It has not been long since the Lantern Festival. There are still a large number of lanterns and colorful ribbons hanging in the marketplaces, streets, and archways, just waiting to be removed. As a southerner, the spring cold in Tokyo is still not that easy for Zhong Mo. Fortunately, there are still warm spring sunshine. Wandering through the streets and enjoying the bustling scenery of Tokyo, Zhong Mo looked content and almost immersed in it.
Zhong Mo was very interested and searched all over Nanshi, trying to find the place where he set up a stall and wrote articles to make a living. Unfortunately, things had changed and it was no longer possible to find it. Even a little bit of the situation back then was hard to find.
Somewhat fate included, he met the stall owner who gave him buns back then. The original small stall owner already had his own shop, just above Nanshi Liquor Street. The shop was not big, but the business was very good. Because of the good taste and famous street music, he got the nickname "Sun Baozi".
When old friends meet, they will naturally feel happy and talk cordially. "Sun Baozi" is a philistine and shrewd man. When he saw Zhong Mo, who was well-dressed and elegant, he treated him warmly and shared their friendship. Naturally, he complimented Zhong Mo endlessly, but as soon as he became a person, he seemed to lack self-awareness. He used Zhong Mo's original downfall as the reason, and boasted to the acquaintances present about how he saw Zhong Mo's extraordinaryness and how he generously increased his food. kindness......
Zhong Mo never felt ashamed of his downfall, and instead used it to encourage himself. However, the former benefactor used the past friendship as a source of conversation to brag. Perhaps there was no malice, but the vanity of the common people was at work. Zhong Mo still had some strange emotions in his heart.
Smile on your lips, be generous, and express your gratitude repeatedly. When saying goodbye, Zhong Mo left another silver ingot and took the people away without any hesitation.
"Shang Shu, those mediocre people, vulgar philistines, and no self-awareness dare to be so rude and talk to you." The entourage who followed could not help but mutter to Zhong Mo, his tone full of contempt. .
Zhong Mo had a calm attitude: "You also said that market traders don't know etiquette, so why should I care about it? Furthermore, when I was down and out, he was indeed kind to me, even though it was only a few meat buns, But he relieved the hunger in my belly, and I should also accept his kindness. If I blame him because he said a few more words, then wouldn't my mind be too narrow-minded..."
After wandering around Nanshi for nearly two hours, I found a wine shop and drank some wine. As dusk approached, the coachman's boy ran back happily with a shrewd smile: "My lord, this is the place you are looking for. , I found the little one for you, and after asking, it is indeed a family with the surname Zhang. The capital city underwent a major reform, and most of the people in the neighborhood changed their names and numbers. If you are an ordinary person, you will not be able to find it. Even if you are a small one, it will take a lot of effort. ....."
Listening to his words and observing his attitude, Zhong Mo didn't understand what he meant, so he said to his entourage: "Thank you for your hard work!"
"Thank you for the small reward!" The driver immediately smiled happily.
"Lead the way!"
"yes!"
In the evening, the light was dark and the wind was cold. Zhong Mo put on a robe and went out to Nanshi. The wealthy families around him had already lit up their candles. As darkness fell, the lights of thousands of houses made the huge city of Tokyo even more prominent. The atmosphere of governing the world.
Feeling the scene in the city, Zhong Mo secretly decided that during the remaining days of his stay in Tokyo, he would take a serious walk up and down, inside and out, and write another "Tokyo Travel Notes".
When he was living in Kaifeng, he wrote a copy of "What He Sees in Tokyo". After returning to Jinling, he presented it to Li Jing and praised it for the beauty of his words and the facts of what he saw. Later, it was circulated and copied among the literati in Jinling. It was not long after the defeat of Huainan, and the entire Tang court succumbed to the power of the Northern Han Dynasty. In the context of the Han court's great influence, many people learned about Kaifeng through that record. , understand the big man.
What Zhong Mo is looking for is naturally the Zhang family where he once stayed. When it comes to kindness, that is what Zhong Mo remembers: a place to stay and food and clothing guaranteed.
Tokyo's overhaul has really made a big impression on ordinary citizens. The Zhang family residence was originally located at the southern end of Kaifeng, close to the city gate. After expansion, it is almost in the center of the city.
"What a big change!" Standing in front of the quiet house, Zhong Mo couldn't help but sigh.
The courtyard is still an ordinary courtyard, but it has obviously been renovated. The door design is consistent with the residential houses on the entire street. Zhong Mo knows that it was the requirement of the government at that time. However, it can be felt that the Zhang family's life should be pretty good.
The servant came forward and called the door. He didn't wait for a moment. The door of the house opened wide and half of his body was leaned out. He was a young man with a childish expression. He looked at Zhong Mo and the others, and asked curiously: "Who are you?"
"Are you Zhang Guangyao?" Zhong Mo took a few steps forward and asked.
The young man nodded: "Yes! Who are you?"
"Guangyao, I haven't seen you for many years. Don't you recognize me?" Zhong Mo said with a smile.
The son of the Zhang family was named Da and Guangyao, which was the name given to him by Zhong Mo before returning to the south. The young man was surprised when he heard this and rubbed his eyes. When he saw Zhong Mo's face clearly, he looked overjoyed and said, "Are you Mr. Zhong?"
Although the words were questions, his tone was very sure. After saying that, he turned around and shouted: "Dad! Mom! Mr. Zhang is back!"
After roaring for a few times, he opened the door of the house and knelt down towards Zhong Mo directly beside the door. While Zhong Mo was stunned, he actually kowtowed three times. This great gift and respectful treatment made Zhong Mo very emotional. He immediately helped him up and said that there was no need to perform such a big ceremony. The young man replied seriously that he should be treated as a teacher.
Back then, as a teacher, he taught the Zhang brothers and sisters for a period of time. Before leaving, he left him a copy of "The Analects of Confucius" and told him to study hard.
Zhong Mo's arrival made the quiet Zhang family courtyard lively. When the Zhang family heard the commotion, they came out together. Zhong Mo immediately ordered people to deliver the purchased gifts and randomly observed the couple.
Old man Zhang is much older, but his body is not majestic, but he still looks so strong. He is respectful to Zhong Mo and still has a simple and quiet image. Compared with back then, Zhang's wife's appearance has not changed much. She is still a strong folk woman, but she has a lot more white hair in her hair.
Inside the house, it has obviously been renovated. The kitchen and chicken coop are still in the same place, and the houses are still the same. A windlass has been added to the well, and the old trees on the side still stand sideways, shadowy in the dusk. Seeing this scene, Zhong Mo couldn't help but feel emotional.
Because of Zhong Mo's visit, three brand new candles were specially added to illuminate the room much brighter.
"If we had known that Mr. Zhong would come, we would have prepared some delicious food. Please forgive me for neglecting Mr. Zhong!" As the head of the family, Old Man Zhang seemed a little embarrassed.
It was meal time, and there was food on the table, but it was obviously leftovers from lunch. Old man Zhang immediately ordered his wife: "Take out the meat at home and cook some more dishes!"
"Okay! Sir, wait a moment!" Zhang's wife responded.
"No need, sister-in-law!" Zhong Mo stopped her and said with a smile: "When I was down and out, a full meal was still enough. Zhong can still eat my brother's food now! Just give me a pair of bowls and chopsticks!" "
"How can this be done? Sir, you are both a distinguished person and a benefactor, how can we entertain you with these leftovers!" said Zhang Da, a young man standing nearby.
Although the Zhang family didn't know Zhong Mo deeply, they knew he was extraordinary. Now, just looking at his clothes and the servants waiting in front of the door, you can tell what his condition is. Therefore, in his words and deeds, he was obviously cautious and did not dare to be presumptuous, but his enthusiasm was also genuine.
At Zhong Mo's insistence, the Zhang family was helpless. Old man Zhang asked his wife to take out a jar of wine stored at home, but Zhong Mo did not refuse. Zhong Mo first picked up a chopstick and took two bites of the leftover rice. He ate it with gusto. Only then did the Zhang family feel relieved. The wife and son wanted to stand, but Zhong Mo asked them to eat at the same table.
After sitting down, eating food, drinking wine, and chatting with each other is inevitable.
"There seems to be someone missing at home! Where is your little girl?" Zhong Mo asked.
Zhang’s wife said: “I got married last year!”
"Oh? I guess he is a good match, from a simple family, right?" Zhong Mo said with a smile.
Old man Zhang replied: "We were supposed to get married this year, but the other party's father is a commander of the Forbidden Army and is going to fight in Sichuan and Sichuan. The husband also knows that it is a pity that swords have no eyes on the battlefield, so he urgently arranged the marriage of his children. Do it first!”
I noticed that old man Zhang was missing two fingers on his left hand, and couldn't help but ask why. Zhang's wife sighed and said, "The year before last, I got into a fight at the butcher shop and accidentally cut off my finger!"
Old man Zhang subconsciously tried to hide his left hand. Zhong Mo asked, "Then what do you do for a living now?"
Smiling, Old Man Zhang said: "I got a job as a watchman on the street. Although I have to walk a lot at night, I am very happy!"
Nodding slightly, Zhong Mo looked around and sighed: "Brother Zhang, forgive me for asking, before I left, I gave you money as a gift. Why are you still living in such rough clothes and simple food, willing to live in poverty!"
Back then, Liu Chengyou rewarded Zhong Mo with a hundred taels of silver, and he forcefully gave half of it to the Zhang family. Fifty taels of silver has an astonishing purchasing power in the Han Dynasty, even in Tokyo. With the Zhang family's frugality, even if they can't have plenty of meat and fish all year round, there is no problem in improving their food and clothing and living a more prosperous life.
When asked, Zhang Da responded proactively: "Most of the money Mr. gave me was used for my education! Later, the government ordered the house to be renovated, and some money was spent on rebuilding the doors and walls. Last year, my wife got married and bought some dowry... ....”
With that said, Zhang Da stood up and said solemnly to Zhong Mo: "Sir's great kindness to my family will be remembered in this life. In the future, I will repay you ten times!"
Hearing what he said, Zhong Mo smiled casually, shook his head and said, "The kindness your family has shown me is what I should always remember!"
"How's your reading going?" Zhong Mo suddenly asked.
"I can now memorize the Thousand-Character Essay and The Analects of Confucius taught by Mr. Zhang Daqian!" Zhang Daqian said with a smile.
"If I have time, I'll take the exam for you!" Zhong Mo touched his beard and said, "What are your plans for the future?"
"My brother-in-law's family offered me a job as a county clerk, but I refused!" Zhang Da responded: "I want to wait until I have accomplished my studies and take part in the imperial examination!"
"Having ambition..." Zhong Mo laughed.
