Ordinary clear day

Chapter 8 New Year's Eve
The New Year of the Manchus is no less complicated than that of the Han people. Moreover, since the Qing soldiers entered the customs, the two ethnic groups have lived together with each other, and their customs have gradually converged. However, in Fengtian, the headquarters of the Manchus, some old customs still remain.

Since autumn, every household in the city has been pickling Chinese cabbage, storing radishes, buying various winter food, and preparing red paper to make window grilles and blessing characters. Girls and young wives rushed to make gifts overnight purse.

Zhang Bao's family not only had to prepare these, but also had to worry about sending back the New Year gift to their home in the capital.In the past, the gifts were not very generous, and Beijing also knew that Fengtian was bitterly cold, so it was nothing. But this year, because of Fengtian's special alcohol, it became famous in the customs and sold very well. There were rumors in Beijing that the banner people in Huitun got rich .Two months ago, the letter from the Earl's Mansion in Central Beijing was full of complaints about their possession of wealth, saying that the family has a large population and costs a lot. They have only a few members in a small family, Fengtian is rich, and they even ask for money from the family. .Both Zhang Bao and Tong's family are stronger among brothers and sisters-in-law, after discussing for a long time, they decided that this year they would rather be frugal at home, and also have a decent annual gift to send back to Beijing.In the past, Changfu and Ma San'er, the little valet, were sent back to Beijing to give gifts, but this year, another person must be added.

Seeing that during this time, Shu Ning seemed to have suddenly realized that she could speak and walk. Although she was still young, she was obedient and did not cry or make trouble. In addition, her son was also grown up, so she didn't need to take care of her as much as before, so she decided to raise her herself. Daughter, taking advantage of the New Year's gift, she sent Ermo back to Beijing, and told her to stay at home for a while and not to come back in a hurry.

Although Ermo knows that Mrs. Tong doesn't want to see her, it is always a good thing to have the opportunity to return to Beijing to reunite with her children, and she is still very grateful to Mrs. Tong in her heart.Seeing that Tong Shi was troubled about preparing for the annual ceremony, she tried her best to come up with ideas, which satisfied Tong Shi very much.The two masters and servants discussed and decided to send twelve wind chickens, twelve wind sheep, and twelve altars of heavenly spirit wine.Tong's still thinks it's not enough, so she has to prepare gifts for her mother-in-law and sister-in-law.Besides, the letter two months ago was actually mainly for the good news.

Zhang Bao's younger brother, Rong Bao, became an imperial guard when he was 16 years old, and he was favored by the emperor. He was sent a foreign post when he turned [-], and went to Daying in Tianjin. , This new year is the first time to return to Beijing for the holidays after the newlyweds.In addition to the annual gifts for the family, Mrs. Tong also prepared a congratulatory gift for her uncle and his wife.After discussing with Ermo for half a day, she decided to order two sets of glassware, and then asked the silversmith to make a few boxes of refined silver ladles. Then she called the glassmaker and silversmith's mother-in-law to the house to discuss what designs and colors they wanted.

Shu Ning learned to walk for half a day, and her arms and legs were tired, so Xiao Tao carried her to the main room.It just so happened that several craftsmen and wives came out to show Tong's designs, and everyone was dazzled.Shuning was also interested in watching, so she stretched out her hand and called Er Niang.Tong Shi picked her up, let her sit on his lap, and showed her the tricks.

Shu Ning saw the patterns that had been picked out in advance. They were a set of glass bowls and saucers with five bats in the sky, and a set of endless patterns. Although they were beautiful, they were a bit vulgar.Shuning knew that the new parents were not very favored at home, so she wanted to help them, so she happily helped to provoke them.Tong only said that she was just a playful child, she didn't care, she just looked down at the trick.

Shu Ning found a picture of a lotus flower with entwined branches, which is quite elegant, and the lotus flower has the meaning of many children and blessings. It is just right for the newlyweds, and the style is fresh, and young people will like it more. She pointed at the picture and shouted " That, that".The woman on the side smiled and said: "The lady in the house is really good-looking. The lotus symbolizes many children and blessings, and the twigs mean endlessness. It is really auspicious. This is different from the old-fashioned twigs. The new tricks in the south, my nephew came back from the south of the Yangtze River yesterday, and brought it himself, it may not even be available in Beijing."

As expected, Mrs. Tong thought it was good, so she changed it into a ten thousand-character pattern, and asked her mother-in-law to tell her family's glassmaker to burn a complete set of bowls and dishes in the pattern of five bats and clouds, and a complete set of tea sets for the pattern of tangled lotus flowers, all in time for the twelfth lunar month It will be finished before the tenth day.The old lady hurriedly responded, and left with some tricks.

Then the silversmith's wife came forward to hand over the patterns, but they were all in the patterns of various ingots and copper coins of different sizes. It was too monotonous, and there were one or two bats or oranges, which were quite common.The silversmith's wife saw that Tong's expression was not hesitant, and said quickly: "These are the commonly used styles. If grandma has a style you want to make, just ask, and our master will be able to make it. Our master was originally in Shandong, and we are famous for it." Its craftsmanship is good, and it has been passed down through four generations."

Tong Shi didn't have any idea, so she glanced at Ermo.Ermo hesitated for a moment and said, "Copper ingots are always made, and it would be better to make more oranges." Shuning listened to it, rolled her eyes, pretended to be a child, clapped her hands and said, "Oranges." , oranges, guoguo, melons..." Ermo had a flash of inspiration, and hurriedly said: "Xiao Niuniu said well, since we have oranges, we should naturally make some pears, plums, etc. It's good luck, let's make some more Aren’t fruits and vegetables fresh and full of harvest?”

Tong Shi nodded: "That's a good idea, but it's hard for you to think of these things." Ermo waved his hand and said, "This is Xiao Niuniu's idea, and this servant is just helping her out." Tong Shi smiled and turned to the silversmith The wife said: "Let's do this. Make thirty small ingots and small copper coins, and thirty fruits and vegetables. In addition, choose twelve kinds of fresh flowers and make a pair of silver hairpins for each. It's ready, and I'm going to send it to Beijing." The woman hurriedly agreed, and also agreed to deliver the goods before the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

After explaining these things, Mrs. Tong asked someone to call a carpenter to make gift-giving boxes, engraving and lacquering on the surface of the box, and the fabric used for the lining, and told them in detail.Then I called Ermo, checked all kinds of purses made at home recently, picked twelve of the best ones, and packed them separately, and only put them in after the box was ready.

In the next few days, I have to prepare the annual gifts for Zhang Bao's superiors and colleagues in the yamen, as well as clean up the gifts from others, what a busy word.Tong had no time to take care of her children, so she carried Shuning to Duanning's room every day, let the children play together, and asked Xiaotao to stay beside her and take care of her while she was doing needlework.She took Ermo, Xiaomei, and Changfu Ma Saner by herself, and was busy every day.Zhang Bao also wanted to finish the affairs in the yamen, and for two days he didn't even have time to go home for dinner.Even the old Wu who drives the car at home is rushing to pull New Year's goods every day.

Finally, on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the glassware and silverware were ready. Mrs. Tong personally led the people to put the vessels into boxes, plug the gaps with fine white cotton, and then wrap the boxes with silk and satin.Then I asked the girl to tie the silver curly with a good red silk thread and tie it into flower knots. Twelve boxes each contained two boxes of small ingots, two boxes of small copper coins, and two boxes of silver curly of fruits and vegetables. There are two big boxes of silver hairpins.All the boxes were tied up, together with the ten high-quality silks and satins wrapped in linen that had been prepared earlier, plus Fengyang Fengji and wine, the three carts were full.Early the next morning, Changfu Ermo and Ma San'er were sent to Beijing with the letter Zhang Bao wrote the night before.

The matter of giving New Year's gifts came to an end, but the family also spent a lot of money because of it, so they had to be more frugal during the New Year.I have made winter clothes once before, and some have not been worn, so Tong plans not to make new ones.The amount of ordered food for the Chinese New Year has been reduced by half compared with previous years, and even the necessary portion is prepared for firecrackers.Without Ermo as a counselor by her side, Mrs. Tong has to rack her brains alone every day, thinking about the dishes for the New Year, and she must be economical and decent. She is so worried that she can't even sleep well at night, so she calls Zhang Bao Distressed.

New Year's Eve is approaching day by day, and the family members are busy cleaning the courtyard, posting couplets, hanging notes, window grilles and blessing characters. Tong and Xiaomei Xiaotao are busy steaming rice cakes and making desserts.Zhang Bao finally took his annual leave, and personally pasted a red flag on the door.Looking outside the door, every household on the street has put up flags of various colors to indicate their flag affiliation, and some families are still tying poles in front of the door, preparing to set off firecrackers.

Chang Fu took Ma San'er back to Fengtian on the 27th of the twelfth lunar month.The New Year's gift was delivered, and the old man and wife thought it was very respectable, so they replied to the letter in person, rewarded them with a few purses and brought them back, as well as lucky money for their grandchildren.After reading the letter, Zhang Bao and Tong breathed a sigh of relief.Looking at the return gifts of the fourth brother and his wife, it turned out that the new sister-in-law was originally from a gentle family background. After she got married, she always felt that the furniture and objects in the husband's house were tacky. The tea set and accessories presented by the brother-in-law who had never met before were elegant and elegant. Hearing that they are scholars, I felt that they were on the same journey as her, and returned a gift in person, but it was a few embroidered works and a few new books made by Shang.Although they are all good things, they are of no use after all.Tong Shi sighed and put away the things without mentioning them.

On New Year's Eve, Mrs. Tong woke up early and took the girls to make blood sausage and dumplings.Zhang Bao had nothing to do, so he stayed in the study, explaining to his son and daughter the rules of the New Year, how to worship the ancestors, and how he used to be in Beijing.He spoke slowly and without interest, and both children fell asleep.

As soon as it got dark, the whole family lit up the lights, and the red lanterns hung on the poles in the front yard were not allowed to be extinguished. Mrs. Tong specifically told the old Wu to keep an eye on refilling the candles.Chang Fu had already brought people to set up an altar in the front yard, and when the time came, he would worship the ancestors.

The family sits down around the table and eats some festive food.Shu Ning was young, so Zhang Bao hugged her personally.Shu Ning looked at the large and small plates on the table, wondering why there were no dumplings that are necessary for Chinese New Year in the north?

After eating, Zhang Bao hugged his daughter and sat on the pit with his wife and son, talking and laughing.After a while, Shuning felt that she couldn't hold her hands, and looked up to see Brother Duan dozing off little by little.

Zhang Bao smiled: "This is because of the anger of the meal, take him for a walk in the yard, I'm afraid it will be fine." After all, Tong felt sorry for his son, and said: "We still have to keep watch at night, so it's better to let him sleep first." Go to bed." Zhang Bao thought it was reasonable, so he put down his daughter, carried him into the pit, and Tong took off his big outer clothes for his son, covered him with a small quilt, and watched him fall asleep.Looking back, Zhang Bao saw that his little daughter couldn't open his eyes either, so he smiled and carried her to his son's side, letting her sleep too.

Shu Ning was in a daze, and she didn't know how long she had slept, when she suddenly heard a "boom" outside, followed by a "crackling" explosion, she was startled, and immediately woke up.

(End of this chapter)