Father Meng, carrying the setting sun on his back, drove a group of sheep back to the village. His steps were brisk, his demeanor was leisurely, and he looked like a god.
Under the big poplar tree at the head of the village, Sun Erlang had sharp eyes. He suddenly jumped up and said, "Daddy Meng is back! His family has dozens of sheep, which are like treasures. When the weather is better, they will go out to herd. Finding him during the day is harder than climbing to the sky!"
After saying that, he quickly walked up to meet him. He said to Father Meng: "Dad, my eldest brother turned out to have joined the army and made meritorious service in Suide!"
Father Meng took his time and said casually: "Which army did your brother join? What achievements did he make?"
At this moment, an official came up quickly. He said to Aunt Meng, "I heard from these people that you are Meng Du's father?"
Father Meng looked the official up and down, nodded and said, "Yes, Meng Du is my eldest brother."
The official said: "Mengdu killed 134 enemies in the battle of Dantou Village, and he should be ranked first in terms of military merit. Unfortunately, he was ambushed by the Jin army during the battle and died for his country. The Xuanfu Division discussed his merits. After that, he was specially awarded the honor of protecting the army to reward his merits."
Father Meng was stunned when he heard this. After a long time, he said: "What is a guard? I, a farmer, don't understand these things. I only know that since Ada died fighting for the country, has his body come back?"
The official said: "It has been transported back to Huazhou and is now in Pucheng County. Zhizhou will take care of it when he returns to his hometown for burial. He will go to the village tomorrow. I came here to inform you today. Don't want Zhizhou to come tomorrow and no one will greet him."
Father Meng said: "Da Lang has been wielding a gun and pulling a stick since he was a child. He is not a farmer. When he was nineteen years old, I don't know how much I have put in for him. Fortunately, he did not go astray in the end and was able to be loyal to the country. It's considered the right path. Now that he's dead and brought back to his hometown, I will bury him properly. How big an official is Zhizhou? There must be many things to do every day, so there is no need to come to the village."
The official smiled bitterly: "Mengdu is a soldier who protected the army. He must be buried by the magistrate himself, and his family must be supported. After the temple is built in the future, family members will also be responsible for the sacrifices. Don't worry, the funeral will be arranged by the government. .”
Father Meng didn't understand. Of course he would preside over his son's funeral. Why should the government arrange it? Moreover, building temples and offering sacrifices can only be enjoyed by great heroes, and it is absolutely impossible for his own son to enjoy it.
The official explained sores on his tongue that he really couldn't understand. He had no choice but to say: "Tomorrow, Zhizhou will escort Meng Hujun's body back to the village. All I have to do is greet him. Don't worry about other matters."
After saying that, he looked at the sky and left in a hurry.
Father Meng still didn't understand. He wanted to stop the official and ask again, but saw that he was already far away.
Other people in the village were talking a lot, and they didn't understand what the official position of a guard was and what his status would be after death. However, for the magistrate to escort the body back to his hometown must be a great achievement, a high honor, and enough to make the village proud. After discussion, we decided to celebrate tonight.
After hearing everyone's opinions, Father Meng said calmly: "If you want to celebrate, go ahead and celebrate. I've lost a son, why should I go drinking?"
After saying that, he drove away the sheep and slowly returned to the village. It's just that the steps are heavy and no longer as cheerful as before.
Meng Du is the eldest son of the family. He has been fond of fists, kicks, guns and sticks since he was a child, and has caused many troubles. Meng's father is an ordinary person. He cultivates dozens of acres of thin fields and raises a flock of sheep to graze in his spare time. Mengdu couldn't afford to hire a master, so he could only do whatever he wanted. When Meng Du was thirteen years old, Meng's father saw that he was acting too much in the countryside, so he asked him to find some odd jobs in the county town. At least I can earn some money to support my family.
After Wang Xiaolie captured Shaanzhou this year, he recruited troops in Guanzhong. Mengdu went to Shaanzhou to serve as soldiers with several friends without even saying hello to his family. Later, he was selected into Jiang Min's army and went to fight in northern Shaanxi. After that, he died in battle outside Dantou Village.
Meng's father returned home, closed the sheep, pulled up a chair in the yard, and sat down to watch the sunset on the horizon.
The wife came out of the house and said: "Sun Erlang brought an official and said that our elder man had made meritorious service and did not know what reward he received. I couldn't understand what they said, so I went to the village to wait for you. .”
Father Meng said: "I have seen it. Da Lang has made meritorious service on the front line, and I don't know what rewards he received. My country people can't understand it either. - Hun family, Da Lang died on the front line! These rewards should be due to He must be dead——"
After hearing this, the wife stayed there for a while, standing stupidly. After a long time, he asked: "Is Dalang dead?"
After saying that, he took a handful of firewood and turned back to light the fire. After burning for a while, a crying sound came from inside.
Erlang ran out of the house, grabbed Dad Meng's sleeve and said, "Daddy, Mommy started crying in the house for some reason. Come in and have a look."
Father Meng pulled Erlang into his arms, patted his back and said, "Mom, if you want to cry, just cry. How can you not cry?"
After finishing speaking, he sighed. Looking at the setting sun on the horizon, there are tears in the corners of my eyes.
The people in the village stood at the entrance of the village, looking eagerly at the road from the county town to the village. The road is very narrow, and I don't know if Zhizhou's ceremonial guard can walk easily.
The sun has already risen in the sky, and there is not even a soul on the road. Sun Erlang swallowed and wanted to ask Zhizhou if he was still here. Looking around, there were so many people standing around, but no one spoke, so he swallowed his words obediently.
Until almost noon, some people couldn't help but want to go back. I saw a figure finally appearing in front of me, becoming more and more clear.
Li Quming was overjoyed and hurriedly led the villagers to greet him.
As I got closer, I saw a group of soldiers. These soldiers were wearing bright armor. When they saw the villagers approaching, they suddenly put their guns on their shoulders. The uniform movements surprised the villagers.
Next to the soldiers, there is a group of musical instruments. Seeing the villagers approaching, the people in front suddenly raised their long loudspeakers and brought them to their mouths. I heard the "woo, woo" horns sounding in the team, and suddenly the horns sounded together. The voice was low and whimpering, but it carried far away, like weeping.
The villagers were startled and stood there quickly.
Along with the sound of trumpets, the sounds of small suona, sheng and xiao were gradually added. The people in the village couldn't hear what the music was, and they just thought it was very tragic.
Hearing the music, Ji and Zhong dismounted from behind and hurried to the front. When they saw the villagers, they hurriedly came forward to greet them.
Li Quming is upright and has some knowledge. He recognized the official uniform and recognized that the person coming was Zhizhou, so he hurriedly bowed and saluted.
Ji and Zhongming Li Quming stood up and asked, "Where are Meng Hujun's family members? Are their parents here?"
Li Quming hurriedly turned around and shouted to the back: "Dad Meng, why don't you come to the front to welcome your son's coffin? You have to ask Zhizhou! Come on, come on!"
Father Meng came forward from behind. When he saw the person in front of Li Quming, he knew it was Zhizhou, so he stepped forward and saluted.
Ji Yuzhong hurriedly returned the gift. He secretly scolded Li Quming for being ignorant. Knowing that today is to welcome Mengdu's corpse, of course Meng's father is a noble man, how can he be behind?
Quietly waiting for the music to stop, Ji Yuzhong said: "This is the father of the Meng Hu family? I have admired him for a long time, I have admired him for a long time!"
Meng's father imitated Zhizhou and cupped his hands, but didn't know what to say. He had no choice but to turn his head and look at Li Lizheng beside him.
Where has Li Quming seen this battle? I had to wave my hands secretly.
Ji Yuzheng said: "Why don't you see Meng Hujun's mother?"
Li Quming said hurriedly: "She comes from a womanly family, why would she come at a time like this?"
Ji Yuzheng said: "She is the mother of heroes, why doesn't she come? Send someone quickly to ask Mother Meng to come! If she really doesn't come, tell her!"
Li Quming did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly sent a strong man beside him to invite Mengdu's mother.
Ji Yuzheng said to Meng's father: "Dad, Mengdu fought on the front line for meritorious service, and the imperial court specially awarded him the honor of protecting the army. Now I am the parent of this state, and I am ordered by the imperial court to escort his coffin back to his hometown for burial. All expenses will be paid by the official. Give. In addition, Mengdu received a reward of 670 guan for killing the enemy, which will be returned together. Xuanfu Secretary gave a reward of 500 guan, and the state rewarded 300 guan, which has also been sent."
I don’t understand anything else, but Father Meng can still understand the reward of hundreds of dollars. Pointing at himself, he said, "These hundreds of dollars are for me?"
(I've been sick these days, so I only have one update today, sorry!)
(End of chapter)
