Jiang Sheng indeed went to the Jiang family on the first day of the Lunar New Year. She started knocking on the door before dawn.
The gatekeeper rubbed his eyes, still half asleep, and bowed slightly, saying, "Happy New Year, young lady."
Wealthy families, wanting to celebrate, often give out New Year's money around the time of the New Year. Jiang Sheng, being rich this year, took out a gold melon seed and handed it over.
The doorman immediately sobered up, holding the golden melon seeds, smelling and biting them, as if trying to determine if they were real or fake.
Once he realized that the host couldn't possibly have given him a fake, he knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Greetings, young lady."
This head remained like that until he entered Tokunin-in Temple.
Old Madam Jiang was already awake and washing up. Seeing her, she smiled and asked, "Did you have dumplings yesterday?"
“I’ve eaten. It’s mutton filling.” Jiang Sheng snuggled closer. “I’m also bringing some for Grandma. The mutton is warm, which is perfect for you.”
Without much small talk or formalities, the grandfather and grandson finally developed a unique understanding.
They ate their first dumplings and first meal of the new year together.
Whether by coincidence or design, Liao and Jiang Chenghuan did not appear in their sight, remaining unusually quiet.
Jiang Chengyu, however, came over drawn by the aroma, ate half a large lamb leg, and exclaimed how delicious it was.
"This mutton is much tastier than before." As the legitimate daughter of the second wife, she never lacked mutton, so her words carried more weight. "It has a mild gamey smell and tender meat. Where did you buy it, sister? I want to buy two for my parents too."
Jiang Sheng covered her mouth and laughed.
Of course, it was secretly left by her third brother on the frontier.
The Dayu Dynasty had many conflicts with the Tartars, and mutton was often captured. It was usually shared among the hungry warriors, and few offspring were left behind, which were then transported to the distant Fengjing.
These two sectors are almost at their bottom, and there's nowhere left to buy.
Jiang Chengyu exclaimed that it was a pity, "If Youranju could use such mutton, its business would definitely reach new heights."
Not only at Youranju, but even if a butcher's stall were to offer this kind of mutton, customers would come back after tasting it.
Ultimately, deliciousness is the true essence.
Jiang Sheng's heart stirred slightly. Originally, her support for her second brother to expand the sheep flock was just a joke, but now it made her really have the idea.
"It's so delicious, really delicious." Jiang Chengyu wanted to eat more, but his stomach had limited capacity, so he could only regretfully rub his belly.
Jiang Sheng snapped out of her daze and generously comforted her, "Don't worry, there will be more tonight."
"Really?" Jiang Chengyu exclaimed happily.
There were indeed some things happening at night, including not only lamb dumplings and roasted lamb chops, but also a grand fireworks display.
Last year, she could only look up at the fireworks from the small courtyard, but today she can stand under the fireworks and enjoy them up close.
Huge fireworks exploded in the sky, and brilliant colors rained down. Jiang Chengyu scrambled to dodge them, and didn't forget to pull Jiang Sheng back.
In the distance, there is a bustling noise; nearby, there is a smiling grandmother.
The older brothers must be watching from the second courtyard. Are they discussing the eldest brother's imperial examination, the second brother's business, the fourth brother's stagnant medical skills, or the fifth brother's useless woodworking?
But no matter what, this world is truly wonderful.
Jiang Sheng remembered the vow she made before Buddha, and the warmth she had longed for, all of which were now within reach.
"It's the New Year, do you have any wishes, sister?" Jiang Chengyu asked at the top of his lungs amidst the sound of firecrackers.
Jiang Sheng closed her hands again and held them to her lips.
Her wish is that this moment of happiness will last forever.
Everyone is doing well, let's hope nothing changes.
Except for the third brother.
Jiang Sheng hopes he will go home and wait for peace to return to the world, so that no one will have to leave their hometown in the future.
The prosperity of Fengjing cannot reach the northern frontier.
The fireworks display in Fengjing can't be seen in northern Xinjiang.
Fortunately, the New Year is the most sacred festival for every person of the Dayu Dynasty, a time when they gather together no matter when or where.
"Bang, bang, bang."
After three gunshots, Fang Heng put away his musket and returned to the lively tent.
The war was intense, so they had no fireworks or firecrackers and couldn't set them off, but that didn't matter. As long as there was noise, it was like celebrating the New Year.
Men of different ages, from their teens to their thirties, raised their large bowls, looked up at the sky in reverence, and then gulped down their food.
"Captain, would you like some too?" Jiang Wu asked, swirling the empty pot as he poured wine for someone else.
The army has strict rules, so this is the only time we can have a drink or two.
Fang Heng waved his hand and returned to his seat.
"The captain is clearly the youngest, but he insists on acting like the most mature," Jiang Liu muttered from the side. "He's so happy, what's wrong with having a drink?"
"That's not quite right," Jiang Yi said, switching his wine for tea. "You and I know it's the New Year, and so do the Tartars. What if they're less vigilant during the New Year and come riding over?"
At that point, a bunch of drunkards will be at everyone's mercy.
Jiang Liu was speechless and quickly spilled the wine in his hand.
Looking closer, it became clear that those drinking were mostly young lads, while the older folks held tea in their hands, their ears perked up, listening intently to what was happening.
Once the first group has finished eating, they need to change shifts with the people outside and patrol the surrounding area.
That's how war is; even on the most joyous holidays, one must always be vigilant and ready to fight.
Fang Heng picked up a cup of tea, took a couple of sips, then picked up a piece of mutton with his chopsticks, looked at it, but ultimately didn't put it in his mouth.
"What's wrong, Captain?" Jiang Wu finished pouring the wine and sat down on the ground. "Are you worried about a night attack by the Tartars? Our defenses are quite good, so we have nothing to fear even if there is a night attack."
The decades-long war was not fought in vain; both sides were already extremely familiar with each other.
The advantage is that everyone is on guard, but the disadvantage is that neither side can defeat the other.
Fang Heng didn't reply, but took a sip of tea before saying calmly, "It's not that I'm worried about."
"So you're worried about the eldest young master's performance in the imperial examination?" Jiang Wu picked up the teapot to refill the water. "Didn't you already plan to take a leave of absence to visit your family in February?"
The Dayu Dynasty also had humanity; knowing that its soldiers missed their families, it stipulated that soldiers serving on the frontier for two years could take a three-month leave to visit their families.
Fang Heng served in the army for exactly two years.
Three months is enough time for Xu Mo to go from taking the imperial examination to receiving the results, excluding the time spent traveling.
"It's not this one either." Fang Heng waved his hand, indicating that she shouldn't add any more. "The timing of my brother's exam is not good."
Jiang Yi, Jiang Er, and Jiang Liu, who were sitting nearby, were all stunned.
The timing of the imperial examination was set by the emperor, and it is said that it was chosen by taking into account various factors such as climate, temperature, and season to select the most suitable time for candidates to take the exam.
Why is it not good with Fang Heng?
Only Jiang Wu frowned and tentatively asked, "Is the captain worried about the Northern Frontier?"
This time, Fang Heng finally nodded.
As is well known, the Tartars burned, killed, and looted because they lacked food. Summer was usually a time for rest and recuperation, and it was also the season when soldiers most often visited their families.
However, Xu Mo's imperial examination was in February, and the results were announced in April, which happened to be the time when the war in the northern frontier was at its most serious.
Fang Heng couldn't bear to leave his siblings in Fengjing, and he was also worried about the people of the northern frontier. He only regretted that he was in two places at once and could not do both.
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