1868.midsummer. In the Qiuling area of ​​Fengxin County, Jiangxi Province, there has been no rain for many days, and the newly planted seedlings are withering one by one, and the wind blowing over the ground is also dry.Looking at the blue sky, many farmers are sighing! At this moment, a young boy came out from Chitian Village, barebacked and barefoot, with a tattered trousers around his waist, a rotten bamboo basket tied to his belly by a straw rope, and a bamboo stick in his hand, walking toward a seedling field with his unkempt face .His belly was straight, his face was raised to the sky, and he walked quickly, as if he had something very urgent to do.

His name is Shunshengzhe (Zhang Xun's name before he was 26 years old, although he still has the name Xie Zan, but no one in the village calls him by it, so he has been forgotten by others), he is the most naughty child in the village, and he just pissed off his stepmother to death last year , became an orphan that no one dared to adopt.Looking at his back, the villagers sighed dismissively: "Prodigal son, where are you going to commit crimes again!" Under the scorching sun, the Shunsheng came down from the road, crossed the ridge of the field, and then rushed towards a seedling field with strides.

This seedling field is the home of Xu Zhenchu, an old Hanlin in Gangzuitou Village.Xu's family is wealthy, with strong cattle and strong horses, vast fields and fertile land, and their own river pond.When the seedling field is dry, there will naturally be water trucks to drive water to the field; when there is water in the field, the seedlings will be strong and green, and they will be lush.As the saying goes: where there is water, there are fish.The fish and shrimp in Xu Jiayang's field aroused the heart itch of this orphan who was not afraid of the sky and the earth.Therefore, with a basket on his back and a pole, he came to fish for fish and catch shrimp.

The Shunsheng came to the seedling field, put the bamboo basket on the ridge, and jumped into the seedling field with the pole in hand. Those who are obedient are used to being wild, and they usually make trouble out of nothing, and they have never done things in accordance with the rules.When he entered the seedling field, he didn't care about the seedlings or the ridges, he just ruined them with big steps and small steps: he stepped on the newly recovered seedlings to the bottom of the mud, and he trampled the ridges that blocked the water into ravines.In the blink of an eye, pieces of walls and houses collapsed in the rice fields, as if a severe hailstorm was approaching.

In Xu's rice fields, many seedlings have been found damaged in this way in recent days.The owner was very angry and determined to catch the bad guy who was bad.So, he confessed to the foreman, Old Xiong, to protect him secretly. Lao Xiong is 50 years old and has been a long-term worker in Xu's family for more than 20 years.He is loyal and hardworking, and he is highly regarded by Hanlin's family. Ten years ago, he was appointed as a long-term foreman.He also heard about the spoilage of rice seedlings, and he was puzzled: "Could it be that the host's enemies did it? No way! Hanlin's popularity is not bad, most of the juniors are girls, and the only young master Xu Xifu , is studying in the library, he is a typical nerd, he will not offend anyone. Besides, destroying seedlings one by one, even if it is revenge, it is not a big revenge." The old long-term worker accepted the task and said to his employer: "I will go to take care of Nursing." Then he said, "I'm afraid it's not a big deal." Xiong Changgong was hiding by a river ditch, smoking and watching, when he suddenly saw a half-grown child sneaking into the rice field, jumping wildly, scurrying around frantically, The seedlings have been damaged a lot.He jumped out of the ditch and ran towards the seedling field, yelling loudly: "What are you doing? You little scoundrel! The surviving man was looking for fish and shrimps with great interest. When he stepped on the seedlings, he also got himself covered in muddy water. He had already become a clay figurine. Hearing someone yelling, he was startled and forgot to run away. The old Changgong rushed up, grabbed him, and scolded him loudly: "Bad thing, your family doesn't eat rice? The rice shoots are all trampled." If it’s broken, how do you grow rice? Look, the fields are all broken, and the ditches are also broken. Does your family stop farming? Do you not commit crimes?

The Shunsheng knew that he had done something wrong, and let the old long-term worker yell and scold him, but just bowed his head and remained silent. Sweat gradually appeared on his shiny forehead, and his two small hands like mud monkeys only cared for the muddy shorts. .At this moment, Xiong Changgong has developed a feeling of love.He looked at him, and felt that the child's eyebrows, eyes and face were well-proportioned, but his body was thin and his face was dirty, like a little beggar.Then he changed his amiable tone and asked, "What's your name? "My name is Shunsheng." He still hung his head, and it took him a long time before he said it. "Which village are you from? What's your last name?"

"Chitian Village, surname Zhang." "What's your father's name?" "My father died a long time ago, and his name is Zhang Yanren." "Where's your mother?" "The mother-in-law and the stepmother are all dead." The old Changgong was startled, and his face sank—it turns out that what happened to Zhang's family in Chitian Village has long been famous.The old Changgong thought to himself: "Could he be that little... little... kid who everyone spit on?" He felt that he was both irritating and pitiful.The old Changgong walked over to him, wiped the mud off his face with his hands, and asked, "Do you have any older brothers and sisters?"They were all adopted by others. "

"Why not adopt you to others?" Shunsheng lowered his head and said for a long time: "No one wants me." "Who raised you?" "Feed yourself." "Can you support yourself?" "Eat what you earn, and beg for what you can't earn." Shunsheng raised his face, looked at the old long-term worker standing in front of him, and said, "Is there any way, no father and no mother, no land and no land, I am An orphan." When Shunsheng said this, the old Changgong felt even more sympathetic.He stroked his head and said, "You're so big, it's not a solution to keep messing around like this. Now there are fish and shrimps in the river pond, what should I do if there are no fish and shrimps in cold weather? You are such a big man, go beg for food He pointed to the ruined seedlings and said: "You catch fish and shrimps everywhere, and destroy other people's seedlings, fields, and ditches.If you kill He, people will hate you, and some will beat you.Why don't you help others herd cattle and earn a fixed meal, okay?"

du8.com copyright Although the shunsheng is stubborn, he is still in his teens, and he has a world in his heart.Earlier, when his uncles and uncles were unwilling to adopt him, he really suffered for some days.He once asked himself: "Does it mean that I will be like people say, if I can't get out, I will become a gangster and a naked ghost? I have to live up to myself and live like a human!" Over the past year, it has indeed been hard for him, lonely Alone, catching fish and prawns every day, stealing melons and fruits.One meal, no meal, full meal, hungry meal, wandering here and there, what happened? Hearing what the old Changgong said, he hurriedly said: "Uncle, it is good to herd cattle, but no one wants it."

"If someone asks for it, are you willing to do it?" "Yes. As long as there is food to eat, I will do it." "Can you endure hardship?" "can." "Can you be obedient?" "Yes." Seeing that he agreed very sincerely and smoothly, the old long-time worker praised him and said, "Okay, it's settled like this. I'll go back and ask my boss. If you come here in two days, the boss agrees." , I’ll take you there, if my boss doesn’t agree, I’ll tell you back.” Shunsheng nodded gratefully, and looked guiltily at the seedling fields he had trampled on.The old farm worker said: "You can go. I will help the fallen seedlings. Don't forget, come back in two days." Then the obedient man packed up the baskets and left timidly.

Two days later, he really came to the rice field again. When the old Changgong saw him, he smiled and waved to him from afar.When they met, they said: "Shunsheng, you are lucky. The boss agreed, so you can go to their house." He also said: "The boss's surname is Xu, and they are officials. Now the master of the house is Hanlin. As a learned person, you have to get rid of your bad habits, study hard, and be a serious person, maybe you will have a great day in the future, and then you will be like a dignified man." Shunsheng promised: "I understand what uncle said, and I will definitely remember it. Uncle, I will listen to you in the future, and you will be my father." The Zhang family in Chitian Village is also considered a prominent family.It is said that the Zhang family moved here from Qinghe County, Hebei Province during the Northern Song Dynasty. The generation of Zhang Xun, the Shunsheng, has gone through forty-two generations.Therefore, the daimyo of Shunsheng is Xi-chan.The Zhang family is known as the "Qinghe Family".Zhang Qiong, the first ancestor of the Zhang family in Chitian, was the same general as Zhao Kuangyin, the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty.After Zhao became the emperor, Zhang Qiong was granted the title of Marquis of Yu in front of the palace, and became Emperor Zhao's confidant.Later, he was framed by powerful officials and imprisoned in prison.Zhang Qiong hit a wall and died in order to clarify his mind.Zhao regretted it when he learned about it, so he made Qiongzi an official.The Zhang family boy didn't accept it, so he took his family and his father's remains to the south and moved to Chitian to live in seclusion.These are all recorded in Zhang's genealogy, and there is no official history.In fact, there is no need to study carefully. It is good for the ancestors of the family more than 40 generations ago to be the emperor, but the grandchildren who are more than 40 generations later may not necessarily benefit.Now I can only say that Shunsheng's ancestors can tell clearly. His grandfather's name is Zhang Daji, and his name is Kunyi. He was a laborer who mainly farmed and made tofu.Zhang Daji had three sons, the eldest son Zhang Yanen, the second son Zhang Yanren, and the third son Zhang Yanqi, all of whom were farmers. Zhang Xun, the son of Shunsheng, was the son of the second son Zhang Yanren.A family of three generations, with more than 20 mu of land, can be considered as a medium household in the village.Unexpectedly, in 1861, a disaster happened—— That year, Wei Changhui's team from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom entered Fengxin and wanted to raise some food when they passed by Chitian Village.The people in the village didn't know the details of this team, and they were scared to hide and hide. Their doors had already been closed, and there was no one in the house.When the team arrived at Zhang's house, they found Zhang Daji.It turned out that this Zhang Daji believed that he had two sets of kung fu and felt that he could not suffer. He wanted to protect his family's property, so he did not hide.The Taiping Army asked him, "Where did the people in the village go?" Zhang Daji said: "Each family has its own affairs. How do I know where they are?" "Which family in the village is a rich family? Take us to find them." "I don't know who is rich. I won't lead the way to find it either." "So you are a rich man." The tone of the soldiers hardened. "Hand over your food, and take another thousand silver. Otherwise, we will not agree." Zhang Daji is hot-tempered and has martial arts skills. How could he bear such blackmail, so he puffed up his chest and said, "Are you soldiers or bandits? If you are bandits, go for it. There is money and food in the house. If you are soldiers, get out of here! I I don't like bandit soldiers like this." While talking and cursing, the soldiers were angered, they swung their big guns and hit Zhang Daji.Zhang Daji already hated this group of soldiers, how could he let them go crazy.He picked up the wooden stick and fought with them.Sometimes the two sides fought each other, but because of the outnumbered soldiers, their lips were cut, bleeding profusely, and died soon. After Zhang Daji's death, the three sons could no longer be together, so they separated, and the family shared eight acres of land. The second son Zhang Yanren led his wife Wei Shi and two sons Xixin and Xizan (that is, Zhang Xun), a family of four, and their lives were fairly decent.Unexpectedly, in the year of separation, misfortune fell from the sky, the Wei family died of a sudden illness, and life began to be depressed.Two years later, his father continued to marry the Wen family of Wenjiacun as his successor.Misfortunes never come singly. After Zhang Yanren remarried only 2 years later, he also died of an illness, leaving Wen and Wei's 13-year-old eldest son Xixin, 12-year-old second son Xichan, and Wen's womb waiting to be born. little life.It was even more difficult back then. It turned out that when the Wen family continued to the Zhang family, the life of the Zhang family turned around again.When Shunsheng was 11 years old, he was sent to school to study.Zhang Yanren died of illness, and soon the Wen family gave birth to another boy (Zhang Xiqiu, Zhang Xun's younger brother), and the family of four became struggling again.Shunsheng dropped out of school and stayed at home.Unexpectedly, this Shunsheng was such an unworthy child: naughty, self-willed, courageous, short-tempered, aggressive, aggressive and showy, coupled with his big body and strong arms, he soon became a village child. Wang, the wild child everyone frowns upon.He often led groups of children, catching fish and shrimp, playing hide-and-seek, hopscotch, making troubles and fighting.Chitian Village was troubled day and night by them. Shunsheng is not only bigger than children of the same age, but also more resourceful than them. Whether it is to march troops or Kongming to capture Cao Cao, the children must obey his command. He is the commander, the military adviser, and the grassroots head king.One day, he commanded 16 children to carry him up and down, and they became the king and hegemony.This was seen by his uncle Yan Qi, who turned black and scolded: "You bastard, what are you playing with? Look, is there anyone in the village who thinks you are human? Even my mother is dead, what a good day , still not feeling dead?!" The Shunsheng jumped off the stick carried by the children, made a face at the old uncle, straightened his neck and said: "Anyone who doesn't treat me as a human being is not a human being! One day I will become an official, and I will even kill him." None of my fellow countrymen recognize me." The old man was angry. "You can be a high-ranking official?! You can be a high-ranking official and you'll have to sit on your feet! You may have to eat at home with a dog-beating stick in the future." "Uncle, just wait and see, if there is any smoke from the Zhang family grave, I must have burned it." The old uncle slapped his buttocks and left in anger. You beheaded." Uncle's quarrels are of no avail, and the survivors are still fooling around.These days, they are not "coachs". They divide the children into two teams and start fighting against each other. They fight mud fights when they see mud, sand fights when they see sand, water fights when they see water, and stone fights when they see rocks. Jigou is uneasy.Sometimes they are playing and making trouble, and sometimes they are really fighting when they are annoyed. They are beaten to the point of bleeding, crying and cursing.The Shunsheng first ordered other children to fight, and if the fight was not enough, they did it themselves.Once, he went into battle with a stone, and when he threw it blindly, it hit a little boy on the head, and the boy fell down immediately, croaking.When the adults came, when they saw the blood on the child's head, they raised their voices: "Shunsheng beat the child to death, the head was smashed!" Shouting, he rushed into his house and said to Wen's stepmother, "This son It wasn't born by you but raised by you. Why didn't you raise your son to teach him to learn well? Now you have smashed my child's head. You should recuperate from the wounds. There will be troubles in the future, and I will never end with your family!" Knowing that the Shunsheng was not a peaceful child, Wen's saw that the child's head was covered with blood, so he apologized apologetically and said a thousand words, then hurriedly boiled eggs and delivered them to the family.Finally suppressed his anger, and then called Shunsheng to his face. "Let me ask you, what good thing did you do?" Wen's was furious, and he slapped his buttocks, "Papapapa!" several times in a row.He also said: "Go to war and make trouble, this is not your home, I will not allow you to eat this meal at noon!" Shunsheng is not a child who listens to training. He stared at his stepmother and said, "Grandmother, I don't want you to take care of me. Why do you take care of me? Who are you?" In a fit of anger, Wen shivered all over, collapsed on the ground and could no longer speak. The Shunsheng was not satisfied with this, he felt that his stepmother would control him, and he would be beaten and scolded many times in the future, so he made a plan, first scratched his face, made his face bloody, and ran to his uncle Zhang Yanen's house, Lying on the ground, he shouted: "My stepmother is going to beat me to death, I can't live anymore. Stepmother is cruel! Auntie, save me! I'm dying!" Zhang Yanen and his wife hurried out when they heard their nephew crying outside the house.Seeing that his nephew was covered in mud and his face was covered with blood, his heart was already anxious and angry. What's more, this nephew had no father or mother. He felt that he had been wronged by his stepmother. Uncle Zhang Yanen stared angrily at Wen's family. Although he did not open his mouth to criticize, he was very angry.The aunt couldn't hold back anymore, she bowed and pulled her nephew up, and while wiping the blood on him, she said, "Don't cry for those who are obedient, my aunt will vent my anger on you, and I won't allow that old woman to abuse you. Let's go, let's find him." That woman will settle the score!" The aunt led Shunsheng into his house, and yelled loudly when she saw no one: "Auntie, come out. Come out and open your eyes to see the flesh and blood of this child..." Wen walked out of the house in a hurry, trying to explain how the Shunsheng was naughty and injured the head of the neighbor's child.Before she opened her mouth, she was blocked by her sister-in-law. "You don't need to argue. You can teach the child if he is wrong. How can you beat him to death?! You have raised a son, and your son is also a flesh body. Can you beat him like that? As a stepmother, you can't be cruel, you have to Look at the palm of the hand and the back of the hand. I really don’t want this child anymore, so I can send him away, sell it, or push him down the well. I can’t hate him like this... Wen's is an honest person, he was already dizzy when he heard his sister-in-law's condemnation, and when he saw Shunsheng's behavior to provoke his aunt, he was so annoyed that he couldn't say a word.Then he turned and went back to the house, lay down on the bed and cried bitterly. The aunt quarreled for a long time, and her anger subsided, so she took her nephew to wash.The blood on the face was washed away, but it wasn't a serious injury, but a small scratch on the skin; thinking about this nephew who didn't live up to expectations, he knew that he had gone too far, and felt a little regretful.He wanted to wait until he calmed down, and then apologize to Wen's.Wen shi cried for a long time, the more she felt that it was difficult for her stepmother to be a stepmother, she felt very wronged.In a fit of anger, he slipped out of the house, jumped into a lime pond and drowned. People were killed in minor incidents in the family, and Wen's natal family couldn't let it go. Hundreds of men and women flocked to Zhang's house and beat people up.Zhang Yanen and his wife were so frightened that they ran away somewhere.The Wen family didn't know how to follow the living, because he was still a child, so he could only vent his anger on the family property.So, they sold all their eight acres of land and dilapidated household items, bought coffins, bought clothes, ate and drank, and made all the noise.The business of the dead is over, the family is over, and the three children are orphaned.After discussions among the family members, the eldest Zhang Xixin was adopted by his cousin Zhang Yanshou as his heir, and the third eldest Zhang Xiqiu was raised by his uncle Zhang Yanen, but the second eldest was Shunsheng Zhang Xizan, but no one wanted to adopt him for fear of him. To cause trouble, I had no choice but to let him wander... du8.com copyright The Xu family in Gangzuitou has two brothers.The eldest, Xu Zhenchu, was a member of the Hanlin Academy. He did not go out to be an official, but only guarded the land at home and raised his nephews. On that day, Shunsheng followed the old man to Xu's mansion.When he got outside the door, he was stunned—it turned out that the Xu family mansion was a very majestic deep house compound, the whole courtyard was full of gray bricks and tiles, with a tall gatehouse and a dark gate, and two stone lions squatted at the gate Outside, live in general.There is no such deep house in Chitian Village, and the Shunsheng people don't know what kind of world it is in such a tall gate building, and they are afraid that it will be ominous to enter.The old long worker patted him on the shoulder and said, "Let's go, don't be afraid. I'm here." Only then did Shunsheng timidly walk in.Entering the gate, bypassing the screen wall, a bright hall suddenly appeared in front of you, which turned out to be a spacious courtyard with symmetrical tile-roofed houses on all sides.Outside the doors of the east and west wings, there is a tall plane tree covering the sky, which makes the courtyard feel a little gloomy.He looked into the room, but he didn't see anyone, but he saw some hoarders.The old long-term worker said to him, "From now on, you will follow the uncles and uncles to do odd jobs in this front yard. The uncles and uncles will call you for what you need to do. You have to be obedient." The obedient man nodded and agreed.The old Chang Gong lowered his voice and said: "Remember, you must never go to the backyard unless you are asked to go. You are not allowed to enter or leave the backyard casually. There are masters, grandmas, young masters and misses living there. Do you remember? " Shunsheng nodded.Originally, he didn't pay attention to the backyard, but after the old Changgong said this, he became interested.Turning his head to look inside, he saw that the hole was dark again, and the only thing that could be distinguished was the bridal chamber that separated the front and back yards. It was actually a two-story building, standing like a tree stump in the yard.The Shunsheng thought with some heartbeat: "This is my new... place to live?!" Then thought: "This place is too scary, can I play wild? I'll be more peaceful!" Shunsheng was fifteen years old when he entered Xu's mansion.It was the seventh year of Tongzhi (1868 AD), Wuchen.The Shunsheng has also grown into an adult, tall, with a big round face, arms and legs are all fetuses that can exert great strength.It's just that I'm new here, so I can't help showing shyness and nervousness on my face.The old long-time worker explained the rules in Xu's mansion, introduced a few male workers and maids who often come close, arranged a place for him to lie down, and gave him a ragged quilt and two trousers. Said: "Shunsheng, you finally have a safe nest. From now on, it's up to you to make your own way." Pausing for a moment, he said: "Although the courtyard is deep here, rich, wealthy and powerful, there are also a large group of people. Poor people like you. Let’s not talk about the merits of the Xu family. This large group of poor people are all very kind-hearted people. You will know in the future, and they will take care of you like parents. You, too, have to Take a bite of steamed buns as a gamble, change your old temperament, and follow the right path. Isn’t it just to be more peaceful and spare no effort to do more work? Be diligent, don’t cause trouble, and everyone will like you.” The old Changgong confessed, along the way The living kept nodding and said, "Yes——".Seeing that he was so humble and obedient, the old Changgong felt a little more happy in his heart.He also said: "How about this, from tomorrow onwards, you will drive the calves to the sloping fields to graze. The work is not heavy, just keep them from running around, and don't damage the crops." Living in Xu's mansion, he has a comfortable home, enough food to eat, and so many uncles, uncles, aunts, and aunts who don't give him cold eyes, and he suddenly feels that the world is warming up.Lying on the bunk that night, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, he stared at the dark roof and asked himself: "Shunsheng, you are already fifteen years old, and you are not too small. You are always doing something annoying. The matter of scolding, I can’t go back to Chitian Village in the future, and no one wants it at Gangzuitou. Where are you going? Are you going to be a robber?” He retraces the way he came, and his stepmother who was mad at death. Not daring to take in his lonely experience, he cried. "From tonight, I will walk again in Xu's house, on the right path, and let them see that I am not a bad boy!" As the saying goes, if the prodigal son returns, he will never change his money.The Shunsheng has turned around, and he wants to become a good person.Herding cattle, sweeping the floor, carrying water, making tea, gathering firewood, he rushed to do any work, and he listened carefully to whoever said it.In a few days, all the long-term workers and servants of Xu's mansion liked him, and gradually treated him as their own son, took care of his food and clothing, took care of his work and rest, and gave him many compliments.It's also due to Shunsheng's early days, after two months in Xu's residence, he actually met Xu Xifu, a young master who was about the same age as him. The Xu family has their own school, in the Shenzhai compound, guarded by an old man named Liu Yuxian, besides Xu Xifu, a boy, and a few little sisters, they are also very lonely outside of studying.Young master Xu first came out to play with the Shunsheng sooner or later, and then led him to the school in the backyard.They came and went in twos and became inseparable partners.Soon, he proposed to his uncle Xu Zhenchu ​​that Shunsheng should be his school boy and study with him in the family school. Xu Zhenchu ​​frowned, and said while thinking: "Shunsheng, who is it? There's a cattle herder here, why didn't I know?" At this time, the long-term foreman who took in the Shunsheng people came up and explained the situation of the original shelter again, and Xu Zhenchu ​​just remembered.He hurriedly asked the old long-time worker to call the Shunsheng to the front.The head of the Xu family felt that he was very handsome and lively, and after hearing the compliments from the long-term workers, he had a good impression of this new little shepherd boy. It turned out that this young master, Xu Xifu, was the only son of the second child, Xu Zhenshen.Xu Zhenxi was an official in other places, so he entrusted his son's upbringing to his elder brother Hanlin Xu Zhenchu ​​who was guarding the family.Xu Zhenchu ​​loved this nephew very much, so he agreed and said to Shunsheng: "You only need to serve the young master well. Don't instigate him to do evil things. Besides, Mr. Liu from the family school is also an old man. , you must also take good care of me. If you make a mistake, I will not agree." After the Shunsheng arrived at the academy, Xu Xifu led him to meet his teacher Liu Yuxian.This Mr. Liu is also a well-known Confucian from Anyi. He has been in Xu's house for many years and is deeply respected. Seeing that Shunsheng is also a young man with a handsome face, he feels reasonable after a few conversations, so he nodded happily and said: "You can study with Shaodong's family. Seeing that you are quite clever, it would be better if you can follow along and read some books." Shunsheng nodded repeatedly, and said: "Thank you sir, I will definitely listen to you, take good care of the young master, and serve Mr. Liu well." Liu Yuxian taught books for most of his life, and cultivated a heart of being good at teaching and loving talents. Besides teaching, he paid great attention to observing this book boy.Once you pay attention, you will find that he has many advantages: he is diligent in mind and hands, and he has a good eye for serving people; when the young master got stuck in a screw while reading and memorizing (forgot, he couldn't recite it in front of the husband), he would help him with a few words.In this way, the husband loves him even more, and buys him books if he has no books, and also buys some paper, pen, ink and inkstone for him, officially treating him as a free education student.Shunsheng has regained the opportunity to study.After three or four years like this, not only did he grow taller in Xu's residence, but his skills also improved.Unfortunately, at the same time, he also fell into the bad habit of gambling. As the saying goes: "The heart is like a horse race in the plains—it's easy to change, but hard to change!" At first, the survivors watched and gambled with long-term workers and servants at night, and then went into the water to try to play.I didn't want to become more daring when I gambled more and more. Once I lost a big bet and lost all my savings for several years, and owed a lot of money.The winner felt that he was the young master's close friend and must have a lot of money, so he forced him to collect debts.The Shunsheng was originally a prodigal child, but after a few years of restraint, the bad habits have not been rooted. He sneaked into the casino and went down the road, which is the resurrection of the wild.Now it's hard to hide the debt, so the old trick is repeated: he even boldly stole some valuable clothes from the boss to pay off the gambling debt.It was nothing more than some clothes, but who knew that one of the imperial vases, which was regarded as a treasure by the Xu family, was also stolen to pay off the debt.This caused trouble.Everyone in the family knew about this treasure of the Xu family, and no one dared to keep it after receiving it.So, there was a lot of panic and discussion, and the boss found out.Xu Zhenchu ​​was a man of strict family management, so he immediately found Shunsheng, and angrily reprimanded him: "Take you up as a promising person, it turns out that you have not changed your viciousness, and you stole it from me. Even daring to steal the treasures bestowed by the emperor, it’s worth it! In a few years, don’t you want to know the robbers and rob me of my family!? I can’t support you anymore, so go back to your Chitian Village .” The survivor knelt on the ground and begged for mercy, saying "never do it again", but the boss was still furious.In the end, it was Mr. Liu who came out to make peace, and the young master took part of his own money to redeem the vase, and the matter was settled.However, since then, the Xu family did not trust him as much as before.On the night of the incident, Mr. Liu Yuxian took the Shunsheng into his room and gave him a lot of persuasion and enlightenment with the feelings of an old man, telling him how to behave and how to deal with things; he also told him the meaning of life.At the end, he said: "You are a poor child, you are also a poor child. You have no love from your parents since you were a child, and you have not followed the right path. It is justifiable. 'Jade cannot be cut, and it cannot be used'. Who is born a saint? But always You can't help but grow up! The Xu family treats you well, especially the young master. This time, in order to redeem the imperial vase, the young master took out almost all of his savings. In the future, you have to leave Righteous way!" Then he said: "You also saw that the Xu family is considered a big family, and they are also foreign officials. Who in the family dares to go beyond the rules? Even the young master behaves well. I hope you will leave the Xu family one day , to be a good person, to be an upright person." Mr. Liu's earnest words greatly touched Shunsheng, and he felt that every word of Mr. Liu warmed his heart.He knelt down under Mr. Liu's knees, sobbing and said: "Mr. Liu, what you said is like the words of your father. My father didn't come to tell me, but I heard it from you today. I must keep it in my heart and take care of it." Be a human being. If you find me walking in a wrong way in the future, please stop treating me like a human being, sir." Mr. Liu helped him up, and after a few words of persuasion, he sent him out. Shunsheng returned to the room, lay on the bunk thinking about it, and cried bitterly.cried all night... Soon, Xu Hanlin decided to let Mr. Liu take his nephew Xifu to study in Xu's mansion in Nanchang.The Shunsheng still went to Nanchang with the young master's family as a book boy. This year, Shun Sheng was 21 years old. du8.com copyright Nanchang, an ancient city in the lower reaches of the Ganjiang River, was a county government in the Han Dynasty, belonged to Hongzhou in the Sui Dynasty, and Nanchang Mansion was established in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.It is the political, economic and cultural center of Jiangxi Province; together with Baihuazhou, Qingyunpu and other places of interest, it has already become the most prosperous city in the south of the Yangtze River. Shunsheng followed the young master and Mr. Liu to Nanchang Mansion and lived in Xu Mansion.I just feel that the courtyard of this mansion is different from the Xu Mansion in Gangzuitou Village in the countryside, but I dare not look carefully.He repeatedly warned himself: "You must correct the evil and return to the righteous, do more things, talk less, stop those dubious activities, wash away your bad reputation in the past, and be an upright person." The Xu Family Mansion is a well-known half-official, half-house mansion in Nanchang Prefecture.The house with two entrances and two exits is usually only lived by a few idlers and a few servants.Every year, the two brothers of the Xu family only meet here several times to discuss business, official affairs, entertain officials and businessmen, or celebrate birthdays, wedding banquets, funerals and other major events.Xu Xifu came here with his teacher for the sake of quietness, so that he can study with peace of mind; moreover, it is to give this young master the opportunity to get in touch with more social sages and official figures, so as to practice his ability to become an official in the future.This intention was told by Hanlin to Mr. Liu, but neither the young master nor the Shunsheng had any way of knowing.Therefore, one reads the "Four Books" and "Five Classics" with peace of mind, and the other honestly does the chores that should be done-the years have turned into peace and ease.In this way, the Xu family mansion has nothing to say for a while. Now, let’s talk about an “outsider”—a widowed old man Li Ma who washes clothes and does needlework in the neighborhood. Near Xu's mansion, there is an unnamed alley.It is said to be an alley, but it is also a symbol.In fact, there are only a few poor people living in thatched huts and coolies.Mama Li is a family.She is the laundryman of Qingjie Hall.Qingjietang is an adoption unit for orphans and widows. Li Ma, who is in her early 60s, is short, a little hunchbacked, with gray hair covering half of her wrinkled face, and little feet like chili peppers. She sits by a well at the end of the alley, regardless of winter or summer, to wash. clothing.At night, I sit under a lonely lamp and do needlework.She has no relatives, only a 9-year-old granddaughter who has lost her parents.Although this girl is also thin and thin, her eyebrows and eyes are rather attractive, with a round face, round eyes, jet-black hair, and a long braid hanging from the back of her head.The granddaughter's surname is Cao, and her first and last name together have only one word called "Qin"—this is Zhang Xun's original spouse who was later conferred the title of "Mrs. Yipin" by the emperor.Xiao Caoqin was very diligent. Grandma washed and mended, so she went out with a bamboo basket to pick up the broken pieces and went home to cook.The mother-in-law and grandson depend on each other for life, but they are also at ease. Li's mother often came to Xu's mansion to wash and deliver clothes.There is a steward's room in the door of the mansion, and there is a long bench by the corner of the room, and a few clothes that need to be washed are placed on the bench every other day.When Mama Li came in, someone greeted her, and when she was busy, she quietly picked up the clothes in the bamboo basket, turned around and left;Li's mother does not bargain or charge money for washing clothes in Xu's mansion. The manager only calls at the end of the month or at the end of the season.A bitter old woman, the dignified mansion will treat her badly.Every time she received money, she would smile so hard that her brows would turn red, and she would keep saying, "So much, so much!" Once, Li's mother came to the management room with the washed clothes on her shoulders. When she saw a strange young man, she smiled and said, "Little brother, are you also here to do business?" The Shunsheng looked at Mama Li and said, "You are the Mama Li that everyone is talking about, right?" Mama Li nodded and said, "You..." "My name is Shunsheng, and I'm the book boy next to the new young master. You'll know each other in the future." "Ah! Are you that book boy?" Mama Li rubbed her eyes and said, "I'm also a poor boy. How about that?" , put the changed clothes here, Mama Li, I will wash them for you." "No, Mama Li, I can wash it myself." "How can a boy do laundry?" Li's mother said, "Leave it to me, it won't take too much trouble." After that, Shunsheng really handed over the changed clothes to Mama Li, and Mama Li also carefully washed the starch for him.Every time they come and go, they are all poor people, and they get closer day by day.This Mama Li is a kind-hearted person. She knows that Shunsheng is a poor child, so she cares for him as if she were her own child. He often took a needle and thread to mend his dirty clothes.Shunsheng was hot in his heart, whenever Mama Li did some work for him, he would cuddle beside him, yelling "Mama Li, Mama Li" incessantly, and would often give the young master the leftover fish or the young master Give Li Ma what he ate or the good food he was reluctant to eat.It was a predestined relationship, Mama Li always felt that Shunsheng was like her own son, and sometimes she would come to the mansion to see him when she didn't have any clothes to pick up and ask him about.Shunsheng also loves to see Mama Li, and sometimes goes to see Mama Li in the Qingjietang or Caoanzi in the alley to help her with some cumbersome work.After going back and forth like this, they naturally became acquainted with Cao Qin. Sometimes when Mama Li was not at home, they would sit and chatter together, being affectionate like a pair of brothers and sisters.Li Ma is a caring person. Seeing their affection, she also feels warm in her heart.People who are poor are more afraid of being helpless. In the past, she often felt sad for the loneliness of her mother-in-law and her grandson.Now, I don't feel sad in my heart, and I suddenly feel happy. One day, Shunsheng came to the Caoan again, sat in front of Li Ma and had a heart-to-heart talk with Li Ma.Li's mother pretended to be unintentional and asked: "Little brother, I heard that your parents are gone, is it true?" "Yes." The survivor said, "Even the stepmother is dead." "What a miserable person!" “往天苦，现在不苦了。” “为啥?”李妈明显地有点失神。 “在公馆里，有少爷、有刘先生，他们都十分疼爱我。”顺生者说：“外边还有你，像亲妈一样疼爱我；还有这位小琴妹妹，也愿意和我说话谈心。都很亲热的，我还苦什么呀!” 李妈乐哈哈地点着头。又问：“你喜欢琴妹妹吗?”“喜欢。”顺生者忙答。 “她小，还不懂事。” “懂事。比我懂事多了。”顺生者此时很激动，竟不知该再说什么，停了一阵才说“我比她还大五六岁的时候，还把后母气得自去寻死呢。” 李妈听他说过“气死后妈”的事。今天她不想勾起那个难堪的往事。忙说：“别说那些陈年古董的事了。既然你很喜欢小琴，我想跟你商量一件事，你说行吗?” “李妈，你说吧。要我干什么都行，别说商量的话。”“不要做什么事，只要你答应一件事。” “你说的事，我都可以答应。” 李妈陡然忧伤起来。她拉起衣衿，抹抹眼睛，又轻轻地叹声气，才说：“我这个外孙女，跟你一样是个苦孩子，从小就没爹没妈，跟着我糠一把、菜一把的活下来。穷日子也磨炼了她，炼得她心眼好，会干活。我也到黄土埋到脖的人了，不知哪一天就不行。留下一个女娃，无依无靠怪可怜的。我想把她嫁给你。就想叫你答应这件事。你说能答应吗?” 顺生者心里一惊，脸上顿觉热辣起来——他没有思想准备。二十多岁的人了，虽然青春期早到，他却不敢想媳妇的事，自己的一张嘴尚无处放，连个遮风雨的草庵子也没有，过了今儿不知明的人，凭啥想女人?除了做梦之外，他连正眼也不敢看女人。今天，这位善良的老妈妈把女人送到他身边，他怎能不惊，怎能不喜!可是，他毕竟是寄人篱下，上无片瓦、下无席地，收人家的女娃往哪里放呀?!他眉头锁了展，展了锁，头垂着，两手不自然地揉搓着，半天才说：“李妈，我是无家无亲人的独身人，我无本领养活琴妹呀!”李妈摇着头说：“独身怕啥子，屋里有了女人就不独身了。别说穷，小琴从娘肚里出来就穷。穷人就不要家了吗?穷人也得娶妻生子，也得传宗接代。我就不能想，张家到你这一代就断了香火!“李妈，只要你不怕琴妹跟我受苦，我就，我……” 李妈笑了。 顺生者这几年学乖巧了，一见李妈笑，忙改口称“外婆”。又说：“我是个伴读的书僮，无钱无物无住房。等我……” 李妈忙说：“不急。小琴年纪小，完婚的事放几年不晚。 顺生者说：“请外婆放心，我以后一定好好干，干出点名堂，光光彩彩地娶琴妹。” 李妈一块石头落了地。又说：“小琴还跟我，我能养活她。日后你们成家时，我也不会亏待她，你只管好好地干你的。” 正说话间，曹琴从外边回来了。她挎着的竹篮子里，满满地拾了一篮菜叶。外婆冲他笑笑，说：“琴呀，你看谁在屋里?” 曹琴放下篮子，匆匆走进草庵。“啊，是顺生哥! 外婆一本正经地说：“往后就别这么叫了。昨儿同你说的话我已对顺生者说了，他答应了。以后……以后……”以后怎么称呼，李妈也没有主见。吞吐了半大，只说：”是一家人了，吓看办?凭你—— 李妈的话刚说一半，曹琴早扭身跑出去，躲了起来——显然，他们之间发生了什么事，她是知道了。不知该喜还是该忧?小曹琴躲到一个僻处，心却跳得十分紧张，她想收也收不下。 du8.com copyright 自从答应了曹琴的婚事之后，顺生者便变成了另外一个人，沉默少语，行动迟缓，连头总是低垂着，仿佛有重大的心事压在头顶。顺生者毕竟是二十好几的人，坎坎坷坷地生活给了他苦头，给了他教训，也给了他做人的开导。现在，他就要有个家了，有女人，有负担；有孩子，有负担。“堂堂正正的男人，总不能让岁月压死!”他又想：“李妈是个苦命人，小琴也是个苦命人。两个苦命的女人，一老一小，该是世界上最苦的人。现在，人家把希望放在我身上了，我总不能让人家继续苦下去。再让人家苦，李妈还好说，那不贻误了小琴妹妹的终身!” 从岗嘴头许府到南昌城许公馆，顺生者都是老老实实、一声不响干活吃饭的，没有向少爷和先生提出任何要求。没有家，没有牵扯，有什么要求呢?现在，他在苦苦地思索中，觉得该向少爷提些请求或帮助?请求什么呢?他又想不准。要房子吗?来收养这苦命的婆孙二人。不行，现在八字还少一撇，要不得。要东西帮这婆孙二人吗?不行，那不是人家许家的任务，一切都得靠自己。“男子汉不能兴家立业养女人，那还算人吗?”他想去闯荡自己的家和业。可是，到哪里去闯荡呢?闯荡什么呢?顺生者为此事忧愁了许多天。后来，他壮着胆子，把心事告诉了刘毓贤先生。 刘先生先是心中大喜，觉得“这才是男子汉气派，敢到外边世界闯”，然后又锁着眉帮他想门路。“生意买卖不是你干的，也没有那么多资本。还去干什么呢?干什么都不易。凭着你这副体型身个，最好去军营里闯荡。你又机灵好学，准能闯一条宽路。” 顺生者也觉得自己是当兵的“料”，想去当兵。“我去当兵吧。我能混好。” 当天晚上，刘先生把这事对少爷许希甫说了，并且表明自己的想法：“二十好几的人，总不能老是做书僮，少东家你就帮他帮到底吧。许府官场上的路广，军中也有许多亲朋，无论大东家还是二东家，能出个面，推荐一下，也算许家给他一个厚恩。”又说：“此人天赋还好，扶向正道，说不定会成为有用的栋梁；任他瞎去混，走了下道，啥坏事都可能干得出。别管怎么说，也是在许府过了许多年的人，还是帮他走正道。” 许希甫极尊敬老师，当然会言听计从。再说，他和顺生者一直是情投意合，更愿帮这个忙。便对老师说：“先生放心，我去对伯父说明，他一定会推荐的。” 隔了两天，翰林许振初来公馆会客，少公子瞅个空把这事对他说了。翰林爽快地说：“这是一件好事，顺生者也成人了，总不能让人家当一辈子书僮。此人虽也干了不正当的事——他没有忘记偷御花瓶的事——，但在咱们家里，还是出了大力、干过许多事的。这样，南昌府台衙内是我的门生，如今也是有了官职的军人，我写封信推荐，明儿让他去就是了。”停了片时又说：“按照咱们的家规，下人出走时，都要厚赠点儿，你多给他点钱。再问问他还有什么事要咱办的，尽量帮他办好。听说最近他也订了亲了，咱们也该表示一下。” 许希甫都答应了。并且一件件告诉了刘先生。刘先生当晚便告诉了顺生者。“这就好了，只要东家出面，你一定会有个好去处。 屈指算来，顺生者进许府已经十年多了，一旦要离开，他却心里挺不好受。晚上，他走到许希甫书房里，默默地把已经收拾好的书和文房四宝又重新收拾一遍。然后坐在许希甫面前，很想说点什么，却又沉默不语。许希甫也想对他说些话，二人相伴十多年了，有着深厚的情感，早已消失了主仆之分，能不惜别!可是，他也说不出话。直到夜很深很深时，他们才分手，许希甫破例地送他到他的住屋门外。 顺生者进屋时，发现刘先生正在等他。忙说：“刘先生，你还没睡觉?” “没有。”刘先生说：“明儿你就要走了，我猛觉得有许多话要跟你说。所以，就到你这里来了。” “谢谢刘先生，”顺生者说：“我也和你一样，也想说许多话。”二人对面坐下，却又默不作声。唯有窗台上点燃的那支蜡，燃放着枣核般地火苗，有时发出低微的“噼——啪”声。沉默许久，还是刘先生先开了口：“顺生者，你是最适合当兵的人，到外边闯闯，混得好，将来可能是个将才。好好干，路都是自己走出来的。我相信你会走好。” “刘先生，这多年你对我帮助教育太多了，我永远不会忘了你。只要我能混好，我一定报答你。” “报答什么?”刘先生摇摇头。”只要不误了人家子弟，我这教书人就心满意足了，哪曾想着图报。你虽然不是我的正式学生，我可是把你看成义教的学生，有时比对少爷还费力。为啥?你不同，没有条件读书，肚里没文化底儿，不多费心不成呀!” du8.com copyright 他们又谈了好久，刘先生也觉困乏了，明早还得早起讲学。他要告辞。不过，刘先生站起身，却又坐了下来，像是想起了大事似的：“顺生者，我也是个穷苦先生，没啥好赠你的，思来想去……”还没等刘先生把话说完，顺生者早插上话了。“刘先生，你可千万不要送我什么东西。吃粮当兵去了，队伍上什么都有，用不着咱们自己带。” “不是这个意思。”刘先生说：“我想送你一个最有纪念意义的礼物!” “什么礼物我也不要!” “这个你得要。”刘先生说：“你去当兵了，不能再叫'顺生者，了。原先起的系瓒那个名字也不好听，又没有叫传开。我给你取个名字吧。” “好好，求先生还求不得呢。”顺生者高兴了。 “当兵要好好干，要勇敢保家卫国，建立功勋。今后，你就叫张勋吧” “好好，这名字好!顺生者说：“我谢谢先生，现在就改叫张勋。 从那以后，张勋便成了他的名字，越叫越响，响到在中国近代史上绝无人敢遗漏的名字! 张勋决定去当兵之后，便急匆匆地走进无名巷、走进那座低矮的草屋，向他的岳外婆和未婚妻曹琴去告别。 李妈早听说他要当兵了，十分热情，备了荤素两样菜，又打了半碗酒，面对面坐在张勋一旁，表情有些儿喜忧交错地谈着家常话。无非是些“好好照顾自己”，“多捎信来，免得惦记”，“注意热冷添换衣服”等等。张勋都一一答应了。李妈又说：“你我咱娘儿俩都是苦命人，小琴跟你一样苦。你吃粮当兵去了，千万千万别忘了咱这苦命人。我连连做梦，梦着我和小琴跟着你出去了，你当了大官，骑上高头大马，俺婆孙俩都坐着大花轿，要多光彩有多光彩，李妈说激动了，浑浊的眸子流出了两行泪汨的泪水。她又拉起褂衿子去擦抹。“那只是梦。我也不想有什么光彩。往后日子混好了小琴有个落脚处，我一把老骨头埋哪里不行!”说着，又去抹泪。 张勋也有些凄楚地说：“外婆，你的话我都记住了。我能混好，一定能。混好了，头一件事就是把外婆接到我身边去，把小琴妹妹接过去，咱一家人永不分离。”又说：“到那时候，世界上什么好吃我买什么给你们吃；什么好穿我买什么给你们穿；什么地方好玩我就把你们领到什么地方去玩。地主老官们享过的福咱都享，让你婆孙俩扬扬眉，吐吐气，挺起腰杆做人!” 李妈的泪水又旺了，苍老的面颊上划出深深的两条溪。“会有那一天，我信。我知道你是个有出息的人。你说的这些都会办到，会办得到。”说着，把酒碗推到张勋面前，又把筷子用袖子擦擦递过去。“算外婆给你送行，喝吧，喝了就吃菜。” 张勋端起碗没有喝，捧到李妈面前，说：“外婆，我借你的酒先敬你：一敬你千辛万苦养大了琴妹妹，把她给我了，我谢谢你；二敬你像娘一样关心我，使我这个孤儿又受到了亲娘的温暖；再就是向外婆拜托一件大事……” “什么大事?只管说。千万别说'拜托'不'拜托'的话。” “琴妹妹还小，俺也不能成家。我去当兵了，也不许带女人。外婆还得再苦几年，还得把琴妹妹拉扯大。”说着，把酒碗递给李妈，然后“扑嗵”跪倒在李妈面前。 李妈听得张勋如此说，已经喜得眉开眼笑，一见张勋跪在面前了，又有些儿惊。接过手中的碗，说：“快别跪，快别跪!外婆我喝，喝了这酒!” 李妈喝了酒，把外孙女小曹叫到面前，说：“琴呀，你过来。咱穷家破户，不必守那老规矩了。你已是张勋的人，早晚得吃一锅里饭。他要去吃粮当兵了，你们成家还得二年，这一走，就不是往天似的天天能见了，有什么该说的话，你们就开开心心地说说，都别羞口。我去给你们做饭。“说罢，便走了出去。临出屋又说：“小琴，那碗里是酒，让顺生者——如今改有大名了，叫张勋了，让张勋哥哥多喝几口。” 曹琴是刚刚十二岁的女娃，对于家还是云雾般地想象；更还没到思索男人的年龄的时候。早时外婆对她讲了。她认为嫁人还是童话般地渺茫。而今，竞面对面的同男人说起告别的体己话，小琴实在惊恐得不知该如何说?站立在张勋面前，只觉脸热。她把头垂下，一声不响。 张勋虽然二十四五岁了，谈爱说情的事却从不曾有过。在此刻，他也有点慌张。俩人沉默了许久，还是张不开口。后来，大约是曹琴想起了外婆让她“劝酒”的嘱咐，便低垂着头，端起酒碗，走到张勋面前。脸也不敢看地对他说：“哥哥，你……你……你喝吧!”张勋双手去接，却见曹琴脸涨红、额冒汗，眼睛微微地闭着，一绺墨发垂在耳边。那羞怯劲儿令他心中一热——他把酒碗接过放下，竟身不由己的伸开双臂，一下子把她搂在怀中……