My name is Chang An, your name is Gu Li

It was already dusk outside, and everyone inside finished drinking Tusu wine and started to eat the New Year's Eve dinner together. At this time, Chang An took two bites and shouted to Gu Su:

"Mother-in-law."

After being named by Chang An, Gu Su responded: "What's wrong, my good son-in-law?"

"Didn't you say before that you wanted to discuss some things with Brother Gao?" Chang An said with a smile.

Hearing this, Gao Shi was stunned for a moment, and even his hands paused. But after all, he had something to say to him, so Gao Shi quickly put down his bowl and chopsticks, looked at Gu Su and asked:

"I wonder if Madam Gu has anything to entrust to me."

Seeing Gao Shi's serious look, Gu Su couldn't help but smile, and then said: "This is a family dinner, why be so restrained, it's okay to talk while eating."

"it is good."

Gao Shi picked up his bowl blankly and continued to eat. Then Gu Su asked, "I wonder how old Mr. Gao is this year?"

"Gao Shi is over sixteen years old this year," Gao Shi replied.

"I remember you were never married?"

"Indeed not."

Gu Su was beating around the bush at this time, and finally said: "I remember that Mr. Gao is from Bohai Xian. It just so happens that I met a lady from Bohai Xian some time ago. Her surname is Wang and she is one year younger than you."

"He is from a family of scholars. Although he is a little lonely, he is a good man. I saw that you are unmarried, so I want to find a wife for you. Then you will have a wife to help you manage the household affairs. What do you think of this, Mr. Gao?"

Gao Shi was a little surprised at this time, and subconsciously looked at Chang An, who simply looked at him and didn't say much. So Gao Shi said:

"I'm sorry, Madam Gu. Gao Shi knows that Madam Gu means well, but Gao Shi may not be able to get married and start a family at this time."

"Why? You two are both in Chang'an City, so why not?" asked Gu Su.

Gao Shi thought for a while, and seemed to have made up his mind. He said, "Madam Gu, everyone, to be honest, I plan to leave Chang'an City in the early spring of next year."

At this moment, everyone present was a little surprised, and they all stopped what they were doing - except Chang An, of course.

Wang Wei knew that Gao Shi had resigned, but it shouldn't be so serious as to leave Beijing. So he asked, "What's the matter, Brother Gao? Why are you leaving Beijing? Did you encounter any problems in the city?"

Gao Shi sighed and said, "I am not very talented myself, I just want to restore my family. I came to Beijing last year to find a nobleman to introduce me to someone."

"But didn't Dr. Chang recommend you? You are also a person in charge, starting from a small position, so why are you in such a hurry now?" Wang Wei asked again.

"But it's not as simple as I thought." Gao Shi shook his head and said, "Although there are officials in the Ministry of War who were recommended, they are all talented. My talent is the lowest among them."

"Instead of sitting there doing nothing but sitting there doing nothing, it's better to leave, study hard, and then come back and try again."

"But why do you want to leave Beijing?" Cui Yu interrupted and asked, "You can study in Beijing, and I heard that you, Mr. Gao, are working as a guard under Madam Su Meng in Pingkangfang, and your life is relatively stable. Why do you have to leave?"

"After all, I have too little time to stay in the capital as a guard. I want to find a clean and remote place, where I can farm peacefully and study hard."

Wang Wei and Chang An looked at each other and wanted to persuade him again, but Chang Wenmeng said, "If Mr. Gao has made up his mind, then you can do it. You are still young and there is still time."

Gu Su then asked, "Where does Mr. Gao plan to go? Do you have a place in mind?"

Gao Shi nodded and replied, "Yes, Gao Shi plans to go to Liang Song. In Songzhou, he can support himself by farming and studying, and he can spend more time studying."

"Songzhou is a bit far away." Gu Su said, "Why don't you find some time for Mr. Gao to come to my place and take a look?"

Gao Shi looked at Chang An at this time, as if he wanted Chang An to give him some advice. And Chang An also sighed and said, "Go and meet him. After all, we are from the same hometown, so there will always be something we can talk about."

Since Chang An said so, Gao Shi had no choice but to nod his head, indicating his agreement.

"Mr. Gao, does this mean you... agree?" Gu Su was a little incredulous.

Gao Shi nodded and said, "Just like Brother Chang said, we are from the same hometown after all, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to meet him."

"However, Gao Shi has not yet achieved any success, so naturally he has never thought about getting married. I am afraid that if I meet someone in the future, I will be letting him down."

"It's okay, just treat it as a normal chat between fellow villagers, don't think about anything else." Chang An said at this time, and pointed to the food in front of him:

"By the way, Brother Gao, your appetite has really decreased. We will have to replace the next batch of dishes later."

Chang Wenqing also said at this time: "Okay, what we just said is over, let's eat quickly. Originally, we shouldn't talk about such separation and hurtful things during the New Year's Eve dinner."

"it is good."

"Eat quickly, there will be dumplings and glutinous rice balls later." Chang Wenmeng said.

When the hot pot ingredients were all eaten, the maids brought in several large plates of dumplings and glutinous rice balls. This year, perhaps because Cui Yu was pregnant, Wang Wei actually broke his vow and started eating pork dumplings.

Chang An smiled and asked, "Brother Mo Jie, aren't you a Buddhist believer? Why did you start eating meat?"

Wang Wei smiled and said, "I am just a Buddhist believer, not a monk in a temple. Why must I not eat meat?"

As he spoke, Wang Wei picked up another dumpling and put it in his mouth, then said, "Brother Yonghe, this dumpling tastes really good."

"If it tastes good, eat more. There's enough for you. Don't forget to give some to Madam Cui as well." Chang An nodded and said with a smile.

Zhou Fang suddenly asked, "Cousin, where did these dumplings come from? They are so delicious... Ouch!"

Chang Wenqing smiled and tapped his head gently, saying, "Didn't I tell you? These dumplings, glutinous rice balls, and hot pot were all invented by your cousin himself."

Zhou Kuangping also smiled and said, "You only know how to paint at home every day. How come you don't remember what we said?"

Zhou Fang then laughed foolishly twice, and then ate another dumpling. At this time, Gu Li smiled, pushed a plate of dumplings in front of Zhou Fang, and said:

"If you think it tastes good, then eat more. We're all family, no need to be polite."

"Thank you, sister-in-law! Ouch..." Zhou Fang hadn't completely swallowed the dumplings in his mouth yet, but he spoke at this moment, causing Chang Wenqing to hit him again.

"When eating, swallow the food first and then talk." Chang Wenqing said gently.

Zhou Fang nodded at this time. Chang An looked at his famous cousin, who seemed to be a little behind in other aspects except painting. He smiled and shook his head, then continued to eat.

When the New Year's Eve dinner was over, the old men drank a lot of Tu Su wine, and thus the New Year's Eve began to enter the stage of "staying up all night".

This year, Gu Ke's family and Zhou Kuangping's family went home to celebrate the New Year as usual, but Wang Wei, who had to take care of Cui Yu who was full-term, also went back before the curfew. As a result, the only one who stayed to celebrate the New Year was Gao Shi.

After dinner, Chang An and Gao Shi rested in the main hall. Before Gu Li's medicine was delivered, Chang An asked, "Brother Gao, when do you plan to leave next year?"

"It was probably after Brother Chang took part in the spring imperial examination. At that time the snow had melted and spring had arrived, making it convenient to travel," said Gao Shi.

"So you plan to stay in Songzhou forever?" Chang An continued to ask, "If so, you will have to spend every New Year's Eve alone. Wouldn't it be lonely?"

Chang An naturally knew that Gao Shi would definitely leave, but he still wanted to try to keep him here.

"It's okay. I'm fine if I feel lonely." Gao Shi smiled and shook his head, then said, "Gao Shi has been alone since his father passed away. Until I met Brother Yonghe, and he treated me like a brother, why should I be dissatisfied?"

......

After taking turns to take a bath, just like last year, they all changed into new clothes and sat in the main hall to prepare for the night watch.

Chang An gently held Gu Li's hand and said, "Mother Gu, do you still remember the wish you made to me at this time last year?"

Gu Li blinked and said, "I have made many wishes. Which one did Chang Lang mention?"

Chang An leaned close to Gu Li's ear and whispered, "Of course, Gu Niang wants to spend New Year's Eve with me - just me and Gu Niang."

Gu Li's face turned red, and then he said, "But isn't it impossible? There are three people in the family now."

"but......"

Chang An said mysteriously at this time, which immediately attracted Gu Li. Then he leaned close to Gu Li's ear and said, "Next year, the four of us will celebrate the New Year together."

Gu Li's face turned even redder, and he pinched Chang An gently. He touched his stomach, and then began to count the time with his fingers.

"It seems that if I work hard, I will have four by next year..."

After counting, Gu Li said in a low voice.

-

Official History: In the 721th year of Kaiyuan (735), Gao Shi returned from Chang'an in frustration, traveled to Liang and Song, and settled in Songzhou. In Songcheng, he supported himself by farming and studying. Later, in the rd year of Kaiyuan (), he went to Chang'an to take the exam, but failed.

Old Book of Tang, Volume 111:

Gao Shi was from Bohai. His father was a scholar and served as the governor of Shaozhou. When he was young, he was poor and did not work. His family was poor and he lived in Liang and Song, begging for food. During the Tianbao period, those who were successful in the country paid attention to literature. When he was over fifty, he began to pay attention to poetry.