There is no phoenix

Jia's mother said: "Baoyu, do you know who your fourth brother-in-law is? He is your good friend Liu Xianglian. Your fourth younger sister now has a son, just like your younger sister Yun. Now the two of them heard that there is something good going on." Yes. Your sister Lin has given birth to three sons, and Miaoyu has two sons."

After Baoyu heard this, he sighed and said, "Old lady, when I went to Liaodong, Liu Xianglian came to see me off. I know that the fourth younger sister has married him. The fourth younger sister married Liu Xianglian. They are a perfect match. They will definitely marry her." happy."

After Baoyu finished speaking, he looked at the people around him: Mother Jia had silver hair, and the vicissitudes of life were written on her face; although Mrs. Xing was less than 60 years old, she also had gray temples, a coarse kerchief, an apron, and a broom in her hand. , seems to be infinitely melancholy, just like the old mothers who did rough work in Daguanyuan; Shoes, looking at everyone without joy or sorrow; Qiaojie stood behind Ping'er, only looking at Baoyu and Baochai quietly.

Baochai went up to support Jiamu and said, "Old lady, go in and sit down. I'll clean up the house and let Ying'er cook for the kitchen. I've brought some vegetables."

Seeing Jia Kui's beautiful features, just like Baoyu when she was young, Jia's mother nodded quickly and said, "Okay, Amber, go get some food for Kui'er."

After a while, Jia Huan came back from the outside and learned that Baoyu had come back. He hurried over to talk, and said to Jia's mother: "Old lady, I have already gone to inquire. Now the Jingxi military camp and the Chengdong military camp are recruiting recruits. I will call tomorrow." Go sign up."

Mother Jia sighed, "Huan'er, you have to tell your parents that I am old, and I only hope that your uncles and nephews can live up to their expectations, so that our Jia family can still see hope."

Baoyu looked at Jia Huan and said, "Huan'er, have you really decided to join the army?"

Jia Huan said seriously: "Why not? I had this idea when I was still in Liaodong, and Cousin Xue also talked about it. After nearly two years of experience in Liaodong, I don't believe that I can't compare with those recruits!"

After Jia Huan finished speaking, he looked at Baoyu again and said, "Brother Bao, I think you should study hard. You really can't do it in the army."

Jia Mu asked, "Huan'er, so Pan'er from my aunt's family is going to join the army?"

Jia Huan nodded and said: "Old lady, Cousin Xue said so himself. I will ask him tomorrow. If he will go, we will sign up together."

Half an hour later, Jia Zheng brought Ah Fu back, and Jia Huan said again that he was going to sign up for the army. Jia Zheng said, "Well, if you have such an ambition, I can't stop you. Our ancestors also joined the army. You don’t need to be able to make meritorious deeds, you just need to be able to have a job as a breadwinner.”

Jia Huan was overjoyed when he heard this, and hurriedly said: "Father said so, I am more confident. I understand now that I want to learn from my third sister, and men should go out to experience. I think back then King Beijing, Concubine Feng, and third brother-in-law, they I have all experienced in the military camp, and I think one day, I will have a position."

Early the next morning, Jia Huan really packed a small package and said he was going to the military camp in the west of Beijing to sign up. Mother Jia thought that the journey would not be close, so she gave him five taels of silver as money.Jia Huan bid farewell to everyone and strode out.

Not long after Jia Huan went out, Jia Lan and Li Wan also came to see the crowd.Jia's mother saw that Jia Lan was already a strong young man. Although he was not as handsome as Baoyu, he was well-groomed, and he was more mature and strong than Baoyu.

Seeing that Jia Lan was in high spirits, Jia Zheng was quite comforted, and said again what he had said to Baoyu. Jia Lan listened and said, "Don't worry, Grandpa. Uncle Bao and I told you on the way back to Beijing that Uncle Huan and Cousin Xue are young." Going to join the army, I will study literature with Uncle Bao. My mother has prepared all the books for me. I will go to Chunwei next month to try my luck. I may not have much hope, but I believe that there will be hope in three years. "

Jia Zheng nodded and said, "Good Lan'er, I'm relieved to have you like that. It's rare for your mother and son to come back today, so we'll eat here."

Jia Lan said, "Grandpa, I'm here today. Besides seeing the old lady and you, I also want to go to the family temple to worship my grandmother and my father."

Jia Zheng nodded, looked at Baoyu and said, "Baoyu, you are the oldest in terms of age, now Huan'er and Lan'er have their own ideas, you have to show a good performance, and you and Lan'er will go to the family temple together in a while."

After hearing this, Jia Mu hurriedly asked Ping'er to prepare sacrifices for them to take.

But at this time, the Xue family, Xue Pan was also discussing with Aunt Xue, saying that he was going to sign up for the army, but Aunt Xue disagreed: "Pan'er, you have been away for more than two years, you look like an arhat now, Could it be that you don't feel bitter in the barracks? At least we still have a shop, and your sister said the business is good. Now that Baoyu is back, your sister will naturally want to go back. It turns out that Baoqin said that it is impossible to have no one in the shop. As long as this shop is guarded, our family will have no worries about food and clothing, why do you go to the military camp to ask for trouble?"

Xue Pan said anxiously: "Mom, you always said that I can only spend money but not make money and save money. That's because I really don't like to be busy with business. Now I have experienced in the military camp for two or three years, and I also know some rules of the military camp. As long as you can make achievements, joining the army is not hopeless. Look at the brothers Feng Ziying, which one did not come out of the military camp? The third child went to the Beijing West Military Camp when he was only 13 years old, and General Shenwu is still in his 50s. Can’t get a job to make a living? Anyway, I’m going to book it! My sister is already familiar with the business of the shop, so let her and Ying’er continue to manage it, isn’t it all right?”

Aunt Xue said: "Pan'er, I didn't say that, Baoyu is back, your sister will definitely go back, how can you live here again? Besides, what you are worried about now is not to find a job, but to find me a wife first." Well, just Ziling is a grandson, our family is too small."

After hearing this, Xue Pan smiled and said to Aunt Xue: "Mom, I also want a wife, but I am interested in someone, and I am afraid that you and my sister will not give up. If you are sincere for my good, marrying her is perfect."

Aunt Xue asked in surprise, "Pan'er, do you want to marry Ying'er?"

Xue Pan said: "Yes, Mom, think about it, Ying'er has always been at our house, if she became our daughter-in-law, what would you worry about? She is now doing business with her younger sister, and she looks good-natured. Besides, Although Baoyu has come back, don't blame me, Baoyu is a good-looking person, but my sister depends on him for a living, and I don't know what year it will be."

Aunt Xue said: "Baoyu is smart. As long as he is willing to make progress, it is not difficult to get a job in the exam. Why is there no hope?"

Xue Pan said: "Mom, let me tell you the truth. When Baoyu was guarding the border in Liaodong, the skin of Baoyu's hands and feet peeled off early in the hot weather, and frostbite early in the cold. His hands and feet are numb, and holding a knife and gun is even more awkward than a girl's house. If the general hadn't seen that he looked good, and arranged him in Huotou Camp, his life might be in danger. Now that he comes back, if my sister just goes back to accompany him at ease, her livelihood will never be the same. Where did they come from? Based on their family’s sacrifice fields alone, there’s no way they’ll have anything but food.”

Aunt Xue listened and remained silent for a while.

Xue Pan said again: "Mom, that's why I said that it's best for my sister and Yinger to manage the shop. At that time, half of my sister's profit will be given to us, and both of us can live on. If I have a good future in the military camp, wouldn't it be better?" Okay? If mom persuades my younger sister to marry Yinger to me, wouldn't it be good for you to have companionship too?"

Aunt Xue said with some concerns: "But Pan'er, it's a good idea, but I don't know what your sister means, and I'm afraid your sister and Baoyu won't give up."

Xue Pan said: "Mom, then buy another girl for my younger sister. My younger sister is a smart person. After one or two years of training, won't she have a helper? I don't believe my younger sister wants Yinger to be Baoyu's aunt."

After hearing this, Aunt Xue felt that the idea was really good, so she said, "Pan'er, even if this matter is settled, it will take a few days. How about going to the military camp to register before you and Ying'er get married and have children?" ?”

Xue Pan hurriedly said: "Mom, why are you so unresponsive? Now our family is not the same as it was back then. As long as my sister is willing, Yinger and I can consummate the house tonight. There is no war now, and I can come back to live in the Western Beijing Military Camp, but Go buy a horse first."

Aunt Xue saw that Xue Pan was definitely going to join the army, so she said: "Okay, I'll go over and discuss with your sister, set up a few banquets tomorrow, let you and Ying'er consummate the house first, you go to the barracks to find out more, and then say it later." Go to training for a few days."

Xue Pan was overjoyed and said, "That's natural. Mom can tell my sister clearly. If the shop is too busy, you can ask Baoyu to help. Baoyu can't do anything else. It should be fine to be an accountant. His literary talent is ours. The best of these cousins."