The winter solstice is a big day, and generally there is a three-day holiday.
Pang Chunlai took out some money and asked Zhao Han and others to go to the town to buy vegetables, planning to celebrate the festival with master and apprentice. He also called Xu Ying's family over, saying that they would help with the cooking, which was just a change of method.
Arriving at Hekou Town, not far from the Three-person Pavilion, there was the newly established Martyr's Pavilion.
"This is too anxious." Fei Ruhe complained.
Zhao Han murmured: "It's better if we don't rush. The Fei family's reputation depends on it."
Compared with the majestic and gorgeous Three-person Pavilion, the Lienu Archway is simply shoddy. Only the characters were carved, and the rough edges of the stone were not trimmed, so it was hurriedly erected on the riverside.
The remaining details will be worked out slowly by craftsmen setting up scaffolding and chipping and grinding, and may continue to be polished for another year or two.
The procedures were not completed either.
The county government has already requested a list of petitions, but the documents have not yet been sent to Beijing, and they will have to be approved by the court at the end of spring next year at the earliest.
Everything is like child's play, and the government is too lazy to pursue it.
A few decades ago, the approval process for chastity archways was still strict, but now it has become increasingly common. Of the thirty-six thousand chastity archways in the Ming Dynasty, half were built in the late Ming Dynasty. Anyway, if you have the money to apply for construction, they will be approved.
In the Qing Dynasty, the number of chaste and martyr women increased to one million. In 296 years, there were an average of more than 3,000 martyr women in each county!
It is more like a comparison between families, and it is also a reflection of the political achievements of local officials.
Taking Huizhou as an example, the number of chaste and virtuous women was: 2 in the Tang Dynasty, 5 in the Song Dynasty, 21 in the Yuan Dynasty, 710 in the Ming Dynasty, and 7098 in the Qing Dynasty.
This kind of rapid development data began in the late Ming Dynasty and flourished in the Qing Dynasty, which can give a glimpse of the abnormal development of ethics.
Fei Ruhe whispered: "That matter won't be revealed, right? Fei Yuanjian is next to us every day, does he have any suspicion? I feel guilty when I look at him now."
"Yes, I'm very scared too." Fei Chun agreed.
Zhao Han smiled and asked, "What did you say? I didn't do anything wrong, so I don't understand."
Fei Ruhe was stunned for a moment, then nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes, I don't understand, and I haven't done anything."
"Master, I'm still afraid." Fei Chun said tangledly.
Fei Ruhe immediately scolded: "I didn't do anything bad, you are so scared!"
Fei Chun quickly shut up.
Xu Ying asked curiously: "What are you talking about?"
"It's nothing," Zhao Han explained with a smile, "They peeked at the little widow taking a bath and were almost caught on the spot."
"I didn't, don't talk nonsense!" Fei Ruhe denied it flatly.
Zhao Han smiled and said: "That's right, if you don't admit it, you won't have it."
Fei Ruhe cried out: "I really didn't peek at the little widow taking a bath."
…
Probably during the Chenghua and Hongzhi years, the social economy began to develop greatly, and ordinary people were also keen on celebrating festivals. Three days before the winter solstice, shops closed one after another, and everyone welcomed and sent people there, which was as lively as the New Year.
But Hekou Town cannot stop business. It is the thoroughfare of eight provinces and a prosperous commercial transportation center.
When they arrived in the town, Zhao Han found that all the traders and footmen were wearing new clothes, at least they had to change into clean and good clothes.
Many porters carried loads to cargo ships or inns.
These burdens are filled with gifts, commonly known as "winter solstice plates". For a small family, you can just carry a food box, and it is a sign of kindness; for a wealthy family, you must use a burden to carry the gifts. If the gifts are too shabby, it will lose face.
There are always some out-of-town businessmen who cannot go home during the winter solstice, so business partners are treated with thoughtful courtesy.
Therefore, restaurants in the town specialize in "Winter Solstice Plate Gift Packs", divided into different price ranges, and also provide door-to-door delivery service.
Zhao Han was walking by the river when he saw a porter carrying a load to board the boat.
The second shopkeeper, who was dressed in silk clothes, raised his hands to the merchants on the ship and said: "On behalf of the Chimelong, I have come to pay my winter respects. I wish your family great prosperity, and I also wish Brother Liu good luck and prosperity."
"Shopkeeper Fei is very thoughtful. A small gift is not enough to show respect." The merchant immediately returned the gift with a gift.
Even the porters who carried the burdens each received a reward.
After walking through the pier and arriving at the town street, Zhao Han had to admit that Jiangnan was generally very prosperous.
A kind of abnormal wealth.
There were many people coming and going, some were landless black households, some were slaves of wealthy families, and their lives were pretty good. At least, they looked good on the surface, and it was impossible for them to rebel.
Unless there are severe disasters in consecutive years and the court raises taxes!
Prices had risen a bit, and the money Pang Chunlai gave was not enough, so Zhao Han and Fei Ruhe paid to make up for it. They bought a few kilograms of glutinous rice flour, a kilogram of pork, two carps, a big rooster, and some preserved fruits and vegetables.
Return to Hanzhu Mountain happily.
Fei Ruhe was particularly excited. He had never bought vegetables in person before, and everything he saw in the market felt fresh.
On the way back, we met some farmers who were visiting for the winter.
No matter how poor these farmers are, they still have to wear their best clothes and carry "Winter Solstice Plate" to visit relatives and friends.
It's possible that in their box, there's just a bowl of brown rice.
"Master, that's our sedan!" Fei Chun suddenly pointed to the distance.
"It's true!" Fei Ruhe quickly picked up the big rooster and chased after it.
Fei Yinghuan's wife, Lou, was sitting in a sedan chair, heading straight towards Hanzhu Academy.
The queue was very long, and there were two sedan chairs, and Fei Yinghuan's daughter was sitting there.
There were more than a dozen porters, carrying burdens along the way, all gifts for teachers and classmates.
"Mom, mother, wait for me!" Fei Ruhe ran happily.
Before Mr. Lou heard it, the little girl on the sedan shouted: "It's brother, brother is behind!"
Mrs. Lou quickly greeted her to get off the sedan chair and looked at her son with joy.
Fei Yinghuan has two daughters. The eldest daughter is named Fei Rulan. She is thirteen years old and is already betrothed. The second daughter is named Fei Rumei. She is seven years old and is currently accompanied by Zhao Zhenfang.
I had two babies before, one was miscarried and the other died in infancy.
Zhao Zhenfang stood next to the second young lady, wearing brand new clothes, looking at her second brother from a distance and smiling stupidly.
"Mom, eldest sister, little sister, why are you here?" Fei Ruhe asked.
Mrs. Lou gently stroked her son's head and said with a smile: "Your father sent a message saying that he will not go back during the winter solstice this year. He will study in seclusion in the academy. He also said that you have also made progress. You have been studying hard recently, and you will go home together after the Chinese New Year. Mother.
If you feel uneasy, I will bring your sister to have a look."
"Is your mother also celebrating the festival in the academy?" Fei Ruhe asked.
Mr. Lou smiled and said, "I'll rush back in the afternoon, and we'll celebrate winter at home tomorrow."
Fei Chun, who carried the most things in his hands, finally caught up with Zhao Han.
Fei Chun said eloquently: "Chun'er pays winter greetings to mother, winter greetings to sister Lan, and winter greetings to sister Mei!"
Zhao Han just put down the pork in his hand and bowed: "I've met the young lady, I've met the eldest lady, I've met the second lady."
Xu Ying hurriedly followed her and said: "Winter greetings to the madam, and winter greetings to the two young ladies!"
Mr. Lou was very happy and praised: "They are all good children."
Come immediately to welcome the spring and give out money. It is not a reward, but a gift of money for the Winter Solstice Festival.
Xu Ying was about to refuse, but was kicked by Zhao Han. After receiving the money, she thanked her again.
The team sets out again.
Zhao Han walked to Zhao Zhenfang and whispered: "Little sister, how are you doing these days?"
Zhao Zhenfang said happily: "It's very good. Madam and young lady, as well as the mother-in-law and sisters in the inner courtyard, all treat me very well."
Zhao Zhenfang is now the second young lady's playmate. As long as the maids in the inner courtyard are not stupid, they will never dare to treat her harshly.
Zhao Han asked again: "How many teeth have been replaced?"
"After the second brother left, only one fell out." Zhao Zhenfang opened her mouth.
"I'm also changing my teeth."
The second young lady, Fei Rumei, suddenly spoke and deliberately opened her mouth for Zhao Han to see clearly.
Zhao Han flattered her casually: "Second Miss's teeth are well replaced, neat and white."
Fei Rumei looked at Zhao Han curiously: "Are you Chunfang's brother? Chunfang often tells stories, saying that you are very powerful in Tianjin and you have beaten away many bad guys."
"Second brother, my name is Chunfang now." Zhao Zhenfang was a little uneasy, afraid of being scolded after changing her name.
Chunfang?
What a cheesy name.
But it doesn't matter, I can just change it back to my original name when I grow up.
Zhao Han smiled and said, "Chunfang sounds pretty good."
"Hey, Chunfang's brother," Fei Rumei began to speak again, "You are also a child, so aren't you afraid of adults? How can you have the guts to drive away the bad guys?"
Zhao Han replied: "Bad people bully my sister, of course I will drive them away."
"Then you are so kind," Fei Rumei said with a pout, "My brother is not good. He only knows how to tease me. Last time he came home, he even scared me with a caterpillar."
Zhao Han said: "I'll help you beat him."
"Really?" Fei Rumei's eyes widened, "But you are his book boy, how can the book boy beat the young master?"
Zhao Han said: "If he dares to bully you, I will definitely beat him."
Fei Rumei clapped her hands happily: "Then it's agreed, no lies."
"Don't lie." Zhao Han said.
Zhao Zhenfang said proudly: "My second brother is amazing."
Fei Rumei sat on the sedan chair and stretched out her arms: "Just talking doesn't matter, let's pull the hook."
Coaxing children is easy.
After the two finished hooking up, Fei Rumei suddenly shouted: "Brother, you are not allowed to bully me anymore, or your bookboy will beat you up!"
Zhao Han was speechless and pretended not to hear.
Everyone, including Mr. Lou, looked over.
Fei Ruhe raised his fist and said: "He can't beat me, he only knows how to run away."
Fei Rumei said: "Chunfang's brother is very powerful. He defeated many bad guys in Tianjin!"
"I can also beat bad guys!" Fei Ruhe was not to be outdone.
Zhao Han felt very helpless. He was a little kid in time travel and could only deal with a group of little kids.