Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty Chapter 1204 Postscript: Even if you marry a princess at sixty, you still need to give a bride price.
Chapter 1204 Postscript: Even if you marry a princess at sixty, you still need to give a bride price.
Chapter 1204 Postscript 60·You also need to give a bride price when marrying a princess
Local officials cannot leave their jurisdiction at will.
The imperial court sent an official telegram to the Chief Secretary of Hubei Province and specially gave Xie Yiqin a two-and-a-half-month holiday. He first went to the Chief Secretary of Hubei Province to go through the formalities, and the first thing he did when he arrived in Beijing was to report to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
"Back again!"
Xie Yiqin took a horse-drawn carriage and watched the streets of Luoyang all the way.
The last time he came to Beijing was to report on his duties. At that time, the coup had just ended, and the city of Luoyang was in a state of turmoil. The cabinet ministers had been replaced, and many officials even had vacancies, or they had not returned halfway.
At that time, he came and went in a hurry and did not dare to stay in Luoyang longer.
Showing his official badge, Xie Yiqin went straight to the Department of Honors and Honors of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. This department was responsible for the rank, name, status, system, and upbringing of civil servants, etc.
For example, if a civil servant observes filial piety to his parents, he must report to the Ji Xun Bureau after returning to Beijing. Local civil servants who come to Beijing for some reason must also report to the Ji Xun Bureau.
The person who received Xie Yiqin was a senior civil servant: "Why did you come to Beijing for your business?"
Xie Yiqin took out the paperwork from the Hubei Chief Secretary: "On vacation."
"On vacation?" The civil servant was quite surprised.
Officials on vacation generally return to their hometown and return to their place of duty before the end of the vacation. Even if their native place is in the capital, they do not need to report to the Ministry of Personnel.
He checked the documents carefully and felt that Xie Yiqin's name sounded familiar.
Huangzhou Prefecture General Tribunal?
Your surname is Xie?
The literary official stood up and bowed respectfully: "Your Excellency, are you the father of Bachelor Xie?"
Xie Yiqin was stunned: "My son is so famous in Luoyang?"
He hooked up with the eldest princess, and often went in and out of the princess's mansion. He was even taken by the princess to meet the Queen Mother and the Emperor. How could this not be famous?
Maybe some people don't pay attention to these, but they certainly don't include officials in the Ministry of Personnel, especially the Ji Xunsi who is in charge of civil servant files!
The clerk was enthusiastic and said with a smile: "Xie Tongpan, please take a seat quickly."
He found a booklet, registered Xie Yiqin's visit to Beijing, and stamped the Hubei Chief Secretary's document.
While the civil servant was busy, he inquired: "Is Xie Tongpan coming to Beijing to visit your son?"
"Yes." Xie Yiqin didn't dare to show off in Luoyang.
The civil servant basically guessed what was going on, so he gave his name to make it look familiar: "I am the official of Ji Xun Division, Ding Ang, with the courtesy name Fenzhi. If Xie Tongpan comes to the Ministry of Civil Affairs in the future, please let me know if you have any orders.
Although he is just a civil servant, he is a civil servant in the Ministry of Personnel. There may be no use in making friends with him, but if he offends him, something might happen.
The clerk deliberately delayed his time and chatted for a while to deepen his impression on Xie Yiqin.
After leaving the official department, Xie Yiqin felt a little unreal.
He never thought that one day he would be called "the father of Xiao Xie's bachelor" in Luoyang.
Moreover, the son’s name is too big, right? Any civil servant would be able to think that he is Xie Yan’s father just by looking at his position and name.
After feeling dizzy for a while, Xie Yiqin became happy again.
My son is so awesome!
Back at the inn, Xie Yiqin told his wife what he had just experienced.
Wang Yitong was also extremely happy: "This is how you become famous in the capital, and every official you meet will know it!"
Xie Yiqin said: "I usually teach well."
"When did you teach him how to read? When Liulang was a child, he practiced calligraphy. If he couldn't write after a few more exercises, you seemed impatient." Wang Yitong started to look over the old accounts again.
Xie Yiqin said: "What I teach him is not to teach him to read, but to teach him how to behave."
"I'm too lazy to argue with you." Wang Yitong thought it was because he was born well.
The couple left the inn and headed to Li's house in the southern suburbs.
Xie Yan was teaching two little girls to read the "Three Character Classic". He was an innocent little puppy in the princess's house. He turned around and became very affectionate with his maid.
Scumbag!
When he heard that his parents were coming, Xie Yan hurried out to greet them.
Xie Yiqin took out the letter of appointment: "I've changed it for you. When are you going to visit the old president?"
Xie Yan said: "I have sent Wang Xing to the old president's house to pay my respects. I will know when the time is right when he comes back."
"Where are the gifts?" Xie Yiqin asked, "The gift is too expensive, and the old president may not accept it. The gift is too ordinary, and it makes us look shabby and rude."
Xie Yan took out a gift box: "It's ready. The princess just sent someone to deliver it."
Wang Yitong felt it was inappropriate: "How can the woman come out with the gift that the man gave to the matchmaker? After you get married, you will not be able to hold your head high in front of the princess."
Xie Yan smiled and said: "The old president is not only the matchmaker for men, but also for women. By the way, the princess also said that she would invite you two to her manor as guests."
"Isn't this bad?" Xie Yiqin said.
Xie Yan said: "I'm just going to a manor in the suburbs, not a guest at the princess's house."
The couple said no more words.
But Wang Yitong was murmuring, the princess is anxious to see us, is she trying to intimidate us?
Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are born potential enemies!
In the afternoon, Wang Xing came back to report that he could visit the old president tomorrow.
The next day, the family of three went to Jiangzuo Village, fifty miles away.
The old president was in poor health, so his youngest son Zhu Changbai went out to meet him.
The old president had six sons. The eldest son and the second son were tortured to death by him. The third, fourth and fifth sons all worked as officials or teachers in other places.
Only the youngest son, Zhu Changbai, was responsible for managing the manor and taking care of his father.
This time, it was Zhu Changbai who was in charge of being the matchmaker, as the old president was in poor health and couldn't stand the trouble.
"Greetings to the old gentleman (old president)!" A family of three entered the house and saluted.
The old president was sitting on a chair, teasing some great-grandchildren, and said with a smile: "Please sit down, please. I'm sorry for my physical inconvenience, I can't get up to greet guests."
"I don't dare." Xie Yiqin said quickly.
The old president said: "Although we are separated by generations, we grew up together and we can be said to be brothers. To put it bluntly, the daughter of the late emperor is my daughter. I am also responsible for the princess's previous marriage.
I have long wanted to find a suitable husband for her. You have raised your son very well, and his character and academics are excellent, so I rely on my old age to be the matchmaker."
The error-free version is being read! This is the first novel.
Xie Yiqin said: "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Xie."
The old president added: "I have contacted Zongzheng Temple and your Majesty will grant you a marriage soon. You should prepare the betrothal gift. If the money you bring is not enough, you can wait for the 10,000 guan after the marriage is granted."
In the Song Dynasty, after granting a marriage, the prince-in-law was given 10,000 guan of money to avoid the poor prince-in-law who could not afford the betrothal gift.
At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Taizu Taizong advocated frugality and called on officials to not be extravagant when marrying daughters and wives. Naturally, the royal family had to set an example.
At that time, even the prince's wedding did not cost much money. And the cash given to the prince-in-law dropped from 10,000 guan in the previous Song Dynasty to only 2,000 guan.
After several emperors, various expenses increased, and finally returned to the amount of the Song Dynasty.
Even if Xie Yiqin and his wife didn't bring a penny, they could prepare a gift list first, then go to the market to purchase, and wait until the 10,000-guan reward arrives in their account before paying.
Marrying a princess also requires a betrothal gift, but the money for the betrothal gift comes from the royal family in disguise. Hehe!
However, consorts from wealthy families usually prepare excessive betrothal gifts. Firstly, they show their strength, and secondly, they improve their status after marriage.
We had lunch at the old president's house and chatted for a while. The three members of the Xie family bowed and said goodbye.
Halfway through the carriage, they began to discuss the betrothal gift.
Wang Yitong said: "You can't just use the 10,000 yuan to prepare the betrothal gift. Firstly, it will not sound good if it is spread out. Secondly, Liulang will be easily offended."
"Mom, I won't accept your anger." Xie Yan couldn't laugh or cry.
Wang Yitong said: "You are still young and don't understand these worldly things. The royal family rewards you 10,000 guan, which is used to protect the bottom line. But if you only give 10,000 guan as a betrothal gift, what will the princess think? What will she think of us?
She doesn’t have a penny to spend, and everything in the house belongs to her.”
Xie Yiqin said: "Your mother is right. I didn't give enough betrothal gifts at the beginning..."
"Huh?" Wang Yitong looked at her husband.
Xie Yiqin hurriedly explained: "I am discussing the matter as it is, don't make random assumptions."
Wang Yitong said angrily: "Do you still need me to think about it? You have already made it clear! Liulang, you are here to judge, have I made your father angry?"
Xie Yan looked serious: "No. You two are usually very affectionate. Dad has never been angry. You can be regarded as a model couple in the world."
Only then did Wang Yitong become happy: "Did you hear that? You said that I am messy, but what my son says is always fair, right?"
"Fair, especially fair." Xie Yiqin sighed secretly.
Xie Yan winked at his father and said there was nothing I could do.
Xie Yiqin had no choice but to change the subject: "Let's not talk about this. When I came to Beijing this time, I brought five thousand guan of treasure notes. Your grandfather is also coming, carrying 8,000 guan of treasure notes. In addition to the 10,000 guan of treasure notes given by the emperor, this time
We spent 23,000 guan to prepare the betrothal gift."
Xie Yan thought to himself, you are a corrupt official with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and you can actually take out five thousand guan without saying a word!
Xie Yiqin was indeed greedy, but compared with the power in his hands, it was relatively clean in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty.
Alas, in an officialdom that is so corrupt, there are few truly honest officials.
Xie Yan could only explain: "There is really no need to make such a big show. I don't need a lot of betrothal gifts to save face, and the princess is not that kind of person. The Xie family only needs to pay two thousand guan for the total betrothal gift of 12,000 guan."
"
"You are a good person," Xie Yiqin said. "Our Xie family only contributes two thousand guan, so the princess may not say anything. But if the Xie family contributes 13,000 guan, the princess will definitely be happier and will respect you more in the future.
"
Wang Yitong said: "What your father said makes sense. What's more, your betrothal gifts will be moved into the royal treasury. If it is too shabby, what will the royal family think? What will the clan think?"
Xie Yan felt very tired.
Forget it, just do whatever you like.
Xie Yiqin added: "I didn't know your wedding was in such a hurry, so I'm completely unprepared here. I'm not familiar with Luoyang, so I have to inquire about the situation quickly. Mr. Li is a local, and his family is well-off and well-established. I should ask him to help buy the betrothal gift."
suitable."
"Don't bother the Li family, the princess will send someone to help." Xie Yan said.
Wang Yitong was angry and said: "We haven't even gotten married yet, so you just listen to the princess in everything. After marriage, won't she have the final say?"
Xie Yan asked: "Mom, aren't you the one who has the final say at home?"
"I'm different, I'm reasonable." Wang Yitong said.
Xie Yiqin turned away and quietly rolled his eyes.
Xie Yan smiled and said: "When you meet the princess tomorrow, you will know that the princess is a reasonable person just like mother."