I, Sun Shan, and the Imperial Examination

Chapter 1240: The Magic of Fire

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 their 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 out red envelopes reluctantly.

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

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

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

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.

Sun Shan said without thinking: "I want to eat vegetables."

On New Year’s Eve, the meal prepared by Nanny Wang was too sumptuous. I 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, "Okay, Master, 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 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 with just a little bit.

Alas, life is really hard following the master.

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

The main theme 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.

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

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, we can’t let Shan Ge 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 sleep on the firebox.

But Brother Shan warned them not to sleep like this at night, because if there was a fire, they would become roasted pigs. It was okay to roast them in the daytime with someone watching, but it was not allowed to do so at night when it was quiet and there were no people around.

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

Hunan firebox--old-fashioned charcoal fire

Use an electric oven

Sun Shan was reading a book when housekeeper Wang came in from outside.

He smiled and said, "Master, Mr. Wang is here to wish you a happy new year. I'll lead them into 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, as he really didn't want anyone to come and wish him a happy new year.

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

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

The errand boy was wearing a turquoise-green robe and looked like a decent gentleman.

After seeing Sun Shan, he immediately stepped forward and saluted: "Your Excellency, I greet you. May you be blessed with good fortune and success in the new year."

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 Brother Wang wished Sun Shan a happy new year. Sun Shan responded one by one and gave out red envelopes to each of them.

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 used to the weather in Yuanlu. It is cold in winter, so you must keep warm."

Sun Shan smiled and said, "It is indeed much colder here than at home, especially when it snows. But I will get used to it slowly. Thank you for your concern."

Father Wang said with a smile: "Sir, if you need anything, just ask. Especially cold-weather items, you need to prepare them early. It's not the coldest now. It will be the most uncomfortable when the snow melts."

Sun Shan thanked him again: "You are so thoughtful. The nanny at home has already inquired about it and bought a lot of heating equipment. Especially the fire box, it's the first time I've seen it. It's so warm after using it."

Speaking of fireboxes, Brother Wang went on to say, "You adults are using fireboxes too? Hahaha, that's a good thing. With it, you're guaranteed to be warm all winter."

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

Sun Shan smiled and said, "Thank you 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 visit the next family to pay New Year's greetings.

When it comes to New Year's greetings, Sun Shan's backyard is more useful, 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 by himself.

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 did not 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 as their representative.

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

Wang Xiaosi is walking and dancing well, and it seems he should be fine.

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 he really doesn't want to remember 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?" 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 while 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 didn't want to meet them at first, as he had no feelings for them, but he had received a lot of gifts, so he accepted the meeting to give them face.

Rich businessman A said with a sharp tongue: "I wish you a bright future, a promising future, rapid progress, prosperity, and may all your wishes come true and everything go smoothly."

Rich businessman B went on to say: "I wish you a smooth and successful career, a smooth and successful career, a smooth and successful career, and a smooth and successful career."

Then the wealthy businessman C said: "I wish you a promotion, wealth, success in your career, fame and fortune, and great success in your career."

Sun Shan's mouth twitched. It was really hard for them since they said different blessings each time.

It seems that businessmen are indeed good at speaking.