Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

One moment Lu Ci was still talking to Zhu, but the next moment he was forcibly separated by a group of healthy servants whom he had never met before, and they were carefully pushed into the carriage.

It happened so suddenly that he was stunned for the first time.

After all, during the time when he was the poorest, weakest and bulliest in Mizhou City, he didn't have such insightful and rich businessmen who directly saw his potential at a glance.And when he, who was low-key, gradually emerged, and when he showed his sharpness, he attracted the attention of wealthy businessmen and small official households with marriageable daughters-to-be...

No one dared to bully him anymore, so they politely sent the Iceman to ask first.

It was obviously beyond his expectation that he would meet with a son-in-law just for one night in the city he passed by on the way.

It's really a natural cycle, and the retribution is not good.Last time, Zhu Shuo, who refused to listen to persuasion, deliberately let him fall into the trap and send him to the "big family" Li's house to scare him into trouble, but this time it fell on himself.

After a moment of neither laughing nor laughing, Lu Ci regained his calm state of mind, looked at the healthy servants who were guarding the two sides of the carriage entrance, while smiling, while carefully guarding whether he would make radical actions, slightly raised his lips corner, and asked in a gentle voice: "Who is your master? Why did you invite me in like this?"

The healthy servant did not expect that Mr. Xiao Lang, who was equivalent to being taken captive, would be so calm, and kindly asked about the situation.

He was taken aback for a moment, and thought to himself that he deserved to be a talented person who won the position of Jieyuan at the age of 15, and made the little lady's heart flutter, and A Lang urged them to send them to arrest him in a hurry.

However, A Lang only told them repeatedly not to offend, annoy or hurt the other party, and even if the other party cursed in anger, they would suffer in silence.

But he didn't say that this person didn't get angry or scold him, he just smiled and asked them about Alang's situation, how should he answer.

After he struggled for a while, he replied cautiously: "Our Alang's surname is Guo, and we specially invite Lu Jieyuan to come into the house for a talk."

The surname is naturally very unfamiliar, but hearing the word 'house', Lu Ci's heart is like a mirror, and he has a bottom line.

Originally, according to his analysis, the decision to capture a son-in-law would be so hasty and hasty, and the person who was impatient to wait for the more intense and clearer battle for the roll call in the next year's palace examination would probably not be some high-ranking official , or a wealthy businessman with a huge family fortune, but only a little property, and some families barely rank among the "upper households".

Knowing that he can't compete with the rich and expensive in Bianjing, he has to take a little risk, trust his own judgment, and act urgently in advance, so that he can book a promising son-in-law.

The word 'house', which is more than the top and more than the bottom, completely confirmed his guess.

No matter whether it is now or in the ancestors, one has to have been an official of a certain size before one's residence can be called a house.

I am afraid that he is not an ordinary wealthy businessman with a little assets.

The carriage galloped all the way down, and soon arrived at the place.

Lu Ci was once again overwhelmed by these healthy servants, first got out of the car surrounded by them, and then entered a magnificent mansion surrounded by them.

However, before entering the hall, he paid extra attention to the surroundings to see if there were heavy arches and algae wells, or colorful carved railings and paintings.

It can be seen at a glance that although the house has railings, the color is already colorful and dull, obviously it has been a certain year.

——Mostly, the ancestors used to be officials, but their children failed in the tribute examinations. In desperation, they had no choice but to change to business.

It is not uncommon for descendants of businessmen to accumulate certain assets and try to return to the upper class through marriage in order to maintain and develop the family.

The dowry was given generously, but it didn't necessarily come from the sincerity of loving her daughter.

An unmarried scholar like him, who somewhat hopes to become a Jinshi of the new department, naturally becomes the candidate with the lowest cost of winning over and the easiest way to achieve his goal.

Lu Ci thought about it and smiled lazily.

Don't say that it's just a wealthy businessman, even if it's the power of the court, for him, it's just a different way to refuse.

Marriage to a family of upright, clean, and upright scholar-bureaucrats can still be called a good story of knowing people, and the essence of a complementary political alliance has been achieved.

Just like the prime minister Zhao Pu and his "captured" nephew Zhang Bing decades ago, or the current prime minister Wang Dan, Zhao Changyan, who was once the deputy prime minister, valued him at the bottom of the list.

However, it is conceivable that those who are waiting for the price to marry the daughter of a wealthy businessman who "gets the highest price" will be obliterated and unknown.

No matter how much benefit this could bring, Lu Ci would never consider this shortcut.

In modern times, he started from scratch and became a wealthy man. He is still a handsome single nobleman.

Is it possible that the more you live, the more you go back. In the Song Dynasty, you still have to bow your knees and use marriage as a bargaining chip?

——That's the joke of slipping the world.

There was a careless smile on Lu Ci's face. Just as he stepped into the threshold of the main room, the host, Guo Shouyi, who had been absent-mindedly sitting on the main seat and drinking tea, immediately stood up, greeted him with a smile, and said kindly: "Lu Jieyuan is really a good-looking talent, Fengshen is handsome!"

He is dressed in gold and purple clothes, but his figure is not bloated, but rather muscular.

Lu Ci smiled decently, still stood upright, and replied unhurriedly: "Old man Guo is too famous."

Guo Shouyi couldn't help being startled.

There is a reason why he dispatched so many servants.

One is to make the journey of catching the son-in-law more secure without knowing how many companions the other party has; , It is by being caught off guard, killing the arrogance and prestige of some talented scholars, and confusing the opponent's mind.

He also prepared for the other party's outrage and panic.

Unexpectedly, this Lu Jieyuan was quite young, and he had a good appearance that people couldn't take his eyes off, but he was calm and dignified, with decent manners, without the slightest frivolity and impatience of a young man.

Even if he was kidnapped by a healthy servant, he was leisurely and calm, without the panic he expected.

Guo Shouyi couldn't help but his eyes lit up.

He has personally traveled all over the world for many years, multiplying the assets left by his grandfather's generation several times, and his vision is not without viciousness.

When he listened to the words of the little lady who was obviously only intimidated by her handsome appearance and bluffing demeanor, he thought that she would be an arrogant, young and energetic little man.

But now, in his opinion, with the other party's handsome appearance and good spirit, even if he doesn't go to high school this time, he will sooner or later become the country's important weapon, and his future is immeasurable.

After all, Lu Ci is only 15 years old, and he has won the position of Xie Yuan for the first time, can't he wait for the next time, or the next time?

And such a handsome and talented man, once he is in high school, even if he is just a fellow Jinshi, he will definitely be taken away by other dignitaries, and he will definitely not be able to turn at that time.

Whether it is the hot and powerful families, or the wealthy families with huge wealth and spending a lot of money, there is definitely no shortage of daughters waiting to be married.

Guo Shouyi, who was only interested in recruiting a son-in-law, suddenly became very eager.

I made up my mind to come here before he arrived in the capital and his reputation was not obvious.

"If I hadn't heard people say that Lu Jieyuan would leave the city early tomorrow morning to take the exam in Beijing, I wouldn't be so eager." Guo Shouyi looked sincere, as if he really apologized: "Your servant only knows that I invited Lu Jieyuan They are eager, and they are all ignorant vulgar people, so it is inevitable that they are a bit rude, I hope Lu Xie Yuan Haihan, don't bother with them."

Lu Ci smiled slightly, but said nothing.

Guo Shouyi then affirmed: Although the other party is young, it is definitely not something that can be flattered by a few words, let alone easily fooled.

He simply didn't waste time looking for any excuses, and asked straightforwardly: "I am the only daughter, twenty-eight years old, pretty good-looking, good conduct, I heard that the gentleman is not yet married, and I would like to marry the gentleman, is it possible?"

As soon as he finished speaking, without waiting for Lu Ci's reply, he winked at the healthy servants first: "Hurry up and bring out the dowry I prepared for the little lady?"

So at the next moment, the servants waiting in the next hall came out one after another, and carried out the dowry he had prepared in advance. After a while, the golden boxes filled the spacious main hall.

Guo Shouyi prepared three grades of dowry, and because Lu Ci was very suitable for him, he aroused the determination to win, so the dowry that was carried out this time was the highest grade.

He lifted his chin, and someone understood, and opened some of the boxes, revealing the silk and satin inside, shining silver ingots.

He smiled confidently: "This box alone contains a hundred strings. If you add up the whole house, there are no less than a thousand strings."

Although such a large dowry is only a small part compared to the total assets of the Guo family, it is only used to recruit a son-in-law who has not yet been named on the gold list. Can go to the middle.

If you want to change to some humble scholars who are not strong-willed and have lived in poverty for too long, I am afraid that they will be dazzled by the gold and silver treasures in the house and be at a loss.

Seeing Lu Ci's silence, Guo Shouyi thought that something good would happen, so he asked in a good mood, "Now, what is Lu Jieyuan's intention?"

Lu Ci smiled slightly, and finally said: "To be honest, although a thousand coins is a lot, Xiaosheng can still afford it."

He has always been low-key, and prefers not to reveal his wealth, so even though he has a lot of savings, in order not to attract too much attention from outsiders, he only buys land in small sums one after another. That's all.

But there is always a time when you need to be high-profile.

It is now.

Because what Lu Ci said is true, he has full confidence, and even if he is really talking nonsense, he can still talk without blushing or panting, convincing the listener.

Guo Shouyi believed it subconsciously, and he didn't feel embarrassed, and even a little happy.

He thought that Lu Ci was already moved, but because his family was quite wealthy and he had a high level of vision, he euphemistically expressed that he didn't like it, and laughed on the spot: "I'm too reckless. Since Lu Jieyuan is such a great talent, it's really not worth a thousand dollars. It’s thick and thick. If I add a thicker layer and prepare three thousand wires, I will never ask Lu Jieyuan to worry about trivial matters of money in the future, how about that?”

Lu Ci smiled, and said calmly and politely: "Thank you, Mr. Guo, for your kindness. No matter how much money you have, there is only so much you can use. If I really want to use money, with my ability, I can earn it in no less than three years."

Guo Shouyi's face froze slightly.

He didn't doubt Lu Ci's words very much, he just tasted what Lu Ci said, but it didn't make him happy.

However, Lu Ci didn't give him another chance to speak, and he didn't look at the dazzling dowry all over the floor. His tone was unhurried, but extremely firm: "I just found out that I just passed the test of explanation. Xiangxue, when preparing for the provincial examination, how can he forget the books of sages and sages he has read, and treat himself as a rare commodity, and sell it for a price in the rich family? So disregarding the six rituals of marriage, showing no shame, being gentle and dishonest, and corrupt customs, Promising marriage just because of greed for wealth and power, is what a man should do!"

When he said these righteous words, Guo Shouyi's unspoken questioning was completely suppressed by his aura, and everyone was completely stunned.

Lu Ci hadn't finished speaking yet, and after suppressing the smile on his lips, he sighed heavily, and said in a deep voice: "It's common in the world today to marry a woman without asking about her virtues, but about her wealth and clothing. Rather than calling it a marriage of a scholar-bureaucrat It seems to be the law of slavery! How can a wife obtained in this way respect a husband who has lost his spine due to greed for money? How can a husband and son-in-law obtained in this way prove that his nature is not lazy and greedy? To get rich, one must rely on one’s power to obtain the noble. Even if one becomes prosperous, one is destined to be despised by the world! I have just started on the road of studying and becoming an official, but now I am deceived by a lot of money, greedy for high positions, and do not think about making progress in the future. What face do I have? Standing in the world?"

After Lu Ci finished speaking impassionedly, he didn't look at the stunned expression of the other party, and finally said with a sullen face: "I'm not familiar with literature, and I'm really ordinary. I'm really ashamed of receiving the love of Mr. Guo. Although it's delicate and soft, it's full of ambition. If the price is higher, this matter must not be decided, please don’t mention it again!”

After saying that, the silence in the room was completely overwhelmed, and no one dared to stop him.

Thus, the noble Jie Yuan, who was dressed in a 'proud and unshakable character', walked away in a huff.

The author has something to say: Notes:

1. Seeing that everyone was filled with righteous indignation because of the matter of arresting son-in-law, I have to reiterate that arresting son-in-law under the list was unique to the Song Dynasty, but it was a very, very common thing at that time.From the prime minister to the wealthy businessman, they all do this.Even though the method of catching a son-in-law may be a bit rough, there are very few cases of real forced marriages (Zhang Yaozuo did not hesitate to use the emperor's will to suppress Feng Jing, Feng Jing also refused to do nothing), and most of them are forced to show their financial resources Power, in order to impress the other party.

In the beginning, catching son-in-law under the list mostly appeared in the families of scholar-bureaucrats. That is because after the troubled times of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms and the fancy suppression in the early Song Dynasty, the aristocratic families survived in name only and were replaced by upstarts who emerged through the imperial examination.In order to form a new political group, ministers continued to betroth their daughters to Xinke scholars. The moment they married their wives, they decided their future political positions.

Because the Song Dynasty was very tolerant of businessmen, later on, wealthy businessmen also joined the competition in order to increase their political capital.They can't promise the support of the imperial court, they can't promise a bright future, but they spend a lot of money, and the simple and rude price goes to the highest bidder, which can move the hearts of poor scholars.

It’s just that according to CCTV’s "The Great Song Strange Case: Catching a Son-in-Law under the List", those who marry famous ministers and family members basically become famous ministers and ministers later; those who marry wealthy businessmen are mostly unknown ; and those powerful officials listed in the biography of treacherous officials, including Qin Hui, Cai Jing, and Zhang Yaozuo (father of Zhang Guifei, the most favored concubine of Song Renzong), all suffered setbacks when they were below the list, and all of them were rejected.As for those who rejected them, nothing happened, at least their wealth and lives were safe (Guo Zhiyun, who made Qin Hui lose face, was not forced to death either).After rejecting Zhang Yaozuo, Feng Jing, the No. [-] scholar who later became the son-in-law of the upright Prime Minister Fu Bi, had a good official career.

2. "Pingzhou Ketan" by Zhu Yu in the Northern Song Dynasty: "In recent years, rich businessmen who are vulgar and rich in possessions marry their daughters, and they also catch their sons-in-law under the list, and they grab money generously to bait scholars and make them bow down. One son-in-law can cost more than a thousand "Thousands of strings = more than one thousand strings of money

3. What Lu Ci said was partly adapted from Sima Guang's reprimand "Sima Guang Shuyi (Volume [-]) - Marriage Rituals"

4. The ancients used to go through the six rituals to get married, but in the Song Dynasty it was simplified to only four steps: talking about marriage, engagement, welcoming marriage and getting married.This made some scholar-bureaucrats very dissatisfied, thinking that it was vulgar and undignified. During Huizong's period, he tried to restore the six rituals, but failed.