Chapter 42: New Year (Part 3)

In the courtyard of Xia, children's songs suddenly echoed, the voices raw and untrained, but the dozen or so singers managed to sing the same two lines over and over, and soon the rhythm of their clapping hands made the song smoother.

After teaching the song, Zhao Cheng explained the rules and everyone sat in a large circle. A round of "Rock, Paper, Scissors" selected the first unlucky one. He picked up the handkerchief, walked a few steps, and placed it behind a companion, then ran off. The little yellow gate attendant, noticing something amiss from everyone's expressions, turned around, picked up the handkerchief, and chased after him, but it was too late. Under Zhao Cheng's "threat," he stood in the middle of the circle and sang a folk song from his hometown before sheepishly returning to his seat.

After a few rounds, everyone caught on to the trick. Those who had been tricked thought of "revenge," while those who hadn't been caught kept looking back, afraid they would be next. The others, even if they saw what was happening, pretended not to notice and continued to clap and sing. The atmosphere gradually became lively, and for a while, the courtyard was filled with songs, laughter, and the shouts of children chasing each other. Everyone was immersed in the joy of the game, forgetting their worries.

It is said that modern behavioral experts have studied this game, believing that during the game, everyone is in a dominant position and can maintain a pleasant mental state, which can help form an optimistic, open, and positive personality. In his previous life, when Zhao Cheng was a new recruit, everyone had to endure excessive training and adapt to a new environment and new interpersonal relationships, all of which brought immense pressure. The old squad leaders often organized childhood games during breaks to release the pent-up stress and ease the tension between new and old soldiers, as well as between superiors and subordinates, improving interpersonal relationships and satisfying everyone's desire to perform in public.

While Zhao Cheng was lost in thought about his past, a little yellow gate attendant boldly placed the handkerchief behind him, pretending nothing had happened and continuing to walk forward. However, the gap between him and Zhao Cheng was too large, and he couldn't help but look back nervously.

"Second Master," Jian Xi, who had finished his task, saw that the Prince was completely unaware and called out to remind him.

Suddenly hearing someone call out, Zhao Cheng looked around and saw Jian Xi making faces to alert him. He immediately realized he had been tricked, turned around, and grabbed the handkerchief to chase after the little yellow gate attendant, who had already walked almost half the circle.

"Prince, come on, Prince, come on, oh, oh, oh!" Unfortunately, Zhao Cheng had short legs and started late. Although he ran fast, he couldn't catch the other's clothes. He had no choice but to stand in the middle of the circle. The little yellow gate attendants, seeing that the Prince wasn't angry, immediately imitated what the Prince had done to them.

"Then I'll sing a song for everyone, okay?" Zhao Cheng scratched his head and smiled as he stood in the middle of the circle.

"Good, the Prince's singing is the best!" Feng Xi clapped his hands and shouted loudly.

"Feng Xi, be respectful!" Jian Xi, having finished his task, mixed in the crowd to watch. Seeing Feng Xi join in the commotion, he stepped forward with a stern look, making Feng Xi shrink his neck and lower his head, not daring to speak. The other little yellow gate attendants, seeing his icy face, were also intimidated.

"What are you shouting for? We're all just playing together. Find a place to sit!" Zhao Cheng pointed at Jian Xi, who didn't dare to disobey and had a little yellow gate attendant move a spot for him, sitting down sheepishly.

"I'll sing 'A Man Should Be Strong.' Give me some applause!" Zhao Cheng stood in the middle of the circle, raising his hands and clapping, like a pop star facing countless fans. If he were taller and his hair were loose, he would have looked a bit like the Beatles. The Prince asked for applause, and no one dared to refuse; applause immediately filled the air.

"Facing the waves with courage,

The blood like the red sun,

The heart as strong as iron, the bones as hard as steel,

The ambition reaching a thousand feet, the vision spanning ten thousand miles,

I strive to be a strong man,

To be a good man, to strengthen myself every day,

A man of blood and fire, brighter than the sun!

Let the sea and sky gather my energy,

To break through the heavens and earth for my ideals!

See the high waves and the vast sky, the spirit soaring,

I am a man, I should be strong,

With a strong step and a proud chest, be a pillar of the community, a good man,

With my hundred points of heat, shine a thousand points of light!

Be a good man,

With a heart full of passion,

Brighter than the sun!"

This song, sung by Jackie Chan with his deep, rough voice, had stirred the blood of many men. Unfortunately, Zhao Cheng was only eight years old and had not yet reached the age of voice change. To achieve the effect, he had to strain his voice and use a falsetto. The people outside the circle saw him singing and dancing, his voice accompanied by his fists, his white clothes fluttering, creating a unique charm. After finishing a set of long boxing taught by Meng Tao, the song also came to an end.

"Good, good, a man should be strong!" When Zhao Cheng finished his song, the people in the circle were still in a daze. Someone outside the circle called out, and everyone then noticed that the inner courtyard was already surrounded by a large circle of people, and Huang Jingchen had also arrived. "The Prince's singing is excellent, it has stirred my heart, making me want to take up my spear and ride into battle!"

"Huang Bo, you flatter me. I was just inspired by the moment. Why don't you join us?" He pulled on Huang Jingchen's sleeve.

"I'm old and can't run anymore. You all play, I won't disturb you!" Huang Jingchen smiled and said to everyone. The little yellow gate attendants and the onlookers were surprised that the high official didn't scold them but instead allowed them to continue. After he walked away, everyone cheered.

"Shun Zi, have you ever heard the Prince sing this song before?" In a secluded place, Huang Jingchen asked Shun Zi, who was following him.

"High Official, I have never heard it. Perhaps I should check it out!" Shun Zi, who had a basic understanding of music, felt that the Prince's singing was very different from what they had heard, but he couldn't explain the subtleties.

"Forget it, it's just a song!" Huang Jingchen waved his hand, but his heart was troubled.

Seeing everyone's enthusiasm, Zhao Cheng decided to include the onlookers in the circle. Fortunately, the courtyard of Xia was large enough to accommodate so many people. People clapped, sang, and danced, forgetting their hierarchical differences. People who had never spoken before now chatted and laughed warmly. Even Jian Xi, who usually walked with a proud chest and a stern face, was caught by a little yellow gate attendant and had to stand in the circle and moo like a cow to get away.

Everyone played until lunchtime, and despite the half-day of activity, no one felt tired. The pent-up frustration in their hearts seemed to have suddenly disappeared, and the little yellow gate attendants' faces showed genuine smiles, not the forced ones of the past. They were still humming the song the Prince had just sung.

After lunch, a strong northern wind blew, and the sky darkened, soon filled with dark clouds. When Zhao Cheng woke up from his nap, he found that it was already snowing. Excited, he got out of bed, put on his clothes, and walked out of the bedroom barefoot.

"Second Master, quickly put on your clothes, don't catch a cold!" Huahua, who was guarding the door, was holding a candle and saw Zhao Cheng come out in just a jacket and barefoot. She hurriedly stopped him and shouted.

"What a heavy snow! I want to go out and see!" Zhao Cheng watched the snow getting heavier, and the ground was already covered with a thick layer.

"You should put on your clothes first!" Huahua helped Zhao Cheng put on his socks, button up his clothes, put on his robe, and tie his jade belt, then hurriedly found a large cloak for him.

"What are these things?" Zhao Cheng suddenly noticed a pile of small items on the table and asked curiously.

"Oh, these are all from the inner courtyard's attendants. They asked me to make sure I give them to you!" Huahua brought over a package.

Zhao Cheng nodded and flipped through the items. There were candies shaped like opera characters, sandbags, sugar figurines, various snacks like mung beans, chestnuts, and rice cakes, and a "bright silver spear" standing by the table. He picked it up and waved it a few times, then smiled bitterly and shook his head. It seemed that no matter what "big things" he did, everyone still treated him like a child.

"Second Master, don't eat these things randomly. They're not clean!" Huahua saw the Prince grab a few beans to eat and quickly grabbed his hand.

"Why not? Everyone can eat them, why can't I? I'm not that delicate. If I don't eat what they give me, they will be sad!" Zhao Cheng smiled and put the beans in his mouth.

"Ah, Second Master, you never listen!" Huahua sighed and scolded him, then opened the package and took out a fur cloak.

"Oh, what kind of fur is this? It's so beautiful!" Zhao Cheng looked at it and couldn't help but praise it.

"Second Master, this fur cloak is made of silver fox fur, which is very rare and comes from Liaobang. It was given to the Empress by the Emperor. You left the palace last year, and the Empress stayed up all night to alter it for you. She has never worn it herself!" Huahua gently touched the fur and sighed.

"Family, friendship; friendship, family." Zhao Cheng's interest in the snow suddenly vanished. "Forget it, the snow is getting heavier. I won't go out!" He hugged the fur cloak and returned to the bedroom, looking out the thin window paper at the heavy snow. Everything outside was shrouded in a misty haze, and he stood by the window, hugging the fur cloak, silent for a long time.

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