"Sir, the pier is just ahead!"
Old Yutou held a carriage and sat on the shaft with his son Yu Chuer. The roof of the carriage was covered with a black shed and the curtains were made of green cloth. In the carriage, Wang Zhong sat holding a book. There were luggage beside him, and Wang Erxi carried it on his back. With a single sword, he opened the vehicle and looked at the lively and noisy streets outside.
"Yeah!" Wang Zhong hummed, but he still didn't put down the thread-bound blue book in his hand, and his eyes were still on it.
"Young Master, it's Brother Shi and the others!" Wang Erxi, who had been looking out the window, suddenly said. The book in Wang Zhong's hand closed in response. Dang even leaned over and looked in the direction Wang Erxi pointed. Sure enough, he saw Caobang Yangzhou The helmsman of the branch, Shi Heng, led several men with knives and sticks to stand by the road.
"parking!"
"Huh!" Fortunately, the carriage only walked slowly. Old Yu gently pulled the reins, and the carriage stopped.
"Master Stone!" Wang Zhong jumped out of the carriage first and saluted Shi Heng and others: "We haven't seen you for a long time, Master Stone is still as charming as ever!"
"Let us pay homage to the young master!" Shi Heng led a few people and bowed their hands to Wang Zhong in greeting.
Shi Heng said: "I heard that the young master is going to Tokyo to participate in the examination next year. My brothers and I are here to see you off."
"Thank you very much, Master Shi, for your kindness!" Wang Zhong cupped his hands and said, "In the future, our family's business will still need Master Shi's care!"
"Master, please rest assured. Although I, Shi Heng, have never read a book, I still know what loyalty is. In the past few years, Master has taken such good care of our brothers. He always thinks of us whenever good things happen. We brothers all think of you. Master, An Xin is preparing for the exam in Tokyo. Here in Yangzhou, with my brothers Shi Heng and Caobang here, no one dares to cause trouble at the young master’s family."
Shi Heng patted his chest and assured Wang Zhong.
"Thanks to Master Shi for your hard work!" Wang Zhong cupped his hands and said.
Shi Heng looks like a middle-aged man in his forties. In fact, he is only thirty-five years old this year. He is in the prime of life. However, because he has been wandering on the water all year round and is exposed to the sun, he naturally looks much older than those who are pampered and well-off. .
"We are all family members, so there is no need to say anything to outsiders!" Shi Heng said with a smile on his face, his words were quite bold and full of charlatanism.
However, Shi Heng immediately changed his voice and said, "The water has not been very peaceful recently. Young Master, you really don't need us to escort you?"
Wang Zhongdao: "I understand the good intentions of Master Shi. However, I am not going alone this time, but with our Sheng Tongpan from Yangzhou. We are on an official ship. I am white, so it is difficult to bring too many people with me." The second brother and the second grade of junior high school will follow, and it is enough. Even if they really encounter a water fish, they will have their own officers and soldiers to deal with it."
Shi Heng was stunned for a moment, then realized, "That's it! We didn't think about it!"
Since Wang Zhong was taking someone else's boat, it was fine to take only one or two people with him. If there were more people, who would be responsible if something went wrong on the way? Wang Zhong was no longer a human being inside and out.
"Then let's wish you a safe trip to Tokyo, a gold medal, and a glorious ancestor!" Although Shi Heng was a rough man, he traveled around a lot and saw a lot and heard a lot, so he could pick up one or two idioms. .
"Lucky words from the helmsman of Chengshi!"
After bidding farewell to Shi Heng and others, Wang Zhong led his people to the ship. Not long after, Sheng Hong, Chang Bai and Wang Ruofu's family arrived.
The luggage and other things had been delivered to the ship in advance yesterday. Seeing Sheng Hong coming, Wang Zhong hurriedly greeted him and greeted everyone in the Sheng family. After Sheng Hong said goodbye to his family, he followed Sheng Hong to the dock. Get on the brig.
As Sheng Hong stood on the deck and waved goodbye to everyone on the dock, the ship set sail and slowly sailed out of the dock. Looking at the gradually disappearing dock, the two of them also looked away.
"Is Zihou confident about this trial?"
Sheng Hong stood on the bow of the boat with his hands folded, looking far into the distance. He didn't know if he was looking at the river scenery on both sides of the bank, or at the ships that were constantly coming and going from north to south.
The big boat under his feet was riding the wind and waves, all the way upstream. Feeling the breeze blowing on his face, Wang Zhong replied: "But do your best and listen to fate. Whether you pass or fail, seven points of the imperial examination depends on talent and learning, and the remaining three points have to be seen." Luck!"
"What do you think Zihou is going to do with his luck?" Sheng said
Hong asked again.
Wang Zhong said: "Destiny is determined by fate, but luck moves with the situation. I am confident that I have some discernment. Now I am lucky enough to meet such a bole as my uncle. If there are no accidents in this trial, it will be smooth sailing."
"Hahahaha!" Sheng Hong said with a smile: "Zihou compared himself to that thousand-mile horse?"
Wang Zhong smiled and said: "Since ancient times, those with high talents must be proud. They dare not be arrogant, but they are also somewhat arrogant!"
"Okay!" Sheng Hong threw up his sleeves and put his hands behind his back, and said loudly: "Young people are full of energy, as they should be!"
"I need to trouble my uncle to give me some advice!" Wang Zhong said.
"Don't worry, Zihou. Although I am only a sixth-rank petty official, my Sheng family still has some old ties in the court. I also have several close friends of the same age who are now serving in the capital."
"Thank you uncle!"
Although the two did not speak outright, they both knew what each other was talking about. In the imperial examination, in addition to being talented and well-written, you also have to satisfy the examiner. After all, the examiner who marks the examination is also a human being. People have their own preferences. In the imperial examination, even Yang Wuduan, who was ordered to write lyrics, was so talented that the world recognized him, but even this husband failed repeatedly, let alone others.
"Zi Hou is seventeen this year, right?" Sheng Hong changed his tone and suddenly asked Wang Zhong's age.
Wang Zhong said: "But he is already seventeen!"
Sheng Hong turned to look at Wang Zhong and asked with a half-smile, "Now that I have no relatives, my brother and sister, have you ever thought about your life-long affairs?"
Wang Zhong shook his head and said somewhat self-deprecatingly: "The student was born in a peasant family. Although he has already gained the fame of being a civil servant, he is still just a white man with no official or position. He has no direct relatives to rely on and no family to support him. How can a lady from a good family be so beautiful?" I can like students!"
"Zihou's words are a bit belittling!" Sheng Hong disagreed: "Zihou, I am Huainan Road Jieyuan, how can I be so contemptuous of myself!"
"Uncle, forgive me!" Wang Zhong hurriedly bowed and apologized: "It's not that students are belittling themselves, it's really their own affairs that they know."
Sheng Hong did not argue with Wang Zhong, but suddenly asked: "Does Zihou have a girl he likes?"
Wang Zhong shook his head and said: "The imperial examination has not been completed, how dare students distract him!"
Sheng Hong nodded and said, "In that case, let's wait until spring before we talk about this matter!"
Having said that, he couldn't help but rate Wang Zhong a little higher.
It was night, and the ship was parked at the pier of a small town. Wang Zhong was sitting in the cabin. He couldn't help but sigh when he thought of what happened with Wang Li a few days before departure.
After living under the same roof for nearly two years, Wang Zhong couldn't tell Wang Li's thoughts. It was just because of her face and the moral values engraved in her bones that Wang Li restrained herself and hid her feelings in her heart. From the bottom of my heart.
But when she learned that Wang Zhongyong was leaving for Bianliang, Tokyo, to attend the Spring Festival of the following year, Wang and Li's heart began to waver.
If Wang Zhong passes high school in one fell swoop and is released by an official, it will not be so easy for Wang Li to see Wang Zhong again.
Moreover, if Wang Zhong is a high school student and becomes a Jinshi at the age of eighteen, the girl who wants to marry Wang Zhong will be like the crucian carp crossing the river.
Once Wang Zhong got married and had a wife, Wang Li, as Wang Zhong's sister-in-law, had no chance of being with Wang Zhong.
With all kinds of sorrows welling up in her heart, Mrs. Wang Li could only drink to drown her sorrows. With the help of wine, she finally took that step.
Wang Li also knew that there was no possibility between her and Wang Zhong, so Wang Li refused Wang Zhong's first proposal without hesitation and chose the second one without hesitation.
Although Mrs. Wang Li was a widow, she only had a daughter like Wang Qian'er. More than ten years later, Wang Qian'er got married and had a husband as she wished. What about Mrs. Wang Li?
Mrs. Wang Li was reluctant to leave the Wang family, her daughter, and her brother-in-law Wang Zhong who saved her from fire and water and supported her and her daughter.
So Mrs. Wang Li desperately wanted a son, a son who belonged to the old Wang family, to carry on the family lineage, and to continue the legacy of her husband, a bad gambler.
Wang Li also used this reason to persuade.
He, under the influence of alcohol, approached Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong could guess that with Wang Li's temperament, making such a decision, he had gone through a lot of entanglement and even struggle deep down in his heart.
So Wang Zhong didn't refuse. To be honest, although Wang Li's appearance was not bad, it was only above average, far from the point where Wang Zhong would throw away his bottom line.
But that night, looking at that poor woman, his sister-in-law, Wang Zhong finally softened his heart.
Send her to remarry? Or do you think she will be a widow with her niece Wang Qier for the rest of her life?
It would be better to follow her wish and give her an heir to fulfill her wishes.
As for his own reputation, and even the opinions of others, they are not important to Wang Zhong.
As long as that poor woman can feel at ease!
As for the problems that may be faced in the future, it is up to Wang Zhong to solve them.
I played chess with Sheng Hong on the boat every day, discussed articles, and played the harp and flute with the river views on both sides of the way to the left. It was so enjoyable.
Sheng Hong really didn't expect that Wang Zhong was so proficient in musical instrument music theory.
Unfortunately, after passing Huaiyin and heading northwest along the Bianhe River, the scenery on both sides of the river gradually ceased to be as vibrant as south of Huaiyin, and instead became a bit desolate and desolate in autumn.
As time goes by, heading north, this situation becomes more and more obvious.
By the time Wang Zhong and Sheng Hong arrived in Bianliang, it was almost mid-October. They traveled upstream along the canal and spent half a month finally arriving in Bianliang, Tokyo.
"Just stay at my place with peace of mind for now. When you find a suitable place, it won't be too late to move there!" Sheng Hong pulled Wang Zhong and said.
Wang Zhong was quite dumbfounded by Sheng Hong's enthusiasm, but staying at Sheng Hong's house was indeed more convenient than staying at an inn: "In that case, I'm going to bother uncle!"
"That's how it should be!" Sheng Hong laughed and said, "Let's go, let's go! I've already ordered people to go ahead and clean up the house!"
The Sheng family's house in Bianliang City is located in Jiying Lane in the west of the city. Although it is close to the city gate, the location is excellent. It was originally built by Sheng Hong's grandfather, the ancestor of the Sheng family, in the early years. It is now in Tokyo City. , an ordinary private house costs hundreds of guan, and a house in a slightly better location costs thousands of guan. Like the Sheng family's house in Jiying Lane, it is impossible to buy it today without tens of thousands guan. .
And it’s still the kind that has a price but no market.
Tokyo is so big, it’s not easy to live there!
After moving into the Sheng family, Sheng Hong not only had to go to the household department to report on his work, but also had to move around and do things. Wang Zhong stayed in the guest room of the Sheng family, reading and practicing martial arts every day, and playing the piano in his free time. Xiao, Liao Wei is lonely.
However, living in someone else's house is not a long-term solution after all. When Wang Zhong first arrived in Tokyo, he asked Wang Erxi to ask his brother from the Cao Gang in Tokyo to help the tooth hunter find a suitable house.
Although Wang Zhong is now rich, there is no need to suddenly buy a big house. The family is too small to live in it, and a clean place like Jiying Lane, where the Sheng family is located, is expensive. Near the Yamen, housing prices are higher.
Wang Zhong's gaze retreated again and again, until he retreated to the East City and South City where civilians lived together. In the area east of the South City of the Outer City, he found a courtyard with two entrances. Although it only had two entrances, it occupied a large area, especially The courtyard, the front and middle courtyards are very spacious, and the price is reasonable.
The surrounding environment is quite quiet, with a river next to it and a well in the courtyard. After crossing the bridge and walking more than a hundred steps, you will find the market, making daily life very convenient.
After looking at each other for five or six days, there was still no one more suitable than that yard. Wang Zhong decided on the yard, bargained with Ya Ren, and finally bought it for one thousand two hundred guan.
After buying the house, Wang Zhongdang said goodbye to Sheng Hong and moved into his own house in Tianshui Lane in the south of the city.
Within two days, Sheng Hong led Wang Zhong to visit one of his colleagues named Lu who served in the Sixth Section, and then hurriedly packed his bags and headed south back to Yangzhou.
A few days after Sheng Hong left, just after noon one day, snowflakes suddenly started to fall in the sky.
"It's not the winter moon yet, why?
Is it going to snow? "Yu Chuer is an authentic Yangzhou native. Before this time, he had lived for more than 20 years and had never even left Yangzhou. He had never seen such a scene.
Wang Zhong knelt down on the futon under the pavilion in the courtyard. There was a long eucalyptus in front of him. There was a small stove on the eucalyptus. The charcoal fire was burning brightly and water was boiling on the stove. On the table next to him, there was a tea bag. Jars and tea sets.
"The north is naturally different from our south!" Wang Zhong said.
"It's too cold today!" Yu Chuer shivered and rubbed the thin clothes on his body.
"Sir, why don't you and your second brother feel cold?" Yu Chuer asked in confusion as he looked at Wang Zhong and Wang Erxi's similarly thin clothes.
"Your second brother and I are martial arts practitioners. We have strong bodies and abundant qi and blood, so we are naturally more resistant to the cold."
When Yu Chuer heard this, he couldn't help but turn towards the short and stocky man not far away who was braving the wind and snow and swinging a knife.
The second brother mentioned by Yu Chu'er is Wang Erxi. Since he followed Wang Zhong and received Wang Zhong's guidance, Wang Erxi's sword skills have improved by leaps and bounds.
"If you get cold, go back home and put on some clothes!"
"Young man, go right now!" Yu Chuer rubbed his hands and ran back into the house.
Wang Zhong drank tea while flipping through the "Book of Changes" in his hand.
Winter in the north is much earlier than in the south, but the cold in the north is also different from that in the south. Watching the charcoal fire and sleeping on the earth kang, the life is quite nourishing.
Time passed day by day, and Wang Chong's letter reporting that he was safe was also sent to Yangzhou.
After Wang Li read the letter sent by Wang Zhong, she rubbed her belly, gritted her teeth, called Yu Chuyi, and gave a few detailed instructions, asking Yu Chuyi to take Wang Zhong's letter and go to the city to find a canal. Help people.
Cao Bang Yangzhou branch, Shi Heng took the letter handed over by Yu Chuyi, glanced at it a few times, and then asked directly: "I wonder why Madam Li asked Brother Yu to come to us?"
Yu Chuyi held up his hands and said, "The eldest lady would like to ask Master Shi to help escort the eldest lady and my girl north to Tokyo to find my third master!"
"This..." Shi Heng was a little surprised.
Yu Chuyi hurriedly explained: "Master, please rest assured, my wife is willing to pay a lot of money!"
Shi Heng explained: "Brother Yu misunderstood. It's not about money, but it's winter in the north and there are not many ships going north."
Yu Chu said: "My eldest lady said, it can be done by land or water, it all depends on the helmsman's arrangement!"
Shi Heng pondered for a moment and then said, "I wonder when Madam Li would like to leave?"
"The sooner the better!" Yu Chu said.
Shi Heng said: "We have to stay in Yangzhou and cannot leave without authorization. How about we ask my nephew Shi Keng and his wife Che Sanniang to choose the best from ten gangs to escort Mrs. Li to Tokyo overland?"
"It's all up to the helmsman!"
Shi Heng said: "Brother Yu, please go back and report to Mrs. Li, and ask Mrs. Li to pack her bags. Tomorrow morning, I will ask Keng'er and the others to go to Xiaozhu Village to pick up Mrs. Li."
"Thank you, Master Stone!"
······
As we enter the twelfth lunar month, the north wind is getting stronger and the weather is getting colder. Fortunately, so far, the snow is not too much and it has not affected traffic. On the surface of the Wuzhang River and Bianhe River that pass through It has not yet frozen, but the water level has dropped a lot. In some shallower sections, the river bed is almost half exposed. Small boats can still sail smoothly, but it is difficult for large two-masted ships loaded with cargo to navigate.
And there may be a day when ice will freeze on the river. Although the ice layer on the river south of the Yellow River will not be too thick, the boats at this time are all wooden boats, and the driving is basically relying on human power. Wind power is naturally greatly limited.
On the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, Wang Zhong led Wang Erxi and Yu Chuer to their home in Tianshui Lane. They cut the purchased pork into long strips, mixed it with refined salt and the seasoning prepared by Wang Zhong, and put it into a vat. It takes five or six days to develop, then hang up and smoke with fireworks to become bacon.
The three of them had just finished packing when suddenly there was a knock on the door outside.
Yu Chuer hurriedly ran to open the door and was surprised when he saw the person standing outside the door.
"Big...big lady?"
"Uncle, is he at home?" Wang Li asked.
"Yes, yes! The young master is in the house!"
"Sister-in-law?" Wang Zhong heard the sound and came out. He was also very surprised to see Wang Li, Shi Keng and others standing outside the door, as well as Sister Qian being held in Che Sanniang's arms.
"Come in, come in!"
Wang Zhong hurriedly welcomed everyone in, and after some questioning, he thanked Shi Keng and his wife and all the Cao Gang brothers.
It was night, and the oil lamp was lit in the middle hall of the second courtyard. Wang Zhong and Wang Li were sitting opposite each other. At this moment, there was no one else around, and the two of them could calm down and talk.
"Why did my sister-in-law come here suddenly? Did something happen at home?" Wang Zhong did not accuse Wang Li of disobeying the arrangements. Instead, he asked with concern the reason.
Mrs. Wang Li shook her head and said, "There's nothing wrong at home, it's me! I might...maybe..."
Seeing Wang Li's hesitant expression, Wang Zhong frowned, grabbed Wang Li's hand and felt his pulse, but after a moment, Wang Zhong's eyes widened.
"Almost three months?"
Wang Li said: "More than a month ago, I felt something was not right. Later, my reaction became more and more intense. I didn't know what to do, so I had no choice but to come to my uncle!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't listen to my uncle's instructions and made my own decision. I didn't drink the medicine that my uncle prepared."
"Sister-in-law, don't worry. Now that you're here, let's stay here and raise the baby in peace. After a few days, I'll send the second brother and the second grade back, and I'll find some maids and women to take care of my sister-in-law."
"Is this... okay?" Wang Li asked a little uneasily.
Wang Zhong said: "The matter has come to this, and this is the only way!"
"I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean it!" Wang Li stumbled even when speaking, for fear of affecting Wang Zhong.
"It's just that in the future, the names between you and me will have to change for the time being!"
"Uncle makes the decision!" Wang Li was in a state of confusion and had no idea at all.
Wang Zhong looked at Mrs. Wang Li and asked, "Actually, I have a question that I have been keeping in my heart. It's just a little abrupt that I asked it out loud. I'm afraid my sister-in-law will feel uncomfortable."
Mrs. Wang Li suddenly felt something in her heart and said, "Uncle, just ask!"
Wang Zhongdao: "I know that my sister-in-law has always been interested in me, but she has always abided by the rules. This time, my sister-in-law suddenly took the initiative. Behind my back..."
Wang Li's expression suddenly became panicked. Just by looking at Wang Li's reaction, Wang Zhong guessed the answer.
"In Xiaozhuzhuang, my sister-in-law's sister-in-law and sister-in-law often come to visit. Could it be related to them?"
Wang Li's beautiful eyes were wide open, full of surprise. Wang Zhong had guessed it without even saying a word.
At this time, Mrs. Wang Li was already in a state of chaos, her mind went blank, and she subconsciously explained: "They want me to marry my uncle and be his wife. How can I, a widow, be worthy of my uncle? I just want a child." !」
As she spoke, Mrs. Wang Li began to cry, and her eyes were filled with tears.
"Money and silk touch people's hearts, but I was negligent!" Wang Zhong is either studying and practicing martial arts every day, or he is busy with trivial matters in various industries, or various research and development. He is also very concerned about Wang Qian'er, but he is a little bit concerned about it. Ignored Wang Li's sister-in-law.
"Hey!" Wang Zhong sighed, and the truth of the matter was finally revealed, so he said: "In the future, please stop interacting with your sister and sister-in-law. They may really be thinking about you, but you can guarantee that they advise you like this. Didn't you have any selfish intentions when you were doing this?"
"Ah? Do you want to draw a clear line with them?" Wang Li looked surprised and confused.
Wang Zhong looked at Mrs. Wang Li and said, "The choice is yours, either give birth to this child and draw a clear line between you and your mother's family, but your responsibility to take care of them will remain the same as before, there will be no change, or... ..." Wang Zhong raised his eyes and looked at Wang Li and said: "After giving birth to this child, you will go back to Yangzhou. As for the future of the child, it has nothing to do with you. The child will not know that he still has a mother like you. , you are still my sister-in-law
, whether you want to remarry or be widowed, it’s all up to you! "
"Two roads, you choose!"
! "
"I..." Ms. Wang Li was so anxious and distraught that she fainted all of a sudden.
"Hey!" Wang Zhong sighed again, sighing in his heart: Poor people must be hateful! The ancients are sincere and don’t bully me!
He is indecisive, has no independent opinion, and is easily deceived by others. This is the Wang Li family.
But Wang Li couldn't be left alone.
