In 1904, the winter in Zhangqiu, Shandong was earlier than in previous years.That Zhang Qiuben is also a place of outstanding people. It is the hometown of Li Qingzhao, a poetess in the Song Dynasty. On the field, the north wind howled and passed by, making the gloomy sky even more bleak.And on the rough roads between the villages, groups of people with their families pushed their wheelbarrows and walked silently and wearily into the distance. They are all refugees going to the Kanto—although their homeland is hard to leave, it is the most realistic thing to survive with enough food. life.They don't know what it looks like outside the customs, whether it is fertile fields or snowy and permafrost. They only know that there is such a vast land in the distance, which may accept them and allow them to ask for a bite.

In such weather, perhaps only a teenager can forget his sorrow.The yard of Zhu Kaishan's family in Zhujiayu Village was full of noise. The family's second brother, Wu Zheng, and third brother, Chuanjie, threw off their arms and wrestled.Although it was cold, the two of them only wore single trousers and a jersey on their upper body. They were sweating and their heads were still steaming.Chuanwu was eighteen years old and Chuanjie was fourteen years old. There was a gap in height between the two, but they had similar features.After another round of fighting, the two simply threw the wrestling clothes they were wearing on their bodies to the ground with a snap.

Zhu Chuanwu bare his strong upper body, hugged his shoulders, squinted his eyes and said to his younger brother: "San Er, come on, today the second brother will teach you the third trick, big back straddle!" Zhu Chuanjie shook his head feebly: "Second brother Let’s forget about it today, I’m so hungry that I don’t have any energy left, and this belly is stuck to the back of my spine, if you want to play with yourself.” Zhu Chuanwu squinted his eyes: “When I was three years old, I looked like an old man. You're an unbearable master! My mother is used to you, but I'm not used to your old child's faults. I practice martial arts three times a day. This is the rule set by our father back then. Although our father is not at home, this rule cannot be changed! Open your eyes, I'm going to attack!"

As Chuanwu said, he stepped sideways and carried Chuanjie with a big bag.Chuanjie screamed, finally got up, and said: "Second brother, you really can do it!" Chuanwu didn't answer, a vicious tiger jumped forward, and knocked Chuanjie who had just stood up to the ground again.Chuanjie became angry, jumped up and hugged Chuanwu, and Chuanwu was overjoyed: "Yes, that's right, this is how you look like a gentleman, our father said: Frozen to death at Yingfeng Station, starved to death without bowing your head, As long as you have a breath, you have to practice this skill! You will never suffer a lifetime! Step up, take out your sleeves, stick your body sideways, put your legs in, and your waist hard... back, back hard!" Chuanjie panted, But I just can't move my back.Chuanwu took out a dried vegetable pancake from his bosom as if conjuring, put it in front of his brother's nose and smelled it, and said, "If you carry me on your back, I'll give you this vegetable pancake." Chuanjie widened his eyes: " Second brother, give me a bite, and I will carry you on my back."

Chuanwu asked Chuanjie to take a bite: "Back it!" Chuanjie said shamelessly, "Take another bite." Chuanwu handed him the cake: "Bite it." Chuanjie said while eating: "Second brother, Do you think elder brother can marry sister Xian'er back?" Chuan Wu said: "I don't know!" Chuan Jie said: "I think it's hard enough, I haven't got enough food to marry her..." Chuan Wu frowned after hearing this: "What are you doing with so many things?" "I met Miss Xian'er the other day. Oh, it's getting longer and more handsome, and her voice is getting better and better. She speaks like an opera..." Chuanjie pinched his throat to imitate Xian'er, "Third brothers, tell the second Brother, you two should come together on the day you marry me. Is your second brother still so skinny? You tell him, wait for me to pass through the door and comb him slowly——Second brother, the day you marry Sister Xian’er are you going?"

Chuanwu scratched his head and said, "What am I going to do?" "Go, hey, what clothes are you going to wear that day?" Chuanjie said as he swallowed his last bite of cake. Chuanwu's eyes suddenly became straight: "You kid, where did my pancakes go?" Chuanjie laughed loudly: "Just eat it!" Chuanwu threw Chuanjie to the ground again in a hurry. Their mother's voice came from inside the room: "You two stop fighting, come in!" Chuanwu twisted Chuanjie's arm and entered the house. Their mother was fiddling with an old loom, and said to the two: "Your brother has been going to your grandfather's house to borrow food for almost three days, and he should be back. Don’t worry, your two brothers will go to the village to meet him.” The two promised to go, but their mother stopped them: “Slow down, there is almost no food at home, don’t forget to carry the water hyacinth, Drink water when you are hungry or thirsty, and speak quickly when you see people, and ask: Have you seen my brother?"

After seeing off the two brothers, the mother let out a long sigh, and cursed in her heart: Damn, why should I send a letter!Zhu Kaishan, who was in charge of her family, went to Kanto, and there was no movement for four years.She is both a father and a mother, and she is tired of raising three children by herself. Fortunately, the children are still up to the task.But I didn't expect the age to be so bad. Seeing that the family was about to run out of food, the third child was already skinny, the eldest was getting married again, and the second child was still growing up. The three young men were at the age to eat!

Just as she was thinking about it, her future in-laws, Xian'er's father Tan Yongqing entered the room through the curtain.Chuan Wuniang hurriedly stood up: "Uncle, you are here, sit down." Tan Yongqing said: "By the way, come and have a look." Chuan Wuniang smiled lightly: "Just talk about anything, no need to beat around the bush." ​​Tan Yongqing sneered Said: "What else can there be? What about your family Chuanwen and my Xianer." Chuan Wuniang frowned: "What about them? Isn't it all settled? His uncle, what else do you say? ?” Tan Yongqing said: "I don't have anything to say, I just want to see how you are doing. After three years of catching up with the catastrophe, we can't afford to delay it. There is no way. Hurry up and deal with their affairs, Xian'er will be your daughter-in-law sooner or later, those old etiquettes will be waived, but the bucket of millet is still unavoidable."

Chuan Wuniang laughed and said, "Uncle, who has a surplus of grain in these years? I'm not afraid of making fun of you if you tell me. The grain in my family is not enough for a fight. You don't have to scratch your head, I will send a text Go to his grandpa’s house to borrow it, and we can’t change what the two of us agreed to!” Tan Yongqing nodded hurriedly: "That's good. It stands to reason that you shouldn't get married in such a disaster year, but our family has been waiting for three years. You said to marry this year and next year, but you didn't marry after all. Said that when Zhu Kaishan comes back, it seems that he won't be back for a while. Alas, we won't wait anymore. "

Chuan Wuniang sighed: "His uncle, it's not that I don't want to marry. Since the Boxer Rebellion incident, my family affairs have not stopped. How can I care about these things? It's not that you don't know." Tan Yongqing also sighed: "Oh, why don't you know? When the Boxer Rebellion broke out, Zhu Kaishan opened the Xiangtang to kill foreigners and made a big fuss. The court turned his face and wanted to ask him about his death penalty. Fortunately, he went to Kanto. He ran away. How many years has it been? There has been no sound?" Chuan Wuniang shook her head and got up: "Oh, this old man, he doesn't know how to live or die. There is nothing to eat at home. I'm going to boil a pot of water and get you some porridge." Tan Yongqing hurriedly got up: "No need, I'm just eating Say hello and remind me. Go to sleep, I'm leaving." With that said, the man had already left the door.

Brother Chuanwu didn't go far, and met his elder brother Zhu Chuanwen at the head of the village.Chuanwen was surrounded by a group of beggars who were begging for food while begging for food. The beggars sang begging, "Hey, this brother is so kind-hearted. I met him at the Pantao Festival. He has kind eyebrows, kind eyes, and a good heart. Our brothers are destined for each other." "That one said: "Hey, it is said that there is a destiny, and there is a destiny, brother, come and help us, we have to go north, give some food to save people, good deeds will be rewarded, and you will have a good marriage." Another Said: "A daughter-in-law is more beautiful than Chang'e, has more children, more blessings and a longer life span, wears gold and silver and straddles a horse, and will be a high-ranking official from generation to generation." Chuanwen tried his best to break free, and said hoarsely: "Don't pester me, I'm hungry too, I'm in a hurry!" Chuanwu and Chuanjie hurried over and pushed the beggars away.Chuanwu grabbed the eldest brother and said, "Go, mother is waiting." Chuanjie looked at his brother's scorched and haggard face, then at his empty hand, and asked, "Brother, where is the food you borrowed?" Chuanwen didn't respond, he took advantage of the opportunity to rush away from the crowd and ran home, Chuanwu and Chuanjie followed closely behind. Chuanwen rushed into the house, shouted "Mother", and fell to the ground.Chuan Wu Niang jumped to the ground, pinched Chuan Wen's people, and ordered Chuan Wu and Chuan Jie who came in: "What are you two still doing? Boil the water!" After drinking the hot water poured by his mother, Chuanwen woke up faintly. When he saw his mother in front of him, he burst into tears, grabbed her hand tightly and said, "Mother, it's not good, my grandpa and grandma, them……" Chuan Wuniang anxiously said: "Quickly tell me, what happened to them?" "I walked sixty miles on the mountain road, and when I arrived at my grandmother's house, I opened the door and saw, my mother, my grandmother's family hanged themselves!" Chuan Wu Niang was like thunder, crying loudly: "Father, mother, what's the matter with you? Have you encountered any difficulties? Why can't you live? My God!" Let the villagers eat the big family, and three days ago, they were thrown into the well with sacks covering their heads, and life is impossible." It was said that Wu Niang had cried enough, she was speechless for a long time, she got up suddenly and was about to leave.Seeing this, Chuanjie hurriedly stopped him and asked, "Mother, where are you going?" Chuan Wuniang wiped her tears: "Go to your grandma's house, send it to my father and mother, my old Wei's family is extinct..." Before she could finish speaking, she choked up with grief from her heart, unable to hold on, and then fell down. Chuanwen said: "Mother, you are so sick, how can you get there! Besides, what are you going to send to your grandparents?" Chuanwu's mother wiped away her tears: "Chuanwen, Chuanwu, you two are going to see Grandpa Zhang. The family borrowed a quick yard and killed the old poplar tree in the yard. Chuanjie, go and hire Huang Carpenter to make two thin wooden coffins, and you can’t let your grandparents go away like this.” Chuanwen cried: “Mother , I can’t do it, you and my father kept it for me as a birthday material, and no one can touch it!” Chuan Wuniang closed her eyes: “I can’t care less, kill!” Sending her parents into the soil, it is said that Wu Niang was seriously ill, but no matter how difficult the life is, she has to live on.Seeing that the three children were like frost-beaten eggplants, and even the youngest Chuanjie was no longer noisy as before, she couldn't help but think of her husband who was far away in Kanto: Kanto, Kanto, what is there in Kanto that fascinates everyone Startled, so fascinated that I don't know the news, so fascinated that I don't ask the family members whether they are dead or alive.She understands her husband, and she knows that he is a man who can take on the responsibility. However, for four years, her dreams have turned into empty hopes, and her expectations have turned into disappointments. She has shed all tears at night. Early in the morning, Chuanwu Niang pulled herself together and called Chuanwen to her front: "Chuanwen, have you done what I told you to do? Xian'er's father is here again urging her to welcome her." Chuanwen had a bitter face "Mother, I've been all over the village and I can't get together a bucket of rice, and every family can't open the pot, who still has food!" Chuan Wu Niang sighed: "Chuan Wen, there is really no other way, you go and talk to Lao Tan Uncle discuss and discuss, is it okay to lose two liters of rice? Our family can make up eight liters by scraping the bottom of the tank, there is really no other way." "Mother, it's difficult for us to do things that have been agreed, and I can't open my mouth!" Chuan Wuniang scolded: "Chuanwen, when will you lift the lid of the pot? Chuanjie, accompany your brother to Tan's house to beg for mercy." Chuanjie was very blunt: "Hey, I'll go." Chuan Wuniang said angrily again: "You said that your dead father caused a catastrophe by himself, and kicked his hoof out of the pass. It has been four years. This heartless person has not sent a letter until now! They say that the east of the pass is a treasure land. I can't guarantee that he has bought a house and a land now, with cows and horses in the pen, three bedrooms and four concubines, he has already forgotten about us women! Don't you believe it? Now he is drinking wine, belching, and farting loudly Guandong Yan'er, squatting on the roof to cool off!" Chuanjie winked, and pushed and shoved his elder brother who was still dawdling out of the house.Chuanwen said: "San'er, this is what was agreed and changed. Why did you say that when you mentioned Xian'er's family? You have been in a private school for several years in our family, and you have started to lecture. You teach brother .” Chuanjie curled his lips: "The mouth grows under his nose, why can't he open his mouth? Look at what I said." He even said with gestures, "When you meet Xian'er's father, first make a bow and sing Here's the thing: my lord Taishan is here, my son-in-law Zhu Chuanwen is very polite." Chuanwen said: "It's not right, it's not right, why is it like a drama? Don't fool me, I know that Master Taishan refers to Lao Zhangren, and Xian'er hasn't passed the family yet, so you can't say that." "Then you make a bow first, and say this: Uncle Tan, I have had a word with you under the orders of Gao Tang's old mother. It's okay to marry a man when he is a college student, and a bride who is a woman when he is a college student. This is also an old principle. Isn’t this a time of famine? Some things need to be discussed. My family has eight liters of millet when it’s full. You can just laugh at it. When it’s a good year, we will definitely give it to you. Make it up, a gentleman can never chase after a word." Chuanjie is full of knowledge at such a young age. Chuanwen shook his head: "I don't understand some words, can you turn them into Zhuanghu dialect?" Chuanjie also shook his head: "Dead wood can't be carved! Forget it, just say this: Old Tan uncle, my mother said that my family's food is also at the end of the hoard, so you just raise your hand and let Xianer marry him." Let’s go! Can’t I kowtow to you?” Chuanwen was stunned: “I still want to kowtow? Yes. You do as I tell you, that's right." Tan Yongqing was smoking a cigarette with an old man at home.Tan Yongqing said: "What did you do in the past? Did the carriages and horses break down at the gate of my house before? If nothing else, who would dare to set up a stage in the courtyard to sing a big show during the New Year? My family has that power, and Xian'er even went on stage to pretend Have you ever heard of "Wang Dingbao Judang" or "Little Gu Xian" she sang? If I hadn't stopped her from singing, she would have become a role by now." The old man echoed: "You said that your family was also a big family back then, so why did you tell Xian'er to Zhu Kaishan's son? It's not right for the family to be inappropriate!" Tan Yongqing said: "Don't you just look at his family style? Who doesn't know that Zhu Kaishan is in our Zhujia Town? He is also a man. There is no opponent in a set of Bagua boxing. He has a reputation for hoeing the strong and helping the weak." The old man nodded and sighed: "That's true. It's a pity, following the Boxer Rebellion, there was a lawsuit and the family lost. Do you regret this marriage?" "What's the use of regretting? A settled marriage is a nail on the board. If I regret my marriage, what should I do? Besides, Xian'er has already said that he is a member of the Zhu family." The old man nodded again: "Xian'er and Chuanwen are a good match. She has been learning boxing from Zhu Kaishan since she was a child, and her martial arts skills are not inferior to Chuanwen's. The two children are very good. Then arrange the marriage earlier. My daughter stays at home, and she gets a lot of food for a year." Tan Yongqing said: "I have urged them several times, but I didn't ask them for any gift, just a bucket of millet, is it too much?" The old man said: "It's too much to say Not too much." "But even this little requirement has stumped them." "Hey, what is the most expensive thing now? It is food. A bucket of millet can be exchanged for a pair of good longevity materials." Tan Yongqing shook his head: "I don't think so, it's because of Guier. Guier is engaged, and she is the daughter of Shaozitou Sun Dashou. She doesn't want a bride price, but just wants a bucket of millet." "Yeah, all eyes are on the food these days." The old man was talking, and suddenly pointed to the distance, "Hey, Cao Cao is here, do you see who is coming from the village?" Tan Yongqing squinted his eyes and leaned out. There was a message from the head of the village that the brothers were walking this way. He slapped his legs and said, "No, it's Zhu Kaishan's boss and junior. They are empty-handed. It's probably because there is not enough food. I don't want to see you." They." As he spoke, he walked out and closed the courtyard door. Chuanwen and Chuanjie walked to the door of Tan's house, and seeing the door was closed, they knocked on the door vigorously. After knocking for a long time, no one answered, only a dog barking.Coincidentally, Tan Yongqing's son Gui'er just came home, saw Brother Chuanwen, and asked, "Why did you smash the door of my house?" Chuanwen quickly replied, "Talk to your father." When will you marry my sister? Hurry up, you can't marry, and neither can I. My father said, if your family sends food, he will marry me a wife immediately. " The text said: "Your father doesn't want to see me." Gui'er smiled: "I will smash it for you." Then he knocked on the door, "Father, open the door, my brother-in-law is here!" Suddenly, two lumps of soil landed at Chuanwen's feet.He raised his head, and saw Xian'er climbing on the pomegranate tree in the courtyard and smiling at him.Gui'er saw it too, and shouted, "Xian'er, open the door." Xian'er said, "Go play while I talk to him." Chuanwen said, "Is that you? It scared me! It's a monkey." Yes? Whose family's eldest daughter climbs a tree? Come down, don't fall!" Xian'er smiled: "Brother Chuanwen, I can't come down! You hug me down." "The door of your house is closed tightly, how can I get in?" "You won't jump in through the wall?" Chuanwen curled his lips and said: "If I dare to jump over the wall, your father will not break my leg if he finds out? Hey, can you tell your father to lose two liters? My mother made up eight liters." Xian'er said: " That can't work, my family is counting on this little food for my brother to marry." Chuanjie came to interject to make fun: "Sister-in-law, my good sister-in-law, don't be embarrassing. If you pass the door, we will stir the horse spoon in the same pot. If you embarrass my brother, wait until you pass the door to see me. How to play tricks on you! Mix sand in your bowl, and make your flower bed piss so wet!" Xian'er was delighted: "Dare you! When the time comes, I will strip you naked and make you sleep in the bed. When will I dry my bed before letting you go!" Chuanjie smirked: "Sleeping under your quilt, my brother can't agree." Xian'er said: "Okay, I'll talk to dad, you two are waiting." Then she got off the pomegranate tree and walked into the main room lightly.Tan Yongqing heard it in his ears, and when he saw his daughter coming in, he had a straight face: "Xian'er, who are you talking to while climbing on the pomegranate tree? You are becoming less and less like a girl." Xian'er smiled: "Father, don't pretend to be confused. Yes. His family has eight liters of millet, so you should accept it." Tan Yongqing patted the table and said, "Okay, if you speak for your in-law's family before you get married, I raised you for nothing! Go and tell him, once Dou Xiaomi, even one less grain will do!" Xian'er stuck out her tongue, went out and climbed up the pomegranate tree, and said to the two brothers outside the door: "My father said, even if there is a grain of millet missing." Chuanwen was anxious: "What should I do? This marriage can't be done. " Xian'er said: "Brother Chuanwen, don't worry, think of other ways, you will find a solution." "What can I do? It's too late to pull it now!" Xian'er giggled: "Then you can pull the golden beans, and you can pay the bill with the golden beans." Saying that, he got down the pomegranate tree.Chuanwen looked into the courtyard through the crack of the door, saw one big eye of Xian'er, and asked, "Xian'er, do you miss me?" Xian'er asked back, "What about you? Do you want to?" Chuanwen said: "Yes, even in my dreams. I dreamed that you were walking to my house in a big sedan chair, and I was following behind on a big red horse. You were shameless and secretly lifted your red hijab and looked at me." Xian'er's eyes were gone, and her silver-like opera voice came from the courtyard: "Suddenly, I heard the noise outside the door. It must be that my brother came to the door, busy twisting the flower needle, and wanted to open the door for my brother, but I was afraid of my father. Mother came to complain..." Chuan Wenle yelled outside: "Xian'er, wait, I'll tell you to sing, go through the door and see how I deal with you!" He walked away in a daze.Chuanjie held him back: "Brother, are you leaving just like that?" Chuanwen stared at him: "What if I don't leave? They won't open the door!" The two brothers returned home with their heads drooping, and their mother asked, "Chuanwen, are you back? What did your uncle say?" Chuanwen said dejectedly, "My uncle has spoken, and we can't do without a grain of millet." Wu Niang asked: "Did he say that himself?" Chuanwen said: "Uncle refused to see me, and didn't let me in, let Xianer pass." Chuanwu Niang sighed: "How good is this?" Chuanjie imitated: "Mother, my elder brother and sister-in-law said those shameless things, how could they be serious? On the way back, they still shook their heads and sang operas. Forget what you told me!" Chuan Wuniang glared at her elder son bitterly: "I already knew that your brother is a piece of rubbish! I can't count on anyone. Tan Yongqing is a stubborn old man, let me come to the door in person." Chuan Wu Jie said, "Mom, shall I go with you?" Back to Tan's house again, this time the courtyard door was unlocked, Chuanjie and his wife were hesitating at the courtyard gate, but Xianerniang came out to greet her: "Oh, it's Mrs. Zhu, come in quickly." Chuanwuniang sneered. "The threshold of your house is high, can I step over it?" Xian Erniang smiled: "You are so clever, you can catch up with the spider, and you can draw silk." Chuan Wuniang asked, "Where's his uncle?" Xian Erniang said, "He's making dung in the backyard. Tell me if you have something to say." As he spoke, he led Chuan Wuniang into the house. Chuanjie didn't enter the house, but seeing Xian'er sitting in the yard pinching corn braids, he leaned over to her and said in a low voice, "Sister-in-law is really skillful, the braids you pinch are so thin and even, it's really eye-catching. "Xian'er smiled and said: "Really? You really know how to flatter me. After I pass the door, I will braid your hair and make a nice straw hat for you." Chuanjie said obediently: "Then I will thank my sister-in-law first." The son said: "Don't talk to a sister-in-law, you haven't passed the door yet." Chuanjie said: "Sooner or later, it's called obvious intimacy." Chuan Wuniang looked around in the main room, and said, "Look at your house, it's neatly tidied up, and it looks like a living family." The rice soup is not round." Chuan Wu Niang laughed: "Your mouth is so sharp that you won't change it with a knife. If you are like you, if you pass through the door, you will cut our girls with a single mouth. "Xian Erniang curled her lips: "Weighing two catties of cotton and spinning it once, who doesn't know your old lady Zhu Kaishan? Not your opponent." Chuan Wuniang said: "Just joking, I have something to discuss with you. Alas, I agreed, and Xian'er will give you a bucket of millet through the door. After scraping the bottom of the hoard, I made up eight liters. There is no way to send a message to him." I borrowed it from my grandma’s house, I think you have heard it too..." She couldn’t help but shed tears, "Oh, it’s our turn to burn incense and Buddha. Can’t your family let go? But if there is a little way, I won’t be so cheeky as to beg you .” Xian'er's mother's tears also flowed down: "Oh, if I left it in the past, my eyelids would not be able to catch a bucket of millet, but in this famine year, food is more expensive than gold. It's not like you don't know, Xian'er Since his father lost his family by smoking opium, my house has been tossed clean. Xianer's brother, even Guier, is going to marry a wife. The woman's family insists on this bucket of millet. I won't look for you. Who will go? There is really no other way." Chuan Wuniang said in a low voice: "It's only two liters short, you won't be able to bleed a little when you marry a wife, you and his uncle will discuss it again." The woman's heart was soft, and Xian Erniang nodded: "Okay, let me tell you. Tell me. You sit here and wait." He said and left the room.After a while, Xianerniang came back: "Auntie, let's talk about it, the old man has opened a meeting, eight liters will be eight liters, and I will figure out the remaining two liters." Chuan Wuniang held He tightened his in-law's hand, nodded but was speechless, and tears welled up again. In the yard, Chuanjie and Xian'er were talking enthusiastically.Chuanjie said: "Sister-in-law, my brother really misses you. Sister-in-law, really! Every night my brother sleeps with his arms around the pillow, saying in his mouth: "Xian'er, I miss you so much. When will you get through the door, brother?" I can't wait, brother hugs you and kisses you. Your lips are so red, your braids are so thick, and your appearance is so handsome..." Xian'er blushed with embarrassment: "Nonsense, no shame!" Chuanjie said more and more vigorously: "Sister-in-law, we are not ashamed. Listen to me, I have finished my book, and the teacher started to talk. Can you guess what it is? "Guan Ju". I will recite it to you: "Guan Guan Jujiu, in the continent of the river, is a fair lady, a gentleman likes a good man. There are various waterweeds, flowing from left to right, a fair lady, a dreamy lady." It. I can't ask for it, I am thinking about it. I am leisurely and leisurely, tossing and turning...'" Xian'er said: "Don't recite it, I don't understand." Chuanjie said: "It doesn't matter, I will explain to you. Jujiu is a turtledove. It is about two turtledoves, a male and a female, who get along well on the sandbar in the river. Well, they croaked and seduced each other. The master said, this is a good thing. A fair lady, a gentleman is so good, and he is talking about a beautiful big girl, and the young man is chasing after her..." Xian'er covered her face: "Don't Say it, don’t say it, I’m so ashamed! I don’t believe it, sir, you still say this? It’s all made up by you.” Laughing and making noise, Xian Erniang sent Chuan Wuniang out the door.Chuanjie quickly straightened his face and stood up.Tan Yongqing also turned out from the back of the courtyard, and said politely: "Her aunt, are you leaving now?" Chuan Wuniang said: "You don't keep food, what are you doing if you don't leave?" Xianerniang rushed to Chuanjie Nunuzui: "Look at the two of them, they are talking very warmly." Tan Yongqing stroked Chuanjie's head and said, "This kid is smart, soft-tempered, and likable. If I have another A daughter, high and low, marry him as a wife." Chuan Wuniang looked at Chuanjie lovingly: "I don't have a girl in my family, so I raise Saner as a girl, and he reads a lot, knowing the big and the small." Chuanjie climbed along the pole and bowed repeatedly to thank Tan's elders: "Thank you uncle and aunt, my mother can sleep well this time, we will be relatives in the future, we have to walk around frequently, I am not polite, please give me advice. You’re welcome, we’re all family.” Tan Yongqing said happily: "Xian'er, look at Chuanjie, how good at talking! I will learn from your little brother in the future." Xian'er giggled: "You guys, let him be blinded, don't look at other people's small, tricky ideas There are many!" It was getting dark early, a candle was burning at Zhu Kaishan's house, and the Chuanwen brothers sat around in front of their mother, enjoying themselves happily.Chuanwu Niang told the boss: "Chuanwen, record all the rice borrowed, and return it to others when the year is good." Chuanwen replied: "Mother, I borrowed these rice from several companies. I can't remember. Besides, I don't know how to write the names of many people." Chuanjie tried his best: "Mother, I can remember. Tan Chunzao's family has two liters, Fu Fawu's family has two liters, Liu Sichun's family has one liter, and the third master's family has one and a half liters. ..." Chuan Wuniang interrupted him: "Okay, don't talk about it, you keep an account. Alas, these are all shortfalls, and they will have to be paid back in the future." Chuanjie held his pockets: "Mother, I can't do anything. Let my second brother grind ink for me." Chuanwu was not angry: "To keep an account, someone needs to serve the pen and ink, and I will make you happy." Chuanwu Niang scolded Chuanwen and Chuanwu said: "You two are brothers, write down I don’t even know how to make an account, so I’m full for nothing.” Chuanwen said: “What else can I say? Brothers and sisters think he’s read a lot, so it’s not right to keep an account?” Chuanjie also hurriedly said: “Mother, don’t complain Brother, he asked me to write down this list." The four of them were busy with their work when they faintly heard a play coming from outside the house: "My cousin was reading books in Nanjing, and his classmates took him to gamble, and he lost eight strings of money all at once. I don’t have any money to borrow, so I specially asked my sister to borrow money, and my sister lent it to him, so as not to embarrass my cousin. Sister, if you have money, borrow it quickly..." Chuanjie listened for a while with pricked ears: "Brother, it's Sister Xianer who is here, why don't you hurry up to greet her?" Chuanwuniang's face was grim: "This girl, who is not happy enough all day long, just knows how to sing, and will live in the future? I don't think so." Chuanwen ignored his mother's expression, hummed along with the play, jumped up and went to open the door.The door opened, and Xian'er walked in with a smile: "Oh, no wonder I heard the rattling noise in the room, so the rice was being measured!" Chuan Wuniang said with a straight face, "I haven't passed the door yet, so come to my in-law's house so late, don't be afraid People gossiping?" Xian'er smiled generously: "I'm not afraid, I'll be part of your family in a few days, and I'll call you mother-mother right now." Chuan Wuniang laughed, but still kept a straight face on purpose: "I did not hear it." Xian'er mischievously said: "Then I will speak louder, mother! Mother!!! Mother!!!" This finally made Chuanwu Niang laugh, and said: "Okay, I heard, the door is loud, catch up! It’s called a donkey. What are you here for?” Xian'er put her hands behind her back: "I brought something, guess what it is?" Chuanwen rushed to say: "If you want me to guess, it must be the bottom shoes made for me." Xian'er shook her head: "No—yes. Chuanwu, guess what." Chuanwu said, "That's the cloth shirt I made for my brother." Xian'er still shook her head: "No—yes. Chuanjie, guess again." Chuanjie thought for a while, then jokingly said: "Let me guess, you must have embroidered a pair of pillows with your own hands, and there are a pair of turtledoves on each." Xianer gave him a white look: "It's even more wrong." Picking up a bag, "I brought some millet to your house." Chuan Wuniang was shocked: "It's terrible, where did you get the rice? Steal your father's? Now go to my house, pass the door and then go to your house, aren't you a rat?" The son giggled: "Mother, my mouse's surname is Zhu, just go this way." Chuan Wuniang said with a tiger face: "That's not okay, let your father know that he broke your leg." Xian'er put the millet on the kang, and said triumphantly, "Mother, this is the rice I bought from my private house with my braids. Neither my parents nor my mother know about it." Chuan Wuniang stroked Xian'er's cracked hand, her eyes were red: "Xian'er, my good daughter-in-law, is really from my old Zhu's family. Chuanwen, take Xian'er to that room to talk for a while, don't worry about it." too late." Chuanwen was waiting for this sentence, agreed happily, took Xian'er's hand and entered the back room, closed the door behind him, and said with a smile: "Xian'er, my mother has touched your hands, and I want to see you too." Touch it." Xian'er put her hands behind her back: "That's not okay, you are a man, I won't let you touch it if you haven't passed the door, and it's worthless if you touch it!" Chuanwen salivated: "Who said? Sooner or later you won't Are they all my people? Touch it, just touch it." Xian'er stretched out his hand: "It's settled, just touch it." Chuanwen touched Xian'er's hand and asked: "Xian'er, your hands are so small, Can you work hard?" Xian'er said, "Why not? When the time comes, we will compare each other, except that I can't help the plow, I won't leave you behind in any kind of work." Chuanwen touched Xian'er's hand and was reluctant to let it go: "Bibi is Bibi. Xian'er, you are good everywhere, just a pair of big feet, my mother, I caught up with two boats. The day you said that the door, let's go!" On the sedan chair, if you poke your two big feet on the ground like this, don’t you laugh out your big teeth? Your father and mother can really let you go, if you don’t bind your feet, they will let you go?” Xian'er said: "I'm the only girl in my family. When I was young, my mother was afraid that I would suffer, so she didn't force me to bind my feet. When I grew up, she wanted to bind my feet, but I refused to do so. Have you forgotten? Bind my feet, and I screamed like a pig. Your father kicked open the door of my house and untied the rope for me. My father jumped up and said, "Zhu Kaishan, my daughter can't get married if she doesn't bind her feet. Your family!' Your father patted his chest and said, "Send me a letter to be my daughter-in-law, and anyone who wants to go back on his word is a little turtle." That's how our two families got married." Chuanwen laughed loudly: "He is the matchmaker of flowers, and we are matchmakers of feet. It's good to have a show. Let me touch your two big fat hooves?" I won’t let you touch it.” Chuanwen made a serious face on purpose: “Don’t let you touch it down, touch it if it smells bad, and touch it not thin.” Xian’er chuckled: “I just washed my feet, they don’t smell bad. You can touch them if you want. Touch it." It was late at night, and the cold moonlight cast a white shadow on the kang.The three brothers of the Zhu family were sleeping soundly, and the corners of their mouths were still smiling after meeting their lover Chuanwen, smacking the happiness of marrying a daughter-in-law in their dreams. At this moment, several masked men climbed over the wall, stooped and touched the door quietly, one of them stepped forward with a single knife, and the door was pried open with a creak.Chuan Wuniang was old and light sleeper. When she heard the doorbell, she was about to get up, but she found that the knife had pointed her forehead.It is said that Wu Niang has heard a lot about this kind of banditry in the countryside, but she is still calm. She put on her clothes and asked: "Everyone, did we have grievances in the past?" A sturdy man said in a rough voice, "No injustice." Chuan Wuniang asked again: "For money?" The man shook his head: "Not for money." Chuan Wuniang wondered: "Why?" The man said: "For survival!" Chuan Wuniang laughed: " This is strange, the road is facing the sun, our well water does not interfere with the river water, and we did not kill you." The man said: "If you don't have food these days, you will die. Stop talking nonsense and bring out your family's food." Chuan Wu Niang said : "Every family has no overnight food, and we have no food." "You can't hide it from the ears of our brothers. Your son is going to get married and prepare food. Take out eight liters of millet. Do you want food or die? Tell me." The masked man sneered a few times, waved his hand, and his men The brothers pushed Chuanwen and Chuanjie over from another room, but Chuanwu disappeared. Chuanwen knelt down with a plop: "Hero, I borrowed all my food, so let us go." Chuanjie said sweetly, "Brother hero, Shandong has produced heroes since ancient times. Help the poor, you will ruin the reputation of a hero by doing this. Brother hero, be merciful, I will build a monument for you in the future to spread your reputation, but I dare not break the rules of the green forest." The leader of the big man kicked Chuanjie down: "Stop talking ! We are not heroes, but robbers, and none of you will survive without food!” Seeing this, Chuan Wuniang turned her head and said, "The food can be given to you. I asked someone, do you know?" The masked man said, "Who? Tell me!"朱开山。”蒙面大汉点头：“有些耳闻。”传武娘一笑：“俺就是他家里的。”蒙面大汉冷笑：“提谁也没有用，俺们和他不是一路，过了今天没明天。少废话，拿粮来！”传武娘哈哈大笑：“痛快！传杰，把粮食拿出来，老虎要吃人，还跟他们讲什么？” 几个蒙面人拿了粮食，打了个唿哨一阵风地走了。 屋里头传文哭道：“娘，粮食没了怎么娶亲呀！” “你们没看出来？咱今天要是不拿出粮食来就有灭门之灾，这些人什么事都能做出来，认头吧。”传武娘嘴上安慰儿子，心里也是悲切。 一家人正难受着，传武擎着一样东西，气喘吁吁地跑进屋：“娘，你看，这是什么？”传武娘将那物件接过来，大惊失色：“俺的娘呀，这不是金元宝吗？你从哪儿弄来的？”传武说：“他们抢粮的时候俺溜出去了，在院外他们的马褡裢里翻出来的。” 传文高兴了：“这下可好了，这东西，就是现在的年景也能换七八斗米！”传武娘却脸色大变：“传武，你这不知死活的东西，惹了杀身之祸呀！他们会回来的，回来咱全家就没命了！” 她话音还没落，屋门又被一脚踹开，为首的蒙面大汉一把揪住传武的耳朵：“小兔崽子，你敢截爷们儿的财，找死呀！”传武使劲挣扎着：“你们抢我偷，咱们扯平了。” 另一个蒙面汉子恶狠狠道：“大哥，做了这小子！” 传武却毫无惧色：“杀就杀，二十年后又是条好汉！” 传武娘上前两步：“好汉，不怨孩子，我老婆子教子无方，手脚不干净，坏了你们道上的规矩，要杀杀俺。” 为首的汉子笑了：“俺们土匪草寇没规矩，东西还了就行。”他拍着传武的肩膀，“小小的人，天大的胆儿，将来是个人物！好吧，你们也不容易，留下两升米。”说罢，率众土匪扬长而去，留下朱家一家人对着两升米发呆。 传文哭道：“娘，粮食没有了，这亲还娶吗？” 花轿上路了。虽然年景不好，可该有的排场不能少。轿子是四人小轿，大红的颜色有点褪色，但在冬日暗淡的乡间还是显得喜庆。轿前头八个吹鼓手，吹着《百鸟朝凤》的调子。传武娘穿着浆洗干净的棉袄，头发用水蘸过，显得格外精神。传武、传杰在轿子前上蹿下跳，忙得不行。倒是新郎官传文骑着马，十字披红，蔫头耷脑的。传武娘看不过眼：“传文，你的头叫霜打了？给俺抬起来！”传杰笑嘻嘻地说：“哥，书上说娶媳妇就是小登科，笑还来不及呢。你看你，哭咧咧的。笑一笑！”传文不耐烦地道：“去去去，这哪是娶亲？简直就是抢新娘。” 谭永庆家门口已是热闹非凡，四邻的男女老少五十多口人都等着看热闹。谭永庆两口子也挤在门口不停地张望着。一大清早，就有乡亲来给他们说，传文带着迎亲的队伍上路了。老两口纳闷，怎么要娶亲事先也不打个招呼。又怕误了事，一面嘱咐鲜儿做准备，一面拾掇家里，张罗亲朋，好一阵忙活，也不知道亲家葫芦里卖的是什么药。 远远地见花轿来了。谭永庆扯住老婆：“鲜儿娘，俺眼神儿不济，你看看，是不是真是鲜儿婆家来娶亲了？”旁边一个邻居眼尖嘴快：“怎么不是？你没看见？传武娘亲自来了！”谭永庆更不解：“这是怎么回事？迎亲不打招呼，他娘也来了，这不破规矩了吗？有这么办事的吗？这老婆子，俺看是昏头了！” 说话间，迎亲的队伍过来了，花轿停下。传武娘冲亲家公抱拳道：“亲家，今天俺亲自来迎亲了，给你个措手不及，破规矩了。这年景俺也不怕人家笑话，一句话，顾不了那么多了！俺委实是没办法了。亲家，今天你让俺先把媳妇接走，咱后话再叙，中不中？” 谭永庆冷着脸：“有话好商量，那八升小米呢？只要小米拿来，闺女你接走，俺不拦挡，不差早一天晚一天的。” 传武娘含着眼泪：“亲家，俺就把实情说了吧，昨晚俺家遭响马了，八升小米抢去了六升，就剩下二升了，俺都带来了，剩下算俺欠你的，俺立字据，熬过灾年一定加倍还你，你就成全了俺吧。” 谭永庆一听明白了，摇得头像拨浪鼓：“熬过灾年？那不行！到那时候一斗小米算什么？你说遭响马了？谁看见了？俺还说俺家遭响马了呢，谁信？今天不拿出粮食，你就是说破大天俺也不会让闺女上轿，你回吧。” 传武娘说：“亲家，你不能这么说话，俺老朱家是那样的人吗？委实是遭了响马，俺要是说一句假话天打五雷轰！” 谭永庆瞅着围观的乡亲，心里发恼：“你也不用赌誓起咒，俺是不见兔子不撒鹰，回吧，说别的没有用。” 传武娘强笑道：“亲家，你就开个面儿，不能这么不仁不义，就不怕乡里乡亲笑话？” 谭永庆更急：“笑话谁？俺看该笑话的是你！你说你们家这几年，为娶鲜儿，三番五次五次三番，定了的日子一变再变！要你们点粮食为过吗？俺把鲜儿养这么大得多少粮食？你们一斗变八升，八升变两升，糊弄人呀？不实诚，太不实诚了！俺闺女怎么能嫁给你们这样的人家！” 传武娘哀求：“他叔，谁家没个三灾八难的？老虎还有害牙疼的时候呢！你就抬抬手，难道还能悔了这门亲？” 谭永庆一拍大腿：“谁说悔亲了？啊？你叫乡亲们说说，俺早就说过，鲜儿早晚都是你老朱家的人，可话又说回来了，俺不能白养她这么大！她娘，把门关上，想白娶走俺闺女，没门儿！”说完，和鲜儿娘闪身回了院子，咣当一声关了大门。 传文带着哭腔道：“娘，咱回吧，这亲娶不成了！”传武娘铁青着脸：“俺还就不信这个茬口！”她看看围观的人群，对响器班一鞠躬，“各位爷们儿，今天你们卖把子力气吧！锣鼓唢呐响起来，今天我老婆子媳妇是娶定了！”一时鼓乐齐鸣，街上一片沸腾。传武趁机点燃一挂鞭，嚷着：“娶亲了，娶亲了，朱开山家娶亲了！”鞭炮声又招来一群孩子，谭家门口人越聚越多。传武娘静静地望着紧闭的大门。 院里头，鲜儿听着院外鞭炮声、笑闹声响成一片，扑通给爹跪下了，哭道：“爹，求求爹了，你就让俺出门子吧，金山银山俺不要，牛羊满圈俺不要，俺就要一个实实在在的人家，哪怕是蹲在冷灶下喝凉水，只要身边有传文，俺心里认了！爹，俺和传文从小到大根叶相连，这辈子拆不开了……” 谭永庆老泪纵横：“鲜儿，不是爹心狠，爹知道你和传文分不开，可俺就这么把你打发了，你哥怎么办？人家那边也催了好几回了，咱家没粮食怎么给你哥娶回媳妇？你能眼睁睁地看着你哥打光棍儿？俺也是没办法了！” 鲜儿求道：“爹，俺知道他家实在没粮食了，俺就是不嫁，哥也是娶不成亲，你就放俺走吧。”谭永庆咬咬牙：“不成，俺要放你走了你哥就更没指望了，这个主意俺不能失！”鲜儿横眉竖目：“爹，你到底答应不答应？”谭永庆跺着脚：“不答应！说破天也不答应！” 鲜儿忽地站起来，说：“好，今天俺就死给你看！”说着一头向桌子撞去。鲜儿娘死死抱住女儿，大哭：“鲜儿，你这个犟种，要逼死你爹呀？”鲜儿仰躺在娘怀里：“娘，是俺爹逼俺去死呀，俺不活了！”谭永庆吼着：“让她死去！俺没这个闺女，吃里爬外的东西，俺白疼她了！” 贵儿心急火燎地跑进来，对谭永庆说：“爹，不好了，传文在大门口跪下了，喇叭匠吹倒了好几个，这么下去会出人命的，你快出去看看吧！” 谭永庆长叹一声，一跺脚，气咻咻地走出去开大门。贵儿从院角里捡起一根大棒子跟在他后头。谭永庆开了门，直直地看着传武娘说：“朱开山家的，你到底想干什么？”传武娘理直气壮：“俺来娶媳妇。” 谭永庆说：“你就死了这条心吧，没有粮食你娶不了亲！” 传武凑上来：“俺还不信了！他不仁咱也不义了，咱冲进去，问问鲜儿姐，她要是不跟咱走咱就回，她要是愿意谁也拦挡不住！”说着就要率人往里冲。冷不防贵儿操着大棒舞弄起来。传武哪肯吃气，撸起袖子拉开了架势。 传武娘大吼一声：“都给俺住手！老谭大哥，俗话说，看得见山才放得起马，俺们家山还在，他爹闯关东四年也快回来了，等他回来俺们一起报答你！你就应承了吧。” 谭永庆沉着脸不说话。 正在这时，围观的谭家的一个长辈谭三爷突然爆出一句话：“你别做梦了！永庆，你也别做梦了。四年了，这句话我一直压在心底不敢跟你说，朱开山不在关东！你没听说？朱开山四年前被官家砍了头，有人亲眼看见了，他的脑袋就挂在北京前门楼子上，尸首都找不着了！” 谭永庆吓了一跳，张着嘴说不出话来。传武娘如五雷轰顶，喊了声“天呀”，昏厥于地。传文觉得天旋地转，大喊着：“爹！”一头撞在院门上。