Chapter 382

"Are you? Brother Chong" Xiao Wei had met Wang Zhong, but only once.

When she went to the Sheng family to take care of her elder sister Wei Shuyi, it was after the Sheng family moved to Tokyo. At that time, Wang Zhong was already in Tokyo. Xiaowei and Wang Zhong met for the first time when Wang Zhong went to Quanzhou to take office. It wasn't long before I brought Old Madam Sheng and Minglan back to Yangzhou to pick up Wei Shuyi.

At that time, Wang Zhong and Ming Lan's marriage had already been settled.

"I've seen my aunt!" Wang Zhong said with a smile and cupped his hands.

"Why is Brother Chong here?" Seeing Wang Zhong, Xiao Wei was very surprised.

Wang Zhongdao: "I just came back from Tokyo. I brought letters from my sixth sister and my mother-in-law. I'm here to see my aunt!"

Hearing Wang Zhong's address, Xiao Wei was taken aback for a moment, and then realized that the mother-in-law Wang Zhong was talking about was none other than her sister who was the daughter-in-law of the Sheng family, Minglan's biological mother.

"Eat tea, have tea!" Xiao Wei hurriedly greeted Wang Zhong for tea.

"Where are my uncle and two younger brothers?" Wang Zhong scanned the room, but did not see Xiaowei's husband and two sons.

Xiaowei's home is a small farmyard, with three main rooms, a side room and a storeroom to the east, a kitchen and firewood room to the west, a backyard behind the main house, a barn, and a chicken coop, There is also a duck pen and a barn, where pigs and cattle are raised.

It was a standard small farmyard, and it was from a rather wealthy family.

After all, Xiaowei's family now has [-] acres of good paddy fields and a few acres of dry fields. The family can't grow them all, and some of them are rented out. This family is considered relatively wealthy in the village.

"Your uncle took them into the city with the villagers! It's almost time to come back!"

Wang Dian nodded, and asked Wang Qian'er to take the letter to Xiaowei.

"Although Minglan and her mother-in-law are far away in Tokyo, they still miss her aunt!" Wang Qian'er had already delivered the letter to Xiaowei.

Xiaowei was not in a hurry to open the letter, but talked with Wang Zhong: "How is my sister? How is Minglan and Brother Dong's child?"

Wang Zhong smiled and said: "Mother-in-law has recovered very well, and now she is basically no different from ordinary people. Brother Dong also followed Mr. to start enlightenment, and already knows a lot of words, and Minglan is fine, everything is fine! Even mother-in-law and Ming Lan miss Auntie very much, and look forward to seeing you in Tokyo!"

Wei Shuyi is just Sheng Hong's concubine, although he is a good concubine, but a concubine is a concubine, it is not easy to leave the Sheng family, let alone leave Tokyo and return to Yangzhou thousands of miles away, naturally he can only Xiaowei went to Tokyo to visit her sister and Minglan.

"That's good! That's good!" Xiao Wei, who confirmed from Wang Zhong's mouth that her sister's recovery was excellent, was obviously relieved, and the smile on her face became brighter and brighter.

In the past, when Wang Zhong took Wei Shuyi's son by caesarean section, when Xiao Wei was taking care of Wei Shuyi in Yangzhou, his sister Wei Shuyi mentioned it more than once.

At that time, Wei Shuyi had lost all thoughts, thought that he was doomed for a while, and was ready to be separated from his sister and daughter forever, but he didn't want to be pulled out of the Palace of Hades by Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong asked: "How is my aunt living in Yangzhou these few years?"

"Okay! It's good!" Xiao Wei said with a satisfied smile, "Now the family has fields and land, and they don't have to worry about food and clothing. They live a comfortable life!"

While talking, two childish voices came from outside: "Mother!"

Xiaowei explained: "They are back!"

After a while, Wang Zhong saw two ten-year-old boys, wearing padded jackets, each carrying a small bamboo basket.

There was also a man in his 40s and [-]s who was carrying a piece of fat and thin pig belly tied with a straw rope. He was dark-skinned, not tall, with thick palms and rather rough knuckles. He followed behind the two boys.

Xiao Wei hurriedly helped to introduce: "This is brother Chong. He has already made an engagement with that girl Minglan, and they will get married in the spring of next year."

Then he introduced to Wang Zhong: "This is the head of my family. His surname is Zhang and his name is Erniu."

"Junior Wang Zhong, I have met my uncle!" Wang Zhong greeted the man.

Wang Zhong's clothes were quite extraordinary, and he was Ming Lan's fiancé-in-law, this alone made it impossible for him to be an ordinary person. Zhang Erniu was honest and honest, so he was a little cautious in front of Wang Zhong.

Fortunately, Wang Zhong was not the one who took Joe. Xiao Wei went to work in the kitchen, and Wang Zhong chatted with Zhang Erniu. They were not talking about important national affairs, but ordinary farming tasks, such as weeding, insect control, and rice protection. sickness and the like.

Wang Zhong didn't have the slightest airs on him, and he took the initiative to chat with Zhang Erniu. After a while, Zhang Erniu's initial restraint disappeared.

While chatting, the two of them inevitably talked about Zhang Erniu's two sons.

The two brothers are called Zhang Xin and Zhang Yi respectively, Zhang Xin is the elder brother and Zhang Yi is the younger brother. The names of the two brothers are both named by their mother Xiao Wei, which is simple, clear and meaningful.

The Zhang family can have the situation it is today, it is inseparable from Wei Shuyi and Minglan's help, but it also cannot be separated from Zhang Erniu's hard work and Xiaowei's shrewdness.

Xiao Wei was originally from a family of scholars, but because his family was in decline and his parents were seriously ill, he was reduced to the point where his elder sister sold herself as a concubine, and her younger sister married a farmer.

Now that the family is improving slightly, Xiaowei naturally hopes that his two sons will have a bright future, but if they fail the imperial examination, they should read more books, write and do calculations in the future, and it will be better than working hard in the fields for a lifetime.Therefore, Zhang Xin and Zhang Yi brothers began to study early.

In the beginning, it was Xiao Wei who taught them hand in hand, but although Xiao Wei was literate, but limited by his talent, he did not read many books. He could enlighten his two sons, but he could not teach them more profound knowledge. Now the two brothers Everyone studies in a school run by an old scholar in a neighboring village. Each person pays five hundred wen a year, but this does not include the cost of books, and you have to bring your own pen, ink, paper and inkstone.

This price is not high, and it can even be said to be very cheap. After all, the school of Huaihe, Jiangsu and Zhejiang is popular, there are countless schools, large and small, and there are not a few famous academies. Most of the hopeless scholars will choose to return to their hometowns to open schools to teach children of the same ethnic group and villages to read and write.

It is precisely because of this that the literary style in the land of Lianghuai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang has become more and more prosperous, more and more people can read and write, and naturally more and more talents have been produced.

Xiao Wei cooked the meals, and the two sons went to buy two jars of wine with their backs on their backs. The couple respectfully invited Wang Zhong to sit down, but Wang Zhong refused, saying that he and Minglan were engaged, so he was Junior, how can I take the seat.

The couple had nothing to do with Wang Zhong, but fortunately, Xiao Wei also had a straightforward temper, so he simply let Zhang Erniu sit at the main seat, and the couple drank bowl after bowl with Wang Zhong, and Zhang Erniu brought them back. The braised pork made of pork belly, fried soybeans, scrambled eggs, a piece of fried cabbage, and a piece of fried bacon with garlic moss, taste very good.

After a while, the two jars of wine ran out, and Xiao Wei had to take care of the children, so he didn't drink much, but Zhang Erniu's face was flushed from drinking, his eyes were cloudy, and his consciousness was confused.

Wang Zhong put down the wine bowl, taking advantage of the drunkenness, he suddenly changed his voice and asked, "Now Brother Xin and Brother Yi are getting older, has Auntie ever thought about their future?"

"In the future?" Xiao Wei was taken aback.

But Zhang Erniu said drunkenly: "Why didn't I think about it, it's just that the two brothers are not good-for-nothing, and they don't study well. We didn't expect them to be successful in the exams, we just hoped that they wouldn't have to be like us in the future." They can only make a living by farming the land, and they don’t know anything else.”

Zhang Erniu is honest and honest, even a little dull. He is good at serving the crops, but he is a little less shrewd when it comes to business.

Xiao Wei said: "We don't expect them to have much success, we only hope that the two brothers can live in peace and well-being, and that's enough."

"I have been working in Quanzhou for three years. Today, all walks of life in Quanzhou are in a thriving development stage, and there are many opportunities. Uncle and aunt, would you like to take Brother Xin and Brother Yi with me to Quanzhou?"

"Going to Quanzhou?" Xiao Wei was a little caught off guard by Wang Zhong's words, even Zhang Erniu, who had been dizzy and muddled, lost a lot of alcohol and regained some clarity.

Wang Chongdao: "Sister Qian and Brother Xu will also follow me to Quanzhou this time. After I plan to arrive in Quanzhou, I will invite famous teachers to teach Sister Qian and Brother Xu to read. I will personally supervise and teach them if I have time. Studying and practicing martial arts, if my uncle and aunt are willing to go to Quanzhou, it is just for Brother Xin and Brother Yi to study and practice martial arts with Sister Qian."

"If my uncle and aunt are reluctant to leave their hometown, that's okay. Let Brother Xin and Brother Yi go to Baishui Academy to study. The Xiaozhuzhuang in the east of Baishui Village is my property. Uncle and aunt can also move to Xiaozhuzhuang to see Brother Xin. The two brothers are reading."

"If my uncle and aunt have a college they like, I can also write a book. Although I am not very old, I am still a bit thin on this three-acre land in Yangzhou."

Wang Zhong gave Xiaowei and Zhang Erniu three choices at once, the happiness came so suddenly, the couple were stunned, and they didn't know how to choose for a while.

"Uncle and aunt don't need to rush to make a decision. I will leave Yangzhou in three days. If my uncle and aunt make some decisions within three days, you can go to Xiaozhu Village to find me!"

With enough food and drink, and it was getting late, Wang Zhong bid farewell.

Early the next morning, Wang Zhong approached three elders and sages in Baishui Village, and directly stated his decision.

"Forgive me, the three lords. I have been thinking about the proposal of the three lords that day for the past two days, tossing and turning, having difficulty falling asleep, thinking about it again and again, and finally feel that it is not appropriate to take a concubine!"

"I think that the way we get along now is very good. Nowadays, almost every household in the village has people working in Xiaozhuzhuang. Some of the village children who have graduated from the academy have passed the apprenticeship stage, and there are several stewards. Now, it can be said that every household in the village no longer has to worry about food and clothing, and what the three elders are worried about is nothing more than the future of the younger generations in the village."

"Today, I can make a promise to the three elders. Among the teaching staff of Baishui Academy, the one with the highest fame is no more than Juren, let alone the great Confucian who is famous all over the world. However, if there are any scholars in the academy who are admitted to the imperial examination, they want to continue their career in the imperial examination. Yes, Redesign will spare no effort to support."

"It's so good!" The three grandpas all showed smiles on their faces.

"We old fellows are here to thank Brother Zhong for the younger generation in the village and the students in the school!"

The three elders themselves did not have too much expectations. After all, Wang Zhong was too precocious, too steady, too decisive, and he had already passed the imperial examination at a young age and was still in a high position. They only dared to fight with Wang Zhong. He raised the suggestion again, how could he dare to be Wang Zhong's master.

In fact, Wang Zhong himself has always planned this way, but the establishment of Baishui Academy is too short, and it has not yet produced another scholar.

Those who first entered the academy had either entered Xiaozhu Village, or followed Wang Zhong to Quanzhou, but there are still a few talented people in the academy, but they are young and lack knowledge.

Although the three elders felt sorry, they also respected Wang Zhong's decision, and they could only respect Wang Zhong's decision.

"The three grandfathers are really too polite!" Wang Chongchong clasped his hands and said, "In addition to reporting on my duties this time, I have also received orders from the government to mention the Quanzhou Shipping Department. When the Shipping Department is established, Quanzhou will definitely It can become an external port not inferior to Hangzhou and Mingzhou.

The three grandfathers can discuss with the villagers, if there are any people in the village who want to go to Quanzhou, whether they are doing business or looking for an errand, if there are any people who want to go to sea with the boat and see exotic customs, they can also come to me. "

"Go to Quanzhou?" Ten of the students of Baishui Academy have gone to Quanzhou with Wang Zhong. Although these ten people are not all Yu and Li, most of them are related to Yu and Li.

"Besides that, there is one more thing!" Wang Zhong said again.

"What else is there?" The three grandfathers all looked at Wang Zhong in doubt.

"I'm going back to Quanzhou this time. I'm thinking of recruiting some young, strong and physically fit guards from the village. It's best to be able to use martial arts as guards."

As the saying goes, the third-rank officials in front of the prime minister's gate, the three elders did not mean to look down on the guards, but asked curiously: "I wonder what the rules are for recruiting guards?"

Wang Zhongdao: "If you are a farmer, you will be exempted from land rent for five years and five guan for settling in. If you are other villagers, you will be given ten guan for settling in. If you have made meritorious service, you will be rewarded according to the degree of merit. And fields."

"Reward the fields?" Even the three elders were shocked when they heard Wang Zhong's words.

In the vicinity of Yangzhou, although there are many fertile fields, the population is also dense. Especially in recent years, with the prosperity of water transport, there are many rich salt merchants in Yangzhou City. less than.

In order to buy Xiaozhu Village back then, Wang Zhong spent three times the market price. This was due to the relationship of the Cao Gang, and it just happened to catch up.

Generally, for villages like Xiaozhuzhuang, which are near Yangzhou, as soon as the news of the sale is released, within half a day, people who come to the door to buy can almost break the threshold.

"Brother Chong is serious?"

"One word from a gentleman, four horses are hard to chase!" Wang Zhong said firmly.

In the afternoon of that day, the three elders held a clan meeting to inform everyone of the news. In just half a day, Wang Zhong was about to recruit guards, and the news of the extremely favorable treatment spread throughout Baishui Village.

The next day, when the sky was getting brighter, there were around twenty men who thought they were young, strong, and physically strong gathered outside Xiaozhu Village.

Wang Zhong made a selection and selected five people.

In the afternoon, Zhang Erniu and Xiaowei also brought their two sons, drove Niutou, and came to Xiaozhu Village with their bags in large and small bags.

Looking at the Xiaowei family who had already prepared their bags, Wang Zhong smiled: "It seems that uncle and aunt have thought about it!"

Zhang Erniu rubbed his head and said: "Your aunt said that you read a lot, you are knowledgeable, and you are well-informed. You must have a better vision than us. If you can follow you, I believe you and the two brothers will definitely have a better future." We have discussed the future, and we will go to Quanzhou with you."

With a smile on Wang Zhong's face, he respectfully invited the two of them to drink tea, and asked by the way: "Is the house of uncle and aunt settled properly?"

Xiaowei said: "All the livestock in the family have been sold, and the house and fields have been entrusted to my uncle and uncle to take care of them. Our family only brought some soft food."

"It's enough, it's enough!" Wang Zhong said with a smile, "We'll wait until Quanzhou to deal with everything!"

"If my aunt goes with me, she can just be my sister-in-law's companion!"

"That's a good relationship! I've got company along the way!" Xiao Wei laughed without restraint.

Although Zhang Erniu is honest and honest, but Xiao Wei's personality is clear and transparent, he does things cleanly, does not procrastinate, and is quite decisive. Wang Zhong guessed that their family could abandon their house and fields and follow him to Quanzhou , must be inseparable from Xiaowei's persuasion.

"Uncle and aunt, let's stay at Zhuangzi first, how about we set off later?" Wang Zhong seemed to be asking for their opinions, but in fact the itinerary had already been set, so naturally he would not change it arbitrarily because of Xiao Wei's family.

"Now our whole family has come to join Brother Chong, and everything is naturally arranged by Brother Chong!" Zhang Erniu is not good at speaking, so many foreign affairs are usually dealt with by Xiaowei.

Wang Zhongdao: "I still have some minor matters to deal with. My sister-in-law brought Sister Qian and Brother Xu back to her mother's house. I can return in the evening. If my uncle and aunt are free, I can let the second day of junior high school lead you for a walk around the village. Let's take a stroll, wait for my sister-in-law to come back, and meet my uncle and aunt again!"

"Brother Chong, go and get busy, don't call us!" Xiao Wei was very perceptive, knowing that Wang Zhong was busy with everything, he expressed his understanding.

I heard that Xiaowei's family came, and Wang and Li didn't even bother to eat dinner. After a few words with the family, they hurried home with their children. After meeting, they chatted for a short time before finding out The two were quite speculative.

Thinking about it, although Xiaowei was born in a scholarly family, his family has long since fallen. He only studied with his father and sister for a few years when he was young, and then followed his mother to wash, sew, and farm for a living. The situation is the same as after marrying into the Wang family. Wang Li's family is quite similar, and the two inevitably feel a little bit of sympathy for each other.

Two days later in the morning, a group of people took a boat from Yangzhou Wharf, all the way to Hangzhou, and then transferred to the sea boat.

(End of this chapter)

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