bayedsolid Chapter 141 It's New Year again!
Chapter 141 It's New Year again!
Today, the old folks finally agreed to stay and have a drink with the old man. Shen Hu happily instructed his servants to quickly prepare the food and drinks.
The old man was in a good mood today, so Shen Lian naturally didn't want to spoil his fun and stayed with him, just in case the old man got too drunk!
On New Year's Eve, a horse-drawn carriage braved the heavy snow and drove into Zhangjiaba Village.
"Dad, Dad's back!" The little calf, who had been waiting anxiously, ran over shouting, and the whole family came out to greet him.
"Hey! Good son, let Daddy hug you!" Zhang Tieniu picked up his son in one go. The little guy was six years old for the New Year, and he was quite heavy in his arms.
"Mother, Mother! Hurry up and come inside, it's still snowing!" Zhang Tieniu put down his son and quickly reached out to help his mother and wife.
"Tie Niu! Are you alright? I heard that you fought very hard in the capital and many soldiers died!" The old lady looked her son up and down, and only when she saw that he was alright did she feel completely relieved.
“Mother, that’s all propaganda. Actually, we fought very easily. Those foreign devils are no match for our new army.” Zhang Tieniu patted the snowflakes off his mother’s shoulder and said.
"The battlefield is dangerous, my son, you must be careful. Our whole family is counting on you!"
"I will be careful, Mother, please don't worry!"
"Husband, you've been promoted again?" The young woman noticed that the star on her husband's shoulder had increased from one to three, and his beautiful big eyes had turned into two crescent moons.
"Sister-in-law, our company commander is a great hero of the entire army. He was personally received and awarded by the commander-in-chief!" Qiu Xiaojun chimed in from the side.
"You talk too much! Hurry up and drive the carriage inside. Unload the things from the carriage!" Zhang Tieniu said with a laugh.
He didn't need to rent a carriage to go home this year; he just borrowed the company's carriage!
"He's my orderly, Xiao Jun! Mother, let's go inside!" Zhang Tieniu helped his wife into the house. His wife was pregnant again, and her belly was already quite prominent.
Zhang Erniu ran over without a word to help Qiu Xiaojun move things! Zhang Tieniu invited the adults and children into the house together.
His family's original five dilapidated thatched huts have been expanded to eight rooms, making the house much more spacious. Not only does everyone have their own room, but there is also a main hall specifically for receiving guests.
However, Zhang Tieniu was already thinking that at the beginning of the year, he should find someone to demolish these thatched huts and build tiled houses instead.
Now that he's a company commander, he gets thirty yuan a month in military pay. With the reward for this battle to defend the emperor, he's saved over a hundred yuan. More than enough to build a few tiled houses.
There's no shortage of food at home now, so Zhang Tieniu won't need to buy any grain this time. Besides some meat, he brought back mostly rare pastries, dried fruits, and fresh fruits. He also brought back toys for the children at home.
The little calf rode the wooden horse his father bought him, brandishing a wooden saber and charging around the house shouting "Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up!"
"Is Tie Niu back?" A voice came just as the family was enjoying a happy time together.
"It's Second Aunt!" Tie Niu's mother hurriedly got up and went out to greet her.
Soon, Tie Niu's mother came in with Shi Tou's grandmother and his wife, Qian Xiaohua.
"The mistress is here! Oh dear! Sister-in-law, what are you doing here with such a big belly?" Zhang Tieniu quickly got up and invited the two of them to sit down.
That kid Shi Tou is something else; he got Qian Xiaohua pregnant right after getting married!
"Tie Niu? Why are you back alone? Where's our Shi Tou?" Second Grandma asked anxiously as soon as she sat down. Qian Xiaohua also looked at him expectantly.
"Second wife, Shi Tou and the others have gone on a mission. They're currently outside the Great Wall! They definitely won't be coming back this year!"
"I guess the transportation there is inconvenient, which is why he didn't write to you! This is the money he asked me to bring back to you before he left."
As Zhang Tieniu spoke, he took out a money bag and handed it to his second grandmother. Inside were thirty silver dollars.
"Outside the pass? That's so far! Tie Niu, I heard your battle was fierce. Are Shi Tou and the others in danger over there?" Second Grandma took the money bag and asked anxiously.
"Second Grandma, don't worry! Westerners are no match for us. At most, Shi Tou and the others will just be clearing out some bandits and outlaws. There won't be any danger."
"That's good! That's good!" Second Grandma and Qian Xiaohua were finally relieved.
The grandfather and grandson were extremely worried during this time, especially when they heard news of soldiers from some town or village being killed in action. Every time they heard such news, their hearts clenched with anxiety.
Thankfully, they hadn't received any news about Shi Tou, which made them both worried and relieved. Only after Tie Niu told them in person today did they finally feel completely at ease.
"Alright, it's getting late! We should head back." After chatting for a while longer, Second Grandma got up and helped Qian Xiaohua to her feet.
Zhang Tieniu quickly picked out some pastries and dried fruit for them to take with them!
"Second wife, Xiaohua! One of you is getting old, and the other has health issues. Why don't you come to my house for the New Year tonight!"
"No, Tie Niu! We have everything we need now, and Shi Tou asked you to bring back so much silver. Life is good! We won't trouble you any further." Second Grandma shook her head firmly.
“Second wife, what is the relationship between our two families? Why are you making such a fuss about this! I just want everyone to have a lively and festive New Year. Shi Tou can't come home this year, so it's only right that I, as his older brother, help take care of his family.”
"Well, alright! Thank you then, Tie Niu!" Grandma Er glanced at her granddaughter-in-law, seeing her somewhat interested, and agreed.
There are only two women in my family, and it's a rather quiet and lonely New Year. After all, she's only a teenager, still a child, so I shouldn't neglect my granddaughter-in-law. Tie Niu and Shi Tou are sworn brothers, so it's fine for her to spend the New Year at his house.
"Alright! That's more like it! There's no need for us to be so polite. Niu Mei, hurry up and see your second wife and your sister-in-law Xiao Hua off. The road is slippery, so be careful." Tie Niu nodded and then called to his sister.
"Big brother, her name is Xiao Wan!" Niu Xiaomei said, dissatisfied.
Now that her elder brother's official position is rising higher and higher, Niu Xiaomei has begun to behave like a daughter of an official. She often pulls her niece along as if teaching her manners. She doesn't want anyone to call her Niu Xiaomei anymore.
"Oh! Hehe! It's all my fault, I'm just used to calling her that. Xiao Wan, it's Xiao Wan!" Zhang Tieniu shook his head helplessly.
Satisfied, Niu Xiaomei helped Qian Xiaohua walk out!
That evening, Zhang Tieniu's family prepared a large feast, and the whole family, including his second grandmother and Qian Xiaohua, enjoyed themselves immensely.
After dinner, the women sat around the fire inside, chatting. Zhang Tieniu, along with his younger brother and son, set off fireworks in the yard. It was Xiao Niu's first time setting off fireworks, and he excitedly shouted and yelled, which frequently drew bursts of joyful laughter from inside the house!