"When my mother has her next birthday, we will definitely make it lively for my mother, so that the old ladies in the city will envy my mother, okay?"

Mrs. Li was full of joy when she heard it: "That's the truth, my mother is waiting for the next birthday!" ”

"Although we have talked about this, they may not agree with the eldest brother, right?" Mei Xiaotong said.

"The old lady is a birthday, the old lady says no, who has the final say? Okay, this matter is settled, pack your luggage, and go back to the county seat in a few days. I've heard that after winning this lift, I have to go out and see more people in the world. What kind of world do you see in this ravine and ravine every day? ”

"My son-in-law is the third, if I don't go back sooner, what can I do if I am taken advantage of by those who are not as good as my son-in-law?" The more Mrs. Li spoke, the more anxious she became, and she pulled her throat and asked Gu Yu to come in and clean up.

At the same time, he asked Mrs. Wu to call the Mei family.

was coaxed by Mei Xiaotong and An Huahao's good words, only said that it was not bad for a day and a half, and waited for tomorrow to talk about it, and the luggage would not be packed for a while and a half, and it was getting late, so let's talk about it tomorrow.

How the Mei family tossed and turned in a few rooms at night, how they couldn't sleep at night, and how they didn't talk at night with husband and wife, father and son.

On the second day, I woke up and was called to the backyard, and then Mrs. Li said that she would go back to the county tomorrow, this time, it is estimated that she will not come back for the New Year, because next year's spring will be in February, this Jing County will travel thousands of miles to the capital, and I am afraid that I will have to rush to the capital before the end of the year.

When the brothers of the Mei family heard this, they were dumbfounded.

Mei Changfu reacted first: "Mother, are you going with your sister?" ”

Mrs. Li's eyes rolled: "What?" Now I have the opportunity to follow your brother-in-law and sister-in-law to the capital to have a look, maybe you can see the house where the emperor lives, and you are going to see the world, are you still holding back? ”

Mei Changfu hurriedly waved his hand: "Mother, my son didn't mean that." But your old man is going to be old this year, this-"

"What do you do? Can you live a long life? You honestly don't get into trouble, don't be angry with me, I'm afraid that I can live a few more years. Mrs. Li snatched the white.

Mei Changfu was not good at words, and he was dumbfounded by Mrs. Li's two sentences.

Mei Yonggui was beaten yesterday, and when he came in today, he didn't even dare to sit, his whole body hurt, so he naturally didn't dare to speak.

Mei Changgui hesitated and said, "Mother, when will you come back?" My son is not at ease, why don't my son go with your old man? ”

As soon as he said this, not only Mei Yonggui's eyes lit up, but everyone else looked at Mrs. Li with blank eyes.

Mrs. Li threw it away as soon as the sole of her shoe was over: "Let your mother's fart!" Mother, I will follow your brother-in-law and sister-in-law, it is only right. What are you making a fuss about? Don't do business at home? Don't you want to live a long time? Do you want to bring your daughter-in-law with you? ”

Mei Changgui scratched his head: "This business will fade after November, and I won't be able to make a lot of money." Besides, aren't there still the eldest brother and the third brother at home? Your old man should bring a small bridge or let her

Serve your elderly. ”

"Whew!" Mrs. Li squirted: "It's beautiful to think of!" Why? Your wife and I lack someone to serve? Your sister bought two mothers-in-law and a girl to serve me! Besides, when the time comes to go to the capital, naturally your uncle will follow, he is not older than you? Bring you guys, what do you know? It's nice not to mess up! ”

"Your brother-in-law and sister-in-law are going to take the exam, not to be officials, there are a lot to worry about, and you are not messy enough? I was dismissed as soon as possible! ”

Mrs. Li categorically vetoed it.

The brothers of the Mei family all showed disappointment, the capital, that is the place where the emperor and the dignitaries live, if they can go to the capital, this cow can blow for a lifetime.

Mei Xiaotong watched it from the side and thought for a while: "We haven't been to the capital, because of the spring next year, I'm afraid that even a place to live will be in short supply." There are too many people, and it's not easy to settle down. When we settle down in the capital, if Brother Song can be promoted to the Jinshi and stay in the capital as an official, then we will take a few brothers and sisters-in-law to the capital to go shopping. ”

"But although this year's mother's birthday is not big, I don't want to alarm the villagers, I think about doing it in the county. When the time comes, my brothers and sisters-in-law, with the children, will go to the county seat, and we will celebrate my mother's birthday and set off for the capital. Although I can't let my brothers and sisters-in-law see the capital for the time being, it's still okay to visit the county. ”

As soon as these words were spoken, not only the Mei brothers were overjoyed, but the Wen family and Liu Xiaoqiao couldn't help it, not to mention a few children, who had already cheered.

Going to the town is already a rare experience for them, and to be able to go to the county seat, among these people, except for Mei Yonggui, no one has really been there.

Everyone was excited, the capital was too far away, and it was also excellent to be able to go to the county seat.

At the moment, everyone's thoughts are almost on going to the county seat, and the idea of parting has long been washed away.

On the second day, Mei Changgui drove the carriage to send An Huahao and them to the town, and this time, except for the Mei family, almost the entire village came out to send them.

After greeting each other for a long time, they were put into the carriage and watched them leave.

Walking out of the distance, Mei Xiaotong lifted the curtain and looked back, Qilidun had been left far behind, getting smaller and smaller......

※※※

The canal in November is the busiest time of the year, and you have to rush to your destination before the canal freezes in the cold winter.

In the spring of next year, the whole world will rush to the capital, and if there is that remote, it is natural to go on the road early.

If the conditions are good, they will make an appointment together, simply charter a passenger boat, and live with peace of mind.

If the conditions do not allow it, you can only take a downwind boat, the conditions are simple, and it is impossible to live in the bilge.

An Huahao and the others now have plenty of money, and they originally planned to charter a passenger ship with other people in Jing County who went to Beijing to catch the exam.

After receiving a letter from the capital, Imperial Physician Du directly told them that there was just one

The official ship was going to enter Beijing at the end of the year, and there were still a few vacant seats on the ship, so Imperial Doctor Du directly set them down.

This official ship is naturally better than a civilian ship, not only is it large, it has a deep draft, it runs smoothly, and the most important thing is safety.

When traveling thousands of miles to the capital, there are always some places where there are many beaches and waters, and naturally there are some bandits who make a living by robbing passing ships.

These bandits also know that persimmons are soft and pinched, and it is impossible for official ships or large fleets to meet, and those lone civilian ships are naturally their first choice.

Every year, there is news that some ships have been robbed, or even entire ships have been scuttled.

Therefore, ordinary civilian ships will dock at large docks, and then make an appointment to go together and take care of each other.

An Huahao and Mei Xiaotong originally planned to charter the civilian boat, which is a fleet under the well-known dart bureau, and they have walked this waterway for many years, so they naturally have their own set of methods to avoid water bandits.

However, the official ship is naturally the safest, if it is peaceful today, if these people dare to do anything to the official ship, I am afraid that they will be completely wiped out in the near future.

An Huahao and Mei Xiaotong naturally would not refuse such a good thing, this can be on the official ship, and it is still the face of Imperial Doctor Du.

Under the arrangement of Imperial Physician Du, when the official ship passed through Jing County, it also stopped for a while, and An Huahao and Mei Xiaotong took Mrs. Li, Yang Zongbao and two mothers-in-law and a girl, and quietly got on the last ship of the fleet.

After An Huahao and Mei Xiaotong got on the boat, they saw the captain of the ship standing on the deck, and when they saw them coming up, they only nodded slightly, and then saluted with their fists at Imperial Doctor Du on the dock.

When he turned around, he ordered someone to take An Huahao and his family to the cabin, and he turned around and left.

An Huahao saw that the boss of the boat didn't want to greet him at all, so naturally he wouldn't be bored.

Following the man who led the way, not a few steps away, there was the cabin.

Although the boss of the ship ignored them, the cabins arranged for them were excellent, and on the deck, three rooms were arranged, although they were not big, but the beds, tables and chairs were all complete, and the cleaning was also clean.

That's pretty much the difference.

The person who led the way, introduced himself as Xiao Qi, and he was also extremely clever, and he explained the rules on the boat in a few words.

It is to try to go out of the cabin as little as possible during the day, but at night it is casual, and someone will send food every day, of course, if you are willing to cook, you can also go to the kitchen to divide a small stove for them, and you have to boil water or something.

When it comes to the dock, they will be told the time of departure, and they can also disembark and replenish their own belongings, of course, if they miss the time, the boat will not wait for them.

It took about a month to get to the capital all the way, and An Huahao and the seven of them had a total of 100 taels of silver.

An Huahao and the others all nodded to indicate that they understood.

Xiao Qi also said that when the person brought it, he would also leave.

Yang Zong escorted him out, and stuffed a piece of broken silver with his hand, and then again

After inquiring a few words about the taboos on the ship, he took a silver ticket of one hundred taels and paid the accommodation fee.

Xiao Qi pinched the silver ingot in the palm of his hand, and looked at Yang Zongbao taking out a hundred taels of silver without blinking his eyes, naturally knowing that this family looked inconspicuous, but it was rich.

The attitude eased, but he gave a few extra words of advice before being sent away by Yang Zongbao.

Yang Zongbao returned to the cabin at this time, told Xiao Qi about the taboo or something, and asked Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Ding to fetch water and wipe the house again.

When Mrs. Wu and the others went out, Yang Zongbao said: "When I got on the boat, I saw it, this ship is afraid that it is a cargo ship, looking at this posture, maybe it is an escort." Let's not ask, we just don't know what to do. I've already given all the money for the lodging, so let's not go out for the next two days, and I'll talk about it when I get acquainted with them. ”

When Yang Zongbao was in the rivers and lakes in order to take revenge, he also used to be a boatman, so he naturally knew a lot of taboos, especially this was an official ship, so he naturally had to be more careful.

Everyone naturally has no opinion, in this family, in addition to An Huahao, Yang Zongbao has the most this kind of experience, listen to him right.

Generally speaking, those who have never been on a boat will get motion sickness, but with Imperial Doctor Du here, two large bottles of seasickness medicine have been prepared, enough for them to go to the capital, and they will not be afraid.

After a while, Mrs. Wu and her sisters fetched water, cleaned up the three rooms briefly, and covered their bags.

Mrs. Wu's mouth was originally coincidental, first she talked to a boatman, found the kitchen, and there were two boatmen cooking in the kitchen, looking at the posture, that is, it can be cooked, as for whether it is delicious or not, the old men of this boat, it would be good if they didn't starve to death, who was so squeamish?

Mrs. Ding's eyebrows jumped, and she hurriedly volunteered to step forward and say that she wanted to help.

The boat was all cooking in turns, and when the two boatmen heard that someone was going to help, they were so happy to let go, and they were very generous to give up a small stove and let Mrs. Wu boil water to make tea.

Mrs. Ding took action, and when Mrs. Wu and Gu Yu cleaned up the room, they also came to help, and soon the lunch was ready.

It's simple, because I stopped in Jing County to purchase ingredients, but there is meat and vegetables.

Mrs. Ding's craftsmanship was not bad, and the fragrance was blown to the deck by the wind, and many boatmen suddenly smelled the smell and came out.

"Who's cooking today? , how does it smell? ”

"When did Ergouzi actually have this skill?"

"Damn, eat these pig foods every day along the way, Lao Tzu is about to become a pig!"

……

When the two boatmen, who were supposed to cook today, brought the food in wooden barrels, the boatmen didn't care much, and they all rushed up and rushed to grab it.

"This is what people eat—"

"Oh, I'll go, are you human? Leave a little for labor! ”

"Fuck off, this piece of meat is labor-owned!"

……

There was almost no fighting.

boat

The boss was sent by the boatman alone, and when he smelled the fragrance, his expressionless face showed a look of doubt.

"Boss, this is made by the mother-in-law of the house, it smells strange, you can taste it."

The captain glanced at the boatman: "Be careful with the things at this entrance, don't let people do anything inside!" ”

The boatman laughed: "How can it? Our brothers are staring at it right, nothing can happen. Besides, it's all in one pot, and they eat it themselves. ”

The boat boss lowered his head, took a bite with chopsticks, and after a pause, the speed of eating couldn't help but speed up.

The boatman saw that the boat boss had nothing to say anymore and was about to withdraw, when the boat boss said casually: "Tell the man to let their mother-in-law be responsible for our brother's food in the future, and you can give them less than half of the accommodation silver." ”

The boatman agreed with a smile, knowing that the ship's boss couldn't stand the days of eating pig food every day.

As long as they can return to Beijing at the end of the year, they will be rewarded with a lot of silver, although the accommodation silver for this halfway hitchhike is a lot, and the big guys will share it and not much on everyone's head, but if they can avoid the fate of eating pig food along the way, everyone must be happy.

With the words of the boat boss, plus this first meal, he was subdued by Mrs. Ding's craftsmanship, and the attitude of the boatman on the ship improved.

Not only is there an adequate supply of hot water every day, but there is no longer any saying that you are not allowed on deck during the day.

In addition, after Yang Zongbao was able to speak, he was a very good at looking at the eyes and knowing how to advance and retreat, and within two days, he mingled with the boatmen and called him brothers.

An Huahao because he is a lifter, everyone thinks that although he doesn't look like a scholar, but in the end he is a lifter, everyone was a little respectful at first, and later saw that An Huahao is fishing on the deck in addition to reading every day, although he has a black face, he can speak kindly, and get along every day, so he is not so rusty.

Then one day, there was a sudden storm, and I was about to put down the sails, but somehow, the sails were so entangled in the wind that the wind blew the sails, and I couldn't control the speed, and I was about to crash into the shore.

The boss of the ship wanted to control the rudder, but no one could untie the sails, and it was the time of crisis, but Anwar Hao trampled up, jumped on the mast in a few clicks, cut the rope that was entangled in the sail, and lowered the sail.

It's kind of saving the lives of a boatload of people.

Since then, the boatmen's eyes have been full of awe when they look at An Huahao.

The attitude of the boat boss was also a little better, and he personally thanked An Huahao, returned all the money for the accommodation, and took the initiative to report his name, it turned out that his surname was Duan, called Duan Chuanzhou.

Knowing that An Huahao was going to the capital to catch the exam, he only patted his chest and said, when he arrived in the capital, he would not say anything else, if he wanted to find a place to stay, wrap it on him.

Since the sail incident, the boatmen on this official ship are all scheming men, but they don't treat the Song family as outsiders.

An Huahao and Yang Zongbao more

Needless to say, the accommodation money was desperately returned by Duan Chuanzhou, and they didn't take advantage of others, and every time they went to a stop, they went down to buy a bunch of food and added food to everyone.

Mrs. Li went to sit on the deck when she was fine, and watched the boatmen's clothes be torn, and as soon as the wind blew, the cotton wool in the padded jacket was blown away, and it didn't look like a look.

simply opened his mouth, let their clothes be torn, and brought them over and asked Mrs. Wu and Gu Yu to sew them together.

Although Wu Pozi and Gu Yu have average craftsmanship, they can still sew and mend clothes, at least the men on this boat don't have to wear torn cotton jackets anymore.

These men feel more and more that they have really made money by taking this family this time.

No one is stupid, every time this Song Juren docks, they buy a lot of things, and the food they eat on weekdays is much better than in the past, some people cook for them, and some people sew clothes for them.

Some single men actually felt the warmth of home on the boat, and when they saw Mrs. Li, they didn't call Mrs. Li and called them aunts, and when they saw An Huahao, they didn't call everyone master, they all called Brother Song, and even Mei Xiaotong became a brother and sister, and they couldn't be affectionate.

This journey to the north is also hard, and the people in this boat are all fattened, and they don't mention it later.

only said that Yang Zongbao can speak now, which is naturally the credit of Imperial Doctor Du.

He said on the same day that it would be effective in a month, and sure enough, it was.

Acupuncture and medicinal decoction go hand in hand, and after a month has passed, you will be able to speak in short sentences.

After recuperating for more than half a month, now as long as you don't have to roar and talk for a long time, it's almost the same as ordinary people.

Imperial Doctor Du also concocted a bunch of pills for him to eat every day, and he was almost cured by the end of the year.

Yang Zongbao's years of scabies were cured, and the whole person was like a new life.

(End of chapter)