One drink in every village, one bustle in every town.
Zuo Menggeng's wedding became a good time for the people under his command to enjoy together.
What pleased the people the most was Zuo Mengeng's approachability.
In the past, it was difficult for these ordinary people to even meet a member of the public. Now Zuo Menggeng drank their toast, which made them identify with this young leader.
At the pier outside Dongchang Mansion, the scene was even more lively.
Only a small boat in the corner was unknown, and an old man in the cabin was holding a book and reading into the alley, as if separated from the bustle outside by a huge chasm.
A servant came in with an angry look on his face.
"Master, I still won't let you go. These Qiu Ba are too overbearing and dare to block the canal."
The old man was content and just said: "Have you asked clearly? Why is the canal blocked?"
The servant will naturally find out.
"It's said that General Zuo is getting married. If the fleet wants to pass here, no other ships will be allowed to pass."
The old man thought for a moment and thought to himself: "In Shandong, when it comes to the general named Zuo, I'm afraid it's the little Wei Huo later. But he is just a general, how can he be so majestic?"
The servant was still chattering.
"Sir, you haven't seen it. It's more than majestic. I heard that from here to Anshan Lake, hundreds of miles of waterways have been occupied by the soldiers of General Zuo."
The old man looked surprised, finally took off the book, opened the curtain and looked outside.
I saw a soldier standing on the huge pier almost every five steps on both sides of the river. Not to mention being fully armed, the soldiers continued to stretch without knowing the end.
The old man counted briefly and said in surprise: "This...isn't there thousands of people? A mere general actually used soldiers to carry out private affairs. Isn't he afraid of being impeached?"
Just as he was puzzled, cheers like a roaring tsunami suddenly erupted on the pier.
When I looked out again, I saw a large fleet of ships coming slowly from the south. Each ship was tied with flowers made of red silk, which was really joyful.
On the bow of the first ship stood a groom's official in a red robe, who must be Zuo Mengeng.
The moment the first boat entered the dock, firecrackers suddenly sounded.
Firecrackers about a kilometer long had been set up on both sides of the Taiwan Strait long ago, like long dragons. Now they were lit together. The loud crackling sound mixed with the smell of gunpowder smoke and the heartfelt cheers of the people made it a rare lively scene nowadays.
Only the soldiers guarding both sides of the strait were very quiet. They only raised their hands in salute when the fleet came over, and looked at only one person.
Zuo Menggeng didn't hesitate and returned the courtesy, actually treating the soldiers as extremely important.
When the old man in the cabin saw this scene, he shook his head and laughed, picked up the book again, and stopped paying attention.
The servant was puzzled.
"Sir, this leftist general is so domineering, why don't you write a letter to impeach him?"
The old man laughed dumbly.
"I am sixty-eight this year, and I have known my destiny for a long time. When I come to Shandong, I do not seek merit, but seek no faults. What does other people's scenery have to do with me?"
Really, his name is Song Xian, not Song Xiance.
It would be better for him to be just a leftist senator, living his life and retiring well and going home.
Dongchang Mansion is the second territory of the New Army. When Zuo Menggen came here, he naturally had to express himself more.
Fortunately, the people below him were very sensible. Although he had to drink wine offered by the people wherever he went, it was only one drink each time, so he didn't get drunk all the way down.
After receiving Zuo Menggeng and his party, each family in Dongchang Prefecture sent representatives to follow them to Linqing.
When Zuo Mengeng comes back this time, there will be major changes in the future. Every family is a participant and has a stake in it.
As the first batch of beneficiaries of Zuo Menggeng's influence, Linqing families were very generous in their dealings.
The wedding banquet was held from inside the city to outside the city, stretching for more than ten miles.
Regardless of whether you are a local or not, coming from the south or traveling from the north, you only need to say "I wish Zuo Shenzu a happy wedding" to sit down and enjoy the meal.
On the contrary, the locals did not care much about the feast, but ran to the pier to welcome Zuo Menggeng home.
When the bride entered the house, she could not put her feet on the ground. So when she got off the boat, she was carried off by Zuo Mengeng.
She was put into the sedan chair, surrounded by people from both sides, and escorted all the way into the city by the people, and went straight to Zuofu.
Zuo Mengeng was riding on his horse, grinning all the way, waving and greeting people, which made his arms hurt. But seeing how much the people loved him, all the fatigue was worth it.
Everyone in the New Army has a holiday today, and all the civil and military personnel who are supposed to come are here.
Liu Yiyuan personally led Zuo Mengeng's horse, while Geng Zhangguang and Zhou You escorted him to the left and right, which allowed Huang Zongxi to relax.
For today's grand occasion, every family in Linqing also used all their abilities.
All singing and juggling troupes from Shandong were invited, and they spread out along the street, and all the elders in the city watched the show for free.
Wherever Zuo Menggeng went, all the troupes played "Phoenix Seeking the Phoenix". No matter what kind of fairy they were playing, they all had to congratulate the groom.
At the entrance of Zuofu, there are Zuo Yan, Zuo Kuan and Zuo Kuan, one on the left and one on the right. I have been waiting impatiently for a long time.
Seeing the wedding team arriving, Zuo Yan immediately shouted.
"Open the middle door and welcome the mistress!"
People who didn't know what was going on were surprised, but those who understood what was going on thought it was best.
Although the Huang family is still here, it is logical that Xu Ruolin's turn will not be in charge.
But today's foundation was founded by Zuo Mengeng, and as Zuo Mengeng's wife, Xu Ruolin is recognized as the mistress.
Zuo Yan was always at home and had no objection to this.
Zuo Kuan, who came back on Zuo Liangyu's order, couldn't figure it out at first.
When he saw that Hou Xun, Geng Ruqi, Wang Xiangjin, Lu Shanji, Sun Qifeng and other important figures supported this proposal, not a single servant of his dared to comment.
At the same time, I kept thinking about it.
The young master is so powerful, what should the master do?
Logically speaking, human ethics are the same. No matter what, I must be the best.
However, in front of Hou Xun, Wang Xiangjin and others, the master could not even raise his head. However, these big shots followed the young master. Could it be that the young master could commit the following crime?
Not allowing him to think too much, when the wedding team came back, he and Zuo Yan hurriedly went up to greet them.
Today, the main gate of Zuofuzhong was opened wide, and the sedan chair was directly welcomed inside.
Zuo Mengeng stayed behind and thanked the people watching the ceremony.
"Today I am getting married. I am grateful to you for your love and support from all my fellow villagers. The play has started and the banquet has been set. You are welcome to eat and have fun."
The villagers responded one after another.
"Participate in the bridal chamber and show your glory again!"
"Congratulations to Shenzuo for your son!"
Good guy, he is even more eager than Zuo Mengeng.
There is something more urgent.
Mrs. Huang has been waiting in the main hall for a long time.
Watching Zuo Mengeng and Xu Ruolin come in, they first offered incense and candles to the gods and ancestral tablets.
After three bows, they finally became husband and wife, and they were so happy that they shed tears.
After raising children for many years, it is only at this moment that I have fulfilled my wish.
Since only the mistress was present in the Zuo family, Liu Zongzhou stepped forward as the elder and spoke earnestly to the newcomers.
"It's the time to start a family and establish a career. Although the world is big, it starts with the family. I hope that you and your wife will love each other, respect each other as guests, and ensure the peace of the family, and then take care of the peace of the world."
It is not acceptable to say this to the outside world.
But today, the people in the inner hall are all close followers of the Zuo family. It is appropriate for Liu Zongzhou to make such a wish.
On the other hand, the two people in the corner changed their expressions one after another, feeling cold sweat and secretly regretting it.
If I had known today, I shouldn't have rushed here in the first place.
It is considered a marriage only after visiting the church.
At this point, Zuo Menggeng and Xu Ruolin became a legal couple.
The bride is not lonely or bored when she is sent to the bridal chamber.
Accompanied by Xu Ruoxin, Yu Shi, Wang Siyi, etc., it was quite exciting.
At the wedding banquet, Zuo Kuan invited two frightened people over.
"Last General Li Guoying and Xu Yong congratulate the Major General on their happy wedding."
After Zuo Kuan's introduction, Zuo Mengeng found out that these two men were generals from Zuo Liangyu's department.
Zuo Liangyu is now fighting with the peasant army in Shanxi and cannot get away from it. She talks about her son's marriage with great regret.
In order to flatter him, his subordinates all asked to come back to watch the ceremony on behalf of Zuo Liangyu.
In the end, Li Guoying and Xu Yong got the chance.
Hearing that he was Zuo Liangyu's subordinate, Zuo Mengeng felt a little regretful.
He thought it was Jin Shenghuan.
Although Jin Shenghuan was not a good person, he sacrificed his life fighting against the Qing Dynasty in the end, which was one of the few bright spots in Zuo Liangyu's camp.
How did he know that Jin Shenghuan was still called "Yidousu" at this time and was still hanging out with the peasant army in Shanxi.
However, the two people who appeared in front of them were actually not unknown people.
It turns out that these two people were among the people who pushed Zuo Menggeng to surrender to the Qing Dynasty in history.
Moreover, these two men worked very hard after surrendering to the Manchu Qing Dynasty. They pacified the Nanming Dynasty and suppressed the peasant army. Both of them were at the forefront.
For someone whose name is listed in "The Biography of Erchen", one can imagine how bad his actions are.