handed over the wax moon, the county magistrate He Dezhi rode a horse to Bailuyuan, and made a special trip to pay homage to Bai Jiaxuan. Tian Fuxian said to County Magistrate He: "You sit in the warehouse and drink tea, and I asked Zilin to call him." County Magistrate He said, "No." I came to visit. The horses were tethered and fed in the barn. ”

The arrival of the county magistrate made Bai Jiaxuan feel both sudden and deeply moved, and hurriedly moved the chair to wipe the table and hand over the tea. County Magistrate He stood in front of the table where the ancestors of the Bai family were worshipped, bowed, and then sat down. This move made Bai Jiaxuan change his initial impression of the county magistrate who wore a monkey uniform. The county magistrate wears a navy blue top hat, a square face, a full heavenly court, a short and straight nose, lips that are not thick or thin, and just right, kind and confident. Bai Jiaxuan looked at the county magistrate and felt regretful in his heart, if he wore a seven-grade official uniform, he would be more courageous and more like a county order, but it was a pity that he was wearing a monkey-like uniform. County Magistrate He said: "Mr. Bai, I would like to hire you as a member of the county senate. The first time Bai Jiaxuan heard this new term, he couldn't figure out the meaning for a while, and he was embarrassed to ask, so it was inconvenient to agree or refuse, but he almost certainly guessed that it was an official title, so he said: "Jiaxuan is willing to learn to be a good person." Grow and cultivate your own food, spin and weave your own clothes, and you don't want to be an official. County Magistrate He smiled and said, "I heard that you are a good person, so I asked you to be a senator." Then he lit a white cigarette and explained: "I am determined to promote democratic politics in Zishui County and completely eradicate feudal maladministration." The formation of the first Senate of the county is to allow the people to participate in the county government, supervise the government, and convey the opinions of the people. Senate Senate, as the name suggests, is ......" Bai Jiaxuan still can't understand, what democracy, what feudalism, what politics, what people, what opinions, these new terms are piled up, and he is more and more ambiguous. The county magistrate He seems to be aware of this, so he paid attention to the popularization of the language, and compared it with the idiomatic expression: "In a word, it is to ask the people (that is, the people of Limin) to manage the affairs of the state (that is, the government), and it is not the county magistrate who has the final say, but the people, it is the people who have the final say." Bai Jiaxuan understood, so it was not a good thing: "The people are talking nonsense, how can they have the final say?" Listen to Zhang San, listen to Li Si, or listen to Wang Mazi? Zhang San said that it is better to plant thicker, Li Si said that it is better to plant thinly, Wang Mazi said that it is thicker and thin, and you can plant it casually. The ancients said that there are a thousand people in a family, and there is only one person in charge!" County Magistrate He said with great interest: "Whoever says it makes sense, do what he says." If the parent in charge is a layman who doesn't know how to grow crops, or a second-rate child who doesn't do his job, can you still let him take charge of the family affairs of a family of thousand? The key to feudal maladministration is here, an enlightened emperor can prosper for a few years when he ascends the throne, and if he passes it on to a faint monarch, he will lose the country, and the people will suffer. Anyway, the core of the future revolutionary government to promote democratic politics is this, from the president and governor to the contemptible, the people believe in you and elect you, and if they don't believe in you, they will dismiss you......" Bai Jiaxuan listened in amazement at first, and then it was not the same thing again: "My God! The farther you talk, the more you have no edge!" County Magistrate He still said seriously: "Mr. Bai doesn't believe that it doesn't matter, the facts in the future will prove my words." I just say that senators are not officials, they speak on behalf of the people. For example, if the former county magistrate Shi failed to collect the seal tax, the legislators would not have issued a notice, and naturally there would have been no incident of handing over the peasants. When Bai Jiaxuan heard this actual case, he seemed to hear his eyebrows, and couldn't help but nodded: "This is a truth." The magistrate of He said: "Mr. Bai is highly regarded by the people, open-minded, and virtuous, and his appointment as a senator is expected by the public, so please do not have to be humble." By the way, your brother-in-law, Mr. Zhu, has already agreed. Bai Jiaxuan felt that it was not time to agree immediately, so he smiled and said, "County Magistrate He, you asked me to be a senator to speak for the people, right?" Okay, I'll say a word for the people first, and see if you can listen to it—" County Magistrate He said magnanimously: "You can say ten sentences and a hundred sentences." Bai Jiaxuan said: "Remove the person who is holding a burning stick in and out of the Bailu warehouse!"

Since the "Jiaonong" incident in Bailu Cang, seven or eight people carrying guns have quietly come, wearing black uniforms, belts tied around their waists, white leggings and white hats, like mourning clothes worn by the dead. Every market day in Bailu Town, these people carry guns that resemble burning sticks and swing through the crowd, swaggering and staring, frightening the farmers who trade their own grain and cloth. Bai Jiaxuan watched this pole swaying around the market town, as awkward as a thorn in his finger or a grain of sand in his eye.

Tian Fuxian has been sitting on the side listening to the county magistrate talk about democratic politics, but he didn't expect Bai Jiaxuan to "senate" himself on the first one, a little unhappy, but not nervous. The formation of the militia was ordered by the county magistrate, and the guns were issued by the county, and Tian Fuxian was only looking for seven or eight regiments. County Magistrate He smiled and asked, "Why?" These people are doing anything wrong to harm the people?" Bai Jiaxuan said: "I haven't seen anyone hurt yet." There has never been a barracks on the White Deer Plain since ancient times. The Qing family did not have a single soldier stationed in the town. The men were wandering around the town with their guns on their backs, and the farmer couldn't help but be nervous and frightened when he saw it. If there is no war, what do you want these people to do?" County Magistrate He laughed heartily: "Mr. Bai, you get used to seeing too many things that don't like your eyes, these regiments are to strengthen local security and protect the normal production of the people." Bai Jiaxuan thought to himself, the croppers have never asked anyone to protect the peace since ancient times. County Magistrate He approached him and lowered his voice and said, "You don't know, the white wolf is making a lot of trouble, you can't help but guard against it!" Bai Jiaxuan said in surprise: "White wolf? The white wolf had already been bitten away by the tengu. The county magistrate He said: "The white wolf is a person, the leader of a gang of bandits, and the people of Henan are miserable. It is rumored that the white wolf intends to come west to break into Tongguan...... This white wolf is a hundred times worse than the white wolf that is rumored! The white wolf only sucks pig's blood, but this white wolf burns and kills adultery and does all kinds of evil, there are tens of thousands of people, all of them are white wolves...... You say, should we guard against it or not?" Bai Jiaxuan was dumbfounded, he didn't know that thousands of white wolves were knocking on the gate of Guanzhong, such a serious matter made him no longer criticize the group members of Bailucang, who were not very pleasing to the eye. He agreed to the appointment of the county magistrate, and in the middle of the month, he participated in the first senate of the county.

Bai Jiaxuan returned to Bailu Village, still wearing a robe and a horse coat, but his braids were gone. When he entered the door, he heard a howl like killing a pig, which was heart-rending and terrifying, which was the scream made by his daughter Bai Ling when she tied her feet. He walked a few steps into the door of the mansion and took the strip of cloth from Xiancao's hand, gently untied it from Bai Ling's feet, and then stuffed it into the kang hole. Xiancao looked at him suspiciously and said, "A pair of ugly feet, don't marry someone who asks for food!" Bai Jiaxuan said with certainty: "I'm afraid that those who can't marry in the future will be little feet!" Xiancao didn't believe it, and picked out the footcloth from the kang hole. Bai Ling was so frightened that he threw himself into his father's arms. Bai Jiaxuan hugged his daughter's head and said, "Whoever dares to entangle Lingling's feet again, I will cut off anyone's hand!" Xian Cao watched her husband take off his hat, and suddenly opened her eyes wide and exclaimed, "God! What about your braids? Look what it looks like!" Bai Jiaxuan said: "When you come down, you will cut it on the woman's head." Can you imagine what a woman who comes to have her hair cut will look like? I've been in the county this time!"

In the first month, the cobbler led his wife and daughter back to the countryside to pay New Year's greetings. As soon as Jiaxuan beat them and entered the door, they smelled a smell of nitrate, the second sister Bixia had already cut her hair, and Xiancao confirmed what her husband said that women should also cut off their hair. The second brother-in-law actually put on a uniform, and he had stiff hair like a rooster's comb on his head. Bai Jiaxuan originally thought that the uniform was the official uniform issued by the revolutionary government to officials at all levels, but he didn't expect that the cobbler who kneaded the stinky cowhide and pigskin all day long also wore the uniform in a grand manner, so the uniform was worthless in his eyes. He thought to himself, what are you doing in uniform when you make leather shoes? You're still a cobbler in your uniform, and you still smell of nitrate! The second sister is even more uncomfortable, she has gained weight, but she has made the waist of her clothes so narrow, the ** on her chest is round and bulging high, and she keeps waking the short hair that cuts to her shoulders when she speaks, and some new terms keep popping up between her words, Bai Jiaxuan is most disgusted by this kind of talking and deed.

Although the leatherman's brother-in-law and the second sister of Xinchao led their two daughters back to the city, the influence on the family still exists, Xiaowen Xiaowu was influenced by the cousin who went to the new-style school, and also proposed to go to the city to study, and the excuse said: "Zhaopeng Zhaohai has already gone to the city to study new books." The number of students in the college is decreasing. Bai Jiaxuan said: "People go to the city to let people go." As long as the academy is not closed, you can study well with your uncle. Xiaowen Xiaowu didn't dare to force it anymore, and went to Bailu Academy with the quilt on his back. Daughter Bai Ling boldly proposed: "Dad, I also want to study!" He took his two cousins as an example and offered to go to the city to study a new book. Bai Jiaxuan was embarrassed, and it was difficult to refuse his request for his scarce baby daughter, because he couldn't bear to see her crying sadly. Lingling looks too distressing, delicate skin, smart and childish two big eyes that flicker with water, and chubby wrists, how attractive it is. Bai Jiaxuan often couldn't help biting that wrist, biting his daughter to scream, pulling his hair, and hitting him in the face. He put his crying daughter around his neck and ran upside down in the yard, making Lingling laugh again. Xiancao complained and said: "You have turned things upside down, women should be strictly controlled, but you are used to her as much as possible." "How could Bai Jiaxuan not know the truth that babies and women should be strictly disciplined, but he couldn't be cold to Lingling no matter what. Immortal grass reprimanded: "Studying? God? Sit down and spin the thread!" Bai Jiaxuan still coaxed Lingling, promised her to go to Mr. Xu's school in the village to study, and said: "You are too young, you are not at ease when you go to the city, wait until you grow up." ”

When Bai Jiaxuan led Lingling into the school, the people in the village surrounded him in two rows. Lingling followed her father in a big way, and she was able to cause so many men and women to look at her, which made her feel very proud.

Mr. Xu arranged the square table sent by Bai Jiaxuan the day before in front of his bookcase, so as to monitor and avoid harassment by boys. Although everything was arranged extremely thoughtfully, it ignored one of the most important problems that should not be ignored, Bai Ling's poop and peeing problem. Mr. Xu taught according to others, and all students who were not taught were free to go to the thatched house outside the west wall of the ancestral hall, because it was all boys, so there was no separation between men and women. Bai Ling was anxious to urinate, and when he saw that Mr. Xu was not there, he ran outside the ancestral hall and saw a few boys untying their pants at the mouth of the thatched house, so he ran back again. A boy said that there was a small thatched house behind the ancestral hall and no one went there. Bai Ling ran to the back of the ancestral hall again, and sure enough, there was a small thatched house with broken bricks and rotten tiles, unfastened his trouser belt early, and couldn't wait to wipe off his pants as soon as he ran into the thatched house. Unexpectedly, Mr. Xu was squatting inside. Mr. Xu said "oops", and hurriedly lifted his pants and rushed out. Bai Ling saw Mr. Xu's white bright buttocks, and when he saw the dignified Mr. Xu's panicked appearance, he couldn't help but giggle.

The incident spread vividly in the village, saying that Mr. Xu had brought the unpulled peg into his crotch in a hurry. When Xiancao learned about this, she wanted to stop Lingling from going to school: "This is worth it!" Wouldn't you be crazy if you continue to do this?" Bai Jiaxuan found a small wooden sign, drilled a hole, tied a rope, wrote the word "have" on one side and the word "none" on the other side, and asked his daughter to turn over to the side of the word "have" when she entered the thatched house, and turned out the word "none" when she came out. Bai Ling thought it was funny, and when he came out of the toilet, he deliberately didn't flop the cards, and he hid in the corner of the ancestral hall to watch what Mr. Xu would do? Mr. Xu came out and walked to the door of the thatched house, and when he saw the word "yes" on the wooden sign, he folded it back. As soon as she returned to the table and sat down, Mr. Xu walked out of the school door, hurriedly walked across the courtyard, and ran up when he reached the mezzanine.

No matter how this woman did not look like a woman, Mr. Xu was surprised to find that she was very intelligent, almost unforgettable, and recited it over and over again, especially the calligraphy with the brush was excellent. She only traced the shadow of Mr. Xu for half a year, and then wrote it on the spot. In the past two years, Bai Ling's calligraphy alone has surpassed Mr. Xu's level. Mr. Xu said, "Jiaxuan, this is a talented girl. Send her to Mr. Zhu's academy. ”

On the eve of the New Year, after the thirtieth day of the lunar month, Bai Jiaxuan studied ink, cut red paper, and asked Xiaowen, Xiaowu, and Bai Ling to each write a couplet: "Whoever writes well will paste it on the door." The result was naturally that Bai Ling was in the limelight, which made the two brothers ashamed and embarrassed.

The red paper couplet is pasted on the door frame on both sides of the street door, Bai Jiaxuan stands far away with a hookah, enjoying it for a long time, coarsely looks like a willow, looks like a European one, tastes it again and again, it is not a willow or a European one, both the skeleton of Europe and the flexibility of a willow, it is completely a chic and unique nature of its own, not at all like a woman's handwriting, between the words, revealing a bold and uninhibited bearing. Bai Jiaxuan looked at it, and couldn't help but feel a palpitation in his heart, and suddenly thought of the thing that looked like a white deer found under his father's grave in the slow slope field.

During the Spring Festival this year, the second sister and the second brother-in-law of the leather maker brought their two daughters to pay New Year's greetings as usual, and the two nieces openly connived at Lingling to go to school in the city. After the second sister, brother-in-law and niece returned to the city, Bai Ling said, "Dad! It's time for me to go to town this year. Bai Jiaxuan said to Bai Ling coldly for the first time: "You have read enough." If you don't go to the city, Mr. Xu won't go there. Now it's time to learn needlework from your mother. Bai Ling sat there stunned for a moment, and cried: "You said that when I grow up, I will go to the city to study......" Bai Jiaxuan was not moved, and still said with a cold face: "There is no elephant in the city now, and I don't feel at ease when the man enters the city, let alone you." A woman's lack of talent is virtue. If you want to cry, you can tear it away and cry!" Bai Ling wiped his eyes: "Dad!" I don't cry!" She sat down under the spinning wheel and shook the handle, and the spinning wheel hummed.

Ten days later, Bai Ling suddenly disappeared. Bai Jiaxuan found the leatherman's brother-in-law's house in the city, and Bai Ling and his two cousins were returning from school with their schoolbags. Bai Ling said, "Dad! If you force me to go back, I'll die for you!" As he spoke, he grabbed a pair of large iron scissors that the cobbler had used to hinge the leather and put them around his neck. Bai Jiaxuan returned to the original place without saying a word.

After Bai Ling went to school in the city, the room seemed to have decreased by more than half of the people, it seemed empty and cold, and the crisp laughter like Bai Lingzi was gone, and the sound of running forward and shouting for his mother and his father and grandma was also gone. Bai Zhao couldn't bear the torment of missing day and night, and proposed to his son Jiaxuan to go into the city to see his granddaughter. Xiancao turned her longing for her daughter into resentment, and vented to Jiaxuan when she had the opportunity: "Habitual, habitual, this habit can't be contained!" Even Bai Ling's Ganda Lu San had something to say: "Jiaxuan, you really understand that you are confused for a while. Bai Jiaxuan just exclaimed in his heart: such a small doll actually dared to put scissors on her neck! At that moment, he seemed to be facing not the spirit that ran around his neck in the past, but an enemy with whom he had a life-and-death enmity.

There is only the third son Niu Calf left in the family, who has been studying under Mr. Xu's knee for several years and is still reading, this baby shows a stubborn temperament at a young age, for studying, for any changes in the family, it is an indifferent spirit that has nothing to do with him. He was indifferent to his sister's departure, which made his mother Xiancao angry at the sight of him, and her anger at her daughter's deviant behavior and her longing for her were not echoed on the calf's face, and she even suspected that Grandma's handful of dried mugwort leaves had burned one of the calves' important holes, and left a fool and a fool.

Bai Jiaxuan also paid close attention to the behavior of the calf, and found that this baby was not very close to anyone, neither willfully asked for anything, nor refused what others asked him to do. Every day after returning from school, he would get into the horse number, send the grass mixed by Lu San to the trough with a wooden shovel, and watch the cattle and horses swallow the fodder on the trough. Lu San led the livestock to the big waterlogging pond in the north of the village to drink, and he also followed, and he didn't want to pull the cows, but he wanted to lead the horses and mules. Sometimes he crept into the cart, snatched the whip from Lu San's hand, and with a flick of his wrist, the whip spun in the air, and with a crisp snap, the tip of the whip was drawn accurately to the tip of the animal's ear. Of course, he was not born with this skill, he often caught the whip on the dirt field and shook the horn, and struck the half of the brick hanging under the eaves. Bai Jiaxuan snatched the whip from him several times and asked him to go back to the house to endorse the book. He was neither annoyed nor timid, and walked out of the horse in a daze, but the next day came again. Bai Jiaxuan said angrily: "The embryo of the crop that was born!"

The calf's caress for the livestock made Lu San also feel irresistibly close to him, and even thought that it would be good to make a big job for the calf instead of Bai Ling. He hated the woman who was spoiled by his master's family, and he first noticed the disharmony between this woman and the family. Sometimes the woman ran into the horse, and when she pounced, she would lie on Lu San's back, shouting, "Do it, do it." Lu San squatted on the ground to pick up the soil and stones in the grain, and let her crawl, reluctantly responding. Once, on a rainy day, Bai Lingquan was tired of playing in the house, and ran into the horse number again, and shouted in surprise: "What do you see is that?" Lu San thought that snakes, rats, and frogs had slipped in, and when they saw that there was nothing, they asked, "Where is it?" Bai Ling pointed with his hand: "What is that hanging from under the belly of the mule?" Lu San couldn't help but let out an "oh", and his body was strangely uncomfortable, and when he saw the ugly and useless black thing hanging from the crotch behind the mule, he casually came up with a sentence to coax the woman: "Hmm...... That's the tail. Bai Ling chased after him and asked, "Why does the mule have two tails?" Lu San said: "There are only two long, or how much is a mule." Bai Ling still asked: "What do mules do with so many tails?" Lu San has already made a difference: "Long tail...... It's a fly-fighting. Bai Ling suddenly clapped his hands and shouted: "Oops! it, look at that tail in the mule's belly!" Lu San's nerves were tense, and he coaxed Bai Ling out of the door: "The mule is afraid of being seen, so he hides his tail." Go back to the house, and pick up the grain and grind it!" Bai Ling left, Lu San let out a long sigh, sweat was already breaking out on his head, and he couldn't help but say to himself: "If it were my own daughter, I would have slapped you earlier, and I would have asked you to ask nonsense!" Bai Ling's move into the city on his own seemed to verify the danger that Lu San had anticipated a long time ago, and the greater danger that was not difficult to calculate was still to come. He was even anxious for Bai Jiaxuan, and said bluntly: "The city is in chaos now, how can you let a woman go?"