Three Kingdoms.

  Chapter 2378 The New Year Has Arrived

   Twelfth lunar month twenty-eight.

   Except for the front-line soldiers on duty, the rest of the people are basically on vacation.

  In Lantian Daying, monthly pay was paid twice this month, and the last one was regarded as an extra reward, and it could also be regarded as an annuity. During the distribution, according to the usual practice, they shouted "Hussar General Wansheng", which shocked the people around them. At first, they were unavoidably afraid and felt that they didn't know what happened. After they realized that the annual salary was increased, But it turned into envy again, wishing that his family would be recruited into the army in the coming year, and he could also eat a bite of the hussar general's salary.

Outside the big camp, Du Ji arranged direct sales activities in various shops, allowing soldiers to buy something they need without entering the city, whether it is a piece of clothing, or a pot of fine wine, or through hussars. The branch of the bank will send their soldiers' salaries to their families.

Most of these recruits in the camp cannot be directly placed in the county town, otherwise it is easy to cause trouble, they can only be divided into batches, and only excellent recruits can get a chance to go to the city to rest. These matters, in Du Ji Before going to Lantian to preside over the work, I didn't know the way of it very well.

   Now, Du Ji is basically a very mature and experienced local official...

   Even without any special instructions, Du Ji worked out the recruit training plan for the next season with several military officers in his own office without any instructions.

Du Ji didn't intend to take a long vacation. After the fifth day of the first lunar month, he will gradually resume training, and the recruits here have only completed the first stage of training, and then they will be diverted according to different situations. All kinds of arms, if they are cavalry, they have to go to Yinshan and Longxi, for mountain soldiers, they go to Qinling, Hanzhong, Sichuan and Shu, and ordinary soldiers go to Tongguan.

  When these soldiers go to the next location, they will learn the skills of camping, building a stronghold, sentry, posting, etc. during the journey...

After the official business was finished, the sergeants looked at each other, and then the leader said to Du Ji, "Xianzun, on the 30th of the year, all our teams made up their own shares, bought banquets, and celebrated the New Year in the camp... County Zun If you are free, please appreciate it. 』

   Du Ji responded with a smile.

   Alcohol is banned in the military on weekdays, but it’s only once a year during Chinese New Year. So you can drink alcohol on the night of New Year's Eve, but you can't get drunk and make trouble.

   After several non-commissioned officers had left, the official building gradually became quiet.

  Du Ji put the cloak beside him on his body, and then walked out of the hall.

  Now most of the officials in the Lantian official house have gone home. After all, it is the New Year. Except for the guards at the city gate, watchtower, square gate, public treasury and other places, most of them are on holiday.

   But there are exceptions. When Du Ji walked to the side of the wing, he suddenly found that one of the houses was still lit, and there were people shaking...

  Du Ji frowned slightly. He remembered that it was already a holiday here, and even if he was on duty, he should be near the main hall so that he could find something in time. How could there be people in this relatively remote wing?

  Du Ji motioned for the guards to come forward, and after a while the guards came out, and then two or three small officials in the room hurried out to meet Du Ji.

  『Wait...to be on duty today? ’ Du Ji asked.

One of the clerks replied: "Reporting to the county lord is not on duty... I don't dare to lie to the county lord... There are a lot of new laws in this place, and I rarely have the leisure to read and memorize it on weekdays... Now it's time for vacation... Just, just There is turmoil in Xia Zhongfang, and I... don't want to spoil the interest of the neighbors... that's why I came here...』

   Du Ji understood and nodded, "Is it the same for you two? 』

  The other two should be too.

  Du Ji smiled and said: "If you want to study the law diligently, you are good." It’s just that this wing room is far away, it’s better to move it to the side hall, it’s more convenient, and second, it’s also helping to take care of the candles...』

  The majority of buildings in the Han Dynasty are made of wood, and you need to be careful whether you are lighting candles or braziers, so if something happens in a remote wing room, no one can be found to put out the fire!

  But he likes to read and is willing to use the vacation time to familiarize himself with the new law.

  The three of them were naturally overjoyed, and thanked them quickly.

Du Ji waved his hand and motioned the three of them to tidy up and change positions. He took the guards and continued to circle around. After seeing that there were no other problems, he wandered out of the official residence and headed for the residence. go.

  Lantian is no longer what it used to be.

Originally, the population of Lantian was not very large, and it was not considered a big county. Generally speaking, there were only two markets in a month. Farmers within ten miles and eight townships would come to the county if they needed it. It was not too lively. of.

Now that there are a large number of refugees from Jingzhou, the market in Lantian has become Fengsi and Fengjiu, and Fengsi is on East Street, Chujiu South Street, Nineteenth West Street, and Twenty-ninth North Street. After entering the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, almost every day is a market, and it has never stopped.

Du Ji came out of the government office and went to North Street. Although it was said that tomorrow is the day of the North Street Fair, there are more pedestrians on the street than usual, and everyone is dressed better. , and are willing to wear the beautiful clothes at home, and some relatively well-off families have various decorations in addition to brocade clothes. There are even some ornaments made of gold leaf on the hair and skirts, some of which look like swallows, and some of which look like flowers, which are different.

The confinement of women in the Han Dynasty was not as perverted as it was after the Song Dynasty, so there are actually quite a few women on the market who take the opportunity of the Chinese New Year to go out and play, and they are very lively. They will not be shy at every turn when they see strangers, even young people They are still fighting with each other, which seems to be full of vitality.

  At street corners and alleys, some children were playing with each other, and some children gathered together, sharing snacks from each family. I will eat a dried date for you, and you will eat a piece of rice cake for me. One piece of pastry will be divided into three or four portions, each of the friends will have a bite, and the crisp laughter will not stop.

  Ordinary people also had comfortable smiles on their faces. When there are many people, the demand will be strong. Those who need pots and pans, those who need dry firewood and clear water, as long as they are not the kind of greedy and hopeless, as long as they are willing to work, even if they don’t understand anything, they will use their strength to go to work. Loading and unloading goods, doing odd jobs, all have some extra income. At the end of the new year, once the debts are paid off, the rest will bring home two pieces of new cloth, a bag of fine noodles, a dime of wine, half a catty of meat, etc., and I feel that this day is comfortable...

Originally, the New Year’s habits of the people in Jingxiang were slightly different from those in Guanzhong, but this did not hinder the strong atmosphere of the New Year at the moment. Most of the refugees in Jingxiang have settled down and gradually integrated into Guanzhong. Even their accents are different. It is somewhat similar to Guanzhong. After all, this is the territory of General Hussars, so wherever you go, you can say where you are.

   Of course, there are still some people who are relatively poor, because no matter what age, there are always some people who have collapsed the pillars of the entire family because of illness or accidents. This is also something that Du Ji cannot predict. It can only be said to provide some help as much as possible. He inspected and visited a year ago, and distributed some living materials so that these poor families can pass the current year first.

  As long as there is some hope, these hardworking people can struggle to survive...

   Anyway, if you buy two buns, you will be beaten up.

  While walking forward, Du Ji responded to the greetings from some noble children or common people who came and went.

  『Lang Jun, do you want to go back to Chang’an? Seeing Du Ji standing at the corner of the street, he seemed a little hesitant, so the confidant guard asked.

  Du Ji pondered for a while, shook his head, and said with a smile: "No need... just welcome the New Year here!" 』

  …(*^__^*)…

  In the city of Chang'an, in the mausoleum, they are also welcoming the new year with joy.

  The old Gouzi bared his yellow teeth that were about to fall out, and walked on a stick, laughing foolishly.

  『Father...』 Yue Meizi said with some complaints, "Look at you smiling, your saliva is dripping down..."

  『Wo... hiss...Wo is happy! ”The old dog laughed, “Happy! Just happy! 』

  Sister Yue is actually happy too. After all, the stone that has been hanging in her heart not only sent money to her family, but more importantly, Brother Stone is still alive!

  Originally, when Laogouzi and Yuemeizi were notified by the inspection to go to the Military Office of Lingyi, they couldn’t help but feel a little worried. They were afraid that if they went there, they would face Shitou’s pension...

   Fortunately, it was only the military pay sent back by Shi Shi.

  Although the military salary is much less than the pension, but for the old dog and Yuemeizi, they would rather get this relatively small military salary than receive any pension...

Turning across the street, leaving the official business area, and entering the folk square, it suddenly became lively, the shopkeepers were soliciting in a rhythmic manner, and the endless stream of people were either carrying burdens or carrying baskets, in the shop. I was shopping, buying, and replenishing the last New Year's goods a year ago.

  Tomorrow is the twenty-ninth day, and the day after tomorrow, basically all shops will be closed, and then they will open one after another after the third or fifth day of junior high school.

  『Go get a Kitchen God…』The old dog stopped, looked at the shop, hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth, 『Go and cut some animals…』

   "Father..." Yue Meizi froze for a moment.

Because although it is said that Shitou sent back the military salary, and Yuemeizi also does some handicrafts every day, or washes clothes for others to subsidize the household, there is still no problem in life, but whether it is an old dog or Yuemeizi, they are very happy on weekdays. Frugal, like this New Year, both of them have already purchased most of the New Year’s goods, anyway, it’s just the two of them, cooking thin noodle soup and cakes, it’s the New Year, like the old dog who suddenly wants to cut some cows The mutton ones naturally surprised Yue Meizi.

"It doesn't matter whether we eat or not...I want to give the stone..." the old dog sighed, "To worship the ancestors...we were poor before, so there was no way, but now...we have to burn some incense for the stone ancestors, Sacrifice some three animals...to bless the stone...』

  Others, even Lao Gouzi himself can be frugal, or even ignored, but for the kitchen **** and sacrifices in Shitou’s house, he has to "invite" himself, and then bring some sizable offerings, to be considered sincere.

  Yuemeizi understood, and nodded quickly, "Then... Dad, you wait here for a while, I will come as soon as I go..."

"Eh! 』Old Gouzi supported his walking stick, nodded, and then watched his daughter walk forward.

  Several children rode bamboo horses, wheezing, fighting with each other, ran past Old Gouzi, and almost bumped into Old Gouzi's walking stick.

"Slower! slower! These little brats... slow down! Beware of falling! 』The old Gouzi hurriedly put the walking stick away from his feet, and then followed the children as he ran away.

  Although Shitou hadn’t joined the army and was still at home, the old dog and Shitou bickered almost every day, but now...

  If Shitou had accepted Shitou's marriage proposal back then, wouldn't the baby be as old as this now?

  God, please bless the stone to return safely...

  If... If you can take a look at Yuemeizi and Shitou's baby before the loess covers your head, you will have no regrets in this life...

  …(｀)…

  Everyone has New Year’s expectations, some people have less, some people will naturally have more people, some people’s needs are very simple, and some people’s needs are relatively complicated...

  Xu County, West Nuan Pavilion of Chongde Hall, the supreme emperor of the Han Dynasty, Liu Xie, is reviewing the memorial.

  Originally, Liu Xie could rest, anyway, whether these memorials are approved or not, it seems...

  It's a pity that Liu Xie can't sit still.

As the new year approached, Liu Xie also changed into a new crown suit, with golden coiled dragon patterns embroidered on the front and back, and gold thread on the crown as decoration. Although his face was a little pale, he couldn't support a strong aura. , but as the emperor's majesty, there are still some.

  In the main hall, a brazier is lit on the left and right below the Dan steps, making the temperature in the hall relatively mild, and the ventilation in the main hall is also smooth, so you won't feel stuffy just because the brazier is lit.

  These memorials beside the dragon case are actually mostly articles of congratulations by various courtiers on the New Year. The literary talent is good and the flowers are beautiful, but basically there is no actual content.

   Form, sometimes very important.

  If there is no "form" at all, then Liu Xie, the emperor, would lose all meaning. Just as Liu Xie was flipping through these memorials that represented a certain formalism, there were suddenly footsteps outside the hall...

  Liu Xie raised his head slightly, and saw a little yellow man coming to the entrance of the main hall with his head down.

  『Come in! 』Liu Xie showed some smiles, put down the memorial in his hand, and ordered.

  Xiao Huangmen hurried into the hall, and then prostrated himself in front of the Dan steps.

  『How are the people in the city? ’Liu Xie asked lightly, ‘Let’s hear it. 』

  It is not convenient for the emperor to leave the palace at any time, but the eunuchs can, as long as they are on errands, they can walk outside the palace in a fair manner. Xiao Huangmen got Liu Xie's order and went to Xuxian Street Shifang to "gather the wind".

  Xiao Huangmen hurriedly described what he saw in Xuxian Street Market, while asking people to present the things he bought for Liu Xie...

  Liu Xie got up, walked down the Dan steps, and looked through the various sundries he bought.

  These things are used by ordinary people, so it can’t be said how expensive or gorgeous they are, they are all simple and practical. Liu Xie didn't care about these utensils, he just wanted to know how the people in his world, the old Liu family's world, are doing when the new year is coming.

   Otherwise, during the New Year, when worshiping the ancestors and ancestors in the Taimiao, Liu Xie didn't know what he was going to say...

Looking through it, Liu Xie took a few of them, played with them for a while, then put them down, waved his hand, and said, "Give some to the queen and concubines, and the rest will be yours." Divide it! 』

Because these folk things are not expensive, so although it seems that there are a lot of things, the cost is not high. In addition, Liu Xie put on a posture of wanting to share the joy with the people and understand the sufferings of the people. It may be that Liu Xie's neck is stuck in this kind of matter.

When Liu Xie asked people to distribute these things to the big and small people in the harem according to their grades, from the queen to the servants, basically everyone had a share, more or less, it naturally attracted a lot of people in the palace. jubilation.

  Don't care about the things, at least it's a gift from the emperor.

   is His Majesty's will!

  Liu Xie smiled slightly, and led the little yellow gate to the observation tower on the palace wall.

Xiao Huangmen nodded and stood beside Liu Xie, pointing out to Liu Xie, telling him where he bought things, what kind of shops there were, and where else they sold things. What are you doing again...

  Liu Xie listened with great interest and asked some specific questions from time to time.

  Xiao Huangmen answered them one by one.

At the beginning, some ears were still listening under the watchtower, but after listening for a long time, it was all about these matters, coupled with the howling of the north wind, the sound from it was naturally louder and softer, and they gave up at the end up.

   It’s New Year’s Eve, after all, it’s time to take a holiday for that, isn’t it?

  But these ears didn't know that under the cover of the wind, the content above the watchtower began to change.

"Among the markets, the most expensive spice products from the Western Regions... I heard that many spices are sold out," Xiao Huangmen approached Liu Xie and whispered, his voice was light and fast, "Those spices The finished products...all come from Guanzhong...』

  『Guanzhong...』 Liu Xie sneered.

Recently, inside and outside Xu County, there have been rumors that General Hussars is dying, there are rebellions everywhere, rebellious troops are everywhere, General Hussars is about to die, etc., and then a large group of people expressed that Hussars The cavalry general violated the etiquette and disobeyed Wang Hua, just like the hussar general was extremely evil, and the people in Guanzhong were in dire straits.

  As a result, I saw the goods coming from Guanzhong, and they rushed to buy them...

   I feel ashamed if I can’t buy it. If you don't have a few pieces of Guanzhong goods on your body, let alone spices, if you don't have any of those new gold-painted fans, gold-thread clothes, silver fur shirts, snow fox hats, etc., you will be ashamed to say hello to people!

   Interested?

  The key is that these spice products are expensive, how can ordinary people afford them? So who is buying these spice products? Where have all the courage and anger that he talked about being irreconcilable with the Guanzhong Hussars all day long, and the patriotism he expressed on the stage for the big man?

  The dog ate it?

  『Hmph…』 Liu Xie shook his head, 『What else? 』

  『There is one more thing, I don’t know if it’s true or not...’ Xiao Huangmen said in a low voice, ‘I just heard that...the general...is going to Mount Tai to comfort the army...」

  『Go to Mount Tai to comfort the army? how is this possible? ! 』

  『The servant also thinks it’s impossible, but that’s what the neighbors say, and it’s said that the supplies for the comfort army are all ready...』

   Liu Xie frowned immediately, thought for a long time, looked into the distance, and sighed faintly...

  (end of this chapter)