The husband's son-in-law

The sound in the room gradually died away.

The door opened and there was a creak. Mr. Chen held a bowl of Laba garlic and wiped his face with his sleeves, and said in a hoarse voice, "Let Xiao Gu see the joke."

"Father, it's me, Da Lang." Da Lang of the Chen family came in, holding a copper basin in his hand, put it on the low table on the bamboo couch, twisted the hot handkerchief and handed it to Dad.

Master Chen saw that it was his own son, so he didn't hide his politeness just now. He took the veil and wiped his face, and his voice came out muffled through the veil, "Why is it you, Xiao Gu?"

"The Li family is talking in the side hall, and my wife and children are with me. Don't worry, Dad." Da Lang of the Chen family poured water for Dad again, sat on the other side of the bamboo couch, and said, "Daddy, I just gave it to you Mother gave Laba garlic, and my mother cried after eating it, I don’t understand, what’s so strange about this garlic, I also tasted it.”

Master Chen: "How?"

"I remembered the time when I was in the village. In fact, the memory is far away. I can't remember the specifics. I just remember the big jujube tree in the village. I like to climb to the top. The second mother is pointing me to which big jujube tree." It’s sweet.” Chen Jiada Lang said, scratching his head, “Actually, when I first arrived in Zhaozhou, I was quite happy. I could eat meat, fish and shrimp every day, which I had never seen before. Garlic, when I thought of my childhood, I couldn’t express my mixed feelings.”

Chen Jiadalang was seven years old when he arrived in Zhaozhou. He didn’t have a deep memory, but he also had bitter memories, not to mention the elders above him. The roots of his hometown were bred and grown up, and his roots were buried deep there. When people leave, the roots are still there. .

"I don't know how Erniang is doing now." Master Chen couldn't help thinking about Erniang.

Chen Dalang: "Father, it's better for the second mother to marry outside than in Zhaozhou. You and mother agreed at the beginning."

"Zhaozhou is remote and poor. It's enough for me to be trapped here. It's better for her to go outside."

When the second mother of the Chen family was 15 years old, she married a scholar in Zhaozhou City.The scholar's ancestor used to be an official, but now he is in decline. His family is poor, and he is somewhat proud and knowledgeable. The Chen family chose this scholar for their daughter.

Master Chen assisted him in the imperial examination, and the next year the scholar passed the Juren examination. The Chen family married a daughter. Later, the Juren went to Beijing to catch up with the examination, and his ranking was not very high. He was a fellow Jinshi. The magistrate of the Central Plains.

"Er Niang has been away with her husband for more than 20 years..."

Mr. Chen sighed, and didn't know how he was doing now.Chen Jiadalang could only comfort him.The father and son had a conversation, it's not good to leave the guests out for too long, Chen Jia Dalang waited on his father to change his clothes, this time he went to the side hall.

In the partial hall.

Fubao chatted and played with the youngest grandson of the Chen family. They met each other when they came here for the first time. At that time, Fubao could not speak Zhaozhou dialect, and the grandson of the Chen family could not speak Mandarin. It was the first time for the two children to meet each other. Take a look, it's all right now.

"...Brother Kai will come to my house to play some other day, I have bark."

"You have a puppy at home? That's great." Chen Kai was full of envy.

The grandson of the Chen family is six years old, and his name is Chen Kai. All his grandsons have chosen the character for 'wood'.The children of the former son's generation, Mr. Chen took them casually before they made a fortune. The ancestors of the Chen family were farmers for generations, and they didn't have any family background.

Just like the Li family.

After Li Da divided the family, the Li family had a small population, and now there are only four people in the family. Seeing the prosperity of the descendants of the Chen family, Li Da couldn't help but envy, and said: "Xiaokai come to my house to play with Fubao . " The older brother and the younger brother belonged to someone else's family, but at least the house was more lively.

"Fubao, what did you say when you first came here? I couldn't even understand it."

"My father said it was official."

"Then you teach me how to read Chen Kai?"

The two children began to learn every word and every word.Master Chen came in and heard his grandson speak the official dialect, with a soft and loving expression on his face, he said: "Okay, it's good to learn the official dialect in lower script, maybe you can use it in the future."

The generation of the son is not the most important thing, and the generation of the grandchildren depends on the generation of the grandchildren.

Everyone got up to greet each other again, and sat down after the formalities.Li Da and Mr. Chen could not talk about going together before, because they have different identities. Mr. Chen is an official, although he has no airs, he has been an official for more than 30 years. The adults added a bit of nostalgia, and took the initiative to chat about the Central Plains, talking about food, drink, and crops in the village, which was not to Li Da's appetite.

"...My parents were working in the fields that day. I went there once, but I couldn't even pick up a pen when I came back." Master Chen remembered the past jokes.

Li Da said: "Zhao'er is the same, walk to the town once, and half his life will be lost when he comes back."

Master Chen laughed.

Gu Zhao: ...

Li Zhouzhou smiled lightly, took the melon seeds and handed them to the husband, Gu Zhao took them one by one and peeled the shells, and stuffed a small handful of melon seeds into the palm of Zhou Zhou, Li Zhouzhou looked down at the inside of the palm of his hand. Guaziren has smiles in his eyes.

"Stop teasing me." Gu Zhao gritted his teeth and leaned over and said.

Li Zhouzhou: "Okay, I got it." He secretly laughed in his stomach.

The couple's small actions were seen by the daughter-in-law of the Chen family, and she couldn't help but feel envious in her heart. She heard that Mr. Gu married into the Li family, and they were married for a long time. How could they still be so affectionate.

After talking about the family affairs, Mr. Chen took a sip of tea and said suddenly: "Xiao Gu, how is your road repair? Are there any troubles in the five prefectures and counties?"

Gu Zhaolue was surprised. Before entering the door, Master Chen himself said that he doesn't talk about official business, but the surprise is the surprise, and Xiao Gu quickly got on the road and said: "I am fine with everything else, except for the county magistrate who can take care of me. But it didn't make me angry—" Those who celebrate Chinese New Year don't say bad luck words.

"I'm pissed off."

Xiao Gu changed his mind.

Master Chen said: "Uncle of the Li family, there is some trouble. This person has not moved from his seat for 20 years. He is very stupid. If you want to catch a chicken, there is not even a chicken feather left."

"I think the situation of the local Li family in Jiting is complicated, so let the Li family in Zhaozhou City take care of it." Gu Zhao said what he was thinking. Mr. Chen has been in the local area for many years, and he knows it better than he does.

Mr. Chen thought for a while, and said: "The Li family in Zhaozhou City, what do you use to hang the Li family to work for you? Besides, the Li family has passed, and the local Li family will not be affected."

"Xu Quan, and the Chen family as assistants. I don't want to get rid of the local Li family. I just don't want the Li family to dominate. Except for the bad bullies, keep the good ones and support other surnames..."

"Why is there still something about the Chen family?"

Gu Zhao explained, Master Chen felt that this method is good after listening for a while, but there is one point, the most important point, "You have said so much, it can be tolerated that the two prefectures of Jiting are mostly fish, shrimp and crab , you support so many surnames to do this, and the conflict of interests will only make the fight more and more chaotic, and it is the people who suffer and suffer."

The Chen family took fish, shrimp and crabs, so did the Li family, so did the Wang family, and everyone else took them. If they don’t give it to my family, they will be hated by others. The local power is too strong, and it is easy to embarrass the people.

"There are other industries." Gu Zhao roughly said, "Coconuts and glass are good things, but I haven't figured them out yet. Now I have to build roads, open a year's construction factory, and engage in logistics and transportation. Zhaozhou City can't swallow them. I want to send it to the Central Plains."

Mr. Chen was thinking about what glass is, and how to buy and sell coconuts. That thing is heavy, big, and takes up space, and it can't fit many in a cart——

"To the Central Plains?" Master Chen was surprised when he heard that.

Gu Zhao was right, otherwise Zhaozhou City would not be able to digest these things.Master Chen looked at Xiao Gu for a while, and after listening to this today, he felt that Xiao Gu was too noisy, so he couldn't help but say: "You are too nonsense, be steady, please be steady."

"My lord, if there are no drastic reforms, Zhaozhou will last for decades, and it will be a waste of time to come to Zhaozhou." Gu Zhao looked back.

Mr. Chen wanted to mobilize officials to coerce Gu Zhao several times, but in the end he lost interest and said, "Forget it, if you want to mess around, go messing around. You don't have to tell me these things in the future, I don't care."

Just like when he first came to Zhaozhou, he knew it was difficult after suffering a few losses and hitting a few setbacks.

Poor people in Zhaozhou.

That's it.

Master Chen lost all interest immediately, and left the Li family for dinner before seeing off the guests.After the Li family left, the grandson Chen Kai, who had just been playing in the side hall, stepped forward and asked nervously, "Grandpa, can Xiaokai go to Li's house to find Fubao to play with?"

"..." Mr. Chen was taken aback for a moment, then patted his grandson's head, "Go if you want."

The Li family walked back, the two were close, and it was still dark, so it would be nice to take a walk after dinner.Fu Bao held Dad's hand, ran to the front after walking for a while, and then bounced back, so he had fun.

"Did Lord Chen get angry just now?" Li Da was a little worried about Zhao'er.

Gu Zhao nodded, "Fortunately, it's still up to me."

Li Da sighed and didn't know what to say, "Maybe Master Chen will know in the future, you are also for the good of the people."

"Father, you trust me." Gu Zhao was happy.

Li Da said: "I believe it, why don't you believe it. When you were in the village, you said you were making a stove. In fact, I thought it was a bit unlucky, but Zhou Zhou believed in you, and he supported you in whatever you wanted to do. Later, the stove came back and was warm. Easy to use and easy to cook.”

"Big and small things, your father and I will remember everything. Our family knows you are good. Mr. Chen doesn't know us. We misunderstood you, so we can only wait for the future."

Li Zhouzhou didn't say a word from the beginning to the end, it was because he believed in his husband and never wavered.This meeting held the hand under the wide sleeve, took the hand of the husband, and said: "Don't be afraid of the husband."

These words are familiar, Gu Zhao said to Zhou Zhou before.

Gu Zhao heard it in his ears and knew that Zhou Zhou was afraid that he would be burdened. Mr. Chen's confusion, anger and misunderstanding, and his father's support were actually a kind of pressure.

"Not afraid." Gu Zhao responded with some firmness.

Pressure is not motivation.

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the Li Mansion posted a post to invite guests, and invited the Li family, the Huang family, and the Wang family to the mansion on the sixth day of the sixth day, leaving out the Chen family and the Lin family. It stands to reason that the three giants of Zhaozhou City, Chen Huanglin, were overwhelmed. Entering the Li family, why are the two leaders not going now, but the Wang family is here?

Not to mention that the last time the road was built, the Wang family showed their face, and got the new lord, okay?

All the merchants murmured behind their backs, there were all kinds of guesses, and some were envious. If they knew that this would win the favor of the new adults, they would also pay for the first part of the road construction.What a pity.

Then why is there no Chen family?Could it be that the Chen family took up the relationship with Mr. Chen, and the newcomer wants to support him?

Chen and Lin, who were not invited, couldn't sit still.

"The Huang family is so hopeless. They didn't make a lot of money when they built the roads. I even gave them rice when I built the roads. Why did you forget about me?" Boss Lin paced back and forth at home, anxiously He scolded the Wang family again, "It's just the business of a silk and satin shop in the Wang family, why should it go to our house, tell me!"

Si Yiniang didn't know why, she thought for a while and said, "Maybe it's nothing serious—"

"It might not be a big deal! Forget it, forget it, you know what the hell." Master Lin left Fourth Auntie's yard, went straight ahead, asked the butler to drive, and went to Chen's mansion to see the situation.

He couldn't sit still, and the Chen family probably couldn't sit still—

and many more.

Thinking of this, Master Lin slammed on the brakes. The butler was waiting at the side without urging whether to prepare the carriage. Master Lin waved his hand, "Don't prepare the carriage for now. Why should I be in a hurry? It is the Chen family who should be in a hurry. The overlord has been in power for so many years, and now the Wang family is on the rise, I don't believe he's not in a hurry." After saying that, he turned around and went back to the fourth aunt's courtyard.

I was in a hurry when I came out, and I didn't even put on the fox fur, so it was cold.

Master Lin entered the fourth aunt's yard again. Fourth aunt had just been beaten up and covered her face. She didn't know what to say, but she knew what a fart. Now that the master came back, she immediately bowed down and said tenderly: " Master, I just thought about it, could it be that Mr. Gu thinks that our family has collected old grain money instead of donating it?"

"..." Master Lin wanted to scold, but after careful consideration, could it be true?

How can this new official master squeeze them so much.

"Why remember me, the Wang family didn't donate silk and satin." Master Lin muttered.

The fourth aunt then said: "The coolies who build roads can't wear silk and satin, our family has a lot of food—"

"If there is too much food, I should donate it, and if there is too much food, I should donate it!" Master Lin was full of anger again, and he knew it was to vent his anger, but he didn't care, as long as he got angry, he would be happy, and took it. He put on the fox fur and left, and didn't come back this time.

The fourth aunt was scolded twice a day, she couldn't hold back her face, wanted to cry but held back, sighed slowly, the maid said something nice to coax the aunt, and the fourth aunt said: "You don't need to say these things, I understand everything. Give me shame, he got angry on me, why didn't he dare to get angry on his wife, after all, my mother's family is too soft to speak, the whole family is relying on the master, I live and eat based on the face of the master... ..."

This is true of the Lin Mansion, and so is the Chen Mansion.

During the Chinese New Year, Boss Chen heard the rumors. He didn't believe it at first, but after careful questioning, he really didn't have the Chen family?Don't miss the Chen family?Trembling with trembling hands and legs, he became soft when asked, and knelt down to beg for mercy.

Mr. Chen is so angry, he is annoyed seeing him kneeling down and begging for mercy, so let him go away.

Why is there no Chen family? Could it be that this newcomer really gave his family a bad shot?What did you hear?Do you know that he told the other two that they were hugging each other tightly?

There is no other family, no Lin family, but the useless Huang family, the Wang family that has been showing up in recent years, and the Li family.After thinking about it, Mr. Chen can't figure out why, what's the mess, what is the new official thinking?

What do you think?I have no other thoughts.

Gu Zhao intentionally let the Chen and Lin families guess, and left them cold on purpose. In fact, his goal was the Chen family, but it was hard to miss one Chen family. It seemed a bit targeted, so he added the Lin family. Chill out.

Calling the Wang family is also a way to win. The Wang family was the first to jump out to earn performance points that day. They are very competitive. This kind of merchant should be mentioned. They are courageous and self-motivated, and they want to become the top three leaders in Zhaozhou City.The most important thing is that when someone showed his favor, Gu Zhao took out a hand to let the other party know that the money was not in vain.

You can't call all of them, so Mr. Gu's attention will be worthless.

The three families who received the invitation post were different in their own way, excited—the Wang family, similar to the ancestors! The Wang family is finally going to be promising, ancestors bless you!The one who was at a loss was the Huang family, especially when he heard that his family had gone to the other three families, and the other two were not invited.

The Li family thought about it for a while, and probably knew why.Mr. Gu came back from the prefectures and counties a few years ago, and each of the five prefectures had their own jobs, it seemed that Rong Guan didn't care much——

The Li family in Zhaozhou City knew about the county magistrate there, and I was a little scared after thinking about it. Could it be that Master Gu wanted to use the Li family in Zhaozhou City to punish them for this invitation?

With joy, anxiety, and fear in mind, the three families drove the carriage to Li Mansion early on the sixth day of the lunar new year. All three families brought their wives and children with them.

Those who can be brought out are genuine wives, the wife's legitimate sons and daughters, if the wife is charitable and intends to win promotion, then call the obedient concubine daughter——

Because Mrs. Gu is the elder brother, the Wang family of the three families happens to have a concubine brother, Mr. Wang specially asked his wife to take him there to talk with Mrs. Gu. Before coming, Mrs. Wang also taught the concubine the rules not to be frivolous.

How dare the brother of the Wang family, he was raised in the backyard before, and his wife never took him with him when he went out. She thought he was not on the stage. Kind of looks like a doormat.

If it wasn't for the fact that the new Mrs. and Mrs. were brothers, he would naturally not be able to make it to this outing banquet.

This time, the three carriages arrived in front of the gate of Li Mansion one after another.

The door of Li Mansion was opened, and the housekeeper of Li Mansion invited all the bosses' wives to enter.If it was in the capital, it would be divided into front and back yards, the men's front yard and the women's family's backyard. Now that they have arrived in Zhaozhou, Gu Zhao didn't want to put Zhou Zhou in the position of 'female family', and he went to Master Chen's house, It doesn't seem to be so strict, so they all entertained in the backyard.

It's just that the female relatives are in the side hall, and the men are in the main hall, separated by a wall.Moreover, the merchants are not as particular as those in Beijing. The young girls who have not left the court do not see other men, and the restraints are very strict, at least not in Zhaozhou.

For example, in the homes of well-known merchants in Zhaozhou City, if a girl wants to go shopping and watch temple fairs, as long as her brother is free and willing to accompany her, she can go for a stroll on the street—this is aimed at prostitutes.

If a concubine wants to go out to play, it depends on his wife's face and a concubine's elder brother and younger brother.Except for a very few who play well with the concubines, most of the elder brothers who are born in the same family are relatives who came out of a mother's womb.

The side hall of Li’s house is open. The house here is made of brick and wood, and the summer is long and hot. Therefore, the side hall leads to the open-air courtyard. There is no wall or door on the front. The opening is open and there is a draft, so it can be slightly cold in winter. Some.

After the Li family bought it, Li Zhouzhou made bamboo roller blinds and hung them on the head. Because the side hall is open quickly, the roller blinds on both sides were lowered, and a screen was blocked in the middle. It's neither cold nor windy.

"Master, Mrs. Wang's family has arrived." Li Chun brought people in, and bowed first to salute.

The Wang family is the most enthusiastic. Mrs. Wang has a round face and is a little shorter. Because of her fat face, there are not many wrinkles. When she came in, she saluted politely, with a smile on her face, and said: "Madam Gu is well." .”

Later, the children of the Wang family saluted one after another, saying, "Madam Gu is well."

Li Zhouzhou sat down to talk without being too polite, and then asked Li Chun to serve tea and snacks.Mrs. Wang came early, so she sat on the next chair closest to Mrs. Gu. Seeing Mrs. Gu's kindness, she flattered her.

Generally speaking, Mrs. Gu is young and has a good bearing.After a few words of flattery, she began to introduce her family's children.Mrs. Wang brought two daughters and one elder brother with her this time, and the daughter was born in her womb.

The children saluted again.

Li Zhouzhou: ...

"Let's all sit down, I think you're still young and childish."

"It's not too young, Liu Niang is already thirteen, and I'm going to see my in-laws soon." Mrs. Wang was happy, and Mrs. Gu said that she was young, so she was her Liu Niang.

Li Zhouzhou said: "Actually, it's better to be later." The appearance of Liu Niang reminded him of the appearance of Zhang's third mother who sold vinegar in Ningping Prefecture.

Small and clever, his temperament is soft at first sight.

"Wait a few more years, what is it like to choose an in-law now, a few years later, maybe you can choose a better one." Li Zhouzhou said with a smile.

Mrs. Wang first subconsciously flattered her, saying thank you for your good words, but after thinking about it, the more she thought about it, the more wrong it became. Could it be that she used her Liuniang's marriage to say something else, so how could she choose a better one in the future?

The rich family faces the rich family, and the wooden door faces the wooden door. If their family is in business, is it possible that they can still marry an official?

This is out of the question... right?

The master told her that if he hugged the new lord's leg, the Wang family would become the Chen family in the future, wouldn't he say that?Mrs. Wang was muttering all kinds of things in her heart, but she still smiled and flattered her face. After all, it was a matter behind the family.

"Has the child at home learned to read?" Li Zhouzhou looked at the little brother sitting on the last chair. He was fourteen years old, dressed in a ball of red and powdered, tied his hair with a hair tie, and wore a pair of breasts The short jacket was covered with a waistcoat, and the skirt trousers were lowered, which looked like new clothes, and the silver bracelets were worn on the wrists. She looked cute and silent, but in fact, she was restrained and restless.

Li Zhouzhou is someone who has been here. When he saw this little brother, he thought of Brother Xing in the village. Brother Xing was also pretty, but naturally he had no conditions to dress up like Brother Wang.

"My Dalang Saburo recognized some characters." Mrs. Wang replied.

Her family is a businessman, and knowing some words is already a big deal, as long as she can understand the account books and not be deceived.

"Didn't you think of going to school to test your fame?"

"Ma'am, you are really joking. How is this situation in my family possible?" Mrs. Wang just finished thinking about it, but she did not expect Mrs. Gu to ask this question. Naturally, she cannot say that Mrs. Gu is stupid, because the nobleman does not remember.

Li Zhouzhou nodded, because he saw Li Chun and the Li family had arrived.Just right.

Mrs. Li came in with the children, and it was the same time as the Wang family just now, who introduced the saluting and touting auspicious words, and when they were seated and served tea, Li Zhouzhou seemed to have forgotten the topic just now, and chatted about Jia Changjing life here.

Talk about the entry into the Imperial Academy of Xianggong, and talk about the layout of the house in Beijing.

Two of them entered the courtyard in a square and square shape, and they were symmetrical. They said: "...At that time, my family's husband got merit in studying books, and in the first year in Beijing to celebrate the New Year, the prince even rewarded him with a New Year's gift."

Li Zhouzhou blurred out the eighth prince, and the eighth prince was abolished, no matter how remote Zhaozhou is, there should be some rumors, but the wives of these families definitely don’t know about it, and he is also imitating his father-in-law. It started to be true and false.

Mrs. Li and Mrs. Wang sitting here were all amazed, they never expected Mrs. Gu to have such kindness.

So why did you come to Zhaozhou?

Li Zhouzhou saw what the two wanted to ask, but he didn't explain clearly, so he left the two to guess, but when he talked about other things, he said, "...Fortunately, my family has the business registration name of my uncle's family. ——" He paused pretending to say something, took a sip of tea from a teacup, and then said, "Actually, the capital is about the same. Prince Kang also has a big restaurant."

The two ladies were confused, but they all kept it in their hearts, and they will learn from the master when they go back.

After a while Mrs. Huang arrived, and it was another set. When she was seated, Li Zhouzhou changed the subject and said: "The children are tired from sitting, and listening to us adults chatting is boring." Let Li Chun take the children to Playing in the garden, "Ask Fubao to entertain my sisters and brothers."

"My family Fubao is valued by his father, and he will go to school to study and practice calligraphy in the future."

The three wives held it in their hands, saying that the young master is precious, and it is a good thing to read and practice calligraphy.Li Zhouzhou then said: "It doesn't matter if your three families are in good condition, it doesn't matter whether you are a brother or a girl, knowing a few words is a good thing..."

In the main hall, Gu Zhao received the men from the three families. He said it directly, meaning that he had been in Zhaozhou City for more than half a year before he knew that there was no government school in Zhaozhou City. He wanted to open a government school. The officials keep it in mind, if the official school is built, the places for studying will be given to the three of you.

The masters of the three families thought in their stomachs, reading a shit book and not being an official, could it be that Mr. Gu has changed his way to pay the money again, last time they donated money for the road construction, this time they are required to pay the money for the construction of the official school, this is an addiction Is it okay?

The Wang family is in pain, but they still want to curry favor with Mr. Gu, saying that if the official Gai follows his family's lead in paying money.

Who knew that Mr. Gu said: "No, Boss Wang is kind and I will remember it. How can I let you pay more money? I have taken care of this matter. In the future, the three family members and children will come to school, and I have promised you a place." , This is the money for government and school, wait, the road has been repaired, the factory has been built, and our government invites investment to transport and sell goods, how can we still have no money?"

Three:? ? ?what what? ? ?

The three companies are at a loss and don't understand, what investment promotion, what factory?

Gu Zhao greeted the three families this time, mainly to tease the Li family, wanting the Li family to stand out, and teasing the Chen family, so that the Chen family would get angry and come to him on their own initiative.

What to do with the Li family and let the Li family do things for him, naturally it is a big cake for the descendants of the imperial examinations to become officials.The government school is going to be built, so don't worry, if it goes well, you will receive the money this autumn and it will be completed.

Zhaozhou Road has been repaired, the factory is running, and the goods have been sold. Are you afraid that you will not be able to build an official school?

Gu Zhao wanted to build two schools, one for boys to study the imperial examinations, the other for girls and brothers, a small one, boiled frogs in warm water, he didn’t dare to mix schools at once, even if it was far away, he couldn’t directly open a big school !