The husband's son-in-law

The Zhaozhou caravan met Chen Erniang on their way back.

I left Huai'an in mid-July and headed south all the way. The weather was hot and it rained a few times. I sat in the carriage for a whole day, and it was stuffy and hot inside. I opened the curtain and the dust was blowing on my face all the way. Sometimes I walked for a long time. I couldn't meet the town for three or four days, and I couldn't wash up.

Chen Dalang felt sorry for his sister, so he said he would not hurry and went back slowly.But the emaciated Chen Erniang said that she wanted to go home early, "I want to see my mother and father sooner."

Seeing what his sister said, Chen Dalang made up his mind, gritted his teeth and continued on his way.

"Then the road will be harder. Let's go back earlier. Today's Zhaozhou is different from before."

Chen Erniang in the car endured the discomfort and didn't listen carefully to what the elder brother said. She looked towards the south, and the lush vegetation covered her sight, but her parents were there.

Persevere and persevere.Chen Erniang felt that her time was running out, and the fame of being away from her was ruined. If she didn't really want to see her parents before she died, and entrusted her only daughter to her parents, she would have ended the relationship long ago. life.

Go down to accompany Dalang.

It was her mother who didn't take good care of her son, which made him go to the Tao at a young age.

So on this journey, no matter how difficult it was, the convoy drove away, but Chen Erniang didn't say that she was uncomfortable, and the [-]-year-old mother gritted her teeth and persisted when she saw her mother like this.

On the contrary, Chen's male Ding felt sorry for this niece.

"As expected of Second Sister's child."

Chen Dalang also came here with a bit of pride, recalling that when the two brothers and sisters were in the village, "Er Niang was very powerful when she was young, and she dared to climb up a big tree." He was still afraid, afraid of falling and breaking his arms and legs , then coaxed the second mother to say that you want to eat fruit, and the elder brother will pick it for you, so you come down and watch it.

The Chen family got rich halfway, and when Chen Sanlang was born, Chen Weng had already passed the examination and became a petty official, so no matter how many younger brothers and sisters there were in the future, whether they were direct relatives or concubines, Chen Dalang had the best relationship with Erniang.

Finally, in such a hurry, I saw the cement road just two days after the middle of July.

All the teams smiled and breathed a sigh of relief, "Here we are."

For Zhaozhou people who have traveled a long distance, seeing this concrete road means they are on their way home.Chen Erniang in the carriage was dizzy at first, but now she heard the word "two", forced herself to sit up, and asked, "Are you home?"

The aunt was in the car with her mother day and night, so she could take care of her mother. At this moment, she rolled up the curtain of the car and looked at it. She was shocked by the scene in front of her. Chen Erniang hadn't heard from her for a long time behind her, so she asked what was wrong.

"Mother, this, is this Zhaozhou?"

It is indeed barren, with wild flowers, bushes and trees, but this long road with no end in sight——

Chen Dalang smiled brightly, "My good boy, this is not Zhaozhou. This is the road we built in Zhaozhou, a cement road. We will feel comfortable walking on this road, and we can go back in two days."

"Concrete road?" The aunt was a little curious when she had never heard of it.

Chen Sanlang wanted to coax this niece whom he had never met before, and said, "Madam, come down and have a look, we are all from our own family, so we are not afraid."

"Go." Chen Erniang coaxed her daughter to go down to join in the fun. If she was placed in Guyuan Prefecture, she would still be the county magistrate's wife, and her daughter would be a young lady, so she would not be able to show her face.But her time was running out, Chen Erniang wanted to let her brother and brother get along better with their daughter in a short time in front of her.

If she leaves someday, she will be able to take care of her with a little more love.

The aunt was also curious, waiting to step on the stool, but she was carried down by the uncle next to her. The aunt was a little embarrassed, but the uncle stroked her hair lovingly.

"Let's go play as a family, and come up for a break when you're tired." Chen Dalang said.

The aunt ran a few steps, she was so big, she only went out to the house with her mother to attend a few banquets when she was young, and then she disappeared.Now under the loving eyes of everyone, the aunt showed some curiosity, walked a few steps from the dirt, and stepped on the concrete road she had never heard of.

"Mother, this road is so different." The aunt exclaimed.

Chen Jianan let out a proud and loving laugh.

"What's this? We in Zhaozhou are different."

"Yes, that coconut soap is very useful. I'll prepare it for my aunt when the time comes. There's also that linen stuff. I've seen students from government schools wear it in that color. They all look like girls."

The carriage got on the concrete road and passed by. Chen Erniang in the carriage obviously felt relaxed and not bumpy. Then she was really curious. She braced her body and sat up. Then she saw her daughter who ran back to let her see. .

"Mother saw it, this road is really good."

The road is easy and the journey is fast. At noon the next day, you can see the north gate of Zhaozhou City. The further you go, the gate will open slowly. Yes, there was a long queue, no matter how you look at it, there is no end.

People in and out of the city stopped to watch the excitement.

"Boss Li has shipped."

"Why are there so many people this time, with so many chariots and horses, is there a hundred or so people?"

"It looks like there is."

The male member of Chen's family stepped aside, left the road, stopped and did not leave, and got off his horse to the side of the carriage, saying: "Look at the excitement, our Zhaozhou merchant has shipped."

The curtains are lifted.

In fact, the elder brother told the caravan team to give way just now, and Chen Erniang heard it, but she just didn't understand, since my father is the magistrate of Zhaozhou, how could the elder brother "give way" to a caravan?How big is this caravan.

When the curtain is lifted, you will know.

When did the mother and daughter see such a scene? There were so many people, cars and horses, and the common people stopped to watch and discuss, with beaming smiles on their faces. Her elder brothers and younger brothers got off their horses with pride on their faces. The line was very long , and walked slowly, and when they got to the side of their convoy, the eldest brother came forward to say hello.

"Boss Li."

Li Zhouzhou came down from his horse, and without much greeting, he sincerely expressed his joy, "Your sister is back, this is a great event, the family is reunited."

"Thanks to the blessings of Boss Li and Master Gu this time, it went smoothly and there were no major twists and turns." Chen Dalang cupped his hands and thanked again, without disturbing Boss Li's departure, he said, "Have a good trip."

"Okay, thank you." Li Zhouzhou got on the horse again.

Su Shiyi chatted with Meng Jianyun for a while, saying that he was going to Tangzhou, and he couldn't go together this time, so what would you like to bring you some?Meng Jianyun said nothing coolly, and the conversation ended.

The conversation between the two sides was delayed for less than a cup of tea, and the caravan continued on its way, setting foot on the concrete road.When the figure disappeared, the aunt in the carriage looked away, and asked her in a low voice, is the leader of this caravan a brother? It's so majestic.

She saw a little red between her brows.

"It should be Fu Lang." Chen Erniang said.I'm afraid I'm married at this age.It's just that I just saw that the elder brother and the younger brothers respected this merchant Fulang very much, and I don't know why. When she was not married, she had never heard of the Li family in Zhaozhou.

Chen Dalang heard the mother and daughter chatting, but there were many people outside, so he said: "This Boss Li is a good man. Whether it is sending a letter to Guyuan or picking up your second sister, his family has contributed to it." , I should be grateful."

"Go back and talk."

"Aniang will be very happy knowing that you are coming back."

The entry into the city went smoothly this time. The common people had just finished delivering the Zhaozhou merchants and hadn’t dispersed yet. They gathered and chatted in twos and threes. The streets were all paved with cement roads, clean and free of filth. Eat the aroma from the shop.

Chen Erniang was in a daze for these strange sights, as if she had come to the wrong place.

This is not at all similar to the Zhaozhou in her memory.

The aunt opened the curtain curiously. If she used to be so bold and presumptuous, she broke the rules of the county magistrate's daughter, but along the way, the uncles loved her very much, and they could even be said to be pampered.

One side of the world has been restrained for more than ten years, but now I have only seen the scenery outside a few times, it is like a wild horse that has run away, and I yearn for the outside when I am courageous.

Chen Erniang didn't reprimand and restrain the aunt for her actions.She is not in good health and will die soon, so naturally she wants to spoil her daughter more.

"It will be lively when we get to Baishan Street."

"Does auntie drink coconuts? Uncle will buy you some, and we'll drink them when we go back."

Mr. Chen’s family went to buy coconuts. There was no such thing in Zhaozhou City before, but now the coconuts are out and the roads have been repaired. There are coconut trees scattered in some villages outside Jiting Rongguan. They picked them all the way and transported them to Zhaozhou for sale. Don’t mention it. , the price is a bit higher.

Everyone has a taste.

After a while, Chen Sanlang came back with two coconuts in his hands, and said at the same time: "I just heard that Boss Li also left some coconuts and silk and linen for our Zhaozhou City this time. I heard that they sell them in limited quantities every day."

If it's another business, Chen Dalang doesn't care about limited sales. When he comes to Li's business, Chen Dalang knows why.

That's because things are very strange.

Take this coconut as an example. My father used to go to Ji Ting Rong to take care of it, and he ran with him. On the first day, he drank a couple of fresh ones, and after that he drank it. When we got to Li's factory, it was different, a flower came out.

"Then I'll go to the store to buy it myself tomorrow, so it will save me some face." Chen Dalang said.

Girls love to be pretty, and the second sister and niece are back. They have suffered so much before, but now it is naturally more sweet to go back, and it is worthwhile to offer all the good things.

The chariots and horses arrived at the Chen Mansion.

Near nostalgia is more timid.

Chen Erniang looked at the gate and was scared, but before the transmission was made, a group of people rushed out of the car. Before Chen Erniang got out of the car, a voice came from outside: "Is my Jie Niang back?"

"Da Lang, is Jie Niang back?"

"My Jie Niang."

When Chen Erniang heard the familiar girl's name and her mother's voice, she no longer felt timid. Before the coachman put down the stool, she lifted the curtain and went down. Looking at each other in the air, tears rolled down.

"Mother." Chen Erniang shouted with tears streaming down her face.

Mrs. Chen rushed forward, hugging her daughter tightly, "Jie Niang, my Jie Niang is back..."

This is her meat.

Afterwards, Chen's house was naturally full of excitement, crying out of joy, weeping quietly, Chen Weng quietly wiped his tears, and pretended to be a strict father, but as soon as he opened his mouth to say a word, it would be good to go home, but his voice was choked and hoarse, and tears filled his eyes. .

……

Fubao doesn't go to school during the summer vacation.

To be precise, Fubao has been on summer vacation for half a month.He sticks with his father every day, being a little tail follower, when his father goes to the factory to check the goods, he also follows along.

Anyway, it was running wildly with Wang Wang.

Gu Zhao was very indulgent, and even said a "golden sentence" to the outside world.

"Brother, it's natural to be more lively and mischievous, which is normal."

At that time, the eight major shareholders were there. After hearing that the eight people were all stuck for a moment, they were in a daze for a while. It was not that they were surprised that Master Gu loved Du Geer. familiar.

After everyone thinks about it carefully, they replaced the word 'brother' with 'boy', isn't that just an old saying.

Who doesn't have a boy?Which boy was not naughty and ran around playing when he was young?These people go to the middle-aged merchants, digging up the memories far away, and they can still recall that his son was young at that time, as old as Fubao's young master, and he was running around and playing, and some of them broke into troubles and smashed them into pieces. up vase.

He yelled a few rules and wanted to teach him a lesson.

His father defended his grandson confidently, and said: Whose boys are not naughty, why do boys play more and get into trouble? You smashed my snuff bottle when you were young.

I am familiar with these words, and I also feel that this is the reason. Little boys are very active.

But not brother!

Faced with Mr. Gu's serious words, Boss Wang came back to his senses first, and flattered him, saying: "What your lord said is very true. This is the truth. My family Wang Jian also runs around. If he can't control it, he will see you soon." In the world, go out more often."

Crowd: ...

Dazed.

"I just said that Boss Wang has a vision." Master Gu replied with a smile.

Since then, everyone has tacitly understood that Mr. Gu loves his children, and no one has seen anyone say that he should keep his duty and behave and not show his face.I understand, I understand.

This time, Fubao walked into the house with Wang Wang reluctantly, and asked the father in front, "When will my father come back?"

"...As far as I know, your father has been gone for half an hour." Gu Zhao didn't reply.

Fu Bao said confidently, "But Fu Fu misses Dad."

You are so righteous, you don't call yourself a blessing if you have the ability.Gu Zhao knew that Fu Bao wanted to lose his temper, and he himself knew that it was wrong, so he called himself Fu Fu.

"Didn't you say you want to build a boat with grandpa? The materials should be delivered today. If you have nothing to do, go back and plan wood. Do you want to hire a master for you?" Something was found.

Otherwise, if you go out every week and Monday, the child will miss his father, and naturally he will feel uncomfortable and depressed for a long time.

"Yes!!!" Fu Bao stared happily, and even jumped, "Father, you are so kind!"

Last month, the family went to Jiting and borrowed Brother Lin's boat to go out to sea for some fun. They didn't go far, but just drifted on the coast for a day. Just like that, Fubao was so novel and happy. Taking a boat opens up a hundred thousand whys.

Why does the boat float.

Why not sink.

Why are so many people sitting still floating?

……

Gu Zhao: "Because of the buoyancy, it's like washing your face at home. If a dry handkerchief is placed in the washbasin, it will float up if there is too much water, but it will fall when it is heavy with water. "

"Look at this sea, our boat is smaller than a washcloth, and the sea is bigger than a washbasin?"

Gu Zhao held Fu Bao in his arms and looked at the entire endless sea.

Fu Bao nodded his head, and went back to play with the washbasin, put dry handkerchiefs, and paper, all of which floated and sank first, and later Gu Zhao taught Fu Bao to make a paper boat, and the boat Floating slowly for a long time.

When he had had enough fun and returned to Zhaozhou, Fubao stared at the lake in his backyard.

So there is what Gu Zhao said today, a pile of wood, let Fubao make a boat.Fu Bao is only six years old, so it's impossible to make it. With his father around, he also hired a master and servants from the mansion. It's purely for children to have fun and pass the time.

"Go to work. When your father comes back, if you make a boat, the autumn will be so crisp that our family of three can sit on the boat and enjoy the scenery." Gu Zhao drew big cakes for the children with interest.

Dad doesn't like to take a boat, he thinks it's wobbly, and seasickness is severe.

Li Da didn't like to suffer by boat, but he was very interested in building wooden boats with his grandson, and he hadn't done such work for a long time.Of course he doesn't know how to make boats, but when he was in the village, he planed wood to make beams for the house, and he made all the stools in the house.

Carpentry work, he did it rougher.

So the grandparents and grandchildren started summer handicraft activities on the backyard lawn.For sun protection, mainly because he was afraid that the child would suffer from heat stroke, Li Daxian built a shed for him.Gu Zhao asked about the progress every day, and after looking at it, he said, "It's a workshop, it's quite formal, and it looks good."

Fubao was eager to make a boat, but grandpa still didn’t understand how to build a shed. Now, after hearing what my father said, I thought about it carefully. To make coconut products, you need to build a coconut factory, and to make silk and hemp, you need to build a silk and hemp factory. Fubao If you build a boat with your grandfather, you also need to build a shipyard.

"This is the shipyard of Grandpa and Fu Bao." Fu Bao even wanted to write a sign, but he didn't know how to write so many words.

Gu Zhao then said: "Since this is your and grandpa's factory, then naturally I can't write it by hand. You don't know how to draw a cross, and you will know it later, so you can change it again."

Later, the shed was really hung with a plaque - X Factory of XX and Fufu.

Good.

Even after the ship was finished and finished, the shed was not dismantled, and even slowly repaired year by year, it became a decent studio cabin. to daimyo.

These are the memories of Fubao's growth.

Fubao's summer vacation courses were fully arranged by his father. In the morning, it was not too hot to go to the back studio to work for a while, and when the temperature was high, he came back to write big characters for an hour, then washed his hands, had lunch, and played with Wang Wang for a while after eating. Take a nap.Get up in the afternoon and practice big characters for another hour, then go to the back to build a boat, play ball with Wang Wang when Tianma is dark, eat, wash up, and recite the Three Character Classic, Hundred Surnames, and Enlightenment books with his father before going to bed.

Gu Zhao also learned it all over again.

On the third day after Zhou Zhou went to Tangzhou, the Chen family sent a post to invite him.In fact, Gu Zhao heard the news that day, and the girl from the Chen family picked it up. In fact, at first Gu Zhao gave a plan to ask Chen Dalang to go up and beat gongs and drums to tear his face apart. up.

This is not the case in modern times.

The husband domestically abuses the wife. The wife calls the police. When the police come and arrest them, the husband kowtows on his knees and cries, saying that he regrets, reforms himself, and never commits the crime again. The wife softens her heart and scolds the police, saying that housework is none of your business. What's up.

Anyway, Gu Zhao saw the news that his blood pressure was going to be high.

Just like what Zhou Zhou said, women who were at odds before had no choice but to live without a job or survival skills, so they could only rely on clinging to men, and swallowed bitterly.Chen Erniang's situation is different. Her natal family also supports her and values ​​her children. She doesn't feel ashamed of her daughter who has been married for many years.

Then cut the mess with a sharp knife and leave as soon as possible, and do the best.What kind of nostalgia does that kind of bastard man have?

When I came back that day, Gu Zhaoli said at the dinner table that the Chen family hadn't seen this daughter for many years, and the house must be full of excitement. Let the whole family get together first. I'm afraid I can't finish talking about how many years. Outsiders don't join in the fun to congratulate them.

Even congratulations depend on the time, otherwise catching up will just add to the chaos.

"Father, are we going to play with the Chen family? I want to play with brother Chen Chen."

"Yeah, Chen Chen's aunt is back, and there's a big sister, let's go over and congratulate on this good thing." Gu Zhaohu said with Fu Bao's hair.

Back to prepare some gifts.

Before Zhou Zhou went to Tangzhou, he also said that if the Chen family came back to pick up people, they would prepare some of the silk, hemp and coconut goods at home.When Li Da saw it, he thought it would be a great joy to add something different.

"Then take another bottle of wine and a box of snacks." Gu Zhao said.

Anyway, when giving gifts in the village, if you give gifts to the elders, the three things of snacks, sugar and wine are indispensable when the ceremony is formal.Coconut sugar is all brought.

The two families are close, and the Chen family hosted a banquet for them.Early in the morning, Gu Zhao took Fu Bao and his father out, walked over, and someone behind him was carrying a gift.

After Meng Jianyun came back and rested for two days, Gu Zhao assigned homework, so let's do the homework to grind your temper.

Government schools start early, starting in early August.School will end at the end of August.

The Chen family cleaned up, hoeed the weeds, salvaged the fallen leaves in the lake, scrubbed them, and decorated them with red silk, which shows that they value their daughter and granddaughter when they come back.

Meeting each other is naturally lively, congratulations and polite greetings.

"Chen Weng wears new clothes today, he looks ten years younger." Gu Zhao joked.He talked a lot more casually with this old boss, Chen Weng is not such a polite person.

"Haha, right, I also feel that people suddenly become energetic." Mr. Chen laughed, "My hair is dyed black."

Gu Zhao just said, what's the difference.I see.

The banquet was held in the front hall, the place was wide open, and the wife and daughters of the Chen family all came out to see the ceremony. This outrageous custom shocked the mother and daughter Chen Erniang who came back from a long journey.

The sister-in-law explained kindly: "Mr. Gu's family is different from other people. The two families get closer, so the second sister should not be afraid."

"But that Tongzhi lord?" Chen Erniang cried with her parents when she came back, although she said it a little bit restrained at the beginning, reporting good news but not bad news - but where did she get the good news, it was always suffering in the Mu family.

Mrs. Chen cried and hammered herself, "What are you hiding in front of me, I am sorry for you, and married you to that wolf-hearted thing."

Afterwards, of course, the whole story was said, and there was another group of tears.

When the emotions have stabilized, we changed the topic, and when we talk about Zhaozhou now, it is natural to mention Mr. Gu.Only now did Erniang Chen know that when she returned to Zhaozhou earlier, the eldest brother saluted Boss Li, and it turned out that the lady was Mrs. Tongzhi's wife, but a lady went out to lead a caravan, and there were so many men in the team——

"That's why I said Mrs. Gu is amazing, and Boss Li is not an ordinary husband. If he can be a back-to-back husband with peace of mind, where can we use coconut soap in Zhaozhou and wear silk linen?" Mrs. Chen Dalang spoke with sincerity. In boasting about Mr. Gu and his wife, he actually wanted to persuade this girl that it would be a bad idea to leave.

Don't burden yourself with worry.

Sure enough, Chen Erniang looked back and thought about it for herself, and she didn't seem to feel that she and Li had made any big mistakes.

Met people in the main hall.

The grandchildren of the Chen family enthusiastically called Fubao by name, gave Fubao toys, and took Fubao to play.Fu Bao said, "I've grown up, you guys should call me Li Zhaoxi."

These boys were all older than Fu Bao, so naturally they followed this younger brother and changed their minds one after another.

Turning around, Li Zhaoxi ran up to Mr. Gu and asked, "Father, can Fufu go play with the brothers?"

The grandchildren of the Chen family who just spoke: ...

"Meet and call someone first, then go." Gu Zhao said.

Then Fu Bao saw someone, opened his mouth and said sweetly: "Hello, Auntie, Hello, Big Sister."

"My child, whose nickname is Fubao and whose name is Li Zhaoxi, is a little over six years old." Gu Zhao explained to the two with a smile, "Usually he is most playful. It's over, let's go play with my brothers."

Chen Weng said: "Xiaolin is going too, play with my younger siblings, don't be restrained."

Gu Zhao heard the name strangely, but at first glance it was Miss Chen's daughter.Mr. Chen laughed and said, "I gave her a name when I came back, and changed my Chen family's surname. From now on, she will be my Chen family's daughter."

"Good name, then don't set up a few tables and introduce it well." Gu Zhao said.

These words reached Mr. Chen's heart, and said: "I entertained you first, when Xiao Li comes back, Jie Niang has taken care of her body, and then put on a big show, our Chen family may not have had a banquet for a long time."

It's about throwing a big feast.

Ever since Gu Zhao took office, Mr. Chen was afraid of causing trouble and thanked the guests behind closed doors with all the previous measures, so he handed over all the authority to Gu Zhao.

Having a lively meal in Chen's Mansion, Gu Zhao went home in the evening carrying the exhausted Fu Bao on his back.

Li Da walked beside and said, "I see why Erniang Chen's complexion is not very good."

"Maybe it's a long journey and tiring." Gu Zhao said casually.

But within a few days, Chen Erniang fell ill. Hearing that she was seriously ill, the Chen family hired doctors everywhere in Zhaozhou City, but the illness got worse...

On the other hand, Zhaozhou shipped too many goods this time.

Coconut goods and silk and hemp are two major items, but they can be loaded together to nearly forty cars.There are too many goods, Li Zhouzhou is afraid that the road will not be safe, and there are too many guards.The bodyguard said, in fact, in this peaceful and prosperous age, there are no big bandits, so big merchants and caravans like them don't dare to rob them at night, and all they rob are small merchants.

Therefore, there are few goods, one or two cars, and the number is not large. I can't afford guards, so I robbed them and reported them to the officials. I really want the yamen official to help find the goods. , most of the time it doesn't matter.

I admit that I am dumb.

The big caravan Xiaoxiao dared to go up, he became a bandit and formed a force, and the government was the first to suppress the bandits-a great achievement.The official is eager to hit the muzzle of the gun.

Gu Zhao also listened, and after thinking about it for a while, he understood.

When the emperor is naturally afraid of local forces, even if there is a sign, it will be suppressed first, otherwise why some place has a natural disaster, there are refugees, and the court is the first to appease and relieve the victims, the fear is instability, there are too many people After all, they are still people who can't survive. If they become powerful, if there is a rebellion and the country is disturbed, it will be over.

Especially now that the dissemination of information is underdeveloped, and the emperor sits far away in the temple in Beijing, don't pay attention, the power is great.Therefore, Emperor Kang Jing was very strict about catching bandits and suppressing bandits. As long as they made great achievements in suppressing bandits, they would be promoted to official ranks. In this way, the world is still relatively peaceful.

Gu Zhao didn't know that since the end of last year, there had been a lot of quarrels in the Beijing court.

On the other side of Fengzhou, the Anguo came to invade first, and the Fanguo next to it watched and provoked several times.

The court was fighting for peace, and the Holy One didn't want to send troops, so he resorted to a peace plan first, because if Fengzhou went to war, it would naturally be the German army, and the commander of the German army was named Zhao this day.

It is the uncle's family of the second prince, Prince Kang.