The hustle and bustle and heat wave during the day have disappeared, and there is a cool breeze at night, which gradually calms down people.
Lu Yihao was pacing back and forth in the study. He was really in a dilemma.
Today Chen Qing performed very well, was responsible and courageous, and even drove the Jin man who everyone feared out of the palace.
Not only that, he also showed a transcendent literary level. One poem or one word established his reputation as a Confucian general.
Lu Yihao was a little excited again. With such a talented person as his grandson-in-law, why worry about the future of the Lu family?
But the only thing that worries Lu Yihao is Chen Qing's ambition.
Lu Yihao also grew up in the northwest. He knew very well that the environment in the northwest that was isolated from the imperial court could easily make warlords want to separatism. Just like the isolation of Liaodong from the imperial court in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, it eventually led to the Anshi Rebellion, which also gave rise to the Khitans and Jurchens.
.
Chen Qing, a military general who was excluded from the civil service system and hated the system of civilian control of the military. Once he took control of the military and controlled local government affairs, with his ambition, would he be willing to be manipulated by the court like Wang Yan and Liu Ziyu?
This is Lu Yihao's prime minister's vision, which is far-reaching and penetrating.
But on the other hand, once Chen Qing enters the civil service and becomes a part of the civil service, he may become a defender of the civil service system. With his achievements and courage, it is inevitable to become the prime minister.
It is great luck for the Lu family to get such a grandson-in-law.
Lu Yihao's regrets about the marriage were a little shaken again, but he was just shaken and did not cancel it completely.
The key is that the appearance of Shen Gai really tempted Lu Yihao. Shen Gai is the legitimate son of the Shen family of Wuxing. From the time when Yiguan moved south to the founding of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Wuxing Shen family gradually became a powerful family in the south of the Yangtze River, so much so that the Empress of Tang Dynasty and the biological mother of Dezong, Shen Zhenzhu
He was born in the Shen family of Wuxing.
This big family has lasted for hundreds of years, and until today, it has become one of the largest famous families in Jiangnan.
The current Song Dynasty is the Jiangnan Song Dynasty, which is essentially the same as the Southern Song Dynasty. The status of the Jiangnan gentry gradually became more important in the court.
Lu Yihao's biggest shortcoming now is that he does not have the support of the big families in the south of the Yangtze River, which makes his position unstable. If he marries with the Shen family, it will just make up for Lu Yihao's biggest shortcoming.
Therefore, marrying his granddaughter Lu Xiu to the Shen family has become one of Lu Yihao's two inevitable options.
With the proud son Chen Qing on one side and Shen Gai of the Jiangnan family on the other, Lu Yihao was really in a dilemma.
At this time, the eldest son Lu Jin said at the door: "Father, the two uncles are here!"
Lu Yihao quickly said: "Let them come in!"
After a moment, two middle-aged men came in. They were Lu Yihao's second brother Lu Datong and third brother Lu Qingshan. Both of them came from the imperial examination. One was a Shaoqing in Guanglu Temple, and the other was just appointed as the governor of Fuzhou.
"The main reason I invite you here so late is because I can't get an idea about something and I want to hear your opinions!"
"It's a rare opportunity to help big brother solve his problems!"
The three brothers sat down, and a maid came in to serve tea. When the maid left, Lu Yihao sighed and told the two brothers about the difficulty of choosing a grandson-in-law.
Lu Datong smiled and said, "Are you so anxious? It doesn't hurt to keep a closer look."
"Hey! Excellent men wait for no one. Every Jinshi is not a prize, and they will be snatched up as soon as they come out. It is rare that the young man has not decided to get married yet. I am afraid that if I delay, someone else will snatch him away. At least I have to give it to you first.
He is missed."
Lu Qingshan pondered for a moment and said: "Brother said that Chen Qing's ambition is relatively high. Is this universally recognized, or is it my own opinion?"
"That's my opinion. If his ambitions were revealed, he would be captured this time when he went to Beijing. But Zhu Shengfei also wrote a letter to accuse him, and filed an imperial complaint with the officials, saying that Chen Qing did not abide by the rules."
Lu Datong and Lu Qingshan looked at each other, and Lu Datong said: "Brother, why don't you ask Xiu'er about your wishes?"
Lu Yihao waved his hand, "This is related to the vital interests of the family. We cannot follow her ideas. Please speak frankly!"
"Then let me tell you straight away."
Lu Qingshan pondered for a while and said: "I personally think that Chen Qing's realization of his interests is far away and the risk is very high. Once he really wants to support his troops and stand on his own as his elder brother said, the Lu family will definitely be implicated. In comparison, with
The marriage between the Shen family will have immediate effects, and getting the support of the Jiangnan family will be of great benefit to consolidating the eldest brother's position, and the benefits of this marriage will continue for hundreds of years."
Lu Yihao nodded. The third brother's opinion touched his heart. He looked at Lu Datong again, "What do the second brothers think?"
"I still have the same idea as before. Since both men are excellent, we should let Xiu'er make her own choice. After all, it is related to her life's happiness."
Although Lu Datong's answer was pertinent, Lu Yihao was not satisfied. He was silent for a moment and said: "Thank you two brothers. I will consider this matter again!"
.........
Lu Xiu walked quickly to her grandfather's study. She wanted to talk to her grandfather. Chen Qing came to visit her grandfather the night before, but she didn't know it. This made Lu Xiu feel a little worried. She was worried that her grandfather would regret the marriage.
Could it be that Shen Gai's existence gave grandfather other ideas?
No matter what, she wanted to talk to her grandfather and let him understand her wishes.
"Xiu'er, where are you going?"
Lu Jin, who was standing at the entrance of the courtyard, saw his daughter and rushed to greet her.
"Father, daughter and grandfather would like to talk."
"Not now, your grandfather has important things to deal with, let's wait another day!"
Since her grandfather had important state affairs to deal with, it was hard for Lu Xiu to disturb her grandfather, so she had to turn around and go back.
She suddenly remembered something and said to her father: "Dad, I want to go out to the West Lake with my friends the day after tomorrow. Does dad agree?"
"you alone?"
"Second brother and Amei will also go together."
"That's okay! But you have to come back in the afternoon and don't play too long."
As long as the second son also goes together, Lu Jin will not object to his daughter going out to play.
"Dad, did General Chen come here the night before yesterday?" Lu Xiu asked hesitantly.
Lu Jin smiled and said: "He did come, but it was not to visit your grandfather officially, but to deliver a batch of treasures as a tribute to the emperor, so he only stayed for a short time and then left."
'That's right, I'm wrong to blame my grandfather!'
Lu Xiu thought secretly in his heart, turned around and left.
Lu Jin watched his daughter go away, feeling a little unbearable in his heart. He had two sons and one daughter. Both sons were relatively weak and gentle in character, just like himself.
However, my daughter is like a boy. She has dared to think and act since she was a child, and is very naughty. As she grows up, she becomes more and more like her grandfather when he was young. He has a strong personality and does not compromise easily. He is also outgoing and has a clear sense of grudges. There is no other way.
The tenderness and reserve of a girl.
The daughter's personality sometimes gives Lu Jin a headache, but the father treats his granddaughter as a treasure and loves her more than his grandson.
What Lu Jin is most worried about now is that his daughter obviously likes Chen Qing. If his grandfather chooses the Shen family, how can he reconcile the conflict with his daughter?
...........
The next day it was dark, so Chen Qing got up.
Today is the day for his performance report, which was initiated by the Privy Council. He doesn’t know exactly who will come. Generally speaking, the level of the state envoy’s performance report is not too high, and deputies are usually involved.
The two young ladies were busy combing his hair, serving breakfast, and getting him hot water to wash his face.
"I may go to the West Lake tomorrow. You can go together!"
The two little ladies immediately cheered. She couldn't go out for two days, which made them depressed.
"Ask Yan Jun to buy you two smaller curtain hats. Just wear them when you go out. It's best if you two wear different clothes."
Chen Qing thought carefully. As long as their faces were covered and their clothes were different, they would not attract attention. It was indeed a bit excessive to not let them go out for a walk and buy some makeup, powder, candies, etc. on a rare trip to Lin'an.
.
"Young master, do you mean that we can go out to buy things today?" Yu Ying asked expectantly.
"Just put on the curtain hat, but you can't go out alone. Get in the carriage and let Yan Jun accompany you out."
"Very good!"
The two young ladies clapped their hands with joy, "Brother Yan and the others went to visit the West Lake yesterday. They asked us to go together, but we didn't dare to go out."
"I'll say hello to him later."
Chen Qing finished washing up, had breakfast, drank tea, and was ready to go out.
Yan Jun brought him a horse, and Chen Qing told Yan Jun: "Today you go to the West Lake and book a good cruise ship. I will take my friends on a trip tomorrow."
"I humbly obey my orders!"
Chen Qing also asked him to buy curtain hats for the two young ladies and take them out for a walk. Yan Jun was overjoyed. Why didn't he think of curtain hats?
"I'll buy it right away."
Chen Qing then left the mansion and, escorted by five of his men, rode towards Ouchi.