Jin Yu Dynasty

Chapter 1

Xuan Huaifeng raised his hands up to his neck, gathered up his scarf, and hurried to the Tongren Hall in the snow.

This Spring Festival is colder than any other year.

When people walk on the road, the cold wind blows into the neck, and the air is sucked into the lungs, as if it will freeze.But the cold is cold, after all, it is the New Year's Eve, and there are already children dressed like rice dumplings running happily on the street, throwing crackling firecrackers, and a few squatting at the door to make snowmen, waiting for a year The richest reunion dinner here.

When passing through an intersection, three or four little beggars in ragged clothes chased after him and stretched out their hands towards him.

"Sir! Sir! Happy New Year! Give me some money!"

"Get promoted every step of the way! Sir! Give me a few fortune money and get promoted every step of the way!"

Seeing them following, Xuan Huaifeng quickened his pace, but finally stopped, took out a dime from his pocket, and handed it to one of the children who looked the thinnest.

The voices of the beggars suddenly boomed, "What about me? What about me?"

"Give some money!" Seeing someone giving alms, the refugees who were huddled under the eaves of the roadside, their backs were starved in the cold winter months, their eyes lit up, and they rushed forward one after another.

Xuan Huaifeng was taken aback.

He didn't have any extra money on him to give away, so he quickly hugged the book in his hand and ran away.

When I returned to the Tongren Hall, I was already covered in sweat.

Xuan Huaifeng breathed out, stepped into the old threshold that had been stepped on slightly, untied the long white scarf from his neck, adjusted the neckline, and then walked in slowly.

The clerk of the guild hall was passing by carrying hot water. When he saw him, he stopped, smiled at him, and said, "Mr. .” He took off the white towel on his shoulders and swung it in the hot water, “New towel, clean.”

Xuan Huaifeng thanked him and took the towel.

"It's not walking, it's running." He gently wiped his face with a warm white towel, his movements were unusually elegant and beautiful, his young face was slightly reddish from the running just now, and he was a little embarrassed He explained, "I gave a dime to a little beggar on the road, and a group came up."

As soon as the man heard this, he cried out, "Oh, you shouldn't have given it! These days, there are beggars all over the street, if you give one, you must come with a hundred, no amount of money will be enough."

"There is a child who looks very pitiful."

"There are a lot of poor people out there, who is not pitiful?" The man looked at Xuan Huaifeng and said honestly, "Mr. Well, I’m too young, so kind, today I will help this student buy a pen, and tomorrow I will give alms to a beggar, I think you should take care of yourself first, and take care of your own food and housing if you have money..."

"Oh, that's right." Xuan Huaifeng stretched his hands into his arms, "The school paid the salary today, this month's rent, and next month's rent. I will pay now."

"Don't! I'm not chasing your rent." The man waved his hands in embarrassment.

"What has to be paid still has to be paid."

Xuan Huaifeng took out the envelope from his pocket, which contained the salary just issued by the school.

He is not a senior teacher, and his salary is not high. One month's salary, plus the remedial tuition fee until the New Year's Eve, and the meager New Year's fee, there is only 23 yuan in the envelope.

But even so, it's not bad.

Now the whole country is in chaos, and everything seems to be immersed in inexplicable changes. Various governments come and go, changing orders day and night.

A while ago, foreign science was still advocated, and mathematics education should be emphasized. Now that the new education chief takes office, mathematics is not important anymore, and Chinese studies are immediately popular.

A few days ago, the school's provost revealed that several math teachers might be laid off.

Xuan Huaifeng was a little distressed when he thought of this, he gritted his teeth silently, not thinking about layoffs after the year, and took out four yuan from the envelope with a calm expression, "Here, two months' rent."

"Thank you, Mr. Xuan."

Xuan Huaifeng gave the money to the clerk, turned around and walked towards the room he rented, and the clerk chased after him, "Mr. I answered the call."

Xuan Huaifeng turned his head, "Is it my sister?"

"That's right, it's Mrs. Nian calling. You guessed right."

Xuan Huaifeng smiled slightly.

There is no need to guess, he has been in the capital for less than a year, and he has never liked to make friends. He is not familiar with the place, and no one will call him in the clubhouse except his sister.

"Did she say anything?"

"Mrs. Nian said that today's New Year's Eve, I must go to her place for a reunion dinner."

To my sister?

Xuan Huaifeng frowned indistinctly, and said gently, "Thank you for telling me, I'll give her a call right away."

Just as he was about to leave, the clerk smiled and said, "Mr. Xuan, there is no need to call. Mrs. Nian has repeatedly told you, don't think about it, and you can't make excuses. She is only your own brother, and she will never allow you to go outside. It’s New Year’s Eve.” He said, “I’m telling you what Mrs. Nian said.”

"Oh, I see."

Sister's fate is hard to break, there is no way.

Xuan Huaifeng went back to the room, freshened up, and originally planned to go like this, but after thinking about it, he turned back and opened the closet.

The wardrobe is not big, so he picked out a set.

The suit was custom-made in England when I was studying abroad. The materials and workmanship are first-class and cost a lot of money. After all, it has been worn for a few years and it is not as noble as when it was just made, but it is still clean and smooth.

Xuan Huaifeng changed his clothes, went to the street and bought two bags of fruit, and then went to Nian's house.

When we arrived at the Nianzhai, we rang the doorbell.

After a while, the door opened a crack, revealing Mama Zhang's familiar face. When she saw Xuan Huaifeng standing at the door, she narrowed her eyes with a smile, and called out attentively, "Young master is back! Come in quickly, it's windy outside. Ms. It’s stretching its neck inside and waiting for you.”

Zhang Ma is the old lady who accompanied Xuan Daiyun to the Nian family. She watched the Xuan family's siblings grow up.

In the years when Xuan Daiyun married Nian Liangfu, there was no such thing as a new-style wedding, and the old tradition was still popular. When Xuan Daiyun wore a red turban on the sedan chair, Zhang Ma was the dowry mother who followed the sedan chair.

Mrs. Xuan passed away early, and Zhang's mother was never married, so she regarded Xuan Daiyun Xuan Huaifeng as her own child. Seeing Xuan Huaifeng was happier than seeing anyone else. All the wrinkles on her face were wrinkled with laughter. Put Xuan Huaifeng's sleeves inside.

"Ma'am!" Zhang Ma arrived in the east room, her voice was full of joy, "Young master is here!"

"Huaifeng is here? Come in quickly."

"Sister, I didn't buy anything, I brought some fruit for you and brother-in-law."

"Really, how many times have I told you that you are not allowed to buy things when you come to my sister's place. You are my own younger brother, and you are not an outsider." Xuan Daiyun, who is Mrs. Nian, reprimanded him lightly, and immediately became beaming again, helping Holding his shoulder, "Huaifeng, just stand here and don't move. Mom Zhang, bring the new clothes I bought for Huaifeng." Turning around, she said to Zhang Mom.

"Sister, I have already found a job, I can buy clothes if I want..."

Xuan Daiyun cut him off, and gave his younger brother a look, "What can you do with your teacher's salary? You were spoiled and spoiled since you were a child, and you are used to spending money lavishly. Alas, there used to be a father around, and the money was used like water." If the old man sees that you can't even put on a decent set of clothes, he won't blame me..." His voice choked.

Zhang Ma came over with her clothes in both hands, and couldn't help but speak, half persuading and half complaining, "Miss, why are you talking about this when it's Chinese New Year? You have to be happy today."

Xuan Daiyun quickly wiped the corners of his eyes, and changed his smiling face, "That's right, Mama Zhang, you see, I was so happy when I saw Huaifeng coming over. Quick, put on your clothes and pants."

Zhang Ma also spared her hands to help Xuan Huaifeng unbutton, the two women were so attentive that Xuan Huaifeng's face flushed, and they quickly blocked it with their hands, "I will change it myself."

Xuan Daiyun smiled and withdrew his hand, "Mother Zhang, Huaifeng is shy, let him change it by himself. Huaifeng, go behind the screen."

Xuan Huaifeng walked behind the screen with his clothes in his arms, but Zhang's mother was still nagging, "This young master is really, why are you shy towards me? Didn't I help him change his clothes and pants every day when he was a child?"

Xuan Daiyun said, "Mum Zhang, Huaifeng is not a child, he will be 22 in March."

"Even if it's one hundred and two, he's still a young master."

Xuan Huaifeng came out from behind the screen, they were still chattering, turned their heads and saw Xuan Huaifeng standing in front of them, they suddenly fell silent.

Xuan Huaifeng was stared at by two people, looked at himself uncomfortably, "Isn't it appropriate?"

After a while, Mama Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, put her palms together and recited a sentence of Buddha, "You look like a golden and jade boy, there are thousands of people in the street, and there is no one who is more suitable than the young master, oops Ah, look at this straight body, the shoulders are as good-looking as they say, this dress is really perfect on you..." Going over to help Huaifeng adjust his collar and sleeves, he kept admiring, eyes I am full of indescribable pride.

Xuan Daiyun suddenly said, "Huaifeng, I see why you have lost weight again? This dress was made to order by Wen Yuezhai's master after you measured your size when you came here last time. Why does it look empty at the waist when you wear it? ?”

"Empty?" Upon hearing this, Mama Zhang took a step back, squinting her old eyes to look up and down.

She just praised the perfection of this new suit, and now she frowned and echoed Xuan Daiyun, "Sure enough, the waist is thinner, why is it really thinner?"

"no."

"I just said that there is nothing to eat in the guild hall, and the food has been deducted by those people."

Mama Zhang suddenly felt distressed, "This world is really hard to live in. The young master was raised by me in the palm of my hand, and now I am being trampled on by others. Young master, I beg you, move back here and live here. Mama Zhang Let’s cook for you to fix and eat.”

Xuan Huaifeng shook his head without thinking, "The guild hall is very good, and the food is also good."

"No matter how good it is, it can't be better than Mama Zhang's cooking. The young master grew up eating Mama Zhang's cooking."

"Mother Zhang..."

Xuan Daiyun pulled him away, and the two siblings sat side by side on two round stools with brocade futons.

"Huaifeng, I was just about to tell you, move back." Xuan Daiyun's voice was a little lower, inherited from his mother, and the watery eyes that were very similar to Xuan Huaifeng looked at his younger brother and held his hand and said, "Don't worry about your brother-in-law, he just has a bad mouth. After all, I am still Mrs. Nian. When I married him, our Xuan family did not miss the dowry. Now that my father is gone, a brother-in-law can't even tolerate a brother-in-law. The guild halls outside are old and dilapidated, and they are poor rented places with no place to go. I heard that some guild halls have lice in the bedding, my God, can you live in such a place for a long time?"

"The Tongren Hall is very clean and there are no lice."

"Who is arguing with you for what lice!" Xuan Daiyun glared at his younger brother angrily, annoyed and couldn't bear it, "Huaifeng, I have to bow my head under the eaves, you are already twenty adults, why are you still a child Temper? Now our siblings are only relying on your brother-in-law, you are better, just say a few bad words for your brother-in-law, and move out without saying a word. After going out for a few months, you have lost your temper enough, should you come back?"

"sister……"

"Listen to me. That math teacher of yours, go back to school and resign after the Chinese New Year. Then a little salary, not enough to eat, not enough, can you live by teaching for the rest of your life?" Xuan Daiyun lightly pressed the back of his hand With a slap on the top, with a sly smile, "Your brother-in-law got inside information a few days ago, and he will be promoted to deputy director after the Chinese New Year. Seeing him happy, I mentioned it to him and asked him to help you find a job in the bureau.”

Xuan Huaifeng frowned when he heard this, and just about to speak, Xuan Daiyun rushed ahead of him and said, "But now there are many idlers, and there is a shortage of vacancies. Everyone has cut their heads and squeezed into the bureau. Who wouldn't want to Looking for a job that is free and can earn a stable salary? Although your brother-in-law is going to be promoted to deputy director, but there is still a director in charge. I'm afraid you have to go around and give some gifts. Don't worry about the gift money, my sister has it here. I paid a sum of money from my own house, and I have made clothes for you, so when you go out to meet people and do business, you should always dress brightly."

As she spoke, she stretched out her hand to help Xuan Huaifeng straighten his already flat collar, her eyes were full of tenderness and pride, and she said softly, "My younger brother looks handsome, dress up a little, as Zhang Ma said, the street is full of Everyone is inferior."

Zhang Ma was arranging Xuan Huaifeng's changed clothes, and interjected, "That's right."

"Listen to my sister, while your brother-in-law wants to pay New Year's greetings to the chiefs during the Chinese New Year, you will learn from behind, and when you see the nobles, please curry favor, send some money, and find a serious job to do."

Xuan Huaifeng frowned as if suffering from a headache, "Sister, you know I don't like that kind of occasion the most."

"What kind of occasion? This is a chance for you to come and go. Go to banquets or something more. Maybe you will be lucky. Not only will you find a job, but you will even be able to get acquainted with the daughter of the director and prime minister."

Xuan Huaifeng was even more embarrassed, "Where did you go?"

"I'm not joking." Xuan Daiyun showed a serious face, "You are almost 22, and you still don't think about marriage? With your appearance and talent, you have studied in the UK, so you are not worthy of the director and prime minister. Daughter? Speaking of which, it’s because Dad didn’t think carefully enough to send you to England to study? If he worried about your marriage while he was alive, then there’s no need to say that you can choose a famous lady as you like. It’s different now, for your own future, you should always pick someone from a better family who can help you, don’t say your sister is vulgar, it’s not what it used to be…”

Just as he was about to continue talking, a maid from Nian's family called out, "Madam, sir is back."

Xuan Daiyun stood up immediately, and responded outside, "Got it."

Turning around, he quickly pulled Xuan Huaifeng up from the stool, "Your brother-in-law is back, no matter what he says, don't be stubborn." He took out a small kit embroidered with gold thread from his pocket, Put it into Xuan Huaifeng's hand, and said in a low voice, "You collect the money and say that you earned it from your own work. Don't let your brother-in-law know that I gave it to you. I wanted to give it to you a long time ago, but you are disobedient." , I called you several times to ask you to come back, but you always perfunctory me.”

Xuan Huaifeng refused to accept, "Sister, I am not short of money."

"Stop talking nonsense with me." Xuan Daiyun pinched his hand, forced the things into his suit pocket, gave him a warning glance, and hurried out to meet her husband.

Xuan Huaifeng held the kit, full of displeasure.

Zhang Ma lightly tugged at his sleeve, and said in a low voice, "Young master, my uncle is going to enter this room later, please come and sit in my room first."

Xuan Huaifeng absolutely didn't want to meet his mean brother-in-law, and immediately followed Zhang Ma out of the room. When passing by the small garden, he just heard a voice coming from the window of the living room. Liangfu was talking loudly, "It's a good thing he has the face to come back. When he left, didn't he look like a hero who went to Liangshan? Why is he now a bear again?"

Xuan Daiyun seemed to say something in a low voice, but he couldn't hear clearly.

Nian Liangfu's voice became louder, and he snorted and said, "I'm just joking, and you take it seriously? A woman's opinion! It's so easy to find a job in the bureau now? Someone else has broken the head. Besides, I was promoted The deputy director’s official document has not yet been officially issued. This is the most critical time, and there can be no mistakes. I am afraid that something will happen, but you are smart, and you are looking for trouble for me!”

Xuan Daiyun couldn't help but said, "Keep your voice down, he will hear you."

"It's better to hear!" Nian Liangfu had no scruples, and his voice was heard from the living room, and the whole Nian's house could hear, "Don't think that you are really a born son, the blessings brought in the womb have been used up long ago, there is a father Is it great to be a commander? These days, there are as many commanders as rice, with a gun at the waist and two soldiers. They are said to be warlords, but in fact they are similar to robbers occupying the top of the mountain. Today's prestige, tomorrow's prestige, so what? Once they die, the trees will fall and the monkeys will scatter!"

"Young and rich!" Xuan Daiyun's voice suddenly sharpened, "It's New Year's Eve, don't talk about my father who passed away. Warlord, what happened to the warlord? My father used to be a commander in Guangzhou, when he could call the wind and rain But there are many benefits for you. Don't forget who paid you to buy your position in the bureau. It wasn't my dad who gave you money. You are young and rich and able to get to this point in Beijing? You married me back then Why did you kneel down and beg my dad to nod? If it wasn't for my dad..."

Before he finished speaking, a slap suddenly hit the eardrum.

The corner of Xuan Huaifeng's eyes twitched, he stepped away and rushed to the living room.

Mama Zhang clasped her hands from behind, held him tightly, and tried her best to persuade him with tears in her eyes, "You can't go! Young master, every family has a hard-to-recite scripture. This is the matter of young ladies and aunts. If you go, the trouble will be even worse." Big. Now that your siblings are helpless, and you have turned against your uncle, where do you let the young lady go? She has never suffered, and she can't live in a place like a guild hall..."

On the other side of the living room, Xuan Daiyun's mournful cry shot towards the roof like an arrow, and it was chilling to hear, "You hit me? Alright! I'll let you cross the bridge and draw the board, so that your superiors can see clearly you Zhongshan wolf!"

Xuan Huaifeng was worried when he heard that, he turned his head and gritted his teeth to Mama Zhang, "Mama Zhang, let go! That bastard beat my sister, I can't spare him!"

Although Zhang Ma is old and does housework all the year round, she is really strong, and Xuan Huaifeng can't break free for a while.

She was afraid that Xuan Huaifeng would really run in to find Nian Liangfu, so she hugged his waist tightly with both hands, and pulled him towards the side of her hut, trying to persuade him, "It's common for couples to fight and scold. No matter what you say, Miss is still a Mrs. Nian, she has food and clothing, and is served by someone. Young master, Mama Zhang, please don’t cause trouble for Miss. If you don’t listen, I will kneel down for you.” He dragged Xuan Huaifeng to In the hut, sit down by him.

Xuan Huaifeng held his breath, feeling as uncomfortable as if someone had stuck a few needles in his lungs.

I was fidgeting in the house for half an hour, and I wanted to go out to see my sister several times, but Zhang Ma stopped me.

After an unknown amount of time, a little girl came over and asked, "Is Master Huaifeng here?"

Zhang Ma responded, "Here, have you eaten yet?"

"Well, my wife wants me to come over and say, dinner is ready, please go to the dining room Huaifeng."

Xuan Huaifeng arrived at the dining room.

The couple of the Nian family were already sitting at the table, and the dishes were just beginning to be placed on the table. Because it was a reunion dinner, the dishes were quite rich.

When Xuan Huaifeng saw Nian Liangfu, he gave Nian Liangfu a dark and handsome look, walked up to Xuan Daiyun, and asked in a low voice, "Sister, are you alright?"

"What's the matter?" Xuan Daiyun raised his eyes to look at Xuan Huaifeng like a normal person, "The food is served, please sit down quickly."

She had put on makeup on her face again, the powder was thick and fragrant, and she didn't know if she used powder to cover up the finger marks on her face.

Xuan Huaifeng still wanted to ask more questions, but Xuan Daiyun stretched out his finger and poked him around the waist, and said to Nian Liangfunu, who was beside him, and said, "I'm stupid, I won't say hello when I see my brother-in-law." ?”

Xuan Huaifeng had no choice but to call out, "Brother-in-law."

Nian Liangfu gave an "um" and nodded.

The two greeted each other.

"Okay, let's eat. There are a lot of dishes tonight, so you should eat more."

Xuan Daiyun arranged his younger brother to sit next to him, first helped the husband on the left pick up a chopstick dish, then turned around and picked up a shrimp for his younger brother, showing a smiling face, "Huaifeng, your brother-in-law has already agreed, let's help you move around , find something to do in the bureau.”

Xuan Huaifeng glanced at Nian Liangfu suspiciously.

"Liangfu, say something." Xuan Daiyun winked at her husband.

Nian Liangfu coughed and said slowly, "After the year, my brother-in-law will try to talk to you. Young man, don't be too high-minded. At the beginning, the position may not be too high, but if you have If you are capable, work harder, and be more flattering, you will be promoted in a short time. How should I put it, my brother-in-law also has some influence in the bureau.”

For a moment, Xuan Huaifeng was almost confused.

The relationship between husband and wife is really incomprehensible.

You were crying and making noise just now, and you started to fight, why did you make up in a blink of an eye?

A New Year's Eve dinner, Xuanhuai tasted like chewing wax, after eating, he once again refused his sister's request for him to move back, and hurried back to the Tongren Hall.

Before leaving, she quietly put back the brocade pouch that her sister gave him, which was filled with private money, into her dressing box.