Prime Minister

Chapter 154
Wu House.

The eldest daughter of the Ouyang family, Mrs. Wu, returned to her natal family this day.

Now Wu Chong has been promoted to the transfer envoy to the west of Beijing, and he is in Luoyang, not in Bianjing.

As for Wu Anshi and Wu Anchi, they all got Yin officials.Without Wu Chong's restraint, Wu Anshi was often away from home, but Wu Anchi took care of the Wu family's relationship in Beijing.

After talking with his mother, Li, and his elder sister, Fan, Wu came to Shiqi Niang's boudoir.

Seventeen Niang was reading a book by the fence, when she saw Mrs. Wu she smiled and said, "Sister finally came to see me?"

Wu smiled and pulled Shi Qi Niang to sit down and said, "Still reading!"

"Yes, you met your mother and sister-in-law Fang? Why didn't you ask me to go?"

Wu said: "The reason why I didn't ask you to go is because I have a few personal words I want to tell you."

"But it's about brother-in-law? It's a big deal and I'll take the exam again in the next subject."

Wu sighed: "How can it be so easy, whether you will be in Beijing or not in the future is another matter."

"Why do you really want to go to Yingzhou?"

"Elder-in-law has this discussion. He is becoming more and more official now, but there are quite a few people in the court who are afraid of him. Now there are only members of the official family, but in the future, it is better to go back to Yingzhou than to be a thorn in the eyes of the capital. go."

"No matter what, my father will take care of me. Besides, my father-in-law will go back, but my brother-in-law can stay in the capital. Is he really not going to take the exam?"

Mrs. Wu didn't speak after hearing this, Shi Qi Niang even said: "Sister, it's good to go to Yingzhou, and it's not too far from Bianjing."

Mrs. Wu smiled and said, "Okay, how is your family discussing your lifelong affairs? I heard that my brother has been advocating Liu Ji who is now in the Taixue, but my father doesn't allow it."

Seventeen Niang said: "Whether this matter is up to me, I didn't ask."

Wu sighed: "Yeah, it's not our turn to decide. We have been taught since childhood that the yang is noble and the yin is inferior, and that the yang is superior and the yin is inferior. Men don't have a well-being inside and outside, they don't share baths, toilets, and sleeping seats.

"Women don't peep at the middle door for no reason. When they go out of the middle door for a reason, they must cover their faces. They use candles when they walk at night, and stop when there is no candle. Men don't talk about what's inside, and women don't talk about outsiders. You must not be a jealous and shrewd wife."

"But I have taught you so much, that is, listen to your parents at home, listen to your husband and son-in-law when you get married, and we are not allowed to make decisions on anything, including marriage. Do you know why your second sister-in-law is not liked by your mother?"

"Why?"

Wu said: "It's because she knows how to read and understand, so she likes to show herself."

Seventeen Niang glanced at the book in her hand and thought, the second sister-in-law Wang's poems are really well written, she has a poem for her father Wang Anshi, "The west wind does not enter the small window screens, autumn should pity me and remind me of home."There are thousands of regrets in the eyes of the country, and I still look at the yellow flowers with tears.

As soon as this poem came out, it was highly praised in Bianjing.And Wang Anshi often sent letters to sing with his daughter.

But this poem made her mother-in-law Li unhappy, "I still look at the yellow flowers with tears." If you say that, it seems that my life in Wu's family is not good, and the letter has been spread all over the capital.

Therefore, Li Shi stabbed and said, "It is easy to show yourself if you know the book and understand the truth."

"Second sister-in-law's father and brother are both well-known Confucian scholars in the world. It is reasonable for second sister-in-law to be more noble and have higher vision. It is also because second brother is unwilling to make progress, so I can't blame second sister-in-law entirely." Seventeen Niang argued for Wang. A few words.

Wu said: "You can't say that. The eldest sister-in-law is also from a scholarly family, but she has always been cautious in front of her mother, and she doesn't even write poems. Your second sister-in-law! I am afraid that you are the only one who can be with her at home. Talkable."

Seventeen Niang said: "I usually talk about poetry and articles with my second sister-in-law."

Wu said: "Mother doesn't like the second sister-in-law, so you must not get too close to her."

"Understood. If I came out of my mother's womb, there would be no such suspicion."

Wu said anxiously: "Your life is in the hands of your mother. You need to be cautious at this time. You must know that your marriage will almost be decided by this time next year."

"Don't learn from me. Back then, my father and my father-in-law decided to get married. When I first married, I was full of joy and thought I was a good husband. But after marriage, I found out that your brother-in-law likes to play with gold and stones, collect ancient books, and study some ordinances all day long." According to the story, he is talented, but he is not enthusiastic about applying for the exam, and usually only pretends to fool his father-in-law."

"In the future, as soon as my father-in-law resigns, he will not be able to settle down in Bianjing, so he can only go back to Yingzhou. Even if the officials are merciful, I am afraid that they will not be ambitious in their official career. This choice of husband and son-in-law depends only on talent and ambition, both of which are indispensable. I have seen so many people under my father-in-law's family over the years, but Zeng Zigu is the most commendable."

Seventeen Niang asked: "Zeng Zigu? Yes, his articles are very good, especially the theory."

Mrs. Wu glanced at Seventeen Niang and said, "Seventeen..."

Seventeen Niang said with a smile: "Sister, I know, you don't have to warn me about your own affairs. I already have a measure in my heart!"

"Size?"

Seventeen Niang said: "I admire the two mistresses in Beijing the most. One is Xie Shi, the wife of Duke Mei (Mei Yaochen). Whenever the husband talks with the guests, she eavesdrops behind the screen. Wait for the guests to leave. Afterwards, Mrs. Xie and Mrs. Mei commented on the characters and distinguished the virtuous and the foolish. Not only did Mr. Mei not criticize, but he also praised his wife for her understanding of nature and reason.”

"The other one is my elder sister's mother-in-law. The courtier once wanted to talk to Mr. Ouyang and talk to her, but she said, how can a woman dare to preempt the court affairs, and the man has never talked about his wife with state affairs."

Wu asked: "What's the difference between one talking about foreign affairs and the other not talking about foreign affairs?"

"Speak if you can, and don't speak if you can't."

Bianjing cold snow.

It's almost the end of the year.

At this time, the government will issue an imperial decree to bestow fuel to the army squads.

As for Tai students, there is no salary.

In fact, after Hu Yuan left, the court's subsidy to Taixue has been much less than before.

Li Gou is now in charge of Gou Taixue, although he also has a few doctors, he directly said that he used money to supplement the meals of the Taixue students.

But Li Gou did not have Hu Yuan's appeal, and his salary was not as good, and he was at odds with Wu Zhongfu, who was sentenced to the Imperial College, so that the life of poor students in Taixue became even more difficult.

There is no way to pay for the firewood in Taixue this year, so at this time, each fasting has to find a way to subsidize it.

Taixue Jinshi ten fastings, each fasting has Guangzhai money.After Tai student Shi Brown became an official, he would send a sum of money to the altar.

At this time, each fasting will take out the light fasting money to subsidize and buy some firewood to support the living.

As for the houses that don’t have much light money, there are also ways to generate income, such as setting up rules, and anyone who violates the rules will pay a sum of money.

Firewood is an expense, and another item is winter vegetables.

At this time, there is a shortage of meat, so vegetables are particularly important. There is a saying that vegetables are inferior to grains.

After the winter in Bianjing, there are no vegetables, and there is no money in the Taixue dining hall for Taixue, so if you want to eat winter vegetables, you have to figure out your own way.

Every fasting needs to buy some spicy ginger, and the spicy radish is stored in the sauce tank of the fasting house.

Liu Ji changed his name to Liu Hui, the head of the house, and many old students are busy with next spring and have no time, so the purchase of firewood and winter vegetables falls on Liu Zuo.

Liu Zuo's family is in business, and he himself is very shrewd and capable, and this time he failed the Imperial College Examination, so the purchase and financing all fell on him.

However, the matter of purchasing is a waste of effort.

In the previous life, Zhang Yue was only focused on his own studies, and he only cared about sweeping the door, and was too lazy to toss about these things, and pushed as much as he could.Now it's a little bit different.

For the purchase, at least two people should go together, and one person must never advocate.Liu Jiyan said that Zhang Yue was more simple, so he and Liu Zuo were asked to buy charcoal and winter vegetables.

Zhang Yue agreed, but now he is not very enthusiastic, nor does he lose face, he is just doing some things within his ability in the dormitory. Anyway, Zhang Yue has a lot of time to study every day, so he doesn't have to worry about delaying his homework.

Zhang Yue went shopping with Liu Zuo, and often brought Xiang Qi together.

Of course, Xiang Qi wasn't enthusiastic, he was just Liu Zuo's follower.

Usually, Liu Zuo took Zhang Yue and Xiang Qi went to the street to eat a bowl of drink, water and rice, and even a bowl of soup when he was extravagant, but these never used the purchase money in the house.

However, the owner of the charcoal shop would also give the three of them some cooked pancakes, but Liu Zuo didn't accept it, and he and Zhang Yue ate it to Qifen.

The matter of purchasing is inconspicuous, but the doorway is not small.

For example, Liu Zuo's family is doing business in Bianjing. It can be said that his family is well-off, and he should look down on small favors and favors for these shops.

But when it comes to buying winter vegetables, Liu Zuo has to go far and wide every time, and take Zhang Yue to the west city of Bianjing to buy them.

According to Liu Zuo, it is close to the Royal West Imperial Garden.

Some palace people often buy winter vegetables here, so that we can eat good food from Shangguan's house.

Seeing that Xiang Qi kept saying that there are so many winter vegetables here, Zhang Yue also 'believed'.

When it comes to Liu Zuo, Xiang Qi has to be mentioned. He came to Taixue three years earlier than Zhang Yue, and his family background is very poor. He has gained a lot of benefits by making friends with Liu Zuo on weekdays.

What impressed Zhang Yue the most was that one day when they were eating a street stall, the stall owner seemed to be neglecting. Zhang Yue and Liu Zuo didn't say anything, but scolded the stall owner fiercely at Xiang Qimao.And Xiang Qi is worthy of being a scholar, every sentence does not contain repetition.

Zhang Yue didn't expect Xiang Qi, who was always talkative in the dorm, to have such a cruel side.Seeing this scene, Zhang Yue missed Senior Brother Guo even more.

However, Xiang Qi won the test this time and will go to Chunwei next year, but Liu Zuo failed the ranking. It is hard to say what will happen to the two of them in the future.

Zhang Yue also asked Liu Zuona where he got the jasmine tea, and Liu Zuodao was delivered by someone else.

Who sent it, Liu Zuo didn't say bluntly.

After winter, the weather in Bianjing gets colder every day.

For Zhang Yue, a southerner, such weather is really unbearable.

Zhang Yue and Liu Zuo went to buy firewood in Xiangqi.

Standing in front of the firewood shop, Liu Zuo said to Zhang Yue with emotion: "The twelfth lunar month is coming soon, and the Chinese New Year will be around in a blink of an eye. At that time, maybe I will not be here anymore."

"Why?"

Liu Zuo said: "I didn't get a name for myself. I didn't pass the test this year, so my family told me about the marriage, and I will help my father and brother manage the family business. Anyway, I have been studying for five hundred days in Taixue. You must live in the dormitory every day, and come to order on time in the future."

"Besides, if I see Chunwei Jidi, who is from the same studio, but I still stay in Taixue, I will feel uncomfortable."

For some reason, Zhang Yue thought of Xiang Qi, and wanted to tell Liu Zuo something, but he finally said, "Master She, I think you might as well go back to the She and be the head of the house, but we should get married first."

Liu Zuo smiled and said, "Of course, the head of the fasting department will talk about it later."

Zhang Yue said: "I don't know whose family's daughter is so blessed?"

Liu Zuo said vaguely, "His family is now in Ren Dianzhi."

"Good marriage, congratulations on the head of the house."

Liu Zuo sighed: "Sanlang, don't think that my family is well-off. In fact, those of us who start business are all frightened. I am afraid that one day we will be in danger. Now I have cut off the idea of ​​being an official through the imperial examination, but you, Sanlang, are young and proficient in classics and literature. Sooner or later, there will be a day of prosperity. Don't forget me when the time comes."

Zhang Yue was a little surprised, he should tell Xiang Qi this.

At this time, Xiang Qi came over and said with a smile: "I see that there are still a lot of charcoal fires in the store. Let's ask someone to hire a car, and a car of charcoal will be delivered directly to the vegetarian house, which will save us two extra trips back and forth. cold."

Zhang Yue looked at Xiang Qi wearing a thin robe with some frayed sleeves, as for Liu Zuoyi's good fur coat.

He suddenly felt that school uniforms and shirts had many benefits.

Liu Zuo smiled and said, "Alright."

Xiang Qidao: "What did Sanlang and the head of the house talk about just now?"

Liu Zuo said with a smile: "after the spring of next year, there will be more than a hundred people in the Taixue. At that time, some people will be recruited from the Guangwen Museum to enter the Taixue. At that time, the head of the fasting, the edict of the fasting, the students will be in charge, and there will be a lot of vacancy in the student records. , I recommend Saburo to be an academic officer as well."

Xiang Qi smiled with relief: "That's natural, I don't know if Saburo has such a plan."

Chief of the fasting department, such things as the fasting edict may seem like a thankless task, but it is also an opportunity to practice.

As for the students who are enrolled with the students, they are the leaders among the students of the Taixue. There is one person in each of the Taixue, who enjoys rank.If it is authorized by the imperial court, it can be called Mingguanzheng and Mingguanlu.

Zhang Yue shook his head and said, "Before Li Zhi said clearly that if my poems and prose are still at the bottom of this public examination, I will be dismissed. I don't want to be an academic officer."

Xiang Qi smiled and said: "Sanlang don't worry, I heard from the head of the house that he has already told Mr. Yang, who is a scholar of calligraphy, that if your poems and fus are the last ones, Mr. Yang will come forward to intercede with Li Zhi. He won't say it right now, he still wants you to study poetry and fu by yourself, lest you will slack off after knowing it."

Zhang Yue said with a smile: "Thank you for letting me know, Brother Xiang, so I can feel a little relieved."

"What is this?" Xiang Qi smiled and patted Zhang Yue's shoulder.

Liu Zuo said to Zhang Yue: "Sanlang, last time you asked me where I can get tea, I now know that there is a Shuyue Zhai in Beijing that sells it."

Zhang Yue asked Liu Zuo about the route, and decided to wait for the first lunar month to see it.

Today is the day of lunar new moon again.

Zhang Yue woke up early, first went to Soujizhai, and then went to Chen Xiangna to study poetry in the afternoon.Even in the cold weather, Daxiangguo Temple is still a scene of a sea of ​​people.

Zhang Yue came to Zishengmen's room.

But when I saw the merchants, the guys were all packing up their things in the room.

Zhang Yue came here to find the businessman and asked, "How does the old shopkeeper pack things?"

Seeing Zhang Yue approaching, the businessman said with a smile: "It's Sanlang who came. To be honest, I'm going back to my hometown. The shop in the capital can only be sold."

Zhang Yue was surprised when he heard the words: "Old shopkeeper, why are you in such a hurry?"

The businessman said: "The tree is so tall that it is impossible for the fallen leaves to return to their roots. My wife is old and in poor health, so I have been thinking about my family, where I was born, and where I was buried. I also think the same way, anyway. I also bought a farm in my hometown, and I will go back sooner or later. So I took the idea to sell the shop, pack up and go back to my hometown.”

Zhang Yue said: "That's right. The old shopkeeper can be regarded as returning home."

The businessman smiled and said: "It can't be called a homecoming. This shop is only open for five days a month. If it weren't for the little old man, I have other livelihoods. How can I buy fields and houses at home."

Hearing the words, Zhang Yue continued to ask: "I also said that you are just making a living here, old shopkeeper, yes, how much do you plan to sell this shop for?"

The businessman said: "I asked Daxiangguo Temple to rent this shop. It costs only three pennies a month. This is because the monks in Xiangguo Temple are merciful and don't take our money."

"It's just that these furnishings, tables and chairs are expensive. The little old man paid for the renovation once the year before last, and the depreciation cost must be [-] yuan. Besides, the shops here are very popular. An extra ten pennies is not too much."

Zhang Yue thought to himself that the ten strings were equivalent to the transfer fee of the store.

Zhang Yue glanced at it casually, and thought that the fixed furnishings in the shop would not be expensive even if they cost thirty pennies, not to mention the transfer fee included.Although Daxiangguo Temple's Wan surname transaction is only open for five days a month, the rent for the three pennies is really cheap enough.

The businessman apologized: "Sanlang asked you to come here for nothing today, and I will take the engraved seal you consigned in the shop to you."

Zhang Yue said: "The old shopkeeper is polite, I am not in a hurry to engrave the seal, I am asking if the thirty pennies can be more appropriate..."

The businessman looked at Zhang Yue in surprise: "What, Saburo, do you want to buy this shop?"

Zhang Yue nodded his head and looked at the shop, thinking, living in Bianjing is not easy, but we can be regarded as falling on our heels.

Zhang Yue also has a far-reaching plan. This collection shop can continue to sell his own engraved seals, and it will be good to invite a trustworthy person to look at the shop.

In addition, there are books and the like, which can also be sold on weekdays.

In the end, the merchant never gave up the money, but gave Zhang Yue a lot of utensils that he couldn't take away.

Zhang Yue took three pennies to make a deposit.Then the two of them went to the minister monk of Daxiangguo Temple to set up a sales contract. The businessman's face changed from suspicion before to confidence now.

Before pressing the fingerprints, the businessman asked: "Mr. Sanlang, don't think too much, and ask the elders in the family?"

Zhang Yue shook his head with a smile and said, "It's fine for me to make up my own mind."

The businessman nodded and said: "To be honest, this shop is the little old man's life's painstaking effort. If it is sold to others and used for other livelihoods, it will be somewhat reluctant, but I will feel more at ease if I hand it over to Saburo."

Zhang Yue said: "Don't worry, old shopkeeper, I will definitely show you the shop."

The businessman pretended to blame: "What is my shop, it is your shop now."

Wen Yan Zhang Yue and the businessman both laughed.

Looking at the heavy snow in the sky, Zhang Yue felt as if he had made a major decision in his life hastily when he walked out of the collection room.

After all, more than 30 pennies are more than half of his current net worth, and it seems that he will have to drink porridge for a while in the future.

For a moment, did my heart ache?
After renting the shop, Zhang Yue strolled on the street, remembering that he was still in Pucheng at this time last year, and he had been away from home for a year in a blink of an eye.

(End of this chapter)