The story of the struggle of the poor girl who crossed

Chapter 36 Negotiation
Mai Xiang really doesn't have a big heart. According to her vision for so many years, she is to find a simple and honest rural boy to live an ordinary and happy life.

Fahrenheit said: "Tomorrow, I will ask the matchmaker to find you a boy from a good family. Once the marriage is settled, everyone can feel at ease!"

Mai Xiang hurriedly stopped her: "Don't worry, I'm only 11 years old, so why are you so anxious? Wait a little longer, wait until my second brother passes the Tongsheng exam!"

Fahrenheit couldn't help frowning: "Your second brother is only nine years old, so when he passes the Tongsheng exam, it won't be a year or two later?"

According to the laws of Rongguo, candidates who take part in the children's examination must be at least ten years old.And the master of Pinellia always likes to let his students, after they are 11 years old, take part in the children's examination.

The master did this for the reason of caring for the students, because if he becomes famous too early, he will often fall to the point of "hurt Zhongyong".He didn't want the disciple he taught with all his heart to not end well in the end.

Mai Xiang said disapprovingly: "Two years later, I will only be 13 years old, so it doesn't matter at all. If you want me to tell you, if you want to get engaged, you have to be 15 years old. Boys under 15 years old don't understand anything, and maybe they will see each other and change their minds. "

Chang nodded: "Well, what Mai Xiang said is right, what do boys under the age of fifteen or sixteen know? They don't understand anything. When they are older, they might fall in love with other women. So , Getting engaged too early is actually very unreliable. I support Mai Xiang, wait until she turns 15! No matter how bad it is, she has to turn 13. Now she is only 11 and getting engaged, it's too early!"

Mai Xiang hugged Chang excitedly: "Grandma, thank you for understanding me, thank you for supporting me!"

Chang's face smiled like a chrysanthemum: "You are my granddaughter, I don't understand you, who do I understand?" Among all grandchildren, including grandchildren and granddaughters, the most sensible and most The cute one is Mai Xiang.She doesn't love Mai Xiang, who does she love?

Half a year passed quickly.

Mr. Tong, because of his remarkable political achievements and someone above him, was transferred to be the magistrate of the Bishuijiang area as a matter of course.

Both Hua Yangfan and Mai Xiang could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Although he has a high official position, he is not the county magistrate of Qinghe County after all. In this case, it is inconvenient for him to intervene in many things.

At the very least, it is definitely not easy for Lord Tong to intervene in the matter of Banxia's examination of children's students.Mai Xiang doesn't have any big demands on Banxia, ​​she just hopes that he can pass the Tongsheng exam, if he is admitted as a scholar, it will be even better!
The new county magistrate, Mr. Li, is a new Jinshi, in his early twenties.This young county magistrate has not yet married, and is going to the post alone.There is not even a master or a long follower by his side.It is said that he came from a poor family.

Master Li and Hua Yangfan hit it off right away, and they hit it off very well.

Perhaps, it is because they are all peasant children, and they are all people with lofty ideals.All in all, Mr. Li made Hua Yangfan feel very kind, unlike Mr. Tong, who always felt that there was a layer of separation between him and Mr. Tong even when he was closest to him.

Mr. Li took up the post alone, and felt that Hua Yangfan could be trusted, so he said to him: "Captain Hua, please help me find a cook and a long-term follower who can learn some martial arts, preferably a retired soldier."

He knew that Hua Yangfan had served as a soldier in the northwest battlefield, so he should know veterans.

Hua Yangfan quickly responded respectfully: "Okay, no problem, give me five days, and I will definitely help you find two useful and loyal people!"

Master Li: "Alright, if there is no major event these days, you can act freely and help me find someone as soon as possible!"

On the same day, Hua Yangfan went to Liangjiaao.

Fahrenheit asked in surprise: "Fifth Brother, today is not a public holiday, why do you have time to come?"

Hua Yangfan: "Third sister, the magistrate wants a cook, please help me find a lady who is good at cooking and has a good character in Liangjia'ao or nearby villages. In addition, my lord also needs someone who can learn martial arts." Long-term followers, preferably veterans!"

Liang Gaoshan listened on the sidelines, and then interrupted: "Hearing what you said, I just remembered that there is a hunter in the next village who is in his forties. His wife is very good at cooking. The husband and wife can't get along with the daughter-in-law. Now the family is separated."

Hua Yangfan: "Why don't you get along with your daughter-in-law? How is your character?"

Liang Gaoshan: "His daughter-in-law is a hob, and his son is a coward. The daughter-in-law is whatever she says, and she has no filial piety to her parents. The uncle and aunt are hardworking and honest, love cleanliness, and have no morals." I have to say! It's a pity that I gave birth to such a cowardly son. The family used to have five or six acres of land, but they were taken away by the daughter-in-law, and the son and daughter-in-law severed ties with the uncle and aunt. The uncle is now very old. I still have to venture into the deep mountains, if I can work in the county government, that would be great!"

Hua Yangfan nodded: "That's good, my brother-in-law took me to see the uncle and aunt. After seeing them, I can go to the county government and recommend them to Mr. Li!"

It's not that he doesn't believe in Liang Gaoshan, it's that he, the third brother-in-law, is too simple and honest, and there are not many bad guys in the eyes of the third brother-in-law.Besides, since he helped Mr. Li find candidates, at least he had to go and have a look and investigate in person.

"Okay, the next door village is very close, why don't we go now?" Liang Gaoshan wanted to help the hunter Pan Tusheng wholeheartedly.Therefore, he was very excited, even more anxious than Hua Yangfan.

Liang Gaoshan and Pan Tusheng are also good acquaintances.

Hua Yangfan smiled slightly: "Okay, then I will trouble brother-in-law!"

The two came to the next village, found Pan Tusheng, exchanged a few pleasantries, Liang Gaoshan said straight to the point: "Brother Pan, this is my brother-in-law, the county magistrate is looking for a cook, and there is another who can cook." I think you are suitable as a long-term follower of martial arts, so I introduced you to my brother-in-law. Today, we are here to meet with you to see if you are suitable!"

Pan Tusheng was surprised and delighted: "Really? That's great! We are willing to go, and we are willing to go for any amount of money!"

Going to work for the county magistrate, at least you don’t have to worry about food and clothing, and it’s Brother Gao Shan’s brother-in-law as a guarantee.This thing must be reliable, don't worry about anything.Brother Gao Shan's brother-in-law is a capable person and a good person. In the past two years, which one of the villagers from all over the world has not praised him?

The corner of Hua Yangfan's mouth couldn't help twitching, and he thought to himself: Brother-in-law, aren't you being too sincere?I'm here to investigate, and you made it clear as soon as you came, how can I inspect it?
However, his worries were unnecessary.After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Hua Yangfan finally felt relieved.

Because, Pan Tusheng seemed to be more honest and honest than Liang Gaoshan.His wife is also an honest and responsible person, kind and down-to-earth.

Before leaving, Hua Yangfan made an agreement with Pan Tusheng: "I'll go back to the county government right away. I have to ask my lord first. If he agrees, I'll come and take you to the county seat tomorrow!"

Pan Tusheng and his wife were full of gratitude. Pan Tusheng took Hua Yangfan's hand and forced a basket full of peanuts, red dates, walnuts, plums and peaches into his hand: "These are all grown at home, not worth a few The money is our whole heart, you must accept it! Otherwise, you will look down on us!"

As Pan Tusheng said, he simply put the pannier on Hua Yangfan's back.

Hua Yangfan had no choice but to accept the hospitality.

Back at the county government office, and after talking with Mr. Li in detail, Mr. Li was really satisfied: "I believe in your vision, and I also believe in your brother-in-law's character. That's good, you can go and bring him tomorrow!"

It's better for the couple to come to his side to do things together. In this way, they can stay in the county government wholeheartedly.Whether it's a holiday or a day of overtime, the two of them can feel at ease and don't have to worry about their families.

Hua Yangfan also suggested: "My lord, do I have to find a younger long-term follower? In the future, my lord will definitely not be reluctant to go to the countryside to visit. It will be safer to have another long-term follower who can know martial arts."

Master Li thought for a while, then nodded: "Alright, you can find another one!"

Anyway, he has 30 taels of silver a month, and he mails back twelve taels a month to honor his parents, and there is still a balance of 20 taels.One cook gave one tael of silver, and the chief gave two taels of silver. The total of the three of them was only five taels of silver.Five liang of silver is enough for food expenses plus pocket money. In this case, there are still ten liang of silver left, which can be saved to marry a wife in the future.

There are many similarities between Rongguo and the Song Dynasty in Chinese history. For example, in ****, the salaries of officials are relatively high.In this case, there will be much fewer officials who embezzle and accept bribes than in other dynasties.

Hua Yangfan planned to go back to Mushroom Village, firstly to visit his parents; secondly, in the village next to Mushroom Village, there was a comrade-in-arms Hong Liang who he had lived and died with. Introduce him to Mr. Li as a long-term follower.

Before returning to Mushroom Village, Hua Yangfan first went back to Liangjiaao.

Hearing that the fifth younger brother was going back to Mushroom Village, Fahrenheit hurriedly packed a big bag, and said to his younger brother, "Yang Fan, the clothes, shoes and socks in this bag are made for my parents, please help me take them back to my parents. , here is a bag of candies, two bags of pastries and two taels of silver. Don’t give all the money to mother, help me secretly give one tael to each of my parents!”

There were tears in Hua Yangfan's eyes, and his voice was a little choked up: "Okay, I will give it to my parents. Don't worry too much, third sister! In the future, every six months, I will go back to visit my parents once!"

The third sister said that she hated her parents, but in her heart, she still missed her parents very much, right?

After many years, Hua Yangfan stood at the door of his house again.

No, to be precise, he stood at the door of the eldest brother and second brother's house again.At this moment, the eldest brother and the second brother have already brought their wives and children, and are waiting at the gate
Seeing him coming, the eldest sister-in-law and the second sister-in-law rushed forward to snatch the burden in his hand, and shouted: "Oh, fifth brother, why come when you come, why do you still bring things? See you soon!"

Hua Yangfan avoided the hands of the two, glared at them sharply, and said angrily: "All the things in this bag are for parents, not for you!"

The face of the sister-in-law changed immediately, she clapped her hands vigorously, and shouted in a drawn-out tone: "Hey, things without a conscience are all family members, why didn't you even give us a gift when you came back? Huh! And said yes The headhunters in the county government are so lonely for their own family members, can they do the job of headhunters well? Shouldn’t the headhunters work for the common people’s benefit?”

Hua Yangfan has worked in the county government for more than two years, and he is no longer the dull head soldier he was two years ago. He glanced at his sister-in-law coldly: "What kind of family, I just came back from the Northwest two years ago. In the twelfth lunar month, how did you treat me? In order to completely get rid of me, a pauper and a cripple, I was not even allowed to enter the door, so I had to go to the wooden house on the mountain to live temporarily!
(End of this chapter)