In September, the outer Northeast has entered late autumn, and some places in the upper reaches of Heilongjiang have already received their first snow. But because this year is a leap April, according to the lunar calendar, it has just arrived in early July, and the day after tomorrow is Chinese Valentine's Day.
In the past, Hunchun, which was dominated by Manchus, could not survive the Qixi Festival. However, since Beihai Town captured Hunchun, many more Han people and naturalized people from island countries came to settle here. As life stabilized, many Han families returned The tradition of "Girls' Day" was restored.
However, because the immigrants in Beihai Town include people from the north, south, and island countries, the neighboring houses in an alley often come from different places, so they also show different styles.
Although the "Chinese Valentine's Day" in East Asia is derived from the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, the Chinese Valentine's Day of the naturalized people in the island country has nothing to do with love. Every July 7th is the day to clean one's own wells, also known as "Ido." ". When the whole day's cleaning work is over, the family sits together and happily eats and drinks, and at the same time hangs notes with wishes on the branches.
People from Zhili, Shandong, and Henan celebrate the Chinese Valentine's Day by soaking wheat seeds in water. When they sprout and grow to several inches, they tie them with red and blue silk threads and put them into small clay pots to worship the Cowherd. This custom actually originated from the Song Dynasty and is also called the Five Life Pot. However, the Wusheng pot of Hubei people does not grow wheat, but bean sprouts.
Well-informed people will also "throw a skillful needle" on the Chinese Valentine's Day, using the light and shadow patterns of fine needles floating on the water to divine whether a girl is clever or not. In addition, worshiping the Milky Way is held on the night of Chinese Valentine's Day, which is also called "begging for cleverness".
Koreans also celebrate the Chinese Valentine's Day. It is recorded in the "Korean Common Sense" written by Choi Nam-sun, a later Korean scholar, that the Chinese Valentine's Day was introduced from China. Every year on this day, North Korean women will worship Vega and pray that they can have dexterous hands like Vega. In addition, pumpkin pancakes, potato pancakes, etc. must be prepared in advance as offerings to the Weaver Girl.
There are not many Koreans in Hunchun City, and the most famous ones right now are Lin Ruoyu and his daughter. After arriving in Hunchun City last year, Lin Ruoyu didn't have much money left after finding a place to live and buying some daily necessities, so she had to follow the notice and go to the town-run primary school, a government school in the city, to apply for a teacher position. Lin Ruoyu, who had rich knowledge and had been a private school teacher, was hired as expected and became the vice principal.
There were very few scholars in Hunchun. In the past, even if there were scholars among the exiles, they were all left in Ninggu Pagoda. Ever since a Confucian scholar like Hong Liangji was appointed as the deputy commissioner of the administrative department, he could only read books to pass the time in his spare time. When he learned that the vice-principal of the town-run primary school was a scholar from the Li Dynasty, he condescended to pay him a visit. After a conversation between the two, Lin Ruoyu admired Hong Liangji's knowledge and character. Hong Liangji also admired Lin Ruoyu's character. They soon became good friends who talked about everything. They often visited each other's homes in their free time. Either exchange knowledge or drink and talk.
Today is the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, and there is a big market outside Hunchun City every fifth day of the lunar calendar. Lin Sanyue wanted to go see if there were any pumpkins for sale. Everything else in Hunchun City is good, but there are too few types of fruits and vegetables. It's either radish or cabbage all year round. Although some people grow some fruits and vegetables at home to sell, they are gone in a blink of an eye when they go to the market.
Lin Ruoyu's daughter is definitely a sight in Hunchun City whenever she goes out. With a face as beautiful as a moon palace fairy and a figure as soft and slender as a weeping willow, she simply doesn't look like a human being in this world. No matter where she goes, she will become the focus of everyone's attention. Even the way she speaks, the way she walks, and the way she smiles are completely different from those of ordinary girls from immigrant families and carefree Manchu girls.
At first, the neighbors were a little unfamiliar with her, and to put it bluntly, she was a little ashamed of herself. But after getting along for a long time, they realized that she was a kind-hearted and gentle woman, and gradually became close to her.
March hurriedly rushed out of the city with a basket. After wandering around the market for a long time, she finally saw two red pumpkins on a stall. She was so happy that she was about to go to buy them when she saw a man in a dress. The men in military uniforms of the Northern Navy strode to the stall and asked the stall owner: "How to sell pumpkins?"
"Master Jun, I grow this at home. I don't dare to ask for more. If you give me one piece, I will win." One piece of Beihai Yuan can buy two large baskets of radishes in Hunchun. The stall owner knew that Beihai Yuan has a high salary, so he came directly. A high price.
"Okay, I want both! Here's the money!" The man in military uniform didn't bargain at all, he just took the pumpkin from the stall owner after paying.
Why! Lin March asked in her heart why this person was like this. She stepped forward and was about to discuss with the man whether she could transfer one to her, when she heard someone beside her shout: "March? Why are you here?"
Lin Sanyue turned around and looked, his face turned red, it was him!
Under the autumn sunshine, the tall Cao Peng looked at Lin Sanyue with surprise on his face, and his heart was filled with joy. He really got what he wanted!
The slowly rising mountain road was dyed red by the late autumn maple leaves. The weeping willows growing along the roadside canals were dyed goose yellow, and bluebirds were flying around in the sky. From a rock crevice where azaleas bloom in autumn, a squirrel with a hazelnut in its mouth ran out. The fragrance of the mountains and fields in late autumn in the Northeast is rich and heavy.
Such a colorful scene, for Lin Sanyue, who doesn't go out often, everything is so strange and mysterious. The maple forest is like colorful clouds reflected in the sunset, and the red mountain grape vines climbing to high places are like burning flames. The tall and white birch trees made her have the urge to hug the trunk, put her face against it and rub it gently. The different calls of the various birds in the woods aroused her wonderful fantasies.
The two walked through the birch forest, and a large open space appeared in front of them. The blooming platycodon flowers turn the place into a purple world, and the air is filled with a sweet scent. Cao Peng's two guards stood far away, leaving space for them.
"Ah! So many flowers, so beautiful!" March, who was silent because of nervousness, finally couldn't help shouting in joy. "What kind of flower is this?"
Cao Peng, who was walking in front, laughed. "You are a Korean and you don't even recognize Platycodon flower?"
March bent down and picked one, looked at it carefully, and murmured: "I didn't expect the platycodon flower to be so beautiful."
Cao Peng smiled and said: "Not as good-looking as you."
Yue Yue was so embarrassed that she didn't dare to look up, and said angrily: "What nonsense are you talking about? If you keep talking nonsense, I will go back."
"I'm not talking nonsense. Compared with you, other women are ugly ducklings."
"Still! What's the use of having a pretty face? It can't be used as food."
The two met in the spring of this year. At that time, Cao Peng, who was the commissioner of the Ningguta Administration Office, came to Hunchun to inspect the construction project of the salt farm. He also wanted to see how Hong Liangji was doing. Later, when he went to inspect the primary school, he happened to bump into March, who was delivering food to his father. Cao Peng fell in love with this girl at first sight.
Later, when he inquired from Hong Liangji, he found out that Lin Sanyue had just passed seventeen years old. He also learned the reason why their father and daughter escaped from the Li Dynasty, and he was immediately moved. Who is Hong Liangji? Naturally, he can see what his boss is thinking at a glance. Speaking of which, he and Cao Peng are fellow residents of She County!
Because Cao Peng's sharp words in front of Liu Yong caused great harm to him, he was registered with the Qing court. Furthermore, because of his Anhui accent, the Manchu Qing Dynasty believed that he was related to the Cao family in Shexian County, so they also investigated the Cao family in Shexian County. Cao Wenqian and Cao Zhenyong, their father and son, suffered this unreasonable disaster. They went to several places just to plead guilty.
Hong Liangji was determined to promote this marriage, so every time Cao Peng came to Ninggu Pagoda, he would call Lin Ruoyu to attend the dinner. Sometimes, when Lin Ruoyu was in high spirits, he would also invite Lin Sanyue to play a song and take advantage of the opportunity. He praised Cao Peng's family background and character, which made Vice Principal Lin feel that this young man was very good.
Originally, for Lin Ruoyu, Beihai Town was just a temporary place. If he could go back in the future, he would prefer to choose an outstanding son from the Ding family and betroth his daughter there. The problem is that it's already seventeenth in March, and there's no way to go back now. If you delay any longer, you'll really look like an old girl. So after some testing by Hong Liangji, Lin Ruoyu agreed to the marriage. The only thing that made him unhappy was that Cao Peng's parents were not here, so Hong Liangji could only do it for him.
A month ago, the two had just made their horoscope, and Hong Liangji's wife came forward to help complete the marriage. The two parties agreed to hold a grand ceremony on August 8th, which is also called "receipt", and then determine the wedding date.
At this time, Cao Peng saw that Yue Yue's shy look was very cute, so he leaned over, pinched a platycodon flower, and stuck it on the other person's head. At this time, the girl was so embarrassed that she could not speak. She glanced at Cao Peng and simply turned her head away. The two of them stayed for a while and felt that it was getting late, so they turned around and walked back. On the way back, Cao Peng suddenly thought about whether there were any new arrangements for his return to Beihai Town and whether it would affect his wedding date. His mind was in a state of confusion for a while.
Although she knew that the tall man in front of her would become her husband, for some reason, March still felt a little nervous and her heart was beating fast.
"Why doesn't he speak? What is he thinking?" She tried her best to guess what Cao Peng was thinking as she walked. After a while, she thought to herself: "What on earth am I waiting for him to say?"
But she soon couldn't help laughing again. Since both parties know each other's feelings, maybe it would be better not to say anything...
Cao Peng stayed in Hunchun City for one night before leaving. He first went to see Hong Liangji. After discussing official matters, he mentioned marriage and said that he would see what to do after his next arrangements were confirmed. Hong Liangji was also helpless. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, officials had to serve for three years. Who knew that Cao Peng would leave after only two years? Regarding his marriage to the Lin family, he said there was nothing to worry about. He and his wife would take care of everything.
Two days later, Cao Peng returned to Beihai Town by boat from Mokuowei. After meeting Zhao Xin, he was stunned when he learned that he was actually going to replace Liu Zheng as the permanent resident of Sendai Domain.
"I remember Zhao Pingtai from the Ministry of Trade, isn't he always stationed in the island country?"
Zhao Xin raised his hand and handed over a file on the desk, saying: "You take a look at this first."
Cao Peng read the contents back and forth twice, then looked at Zhao Xinda in disbelief: "Kill him? Why not bring him back for trial?"
Zhao Xin lit a cigarette for himself, pushed the cigarette case over, signaled Cao Peng to help himself, and then said solemnly: "Actually, I thought so at the beginning. But taking him out of Kyoto, whether it is through Sendai or In Osaka, there are many people watching along the way. If he escapes again and causes trouble, not only the affairs of Minami Kyushu will be leaked, but Jiahe and his team will also be exposed."
After saying that, Zhao Xin added: "In fact, I hate things like assassinations the most. This time I really had no choice but to do it. Fortunately, everything went smoothly."
Cao Peng nodded and asked: "The Tokugawa shogunate is playing dirty tricks. Don't you plan to punish them and teach them a lesson?"
"Of the four people who died that night, one was sent by the shogunate, and it is said that he was a close confidant of Matsudaira Sadanobu." Zhao Xin said with a self-deprecating smile: "In politics, there are so many swords and swords, although struggle is always the main theme, The true meaning is to fight without defeating. Words are easy to say, but things are difficult to do."
Cao Peng was noncommittal about Zhao Xin's point of view, and thought for a moment: "Then what should I do after I go to the island country?"
Zhao Xin clapped his fingers and said: "First, keep the secret of Lingqiao Jinshan. No matter who dares to stretch out his claws, he will chop it. This cannot be ambiguous."
"no problem!"
"Secondly, Denzo Katsuyama is dead. The boss of Murataya must stay calm and tell him that this matter has nothing to do with him and that he doesn't need to worry. In addition, how to deal with the fleet, shops, shares, and the security team of the Ezochi Coal Mine? , you have to come up with a plan."
"Huh? It's so troublesome!"
"It has been eight years since the island country Hokkai Trading Co., Ltd. has more than 30 Benzai ships in its fleet alone. In addition, there are also 200 people in the security team of Ezo. Many of these sailors and ronin are Katsuyama denizens. It comes from three tricks. Can it be used and how to use it? You need to judge and decide..."
Zhao Xin and Cao Peng talked for more than three hours before explaining the matters that Liu Zheng was responsible for one by one. The more Cao Peng heard, the more frightened he became. He didn't expect that Zhao Xin's layout in the island country was so big. He used to look carefree every time he saw Liu Zheng come back, and despised him for having two women. It turned out that that guy's daily job in the island country was to do calculations.
"I will transfer Jiahe's team to you in a while, but if there is no urgent matter, try not to use them."
When Cao Peng heard that "Team Ninja" would be under his command, he was quite excited. You must know that he is a fan of "Naruto" and has been following the comics and the series for ten years.
When Zhao Xin saw his expression, he couldn't help but laugh: "Don't be fooled by comics and movies. Real ninjas are not like that at all. There are no shurikens, salings and the like. Jiahe told me at the beginning that they were the most The commonly used hidden weapons are stones, which are also picked up casually on the roadside.”
"What about kunai and ninja swords? We always have these, right?"
"I'm sorry, we really don't have these. Jiahe told me that the sickle they used most to cut rice was the one used to cut rice."
Cao Pengxin said, Damn it! Got scammed again.
"Okay, I've finished telling you what I need to tell you. Now let's talk about your requests."
"I have to come back in early August, um... and I also have to come back to get married. I have to take March with me in the future. I don't want an island country woman, and I don't want anyone to give her to her!"
"No problem, I'll give you a backup gift when the time comes."
Before leaving, Cao Peng suddenly thought of something and asked: "You are so anxious to call me back and you are telling me everything about the island country. Are you going to leave Beihai Town again?"
Zhao Xin nodded and said: "The Thor will leave India next week and arrive in Madagascar a week later. I have to send them supplies. This trip may take a month or two."
Cao Peng immediately waved his hand and said goodbye. When he walked out of the courtyard where Zhao Xin's office was, he couldn't help but shook his head, thinking that although this man had "supernatural powers" and was not short of money and women, his life was really tiring, all day long. The calculation!
