Siheyuan: Shazhu's Leisurely Life
Chapter 79 Marrying to 49 Cities!
Chapter 79 Marry to the Forbidden City!
In a few days, the New Year will come. However, this kind of festive atmosphere with lights and decorations is not seen at all in Chenjia Village.
In an earthen house in Chenjia Village, two men with rough skin were sitting in a fenced yard surrounding the house.
The two brothers are named Chen Shili and Chen Shimai, and they are now in their forties or fifties.
Their father Chen Zizhong was a scholar in the previous dynasty. In that chaotic era, Chen Zizhong had a high prestige in Chenjia Village. It was also because of his wisdom that the Chenjia Village lineage was able to safely survive that chaotic era.
Moreover, under Chen Zizhong's deliberate cultivation, the two brothers have been studying since childhood and are not like other uneducated people in the village.
However, it was precisely because of the upbringing of the two brothers that their family conditions became increasingly difficult. It was also thanks to the establishment of the new dynasty that Chen Zizhong, relying on the prestige he had accumulated in the village, was unanimously elected by the villagers to become the village chief of Chenjia Village.
It was from that time on that the Chen family's life began to get better.
However, the good times did not last long. Five years after becoming the village chief, Chen Zizhong also died of illness. Since then, the brothers Chen Shili and Chen Shimai have also separated. Of course, the two brothers have had a good relationship since childhood. They have always helped each other and kept close contact.
After Chen Zizhong passed away, the position of village chief was not taken over by his two sons, but fell to Chen Dafu, the direct descendant of Chenjia Village.
When Chen Zizhong was the village chief, he offended many people because he was impartial, including Chen Dafu.
Therefore, after Chen Dafu became the village chief, it was natural for him to vent his dissatisfaction with Chen Zizhong on his two sons.
Although Chen Dafu, as an elder, cannot go too far in public, some of his suppression in secret is enough to make life difficult for the Chen Shili brothers.
Chen Shili was sitting there with a rolled local cigarette in his hand. He took a puff and said to Chen Shimai next to him with a bitter face, "Brother, life is getting worse and worse. The harvest is getting worse every year. This year's autumn harvest is still in such a bad state. After paying the public grain, there is not enough left to eat. The wild vegetables outside have been dug up long ago. I think another group of people are going to die... Didn't the higher-ups want to allocate relief grain before? When will it be?"
Chen Shimai frowned when he heard this: "Shi Li, I went to the commune to ask about this, and the director there told me that in a few days, there will be food to eat soon."
The worry on Chen Shili's face did not diminish much after hearing the news. Regardless of whether the news was true or not, he thought of his two runaway daughters.
"Hey, big brother, I don't know how my two girls are doing now. Why did they leave like that back then..."
Chen Shimai also knew about this. He patted Chen Shili on the shoulder and said, "Miaoyun and Miaozhi are sensible and left on their own. They know that if they don't leave, your family will starve to death. These two girls have been smart since they were young. I believe that they will be blessed by heaven and will be fine."
As the eldest brother, Chen Shimai could only comfort him in this way.
Chen Shili sighed, "To be honest, this is all my fault. Miaoyun clearly told me that she was going out, but I was busy working and didn't pay attention. If I had paid more attention, I wouldn't have let them run away in the middle of the night. We haven't been together for several years!"
"Shi Li, you can't be blamed for this. If you want to blame someone, blame God! If they weren't starving, which girl wouldn't want to follow her father? Besides, it's not like Miao Yun and the others would definitely get into trouble if they left. If they didn't leave, your family would definitely not have survived until now."
"Yeah, who says it isn't? These days, I still have your family to help me. Otherwise, even if Miaoyun and the others left, my kids would probably get sick from hunger. Now I don't have anything else to think about. I just hope that my two poor girls can meet a good family out there and not starve to death. Otherwise, I will have a hard life!"
Chen Shimai was silent for a moment after hearing this. "Although life is difficult now, our country finally has someone leading it. Besides, Miaoyun and Miaozhi have grown up well, so there will definitely be kind-hearted people who will take a liking to them and adopt them. Especially Miaoyun, it will be no problem for her to marry into a good family. I just want to meet her later..."
Chen Shimai didn't say anything more. In fact, everyone knew that for those who fled famine, not starving to death was already a good outcome. Even if they found a good family willing to take them in and feed them, it would be impossible for them to contact their families easily.
Chen Shili also kept silent and lowered his head. He knew in his heart that this would be the result, but they were his two daughters after all. Even if it was just a slight delusion, a slight possibility, how could he be willing to let it go?
At this time, Chen Shimai's wife came out of the house with two glasses of boiled water. "Okay, drink some water. You two brothers, stop imagining. It's not just Miaoyun and Miaozhi. In our village, other villages, and everywhere else, who doesn't have a child who has left the family? It's not just our family that has no news. There are dozens of people who have left the family. How many of them can write to their families in the end?"
"It's just like what you said, Shi Mai. Miao Yun and Miao Zhi have been smart since they were young and they look pretty good. It's very possible that they were adopted by kind people. But now everyone's conditions are not good. Even if they were raised, they wouldn't be willing to spend money to let them send letters. As long as the two girls are still around, there will always be a chance to contact each other in the future."
Chen Shili heard this and tried to find a way to be happy: "Sister-in-law, you are right. I can only think positively now. As long as the two girls are still alive, it is better than anything else. I believe that when the girls grow up, they will definitely find a way to contact me."
"You're right to think so. Anyway, we can't contact them now, so we might as well relax and live a good life, otherwise the girl won't be able to contact us in the future."
Soon, Chen Shimai also spoke up: "Okay, Shi Li, let's not talk about this for now. I remember that your family seems to be running out of food. Your family has more people than mine. I'll ask your sister-in-law to bring you some more food later."
"Brother, this won't do. Although your family has fewer adults than mine, we have more children now. You have helped my family so many times. Now we can still make do. I can't let you worry about it all the time."
"Look at what you are saying. We are two brothers, are we still fussing about this? What is worrying about or not worrying about? Can I watch your family starve to death? I have many grandchildren, but they are still children. They eat much less than adults. How much food do those big men in your family consume every day? Besides, when dad died, you let me take the most of the things he left behind. Don't forget, our dad was the village chief at that time, and he also prepared some guarantees for us. I took them out a while ago and exchanged them for food. It's enough to eat. Don't worry, we will be fine until the relief food arrives."
"Brother, you..."
Hearing this, the rough man Chen Shili's eyes were red. Of course he knew what his elder brother was talking about, but that was a family heirloom left to him by his father.
"It doesn't matter. People always have to adapt. No matter how good something is, it is passed down to people. If the person is gone, what's the point of keeping the thing? Even if my father were here, he would definitely make the same choice as me."
On the side, the eldest sister-in-law also nodded and said, "Shi Li, your brother is right. Life is not easy now. Our two families are connected by heart. We will get through this difficult time together. Take these 30 kilograms of cornmeal and 10 kilograms of bran back with you. Eat them up. If you don't have enough, come to your sister-in-law's place again."
Seeing this, Chen Shili's eyes were red, "Brother, sister-in-law, thank you..."
At this moment, a young man's voice was heard from not far outside the fence.
"dad!"
The sound came from far away and gradually got closer. When Chen Weijie excitedly reached the opening in the fence, he pushed the door open excitedly and ran to Chen Shili and others.
This is Chen Shili’s youngest son, Chen Weixing.
"Weixing, what's the matter? Why are you so irritable?"
"Come, Weixing, have a drink of water. Good things have happened to you." The sister-in-law was considerate and brought him a glass of boiled water.
After Chen Weixing took it, he drank it all in one gulp, took a deep breath, and then said excitedly: "Dad, it's my little sister, it's my little sister! There's a letter from my little sister!!"
"What?!" Chen Shili and Chen Shimai were both shocked.
Soon, Chen Shili said excitedly: "Weixing, are you telling the truth?"
"It's absolutely true! The postman from the post office came outside, and he took out my little sister's letter. Mom burst into tears when she saw it, and he quickly asked me to inform you!"
Instantly, Chen Shili and Chen Shimai both showed excited expressions, "Great, great, great!"
"Let's go, let's go and check Miaoyun's letter!"
"Shi Li, slow down, let's go together!"
The eldest brother Chen Shimai was also following nearby, and he and his sister-in-law had visible joy on their faces.
Chen Shili's family and Chen Shimai's family were not far away from each other, less than a hundred meters in total. A few minutes later, the four of them arrived at the door of Chen Shili's house, one in front and one behind.
Before I even entered, I could hear the chattering and excited discussions in the room.
Obviously, not only Chen Shili's family, but also some neighbors came to watch after hearing the news.
When Chen Shili and his friends entered the room, they saw that there were already more than a dozen people standing in the hall, and the person surrounded by the crowd was the postman.
Chen Shili was thinking about his daughter's letter at this time, so he quickly pushed everyone aside and squeezed in: "Wife, whose letter is this? Miaoyun? Or Miaozhi?"
When Chen Shili's wife saw her husband coming back, she wiped away the tears in her eyes excitedly and smiled with tears of joy: "The letter was written by Miaoyun, but Miaozhi and Miaoyun's children are together. Now Miaoyun is married, and Miaozhi is with Miaoyun. You... take a look for yourself!"
Chen Shili took the letter from his wife and was ready to read it from beginning to end. At the same time, the postman said, "Comrade, don't rush to read it. Sign your name for me. I still have a lot of letters to deliver."
"Oh, yes, yes, thank you, young comrade. I'll sign for it right away." For a moment, Chen Shili hurriedly took the paper and pen from the postman and signed his name on it.
However, when signing, Chen Shili suddenly caught a glimpse of some of the contents on it. Because he had been to school, he could read: "Well, comrade, it says that there are also 50 yuan, 100 kilograms of national food coupons, and two sacks of food sent over... Could this be a mistake?"
When Chen Shili saw what was written above, his first reaction was that there was something wrong.
There are so many things. Not to mention the difficult times now, even if we count them in the past, that is a very rich amount of supplies. An ordinary family probably can’t save up all of this even if they work for several years!
"That's right comrade, once you sign, follow me outside to move it in." The postman said with a smile.
"That's right?"
Now it was Chen Shili's turn to be dumbfounded.
How is this possible?
The people watching nearby were also stunned when they heard what Chen Shili had just mentioned.
Send food back?
He also sent fifty yuan and a hundred kilograms of national food coupons? Two sacks of food? Is Chen Shili crazy? Who can afford so much food now?
Even if he could take it out, who would send him the food?
"Shili, what are you talking about?" Chen Shili's wife came over, also a little confused.
"Okay, come outside and move the things down first. You can discuss the details among yourselves. I have to hurry, otherwise I won't be able to deliver all the letters today." After hearing the postman's words, Chen Shili and others subconsciously followed him out.
Only then did everyone realize that there were two large sacks tied to the back seat of the postman's bicycle.
"I put a lot of effort into sending you this trip. Now it's much easier after moving it down."
The postman said as he carried the items.
It was not until two large sacks fell in front of everyone that Chen Shili and others felt a sense of visual shock.
Among them, Chen Shili's two sons were the first to come forward and touch the material of the sack: "Mom, this material is good, you can make new clothes for my brother this year."
Upon hearing this, Chen Shili's wife also stepped forward and looked at the two large sacks with a gleam in her eyes: "Why are you making new clothes? You really don't know how to live. These sacks will be enough for a long time. Just patch up the old clothes and make do with them!"
Other neighbors who came to watch the fun, some women couldn't help but come forward to touch it and said: "This material is better than the sacks we use."
At the same time, the youngest son Chen Weijie couldn't wait to open the sacks.
"Potatoes, cabbage, and cornmeal!"
After looking at the houses actually filled in the sack, Chen Weijie shouted excitedly!
He brought the sacks to his parents.
"Dad, Mom, look! It's really food!"
Chen Shili's wife took the potatoes and cabbage, and looked at the sack and saw some small sacks wrapped in things, and immediately understood what he meant.
He didn't let Chen Weijie open the sack any further, but he couldn't stop smiling.
"Well, if you guys are sure everything is OK, I'll leave first. I still have to deliver a letter."
"Yes, yes, yes. We cannot delay the comrade in delivering the letter. Comrade, thank you very much. How about having a drink of water before you go?"
"No, I'll leave first then."
After the postman left, Chen Shili asked his three sons to move the things back into the house.
Although not all the supplies were opened, just the tip of the iceberg revealed in the sack was enough to make everyone in the village excited.
When had they ever seen so much food?
At the same time, Chen Shili finally couldn't wait to open the letter and began to read the letter from his daughter.
After reading the contents of the letter, Chen Shili stood there for a long time without saying a word, but the excitement on his face and the redness in his eyes revealed his uneasy mood at the moment!
From the letter, he finally understood what his two daughters experienced after leaving home!
Let's put aside the story of how they fled from famine. After Chen Miaoyun and her younger sister Chen Miaozhi arrived in Sijiu City, they met a good man, He Yuzhu. He Yuzhu was a chef at the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill. He earned 37.5 yuan a month, plus a 3 yuan subsidy. He was especially good to the two sisters, making sure they had enough food every day, and even had meat from time to time.
In addition, Chen Miaoyun told her family about various things happening in the courtyard, including that she is pregnant, the old lady in the courtyard, the uncle and aunt, etc.
Moreover, Chen Miaoyun asked her parents not to think too much about it, saying that it was not because He Yuzhu did not allow her to write letters for such a long time, but because of her own reasons.
In short, after reading this letter, Chen Shili felt not only longing but also deep joy!
Today he was still worried about his two little daughters. Now he received the letter and learned that his two daughters are living a good life now. He Yuzhu has devoted himself to them and is a good man. This makes Chen Shili very grateful to this young man He Yuzhu.
If it weren't for He Yuzhu, his two daughters might have starved to death, or might have married into a bad family and would never have the good life they have now.
Although Chen Shili, who saw the letter, was eager to see his daughter and He Yuzhu right away, he knew in his heart that this was all a dream.
Therefore, I can only pray silently in my heart that Miaoyun and the other girl are healthy and that she and He Yuzhu live a happy life.
"Shi Li, what's wrong? Miao Yun and the others sent back so much food, you should be happy, why are you crying?"
Chen Shimai looked at Chen Shili and said.
Chen Shili quickly wiped away the tears from his eyes: "I'm happy! Big brother, I'm happy! Knowing that Miaoyun and the others are still alive and well, as a father, I'm happy!!"
As he said this, he handed the letter to Chen Shimai and asked his elder brother to come and have a look.
Chen Shimai received the letter and after reading it, his reaction was similar to Chen Shili's.
Although Miaoyun and the others are not Chen Shimai's biological children, blood is thicker than water in this family, and his feelings for these two girls are no less than Chen Shili's.
"Oh, right, the letter said there was another envelope, which contained money and food coupons..."
Chen Shili spoke again, and his wife also reacted at this time: "Yes, yes, yes, here, here."
As she spoke, Chen Shili's wife took out an envelope that was bulging with money.
At this moment, Chen Shili, Chen Shimai and others looked at the envelope with some excitement in their eyes. According to what was written in the letter, there was...
When the letter was opened, the big black number revealed made Chen Shili and others' pupils shrink.
"Lao Chen, that's ten dollars?"
“It seems there is more than one?”
"Did your daughter send these back?"
"Not only money, but also coupons! They are food coupons! Old Chen, take a quick look at how many there are."
Some people who were watching were surprised when they saw the slightest trace.
"It's fifty yuan, and there are national food coupons!"
After opening it, the money and bills inside could be seen clearly.
"What? Fifty dollars! That's a lot of money?!"
"It's the national food stamp! What does this thing look like? I've never seen it before. Lao Chen, let me see it."
"Old Chen, these were all sent back by your daughter? Where did your daughter marry? How come her husband's family is so rich!"
At this time, Chen Shili's wife was full of pride: "I married Miaoyun to Sijiu City, the capital! And the man is a chef in Sijiu City, so there is no shortage of food or money! My son-in-law not only has a high salary, but also loves my daughter! He also let Miaozhi go to school!"
"Sijiu City, no wonder, Miaoyun is so capable, she married into Sijiu City!"
"As a cook, wouldn't it mean I'll never lack for food every day? That's too good to be true."
"Look at what you said. Can someone who is short of food send so much food? Look at the two big sacks in that room. Now, the Chen family will be well off!"
The villagers who were watching were talking about it, but their words all revealed their envy for the Chen family and the family of Chen Miaoyun's new husband!
In a small village, news spreads very quickly.
As time went by, the news about the Chen family spread throughout the entire Chenjia Village, and more and more villagers came to Chen Shili's house to join in the fun.
Upon seeing this, Chen Shili hurriedly asked his four sons to stand up.
Then, he said to the people gathered around him, "Okay, stop discussing. My little daughter Miaoyun has already said in the letter that she has now arrived in the capital and married a good family. As a father, I am finally relieved. We have been busy all day today, and we will celebrate at home tonight, so everyone can go back."
"That's right, why bother joining in the fun? It can save you some energy and food. Let's go, I still need to talk to my niece."
As Chen Zizhong's eldest son, although Chen Shimai is not the village chief now, he still has some prestige in the village. What's more, Chen Shimai's family are all strong men, so no one continues to cause trouble and they disperse in groups of three or two.
"I really envy the Chen family. With these things, they won't go hungry anymore."
"What's the use of being envious? If you have the ability, your daughter can marry into a good family too."
"Marrying into a good family doesn't necessarily help. Some people get married and then there's no news at all. Let alone sending so many things, it's considered a good thing to get a reply!"
"Of course not. Over the years, our village has had more than just Miaoyun and Miaozhi leave. There have been dozens or even hundreds of people who left. Only a few of them wrote back to their families in the end. The only one who sent a letter with something was the daughter of old Zhao from the south. She sent three dollars, which is far less than what old Chen's family has!"
(End of this chapter)
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