Go back to the prosperous days and become a layman

Chapter 601 Visiting the Temple Fair

Yan Xiongfei was talking about Wang Bo's matter.

A few days ago, a reporter went to visit and understand people's views on barefoot doctors.

There is an old saying in the rural areas around Sijiu City: bear minor illnesses, lie down for major illnesses, and wait to see the King of Hell for severe illnesses.

Before Wang Bo returned from his studies, there was no medical care here and people were left to their fate.

As for the old saying at the door of pharmacy: “I would rather let the medicines gather dust on the shelves than have no suffering in the world”, just listen to it. After all, the essence of drug dealers is to make money.

But things have changed since Wang Bo came back.

Gradually, more and more people came to Wang Bo for medical treatment. Since he always considered the patients, often used local materials and would not charge money if possible, the members had a very high opinion of him.

This immediately aroused the reporter's interest. After learning that Wang Bo had a paralyzed father at home, he was even more eager to find Wang Bo for an interview.

When Wang Bo heard the purpose of the reporter's visit, he was very nervous and his first reaction was to refuse.

The identity of barefoot doctor was obtained with the help of Wang Huiru, which was very dishonorable. Wang Bo was afraid of causing trouble to his aunt and uncle, so he responded to the reporter without hesitation, telling him to interview other students of the same period, saying that his grades were not the best and he had only done insignificant things in his hometown.

However, the reporter thought that Wang Bo was modest and low-key, which was a good quality! So he was more determined to interview Wang Bo.

Although the person concerned disagreed, the reporter did not give up and went directly to work on the commune leaders.

The reporter even prepared a draft in his mind while on the road. Wang Bo, who "has a sick father in bed, understands the suffering of the people and is determined to relieve their pain," won unanimous praise from the members, blah blah. Isn't this a living example?
The commune leaders were worried. Second-rate newspapers were already publishing their outlook for the new year. How would they look forward to the new year? They couldn't say that the members didn't have enough to eat, could they?

When I heard the reporter's request, isn't this just like someone giving you a pillow when you feel sleepy?

He immediately put on his cotton jacket and followed the reporter to the production team.

The production team leader also felt guilty because he had registered Wang Bo. He wanted to repay the favor, but he also accepted things from Wang Huiru.

Now that the commune leaders were present, the production team leader had no choice but to bite the bullet and join the ranks of those trying to persuade Wang Bo.

Wang Bo originally wanted to insist, but when the commune leader talked to Wang Bo alone, he said directly that he could give him a subsidy in the form of food!
Who can bear this?

Maybe someone could, but Wang Bo couldn't resist. However, he didn't speak nonsense. He just said what he could and tried his best to push the credit away.

What about the support from the commune and the team, which were willing to let me study and help me sign up; the trust of the members in the commune; the good teaching of the teachers; the willingness of my classmates to make sacrifices during practice, etc., as if my achievements were insignificant.

The more the reporter listened, the more excited he became, and his writing began to move quickly. Wang Bo's attitude and tone seemed tailor-made for him to complete the task!
After finally getting rid of the reporters, Wang Bo packed up and went into the city.

Yan Xiongfei was a man of vision. In addition, Tang Zhitong had said before that Wang Bo's matter depended on him alone, so Yan Xiongfei was not too nervous. However, it was reasonable for him to inform the person in charge.

Wang Bo stayed overnight and went back. Yan Xiongfei packed up his things and went to the escort department, which led to the following events.

"It's okay. Let Wang Bo relax. I'll tell the Women's Federation later. Thank you, Director Yan. You're so thoughtful." After hearing the whole story, Tang Zhitong thanked Yan Xiongfei.

If this happened to someone else, they might end up using this as a pretext to gain influence. From this point of view, Tang Zhitong felt that Yan Xiongfei and Wang Bo did a very good job.

After hanging up the phone, Tang Zhitong reviewed Wang Bo's affairs again. After making sure there were no loopholes, he decided to go home and tell classmate Xiao Wang to tell Ye Zhijuan tomorrow that the matter was over.

Practicing calligraphy and learning foreign languages, working until noon, the task completed, Tang Zhitong rode his bicycle home for lunch.

Lunch was last night's leftovers reheated. Zhang Guifang felt relieved when she saw Jingying and Jingmin eating with relish and without showing any disdain.

After a whole morning of psychological preparation, Jingying just tried to forget about it. She was not willing to face her elder sister yet. Tang Zhitong didn't know about this. After finishing his meal, he waved his hand and said, "Let's go to the temple fair!"

"Oh~" Jingmin ate a little less at noon today. When he heard that they were going to the temple fair, he immediately jumped up and took out his painted face mask and insisted on wearing it.

Xiao Wang glanced at his brother and was surprisingly speechless. The last time Jingmin went to the temple fair was when his father was still there...

Feng Zhi, however, stood beside Tang Zhitong, pulling his sleeve and mumbling to remind him, "Lantern, lantern."

"Okay, I'll buy it for you when the time comes. Go put on your scarf." Tang Zhitong raised his hand to check the time. It was already past one o'clock, and he could only spend about two hours in Changdian.

Tang Zhitong is responsible for taking care of Jingmin, and Xiao Wang is responsible for taking care of Fengzhi.

Fengzhi sat in the back seat in advance. Xiao Wang moved the car slightly and lifted his right foot over the front beam. The whole process was smooth.

Tang Zhitong watched from the side, envious of Xiao Wang's flexibility and coordination. He himself would not be able to do the same, so he could only stretch his legs forward, wait for Jingmin to climb onto the back seat, and then step on the pedal with his right foot to start the car.

If he didn't bring anyone with him, Tang Zhitong would have also slipped away, but he would have slipped from the back seat. However, Jingmin couldn't do that since he was sitting in the back, so as to avoid kicking his brother-in-law off with a big kick.

Now is the hottest time of the day. The snow on the road has melted a lot, and the asphalt road is wet, making it much easier to walk on.

The group of people came to Changdian chatting and laughing, parked their bicycles, and went straight to the children's favorite toy area.

When passing by the snack stand, Tang Zhitong noticed that there were many more people buying than when he came here last year.

Last year, there was no need to queue up to buy sausages, but this year there are long queues in front of every food stall. Even so, some people are still unwilling to leave.

After squeezing through the noisy crowd, you will reach the toy area.

Some people say that the Chinese New Year is a festival for children, and Tang Zhitong deeply agrees with this.

Looking at the crowd who were choosing toys, there were adults holding children in one hand, and there was also an adult with several children. The children were holding hands, like the gourd brothers on a vine.

The toy section had the most children, who were bustling about and begging their parents to buy them toys.

Those who have some money in their pockets will readily agree to the children's request, and then turn around to bargain with the vendors. Those who are short of money will carry their children to the circus area in front to get something for free...

Nowadays, labor is cheap, and most toys are handmade bamboo products, such as airplanes, lanterns, windmills, swords, and machetes, which are rarely seen decades later. If this craft can be passed down, maybe I can get the title of "inheritor of intangible cultural heritage".

Tang Zhitong kept his promise and bought a lantern for Fengzhi.

Not only Fengzhi, but also the Wang sisters and Fengzhen got one.

From ancient times to the present, wherever there are Chinese people, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is always lively.

Xin Qiji's "The east wind blows thousands of flowers at night, and fish and dragons dance all night" describes the scene of lanterns on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

There is a place called "Dengshikou" in the old city of Sijiu. Since Zhu Di moved the capital, Dengshikou has been the place where people buy and watch lanterns.

There are all kinds of gauze lanterns, paper lanterns, glass lanterns, corner lanterns, grass lanterns, and revolving lanterns, all of which are vying with each other in beauty and blooming.

In addition to selling and appreciating lanterns, there are also acrobatics at Dengshikou. It is very crowded and lively in the days before and after the Lantern Festival.

In addition to Dengshikou, the lanterns at the East Moon Wall of Zhengyangmen, Damuchang, Xiheyan, Langfang Tousan Tiao and Dazhalan are also very famous, but most of them are viewing and lantern riddle guessing activities organized by businesses to give back to customers and increase brand influence.

After liberation, the population increased dramatically. Due to safety concerns, there were fewer places to enjoy lanterns. During the Lantern Festival, only Zhongshan Park and the Working People's Cultural Palace, separated by the Duanmen Gate, could enjoy the lanterns.

"Take three, I don't need any." When paying, Xiao Wang raised an objection.

"It only happens once a year, so I won't hesitate to spend the money." Tang Zhitong quickly paid the money first, and then let Xiao Wang choose the lamp.

"You're just making trouble. It's not long before next month's salary is paid. You owe others money. I'll pay you back after I get paid." Xiao Wang said angrily while happily choosing lanterns.

"I have a way to make money. I'll tell you when I get back. I guarantee that you can make back all the money we spent today." In order not to spoil the fun of his wife, Tang Zhitong couldn't let her down, so he spoke mysteriously.

Tang Zhitong does have a way to make money, but he also really wants Xiao Wang to play with lanterns.

People in Sijiucheng attach great importance to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month and are also obsessed with lanterns. Those who can afford it will buy a lantern, while those who don’t will make their own.

"Little Orange Lantern" is a trick played by people in Sijiucheng. I did it when I was a child, but it was before I came here, and it was when the oranges were off the market, not during the Lantern Festival.

In addition to the small orange lanterns, there are also lanterns made by tying bamboo strips together and pasting paper on them, and some people just use canning bottles to make lanterns to save trouble.

When the Lantern Festival comes, regardless of whether they are good or bad, most children will play for half the night out of revenge, because school will start on the 16th day of the first lunar month...

Well, the tradition of starting school on the 16th day of the first lunar month will continue.

"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, where is mine?" Jingmin was dumbfounded. Everyone had one, except him.

"Hmm? Didn't I say I would buy you a big sword?"

"I want them all!" Jingmin first leaned towards Tang Zhitong, away from his elder sister, and then asked with confidence.

"Hey, shouldn't kids answer multiple-choice questions?" Tang Zhitong laughed. At such a young age, he wanted to have it all.

"Oh, it's New Year's Day, we have to make the children happy. When the children are happy, the adults will be happy too." The lantern vendor interjected appropriately. The lantern in his hand was already placed in front of Jingmin's eyes. As long as the child stretched out his hand, there was no reason to return it.

"Okay, choose one." It was New Year's Day and he had bought all three. He didn't care about this one anymore and Tang Zhitong continued to pay.

"Thank you, brother-in-law!" Jingmin happily chose a lantern in the shape of a tiger and looked at his elder sister provocatively. His elder sister chose a lantern in the shape of a rabbit. Tigers eat rabbits!
Xiao Wang glanced at Jingmin, but she was still not angry, because today's scene reminded her of when her father was still alive, and her younger brother also wanted everything...

Going further, Jingmin saw that Guan Gong's sword could not be pulled away again, so he begged Tang Zhitong to buy one for him.

After buying a knife, Fengzhi started to compete with others again and asked for a windmill...

"Okay, I won't buy any more. If I keep buying, my wallet will starve to death." Tang Zhitong sealed the hole at the right time. Looking around the temple fair, there were not many children who could take several toys by themselves.

After discussing it out, the young couple led the children to continue walking forward. Jingmin heard the monkey trainer's hawking voice and his legs could not move. He clamored to see it.

Chinese people have a very special feeling towards monkeys, probably because of the Monkey King. Of course, this excludes the monkeys that dare to rob people on a certain mountain.

Monkeys are trained by monkey trainers with whips, who teach them not to go east but to go west. Monkeys that dare to rob people will be as obedient as dogs within three days after being handed over to the monkey trainers. It's just that the beatings are light!
This little monkey, wearing a red waistcoat, has many skills, including backflips, walking upside down, going through iron hoops, monkey riding a dog, and sheep pulling a cart. Every time he finishes a performance, he draws applause and cheers from the crowd.

The last show was related to Hualian.

The monkey trainer also has several painted faces. Whenever the monkey touches a painted face, it will put it on its face. The monkey trainer will then sing a few lines of opera related to the painted face.

When a monkey looks at the painted face, it may be the same as when a person looks at a monkey, unable to tell the difference. With a casual pick-up and a casual tap, the upside-down painted face is put on the monkey's face, while the monkey is completely unaware and has to look around with blinking eyes, making everyone laugh.

After performing another small show, the monkey refused to cooperate, baring its teeth and acting like a spoiled child. The monkey trainer then deliberately asked the monkey, "What's wrong? Wasn't it fine just now?"

When the monkey hears this, it will climb onto the monkey trainer's shoulder and whisper in his ear, pretending to speak. The monkey trainer will also pretend to understand and start preparing for a reward: "Oh, it turns out that the little monkey is hungry. Please give us a few coins to buy the monkey some steamed bread!"

The monkeys would pick up the small basket as if they had heard a command, and walk like humans, looking around and collecting money in circles. If someone threw money into the basket, the monkeys would immediately salute and raise their front paws to express their gratitude.

Who can bear this? So many children also contributed their New Year's money...

Tang Zhitong relied on his height to look around, but he couldn't find any stalls performing other animal juggling. Come to think of it, monkeys are omnivorous, easy to feed, highly intelligent, less dangerous, and uncommon, making them suitable for juggling. Other animals are not suitable for performing in public.

Bears are too dangerous. If you want to see bear taming, you have to go to the zoo. The bears in the zoo are raised from childhood and are more obedient.

As for seeing giant pandas riding bicycles, that is impossible at the moment. Currently, the breeding of pandas is still in the initial and exploratory stages. No one knows how to do this, and no one dares to do so.

It is said that it is difficult to distinguish between male and female rabbits, but in fact it is even more difficult for pandas. Giant pandas were not introduced to the Taipei Zoo until 55. It was not until 59 that the zoo's keepers found a way to distinguish between male and female pandas.

After playing around, it was getting dark, so they started walking back. When they passed the place selling candied haws, Jingmin could hardly move his legs anymore, so he stared at the bunch of candied haws and blinked at Tang Zhitong.

(End of this chapter)