Zhuangzi didn't become quiet just because it got dark.
On New Year's Eve, excitement is the only theme.
Starting from the entrance of Zhuangzi, red lanterns are hung at every intersection, lighting up like daylight.
The surroundings are tightly protected, so children don’t have to be afraid of anything and can play as much as they want.
The most favorite thing among children is undoubtedly firecrackers.
Each person shared a piece of incense, stuck the firecrackers in the snow, lit them and ran away screaming. Then look at the firecrackers exploding and jumping into the air.
This is a childish fun that will never be forgotten after many years.
Zuo Mengeng saw the Lu brothers and sisters next to them.
Lu Wazi held Lu Xiaomei's hand and watched the children playing with envy, but did not step forward.
"Why don't you play with them?"
Lu Wazi looked up and his eyes brightened when he saw it was him.
"I have to take care of my little sister."
Lu Xiaomei didn't say that, and she was very angry.
"They don't play with their brother."
Zuo Mengeng paused and didn't ask why.
Although children are simple and honest, it is their ignorance that causes the most profound harm to others.
If Lu Wazi loses that thing and cannot squat to pee, he will definitely be ridiculed and ostracized by his peers.
In this helpless world, he couldn't fight, and he didn't dare to fight. He could only guard his sister.
This was his only thought.
Zuo Mengeng touched his head and squatted in front of him so that his eyes could look at him.
"Whether a person lives well or not depends on whether he feels that his life was wonderful and meaningful when he looks back on the day he dies. If so, then this person's life is the best. If not, then this person's life is the best. , then it’s like a weed. Would you rather live a wonderful life, or be like a weed?”
Lu Wazi looked at him, some understood, some didn't.
"I...I just want my little sister to be well."
Zuo Mengeng pinched his cheek and said with a smile: "Only when you are good, little sister will be good."
Lu Xiaomei hugged Lu Wazi from the side.
"Brother, you are the best."
Lu Wazi raised his head, very proud.
"Well, I'm the best."
The two brothers and sisters started laughing.
Their happiness is that simple.
"What did you eat today?"
Zuo Mengeng held one hand and walked inside while chatting.
Miss Lu is very lively and talks a lot.
"Aunt Zhang made a lot of delicious food, and I ate a lot of meat."
They currently live in Zhang Yan's house, and Aunt Zhang is Zhang Yan's daughter-in-law, Zhang Qi.
A very kind-hearted woman was extremely distressed when she learned what happened to the Lu brothers and sisters, and she took care of them as if they were her own children.
"Haha, you're at a loss. I'm going to eat dumplings later, stuffed with meat."
Lu Xiaomei was very upset. She touched her bulging belly and regretted that she couldn't eat a few dumplings.
But I soon became happy again.
"Let it go to my brother. He can eat a few more."
Lu Wazi just said: "Sister, eat. I'll talk about it when I'm full."
The dumpling making place is in the courtyard.
This used to be the residence of Feng Yuanwai, and it was built very luxuriously. Later, the farmers moved over and vacated this place, preparing to leave it to the owner's family.
Zuo Mengeng didn't like such a large and unrealistic place, so he simply used it as a public activity area in Zuozhuang.
During the Chinese New Year today, a big fat pig was killed. In addition to each household giving some as gifts, Lao Qintou, Zhang Yan and the others decided not to eat each other's pigs, but to make dumplings together. New Year.
No one has ever celebrated the New Year like this, but nothing can compare to the excitement of thousands of people gathering together.
The men have their own entertainment projects.
The elders gathered together to discuss how to prepare the fields for next year.
The strong laborers also gathered together and discussed where to work after the new year.
Nowadays, there are many places that need people here, and the smelting plant is a major labor force. In addition, after the year there will be a musket factory, an artillery factory, and a gunpowder factory, all of which will require people.
The younger ones were talking about things in the military camp.
Nowadays, only officers of the group and above are appointed in the rear camp, and all the remaining officers of the squadron and squad are vacant.
Everyone is jealous.
Those who were still working at the dock, besides showing off their accumulated wages, could only listen with envy to those who had joined the army first and told them novel military camp stories.
There was knowledge in the corridors, I knew a few more words, and someone was imprisoned for disobedience. These were all experiences I had never had before.
The women were on the other side, mixing the dough, stirring the stuffing, and making dumplings.
To feed tens of thousands of people is a big project.
But while working, women can talk even more.
It's not enough to talk about the East family and the West family. We also need to talk about the production of military uniforms.
Wang Xiuqin is the focus of course, and everyone wants to learn more skills from her.
The more you work, the more you will be paid.
Zuo Mengeng's arrival caused everyone to stop what they were doing and rush to the top.
"Just do whatever you have to do, don't worry about me."
He tried to comfort them and let them disperse.
But after all, it was chaos, and everyone was looking at him.
Zuo Mengeng took this opportunity, walked to the middle, and bowed in a clear voice.
"It's thirty today. A few generals and I are here to pay New Year's greetings to you all."
Everyone was beaming with joy and their faces were red.
When have you ever seen your boss or boss come to pay New Year greetings to the people below?
"Master, I kowtow to you. I wish you great wealth and a long life."
He was so excited that he was about to kneel down on the spot, but Zuo Mengeng quickly stopped him.
"Kneeling is frowned upon here. It is filial piety to kowtow to your parents at home. No one should kneel except your parents."
Someone shouted: "If you don't kneel before the official, you will be beaten."
Zuo Mengeng made a loud statement.
"I have no control over other places, but here, I have the final say. If I say you don't feel comfortable kneeling, then you are not allowed to kneel. We are all people carrying one head on two shoulders, so why should we kneel for others?"
Tens of thousands of people were silent, trying to digest what he said.
Most of them are simple and ignorant people who don't understand any big principles. The concept has always been that you have to kowtow when you see a noble person.
If Zuo Mengeng is not allowed to kowtow, doesn't that mean he is no longer humble?
Many people couldn't turn this corner, but they didn't dare to disobey Zuo Mengeng's order.
Chen Zhi, unlike those scholars, knew how deviant Zuo Mengeng's statement was.
There is a difference between masters and slaves among scholars, farmers, industry and commerce. The rules have already been established and everyone must abide by them.
Breaking this boundary will inevitably cause an uproar.
Now it is only limited to the military camp and Zuozhuang. What about the future?
But these scholars are not wealthy and distinguished people after all.
Under natural disasters and exploitation, they suffered no less than ordinary people. Occasionally when they are helpless, they will also think about, what is happening to this world?
Why do people suffer so much?
Why do they, the scholars, have to be bullied?
Why can't we seek justice?
What went wrong?
Their thinking may not have found the answer, but when they see any changes in the oppressive society, they will naturally not oppose it.
After appeasing everyone, Zuo Mengeng put on a smile.
"There are many of you, and I'm poor. I can't prepare gifts for everyone, so I have to beg for food."
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Everyone laughed heartily and found that this boss and boss were not distant at all and were very approachable.
Huang Zongxi and Zhou You looked on and felt it was very magical.
They have known Zuo Mengeng for a long time.
In the past, when Zuo Menggeng interacted with those officials and wealthy people, he always made some omissions in etiquette, which showed his vulgarity as a warrior.
But once Hepingtou and the common people get together, his behavior is so harmonious and natural, and he can always close the distance with the common people with just a few words.
He is obviously a second-generation general, why does he do this so easily?
Of course they didn't know that there were two souls in Zuo Mengeng's body.
One is the original body, a young man who has not yet matured; the other is the future, which has shaped him into what he is today.
"So, I prepared some pastries and candies to honor all the old people. As for you guys... let's just eat dumplings later."
The laughter started again, everyone said that this should be the case.
Next, Zuo Mengeng, with the help of Zuo Rong, Zuo Hua and others, gave gifts to the elderly one by one, and also said a few words to each elderly person, making the elderly laugh. Holding his hand, there are too many words of gratitude that cannot be said.
They lost their homes and land. If Zuo Menggeng hadn't taken them in, they might have died under the city walls of Linqing.
They always remember who gave them such stable days.
"This year, we have to live well. But this year will pass soon. After the New Year, we have to work harder. How the future will look like, we can't just rely on me, but also on the big guys. The fields are there, work hard to make them grow full of crops; the workshops are there, and if you work hard, you will get paid. Only when everyone works hard can our life be good."
Everyone was silent, looking at the young man waving his arms, as if looking at hope.
His arms were waving so powerfully, and his words were so considerate, all of which penetrated into the hearts of the people.
"Nowadays, we have a lot of children in Zhuangzi. So I plan to build a school for the children in Zhuangzi when the weather gets warm after the new year. We have a lot of scholars here, enough to teach the children how to read and write. I'll come Being this principal will give our children a better future. Do you think it’s okay?”
"good!!!!"
The excitement of the New Year cannot compare to the warmth in everyone’s heart.
Next year will definitely be a more promising year!
