Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan had just eaten two cooked dumplings with their family before midnight. They also had a toast with their grandfather and father. Before they could even greet each other with the new year's greetings, the palace's decree had arrived.
"They want us to go to the Hibiscus Garden? What did they do earlier? " Xiao Bei complained. Suddenly, he rolled his eyes and said to Little Yuan, who had been accompanying him, "How much do you think we can get from paying them a new year's greetings?"
Little Yuan was still in a daze. Everything seemed to be a mess during the new year. Countless people were moving around in the mansion like a merry-go-round. It was obvious that they were not used to the bustle.
When Little Yuan heard Xiao Bei's question, he said in a daze, "At least 100 strings of cash."
"Why are we so worthless? Listen to me when we get there later. Pan 'er and the others have to pay us a new year's greeting, right? We'll give them 100,000 strings of cash each. When we pay them a new year's greeting, who dares to miss this amount?
Hmph! "Xiao Bei decided to use his ultimate trump card. He would first give them money and then receive it.
"We're not doing business. It's the new year. Everyone should be happy. Unfortunately, Little Ji, Little Xiang, Little Ru, Little Yi, and the others are too young. Xiao Hong has just learned to run. I'm worried about whether to fake her ears or not.
If we don't do it, she's born without ears, and it's difficult for her to hear. If we do it, will she think that we look down on her because she doesn't have ears? Otherwise, why do we have to give her a pair of ears? If we didn't impulsively accept her as our sister back then, we wouldn't have to worry about this, right? "
Little Yuan said to Xiao Bei as they walked out with the group.
Zhang Fang, who was at the side, added, "It's not impulsive. It's the right decision. Take me, my brother, and Brother Zhang Qiang for example. Brother Zhang Qiang was originally a mountain villager in Lu Zhou. If our father didn't accept him as his adopted son, how could the mountain villager leave the mountain so easily?
My brother and I are foster father's children. The entire Wing Province … that ethnic minority will always be at ease. In fact, my brother and I both know that it doesn't matter who our foster father chooses. It's just that he chose us because we're about the same age. It's our luck.
Xiao Hong doesn't have ears, but she's still our sister. She's a member of the Tang's Patrol. Who in Tang dares to look down on children with physical defects? Brother and sister have acquiesced to it. "
"That makes sense." Little Yuan nodded. Most of the time, there was a political purpose behind doing things. Of course, when he first took Hong 'er in, he did not think of the political meaning behind it. He just felt that Hong' er was pitiful. She was just missing two ears. How could she not have the right to live?
Thinking of Hong 'er, Xiao Yuan also thought of the registrar and that woman from back then. He asked, "Where was the registrar at that time? Where was Hong' er's mother?"
"I don't know." Xiaobei also remembered. She turned her head to look at the servant girl.
It was not easy to be a maidservant. In addition to taking care of the little ancestors, she also had to remember many things and even help to come up with ideas at critical moments. Any one of the maidservants of the Zhang Family and the Wang Family could be used as a county magistrate.
"The registrar has already become a commoner. His family owns a few dozen mu of land. I heard that he is not in good spirits. Occasionally, when he is free, he would mutter about 'Hong' er. Hong 'er's mother is doing business with the families of the two young ladies, the young man and the young man. Our family is not in charge of them.
It was the young lady who instructed him. She said that if a relative used another relative as a subordinate, it would be an insult to both of them. They must be allowed to act independently. The young master also agreed.
They opened a tea shop on Chang 'an Street in the capital. The place is quite good. My family put in a lot of effort to arrange for it. Now, they sell tea from all over the Great Tang. As long as the young master and young lady get new tea, they will definitely put it in the tea shop to sell.
In terms of variety, they have the most variety that ordinary people can drink. They have the most variety. Every month, they earn more than 1,000 strings of coins in net. "
"Huh? So much? I'm not saying that they earn too much. I'm saying how can a tea shop make so much profit? "Xiaobei said in surprise.
"Because their tea is all good tea," the servant girl replied.
"Oh, right. After tonight, we will go and have a look. Xiaofang, do you miss home? Brother Zhang Qiang has already visited his family when he returned to Lu Zhou. You haven't been back for a long time. "
Xiaobei suddenly thought of this question. She felt that if she was asked to leave her brother and sister for too long, she would miss them very much.
Zhang Fang pondered for a moment and said, "I miss them, but we have a good life here. I have forgotten what my parents look like. When we go to the north to train the soldiers, let's take a detour. We will go home and have a look."
Then, she sighed and said, "If we hadn't been paying attention to the precious candy houses in various places, I wouldn't even be able to outline the appearance of my hometown. At that time, the family was probably a kind of transaction.
Before the compulsory education system and welfare were fully provided in the Great Tang, there were many families who gave their children away. Although it was said to be a gift, it was actually a kind of sale. However, the price was very low. It was just a few eggs or a piece of meat. They didn't even need anything as long as the other party promised not to harm the child.
All this was because of poverty. Even my family couldn't refuse such a temptation. Since I gave my children to you, you naturally have to take care of the whole family.
My brother and I are the bargaining chips on both sides of the balance. The Great Tang needs the loyalty of my tribe, and my tribe needs the welfare of the Great Tang. But as a bargaining chip, I don't regret it at all. I have a group of brothers and sisters. If I want, I can eat with the Emperor of the Great Tang every day. I can let Brother Xiao Bao and Sister Cuckoo, who are respected by the Great Tang people, hold me.
The head of the family should never expect such glory. What I need to think about now is how to face my people in the future. It's very troublesome. Who asked my identity to be different? "
"That's right. I never thought that I would be born with such an identity. It's so scary. I always wanted to live the life of an ordinary child of the Great Tang, but I never succeeded. Haven't we seen the children of other great clans? They are all so arrogant. When we ask them how many eggs a chicken lays, they don't even know how many eggs they lay for a kilogram.
What's the point of living like that? According to my brother's story, it's called elite education. Elites mean that they don't know that seven to nine eggs is a kilogram. They don't know that a newly opened egg can be counted to eleven. My brother and sister are better. They teach us everything from the most basic farming manure to the political struggles of the upper class.
That day in my dream, I thought, who am I? I don't seem to have myself. I am one of my brothers and sisters at home, and I have to learn to show my parents. When I am outside, I am a diplomat in charge of all kinds of foreign exchanges. I was born in the Zhang family, and the things I do don't belong to me.
This autumn, I saw Lu Zhou picking rice ears during the children's holidays. I helped him pick them up, but he complained that he had to go to school and listen to his parents at home. During the holidays, he also had to help with the farm work. He only had an hour to play by himself every day.
Ha, from then on, I felt that I was very happy. He could only play for an hour every day. It turns out that I am not the only one who doesn't belong to myself. A few days ago, I thought that many parents work in the day and come back at night to cook and take care of the children. Are they not themselves? Who are they? I can't figure it out. "
Xiao Bei followed Xiao Fang's words. The more she spoke, the more off-topic she became. In the end, she fell silent.
Obviously, philosophy was not suitable for children to ponder, even if they had heard too many stories.
The road was unobstructed. The Zhang Family and Wang Family had this appeal. No matter how many people gathered on the road, as soon as they saw the Zhang Family and Wang Family's carriages, they would make way. The hearts of the people were aligned. There was no need to honk. Those who lost the hearts of the people walked away with bayonets. Some people threw eggs and hid after throwing one.
Even the guards were very relaxed. When passing by, the people would help to watch both sides. No one could think of rushing up. If someone really wanted to complain, they could just go to the Zhang Family and Wang Family. At this time, if they rushed over, the reason for complaining was too lousy, and no one would believe them.
By the time they arrived at Hibiscus Garden, it was already four in the morning. Their ears were buzzing with the sound of firecrackers. The stage set up in Hibiscus Garden reverberated with a 'pop' song written by an unknown composer.
After a while, the firecrackers in Hibiscus Garden stopped. Xiao Bei removed the hand covering his ears and said gloomily, "I was wondering why the noise was so loud. It turns out it was specially set off for us. Uncle Emperor really has nothing better to do. Let's see how much New Year's money he gave me. Hmph!"
Zhang Xiaobao was also shocked to the point that his eyes were spinning. The power of the gunpowder was obvious. He walked forward to pull his younger brother and sister.
"Brother, let me ask you something." Xiao Bei reached out his hand for his brother to pull. He said, "Do you think you are yourself? You live for yourself, don't you? Are you tired? "
Zhang Xiaobao was stunned. Beside him, Wang Juan was also stunned. At the same time, the two of them were a little worried. This was because many people who committed suicide had such thoughts. They thought that the process of life was too simple. They thought that they had seen through everything and that life and death were no longer important.
Stopping, Zhang Xiaobao pretended to think. After a while, he said, "I am tired. Many times, I feel that my existence is meaningless. I wear a hypocritical mask all day long and say things that I don't mean. Sometimes, I even want to end my life.
That day, I had a dream. I had a dream that I was going to die. Then, I realized that many people were crying. You guys were crying, our parents were crying, and even His Majesty was crying. Then, it spread to the entire Tang Empire. At that time, the Tang Empire seemed to have lost its soul and was filled with sorrow.
I didn't understand. I was the only one who died. What did it have to do with other people? Then, the sound of chains rang out. I saw Ox-Head and Horse-Face. The two 'people' were crying. Their throats were hoarse from crying.
I was puzzled. I told the two of them that we met again. That, I seem to have seen them before. It's been too long, so I can't remember. I said, what's wrong with the two of you? Are you sick? You have to be treated. It can't be delayed.
The two of them immediately knelt down and hit the ground with their heads. Ox-Head spoke first. 'Why are you here again? Didn't you promise last time that you wouldn't torment us for a hundred years? What right do you have to go back on your word?' I said, 'There's no meaning in living. I might as well die.'
Horse-Face followed. 'How is there no meaning in living? Look at how many people are crying when you die. So many people need you. You're stronger than Ox-Head and me. No one wants to see us. You're so lucky, do you know that? '
I said that's not what I meant. What I meant was that I'm too tired from living. I don't have time for myself. I can't even rest. I might as well die. If you guys don't disturb me, I'll be happier.
'You're the one who's disturbing us, okay? You don't intend to let the Underworld have peace. No one does that, you know? Even ghosts have to be reasonable. If you're tired, why don't you just ignore others and find a quiet place to fish, touch the prawns, plant some crops, and make some flowers. Won't you feel less tired then? "
This was what Ox-Head said. At first, I thought it made sense. Then, I thought that's not right. No one knows me anymore. What's the point of me living? So, I said no. Others have to know me.
Then, the two of them came up with an idea. They said it's simple. Print what you do in the newspaper every day and show it to everyone, but they can't disturb you after reading it.
Just like that, I agreed. I listened to the two of them and returned to the living world. Another three days passed. I was really annoyed. Although they told others about me, they didn't give me any feedback. Did they treat me like I was invisible? I don't want to live anymore. Everyone doesn't care about me. What's the point of me living?
So … "
"So, brother, you saw Ox-Head and Horse-Face again. They knelt down in front of you again, right? They're quite tenacious. If I were them, I would have wanted to die. You're too much of a torment. "
Before Zhang Xiaobao could finish, Zhang Xiaobao had already thought of the answer.
"Okay, I get it. Actually, I'm not living for myself. If I were to live for myself, I wouldn't be able to live. I need others to acknowledge me. I also need to see my decision change the lives of others. Why? You have to see who I am first. Who am I? I'm Zhang Xiaobao. My existence is a symbol. My name will definitely become a legend. The kind that Ox-Head and Horse-Face will tremble when they hear it. "
"Let's go. Let's make others tremble first. Let's go get some red packets. If anyone dares to give less today, I'll have to listen to their family's welfare after the New Year." Zhang Xiaobao waved his hand and strode towards Li Longji. Behind him was a group of children who would become legends.
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