After eating half a rabbit leg, Zhenzhen was not very hungry at noon. She got off the kang after taking a few bites of food, and sat on the kang in her room, drinking the honey water prepared by Old Lady Li happily.
After Li Mingzhong finished his meal, he opened the door and walked in. Zhenzhen looked up at him and said, "Close the door. The wind is coming in." Li Mingzhong turned around silently and closed the door. He walked to the kang and put his two front paws on the edge of the kang. He looked at Zhenzhen with a resentful face and said, "I didn't eat enough roasted rabbit."
"I know." Zhenzhen held her enamel pot to comfort it: "There are many people here today, let's go there secretly with Fourth Brother some other day, and then I'll give you half of the roasted rabbit."
"Come on, it eats more than me. A roasted rabbit is not enough to fill its teeth." Li Mingzhong turned around and lay in his nest, covering his head with his front paws: "I want to eat one myself."
Zhenzhen took a few hazelnut kernels from the bowl and threw them to Li Mingzhong: "Next time, I'll roast a few more and give you one. You can also bring it back for my grandma and mom to try."
Li Mingzhong jumped up and caught the hazelnut, wagging his tail at Zhenzhen: "We have a deal, we can't fool the dog."
Zhenzhen drank the last sip of honey water in the jar and rolled her eyes at Li Mingzhong: "I know, you silly dog."
There were two tables on the north and south kangs in the west room next door. Li Muwen's four brothers sat on the south kang with their older nephews, while old lady Li led the women and grandchildren to sit on the north kang. On the table was a pot of braised pork with thick oil and red sauce, a large plate of thinly sliced steamed white meat, sauerkraut, blood sausage and bones with more meat than sauerkraut, and other dishes such as stir-fried cabbage, stewed potatoes and dried beans all had a lot of meat. Zhang Chunhua looked at this and that and her eyes turned green with greed. She didn't even touch the dry food next to her. She picked up two pieces of meat and stuffed them into her mouth, saying vaguely: "Mom, your life at home is too good, much better than ours. Mulin is always worried that you don't eat well. Every month when he gets his salary, he sends out the food coupons and money for you. We don't have such a good life at home."
Old Lady Li glanced at her and said indifferently, "I raised him, so he should repay me. If you are having a hard time, and he asks me for money, that's another matter. Just like your parents, they get the same amount of food coupons and money as Mu Lin every month, so you still have to give them some of your money. It's the same principle."
Zhang Chunhua laughed awkwardly, picked up a big bone and took a bite of the meat on it: "I just said that, I'm not unhappy. Even in Bingcheng, we can't buy this much meat with money or meat coupons."
"You can't buy it here, but there are fewer people in Beicha, so there are places to raise poultry and livestock. In this respect, we are better than you." Old Lady Li took a bite of blood sausage: "But raising these things is also a lot of work in a year. Mingnan and Mingbei are busy all day long, either making pig food or picking wild vegetables in the mountains. You don't have so much to feed in Bingcheng."
Mingshu and Mingxin had just eaten roasted rabbit, and now they had this table of delicious dishes, which made up for the year's hunger. Mingxin ate the braised pork mouthful after mouthful, not liking the greasiness. When he heard grandma say that they could raise pigs in Beicha, he immediately turned around and said to Zhang Chunhua, "Mom, Beicha is so good, let's go back home. Don't you know that there are so many rabbits in the mountains, and they are so delicious when roasted."
Zhang Chunhua turned pale with fear, fearing that Old Lady Li would agree with her. If Li Mulin really had this idea, what would happen to her parents? She kicked Mingxin under the table and forced a smile on her face, "What are you talking about? You don't want to study anymore? Your father still has to go to work."
Old Mrs. Li glanced at her and smacked her lips: "It's better that you don't come back. It would make me upset to see you in front of me. Besides, there is no house for you to live in." Zhang Chunhua smiled awkwardly twice, lowered her head and ate, not daring to look up again.
At the next table, Li Muwen asked about his nephews' studies. Mingdong was in college now and didn't have to worry about anything, as he would be assigned a job after graduation. Mingxi was a sophomore in high school this year and would have to take the college entrance examination next year.
Li Muwen looked at Mingxi who was pouring wine for him and asked him, "Mingxi, have you decided which university to apply to?"
Mingxi felt a little headache when thinking about this: "My brother just went to college and I went to Bingcheng to take a look, but I haven't decided where to apply to."
Li Muwen took a sip of wine and gave Mingxi a suggestion: "If you don't have a particular university in mind, I suggest you apply for Bingjungong. However, you can't get into Yidong High School now. You have to transfer to Bingcheng to study in high school."
Li Mulin immediately said: "Then he can live in my house and I will take care of him while he studies."
Li Muwen said: "After the Chinese New Year, I will take Mingxi to Bingcheng and try to get him transferred to Bingcheng No. 6 Middle School. After the Chinese New Year, Harbin Institute of Technology will probably start the political review at various high schools in advance. If we are late, we will miss the opportunity."
Being a soldier in this era is a matter of honor for the whole family, not to mention attending a military-related university. When Mrs. Li heard what Li Muwen said, she lost interest in eating. She got off the kang with her pipe and sat next to Li Muwen: "I heard that the political review for Bing Military-related universities is much stricter than that for other universities. Our family has been clean for generations and has made contributions to the Anti-Japanese War, so there is nothing to be afraid of. There is only one thing. Will Guihua's background affect Mingxi's admission?"
Mingdong quickly said, "Grandma, I've passed the political review for college, so Mingxi has nothing to be afraid of."
Li Muwen put down his wine cup and explained to Mingdong: "In addition to family background, the political review of Bingjungong also includes social relations and family history. If there are big capitalists or landlords who have grudges against the party, they will not be admitted."
Upon hearing this, Mingxi quickly said, "Sister-in-law has no grudge against the Party. If I can't pass the political review, forget it. It's also good for me to apply to the University of Ice and Technology."
Li Muwen smiled and said, "Since I recommended you to take the Bingjungong exam, I naturally considered Guihua's situation." Li Muwen poured a cup of wine for his mother and explained to everyone, "Guihua grew up in our family and has always been registered in our family. She has long lost contact with her parents. When I go to Bingcheng, I will write a document to the army and Bingjungong to explain Guihua's situation. If she passes, that's the best. If not, Mingxi can take the college entrance examination normally on that day."
The whole family was relieved after hearing this. Zhang Chunhua was a native of Bingcheng, so she naturally knew how powerful Bingjungong was. She quickly asked across the kang: "Oh, big brother can talk to Bingjungong, so you must be a big boss in the army."
Li Muwen had only talked about the anti-Japanese war and his family life after liberation, but basically didn't talk about the army. The Li family was taught not to ask about things that others didn't talk about, and only when Mrs. Li slept on the same kang with her son at night and heard her son mention it briefly did she know that her son had a high rank in the army and had a guard with him. In order not to scare his family when he returned home this time, he deliberately left the guard in Bingcheng.
Li Muwen heard Zhang Chunhua's question, but pretended not to hear it. He continued to talk to Mingxi about the college entrance examination and told Mingdong to help Mingxi with his homework during the winter vacation. Zhang Chunhua thought Li Muwen didn't hear her, so she raised her voice and asked, "Brother, what rank are you in the army?"
This time, Li Muwen didn't even need to say anything, Li Mulin's face darkened. He turned around and shouted at Zhang Chunhua: "Why are you asking such nonsense? It's like you owe Baden a favor."
Zhang Chunhua saw that Li Mulin was angry, so she shrank her neck and muttered unwillingly: "I'm thinking that Mingshu will take the college entrance examination in a few years, and I'll see if I can lend him some help."
Mingshu looked up at Zhang Chunhua, looking confused: "Mom, I'm only in the second grade of junior high school."
Li Muwen smiled and looked at Mingshu kindly: "I'm just writing some materials. To pass the exam, you still have to rely on your real talents and knowledge. No one can get in through the back door."
Mingshu looked up and said quickly, "Master, I know. I will work hard. I am a very good student in school."
Ming Xin listened and said, "Well, my brother is a very good student. There are 32 people in his class, and my brother ranked 23rd."
The whole family laughed. Mingshu blushed and kept trying to make excuses for himself: "I just didn't perform well. If I had taken the exam seriously, I wouldn't have done that."
Mingxin nodded seriously: "My brother is right, he says this every year, and he has never taken a good test in a year."
Everyone in the family, young and old, laughed so hard that their intestines hurt. Even Li Mulin couldn't hold back his scowl and laughed and scolded Li Mingshu, "You little bastard, I wasted the name I gave him. You're not good at studying, and all you do is get what you want."
Ming Xin looked at Ming Shu and laughed. Ming Shu looked at him and threatened him in a low voice: "If you dare to tell me about it again, I won't buy you popsicles."
Mingshu immediately changed his tone after hearing this: "Although my brother is not very good at studying, he has great physical strength. He always comes first in the running competition in the sports meet. When he skips school and jumps over the wall, my brother jumps the fastest."
Seeing Ming Xin's serious expression, Ming Shu angrily stretched out his greasy hand and slapped him: "Can you talk less and eat more meat?"
Mingxin looked at the big oily handprint on his clothes and shouted at the top of his voice: "Mom, look at my brother." Zhang Chunhua quickly jumped off the kang, found a towel with water, wiped Mingxin's shoulders until they were half wet, and then wiped his clothes clean.
Mingnan and Mingbei burst into laughter when they saw the two brothers trying to sabotage each other. Mingbei even urged Mingxin, "Tell me what else your brother did. I'll take you to roast rabbits tomorrow."
This time, before Mingxin could speak, Mingshu spoke first: "I'll tell you whatever you want to hear. I know my own affairs best. Just give me the roasted rabbit when the time comes."
Mingnan looked at him with admiration: "You are really willing to risk everything for food."
Mingshu said nonchalantly, "I have to tell the shameful things anyway, so I might as well tell it myself, so that my brother won't sell me for rabbits."
Mingguang from Li Musen's family came over when they were having dinner. When he heard Mingbei talking about roasting rabbits in the mountains, he was envious and greedy. When he heard that they were going to roast rabbits again, he immediately rushed to say, "I also know about the wicked things my brother did. Give me half a rabbit, and I will tell you what my brother did in Lao Wang's pumpkin field two years ago... %#%..."
Mingrong put one arm around Mingguang's neck and covered his mouth tightly with the other hand, scolding him angrily: "Are you stupid? Don't I know how to roast a rabbit for you?"
Mingguang's eyes widened immediately, and he nodded like a chick pecking at rice, while waving his hands vigorously. Mingrong saw that his silly brother had figured it out, so he breathed a sigh of relief and let go of his hands. Mingnan looked at Mingguang with a smirk on his face: "I remember this incident very well. I remember that two years ago someone cut open the pumpkin of Old Wang's family, dug out the pulp, peed inside, and then closed the pumpkin. When Wang Baozi went to pick the pumpkin, he got his hand in trouble, and Old Wang's wife was so angry that she scolded him for more than a month."
Mingguang covered his mouth and laughed until tears came out. He hid back and defended himself: "I didn't say that. It was my brother Nan who guessed it himself."
The meat in Ming Beile's mouth fell out: "Brother Mingrong, you are too mean. If you didn't tell me about this, I really didn't expect that you did it." Mingrong kicked Mingguang angrily: "You are so talkative." He quickly explained: "Wang Baozi stole an eraser from me, I went to him to ask for it, and he broke it for me. I was so angry that I went to his pumpkin patch to do something bad."
Mingbei got anxious when he heard this: "You can't beat him in a fight? Don't worry, next time you fight him, go find my second brother. My second brother is very powerful. He can kill a wild boar with one slap. Let my second brother help you then. I guarantee that he can beat him away with one slap."
Mingxi, who was sitting next to Li Muwen and humbly asking for advice while reviewing the textbooks, was betrayed by his younger brother without noticing. Li Muwen looked at Mingxi in surprise and asked, "Have you ever shot a wild boar to death?"
Mingxi's face turned green: "Li Mingbei, you deserve a beating!"
Zhenzhen could hear the voices in the west room even from the east room. She lay on the kang and laughed. Li Mingzhong didn't understand what was so funny. As a dog, he was more worried: "Are you sure I can get a rabbit?"
"Sure, sure." Zhen Zhen laughed until tears came out: "I'll give you the biggest one."
Generally speaking, children are the most active, especially those who love to eat. The next morning, Mingrong and Mingguang came, and after breakfast, they urged Mingnan and Mingbei to go up the mountain. This time, the goal was clear. Mingbei went to the kitchen and packed all the seasonings at home, and also took a can to ask Mrs. Li for honey.
Seeing that Zhenzhen was going to follow, Old Lady Li generously poured half a can of food into Mingbei's basket. Mingbei put all the food in his backpack and invited his hunting expert: "Brother, why don't you come with us? If we encounter wild boars or something, we can bring them back as a dish."
Mingxi instantly recalled the scene when the wild boar pounced on him. His legs trembled again. He suppressed his fear and yelled at Mingbei: "Don't mention wild boars anymore."
On the way up the mountain, Mingbei still couldn't figure out why his second brother was unhappy: "My second brother is just too modest. He doesn't even want to talk about something that would make him look good. If it were me, I would show off every day even if no one said anything."
Zhen Zhen was stroking her chin and thinking seriously: "Young man, how about calling a wild boar and giving it a slap?"
This time when she went up the mountain, Zhenzhen didn't plan to have a bunch of rabbits crash into the trees. One reason was that it would be too easy for the gossipy kids to spread the news, and the other was that it would be less fun. However, the snow in the deep mountains and forests was thick, and it was not easy to find rabbits. In order to let everyone eat rabbits, Zhenzhen found a dozen fat and big rabbits from the mountains and drove them over with her mind.
Rabbits ran by one on the left and one on the right. The children were very busy. Mingshu followed Mingrong to set up the lasso, Mingnan and Mingbei took the slingshot to shoot, Mingxin and Mingguang followed Li Mingzhong and ran foolishly. The snow was thick in winter, and the hares could not run fast on the snow. Soon they were too tired to run on the snow. Mingxin went up and grabbed the rabbit's ears and pulled it up, grinning from ear to ear: "I caught a hare, too."
After catching five or six wild rabbits, Mingnan and Mingrong began to clean them. Mingshu and Mingxin built one fire after another very experiencedly. Zhenzhen, wrapped in a cotton coat, wearing a cotton hat and thick cotton gloves, holding her military water bottle, drinking a sip of honey water from time to time, watched her group of foodie brothers happily roasting rabbits.
After the first batch of rabbits were roasted, the lasso that had been set up earlier caught a few more. Li Mingzhong used his not-so-useful dog head to count the number of rabbits over and over again, but after counting seven or eight times, he still couldn't figure out whether he could get one.
Zhenzhen watched it circling the grill and giggled until batch after batch of rabbits were roasted. Finally, Li Mingzhong squatted in the snow with a whole rabbit in his mouth and gnawed on it with satisfaction.
Because he brought enough seasonings today, and the honey from his mother was also abundant, and the more people there were, the more lively it was, so the roasted rabbits tasted especially delicious. After eating his fill, Mingnan extinguished the fire, and seeing that there was no spark at all on the barbecue site, he shoveled some snow from the side to cover it, and then carried the two roasted rabbits wrapped in oil paper back home.
When we got home, the braised chicken was jumping around in the yard without fear of the cold. Thinking of how Mrs. Li had recently collected a lot of breeding eggs, Zhenzhen looked at the braised chicken with a complicated look in her eyes: "You've been working hard in the chicken coop recently."
The braised chicken nuggets replied shamelessly: "I just want to make more braised chicken nuggets for you."
Zhenzhen was blocked for a moment, and turned around to continue walking into the house. Braised Chicken Nuggets flapped its wings and chased after her, asking curiously, "Where have you been? What did you bring back?"
"I went to the mountain to roast rabbits." Zhenzhen replied.
"What are you grilling on the mountain? It would be better to bring it back and grill it in the yard. Aren't you afraid of the cold?" A trace of contempt flashed in the braised chicken's eyes as big as green beans: "I guess you definitely didn't think of this. Do you think you are stupid?"
Zhen Zhen got angry and grabbed a knife from under the window: "Come here."
"What are you doing?" Braised Chicken Nuggets silently took two steps back: "I may be a breeder chicken that can step on eggs."
Zhen Zhen laughed sinisterly: "No need to be a breeding chicken, I will castrate you now."
The author has something to say: I would like to recommend my completed work "The Lucky Star of Crossing" to the little fairies who are short of literature. It is an interesting little drama with golden fingers and joy.