Republic of China 1927

()Chapter 4 Homecoming

On a winter night, the foot of Yishan Mountain is unusually deserted, even Daguan Town, which is the most prosperous town with a radius of tens of miles, is also like this.This large town, located on the main road connecting Qingyi and Qingyi, has also become depressed recently due to the intensified banditry and excessive expropriation by the government and army. When it gets dark, the town is completely dark.The only exception is that the merchants passing by in the largest full garden in the town and the garrison in the town are wriggling on a pair of white breasts.

In today's world, even the counties around Yishan Mountain are often harassed by bandits on the mountain. It is very rare for Daguan Town, a small town in central Lu, to maintain this tranquility in the precarious and chaotic world. During this period, Du The role played by the family is crucial.

In the southwest corner of the town is a large house, where Lin Shijie, the old man of the Du family, the real owner of the town, lives.Mr. Du was born in Juren. In the late Qing Dynasty, he successively served as the magistrate, judge, and prefecture of a certain place in Kaifeng, Henan, and the magistrate of Xiangfan, Hubei. It's kind of a reputation.

However, like many landlords and wealthy people in this era, although there are luxury houses in Linqu, Qingzhou, Jinan, and even Qingdao and Tianjin, Du Shijie lives in the old houses in his hometown most often.The old house of the Du family was first built more than 60 years ago during the Xianfeng period. It was built by Du Yan’s great-grandfather, and then refurbished and expanded after several generations, especially when he resigned from office and returned to his hometown. Now it covers an area of ​​more than ten acres. There are nearly a hundred houses.

But today it was already dark, but the door of Du's house was open, and a big lantern was hung high at the door. Unknown, people in the house asked what kind of distinguished guests the Du's house was going to welcome.

"My lord, it's quite cold outside, we'd better wait in the house!" A middle-aged woman dressed gorgeously and with a good face put an expensive mink coat on a middle-built, old-faced man. Said softly.

"My lord, I have already sent several groups of people to guard at several forks in the road. Brothers from the business group and the militia group are also waiting at the entrance of the town. You will not miss it. You and your wife should go back and wait! Here I am Just wait with Dehu." Another pedantic man in a long gown and reading glasses continued, he is Wang Donglou, the chief housekeeper of the Du Mansion.

"Donglou, it's okay!" Du Shijie waved his hands and said with a smile, his brows that were locked just now were also relaxed.

"Master...!" Madam Du yelled reproachfully, but she hesitated to speak and finally did not say anything.Poor parents in the world!After all, Du Yan is the only son of Mr. Du, and he was a middle-aged son. The cousins ​​who were born in front of him all died, and the cousin died almost 20 years ago, and she hasn't straightened herself up yet. I have to blame myself too. I have only given birth to a girl for the master for more than 20 years. Seeing that the old man's health is getting worse every day, the future of myself and the Du family is tied to the eldest son of the Zhang family.In the past few years, the young master went abroad to study, and the old man was in tears during the festive season. A few days ago, he knew that he was coming back, and he was so happy that he couldn't sleep all night. Thinking of this, Mrs. Zhang couldn't help but yawned.

"Yifang, you'd better go back and rest first! You have suffered a lot these past few days!" Lin Shijie said apologetically, looking at his wife, who was ten years younger than him, who was furious.

"It's okay, I've survived several nights, and I still care about waiting for this little meeting!" Liu Yifang said pretending to be angry, "Besides, you think you are the only one who misses Xiaoyi!"

"Here we come, here we come, Eldest Young Master is back, Eldest Young Master is back!" A Fushou, a member of the Zhang family, galloped back down the street to deliver the good news.

"Where is it, where is it?" Everyone gathered around and asked in a hurry.

"It's Dong, Dong, Dajie, and the brothers from the business group are escorting them back!" Lai Fu said out of breath, and then there were waves of footsteps in the distance, and he had already seen them coming. Man holding a torch in his hand.

"Who is here?" The nursing home of Du's family still shouted in accordance with the rules.

"I am Zhang Gen from the business group, and I specially escorted the young master back home!" The other party also hurriedly responded, and at this time, the people waiting at the door heaved a sigh of relief and went up to welcome him.

Du Yan, who got off at Yidu Station and drove for a whole night, also appeared in front of everyone at this time.

"Father! The unfilial son Du Yan is back!" The crowd consciously scattered behind the father and son. Du Yan immediately recognized the aging father among the crowd by instinct, and ran over to hug him. Tears, disappointing tears still flowed down the cheeks.

"It's good to be back, it's good to be back!" Looking at his son who hadn't seen him for several years, Du Shijie, who had a lot to say, was stunned for a moment, holding back tears and kept saying.

"Yan'er, Boyue didn't come back with you, why didn't he come together?" After looking at his son, Mr. Du thought of his old friend's son.

"Bo Yue is like an arrow, and I can't keep him." Du Yan said helplessly. He said it well, but Jiang Wei refused to get out of the car.

"Bo Yue did the right thing. I'm afraid that old Jiang's head is too hopeless." Mr. Du nodded and said, besides, Mr. Jiang is still in the right and wrong place in the capital, and he is probably looking forward to his son's return. There is someone to consult.

At this time, a gust of cool wind hit, and Zhang Yi, who was originally wearing relatively thin clothes, couldn't help shivering. Du's father noticed it immediately, and hurriedly took his coat and put it on Zhang Yi.

"Dong Weng, let's talk in the room first!" Wang Donglou hurriedly suggested last time.

"Okay, okay!" Mr. Du took his son's hand and strode towards the gate.

"Father is not busy, I forgot to introduce you, this is a good friend I made in America!" Du Yan patted Li Yunshan on the shoulder and said with a smile, ": Li Yunshan, fifth brother Li!"

Only then did Mr. Du notice Li Yunshan beside his son and hurriedly said, "So it's Brother Li, I'm so disrespectful, thank you for taking care of my son..."

"Uncle Du is polite, just call me Yunshan!" Li Yunshan hastily returned the courtesy, "Without Guanghua's help, maybe I'm still imprisoned in San Francisco prison..."

"You are Yan'er's friend and a distinguished guest at the house, please!" Old Master Du interrupted Li Yunshan and politely moved him to the front.In fact, as soon as he met Mr. Du, he could tell that Li Yunshan was a martial arts man, and he didn't have a cold, but since his son came back, he couldn't be treated coldly.

"Fifth brother, don't be polite when you come to my house." Du Yan looked at Li Yunshan's questioning eyes, and pulled him in.

"East Building, give two dollars to each of the family and the town's militia and business groups!" Looking at his son who became stronger and stronger, Mr. Du was in a good mood and ordered Wang Daguan to say.

"Thank you, Mr. Du, for the reward!" Everyone was overjoyed when they heard the news, and shouted loudly. What is it?

"Stinky boy, I'll just take care of your father!" After entering the room, Liu Yifang saw Du's father and son talking non-stop as if there was no one walking over and jokingly said: "Without you, Aunt Fang, I would have been as virtuous as your boy was when he was a child." , how many times have you been beaten to death by your master."

"Aunt Fang! I haven't forgotten how old you are!" Du Yan hastily saluted Liu Yifang, "Aunt Fang is getting younger and more beautiful!" As he spoke, he took out a large diamond bought from the United States as a present from his pocket. give her.

"Brat, it's getting smaller and smaller!" Liu Yifang happily took the things and looked them over carefully.

"By the way, Aunt Fang! Where's Miss Linglong? And Qiao Dong? Why haven't you seen them both?" Du Yan asked in surprise.Linglong is the nickname of Du Xin, the daughter of Liu Yifang and Mr. Du Yan. Little Du Yan is six or seven years old. She has been hanging around with Du Yan since she was a child. When Du Yan went abroad to study, she cried for several days.Liu Qiaodong is the eldest son of Liu Yifang's elder brother, that is, the son of Zhang Yisheng's mother's cousin. He is one year younger than Du Yan, and he grew up in Du's family after he was five years old. Since the Du family has few offspring, he raised him as his own child. Everyone in the Du family called him "Master Biao".

"Linglong is married! Didn't I send you a telegram? Why didn't I receive it! Didn't you already have an engagement with the Cheng family when you left? At the beginning of the year, the other party wanted to bring someone and married her." Liu Yifang was also surprised Asked back: "Qiao Dong, I went to the Northeast to study in the martial arts hall the year before last, and now I am an adjutant in Fengjun! It's not all because of you. Since I was a child, I have been dancing with guns and clubs all day long, and I have brought my younger brothers and sisters with me." It's broken. Fortunately, the old man sent you to the United States to study economics, otherwise the family will not be in chaos in the future!"

"Oh, I may have forgotten a little bit!" Du Yan scratched his head and said apologetically, since the memories of the two lives have been mixed together, many things are really blurred, and he can only know the general idea, and he has forgotten a lot of details.

"I originally planned to get married again when you came back, but the Cheng family was pressing you hard. But I'm willing to come back after the next year to save myself." Liu Yifang continued, but she didn't notice any difference in Du Yan in front of her.

"Yunshan, who else is there in the family?" On the other side, Old Man Du was also chatting with Li Yunshan. Basically, Old Man Du was asking questions, and Li Yunshan just answered honestly.However, with this simple conversation, Mr. Du felt more and more that the young man in front of him was a calm and reliable person, who would be of great help to his son in managing the Du family's family business in the future, so he couldn't help being a little enthusiastic. There is a feeling of being flattered.

"Master, madam, the dinner party is ready, can we take a seat now!" the butler of the Du family asked in a timely manner.

"Father, I'm really hungry after talking about this!" After driving all day, the two simply ate some dry food.

"You old man, you're so busy talking, why didn't you think that Yan'er and the others haven't eaten yet!" Liu Yifang laughed and scolded, "You haven't taken the children to eat yet!"

"Yunshan, let's go!" Mr. Du smiled and led everyone to the dining room.