Great Song Super Scholar

Chapter 513
On the second day of the first lunar month, a large carriage slowly stopped in front of Ouyang Xiu's mansion. Fan Ning had already sent someone to deliver greeting cards to Ouyang's mansion the day before. A person will be sent back to explain the situation, and the two parties will make an appointment again. It is very taboo to come without an invitation, or not arrive at the agreed time.

It’s the same when you think about it. At the appointed time, the whole family is waiting for you at the door, but you are late for an hour, or when someone is receiving important guests, you come without invitation, embarrassing the host, which is very rude. From ancient times to the present, the etiquette of being a guest is similar.

Although Ouyang Xiu had already admitted Fan Ning as his son-in-law, he was still a bit out of touch, but he wanted to give his daughter face, but he must not offend his wife and daughter too much, otherwise his life would be difficult.

Moreover, Fan Ning published his collection of poems, and gave him [-]% of the sales as a manuscript fee. As a result, it sold very well. Ouyang Xiu’s first manuscript fee income exceeded [-] guan. He brings in an income of [-] guan.

This will greatly improve his family's financial constraints. Speaking of it, it is entirely due to Fan Ning's contribution, so Ouyang Xiu has to go out of the house to welcome his son-in-law and his family in person.

Fan Ning got out of the carriage first, then helped his wife out of the car, and then took his daughter down. This detail still made Ouyang Xiu nod secretly. From this point, it can be seen that Fan Ning respects his daughter very much and treats her as his wife.

Perhaps because of his good mood, Ouyang Xiu's eyesight has recovered recently. In the case of sufficient light, he can see people and objects three feet away, and he can also read newspapers, but Ouyang Xiu only reads "Letter". He hates Qian Shi, and he never touches "Tabao" and "Chaobao".

Fan Zhen'er first ran up to hug his grandfather, Ouyang Qian reluctantly greeted Xue Shi, and then let Fan Ning and Ouyang Xiu meet, Fan Ning bowed and saluted, "My son-in-law, Fan Ning, sees my father-in-law."

Ouyang Xiu finally showed a rare smile on his face, "Back when Xiwen said that I would become his junior sooner or later, I had a fight with him at the time, and now it seems that he was really right, Ah Ning, this It's the fate between you and Qian'er, so I won't say more."

Fan Ning took out another slap-sized brocade box and handed it to Ouyang Xiu, "In it is a top-quality Tianhuang stone, ranked third in the world, second only to the two private seals of the late emperor. It is a gift from my son-in-law to my father-in-law. I hope my father-in-law likes it." .”

Ouyang Xiu's somewhat turbid eyes suddenly brightened. As a leader of literati, he also loves stones as much as his life, but his financial resources are limited, he can't afford expensive stones, but the students gave him some high-grade ornamental stones, and he also has one in his study Tian Huangshi was given to him by Zeng Gong, but it can only be considered top grade.

Hearing that his son-in-law gave him a piece of Tian Huangshi, which is the third-ranked best in the world, he couldn't help it, and quickly opened the box. A piece of Tian Huangshi, which was as big as a duck egg and as yellow as fat, appeared in front of him.

Ouyang Xiu was so surprised that his breath almost stopped, his hands trembled slightly, at this moment, Mrs. Xue leaned forward and asked with a smile: "Master, this must be very expensive!"

Ouyang Xiu suddenly realized that this was a gift from his son-in-law, and it cannot be judged by its value. He put away the box, smiled and nodded, "I like it very much. Thank you, Aning, for your kindness."

Seeing that her father liked it, Ouyang Qian was so happy that she took her father's arm and said, "Daddy, my husband also gave dad a set of official kiln Ru porcelain and ten catties of dragon tea, which can't be bought outside."

Ouyang Xiu smiled wryly and said, "Your husband is indeed a rich man. These treasures have not been with your father for many years."

Fan Ning gave gifts to Ouyangqian's elder brother Ouyang Hua, who is also a top-grade Tian Huangshi and a set of official kiln Jun porcelain tea sets. Ouyang Hua thanked him again and again. He is an eighth-rank official, even if his father is a celebrity, he has no chance to get official kiln porcelain .

When fighting tea among friends, he has always been envious of other people's tea sets. Now that his brother-in-law actually gave him a set of official kiln Jun porcelain, how could he not be overjoyed.

Ouyang Qian distributed gifts to her younger siblings, sister-in-law and nephew, each with a jewel, worth a hundred dollars. Even Mrs. Xue, who did not dare to count on gifts, got ten bolts of high-quality lake silk and a set of gold jewelry. The family welcomes them into the mansion.

Ouyang Qian went to get together with her sister-in-law and younger siblings, while Fan Ning sat in the study with her father-in-law Ouyang Xiu and elder brother Ouyang Hua.

Ouyang Xiu sighed: "Everyone is deeply saddened by the death of the emperor, including me, but I am more concerned about the future of the Song Dynasty. The son-in-law and the new emperor have a close relationship. How do you see the development of the current situation?"

Fan Ning's other father-in-law, Zhu Xiaoyun, was also a high-ranking official, but because of his position, Fan Ning and him rarely talked about current affairs. Common language, and after all, father-in-law, trustworthy.

Fan Ning pondered for a moment and said: "The reason why the late emperor chose the emperor to inherit the Datong is mainly because of the emperor's character. He can fulfill his unfinished will, so the new emperor ascends the throne, reform is inevitable, and the use of troops in Xixia and Liao is also inevitable. In the next 20 years, Great Song will undergo drastic changes."

Ouyang Xiu's face changed, "Is it changing for the better, or worse?"

Fan Ning smiled and said: "It's hard to say, but I personally have confidence. Although the emperor is young, he is not ignorant of world affairs. He and I implemented the Xiangjun Reform on Jingdong Road. He is very familiar with the difficulty. When he He found that the reform would touch the vital interests of every middle-level general, so he finally had to choose to compromise. He told me personally that the reform must compromise, compromise part, and then reap the other part. In the end, the Jingdong Luxiang Army became an elite Shenwu army , He has a deep understanding of it himself, and the reform ministers below don't want to fool him."

Ouyang Hua next to him exclaimed, "He already understands this at such a young age."

"He is indeed very smart and has a very high comprehension ability. As long as he does something, he can quickly comprehend it."

Ouyang Xiu sighed and said: "When your grandfather reformed the law, he didn't know how to compromise. He used strong medicine at the beginning, but it provoked a strong backlash, and he failed after only one year. Looking back now, if we started with simple things first, it would be appropriate. Compromise, and Yue will come to an end so quickly."

Fan Ning shook his head, "Father-in-law, I am actually not optimistic about the reform of the new emperor. In Yingtian Mansion, he trusts Wang Anshi very much. If it is as expected, Wang Anshi will definitely ascend to a high position and raise his arms for radical reform. I will not directly participate in it." His reform, but I will remind the emperor, what are the consequences of doing so?"

"Could it be that the son-in-law is against the reform?"

Fan Ning pondered for a while and said, "It's not to say that I oppose the reform. Since the late emperor, I have been a staunch reformist, and I will make my debut sooner or later, but before that, I will support Wang Anshi to a limited extent."

"Just now you talked about war." Ouyang Xiu asked tentatively again.

"War is inevitable. I'm not sure about the Liao Kingdom, but the battle against Xixia is inevitable. The late emperor wanted to launch a war against Xixia a few years ago, but his health did not allow it. Of course, the war will not come so soon, at least within ten years. can not see."

Just as he was talking, Ouyang Xiu's second son, Ouyang Ming, hurried over and said, "Father, all your students are here to celebrate the New Year."

"These bastards!"

Ouyang Xiu was so angry that he slapped the table, "I told them that the eldest son-in-law is coming today, so let them come to pay New Year's greetings tomorrow, why are they so disobedient and come here?"

Ouyang Hua smiled meaningfully and said, "Father, drinking is not what the drunkard wants!"

Ouyang Xiu suddenly realized that all his students came for his son-in-law Fan Ning.

After a busy day, Fanning took his wife and daughter home after dinner.

Ouyang Xiu sat in the study and carefully admired the gift Fan Ning brought him, while Ouyang Hua sat beside him with a sad face. The set of Jun porcelain official kiln tea set given to him by his brother-in-law had already been placed on the table by his father, and it was estimated that it might be possible to get it back. Not much anymore.

He secretly complained to Fan Ning, why did he give Ru porcelain official kiln to his father?Wouldn't it be nice to send the same Jun porcelain?
Father has Ru Ci, of course he will not let go of his Jun Ci.

Ouyang Xiu ignored his son's sad face, and he made a pot of tea with dragon tea himself. The tea in the room was rich and intoxicating.

Ouyang Xiu tasted and enjoyed the top-quality Tian Huangshi given to him by Fan Ning. He couldn’t put it down. He took out the top-grade Tian Huangshi that Zeng Gong gave him and compared it. Tian Huangshi is extremely fine and smooth, a hundred times more eye-catching than topaz, just like frozen chicken fat, pure in color, without a trace of blemish.

Ouyang Xiu sighed in his heart, it's really nice to have such a son-in-law!

When he looked up, he saw his son looking eagerly at the tea set on the table, and suddenly he was a little dissatisfied: "Let me use this set of Jun porcelain for a few years first, and I will leave it to you in a hundred years."

"Daddy, there are two teacups in a set, why don't you share one with me first! Tomorrow there is a tea fight, and my boy really can't get enough of that folk kiln teacup!"

Ouyang Xiu glared at him, "You have to focus on your official career, and don't go to those romantic things. Look at your brother-in-law, who is only 25 years old and is already a third-rank Jin Ziguanglu doctor. You are 30 years old now, or What do you want me to say about you, an eighth-rank petty official."

"Daddy, the boy has been transferred to a Beijing official, and he will be promoted soon."

"You just rely on your qualifications. How can you get promoted if you don't do something? Your brother-in-law has already spoken and recommended you as the magistrate of Changzhou, Pingjiang Prefecture. That is the hometown of Fan Wenzheng. Whether you can take another step up depends on your performance in the past few years."

Although Ouyang Xiu was angry, he still gave a Jun porcelain teacup to his son, "This teacup is for you, and Tian Huangshi, who Zeng Gong gave to his father, will also give it to you. I have to work hard. If you have anything to do, write more letters." Communicate with your brother-in-law!"

Ouyang Hua was overjoyed, and quickly thanked, "Father taught, the child will remember!"

(End of this chapter)