Farming Beneath the Changbai Mountains

The first month of the lunar year is a time for visiting relatives and friends, eating, drinking and having fun, and women are not allowed to sew. People who have been busy for a year can really rest at this time.

On the third day of the first month of the lunar year, Jingya and her husband returned to her parents' home, and the Xu family was now all together. The old man and the old lady looked at the children and grandchildren in the house happily, and their hearts were infinitely satisfied. The old lady asked to make more of the delicious food that Mingyu sent, so that everyone could taste it.

So, there were a lot of seafood on the lunch banquet at noon.

Jingya and her husband stayed at Xu's house for a few days, and only returned to Yue's house on the sixth day of the lunar year. Chen wanted to keep them for a few more days, but Jingya had some morning sickness, so Pengcheng said it would be better to go back to Yue's house. The old lady couldn't keep them any longer, so she brought them a lot of delicious food and some supplements, and sent the young couple away.

Wanting hadn't seen her parents when she came back this time. So after sending Jingya away, Zhixiang took Wanting and the children and went to the county in a carriage. Qingnian and Huixin had lived in Xu's house for quite a while, so they said goodbye and went home. Zhide and his wife ate here during the day and went back to their own home at night. After these people left, the room at home could be more spacious.

The seventh day of the first lunar month is the seventh day of the lunar year, and every household has to make dumplings. On this day, everyone did not go out and stayed at home.

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, the old man said he wanted to go back to the village to take a look, so a family of more than ten people took a bullock cart back to the village. When everyone returned to the village, of course they had to go to the old man's cousin, Xu Chengyuan's house first. In Xu Chengyuan's house, both sons took their wives and children back to their mother's house, leaving only two old people at home.

When cousins ​​meet, of course there are endless things to say, so several old people sat on the kang and chatted. When Xue and the others saw that there was no one else at home, they could only do it themselves and prepare meals and so on. Fortunately, a lot of food was prepared when they came, so it was not too busy.

"Head of the family, take the children out for a walk, go to the village chief's house, and pay New Year's greetings to a few families who get along well with us. Then tell them to come to our uncle's place for a drink at noon. We can only come back once or twice a year, and the villagers will have less time to meet in the future, so don't let the previous friendship fade." Xue came into the house and said to Zhixin.

Zhixin nodded, "Okay, then I'll go now." Then, he led Wenhan and other boys out.

"Big brother, wait a minute, didn't we bring a lot of things, some of which are for the villagers. You take them, it's New Year's Day, bring some rare things, everyone follow to try something new." Chen called Zhixin.

"Oh, I know, mother." Zhixin agreed and went out. When they came to the outer room, Xue found the prepared things. In fact, there was nothing much, just the dried seafood sent by Mingyu, such as shrimps, scallops and the like. One bag for each family, let everyone follow to try.

Jinghan couldn't sit still in the house, so she told Chen that she wanted to go out for a walk. There are several girls in the village, and they used to get along well. It's rare for them to come back, so they have to go and see them. They don't know if they are there yet.

Jinghan took Jingwan and Jingxian to the Lin family first. On the second day of the Chinese New Year, Lin Xingjia brought his family to Xu's house. Jinghan also met Zixuan and Yumei, and they had a meal together. Logically, Zhixin should have brought his family here today, but they rarely came back to the village, so they had to go to other people's homes first. Fortunately, the relationship between the two families is very good, and no one cares about this.

It was a coincidence that He just brought her children back from her mother's house yesterday, and they are all at home now. Jinghan and others entered the yard and saw Ziwen lighting firecrackers in the yard. "Ziwen, we are here, are uncle and aunt at home?" Jinghan asked.

"Oh, Sister Jinghan, you are here. My father, mother, and brother are all at home. Come, follow me into the house." Ziwen quickly put away the firecrackers in his hand and led Jinghan and the others into the house.

In the house, the old man and the old lady of the Lin family were also there. After the Lin Xing family split up, the old couple lived with each son for one year. It happened that this year was the Xing family's turn.

Jinghan and her sisters entered the house and first bowed to the old man and the old lady, "Grandpa Lin, Grandma Lin, Happy New Year."

"Oh, good, all good. Sit down quickly, look at the girls of the Xu family, all of them are so beautiful, so lovely." The old lady quickly asked Jinghan and the others to sit down. The old couple already knew about Zixuan and Jinghan's marriage, so they were even more enthusiastic about Jinghan.

Zixuan and Yumei were also there, and Zixuan's eyes were always on Jinghan. Although they met on the second day of the Chinese New Year, those who are in love would like to see their loved ones every day.

"Let's eat here at noon. It's a good time for us to have fun together. Let Yumei call Xiaoxiu and Xiaojuan. It's been a while since you guys have seen each other. Xiaoxiu and Xiaojuan are also engaged. They may get married in the fall. It will be more difficult to meet then." He naturally wanted to spend more time with Jinghan. Her son's eyes were always on her.

"Aunt, it's really not possible today. My father will probably be able to come soon. Today, we will have a banquet at my great grandfather's house and invite all the villagers to drink. How about this, let's go to my great grandfather's house first, and then we will come to your house alone one day, and then we will have a good time. Anyway, there is plenty of free time in the first month of the year." Jinghan said with a smile.

Before Jinghan finished speaking, Lin Xing's family came in from outside, "Daughter-in-law, I went to Uncle Xu's place for dinner at noon today. Brother Zhixin and the others are here and want me to come over." Lin Xing's family entered the house, Only then did I realize that Jinghan and the others were also there. "Hey, so Jinghan is here. Haha, okay, you guys sit down, I will go to your uncle's place first. We just discussed it with your father. The day after tomorrow, on the tenth day of the lunar month, your whole family will come here. Let's Let’s have some fun together.”

Jinghan quickly agreed. "Since Uncle Lin and my father have already agreed, that's fine. When we all come, Auntie has to prepare something delicious."

"Hey, okay, Auntie will definitely cook some of her specialty dishes for you to try." Mrs. He agreed with a smile, then turned around and told Xingjia, "Don't drink too much when you go out. You've been drinking all these days. Take care of yourself."

Xingjia didn't say anything. He turned around and said to the old man, "Dad, you can come too. Let's all go there."

The old lady of the Lin family glared at Xingjia, "Your father can't drink. He has always felt uncomfortable when he smells alcohol. Don't you know?" The old man fell into a wine cellar when he was young and almost drowned. After that, he only drank half a glass of wine. Can't touch either.

Xingjia scratched his head and smiled. "Mom, aren't I happy? Haha, okay, I'm leaving then. You can eat at home." With that, he went out.

Jinghan and the others sat at Lin's house for a while, and then went to find Xiaoxiu and the others. Yumei went out with Jinghan and the others, and everyone walked to the east end of the village to find their former friends.

Xiaoxiu went out and did not come back. Xiaojuan was at home. Everyone chatted and kowtowed at Zhao's house for a while. Jinghan guessed that it might be time for dinner at home, so he took Jingwan and Jingxian to say goodbye to Xiaojuan, and then returned to Xu. Home.

At Xu Chengyuan's house, Mrs. Xue and the others had almost cooked the food. When Mrs. Xue saw Jinghan coming back, she asked Jinghan to quickly help put the table on the table and prepare for dinner. The tables in the Xu family were not enough, so Wenhan went to the neighbor's house next door and borrowed two tables, and then placed two tables in the east and west rooms, and then everyone sat down.

Xu Chengkuan and his cousin were sitting at a table, together with the village chief Zhou, and the old men from the Wu and Li families, all of the same age, chatting and eating together.

"Not to mention, when Brother Xu and the others came back this time, it felt like they were returning to their hometown in fine clothes. At first, the family was in trouble and even the house and land were sold. Now they not only bought a house in the town, but also bought land. This Life is dozens of times better than before. Or else, thirty years in Hedong, thirty years in Hexi. Look at now, the first person in the family, two scholars, a scholarly family. "No. Zhixiang has become an official outside, and these juniors have to take the scientific examination. It would be really bad if he gets another Jinshi." Village Chief Zhou sighed.

"It's all thanks to you guys, isn't it? We didn't even have a place to stay at that time. If the village hadn't let us see the ginseng, we wouldn't be squatting in that corner now." The old man said with a smile.

"Brother Xu, what you said is wrong. If your family doesn't go to see ginseng, why don't we in the village have to take turns going up from house to house? In the past few years, not only have you not lost any sticks in the mountains, but you have also boiled water and rice for everyone. Yes, it’s a lot more convenient for us. Last year, the ginseng venue was moved to another place. Many people in our village thought that you were making money by watching ginseng, but this job is not that good. Do it. Look at the Erlu family. What happened last autumn when they went to see Dongpizi? Within two months, they couldn’t bear the hardships on the mountain and they quit. Now they have to find another person to open the village this year. Alas, I'm worried that no one can work so sincerely like my eldest brother." Village Chief Zhou sighed, the Xu family really doesn't have to worry about anything in the village since they are in the mountains. Now that I have changed people, I really just follow the endless worries.

Xu Chengkuan didn't have anything to say. Now his family really doesn't need to pay for the ginseng. Next year, the entire ginseng market will be closed. The old man is not prepared to let his sons suffer like this again, so he can't help the village chief. busy. "Don't worry, village chief. Erlu is a bit out of tune, so it's okay not to use him. It depends on Shen's job. It's actually not too troublesome, as long as he can stay on the mountain steadily. Besides, , It’s only the first year, and it’s only about 2,000 feet. How beautiful it is. “Anyway, it’s impossible for my family to go to another place to see ginseng.