"The beauty of a gentleman is the beauty of being an adult; the evil of being an immature person. Huo Ranwen. A`The villain is the opposite." [The Analects of Confucius Yan Yuan]
Wang Lang's method is very straightforward. Didn't he guess that General Wei Wang Bin didn't know how much wealth the Mi family had? Then show off his wealth in a low-key way. Of course, you have to pay attention to technique here. The most important thing is not to let rumors spread about Wang Lang.
The family refused this marriage because they disliked poverty and loved wealth. This would not only be detrimental to Wang's reputation, but would also likely offend the other party.
So after Wang Lang and Mi Zhu finalized some details, they asked directly: "May I ask how much money you brought with you when you came to Beijing this time?"
Before arriving, Mi Zhu took into account factors such as the thousands of miles apart between Chang'an and the East China Sea and the rough roads, so he brought a batch of property with him in advance and followed the official team of Da Honglu, Zhou Huan and others to Chang'an. This time in Chang'an
He was even more prepared to settle down for a long time, so he bought a mansion and took care of it, spending money like water.
When Wang Lang asked, Mi Zhu knew that wealth should not be revealed, so he refused to tell the truth. He quoted an inflated price and said: "Five baht is too heavy and inconvenient to carry, so I didn't bring a few boxes. All I brought with me on this trip was gold."
Cakes, pearls, jade, brocade and silk, etc., totaling twenty to thirty million."
Even if he had known that Xuzhou was rich and that the Mi family was the richest man in the state, Wang Lang couldn't help but take a breath and marveled at Mi Zhu's downplaying attitude towards money. At the same time, he couldn't help but think that since the Mi family had such wealth, other
It is not difficult to understand his eagerness to go further and squeeze into the upper class society.
Wang Lang remembered that on the road, there were dozens of cars following the Mi family in the team. Judging from the size of the cars, it was definitely more than 30 million. Mi Zhu obviously had reservations. Wang Lang had no intention of pointing it out, only nodded slightly and said: "
This is enough."
Soon, the emperor took time out of his busy schedule to summon Mi Zhu. Wang Bi and other belated envoys from Xuzhou and Yanzhou were very interested in Mi Zhu, and he wanted to have more in-depth exchanges with him.
Due to financial problems, he even had the idea to keep him. However, since this was just a temporary meeting and there would be another opportunity in the future, the emperor did not act too impatient. As for Mi Zhu, he had something on his mind, and he felt a little worried during the first meeting.
I was so flustered and nervous that I didn't seize this opportunity.
When the Hajj was over, Mi Zhu gathered all his belongings, took all his belongings to the car, and asked people to gather countless carriages, horses and servants along the way. He put on a great show and left the city in a mighty manner.
It is not that the people in Chang'an City have never seen the traveling processions of high-ranking families. Sometimes they have even seen the emperor's chariots from afar. Therefore, even though Mi Zhu's carriages and horses are very impressive, there is nothing surprising. The only thing is that they have seen them.
What was surprising to the common people who had nothing to do in the winter was that the people in the carriages and horses preparing to leave the city were not people, but boxes of gold, silver, pearls, jade, and brocade silk.
This aroused the curiosity of the people in the village. They all speculated that they did not know that the Donghai Mi family was so luxurious. After careful inquiry, it turned out that the Donghai Mi family's younger sister was in love with Wang Duan, the eldest son of General Wei's family.
Xiang Yue, originally this time, he planned to get married directly, and the carts of wealth were the betrothal gift. But who knew that General Wei's family did not admire wealth and were unwilling to accept bribes, so the Mi family wanted to give these royal attires,
All the gold, silver, pearls and jade were sent back to Xuzhou.
When those Li Shu in Guizhou who didn't know the truth learned about this, they were moved by the deep love between Mi Zhen and Wang Duan, and at the same time expressed their admiration for Wang's noble character. These rumors spread more and more, spreading the news about the marriage between the two.
It was impressive, and its scale and scope even exceeded Mi Zhu’s expectations.
Mi Zhu felt a little uneasy, so he specifically asked Wang Lang: "My original intention was just to show off my family background, so as to teach them that my family is not an ordinary family name. But in this way, doesn't it seem like persecution?"
"It doesn't matter." Wang Lang looked confident and said calmly: "The chats in the house are all nonsense. "The Book of Rites" once said, 'If we haven't seen each other for a long time, we will not believe the rumors.' General Wei is a wise man.
You will not be able to distinguish the pass."
In fact, after saying this, Wang Lang still felt a little guilty. After all, he did not sincerely want to bring the Mi family and Wang family into marriage in this matter, but had his own plans behind the scenes, in order to marry Wang.
Shi dragged him into the water.
Thinking of this, Wang Lang ignored the friendship between them and continued according to the established plan: "The top priority now is to visit General Wei's house early, tell him the reason for this, and clear up the relationship.
Didn’t Mr. Mi always want to find an opportunity to come and make a speech? Isn’t this it?”
Mi Zhu had a troubled expression on his face, but he couldn't help it at this time. After thinking for a while, he nodded slowly.
After Mi Zhu left, Wang Lang breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and walked into the inner room. Standing in the inner room was a young man with delicate features, a full forehead, a high nose, and the appearance of a smart man.
As a guest, the man was unceremoniously flipping through the books that Wang Lang brought to Chang'an. Sometimes he would click his tongue when he turned over a few volumes of missing scriptures. Occasionally when he saw a rare good book, he would quietly read it.
He nodded, as if he agreed with his master's taste in reading.
This was such an arrogant attitude, but Wang Lang took it for granted. He quietly walked behind him and stood with his head bowed like a junior.
"What? Wang Jun still feels guilty?" The man turned around, glanced at Wang Lang, and then turned his gaze back to the slip in his hand. The light from the window came in from one side and shone on half of his face.
, it seemed that his lips were very frivolous: "Let's talk about it, isn't it because I want to promote his Donghai Mi family and spend all my energy on their future? Being able to marry the Wang family is a great good thing.
Even if Mi Zizhong finds out later, he won't blame you, but will thank you."
Wang Lang took a deep breath. He has never been a stubborn person. On the contrary, he is very good at choosing to adapt to complex situations. Otherwise, he would not do this temporary injustice and gain both sides.
. He sighed falsely: "When this is done, the Mi family will soar into the sky, and he will not be confused about the truth. It's just that he is a loyal person, so there is no need to hide this matter from him. It's not easy for me to be caught in the middle.
."
The young man raised his head, showing his beautiful eyebrows, and listened calmly to Wang Lang's false complaints, and calmly said: "The matter is important, and the Mi family cannot be involved in it for the time being. After the matter is completed, Wang Jun can choose the opportunity to tell me.
The so-called 'beauty of a gentleman's adulthood', Wang Jun is talking about gaining fame and fortune, so he no longer needs to be ashamed of himself."
Wang Lang knew that this matter was by no means as simple as 'adult beauty'. It involved an extremely far-reaching plot and a possible struggle game in the future. Danger and opportunity coexisted, and since there was a higher person standing on his side
With the sky at his back, he doesn't need to worry too much, as long as he ensures that his own interests are obtained.
"No need to worry." The handsome young man gave Wang Lang the last reassurance: "Even that man is on our side this time. Don't you still believe in his resourcefulness and current status?"
When it came to that person, even though Wang Lang had only been in Chang'an for a short time, he knew that the other person was almost as powerful as one person in the court. Only then did Wang Lang calm down and said, "I'm overthinking it."
The young man closed his eyes slightly and said thoughtfully: "Wang Duan is too mature and loyal. I am afraid that returning the pearl hairpin this time is not his original intention. It should be the order of General Wei. Moreover, Mi Zizhong's words are also good. He returned this hairpin this time."
If there is no one around to help you when you come to visit, I think you may not be able to get a good deal."
Wang Lang knew that this young man was quite resourceful and didn't like anyone telling him what to do, so he happily kept silent.
"Wang Jun." The young man put down the slip, walked over, and said beside Wang Lang: "Have you ever heard of Wang Fu?"
Wang Lang was somewhat impressed by this name and murmured: "Wang Fu?"
"General Wei's second son." The young man seemed to have recalled something, and his tone seemed to be very familiar with Wang Fu. When describing him, he was concise and to the point: "He is an unusual person among the Wang family."
Rumors passed around and finally reached the ears of General Wei Wang Bin. He had always been closest to the emperor. What was the emperor's attitude towards the powerful local wealthy families and the scholars and ministers who supported them?
, Wang Bin knows better than anyone else. Although he doesn't know what the emperor will get from doing this, the power of Wang Bin's family is given by the emperor. Without the emperor, the Wang family is not even a powerful place at this time.
The two can be said to be closely related.
Wang Bin had already planned to stand by the emperor's side when the emperor discussed the matter at the Salt and Iron Court. At this time, he naturally had to draw a clear line with those wealthy families. As for Wang Duan's marriage, he had already planned it and wanted to invite him.
The emperor selected a girl with good character among the girls selected in March this year and gave it to Wang Duan. Unexpectedly, Wang Duan went to Xuzhou and came back with such a marriage.
"Listen to what the outside world is saying!" Wang Bin became a little angry. He couldn't help but speak the local accent of Handan in a hurry, and said loudly: "Both sides of this family have never even asked for their names, but there are rumors outside.
Why don’t my family want wealth and seek beautiful women? The Mi family didn’t create any momentum behind the scenes, so you will believe this!”
It is true that Wang Duan and Mi Zhen were in love, and their family backgrounds were not far apart. Moreover, Wang was given the label of being aloof and not admiring wealth. In the eyes of the unreasonable Li Shu, this was not true.
It is a happy marriage, enough to make a good talk. But it does mean a bit of moral kidnapping. If the Wang family does not hold their noses and accept it, not only will other people watch the joke, but the Mi family will also be in an embarrassing situation. More will be said in the future.
It was Wuyan who established himself in Chang'an, especially since the emperor seemed to attach great importance to Mi Zhu, and recently he even wanted to keep him in the imperial post.
If the Mi family was disgraced because of this and ran back to Xuzhou, how should the instigator Wang Bin explain to the emperor?
This is exactly where Wang Bin is in a dilemma. Someone has accurately pinched Wang Bin's weakness of being "diligent in king affairs" and forced him to make this choice.
In fact, Wang Bin had seriously considered this marriage. For selfish reasons, marrying the Mi family would be a mutually beneficial and long-term good thing. But he knew very well that if they got married, it would not only be
Having a relationship with the Mi family, the Mi family's relatives and friends in Xuzhou, as well as other powerful families with whom they have made friends, will also indirectly have a relationship with the Wang family.
By that time, will the Wang family be as firm and pure as they are now? With the emperor's temperament, will he still be so unscrupulous when he appoints the Wang family in the future?
Wang Duan has been on 'sick leave' by Wang Bin these days and is resting at home. Because of his marriage in Xuzhou, he was called over by Wang Bin from time to time to scold him. Now that Wang Bin had finished venting his anger, he looked gloomy.
He walked towards his residence.
At the corner of a verandah, a young man was sitting unrestrainedly on the verandah railing, with his back leaning against the pillar, one foot on the railing, and the other foot hanging constantly on the edge of the railing.
Hanging. Seeing that Wang Duan looked serious when walking even though he was depressed, the young man's already somewhat frivolous eyebrows smiled even more: "Brother, don't think about things when walking!"
Wang Duan suddenly stopped. Seeing that Wang Duan was out of shape, he suddenly felt angry: "Look what you look like! Stand up!"
Seeing that his brother was really angry, Wang Fu didn't hesitate, stood up on the spot as soon as he stretched his legs, and gave Wang Duan a soft salute: "I'd like to thank you!"
"Brother, what do you think of this? Have you calmed down?" Wang Fu leaned his face towards me and said with a smile on his face.
Wang Duan pushed him away angrily and walked away. He didn't want to pay attention to the other party at this time, but Wang Fu followed him with a shy face, holding a wheel in his hand like a wheel.
The spinning thing said: "I know what brother is upset about. Don't worry, brother, this is your life-long event. I am your brother. I must consider it for you no matter what."
"You will help me a lot if you cause less trouble." After Wang Duan finished speaking, he couldn't help but notice the strange thing in Wang Fu's hand out of the corner of his eye, and couldn't help but curiously asked: "What are you holding?
?”
"Oh." Wang Fu brought the 'small wheel' in front of Wang Duan and said casually: "This thing is called a 'windmill.'
It stopped and spun around. I thought it was quite delicate and interesting, so I took it over to play with."
After finishing speaking, he seemed to be worried about being scolded by Wang Duan, so he added: "This is what the country ordered."
Although the emperor often had some novel ideas for Ma Jun and others to do, they were all things that were beneficial to production and life. Wang Duan carefully looked at this 'windmill' for a long time, but he really didn't see anything that was beneficial to production and life.
He said in disbelief: "The country would make Ma Jun do such useless things?"
"This is just one of the components. The country asked Ma Jun to think of making a big windmill and place it on the top of a house. Put a millstone inside the house. When the windmill rotates with the wind, it can turn the millstone below.
When you bring it up, it seems that it can be used to pump water and grind wheat." Wang Fu said in one breath, and suddenly realized: "Hey, let's not talk about this for now, let's talk about you, brother."
Seeing that Wang Duan still didn't speak, Wang Fu sighed, put the windmill aside, took out something from his pocket with his other free hand, and flashed it in front of Wang Duan's eyes: "Brother, what is this?"
"Pearl hairpin?" Wang Duan stopped immediately, snatched it away with one hand, and looked at the familiar bead and jade patterns on the hairpin. Wang Duan came to his senses and asked in a deep voice, "Where did you get it?"
"Don't worry about it now." Wang Fu walked up to Wang Duan in one step, holding the windmill in both hands and carrying it behind his back, just like a naughty boy. He smiled narrowly and asked: "I found a way, not only
What do you think, brother, that I can change my mind and protect my family name?"