Settled in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 170
Yan Liben said: "Mr. Xue was honored yesterday. Although he received the canonization documents, he did not accept the formal attire, official robes, guards of honor, and guards. In a foreign country, if you want to come here, the food, clothing, housing and transportation are different from our dynasty. The sage has given you fields and houses, and ordered them to settle down. You should ask Duke Xue for his opinion on how to arrange the mansion. Therefore, the sage asked me to accompany Duke Xue to go to Yuci’s mansion to see if there is any need for improvement. Although Duke Xue said clearly, I will try my best to do it.”

When Xue Lang heard this, he was quite moved, and he sincerely bowed his hands in the direction of the inner palace, and said gratefully: "I thank the sage for taking care of me, and thank King Qin for his consideration. The sage treats me like this, I really don't know how to repay it! Master Yan, please take me with you." Let's go to the mansion and have a look."

"Mr. Xue, please."

The two left Miyagi together, Xue Lang asked Changjian to go to Nankeguan to call Jiang Lin and the others, and the group went to the residence given to Xue Lang by the sage of Xingdaofang.

Xingdaofang is at the end of Suzaku Street, close to Suzaku Gate, next to the inner city, the location is very good.Those living nearby are either relatives of the emperor or ministers of the court.If Xue Lang hadn't been gifted by the imperial court, he wouldn't have expected to live here.Across a Zhuque Street, opposite Guanglufang, Princess Pingyang's residence in Beijing is there, very close.

On the gate of the mansion, a door plaque with the words "Xue Mansion" was already hung. When a group of people entered, Yan Liben took out a blueprint from his entourage, which was a panoramic plan of the mansion.

Yan Liben pointed to the drawings, and explained to Xue Lang in detail where and what places in the mansion were, and what their purpose was——

In ancient times, the construction of houses was strictly regulated.The style of the roof, the width of the gate, the materials and patterns that can be used, etc., have different levels, different identities, and different regulations.

The best is naturally the imperial palace, followed by the palace, and then the mansion of the prince.Most of the Tang Dynasty followed the ancient rituals. According to "Zhou Li", the residence of hundreds of officials was called the mansion.Ordinary common people, even rich businessmen, cannot hang the characters of government on the door plaque.

When building a house, it is against the law to use inappropriate patterns, decorations, materials, or even the wrong number of steps.When the emperor doesn't want to liquidate, that's all right. When the emperor liquidates, it's one of the criminal evidence.Xue Lang's mansion was bestowed by the emperor, not built by himself, so naturally there is no need to worry about any violations.

There are two places for Xue Lang to modify. One is to build a flat martial arts arena, which will be used to play games with Baozi and the others and exercise himself.

The other is the garden. For the fresh garden, Xue Lang, a pragmatic person, basically has no idea. He directly asks people not to plant any flowers and plants, but to plant peach trees and grapes instead.There are more peach trees and fewer grapes.

The rockery can be kept, and I hope to plant some pillars. There is no need for beautiful ornamental bamboos, ordinary moso bamboos will do.No specific requirement for species.

These requirements were quite different from those of the people at the time. Although Yan Liben was surprised, he didn't talk too much. Instead, he carefully wrote down Xue Lang's request, checked with Xue Lang, and then left.

After Yan Liben left, Xue Lang and his party walked around the new mansion with great interest.As a county mansion, it can be said that the courtyard is deep, and the scope of activities in the outer courtyard is very wide, not to mention the numerous inner courtyards of the houses.

In addition to living houses, pavilions and pavilions, everything is available, but the plaques are all blank, waiting for the owner to come up with a name.In the rather extensive garden, there is also a pond. According to Xue Lang's visual inspection, it is at least dozens of mu.

According to records, the mansion of Li Tai, the son of His Majesty the King of Wei, once occupied an area of ​​one square, and the pond in the mansion was as much as [-] mu.With Xue Lang's current level, there is a pond of tens of mu in the mansion, which is considered moderate.

There is nothing in the pond at present, only some small fishes. According to Yan Liben's drawings, because the climate is not suitable, the original plan was to plant lotus flowers, but now we can only wait for next year.

Regarding this, Xue Lang meant that the lotus pond can only occupy one-third of the pond, and the remaining two-thirds do not need to be planted, as long as fish are placed.Some weeping willows are planted by the pool. In summer, boating in the pool and fishing on the shore are also fun.

Xue Lang reckoned that he still hadn't visited the whole mansion after walking around for half an hour, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart, in modern times, even if he worked hard for ten lifetimes, it would be impossible for him to have such a big house.

The mood is really complicated!
"Report to Dalang, Taipu Temple, Weiwei Temple and the Ministry of Punishment have sent guards of honor and servants."

Taipu Temple is in charge of chariots and horses, Weiwei Temple is in charge of guards, and official slaves and maidservants are supervised by the Ministry of Punishment.The sage bestowed 30 handymen and five maids.Of course the maids are from Ye Ting Palace, and the handymen are sent by the Ministry of Punishment.The maids have not been assigned yet, and now they are sent by servants and guards.

Looking at the people present, Xue Lang deeply felt that there was a need for a butler. If there was a butler, he could let the butler do all these things.

When they were in trouble, among the guards who came, a guard named Sun Chang came out more and more: "Xue Zhiyi, please send Chang Jian to accept the servants. The guards will be led by Jiang Duwei and a certain family. You accept it."

Only then did Jiang Lin come to his senses, and said, "Brother, just let me wait. Zimao, let's go."

Xue Lang made a decisive decision: "Xiu Niang, pass my handwritten letter to Weize Pass, and ask Ah Chen to bring your child to Beijing."

Xiu Niang was both surprised and delighted: "Thank you Da Lang, this servant will call someone now."

Xue Lang can't live in the mansion in central Beijing for the time being. With Ah Chen's knowledge and talent, I don't know if he has enough ability to support the affairs of the mansion in a place like Chang'an.Fortunately, Xue Lang will not be living in the capital for a short time, so the human affairs are naturally not complicated. Let Ah Chen take care of the house and exercise for a while. If he can be trained, he will naturally be promoted to be a housekeeper. Someone should stand out.

Xue Lang pondered for a while, and called out: "Hexiang."

He Xiang respectfully replied, "Your servant is here."

Xue Lang said: "I will entrust you with the inner courtyard of the Duke's Mansion. You have been with me for a while, and you know my temperament. Tell yourself, are you competent? I will entrust it to you!"

A look of determination flashed across He Xiang's face, and the tone of voice was steady and authentic: "This servant will definitely live up to Da Lang's expectations."

"Okay! That's how you look like someone who came out of the princess' mansion. I will leave the inner courtyard of the mansion to you."

"Here."

He Xiang replied respectfully and firmly.

Xue Lang nodded. This arrangement is only temporary. If these two people are qualified, they will naturally stay in the post when he goes to Chang'an in the future.Whether you can seize the opportunity depends on the abilities of the two of you.

Today's court meeting only went on for half a day, and now it's just past noon, and it's still early.Hand over with the people from Weiwei Temple and the Ministry of Punishment.Sun Chang has been with the princess for a long time and has extensive knowledge. He is basically familiar with how to arrange the guards.

Take them directly to the house specially set up for Yiwei to live in, and arrange for them to live.The ceremonial guard that marks the status of Duke Xue Lang will be sent by the supervisor tomorrow, so the guards of honor are just empty names and have not actually performed their duties.

For the thirty servants, Xue Lang directly ordered men and women to be locked up in two courtyards, and then asked Changjian to pick out a few strong male servants to carry the things belonging to Xue Lang to the post station.

(End of this chapter)