Song Ning stood at the front and announced loudly, "After we finish today's work, our workshop will be closed for the holidays. We won't be back to work until next year. Everyone has worked hard these past few days, so I've prepared red envelopes for each of you as a New Year's gift."
Then he gestured to the others: "Distribute them."
This is the first time anyone working here has ever heard of receiving a red envelope during the New Year.
In the past, when I worked for other companies, I would settle accounts with them at the end of the year, pointing out how much stuff I had broken, what items hadn't been completed on time, who had slacked off, or whose work hadn't been done well...
These issues would be noted down in the employer's notebook and deducted from wages at once.
Originally, the wages were several hundred coins, but in the end, it would be good if half of them were left.
When the four stewards handed them the red envelopes, they were initially hesitant to accept them.
Song Ning said loudly, "Take them all. Don't worry, what's given to you is yours. Everyone has worked hard these days. We need these things urgently, and many people have come to work even when they are sick. I have seen all of this. As long as you work hard, you will receive a red envelope every year from now on."
Madam Sun laughed and said, "Alright, take these. These were specially packed for you by the master. Take them home and look at them later."
The group looked at each other, hesitated for a long time, and then stepped forward to accept the red envelope.
Everyone accepted it carefully, as if afraid of damaging something so precious.
No one knows what's inside the red envelope yet; it just feels light and doesn't seem like anything valuable.
After distributing the money, Song Ning called the four managers outside and took out four more red envelopes.
“You’ve all worked hard these days. This is for you. It’s a little more than what they have. Take it home and look at it.”
The group received the red envelopes with slight excitement, unsure of what to say for a moment.
Sun spoke first: "Er Ya, don't worry, we will all work hard next year and make sure we complete the mission."
They've had a lot of orders this year, so they'll be busy all year round.
"Okay, remember to lock the door properly, and make sure to check it carefully. There can't be any sparks here."
"Don't worry, we'll make sure we check everything before we leave."
When they got home, everyone else at the soap workshop had already left, and Zhu Shun and Jiang Yongde were checking inside to see if there was anything amiss.
Song Ning gave Zhu Shun's red envelope directly to her aunt, while Sun Shi took Jiang Yongde's red envelope back with her.
Xiangyunlou also closed for the holiday. During such a festive time as the Spring Festival, most people have already bought their New Year's goods and are eating at home. They rarely go out, so the shops outside don't have much business.
During this period, cakes were the best-selling item at Xiangyunlou.
During the Chinese New Year, people often buy pastries when preparing for the holiday, and cakes have become a hot commodity in Tianxiang County.
The weather is cold now, so it can be stored for a while. Song Ning has been making this for the past few days and has even delivered it to two neighboring counties, selling it all the way to Yuanzhou City.
Even though there are still three days until the Lunar New Year, people from outside are still coming to buy cakes.
Song Ning closed Xiangyun Tower on New Year's Eve and went home for the holiday.
This year is more lively than last year. Everyone made money this year, so they are happy. Every household puts up couplets, hangs lanterns, and puts on new clothes. Everyone is cheerful and happy.
As night fell, Song Dahai lit the lamps under the eaves, and Song Ning placed candles in the lamp racks in the yard, and also set up lamp bowls in the yard, making every household brightly lit.
Outside the courtyard, the joyful laughter of children reached Song Ning's ears, and soon after, the sound of firecrackers rang out.
After dinner, Song Ning stood under the eaves, quietly watching the sparse stars in the sky.
This is her second Chinese New Year here. Last year, her family didn't even have a courtyard wall; they just placed some lamp bowls on the windowsill and in the corner.
In just one year, this place has changed completely.
Time flies! The Lunar New Year is here, which means spring has arrived. Although spring is still far away in the north, it's already a new year.
She was only twelve years old when she arrived, and by the New Year, according to local custom, she was already fourteen.
Song Ning suddenly felt a pang of emotion: Happy New Year to you, little space!
Space didn't reply to her, but she could hear the worthless laughter coming from Space.
The whole family stayed up late to celebrate the New Year, but Song Ning couldn't stay awake and soon became drowsy.
She was sleeping soundly when someone suddenly called her: "Er Ya, Er Ya, wake up, someone is looking for you."
Song Ning opened her eyes groggily and could still hear the sound of firecrackers going off outside.
"What's wrong?"
Liu Yuelan glanced outside and said, "General Zhang, who is with General Xie, has arrived and wants to see you."
Song Ning sat up abruptly: "Why are they here during the New Year?"
"I don't know, they just said they came to see you and they're outside."
"Let them in quickly."
As soon as Song Ning got off the ground, the people outside lifted the curtain and came in. Liu Yuelan served tea and then withdrew.
The person who came was Zhang Ping, with a serious face. He brought a chill with him as soon as he entered, looking travel-worn.
"General Zhang? What brings you here?"
"Miss Song, my young master sent me to get medicine from you."
Judging from Zhang Ping's appearance, his condition doesn't seem to be very good.
How much do you want?
"The more the better."
"No problem, you take your people to rest for a while, I'll be right there."
Zhang Ping didn't ask any more questions, turned around and went out into the outer room, where Liu Yuelan quickly brought him some food.
As Song Ning filled the water container, she wondered, "Isn't Xie Linzhou in the south? How come Zhang Ping is here?"
Could it be that the person has returned?
After packing the things, Song Ning asked, "I heard from the magistrate that General Xie went south and has returned?"
Zhang Ping nodded: "I came back last month, but I only stayed in the capital for one night before setting off for Yuezhou in the north."
Yuezhou?
That place isn't far from Tianxiang County; last time, someone from Yuezhou came to him to order cotton-padded clothes.
"Is things getting unsettled in the north again?"
"Sigh, yes, my young master is still injured and hasn't even had time to recover."
Song Ning was taken aback. Xie Linzhou was injured?
Zhang Ping took the items and instructed, "The north has been rather unsettled lately, so Miss Song should try not to go out these days, just in case."
"Okay, thank you for the reminder, General Zhang."
When Zhang Ping arrived, the news hadn't spread yet. The next day, the first day of the Lunar New Year, news of the war in the north spread.
What should have been a joyous occasion was instead thrown into turmoil by the sudden outbreak of war.
There were frequent battles in the north, so Song Ning wasn't too worried. However, Zheng Gaoyi called her away that day.
It is said that the situation in the north is not good. The enemy has twice as many people as they do, and Xie Linzhou is injured and may not be able to hold out for long.
"We just received news that the road from the capital to Yuezhou has been blocked. The enemy has already captured Qingyang City, which is next to Yuezhou. Subsequent military supplies cannot be transported in. If this continues, Yuezhou may not be able to be defended."
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