Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 173 You Kankan (vote request)

There were loud drums and music and firecrackers in front of Zhang’s house.

After all, it is not time to welcome the bride yet. Even if it is very lively, the mansion will not hold a banquet to entertain guests.

In particular, the silence inside the mansion was in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle at the gate.

In the dining room next to the inner courtyard kitchen, Zhang Yanling was eating lunch while looking at Zhang Yu who was in a state of panic, and he smiled and said to comfort him:

"Sister, today we are just going through the motions. It is said that the parents decide and the matchmaker decides. Your marriage will be handled by someone in the imperial court, and there are certain rules. It doesn't need to be as troublesome as in the common people. As long as my father is there to support it, it will be fine."

Zhang Yu frowned: "I see that Dad is the only one supporting the situation outside, and I'm worried that he may not be doing a good job... Why don't you go and help?"

Zhang Yanling shrugged and said helplessly, "I would like to go, but there are ministers and dukes outside. How can I be qualified to chat with them?"

Zhang Yu asked, "Where is Heling?"

"He went out to do something for me... I asked him to find someone, but I don't know if he found him." Zhang Yanling said casually.

"You are quite good at arranging people... I don't know what happened to He Ling, why would he obey your orders now? In the past, you always followed him like a little tail, causing trouble everywhere, and ended up getting beaten up and bleeding..."

As Zhang Yu spoke, he seemed to recall the time when his two younger brothers were being naughty and playful, and he couldn't help but smile secretly.

The brother and sister were talking to each other when Tang came in and said to Zhang Yu, "Miss, people are carrying things to the outer courtyard outside the gate. There are so many gifts that I don't know where to put them if they can't fit."

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Dad will have someone take care of it... We still have too few servants in our house. When our financial situation improves, we will have more manpower available."

Zhang Yu asked worriedly, "Little brother, after I become the Crown Princess, will my family have a lot more expenses out of thin air?"

When this question was asked, even Tang couldn't help but look at Zhang Yu a little more.

After all, this concerns whether the Zhang family’s living conditions will be high or low in the future.

Zhang Yanling explained: "Since my sister has become the Crown Princess...she should receive a salary every month. I don't know the exact amount, but isn't the main income from my brother-in-law? After you get married, as long as you can make my future brother-in-law obedient, you can get whatever you want from him."

Zhang Yu rolled his eyes at his brother and snorted, "I don't know who said that, although some people are the eldest son, they are frustrated and may not inherit the family property."

Zhang Yanling grinned and said, "I was talking about the situation in the past. Isn't it true that the clouds have cleared and the moon is shining now? Well, I calculated that it will probably be within this year that Sister will enjoy happiness. By then, Sister will be the mistress of the family... The whole Ming Dynasty will belong to Sister."

"You're the only one who talks so much."

When Zhang Yu heard this, a smile appeared on his face.

After all, she also knew that being a queen was much more comfortable than being a crown princess, and she was also ambitious. Who said that being a crown princess was the ultimate goal?

"After I finish lunch, I will go out to see my sister. I don't know when those dignitaries will leave... And my sister's dowry needs to be packed."

Zhang Yanling continued to enjoy his lunch.

Mrs. Tang next to him asked, "Then... Second Young Master, what changes will there be in our situation at home in the future?"

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "I will be the emperor's uncle in the future. As for you, my aunt... at least you can get an imperial decree and be included in the family tree as a daughter, bringing honor to the family."

Tang smiled and said, "Although I know that the second young master said only words to cheer me up, but somehow, it makes me feel comfortable just listening to him."

……

……

Forbidden City.

Wenhua Hall.

The ministers returned to work after the holiday for the New Year. This was also Zhu Youtang's first day of class after the New Year. He was in good spirits and asked the lecturers several questions, which made the lecturers in the Eastern Palace feel that his personality seemed to have become much more cheerful.

After the class, Zhu Youtang found Xie Qian, the Right Yude of Youchunfang who was in charge of the class that day, and continued to ask questions about the content of governing the country with rites and music.

"With Mr. Xie, my studies finally have a place to go... I thought that after Mr. Li left, without the guidance of a famous teacher, my studies would plummet, and I wouldn't know who to turn to when I encountered problems."

There was a hint of regret on Zhu Youtang's face.

The lecturers of the Eastern Palace were nominally led by the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

But in practice, it was mainly the people from the Hanlin Academy who taught the classes, and they were divided into two groups. Previously, Liu Jian, the Junior Secretary of the Zhanshi Palace, and Li Dongyang, the Lecturer of the Hanlin Academy, each led a group and took turns to teach the prince. After Li Dongyang's father passed away in the twelfth month of the previous year, Li Dongyang went home to observe mourning, and the other group was led by Xie Qian, who was also the editor of the Hanlin Academy.

In the first class after the New Year, Zhu Youtang went to ask Xie Qian questions, which was considered as a "paying a visit".

Xie Qian said respectfully: "If there is anything that your Highness does not understand, please feel free to ask me. I will tell you everything I know."

Zhu Youtang said: "It is said that rituals and music can govern a country. Is this really the case? Mr. Xie, can you tell me that the Ming Dynasty relies on rituals and music to maintain peace and prosperity?"

This question stumped Xie Qian.

Theory is one thing, reality is another, and this has been generally the case throughout the dynasties.

He couldn't say that the Ming officialdom is now corrupt, and even I, who have been in the Hanlin Academy for more than ten years, have no chance to be promoted to a reader or lecturer, and the salary given by the court is not enough for me to support my family... Look at this official position, it has nothing but nobility.

Look at those guys who hold real power in the court. They are all fat and bloated. They are all wealthy and live a life of extravagance.
Not to mention that everyone in the court, from the cabinet to the six ministries, is in collusion with each other.

Xie Qian had no choice but to say tactfully: "The prince is now the Crown Prince. Even though he has come out to give lectures, he has not yet asked questions... You will understand in the future."

Xie Qian is known for being "particularly eloquent", which means he is eloquent and likes to beat around the bush when speaking.

If it were Liu Jian or Li Dongyang, they would definitely speak out the truth when faced with such a question from the Crown Prince, instead of expressing it in a tactful way like Xie Qian...

Prince, you are still young and have no power, so you can’t change anything. Just wait until you ascend the throne.

Zhu Youtang asked doubtfully, "Mr. Xie, I'm going to get married soon, so I'm going to have a family, right? Can't you explain some things to me?"

Xie Qian sighed.

The prince in front of him had been locked in a cage for too long.

How could he know the darkness of the Ming Dynasty?

All you can see is a small area of ​​the East Palace. Do you know the darkness of the officialdom? Or can you understand the suffering of the people?

Xie Qian smiled and bowed: "I would like to congratulate the prince on his upcoming wedding. But some things can only be understood clearly through personal experience. It is like reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles. Only by experiencing it personally can you understand its mysteries.

"I don't know much about the affairs of the court. I have been studying hard in the Hanlin Academy for a long time. I am gradually understanding and adapting to the officialdom."

Zhu Youtang asked, "What do the Hanlin Academy and the Zhanshi Mansion usually do?"

"This one……"

Xie Qian thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "In addition to editing books, I will also carefully prepare lessons to teach you academic matters, so that we can promote and grow together, Prince."

Zhu Youtang said: "That means that matters of ritual and music are not learning?"

"Different."

Xie Qian shook his head and said, "Learning and using are very different. All of this still needs to be experienced by the prince himself."

(End of this chapter)