In Juchao County, the warm atmosphere of the New Year permeates the small town.
In the early morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, many people came to the gate of the county government office. They came to congratulate County Magistrate Li on the New Year. Li Hui warmly received them, invited them into the lobby of the government office to talk, and entertained them with some snacks made by Azhu.
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This is a good opportunity to get close to the people. I drank tea and chatted with them, and learned many suggestions from them for the future construction of Juchao County, which will serve as some basis for the future governance of Juchao County. In the future, the county wants to be truly stable.
, there is still much to do.
At noon, after seeing off the people, Li Hui decided to take Azhu and Dachun Dazhuang to stroll around the streets and feel the atmosphere of the New Year. It was said that the city was quite lively today, and Li Hui wanted to see it for himself
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In addition, I heard that Mr. Zheng’s teahouse has opened, and Li Hui plans to fulfill his promise and go to the teahouse.
Li Hui put on a brand new blue robe and a black fur hat, and led everyone out. The injury on his foot had subsided, but he couldn't use too much force. Li Hui didn't want to take a car, so Li Hui asked everyone to go out.
Chun cut down a branch and made a walking stick. He tried it and it was quite useful.
But he was holding a cane in his hand, and he walked with a crooked and weird way. After walking a few steps, Li Hui didn't feel anything, but Ah Zhu laughed out loud behind him.
Li Hui didn't take it seriously. Azhu was in a bad mood these past two days. Her mother's first birthday had just passed, and with the arrival of the New Year, she missed her mother even more, so she was in a very low mood. Li Hui knew that she had secretly hid and cried many times.
The red and swollen eyelids are proof of this. But there is no consolation.
Hearing Ah Zhu laugh, Li Hui walked more exaggeratedly, making himself look more ridiculous. It was also good for Ah Zhu to be able to temporarily get rid of his sad mood. This was why Li Hui insisted on asking Ah Zhu to follow him out for a walk on the street.
Reason for visiting.
The streets were indeed as lively as I heard, with bustling crowds and an endless stream. Although after several years of chaos, the people's lives were difficult. But they still tried to dress decently, mended and washed their tattered clothes,
Make yourself look less sloppy.
At the intersection, people have actually set up food stalls and started doing business. And many shops on both sides of the street have already opened. Although there are no goods on the shelves, opening is a kind of attitude.
Many shops are not all open for business, but a group of people are busy cleaning the door panels, sweeping the door curtains, cleaning the signboard curtains, and re-pasting the window paper. Li Hui stepped forward to ask, and they replied that this was just for future business openings.
Prepare.
There was a warm and peaceful atmosphere in the entire market, which made Li Hui very happy and sighed. In just a few days, the mood of the people had changed a lot, and they were no longer ready to actively do things without mobilization.
They are like weeds on the ground, simple and unpretentious, but with tenacious vitality. Once there is room to grow, they will tenaciously take root and sprout. In fact, for the superiors, all they have to do is create a little way for them to survive.
Space is enough. Unfortunately, many times even this is not possible.
Everyone walked forward, greeting the people on the street, and unknowingly arrived at the middle of East Street. A crowd gathered in front of them, and it was very lively. Looking from a distance, dozens of people were standing on the street, talking and laughing, gesticulating and dancing. The location was right.
It's in front of Zheng's father-in-law's tea shop.
"Zheng Laozhang's shop is indeed open. With so many customers, business is good. Let's go and join in the fun." Li Hui said with a smile.
As Li Hui spoke, he quickened his pace. Ah Zhu hurriedly held his arm and said, "Master, please slow down, don't hurt your feet."
As expected, Mr. Zheng's tea shop was opened. The signboard with the word "Zheng Ji" was hung above the door of the shop, and it was spotless. It seems that Mr. Zheng took down the sign and kept it well when he closed it down.
The previously dark shop door panels were scrubbed and looked brand new, and all the shop floors were opened. Standing on the street, you can see that it is steaming, crowded, and full of customers. There are waves of fragrance in the air.
, smelling it will make your mouth salivate and your throat will tremble.
Li Hui stood at the door and looked at the noisy people and lively scene, and said with a smile: "What a scene of fireworks in the world. This is right."
"Hey, isn't this the Lord County Lord? Oh, fellow villagers, please stop making trouble, the Lord County Lord is here." Someone recognized Li Hui and immediately started shouting.
Now everyone who was crowding at the door noticed Li Hui and the others, and gathered around them, clasping their hands and saying hello, bowing and kowtowing.
Li Hui chuckled and cupped his hands and said, "Fellow folks, good luck in the New Year, good luck in the New Year. Why are you all gathered around here?"
Someone shouted: "Old Zheng's tea shop is open. Today we will give you a free snack. Let's come and try it. The sesame cakes and vegetable steamed buns at Old Zheng's house are excellent. I haven't had them in many years."
"Yes, yes, the key is that it doesn't cost anything and you can eat one for free. Hahaha. Old Man Zheng is a genuine person." Someone laughed.
Everyone burst into laughter. Although it was a little embarrassing, it was indeed true. Everyone came here to eat free snacks. Although the county official distributed relief food, of course you have to come and ask for a piece of the food that can be eaten for free. Besides,
Zheng Kee Tea Shop is famous for its sesame cakes.
Li Hui smiled and nodded, thinking: Old Man Zheng is a real person. He rewarded him with flour. He may feel a little embarrassed, so he gave some to the people in this way. One is to attract business and accumulate reputation, and the other is he refuses.
Taking all these rewards makes the villagers jealous.
While they were talking, Mr. Zheng, who was busy in the shop, got the news and walked out quickly with his robe in hand. When he saw Li Hui, he knelt down and kowtowed. Li Hui hurriedly stopped him.
"County Magistrate Li is here. How come I don't know that I can arrange a seat for you?" Mr. Zheng said with cupped hands.
Li Hui smiled and said: "What private seat? I'm here to congratulate you on your opening, not to cause trouble. Dad, you did what you said, and you said you would open it, so you opened it today."
Mr. Zheng chuckled and said: "Of course. When we do business, we must do what we say. The county magistrate also does what he says. He said he would come to support him and came. The little old man thought it was a joke. It's true.
It’s surprising. Please come in quickly, please come in quickly and try some of my Zheng Ji’s sesame cakes and tea.”
Li Hui smiled and said: "Of course I want to try it. My mouth is watering just by smelling it. Let's go."
Mr. Zheng bowed and led Li Hui and the others into the lobby. The bustling diners inside saluted, some cupped their hands, and some kowtowed. In an instant, the stools, tables, and dishes were clattering, and tea was spilled all over the floor.
Some people fell down carelessly, and the scene became chaotic.
Ah Zhu couldn't help but laugh out loud when he looked at this scene, the awkward and clumsy situation.
Li Hui cupped his hands and said loudly: "Everyone, please help yourself. No need to be formal. This county does not want to disturb everyone's tea. Please sit down."
Everyone agreed one after another and sat down after some busy work.
Mr. Zheng called to his son loudly and said: "Along, clean up the upstairs compartment quickly and ask the county magistrate to go to the upstairs seating area."
Aaron promised loudly, put down his work and ran upstairs. Li Hui hurriedly waved his hand and said: "No, no, it's just in the lobby, it's very lively here."
The people at the table in front of the cabinet took the initiative to give up their seats, and Li Hui and others sat down. Zheng Laozhang personally went to the kitchen to get tea and snacks. Li Hui looked around, and the people around him also looked at him. Everyone was wide-eyed. Xiaoyan, the atmosphere was a little weird for a moment.
Li Hui smiled and said: "What are you looking at me for? I can't eat? Just eat and drink on your own, no need to be formal. If you do this, I won't feel comfortable."
Everyone turned their heads, but after all, the county magistrate was present, so they did not dare to make loud noises. The noise of eating and drinking was quieter and more polite. Li Hui knew that it was inevitable, but he didn't care too much.
Not long after, Mr. Zheng personally brought up two large plates of hot sesame cakes. The cakes were golden on both sides, with some sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Just the smell of them made people salivate. It was just a little small, no more than the size of a small teacup. That's all.
"Your Excellency, please try it. This is the shop's specialty tea. Although other people have it, mine is the most delicious." Mr. Zheng greeted enthusiastically.
Li Hui nodded and said with a smile: "Of course I want to try it and see what works."
After saying that, he reached out and picked up a piece of cake, put it under his nose and smelled it. The aroma was fragrant. He opened his mouth and took a bite, and it was even more crispy. After chewing it for a few times, he felt that the taste was so good that he couldn't help but praise it with his fingers.
"Yes, yes, the little noodle pancakes are so refreshing and crispy, it's really amazing. They are very delicious." Li Hui said with a smile.
When Old Zhang Zheng saw that Li Hui liked it, he immediately smiled and stroked his beard and said: "The county magistrate still knows the goods, unlike some people who pick and choose about Zheng Ji's sesame cakes. That's because I don't know the goods. I, Zheng I remember that sesame cakes are a specialty in Juchao County. Even if they are sold in Jiankang City, they will not lose the taste of those exquisite pastries."
Some people nearby laughed and said, "Old Zhengtou, you really dare to brag."
Old Zhang Zheng was angry and wanted to argue, but when he thought that the county magistrate was here, he just glared at him and gave up.
Li Hui took a few bites and was full of praise for the food. Until he threw the remaining half of the sesame cake into his mouth, he looked back and saw that Azhu and others were sitting still, so he smiled and said: "Eat, you all eat, it tastes very good." Not bad. Ah Zhu, eat one. It’s so delicious.”
Azhu nodded and took a piece, took a delicate bite, covered his mouth and chewed slowly. Zhao Dachun and Guo Dazhuang couldn't wait for a long time. As soon as Li Hui spoke, they immediately grabbed the sesame cake and threw it into their mouths to chew. .
Before Ah Zhu could finish one bite, Dachun Dazhuang was already eating five or six pieces one after another. In a moment, only the last one of the two plates of sesame pancakes was lying alone on the plate. The two of them knew it. Sorry, I retracted my outstretched hand and smashed it in my mouth, not wanting to finish it.
"Miss Azhu, how does it taste?" Mr. Zheng asked expectantly.
Azhu nodded and praised: "It's really delicious. It's soft, crispy and delicious."
Mr. Zheng chuckled and said: "Look, you know the goods. It's soft and crispy. I have to remember this."
"Hahaha, why don't you just ask someone to write it on your face, Old Zhengtou, with a pen?" Some people shouted in annoyance, and everyone burst into laughter.
Old Zhang Zheng stared at him with anger, but he couldn't help but burst into laughter.