family.”“Yes, that's what it seems. The men in the Guo family were hanged directly from a tree upon capture, and the children were thrown into the cellar. They weren't given any food or water... Well...Today is Little New Year's Day, and our family tradition is to eat dumplings.
But with so many people and different generations, tastes vary.
Old Mrs. Li was delighted, so she took Old Nanny He and Shui Yun to prepare four kinds of fillings.
Sour pickled cabbage pork, garlic chives and eggs, pork with scallions, beef with cilantro!
Mrs. Wen was alone at home, hearing the liveliness from the Li family's side, she also came over to help.
The elderly women, sitting on the kang and standing in groups on the ground, divided into two places to wrap dumplings.
When the sun began to set, Li Laosan and Li Laosi brought Li Zhensheng back, even the lord and Li Yong rode behind on horseback.
Li Zhensheng kowtowed to his mother and then spoke, saying he wanted to invite Liu Biao to come over for a meal and discuss Liu Yang's remaining in the south.
Li Laotai decided to invite everyone: Liu Biaotou and his family of three, the village head and his wife, Huiniang'er and her mother and son, Zhao Shu's family, and Zhang Shenyi.
Tao Hongying and Jiaruan also received the news. The restaurant closed early, and they went home to help out and join in the festivities.
On the road, they happened to meet Mr. Wen and Lao Er Li again.
Now the family is more complete.
Men need to drink alcohol, but they are not in a hurry to eat dumplings.
So, Jia Huan quickly fried four dishes, Tao Hongying sliced a plate of braised donkey meat, tore two roasted chickens, and added a pan of deep-fried peanuts and a spicy seafood platter.
After gathering eight dishes in total, a banquet was held in the main hall.
The young masters gathered in a circle, Jiaren and Ligger were at the bottom helping to tend the brazier, warming and pouring the wine.
As for the little cat, he had long since followed his sister and sneaked into the kitchen to steal bites.
When people asked Li Zhensheng about his experiences traveling south, he gave a brief account and then turned to Liu Biaotou and Li Laoer.
He pondered for a moment before saying, “Jia Yi and Liu Yang stayed in the south this time. It’s quite a coincidence, actually. I took the children out to sea fishing before. It was meant to broaden their horizons.”
Unexpectedly, when they encountered pirates chasing fishing boats, Jiayi and Liu Yang were skilled in combat. They killed five or six pirates and saved many people.
When the Hai Lan army, responsible for patrolling and guarding, arrived, General Tang Jing highly valued Jia Yi and Liu Yang. He repeatedly invited them to join the army and directly appointed them as lieutenants.
I inquired privately, and it seems General Tang is highly valiant and acts fairly. He holds great influence among the fishing folk. Moreover, Liu Yang and Jia Yi are also quite moved by his virtues, urging me to remain.
I went to see General Tang and asked him to temporarily let the two boys help out in the Hai Lan Army.
This time I'm back to seek your opinions before deciding whether the two children should stay in the Hainan Army permanently.
Li Lao'er and Liu Biao heard it all in surprise, their brows furrowed with worry.
But then, thinking about it further, both of them sighed.
Liu Biaotou said, "My son Liu Yang, he's never been a quiet one since he was young. He's bold and fearless. I always thought he would end up in the rivers and lakes.
"It was for this reason, fearing he might meet with misfortune and the family line would be cut off, that they had another son. Unexpectedly, instead of joining the martial world, he went to kill Japanese pirates!"
As parents, of course we hope our child will live a peaceful and ordinary life. But since we can't stop him, we won't try to. Let him follow his own path.
"To put it simply, killing the Japanese pirates and protecting the Heavenly Martial people is better than fighting and killing in the Jianghu!"
Li Lao Er took a sip of wine and also said, "I was originally worried about Jia Yi's future. In fact, joining the army is the best choice for him. But our family's Lao Si and Da Yong are both serving with the Marquis in the Northern Expedition Army.
If Jia Yi and Liu Yang join the army again, they will be too easily resented, and it will not be easy for the two children to stand out.
Now that they have joined the Hai Lan Army, Big Brother originally planned to establish another base in Quanzhou to create another backup for the family.
"From then on, Jiayi and Liu Yang served there, the family business was looked after, and they also had a bright future."
Having said that, he couldn't help but glance toward the inner room, worried that his mother would be pestering him.
Inside the house, when Old Mrs. Li started talking about her grandson, she stopped what she was doing.
She knew in her heart that it was a good thing for Jiayi to have such an opportunity. Enlisting and fighting the Japanese pirates was even more about protecting her country and family.
But as a grandmother, she always hesitates to let her child go so far, facing danger...
"Alright, Second Brother, write a letter to Jia Yi. Tell him to do his best and that the family supports him. Just make sure he takes good care of himself."
Lao Li sighed and said, "We don't expect him to make a name for himself at home, we just want him to be safe and sound. If he could come back for a few days during the Lunar New Year each year, that would be even better."
Sister Liu held her youngest son, Fat Dumpling, in her arms, thinking of her eldest son who was also red-eyed.
If possible, she wouldn't want her son to go and kill the Japanese pirates.
But parents who love their children, make plans for them that are far-reaching.
The son likes this path and can find a good future there. Even though she's reluctant, she can't stop him!
Mrs. Wen patted her hand, silently offering comfort……
Jia Yin didn't know when she ran back into the house. After listening for a while, she also sighed inwardly.
In the future, the brothers will be scattered all over the country, and it will be extremely difficult for them to reunite.
The lord rubbed the little girl's soft hair, listening to Li Laoer and Liu Biaotou decide to let go and let the children run around, he then said.
"Tang Jing, the general's eldest son, is also in the Hai Lan Army now. He and I have a bit of an acquaintance. Wait for me to write a letter and send it together to the south."
"In the future, please have the Tang family take good care of Jiayi and Liu Yang. They don't need anyone to help them advance; as long as no one dares to steal credit or frame them, both boys will have a smooth path ahead."
Li Laer and Liu Biaotou were both delighted. They quickly got up and bowed to express their thanks.
For a time, everyone was filled with wine once more. They spoke of Tianwu's internal and external troubles, being besieged on all sides. The situation was already so obvious that even pretending to be ignorant was impossible.
But in the new capital, most of the powerful elite were still living decadent lives, indulging in revelry every night. It's truly a sight that makes one sigh.
Jia Ren and Li Ge'er sat at the doorway, quietly listening without interjecting.
The reason why children from wealthy families are more likely to stand out compared to those from ordinary families lies in this.
Even without anyone teaching step by step, just in gatherings like this, in casual conversations, among friends and family, one can learn so much just by being exposed to it...
The second day, Jia Yin was going to enter the city to go to the Hou Mansion, and the New Year's gifts from each family had to be arranged.
Fortunately, I had already made a list beforehand, and the needed items were clearly written down.
Now, she simply follows the list and prepares the fresh fruits, vegetables, and blooming potted flowers that are needed. She then directly transports them to the Hou Mansion and calls it a day.
Jia Ren brought Li Ge'er and Mao Ge'er, even Jia Huan, all dressed in new clothes, to send New Year's greetings on behalf of the family.
The Peng family by the academy, Zhou's family, and Mr. Tang's place, definitely can't be left out.
But before that, Jiaren had to make a trip to the Jia family, accompanied by Jia Xu, to visit the Xing family.
Thus, the Xing family couple can take a good look at his appearance and character.
Besides, even if outsiders felt curious or doubtful, with Jia Xu by their side, they wouldn't overthink it.
If things don't work out later, it won't ruin Wan'er's reputation.
That's very well thought-out!
After a busy morning of work from the whole family, the three carriages were finally ready.
Seeing the children board the cars and head out to their busy lives, Li Laotai and the others felt a little disoriented for a moment.
Time flies, the children seem to have grown up suddenly, and they can already represent the family to attend ceremonies...
Here are three more chapters ~~er-in-law. "Don't bully your second sister-in-law, or be careful your second brother won't cook delicious food for you!"Jiayin stuck out her tongue mischievously, causing everyone to laugh.After some...