Count nine weather, the weather is cold, and the ground is freezing. Cao Hao became tired, his body was rusty, and he didn't like to move.

It's a hot spring Zhuangzi, but it's just and mindful. He and Chu Yu returned to the East Courtyard and had to go to the bath. Although it is said to be an old husband and wife, after the "hot spring water slippery washing cream", it is still the "Fuchun Rong tent warm night".

Tossed without any strength, the husband and wife hugged each other and fell asleep.

When Cao Hao opened his eyes again, he was already said to be on the third pole.

Chu Yu called several times in her husband's ear, and when she saw him open her eyes, she said with a smile: "E, the children have been waiting outside for a long time." ”

Cao Hao took out his pocket watch from under the pillow and glanced at it, it was already two o'clock in the morning (half past eight in the morning).

After finishing dressing and changing, Cao Hao arrived at the outhouse, and saw Qi Niang and Niu Niu, with God bless the four of them, all dressed tightly, waiting there.

Seeing Cao Hao come out, the children were a little excited, please be safe, hug the legs, and surround him in the middle.

Chu Yu stood at the door, making people have breakfast, and he was in a good mood when he saw such a lively scene.

The children all had breakfast, Cao Hao didn't delay any longer, hurriedly used a bowl of rice, put down the chopsticks, took a dozen people, led a few horses, and took the children out of the Zhuangzi.

Today's destination is the back mountain, and yesterday at the end of the day, people have been sent over to lay a sticky net over there to flutter birds and birds. Now, he's just taking the kids over there.

Except for Qi Niang, who is slightly older, the other children are small and can't walk a few steps, so they are two people and one horse, and the long man who follows leads the horse.

Cao Hao, together with Wei Hei, Zheng Hu and others, walked and led everyone to the back mountain.

It was because he looked close, so Cao Hao didn't ride a horse, but he didn't expect to walk, but it was a little far. After walking more than four miles, I reached the foot of the mountain.

It is said that it is a mountain, but it is a higher soil slope, and it is also the land of the Cao family, and the mountain is full of peach trees, and the place under the mountain is slightly flat, and there are some thin fields.

It was a cold winter, the plants and trees were withering, and there was no scenery to see.

However, the children are quite interested, except for Qi Niang, others rarely go out of the house, and it is the first time to see the winter scenery on this mountain. is Qi Niang, who has been detained in the house for half a year, and now that she has come out, she is also smiling, but she is happy.

After turning to the mountain, there is the place where the net is laid.

On the three- or four-foot-long net, there were more than a dozen birds sticking to it, some of them were still struggling, some were dying, and some were already frozen to death.

Rarely, in the northeast corner, there is also a bird eagle sticked. It is said to be a bird eagle, because it is a chick, and it is about the same size as a quail.

Cao Hao stood aside, watching the elder and the little girl take the children to pick birds on the sticky net, thinking of Jiangning Qingliang Temple. Back then, on the mountain behind Qingliang Temple, he and Zhiran spoiled the pheasants, hares and birds on the mountain enough.

The birds and finches obtained here are limited, and Xiaoman has already taken the two little guys to the other side to pick up the birds.

That's right, it's pickup. On the sunny side, yesterday someone came and swept a clearing, and sprinkled arsenic-soaked millet on it. This is a common method used by farmers.

When the birds eat the grain, they will immediately die of poison. When the time comes, these dead birds will be picked up, the internal organs and furs will be removed, and the rest will be fried or grilled, which can be regarded as a mountain delicacy.

After a while, Xiaoman came back and carried two noodle bags, each half loaded, and it seemed that he had a lot of income.

The birds here have also been picked, and they are packed in the bird cage, and the others are put aside, and now they are all in the noodle bag in Xiao Man's hand.

Although a few little ones stared at the bird eagle, none of them opened their mouths to ask for it. Long before they came, several of them told Tianhui that among the birds they caught, they would pick the largest one and leave it to Tianhui.

In the end, it was cold, and Cao Hao didn't dare to let the children stay outside for a long time. In case it freezes, it's not a joke.

When they came, they went a little far away, and when they came back, they took the road and went down from the other side of the mountain.

Before they reached the foot of the mountain, they saw a hut in the distance, surrounded by a fence.

God bless them, a few of them were curious, and they bothered their necks and looked over there. Even Cao Hao looked at it twice, if he remembered correctly, who was in this thatched hut in this piece of land that was still within the boundaries of the Cao family?

Among the stewards who came with them, two were Zhuangzi who was an old man here, and one was He Changgui, who was He Maocai's nephew. He was not very old, but he was in his twenties, but he had a vision.

Seeing Cao Hao looking over at the thatched hut, He Changgui said with a smile: "Uncle, there is a tenant of our Zhuangzi who lives there, and it was originally from Wangjiayao Village. The surname is Guo, and there are four grandchildren in the family. A few years ago, there was less land in the cultivation palace in Wangjiayao Village, so he voted for our Zhuangzi. The uncles and young masters are tired of coming, why don't you go to his house to drink hot water? ”

When Cao Hao heard this, he wanted to shake his head, but when he saw that the children's faces were full of hope, he said, "Well, then let someone say it first, don't disturb them......"

While talking here, a few strong men came out of the yard, brightly dressed, and all led the horses. The people at the head were arrogant, and the few who followed were carrying chickens and ducks and other things in their hands.

These people, before they got on the horse, saw another man come out of the yard, the farmer was dressed up, and what he was holding in his hand was not a kitchen knife?

The people in front of them didn't look panicked.

The farmer had just gone out, but he was hugged by an old woman who came later and took away the kitchen knife.

This will be kung fu, Cao Hao and his party are already close, and they can hear the sound of their dispute.

Cao Hao's face was dark, and Fang Cai's good mood had disappeared. Since the strong men in front of him came out, Cao Hao recognized them as members of the Cao family from their dress.

The people in front of them became more and more proud when they saw that the man in the village had no kitchen knife in his hand. The man at the head stepped forward and kicked at the man, scolding and scolding: "Damn, it's really Diaomin, and you don't pee and take pictures, what are you?" ”

The man was kicked and bent over, his face flushed, and he glared at the man, unable to speak.

The old woman had already knelt down and begged: "Master Hu, these few acres of land in the villain's house, next to the mountain, are thin fields. The great steward, by grace, allowed us to rent twenty and a half percent. This year is another big drought, and other people's houses are fine next to the well, and some harvests have been harvested. Our few acres of land are not even five mature. It's a rent of two and a half percent, which is also difficult, where can you make up forty percent? Ask Master Hu for mercy and spare us a way to live......"

"Fart! The newly opened field is a thin field, this kind of field that has been around for three years, which is a thin field? If you want to rent a child, you don't ask, whose Zhuangzi is it? Our master is the emperor's grandson-in-law and the uncle's uncle. You Diao people, are you tired of life, aren't you? Do you have to have a chain that locks you up and sends you to the yamen before you can be divided? The man at the head, dressed in thick fur, said with his chin tilted.

When the old woman saw him gritting her teeth and not letting go, she couldn't help it, and cried: "Master Hu, didn't you say that as long as you want, as long as you ...... Will you free us of half of the rent......"

When the man surnamed Hu heard this, he was furious, raised his foot, kicked the old woman, and said, "Grandma, when have I ever been so disappointed Master Hu?" Is your daughter-in-law's thing expensive? It was when he saw that you were pitiful that he rewarded you with face. Son of a bitch, it's really shameless. ”

The farmer roared, and was about to rush forward, but was hugged tightly by the old woman.

That Hu Ye glanced at him contemptuously and said, "Guo San, you have a kind of, don't you want to be the eighth king?" You wait, if you can't pay the rent before Laba, your daughter-in-law will enter the kiln, and thousands of people will ride and ten thousand people will cross. I'm afraid that your hat will be green and black by then, haha......"

Speaking of which, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. The few people who came with him also followed suit.

At this time, I saw a little boy running out of the door, seven or eight years old, crying and shouting: "Grandma, Daddy, my mother hanged ......"

When the farmer heard this, he was dumbfounded. The old woman lived a few more years, calmed down, pulled her son, and said, "Hurry back to the house......"

In the blink of an eye, the three ancestors and grandchildren have already entered the courtyard.

The man surnamed Hu felt bored, scolded "bad luck" in his mouth, turned around and wanted to come to the door, but he felt a flower in front of him, and several figures passed in front of him.

By the time he could react, the figures had already flashed into the courtyard.

As soon as the surnamed Hu wanted to scold, he heard someone shouting angrily: "Hu Cheng, you bastard, are you dead?" ”

Hu Cheng followed the sound and saw a few horses parked not far away, several children at once, and many long guards.

A person came over there, glared at him with raised eyebrows, and scolded: "You don't grow up when you are young, and the uncle is afraid that you will cause trouble in the city, so he interceded with Steward He and asked you to make up for Zhuangzi's side." That's how you worked? ”

When Hu Cheng heard this, he only felt a tremor on his body, and hurriedly put down the reins, trotted forward, and said with a shy smile: "Is my cousin here?" Misunderstanding and misunderstanding, this tenant is really tricky, and he wants to rely on the rent......"

Before he could finish speaking, he felt that something was wrong. Among the children on the backs of the horses, there were men and women, but they looked like the children of the stewards in a way that looked like they were dressed with dignity.

It was only at this time that he remembered the identity of the little cousin in front of him.

Xiaoman is Cao Hao's personal servant, where is there such an opportunity to wander around the mountains?

Hu Cheng only felt that his scalp was numb, and he looked into the crowd, and sure enough, he saw a few familiar people, all of whom were on errand beside the young master Cao Hao.

"Cousin, this is, this is ......" Hu Cheng's face was pale and speechless.

Xiao Man snorted coldly, glared at him, and said, "Don't step aside yet, wait for the uncle to come back, you look good!" ”

Hu Cheng heard this, and hurriedly defended: "It's really a misunderstanding, cousin, I can't complain about me, it's all a trick on the people." Even for the sake of your uncle's affection, you have to help your cousin. As he spoke, he was already bowing.

The children, on horseback, watched the farce. Tianyou leaned over and asked, "Uncle Man, who is he?" ”

Xiao Man stepped forward and said, "Master, he is the steward of our Zhuangzi, and he is responsible for leading people to collect rent." ”

Tianyou glanced at the chickens and ducks in the hands of several people behind Hu Cheng, and asked puzzledly: "Is the tenant a chicken and duck?" Isn't it food? What are the warehouses in the backyard of our Zhuangzi house? ”

Although Xiaoman is a slave, he rarely goes out of the city. Hearing Tianyou's question, he didn't know how to answer, and looked at Hu Cheng with some doubts.

Hu Cheng was beside him, only to feel that sweat was oozing from his forehead, bowed down, and replied respectfully: "If you go back to the master, this is the top rent." According to the rules, the tenants should come to collect rent, and the tenants should prepare wine and food for hospitality. If there is no food to prepare, they will use live chickens and live ducks. ”

"Brother, he's a badass. That old lady has gray hair, and he's kicking people! Hengsheng sat behind Tianyou, saw Hu Cheng's flattering appearance, disgusted in his heart, and said to Tianyou.

When Tianyou heard this, he didn't say anything, and just saw Zuo Cheng hiding behind Zuo Cheng with his clothes tight.

Among all the people, Zuo Cheng's body is the weakest, and he has been raised for several years before he can be considered harder. But compared with others, it is also afraid of cold and heat.

Although Tianyou is in his heart, like his younger brother, he doesn't like Hu Cheng. But he knew that with his father, this person didn't have to worry about himself.

"Uncle Man, Brother Cheng is cold." Tianyou said to Xiao Man: "Let's go into the courtyard too, shall we?" ”

Xiao Man didn't dare to go in directly with a few small ones, and when the tenant child came to call someone, he also heard it. If someone was really hanged inside, scaring a few young masters and young ladies, it was not something he could bear.

"Master, let's go take a look. If the uncle agrees, it will not be too late for the young master to go in again. Xiaoman said.

Tianyou didn't say anything, Hengsheng pointed to Qi Niang and Niuniu's horses, and said, "Seventh Sister and Little Aunt have entered......"

* In the room, there was a stool on the floor, and a rope loop made of thick rope fell to the ground, and there was a half-cut rope hanging on the beam.

The room is not big, and half of it is occupied by a large kang. There are two faded wooden boxes on the kang, and the bedding is neatly folded on the wooden boxes. On the ground was a table with a coarse porcelain jar with two feather dusters in it.

Although the furnishings are simple, the house is clean and tidy.

On the kang lay a young woman, twenty-five or six years old, her face was blue, and the corners of her mouth were foam. The child threw himself on his mother, and he was already crying.

Wei Hei was beside him, stretched out his hand, and poked into the young woman's neck. Seeing this, the farmer was busy trying to stop him, but was stopped by Wei Hei's look.

Wei Hei touched the young woman's neck, couldn't help frowning, turned back to Cao Hao and said, "Childe, the pulse is too weak, I'm afraid it's going to fail......"

The old woman held on to the edge of the kang, her lips trembled, and she couldn't speak.

Cao Hao was beside him, and when he saw this situation, he only felt out of breath in his heart. But it wasn't the time to feel sorry for himself, he turned his head and said to Zheng Hu behind him: "Go and call Qi Niang, that girl ......"

Before the words fell, I saw someone jump out of the door curtain and come in, it was Qi Niang and Niu Niu.

"That's when I remembered Qi Niang, hum!" Fang Qiniang pouted and glared at Cao Hao.

Although Niuniu is naughty, she is a child in the end, and when she saw the young woman lying on the kang stiffly, she was also afraid, so she didn't dare to step forward, so she slipped to Cao Hao's side, grabbed his sleeve and didn't let go.

As she spoke, Qi Niang had already walked to the side of the kang, rolled the young woman's eyelids, looked at her eyelids, and said, "The pupils are not scattered, and there is still a ...... to be saved" As she spoke, she had already taken out a half-foot-long silver box from her arms.

When I opened it, there were dozens of silver needles inside.

She had already put away her naughty appearance, her face was solemn, and her hands were fast, and she untied the young woman's neckline, and pricked the young woman's body and head a few times.

The old woman and the farmer didn't want to stop it, but they were shocked by this skillful acupuncture and moxibustion skills, and they didn't dare to squeak.

This kung fu, Qi Niang has finished piercing, sighed long, and took the silver needle back into the needle box.

After a while, I saw the young woman gasping for breath and slowly opening her eyes.

Except that the child cried and threw himself into his mother's arms, even the man and the old woman also wept. The man even "plopped" and knelt down, "banging", and kowtowed several times at everyone.

It turned out that when the man came into the house to save his wife, he was so bluffed that he couldn't untie the rope in a hurry.

Wei Hei, who still followed in, was quick with his eyes, drew his saber, and cut the knot before he saved the young woman. Coupled with Qi Niang's skillful hand needle, how can this man not be grateful...... After all, no one died, Cao Hao couldn't help but feel lucky, but he couldn't accept this man's gratitude with confidence.

He lifted his feet and led the people out, just as he was facing Xiaoman.

Cao Hao stopped and instructed Xiao Mandao: "Ask Zhao Tong to pick two people and take care of them here." If there is anything wrong with this woman, she will send a letter to Zhuangzi. ”

Xiao Man responded, Qi Niang hesitated, and said, "Uncle, it's better for Qi Niang to stay." If it's okay next day, Qi Niang will go back to Zhuangzi. It just so happens that I can also prescribe two prescriptions for them, and look at this woman who is a little weak. If you don't adjust it earlier, I'm afraid it will be an early death. ”

"The heart of the doctor's parents", seeing Qi Niang's tense little face, this sentence appeared in Cao Hao's mind.

He nodded and said, "It's okay, it's just that you're a little girl, it's not good to be alone outside, so you should ask Zhao Tong to bring two people here." Go back to Zhuangzi early in the evening, and someone will send you two padded jackets later, be careful not to freeze. ”

When Qi Niang heard this, she stuck out her tongue and said, "Speaking of which, it's really cold in this room." I saw that there was still an ice ...... hanging in the corner of the house."

While speaking, out of the courtyard, Zhao Tong had already brought two people over to standby.

Cao Hao explained two sentences, glanced back at the hut, turned around and left with everyone.

Cao Hao was on foot, and Hu Cheng dared to ride a horse wherever he wanted, and he didn't dare to come out of the atmosphere, so he led the horse in a gray manner and followed behind everyone.

Zheng Hu already recognized Hu Cheng, and whispered beside Cao Hao.

This Hu Cheng is the nephew of Cao Yuan, the great housekeeper of Cao Mansion. Speaking of this Hu family, he is also the old man of Cao Mansion and Sun Taijun's companion. Hu Cheng's grandmother was used by Sun Taijun when he was young.

The Hu family and the Cao Yuan family are in-laws, and they are the most decent people in the house.

Although the Hu family is decent, it is difficult to have children, and there is only one male in Hu Cheng's generation. Because of this, he was spoiled by his family and never went to the house on an errand. But he didn't learn well, and he became obsessed with drinking flower wine.

When he arrived in the capital, Hu Cheng was also a frequent visitor to the Qinglou.

His parents really couldn't help it, so they begged Cao Yuan. Cao Yuan also hated this nephew, and he taught him a few times, but it was useless.

Cao Yin's father and son are both cautious people in their words and deeds, and the rules in the house are also strict. Cao Yuanshi had no way to have a son, and he was begged by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, and he was afraid that he would cause trouble in the city, so he "assigned" this nephew to Zhuangzi outside the city.

originally thought that the land of mountains and wilderness was not a rich township, so Hu Cheng could learn better......

(To be continued)