After working hard until evening, things finally settled down in the house.
All the servants gathered in the main hall to pay New Year's greetings to the master's family and receive rewards at the same time.
Mr. Huang was sitting upright, with Zuo Mengeng and Zuo Xianmei accompanying him on the left and right.
When a man came to pay New Year's greetings, Mr. Huang gave him a few words of encouragement and Zuo Mengeng gave him the reward.
If she were a maid, Zuo Xianmei would also give her hairpins, powder, etc.
After all, I hope everyone has a good year.
After all this is done, the servants cannot leave yet.
Zuo Mengeng stood up.
He has something big to announce today.
"You are all old people. You have been in the house for many years and you are all trustworthy. Now not only does the house have to rely on you, but the master and I are running around outside and we need your help."
Everyone quickly became humble and did not dare to take credit.
Zuo Mengeng waved his hand to stop everyone talking.
"Today, in front of the whole family, I have something to announce to everyone."
He turned around and picked up a few pieces of paper from the table. After opening them, everyone could see clearly that they were all contracts.
"These are the personal contracts of Zuo Rong and the eight of them. Taking advantage of today's opportunity, they are all invalidated."
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.
Seven of Zuo Hua even snatched them out and knelt in front of Zuo Mengeng.
"Master, what have we done wrong? Just beat us to death, but you don't dare to let us go!"
"Master, don't rush us out of the house!"
Zuo Yan's hands and feet were trembling with fear and he moved forward.
"Master, are these evil obstacles... these evil obstacles doing something wrong? If you tell me, I will beat them to death."
Mr. Huang couldn't sit still.
"My son, why is this so?"
Zuo Mengeng asked Zuo Hua's seven people to stop crying before explaining what he meant.
"Now that I am serving in the army, the eight people from Zuo and Rong have helped me a lot, and they are also lieutenant generals in the army. In this case, how can I be reduced to a slave?"
Zuo Xiang shouted without thinking: "Then we are also from Zuofu."
Others agreed one after another, just not wanting to be kicked out.
Zuo Mengeng smiled bitterly.
"You have all misunderstood. The purpose of abolishing your slave status is not to drive you out of the house."
His face was more serious than ever.
"Now you are all lieutenant generals in the army, and the soldiers under your command follow suit. What would the soldiers think if they knew that their commander-in-chief was a slave? Today, you are just captains. In the future, you will be promoted to commander-in-chief and commander-in-chief.
What should we do when we are guerrillas, generals or even commander-in-chief?”
These words made the seven people in Zuo Hua feel dizzy.
They... can also be generals like General Bing?
If they all become commander-in-chief, then the young master...
But no matter what, the idea given by Zuo Mengeng made their hearts boil, and their attitude was not so firm after all.
Zuo Mengeng continued: "As generals, you should stand upright and set an example for the army. How can you no longer serve others with humility? Therefore, this slave status must be abolished."
He changed his voice and said: "Of course, although the slave status has been abolished, it does not mean that you are no longer from Zuofu. This is always your home. You can come and go and live at will, do you understand?"
The seven people in Zuo Hua burst into tears, finally understanding the profound meaning of Zuo Mengeng.
However, they didn't dare to make the decision in this matter, so they couldn't help but look at Zuo Yan.
The chief steward of the Zuo Mansion had no idea that Zuo Mengeng would cause such a big thing on New Year's Eve.
One of them even involves his own son.
According to Zuo Yan's true feelings, he felt that this would be the case for the rest of his life.
He works as a housekeeper in Zuofu. Although it is a job of serving people, his status is much higher than that of ordinary servants. He has no worries about food and drink, and is much better than many people.
When he gets old in the future, Zuo Rong and Zuo Hua will still be able to take over their duties, so they won't be afraid of losing their way of living.
Unexpectedly, Zuo Rong and Zuo Hua went to the military camp and suddenly became officers.
Although he didn't know who the officers were in the brigade, he had hundreds of people in charge, which was definitely impressive.
It's equivalent to summing up.
Back when Zuo Liangyu was in the Liaodong Army, he was only a general who worked hard and worked hard.
Now that his son has achieved this level of success, Zuo Yan's thoughts become more vivid.
He has been stuck in the Zuofu family his whole life, and is used to serving people, so he can't do anything else.
But when future generations have the opportunity to become marquises and generals, why not stop them?
Zuo Yan's heart became warm when he thought that his two sons would have the opportunity to become powerful generals in the future.
He knelt down tremblingly and kowtowed three times to Zuo Mengeng.
"We are all members of the mansion. Life and death, wealth and wealth are gifts from the master, madam and young master. If you want them to live, they will live; if you want them to die, they will die. Now the young master is compassionate and has given them a new way to live, old slave
What else can be said?”
He turned his head and glared at the seven Zuo Hua people.
"From now on, you can all stand tall. But even until you die, you must remember the kindness of the young master. If anyone is ungrateful and disobedient to the young master, I will kill him with my own hands."
This is agreed.
The seven people from Zuo Hua showed happy faces and knelt down one after another.
"Thank you young master for the promotion. I will never forget it in the future. Young master has a destiny and is not afraid of life or death. He will go through fire and water without hesitation."
Zuo Mengeng nodded and said: "This is the last time you will kneel to me. From now on, no one is allowed to kneel to anyone in Zuo Mansion. Remember, you are the soldiers of my rear camp and the generals of my rear camp.
You stand upright and are no worse than anyone else. Work hard and don’t embarrass me."
Seven people from Zuo Hua stood up and saluted the military salute.
"yes."
Huang and the other servants of the Zuo Mansion watched from the sidelines, and their hearts were filled with emotions.
Everyone knows that Zuo Rong and the other eight people used to follow Zuo Menggeng around and cause trouble, even the people in the house were disgusted.
Who would have thought that not only would he be successful now, but he would no longer be a slave.
Looking at myself and others, they are still inferior to others. I am really envious.
Mrs. Huang didn't understand the significance of what Zuo Mengeng did, but since it was her son who did it, she supported it.
"You eight, from now on, you will see me as if you are your own mother. In this house, you are also young masters. Anyone who dares to neglect you will be severely punished."
The seven Zuo Hua people were overjoyed, laughing and joking with each other, feeling that life seemed different.
Zuo Xianmei hid behind her mother, looking at her brother who was in high spirits, and then at the seven Zuo Hua people who were obviously different from the past. She had some vague feelings, but she couldn't understand anything.
Zuo Mengeng naturally didn't notice this and said with a smile: "It's the 30th this year, and there are family reunions everywhere. However, Zhou Sigui's place must be deserted. Come on, follow me to pick him up and celebrate the New Year together."
Zhou You is the only person left in the Zhou family.
Although the Zhou family's mansion was returned to him, he lived alone in such a large mansion without even a servant to serve him.
This New Year may be so deserted.
Everyone praised Zuo Mengeng and went out together.
Zuo Hua lagged behind, and when he was about to go out, he couldn't help but be eager to try. Suddenly he turned back and said to Mrs. Huang: "Mom, the baby will come back as soon as you go."
Huang was stunned for a moment, then pursed her lips and chuckled.
"You little monkey, go back quickly and don't cause trouble."
Zuo Hua smiled like a fool.
"Eh."
Zuo Yan saw this scene from the side and couldn't help but moisten the corners of his eyes.
"Madam, please don't pamper these boys, lest they know the bounds of heaven and earth."
Huang's face was very serious.
"I haven't read any books, and I don't have much knowledge. But I think these children are doing well and can achieve success. Seeing that they are doing well, I feel satisfied in my heart."
What else could Zuo Yan say? Only by being more diligent can we repay him.
"The young master of the Zhou family is coming soon. I have to go to the kitchen and keep an eye on it to make sure nothing goes wrong."
His son flew onto the phoenix branch, and there was nothing he could do to help. The only thing he could do was to be more attentive and not hold his son back.
The city is full of smoke and fire, but this place is the most lonely.
When Zuo Mengeng and others arrived at Zhou Mansion, they found that the place was really deserted.
The door of Zhou's mansion was open, and Zhou You was clumsily pasting couplets alone.
He obviously has never done this before, and he failed to stick it properly even after trying several times.
When he was irritated, a hand stretched out from beside him and helped him hold down a corner of the couplet.
Zhou You was stunned for a moment, then looked back and met several pairs of smiling eyes.
"Brother Zhou, congratulations on the new year."
Zhou You was silent, wanting to say something, but his eyes suddenly turned red.
Zuo Mengeng was afraid that he would explode emotionally, so he hurriedly said: "Come and help."
Everyone came up laughing and joking. There was strength in numbers, so the couplets were posted three times, five times and two times.
Looking at the brand new family, there is a special atmosphere.
"Why are you here?"
Zuo Mengeng walked inside, entered the main hall, and came to the ancestors of the Zhou family. He lit incense and knelt down.
The seven people from Zuo Hua followed the instructions and saluted Zhou Chaorui respectfully.
After doing this, Zuo Mengeng took Zhou You's hand and said: "It's the New Year, how can I leave you alone on this festive day? Let's go and celebrate the New Year."
"I……"
Zuo Hua's seven men surrounded him and did not allow him to retreat.
"Go quickly, go quickly, don't ask mother-in-law or mother-in-law."
Zhou You couldn't resist and was pushed out of the door.
When Ke came outside the house, he couldn't help but pause.
Not just him, everyone was attracted by the sight in front of them.
Outside the gate of Zhou Mansion, red candles and offerings were lined up in an endless line starting from the gate and along the Zima Alley.
People came from a distance, put down their gifts at the door of Zhou's mansion, kowtowed in the distance, and left silently.
In the cold wind, I cried silently.
Zuo Mengeng also had a sore nose and patted Zhou You on the shoulder.
"The common people have a steelyard in their hearts. They remember whoever has done something for them. They are not alone in the road, and Uncle Zhou has a spirit under the spring, which is enough to comfort him."
You couldn't say anything, and kept bowing in all directions.
Respect heaven and earth and respect our ancestors...