The crisp sound of horse hooves trampled on the bluestone, making bursts of rhythmic sounds.
During the New Year period, Bianjing is more prosperous than in the past, and the sounds of sales from the shops along the streets are still heard.
"Uncle Tong, the official voice today is really refreshing."
"I feel the same way."
Sniffing the agarwood coming from the tip of his nose, Yan Shu replied in a soothing tone.
"Compared with the past, officials' homework has become more sophisticated."
"By the way, sir, if I remember correctly, the slips mentioned by the officials today were compiled by Duke Wen Jing, right?"
From the time he became an official to the present, Yan Shu mostly worked in the government offices and was engaged in writing work. In terms of reading volume alone, there were few civil and military officials in the dynasty who were higher than him.
Although he had not read the Qin bamboo slips mentioned by the officials, he had seen them in the records of Longtuge.
Therefore, he vaguely remembered that it was Li Hang who annotated the bamboo slips.
"That's true."
Levi nodded and sighed.
"That happened during the Duangong period (Taizong). I didn't expect you to still remember it."
During Li Hang's official career, annotating Qin bamboo slips was only a very small matter, and most people did not care about it.
It’s about what Li Hang did in political affairs, who he socialized with, etc.
Immediately afterwards, Levi sighed again.
"I didn't expect that the officials would find the Qin bamboo slips annotated by my brother."
"Uncle Tong."
"gentlemen?"
Seeing that Li Wei was about to speak but hesitated, Yan Shu took the initiative to speak out.
"well."
Li Wei let out a long sigh. After all, he couldn't save face. There were some things he wanted to ask, but he was really embarrassed to ask because of his original 'personality'.
But when I think of the younger members of the family, family affection still overcomes personal guilt.
"Uncle Tong, I have a heartfelt request."
"Sir, please tell me."
Yan Shu sighed in his heart. The old gentleman still couldn't hold it back. In fact, before getting in the car, he had guessed that Li Wei would want something.
However, he still chose to get on the bus, and all this was thanks to Li Hang's help in the past.
Now Yan Shu is just returning the favor.
"Uncle Tong, the second son of your family has also reached the age of marriage. I wonder if you and I can get married?"
It was also difficult for Li Wei, a dignified Hanlin official, to be so rigid and straightforward in his request for marriage.
At first, Li Wei invited Yan Shu to accompany him just to find out Yan Shu's views, but as they chatted, he changed his mind.
As early as the Eastern Palace period, Yan Shu was the teacher of the official family. The relationship between teacher and student was extraordinary.
This can be seen just from the frequency of giving lectures to officials.
Among the many Hanlin scholars, Yan Shu went to the palace to give lectures the most and received the most gifts from the emperor.
It can be seen from this that as long as Yan Shu does not make any big mistakes in the future, it is inevitable that he will rise to prominence.
Even the visit to the prime minister was scheduled.
Thinking of this, Li Wei changed his mind. Instead of wasting favors and face to seek temporary success, it would be better to be thick-skinned and let the two families become one family.
Although Li Wei is not young, there is a saying that "a pear blossom crushes a begonia".
Stay strong with old age!
Coincidentally, the youngest daughter in his family, Yunying, was unmarried and was about the same age as Yan Shu's second son.
In addition, the Lantern Festival will be in a few days, and if Yan Shu does not refuse, it will be a good time for the two of them to meet.
'this……'
Yan Shu never expected that Li Wei invited him to propose marriage.
Although Chengyu, the second son of the family, has not yet reached the age of marriage this year, he has turned thirteen and will be of marriage age in two years.
It would be appropriate to get engaged now.
Now that I'm the right age, there's only one thing left.
promise?
Still don’t agree?
This is what Li Wei said. If he doesn't agree, although the two families won't become enemies, the previous friendship may be gone.
But if you agree, it's not without risks.
Li Wei was the uncle of the second prime minister Wang Zeng (son-in-law of Li Hang). In addition, Li Wei also had a daughter married to the son of Wang Wenzhenggong (Wang Dan).
In this way, even if Li Wei usually does not take sides, in the eyes of others, the Li family is naturally on the same side as Wang Zeng and Lu Yijian.
Yan Shu's belief was that "a gentleman should not stand behind a dangerous wall." During the Tianxi year, he chose to stay out of the fight between the Prime Minister Kou, the Queen Mother, and the southern scholars.
Although the situation in the court is somewhat stable now, the battle between the southern scholars and the northern scholars is still not over.
Finally, there is another very important point.
Yan Shu is from Fuzhou, Jiangnan West Road. Strictly speaking, he is labeled as a southerner.
At that time, Prime Minister Kou also suggested to the late emperor not to appoint him as an official prematurely because of his identity as a southerner.
Although this matter has long since passed, and Yan Shu himself is relieved, will others see it this way?
The human heart is the most unpredictable.
Only by being cautious can one stand in the court.
After all, Yan Shu came from a humble family in the fields and had almost no background.
Of course, marrying the Li family is not without its benefits.
After all, it is a family that has produced Zaifu. Even among the second generation members of the Li family, we have not seen any outstanding children.
But Li Hang's legacy alone was enough to keep three generations of the Li family at the top of the court.
In just a short moment, Yan Shu's mind had already gone through thousands of times.
After a while, Yan Shu smiled and said in a humble tone.
"It is a blessing for my son to marry the Li family's wife."
On the other side, Li Wei breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.
Seeing that Yan Shu was silent for so long, he thought that Yan Shu was unwilling.
Fortunately, the result is good.
As for why Yan Shu remained silent for so long?
There is no need to worry about this kind of thing.
The result is what matters most.
"Uncle Tong is so humble. It is a blessing for my daughter to marry Yan Jialin'er."
The next time was spent mostly with the two of them exchanging blows.
In fact, to be fair, based on the current time, Yan Shu's second son should be considered a high achiever for taking the Li family's legitimate daughter.
However, if we look to the future, it is not certain who will compete with whom.
Whether they are climbing high or marrying down, the marriage between the Yan family and the Li family is definitely a strong alliance.
At the same time, this is also in line with the marriage views of scholar-bureaucrats in the Song Dynasty.
Family status is valued over talent.
The imperial examination is the only criterion for assessing whether family status is consistent.
To take a step back, even if the second son of the Yan family is not talented enough, his future achievements may not be bad.
To become an official in the Song Dynasty, the imperial examination was not the only way out.
Enyin is also a broad road.
Although officials from Enyin are not promoted as fast as those from the imperial examination, don't think that county officials are not cadres. No matter what, officials are officials.
Moreover, with Yan Shu at the top, even if he is fair, the people below will inevitably flatter their superiors.
In addition, the attitude of the officials must also be considered.
There is only a piece of sky above the head of the Song Dynasty!
The will of the officials is the will of the Song Dynasty. It does not matter if you are not a member of the imperial examination. An imperial edict can solve it.