At the port of East Penglai City, Emperor Hongzhi and Liu Jin came back from the Great Plains. They originally planned to go to the north to see the northern fishing grounds. Later, they heard that it is winter here in the northern fishing grounds, and it is very cold. The fishing boats are also at the port.
I was preparing to celebrate the Chinese New Year, but even if I went there, I wouldn't see much.
So I headed back to Penglai City and prepared to spend a different New Year here in Penglai City.
"It's really lively and festive."
Emperor Hongzhi got off the ship and looked at the port in front of him.
Although this place is located in a tropical area, the weather is hot and there is no feeling of cold winter at all, but it is because it will be the New Year's Eve soon, and in a few years it will be the 29th of Hongzhi.
Penglai City is still decorated in a festive manner, with lights and colorful decorations everywhere, various Spring Festival couplets and antithetical couplets can be seen everywhere, and red lanterns are hung high.
Banners were hung on high-rise buildings near the port. These high-rise buildings belonged to the major merchant houses, vassals, and colonies of the Ming Dynasty.
The Chinese New Year is coming soon, so it’s natural to have some fun.
I saw long banners hanging from the tall buildings, with New Year's couplets or blessings for the Ming Empire or blessings for the common people written on them.
“The First Bank of Ming Dynasty wishes the great Ming Empire prosperity!”
“I wish everyone in the Ming Dynasty happiness, longevity and health!”
"Tianjin Ocean Trading Company wishes the great Ming Empire to be prosperous forever!"
"I wish the descendants of Yan and Huang will always be strong and prosperous!"
"Ning Guo wishes the great Ming Empire prosperity!"
"The United Western Trading Company wishes the Emperor of Ming Dynasty long live, long live, long live the Ming Dynasty, and wishes the Ming Empire prosperity forever!"
"The United Commercial Bank of South Africa wishes the great Ming Empire beauty, wealth and prosperity, and wishes our lives a better life!"
"Sangong Trading Company wishes all descendants of Yan and Huang in Huanghuangzhou a prosperous new year!"
"Chief Envoy Xiang Rong of Northern Huanghuangzhou wishes all descendants of the Yan and Huang Dynasties in Huanghuangzhou prosperity, prosperity, health and happiness to their families!"
"...."
"It's really good."
Emperor Hongzhi looked at the banners and the couplets with great interest.
This is the first time in Emperor Hongzhi's history that he has celebrated the New Year outside the capital. Although he is tired of seeing the New Year in the capital, the New Year in Penglai City has a unique flavor.
"It's not inferior to the capital."
Liu Jin also said with a smile.
I originally thought it was too hot here and didn’t have the same feeling as during the New Year celebrations in winter, but looking at the bustling Penglai City in front of me, decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, this strong New Year flavor is not inferior to that in the Beijing-Tianjin area.
"It's true, it's full of flavor this year."
Emperor Hongzhi also nodded in agreement.
Look at the groups of children on the street. Each of these children is wearing festive clothes and playing in groups. The Chinese New Year is a time that every child looks forward to.
Because at this time there are not only delicious food and fun things, but also New Year's money. Moreover, during the Chinese New Year, you generally won't get beaten or scolded, so you can be wild for a few days.
"Mr. Zhu, Mr. Liu~"
Just when Emperor Hongzhi and Liu Jin were admiring the New Year atmosphere in Penglai City with great interest, Tian Erniu found the two of them and walked over with a smile on his face.
"It's you, Erniu."
When Liu Jin saw it, he immediately smiled and said, "How did you know we are here?"
"My benefactor, I calculated the time and thought that you might not be able to return to the Ming Dynasty so soon, so you would definitely spend the New Year in Penglai City, so I specially ordered people to pay attention to the port."
"Everything is inconvenient for you when you come out for inspection. The New Year is coming soon. Hotels, inns, tea houses, restaurants, etc. in Penglai City will be closed. By then, there won't even be a place to stay or a place to eat.
"
"I have the guts to invite you to my home to celebrate the New Year. Why don't you come to Huanghuangzhou? I happen to be in Huanghuangzhou. I know that I will treat you well."
Tian Erniu said with a smile.
He actually came to invite Emperor Hongzhi and Liu Jin to celebrate the New Year at his home.
"Will this cause any trouble to your family?"
Emperor Hongzhi and Liu Jin looked at each other, smiled and said.
There were hundreds of people in Emperor Hongzhi's party, and he was an emperor after all, so he had a lot of rules in all aspects. If he lived in Tian Erniu's home, it would definitely bring a lot of inconvenience and trouble to Tian Erniu's family.
At first, they said that everything would be kept simple, but they did not notify the local officials in every place. During the Chinese New Year, it was also deserted. If Penglai City really closed down during the Chinese New Year, it is estimated that Emperor Hongzhi and Liu Jin would only be there by then.
I can pay a high price to rent an inn, hotel, etc.
"No, no~"
"For you to come to my home is the highest honor for our family and a blessing that our ancestors have cultivated for countless generations."
When Tian Erniu heard this, he immediately shook his head. He knew the identity of Emperor Hongzhi. If this emperor could come to his home as a guest and stay for a few days, it would really be a blessing for his ancestors. It would be a great blessing.
separated.
"Haha, you said so, then let's go to your house to celebrate the New Year."
"It just so happens that I can experience how ordinary people's families celebrate the New Year."
Emperor Hongzhi looked at Tian Erniu and immediately laughed.
Anyway, I came out to have a look. It seemed like it would be good to experience the Chinese New Year in ordinary people’s homes.
"Great! Great!"
"Yuanshan, hurry up and inform your family that they are ready to welcome the distinguished guests."
When Tian Erniu heard this, he immediately started to jump up and quickly told his son Tian Yuanshan who had come with him to inform his family to prepare for the reception.
Originally, he had no hope of being able to invite Emperor Hongzhi and Liu Jin to his home. After all, what was their identity? How could they easily stay in the homes of ordinary people for a few days?
But he didn't expect that Emperor Hongzhi actually agreed, which made him overjoyed and extremely happy.
It is a supreme honor to invite the emperor and the current chief minister of the cabinet to your home to celebrate the New Year.
"Um!"
When Tian Yuanshan heard this, he quickly mounted his horse and hurried home.
"Er Niu, you are also serious. This time you are going to cause trouble to your family."
Liu Jin looked at Tian Erniu and said with a smile.
"No, no~"
"It is a supreme honor for our family that Mr. Zhu and his benefactor can come to my home to celebrate the New Year. It is a blessing that our family has cultivated for eight lifetimes."
Tian Erniu shook his head again and said.
Emperor Hongzhi was the emperor, and Liu Jin was the chief minister of the cabinet and his benefactor. Although for Liu Jin, he might be just an insignificant person, but for Tian Erniu, if it weren't for Liu Jin, he might still be a farmer.
, a farmer with his face turned to the loess and his back turned to the sky, how could he have all this now if he didn't finish his meal?
"Then I'll trouble your family."
Liu Jin smiled and said again.
Soon, everyone got into the car and drove towards Tian Erniu's home.
As one of the first people to arrive in Huangjin Continent, Tian Erniu was also the first person to become rich here.
Each of the major immigration places in East and West Penglai City and Golden Continent has its own real estate. Among them, the courtyard in East Penglai City is the core and most important place of the Tian family, and it is also the place where the Tian family celebrates the New Year.
At this moment, the entire Tian family is busy preparing for the New Year. Tian Erniu's wife, Wang, is taking her concubines, daughters-in-law, and maids at home to prepare for the New Year.
The Tian family is now prosperous. Tian Erniu has more than twenty concubines alone, and has given birth to dozens of children, large and small. The older ones are all adults. They have already started a family and have their own wives and concubines.
The children, the younger ones, are still crying and waiting to be fed.
During the Chinese New Year, all the family members, big or small, come back. There are nearly 200 people in this large family, which can be said to be very lively.
"Why are Erniu so crazy this year? He has prepared so many new year's goods. Moreover, these furniture and other items are obviously still in good condition. Why do they all need to be replaced with new ones?"
"Also, many of the things in this room have just been replaced. Why do they need to be replaced with new ones? This is so different from his past stingy habits."
Wang knew very well about Tian Erniu that although Tian Erniu was rich, he was as picky as an old farmer, reluctant to spend money and rarely willing to exchange things.
But now he is so generous, replacing a large amount of furniture, supplies, etc. with new ones, and they are all the best high-end goods. The sun is rising in the west.
"Auntie~Auntie~"
At this time, Tian Yuanshan came back in a hurry and shouted before anyone arrived.
"What's going on?"
Wang looked at Tian Yuanshan and said.
The Wang family is still a very good person. Even the children born by concubines can be treated as their own. Therefore, the children in the family, regardless of whether they were born by her or not, treat her with great respect and respect.
"Auntie, dad just invited the distinguished guest to come to our house to celebrate the New Year. The distinguished guest agreed. Dad said that everyone in our family should be prepared to welcome the distinguished guest."
Tian Yuanshan said quickly.
"What kind of distinguished guest are you?"
"Want to celebrate the New Year at our house?"
"Do you want us all to be ready for it?"
When Wang heard this, he immediately said doubtfully.
"Auntie, it's Mr. Zhu and Mr. Liu whom dad promoted last time. They are the benefactors of our Tian family."
Tian Yuanshan said again.
"It's them."
"Let me tell you, your father, a stingy man, can be so generous. It's just to welcome distinguished guests to our home for the New Year."
After hearing this, Mrs. Wang immediately understood, and then she also ordered: "Go and inform everyone to come to the door and prepare to welcome the distinguished guests. If your father can pay so much attention to this New Year, you must be invited to your home to celebrate the New Year."
A truly distinguished guest.”
"yes!"
When Tian Yuanshan heard this, he quickly started to rule everyone.
He knew his father's situation very well. In this Golden Continent, the Tian family was very famous, but in front of these two gentlemen, his father was very humble.
