At the end of the Han Dynasty: a stingy husband from his hometown

Chapter 155 Apprenticeship to the teacher, marriage with the gentry

Governor's House.

Chen Wen held the seal and ribbon handed in by Lu Jun and listened to the content of his subordinate's report, his expression turned very ugly.

Although he is not good at managing politics, he can also see from Lu Jun's resignation that the other party is not optimistic about him, so he is eager to get rid of the relationship.

Thinking of this, Chen Wen couldn't help cursing secretly: "These Jiangdong gentry really only have interests in their eyes, and they don't care about kindness at all."

What Chen Wen said was not wrong.

In fact, not only the Jiangdong nobles, but almost all the nobles in the world have this kind of virtue. Most of them pay attention to seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages, and choose whoever is more powerful.

When Bian Rang learned that Lu Jun had resigned, he immediately got up and said: "The county is busy with business, please forgive me for not being able to stay in the Governor's Mansion for a long time."

After speaking, Bian Rang also left.

Gu Yong is now only the magistrate of Hefei County, and he doesn't have much right to speak. Seeing that Lu Jun and Bian Rang are unwilling to get involved, he naturally left very tactfully.

After sending the two away, Chen Wen couldn't help but limp on the ground, and said in a dazed way: "I have owed my kindness to everyone, and I never thought it would end like this."

The attitudes of Lu Jun, Bian Rang, and Gu Yong have made Chen Wen completely give up, and he no longer wants to compete with Zhou Qi for the ownership of Yangzhou.

In the final analysis, Chen Wen himself has neither ability nor strength, and others don't think highly of him at all.

Just when Chen Wen started to pack his things, and was about to wait until Zhou Qi arrived in Shouchun, and after handing over the affairs, he planned to resign and return to his hometown, but he was notified by his servants that the envoy of General Cheqi had arrived.

Chen Wen was furious when he heard the words, and said, "I'm ready to leave Yangzhou, but Zhou Qi still sends people to force me?"

In Chen Wen's view, it would be too humiliating for Zhou Qi to send his subordinates instead of coming to discuss important matters such as the handover of Yangzhou.

He wanted to see the people sent by Zhou Qi, but he also knew that he couldn't do so. In the end, he could only suppress the anger in his heart and meet Zhou Jin and Zhou Tai.

"Zhou Jin pays homage to the envoy!"

"Zhou Tai greets the envoy!"

When the two saw Chen Wen, they hurried forward to salute. The salute was very respectful, without the slightest hint of arrogance or coercion.

Seeing this, Chen Wen felt a little better.

He heard that both of them were surnamed Zhou, so he immediately asked, "Are you from the same family as Zhou Cheqi?"

Zhou Jin shook her head and said, "A certain person was born in Anfeng County, Lujiang. He is a side branch of the Lujiang Zhou family, and has a long relationship with General Cheqi."

Chen Wen glanced at Zhou Jin in surprise, and then said: "The Lujiang Zhou family also originated from the Pei Guo Zhou family. Although the blood relationship is far away, if you really have to calculate it carefully, it is not bad to say that Zhou Cheqi is of the same family."

Then he looked at Zhou Tai and said, "Could it be that you are also from the Lujiang Zhou family?"

Zhou Tai said: "A certain was born in Xiacai, Jiujiang, and has the same ancestor as the Zhou family of Peiguo, but the blood relationship is already very weak."

Chen Wen nodded slightly and said: "The Zhou family of Pei State spreads all over Pei State, and the vast majority of people with the Zhou surname of Pei State have some relationship with the Zhou family of Pei State."

"Xiacai is adjacent to Pei State, and even the language and customs are the same as Pei State. They must have migrated south before, and they can be regarded as the same clan as Zhou Chaiqi."

After learning of their backgrounds, Chen Wen's attitude improved a lot.

He knew that Zhou Qi was also from a branch of the Zhou family in Pei State, and that branch of the family was sparse. If he wanted to become bigger and stronger, he would have to be related to the main line of Pei State and the Zhou family in Lujiang.

Even if these two people do not belong to the main lineage of the Zhou family in Pei and the Zhou family in Lujiang, they can still be regarded as members of the Zhou Qi tribe.

The fact that the other party was able to send two people with the same surname to come, and their attitude was so respectful, made Chen Wen's anger gradually dissipate.

"Why are you here?"

The two looked at each other, and then Zhou Jin stood up and said, "Your envoy is a well-known person in the country. The general of chariots knows that you are here, and he admires you in his heart."

"However, the imperial court has conferred the title of Chariot and Cavalry General as the Shepherd of Yangzhou. The Chariot and Cavalry General was worried that he would offend the envoy by coming to take charge of Yangzhou affairs, so he sent me and I to offer generous gifts to the envoy and accuse him."

"If the emperor's heart is not over, the general of chariots and riders can submit a letter to resign from the post of Yangzhou pastor."

When Chen Wen heard this, a smile finally appeared on his face, and he secretly said: "Zhou Qi is quite humble this time, and knows how to respect scholars like me."

"However, I don't believe the words of resigning Yangzhou Mu."

"He's showing courtesy first and then soldiers. If I continue to occupy the position of governor of Yangzhou and don't leave, I'm afraid there will be swords and soldiers facing each other soon."

"Forget it, since he has acted impeccably and given me enough face, it is indeed difficult for me to control the situation in Yangzhou, so I simply push the boat along with the flow and hand over Yangzhou affairs calmly."

Thinking of this, Chen Wen immediately shook his head and sighed: "My strength lies in scholarship, not governance."

"General Chariot and Cavalry has made outstanding contributions. As the former magistrate of Anfeng County, he managed Anfeng County in an orderly manner, making Anfeng County, which was originally barren and chaotic, rich and clean."

"The chariot and cavalry general is both civil and military. Having him serve as the shepherd of Yangzhou is a blessing to the people of Yangzhou. I can also live in peace and quiet. Why not do it?"

"Please tell General Cheqi for me to come to Shouchun as soon as possible. I have prepared everything in the state, and I can hand over government affairs at any time."

Zhou Jin was overjoyed when she heard the words, but she remained calm on the surface, and bowed again: "Shijun Gaoyi!"

After putting down the gift, Zhou Jin did not leave Shouchun, but dispatched his confidants to report the matter, but he and Zhou Tai stayed in Shouchun, wandering around the city every day, actually looking for news.

But it was said that Zhou Qi received Zhou Jin's letter and couldn't help but be pleasantly surprised after reading the contents.

There are two things in the letter.

The first matter was naturally related to Chen Wen. After knowing that the other party had no intention of competing with him for the domination of Yangzhou, Zhou Qi was finally completely relieved.

The second thing is that Zhou Jin strongly recommended Zhou Tai.

Previously in the Huaihe River, Zhou Jin only felt that Zhou Tai's water skills were extraordinary, but after arriving on land, he discovered that Zhou Tai's martial arts skills were extraordinary.

Even compared to Xu Huang and Gao Shun, who were highly regarded in the army, he did not give in too much.

With such a talent and some connection with the Zhou family of Pei State, Zhou Jin naturally wanted to strongly recommend him, so as to pave the way for the formation of a naval army in the future.

Zhou Qi was pleasantly surprised, naturally because of Zhou Tai.

Don't look at Zhou Tai's namelessness now, but as long as he knows a little about the history of the Three Kingdoms, almost everyone knows Zhou Tai's name.

It is not an exaggeration to say that he is the Soochow general Sun Quan relied on most.

This person is capable of writing and martial arts, and can command both the navy and the infantry. His importance is no less than Dian Wei and Xu Chu, and even more so.

The most important thing is that the Xiacai Zhou clan basically migrated from the Peiguo Zhou clan, and the two are inextricably linked.

Since they belong to the same family, Zhou Tai can naturally use it with confidence.

"Order the army to speed up and march to Shouchun!"

Zhou Qi no longer had any worries at this time and led the army to Shouchun soon.

After Chen Wen got the news, he personally led the officials of the governor's office out of the city to greet him, which gave Zhou Qi enough face.

Zhou Qi did not rely on others and took the initiative to meet Chen Wen with a very respectful attitude, which made Chen Wen feel good about Zhou Qi.

After the handover of government affairs, Zhou Qi asked, "Where does your husband want to go after taking off the heavy responsibilities?"

Chen Wen pondered for a while, and then sighed: "Now that Dong Zhuo controls the government, thieves and thieves are everywhere in the world. I don't want to be an official anymore. I plan to return to my hometown to study in peace."

Zhou Qi's heart moved slightly when he heard this, and said: "As far as I know, your former residence is Runan."

"Runan has been devastated by war, the remnants of the Yellow Turbans are rampant everywhere, and thieves are swarming. It is not a safe place."

"In comparison, Yangzhou appears stable and prosperous."

"If you don't give up, you can stay in Yangzhou for the time being. Whether you want to continue to be an official or want to study and educate people, I am willing to help you."

Looking at the sincere Zhou Qi, Chen Wen hesitated for a while, but finally agreed.

Zhou Qi was overjoyed, and then took Chen Wen's arm, and said, "The Cheqi General's Mansion still lacks a long history, I don't know if you would like to take the position?"

When Chen Wen heard the words, his expression was slightly condensed.

General Cheqi has the right to open the mansion, including one Changshi and one Sima.

As for Xu Chu's guard Sima and Dian Wei's Zuojun Sima, they were not among the chariot generals who opened the mansion, but the emperor himself canonized them.

Although Changshi's rank is not high, he cannot be compared with the former governor of Yangzhou.

However, Chang Shi is the closest person to General Che Qi, and all matters in the General Che Qi's mansion need to be decided by Chang Shi, and his power is not trivial.

Nowadays, in troubled times, the generals of chariots and cavalry hold heavy troops, and the real authority of their subordinate Chang Shi will undoubtedly become greater.

Chen Wen didn't believe that Zhou Qi's subordinates would be short of someone who would serve as a long history.

The other party did this obviously to show their respect for him.

Chen Wen felt Zhou Qi's mind, and immediately bowed sincerely: "Thank you, General Che Qi, for your kindness, but I intend to study instead of politics, and I don't want to hold any official position anymore."

Zhou Qi sighed slightly, and said, "Since that's the case, I won't force you, sir."

"However, I plan to build an academy in Yangzhou, but I lack famous scholars and great Confucianism to teach students. I wonder if the master will help me?"

This time, Chen Wen did not refuse again.

For a scribe like him who is good at academics, teaching and educating people is obviously easier than governing.

As long as he can teach a few talents of the next generation, he will surely become famous, and his name will go down in history.

After keeping Chen Wen behind, Zhou Qi immediately went to visit Bian Rang, the governor of Jiujiang County.

Although Bian Rang is not a talent for governing the world, he is a celebrity today, and his influence among scholars is extraordinary, Zhou Qi dare not neglect.

in history.

It was because of Cao Cao's killing of Bian Rang, a famous scholar, that he led everyone to rebel when he attacked Xuzhou. Chen Gong and Zhang Miao welcomed Lu Bu into Yanzhou, which almost made Cao Cao homeless.

If it weren't for this, Cao Cao might have taken Xuzhou long ago.

That time also severely damaged Cao Cao's vitality, and he must have regretted killing Bian Rang very much afterwards.

County Sheriff's Office.

Bian Rang suddenly learned that General Cheqi, Yangzhou Mu, and Anfeng County Marquis came to visit, and he couldn't help but feel a little moved.

"He served as an official for me, but he didn't call me to go, but came to visit in person, which is quite polite."

Although Zhou Qi was not from a noble family, Bian Rang still has a good impression of him.

It was only because Zhou Qi first served as Wei Yangqiu of Sili School, and then was highly praised by Gai Xun, a famous scholar in Liangzhou, and then worshiped under the Yuan family in Runan.

All of the above people were born in the gentry, and they have quite a status in the shilin.

Zhou Qi's approval from them is equivalent to the approval of Shilin, and his attitude is so respectful, even letting this wild and unruly person feel good about him.

He went out to greet him in person, but unexpectedly saw Chen Wen, the former governor of Yangzhou, also come with Zhou Qi.

"Enter Zhou Qi at the end of the post-secondary school, and meet Mr.!"

When Bian Rang was still confused, he saw the leader coming forward respectfully to salute.

Bian Rang was also very surprised by Zhou Qi's address.

Zhou Qi did not mention official position here, but described himself as a "late learner" and called Bian Rang as "Mr."

As such.

Zhou Qi lowered his posture to visit Bian Rang, which would not damage his dignity, but also made Bian Rang feel like a spring breeze.

With just one sentence, Bian Rang's goodwill will be greatly increased.

Although Bian Rang is wild and unruly, he can be regarded as one of the big trolls in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Cao Cao couldn't stand the troll and killed him.

But people in sedan chairs carry people.

Since Zhou Qi was able to lower his stature and come to see him in person as a junior, if he was aggressive, he would not be a celebrity, but mean and ungrateful.

He hastily returned the salute and said: "The chariot general has a high position and authority, how can he pay a visit to me in person?"

Zhou Qi said: "Sir, what you said is wrong."

"In terms of age, sir, he is the elder; in terms of knowledge, sir, he is knowledgeable and far better than me."

"The so-called master is a teacher, and the teacher is like a father."

"I came here to pay a visit to Mr. I don't judge high or low based on my official position, but because I am a late learner. Why not?"

Hearing Zhou Qi's words, he felt quite useful, and brought Zhou Qi and Chen Wen into the Sheriff's Mansion, only to learn that after Chen Wen handed over Yangzhou's affairs, he didn't intend to leave, but wanted to settle in Yangzhou. Studying and educating people here.

Bian Ren couldn't help being overjoyed when he heard the words.

He was a well-educated person. Although Chen Wen respected him before, Bian Rang still looked down on Chen Wen.

Because Chen Wen is somewhat utilitarian, he has no way to study with peace of mind.

Otherwise, with Chen Wen's talent, he will inevitably become a great Confucian in the future.

Now Chen Wen is willing to let go of everything and stay in Yangzhou to study with peace of mind, but let him treat him with admiration.

"In time, Yuan Ti will become a great Confucian!"

The three drank and discussed poetry.

In order to cater to the two of them, Zhou Qi told all the scriptures he had learned over the years, and copied some future poems and insights, which also surprised Bian Rang and Chen Wen.

It wasn't until this moment that they seemed to understand why Zhou Qi, who came from a bad background, was so respected by so many celebrities.

Bian Rang couldn't help sighing: "Ziyi is knowledgeable and quick-witted, but it's a pity that he didn't study Confucian classics in depth. Otherwise, as long as he calms down and studies, his future achievements will be limitless."

Zhou Qi sighed, "I lost my father when I was young, and lost my elder father when I was 17. I haven't even finished studying classics at home."

"Previously I was busy struggling, and there were no famous people to guide me. I could only explore a lot of Confucian classics by myself, which made the two gentlemen laugh."

Hearing the words, he couldn't help but move slightly in his heart.

He was good at writing articles. He once moved Luoyang with his "Zhang Hua Fu", which was passed down through the ages and impressed the great Confucian scholars of the time such as Kong Rong, Wang Lang and Cai Yong.

Therefore, Bian Rang ranks among the top Confucian scholars in the world.

But up to now, Bian Rang still has no disciples, and after seeing Zhou Qi at this time, his heart is a little bit moved.

The so-called great Confucians are not people who are indifferent to the fireworks of the world. Many people also attach great importance to fame and fortune.

Zhou Qi is not only knowledgeable and extremely intelligent, but also became famous at a young age, holds a heavy army, and has a high position and authority.

If Zhou Qi can be accepted as a disciple, even if he does not study Confucian classics, he can still give in as a master and apprentice, and his name will go down in history.

The most important thing is that although Zhou Qi has a high position and weight, after all, his background is not very good, and his background is not deep enough. If he can worship a great Confucian as his teacher, he will greatly make up for his own shortcomings.

In this way, among the scholars, there will definitely be a natural affection for Zhou Qi.

Chen Wen looked at Bian Rang and Zhou Qi's expressions, couldn't help but move slightly in his heart, and then deliberately said: "I once talked with Wen Li about scriptures and Taoism. .”

"Although Ziyi is busy with government affairs, he also has the heart to study, why not worship Wenli as his teacher?"

"In this way, Wenli can get a good student. Ziyi is also on the road of academic study, and he also has the guidance of a great Confucianism. Isn't it wonderful?"

Zhou Qi couldn't help being overjoyed when he heard the words, he hurriedly got up and said: "I really have this intention, I'm afraid I won't get into the eyes of the master."

Bian Rang stroked his beard, and said: "My view is that Ziyi is extremely intelligent. If he can concentrate on his studies, I will definitely devote myself to imparting what I have learned in my life."

Zhou Qi understood and immediately prostrated himself on the ground, saying: "Student Zhou Qi, meet the teacher!"

After that, Zhou Qi put aside his government affairs, picked an auspicious day, and began to distribute invitations widely, inviting scholars and celebrities from all over Yangzhou to come to Zhou Qi's apprentice banquet.

Bian Rang knew Zhou Qi's intention and was happy to do so, without saying any words to refuse.

Bian Rang is not greedy for power, only good name.

With Zhou Qi's fanfare apprentice banquet, it will be beneficial to both of them.

While preparations were under way for the teacher apprentice banquet, Zhou Qi summoned Xi Zhicai and said, "If you want to settle in Yangzhou, you must have all the big families."

"I want to take advantage of this banquet to invite all the celebrities from the major families in Yangzhou, so as to recruit talents and win over the major families. What does Zhicai think?"

After Zhou Qi arrived in Shouchun, he didn't seal off the officials immediately, but wanted to keep his official position so that he could use it to conquer Yangzhou's scholars.

He also wants to see who can use it and who can't through this apprentice banquet.

Those big families who have received invitations and come to the banquet may have other ideas in mind, at least they dare not openly deny Zhou Qi face.

These people can be wooed.

As for whether to reuse, one or two should be investigated.

Those big families who received invitations but didn't come to the banquet just didn't give Zhou Qi face.

Although he can't do anything to these families now, he will record them all in a small notebook, and he will eradicate them sooner or later.

But in Zhou Qi's opinion.

Unless the big families are kicked by donkeys, they will never turn a blind eye after receiving the invitation.

Xi Zhicai pondered for a while, and then said: "Just relying on official positions, it is difficult to really win the hearts of the major families. Minggong still needs to make other plans."

Zhou Qi said: "Please also ask Zhicai to teach me."

Xi Zhicai said: "The Lujiang Zhou family, the most prominent in Yangzhou, is related to the Zhou family of Peiguo. It is not difficult for Ming Gong's uncle to come forward after he arrives in Shouchun, so that the Lujiang Zhou family can be used by Ming Gong."

"Except for the Zhou family in Lujiang, the four major families in Jiangdong are the most prominent. Among them, the Lu family is the most important, followed by the Gu family."

"If we can use these two clans for our own use, it will be easy to settle Jiangdong with fairness."

Zhou Qi frowned and said, "How can we completely bring these two clans back together?"

Xi Zhicai smiled and said, "This matter is easy."

"Throughout the ages, marriage has been the best link between monarchs and local forces."

"If Duke Ming can marry a woman from the Lu and Gu clans, with this relationship, why worry that the two families will not be used by Duke Ming?"

Zhou Qi frowned upon hearing this.

As a man, and has traveled to ancient times, Zhou Qi is not disgusted with marrying more wives.

On the contrary, he felt that in today's troubled times, it would be beneficial for men to marry more wives to expand the population.

If a large number of men die in the war in the future, it is even possible to force widows to remarry, so that capable men can marry more wives.

But now there is a problem.

Zhou Qi has already married Shi, and she is the official wife. She also gave birth to two sons for Zhou Qi.

If you take another wife at this time, it will be concubinage.

In this era, the concubine's status is not high, and the major families may not be willing to let their prostitutes marry Zhou Qi as a concubine, which will definitely damage the family's face.

If you marry a concubine as a concubine, Zhou Qi, the Yangzhou shepherd, will definitely not want to, because the concubine's status is low, and the purpose of marriage will not be achieved.

His worry was not wrong. The four major families in Jiangdong have a long history, and their clansmen are spread all over the place. There are not a few ancestors who served as high-ranking officials of two thousand stones.

Although Zhou Qi is now a Yangzhou shepherd, he may not be comparable to the ancestors of the four major families.

Their nobility and arrogance have long been engraved in their bones. It is tantamount to wishful thinking to want their family's legitimate daughter to marry Zhou Qi as a concubine.

Xi Zhicai pondered for a while, then smiled and said, "This matter is easy."

"Even though Young Master Ji and Young Master Tong are young, they can make an engagement for them in advance and raise their fiancée in the mansion."

"Gong Zi Ji and Gong Zi Tong are the legitimate sons, and they may inherit Ming Gong's family business in the future and marry the two major families. It is expected that they will not refuse."

Zhou Qi frowned and said, "What about the two other families?"

Xi Zhicai said: "Isn't Zhou Cheng, brother of the Duke of Ming Dynasty, whose wife died early? You can make him marry the Zhu family."

"Zhou Cheng and Duke Ming's blood relationship has not gone through three generations, and they are in the same village. They treat them like brothers. Even if Zhou Cheng marries the Zhu family, it will not humiliate the Zhu family."

Zhou Qi couldn't help nodding slightly when he heard this, and said: "If so, Zhou Cheng should be rewarded first, otherwise Mrs. Zhu may think that we despise him."

Xi Zhicai nodded and continued: "Of the four major families in Jiangdong, the Zhang family has not had a high-ranking official of two thousand shi for a long time. It is ranked at the bottom of the four major families and urgently needs an opportunity for the family to rise again."

"If Duke Ming visits the Zhang family in person with generous gifts, and accepts his daughter-in-law as a concubine, it's not a bad idea."

Zhou Qi's heart moved slightly.

Although the Zhang family is in decline now, even if Zhang Wen is a talented person in the future, he will not be used by Sun Quan. In the end, he died in depression, and the Zhang family failed to rise.

It was not until the Northern and Southern Dynasties when the Zhang family abandoned literature and joined the army that they began to take off and become a prominent family.

The current Zhang family urgently needs to rely on external forces to break the current situation, otherwise they will be kicked out of the four major families in Jiangdong sooner or later.

Having said that, it doesn't mean that Zhang's power is not good enough.

There are many children in their clan, and there are not a few talented people, but because the family has been in decline for a long time, the children in the clan have no way to become officials.

If he is given a chance, with Zhang's background, he will soon be able to take off.

Zhou Qi pondered for a while, then said: "That's it, let's do some research and find a woman who is suitable for marriage."

　Let me talk about unpopular knowledge here. Zhou Yu doesn't know Sun Ce yet, so I will talk about it later.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)