After meeting Cai Xiang and going to the reference office, Zhang Yuefang returned home.
During the Han and Tang dynasties, there was a custom of celebrating the Laba Day. In the Song Dynasty, it was said that Laba was the day when Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Temples in Bianjing served Qibao and Five-flavor porridge to the believers. Therefore, unlike the Laba Day in the Tang Dynasty, the Laba Festival in the Song Dynasty was more similar. On Buddhist festivals.
However, the custom of Laba porridge actually originated from temple donations.
In addition to Buddhists, good people in Bianjing City will also cook rice, beans, dates and millet at home to give alms to the poor on the roadside.
This can also be regarded as my charity work.
Zhang Yue was riding a horse on the streets of Bianjing. Many beggars saw that he was well-dressed and rushed up to hold a bowl to beg for a bowl of Laba porridge. After giving it to a few people, other beggars also came after hearing the news and rushed to beg for it.
Tang Jiu wanted to send him away, but Zhang Yue asked Tang Jiu and his servants to take out all their money and scatter it all to support them.
Back home, Zhang Yue asked Tang Jiu and Nu to go to his place to get money tomorrow.
And he walked back to the west courtyard to look for Seventeenth Mother.
Zhang Yue first asked Chen's mother. Seeing Zhang Yue, Chen's mother was surprised and said, "The master is back. Madam is at Nuan Pavilion."
Zhang Yue walked towards his house after hearing this. The main house in the west courtyard had a very high roof when it was first built, so it was very cold in winter. Therefore, after he married Qi Niang, he built a small heating pavilion next to the main house.
The Seventeenth Mother's hands and feet were cold, and she was very afraid of the cold in winter, so whenever it was time to use charcoal for heating, she would move into the warm pavilion to rest early. . Zhang Yue knew that Qi Niang was pregnant now, but he still had to go to the East Courtyard every day to pay his respects to Zhang Shi and Yu. Every evening and morning, he used all the etiquette of honoring his parents-in-law to Zhang Shi and Yu.
At first, Mrs. Yu was worried that a woman from an official family would bully others and look down on her brother and sister-in-law, but now that Qi Niang is so knowledgeable and sensible, everyone speaks well of her.
Mrs. Yang and Mrs. Zhang, Zhang Dun's wife, also came and went from time to time. The Seventeenth Mother also entertained them with etiquette.
Arriving in front of the main room, two familiar female envoys were about to greet each other. Zhang Yue smiled and signaled that they did not need to be polite and went straight to the door of Nuan Pavilion.
But he heard Seventeenth Mother's familiar voice coming from behind the door.
"...It doesn't have to be the past. There are more people in the house. Originally, the officials could only have two servants, but now they have been promoted to four, and there are more. Now that I am pregnant, I need to hire ten more from outside. Come alone."
"When someone is added to the family, there must be no mistakes in the family, coming in and out, inside and outside. If you hire people, if they come from a clean family background, you need to ask and write clearly about their origins and history. City clerk. Ask again and again to see if there are any discrepancies in the documents. If you ask a few more times, those who have inconsistent prefaces and postscripts will reveal their flaws, so don’t use such people."
"Be sure not to ask for those who are boastful and eloquent. Officials are most afraid of servants who can't keep their mouths shut and spread the news about the affairs of the house. To manage things, you must put people first. You go to Zhang Yazi's place Let’s take a look at the selected people first and then bring them here, and I’ll take a look again.”
…
Hearing this, Zhang Yue had already opened the door, but he heard that two charcoal basins were rising in the Nuan Pavilion, several female envoys were standing aside, and the Seventeenth Mother was holding her belly and talking.
When they saw Zhang Yue coming back, they immediately bowed and then left, closing the door behind him.
After not seeing each other for several months, Zhang Yue stepped forward and said, "Madam..."
Zhang Yue was about to hold his wife's hand and say goodbye, but he saw her looking at him indifferently, as if this farewell had created many barriers.
When Zhang Yue saw Qi Niang's expression, he felt bad. How could he have offended his wife?
Zhang Yue thought about it for a while, but he didn't feel that he had done anything wrong.
The Seventeenth Mother said: "You have been away from home for several months. You should also take a look at the account books at home. You should also clearly understand the expenditure of firewood, rice, oil and salt in the house."
After speaking, Seventeenth Niang stood up to hold the account book. Zhang Yue dared not let Seventeenth Niang, who was pregnant with her belly, hold a heavy object. He quickly said: "I'll do it, madam."
Seventeenth Mother glanced at Zhang Yue and let him hold the account book.
Zhang Yue was still thinking hard about what he had done wrong. Why don’t women say it themselves, but let us guess? What kind of way is this to control a husband?
Seventeenth Mother said to Zhang Yue: "The number of female envoys in the mansion will be increased to thirty..."
so much?
Zhang Yueke never thought that thirty people would serve his family's food and daily life.
"Half of them have to serve the east courtyard. Now that my nephew is studying, he needs another book boy to polish his ink and write. The other half has to serve the west courtyard. I used to be in charge of the accounts, but now I don't have the energy. Add a gentleman who is an accountant."
"I calculated that the family members only need 30 guan per month for food, and nearly 50 guan for monthly income. After the new year, I plan to promote several smart and capable stewardesses to the first level, each of whom Three guan a month, after counting, we need to pay almost 60 guan every month, and the food and clothing expenses for our two families, not counting favors, we need to pay at least 200 guan every month!"
Zhang Yue thought to himself that with so much money, his official salary would not be enough, and he was a lavish spender, so it was all thanks to his wife to subsidize him. No wonder all the lower-level officials in the capital are poor. Their salaries are not low, but officials must have the dignity of officials and support such a large family. Who can live without borrowing money?
It’s no wonder that famous prime ministers such as Li Hang, Wang Dan, Zhang Dexiang, etc. all borrowed money from everywhere when they were young officials.
Zhang Yue said: "Just follow the lady's orders."
The Seventeenth Mother added: "My sister-in-law told me a few days ago that your business in the prison seems to be doing very well, so I would like to find a job for my brother in the prison."
Zhang Yue thought that Wu Anshi and Ouyang Fa had arranged errands for Zhang Shi in recent years. Zhang Shi once took charge of affairs, collected accounts, or held pledges, but he did not last long.
Zhang Yue thought that instead of doing this, it would be better to arrange for him to be introduced to him. Anyway, it is our glorious tradition in the Song Dynasty to gather talents without avoiding relatives. This is not a problem at all. There is no need to worry about being criticized in the officialdom.
What's more, I also need help from my brother now.
Zhang Yue heard this and said: "This is easy to handle, I will arrange it."
Seventeenth Mother said: "Okay, I'll go get her back here."
Seeing the Seventeenth Mother about to get up, Zhang Yue quickly stopped her and said, "My lady is passing on a message, why bother to go there in person? Just send someone there."
"It's better for me to settle such matters myself." Seventeenth Mother said coldly.
Zhang Yue said hurriedly: "Madam, Madam, if you have anything to say, just tell me, and don't get angry. You have to take care of yourself again and again..."
The Seventeenth Mother looked bitter when she heard this, and her eyes suddenly turned red when she looked at Zhang Yue.
Zhang Yue said hurriedly: "Madam, why are you doing this?"
Seventeenth Mother turned her face to the side and said softly: "It's okay!"
If a woman says nothing is wrong, then something is wrong!
Zhang Yue said: "Madam!"
After a while, the Seventeenth Mother said: "You also know that I need to take care of myself? Then can you take care of yourself? What a Lintan Book Cliff! What a Zhang Sanlang Shooting Tigers! At that time, you only cared about your own performance, did you have any thoughts? Are you going to live with us, mother and son?"
Having said this, Seventeenth Mother shook off Zhang Yue's hand and turned around.
Zhang Yue secretly thought, so it turns out that... the man with the long tongue told this matter to his wife?
Zhang Yue knew that his wife usually did not quarrel with him and get angry, but once she lost her temper, it would become a big deal. Now that she was still pregnant with her baby, she must not let her get angry.
Zhang Yue didn't know how to coax him, how to resolve it at this moment...at this moment...?
It seems that the only way to do this is to use the family's secret skill - rooting of old trees!
Zhang Yue hugged Seventeenth Niang, and immediately said with utmost sincerity: "Madam, I know I was wrong!"
The Seventeenth Mother wanted to break away, but when she saw Zhang Yue's apology, her heart softened, her tears couldn't stop falling and she said: "Guardian, there's no need for this, I was wrong just now. I just hope you can miss me and me more." The child in my belly, please don’t be rash... Although I hope you will be granted the title of Marquis and Prime Minister, I beg you to stay with us, mother and son, in peace. The thought of you fighting against the odds these days makes me afraid..."
Seeing that Seventeenth Mother's anger had subsided, Zhang Yue said repeatedly: "Madam, don't worry, I will definitely not be so rash next time. I will find a good opportunity... Ha, madam, you are just joking! Don't blame me, don't blame me!"
"You! You've been an official for so long, and you're still so unstable." Seventeenth Mother stretched out her finger and tapped Zhang Yue's shoulder. At this moment, her tears turned into laughter, and the sky cleared up after the rain.
Seeing that the Seventeenth Mother was coaxed to calm down, Zhang Yue said happily: "I am an official outside, but I am just a husband and father at home."
A breakup is better than a wedding. This is the first time since they got married that they have been separated for so long. After a little quarrel after they reunited, their relationship has become even more intimate.
Seeing that Seventeenth Mother's anger had subsided, the couple sat on the couch hand in hand and talked softly, talking about things to come. Zhang Yue looked at Shiqi Niang's belly and thought that he was going to be a father soon, and his heart was filled with joy.
The couple were talking when they heard someone say from outside: "Master Zhang, Mr. Guo Dalang is here!"
Zhang Yue knew that his brother and Guo Lin had arrived.
The Seventeenth Mother said to Zhang Yue: "You go and speak on your own, don't worry about me."
Zhang Yue nodded and said, "I'll come back to accompany you later."
Zhang Yue walked to the main room and met Zhang Shi and Guo Lin.
Zhang Yue met Guo Lin and asked him how he was doing in the official department.
Guo Lin said with a smile: "Although the Ministry of Civil Affairs has not yet dismissed the appointment, Bachelor Sima has already told me that he is preparing to appoint me as the Imperial Academy's direct lecturer!"
Zhang Yue was overjoyed when he heard this, and the Imperial Academy directly spoke to him and was responsible for teaching students the Confucian classics.
Generally, the imperial court selects officials with profound attainments in Confucian classics and extremely high moral character. Serving as a direct lecturer in the Imperial College can give you a good reputation and be respected by people, but the disadvantage is that you are poor and your income is very meager.
But in Zhang Yue's opinion, this suited Guo Lin.
In the officialdom, he has a set of right and wrong, black and white. On the contrary, in a place with a strong academic atmosphere like the Imperial College, Guo Lin can win respect with his knowledge and character.
The most important thing is that Guo Lin is in the Imperial College, and the two of them will have more opportunities to meet in the future. I really want to be grateful to Sima Guang.
Zhang Yue said with a smile: "Then I must first congratulate Senior Brother on your future success."
Guo Lin smiled and said: "That's fine. Bachelor Sima told me that it is not as good as cultivating people, and establishing an institution is a lifelong plan. I have thought that if I can cultivate a few more good students, I will be able to serve in the court in the future." The hall can also help you."
Zhang Yue was deeply moved when he heard this. Senior brother is always like this, thinking of himself first in everything.
