It has not been long since the Lantern Festival. There are still a large number of lanterns and colorful ribbons hanging in the markets, streets, and archways, just waiting to be removed. As a southerner, the spring cold in Tokyo is still not that easy for Zhong Mo. Fortunately,
There was also the warm spring sunshine. Walking through the streets and enjoying the bustling scenery of Tokyo, Zhong Mo looked content and content, almost immersed in it.
Zhong Mo was very interested and searched all over Nanshi, trying to find the place where he had set up a stall and wrote articles to make a living. Unfortunately, things had changed and it was no longer possible to find it. Even a trace of the situation back then was hard to find.
It was some fate that I met the stall owner who gave him buns. The small stall owner now has his own shop, just above Nanshi Wine Street. The shop is not big, but the business is very good because the taste is good.
, famous for his street music, he was nicknamed "Sun Baozi".
When old friends meet, they naturally feel happy and talk to each other cordially. "Sun Baozi" is a philistine and shrewd person. When he sees Zhong Mo, who is dressed in an extraordinary manner, he treats each other warmly and talks about their friendship. Naturally, he compliments Zhong Mo constantly, but
As soon as the person drifted away, he seemed to lack self-awareness. He used Zhong Mo's original downfall to explain it, and boasted to the acquaintances present about how he recognized Zhong Mo's extraordinaryness and his generous gift of food...
Zhong Mo never felt ashamed of his downfall, and instead used it to encourage himself. However, his former benefactor used the past friendship as a source of conversation to brag. Perhaps there was no malice, but the vanity of a small citizen was at work. Zhong Mo felt this in his heart.
Still had some strange emotions.
With a smile on his face, he tolerated him generously and expressed his gratitude repeatedly. When leaving, Zhong Mo left another silver ingot and took the people away without any hesitation.
"Shang Shu, those mediocre people, vulgar philistines, and no self-awareness dare to be so rude and talk to you." The entourage who followed could not help but mutter to Zhong Mo, his tone full of contempt.
.
Zhong Mo had a calm attitude: "You also said that the merchants in the market don't know etiquette, so why should I care about it? Furthermore, when I was down and out, he was indeed kind to me, even though it was only a few meat buns,
But he relieved the hunger in my belly, and I should also accept his kindness. If I blame him because he said a few more words, then wouldn't my mind be too narrow-minded..."
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After wandering around Nanshi for nearly two hours, I found a wine shop and drank some wine. As dusk approached, the coachman's boy ran back happily with a shrewd smile: "My lord, this is the place you are looking for.
, I found the little one for you, and after asking, it is indeed a family with the surname Zhang. Due to the great changes in the capital, most of the people in the neighborhood have changed their names and numbers. If you are an ordinary person, you will not be able to find it. Even if you are a small one, it will take a lot of effort.
....."
Listening to his words and observing his attitude, Zhong Mo didn't understand what he meant, so he said to his entourage: "Thank you for your hard work!"
"Thank you for the small reward!" The coachman immediately smiled happily.
"Lead the way!"
"yes!"
In the evening, the light was dark and the wind was cold. Zhong Mo put on a robe and went out of Nanshi. The wealthy families around him had already lit up their candles. As darkness fell, the lights of thousands of houses made the huge city of Tokyo even more prominent.
The atmosphere of governing the world.
Feeling the scene in the city, Zhong Mo secretly decided that during the remaining days of his stay in Tokyo, he would take a serious walk up and down, inside and out, and write another "Tokyo Travel Notes".
When he was living in Kaifeng, he wrote a copy of "Tokyo Sights and Sounds". After returning to Jinling, he presented it to Li Jing, who highly praised it for the beauty of his words and the reality of what he had seen and heard. Later, he circulated and copied it among the literati in Jinling. At that time, he was in Huainan.
Not long after the defeat, the entire Tang court succumbed to the power of the Northern Han Dynasty. Under the background of the increasing influence of the Han court, many people learned about Kaifeng and the Han Dynasty through that record.
What Zhong Mo is looking for is naturally the Zhang family where he stayed in the past. When it comes to kindness, that is what Zhong Mo remembers: a place to live and a guarantee of food and clothing.
The overhaul of Tokyo has really made a big impression on ordinary citizens. The Zhang family residence was originally located at the southern end of Kaifeng, close to the city gate. After expansion, it is almost in the center of the city.
"What a big change!" Standing in front of the quiet house, Zhong Mo couldn't help but sigh.
The courtyard is still an ordinary small courtyard, but it has obviously been renovated. The door design is consistent with the residential houses on the entire street. Zhong Mo knows that the government's requirements at that time. However, he can feel that the life of the Zhang family should be pretty good.
.
The servant came forward and called the door. He didn't wait for a moment. The door of the house was opened wide and half of his body was leaned out. It was a young man with a childish face. He looked at Zhong Mo and the others and asked curiously: "Who are you?"
"Are you Zhang Guangyao?" Zhong Mo took a few steps forward and asked.
The young man nodded: "Yes! Who are you?"
"Guangyao, I haven't seen you for many years. Don't you recognize me?" Zhong Mo said with a smile.
The Zhang family's son's name was Da, and his courtesy name was Guangyao, which was the name given to him by Zhong Mo before he returned to the south. The young man was surprised when he heard this and rubbed his eyes. When he saw Zhong Mo's face clearly, he looked overjoyed and said, "Are you Mr. Zhong?"
Although the words were questions, his tone was very sure. After saying that, he turned around and shouted: "Dad! Mom! Mr. Zhang is back!"
After roaring for a few times, he opened the door of the house and knelt down towards Zhong Mo directly beside the door. While Zhong Mo was stunned, he actually kowtowed three times. This kind of courtesy and respectful treatment made Zhong Mo very emotional.
He immediately helped him up and said that there was no need to perform such a big ceremony. The young man replied seriously that he should be treated as a teacher.
Back then, as a teacher, I taught the Zhang brothers and sisters for a period of time. Before leaving, I left him a copy of "The Analects of Confucius" and told him to study hard.
Zhong Mo's arrival made the quiet Zhang family courtyard lively. When the Zhang family heard the commotion, they came out together. Zhong Mo immediately ordered someone to bring the purchased gifts and then observed the couple.
Old man Zhang is much older, but his body is not majestic, but he still looks so strong, respectful to Zhong Mo, and still has a simple and indifferent image. Compared with the past, Zhang's wife's appearance has not changed much, and she is still the same.
That kind of strong folk woman only has a lot more white hair in her hair.
Inside the house, it has obviously been renovated. The kitchen and chicken coop are still in the same place, and the houses are still the same. A windlass has been added to the well. The old trees on the side still stand sideways, shadowy in the dusk. Seeing this scene, Zhong Zhong
Mo can't help but be moved by the scenery.
Because of Zhong Mo's visit, three brand new candles were specially added to illuminate the room much brighter.
"If I had known that Mr. Zhong would come, we would have prepared some delicious food. Please forgive me for neglecting Mr. Zhong!" As the head of the family, Old Man Zhang seemed a little embarrassed.
It was dinner time, and there was food on the table, but it was obviously leftovers from lunch. Old man Zhang immediately ordered his wife: "Take out the meat at home and cook some more dishes!"
"Okay! Sir, wait a moment!" Zhang's wife responded.
"No need, sister-in-law!" Zhong Mo stopped her and said with a smile: "When I was down and out, a full meal was still enough. Zhong can still eat my brother's family food now! Just give me a pair of bowls and chopsticks!"
"
"How can this be done? Sir, you are both a distinguished person and a benefactor, how can we entertain you with these leftovers!" said Zhang Da, a young man standing nearby.
Although the Zhang family didn't know Zhong Mo deeply, they knew he was extraordinary. Now, just by looking at his clothes and the servants waiting in front of the door, you can tell what his situation is. Therefore, between his words and deeds,
Obviously I am careful and don't dare to be overbearing, but my enthusiasm is genuine.
At Zhong Mo's insistence, the Zhang family was helpless. Old man Zhang asked his wife to take out a jar of wine stored at home. Zhong Mo did not refuse. Zhong Mo first picked up a chopstick and took two bites of the leftover rice.
, eating with gusto, the Zhang family felt relieved. The wife wanted to stand, but Zhong Mo called her tablemate to eat.
We sat down, ate the food, drank the wine, and exchanged pleasantries.
"There seems to be someone missing at home! Where is your little girl?" Zhong Mo asked.
Zhang’s wife said: “I got married last year!”
"Oh? I guess he is a good match, from a simple family, right?" Zhong Mo said with a smile.
Old man Zhang replied: "We were supposed to get married this year, but the other party's father is a commander of the Forbidden Army and is going to Sichuan and Sichuan to fight. The husband also knows that swords have no eyes on the battlefield, which is a pity, so he urgently arranged the marriage of his children.
Do it first!”
Noticing that old man Zhang was missing two fingers on his left hand, he couldn't help but ask why. Zhang's wife sighed and said, "The year before last, I was in a butcher shop and got into a fight. I accidentally cut off my fingers!"
Old man Zhang subconsciously tried to hide his left hand. Zhong Mo asked: "Then what do you do for a living now?"
Smiling, Old Man Zhang said: "I got a job as a watchman on the street. Although I have to walk a lot at night, I am very happy!"
Nodding slightly, Zhong Mo looked around and sighed: "Brother Zhang, forgive me for asking. Before I left, I gave you money as a gift. Why are you still living in such rough clothes and living in poverty now?"
Back then, Liu Chengyou rewarded Zhong Mo with a hundred taels of silver, and he forcefully gave half of it to the Zhang family. Fifty taels of silver had an astonishing purchasing power in the Han Dynasty, even in Tokyo. With the frugality of the Zhang family, they could not afford to eat and fish all year round.
, but there is no problem in improving food and clothing and living a more moist life.
When asked, Zhang Da responded proactively: "Most of the money Mr. gave me was used for my education! Later, the government ordered to renovate the house and rebuild the doors and walls. Last year, my wife got married and bought some dowry.
....”
With that said, Zhang Da stood up and said solemnly to Zhong Mo: "Sir's great kindness to my family will be remembered in this life. In the future, I will repay you ten times!"
Hearing what he said, Zhong Mo smiled casually, shook his head and said, "The kindness your family has shown me is what I should always remember!"
"How's your reading going?" Zhong Mo asked suddenly.
"I can now memorize the Thousand-Character Essay and The Analects of Confucius taught by my husband!" Zhang Daqian said with a smile.
"If I have time, I will take the exam for you!" Zhong Mo touched his beard and said, "What are your plans for the future?"
"My brother-in-law's family offered me a job as a county clerk, but I refused!" Zhang Da responded: "I want to wait until I have accomplished my studies and take part in the imperial examination!"
