I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 568 Extra 1: Prequel: Su Tang’s Love (Part )
In the spring of the fourth year of Jingyou, that is, 1037.

South of Yangzhou City.

Early in the morning, more than thirty matchmakers gathered in front of the Tang residence, each holding a gift list, lining up to propose marriage to Mr. Tang, the owner of the Tang residence.

Mr. Tang, whose name was Tang Ze, was a teacher at Shangwen Private School.

The ancestors left some wealth, so the family is relatively well-off.

He lost his wife in middle age and had a daughter named Tang Wanmei.

When she was just sixteen years old, she became a beautiful girl.

She has a quiet and elegant personality, and is gentle and lovely. She can be regarded as a rare beauty in the Jiangnan water town where beauties abound.

yesterday.

When the matchmakers heard the news that Mr. Tang wanted to find a son-in-law, they were all very excited.

He comes from a family of scholars, has a wealthy family background, is talented and handsome, and has outstanding moral character.

A young lady who possesses all these advantages is often sought after by hundreds of families.

last year.

Many wealthy families asked matchmakers to go to the Tang family to propose marriage, but Mr. Tang declined on the grounds that his daughter was still young.

Now Master Tang has relaxed.

The matchmakers came over with generous gifts from the marriage proposal family.

"I have seen Miss Tang. A young lady like this can bring honor to her husband's family in any occasion!"

"Mrs. Liu, the ideal match for Miss Tang must be a scholar who will have a great reputation in the future. Can you make a match for the son of a fishmonger who can't read a word?"

"What's wrong with the fishmonger? He's rich! I don't believe there are people in this world who don't love money!"

"Fourth sister Yu, sister Liu, I advise you to go back. I was invited by the Zhang family in the east of the city. The young master of the Zhang family has good looks, talent, and wealth. Who among you can compare to him?"

"Oh! Oh! Oh! You think you can hug the Zhang family's thick legs. Everyone knows that the young master of the Zhang family is a playboy. Miss Tang will definitely look down on him!"

……

This group of matchmakers kept an eye on the unmarried girls in Yangzhou city every day.

They chirp like a group of sparrows and gossip every day.

They knew all the matters concerning marriage between men and women in Yangzhou City, including which family had a mistress, which family had a concubine, which young woman had an affair, and which son visited brothels.

……

At this moment, in the front hall of Tang’s house.

"Dad, I'm so embarrassed! So embarrassed! Who said my daughter is going to get married? I don't want to meet those matchmakers!" Tang Wanmei, who was wearing a purple dress, pouted angrily.

At the age of sixteen, she had very fair skin and a hint of baby fat on her pretty face.

Outside, she is well-educated, polite and graceful.

But she is a little bully at home, and Mr. Tang listens to her in almost everything.

Mr. Tang Ze looked helpless.

"Alas! Yesterday, I was drunk and told your uncle Cui that you were old enough to get married. Who would have thought... who would have thought that he would directly find a matchmaker to spread the news!"

"Mei'er, now that things have come to this, why don't you go and look for a husband? Maybe you can find a husband of your dreams. You are already sixteen years old, and it is time for you to get married!"

Tang Wanmei curled her lips, suddenly put her arm around Tang Ze's and leaned close to his ear.

"Dad, actually, I...I already have someone I love."

"What?" Tang Ze was shocked.

"When did you meet him? Whose family is he from? What's his father's name? What's his grandfather's name? Is his ancestry clean? What does his family do now? Does he have the ambition to pass the imperial examinations?"

Tang Ze asked several questions in one breath, then looked at Tang Wanmei nervously and said, "Tell Dad first, who is he?"

Tang Wanmei's pretty face turned red.

"Dad, you once praised him!"

"I praised him? The young man in Shangwen Private School? No, there aren't even any young people over thirteen years old in the private school!"

"Mingde Zhai, Su Liang."

"what?"

Tang Ze took Tang Wanmei's arm away and his expression turned gloomy.

"It's Su Qi'er? How did you two know each other? What stage has your relationship reached now?"

Tang Wanmei thought about it.

"In early August last year, two thugs harassed me on the Hongqiao Bridge in Qianhe Garden in the east of the city. He saved me, and then we met."

"After that, we met two or three times a month. On the night of the Lantern Festival this year, I ran out just to see him. My daughter has decided to marry him, and he also promised me that he would marry me after he passed the imperial examination..."

Tang Wanmei spoke somewhat embarrassedly, with a look of joy flashing in her eyes from time to time.

Tang Ze sighed and sat on the chair.

"I disagree!"

"I praise Su Qi...Su Liang because he is really ambitious. He was an illiterate beggar at the age of fourteen, but within five years he became famous among the scholars in Yangzhou, and his writing is also good. But whether he can pass the imperial examination is still unknown. He did not get a quota this year, and he will have to wait three years before he can take the next exam. Are you going to wait for him for three years?"

"According to the current situation of Mingde Zhai, I'm afraid it's impossible for him to devote himself to studying and preparing for the exam."

"Also, even if he really passed the imperial examination, he would most likely be at the bottom of the list. He has no relatives, no money, and no backing. I heard he has a stubborn temper, so his career is doomed to be bumpy. His greatest achievement in the future might be a minor official in a remote place. If you marry him, you will suffer!"

"Mei'er, you are my only daughter, and I can't let you suffer!" Tang Ze looked at Tang Wanmei seriously.

Tang Wanmei shook her head decisively.

"My daughter knows these possibilities, but she still wants to marry him!"

"What's so good about him that makes you so stubborn!" Tang Ze said angrily.

"He is very interesting, more interesting than any other man in the world!"

When she said this, the corners of Tang Wanmei's mouth curled up slightly, and she was obviously thinking of something happy.

"Dad, didn't you always say in the private school that the best quality of a scholar is to have a heart that loves the country and wants to govern the world? Family background, money, and appearance are all external. Except for his poor family background and little money, he can be regarded as the best in Yangzhou City in other aspects!"

Tang Ze was speechless for a moment.

He thought for a moment and said, "How about this, Dad will persuade the matchmaker outside to leave first, and then go to see him this afternoon. You can't go out, and you can't have anyone send him a message. Dad wants to check him out in person to see if he is as good as you say!"

"Yeah. You will definitely like him after you get close to him." After saying that, Tang Wanmei trotted away.

"Alas, girls can't be kept at home when they grow up!" Tang Ze looked helpless.

After a while.

When Tang Ze walked out of the door, the matchmakers became excited instantly.

"Master Tang, I was approached by the owner of the Li's Jewelry Shop in the west of the city, Mr. Li, to be my matchmaker."

"Master Tang, you should know the Ruyue Tower in the south of the city. The third son of his family is a very handsome man..."

"Master Tang, Mr. Zhu from the east city has prepared the gift list. Would you like to take a look?"

"Master Tang, you have been alone for many years. I wonder if you have any plans to remarry..."

……

Master Tang was overwhelmed by what he heard, and he raised his voice and said, "Everyone, please be quiet for a moment, please be quiet for a moment!"

"Thank you all for your hard work in helping my daughter's marriage. I've accepted all the matchmaking invitations. If I see someone suitable, I will definitely look for you again. Thank you for your hard work! Thank you for your hard work!"

Immediately, Master Tang asked the housekeeper to collect all the matchmaking invitations from the matchmakers and then closed the door.

The matchmakers had no choice but to leave in disappointment.

……

And this moment.

In the south of Yangzhou City, among a group of low and dilapidated houses, there is a large courtyard with a wooden sign that reads "Mingde Zhai".

More than twenty raggedly dressed children were reading.

In the kitchen not far away, nineteen-year-old Su Liang was decocting medicine for his husband, Mr. Mingde.

Mingde Zhai, also known as Mingde Private School.

The name sounds very impressive, but it is actually a study place for a group of poor children.

Moreover, the place is rented.

The person who rented Mingde Zhai was called Mr. Mingde. He was a notary who made a living by writing letters and petitions for others.

Mr. Mingde may not have a high academic level, but he is a kind-hearted person.

He founded Mingde Zhai to help poor children learn to read and write.

This will allow them to make a living with their writing in the future, and at worst they will not be deceived by some unscrupulous businessmen using fake contracts.

After the fourteen-year-old Su Liang traveled through time and space to the body of a beggar here, he had nothing to eat or drink, and had no "technological talent".

Just when he was in a daze and didn't know how to survive, he was rescued by Mr. Mingde.

after that.

After Su Liang got to know the world, he realized that only passing the imperial examination could change his fate, so he studied hard.

Over the past five years, relying on the knowledge from his previous life and his hard work, he had gained some fame in the circle of scholars in Yangzhou City and also made some money by doing business.

But studying is very expensive. Books, pens, ink, paper and inkstone are not cheap, and Su Liang cannot focus his main energy on doing business.

Therefore, life has always been quite hard.

end of last year.

Mr. Mingde, who is over 70 years old, is seriously ill and has to take medicine every day.

In addition to taking care of more than 20 children in Mingde Zhai, Su Liang also has to take care of Mr. Mingde, so he is very busy.

Although these children do not have his talent for studying, it is highly unlikely that they will pass the imperial examinations.

But Su Liang did not stop supporting them in their studies.

He firmly believed that he could support such a large family, and he also believed that one day he would be admitted to a prestigious university.

After a while.

Su Liang had just finished feeding medicine to Mr. Mingde who was lying on the bed when a thin young man ran over quickly.

"Young sir, something bad has happened. This morning a large group of matchmakers went to the Tang family to propose marriage!"

At that time, Su Liang's knowledge had far surpassed that of Mr. Mingde. In addition, Mr. Mingde was seriously ill, so Su Liang was the one who taught the students. Therefore, the children in the courtyard called him "little teacher".

"What?" Su Liang was shocked.

Su Liang is alone in this world.

At present, the two people who bring him comfort and warmth are Mr. Mingde and Tang Wanmei.

On the night of the Lantern Festival this year, he and Tang Wanmei had made everything clear and were ready to stay together for the rest of their lives.

Su Liang promised that he would marry Tang Wanmei after passing the imperial examination.

A man’s promise is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold.

Su Liang thought for a moment, then shouted to the group of little kids in the yard, "Study hard. I'm going to go out for a while. I'll check your homework when I come back."

"Yes, young sir."

Su Liang looked at the thin boy beside him and said, "Take good care of the gentleman for me."

The skinny boy nodded, then asked, "Little sir, what are you going to do?"

Su Liang spat out two words: "Propose marriage."

immediately.

Su Liang changed into a brown-green gown, then stuffed a book into his arms and strode out.

……

About half an hour later, around noon, in the side hall of Tang's house.

Tang Ze was flipping through the matchmaking invitations, putting aside some that he thought were okay. Tang Wanmei pouted, not looking at any of them, looking unhappy.

at this time.

The Tang residence’s housekeeper walked in quickly.

"Master, there is a young man named Su Liang outside who wants to see you. He... he said... he wants to propose marriage. Should we reject or accept it?"

"He's here!" Tang Wanmei was about to run outside excitedly.

"Humph!"

Tang Ze snorted coldly, and Tang Wanmei immediately stopped.

In such an important event in life, she still didn't dare to disobey Tang Ze too much.

Tang Ze looked at the butler and said, "Please ask him to come in."

"Yes." The butler turned and walked outside.

Tang Ze looked at Tang Wanmei.

"Mei'er, please go back to the side hall. You must not come out without your father's permission. Do you understand?" Tang Ze said seriously.

"Yes, Daddy." Tang Wanmei had no choice but to walk quickly to the side hall.

……

moment.

Su Liang strode into the front hall.

He looked at Tang Ze who was sitting on the big chair in front of him and didn't get up, and said with a bow, "Junior Su Liang, I pay my respects to Master Tang!"

Tang Ze looked at Su Liang.

"You are here to propose marriage, too? I can forgive you for not even bothering to hire a matchmaker, but why are you here to propose marriage empty-handed?"

Su Liang took out a book with yellowed pages from his arms.

"I know that you love books, especially ancient books."

Tang Ze suddenly smiled.

He had three hobbies in his life: wine, tea, and ancient books.

Among them, ancient books rank first.

However, Su Liang changed the subject and continued, "However, I don't have any ancient books at home. The most precious thing should be the reading experience I wrote. If it is put on the market, it should still be able to sell for some money. The teacher has taught for many years and must know the value of it. I can collect it or sell it."

Tang Ze took this "self-written book" and put it aside without even looking at it.

"Humph! You are so confident! Can a book like this make me marry my daughter to you?"

Su Liang bowed heavily and continued, "Master Tang, Mei'er and I are in love with each other. I promise that I will pass the next imperial examination and become a Jinshi, and then marry Mei'er as an official."

"In addition, I promise that I will only marry one wife in this life and never take concubines. If I break my promise in the future, I hope the heavens will thunder and I will die a miserable death!"

Su Liang swore an oath in all seriousness.

"I know it's difficult to get married today, so I only ask that Master can let Mei'er make the choice and not let her marry someone she doesn't like." Su Liang bowed again.

Tang Ze stroked his beard lightly, looking thoughtful.

He knew some of the things that happened to Su Liang.

Su Liang could have taken care of himself, but he chose to take care of Mr. Mingde in his old age. He could have left Mingde House, but he never abandoned any of the poor children there. There was even one time when he had a chance to make a lot of money, but because it would affect his personal morality, he gave it up.

In his eyes, Su Liang was sincere and had decent talent, but his background was too poor.

Tang Ze slowed down and said, "It is better to do what you say. I cannot make any promises to you right now. If you plan to marry Mei'er after passing the imperial examination, then come back and propose marriage after you pass the imperial examination!"

"By then, if Mei'er is still unmarried, you can come and propose marriage to her. If she meets a good man during this period, she will naturally get married. It is impossible for her to waste her best years waiting for you!"

at this time.

The middle-aged housekeeper of the Tang residence walked in.

"Master, Doctor He Youde from the He family in the west of the city has come to ask for marriage for his son He Jiusi. In addition, Wang Dang, the chief of the cargo ships of the Wang family in the south of the city, has also come with his son Wang Chen to ask for marriage."

Tang Ze glanced at Su Liang and said, "Stand aside first. The men from these two families are no worse than you. I hope you will retreat when you see difficulty!"

Su Liang bowed slightly and stepped aside. There was no way he would give up Tang Wanmei.

"Please invite them all in and make some tea quickly!" Tang Ze said to the housekeeper with a smile, then began to tidy up his clothes.

Behind.

Tang Wanmei clenched her fists in anger.

Her father had never been a snobbish person. He was ridiculing Su Liang in this way obviously in order to make Su Liang give up on him.

soon.

A middle-aged man in a doctoral uniform of the Imperial College, another middle-aged man in a silk robe, and a slightly fat young man walked in.

Su Liang had heard of these two.

The He family in the west of the city is a family of officials. He Youde is a doctor of the Yangzhou Provincial School and the Imperial College, and his father is the prefect of another place. He Jiusi is a typical second-generation official. He writes well, but his character is not very good. Su Liang has met him several times.

As for the Wang family in the south of the city, the head of the family, Wang Dang, is the chief captain who owns more than 30 cargo ships. He is a close relative of the governor of Yangzhou. His son Wang Chen also aspires to fame and fortune. Su Liang is not familiar with him, but judging from his appearance, he seems to be an honest man.

According to the matchmakers, these two families are the best among the best.

One is powerful, the other is rich. The marriage proposal is well-educated and interested in fame and fortune. Once they have an official position and are blessed with money or power in their family, it will be like a carp making the leap to the dragon gate.

At that time, Su Liang had no money, no power, and even no parents. He also hung out with a group of poor beggars.

It seems there is a huge gap.

"Mr. He, Mr. Wang, I didn't expect that my daughter would invite both of you to be her husband. This is really an honor for our Tang family!"

He Youde puffed out his chest and said with a smile: "Brother Tang, we are both teachers, and we are well matched. My son likes Mei'er very much. If we become relatives, it will definitely be a good story in Yangzhou City!"

He Youde looked proud.

In his eyes, he was a doctoral student at the provincial school, and Tang Ze was just a private school teacher, there was a huge difference between him and Tang Ze.

He said this out of complete false politeness.

At this time, Wang Dang also spoke.

"Master Tang, when you marry a daughter off, you must marry her to a good man. You only have one daughter, and if she marries my son, it will be like having another son."

"My son is a kind, honest man, suitable for living. If we become relatives, I will make sure you have a carefree old age. If you like teaching, I can build you a private school that is more impressive than the state school!"

Wang Dang was obviously dissatisfied with He Youde, and secretly mocked He Youde's son for being dishonest.

He Youde frowned slightly, and when he was about to refute, he suddenly saw Su Liang beside him.

"Who is this……"

Tang Ze waved at Su Liang, motioning him to stand aside.

"You are my student, so don't pay any attention to him."

After saying that, Tang Ze hurriedly called out, "Come, come, have some tea, have some tea."

And this time.

Su Liang looked at Wang Dang's son Wang Chen from time to time and found that this guy was really honest. He lowered his head and was very restrained in front of his elders. He didn't dare to say a word.

After the three of them chatted for a while, Tang Ze smiled and said, "Three of you, I understand your intentions, but I still need to discuss this matter with my daughter and see what she chooses. Once her intention is clear, I will pay her a visit. What do you think?"

"Easy to say, easy to say."

"Then wait for good news!"

He Youde and Wang Dang were both full of confidence.

Then, Tang Ze sent the three people out.

When he was leaving, He Youde deliberately raised his voice and said, "Brother Tang, I have a piece of good news to tell you. My father is about to retire. After retirement, even if my son fails the next imperial examination, he can still be promoted to an official position through his father's influence."

A look of disdain appeared on Wang Dang's face.

Although He Youde was an official, in his eyes, he was just an inferior doctoral student at the Imperial College.

He was confident that he could defeat the He family with money.

In the evening he planned to send someone to deliver a betrothal gift that the Tang family could not refuse.

The moment Tang Ze sent the three people out, Tang Wanmei walked out from behind.

"Mei'er?"

Su Liang couldn't help but be overjoyed. He grabbed Tang Wanmei's hand at once, but quickly let go.

After all, this is the Tang family, so he doesn't dare to be so presumptuous.

Tang Wan looked at Su Liang with a frown: "Su Lang, I am willing to wait for you, three years, six years, I am willing to wait, will you give up on me?"

"Absolutely not! In this life, I will marry you as an official!" Su Liang said, patting his chest.

A happy smile suddenly appeared on Tang Wanmei's face.

at this time.

She heard Tang Ze coughing and quickly hid again.

Tang Ze walked into the front hall and looked at Su Liang.

"Su Liang, can you compare with the boys of these two families? If you think you can't, then give up!"

Su Liang shook his head.

"Master, I will never give up. I only ask that you do not object to my normal relationship with Mei'er."

"You can have no objection if you want me to. As long as you use a method that does not violate the law and morality to make these two families give up the marriage proposal, I will allow you to meet Mei'er normally. If you don't have the courage, then forget it!"

Su Liang thought about it and said firmly: "Okay."

"Can I give you seven days?"

"can."

"Okay, if you can't even do this within seven days, then don't see Mei'er again!" Tang Ze said in a cold tone.

Su Liang bowed to Tang Ze, then left quickly.

As soon as Su Liang walked out the door, Tang Wanmei came over angrily with tears on her face.

"Dad, you...you've gone too far. You made Su Liang an enemy of these two families. Isn't that humiliating him? When did you become so snobbish? You can't stop us. I'm going to run away from home!"

The tears on Tang Wanmei's face fell like beads.

Tang Ze gave Tang Wanmei a displeased look.

"You silly girl!"

"Dad knows the situations of the He and Wang families. He Jiusi is a playboy and definitely not a good match. And Wang Chen is dull and honest. You definitely don't like him either."

"Dad urged Su Liang to find a way to make these two families give up the marriage proposal. On the one hand, it is to test whether he really likes you, and on the other hand, it is to test whether he has the means to do things."

"Methods?" Tang Wanmei looked confused.

"Do you think you can become an official just by being able to read? To be an official you need to have means, means to protect yourself and your family. There are many factions in the officialdom, and if you are not careful, you may end up in jail."

"This kid has a hard character, like a rock. He will easily suffer in his career. If he doesn't have the means to solve problems, how can he protect you? If he can't protect you, Dad will not feel comfortable letting him marry you. Dad is doing this for your own good!"

"Don't worry, Dad doesn't look at whether he can complete the task, but his attitude and way of doing things."

Hearing such words.

Tang Wanmei wiped the tears from her face and put her arm around Tang Ze's shoulders again.

"Dad, you're pretty optimistic about him, right?"

"At present, he is not annoying. He looks righteous and has the confidence that is very similar to my father when he was young. His family background is miserable, but he is very righteous..." Tang Ze murmured, then picked up the reading notes that Su Liang handed over to him.

Tang Wanmei was very happy to hear Tang Ze's comments.

(End of this chapter)