out a few pieces of silver as lucky money for the children.Li Zheng was good friends with them, so he didn't make any excuses, nodded and let the children pick it up, and let them go out to play by themselves.

Li Zheng asked everyone how many days they could stay, and when they knew they would have to order tomorrow, he nodded and said nothing, but urged Mrs. Wang to serve the food quickly, so that she would not be able to enter the city late in the afternoon and be punished tomorrow.

As soon as the food and wine were served, Mrs. Wang avoided them and let them talk for themselves.Because they were going back in the afternoon, Li Zheng and Zhao Ba didn't try to persuade them to drink, they just let them do what they wanted.

After two rounds of drinking, yesterday's old man - also surnamed Wang, named Wang Quan, because he and Li belonged to the same family, so he was very close, and he was willing to discuss with Li Zheng - said to Li Zheng: "You always persuade I want to settle down, but I can't bear the salary, and I don't know anything about farming, and I can't live in peace, so I don't answer you. This time I know a Qiaozong, It was hopeless at first, but the last time Yu Qian'er guarded the city gate and saw that Zhao Ba was actually walking with a scholar, I was moved. If it happens, we brothers will have a future , I just need the help of the two brothers to be comprehensive."

Li Zheng and Zhao Ba glanced at each other, they didn't mention it to Zhao Ba yesterday, and Zhao Ba didn't know about it either.

Lizheng frowned and said: "From what you said, it has something to do with Du Xiucai? If our brothers can do it, then we don't need to say anything. You should explain it clearly. If it works, there is no major hindrance , Brother Zhao Ba and I gave up our old faces and went to beg for you; if it doesn't work, let's stop here and let's think of another way out-this scholar who has achieved fame is not something we can take care of .”

Then Wang Quan said: "It's natural, we are not unreasonable people."

He lowered his voice and said: "I once waited on our boss to drink and he leaked the word that when he was young, he wanted to do business with the barbarians in the north. This matter has to be kept secret from others, so we can only choose some from the soldiers. You can rest assured if you can write and count, but how many of us soldiers can read?"

Both Li Zheng and Zhao Ba were taken aback: "Is this done right? If you catch it, it's a decapitation business!"

That Wang Quan waved his hand and said: "Don't worry, I've inquired about it a long time ago, and I had it in the first one or two years, but at that time, all the confidantes of the high officials were doing it. It's not selling prohibited things, just some salt, Tea, wine and so on. I have a brother who works in the general's mansion. He said that when these things arrived, they were sealed, and the seal was stamped with the official seal. It’s just so flamboyant.”

Li Zheng said: "If it is according to what you said, this matter can be done. You want to ask Du Xiucai to learn to write and settle accounts? This is a bit far away? I'm afraid it will be easier to find a gentleman in the city."

Wang Quandao: "Where do you dare to find a husband in the city? If others find out, I'm afraid that you will be ruined if you grab an errand in the future. I think it's just a few of us who have learned it quietly, so that others are not prepared. Second, this reading People who have read the book are a bit stubborn, and they are afraid that they don’t want to teach such vulgar people like us. That’s why I thought of asking you to help me to say more good things, maybe it will be done.”

What he didn't say was that when he first found out about this, he secretly found an old scholar in the city and bought a lot of things. He just entered the door and explained his purpose clearly before he was kicked out.

The serious scholars here all read the words of the sages, how can there be anyone who teaches people how to keep accounts?Except for those who have been in business for generations or acted as bookkeepers for others, I am afraid that no one specializes in this matter of bookkeeping and settlement. They just know how to settle accounts. This is also the ability of people to eat, so how can they be easily taught to others?

It's just that Wang Quan and the others don't know, and they should be scholars who understand everything.

Li Zheng looked at Zhao Ba: "Du Xiucai is very close to you, what do you think?"

Zhao Ba frowned and said, "It's hard to say, Du Xiaoxiucai taught Fang Sheng to recognize two characters and read medical books, but he never asked Fang Sheng to call him Mr. It's just brothers getting along to relieve boredom. There is also Jin'er from his family. I heard him discuss with Duan that when Jin'er is five or six years old, he wants to find a serious mentor for him. If he really can't find a good one Yes, if Du Xiucai can only teach him, he has to respectfully offer tea and kowtow to his teacher to count. It can be seen that he does not teach people easily."

Li Zheng said: "That's right, even a carpenter or a blacksmith has to choose carefully to accept an apprentice. A serious one has a teacher's apprentice ceremony. I've never seen anyone who accepts an apprentice casually. I'm afraid scholars are more particular about it."

Wang Quan gritted his teeth and said: "I also know that this matter is difficult, otherwise I can't hear the wind and rush to beg for help. You know that our brothers can't calm down and farm the land honestly. Serving as soldiers There are not a few salaries left, and there is no place for the family property. If there is such a clever sect, I am afraid that a few trips can save the family property. Now I can only ask the two brothers to help talk about it. If it can be done, our brothers will kowtow to him Apprenticeship is also voluntary, and I will never treat Du Xiucai badly, and there must be a generous reward. If it doesn't work, we should give up our hearts and find another way out. Anyway, we finally earned it."

As he spoke, he actually stood up and saluted Lizheng Zhao Bachang, and the two of them jumped up to help him up in shock: "What is this for? Our brothers still use this? I will try my best to speak for you."