Forty-eight years of Qianlong

Chapter 225 Engagement
By the middle of the twelfth lunar month in the 50th year of Qianlong, less than half of the more than 3 refugees from the island country in Beihai Town had completed the name change registration.Although they left their hometowns, they were no longer islanders; but from the legal point of view of Beihai Town, these people had just left their status as islanders.

Zhao Xin's seven dwarfs. Bah!Among the Seven Warriors, apart from Li Ji who changed his surname to Zhao, Sheng Haizhou directly changed his name to Sheng Haizhou, Jiu Zang changed his name to Zhao Jiu, Ping Tai changed his name to Zhao Pingtai, Hu Ji changed his name to Zhao Hu, and Mao Zhu changed his name to Zhao Mao.Wan Zao originally wanted to have the surname Zhao, but because his son Wan Haiyang was named by Zhao Xin, he changed his surname directly to Wan in the end.

In this way, Zhao Xin had five more "distant relatives".This made Chen Qingsong and the others snicker. The Zhao family in Beihai Town is about to take shape.But in Shen Jingdan's view, this is quite normal; if one's own slaves don't take his own surname, why should they take an outsider's surname?

Although Zhao Xin repeatedly explained that Li Ji and the others were not his domestic slaves, Shen Jingdan just smiled and said nothing; that means no need to explain, I understand it in my heart.

"You know what a fart!" Facing the future father-in-law, Zhao Xin was depressed and just wanted to curse.

Just when Beihai town was in full swing to carry out the great project of changing the name, there was news from the Mongolian River Military Station that the Manchu Qing had sent a letter.

Two days later, Liu Sheng took the letter from the Qing army messenger with a look of disdain, and then ordered his subordinates to take the messenger down to rest.Seeing that the other party didn't understand the rules at all, the messenger hurriedly bowed to Liu Shengdan and said, "My lord, you have to give me a receipt, otherwise I won't be able to do business when I go back!"

"What's the hurry! I'll give it to you soon!" Liu Sheng waved his hand impatiently, and the guard escorted the messenger out.

The letter was written in the form of a post under Na Qitai. The content is that the money you need has already been shipped. Because of the long distance and the reason of the Chinese New Year, it will not be shipped until after the year.Please also treat all Eight Banners officers and soldiers kindly.As for other matters, it can only be agreed after the personnel exchange is completed.

Liu Sheng curled his lips after reading it, then put the letter back into the envelope and put it away.Then he picked up the list of meritorious service recipients from various battalion newspapers on the table.

At this time, the hum of electricity came from the speakers in the house, and it was time to broadcast again.

The passionate prelude to the symphony sounded, and amidst the torrential snare drums, the French horn began to sound.Liu Sheng snorted unconsciously while watching the list: "Dudu ~~~ Dudu ~~ Dudu Dudu ~~ Dudule Dudu ~ Dudu Dudu"

In the basement of the Qing army's prison camp, Enhai, Guan Bao and others listened to the passionate tune from outside, and their hearts suddenly became passionate.The whistling of the north wind in the music is mixed with the wind outside the house, making it impossible to tell which is real and which is false.They had never heard such a tune, and upon first hearing it, it was simply irresistible, and they couldn't wait to go out and ride their horses in the snowfield.

"Crossing the Forest~~~Crossing the Snowfield~~~~Arrogance~~~Xiaohan"

The Qing army prisoners listening to the play, especially the prisoners from the Beijing camp, were all stunned by the voice coming from the loudspeaker, and even forgot to applaud.

The hottest opera in Beijing this year is West Qin Opera, and the representative character is Wei Changsheng from Sichuan.In the 39th year of Qianlong and the 44th year of Qianlong, Wei Changsheng entered Beijing twice, turning the tide by himself.With the play "Rolling Tower", he won the support of audiences all over Beijing, known as "the whole country is crazy".The Kunqiang and Jingqiang operas that have been developed have declined further and further.

As for Beijing opera, there is not even a shadow of it at the moment!

(Historically, it took five years for the Hui troupe to enter Beijing, that is, the 55th year of Qianlong. And the integration into Peking Opera would have to wait 20 years after Daoguang.)
"Hey, "Fighting the Tiger Up the Mountain" has already been greeted!" Zhao Xin pushed open the door of the headquarters, and walked in with a smile.

"No, it was released by Zhang Bo for the prisoners of war. I connected a cable and listened to storytelling at night."

Zhao Xin frowned when he heard this.

Liu Sheng asked without raising his head, "Why are you back?"

Zhao Xin said: "Is there a list of honors from your side? Zhao Liang's side has already opened the molds, just wait for the rice to be cooked!"

"Isn't this just reported in the morning, are you looking at it?" Liu Sheng pulled out the drawer, took out the letter from Manqing and said to Zhao Xin: "It was delivered three or ten minutes ago. I asked the sender to take it down to rest. You After reading it, write a receipt and bring it back to him.”

Zhao Xin took the letter and sat aside to read it, and soon he sneered a few times.

Liu Sheng asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhao Xin shook the letter paper in his hand and said: "These officials are all smarter than monkeys, they dare not even sign their names, and they don't even stamp them."

Liu Sheng said: "Do you think they will cheat?"

Zhao Xindao: "It's not necessarily a trick, I don't think anyone of them dares to take responsibility." After finishing speaking, he got up and walked to the table, and wrote on a piece of white paper, "The letter has been received, and the money will be released. "

Then he asked the guard on duty in the outer room to bring the receipt to the courier, and asked the guard platoon to take it back to the Mongolian River Military Station.After finishing these tasks, Zhao Xin picked up the phone and called the radio station.

"Zhang Bo! How many days have you been broadcasting the model play?"

"It just started today, and all the previous broadcasts were storytelling."

"Then let me tell you, model plays can no longer be played."

"What? This can't be played either?"

"That's right, it's so passionate and aggressive. Do you want to encourage the Qing army to escape from prison or take up arms to fight against us? This song can be played to our own people, but it must not be played to the prisoners!"

"What can it play?"

Zhao Xin thought for a while, then rolled his eyes, and there it is!

He then said to Zhang Bo: "Miss the air cut!"

"Okay! Then I'll look for it."

Zhao Xin's move is actually quite damaging.This traditional play is the collective name of "Lost Street Pavilion", "Empty City Strategies" and "Slaying the Horse", with a total of eighteen performances.When the prisoners of the Qing army were listening to the opera, some interested people would definitely think, who is Ma Di?Who is Zhuge Liang?
The closer to the end of the year, the busier Zhao Xin is.He stayed with Liu Sheng for a few hours. After Wang Yuanfang and Ding Guofeng arrived, the four reviewed the list of honors together. After signing and confirming, Zhao Xin hurried away with the list.

Starting from the first month of next year, Beihai Town's third-level currency will begin to be issued.Except for the refugees who have just arrived, everyone will get a monthly salary.

At this time, the civil affairs department is also in Beihai Town and Fuldan City, making intensive preparations for the opening of shops in the residential areas.In addition, Chen Qingsong also plans to open markets in Fuldan City and Beihai Town to specially entertain the border residents and Ainu people from all over the world who come to trade.

The first batch of established shops sold a wide range of commodities; clothes, cloth, shoes and hats, cigarettes, salt, tea, grain and oil, hardware and groceries.Chen Qingsong plans to open restaurants and savings banks in the next step.When residents have money in their hands, they must be saved or spent instead of hiding in the corners of their own homes.So Zhao Xin had to go back, and he had to use Li Ji and the others to mobilize his old team—the more than 300 refugees who followed him in the first place.

"You tell each of them that when you get the money, you will go to the store for me every day, and you have to show off to the neighbors around you after you buy something. Remember, you must not let other people know about this!"

In Zhao Xin's office, Li Ji, who has changed his name to "Zhao Liji", is reporting the recent situation in Beihai Town to Zhao Xin.

"Yes!" But then Li Ji asked again: "My lord, what do you say if they don't have anything to buy?"

"When the savings bank opens, let them deposit all their money in it."

"Okay, don't worry!"

"Tell everyone clearly that there is interest in the savings bank."

Li Ji's eyes widened when he heard this, and he exclaimed, "Oh! My lord, you are so kind to everyone! We don't want interest."

Zhao Xin laughed and scolded: "You idiot! This is not about the 300 of you, whoever saves will give it."

Li Ji said with a sneer: "Then you just have to look at it."

It is said that the more than 300 people who followed Zhao Xin all the way from Aomori to Xiongdao, and then from Xiongdao to Beihai Town.Now it has become a small group that is the most loyal to Zhao Xin, and privately worship Zhao Xin as a god.Except for Zhao Xin, no one can speak well.This time, the 300 people were all registered in the first batch of the name change; as a result, most of them took the surname Zhao.

Zhao Xin nodded and said, "Is there anything unusual in the school recently?"

Li Ji thought about it carefully before answering: "It's all good. Those teachers told me that they will come back to give them the exam after the New Year."

"In the past few nights, you will go to each house for me and talk to them. You must ask those who are satisfied with the current situation and those who are dissatisfied."

On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Shen Jingdan finally couldn't hold back anymore.He took the initiative to find Zhao Xin, and forced Zhao Xin to propose marriage by saying that he would take Shen Xuan back.

"Master Zhao, I plan to return to Jiangnan after the new year."

"Boss Shen can wait a little longer. It is estimated that our new ship will arrive in February and March."

"Oh? This new ship is the same as the Thor?"

"Several times bigger than Thor."

"Ah!" Shen Jingdan was extremely shocked. In his opinion, Thor was already a gigantic ship of this era; it was several times bigger than Thor, and it was unimaginable.

After a while, when his mind calmed down, Shen Jingdan tentatively said, "Master Zhao, this time I want to bring my little girl and Ogito's mother and son back to Jiangnan."

Zhao Xin remained calm, staring at Shen Jingdan, waiting for his fox tail to show.

"Ah Quan will be seventeen after the new year, I'm afraid I won't find her a home again." Shen Jingdan shook his head pretendingly, and sighed slightly, but his eyes kept paying attention to Zhao Xin's expression.

"Okay! You profiteer! Play with me." Zhao Xin continued to maintain his composure, took a sip from his water glass, and said slowly, "I don't know what kind of family Boss Shen wants to find for Mr. Shen?"

When Shen Jingdan heard it, he said in his heart: "Okay! You kid is still pretending to be like me! Let's see which of us is in a hurry."

Now everyone in Beihai town knew that Zhao Xin and Shen Xuan were flirting, but Zhao Xin didn't say anything, so everyone just pretended to be deaf and dumb.Last year, Wan Zao's wife spread gossip and was scolded by Zhao Xin. I still haven't forgotten it!
In fact, for Qing Dynasty women like Shen Xuan and Tang Xiao, even Lao You and others taught them some sayings that "women can hold up half the sky" and "self-love and self-improvement" during the lessons for these girls, but women in this era It's all about relying on men to gain social status and family status, and only lunatics will listen to feminist bullshit.

(As for concubines, they have even less status. According to the laws of Ming and Qing Dynasties, concubines are personal belongings and can be transferred and sold at any time.)
Shen Jingdan stroked his beard and sighed slightly: "Thanks to Mr. Zhao, the enemies of the Wang family and the Cai family were able to be eradicated. Now there is no risk in taking Ah Quan back. I plan to tell Ah Quan about his family in Jiangning."

After rambling on for a long time, Shen Jingdan took a peek at Zhao Xin, hey!The kid actually looked at him with a smile, but didn't say a word.Shen Jingdan pressed his hands anxiously, his jaw hurt sharply, and when he looked down, he pulled out a few beards.

Seeing that Zhao Xin's prestige of defeating the Qing army and his reputation in Beihai Town are soaring, Shen Jingdan's desire to climb the dragon and become the phoenix became more and more urgent.With regard to the military power and prosperity of Beihai Town, if Zhao Xin enters the customs and becomes the emperor in the future, wouldn't he become the head of the country himself!Although Shen Xuan was not her own, the grace of nurturing is always true!
Seeing Shen Jingdan's eyes dripping and turning, and pulling off his beard in a hurry, Zhao Xin restrained his smile and said to Shen Jingdan: "Boss Shen, let's stop testing each other. Miss Ah Quan, I am satisfied."

As soon as these words came out, Shen Jingdan heaved a sigh of relief.My heart said that you boy finally told me the truth.

"Zhao"

Zhao Xinyi raised his hand, stopped Shen Jingdan, and continued: "I haven't finished yet. Even if I marry Ah Quan, I have to remind you that you can't ask for various privileges here in Beihai Town in my name. As the saying goes, one person attains enlightenment, chicken and dog ascend to heaven. I advise you not to have this kind of thinking. As the earliest business partners with us, you and Boss Huang are our friends. I will not treat friends badly. I should give I will definitely give you the benefits. But here is my territory. Liu Sheng, Chen Qingsong, and Dr. Hong are all my partners, not subordinates. Please pay attention to this! If you plan to follow Zhao Xin If you are a relative, you have to enjoy privileges here, so there is no need to talk about it."

Zhao Xin's words stripped Shen Jingdan's mind clean.The more Shen Jingdan listened, the more frightened he became, and a few drops of sweat slowly flowed down his cheeks.He took out a handkerchief and wiped it, then cupped his hands and said: "So, please obey my lord! I just hope that my lord will treat my family Ah Quan kindly, she is a miserable person."

Only then did Zhao Xin stand up with a smile, walked up to Shen Jingdan, and bowed respectfully.After getting up, he said to Shen Jingdan: "In a few days, I will ask someone to come to my door to propose marriage. It's just that the marriage will have to wait for another two years."

Shen Jingdan asked in surprise, "Why?"

Zhao Xin started to make up nonsense, explaining: "Shouldn't this matter be reported to the parents? I will send someone to inform the family."

parents?Shen Jingdan blinked, never heard of this.Zhao Xin is like someone who jumped out of a crack in a rock, and his origin is unknown.

"Oh. My parents are both overseas. It will take more than a year to go back and forth. Marriage is such a big event that you must report it."

Well, Shen Jingdan didn't chant anymore, so he had to agree.

On the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Lao You, on behalf of Zhao Xin, formally proposed marriage to Shen Jingdan.Shen Jingdan waited for this day and almost scratched the door, and agreed with a little gesture.

It is said that although the folk marriage etiquette in the Qing Dynasty was different due to the differences in the customs and etiquette of various places, they did not exceed the scope of the ancient "six rituals".That is to say, there are six etiquettes including "Nai Cai, Asking Names, Na Ji, Na Zheng, Asking Dates, and Greeting in Person".

First of all, "Gengtie" should be exchanged.Then press the paper with age and birth date under the clean teacup in front of the Kitchen God statue.If there are no "abnormal" situations at home such as broken bowls and cups, bad food, family quarrels, restless cats and dogs, etc., the next step will be to ask a fortune teller to "sort the horoscopes" to see if the year is compatible and whether the zodiac signs are compatible.After confirming everything, start talking about marriage.

For Shen Jingdan, the Stove Lord's divine test is too simple!The cabin of the yacht on the pier is still reserved for their family of four.Press the note here, immediately lock the door and close the windows and return to live on the yacht for three days!
After three days passed, Dr. Wu Xianning, who was temporarily acting as a fortune teller, appeared on stage.It is said that since Dr. Wu came to Beihai Town, he has kept his ears to the outside world and devoted himself to studying "Beihai Medicine" every day. While seeking advice from Hong Tao and Director Liu, he also opened an outpatient clinic to treat refugees.Now that Shen Jingdan is begging to come to the door, he can't be sloppy, so after some calculations, he even said it's pretty good!

At this point, the negotiation begins.Zhao Xin waved his hand and asked Li Ji to bring someone to the door to give gifts.Twenty bolts of silk, a box of pearls, two gold rings, a pair of gold earrings, and two jars of white wine.The return gift from the Shen family was very simple, a purse and silk handkerchief embroidered by Shen Xuan herself, two boxes of gold balls (snacks) and oil bags (also snacks).

After changing the "red and green book paper", the Shen family sent a "return note" to express their approval, and the "waging" was considered complete.As for the wedding date, it was set two years later.

(End of this chapter)