Chapter 1016: The Battle of Raising the Beam
When Chen Sili was feeling embarrassed and uneasy, Gao Guilan smiled and praised her future mother-in-law with a very kind tone.
"Guilan, mom, let's go take a look too."
Old Mrs. Gao chased her out with a cane. She had always been a diligent person, but she couldn't lie down on the kang after her legs and feet were strong. Liang Liang was a big deal, and she had to help watch over it. She couldn't just eat and drink for free. It’s my uncle’s!
"Okay, my second brother will bring your grandma a long bench."
Gao Guilan rushed over to support her mother and ordered her second son.
"Grandma, let me help you."
Chen Sili felt panicked when she saw the old Mrs. Gao, mainly because the old lady always said something that made her uneasy. Seeing that the old lady was having difficulty walking, she hurriedly went over to help her.
"Old girl, my third grandson is a good wife."
Mrs. Gao was satisfied that Chen Sili was very discerning and praised her daughter for the first time.
"That's right. I watched Sili grow up, and she has been sensible since she was a child."
Gao Guilan glanced at Chen Sili. Apart from anything else, she was very satisfied with her kindness to Xinyue and her old mother, and followed her mother's words and praised her.
It was rare for Chen Sili to be praised by her mother-in-law, and she was quite surprised.
Zheng Dakui needed to go to the brigade to arrange today's work before he could come over. Here, Mr. Gu took the initiative to take the lead and help Zhang Meng go forward and Zhang Meng behind.
He knew a lot, and even the two masters who built beams admired him, mainly because he was a cadre in the city, but when it came to building houses, he was from a well-connected family, and it felt like he had done it before.
Because of the particularities of going up to the beam, the women were kept far away.
Zheng Xinyue and Gu Meijiao were no exception. They watched from a distance, but both girls looked excited.
Even from a distance, he could still see clearly. He saw six men stepping on the rafters, carrying the beam, and shouting slogans as they walked toward the house. When they were lifting the beam, they held copper coins strung with red thread in their hands and sang neatly with loud voices. Lucky words in cadence:
"The first step up is a good match for the dynasty; the second step up is a pair of phoenixes facing the sun; the third step up is three yuan and the younger brother; the fourth step up is to get rich in all seasons; the fifth step up is a bountiful harvest; the sixth step up is six years of spring; the seventh step up is seven stars shining high; the eighth step up is the seven stars shining brightly. Take the Eight Immortals across the sea, take nine steps and pass the exam, and take ten steps to achieve perfection, and you will be prosperous and wealthy for eternity."
"Sister Xinyue, it sounds pretty good."
Gu Meijiao held Zheng Xinyue's arm, her big round eyes shining with excitement. Listening to Master Shangliang's auspicious words, she secretly said something to Zheng Xinyue.
"It sounds pretty good."
It was the first time Zheng Xinyue heard this kind of ballad-like shouting, and she felt it was very atmospheric, as if everyone was getting excited along with it.
Among the men carrying the beam were the eldest brother and the second brother. They were all shirtless, exposing their strong tendons. Beads of sweat fell down their strong backs. They followed the instructions of the beam master and walked up step by step.
When they reached the roof, the six men (meaning six or six great successes) stopped in unison, and heard the master who had climbed the beam say another set of words: "Left foot crossed the thousand-year beam, and tens of thousands of loads of grain returned to the warehouse. The old man grabbed Shou Wujiang, raised the beam, and held the golden dragon with a golden thread! "
He directed everyone to put down the beam, and went over to tie the copper coins tied with a red rope in his hands to the beam.
"Set off firecrackers."
As soon as the beam fell, he shouted orders to Zheng Laosan, who was on the ground ready to light the fire.
"Okay."
Zheng Laosan has been waiting for this moment! He promised and put the incense head on the firecracker twister. The children in the village gathered around him, covering their ears with their hands and watching the firecrackers light up with excitement and a little timidity.
"Crackling."
The sound of firecrackers sounded, and the smoke rose. The children clapped their hands happily, staring at the firecrackers jumping on the ground with their shiny black eyes, waiting for the firecrackers to finish sounding and rush over to pick up a few fish that slipped through the net!