father - home

I have always had a question. At the beginning, in Zhao’s files, I saw that he won the equestrian champion and fencing champion of the Potsdam Military Academy in 1938.The principal of the Potsdam Military Academy, Major General Philip von Mehlenhof, praised Zhao very much. The principal said that he knew why Zhao's swordsmanship was so good. Babel told him that Zhao once went to Marburg (one of the four oldest universities in Germany) One) spent a summer studying in the fencing club, but he didn't understand how Zhao's equestrian skills were so good.That night, in the horse carriage, I believe Zhao made the horse lie down, and he told me that there was something going on here, and that he was here, near the lying down horse.You should know that a horse in a tense and alert state will generally not lie down.How did he do that?In the circumstances at the time, I couldn't have asked this and then forgot about it.

Unexpectedly, at the dinner table today, my mother asked: "Zhao, listen to Marty, you know horses very well, and you are very good at equestrian skills. It makes him, who grew up with horses, feel inferior. You can say Say? Do you have any wonderful experiences, or does your family also raise racehorses?"

"Oh, no." Zhao replied, suddenly blushing for some reason, and hesitantly said, "This...is because I was ignorant when I was young...do I have to say it?" Zhao looked at me, as if asking for help.

Originally, I didn't want my mother to ask about this and that, but that's what I wanted to know. Seeing Zhao's expression again, my interest increased greatly. "Yes, yes, tell me, I want to know too."

As a result, Zhao could only stare at me quietly, and said helplessly: "My father is a scholar, and he has no power to restrain chickens. He can't even raise chickens and ducks, let alone cows or horses."

"student?"

"My father took part in the imperial examination in the early years, passed the Jinshi, and was an official. But then the society was turbulent, the wars were frequent, and the people were in dire straits. My father was discouraged, so he resigned from office and returned to his hometown to open an academy. He hoped to take the road of saving the country through education. I got a teacher."

"Oh, then you..." Mother listened carefully, nodding from time to time.Looking at her half-understanding look, I found it a bit funny, but at the same time very kind.

"I graduated from elementary school in my hometown, and my sisters thought I should go to a foreign school in Shanghai to study. I don't want to stay in a small town, I want to go out and see the world."

"Your parents are willing?"

"My mother was reluctant, but my father was very open-minded and supportive. My mother could only agree."

Zhao took a sip of water, and seeing her mother's puzzled face, she explained: "My mother is a traditional Chinese woman, and she obeys her husband in everything. Even if she feels reluctant, she will not insist."

Mother nodded, her face still blank.

"In Shanghai, once, my second sister and brother-in-law took me to the Shanghai Racecourse to watch horse races (now Shanghai People's Square). I have never seen so many people, such beautiful horses, pulling carts, plowing fields, Horses for farm work are completely different. I was fascinated immediately, and immediately told my second sister that I wanted to learn to ride a horse, but my second sister disagreed. She was afraid that learning to ride a horse would be dangerous for me, and it would be difficult to explain to my father. I went to beg my eldest sister, because my eldest brother-in-law is a division commander, and he has cavalry in his army. His mount is a good horse, but it is not good enough to fascinate me at once. However, they all objected unanimously. The reason is that since parents Hand me over to them, and they will be responsible to me and ensure my safety."

"They? How many?" I asked excitedly.

"Four, I have four older sisters." Zhao's tone was both gentle and helpless.

"Are there no brothers?" My mother's question caused me to glance at her, because the tone was a bit gossip.

Zhao shook his head and smiled wryly. "No way, begging them is not enough, I can only rely on myself."

"how?"

"That summer vacation, the second sister was going back to Nanjing for a few days. I just told her that she would go back to the countryside after going to a classmate's house for a few days. Playing in Nanjing. So I slipped out and ran to the racecourse alone, asking to learn how to ride a horse and become a rider.”

"How old were you then? They took you in?" My mother had never looked so lively and easy-going as she is now.

"I was 13 years old that year. Of course they didn't want me, so I just lingered. In the end, I proposed that as long as I could manage food and housing, and I didn't need wages, and they thought it was a good deal, they agreed to let me stay, but I didn't want to learn to ride a horse, but to be a rider. , but doing chores."

"How long have you been working?"

"The whole summer vacation. I worked during the day and slept in the stables at night. I brushed, washed, walked the horses, cleaned the stables, scrubbed the saddles and helped the masters every day. Although I didn't ride once during the summer vacation, as long as I followed When the horses are together, I am happy."

The mother looked approvingly. "and after?"

"Later, before the end of the summer vacation, my eldest brother-in-law found me. Only then did I know that because of my disappearance, the family members were in a panic. My mother was seriously ill. At that time, I really regretted it. I knelt outside my mother's house for three times. For three days and nights, I swear that if my mother's illness is not good, I won't get up for a day."

"Your mother's illness will definitely be cured." The mother was moved, and her eyes were a little moist.

Zhao nodded, calmed down, and continued: "My mother recovered from her illness. My sisters came forward to contact the racecourse and asked me to formally learn to ride a horse and become a rider. The coach also thought I was talented, so he accepted me. From then on, my amateur Spent almost all of my time on the ranch until I graduated from high school."

"Have you ever raced? Speed ​​race or obstacle race?" I couldn't restrain my excitement and asked eagerly.Although the family has always kept horses and my father prefers this way, I have never participated in any competitions, and I have never even thought of participating in competitions, and I always have troubles with my father because of this.

"No! I was fooled by my sisters. I found out later that the eldest brother-in-law gave orders to the coach: first, to ensure safety, and second, not to compete."

Although I don't have a sister, Joseph... I understand that feeling, nostalgic and wanting to escape, warm and distressed.Children always hate other people's protection, thinking that it is belittling their own abilities.I laughed out loud.Zhao looked at me, smiled too, then choked, coughed, his face turned purple.

We were in high spirits, everything about Zhao was always interesting and fascinating, but my mother and I immediately gave up the idea of ​​continuing to ask, at least not for the time being.Zhao was already very tired, and it was a little hard to hold on.

"Marty, send Zhao back to rest."

Zhao wanted to say something else.Mother stopped him. "I told my family I don't have to stick to etiquette. Thanks, boy, I'm having a great day."

No one followed us out of the restaurant, and my mother was always the most reassuring thing to do.