It was the first day of the New Year.
According to the customs of the north, every year on the first day of the New Year, one had to go to the houses of the villagers to celebrate the New Year. They first went to the most senior in the village, then to the oldest, then to their relatives, friends, neighbors, and companions.
In the past, it was always Fang Yixing who represented the Fang family to visit each house. Some people would comfort him, some would tease him, and some would even drag him to spar with him.
Everyone knew that Fang Yixing didn't like martial arts and abandoned martial arts to pursue literature. Wasn't it insulting to ask Fang Yixing to spar with him?
Fang Yixing could only refuse again and again, and then let others laugh at him for a while. The Fang family's reputation gradually declined.
This year, Fang Huwei asked Fang Yan to accompany Fang Yixing to celebrate the New Year. Since the old man had spoken, Fang Yan couldn't disobey. He could only wake up early and put on the green robe and thousand-soled cloth boots that his mother had prepared for him in advance. The boots were made in an antique style to prevent the deep snow from pouring into the shoes and soaking his socks.
Fang Yixing still wore simple round cloth shoes. As the head of the family, he had to have the air of a refined elder. He had to endure the cold. This was what it meant to be graceful and not warm.
The most respected person in Swallow Dock was the teacher. Everyone in Swallow Dock had to go and pay their New Year's greetings to him. The Ye family was known as the number one family in Swallow Dock, so they had to send a representative to celebrate the New Year with the teacher.
Fang Yan held the gift box and followed behind Fang Yixing. The father and son treaded through the snow toward the teacher's small house.
When the father and son walked over, there were already many people ahead of them.
The teacher finally took off his grayish-brown leather coat and changed into a silver-white Tang suit. He sat upright on the mahogany chair in the living room, receiving the kowtows of the young people and children. There were also some middle-aged people who knelt down and kowtowed, but most of them bowed at the waist.
After the children finished kowtowing, they presented the gift box in their hands.
Bai Xiu, who was standing next to the teacher, took the gift box. The teacher reached out to touch the child's head and said, "You can go to the family school for enlightenment."
And so, the child kowtowed again. The child's parents also expressed their gratitude happily.
Some of the children who were already studying in the family school would also send gifts. The teacher patted the student's head and said, "You're clever enough, but you lack patience. He should use your family's learning stone to train his Qi and temper his mind. "
The students lowered their heads to receive the lesson, and the parents also had to express their gratitude.
All the uninitiated children in Swallow Dock had to be approved by the teachers to enter the school, and the students who were already studying would receive the teachers' comments, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses, and pointing out solutions to problems.
Fang Yan and Fang Yixing stood outside the house. The weather was freezing, but the father and son did not feel cold at all. Fang Yan looked at the growing queue and said with a smile, "Sir, isn't this a monopoly in the industry? Our Swallow Dock only has one family school, and all children of the right age have to go to school with his permission — this job of his is a guaranteed income. "
Fang Yixing glanced at Fang Yan sternly and said, "Don't talk nonsense. Mister is wholeheartedly devoted to the public. What is a gift worth? In my opinion, we should come and thank you on every festival. "
Fang Yan was helpless. His father was too old-fashioned. He was just joking when he was bored.
Not only his father, but many people in Swallow Dock had developed this habit of being old-fashioned. This was also the reason why Mister always emphasized that every family should send out some talented children. This was also the reason why Lu Daoling wanted to bring out some outstanding young people.
Only with a big vision could one have a big heart and big vision. It was not a good thing for Swallow Dock to close its doors, and many things outside were also the best. Take the best and discard the dregs. This was the situation that Swallow Dock needed to change the most.
Fang Yan understood, so he went out.
Fang Yixing might also understand, but character could not be developed overnight. Instead, he was led forward by the old rules of the village, and was not willing to make new changes.
Finally, it was the father and son's turn. Fang Yixing and Fang Yan both knelt down and kowtowed to Mister seriously.
After Fang Yixing said some auspicious words on behalf of the Fang family, Fang Yan handed over the gift box in his hand.
Mister looked at Fang Yan with a smile and said, "You are too slippery. Usually, I can't get you to kowtow."
Fang Yan felt wronged and said, "Mister, you have wronged me. When do I not come to kowtow to you during Chinese New Year? I kowtowed just now. If you think it is too little, I can kowtow a few more for you. "
Mister was very happy to see Fang Yan and said, "You don't have to kowtow. You have three hearts and more than ten guts. I have nothing to say to you, and I have nothing to teach you. Just remember our agreement. "
Fang Yan nodded seriously and said, "Mister, I remember."
Mister looked at Fang Yixing and said, "Yixing has a good son."
Fang Yixing's face was flushed and he thanked him repeatedly.
From the beginning to the end, Mister never mentioned the sword that he lost.
If Mister didn't mention it, Fang Yan wouldn't take the initiative to mention it.
Both of them pretended that it had never happened.
Bai Xiu looked at Fang Yan and everyone else with a gentle smile.
After Fang Yan got up from the ground, he said to Bai Xiu, "If you are tired of standing, let me stand for you for a while."
Bai Xiu refused indifferently and said, "If there is anything, I will do it. As your disciple, I naturally have to do my best. "
Fang Yan was helpless. Bai Xiu's words were equivalent to poking Fang Yan's sore spot.
Bai Xiu was Mister's disciple, but Fang Yan wasn't.
Bai Xiu could be a teacher in the family school, but Fang Yan didn't have the chance to be a teacher there.
Mister taught Bai Xiu everything he had learned in his life, and Bai Xiu was Mister's successor. His words were aboveboard, and others really couldn't compete with him for this position.
After leaving Mister's place, Fang Yixing took Fang Yan and rushed to the Ye Family.
The Ye Family's ancestor was currently the oldest person in Swallow Dock, and the Ye Family was also relatively close to the Fang Family. With Fang Huwei's secret instructions, Fang Yixing naturally wouldn't go against his father's wishes.
When the Fang Family's father and son arrived, Ye Fengsheng, who looked like a giant Fuwa doll, was about to leave. He saw Fang Yan and said happily, "Why are you up so early? I was going to kowtow to your Grandpa Fang after I'm done kowtowing to Mister. "
"I was also forcefully pulled up," Fang Yan said with a smile. "I've already been to Mister, so I'm here to kowtow to the ancestor now."
Actually, he said he was here to kowtow to the Ye Family's ancestor, but the Ye Family's ancestor wasn't very willing to see guests all these years. Therefore, he was just going through the motions at the Ye Family.
"We just missed it," Ye Fengsheng said regretfully.
"Where's Third Uncle?"
"Third Uncle rushed back to Yanjing after New Year's Eve dinner last night. Today, he's going overseas with the minister," Ye Fengsheng said.
Ye Daowen walked out the door and saw the Fang Family's father and son. He said, "Yixing, Happy New Year. Fang Yan, Happy New Year. "
"Big Brother Ye, Happy New Year." Fang Yixing and Ye Daowen cupped their fists and bowed.
"Uncle, I'm here to wish you a happy New Year." Fang Yan said with a smile. "I wish you happiness as vast as the East Sea and longevity as long as the South Mountain."
Ye Daowen waved his hand and said, "These words are for the ancestor to hear. The ancestor just said that you and your son should go directly to the Warm Pavilion. I won't entertain you guys, I still have to go congratulate Mister. "
Fang Yixing was overjoyed and said, "Big Brother Ye, go do what you need to do. We'll go to the Warm Pavilion and kowtow to the ancestor."
Thus, the two groups of people parted at the entrance of the courtyard.
Fang Yixing was incomparably emotional, and said to Fang Yan in a low voice, "This time, I've benefited from you. In the past, when I came to kowtow to the ancestor during the Spring Festival, I've never entered the Warm Pavilion. "
"Maybe the ancestor's mood is especially good this year." Fang Yan said with a smile.
Fang Yixing looked at his son with a smile and didn't say anything. He thought to himself, perhaps what his father said was really feasible.
It was the attitude of the Ye brothers — — I'm afraid this is not going to be easy to pass.
The father and son of the Fang family entered the Warm Pavilion. The Ye family's ancestor, Ye Wen Rou, and the servant girl Xi 'er sat on the Warm Kang and played cards.
Fang Yixing was the first to kneel down and kowtow three times to the ancestor. He also said a lot of blessings.
The father had already knelt down, how could the son stand? Fang Yan also quickly followed behind Fang Yixing and knelt down.
When the father and son of the Fang family knelt down, Ye Wen Rou and the servant girl Xi 'er moved to the side. The father and son of the Fang family were kneeling to the ancestor, and the two of them could not accept it.
"Alright, alright, all of you, get up." The ancestor squinted his eyes and smiled. "All day long, I've heard you guys talk about living longer than Mount Nanshan. Who can live longer than a mountain? Wouldn't that be a living fossil? "
"Ancestor, some mines were emptied in two or three years." Fang Yan said. "You've lived much longer than those mountains."
The ancestor couldn't help but laugh. He pointed at Fang Yan and said, "Ever since he was young, this naughty monkey only knows how to make me happy."
"It's my fault for not disciplining him well. Ancestor, don't lower yourself to the level of these children." Fang Yixing smiled and apologized. He could also see that the ancestor wasn't really angry with Fang Yan.
"How can you control whether a child becomes a talent or not? That's taught. "The ancestor said. "Fang Yan is very good. Whether it's in our Swallow Fort or outside, he's a first-class talent. Last night when we were having dinner, Third Bro praised him a lot. "
The third brother that the ancestor mentioned was the third tiger of the Ye family's three tigers, Ye Daoling. Ye Daoling praised Fang Yan at dinner. First, he was indeed grateful for Fang Yan's help. Second, he wanted to encourage the Ye family's children to work hard and improve.
No wonder when Fang Yan came in, he saw that the Ye family's people looked at him strangely. It was as if he stole their chicken to set up an "ambush".
But, have you considered Fang Yan's feelings?
From Fang Yan's point of view, Ye Daoling, this old fox, was drawing hatred for him.
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