In the Song Dynasty, Zhou rites were respected, and women aged fifteen and up had hairpins.
The haircut ceremony signifies adulthood and can be called by names and married.
Of course, the regulations stipulate this, but the people don't care so much.
The vast majority of women are married at the age of thirteen or fourteen.
However, a wealthy family like the Ma family is still very particular about this.
After sizing up Ma Shuyao again, Han Zhen declined politely: "Then we'll wait until the young lady has done the hairpin ceremony."
Being young is only one aspect, the main reason is that Han Zhen doesn't want to have too much to do with the Ma family.
Once they get involved, it will be okay for the Ma family to be obedient in the future. If they are disobedient, a series of troublesome things will happen.
Mayanmin couldn't hear the rejection in his words.
By the time Ma Shuyao grows hairpins, it will be the beginning of next year. Although it is only three to five months, it is enough for many changes to happen.
Thinking of this, Mayanmin waved his hand.
The maids in the lobby retreated one after another, leaving only the four of them.
Mayanmin said sternly: "County magistrate, why don't we finalize it first and wait until Youyou has done the hairpin ceremony before we go through the door. Youyou is the eldest daughter of my Ma family. Although she is promised to be a concubine, the dowry will not be short." , the county magistrate is satisfied.”
There is no dowry for concubines, and Han Zhen knew this well.
At this moment, when he heard Mayanmin say this, he couldn't help but move slightly in his heart, and said with a half-smile, "What does Ma Yanmin mean?"
"Thirty million strings!"
Mayan Min held out three fingers and said solemnly: "The county magistrate is now in the midst of his grand ambitions. Whether it is recruiting troops or reorganizing subordinate staff, money is needed. These 30 million yuan are The sincere heart of my Ma family.”
hiss!
Han Zhen's expression remained normal, but there was a turmoil in his heart.
Thirty million yuan is almost equivalent to the entire Song Dynasty's annual tax.
You know, Wang Fu almost collected money nationwide, but in the end he only collected more than 60 million yuan.
By comparison, you can intuitively feel how rich this dowry is.
Han Zhen suppressed the surging thoughts in his heart and said with half belief and doubt: "Could Yuanwai Ma be lying to me? After what happened to Emperor Zhenzong, can the Ma family still have such wealth?"
Speaking of Emperor Zhenzong, a trace of resentment flashed in Mayanmin's eyes, and he explained: "The county magistrate didn't know something. Our Ma family is not a greedy and unjust person. At the beginning, Liu Zhu entrusted all the family assets to each other, and the family ancestors did not touch a penny. , even if he later donated half of it to Emperor Taizu, he was still forced to do so."
"Later on, the glory of the main court was earned by my ancestors of the Ma family with their own hands. I hate that Emperor Zhenzong coveted the other half of the treasure and did things like sowing discord and frame-up. But Emperor Zhenzong didn't know, he just Consider my Ma family’s tens of millions of assets as the remaining half of the treasure.”
Not to mention Han Zhen, even Ma Yundi and Ma Shuyao looked surprised.
Obviously, they don't know either.
Thinking about it, such a large amount of money is more of a disaster than a blessing for the Ma family.
Once it is leaked out, given the morality of today's officials, I am afraid that the old incident of Zhenzong will happen again.
Today, Zhao Ji will do anything for money.
Whoever can make money for him will be the prime minister of the dynasty!
Mayanmin's move was a huge gamble.
A legitimate daughter of the Ma family is far from enough, but if a dowry of 30 million yuan is added, it will be completely different.
This is completely different from when Mahimeng donated half of his family wealth. At that time, Zhao Da had already conquered the world, and Mahimeng's move was just the icing on the cake.
But Han Zhen is now at the center of trouble, and these 30 million strings are equivalent to providing help in a timely manner.
This friendship is not unimportant.
Han Zhen was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said: "We are all one family, no matter what dowry or not, my grandfather-in-law said this is too foreign!"
There is no way, he gave too much.
Thirty million guan is enough for him to recruit as many subordinates, make as many firearms as possible, and form as many heavy cavalry as possible...
"Hahaha!"
This sentence about "grandfather-in-law" made Mayanmin feel happy and deeply comforted.
I saw him smiling and ordering: "Yuyou, what are you doing standing there in a daze? Why don't you pour wine for your husband?"
A blush ran down her neck and onto Ma Shuyao's cheeks. She bit her lip gently, suppressed her shyness, and stepped forward gracefully.
Controlling the slightly trembling hands, he picked up the wine bottle and poured a glass of wine, then held the wine glass in both hands and bowed.
"Husband...husband, please drink!"
After all, she is the legitimate daughter of a wealthy family. Her whole set of movements is smooth, dignified and elegant, and has a unique sense of beauty.
As mentioned before, it is better to take a concubine than to marry a wife, and there are many etiquettes.
After being admitted into the family, the concubine only needs to toast her husband and his wife with a glass of wine, which is considered a ceremony.
That's why Mayanmin asked Ma Shuyao to toast.
After drinking this glass of wine, Ma Shuyao became Han Zhen's concubine.
Looking at Ma Shuyao's blushing pretty face, Han Zhen sighed secretly in his heart.
That's all, just stay with me for two years.
Feeling Han Zhen's gaze, Ma Shuyao felt even more ashamed. She lowered her eyes slightly, not daring to look at him at all.
Han Zhen took the wine glass and drank it in one gulp under the expectant eyes of Mayanmin and his son.
Mayanmin greeted with a bright smile: "County magistrate, let's try the skills of the cook at home."
"Um."
Han Zhen nodded, picked up a piece of fried lotus root with chopsticks and put it into his mouth.
For a time, the atmosphere at the wine table became extremely harmonious.
Ma Shuyao did not leave, but stood quietly beside Han Zhen, pouring wine and serving dishes for him.
After tasting the dishes on the table one by one, Han Zhen put down his chopsticks and said: "Youyou is still young, so let her spend more time with her family at home. Besides, the current situation is uncertain, and I don't have much time to take care of it. Wait. After we stabilize, we will organize a big event to welcome Youyou through the door."
Since the Ma family's dowry was so generous, Han Zhen would naturally reciprocate the favor.
Although there is no need for three letters and six appointments, it still needs to be done in a glamorous manner and give the Ashuma family face.
Sure enough, as soon as these words came out, May Yanmin and Mayundi's eyes flashed with relief.
Mashu's graceful little girl lowered her head slightly and said softly: "But it depends on your husband's orders."
After drinking, she became Han Zhen's. Naturally, her husband-in-law was the main one, and her natal family was secondary.
"Come on, come on, drink!"
Mayanmin was in a good mood and raised a toast to invite him.
The whole meal of wine lasted until the middle of the moon.
After the maids at the house had removed the food and wine, Ma Shuyao showed off her superb tea-ordering skills and personally ordered a cup of tea for Han Zhen and the others.
I saw a thick layer of green foam floating on top of the ordered tea soup.
Above the foam, you can faintly see the distant green mountains, like an ink painting.
This is the famous tea soup painting of the Song Dynasty.
In fact, the paintings on coffee in later generations are all leftovers from our ancestors’ play.
"Good workmanship."
Han Zhen couldn't help but praise him.
Ma Shuyao smiled lightly and said modestly: "This is just a small skill. It is said that the tea-ordering masters in Tokyo can create a drama on the tea soup."
After taking a sip, Han Zhen put down the tea cup.
Seeing this scene, Ma Shuyao asked: "But the tea I ordered is not to your husband's taste?"
Han Zhen waved his hand: "I just can't get used to it. This kind of good tea, drinking it in the mouth of a rough guy like me, is like a cow chewing peonies."
"Bai Juyi once said in a poem: People have their own preferences, and nothing can have both. My husband doesn't like to drink some tea, so I'll go and get a cup of fragrant drink instead."
As Mashuyao said, he got up to prepare the fragrant drink.
Han Zhen shook his head and said: "No need to bother, just change it to a cup of herbal tea."
Hearing this, Ma Shuyao nodded and poured him another cup of herbal tea.
At this time, Mayanmin asked: "The county magistrate plans to launch troops against Zhang Wanxian?"
"Um."
Han Zhen said: "Zhao Ting and the Weizhou magistrate communicated through letters a while ago and agreed to jointly quell the rebellion. This is a good time to take advantage of the Northern Navy to contain Changping County, capture Shouguang first, and then defeat Changping!"
Mayanmin thought deeply and said: "It is indeed a rare opportunity."
He has no military knowledge, but he understands the situation.
"Zhang Wanxian is nothing more than a Liang Xiaoyou, so there is nothing to fear. The so-called Hundred Thousand Dare Chi Army is just a bunch of rabble."
Although Han Zhen's tone was calm, his whole body exuded an unparalleled sense of confidence.
Ma Shuyao looked at it with fascination and her heart secretly ached.
After chatting for a while, after finishing a cup of herbal tea, Han Zhen stood up and said: "It's getting late, I should go back. Thank you for your hospitality tonight, grandpa-in-law."
"As a family, why do you need to be so polite?"
Mayan Min pretended to be displeased, and then asked: "Does the county magistrate have free time these days? If so, you can follow me to collect the dowry."
Han Zhen asked curiously: "Where is the treasure?"
"Linzi!"
Mayanmin looked slightly strange.
Linzi County?
Han Zhen was stunned.
He didn't expect that the other half of Liu Zhu's treasure was actually hidden in his lair.
Mayanmin explained with a smile: "My ancestors were originally from Linzi County. After they became successful, they moved to Yidu County. After all, we are still in the township party with the county magistrate."
Han Zhen said thoughtfully: "I'm going to go back to Linzi in a few days, so why not make it three days later."
He did have to go back, the gunpowder workshop was almost finished.
He really couldn't rest assured that the firearms were not properly arranged in person.
In addition, Changzhi County still needs to explain some matters.
By the way, I picked up Run Niang and An Niang.
"Okay, then it will be scheduled in three days."
After Mayanmin finished speaking, he turned to Ma Shuyao and said, "Yuyou, give this to your husband."
"Grandpa, Youyou understands."
Ma Shuyao's tone was shy.
"Farewell!"
Han Zhen cupped his hands and walked out of the hall.
In the Ma family's courtyard, colorful lanterns hang high, emitting soft light.
Ma Shuyao walked beside Han Zhen, secretly looking at Han Zhen from time to time, her pure deer-like eyes full of curiosity.
It was only then that she discovered that her husband was quite handsome.
It's just that he is so imposing on weekdays that people ignore his appearance.
After walking for a while, she suddenly said: "I don't know who is in your husband's family yet."
She has an innocent nature, but she was just too shy before.
Now, the shyness has passed.
Han Zhen couldn't help but smile and said: "Since we are a family, let's talk about the situation at home to avoid any trouble. My name is Han Zhen. I am the second child in the family. My parents died young. The first eldest brother also passed away two years ago, leaving only A widowed sister-in-law.”
Ma Shuyao said softly: "My husband's life experience is so miserable."
Han Zhen said with emotion: "It's not miserable. Although I was a little poorer before, I still lived a comfortable life."
The days when I was a rogue are quite interesting now that I think about it.
"Chicken and unrestrained?"
Ma Shuyao couldn't help but be stunned, but she was a bit naive.
"Your husband, I used to be a libertine in Linzi County. How can I not be cool?"
Han Zhen said, unable to hold back for a moment, he gently pinched her baby cheeks.
"ah!"
Ma Shuyao let out a soft cry and said in a disgusted voice: "How come my husband, like my mother-in-law, loves to pinch the slave family."
Gently twirling his fingers, feeling the tenderness and delicateness remaining between his fingers, Han Zhen sighed secretly in his heart.
Tsk!
Unfortunately, it will take another two years.
While chatting and joking, the two walked through the corridor, crossed the hanging flower door, and came all the way to the outside of the mansion.
When the servant saw it, he immediately brought the war horse from the stable.
Han Zhen waved his hand and ordered: "It's late at night, please go back."
Hearing this, Ma Shuyao did not go back immediately. Instead, she stepped forward, took off the gold-wired hollow-carved sachet from her waist, and stuffed it into Han Zhen's hand: "I have been wearing this sachet since I was a child. I hope your husband will accept it."
After saying that, Ma Shuyao blinked her big eyes and looked at Han Zhen.
Han Zhen's heart moved, knowing that this sachet was a token of love, and it was time for him to reciprocate the gift.
After pondering for a moment, he took off the hand knife tied to the side of the war horse, handed it over and said: "I have been poor since I was a child, and I have nothing to offer. I have a knife and a spear to keep me company. This hand knife was bought a few years ago. It’s not a good knife, but it has been with me since my youth, so I give it to you today.”
Ma Shuyao took the knife, nodded solemnly and said, "I will treasure it well."
Han Zhen got on his horse and ordered, "Go back."
"Um."
Ma Shuyao nodded, but his feet did not move.
Seeing this, Han Zhen didn't say anything, mounted his horse and left.
Waiting until Han Zhen's back disappeared from sight, Ma Shuyao turned around and walked into the government office.
On the way back, she kept looking at the knife in her hand.
As Han Zhen said, it was not a good knife. The handle and scabbard were both made of cheap jujube wood, with a layer of burlap wrapped around it.
Hold the handle of the knife and gently pull out a section of the blade. You can see that several places on the blade have been curled.
Ma Shuyao didn't care, her eyes were full of smiles.
At this moment, Mayanmin's voice suddenly sounded in his ears: "Is this a token of love given to you by your husband?"
Ma Shuyao was startled, and then she realized that grandpa had come to her side without knowing when.
After coming back to her senses, Ma Shuyao snorted lightly.
Mayanmin chuckled and said in a pleased tone: "I was afraid that you wouldn't like me and would wrong me. Now it seems that I'm not wrong about this red thread."
"Grandpa made fun of Youyou again."
A hint of shyness flashed in Ma Shuyao's eyes, and she said in a tired voice.
"It's getting late, go back and rest early, and tell your mother the news by the way."
"Grandma, please rest early."
After giving the instructions, Ma Shuyao held the knife in her hand and skipped back to the backyard with brisk steps.
What girl doesn't have a child?
However, the important matter of marriage is the order of the parents and the words of the matchmaker.
All a woman can do is to fantasize about her future husband in the boudoir.
Ma Shuyao had naturally imagined that her husband should be an all-rounder who could kill enemies on horseback and govern the country on horseback. He could pick up poems and songs at his fingertips, and be familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics...
But now, the fantasy in my heart was unknowingly replaced by Han Zhen.
(End of chapter)
