The housekeeper of the Wei Mansion could only watch them leave. Xiao Yuanzheng accompanied her for a while and then said: "I will come to express my condolences tomorrow. Mr. Zhou, there is no car to pick you up. Do you want to ride back with me?"
Zhou Man handed the medicine box to Xi Cing and refused, "It's not far away. I'll just walk back. See you later."
Xiao Yuanzheng took a look at the road ahead. Wei Mansion and Zhou Residence were in different places, and it would take at least half an hour to walk there. However, thinking that Mr. Wei had just left, and that Zhou Man and Wei Zhi had always had a good relationship, he sighed and stopped trying to persuade him.
He nodded and turned to leave.
The capital has always been prosperous, with a lot of business and travel, and it is not affected by the season at all. Even now, when the autumn harvest has just ended and it is time for various places to pay autumn taxes, there is still an endless stream of people coming and going on the streets.
Although the streets are separated from each other, there have been a lot of people traveling in and out of Chang'an in recent years. Although there are no shops in the residential quarters, there are people setting up stalls on both sides of the streets, mostly selling small items and food.
Generally, as long as there is no trouble, the government officials patrolling the streets will turn a blind eye and act like they have not seen anything.
Zhou Man slowly walked out of the square gate and turned into the streets of Dongshi. The noise instantly overwhelmed her. She paused, looked at the lively scene, and crossed her hands together.
There are happy bargainers everywhere. They must not know that just now, the Jin Dynasty lost a star and the emperor lost a humerus minister.
Xi Cing followed Zhou Man and returned home silently.
Everyone in Zhou's house was busy, only Lao Zhoutou, Mrs. Qian and Mrs. Liu were at home. Zhou Man put down the medicine box and said to Mrs. Liu: "Master Wei has passed away, we have to prepare some funeral rituals."
Mrs. Liu guessed it when she saw her coming back. She sighed and said, "I'll go with you tomorrow."
Back then, their family was able to seek revenge only because of the help of Wei Zhi, otherwise they would not know when they would be able to meet the emperor to state their grievances.
Qian nodded repeatedly and said to Zhou Man: "We will also prepare a copy at home. You can send it to us on our behalf."
Zhou Man said: "Let Li Zhong go with me. This time the new rice seeds were also built by Mr. Wei."
Funeral notices were delivered to every household before nightfall. Because Wei Zhi passed away due to illness, the city imposed a curfew in advance. The emperor ordered the night market in Chang'anfang City to be closed for seven days. When the news spread, some merchants voluntarily hung up white hemp to honor Wei Zhi.
Zhou Dalang came back from outside and asked: "I see that many people have hung white hemp. Should we also hang some at home?"
Zhou Man: "Can't hang up."
Mrs. Liu said: "Except for the emperor, empress and relatives, officials cannot observe filial piety for other officials."
It's not a rule, it's common sense. If the Zhou family is involved in Baima, isn't it obvious that they are friends with the Wei family?
This is a taboo for officials.
Zhou Mandao: "That is an act of the people's own initiative. It is a manifestation of the people's love for Mr. Wei. Mr. Wei and I are officials in the same court, so I can go to express my condolences."
In addition to her relatives, only the death of the emperor and empress can allow her to observe filial piety. If the Zhou residence hangs white flags, it will not be a good thing for the Zhou family, and it will not be a good thing for the Wei family.
The next day Zhou Man changed into a plain dress and took Zhou Lizhong and Liu Sanniang to the Wei Mansion to express condolences.
Wei Zhi had been laid to rest, the mourning hall was ready, and many officials came. Zhou Man was led into the courtyard and waited with everyone for the incense offering.
Mr. Old Tang came earlier and was standing in front of the queue. When he saw Zhou Man, he greeted the officials behind him and retreated to Zhou Man, "Are you here?"
Zhou Man saluted, "Master Old Tang, are Liu Shangshu and the others here?"
Mr. Old Tang looked behind her and said, "Here we come."
Zhou Man turned around and saw Liu Shangshu coming in with Liu Huan and Zhou Liru.
Both parties nodded and lined up in silence waiting to go in.
Zhou Man and Mr. Old Tang entered together, with Zhou Lizhong and Liu Sanniang behind him. After the four of them offered incense, they inserted the incense burner into the incense burner. The prince also arrived with the imperial edict.
The emperor proposed the posthumous title Wenzhen for Wei Zhi, which was the highest posthumous title among civil servants. Throughout the ages, few people could receive this posthumous title.
Before Wei Zhi, there were only two people who could get it, one was Cui Hong and the other was You Zhao.
Mr. Old Tang stood aside and watched the Wei family receive the imperial edict. He was a little envious in his heart. He wondered if he would be able to get a posthumous title starting with Wen Zhen, Wen Zhong or Wen Gong when he died.
The prince issued the imperial edict and went inside to worship. When he came out, he saw Zhou Man and Mr. Old Tang standing together. He raised his eyebrows slightly and turned to leave.
Zhou Man and Mr. Old Tang went out together. Many carriages were parked outside the door and stretched out, blocking the whole street. People who came to express their condolences got off their cars and walked over from afar.
Mr. Old Tang paused for a moment, then called the chief attendant and said: "Let's walk back and let the coachman go."
He turned to look at Zhou Man, "Master Zhou, are we going together?"
Zhou Man nodded, "Please, Mr. Old Tang."
The two walked through the crowd and left. Zhou Man asked, "When will Senior Brother Tang and Senior Brother Yang return to Beijing?"
Mr. Old Tang glanced at her and said: "The imperial court has sent official documents. It should be on the way now, and it will be in Beijing soon."
Zhou Man nodded and saw that there were flowers sent by ordinary people at the square gate. He sighed slightly and asked, "When will the next great dynasty be held?"
Mr. Old Tang shook his head, "I don't know, maybe later in the day, maybe I have to wait for Mr. Wei's funeral."
He stopped and looked at Zhou Man, "Master Wei passed away due to illness. His high-ranking officials are the prime ministers of the world and cannot be left vacant. Who do you think Master Zhou is qualified for?"
Zhou Man also stopped and frowned in thought. After a while, he raised his eyes and looked at him. He looked at him silently for a long time, bowed and saluted, "I'll take my leave first."
Mr. Old Tang watched him leave with a smile.
Chang Sui, who was following Mr. Old Tang, was confused and couldn't help asking: "Sir, why did Mr. Zhou leave so suddenly?"
Mr. Old Tang smiled slightly and said, "She has already replied to me. Let's go back and pack some things."
"What to pack?"
"Some books, patent medicines, etc. Clothes, shoes and socks are also indispensable."
Chang Sui: "Sir, are you going on a business trip?"
"It's not me, it's Zhihe."
Tang He and Yang Heshu still caught up to express their condolences to Wei Zhi. After entering the capital, they went to the palace to report the matter, and after leaving the palace, they went to the Wei Mansion.
Yang Heshu sighed: "If it hadn't been for Mr. Wei to mediate in the court, what I did in Jiangnan would not have been so smooth, and I might not even be able to go to Jiangnan."
Just because the emperor and Wei Zhi believed in him does not mean that other courtiers also believed in him.
Wei Zhi blocked all the opposition from the upper court, and the emperor suppressed it, so that he could concentrate on Jiangnan.
Tang He also sighed, "But it's a miracle that Mr. Wei can survive until now. I heard that Zhou Man and the others have planted new rice seeds, and Mr. Wei even went to see it in person. It's a good departure."
Yang Heshu raised his eyebrows and said, "I wonder if His Majesty has chosen the Left Prime Minister. Should we stay in the capital or continue to be sent abroad."
Tang He asked: "Do you want to go abroad or stay in the capital?"
Yang Heshu thought for a while and then said: "Let me go see Zhou Man first and ask about the new rice seeds. If they are the same as the new wheat seeds, staying in the capital will be more useful."
Tang He nodded, "You have been abroad for many years, so you really should return to Beijing."