Era: Craftsmen in the Siheyuan

Chapter 161 Time to Boil the Rain
  After Director Li left, the director's wife stayed behind and pulled Xu Huizhen to praise her. If Cai Quanwu could speak so well, the praised Xu Deyong must be no different.

Xu Huizhen was a little embarrassed by the praise, so she whispered: "Madam Director, to be honest, Xu Deyong helped me come up with this idea, and he also recommended Cai Quanwu to me."

"Really?" The director's wife looked at Xu Deyong, who was smiling and chatting with everyone not far away, and suddenly felt a little enlightened.

The last time they met, Xu Deyong was wearing a Mao suit and Xu Huizhen together. She originally thought that the two of them had something to do, but there was no movement for such a long time, and she almost forgot about the two of them.

She thought for a moment and said, "Don't talk about this to anyone else. It's still up to you. After all, you are the private manager of the tavern and own shares."

Xu Huizhen smiled and said, "That's what he said too."

The director's wife saw the difference in Xu Huizhen's expression, and asked with a smile: "You and him...are done?"

Xu Huizhen's pretty face turned slightly red as she said, "To tell you the truth, we are all somewhat interested in each other, but his grandma is still a little bit fond of me..."

The director's wife said with a straight face: "This is a new society, and your conditions are so good. Her grandson is a three-wheeler and has no formal job. It will take eight lifetimes to find someone like you. Leave this matter to me. I will go." Meet his grandma and see how she is superior to others."

Xu Huizhen said quickly: "No need for now, give him some time. If necessary, I will definitely look after you. I will always regard you as my elder."

The director's wife patted her hand and said: "Hey, it's hard for you too. Zhao Yali told you, if it doesn't work, we can't be wronged. We'll look for you again."

Xu Huizhen was stunned for a moment and said, "What did Zhao Yali say?"

The director's wife scolded Zhao Yali again in her heart. She smiled and said, "It's okay, it's okay."

Xu Huizhen said: "There must be something, and you must tell me, otherwise I will ask Zhao Yali later."

The director's wife had no choice but to vaguely raise some concerns and rumors.

Xu Huizhen naturally understood it as soon as she heard it. She smiled faintly and said: "The pure will become clear, and the turbid will become turbid."

"Yes, yes, I believe you." The director aunt changed the subject and said: "As for Zhao Yali, it is as you said. In principle, I agree that she will continue to work as an accountant, but she still needs to be inspected. I will go and talk to her later."

Xu Huizhen said: "Who will be the public manager?"

The director's wife said awkwardly: "Now that the public-private partnership is fully rolled out, there really aren't that many suitable candidates. How about you watch the film master? He is also literate..."

Xu Huizhen interrupted: "Mom, it would be better to let Xu Deyong be the film master. He is also literate and knows a lot."

Naturally she also has some selfish motives.

The director's wife hesitated and said: "He... it's not impossible, but he is not from our street, and if you two become a family, public and private... there is no precedent for this. I have to ask Director Li for instructions on this matter." , whether it succeeds or not depends on the leader’s decision.”

Xu Huizhen said: "Sure, you can ask."

The director's wife said: "Then you can't let me down. The literacy class must be run well."

"Don't worry." Xu Huizhen said.

Everyone dispersed, and Kong Yuqin and He Yumei greeted them from the tavern. Xu Huizhen walked to Xu Deyong and said, "Go back? You won't stay to eat!"

Xu Deyong smiled and said: "There will be many opportunities in the future. I have to go home first to make the old lady feel at ease."

"Yes." Xu Huizhen nodded, her almond-shaped eyes moved slightly and said, "Tomorrow is the third month of the lunar calendar."

Xu Deyong blinked and said, "What happened in March?"

Xu Huizhen rolled her eyes at him and said, "I want to go out for a walk, but I haven't even been to the New Year temple fair."

Xu Deyong immediately understood and said: "Okay, I won't be working tomorrow and I will take you for a walk."

Xu Huizhen smiled and said, "I guess you know the truth."

……

Fan Jin is not the only one who regrets it.

Xu Hesheng, who came to drink in the evening, heard everyone talking about this matter, but he never expected that a small literacy class would attract the attention of district leaders.

If I had agreed at that time, wouldn't it be easy to teach these illiterate people?
  When the leader sees his performance, there is a high chance that his salary can be increased, and he can earn a few more dollars a month.

Hey, if I had known I had promised it in the first place!
  Xu Hesheng drank sullenly. At this time, he couldn't help but apply to be a "literacy teacher" again.

At that time, he did not agree in front of everyone in the tavern.

He didn't agree without seeing the benefits, and now he's rushing forward when he sees the benefits. He has no place to put his face when the scandal comes out.

Besides, if people don’t agree, he will be even more shameless!

……

Xu Deyong returned to the courtyard, and Yan Bugui was squatting at the door looking at the neat piles of briquettes and sighing.

"What's wrong, Third Master?" Xu Deyong asked casually.

Yan Bugui glanced at Xu Deyong and said, "It's not easy to burn briquettes. It always burns out if there is too much smoke."

Xu Deyong narrowed his eyes and said, "Isn't it true that the First Master and his family are like this? Have you found the reason?"

Yan Bugui said helplessly: "You kid was right. I put too much loess. It's all the fault of the prodigal women and children at home. I already put a little more, and when they were fighting, I put a little more. Every little bit more." A little is more!”

"Hey, Deyong, is there anything you can do to remedy this?"

Xu Deyong shook his head and said: "No way, you'd better spend some time smashing it, add some coal powder, and make it again!"

Yan Bugui sighed and said, "Oh, this is the only way."

After Xu Deyong left, the third aunt came out and whispered: "There is no way?"

Yan Bugui said angrily: "Only gods have solutions. You losers, start smashing briquettes at home from tomorrow!"

The third aunt said aggrievedly: "Who knew you put more loess, I only put a little bit, and I agreed to take the children to watch the fun tomorrow."

Yan Bugui said: "It's nothing to see the excitement, even if you don't have two people in your pocket, you should just work at home!"

When Xu Deyong returned home, Xu Nanshi was busy cooking, but she still didn't want to talk to him.

He said with a playful smile: "Grandma, it's March tomorrow. The ancients said that fireworks will set off in Yangzhou in March. We can't go down to Yangzhou. I'll take you for an outing."

"I won't go." Xu Nan refused simply and said, "Do you think everyone is as idle as you?"

After all, Xu Deyong was a man of two generations. If he couldn't bear the rebellious mood of his "kissing grandma", then his life would be in vain.

He was still smiling and talking to himself about the leader's inspection of the literacy class today.

Although Xu Nanshi looked expressionless, Xu Deyong could tell that she was listening carefully...

The lights in the courtyard are dim, and every family has a small sutra that is difficult to recite.

……

"On February [-], the dragon raises its head; on March [-], Xuanyuan is born."

Entering the third month of the lunar calendar, spring is bright and it’s a good time to go out for an outing!

March [-]rd was called the Shangsi Festival in ancient times, and there was an ancient folk custom of "sacrifice to Gao Le", the god of fertility.

It is also the earliest "Valentine's Day". "Zhou Li·Mianshi" records: "The moon in mid-spring brings men and women together, and at this time, those who run can't help it." And Sijiu City has the saying of "three mountains and five tops", these The place is the most active place for temple fairs and incense fairs.

The so-called "three mountains" refer to Miaofeng Mountain in Mentougou, Tiantai Mountain in Shijing Mountain, and Yaji Mountain in Pinggu.

The "five tops" are the "east top" outside Dongzhimen, the "south top" outside Yongding Gate, the "west top" of Changchun Bridge outside Xizhimen, the "middle top" of the grass bridge outside You'anmen and the "south top" near the Bird's Nest today. North Top".

Among them, the Xianghui in Miaofeng Mountain is the most prosperous. The Xianghui is essentially a kind of folk flower party, which is the "social fire" in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. After hundreds of years of development, it has formed a very formalized organization among the people. By the Ming Dynasty, these associations were officially called " Fragrance meeting".

As for the temple fair, this time belongs to the Pantao Fair. Legend has it that March [-]rd is the birthday of the Queen Mother. The venue is at the Pantao Palace not far south of Xifeng Bridge in Dongbianmen (now no longer exists). Its full name is "Pantao Palace for Protecting the Country and Taiping". ".

From the first to the third day of the third lunar month, the Chongwenmen area is crowded with people.

Xu Hui really wanted to visit this "Peach Club".

Xu Deyong came to Xu Huizhen's house, and Xu Huizhen put new clothes on Xiao Li'er in the house.

Xiao Li'er seemed to know that he was going out, and he kept grinning with his little mouth "giggling".

After Xu Huizhen packed up, she got on Xu Deyong's carriage with Li'er in her arms, and walked out of the house like a family of three.

Xu Huizhen smiled and greeted familiar people on the road.

After they left, some people couldn't help but whisper: "Hey, this tricycle boy from Nanluogu Lane is so lucky. He was chosen by Xu Huizhen. He will have nothing to worry about in the future!"

"No, it's just one step."

"Our family is not bad at it, why didn't Xu Huizhen take a fancy to it?"

"Pull her down, your Tietou looks like a dead tiger. I'm sorry to say that I heard that Fan Jinyou from before and Teacher Xu who came here often were interested in her, but they didn't take notice of her."

"The one who picks flowers, the one who picks out beauties, and finally the one who picks out skinless ones!"

"Hey, is that skinny? He is the handsomest and youngest..."

……

Everyone gossiped for a while and then dispersed.

An hour later, an old lady got off the bus and met some old people of similar age who were taking their children for a walk. She went up to ask about the tavern. When talking about the tavern, she would naturally mention Xu Huizhen...

……

Xu Deyong took Xu Huizhen and his wife along Qianmen Street to Chongwenmen. From here to the front of Pantao Palace, there was a row of tea sheds and stalls along the south bank of the moat.

At the temple fair, there are performers, jugglers, wrestlers, all kinds of seasonal snacks, and all kinds of daily necessities.

"Hey, Tang Gua, Tang Gua hey..."

"Shaobing, Mahua..."

……

The hustle and bustle and all kinds of shouts are like a picture of Riverside Scene during the Qingming Festival in the new era.

Xu Deyong put the car at the parking spot, and the two of them walked inside along the moat bank.

On the way, he took Xiao Li'er from Xu Huizhen's arms. Xu Huizhen was immediately liberated. She looked around and bought snacks for Xu Deyong from time to time. She was as happy as a little girl.

Xiao Li'er's eyes were not full, so he watched Xu Deyong eat from time to time, his mouth was full of greed, and he was soon attracted by other shouts, and his little head twisted around "Lonely Warrior".

Soon the little one was attracted by the colorful windmills.

The windmill is made of sorghum oranges tied into a frame, and colored paper strips are used to form a circular paper wind wheel. When the wind blows, the paper wheel rotates, driving the small bamboo sticks to beat the small drum, making a Baba sound. There are four wheels and four drums; there are two windmills. There are those with two drums and ten rounds with ten drums.

There was a circle of children around who were reluctant to leave.

"Ahhhh..." Xiao Li'er shouted with eyes wide open.

Xu Deyong smiled and said, "Oh, you want it!"

"Ahhhh..." Xiao Li'er pinched his face with her small hands in anxiety.

Xu Deyong stopped, and under the envious eyes of the children around him, he spent five cents to buy a small and exquisite one. Xiao Lier held it in his hand and took a look at it, and then started talking directly.

Seeing this, Xu Huizhen, who was eating something in her mouth and with a bulging face, took it away and said: "She is so young and doesn't know how to play. Why did you buy this for her? Give it to me!"

"Ahhh..." Xiao Lier had a strong opinion of her mother.

Xu Hui was really having fun. She smiled and played with it by herself. When she saw the kites being sold, she said in a coquettish voice: "I want to fly a kite."

Xu Deyong smiled and shook his head and said, "I can do this myself when I get back."

"I want to let go later." Xu Huizhen tugged on his sleeve and said.

Xu Deyong saw that she rarely showed her little girly attitude, so he had to say: "Okay, I'll buy it."

There are many kinds of kites sold, including big and small sand swallows, long centipedes, and portrait kites. The most beautiful one is Huang Tianba's, and the cheapest is the small fart curtain, which is used to entertain children and does not cost a lot of money.

Xu Huizhen chose a big sand swallow and hung it on Xu Deyong's arm.

The two quickly arrived in front of Pantao Palace.

An old custom unique to Pantao Palace Temple Fair is "tying dolls".

In the old days, there were many people in the capital who wanted to have children tied to dolls. People would tie red strings around their wrists and go to the east side hall of Pantao Palace. After offering incense, they would tie up a clay doll placed in front of the hall and take it home. They would bond with their children and hope to have good luck in the coming year. descendants.

It is a pity that these lively scenes will no longer be seen as the temple fair is suspended next year.

Next year, the Pantaogong temple site will be converted into an optical factory. In [-], the Pantaogong temple was demolished due to the construction of the Dongbianmen overpass. There is still a "Taiping Palace Monument for Protecting the Country" on the original site.

Xu Deyong looked at the scene. There were many hard days and festivals in these years, maybe it was to use the joy to neutralize the pain.

People always remember joy deeply, so they have "hope".

Now that we have eaten and drank enough, who still remembers so many festivals? Even the Chinese New Year is no longer interesting...

I’m hungry after walking around!
  Of course I have to eat something to fill it up!
  Xu Deyong saw a cart pushing four little Gulu, with a stove and a pot at one end. The shelf above the pot was filled with cooked intestines as a guise to attract diners. At the other end of the car is a homemade wooden glass cover with bowls, chopsticks and condiments inside, and there is a long bench in front of the stall.

This thing is called sheep sausage, which is sheep intestines filled with sheep blood. It is also called "poor man's beauty". It is very cheap and you can eat meat without spending much money.

Xu Huizhen had eaten almost all the way and didn't want to eat this stuff, while Xu Deyong sat down and wanted to have a taste.

The stall owner then understood and said: "You have a bowl!"

After receiving a positive answer, use a small iron spoon to gently take the mutton sausage out of the pot and put it on the chopping board. Cut it into round slices with a knife and put it in a bowl. Then scoop out a spoonful or two of soup, and then add some chili oil and sesame paste. Soup, minced coriander, minced garlic and other condiments: "Okay, you can eat it!"

Xu Deyong thanked him and started eating slowly. Next to him, Xu Huizhen was holding Xiao Li'er and talking. Xiao Li'er could only look at whether he could eat it or not with a greedy mouth.

The surroundings are surrounded by real intertwining like old photos, but this time it is a bowl of fireworks.

The world was ups and downs, so I kept calm. At that time, I just said it was ordinary...

……

(End of this chapter)