Chapter 2379 New Year Has Arrived

The twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Except for the soldiers on duty on the front line, everyone else is basically on holiday.

Within the Lantian camp, two monthly payments were made this month, and the last one was considered an extra reward or a new year's payment. When the money was distributed, as usual, people shouted "Hussars General Wan Sheng", which shocked the people around them. They were scared at first and felt that they didn't know what had happened. After they learned that it was an increase in annual salary, It turned into envy again, wishing that I would be recruited into the army next year and get a bite of the military pay of a hussar general.

Outside the camp, Du Ji arranged direct sales activities at various shops, so that soldiers could buy what they needed without going to the city, whether it was a piece of clothing, a bottle of fine wine, or through Hussar The bank branches sent their military pay home.

Most of these recruits in the camp cannot be placed directly in the county town, otherwise they will easily cause trouble. Only the best recruits can be divided into batches and get a chance to go to the city to rest. These matters, Du Ji Before I came to Lantian to take charge of the work, I was not very clear about the process.

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

There was no need for any special explanation. Without any instructions, Du Ji worked out the recruit training plan for the next quarter with several military officers in his official residence.

Du Ji did not plan to take a long vacation. After the fifth day of the first lunar month, he would gradually resume training. Moreover, his recruits here had only completed the first phase of training, and then they would be divided into different groups according to different situations. Various arms, if they are cavalry, they have to go to Yinshan and Longxi, if they are mountain soldiers, they go to Qinling, Hanzhong, Sichuan, and general soldiers go to Tongguan.

When these soldiers go to the next location, they will learn skills such as setting up camp, setting up strongholds, sentries, setting up sentries, etc....

After talking about the business, the sergeants looked at each other, and then the leader raised his hands and said to Du Ji: "Your Majesty, on New Year's Eve, each of our teams gathered their own members, bought banquets, and celebrated the New Year in the camp... County If you have the time, please appreciate it. 』

Du Ji responded with a smile.

On weekdays, alcohol is prohibited in the military, but during the Chinese New Year, it only happens once a year. So you can drink on New Year’s Eve, but you can’t get drunk and cause trouble.

After the few sergeants left, the official house gradually became quiet.

Du Ji put the cloak on his side and walked out of the hall.

Now most of the officials in Lantian's official residence have gone home. After all, it is the New Year. Except for the personnel on duty at the city gate, watchtower, square gate, public treasury and other places, most people are on holiday.

However, there are exceptions. When Du Ji walked to the side of the wing, he suddenly found that there was a light on in one of the rooms, and there were figures moving...

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

Du Ji motioned for the guards to come forward. After a while, the guards came out, and then two or three minor officials in the room also came out to see Du Ji.

"Hey...are you on duty today?" Du Ji asked.

One of the clerks replied: "Replying to the county magistrate is not on duty...I...don't dare to hide it from the county magistrate...This lord has many new laws, and I rarely have time to read and memorize them on weekdays...I am on vacation now." ...It's just that there is a commotion in my home, and I...don't want to spoil the interest of the neighbors...that's why I'm here..."

Du Ji understood and nodded, "Are you two the same?" 』

The other two should be too.

Du Ji smiled and said, "It is good to study the law diligently." It’s just that this wing is far away, so it’s better to move it to the side hall. It’s convenient and it can also help take care of the candles..."

The majority of buildings in the Han Dynasty were made of wood, and care was needed whether it was lighting candles or braziers. Therefore, if something happened in a remote wing, no one would be able to put out the fire for a while!

But he likes reading and is willing to use his vacation time to familiarize himself with the new rules. This is also a good thing. It cannot be said that he will be killed with a stick, so Du Ji simply opened the side hall and let these people go to the side hall.

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

Du Ji waved his hand and motioned for the three people to clean up. He changed positions and continued to walk around with his guards. After seeing that there were no other problems, he wandered out of the official residence and headed towards his 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 town. Generally speaking, there were only two markets a month. Farmers from within ten miles and eight villages came to the county town when necessary. It was not too busy. of.

Now that there are a large number of refugees from Jingzhou, the market in Lantian has become the fourth and ninth markets. On the fourth day, there are East Street, Chujiu South Street, Nineteenth West Street, and Twenty-Nineth North Street. Now that we have entered the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, there is a market almost every day without stopping.

Du Ji came out of the government office and went to North Street. Although tomorrow is the day for the North Street market, there are more pedestrians on the street than usual, and everyone is better dressed. Some ordinary people , are also willing to wear beautiful clothes at home, and some relatively well-off families also have various decorations in addition to brocade clothes. If they are the female dependents of noble families, there will be more decorations, not only ordinary jade, There are even some ornaments made of gold foil on the hair and skirts, some of which look like swallows, and some of which look like flowers.

The restriction on women in the Han Dynasty was not as perverted as it was after the Song Dynasty, so there were actually quite a few women on the market who took the opportunity to go out for fun during the Chinese New Year, and they were all very lively. They were not shy when meeting strangers, even young people. They were also joking with each other, which seemed lively.

At street corners and alley entrances, some children were playing with each other, and some children gathered together to share snacks from each family. I will eat you a dried date, you will eat me a piece of rice cake, and a piece of pastry will be divided into three or four portions. Each of the friends will take a bite, and the crisp laughter will continue.

Ordinary people also have comfortable smiles on their faces. When there are more people, the demand will be strong. People need pots and pans, firewood and water. As long as they are not the lazy, greedy and hopeless kind, as long as they are willing to work, even if they don’t understand anything, give it a try. Loading and unloading goods, doing odd jobs, you can get some extra income. At the end of the year, after paying off the debt, I would bring two pieces of new cloth, a bag of fine flour, a dime of wine, half a catty of meat, etc. to my family. I felt that my life was comfortable...

Originally, the New Year habits of the people in Jingxiang were slightly different from those in Guanzhong, but this does not hinder the strong New Year atmosphere. Most of the refugees in Jingxiang have been settled and have gradually integrated into Guanzhong. Even their accents have changed. It is somewhat similar to Guanzhong. After all, this is the territory of the Hussar General, and it is convenient to go anywhere.

Of course, there are also some people who are relatively poor, because no matter what age they are, there are always some people whose entire family pillars have collapsed due to illness or accidents. This is also something that Du Ji cannot predict. He can only say that he will provide some help as much as possible. He visited and visited before the year, and distributed some living materials to these poor families, so that these poor families can pass the current year first.

As long as there is still some hope, these hard-working people can struggle to survive...

Anyway, you won’t get beaten up if you buy two steamed buns.

As Du Ji walked forward, he responded to the greetings of some nobles and common people passing by.

"Lang Jun, do you want to go back to Chang'an?" "Seeing Du Ji standing at the street corner, seemingly hesitant, a close guard on the side asked.

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

……(*^__^*)……

In Chang'an City and within the mausoleum, people are also celebrating the New Year with joy.

The old dog bared his yellow teeth that were about to fall out, walking on a cane and having a silly laugh.

"Dad..." Yue Meizi said with some complaints, "Look at your smile, your saliva is dripping..."

"Wo...hiss...wo is so happy!" ” Old Gouzi laughed and said, “Happy! Just happy! 』

Yue Meizi is actually also happy. After all, Shitou, who has been hanging in her heart, not only sent money to her family, but more importantly, Brother Shitou is still alive!

Originally, Lao Gouzi and Yue Meizi were a little worried when they were informed by the inspection to go to the Lingyi Military Office. They were afraid that if they went there, they would face a stone pension...

Fortunately, it was only the military salary sent back by Shitou.

Although the military pay is much less than the pension, for Lao Gouzi and Yue Meizi, they would rather get this relatively small military pay than receive any pension...

Turning the street, leaving the official area and entering the folk square, it suddenly became lively. Shops and shops were beckoning with their necks up and down. There was an endless stream of people either carrying burdens or carrying baskets on their backs, in the shops. Shopping, shopping, replenishing the last New Year's goods before the year.

Tomorrow is the 29th, and basically all the shops will be closed the day after tomorrow, and then they will open one after another after the third day of the Lunar New Year, or until the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.

"Go and ask the Kitchen God..." Old Gouzi stopped, looked at the shop, hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth, "Go and kill some more animals..."

"Dad..." Yue Meizi was stunned for a moment.

Because even though Shitou has sent soldiers’ pay back, and Yue Meizi also does some handicrafts every day, or does laundry for others to supplement the family income, there are still no problems in life, but whether it is Lao Gouzi or Yue Meizi, they are very busy on weekdays. Frugal, just like this New Year, the two of them have already purchased most of the New Year's goods. Anyway, it's just the two of them who make thin noodle soup cakes to celebrate the New Year. Like an old dog, they suddenly have to cut some cattle. It's mutton, which naturally makes Yue Meizi a little surprised.

"It doesn't matter whether we eat or not... I just want to give stones to the ancestors..." Lao Gouzi sighed, "To worship the ancestors... before, it was because we were poor and had no choice, but now... we have to give the stones to the ancestors no matter what. Burn some incense and sacrifice some animals... so that the stone can be protected..."

Others, even Lao Gouzi's own, can be frugal or even ignored, but for the kitchen god and sacrifices in Shitou's home, he has to "invite" himself and bring some substantial offerings to be considered sincere.

Yue Meizi understood and nodded quickly, "Then... Dad, please wait here for a while, I'll be back soon..."

"Eh! ” The old dog nodded, holding on to his walking stick, and then watched his daughter walk forward.

Several children rode bamboo horses, whirring and playing with each other. They ran past Lao Gouzi and almost bumped into Lao Gouzi's walking stick.

"Slower! Slower! These little bastards... run slowly! Be careful when you fall! ” The old dog hurriedly put the cane away at his feet, and then followed the children with his eyes as they ran away.

Although Shitou had not yet joined the army and was still at home, Lao Gouzi and Shitou quarreled almost every day, but now...

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

God, please bless the stone for its safe return...

If...if only I could take a look at Yue Meizi and the stone baby before the loess covered my head, I would have no regrets in this life...

……(｀?′)……

Everyone has expectations for the New Year. Some people have fewer expectations, and some people have more expectations. Some people have very simple needs, while some people have relatively complicated needs...

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

Originally, Liu Xie could rest, but whether these memorials were approved or not, it seems...

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

As the New Year approaches, Liu Xie has also changed into a new crown robe, with golden coiled dragon patterns embroidered on the front and back, and gold threads on the crown. Although his face is a bit pale, he cannot express a strong aura. , but as an emperor, there is still some dignity.

In the main hall, there are two fire pots lit on the left and right under the Dan steps, which makes the temperature in the hall relatively mild, and the ventilation in the main hall is smooth, so you won't feel stuffy just because the fire pots are lit.

Most of the memorials beside the dragon case are actually New Year congratulations from various courtiers. The literary style is good and the flowers are beautiful, but basically they have no actual content.

Form is sometimes important.

If there is no "form", then Liu Xie, the emperor, will lose all meaning. Just when Liu Xie was looking through these memorials that represented a certain kind of formalism, there were suddenly some footsteps outside the hall...

Liu Xie raised his head slightly and saw a little Huangmen coming to the entrance of the hall with his head lowered.

"Come in!" Liu Xie showed a smile, put down the memorial in his hand, and ordered.

Xiao Huangmen hurriedly entered the palace, and then prostrated himself in front of Danjie.

"How are the people in the city?" Liu Xie asked calmly, "Tell me and listen." 』

It was not convenient for the emperor to leave the palace at any time, but the eunuchs could. As long as they received an errand, they could stroll outside the palace openly. Xiaohuangmen got Liu Xie's order and went to Xu County Street Market to "collect folk customs".

Xiao Huangmen quickly told vividly what he saw in the market in Xu County Street, and at the same time asked people to bring over the things he bought for Liu Xie...

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

These things are used by ordinary people, so they cannot be said to be expensive or gorgeous. They are all simple and practical. Liu Xie doesn't care about these utensils. He just wants to know how the people in his world and the old Liu family's world are doing when the New Year is here.

Otherwise, Liu Xie wouldn't even know what he would say when worshiping his ancestors in the Ancestral Temple during the New Year...

After looking through it, Liu Xie took a few of the items, played with them a little, then put them down, waved his hand, "Give some to the queen and concubines, and the rest is for you." Just divide it! 』

Because these folk things are not expensive, although it seems that there are a lot of things, the expenses are not large. In addition, Liu Xie pretends to have fun with the people and understand the sufferings of the people. Xun Yu and others do not Maybe he would get stuck in Liu Xie's neck on this kind of thing.

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

No matter what the thing is, at least it is a gift from the emperor.

It's His Majesty's wish!

Liu Xie smiled slightly and led Xiao Huangmen to the observation platform on the palace wall.

Xiao Huangmen nodded and stood beside Liu Xie, pointing out to Liu Xie where he bought things, what the shops there were like, what other places sold things, and the people in the market. What are you doing again...

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

Xiaohuangmen answered them one by one.

At the beginning, there were still some people under the observation tower who were listening with their ears perked up, but after listening for a long time, they all realized these things, plus the howling north wind, the sound coming from it naturally became louder and softer, and finally gave up. .

It’s the New Year, so it’s time to give Naha a holiday, right?

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

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

"Guanzhong..." Liu Xie sneered, "I scold Guanzhong every day...and then rush to buy these Guanzhong goods...it's just..."

Recently, there have been rumors in and around Xu County that General Hussar is about to die, there are rebellions and rebels everywhere, General Hussar is about to be finished, and so on. Then there are also a lot of people saying that General Hussar is about to die. The cavalry general violated the etiquette and laws, refused to obey the king, etc., just like the cavalry general's side was extremely evil, and the people in Guanzhong were in dire straits.

As a result, now that I saw the goods coming from Guanzhong, there was a swarm of swarms rushing to buy them...

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

Interesting?

The key is that these spice products are expensive. How can ordinary people afford them? So who is buying these spice products? Where are all the courage and anger that talk about fighting against the Guanzhong Qiaoqi all day long, and the patriotic feelings for the big man that are full of expressions on the stage?

Did the dog eat it?

"Hmph..." Liu Xie shook his head, "What else?" 』

"There is one more thing, I don't know whether it is true or not..." Xiao Huangmen whispered, "I just heard that... the general... is going to Mount Tai to comfort the army..."

"Going to Mount Tai to comfort the troops?" How can it be? ! 』

"I don't think it's possible, but this is what the neighbors say, and it's said that supplies to comfort the army have been prepared..."

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