Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 282 4.78 The so-called "rituals"

Volume Four

4.78 So-called "gifts"

As the end of the year approaches, there are many things to be busy with. The market in the feudal era was also worse than in modern times. Not to mention other things, it is the most basic types of non-staple food. Today’s market may not be able to fully supply, such as non-staple food. Whether you can afford the most common chicken, fish, meat, and eggs is another matter. If you want to buy more, you may not be able to buy them.

Of course, this "problem" can be completely ignored for the Xue family, or any wealthy family; the problem is that a large family needs more than just food to celebrate the New Year. For example, there are so many servants in the family, and they always get rewards during the New Year. Some money?Gotta get them a new set of clothes or two, right?Also, the slaves also have family members to support them, shouldn't they also be rewarded with some rice, flour, grain and oil?
If these can still be solved with money, another thing is the problem that really bothers Zhou Yang, and that is the "festival etiquette". Even in modern times, there is still a custom of visiting relatives and giving gifts during festivals, let alone " "Rules, etiquette", or "face" is a big feudal family that values ​​​​second only to life. Zhou Yang will definitely not be able to play with it. Fortunately, someone understands.

"Let me go and focus on your career and finance. What are you doing to me, a miserable person like me?" Wang Shuying tried her best to resist someone's groping, but it was completely meaningless. In just a dozen breaths, she Kung Fu had already lost all ground, and in the end he had no choice but to give in, "What do you think I am when you treat me like this?"

It is now December [-]th. During this period, Xue Baochai and Zhao Qiying, the two girls are busy sorting out accounts and checking in and out every day, not only for Beidixue, but also for the Xue family's own farm, one after another. , I have to check everything over and over again, so I am so busy that I don’t see anyone all day long.

When Zhou Yang read the original work, he had guessed that the actual helmsman of the Xue family was Xue Baochai. Du has not been able to change this. You must know that Xue Baochai was born in the 33rd year of Longwu, and he is only seventeen years old this year!
What made him even more unexpected was that she had been handling business and checking accounts with her father since she was 12 years old. In addition to the Xue brothers, she was the one who preceded Xue Zihao. Obviously, Xue Tu realized at that time that tuba training He was exhausted, and wanted to practice a trumpet to make up for it, and recruit a son-in-law if necessary, but judging from the original work, he failed.

Wang Shuying is not idle either. Xue Baochai is in charge of the outside business, and naturally she is busy with the chores in the inner courtyard. At least she has to prepare all kinds of things needed for the New Year, right?Because there were so many things to do, she even asked Qingwen to help, so that in the huge Xue family's old house, Zhou Yang was the only "superfluous person" left among the masters.

"Didn't you come here to help you relax because you are working hard?" How could Zhou Yang, who had not been close to this beautiful woman for more than ten days and finally sent Qingwen to Xue Baochai, give up such a good opportunity? What's more, he still has something to ask, "Besides, we haven't seen each other for so many days, I miss you!"

"What do you think of me, a miserable person? You are surrounded by beautiful concubines and personal maids, none of which are better than my burnt paper, go find them!" Obviously, Wang Shuying still has a heart for someone, Originally it was just Xue Pan's matter, but he couldn't get rid of his anger for more than ten days, and now jealousy is added to it. It will definitely not be settled without some means.

"Why don't I let you see first, how much I miss you -" Zhou Yang actually couldn't enjoy himself as much as he wanted. Zhao Qiying, the only person around him who could eat, actually moved to live with Xue Baochai in order to improve his management skills. Wang Shuying also Because she was angry and alienated from him, when necessary, she could only play some small games with the little maid playing the piano and flute.

It is difficult to deal with a girl being angry, but generally speaking, as long as it has not reached the point of irreversibility, it is always right to make yourself comfortable first. Even if there is no way to solve it, the difficulty of the problem can be reduced by several orders of magnitude, such as now——

"Boxing etiquette?" A long time later, Wang Shuying's cheeks were rosy, and she was held by her lover, even speaking with a sweetness that could not be concealed, "Your relationship paths are all in the capital, right? Why are you just remembering them now? There are so many things. It will take ten days and a half to get ready, no matter what, how will there be time to send it over before the end of the year?"

"Um" Zhou Yang was confused, he really didn't know how to use these things, "I arranged for people to bring a lot of things to Beijing a few days ago, last month to be precise, and sent them to various families. It should be Count it? Anyway, it’s approaching the end of the year and the journey is far away, so some deviations are understandable.”

"Last month -" Wang Shuying frowned, "It makes sense. You are two thousand miles away, so it's not too much to send things early; plus after October, there are no other major festivals, so it's just a new year. It’s okay to be polite.”

"Other festivals?" Zhou Yang was stunned for a moment, "Why, isn't it once a year?"

"If you do this, won't you be afraid of getting angry?" Wang Shuying rolled her eyes at him angrily, "The so-called 'Boxing Ceremony' is just as the name suggests. It is best to give some gifts during holidays. But depending on the holiday, The things given are also different and cannot be generalized. For example, some novel lamps are given during the Lantern Festival (the [-]th day of the first lunar month), family members enjoy the spring gathering during the Flower Festival (the twelfth day of the second lunar month), and there are outings and banquets before and after the Qingming Festival, etc. They are all considered as festive gifts. They are usually invited by the superiors or follow the custom. The people below take the opportunity to bring some gifts. It doesn’t need to be too heavy, as long as the meaning is fulfilled. Of course, the New Year’s gift should be a bit thicker. What did you give last month?”

"It's just some local specialties from Daye, seafood and even foreign goods sent by my second uncle, nothing rare." Zhou Yang said with a smile, "Basically, according to different statuses, I give them to Hachigong's family in the capital, and also give them to them. Some places such as General Shenwu's Mansion and Jingtian Marquis' Mansion have sent some gifts, and I have received their return gifts and letters one after another these days."

"It's heavy!" Wang Shuying frowned and realized the problem immediately, "Your current identity is just a Qianhu official of Daye Qianhu Office. I know the things from my second uncle's place. Just a few pieces can exceed Qianhu." Two, according to what you just said, I am afraid that the fewest companies will have more than 2000 taels."

"Why, can't it?" Zhou Yang was stunned for a moment, "Isn't there an old saying that says, 'It's not strange to treat people with courtesy'? I will need them in the future."

"Then how do you ask other people to give it away?" Wang Shuying, as the head wife of the Xue family in Jinling, naturally does not understand this matter. "You are not the only disciple of those dignitaries in the capital. When and who should give it away?" There are rules for how much you give. Unless you have something to ask for, if you raise your hand, it will be thousands of taels. How can others receive it?"

"Ah?" Zhou Yang was completely confused.

"That's all, you have just been released from your foreign post. It is reasonable to give Boxing gifts in the first year to deepen the relationship intentionally, but it is a bit too thick." Wang Shuying rolled her eyes and said, "Don't be so unwise in the future, because according to convention, This gift has always only gone up but never down. You gave me such a generous gift this time, what should I do in the future?"

"It's true." Zhou Yang smiled helplessly. He had never held a substantial position in modern times. How could he understand this? "Next time there is a problem like this again, I will let you take care of it first, so as not to be embarrassed if you try to catch something."

"You are not confused about major matters, but other than that, I'm afraid you are only capable when it comes to humiliating us poor people." Wang Shuying sat up holding the bed board, leaned on the bed and put on a thin shirt and started mocking, "Fortunately, It’s not that I’m giving too little, otherwise it’s probably better not to give it at all; but there’s one thing, how did you arrange it for the Jia family?”

"Now the Ningrong Palace has long been kicked out of the circle of top nobles. Even the real power in the DPRK and the Central Government cannot keep up with the original second-tier houses such as the Jingtian Marquis Palace and the Shenwu General Palace. I gave it according to the third-class standards." Zhou Yang said unceremoniously.

"You really don't understand the rules after returning from overseas." Wang Shuying completely gave up the idea of ​​rescuing her. "You only think about their power and position and forget about their relationship? Master Chen of the Duke of Qi is your tutor, but you forget Is Rongguo Mansion also your benefactor? These two families must be listed separately, and the other families should be divided into different levels.

If this kind of thing spreads, outsiders will not ask whether you understand the rules, but will only think that you are short-sighted, and even your benefactor dares to treat you so lightly. Fortunately, the extent of this etiquette has always been covered up by various families. Tight, because when word spreads, there will be comparison, and naturally there will be class distinctions. There are many famous mansions in Beijing. Wouldn't it be too embarrassing if word spread? "

"Huh - that's good!" Zhou Yang breathed a sigh of relief, sat up, took the beautiful woman into his arms and said with a smile, "Forget it, I'll leave this matter to you from now on. When it's time to give gifts during the holidays, remember to go directly from Just send it over here. If you have any money consumption, just submit the bill."

"But you're talking nonsense. What's the value of this thing? Why do I need you to give me any money?" Wang Shuying hit him angrily, "I just hope you don't let me down. If you have any thoughts of repaying me, just take care of me." It’s just a good thing!”

(End of this chapter)