Starting from the next day, the Li family's old residence officially began comprehensive renovations.
Li Hui and A-Zhu drew simple drawings together the night before, and everything was done according to the drawings. The details could be arranged on site later.
As a result, men, women, old and young all went into battle, smashing walls, preparing the land, cutting grass and trees, moving bricks and digging mud, and the work was in full swing.
Zhao Molin sent someone to invite Li Hui to the banquet on the evening of the next day. Li Hui accepted the invitation.
At the banquet, many local nobles and celebrities from Shicheng County came, and it was quite lively.
However, Li Hui had known for a long time that this kind of banquet party had no actual content. Apart from eating, drinking and talking about mysteries, it was completely nutritious. The topics discussed by the nobles and celebrities at the banquet were all topics that Li Hui was not interested in, or even disgusted with.
This is indeed the case. The banquet organized by Zhao Molin was not new, and it was not much different from what he had seen in Wu County. Li Hui looked at the group of people at the banquet who talked loudly and seemed to be full of knowledge, and often found it ridiculous. He knew , Don’t look at the sanctimonious appearance of these people, who seem to be very insightful, but in fact they are very empty spiritually. From a certain perspective, this kind of banquet is just an occasion to satisfy their spiritual and social needs.
But even so, Li Hui still reminded himself that he might have to face many such absurd situations in the future and face many meaningless topics. He might also be forced to participate in them. Maybe this can train his adaptability. ability.
At such a banquet, although Zhao Molin organized it in the name of entertaining himself, in fact these people were not interested in Li Hui. They had no feelings about what happened in Juchao County, and they did not even know where this small county was. Of course, after learning that Li Hui came from a poor family, his attitude was obviously with a trace of contempt. This also shows how serious the concept of family hierarchy was in the Jin Dynasty. Even though Li Hui had entered the officialdom, They still have to be treated differently.
Of course, such an occasion is not without any gains. Li Hui and Zhao Molin talked very speculatively. Zhao Molin is a very tactful person, giving people the feeling of being experienced in world affairs. However, his views on specific matters are It was very practical. This showed that he was different from others. This made Li Hui think that there were normal people in the Jin Dynasty, and they were not all those who talked about the mysteries of life and death.
Moreover, such an occasion is also an important place for the exchange of information and news. Although this group of people has a good reputation after all, there are many channels for information. Regardless of whether it is obtained through formal channels, it is the latest information.
From this, Li Hui learned that the Qin army had conquered Yecheng, the capital of the Yan state. He also learned that the lord of Yan, Murong Wei, had fled to Longcheng and that the Qin soldiers and horses were chasing him. The Qin army was annihilating the soldiers and horses from all over the Yan state one by one. fact.
Although Li Hui didn't know much about this period of history, he was still quite shocked after hearing the news. This made Li Hui realize that the period when the northern dynasty known as the "Pre-Qin" unified the north was coming.
While this group of people were discussing this matter lightly, Li Hui was quite worried on the sidelines. They may not realize what this means at all, and they may not realize at all what this matter will do to Dajin and how it will affect them. What impact does it have on their lives?
But Li Hui understood. A powerful and unified northern dynasty was about to be established, which would pose a great threat to the Jin Dynasty. Soon, their eyes would look to the south. The former Qin King Fu Jian was determined to unify the world.
Yes, the famous scene where the former Qin went south to attack the Eastern Jin Dynasty should not be far away.
If such a banquet can bring any real gain, it is to let Li Hui know these important news. It also reminds Li Hui what kind of magnificent and chaotic era he is in. Remind Li Hui to know,
What drastic changes are taking place in the world.
In an era of drastic changes, what I have to do is to take advantage of the torrent of history, grasp the direction of history, and be a trend-setter, instead of being swallowed by the tide. This is why I have to bear great pressure and not be with the Huan family.
The reason is that you need to prepare for the drastic changes in the future and accumulate your own energy.
Of course, before that, he must be able to survive. Because drastic changes within the Jin Dynasty are coming.
On the morning of the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Li Hui ordered Jiang Sheng to go to the capital with his own handwritten letter. The letter was a personal letter and was addressed to Xie Xuan.
In the past few days, Gu Lanzhi was in a bad mood after knowing that Li Hui was going to the capital at the end of the year to take up a new post. She didn't say it, but she whispered in private that Li Hui couldn't even spend a reunion with her. There were many complaints in her words.
Meaning.
Azhu heard this and acted as a small mouthpiece to tell Li Hui. Li Hui felt quite guilty after learning about it.
Indeed, I have been away from Gu Lanzhi and the others for a year. I have not accompanied them or taken care of them this year, which makes them scared. Finally, they are reunited. Not long after we get together, I will go to the capital to take up my post at the end of the year. Lian Zai
We can't even spend a reunion year together. This is really unreasonable.
After much deliberation, Li Hui decided to write a letter to Xie Xuan. In the letter, he first thanked him for his help in transferring him to the capital. At the same time, he asked him to speak to the Ministry of Civil Affairs for him and ask him whether he could go to the capital to take up his post in the next year.
Li Hui told Xie Xuan that he had moved his family to Shicheng County, Danyang County. Now his family was in disarray, and he was settling in his family and repairing the house. He hoped that the officials would be accommodating and that he would rush to the capital as soon as possible after the new year.
The reason why Li Hui wrote to Xie Xuan for help was of course because Xie Xuan could speak well. As long as he was willing to speak, he would be accommodating. And when he wrote this letter, he also wanted to verify what Xie Xuan had done in Juchao County before.
Those words he said. Take a look at Xie Xuan’s true attitude towards himself.
The meeting in the capital was not far away. Just two days later, Jiang Sheng came back, bringing a handwritten letter from Xie Xuan. Xie Xuan told Li Hui in the letter that he was very happy that Li Hui was coming to the capital to serve as an official. He deserved it.
Xie Xuan asked Li Hui to spend the New Year with his family peacefully and come to the capital to take office after the new year. He had already made arrangements. It was not appropriate for the Ministry of Personnel to ask someone to take office at the end of the year.
And Xie Xuan told Li Hui that there was nothing to worry about when the new year came, because he had made all arrangements. Before coming, let Li Hui inform him in advance, and he would personally lead people to greet him and show his kindness to the landlord.
Li Hui read the letter and felt a little moved in his heart. Originally, Li Hui was skeptical about Xie Xuan's enthusiasm in Juchao County. Li Hui always felt that he was a precious stone that was being fought over by Wang Xie and the Huan family.
Although Xie Xuan is a chess piece, he also has the consciousness of being a chess piece, and feels that mutual use is enough. However, the sincerity shown by Xie Xuan from beginning to end made Li Hui feel that he might be a little extreme. Although Xie Xuan is the noble introduction of the Xie family, he does treat him as a chess piece.
Sincere and enthusiastic. But as far as Xie Xuan himself is concerned, Li Hui has a good impression of him.
After receiving Xie Xuan's assurance, Li Hui felt relieved. Li Hui immediately informed Gu Lanzhi of the good news. Gu Lanzhi was naturally very happy when she learned that her son would stay for the New Year.
Privately, Gu Lanzhi and Chou Gu had already agreed to stay in Shicheng County to live in retirement, and they did not clamor for Li Hui to take them to his post to reunite. As long as their son stayed to celebrate the reunion year this year, then
This made her satisfied.
In the next half month, Li Hui devoted himself wholeheartedly to the renovation and repair project of the Li family's old house. Every day, people inside and outside were busy and extremely busy. And every day that passed, the appearance of the Li family's old house was rapidly changing.
On the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, all the repair work on the old house was basically completed, and the Li family's old house that appeared in front of everyone was no longer what it was before, but seemed to be a brand new house.
Indeed, with sufficient funds and manpower, Li Hui followed the standard of comprehensive renovation or even reconstruction. The layout of the entire house was completely renovated in accordance with the standards of a large family, giving this old house a
It shows the atmosphere that a wealthy family should have.
The gatehouse on the front yard wall was completely demolished and the gatehouse was re-expanded. The former narrow gatehouse and low and dilapidated gatehouse have now become open and grand. The gatehouse can allow carriages and horses to enter, and the gatehouse columns on both sides are tall and majestic.
The two red-lacquered beast-ringed gates look extremely majestic. A plaque reading "Li's Mansion" is hung above the gate tower.
The front yard fence was completely torn down and rebuilt. The earthen wall covered with vines and weeds was replaced by a stone wall, and the height was increased by one foot. The top of the fence was decorated with black tiles and hollowed-out flowers and birds, which was exquisite and beautiful.
After the front yard was renovated, it looked a lot more open. After demolishing some of the messy firewood sheds and straw sheds and cutting down some trees, a row of wing rooms was built at the east end of the front yard. This is used as part of the gatehouse for the yard guards.
of residence.
A stable for livestock and a stable for carriages and horses were built next to the west wall. The ground was leveled in a corner of the yard, leaving a flat area as a place for the guards to practice martial arts.
Several large and sturdy trees have been preserved in the front yard, and flower beds have been built on both sides of the blue brick path. When spring comes next year, the place will be full of flowers.
The three main houses in the front yard did not undergo much modification. They only replaced the wooden rafters and main beams, replaced the roof tiles, and cleared the thatch and fallen branches growing on the roof. A row of townhouses were erected on the ridge of the main hall.
Beast. Of course, the walls of the entire main house were painted white again, the carved doors and windows were replaced, and some furnishings were made.
At the second entrance behind the main house, the original dilapidated walls and corridors and patios were demolished, leaving a buffer of more than ten steps, and then more than ten rooms in the second entrance were built. A small courtyard was circled as a study area, and the rest were
The house served as the maid's residence and kitchen location.
As a result, in fact, the house that was originally two-in and two-out became three-in and two-out. Although the space became compact, it used a lot of space and solved the problem of too many people and few rooms.
The focus of renovation is on the two small east and west courtyards. The small courtyard where Gu Lanzhi and Chou Gu live in the east courtyard has been slightly divided. A small courtyard has been separated to serve as a buffer for the rear fence. The house has been renovated.
After extensive reinforcement and repairs, the entire east courtyard has a completely new look.
There are also some flower beds and other facilities in the yard, and even a rockery fish pond built with stones in the corner.
The west courtyard has also been renovated. A new wall has been built on half of the collapsed wing, and everything has been renovated inside and out. All the weeds and trees in the courtyard have been removed, and the ground has been smoothed with stone bricks. Plants have also been planted on the edge of the wall.
A clump of bamboo dug from outside.
In addition to the renovation and layout changes of the house, all the interior furnishings and furnishings were also replaced. All the old things used before were given to the tribesmen, and all the tables, beds, pots, pans and pots at home were replaced with new ones.
The entire house is truly brand new at this moment, completely changed in appearance. The freshly painted walls, the long windows and pillars decorated with red and green emeralds, the open and flat floors and aisles, and the reasonable spatial layout are all in line with Li Hui's vision.
Look.
It's winter now, and although the house seems a bit monotonous, Li Hui believes that once spring comes and the trees and flowers grow lush, the house will be beautiful and livable.
That morning, amid the sound of gongs and drums, Li Hui accompanied Gu Lanzhi and Chou Aunt on a tour of the entire house. Gu Lanzhi and Chou Aunt shed tears as they walked along.