The husband's son-in-law

"Brother Yu is here."

Li Zhouzhou asked Brother Yu to sit down. There were only the two of them in the hall. On the table was a plate of freshly baked pineapple crisps. The sauce was made with pineapple just served. Inside the tower shell, Xianggong said what it was called egg tart.

It was delicious anyway.

"Try it, it's the best when it's baked."

Su Jiayu took one and took a bite. What he ate was full of flavor. The pineapple sauce was sweet and milky. He couldn't help but nodded and said it was delicious, "Cousin, shall we sell this?"

"I didn't call you here to talk about business, you, don't pretend you don't know, there is no one else now." Li Zhouzhou also took a bite and said to Brother Yu, "I'm drinking tea, with tea Get tired of eating."

Su Jiayu didn't even have time to be shy, she took a sip from the teacup like her cousin, it was really refreshing, and she could have another one.

"Cousin."

"Let's talk slowly. Don't be shy. If you feel uncomfortable about marriage, just tell me. I won't force you to get married, but if you have the idea of ​​getting married, it's better to do it early." Li Zhouzhou said .

This is the case nowadays, and you can still pick some good ones while you are young.

Although Su Jiayu was shy, she nodded, "I want to get married and start a family."

"That's good. The last spring banquet, there were so many people in the house, did you see the right one? I think the Hou family is not bad."

Li Zhouzhou paid attention to Brother Yu's expression when he said that, and when he said that the Hou family is good, Brother Yu's expression was a little bit twitchy, his heart moved, and he said, "Have you dealt with Hou Tong?"

"At that time, he helped me carry the kite, and it took me a long time to put it on, causing him to hold it for a long time." Su Jiayu said.

That is to say, if there is no such intention, the two of them will not play with the kite to hold the sky. It is interesting to fly the kite. If you don’t go to the sky for a long time, it would be silly and boring to hold it on the ground.But for the two of them, winning or losing a kite is not important, the important thing is that they can still talk while standing up.

"His family conditions are not very high."

"I know. He said something. He said that he was either a rich businessman or a craftsman."

Li Zhouzhou smiled, "Then Hou Tong is honest, I made it clear the first time I saw you." Then he explained the situation of the Hou family, "If you marry, then you will be a serious husband in the small yard, and you will be the housekeeper directly. , there are mother-in-law, father-in-law and father-in-law, but they don’t live together, and they go to see it during the New Year and holidays all year round.”

"Having said so much, if you are interested, I will ask Mrs. Hou to chat again. There will be a Cuju competition soon. Let's watch the competition together and invite Hou Tong. Don't be shy and ask Hou Tong what he thinks."

Su Jiayu nodded, and a little scared, said: "Cousin, what if it's not suitable after asking? If he doesn't like me, or I see something wrong with him."

This is because I have a good impression of Hou Tong, and if I like it, I will be worried and afraid that it is not appropriate to understand it deeply.

"Everyone has flaws, don't try to change a person, he can't change you when the time comes, you are irritable, and he is not happy, you just see if you can get used to patience with his flaws, the life after marriage is good or bad, it depends Be patient and understand each other.”

"Of course, if those who fight, gamble, and drink are not successful, Su Shiyi has checked them all before. Except for Lin Wulang, the others who came last time are all good-natured. If Hou Tong is not successful, let's choose again. But don't scare yourself."

Su Jiayu let go of her uneasy heart, hummed, and said, "Cousin, then I will talk to Hou Tong again."

"Okay, brother Yu is going to live his own life." Li Zhouzhou also sighed a little, and in the blink of an eye, brother Yu was going to get married too. When we first met, he had a sallow and thin head.

Time goes so fast.

The Cuju competition has started to be publicized.

The lawn was drawn not far from the city, the area was circled, the lawn was replanted, and four viewing platforms were divided into four viewing platforms. This thing is easy to cover, the bricks are fired and piled up, the cement is smoothed, and it is also built. There is an awarding platform, and houses are built on the left and right sides of the awarding platform.

If there are competitions every year in the future, there will be some sundries and a changing room.

At the beginning of May, Gu Zhao told Fu Bao about holding a cuju competition at home, and Li Zhouzhou arranged it the next day, but he didn't deliver anything, so he caught up with Brother Yu's blind date banquet and building a cuju field at home.

In less than half a month, the worker leader replied that it was finished and that he would wait for Boss Li to inspect the work to see what was missing.Li Zhouzhou spoke so quickly.

"Building two side houses and building a few pedestals can take a lot of trouble." Li Da knew that when he moved out to build a house, as long as it didn't rain and the ground was not frozen, it would be easy to dig. You can get out of the house.

Not to mention spending money to hire more people.

Li Zhouzhou just sighed and said, "Father, go and see?"

"Look and see, I'll take the old man for a walk." Li Dao said.

Li Zhouzhou knew that if his father took the family's mule, he would definitely not ride it. He probably wanted to take the mule for a walk out of the city, but the place was not far away, so he could walk there.

If the weather is fine, let's go for a walk.

Gu Zhao said: "That's it, let's post a notice at the gate of the city to promote it, and invite everyone to watch the football game for free." The main open-air game, if you want to watch it, you can watch it. Mr. Gu is just pretending to be generous.

He also said: "The workers in the factory are working hard. See if you can take a day off with pay so that everyone can relax."

Li Zhouzhou could see that Xianggong likes to watch Cuju competitions, but he still wants to hold it in a big way, and it is very lively. Although the big guys can't all go to the battle to kick, but it's always okay to watch the fun.

"Sure, I'll go back and tell the factory that it's okay to let the work get ready for a day, and there's also the poorhouse..."

The family chatted and packed up before leaving the gate of the mansion.

When the weather got hot, Li Zhouzhou took out his summer clothes early. In fact, he was not too afraid of being provoked, but my husband was more afraid. Before going out, he said that we were wearing the same style, and other people saw it as a couple's outfit——

For this reason, Li Zhouzhou also changed into summer clothes early.

Mrs. Gu is dressed in pink, with a round collar and three-quarter-length sleeves gown, thigh-length, wearing a pair of cropped trousers, cloth shoes underneath, tied her hair, and pinned a white jade hairpin.

Simple, but Mr. Gu has a good-looking face, that is a refreshing and handsome man.

Li Zhouzhou is light yellow, the same style as Xianggong, and has a white jade hairpin pinned to his head.

Li Da led the old man out, saw the two, said "I'll go ahead and have a look first", then got on the mule, ran two steps first, and left the two behind.

"Zhou Zhou, dad is watching us show our love, and I can't understand it." Gu Zhao leaned over and laughed, not serious.

Rao Li Zhouzhou said that he was an old husband and wife, but he felt a little embarrassed to go out and walk on the street so brightly, but his heart was sweet, if Xianggong wanted to go out with him like this, then he would go together.

"Let's go, I'll get in the car when I get tired later." Li Zhouzhou said.

Mr. Gu, Boss Li came here and wanted to walk instead of taking a car, so he had to arrange a carriage to follow.

The husband and wife walked out of the street of their own mansion. As soon as they walked out, there was a lot of noise, hawkers shouted, Gu Zhao stretched out his hand to Zhou Zhou, and Li Zhouzhou caught up with them. The two of them led the way, walking slowly, all the way voila.

The common people have met Mr. Gu, Boss Li, and some have not, but they have never seen him coming out of the alley of Lifu, and he is so beautiful and majestic. You can guess that they are all restrained, a little timid and want to kneel down salute.

"Boss Li and I are going out for a stroll, there's no need to be polite, you should be busy." Gu Zhao said first with a smile.

Mr. Gu's face, when he is smiling and not angry, is really harmless to humans and animals and looks approachable. The common people are no longer afraid, but no one comes forward to talk to him, only some merchants dare to say hello.

"Master Gu, Boss Li, is he out?"

"Yes, the cuju field outside has been built. Boss Li and I will go and have a look." Master Gu said with a smile, "Come and watch the game then. My family, Fubao, will be playing football."

"That young master Fubao is amazing."

"It's pretty good. I've played well in the first place, and I've been working hard. I've been practicing recently." Mr. Gu was not polite, and praised Li Zhaoxi vigorously.

Merchant: ...it's stuck.

Shouldn't it be modest to say where?

Master Gu came to chat with desire, he didn't stop, and continued to beep: "You know the kid from the Chen family, right? I said that the Jade Chen family is in the same class as my Fubao, and they are slightly bigger than my Fubao—"

"I know." The merchant nodded and said.

Li Zhouzhou had a smile in his eyes, and the husband was going to step on Chen Qingen and Huang Langxi again, because Fubao wanted to play football together after school, and when he came back, he boasted a few words, saying that Qingen and Langxi were his friends, Qingen The handwriting is good and smart, the memorization is fast, Lang Xi is good-looking, and he can kick the ball.

Master Gu awakened the radar and asked Chen Qingen how he was playing football.

Fu Bao can't talk to him, that's why he wants to teach Chen Qing'en, they are in the same team, so they can't draw points, Dad, do you have anything else, I'm fine, I have to go back to do my homework, and I have to teach Qing'en how to play football tomorrow.

Master Gu squinted his eyes, looking at Li Zhaoxi who ran out in a hurry.

This Chen Qing'en kicked the ball so badly, it would be good to replace it with someone else, why should Li Zhaoxi teach it?has a problem.Master Gu turned his head and followed Boss Li's thoughts.Li Zhouzhou joked and said: Xianggong Fubao is only eight years old, don't listen to the wind and the rain, he finally made friends in the government school, don't let him go.

Master Gu grinds his teeth: ...Forget it.

It's just that looking at it now, I remember the names of Chen Qingen and Huang Langxi.

"Chen Qingen's football is not as good as my Jiafubao."

really.Boss Li had a smile in his eyes, and said, "Qing En is good at studying. I used to spend all my time studying and studying. Our Jiafubao often runs around and plays."

It can be regarded as making up for Chen Qingen.

The merchants didn't know that there was a little story in it, anyway, it's right to praise, and when Mr. Gu and Boss Li left, he couldn't see his back, so he hurriedly went to get together to chat with acquaintances and shopkeepers.

"I just met Mr. Gu and Boss Li. They both wear the same clothes."

"I know, I saw it just now, and I saw that you had a chat with Mr. Gu, what did you say?"

"Master Gu said that the cuju competition, please let me go over to watch the excitement—"

I haven't finished talking yet, let's make a joke first, Mr. Gu, please read it?Who are you.The merchant didn't care, he waved his hand and said, "Believe it or not, anyway, I'll go to see the fun, and I heard that young master Fubao plays well, even better than Chen Qingen, the grandson of the Chen family."

"Yo, this is amazing, young master Fubao has overwhelmed the man."

Some people said: "What's so great about being a man? It's our Zhaozhou. Nowadays, girls in every household are popular. If they enter the school or enter the factory, it will be even more popular. Go up to Boss Li and go down to Fubao The young master is amazing in everything."

"Indeed."

"When is the cuju match? I'll go and watch the excitement, but I can't get in. It's better to take a look from afar."

"I don't know the details. I just heard Mr. Gu say that it will be around the end of the month."

And it wasn't long.

Walking three miles away from the city gate, there is a turf on a terrain platform. This is the Cuju field. A hundred meters away is the cement road. The construction will be completed. It is an oval playground. It is built according to the drawings, and there is no difference.

The cement is evenly plastered and washed with water. It is a tile-blue sky, a green lawn, and a hemp rope goal net woven with a wooden frame at both ends. When the time comes, the central axis will be painted with stone powder.

"Besides the game, let's set up a cheerleading team?" Gu Zhao thought that it is impossible for children to play football and run all over the field. Since it is going to be lively, there are a few fancy shows, so don't sit still.

Li Zhouzhou: "What cheerleaders? Like dancing on the Lantern Festival that my husband said?"

"It doesn't matter if they are all dancers, but if you want to dance lively and lively, you can see whether the workers in your factory can dance, or the students from the school officials and students will dance." Gu Zhao thought for a while and said: "If the female workers in the factory Don't force yourself, take your time, let culture and entertainment permeate a little bit."

Li Zhouzhou said: "Let's give out an award. Anyone who comes to perform will be awarded ten taels of silver as a group. It doesn't matter the ranking. If it gets lively, it doesn't have to be dancing. It's about beating gongs to encourage dragon and lion dances."

Anyway, this game is fun and everyone is encouraged to play football and have fun.

"My family's Zhou Zhou is different now, amazing!" Master Xiao Gu flattered.

Later, Li Zhouzhou made arrangements, saying that he would take a day off to watch the Cuju competition with pay, but he had to watch it. If he went home, he would not be paid, which was considered a leave of absence.This is also for the benefit of the workers.

Most of the workers in the factory are married women who take three days off every month. During these three days, most people go home without rest and are busy with housework. Where is the rest, they are still busy.

But if it’s going to watch the game or work in the factory—both are paid, the workers will definitely choose the former.

As for the dance, although there were ten taels of silver hanging, no one signed up.

One is not to be ashamed and feel ashamed.Erma always thinks that dancing is twisted and indecent, if you really dance, if it is reported back to the village, the reputation will be ruined?

Li Zhouzhou didn't insist, just like my husband said, take your time.

Asking about the official school, most of them are rich businessmen or young masters, or those with rich family backgrounds, who are envious and want to earn ten taels of silver, but they can't save face. These dancers are all dancers. They study, how can they be like this? Do?

On the contrary, the students in the school, regardless of gender, are all eager to try, and the boys also want to get involved. This is ten taels of silver, even if there are too many people, the points can be divided into half and two hundred coins. He saved it , After entering a government school, the family can also save some money.

The students' families are not well-off, so if they earn money, they will pay the tuition fees for the next year.

And the teacher said that the dance is similar to the exercises they dance in physical education class on weekdays, but it is softer and more beautiful. If they participate, they will invite someone to teach them, and then they will be able to practice in physical education class.

That's great.

They all signed up immediately.

After listening to Master Gu, he said: "For large-scale team competitions with more than a hundred people, I will pay another ten taels of silver from my private money."

The children will definitely have the tuition for the second year.

When Li Zhaoxi went to school, he saw his classmates practicing dance in physical education class. Hearing that it was his father and father who said that they would have to perform in the competition, he was frightened. : "You guys have to hurry up and practice. There are so many people watching the game, don't be ashamed."

"Government schools are hurrying to play football, and I will teach you for ten days."

Li Zhaoxi is a fair person. He has attended both the school and the government school. Naturally, he has to teach at both ends. As for the school students asking about the progress of the government school, Li Zhaoxi said: "I can't reveal it, but I can say that I played the best. Alright!"

Then he taught schoolmates to play football.

On the other side, Liang Jinshi's home in Chuzhou.

Teacher Liang arrived at home half a month ago, just waiting to receive a letter from the official uniform.Although his family's surname is Liang, but his grandfather's generation is Wufu, let alone him, but the kindness of Liang's family allowed him to continue studying in government.

Later, when he entered the officialdom, it was naturally not easy to invite the official relationship.

Teacher Liang's single name was "Jiang". After listening to Mr. Gu, he handed over the school work, and set off to go home when he was done.

His grandparents have passed away long ago, and his father has also left. There are only his wife, children and mother at home.

If it is true this time as Mr. Gu said, then he will pick up his relatives and go to Zhaozhou to settle down.

"Why did Jiang'er come back? I heard that Zhaozhou is poor. Since you left, you have been worrying about it every day. You only brought a servant, who is clumsy. How can I take care of you..."

His mother thought he couldn't bear Zhaozhou's suffering, so she didn't go back when she came back.Liang Jiang immediately explained to his mother, "My heart is uneasy, and my mother is worried. But Zhaozhou is not what my mother thought, and it is now bustling and lively..."

Liang Jiang talked about the current situation in Zhaozhou, so he couldn't help talking about business. This time he came back and waited for the imperial court to order.Liang's mother didn't believe it when she heard it. This Jiang'er has been retired for many years, why is there an official now?And it's from the fifth grade.

So Mr. Gu from Zhaozhou is really so capable?

"I don't know, but after being away for a long time, it's time for a reunion when I come back." Liang Jiang didn't dare to speak too much, fearing that his hopes would be dashed.Mr. Gu didn't promise anything, so he relaxed his mind.

After that, I really waited quietly at home, and at the same time taught my children how to read and write.

Sometimes his wife brought him tea and snacks. Liang Jiang saw that his wife was worried, afraid that his hopes would fail, but for some reason, Liang Jiang was not at all anxious this time. He smiled calmly and said to his wife: "Of course I also want to return to officialdom. , but this time you are not in a hurry, when you were an official before, you followed me and worried about me, but now I am fine."

Yes, the mentality is different this time.

"Xianggong has been in Zhaozhou for more than two years, he has become more patient and tolerant, and he loves Da Niang Erlang very much." The wife said.In the past, my husband was strict with Erlang and didn't get close to the child. The child was so frightened that he didn't dare to go there. Now when he comes back, the husband is very close and gentle to Erlang.

Looking back on the past, Liang Jiang said: "I used to be strict with Erlang, because I wanted him to make progress, and I ignored my aunt. It was because I thought that girls should be taught by their mothers. Now it is different. No matter the boy or girl, they are all my children. Naturally, I want to be my child." Treat everyone equally, and read wisely and enlighten wisdom..."

I lived in Liang's house for almost a month. Seeing that it was more than May, and the messenger did not come for a long time, Liang Jiang also rested his mind, knowing that although this matter failed, he was a little disappointed, but he didn't feel too much pain. Spirit, thinking about packing your bags.

Mother wife worried.

Liang Jiang said: "As I said before, let's go to Zhaozhou together. Da Niang can go to school, and Erlang can also go to government school."

Then let's go together, they don't feel at ease if Jiang'er/Xianggong are left alone.

Unexpectedly, the good news arrived just after two days.

Master Liang Jiangliang returned to the officialdom and became an official again, and he was still a fifth-rank Tongzhi from Zhaozhou.Leaving aside how happy the Liang family was, Liang Jiang himself was in high spirits, with a kind of joy that he looked up to the sky and sighed.

Declined the clansman's proposal to hold a banquet for celebration, Liang Jiang said that he made a show before, but now forget it, he wants to take office early, and solve Zhaozhou's worries and problems early, this time he must not be afraid of tempering, to be a good official, as good as Mr. Gu official.

In the past, Liang Jiang's views on good officials were that they should not ignore human lives, oppress the people, and not corrupt the law, but now, Liang Cong felt that his understanding in the past was too simple.

Mr. Gu has beaten the people's boards and whipped the people.

Everything that can be done is good for the people of Zhaozhou.

Gan was driven by Mr. Gu.

Liang Jiang's family packed their bags and drove to Zhaozhou. At the same time, an old and a young man sat on the frame of an unremarkable blue car. The old man was over 50 years old with gray hair. Driving the carriage, the thirteen or fourteen year olds next to him were the grandson of the old man.

The vehicle passed through Jindu and arrived at Mozhou. After rectifying and resting for a night, it went towards Zhaozhou without stopping.The old man was pointed out by someone and said that there was a concrete road to walk, but they took the wrong road, and the dirt road was bumpy.

"You go inside to serve the young master, it's too hot, let's see how the young master is injured." The old man looked guilty, it was because he found the wrong way, the young master didn't care, and said that he would just go south.

But with such bumps, the young master's injury was split open.

The grandson got the order, climbed into the carriage, and shouted after a while: "Grandpa, Grandpa, the young master burned it, and burned it again."

The old man stopped the carriage and went in to have a look. The young master's face was flushed with fever, his lips were indeed white, his whole body was hot, but he was neatly dressed.

What should I do in this deserted place.

"Hurry up and feed the young master some water, let's go back to Mozhou to find a doctor."

The grandson quickly fed the young master with water, but the young master, who was obviously unconscious, woke up and heard the words. He grabbed the attendant's wrist, his eyes were obviously red but clear and indifferent, and he only spoke in a soft voice, but he was extremely firm .

"Go to Zhaozhou, I want to see Li Zhouzhou."

After speaking, he passed out again.

The old man didn't dare to disobey the young master's order, and told his grandson to take care of the young master. He hurried to the south with the carriage. The dirt road was bumpy and the weather was hot. He didn't know why the young master had to come to Zhaozhou, and he must meet that Li weekly.

... He thought of the mess in Beijing, that's all.

I just hope that God will be merciful and let the young master fulfill his wish.

Maybe God heard the old man's prayer, and in the evening, I really saw a road. The grandparents and grandchildren didn't know if it was a so-called cement road, but after going up, the carriages and horses were not bumpy, and the horses walked briskly, and the evening was blowing slowly. The wind and the heat have also dropped.

When they lived in the farmhouse, the farmhouse prepared meals and hot water, and also cooked medicine for them.

"Are you going to Zhaozhou? Don't worry, the road is right. Tomorrow, head south. Walk along the cement road for half a day and you will see the city gate of Zhaozhou." The old man used local dialect but he tried his best to understand , making gestures with hands.

The old man's cloudy eyes suddenly burst into tears, and he wiped it with the back of his wrinkled hand, and said, "That's great, that's great, my young master has finally arrived in Zhaozhou."

"Where are you from? Going to Zhaozhou to visit relatives?"

"We are in Beijing, no, and we are not going to relatives. My young master wants to meet Li Zhouzhou."

The old farmer didn't hear clearly, and the visitor was vague, but he understood the word "Li Zhouzhou", and he couldn't help but said, "You are Boss Li's relatives? I just said it, the young master who brought it in At first glance, it is not from our place, but looking at Jingui..."

The old man spoke in vernacular, speaking quickly and urgently, and without waiting for these people to speak at the end, he quickly asked his wife and daughter-in-law to cook another meat dish, "Kill the chicken, this is for Boss Li."

In the past, the old man’s family was also considerate in hospitality, but they were not as enthusiastic as they are now. The old man didn’t know why, but he was still wary, and said to his grandson: “You should pay attention to the salute. Don’t worry about eating meat, I’m afraid the chicken has been drugged.”

They have come all the way, and the road is naturally difficult.

The grandson nodded obediently and said that he knew grandpa.

But Rong Ye, who was half in a daze on the bed, laughed when he heard that, with a pale face, he said, "Eat, leave an extra tael of silver when you leave tomorrow—"

"But young master, we don't have much money left."

"Keep it. When I die, just bury it casually. The rest of your grandchildren will take it to buy land and settle down in Zhaozhou. You don't have to be my Rong Ye's slave anymore..."

"Young master, you have a long life, and nothing will happen to you. We are yours in life, and we are yours in death." The old man choked up.

Rong Ye didn't care about this fate anymore, he came here with his dying breath, just to take a look before he died...

Is it really like that?