Chapter 367 The Pillar
Wang Wuniang didn't hide her secrets either. From the moment she selected Zhiniang, she always carried the Yingbao with her.
After screening, 20 clever weavers were selected and given a trial period of one month.
During this month, they can live in the workshop and eat for free, but they receive no wages.
If the trial is passed, a contract will be signed and the employee will be formally retained.
The weaver's wages are calculated based on how much cotton thread and cloth she spins. The more you work, the more you get.
If you work hard, you can earn several bucks a month.
These weavers are all daughters and wives of poor families, and several of them are daughters of refugee families. In order to continue working here, they will accept any conditions.
As New Year's Day approaches, Yingbao gives these weavers a holiday and gives each of them a fish to go home for the New Year.
Wei Zhan and Hu Zi Jiang Wu went to catch these fish, and they caught dozens of them in total.
With the blessing of Yingbao's magical bait, other people in the village also caught a lot.
The people living on the south slope were so happy that they went fishing in the Chuan River in groups. The scene was so grand that even Master Zhou went to see the excitement, and couldn't help but become more curious about the young apprentice.
Is there really such a thing as the reincarnation of a fairy boy? Otherwise it would be really difficult to explain Ying Bao's strangeness.
On the eve of New Year's Eve, several tables were set up in the Jiang family. Three masters and apprentices, Master Zhou, three Mrs. Wen and her son, four members of Chu Chu plus her brother Chu Qing, Mrs. Wang and her son, and Li Xu and her son, all had a New Year's Eve dinner together.
Jiang Sanlang also brought out more than ten jars of fruit wine and rice wine, as well as his own juice, to entertain everyone.
After having had enough wine and food, Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Wen went home, but the boys refused to leave and wanted to stay at Jiang's house and put out lanterns to watch the New Year.
Originally this was a bit against the rules, but Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Wen both had other ideas, so they didn't stop it.
"Yingbao, do you think my lantern looks good?" Wei Zhan held up the lantern in his hand and said with a smile, "I made it myself."
Ying Bao glanced at the rabbit lantern in his hand and nodded: "It looks good."
She raised the little palace lantern in her hand: "This one is prettier. Look, it's made of colored glaze."
The glazed lanterns were sent by sister Wen. There were a pair in total, one was given to brother Wen Hengyin, and the other was given to Yingbao.
Wei Zhan pouted, snatched the palace lantern from Yingbao's hand, and put his rabbit lantern into her hand: "What kind of palace lantern does a girl carry? The rabbit is still cute, I'll give it to you instead!"
Ying Bao was unhappy and chased him to beg: "I won't change it! Come back soon!"
Wei Zhan turned around and ran away, turning back and making faces at her as he ran.
Jiang Jie, Jiang Wu, Huzi Yuanbao and several others also followed, and a group of children ran around the village.
Most families in the village set up altar tables and hung lanterns outside their yards, illuminating the roads in the village.
Refugee children living outside the village also came in, carrying homemade lanterns in their hands, and gathered in groups to eat the pastries placed on the altar table.
The offerings on the Jiang family's offering table were the richest, including not only snacks but also various fruits, including apples and mandarins in pots.
Soon after the second day of the Lunar New Year, Chun Niang took her children and husband back to her parents’ home to pay New Year greetings.
Before arriving at Xujia Village, I saw a few people standing on the road. At first glance, it was Mrs. Xu and her grandchildren.
When Mrs. Xu saw her daughter's carriage coming, she waved excitedly: "Chun Niang! Sanlang!"
Chun Niang raised the curtain, quickly jumped out of the carriage, ran to my mother and complained: "Why are you so far away in such a cold day?"
Mrs. Xu laughed and said, "I have nothing to do, so I just came out to take a look."
Xu Daniu, his brother Xu Erniu, and his sister Xu Lan saluted Chun Niang and Jiang Sanlang: "Aunt, uncle."
Jiang Sanlang nodded.
Chun Niang said: "Why did everyone come out suddenly? Go back quickly, it's very cold."
Ying Bao and her two younger brothers poked their heads out from behind the car curtain and shouted in unison: "Grandma, eldest cousin, second cousin, cousin, happy New Year to you all."
"Happy New Year, Happy New Year." Mrs. Xu smiled like a chrysanthemum.
Xu Daniu's brother and sister also said quickly: "Happy New Year to my cousin, Happy New Year to my cousin."
Madam Xu waved her hand: "Go home quickly, your aunt has cooked a lot of delicious food."
So, Chun Niang accompanied my mother to the village, Jiang Sanlang followed slowly in the carriage, while the Xu family brothers and sisters talked to their cousin beside the carriage.
A group of people entered the village, and many people in the village gathered around to watch. Some people even approached Jiang Jie and said hello politely. "Happy New Year, Mr. Xiucai."
Jiang Jie quickly returned the gift: "Happy New Year to you too."
"Okay...Okay..." This man was so flattered that he could receive the gift from the scholar, and he didn't know where to put his hands and feet.
Seeing this, other people came over to say hello.
For a while, Jiang Jie and Jiang Wu were overwhelmed.
Seeing this, Xu Daniu and Xu Erniu hurried over and pushed through the crowd, protecting their little cousins as they walked home.
Xu Daye stood at the door early and saw Jiang Jie smiling from ear to ear. He pulled him into the house with one hand and called his mother-in-law to pour tea.
Sister-in-law Xu responded, took out the almond tea that had been brewed long ago from the kitchen, poured a bowl for each of her nephews and nieces, and poured another bowl for her sister-in-law and uncle.
Then he looked at Jiang Jie and Ying Bao with a smile and said: "These are made from almonds on our trees. I harvested a lot this year. They were fried yesterday and ground and cooked this morning before dawn. Goat milk and honey are also added.”
Xu Lan covered her mouth and smiled: "Mom, what are you talking about? The food in the kitchen is going to be burnt."
Sister-in-law Xu groaned and hurried to the kitchen.
Afterwards, Yingbao and her younger brother respectfully kowtowed to their grandmother, and also kowtowed to their uncle and aunt to pay New Year greetings.
Xu Da and Xu Da's wife were frightened when they saw Jiang Jie knelt down and kowtowed, and quickly helped him up.
This is Wenquxing. He doesn't even need to kneel before the county magistrate or other officials, but he comes to kneel down on himself, wishing him a long life.
At this time, there was a commotion outside, and it turned out that Mrs. Xu's two brothers had arrived.
The two old men brought some festive gifts, and one of them was for Jiang Sanlang.
So Yingbao and the others saluted their uncle again.
The two uncles kept looking at Jiang Jie with smiles on their faces, wanting to hug him over and give him a few pats.
"Xiaojie, you are the backbone of our Xu family. From now on, our Xu family will rely on you to support us."
"That's right! Xiaojie, your uncle's family still has a few unsatisfactory grandchildren. Please take good care of them."
Jiang Jie's face twitched.
How did you become the backbone of the Xu family? Moreover, my uncle’s grandson is about to get married. How should he discipline her?
When Ying Bao and Jiang Wu saw their uncle and father sitting down to talk, they quietly slipped out.
When Jiang Jie saw his sister and brother slip away, he was about to go out, but his uncle caught him and said, "Xiaojie, don't go back today, go to my uncle's house for dinner tonight."
Jiang Jie smiled stiffly and turned to his father.
Jiang Sanlang knew he couldn't shirk it, so he nodded in agreement: "Then I'll bother my uncle."
"Why are you nagging? Sanlang, you are too outspoken." Another uncle said: "Go to my house tomorrow at noon. Your aunt has prepared all the dishes. This year our family specially killed a pig just to entertain Xiaojie. .”