lady, please calm down

Chapter 256: If a family is loyal, a wife and mother must be virtuous

The first day of September.

The concierge of Chen Mansion in Sajin Lane is filled with all kinds of gifts with strong local flavor.

There are persimmons, pears, water chestnuts, various fried fruits, radishes with soil, chicken eggs with chicken droppings, and live chickens and ducks with wings tied in the corner.

Some of these things were sent by Tongshan people through the Sitong Passenger Transport after hearing about the serious illness, and some Caizhou victims who suffered a disaster a few months ago made a special trip to deliver them.

Hanchun hall in the back house.

After several days of recuperation, the cat's face, which was leaning on the bed, finally faded away from the blue-gray color and gradually regained its rosy luster.

Beside the bed, Grandma and Yunong were sitting on the couch. The latter had a bulging belly and kept talking for half a quarter of an hour, "Sister, sister, don't believe it! What I just said is true. Outside the city Someone really built a temple for you. When my sister was most seriously ill, people who burned incense for her traveled several miles.
A few days ago, my sister got better, and merchants in the city raised a sum of money to renovate the temple of the Queen Mother. "

Yu Nong's plump mouth was like a rented one, bang bang bang bang non-stop, "Now there are rumors in the city and outside the city that after this flood, there is no plague in Caizhou, it's all thanks to my sister, it's My sister got this serious illness and saved the whole people from the disease."

"How can I have such ability?"

Mao'er was really embarrassed to be praised, so he responded sheepishly.

"Really! That's not what I said. If you don't believe me, just ask my great-grandmother."

Yunong turned to one side, grabbed Grandma's arm with both hands and shook it, "Grandma, Yunong didn't lie, did he? Tell my sister quickly."

"Yes, yes, you girl, stop shaking, you're going to shake Tai Nai's old bones apart."

Grandma said dotingly but helplessly.

After getting Tai Nai's proof, Yu Nong was still not satisfied, and turned to look at Chen Chu who was writing an official document in the room, "Sir, did Nunu lie to my sister?"

Chen Chu raised his head from the pile of documents and said with a smile: "Yes, I can prove it!"

What he is writing furiously is the list of rewards and reward methods for this expedition.

Chen Chu's mansion is so big, so Chen Chu naturally has his own study.

However, since Mao'er woke up, Chen Chu has stayed in the room almost every step of the way. Even his office has been moved to Mao'er's bedroom, as if he was worried that if he couldn't see her, she would disappear.

Mao'er, who was leaning on the bed, glanced at the official who was burying his head in the case, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved into a beautiful curve.

Yu Nong on the side somehow mentioned the day when Chen Chu just came home, "Qin's mother said afterwards that the young master was holding a knife and felt like he was going to kill someone at any time. Even though they were far away, Qin's mother was frightened. Fortunately, Sister Hua'er I coaxed the young master and took away the knife in his hand."

Although Mao'er had not seen it in person, he could only guess that the official must have been extremely frightened at that time, so he acted very differently from usual.

Put yourself in her shoes, if the official was critically ill, she would probably be scared to death. Fortunately, Sister Cai is here.

Thinking that the two of them were almost separated, Mao'er couldn't help but feel a sore nose, but before she cried, Yunong shed tears as she spoke, "Sister, you have to take care of yourself in the future."

Her appearance made Mao'er hold back his tears and joked: "I'm almost a mother, but I still cry every time."

"Hehe." Yu Nong held his belly with one hand and rubbed his nose with the other, smiling charmingly.

"By the way, where's Sister Cai?"

"She's back."

"Uh"

The next day.

Chen Mansion met in Cuitang's study. Chen Jingyan, Cai Yuan, and Ximen Gong took turns to read the reward method written by Chen Chu. Ximen Gong and Cai Yuan had no objections. Only Chen Jingyan made a careful comment, "Yuan Zhang, isn't it a bit too much? "

"I don't think so. Front-line soldiers work hard to protect the safety of their homes. Is it considered 'too much' to give some honor to the military families?"

Chen Chu's attitude was very firm.

The reason why Chen Jingyan said this was because the honor given to sergeants by Chen Chu was comparable to the pomp and circumstance of "winning the emperor's list" for literati.

This made Chen Jingyan, a member of the scholars, naturally somewhat resistant.
During the Great Zhou Dynasty, a prime minister once said: Only those who are called by name outside Donghua Gate are considered good men.

Who is the sergeant?
They are the "killing Han" in the mouth of the people. When the military uniforms of the previous dynasty were red, they were also called "red men". How can they be compared with the scholars who read the books of sages and sages.

What's even more inappropriate is that Chen Chu not only wants to reward mid-level officers, but also many top soldiers and low-level officers.

"It's not that I don't want to reward the sergeants. I think I can give them more money. There is no need to make it so grand." Chen Jingyan defended.

"Third brother, I don't think so. Material rewards are needed, as are spiritual honors. Only when the soldiers feel loved and respected can they know why they are fighting. If soldiers shed their blood on the front line, After returning home, he was scolded as a 'killer' behind his back. How could the soldiers be willing to accept it? Even if there is another military rebellion, the soldiers would not mind turning their swords and attacking officials and merchants."

These words had a hint of threat.

"Look, I didn't say I disagreed, so just do what Yuan Zhang wants."

"Haha, okay, Shouzhou has been decided. I have sent an order to two battalions of sergeants and a thousand soldiers to stay there, while the rest of the soldiers return to their hometowns. I will enter the city on the tenth day of September. Please trouble my brothers to make preparations."

The third day of September.

Early in the morning, groups of knights filed out of the four gates of Caizhou City.

Each team consists of five sergeants, one sergeant, and one clerk. The horses carry objects of different sizes and shapes, all wrapped in red cloth. Some look like gift boxes, and some look like gift boxes. Looks like a plaque.

Due to lack of manpower, Baoxi and Maodan both received tasks.

Mao Dan led a team all the way to the southeast, and did not arrive until the next day outside Fanjiawei, Shangying County, Yingzhou.

Nearly a month ago, the Caizhou Remaining Division fought the main force of the rebel army here. At this time, there are still traces of the war on the village wall.

Seeing the knight approaching, the villagers of Fanjiawei quickly retreated into the village and closed the door tightly.

Although they heard that Caizhou soldiers had wiped out the rebel army, the whereabouts of the leader of the rebel army, Jin Taiping, were still unknown. The villagers remained vigilant, lest the thieves try to kill him again.

Fan Yan, the head of the Fan clan, hurriedly climbed onto the polder wall, only to see a few men outside the village wearing standard military uniforms, with their swords in their sheaths, standing with their hands hanging down, without any aggression.

"May I ask where the heroes outside the village make a living?" Fan Yan shouted.

"Mr. Hui, I am under the command of Chen Dutong, the left-behind commander in Caizhou. I have been specially ordered by my family to come to see Fan Yuanwai."

"Oh?"

Hearing that the other party was from Chen Chu, Mr. Fan Yan was somewhat fond of him.

When the rebel army besieged Fanjiawu, just when Zhuangzi was in danger, it was Chen Dutong's army who came to rescue him and relieved Zhuangzi's danger.

Speaking of which, Chen Dutong was the benefactor of nearly a thousand people in Fanjiawei.

However, since most of Zhuang Nei's young men followed his son-in-law and son to Shouzhou with the army, Fan Yan was still cautious and asked people to collect the weapons of the incoming troops first.

Mao Dan and others were very polite. When they entered the village, they first unloaded the box on the horse. When they opened it, there was a box full of copper coins.

"This little brother, what are you doing?"

Fan Yan looked confused.

Mao Dan cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Haojiao learned that during the Huaibei Rebellion, your son-in-law and son-in-law stayed calm in the face of danger, organized the people to protect themselves, and then moved in with the army. They were credited three times. This is under the command of the capital." reward money”

There were about dozens of copper coins in the box. This amount of money was nothing to Fan Yan. Just when he was hesitating whether to accept it, Mao Dan took another invitation from the clerk and presented it with both hands. "Mr. Fan, on the tenth day of this month, the army returned to Caizhou together with the prisoners of the rebels. We in Caizhou hope that Mr. can go to watch the ceremony in person."

"Oh?"

Watch the ceremony?This was something new. Fan Yan took the invitation and looked at it.

'Fan Taoyan Gong:
In the tenth year of Fuchang, there was great chaos in Huaibei. Fortunately, the army and the people worked together and the soldiers worked hard, and it took three months to finally calm down.
On the tenth day of the frosty lunar month, which coincided with the refreshing autumn weather, Zhongliang was invited to attend the ceremony in Caizhou.
I hope Fan Gong will come and look forward to it.'

Seeing the end, Fan Yan couldn't help but be surprised that the invitation was signed by Zuo Guoen, the prefect of Caizhou, Chen Chu, the governor of the capital, and Chen Jingyan, the co-prefect of Caizhou.
With all three of them signing their names, the standard of treatment is quite high!

Fan Yan was just a country squire with a small fortune in Shangying County. People in Caizhou valued him so much, so how could they sell him to save face? "Haha, thank you for delivering the letter, little brother. When you get back, you can tell all the adults that I will go there in person! Come, please get some shoe money for these brothers."

Fan Yan put away the invitation and gave another order.

This kind of thing is similar to announcing good news. It is okay to accept some reward money from the master. Mao Dan and others accepted it happily, but then said: "Mr. Fan, may I ask if your daughter is here?"

"." Fan Yan couldn't help but be startled and looked at Mao Dan in confusion.

Indeed, it would be impolite to inquire about someone else's daughter.

Seeing this, the clerk behind Mao Dan hurriedly stepped forward and explained: "Mr. Fan, I also have an invitation here from Zhao Ren to your wife."

Zhao Renren’s invitation to Ruyu?
Mao'er became famous in Huaibei due to her disaster relief work. Fan Yan knew about this Dutong wife, but she was even more confused. When did her daughter meet Ren Ren?
Later, Fan Yanrang called Zhao Ruyu over, and the latter took a look at the invitation in a daze. The content was similar to the one from his father, but the signature was replaced by Mao'er's invitation.

"I'm invited to attend the ceremony?"

Fan Ruyu was no less doubtful than her father. Since ancient times, how could a woman get the chance to show her face in such a beautiful way?

Is it a little out of place?
While Fan Ruyu was still struggling, Mao Dan once again took out a palm-sized delicate wooden box.

Inside the box, lying quietly was an oblate silver medal the size of an apricot, with a loom carved on it.

Fan Ruyu, who saw this kind of thing for the first time, couldn't help but look at it curiously, but she didn't understand what it was.

At this time, I heard Mao Dan explain: "Mrs. Xin, this is the 'Women' medal. It is said that men are fighting in the field, and women stay at home, serve their parents-in-law, weave and cultivate the fields. Only then can the men be free from worries, and can the soldiers on the front line With food and clothing, protection from hunger and cold, and the rapid quelling of the Huaibei rebellion, women's contribution cannot be forgotten. This medal is to reward women."

Fan Ruyu suddenly felt a sore nose and murmured speechlessly. It's shocking, it's not easy to understand us women!

Involuntarily, Fan Ruyu picked up the medal, rubbed it a few times, turned it over and looked at the back, only to see two poems engraved on it: China's sons and daughters have many ambitions, and the loyal and virtuous are all dressed in red.

On the same day, the team led by Baoxi arrived at the county government of Zhenyang County, Caizhou.

The county magistrate read Chen Tongzhi's letter, which asked him to personally lead the government officials, the gong and drum troupe and the sergeants to visit an old woman on the bank of Huaibei. The magistrate was very unhappy.

But at the end of the letter, there were three joint signatures of the three military and political leaders in Fucheng. Even if I had to lend him a hundred more courage, they would not dare to disobey him.

There is a way to survive if you offend one person, but if you offend the prefect and fellow magistrates all, you will die without knowing how.

At noon, the magistrate organized the manpower as required and took a sedan chair to the Huaihe River. On the way, he kept guessing who the old woman was and that she needed such a big pomp.
not yet.

Sangshuwa Village, Zhenyang County.

It's past noon, and there are only about 20 households in the village, but few cooking smoke rises.

There are two meals a day, and there is still more than an hour before dinner.

In the east of the village, Mrs. Shi walked shakily into the courtyard on crutches. She sniffed the dried fish hanging on the pole. She found no smell, so she carefully took it off and wrapped it in a handkerchief. stand up.

Outside the low fence, Aunt Zhang and her son Shuisheng from the same village passed by, took a look inside, and turned into the courtyard on impulse.

"Auntie, why don't you eat this dried fish? Don't be careful. I'll ask Shuisheng to get you some more after you finish eating."

Aunt Zhang sat on the wooden pier and said with concern.

People living by the water don't have enough food to eat, but they can easily get cheap fish.

Mrs. Shi is her neighbor, and all her seven sons followed Dutong to Caizhou a few months ago. It is not easy for the old lady to live alone, so Aunt Zhang will help her when she can.

She didn't want to, but Mrs. Shi said: "Two days ago, A Niu went to Caizhou for business, and I heard that Ren Ren's wife was seriously ill. Hey, the old lady wanted to see Ren Ren, but her legs and feet were inconvenient, so she wanted to ask A Niu for help next time. When you enter the city, bring this dried fish to someone to replenish your health."

"Auntie, how can people like this smelly dried fish?" Aunt Zhang couldn't help laughing.

"We don't have anything good to give you. If we hadn't carried the old woman out during the flood, she would have turned into bones. Later, they gave us pancakes to eat. Now that we are in trouble, we can't pretend not to be okay. I know."

Mrs. Shi replied calmly, wrapping the dried fish with both hands without hesitation, then casually pulled a grass stem, and tied the handkerchief carefully.

Aunt Zhang and her son were also rescued by Dutong, and they also ate pancakes brought by others.

However, she could not be as decisive as Mrs. Shi, who was willing to give all seven sons to serve in the capital.

At first, the only son Shuisheng also wanted to join the army, but was stopped by Aunt Zhang who wanted to die.
Can you do well as a soldier?
Sooner or later, he would die violently. Even if he stayed in Sangshuwa, he would be poorer, but he would still be able to survive.

While they were thinking about it, they heard a burst of festive gongs, drums and suonas, and several people couldn't help but look up at the same time.

I saw Satoshi nodding and bowing, leading a group of people towards this side.

In front is a group of festively dressed gong and drummers, all of them beaming with joy.

The man in a green robe followed, followed by several sergeants.

The noisy scene of gongs and drums attracted all the villagers to come out, whispering to each other and asking each other what happened.

But no one can give an accurate answer.

"Is there anyone getting married in our village today?" Mrs. Shi also stood up, hunched over and looked at the crowd that was getting closer.

"I haven't heard of anyone getting married today. Besides, which family in our village can support such a grand ceremony?"

Aunt Zhang couldn't understand it either.

The villagers who were standing by the roadside watching from a distance saw that the group of visitors were friendly and followed the team one after another, wanting to see who had a happy event.

Until the team stopped outside Mrs. Shi's courtyard, everyone became more and more confused.

At this time, I heard someone saying anxiously: "Sister-in-law of the Shi family, come quickly to see me. These are the parents of our county!"

"."

"."

There was a moment of silence all around, followed by a buzzing sound and low-pitched discussions.

The more timid ones have already knelt down.

In this small mulberry valley, the biggest official who has come to this small mulberry valley in the past few decades is the official who collects food in summer and autumn. How can the county magistrate bring it here?

Mrs. Shi was also startled and hurriedly wanted to kneel down.

When the county magistrate arrived, he had already found out the purpose of his trip. Even though he felt unhappy, he did not dare to refute the honors of several Shangguan officials. He immediately stepped forward to help Mrs. Shi and said with a smile: "Old madam, I am I can’t stand this great gift from you! Your son-in-law has made a great contribution this time!"

The buzz around him became even louder. Did Shi Jiaerlang make a meritorious service?
This is such a powerful function that it alerted the county magistrate to come personally.
Before everyone could react, they saw a sergeant carrying a box and cage forward and placing it in the courtyard.

As if deliberately letting others see it, in the opened box, there were piles of copper coins and dazzling brocades.
The villagers were stunned, and even Mrs. Shi did not dare to step forward, not believing that everything in front of her was real.

Finally, Baoxi waved his hand, and two other sergeants walked to the center of the yard carrying a long object covered with red cloth.

As if the drama had reached its climax, the sound of festive gongs and drums immediately increased to another level.

Just when everyone was confused, Baoxi ripped off the red cloth
But he saw a plaque under the red cloth with four big words: Home of Heroes.
However, there were very few literate people in Sangshua, so the onlookers who couldn't understand naturally didn't react much.

Baoxi felt like he had been punched on cotton, and couldn't help shouting: "On the thirteenth day of last month, the seven brothers of the Shi family encountered the remnants of the rebel army in Yingzhou. The seven brothers of the Shi family remained calm and calm in the face of danger, and finally captured the leader of the thieves alive. Li Kui! Remember him for first-class merit! Reward him with a hundred pieces of money and five bolts of silk!
Master Du Tong said that if a family is loyal and good, its mother must be a virtuous one!The old lady was specially invited to go to Caizhou on the tenth day of this month to sit on the podium and watch the ceremony.

Please ask Zhenyang County Government to arrange a soft sedan to escort the old lady there."

'Om~'

Sang Shuwa immediately exploded.

The sound of discussion suppressed the sound of gongs and drums.

They didn't know what first-class merit was, but they were rewarded with hundreds of dollars.
This is a huge wealth that the villagers have never dared to imagine in their entire lives!

The world has changed, and you can make a bright future as a soldier!
(End of this chapter)