Two hundred and eighteen cavalry defeated the bandit army. Suzhou officials, gentry and people were shocked to see Ding Yunyi as a man of heaven!
Deng Muzhi was also secretly afraid. Fortunately, he did not run away first, otherwise the image he had worked so hard for so many years would be completely ruined. Seeing Ding Yunyi return to the city after winning the victory, he brought a group of officials and gentry to the city gate to greet him. As soon as he saw Ding Yunyi, he
He bowed his head and said: "The army of Shenrong defeated an enemy of five thousand with two hundred cavalry. This is unheard of in the past. Even though Sun Wu, Rang Ju is no longer worthy of being revived. The preservation of Suzhou is entirely due to the contribution of Shenrong. Please accept Deng's worship!"
Ding Yunyi quickly jumped off his horse: "It's just a fluke. Without the fighting between Suzhou's soldiers and civilians, I'm afraid we wouldn't have been able to achieve such a victory."
Everyone knew that Ding Yunyi was being humble, and the soldiers and civilians of Suzhou did not contribute much to this killing. However, seeing that this soldier was both capable of fighting and yet so humble, everyone couldn't help but feel happy and felt that Ding Yunyi was approachable.
Deng Muzhi asked Bai Ningcheng to clean the battlefield and capture the prisoners. Bai Guerrilla fought with fear of death, but he was most comfortable doing these things.
Deng Muzhi asked his subordinates to arrange for Ding Yunyi's cavalry to rest and eat while he and a group of officials and gentry accompanied Ding Yunyi, Huangfu Yunjie, Hou Lu and other cavalry generals to the largest restaurant in Suzhou to hold a banquet to celebrate their success.
Although Houlu is only nineteen years old, starting from Linquan, he has been promoted to the general position of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Although he is a ninth-level official, he can also take charge of Ding Yunyi's inspection that day, that is,
Promotion is quickest on the battlefield, but in peacetime, those with no power have to wait for several years.
During the banquet, Deng Muzhi complimented Ding Yunyi for a while. Suddenly the conversation changed: "Everyone, Ding Canrong fought hard to save our Suzhou, so support is always indispensable. You have already collected it and sent it to me, Lord Canrong.
Please don't be polite."
What he said was flawless.
Although one hundred thousand taels of silver was a large amount, there were so many gentry and merchants in Suzhou that it was not difficult to collect it all if each merchant contributed a portion. The silver was delivered to Deng Muzhi's official residence on the same day.
Deng Muzhi was the first to say "help with salary" to avoid others mentioning it. He would not swallow all the 100,000 taels of silver by himself. He would always allocate 350,000 to 50,000 taels to cover up the truth for Ding Yunyi. He did not tell the money.
No one else paid attention to the specific amount. In addition, he has a reputation as an "upright official" and his family has been a great scholar for generations. Everyone is convinced. Who would doubt that he can embezzle money?
Just wait until Ding Yunyi leaves Suzhou and think of a way not to let the gentry and businessmen meet Ding Yunyi from now on. Talk about this matter. Once Ding Yunyi leaves here, Taiwan and Suzhou are far apart, and this matter will be done in a mysterious way.
Unconscious.
These gentry and businessmen, including Ding Yunyi, never imagined that Deng Muzhi would actually do such a thing, and they have to think about it. These people are far different from Deng Muzhi.
Ding Yunyi also knew that he was a "foreign army". After the foreign army helped the locals defend the city and repel the enemies, the locals gave them a sum of money as a thank you called "payment assistance". This was something they were accustomed to, and they were not polite at the time.
Deng Muzhi knew that talking too much would lead to mistakes, so he immediately changed the subject again: "But how can a little money express my gratitude to Suzhou? After much thought, I have only one way. Ding Canrong is dedicated to serving the court and has not yet married. I have a biological sister.
, I am already eighteen years old this year. I am still waiting to be married. It’s not that my sister is ugly and no one wants her. On the contrary, my sister Lianyu is dignified and well-educated. To thank Ding Canrong for protecting me in Suzhou, Deng is willing to use my sister as my sister.
I offer her to Shenrong as my wife, and serve Shenrong on both sides. Please accept her with a smile!"
Ding Yunyi was completely stunned.
I'm afraid I heard it wrong. Did Deng Muzhi give him his biological sister as his wife?
There were also whispers in the restaurant. Deng Fuzun announced this matter so suddenly that no one was mentally prepared at all.
There was a man named Cao Yanhuan nearby who was a famous local scholar and was also a good friend of Deng Muzhi's father. He knew about the Deng family and pulled Deng Muzhi away at that time: "Xunliu, you need to think clearly. Your father has already
Lianyu was betrothed to the Lu family in Changshu. Although the Lu family was in decline, his son Lu Yanhan was still there. If Lu Yanhan came to marry Lianyu in the future, your Deng family's reputation would be tarnished. With all due respect, this matter needs careful consideration.
Can."
"Mr. Wu Mei, how come I don't know the pros and cons?" Deng Muzhi pretended to wipe his eyes: "Last year, I got the bad news that Lu Yanhan was seriously ill and had passed away. I was afraid that my sister would grieve, so I kept it secret. Alas,
Poor Lu Yanhan, I originally wanted to support him with a sum of money so that he could study with peace of mind and gain fame and marry Lianyu in the future."
"Poor, pitiful." Cao Yanhuan also sighed repeatedly: "Fortunately, the two of them have never been married. Otherwise, the martyr girl will not be a second husband. Such a thing can still be handled, but has Lianyu ever been willing?"
"Yes, of course I do." Deng Muzhi responded: "Ding Shenrong is an immortal hero, and Lianyu is betrothed to her, which is also her blessing. But I still ask Mr. Wu Mei to mediate on this matter."
Cao Yanhuan nodded. Although Ding Yunyi was a military general and was incompatible with scholars like himself, the Ming Dynasty produced many Confucian generals who were scholars. Ding Yunyi's father was the famous Ding Yuanzhao, so he was not bad at learning. In addition, Ding Yunyi got the Saint
Chong, if I can facilitate this marriage, not only will the Ding family and the Deng family be grateful to me, but maybe the saint far away in the capital will look at me differently if he knows about it.
Thinking of this, he stood up and asked everyone to quiet down: "Originally, this matter should be negotiated privately with a matchmaker. Discussing marriage in such a place is not in line with our status and is insulting to the civilized people. But Ding Shenrong saved Suzhou.
He is my great benefactor in Suzhou, even if he is polite and sweeps the floor, he will never do it again."
There was a burst of laughter in the restaurant, Suzhou's literary spirit was elegant, Shen Baishi was in front of him, and Tang Bohu was behind him. They were all talented and suave people. Now when talking about matchmaking here, the words "gentle and sweeping" are also a joke.
When the laughter subsided, Cao Yanhuan said again: "The Deng family is a family of scholars and three bachelors in the family." The Ding family has been an official in the imperial court for a long time.
Brothers and sisters grew up, and his younger sister Lianyu was well-educated and well-educated. Although Ding Canrong joined the army, people in this dynasty such as Tan Zili and Qi Nantang all produced Confucian generals who were scholars. The Ding family has a strong literary style, and Ding Shenrong also speaks well when he thinks about it.
The generals are comparable. Therefore, Lianyu and Ding Canrong are the best match. Cao Yanhuan is willing to show off his old face today and act as a matchmaker for these two people. What do you think?"
It was also interesting for him to be a matchmaker. He didn't ask the person involved, but asked the unrelated people nearby. This question immediately made the whole room applaud.
Cao Yanhuan was very proud to see that a good thing had been accomplished. He turned to Ding Yunyi and said, "What does Ding Canrong think?"
Ding Yunyi was stunned, what was going on? He was the one getting married, and he only asked now? Besides, what did Lianyu look like? Is it the same as what they said? He didn't know at all.
Who are these people? The bandits have just been defeated, and they are actually worried about their own marriage?
But at this time, Ding Yunyi was no longer the impulsive young man he had been when he came to this era. He suddenly remembered what his brother-in-law Ye Yuan had said.
Sooner or later, he will marry a wife, and if he wants to marry a first wife, he must be from a well-matched family. This is not only due to social trends, but more importantly, a well-matched family can give him the greatest help.
The third generation of Hanlin Academy scholars from the Deng family were the leaders of scholars in Suzhou and even the whole Jiangnan. If you want to do great things, the help of these people is indispensable. A scholar's pen cannot kill people. But sometimes it is more powerful than a sword and a gun.
He basically has no power in the south of the Yangtze River. If he really marries a daughter of the Deng family, his reputation will spread among the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River. And there are many wealthy and distinguished individuals among these individuals. By appearing as the son-in-law of the Deng family, he can initially get rid of the mere military man.
Being able to lead troops to fight gives people the impression of gaining their support. And with the support of these people, what will happen in the future? Can your own power be expanded in Jiangnan through this opportunity?
Ding Yunyi narrowed his eyes.
Cao Yanhuan took it as a rejection and was about to speak when he suddenly heard Ding Yunyi say: "It's not that Yun Yi refuses, it's just that his parents are still in the capital. How can he marry Deng Huangtang's sister?"
As soon as he heard that Ding Yunyi had relented, Deng Muzhi was immediately overjoyed: "This is easy. Mr. Wu Mei has worked hard for my affairs, and I must be shameless for once. Let's settle the marriage first, and then I will send a horse to the capital. Bingzhi
With the permission of Minister Ding, where is this place? I am preparing the dowry while waiting for news. As soon as Minister Ding agrees in the capital, I will leave immediately and personally deliver Lianyu to the capital, and then hold a lively wedding in the capital."
Ding Yunyi never expected that Deng Muzhi would be so anxious. Cao Yanhuan and others kept saying yes, so Ding Yunyi had no choice but to agree.
Who would have thought that this time, my Suzhou group originally wanted to take Chen Yuanyuan back to Taiwan, but not only did they defeat the bandits, but they were also about to get a wife inexplicably.
I guess with the reputation of the Deng family, my father would not refuse...
...
When Deng Muzhi returned home, he was already 70 to 80% drunk. He excitedly told his wife about the matter. Mrs. Deng Dou helped him pour tea, but she sighed and was worried about her sister-in-law.
Deng Muzhi took a sip of tea and said, "Go and fetch Lianyu."
After a while, Lianyu came out: "Brother, are you looking for me?"
"Ah, Lianyu, sit down." Deng Muzhi asked his sister to sit down and asked about the current situation. He suddenly sighed: "Lianyu, since my father passed away, my mother has been sad. She has been meditating behind closed doors all day long, focusing on worshiping Buddha. I
This elder brother should have cared more about you, but he is so busy in government affairs that you will be wronged."
Her brother had never spoken to her like this before. Deng Lianyu was a little surprised and said hurriedly: "What are you talking about? My brother has to take care of official business and the family, so Lianyu dare not say anything wrong with him."
Deng Muzhi smiled and nodded: "Lianyu, you are already eighteen this year. Logically speaking, you should have gotten married and had children long ago, but you are still in the boudoir. Is it because of my brother..."
Deng Lianyu's expression changed, and Deng Muzhi continued: "I have been helping you pay attention, but there is never a suitable one. This time the bandits invaded Suzhou, and Suzhou was saved thanks to a young hero. His name is
Ding Yunyi is..."
"Brother, there is no need to say any more." Deng Lianyu interrupted him: "When my father was alive, he had betrothed me to the Lu family in Changshu. The son of the Lu family, Lu Yanhan, was still here. Lianyu was always waiting here for three years.
Even Lianyu has to wait for five years, the fierce girl..."
"Confused, you are confused!" Deng Muzhi also interrupted his sister: "Then what's good about the Lu family? They have been defeated for a long time, and there is no chance to turn around in this life. Are you still waiting for Lu Yanhan? Let me tell you the truth.
Well, Lu Yanhan is already dead!"
"What?" Deng Lianyu's face turned pale and she couldn't believe it.
"Lü Yanhan is dead. He died of poverty and illness." Deng Muzhi sighed: "My brother is afraid that you will be sad, so I never told you."
Deng Lianyu was stunned for a long time and burst into tears.
Deng Muzhi waited for his sister and cried for a while: "Since Lu Yanhan is dead, you have nothing to worry about. I betrothed you to Ding Canrong just for your sake. You will have someone to rely on in the future. Don't rely on your family for everything anymore."
."
"No!" Deng Lianyu held back her tears and was extremely firm: "Although Lianyu has not married, since her father has betrothed Lianyu, Lianyu is a member of the Lu family. Although Yanhan is not here, Lianyu is the guardian of the Lu family.
I will never marry again for the rest of my life!"
Deng Muzhi's face gradually darkened. But he suddenly stopped, stood up, and knelt down to Deng Lianyu with a "plop": "Sister, save me! Now, I have to tell you the truth. I offended my brother.
The life of a powerful person in the court is in danger. The only one who can save my brother is Ding Yunyi. Sister, if you don’t care about me, don’t you care about your nephew’s too? If my brother loses his head, your sister-in-law will
Without a husband, your poor nephew has no father!"
Deng Muzhi cried bitterly and begged repeatedly.
Deng Lianyu looked at her brother blankly, unable to say a word. She could guard Yanhan, but the family could not be separated...
...
Deng Muzhi walked out, his steps relaxed. He called his confidant Zhan Baoling to his side, lowered his voice and said: "Go to Changshu for me to handle something. Do you recognize the man named Lu Yanhan? If he doesn't die, I will always be there.
I can’t let go, do you understand what I mean?”
"Yes, I understand." Zhan Baoling responded quickly.
"This must be done cleanly and without leaving any traces." Deng Muzhi looked around and carefully ordered: "When you come back after finishing the job beautifully, I will give you a small official!"
"Thank you, sir. The little one must have clean hands and feet."