happy old days

Chapter 16

The two sat for half an hour and then went back.Father Yang is the fourth eldest in the family. There are three older brothers and two younger brothers. The family of the second son of the Yang family has moved to the county, so they don’t have to go to see him. The two went to Sanbo’s house again. The third aunt went to take care of the child and was not at home. The two came back after just talking a few words.The remaining two uncles didn't sit for long.

After returning home, Jinniang started packing her dowry. Yang Zhenhai had nothing to do, so he just sat on the kang and watched his little daughter-in-law busy. At first, Jinniang paid attention to him and then forgot about it.

Wang used 50 taels for Jinniang’s dowry, including the 16 taels of dowry from her family and 20 taels of dowry, and there was still more than 80 taels left. Jinniang originally kept more than 30 taels for herself, and the remaining 50 taels were given to Wang’s family. , she came here to get the love of her parents and family, and she also wanted to make her family's life better. Even if she had some ability, she didn't dare to show it in front of her parents who knew her well, and she didn't earn any benefits for the family, dowry money No more, she really wanted to give the 50 taels to improve the family.

The Wang family and Mr. Chen don't want it. Now, except for Cheng Hai, the marriages of the children are over, and the burden is light. It is still early for Cheng Hai to get married, and if there is no money from Yang Zhenhai, it is impossible for them to buy so much money. dowry.Wang's meaning is to ask Jinniang to buy the land with the money so that she can rely on it. Jinniang has also thought about buying the land, but she is not in a hurry now. She heard from her brother-in-law that Yang Zhenhai has been away for six years He is good at hunting and fishing in the mountains, but he is not good at farming. When he was young, his family had little land. He went out to run errands for others when he was eleven or twelve years old. He has never done farming a few times. If he really bought it Land, can't do it either.

Even if Jinniang saw Qi Min's important skills, she would have to be blinded if she was really asked to do that. Her body is even weaker, so growing vegetables is still good enough, so don't even think about going to the ground.So this has to be done slowly.I couldn't eat hot tofu in a hurry, and I heard that Yang Zhenhai's two younger siblings didn't bring any land as a dowry.Or take your time.In the end, she managed to get her parents to take back the ten taels, so that they could be used for Cheng Hai's study.No matter what they say, they don't want it anymore. Jin Niang thought about finding opportunities to help the family in the future, and she paid for Cheng Hai's education.As long as everyone works hard, life will be better.

In the more than 50 taels of dowry, the purchase of furniture materials and workmanship cost nine taels. This price is absolutely the price of jumping from a building in modern times. It is still jumping from hundreds of floors, but it is considered expensive here. It made Wang's heart ache to spend two liang, usually one liang is enough, now only [-] Wen is paid for a day of work, this hardwood furniture is not easy to make, according to Jin Niang's drawing, although it is not complicated, the details require But it is very high, so the best carpenter on their side is found, and the price is a bit more expensive.But it works well.No red paint was used, and the original taste was retained. The dark red furniture with dark purple stripes looks very comfortable.At that time, the furniture was ready, and Wang didn't feel that it was expensive if he liked it. He kept saying that his daughter had good eyesight.Where did she have a good vision, she just had previous experience.

The countryside is not so particular about the decorations, so Jin Niang only brought a pair of copper wax skewers, a copper oil lamp, a pair of large porcelain duster vases, and a pair of celadon hexagonal tea pots with flowers, birds, fish and insects.A set of celadon tea sets and a pair of nanmu fruit plates.There should be some other porcelain ornaments. Jinniang doesn’t want them at all. The above are all necessary. Farmers buy dowry according to their own financial resources. Although Jiaxing's dowry is complete, she doesn't like it in terms of quality and style, so she should buy it by herself in the future.Always be kind to yourself.

A dressing box, a set of rouge and other cosmetics to support the facade, Jinniang is not going to use, the curtains, quilts, mandarin duck pillows, eight beds and covers in the house, these can not be saved, the quilts are all according to Jinniang's favorite Except for the red quilt for the wedding, everything else is embroidered with a new look. Jinniang also prepared extra quilt covers, which are also beautifully embroidered, making the two sisters-in-law very envious. Jinniang had to give them I drew a new pattern and asked them to embroider it by themselves. I don't know when it will be finished.

Jinniang didn't prepare much clothes for the four seasons, one camphor wood box was full, mainly for her long body, she was afraid that it would not fit well, but there was a lot of material, and when the dowry gift came, there were four boxes of material, and Wang gave her another Added some, all kinds of patterned cotton, tulle, and brocade, enough for her to use for several years, and the materials for the four seasons are complete.Yang Zhenhai's betrothal gift included 11 yuan of skin, a complete white tiger skin, the value is immeasurable, if you want to sell it, you may be able to sell it for several thousand taels of silver, this betrothal gift is quite expensive, but she didn't plan to sell it, she likes it on the one hand, on the other hand One is that Yang Zhenhai specially typed it in order to prepare a bride price for her, which is very meaningful.The other ten skins, the better ones are four mink skins, one white and three black.There are two rex rabbit skins and four ermine skins left.They are all very rare, I don't know where Yang Zhenhai got them from.

She picked up the jewelry and made a few simple sets. There were two sets of gold, silver and jade jewelry in the betrothal gift before, and there were some small pieces in a whole box. She was not used to carrying them, so she put them away and kept a few pieces for frequent use. Put it in the makeup box.

Commonly used clothes are hung in the closet. There are two sets of two-door wardrobes with plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum carved on the surface. It is not so complicated, just a simple outline.It is in the style of a modern large wardrobe. The only difference is the copper bat door hanging on the door, which prevents the door from opening automatically. The production is also more delicate, and the overall is elegant and generous.

Yang Zhenhai's clothes were all hung inside, Jin Niang looked at them, and found that there were only a few commonly used ones that were worn out, and there were only two sets of new clothes in total, so she made a mental note to measure and make some regular clothes for him when they were packed.

A few camphor wood boxes for clothes are empty, and some dowry supplies that are not needed for the time being are put in, placed under the south window, covered with red mats, so that people can sit on it, and the carved screen is placed in the southwest corner. Block the back cubicle door.

After everything has been tidied up, on the west side from the north kang to the south window, there are kang cabinet, chest of drawers, dressing table, large wardrobe, screen, four large wooden boxes under the south wall, kang cabinet on the east wall, flower shelf, door, and a pair of Taishi chairs. Square small table.There is a round table and drum stool in the middle of the south side of the room.

Jinniang tidied up her belongings, and guessed she would be a little rich woman.And the purchasing power of this world is very strong.She knew in her heart that it was Yang Zhenhai who was able to buy so many things. Apart from the banknotes he gave, the betrothal gifts also accounted for a large part.

As soon as the things were put away, there was a knock at the door, and Yang Zhenhai walked in with a big box.Jinniang was a little confused when this man went out, and she forgot about him when she started working.

"Pack up these things too. This is the savings I've accumulated over the years, and you also keep it." Yang Zhenhai put the box on the ground, took a purse from his body, and handed it to Jinniang.He brought back two boxes from the capital, medicinal materials for his father's health, and a few pieces of leather and materials for Niang Jin as betrothal gifts. To Niang Jin.

Jinniang was stunned for a moment, is she considered the head of the house?

Putting the purse in Jinniang's hand, she stretched out her hand to pinch her little nose, "Put it away, this is for our son to marry a wife in the future, don't lose it."

Jinniang's face turned dark, what son, it's still early.Biting her lip and looking at Yang Zhenhai, she suddenly reached out and pinched his face.

"doing what."

"Let me see if you are wearing a mask." She could tell this morning that Yang Zhenhai was completely different inside and outside the house.

"Hehe——" Yang Zhenhai sat down on the kang and laughed, his face was a little distorted because of the scar, Jinniang looked at the smile, maybe it was a little attractive because he was happy.He is a man of great taste.But she also understands why this man always keeps a cold face, it's a matter of face.

"Actually, as long as you smile sincerely, you are still very attractive." Jin Niang didn't know how to say this sentence. After saying this, she turned around in shame, but her body was hugged at once. The man wrapped his arms around her and grabbed her. Holding her in his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder, he leaned into her ear and said, "Maybe you are the only one who says my smile is attractive." This little lady's aesthetics are really special, and they are a perfect match.

He actually didn't care about the scars on his face, but ever since his face was hurt, he could always scare people with a smile. Although his brothers were not afraid, they also laughed at him. He didn't expect that his little lady was not afraid of him.Besides, as a royal guard, he is used to keeping a cold face. Sometimes his expression can reveal a lot, and it is very dangerous in a special place.

The laughter stopped, the man hugged her quietly, didn't speak, and Jin Niang didn't move, at first she didn't understand why her mother and sister cared so much about the scar on his face, but later she figured it out, in this body Hair and skin, which are subject to parents, dare not damage them. In this age of filial piety, the body cannot be lightly destroyed. If there are major defects in the face and body in this era, it will affect the official career. The obvious knife wound on the face like him makes people When people see the first impression, they will feel that he is a vicious person.

It is absolutely rare in this world that someone like her not only does not feel ugly but also feels very attractive.Presumably he must have received many discrimination and even disgusting looks from others because of this scar outside, and he was unhappy.In fact, she felt that although Yang Zhenhai had a scar on his face, his eyes were very straight, and the scar only added to his majesty.

After a while, Jinniang patted his hand, "Okay, I have to clean up. I will help my siblings make dinner later." The more I got in touch with him, the more I realized that his cold appearance hides a different personality, or It is said that his heart is very hot, so he has the feeling of flesh and blood, and it is more natural for Jinniang to get along with him.

Letting go of Jinniang, reached out and pinched her face again, the corners of her mouth twitched, the little daughter-in-law became more and more courageous.

Jinniang opened the box and it was not full. It was a neatly folded piece of deerskin. Jinniang touched the thin leather, which was very thick when folded. When she opened it, it was 1.5 meters long and [-] meters wide. It turned out to be a map.

Looking at this map, Jin Niang was a little confused. The painting on it is not the same as the map of China. She turned her head, "What kind of map is this?"

Yang Zhenhai reached out for the map and drew a circle, "This is our Dayong Kingdom."

Jinniang will be completely dumbfounded. What is going on? The cultural inheritance is the same in pre-Tang history. Why is the territory different? She wanted to see what it looked like in ancient times from the map. There is nothing the same beyond a long coastline, especially the map clearly shows that Dayong has one river and two rivers.Where did the extra river not smaller than the Yellow River come from, and how did the Yangtze River and the Yellow River divert?
"This is the Blue River. It's across Minshan Mountain from us. Where do you get to the capital by boat?" Yang Zhenhai saw Jinniang pointing at the Blue River and explained to her. Sitting on the kang, Jin Niang pointed out to her little by little, "During the time of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, a catastrophe fell from the sky, earthquakes occurred in many places, and the Blue River even appeared out of thin air, causing the Great River and the Yellow River to divert. How many people were displaced and the population even more It is decreasing, ten does not save one, the Tang Dynasty also perished at that time, and then went through the Zhou Dynasty, the Central Plains was a little bit stable, the Zhou Dynasty emperor's heirs were so weak that no one succeeded to the throne, wars broke out, Dayong Kingdom Emperor Gaozu established the Dayong Kingdom, and after decades of wars by Taizu and Shengzu, the country's territory was stable. After the current emperor ascended the throne, he even pacified the southern border of Dayong Kingdom, and now the country is peaceful and the people are safe." Yang Zhenhai gave Jinniang briefly explained the history.

Seeing Jinniang listening seriously, "Speaking of the Blue River, apart from the disaster it caused when it first appeared, it seems to be good now, because of the emergence of the Blue River, many places no longer lack water sources, and the area of ​​arable land has increased. The people who were reduced due to the disaster quickly recovered. Now the country is getting richer and richer. The Qingshan Mountains here on our side were not as lush as they are now, and the plants are flourishing because of the blue river."

Jinniang listened and took a closer look. It seems that those different cities may have been preserved before or after the catastrophe. The east coastline is different, but it seems that there are some changes washed by one river and two rivers. Here Still the same as the earth.He let out a sigh of relief and shook his head, forgetting what she was entangled in, no matter what it was, it was better than traveling to a place where even the civilization was different.

Then I thought of a question, "What's the matter with this map?" This kind of thing is very rare in this world, not to mention that this map is so vast and comprehensive.

"Put it away, King Yi took the opportunity to rebel when he went to attack the southern border, this is the proceeds of house robbery."

Jinniang opened her mouth wide, and it took a while before she said, "Is this going to be okay?"

Yang Zhenhai smiled teasingly at the corner of his mouth, the muscles on the scar basically didn't move, and he looked a little weird, "This kind of thing can be avoided, even the Holy Majesty knows about it, otherwise he wouldn't have sent us there. The meaning of commendation. And although this map is rare, it is not a forbidden item. It’s just that it’s so hard to find.” At the beginning, when he made meritorious service, the Holy One called him to go and rewarded him in disguise. He got a lot of things that time, but All the money was exchanged, and only this picture remained.

Not to mention that the deerskin is a whole piece, and after being treated to make it waterproof, the handwriting will not be blurred, and it will not burn in the fire for a quarter of an hour. It is really hard to find.

Jinniang looked at it for a while, then folded it, found a wooden box and put it in, put it away, this thing might be used in the future, even if it doesn't need to be a family heirloom, it's okay.In this era of backward civilization, such a map is a treasure.

A dagger wrapped in a leather sheath, shorter than ordinary swords, about a foot from the handle, longer than a dagger, the blade is dark and dull, and the blade seems to be unedged.

"Be careful, this sword is very sharp." Yang Zhenhai stretched out his hand and pulled Jin Niang's movement, "This sword was accidentally obtained on the battlefield. It is extremely sharp. It is a murderous weapon."

When he said this, Jinniang felt that the cold was overwhelming, so she carefully put the sword into the scabbard and put it aside.

Yang Zhenhai, took it over and put it aside, he used this dagger very smoothly.

Jinniang saw that there was a strong bow and a pot of arrows in the box. The strong bow was very heavy, so she just took it out. Yang Zhenhai reached out to take it, and hung it on the wall above the Xikang cabinet. This was also his trophy. Shi Qiang's bow, unfortunately, he can't fill it up now.

A vase that cannot be seen from the age, but it should not be an ordinary product, but Jin Niang thought about it and put it in the cabinet, keeping it as an antique. A leather water bag, the workmanship is very fine, and it has a foreign style. it is good.A folded felt is also in the style of foreign races. I am afraid it has been used, and there is some dust. Put it aside and wait for the sun to dry it well. The style is very unique.Finally, a small black leather bag was thrown in one corner of the box.Reach out and take out the contents, uh--is this a diamond?right?
"The water sac, the felt, and the bag that looks like glazed stones were obtained from Fanbang merchants." Yang Zhenhai didn't take it seriously. He was considered a relatively important guard before. A foreign businessman happened to do him a little favor, so he gave him these few things. The water bladder and felt are okay and very useful, but I don’t know what’s the use of those things like glazed stones?It looked rough, he had inquired about it, and it wasn't very valuable.

Jinniang poured out the diamonds in the bag, the largest one was the size of a thumb, and the smallest one was the size of a soybean, but none of them had been polished, so they weren't that bright, but they were still diamonds.

Looking up, Yang Zhenhai, who didn't think so, understood that this man was really extraordinary in the years when he was a soldier, and people didn't recognize this diamond at this time.Shaking his head, the current polishing technique is probably not easy. Such rough stones are not beautiful to make jewelry, and are useless at all, no wonder they can’t be sold at a price.Put the diamonds back together, put them away, and put them together with the buckskin map, as a family heirloom.

Yang Zhenhai saw his mother's careful look, and thought she liked it, thinking that he would get some for her when he met him. He remembered that there were pink and yellow ones, and they were not worth much.

Generation gap—hundreds of years—

After packing up his things, Jinniang opened the pouch that Yang Zhenhai gave him, and took out a few pieces of paper, and she couldn't help but grow her mouth when she looked closely.The look of the small mouth and wide eyes made Yang Zhenhai laugh again, the laughter in the new house was so loud that the old man in the outhouse was very proud of hearing that he had found a good wife for his son.

(End of this chapter)