Yu put the food aside, but still said uneasily: "Please tell me clearly first."
Zhang Shi smiled and said, "Madam, to tell you the truth, we have made friends with noble people."
"Noble? Which noble? Who did you see today? Don't say another sentence to hide something!" Yu asked.
Zhang Shi said: "Madam, don't be upset. Today I met Captain Peng County. Do you think this is a great opportunity?"
Yu Shi said: "Peng County Lieutenant is doing it for Xu Dutou's sake?"
Zhang Shi said with joy on his face: "Peng Xianwei didn't tell me in detail, but what kind of person he is. His ancestors served in Taizu's Anqian. Now he lives in this county. He speaks to me politely today."
, no airs at all.”
"Is Xu Dutou so affectionate? You didn't ask carefully?" Yu finally felt a little confused in her heart.
Zhang Shi said with a smile: "All I thought about was whether the verdict could be reversed, so I didn't ask. But regardless of whether he was recommended by Xu Dutou or not, he recommended me to the second hall to meet with your order. He reminded me all the way.
How to properly talk to someone like you? I'm so sweaty that I don't have time to think about anything else."
Yu shook her head. Although she didn't know why Peng Xianwei felt this way, she always felt that there was no such thing as a free pie in the sky. It was always inappropriate for Zhang Shi to accept other people's benefits without asking. It made people feel that there was something else.
picture.
Yu asked: "Shilang, are you willing to give us justice?"
“What do you think this is?” Zhang Shi smiled and took out several silver ingots from the cloth pocket hidden close to his body.
"Didn't you say it was raw silk? Didn't you get the money back?" Mrs. Yu was surprised and happy as she held the silver ingot in her hand.
“The silk merchant Wu was also taken away, and now all the money has been recovered. Today, you are very happy and gave us more than eighty guan on the spot.”
“More than eighty? Is there half left?”
Zhang Shi smiled and said: "Your Majesty said that the other half of the money and raw silk will be used as evidence in the case. They must be presented to the state. If you go back and forth, you will not be able to get them back."
"Your Majesty was very polite to me today and mentioned my second brother. He said that my second brother had come to visit me with a famous assassination and begged your Majesty to honor him. Your Majesty praised my second brother for not only his articles, but also for his good calligraphy.
, he looks like Wang Youjun! In his words, he still thinks highly of his second brother."
Yu Shi said: "When Zhao Yasi bullied our family, he didn't take it out and say it, but now you started to think about it."
“The money has gone into the Yamen, and it’s really hard to get it out. It’s said that it went to the state, but in fact we asked someone to intercede. Why don’t you ask for it in front of your Majesty?”
Zhang Shi said: "When I met with your Majesty, I couldn't say a few words, so I couldn't think about these things."
Yu shook his head slightly. There was always a stone in his heart that was hard to let go. There was something wrong in the middle, but he was more happy than worried after seeing so much money.
"Although I didn't get back two hundred guans, these more than 80 guans can be considered lost and recovered." As Yu spoke, she took the silver from Zhang Shi's hand calmly, and then complained: "Since I took the money,
Go straight home and walk to the road to buy wine and meat. What if someone steals the money?"
Zhang Shi laughed twice: "What Madam said is that you should keep the money yourself, and I will raise the money to return it to Zhao Yasi tomorrow. In this way, our house does not need to be foreclosed or even pawned."
Mrs. Yu was overjoyed at first, but after thinking about it for a moment she still said: "Although this house does not need to be sold, it is worth it first!"
“Why?”
"What do you think? Xi'er still needs to continue studying for enlightenment and find a good enlightenment teacher. How can he do it without ten or eight passes a year, not to mention the cost of pen, ink and paper."
"It makes sense. If I hadn't been reminded by my wife, I would have forgotten about this. This time, the family suffered the loss of not having a scholar. Not only Xi'er, but also the third brother also needs to find a famous teacher to continue reading." Zhang Shi said.
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Hearing what Zhang Shi said, Yu hesitated and finally said: "Shilang, you might as well ask uncle what he means. He doesn't seem to be interested in reading."
Zhang Shi suddenly remembered that his younger brother didn't seem to be interested in studying: "But what can third brother do if he doesn't study at his age?"
Yu Shi said: "You took charge of the family shop when you were thirteen years old, and now my uncle is also thirteen during the Chinese New Year."
“But if uncle wants to wait two or three years before finding a job, it’s better to teach Xi’er how to read at home. Or when the family’s situation is better, it won’t be too late for uncle to go to school again if he wants to.”
Zhang Yue thought to himself that what his sister-in-law said was untrue. How could she be willing to teach Zhangqiu how to read by herself?
"This..." Zhang Shizhen said hesitantly, "In the past, when the family had a hundred acres of land and a shop, the third brother was still unwilling to study hard. Now... what does the third brother plan?"
Zhang Yue replied: "I have studied elementary school for these years. Although I have not put in any hard work, I can still read and hyphenate. But these days I always want to read some teachings of saints and understand some principles that saints teach us about how to be a human being."
Hearing this, Zhang Shi said happily: "Third uncle has indeed made a lot of progress recently."
Yu showed an expression of "Is that so?" and said: "Shilang, this Confucian classics study is different from enlightenment. The ordinary village school teacher cannot do it, and you must find a master. My brother is a master of the Confucian classics, and he invited several teachers back then.
Even after spending hundreds of dollars, I still can’t find a way, and in the end I still have to go into business.”
Zhang Yue understands that for example, "Thousand-Character Classic" can be taught by scholars in the village, but Ming Jing is different. He must understand the meaning of the scripture. For example, Zhang Yue can recite the entire "Mencius" but cannot explain it from beginning to end.
What does it mean to get it, so you must ask a teacher to teach you how to study the classics clearly.
If you want to prepare for the exam, you must read the special notes, which are the official standard answers.
Zhang Shi said disapprovingly: "Third brother, after studying for a few years, it doesn't matter even if you don't have the skills. In the future, I will ask Xu Dutou to find a job as a clerk in the Yamen. It is considered respectable for someone who has not been exposed to the wind and sun. Compared with those Jinshi
It’s enough for officials with good background to speak up.”
"What should I do with Xi'er? In the future, he will stop studying classics and history and start writing articles. Can the family afford two scholars now?" Yu interrupted.
Zhang Shi coughed twice, how could his own son not feel pain? What's more, Zhang Qiu did have a talent for reading, and his mentor praised him several times.
Zhang Shi said: "Of course Xi'er wants to study! Let's live a tight life in the future. I will never treat you two badly."
“I have nothing to say if you want third brother to study, but where will the money come from? You need to explain clearly!”
Zhang Yue said quickly: "Brother and sister-in-law, let's talk about this later. It's not a hurry."
Zhang Shi disagreed and gritted his teeth and said: "In the end, it's still money. If I can't borrow more from my uncle Zhou, I'll pay some interest at the worst."
Zhang Shi was dumbfounded after hearing this. The eldest brother is addicted to eating whatever he wants. Yesterday he said he would no longer rely on Lao Taishan... Yes, this time he borrowed money from his wife's brother.
Yu Shi seems to have become accustomed to it, and seems to have become numb.
Yu Shi said: "Finding a teacher for my uncle can be postponed for a while, but Lingjun and Pengxian Lieutenant need to thank you first. Lingjun will be transferred sooner or later, but Pengxian Lieutenant is different."
Zhang Shi said: "Madam, you are right. If Captain Peng hadn't taken care of you closely this time and contributed a lot secretly, we are not ungrateful people. I plan to prepare thirty coins to thank others. Isn't this too much?
Wife?"
Yu Shi shook his head after hearing this and said: "From now on, our family, young and old, will have to rely on others to take care of us everywhere in Pucheng. Although thirty guan is a lot, we cannot save money. At least we are not afraid of Zhao Yasi making things difficult for us again."
Zhang Yue thought to himself that Yu really came from a big businessman family and was quite knowledgeable.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yue said: "Brother and sister-in-law, Peng County Lieutenant doesn't need to give it."
“How does this happen?”
Zhang Yue said: "Peng Xianwei's nephew is my classmate and friend. This time I met Qiao San..."
Zhang Yue told what happened in detail.
"Third brother, you are so tight-lipped. You hold it in your stomach and don't say anything at all," Zhang Shixun said to Shi excitedly again: "I just say that third brother has a lot of potential and is making progress!"
Mrs. Yu looked surprised at first, and then said with relief: "I didn't expect that uncle could still talk to Captain Peng? Previously, I was worried that Captain Peng had other intentions. It's not good for us to receive favors for nothing.
It turns out it was my uncle who had the connections, so now I can finally feel relieved."
After speaking, Mrs. Yu finally showed a smile: "Uncle, this time my sister-in-law is really impressed by you."
Zhang Yue said humbly: "Pengxian Lieutenant doesn't like me, he likes his second brother."
Yu said sternly: "Uncle is quite modest. My sister-in-law doesn't want to get a bad reputation. If you really want to study and gain fame, I won't object to it. But does uncle care about himself in his heart?"
Zhang Yue said respectfully: "My sister-in-law taught me that I wasted my time in the past. Not only did I not study hard, I also wasted my father and brother's money to save face among my classmates..."
Zhang Shi waved his hands and said, "This is what a brother from the same family said."
Zhang Yue took out the "Mencius" from his arms and said: "The day our house was evacuated by Zhao Yasi, I kept this "Seven Chapters of Mencius". I heard that my brother said that this book was left by my father. These few days
I read this book hard every day and asked my brother and sister-in-law to take a test."
Yu took "Mencius" from Zhang Yue's hand and asked: "In the past few days, you have been sleeping until you get up every day. How can you really memorize it?"
Zhang Yue's face turned slightly red and he said: "I dare not slack off because of my extravagance and my plans."
Yu hesitated for a moment, turned the book to a certain volume and handed it to Zhang Shi.
Zhang Shi held it up and said, "This is "Li Lou". Third brother, you can memorize it wherever you go."
Zhang Yue said: "It's my brother. I'll try to recite one or two." Mencius said: "The wisdom of Li Lou is the cleverness of Gongshuzi. If it does not follow the rules, it cannot become a member of the party. The cleverness of Shi Kuang does not follow the six laws and cannot correct the five tones. Yao and Shun."
Without benevolent governance, the world cannot be governed peacefully..."
Memorize Zhang Yue's article from beginning to end without stopping. Zhang Shiyu looked at Zhang Yue with a face full of surprise. Is this the Zhang Yue of the past? Is it really the Zhang Yue of the past?
Zhang Shi said in a trembling voice: "How did the third brother memorize such a thick book?"
Zhang Yue said: “Maybe it’s our father who is blessing us.”
Zhang Shi's eyes were slightly red and he said: "Dad likes most of his children to be able to study. If he knows something, I don't know how happy he will be."
When Mrs. Yu saw her husband doing this, she said, "It's good that my third brother has this intention, but I hope he can start and finish his studies in the future."
“Thank you, sister-in-law.” Zhang Yue stood up and bowed.
Zhang Shi smiled quickly and said: "Third brother, let me just say that your sister-in-law is reasonable!"
Yu Shi said angrily: "Don't try to praise me by pretending to be square. Did the Yamen know this beforehand?"
Zhang Shi thought for a while and said: "But I still need to thank Lieutenant Peng. I will ask him for help after getting the other half of the money, otherwise the yamen will not know how long it will take. Tomorrow we will prepare some water gifts to go to Peng's Mansion, and we will also prepare some tea fruits.
, I would like to thank my neighbor for helping me these days. Madam, you should promise me this."
Mrs. Yu pursed her lips and smiled and said: "It sounds like I have nothing to lose. I will cook and prepare the food. Uncle will eat more today."
After saying this, Yu put the tender chicken in a bowl, heated the wine in a pot, and cooked a pot of vegetables.
Yu Shi poured two bowls of wine and said, "Uncle, would you like to drink one too?"
“Thank you, sister-in-law.”
Yu Shi poured out another bowl.
Zhang Shi drank half a glass of wine and suddenly said: "I wonder where my second brother is at the moment? Are you eating well? Are the clothes on your body warm?"
Zhang Yue secretly sighed that his eldest brother still misses his second brother.
Yu shook his head, filled a bowl of rice and said, "Eat to your heart's content first, then drink."
"That's fine." Zhang Shi put down the wine and picked up the bowl.
Zhang Yue also put down his wine cup, and now the whole family was eating heavily. Although there was meat in the meal, it was still the standard southern dish of "rice, rice, soup and fish" as Sima Gong said.
It is recorded in history that after the Jin army failed to attack the Song Dynasty, it withdrew northward and "abandoned the mountains of millet." However, the Song army "mostly came from Fujian, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, and could not eat millet, so there were many dead every day."
I also like to eat rice. If I don’t have a bowl of fragrant rice for a whole day, I always feel that something is missing and a little unsatisfactory.
Zhang Yue watched Zhang Qiu put his face into the bowl and ate it, which was extremely sweet.
Zhang Yue tore a chicken leg and put it into Zhang Qiu's bowl. Zhang Qiu raised his head, looked at himself with eyes full of little stars and said, "Uncle Third, can Xi'er be eaten?"
"Um."
Zhangqiu glanced at Mrs. Yu, then picked up the chicken leg and took a bite, feeling full of happiness.
Zhang Yue also ate heartily. Finally, he scooped out the fish soup and soaked it in the rice. He ate it with a clatter of chopsticks, then walked to the bowl and washed the dishes with loofah pulp.
In the past, when there were servants at home, he would just throw away the bowl, but now he can no longer live the life of a young master...
I heard Zhang Shi vaguely say to his wife behind me: "It's me who can't live up to my wife... It's me who failed to live up to my father's trust. I didn't manage the family well and take care of my second brother. It's a well-off family. So far, I can barely afford food and clothing."
, I’m really useless.”
“Shilang, what are you talking about? Your family and everything will be fine, and your life will be fine in the future.”
“I’m afraid that my wife will suffer a lot in the future...”
Yu said softly: "As long as you have me and Xi'er in your heart, no matter how hard it is, you won't have to suffer."
The words gradually became softer, Yu put away the dishes, and Zhang Shi played with Zhang Qiu.
Zhang Yue also finished washing his dishes, walked to the door and looked out.
At this moment, the sound of dusk drums was heard in Huanghua Temple on the mountain, and it was time for the monks to hold evening classes. Under the dusk, Shuinan New Street, which was usually noisy, also became quiet.
Lamps have been lit in the neighbors, old men are sitting at the table having wine and dinner, housewives are still busy in the kitchen, children are laughing and playing, and the aroma of the food is drifting far away along the night wind.
These fireworks and flavors in the world are all in the firewood, rice, oil and salt of every household.
