Zhuangzi's door eaves have been replaced with an elegant door sign - Liangjiazhuang. The lintel of Zhuangzi's door is not big, but looking in from the door of the village, everyone is performing their duties and busy with their hands, which makes it look like a lively scene.
When Liang Chuan mentioned that he wanted to buy a horse, Yelv Chongguang was more interested than anyone else. The Khitan people's yearning for horses was just like Liang Chuan's yearning for the world, and they had a deep-seated love.
Yelu Chongguang ordered Yeluhan to buy land, and he took his younger brothers to buy horses. All the good horses in Bianjing City gathered in Maxing Street, which was originally a horse trading place.
There were many foreign wars in the early Song Dynasty, and there was a huge demand for war horses for the southern and Liao expeditions. There were Yunnan horses, Sichuan horses, northwest horses, and smuggled horses from the Liao Kingdom. Several people picked a few of various excellent horse breeds. , couldn’t wait to bring it back.
There were both male and female horses among them. With the money Liang Chuan gave them, Yelu Chongguang and others were used to the life of ascetics. They had basically no other pastimes and entertainment. They still had some money on hand, so they spent it all to buy horses.
It's the same as a man's love for cars.
Liang Chuan had just finished lunch in Zhuangzi when he saw four people driving forty or fifty horses happily returning to Zhuangzi. There were horses, big and small, and they even bought foals. Behind them was a cart, which seemed to be feed for the horses.
Horses are precious things. Although they also eat grass, horses that eat grass have no strength, so they have to be fed feed. Bean cakes are added with wheat bran, rice bran, and if possible, a little oats and sorghum. Of course, roughage is also Grass is essential, and a little salt is added. Yes, horses also eat salt. The horses fed in this way are the best horses, and they will not be tired no matter how they run.
Liang Chuan saw how they felt sorry for these horses, and he sighed in his heart. As expected, every man has no resistance to the likes of Xiangche Baobao.
My butt was still hot from sitting, and I was just about to study with them how to tame these horses, when Nian Cheng came to report quickly, saying that Ding needed him again.
Grandma, never have a moment of leisure.
Liang Chuan asked Sun Houpu to call a few people to bring a few loads of money and prepare to send it to Ding Wei with him.
If you make money yourself, you can't keep it to yourself. The most terrible thing is to offend others invisibly if you don't want others to enjoy it.
Ding said that although this person never mentioned the word money from beginning to end, he had a big appetite for money. He wanted big money and didn't like small money at all.
He didn't say anything about Liang Chuan's making money, but in his eyes, everything that happened on Bianhe Street was under his control!
Ding said that he had received a report from Lei Yungong that all the old waste building materials on the Shangtu Bridge had been disposed of, and the remaining bricks had been built into a brick kiln, and the brick kiln had begun to bake bricks.
This series of operations progressed faster than he imagined. In just a few days, a prosperous and lively scene emerged!
Ding said that every time he came to court, he would report the progress of the project to the two saints of the court, so that the two Shangfeng who were eager to build the house would have an idea at all times!
On the Golden Palace, Empress Dowager Liu praised Ding Wei profusely, saying that Ding Wei was a capable minister who assisted the country and was full of wit and able to share the king's worries.
Empress Dowager Liu and Ding Wei turned out to be allies in the united front. Together they did not even dare to accept Zhao Heng's attack, and sent Kou Zhun directly to Lingnan.
Now that Ding Wei is sharing Liu E's worries again, Liu E has to give Ding Wei some benefits!
Huangmen read out Yi's decree, praised Ding Wei greatly, and gave him several brocade robes. The weather is getting colder, so it's good to keep out the cold on Bianhe Street!
Ding Wei's face didn't turn red when he heard this, as if he deserved all this.
The situation in the imperial court today is different. Things are going smoothly under the same banner as Zhongshu. The Prime Minister Lu Yijian can no longer be seen. After Huangmen read out Ding Wei's commendation, he also read out Lu Yijian's retirement document. This is tantamount to One stone stirs up a thousand waves!
For a time, all the ministers were excited. Although many courtiers had different political views from Lu Yijian, they were dedicated to serving the country and had no selfish intentions. Lu Yijian's departure was a loss to the court.
Lu Yijian and the nephew of former prime minister Lu Mengzheng, although their official reputation is not good, and they are also called traitors by the outside world because of their attack on the queen, this is really an expedient and extraordinary measure. Although the method is a bit indecent, after all, it is for the sake of Zhao's country and the people of the world, who among the Lu family has any selfish intentions?
This old prime minister had devoted his whole life to the Zhao family, but because he prevented Liu E from building several new palaces, he ended up being blamed for his crimes? I wonder who will dare to risk their lives for the public in the court in the future?
But the current situation has changed. In the past, people who pretended to be polite and wanted to serve in the imperial court would not be released. Even if they tried their best to retain them, they had to continue to do what they had to do!
Now whoever dares to complain should get out together. If Butcher Zhang dies, will he still be able to eat pigs with hair on them?
The imperial court lacks him, Lu Yijian, and a lot of old guys, and there are many people who want to work. Well, Ding Wei is eager to get the upper hand!
Although some righteous people among the officials still spoke a few words of justice, they were still turbulent in their hearts and remained calm on the surface. They said a few parting words to stay on the stage, but they were innocuous. In the end, they still did not change the fact that they had to leave!
Although Zhao Zhen did not like this old prime minister who had stood upright for three dynasties, but because of his hard work and merits, when Empress Dowager Liu and him had an unhappy dispute over the matter of his biological mother, Li Shi, it was he who came forward to mediate. Zhao Zhen always kept this in mind. , it cannot be said that he likes it, but he also asked the Hanlin Academy to write a commendation and read it out in front of the civil and military officials of the court. Quan thought it was a farewell ceremony for the prime minister.
After retreating from the court, Ding Wei told the story again in his mansion. The cat cried out for the mouse.
The Lu family has been a long-standing official, and since their uncle's lifetime, the jade pillars of the Song Dynasty have supported the golden beams of the sea. Lu Mengzheng, the author of Hanyao Fu, was also the prime minister, and Lu Yijian was his nephew, who also sat on the throne of the prime minister. Bit.
Whether their nephews and descendants can reach this high position again, Liang Chuan seems to have no idea.
Ding Wei was very satisfied with Liang Chuan's actions. He really used heavenly means to remove millions of bricks overnight. When Lei Yun Gong vividly described it to him, Ding Wei nodded repeatedly in praise.
Liang Chuan himself came close to Ding Wei and gave a brief report. He said it lightly, as if it was not worth mentioning.
Being able to gain without being conceited made Ding Wei fall in love with Liang Chuan even more.
Liang Chuan also very wisely gave 10,000 guan of the money he earned and asked Niancheng to lead him into moving into the warehouse. Although Ding Wei still looked down upon the 10,000 guan, it was a benefit for Liang Chuan, and he felt that Overjoyed.
"Go, change into bright clothes, and come with me to a banquet at Prime Minister Lu's house in the evening."
Liang Chuan responded: "Prime Minister Lu? Is it the Prime Minister Lu who has retired?"
Ding said: "What we call a good gathering and a break-up for all our colleagues is that they are all trying their best for me. When he dies, I will wait for my subordinates to see him off to express my sincere feelings!"
Liang Chuan bowed and said: "This villain has a humble status, so I can only be frightened in situations like this."
Liang Chuan was not interested in this kind of situation. People in the Song Dynasty were very particular about family background and academic qualifications. Many prime ministers did not come from serious imperial examinations, and many of his colleagues were ridiculed and attacked. To put it bluntly, he was just a servant, so he could do whatever he wanted. It’s exciting, but it’s not a problem for yourself!
Ding said: "Caimen has something to do at night, and you rarely go out with me. There is no harm in going out to see things. It will be very beneficial to walk with you in Bianjing City in the future. If you really don't want to go to the original state, don't force it."
Having said this, Liang Chuan had some ideas.
There are too many celebrities in this era, and they are all the characters that historians have written about in great detail. If you are lucky enough to see the splendor of these characters, a trip to Bianjing will not be in vain.
Ding Wei was right. He was thinking about himself. It was better to be familiar with him on such an occasion than to lie down later. For an occasion at the level of the imperial prime minister, he had to dress up properly. He couldn't lose his face. Not to mention Ding Wei's face.
Zheng Ruoying hid in Ding's house all day and didn't see Liang Chuan much during the day, so she had to rely on some embroidery to pass the boring time. When she heard that Liang Chuan was going to a banquet, she immediately helped Liang Chuan carefully choose a bright red and green outfit. , Liang Chuan liked it very much when he saw it, but he was worried that it would be too showy. Would this green, fat, red and skinny thing be too gorgeous?
Liang Chuan said to Zheng Ruoying: "Sun Houpu also came to Bianjing. Yesterday he and I made a lot of money. Now they all live in Zhuangzi near Zhongmou in the west of the city. I'm afraid you will get bored staying here. Aren’t you going to live there for a while?”
Zheng Ruoying said like she was amnesty: "Okay, okay, I'm almost bored here. I've long wanted to go outside for a walk."
That night, Liang Chuan took advantage of the darkness and asked Nian Cheng to send Zheng Ruoying to Liangjiazhuang. After leaving Bianjing City, a place of right and wrong, Zheng Ruoying felt extremely happy, and even her breathing felt so sweet.
Liang Chuan was dressed like a groom. This red and green suit had special significance in the Song Dynasty. Red was the protagonist and green was the foil. It was the favorite style of newlyweds on their big day. Except for the wedding day, they were happy. You can also wear it on any day.
But today is not a happy day. On the contrary, for most of the officials, today is a sad day for the court.
The carriages and horses of each family generally drove to Lu Mansion.
Today, the carriages and horses of each house that can be seen with the naked eye are all plainly dressed, looking extremely plain. Moreover, none of the guests are smiling, and their clothes are extremely simple. The whole Lu Mansion has an air of solemnity.
The Lu family's family style is simple, as can be seen from Lu Mengzheng's "Han Kiln Fu". Although Lu Yijian is already a very popular minister, their family has no money, only two or three servants, and a courtyard that is bigger than the wing where Liang Chuan lives in Ding's house. The difference is huge, and the area is even more incomparable. There is absolutely no comparison in terms of interior decoration and so on.
As soon as the Ding Mansion's chariot and horse honor guard arrived at the Lu Mansion, everyone made a noise.
The carriage of the Ding family is like a little red in the green bush. Others are extremely plain. Their carriage is driven by Ding Wei. It is dotted with fringed colored silk and hung with some palace lanterns. Even the bells on the carriage are made of refined brass. The clatter of horse hooves coupled with the crisp sound of bells, how could everyone not pay attention?
"Hmph! As soon as Mr. Lu Xiang lost power, this old ghost Ding was so wild and came to show off his power at the door of his house. There was a Kou Prime Minister and a Prime Minister Lu. It seems that only God can accept this old ghost Ding!"
These ministers formed groups in twos and threes. They looked at Ding Wei's unabashed arrogance in private and could only curse like this.
Liang Chuan jumped out of the carriage with great expectation. This time he did not wait for Ding Wei to be in the same car, but followed Ding Wei in a separate carriage.
On such a serious occasion, the person following Ding Wei actually came to the farewell banquet dressed like a groom. Everyone's anger was suddenly ignited. They pointed at Liang Chuan and started talking about it. Whose family is this ignorant?
Liang Chuan looked around and suddenly found that everyone's eyes were not very friendly, and the tendons at the corners of some mouths were bulging. Looking at their clothes, combined with their flamboyant expressions and tall and majestic figure, they completely became the focus of the audience, as if everyone was paying attention.
"It is said that this is Ding Wei's newly recruited son-in-law Chenglong Kuai, who is currently working for him in his mansion. Old Ghost Ding has such a high vision that he is willing to let his daughter get married. Tsk tsk! Look at this figure. Even if he has some attitude, he is also a strict person!"
"But Ding Wei's daughter is not his biological daughter. Don't you know this?"
Everyone forgot for a moment that the protagonist of the night was Lu Yijian who was about to leave the venue and not Liang Chuanlang who came to sell meat.
Ding Wei slowly moved out of the car, and Liang Chuan quickly stepped forward to help Ding Wei. The master-servant relationship between the two people makes people want to think more about how close the relationship is!
As soon as Ding Wei appeared on the stage, some officials took the initiative to greet him. Once the emperor, there were courtiers, but now Lu Yijian has resigned. Ding Wei is most likely the one in charge. There is no shortage of speculators in the political circle, and there are many people enjoying the shade under the big trees.
Lu Yijian did not appear. In his opinion, these colleagues came to see him off out of love. He neither wanted to make the matter bigger nor over-beautify the matter. For him, the prime minister, such an ending was bleak. of.
Some people flatter Ding Wei, while others are dismissive of him. Ding Wei has not yet reached the position of being a prime minister. He has not yet obtained the rights and he has no time to argue with other people. After all, the protagonist today is Lu Yijian.
As for what everyone is talking about about Liang Chuan, Liang Chuan wore bright red and bright colors and stole everyone's limelight. He had clearly told him that he was on a farewell trip for Prime Minister Lu, so why did he still dress so ostentatiously. .
