Prime Minister

Chapter 274
After getting Zhang Yue's consent, Zhang Shiyu and Yang asked Mrs. Zhuang to go to Wu's house as a matchmaker.

Mrs. Zhuang didn't go to Wu's house this time, but to the guarantor Ouyang Xiu's to discuss posting.

In the Song Dynasty, marriage proposals generally required two postings.

In the first post, the man has to write down the names and official positions of the members of the three generations of his family, attach information such as residential real estate, and ask the matchmaker to deliver it to his door.

The first time I wrote it was relatively brief, and it was called a "grass post".If the woman is interested in this marriage, they will exchange posts, and they will also draft posts with the same content as the man and send them back.

The second "detailed post" is more formal, and introduces the family background in more detail, that is, the official post.

At this point, the two families are considered married.

Getting engaged is not much different from getting married.

Mrs. Zhuang wears a hood and a purple undershirt. This attire is the best matchmaker's attire in Bianjing.

Mrs. Zhuang came to Ouyang Xiu's house, and Ouyang Xiu's wife, Mrs. Xue, had also heard of Mrs. Zhuang's reputation. She was not feeling well, so she asked Ouyang Fa and his eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wu, to meet her.

Mrs. Zhuang first expressed the Zhang family's intention to marry to Wu.

Of course Wu Shi was overjoyed in his heart, but he couldn't help but look very flat on his face.

The Wu family's family style is like this. Li Taijun himself had a crush on Wu Chong and married into the Wu family, so the marriages of his daughters were never taboo and discussed.

Before Zhang's family didn't send matchmakers, Wu couldn't help worrying about this and that for her younger sister. Now Zhang Yue is second in the provincial test, will he be temporarily distracted because of so many matchmakers coming to propose marriage.

Now the other party has invited Mrs. Zhuang, a famous matchmaker from Bianjing, to come to the door, which shows that Zhang Yue really understands from the bottom of his heart that this young man is a person who works from the beginning to the end, and knows what it means to throw a peach and return Qiongyao.

Wu Shi was overjoyed immediately, but outside the house she still had to put on airs and pomp.

Ouyang Fa was about to agree, but Mrs. Wu said: "Before I said that I would make a decision after I was selected as a Jinshi, but I also said that I had to wait until after the palace examination, so I was surprised when Mrs. Zhuang came to the door. Really didn't expect that."

"After all, I'm already a grandmother. Although I and my mother's family are in Bianjing, I haven't come back for a long time. It's even more inconvenient to ask my mother what she wants. Ms. Zhuang should come by herself."

Ouyang Fa was very speechless when he heard the words, his wife would go back to her mother's house every now and then, so she didn't dare to say anything, and she even lied to outsiders in front of her.

Mrs. Zhuang looked at Mrs. Wu and smiled slightly: "Originally, I am familiar with Wu's house, so I dare not let Mrs. Wu bother. But who would have thought that Mrs. Wu is the most caring lady in Li Taijun's house, when she married Ouyang's mansion. That dowry has paved a street, so I beg you to say something."

Mrs. Wu was elated and laughed and said: "There is no dowry shop on the street, it's all hearsay, and besides, these are just for outsiders to see, not worth a lot of money, really just pick a box."

Mrs. Zhuang shook her round fan and covered her mouth with a smile: "I know, I know, a box is a mountain of gold and silver."

Speaking of this, Mrs. Zhuang changed the subject and said: "But having said that, the ladies of the Wu family all married into the prime minister's family, and all of them are very lucky, and they were born to enjoy this great wealth. .”

"Our Mr. Zhang's family is a bit poorer than the young masters, but fortunately he will soon be a Jinshi. There is a saying in Bianjing that 'a son is a Jinshi and a woman marries a scholar-bureaucrat'."

Ouyang Fa finally couldn't help it and said: "Actually, when I got engaged to my wife, my father had just returned to the imperial court after being demoted to Chuzhou. When I hired him, he was also in a dilemma and couldn't come up with much dowry."

Wu frowned when she heard this, and Ouyang Fa noticed that Wu's face was not right, and immediately said: "Thanks to Taishan Taishui, who married my wife to me, life is better now, and it will not be too late to enjoy this wealth in the future." Well."

After hearing what Ouyang Fa said, Wu's complexion became better.

"Exactly. Exactly."

Mrs. Zhuang smiled agreeably and said that the first time she came to the door, it was like throwing stones to ask for directions. She didn't say too much, but made an appointment for two days to come back.

After Mrs. Zhuang left, Mrs. Wu looked at Ouyang and asked, "What did you mean just now? Are you stopping the Zhang family from giving my sister a betrothal gift?"

Ouyang Fa called Qu and said, "Wife, I don't mean that. You also know that Sanlang is from a poor family, so how could he get so much dowry? I say this to avoid embarrassment."

"Then don't let my family Shiqi lower their value. The matchmaker hasn't said anything yet. You said that first. Is it your Ouyang family's married daughter or my Wu family's married daughter?"

Ouyang Fa dared not speak up when he heard the words, but instead smiled and said: "Yes, this is your Wu family's marriage, but San Lang is also my little uncle. Besides, San Lang and I are family friends anyway, and the Zhang Wu family's marriage is harmonious , isn't this something that my wife and I are happy to see happen?"

Wu Shi said: "Our sisters are all well married, so we can't treat my sister poorly."

Ouyang Fa saw Wu Shi's tone changed and smiled slowly: "At this time and at that time, I've seen Seventeen is very reasonable...Of course, you are even more understanding, lady."

Ouyang Fa wiped off his sweat and took a peek at Wu's face, and continued: "Didn't Mrs. Zhuang say just now that she married a scholar-bureaucrat for a Jinshi girl? Back then, when Lao Taishan had a good relationship, he wasn't even a scholar-bureaucrat, but now Woolen cloth?"

Mrs. Wu said: "So what about Jinshi, my Wu family has few Jinshi? Besides, who can keep him thinking about today's good?"

Ouyang laughed and said, "Sanlang is not an ordinary Jinshi. Jinshi's head is second, third, fourth, fourth, fifth, and fifth, and the first class is born."

"Sanlang is not only the second in the provincial examination, but the officials are likely to appoint him as the head armor during the palace examination. After three to five years of experience in the local area, he can be transferred back to Beijing to take up a position. There is hope for officials to be officials in the future."

Wu Shi was a little moved when he heard this.

"Not to mention, Saburo is only 17 years old. If there are no mistakes in his official career, he will always have at least 30 years. At that time, let alone your Wu family, my Ouyang family can also entrust him to look after him. When we are in the status of our two families Don’t ask how to prosper, but just keep it from decaying and dilapidated.”

"In other words, one is a 50-year-old Xiangjia Jinshi, the other is a 50-year-old head armor Jinshi, a 17-year-old Xiangjia Jinshi, and a 17-year-old head armor Jinshi. How do you choose from the eyes of others?"

Wujia Jinshi also said that Xiangjia is not Mojia. It means that this Jiajinshi often goes out to be a prime minister.

After listening to Ouyang Fa's words, Wu's expression was greatly relieved, and he still insisted on saying: "So I don't have vision, can you have vision?"

Ouyang laughed and said: "Where, where, after all, Lao Taishan has the most vision."

"How to say?"

Ouyang Fa said: "Not to mention how many weak champions there are among the top armor Jinshi, even if there is such a person in front of you, if there is no marriage contract, I'm afraid it may not be our turn. Back then, Wang Wenzheng (Prime Minister Wang Zeng) was born in a poor family and was 25 years old. Li Xianggong (Li Hang) and Lu Xianggong (Lv Mengzheng) both sent people to the door to say that the matchmaker wanted to marry their daughter. In the end, Wang Wenzheng refused to agree to Lu Xianggong, but married Li Xianggong's daughter. You said Lao Taishan How's your vision?"

Mrs. Wu couldn't help but smiled and said: "Forget it, forget it, I usually see you playing with antiques, but I still have some insight. But I thought, I can't just let Sanlang marry Shiqi away, there are still rules. Otherwise, the other officials in Bianjing will laugh at them. Otherwise, the woman married by my Wu family will not be able to hold her head up in her husband's house."

Ouyang Fa shook his head and said: "No wonder people from other states don't like to get married with officials and big families like you in Bianjing. They are always tested and tested, and there are too many rules. But I think it's okay to get married like this between big families. But San Lang was born in the Han clan, so let's be low or tall, whatever is convenient for us."

"This Saburo is not a person who doesn't know the importance, otherwise he wouldn't try to start the marriage as soon as he gets the first place. If you make things difficult for him, he doesn't need to use all the unprepared words to delay the marriage for two years. You can wait, but you can't wait for Seventeen."

"How dare he treat my sister like this?" Wu said angrily.

Seeing that he was about to smash it, Ouyang Fa hurriedly said: "Lady, with Shi Qi's temperament, are you still afraid that people will bully you to the top?"

"I'm afraid that things will change for a long time. You see, Shangsanlang's family proposes marriage nowadays are all officials and officials with no foundation, but whoever's family has no married woman in the two governors of Bianjing, the reason why you don't move now is because of your Wu family in the past. In terms of affection, if it is too late..."

After hearing the words, Wu was persuaded by Ouyang Fa for more than half, and finally stopped speaking to refute.

Ouyang Fa felt relieved, he had never been so elated in front of Wu Shi in his life.

However, Ouyang Fa accepted it immediately and said, "As long as Sanlang is in the top armor, you and those married sisters will only be more beautiful and more respectable. There is no reason why you should not hold your head up in your husband's house."

"Even as an uncle, I am also enjoying the glory by my wife's side."

Wu said with a slight smile: "You and Sanlang are friends, so why borrow me to get rich. But even if what you said is somewhat reasonable, how do you see Sanlang's elder brother and sister-in-law? Are they powerful people?"

Ouyang laughed and said: "My brother is a very loyal person, and my nephew is also a handsome talent. As for my sister-in-law, I don't know, but I heard that she is also from a wealthy family, and she will never be stingy. I have heard Sanlang mention many times that his family was poor and weak. Studying is still done by my sister-in-law borrowing money from her natal family, so she is also a very knowledgeable woman. Besides, San Lang has to separate the family after he has a family, and his brother and sister-in-law are not from official background. My elder brother also passed away early, and let’s talk about how much property the Zhang family can have. I don’t think it’s difficult to deal with this sister-in-law relationship. When you are seventeen, you will be the housewife. Is anyone here to see?"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wu let go of a big rock in her heart. Her three younger sisters married into rich families are all mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and the sister-in-law did not get along well.Shiwu Niang is considered the most cunning and calculating among the sisters. After marrying into the Wen family for several years, she has lost her temper now.

Let's talk about my own Wu family, the two daughter-in-laws are not having a good time now. Although Li Taijun is getting old, but the butler is not willing to let go of the power of the housekeeper, and beats the two daughter-in-laws from time to time.

Therefore, when she learned about the marriage between Shi Qi Niang and Zhang Yue, she was really relieved. Her sister has the most stubborn temper among the sisters, how can she hold back her anger.

"It's also fortunate that there are not many poor relatives in Bianjing who want us to support." Wu said a few words to himself.

Immediately, Mrs. Wu said again: "I told you a long time ago that I want to get acquainted with Mr. Zhang Dalang, so that it will be convenient to communicate, can you do it?"

"Why not," Ouyang said with a smile, "didn't we get to know each other at the birthday banquet that day? But I was also worried about making shallow conversations, so I will come to the door again at another time. Now I still ask Mr. Zhang Dalang if he has arrived in Bianjing. It's an errand, although Saburo didn't entrust me with it before, but I plan to entrust my father to take care of it."

Wu smiled as if rewarding: "You finally take my matter to heart."

Ouyang laughed and said: "My wife, dare I not try my best? But since Sanlang is qualified, he immediately entrusted Mrs. Zhuang to come to marry him. You Wu family must not use the rules to pick people. Since everyone is a sensible person If you give in, I will give in. If I take a step further, you will take a step further. If you teach people the rules today, there is no guarantee that they will also make the rules for you in the future."

When Mrs. Wu came here, she was completely persuaded by Ouyang Fa, but she still insisted: "Then the Zhang family has to be respected anyway. I don't ask for anything, but I still have to do my best. I still have to be decent."

Ouyang Fa pretended to be displeased and said: "You still care about Seventeen's marriage is not good or decent, isn't this embarrassing others? I know you heard that San Lang's uncle's family is rich. But my birthday Yan can see clearly that Sanlang and his uncle really don't get along, why do you make it difficult for Sanlang to bow his head?"

"Besides, there are still many places for Sanlang Jinshi to spend money. Going to the Qionglin Banquet and collecting money later are all huge expenses. In the past, many poor Jinshi borrowed money from others, even from bookstores. Before Saburo had a good friend named Cai Chizheng (Cai Que), because his family was poor and had no money, he borrowed money from his classmates and fellow villagers, and owed a large amount of money. When he went to Binzhou to take office, he was accused of accepting bribes. And know, you can't let Sanlang borrow money for the sake of your Wu family's face."

After hearing this, Mrs. Wu finally changed her tune and said: "Don't worry, don't worry, I'll tell mother about this, but Mr. Zhang Dalang, you have to tell me a thing or two. I hate those gossiping women in Bianjing the most. It's because our Wu family has a long-term vision, and we always use the words of the seventeen concubines to talk about things."

Ouyang Fa couldn't help laughing when he heard the words.

Wu frowned and said, "What are you laughing at?"

Ouyang Fa said seriously: "Lady, there is something I don't know whether to say or not. I say it is... Do you think this concubine is suitable for a poor family?"

When Wu heard the words, she was angry at first, and then she couldn't help laughing.

Although I was born in a noble family, I am a concubine daughter. Although you are a child of a poor family, you have won a Jinshi.

In matters of marriage, it's best to be in the same family, no one favors anyone, and no one picks anyone, which is the most suitable.

The Wu family immediately sent the dowry maid back to tell Li Taijun that Zhang's family had invited Madam Zhuang as a matchmaker to post posts at Wu's house, which can be regarded as an explanation.

At the same time, he mentioned Ouyang Fa's words.

Li Taijun is also a very reasonable person, so he immediately told Wu, saying that since a man is marrying a woman, everything should be done according to the man's rules, whatever is convenient.

Not only are we not picky about etiquette, but after Zhang Yue is admitted to the imperial examination, the Wu family will also give a large amount of money for paving the ground, so that he does not have to worry about money after becoming an official.

What is paving money?
It turned out that this had already been known in the Tang Dynasty. Generally speaking, Jinshi entered the ranks and went to Yanqionglin. At this time, the father-in-law's family will spend a sum of money for the son-in-law, which is called land-laying money.

However, since the Song Dynasty, the imperial examination opened a channel for poor families.

Many scholars from the Han family have passed the imperial examination and made great achievements, and the Yue family will follow suit and change their appearance.

Therefore, others call this common surname and climb Huazhou, which is called buying money.Of course, it doesn't sound good to say so in the name, and it is generally said to be given to the son-in-law as a congratulations.

Nowadays, most of them call it the money arrest, which of course is the arrest of the son-in-law under the list.

Nowadays, it doesn't matter which of the male and female families is an official, or even whether they are caught off the list or married a long time ago.

In short, as long as the son-in-law is a Jinshi, the Yue family will give the son-in-law a lot of money for this title.

Li Taijun also said to let Zhang Yue prepare for the palace examination, and there is no rush to prepare for the engagement. After hearing the news, Mrs. Wu was overjoyed, and immediately asked Ouyang Fa to go to Zhang Shi's house to tell the news.

Zhang Shizheng is worried about Zhang Yue's marriage.The matter of marriage is said to be a reconciliation of two families, but in the final analysis it still lies in the word money.

How much is the dowry?where do you live?Let me be clear first.

Yang promised to give Zhang Yue a big house in Bianjing, in addition to a property in Bianjing and a field on the outskirts of Suzhou, and [-] Guan for his wife. Fall out.

Zhang Dun's daughter-in-law, Mrs. Zhang, took out a farmland from her dowry, which she promised before Zhang Yue married the Wu family.

Even Zhang Dun, who has not been an official for a few years, won five hundred guan (not in his own name).

If you have this money, you can marry a wife in a glorious manner, but Zhang Shi is worried that Zhang Yue will not accept the money due to his temper.

Zhang Shi thought to himself, what is the status of the Wu family, how could they wrong the girl, and there are many rules in Bianjing for marriage, so we will follow the rules.Zhang Yue didn't accept it, he just accepted it for him.These things are trivial compared to his younger brother's lifelong events. Could it be that he can't live for the sake of saving face?Are you married?

In the end, Zhang Shi blamed himself for being useless, not knowing how to run a house, not being able to take care of his family, and being so tired that his family now has to be sent to others, otherwise it would be so.

Zhang Shi was thinking about how to persuade Zhang Yue.

But Ouyang Fa came here at this moment.

Who is Ouyang Fa?The prime minister's son.

Zhang Shi never expected that the other party would condescend to come to Zhang's house, but Ouyang Fa did not put on airs of the son of an official at all.

As soon as Ouyang told him what the goalkeeper Wu Shi had told him, Zhang Shi's worries these days all disappeared.

After Ouyang Fa left, Zhang Shi was happy at first, but also full of worries, said to Shi: "The Wu family said that San Lang would give our family a large sum of money after being a Jinshi, and not only that, but also said that we can marry a daughter-in-law according to the rules in our hometown. Yes, the dowry can be given as you like. My family is so rich, why is it so easy to talk? Hall of fame?"

Yu Shi smiled and said to him: "There is no reason for this. Except for the third uncle, we have nothing to make people want. I think the bottom line is that it is difficult for a poor family to marry a wife, and it is not easy for a rich family to marry a daughter. "

"Besides, the Wu family is a family of officials and eunuchs, so they have the confidence to dare to do so. I'm not afraid that we will take it lightly. They also treat us as sensible people, so we don't know what is good or bad."

Zhang Shi suddenly realized: "So that's the case. If this is the case, let's invite Mrs. Zhuang to come to the door..."

Yu pursed her lips and said with a smile: "Look, you come out as soon as you think about it. That's right, where's Xi'er?"

Zhang Shi smiled and said: "I went to look for Mr. Guo Dalang. The Imperial College has mixed recruits in March, April, and May. The third brother has asked someone to report Mr. Guo Dalang's name to the supervisor."

"Now Xi'er is preparing for the exam with Mr. Guo Dalang, and he said that he will also be admitted to Taixue."

Yu laughed and said, "How old is he to take the imperial examination?"

Zhang Shi proudly said: "Second brother and third brother were also admitted to the county school when they were his age, why Xi'er was not allowed to enter the imperial school, he is a student, which gentleman would not tell me that. "

Yu Shi also smiled happily: "You can tell me this, but you are not allowed to praise Xi'er like this in person."

Zhang Shi smiled and said: "Don't worry, lady, I will save it."

Mrs. Yu said: "But I think Brother Guo Dalang is a good person. Not to mention his hard work, he has good character and good knowledge. Although it is a pity that he failed in this subject, Xi'er can learn from him and learn from him everywhere. In short, in the future, whether you are a human being or studying, you can benefit.”

Zhang Shi smiled and said: "My lady and I went to see a place. You can tell me why I value Mr. Guo Dalang so much. That's it. The third elder brother is able to have today, Mr. Guo Dalang has supported him all the way. We must not forget our gratitude."

Yu used to roll his eyes when Zhang Shi said this, but now he didn't object, but nodded.

Zhang Shi said: "Nowadays Mr. Guo Dalang is down and down, we have to take good care of his family and care a little more than usual. Even if Saburo doesn't trust me, I will go to visit. At least let people have enough food and clothing, and don't worry about wind and rain."

"Besides, now that Xi'er and Guo Dalang-jun are so close, Guo Dalang-jun is treating Xi'er with the same heart as he did with the third brother. I want to treat people better."

Yu's eyes were a little moist when he heard this, and said: "I am relieved to have Mr. Guo Dalang taking care of Xi'er. I remember that when my third uncle left home, he said that our Zhang's family is a student. You see, the second uncle has already won the Jinshi." , now the third uncle is also a Jinshi, so it's our Xi'er's turn to make up for the regret that you couldn't study back then?"

Zhang Shi smiled and said: "Who says it's not? Xi'er must be better than me. In the future, if his second uncle doesn't take care of him, there will be his third uncle."

"Don't worry, lady, our family will get better and better in the future."

Speaking of Zhang Shi, he held Yu Shi's hand, and Yu Shi showed a little shame, and said with both hands: "It's not good for the servants to see, I'll go to the kitchen to see what good wine and meat are there, and you can give it to Senior Brother Guo." go."

Yu got up and left the house, Zhang Shi looked at the back of the other party with infinite emotion, it is really worthwhile to be able to marry such a woman in this life.

"My lady, my lady, I will ask Mrs. Zhuang to come over tomorrow."

Mrs. Zhuang got the news and went to Wu's house the next day...

After Mrs. Zhuang went out from the Wu residence, she went to meet Zhang Shina with a happy face and said: "Mr. Zhang's family, this old slave is going to congratulate you here in advance. I'm sure I'll drink your matchmaker wine." .Get ready and get ready."

Zhang Shi was overwhelmed with surprise after hearing the words, and was speechless for a long time.

(End of this chapter)