Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 388: Magnificent Fireworks Show by the Canal

Old Man Tian smiled and said, "Of course I am willing to do that, but this old house is cheap and no one wants to buy it. Without money, how can I buy a new house?"

Shen Yu said calmly: "If someone is willing to buy it, how much is your eldest brother willing to sell it for?"

Mr. Tian thought Shen Yu was joking, so he laughed and said, "This house was once priced at twenty taels of silver, but it couldn't be sold."

"I used to think about selling this house and adding some money to buy a bigger and more tidy yard nearby."

"But at this price, it has been on the market for half a year, and no one has come to ask for it."

"Merchants don't live here, and rich people don't live here either, so where would anyone buy it?"

"I have to give up for now. I hope that I can afford a new house when my nephew's salary increases and his brothers help me a little more."

As Mr. Tian spoke, he also began to worry about his youngest nephew.

Shen Yu understood what was going on, so he said goodbye to Mr. Tian and said he was going home.

Mr. Tian then remembered that his elder brother was still waiting for him at home while he was talking, so he quickly turned around to get the things.

Shen Yu watched Mr. Tian enter the door of the innermost house in the alley before she strolled back home.

The food is almost ready. They are all home-cooked dishes from the restaurant. Because the weather is cold, the main dish today is boiled pork slices. The kitchen is filled with a spicy and fresh aroma.

Zhou Dalang and his family also came. Madam Cui was helping in the kitchen. Zhou Dalang brought Xiaobao and Xiaozhuzi, and the three of them and Yucheng and the others were playing in the yard.

Shen Yu simply let Yucheng and Dundun play with the two children, and called Zhou Dalang aside to ask about the situation of the residents in the alley.

It was indeed similar to what the old man Tian who I met just now said, but it was not as detailed.

Shen Yu thought that if the cost of buying a house was not high, he could start working on it after the Wanshou Festival.

In winter, there are fewer merchants from the north and south, so this period of time is used to renovate houses.

When spring comes and flowers bloom, more merchants come from the north and south, and the inn is built and ready for business.

Today's lunch was lively and joyful, and everyone was smiling.

After dinner, no one wanted to go out. They sat around the table and continued to discuss how to run the restaurant better in the future, how to open the inn, how much each step would cost, etc.

They talked and chatted until the evening. Seeing that it was getting late, the family dressed warmly and went out, following the crowd to the canal.

When we got out of the city gate and reached the canal, we found that it was already too late.

The area near the river was full of people.

Tall torches were burning in front of the canal dock.

In the light of the fire, there were more than a dozen rows of chairs placed in front of the dock, all of which were already full of people. County Magistrate Lu Zheng took the lead and sat in the front row.

Fortunately, we came here to watch the fireworks of the Longevity Festival.

When the fireworks are set off, you can still see them from a distance.

Shen Yu comforted himself in his heart.

Dun Dun was muttering, "I wonder if there are flowers that bloom right on the ground. You can't see them if you're far away."

But there was no empty seat in the front, so everyone had to circle Xiaobao and Xiaozhuzi in the middle and the family stood far away.

When the fireworks are ready to light, take turns picking up the two little ones to watch.

It gets dark early in winter, and after waiting for a while, I heard the sound of drums coming closer and closer.

In the distance, a large flower boat, brightly lit and decorated with colorful ribbons, like a dream, slowly came into people's sight along with the gentle flow of the water.

Following this boat, there were actually a dozen smaller flower boats.

The same bright lights, the same bright colors, like a string of shining pearls, floating on the water, causing people to exclaim in amazement.

With the sound of drums, the fleet sailed near the dock but did not dock.

Instead, it dropped anchor and stayed steadily in the middle of the canal where the water flow was smooth.

Shen Yu was feeling a little strange, but then he heard a burst of drums and music on the boat.

After a cheerful tune, with a whoosh, a flying monkey leaped into the air.

A crisp "pop" sound marked the beginning of this evening's fireworks display.

Shen Yu then realized that this fleet was used to set off fireworks.

Originally, Shen Yu thought that no matter how beautiful the fireworks in ancient times were, they were limited and could never compare to the complex and beautiful fireworks seen in modern times.

But as the fireworks on the boat were lit one by one and beautiful flowers bloomed in the sky, Shen Yu was stunned. He had underestimated the skills of the craftsmen at that time. He did not expect that these fireworks could be so beautiful.

Some of them turn into a large flower after blooming, while others turn into four or five small flowers after blooming, which are colorful and dazzling.

As fireworks evolve from simple to complex, from fresh and simple to luxurious and gorgeous.

It can even write a clearly legible word "Shou" or "Fu" in the air, which causes people to be amazed.

Everyone exclaimed that today was an eye-opener, as there had never been such beautiful fireworks in previous years.

What Shen Yu found most unforgettable was the finale, which transformed into pavilions and towers, like a palace in heaven.

Moreover, this firework is designed to be set off on two levels.

After the first floor of the building gradually dimmed and was about to disappear, the second floor appeared into the sky.

An immortal with fluttering robes appeared, with clear features and an appearance of a sage.

Suddenly, someone took the lead and knelt on the ground, raised his head and shouted loudly, "I pray for the immortal to bless us, may our emperor live long and the country be peaceful and prosperous."

After the first person knelt down like this, the people around him also knelt down one after another. A large group of people knelt down and prayed for blessings.

For a moment, the atmosphere along the canal became sacred and solemn.

Li and the others didn't care whether the ground was clean or not. They knelt down with their hands clasped together, chanting something.

Only Shen Yu, who had never expected such a scene to happen and was unable to react, and Xiaobao and Xiaozhuzi, who were completely confused and at a loss, stood there in a daze.

Li quickly pulled Shen Yu and signaled her to kneel down.

Shen Yu finally reacted, but the ground was covered with dirt and gravel. Shen Yu really didn't want to kneel, so he had to squat down.

Fortunately, under the cover of the pleated skirt and the night, no one could tell whether Shen Yu was kneeling or squatting.

This made Shen Yu think that Lu Lang and Master Qian, who arranged this fireworks event, were very clever.

Isn’t the prayer of all the people the best gift and blessing for the emperor?

The fireworks show finally reached its climax with people praying for blessings until the fireworks in the sky dimmed and dissipated.

After a long while, someone standing on the high platform in front of us said loudly: "Everyone, please stand up quickly. I will write down the people's wishes for the emperor in the memorial."

"Let the emperor know that the people of Anping County always keep the emperor in mind."

"May the emperor live long and healthy, and live forever."