Sheng Hong suddenly changed his voice and said, "It's just that Minglan is raised under her mother's knees now, so she has to ask her mother about this matter before she can do anything about it!"
"That's how it should be!" Wang Zhong said.
Sheng Hong looked at Wang Zhong and said, "Well, let me talk to my mother first and find out what her mother says. What do you think of Zihou?"
Wang Zhong cupped his hands and said, "Just follow uncle's orders!"
Wang Zhong has always been a resolute person. Now that he has decided on something, of course he immediately takes action and starts preparing the betrothal gift when he returns home.
In the evening, Sheng Hong went to the Shou'an Hall to pay his respects to the old lady. On the way, he talked about Wang Zhong's proposal to marry Minglan.
"What?" Sheng Hong's sudden words almost startled the old lady.
"You said that Prince Hou asked you to marry Minglan?" Mrs. Sheng subconsciously looked to the side for a moment. Minglan was playing with Changdong inside.
Sheng Hong raised his hands and asked respectfully: "My son didn't dare to make the decision, so he only replied to Prince Hou that Lan is now under the care of his mother. Naturally, his mother should make the decision on all important matters in his life."
Old Mrs. Sheng was at a loss for a moment. Fortunately, the old lady had been used to the storm for so many years and quickly calmed down: "Have you told me, why did he ask to marry my Minglan?"
"Say it!" Sheng Hong immediately told Mrs. Sheng the heart-to-heart talk she had with Wang Zhong.
Old Mrs. Sheng asked: "Then Wang Zihou, he should be nineteen this year, right?"
Sheng Hong said: "Officially nineteen, ten years older than Minglan!"
Mrs. Sheng said: "I remember you said that Prince Hou is the only one left in the family. If he insists on marrying Minglan, he will have to wait at least six more years! Can he wait?"
Sheng Hong said: "Zihou and his son promised that, except for his son who has been adopted by his late brother, he will never take concubines and have children before marrying Minglan!"
Mrs. Sheng was a little surprised: "Did he really say that?"
Sheng Hong said: "Brother Wei was here yesterday, how dare my son lie to his mother!"
Mrs. Sheng nodded slightly, but did not agree immediately: "This matter is too sudden, let me think about it!"
Before Mrs. Sheng made a decision, Sheng Wei was already leaving Tokyo.
Knowing that he was leaving the next day, Wang Zhong went over to visit again the night before and talked about the business with Sheng Wei.
Wang Zhong asked: "Now that the business of the yarn mill and cloth mill is gradually getting on the right track, does uncle have any other plans?"
"Other plans?" Looking at Wang Zhong who was looking at him, Sheng Wei shook his head: "Not yet!"
"Does Zihou have some ideas?"
Wang Zhong did not hide it and said directly: "Uncle, have you ever thought about doing business in spinning machines and looms?"
"The sale of spinning machines and looms?"
Sheng Wei was very surprised, wondering why Wang Zhong suddenly had such an idea: "Now the yarn mill and cloth mill have finally reached their current scale, relying on spinning machines and looms that are different from others. If it is now If you spread it out, I'm afraid it will have an impact on our business!"
Wang Chong smiled and asked: "May I ask my uncle, besides integrity, what is the most important thing in doing business?"
"What do you think Zihou has?" Sheng Wei asked.
Wang Zhongdao: "If you only see the slightest benefit in front of you, how can this business last long?"
Sheng Wei frowned, but Wang Zhong said: "Uncle, do you know why I asked people to make Wangjiang Tower's cooking method public to the public in the first place, and why I told the guests who came and went about everything I knew?"
"Is Zihou worried that he won't be able to keep the secret recipe for cooking?" Sheng Wei said with some speculation.
"That's right!" Wang Zhong said: "As the saying goes, everything in the world is bustling for profit, and the world is bustling for profit. As long as there is something profitable, someone will do it."
"There are tens of millions of people in the world, and there are so many strange people. If we can improve the spinning machines and looms, can't others?"
"What does Zihou mean?"
"Instead of hiding it and waiting for the secret to be discovered and attract covetousness, we should be generous and take out the spinning machines and looms ourselves and sell them to the cotton mills and cloth mills. .”
Sheng Wei said: "But what if they figure out the principle of our machine and copy it?"
Wang Zhong smiled confidently and said: "Then let's continue to concentrate on research and development, promise a lot of money, and strive to launch more powerful spinning machines and looms as soon as possible. Why don't we worry about not making money?"
"If spinning machines and looms can be spread all over the world, the price of cloth will definitely drop significantly. By then, even the poor people in Guizhou will be able to have clothes to wear," said the uncle's name Maybe it can spread all over the world and be remembered by the people. Isn't it more worthy of my uncle's pursuit than the mere hundreds or thousands of silver coins?"
"Zi Hou has such a clever mouth, even Zhang Yi and Su Qin can't do more than that!" Sheng Wei sighed and then laughed.
"My uncle still needs to worry about this matter!"
"I was kidnapped on a pirate ship!"
"In this case, we should work together to sail the big ship together, ride the wind and waves, hang sails, and help the sea!"
That night, Wang Zhong was pulled by Sheng Wei for a long talk. Early the next morning, after bidding farewell to Sheng Wei, he hurried to the Yamen.
Not long after arriving at the Library Pavilion, a young chamberlain suddenly ran over to convey the order, saying that he was summoned by the officials. Naturally, Wang Zhong did not dare to neglect. He followed the chamberlain all the way and saw Emperor Jiayou who was reviewing memorials in the study.
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty and say hello to His Majesty!"
Wang Zhong bowed respectfully to Emperor Jiayou.
His own son had just died a few months ago, but Emperor Jiayou had to endure his grief, handle national affairs, and review memorials.
This diligence alone is worthy of admiration.
"Good morning!" Emperor Jiayou put down the fold in his hand, raised his eyes to look at Wang Zhong in front of him, and said, "How is Aiqing in the Secret Pavilion these days?"
"Back to your Majesty, when I enter the secret pavilion, I feel like a fish taking to water, or like a bird returning to the forest. I feel very at ease!"
"That's good!" Emperor Jiayou said: "Nowadays, the government and the public are urging me to adopt an heir from the clan and establish a heir as early as possible. I remember that there are many officials in your secret pavilion who jointly submitted the memorial. How can I do it alone? Where is the memorial from your beloved?"
"Returning to the Holy Spirit, I was born in a humble family. My family was poor since I was young. My parents died early. I am dependent on my elder brother. A few years ago, my brother was several years older than me. At that time, I was still young. I relied entirely on my brother's care to grow up.
However, I didn’t expect that my brother passed away a few years ago. I was so sad at that time that I didn’t even think about studying. However, I still have a widowed sister-in-law and a young niece in my family. I am the only male left in the family.
The creditors of my brother's life also came to the door. Although I was sad, I could only endure my grief and go sailing with the villagers to earn money. However, who could tell my grief to anyone? I could only speak secretly in the dead of night. Grief, in the first few days, tears filled my clothes almost every night. "
"I didn't expect that you would have such a miserable experience at such a young age!" Emperor Jiayou couldn't help but choked up.
Wang Zhongdao: "Although Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, he is also a human body with seven emotions and six desires. At that time, whenever old friends mentioned my brother, I would feel depressed, aggrieved and filled with grief. How could I dare to go to His Majesty's wound at this time?" Sprinkle salt on it!”
Emperor Jiayou was really moved by what Wang Zhong said. At the same time, he was thinking a lot. He suddenly wanted to ask more: "But the crown prince is the cornerstone of the country. Now I have no children, the crown prince's position is vacant, and I am still young." The matter is already high, and if the choice of the crown prince is delayed, it will inevitably cause turmoil in the government and the public."
Wang Zhongdao: "Moreover, Your Majesty is a benevolent, sage and wise king. The matter of the crown prince has its own conclusion. I am less than ten years old and have been in office for less than a year. I have only just figured out my own errands. How can I dare to speak nonsense."
Emperor Jiayou looked at Wang Zhong and said, "If you have anything to say, just say it. I forgive you!"
Wang Zhongdao: "Your Majesty is a benevolent and sage king who is rare in ancient and modern times. He has been in charge of the government so far. He has done little corvee and paid little tax, encouraged farming and trade, repaired with neighboring countries such as Khitan, Dali, and Tubo, opened border trade, and allowed the people to recuperate and recuperate for many years. Come, our Song Dynasty will become stronger and stronger, and the people will live a happy and prosperous life."
"Now the world has been at peace for a long time. With the benevolence and prestige of the Holy One, it doesn't matter if we don't establish a crown prince for a moment. The hearts of the people in the world are with the Holy One. The direction of the people's hearts is the general trend of the world. How can the government and the opposition be in turmoil!" "
"Even if there are really ambitious people who want to fish in troubled waters, if they go against the will of the people, it will be difficult for them to achieve anything!"
"This is just my humble opinion. If there is anything inappropriate, please forgive me!"
Wang Zhong stood with his hands folded and said very respectfully.
Emperor Jiayou was looking at Wang Zhong, his eyes were deep and somewhat meaningful: "In recent times, my ears have become calloused by those who advised me to establish the heir apparent as soon as possible. It is like Wang Aiqing's words. First time I heard it.”
Wang Zhongdao: "In national affairs, no matter how cautious you are, you cannot be too cautious. Although I do not agree with the actions of the ministers in the court, I can understand their concern for the country and the people!"
Emperor Jiayou couldn't help but froze when he heard this, and then pointed at Wang Zhong with a dumbfounded expression: "You boy, I just wanted to praise you a few times, but I didn't expect you to be so naughty!"
Wang Zhongdao: "I hope your majesty can give me a few harsh words!"
"Why?" Emperor Jiayou asked curiously.
"I am too young, and it is easy for me to become arrogant and complacent when I succeed in my youth. If I can receive a few harsh words from the Holy Master, I will definitely be enlightened and enlightened. I will always reflect on myself, and I will avoid making any mistakes!"
Emperor Jiayou said: "The sage said: I have examined myself three times in a day, but you have not forgotten it!"
Wang Zhongdao: "The teachings of the saints are small words of great meaning. If you fail to reflect on them day by day, it is your fault. How can you dare to forget them!"
Emperor Jiayou suddenly changed his voice and asked, "I heard that Xiuzan has not yet gotten married?"
Wang Zhongdao: "Back to Your Majesty, although I haven't gotten married yet, I think the marriage is almost settled!"
"Oh?" Emperor Jiayou asked, "I wonder which family's lady you are?"
"He is the minister's Bole, the former general magistrate of Yangzhou, the newly appointed Cheng Zhilang, and the sixth girl of Shangsheng family in Shangshutai!"
"Sheng Hong?" Emperor Jiayou said, "I know he has good handwriting!"
"But how do I remember that the girl in his family's daughter-in-law seems to be the eldest daughter of the Yuan family married to Uncle Zhongqin?"
"Holy sage, the sixth girl of the Sheng family is only nine years old now!"
Emperor Jiayou was really shocked at this time: "Nine years old? How old is Aiqing?"
"Back to the Holy Spirit, Wei Chen is nineteen years old this year!"
"Sheng Hong is only of the fifth grade. There are so many well-known ladies in Tokyo who are waiting for marriage. Isn't there any one that Ai Qing likes? He has to choose a nine-year-old girl?"
"Is there something special about the sixth girl from the Sheng family?" Emperor Jiayou's eyes lit up, thinking of this possibility, he asked quite gossiping.
"That's not the case. The reason why I want to marry Miss Sheng Liu is to repay my kindness!"
"Repay the favor?" Emperor Jiayou asked: "Repay the favor of Sheng Hong?"
"I started from a humble background and worked hard in Jiangdu. Thanks to the support of the Sheng family, I am what I am today. Moreover, most of my family's property is taken care of by an uncle from the eldest family of the Sheng family, so I can concentrate on studying and making achievements. , Such a great kindness is like rebirth, I am very grateful, but Miss Sheng has already promised to the Yuan family, and the uncle of the Sheng family is a man of faith, how can he regret the engagement for my sake."
"The old minister asked the uncle of the Sheng family for the sixth sister Sheng, because of the friendship between the whole minister and the Sheng family!"
"You are also a person who values love and justice! Very good! Very good!" Emperor Jiayou couldn't help but be moved when he heard Wang Zhong's reasons.
Emperor Jiayou suddenly remembered something and asked, "You just said that the marriage was about to be finalized, but that means it hasn't been decided yet?"
Wang Zhongdao: "Your Majesty's wisdom, I have personally visited Uncle Sheng a few days ago to express my desire to win the sixth sister Sheng. However, the uncle said that now the sixth sister Sheng is being raised by the old lady of the Sheng family. The uncle said that although he is the father of the sixth sister, But he is also the son of Mrs. Sheng, so I have to ask Mrs. Sheng’s thoughts about this matter before I can give you an answer!"
"Old lady from the Sheng family?" Emperor Jiayou's eyes showed a hint of reminiscence: "She must be the legitimate daughter of Marquis Yongyi who lived in the palace for a while!"
Wang Zhongdao: "It's that old lady!"
"She also has a strong personality. After so many years, is she in good health?" Emperor Jiayou asked with emotion. Obviously, Emperor Jiayou also knew about old Mrs. Sheng's old stories.
"Since I returned to Tokyo, I have brought up my two sisters, Sheng Liu and Sister Sheng. There has been more life around me and concern in my heart. The old lady's complexion has become more rosy and her body has become stronger! I heard Uncle Sheng say, I even eat more food than before!”
"Oh? Really?" Emperor Jiayou's eyes flickered, but his expression was calm. He didn't know what he was thinking.
"In fact, whether a person's body is strong or not is also related to his mood. If he can maintain a happy, optimistic and cheerful mood all day long, his body will be much better than those who are depressed and self-pitying all day long."
"Could it be that Aiqing still knows the art of Qi Huang?" Emperor Jiayou asked.
Wang Zhongdao: "When I returned to the Holy Land, I was taught by my ancestors. I only have a brief understanding of Qihuang's way."
······
After some questioning in front of the emperor, Wang Zhong had a deeper impression of Emperor Jiayou.
Generous, kind and approachable.
On this day, Wang Zhong had just left the government office and saw Changbai standing tall and elegantly dressed with a folding fan in his hand outside the palace gate.
"Why is Zicheng here?" Wang Zhong immediately stepped forward and asked.
Changbai said: "Of course it's a good thing!"
"Is there some news from the old lady?" Wang Zhong raised his eyebrows slightly.
Changbai said: "Grandma said she wanted to meet you! With my grandmother's temperament, since she is willing to meet you, I think it's almost inevitable."
"Then should I change my name to uncle?" Wang Zhong and Chang Bai joked.
Changbai said: "No, let's wait until you pass the level of grandma!"
"Then please ask Zecheng to lead the way!"
To the west of Tokyo, Jiying Lane, Shengzhai, Shou'antang.
"Old lady Jin An!"
"No need to be polite!"
Old Mrs. Sheng looked at the tall and slender Wang Zhong standing in front of her, and thought of her little granddaughter who was only nine years old, and couldn't help but feel a little unreal.
"Do you know why I called you here?" Old Mrs. Sheng said.
Wang Zhong cupped his hands and said, "It must be for this junior's request to marry Miss Sheng Liu!"
"My old lady has lived for most of her life, and this is the first time that she has encountered something like this. Girl Ming is only nine years old now, which is a full ten years behind you. Why do you fall in love with Girl Ming?"
"The first is to repay the kindness of the uncle of the Sheng family. The second is that the junior comes from a humble background and wants to be closer to the Sheng family so that his career will be smoother in the future. The third is because of the temperament of the sixth sister and her young age. , but it is not about determination and courage, but also being extremely filial to her mother. These few points alone are already better than most women in the world."
As he spoke, Wang Zhong raised his eyes to look at Old Mrs. Sheng and said seriously: "But the most important thing is that the sixth sister is raised under the lap of the old lady."
"Oh?" Mrs. Sheng's eyes narrowed slightly.
Wang Zhongdao: "The parents of the younger generation died early, and the elder brother has also been dead for many years. The only widow in the family is my sister-in-law, but she is only fluent in writing, has a weak temperament, and has no decision-making. It is okay to be a rich and idle person. I can take charge of the family property, but I am afraid that someone will be killed." Blinded.
As for the family property of this generation, all the property will be held by others, but this is not a long-term solution. If you can get engaged to the sixth sister, all the property in the family can be taken care of by you. When the sixth sister becomes an adult, everything can be done naturally. I took it from you, the old man, and became the wife of the Wang family, in charge of everything inside and outside the family. "
"In that case, wouldn't it be better for you to marry a lady who is familiar with worldly affairs?" Old Mrs. Sheng said.
Wang Zhong shook his head and said: "People's hearts are separated from each other, and the experience of the juniors is still shallow. They don't have the sharp eyes like you. Besides, how many people are there in the world who are as clean-minded and noble as you? Even if there are, the juniors are not. You may not be able to meet him, but if you meet someone who is different from what he looks like, you will be pushed into a pit of fire!"
"It's not easy for me to get to where I am today. My sixth sister is brave, decisive, smart and alert. With your character, virtue, and ability, you will take my sixth sister by your side and teach her personally. She will definitely be a virtuous and virtuous lady in the future." Lady."
Old Mrs. Sheng looked at Wang Zhong with a sincere expression and asked, "I heard that you already had a son, and now he has passed it on to your widowed sister-in-law?"
"There is indeed a son, who was born to the female servant of the family after Qiu Wei was drunk. She wanted to give up the son, but her sister-in-law begged hard, saying that she and her brother's eldest son died young, leaving only one daughter, so she begged me to keep the son. The child was adopted to my brother to pass on the incense of his lineage. I was raised by my brother and sister-in-law when I was young, so I agreed."
"What about the child's biological mother?"
"I was rewarded with a hundred coins, distributed to a businessman, and went to the northwest!"
"Northwest?" Mrs. Sheng nodded and did not ask any more questions.
"I heard from the master that you promised him that you would never take concubines and have children before you get married?" Mrs. Sheng asked again.
Wang Zhong cupped his hands and said: "A gentleman's words are hard to catch up with!"
"Come on!" Old Mrs. Sheng sighed and said, "In that case, you go back and choose a good and auspicious day to invite the matchmaker to visit!"
"Thank you, old lady!" Wang Zhong bowed with his hands in front of him, said goodbye and left.
Seeing Wang Zhong leave the Shou'an Hall, Mrs. Sheng looked towards the east side and said loudly: "Okay, he has left, you can come out!"
I saw a little girl wearing a lotus-colored ruqi, with two small hairpins on her head, and delicate facial features, holding her hands in front of her lower abdomen, Shi Shiran walked out.
"grandmother!"
Mrs. Sheng stretched out her hand to pull the little girl in front of her and said, "Did you hear everything he said just now?"
"I heard it!" Minglan nodded.
"Do you know why grandma agreed to marry you to him?" Old Mrs. Sheng asked.
Minglan shook her head and said frankly: "I don't know!"
Old Mrs. Sheng took Minglan into her arms and said, "Hua'er and Ru'er are legitimate daughters. Your legitimate mother and the Wang family will take care of their marriage. Mo Lan, your father is the most important to her." Love, Mo Lan's marriage, I'm afraid your father has already made plans, and they all have someone to back them up and protect them.
Only you, my biological mother is not favored, and now I am recuperating in Yangzhou. I am an old man again. I don’t know how many more years I can last.
Wang Zhong seems to be a pretty good kid. He is upright and kind. He is very thorough in doing things at a young age. He started from scratch and has earned such a large family fortune in just a few years. Even though he was the number one scholar, he was still able to stick to his heart and be cautious in his words and deeds. My grandmother had never seen many such outstanding sons in most of her life. He would definitely achieve great success in the future. "
"Grandma!" Minglan's eyes were filled with tears.
Old Mrs. Sheng only hugged Minglan and comforted her softly: "Nowadays, many of the powerful families in Tokyo want to recruit him as their son-in-law and marry their daughters to him. If he is willing, he only needs to choose a noble girl." , I don’t know how smooth my official career will be.
But he is able to think of your father and uncle's support and come to your door to marry you, a nine-year-old girl. With such a character, he is already better than most men in the world. If he marries you in the future, he will definitely be able to do well. Waiting for you! "
Although Minglan is only nine years old, she is very early and wise. Especially after experiencing the experience of her biological mother and her young brother walking in the Palace of Hell, her mind has become more mature. Now that she hears her grandmother planning for her, how can she be called She was not moved by it.
"Last time in Yangzhou, if it hadn't been for brother Wang Zhong's generous intervention, I'm afraid my granddaughter, my mother, and my brother would have been separated from each other. The life-saving kindness is like rebirth. My granddaughter will be doing nothing in her life and she won't be able to repay her. , it is my granddaughter’s honor to marry brother Wang Zhong!”
Mrs. Sheng immediately ordered someone to call Sheng Hong and said that she agreed with Wang Zhongqiu's marriage to Minglan, so that Sheng Hong and his wife could make preparations in advance.
Sheng Hong was overjoyed. Although the daughter Wang Zhong married was not his most beloved daughter, she was still a daughter. In the future, he would have to call himself Lao Taishan. As long as the marriage was finalized, Wang Zhong would be completely tied to the Sheng family's ship. .
(End of chapter)
