Wei Ni

Although Wang Su still holds the position of regular servant of Sanqi, he has also served as secretary-supervisor.

This official position belongs to the Shaofu and is responsible for the collection and editing of national books. The responsibilities are quite in line with the wishes of Wang Su, who is obsessed with academics.

Therefore, when Xia Houhui and his wife came to visit him and went to the hall to meet him, he couldn't help but sincerely praise him, "It's been a long time since I last saw you. My uncle's demeanor is as if he had just written and painted, and he has become more and more refined."

"Hahaha~"

It also made Wang Su feel happy, waving his hands repeatedly, "Let's talk at home, Zhiquan, don't say anything flattering. The family banquet has been prepared, come on, Zhiquan, come with me."

It's not dark now, so it's a bit early to eat at dusk.

But when the sun sets in the city, a curfew is announced. In order not to delay Xiahou Hui's return, it is understandable that the banquet should be held early.

"only."

Xia Houhui bowed his head slightly in response and followed the instructions.

Maybe it was because Xia Houhui came to visit once in a while, or because Xia Houhui's achievements and fame were getting stronger and stronger, the family banquet hosted by Wang Su was not limited to the children's agreement with the banquet. Not only Xu Xian's wife, Xia Hou, and all the family members were present, but even the second daughter, who had already made a marriage arrangement and was going to marry Kuai Qin, the grandson of Kuai Liang in Xiangyang in two years, was also present at the banquet.

It also made Xia Houhui very happy.

Ever since he left Anningtinghou Mansion, he had never experienced this kind of family banquet atmosphere where young children laughed and women whispered.

Of course, on this occasion, it is not appropriate to talk about achievements and other topics together with the toast.

Moreover, Wang Su has not been able to drink well for a long time.

Wang Yuanji was very happy to return after a rare visit.

I felt that this scene was like before I got married. During the dinner, I couldn't help but show off the eldest sister's behavior, asking this one about his recent achievements, and telling the other one not to be naughty and make his father and mother angry.

Xia Houhui, on the other hand, was a little overwhelmed.

The Xiahou family, who were originally from the same clan but were now more closely related to him, had nothing to worry about. As an elder, they kept telling him that some of his parents were incompetent.

For example, you should cherish your life more when you are on an expedition abroad, don't harm others after returning to Luoyang, guard against arrogance, and avoid extravagance in running your family business.

These are nothing, just respond respectfully and it will be over.

But every time Xiahou said two or three sentences to him, he would always add a sentence such as "Zhiquan is more than 20 years old", "Zhiquan is already a pavilion prince", "It has been a long time since Zhiquan got married", etc. They were urging Xia Houhui to have a child as soon as possible, and not to think about making achievements all day long.

Xia Houhui was unable to resist this.

Having a child is not an immediate thing. Sowing thousands of millets in spring may not lead to a harvest in autumn~
Besides, he has always worked hard, okay?

Fortunately, the family dinner didn't last long.

After a while, Wang Su took him to the back hall and talked about something between the father-in-law and his son-in-law.

It's nothing more than the situation in the court, recent personnel transfers, and questions about whether Xia Houhui will stay in Luoyang for a long time after returning to Luoyang, etc.

Xia Houhui listened attentively.

Some uncertainties were answered vaguely.

I just didn't expect that after talking about the temple and official positions, Wang Su would ask, "Since Zhiquan has already made paper and pine smoke and ink, why not sell them to supplement his family's income?"

Even you know that I am poor?
It's just that although I didn't give your daughter a life of fine clothing and food, her food and clothing expenses are no worse than others~
After hearing this, Xia Houhui didn't know how to answer.

He knew that his wife often asked Sun Lou, the steward of the family, to bring some paper and pine smoke and ink to the palace during the New Year. Wang Su knew that things in his family were normal. But he never expected that Wang Su, who had always paid little attention to money and family assets and wanted to promote his family to an academic power, would actually mention "supplementing the family income."

When Wang Su saw that he was hesitant to speak, he explained slowly, "Yuan Ji told me that Zhiquan loved the soldiers and often left her family wealth to the soldiers' orphans. I am not a member of the army, and I shouldn't. I'm not talking about this, but I saw that Zhiquan's mansion in Luoyang didn't even have any servants, so I thought of asking. "

"My uncle is thinking about me."

Xia Houhui, who suddenly felt astonished, thanked him quickly, and then explained in a low voice, "To be honest with my uncle, as soon as the family papermaking was successful, my younger brother often took the rights and gave them to his friends, which also made the emperor unhappy. He warned me privately. You should be respectful of your status, and don't imitate businessmen who strive for wealth to make others laugh at you."

It turned out to be the case.

Wang Su raised his eyebrows in surprise, then lowered his eyes and twirled his beard, as if he was thinking about something.

And Xia Houhui didn't want him to think too much about this kind of thing, so he quickly chuckled and added, "Although my family is not rich, neither Xijun nor I are extravagant people. We can't make a living by making paper and ink at home." It’s enough for my own use, uncle, don’t worry about this.”

Indeed, he now has enough money for his own use.

After developing engraving and printing, the daily consumption of paper and pine smoke ink was enough for him to support the twenty or thirty people he recruited from Qiaojun.

"That's fine."

Hearing this, Wang Su stopped brooding and nodded with a smile, "In that case, I won't bother. As the emperor said, it is not beautiful to do business as a child."

Well.
From what you said, it seems like you have a way to help me?
Involuntarily, Xia Houhui's heart moved.

Although he had just claimed that he had enough money for his own use, if there was an opportunity to make money, he would not want to miss it, let alone go back on his word.

no way.

Poor people have short ambitions.

There are no outsiders here anyway.

Therefore, after he savored Wang Su's words carefully, he tried his best to ask, "It seems that there is something behind my uncle's words."

After saying half a word, Xia Houhui's eyes were a little eager.

"Haha~"

Wang Su, who knew it well, chuckled and did not show off, "Yuanji asked people to bring a lot of paper and ink, and my family can't use it all. Therefore, a few days ago, the servant Lu Zi's family and the chief minister Cui Deru came The family chatted with me about the scriptures, so I took some as a gift. After the two of them went back for their own use, they felt that the paper and ink made at Zhiquan's house were of good quality, and they sent someone to ask me where they came from. Purchased.”

Lu Yu and Cui Lin.
A truly wealthy family in Hebei!

Alas, how could I have forgotten this? The emperor just asked me not to engage in business and lose my status, but if I didn't set up a shop to sell on the street, wouldn't it be fine?

Moreover, both paper and ink are literary and elegant objects.

If I make it at a low price and sell it to a wealthy family for their own use, how can I call it the smell of copper?

In a moment, Xia Houhui was enlightened, and he also hurriedly saluted Wang Su, "Please forgive my uncle for my family's lack of wealth. When he wrote back to Lu Shizhong and Da Si Nong, he said that the paper and ink produced in my family were more valuable than the current price. , only six points.”

Just six points?
Although he was a little puzzled by the low price, Wang Su didn't say anything and just agreed.

It also made Xia Houhui return with joy.

The years are rushing by, and it is late winter and December before I know it.

After leisurely enjoying Xiu Mu and having several friendships with his seventh brother Xia Houhe and Chen Taifu Gu Wang Ji, Xia Houhui followed the emperor Cao Rui's previous instructions and went to Simamen Knocking Que to ask for an audience.

But Emperor Cao Rui did not see him.

He just asked the attendant to tell him to continue taking a bath and continue "recharging his energy".

Even if you are attending the court every fifth day, you do not need to come to the court train. As for favors such as listening to the affairs of the emperor's court in the east hall and accompanying the emperor's ministers to have fun at the Beimang Mountain Manor, there is no need for his participation. In this regard, Xiahou Hui'an was as naive as ever.

He immediately returned to Shiquan Pine Forest and Maodong with his wife Wang Yuanji.

But he, who had been favored and favored by the emperor before, was suddenly sent home to idle. How could such an abnormal thing not attract the attention of some interested people?

Soon, people in Luoyang City began to have some stories about him after dinner.

With all the noise, he has already fallen out of favor~
Ru Jingxiang has a legend that he said in the Ganoderma lucidum pond, "Fear water as much as a tiger"~
It is also said that he violated the regulations when he was serving in Huainan, so he offended the emperor, and was deprived of military power and transferred back to Luoyang to idle~
Various speculations are flooding the market.

Even his uncle Wang Su believed him and actually wrote a letter to comfort him, asking him not to be impatient and depressed, live a leisurely life, study and cultivate his moral character in the hope that Emperor Cao Rui would change his mind.

It was amid this clamor of rhetoric that Lu Fan and Wei Shu came to Luoyang.

However, Lu Fan, who successfully invited Wei Shu to accompany him, returned home to say goodbye to his parents and elders, and then led a dozen of his family members to come non-stop to look for Xia Houhui.

At first, he did not enter the city, but went to Sun Lou's small house outside the city.

This was where he met Xia Houhui last time, and it was the only place he knew where he could find Xia Houhui.

But what greeted him was that the door was closed.

You can guess from the thick layer of snow in front of the door that no one has lived in the house for several days.

After asking around the neighbors and learning that Sun Lou had been staying at the Bochang Tinghou Mansion in Luoyang City in the past few months, Lu Fan hurriedly led everyone into the city to look for him.

Of course he knew Xia Houyuan's title during his lifetime.

In addition, Sun Lou was Xiahou Hui's family manager, so how could he not guess who Bochang Tinghou was.

On the way, he excitedly introduced Xia Houyuan's achievements and official positions to Wei Shu, and swore that Xia Houhui was named the Marquis of Bochang Ting when he was only in his twenties, and his future achievements would definitely be greater than Xia Houyuan's. high!
Then, he was rejected again.

The mansion of Marquis Bochang Ting is very large and grand, and the snow in front of the mansion is thicker and deeper than that of the small house outside the city.

He couldn't believe it.

Walking closer, I gently touched the double-eaves verandah-style stone platform, and suddenly I felt the coldness in my fingers spread to my heart. It was so cold that I felt uncomfortable.

Although he is young and has little experience, this does not prevent him from vaguely feeling that something bad has happened.

"Brother Yang Yuan, me"

He looked back at the dozen or so disciples who were standing woodenly, then turned his gaze to Wei Shu, and said with some frustration, "Brother Yang Yuan, please wait here for a moment. I'm going to find out where the Anning Tinghou Mansion is. The situation of General Xiahou."

"It's better for Junsheng to wait here."

Wei Shu walked over slowly, patted his back gently to comfort him, and said in a slow voice, "It's freezing cold and there are few pedestrians. I don't know when Jun Sheng went there. And I came from my father who was an official in the court. My grandfather gave me the address before in Luoyang, so it would be quicker for me to go there and ask. I know something about it from my father who is an official at Shangshutai."

Well, Wei Shu is not the head of Guizhou who cannot afford food and clothing.

Those who have the opportunity to study and learn bow and horse these days must at least come from a good family.

He lives dependent on his maternal ancestors simply because his relatives, who were orphans and very close by blood, are no longer in his hometown and have no one to look after him.

Now Wei Shu is in his late twenties and is still living in his grandfather's home instead of being taken to Luoyang. This is because his father Wei Heng thought he was stupid and only asked him to guard Shuidi in Sangzi, thinking that he could become a hundred in this life. The head of the household was in awe.

"Let's go together."

Lu Fan hesitated for a moment but did not refuse, "Although the capital is a good place, it would be nice to have someone to take care of you on the way."

Everyone searched all the way without mentioning it.

After a while, it arrived.

Lu Fan waited at a distance on the grounds that he had too many disciples to disturb him.

Wei Shu didn't force him and went to knock on the door.

His father Wei Heng was very surprised by his arrival.

But when he learned that he had accepted the invitation of his friends and came to serve as a composer for Xia Houhui, he became even more surprised.

After all, there is really no one who is an official in Luoyang City who does not know the name of Xia Houhui.

He also quickly told Wei Shu about the recent rumors in Luoyang City, and after hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Yang Yuan, why don't you go and invite your friends to settle in? Although my small house is not big, it can be crowded. It can be accommodated. The main general is not in the city now, and there are some difficulties, so he may not be able to accommodate you. "

Wei Shu refused without thinking.

He feels that men cannot be untrustworthy.

Now that they have arrived in Luoyang, they must go there to look for Xia Houhui; as for whether he will be accepted, that is another matter.

Therefore, he directly asked Xia Houhui's current address.

Wei Heng appreciated this very much.

Suddenly, I felt that this disciple of mine was not as stupid as I thought, at least he was quite independent.

He also pointed out the address: "Go out from the south city gate, go west against the Luoshui River, and find the end of the dug Yang Canal, which is the location of the Wubao in the home of General Xiahou."

After bowing and thanking him, Wei Shu said goodbye and left.

First, he told Lu Fan the address, and they went out of the city to look for it together. Along the way, they mentioned the rumors they learned from Wei Heng.

Lu Fan, who had just walked out of the city gate, stopped listening.

With a look of shame on his face, he suggested to Wei Shu, "Brother Yang Yuan, since your father has been in the court for a long time, I have been with you for a long time, and we have been away from you for a long time. It seems inappropriate to get together and part ways in a hurry this time. If not, "How about you go back to the city and rest, and I'll let you know when I find General Xiahou?"

Well, he didn't dare to introduce Wei Shu to Xia Houhui.

It’s normal to think about it.

He invited Wei Shu to serve as Xiahou Hui's comrade because he thought it would give his friend a chance to make contributions, but now
Be loyal when doing things and trustworthy when making friends.

When something unexpected happened, he didn't want to delay Wei Shu's future.

When Wei Shu heard this, he stopped walking and turned around to say hello, "The snow is very thick and the journey is long. Jun Sheng should walk faster. If we delay, we will have to sleep in the wilderness tonight."

"Okay, here we come."

Lu Fan was startled for a moment, then quickly followed up and walked side by side. He also took out a small cloth bag wrapped in layers from his clothes, and untied it one after another, revealing a small millet cake. He opened it with all his strength. , handed half to Wei Shu.

"My grandma made it. I keep one close to my body. I think this way I can always remember my grandma's instructions. I'm going to see General Xiahou today, so I'll part with Brother Yang Yuan."

"it is good."

(The age of Wei Shu was wrong in the previous article and has been corrected.) (End of this chapter)