As the day approached, so did an unsettling atmosphere in the city.

Although it is a troubled time now, there is no festival and no joy, as Zhao Xue said, whether it is a troubled time or a peaceful day, this festival still has to be lived. It is not only a reunion between family members, but also to worship the ancestors and remember their ancestors and look forward to better days.

What's more, in this time of war and chaos, human life is like a mustard, and in the face of hardship, since it cannot be avoided, then at least there must be spiritual sustenance.

Most of the graves of the ancestors of the residents in the city are outside the city, and seeing that the festival is approaching, and the Yellow Turban Army has not retreated, it will be difficult to even worship the ancestors this year.

Those residents of the city are worried about this, since they can't get out of the city, then it's always okay to go to the city and worship from afar, right? So some people came up with a crooked idea, and they actually bought sacrifices, took incense paper, and ran to the city gate in groups of three or five, shouting for the defenders to let them go.

Not to mention that it is wartime at this moment, Chen Nuo has mobilized troops and horses to garrison the city, how can he let others mix in at will? If there is a spy, then what is it? Even in normal times, there is no such nonsense. Those who wanted to enter the city were naturally bombed away by the defenders one after another.

Although these people have been temporarily curbed, seeing that the festival is approaching, the number of people asking for permission has also increased.

Chen Nuo has been busy with the military and politics inside and outside the city these days, and he really has no time to observe the people's situation, and even the guards of the four cities have been temporarily handed over to Zhao Xue and Pan Zhang.

Although the city of Xiuxian is small, after all, it has all kinds of organs, and it has also opened four doors.

In normal times, this can facilitate the evacuation of people and increase the size of the city; However, in wartime, they had to divide their troops to guard the four city gates, and their forces were dispersed.

Chen Nuo's troops were already limited, and although the city was calm on the surface, it was also necessary to leave basic troops to maintain law and order. Those who could be drawn out to defend the city were correspondingly reduced. Chen Nuo also had no choice but to temporarily recruit more than 1,000 strong men in the city, and organized all of them into the army, and pulled the city together, and also had to recruit people to carry stones and wooden blocks and other things for the purpose of defending the city.

Due to the lack of guards and soldiers, Chen Nuo had no choice but to let Pan Zhang and Zhao Xue each guard the two city gates, while he and Dian Wei sat in the government and commanded in the center. Fortunately, after the last World War, the Yellow Turban Army did not get cheap, and the weather gradually became cold, so they did not send troops frequently, and occasionally jumped sporadically twice, and did not do anything big.

It was rare for him to go out with Dian Wei, so he walked the streets and alleys, looking for those remote places to walk around, wanting to feel the life of the residents.

What I saw along the road was just ordinary, and I didn't see anything unusual, but I walked for a while, but I could always hear the sound of pigs and sheep slaughtering from time to time, and I couldn't help but be surprised.

Chen Nuo was still a little confused before, thinking that the residents of the city were so luxurious that they could eat meat, but they were also quite comforted. It's just that he beat his horse and walked for a while, and suddenly thought of what Zhao Xue had said before, and said, "Five days before the lunar day, kill pigs, and three days ago, kill sheep." 'Oh, it's the holidays coming!'

Yes, the day is approaching, and the family is reunited, what a peaceful and beautiful thing it should be. However, I saw that those people were all sad, and they didn't seem to be happy. Maybe they have a wanderer out there who hasn't returned, right? Or is there something else that is hard to say?

Along the way, Chen Nuo saw almost the same bitter gourd face, which made Chen Nuo not wonder?

When he arrived at the city gate, he saw the people holding sacrifices and carrying incense paper, Chen Nuo was even more puzzled, why did they all circle around the city gate?

He stepped forward and asked, and finally understood.

The so-called national events are only worshipful and Rong, even when it is a fight, it cannot be easily abolished 'ritual', which is contrary to human feelings, no wonder the residents of the city are not happy on the holiday!

Originally, the small Xiuxian County was able to support until now, in addition to the determination of the main general Chen Nuo to defend the city and the full cooperation of the soldiers, of course, it is inseparable from the support of the people.

The grain and grass in his army was originally limited, and no matter how much he saved, he could not support the current one, and it was all spontaneously donated by the people in the city. It is no wonder that when Chen Nuo and others entered the city, not only did they not disturb the residents, but the army immediately set up a list to calm the people on the day, and strictly ordered the soldiers to plunder the people's property, so that the city could not be settled. Chen Nuo's act of benevolence and righteousness, how can he not make the people happy?

If you want to make a yellow scarf in Zhangjiao, it will be a whole day of fighting and robbery, otherwise it would not have made the prosperous Xiuxian County what it is now. Chen Nuo was benevolent, and the people naturally reciprocated with virtue.

Of course, Chen Nuo understands the truth that water can carry a boat and also capsize a boat, and if the people are forced to be unhappy, then anything can happen. And even more so at this time of war? He didn't want to get caught up in it.

Chen Nuo suddenly waved his hand and asked the soldiers with halberds to remove the halberd, and asked to remove obstacles such as horses and antlers.

When these people saw it, they couldn't wait to crowd forward, and they all wanted to go to the city immediately.

However, they hadn't passed yet, but they were confused by Chen Nuo's words.

Chen Nuo did not deliberately stop the people, but turned to Dian Wei and ordered: "The people are willing to go to the city, but!" Let you escort them up. It's just that there are so many of them that not everyone can go up. The young go and the old stay; Father and son, the son goes, and the father stays; Brothers, brother goes, brother stays! ”

When the people heard this, they were all stunned, what kind of truth is this? The sacrifice is a matter for the men in the family, and it is a matter for all the young and old to participate, so how can there be a reason for the young people to come forward and the old people to stay, and this is not a war to choose strong men.

Na Dian Wei answered, stood up, and immediately stopped everyone.

Dian Wei crossed his hands, glanced at everyone, and then swallowed and said, "Did you hear what the general said just now?" You have figured out who is going first, and then report to me one by one! ”

Dian Wei's figure is originally majestic, coupled with evil eyebrows and cold eyes, he looks fierce, who dares to step forward?

The crowd was silent for a while, and finally an elderly man stepped forward and bowed to Chen Nuo.

This person is his grandfather's generation, and although Chen Nuo believes in his status as a general, he doesn't dare to be it.

Chen Nuo immediately stepped forward and held his hand in his hands: "Old man, don't be like this, torture the boy, if you have anything to say, just say it." ”

The old man trembled and picked up the crutch next to him, and straightened his bent body slightly with the support of his grandson, but he didn't dare to look at Chen Nuo, but he just said in a loud voice: "Then the old man will also say it directly, if there is anything you don't like, please forgive the general!" ”

The old man paused, and after getting Chen Nuo's consent, he could say: "It's not a secret, since the general entered my Xiu County, I saw that the general can not only restrain the troops, but also fight moth thieves for me Xiu County, and you are really the parents of my Xiu County reconstruction; I am grateful for the virtue of the general, even if he is old, he has no words.

I thought that the general was a person who could understand others, but what the general did today really made the old man puzzled! Dare to ask the general, the general suddenly acted like this, but is there anything unspeakable? Otherwise, with the character of a general, he would never have done such a thing that went against human feelings. ”

Chen Nuo sighed, nodded, and said, "I'm ashamed to say it!" Old man, you really don't know, even if I have the intention to let you go to the city, I am afraid that it will also harm you. I think that the yellow scarves under the city have not left at this moment, if they are attracted to come, I am afraid that I will not have enough troops to ensure that everyone is well-prepared.

I was also forced to make this decision out of desperation, and said these angry words. But if I can't agree with you, and I'm afraid that you will misunderstand me because I'm unreasonable and contrary to human feelings, so I have to make such a decision. ”

Chen Nuo's words will be powerful, and it will suddenly make the people in front of him who are eager to try a taboo in their hearts.

If the pillars of the family are put in danger for the sake of sacrificing their ancestors, this does not seem to be what they want to see. However, if you can't sacrifice at the festival and offer sacrifices to the ancestors, isn't that contrary to filial piety?

Although there are not many of them who are literate and literate, they still have heard a little of the teachings of the sages of 'being cautious in the end and chasing the distance'. As long as there is a queen in the family, how can there be such a reason as such a great thing as sacrifice to be easily wasted? I can't say that I can only fight for my life.

At this point, when everyone was still hesitating, Chen Nuo was of course striking while the iron was hot.

I saw that he suddenly turned into a sad brow, sighed heavily, put his hands behind his back, and turned around.

Those people didn't understand why Chen Nuo had suddenly become so sentimental, and he didn't look like the usual general who dared to kill at all.

Maybe Chen Nuo's influence was enough, and as soon as he turned around, those people followed closely behind him, as if they had suddenly forgotten the purpose of their visit. It was Dian Wei who was standing on his waist, and when he saw that the lord was gone, he was afraid that the people would be too mixed, so he hurriedly stepped forward and closely protected Chen Nuo's side.

Chen Nuo sighed, and saw that everyone had been mobilized, so he had nothing to say: "Speaking of which, I, Chen, really envy you." I think you were all born in Xiu County, the magistrate is in Xiu County, and even the ancestral sacrifice is also in Xiu County. But I, who was on the border, had to join the army in Jizhou because of Dong Zhuo's rebellion.

Nowadays, if you have a big holiday, not to mention going home to worship your ancestors, even visiting your parents can only be a dream. Hey, poor my parents are both gray, and now they have to look at me at the door for my unfilial son in the festival, think about their longing eyes, how can I, an unfilial son, not be moved? ”

Although he is talking about the body owner 'Chen Nuo', how can he easily distinguish each other because of his feelings?

Although the parents who want to 'Chen Nuo' have fallen into the hands of Dong Zhuo, there is still hope for seeing. As for his parents, I'm afraid they won't have a chance to be happy from now on.

As he spoke, tears flowed out unconsciously. Those people who followed behind Chen Nuo were the most likely to be worried, not to mention that the people who were talking to them now were their current nominal parents in the county seat? How can you not be moved by Chen Nuo's words?

Even the old man who spoke on behalf of everyone just now couldn't help but cry when he heard it. If it weren't for the difference between dignity and humility, he really had to stretch out his hand to appease Chen Nuo twice.

The reason why Chen Nuo has survived until now is because he knows that he can never go back, and he can only adhere to the belief that his husband will start a business, so he has deliberately hidden the wounds in his heart. Unexpectedly, now he accidentally induced this inner pain again, and when the cold tears fell on the back of his hand, he was also surprised.

At this time, he was also in urgent need of others' attention, but as a general, he also knew that feelings could not be easily expressed, so he accepted it when he saw it.

After trying to suppress the sadness in his heart, Chen Nuo turned to reassure everyone: "You don't have to worry, in fact, I am not an unreasonable person, there is still room for reconciliation in this matter." The reason why I stopped everyone was just for everyone's safety, and if I let everyone go to the city easily, whether I could sacrifice as I wished was still secondary, and if I let everyone give up my life because of this, how would I be treated by someone Chen?

Of course, it is not impossible for everyone to want to worship their ancestors. If you can trust me, please give me some time. Although it is not possible to sacrifice on this day, I promise everyone that I will make everyone's wish come true on the day of the 'Steaming Festival'. At that time, not only do you not have to take this risk, but you can also go to the ancestral tomb to worship in person, compared with the remote sacrifice, wouldn't it be more able for everyone to express their feelings? What do you think? ”

Everyone listened to what Chen Nuo said before and after, but they thought it was good. It's just that at this time, it's not far from the 'Steaming Day', but now the moth thieves are camping outside the city, and there is no sign of leaving at all, will they really be able to get their wish when the time comes?

Chen Nuo naturally knew their concerns, and he patted his chest and assured them: "I Chen Nuo made a promise, and what I said will naturally count, if I can't fulfill my promise on the day of the 'Steaming Festival', I will not be ashamed to see you again." When the time comes, I don't need everyone to pick me up, I will get out of the county seat. ”

The generals have said such heavy words, where do they dare not believe it? After two words, they said goodbye to Chen Nuo.

It's just that it's only a few days away from the 'Steaming Day', and the Wax Day is even more now, and the Yellow Turbans are gathered outside the door and don't leave, how can they defeat the Yellow Turbans in these few days and ensure that the people can go out of the city to worship? Even Zhao Xue and the others couldn't help frowning when they heard Chen Nuo's words, expressing deep doubts.

Zhao Xue rarely took the time to rush back from the garrison and talk to Chen Nuo in person.

"General, I also know that you are also anxious about the yellow scarf outside the city, and you were forced by the people in the city to have no choice, so you said that. But now it's only a few days before the 'Steaming Day', General, do you know how many yellow scarves have been reunited outside the city now? I'm not afraid that the general will know, I'm afraid there are as many as 50,000 or 60,000 people! As soon as the general does not go out of the city to fight, and second, he does not convene us and others to discuss, is it because he has to wait for the thunder to kill them? ”

Zhao Xue was analyzing for Chen Nuo here, but Chen Nuo didn't seem to listen at all.

He suddenly put down the bamboo slip and said, "Tomorrow night is the day of La, right?" What programs have been prepared in the army? Although this drink is banned, it is a happy day, and it can't be without wine! Xue'er, you know, your big brother and I are going crazy thinking about wine these days, so hurry up and prepare. ”

Zhao Xue'e frowned slightly, took two steps forward, and said: "Big brother, I know your feelings, but now that the thieves are outside the city, they haven't taken a single step, where are I still in the mood to spend this festival?" ”

Chen Nuo smiled and waved his hand: "Xue'er is stupid, Xue'er told me a few days ago that this day, whether it is peaceful or in troubled times, it is the same, and it cannot be missing." Anyway, looking at Xue'er's expression, she must be unprepared. In this way, on the day of Lap Day, Xue'er took out all the food in the army, and everyone appreciated the wine, so that they could eat and drink well, and they couldn't make them feel that they were cold with me Chen, so that everyone could have a holiday appearance. ”

Zhao Xue heard what Chen Nuo said, and hurriedly said: "But there is not much food and grass in the army, if you put on a big banquet to reward the soldiers, I am afraid that the northwest wind will be drunk in the next few days." ”

Chen Nuo smiled: "What's so good about the northwest wind?" Besides, I don't have a festival here, and the thieves outside the city still have to celebrate the festival. Haven't you noticed in the past two days, although the food and grass are scarce on the other side, but when it comes to the festival, they are still not the slightest bit sloppy, slaughtering horses and killing sheep, it seems that they are ready to carnival once. Haha, it's lively outside the city, is it going to be deserted inside our city? Go and go, hurry up and order, prepare wine, weigh meat, these must not be without, I am still waiting for a good holiday! ”

Zhao Xue snorted and stomped her feet, big brother, what's wrong? Could it be that after two days of comfort in the city, the people also drifted with it? But when she heard Chen Nuo deliberately mention the yellow scarf, and looked at him with a graceful look, she seemed to understand a little.

"Yes! Big Brother General! ”

Zhao Xue bowed, and then turned around.

Listening to her nondescript 'big brother general', Chen Nuo smiled bitterly and shook his head.

After she went, she picked up the bamboo slips on the case again and looked through the account books left in the Xiuxian Mansion.

Chen Nuojunzhong had issued an alcohol ban earlier, so naturally there was no alcohol left, and those meats were not allowed to be slaughtered for horses, so Zhao Xue could only think of going to the street to buy them. It's just that Chen Nuo's order was given too late, and the next day will be the day of La, although Zhao Xue has some money allocated by Chen Nuo from the military salary in his hand, and he still wants to buy it all over the city, but he doesn't do business on the day of the festival, where to buy those needed items?

Zhao Xue gained nothing, so she had to drag her steps back to the camp. It's just that what she didn't expect was that she didn't need to prepare these things at all, and the residents of the city had already spontaneously sent them to Chen Nuo's camp, not only food and grass, but also wine and meat.

Chen Nuo saw that the crowd was too enthusiastic, so he did not reject their kindness. But I was afraid that people who didn't know would chew their tongues behind their backs, so I patted my chest and made it clear in advance: "On the day I Chen Nuo entered the city, I had already posted a list of articles, strictly ordering the people to take a thing, and those who dared to violate the order would be beheaded!" Originally, I categorically couldn't accept the things of your folks, but as you said, since it's a festival, these are also some of your thoughts, so I can't accept it.

It's just that I said it in advance, I took your things today, and I won't take them in vain, and I will return you one day. If you can't accept what I say, then please take these things back from your hands at once, and forgive me for not taking them rashly! ”

Chen Nuo's words have come to this point, and those people have no choice but to agree, laugh and put down their things and leave. To ask the officials to repay what they owe, they didn't think about it. What's more, these things were sent voluntarily by them, so why not return them?