The Daily Life of a Rich Peasant's Boy in the Imperial Examination

Sun Shan from Yuanlu County had no idea that Yun Jie'er was planning to prepare a "surprise" and was handing out red envelopes with a painful feeling at this moment.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, all employees wish the boss a happy new year.

As the boss, could Sun Shan stop them from paying New Year's greetings? He had no choice but to give them red envelopes with great reluctance.

My heart is bleeding, but my face is full of smiles.

And then there's this: "It's just a small token of my appreciation, keep it."

Nanny Wang happily accepted the red envelope and said cheerfully, "Master, what are you planning to eat for lunch? Are you going to have vegetarian food or...?"

Get up early in the morning and eat vegetarian food, and the vegetarian task for the year is completed. The rest of the day is free to eat whatever you want.

Without thinking, Sun Shan said, "I want to eat some vegetables."

On New Year’s Eve, the meal prepared by Nanny Wang was too sumptuous. I accidentally ate too much and hadn’t digested it all by New Year’s Day. I had better eat some vegetables to clear my stomach.

After receiving the "imperial edict," Nanny Wang said readily, "Very well, sir, I'll prepare it for you."

Before leaving, he took his younger brother Big Head Dog and younger sister Xia out and prepared lunch.

When the guards heard that Sun Shan was eating vegetables, they were very disappointed.

They ate whatever the master ate. Even if they didn't want to eat something, the nanny would not cook for them separately.

The master has a very small appetite. The meat is so delicious, but he got full after eating just a tiny bit.

Alas, life is really hard following the master.

The guards of Sunjia Village were secretly muttering about Sun Shan while eating melon seeds and chatting.

The main feature of the Chinese New Year is leisure and boredom. People gather in the main room to chat and laugh, and they are very happy.

Sun Shan was sitting in Yuanlu's magical fire-warming device - the fire box, covered with a quilt, and took out the "Four Books and Five Classics" to read again.

Especially when I saw the notes I made before, I couldn’t help but laugh.

Gui Ge'er stood quietly beside Sun Shan, and when he saw that the charcoal in the firebox was almost burned out, he immediately added more.

The weather in Yuanlu is very cold, and we can’t let Brother Shan get frozen.

The heating tools here are really special. It is a large box with a hollow bottom. Charcoal fire is placed underneath. People can sit on it and keep warm all day.

It would be even more comfortable if you could sleep on the firebox.

But Brother Shan warned them not to sleep like this at night, because if a fire breaks out, they will become roasted pigs. It's okay to roast them in the daytime with people watching, but it's not the way to do it in the dead of night.

Gui Ge'er felt that what Shan Ge said was absolutely right, so he would rather burn charcoal outside at night than sleep on the firebox.

Hunan's firebox - old-fashioned charcoal fire

Use an electric oven

Sun Shan was reading a book when Butler Wang walked in from outside.

He smiled and said, "Master, Mr. Wang is here to wish you a happy new year. I'll show them to the living room."

It is normal for Wang Jiaxing to come and pay New Year's greetings. It would be abnormal if he didn't come.

After all, he had been taught by Sun Shan, and respecting teachers was very important in that era.

Sun Shan left the firebox reluctantly, really not wanting anyone to come and wish him a happy new year.

It's Chinese New Year and the weather is so cold. We should all stay at home and reunite. Why go out and play?

Sun Shan stood up helplessly, straightened his clothes, and walked to the reception room, where he saw Grandpa Wang, Father Wang, Brother Wang, and Wang Jiaxing.

The hawker was wearing a turquoise robe and looked like a respectable gentleman.

Upon seeing Sun Shan, he immediately stepped forward and saluted: "Disciple greets you, sir. May the new year bring you good fortune and success in everything."

Sun Shan nodded and replied with a smile, "Happy New Year, and peace every year."

After saying that, Gui Ge'er handed over a red envelope. Wang Jiaxing took it and said thank you.

Afterwards, Grandpa Wang, Wang Ade, and Big Brother Wang came to wish Sun Shan a happy new year. Sun Shan responded to them one by one and gave them red envelopes.

Although the three of them were older than Sun Shan, Sun Shan was of the same social class and his status was much higher than theirs.

Grandpa Wang asked with concern: "You are from Guangnan, so you must be accustomed to the weather in Yuanlu. It is cold in winter, so you must keep warm."

Sun Shan smiled and said, "It's indeed much colder here than back home, especially when it snows. But I've gradually gotten used to it. Thank you for your concern."

Father Wang said with a smile, "Sir, if you need anything, please feel free to ask. Especially for cold-weather items, we need to prepare them early. It's not the coldest now. The worst will come when the snow melts."

Sun Shan thanked him again, "That's so thoughtful. My nanny at home has already made inquiries and bought a lot of heating supplies. Especially that firebox, it's the first time I've seen it. It's so warm after using it."

Speaking of fireboxes, Brother Wang continued, "The adults are using fireboxes too? Hahaha, that's a great thing. With it, you're guaranteed to be warm all winter."

Wang Jiaxing also said with concern: "Sir, be careful when roasting the fire. Be careful not to overheat the charcoal. It will be too hot."

Sun Shan smiled and said, "Thanks for the reminder. I will pay attention to this."

Sun Shan chatted with the Wang family for a while, and then they said goodbye, apparently preparing to go to the next house to pay New Year's greetings.

When it comes to New Year's greetings, Sun Shan's backyard is more effective, and "lady diplomacy" can better convey some information that men are not convenient to say.

It was a pity that apart from a nanny and Mrs. Xia in the backyard, there was no one to chat with, and many people who wanted to make friends with Sun Shan became depressed.

Not long after Grandpa Wang left, Wang Xiaosi came to pay New Year's greetings to Sun Shan.

As soon as he came in, he said, "Sir, I have guests at home. My grandfather and uncle are entertaining them."

This means that they didn't want to come and wish Sun Shan a happy new year, but they were unable to spare the time, so they asked Wang Xiaosi to come and wish Sun Shan a happy new year on their behalf.

Sun Shan handed over a red envelope and casually asked, "How's your leg injury?"

Wang Xiaosi is able to walk and dance well, and it seems that he should be fine now.

Speaking of legs, Wang Jijun couldn't help trembling, and recalled the scene of Sun Shan killing people.

It's New Year's Day, and I really don't want to recall such a bloody scene, but Lord Sun keeps bringing up things that always remind him of unpleasant things.

Wang Xiaosi replied with a bitter face: "Sir, my injury has almost healed. Thank you for your concern."

Then he asked, "How is Butler Wang's waist? Is it better now?" We were all in the same boat and felt sorry for each other.

Sun Shan nodded. "I'm recovering well. Thank you for hiring such a good doctor."

Wang Xiaosi chatted with Sun Shan for a few words and then left in a hurry.

If his family hadn't insisted that he come as a representative to pay New Year's greetings, Wang Xiaosi would rather sleep in the firebox.

After Wang Xiaosi left, three wealthy businessmen came to wish him a happy new year.

Sun Shan had not wanted to see them at first, having no feelings for them, but he had received quite a few gifts, so he accepted the meeting out of respect.

Rich Merchant A said with a sharp tongue, "I wish you a bright future, a prosperous and successful future, and may all your wishes come true and everything go smoothly."

Rich businessman B continued, "I wish you a smooth and successful promotion, a smooth rise to the top, a meteoric rise to success, and a glorious and prosperous future."

Then the wealthy businessman C said: "I wish you a promotion, wealth, success in your career, fame and fortune, and a promotion in your rank and position, so that you can achieve great things."

Sun Shan's mouth twitched. It was really hard for them because they said different blessings all the time.

It seems that businessmen are indeed good at speaking.