In the past, when the Zhang family was approaching the holidays, people would often come to the house, either asking for borrowing money to tide over the new year, or tenants asking for credit, but this year they stopped. Except for the visits between neighbors, which were still frequent, the rest was much quieter than before.
.
I thought no one was going around, but Peng Jingyi arrived that day.
After not seeing each other for more than half a year, Peng Jingyi has become much darker and leaner than before. He no longer looks like he used to be fat and idle in private schools.
Today he was wearing a new robe, with a sword on his waist, which looked very impressive. Behind him was a soldier, who carried a load of Tangyang wine and went to Zhang Yue's house.
Zhang Shi was surprised when he saw it and said: "I can't do it, it's too expensive."
Peng Jingyi smiled and said: "How do I have a relationship with Sanlang? What does it mean to give these to me?"
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "It seems that I got a lot of benefits from going to Renshou Village."
Peng Jingyi said hurriedly: "Sanlang, don't talk nonsense. There is no benefit. That bird has nothing to lose. After walking around the place where strong men are found, several pairs of boots have been worn out. I have also lost weight due to fatigue, and I have spent a lot of money."
A lot is true."
Zhang Yue suspected that what the other party said was untrue. This person was one of those people who silently made a fortune. Since he said this, Zhang Yue must have gained a lot of benefits.
He was rude to Peng Jingyi's petty remarks and said, "Brother and sister-in-law, just accept it."
Zhang Shi smiled and said: "That's fine, I won't shirk it. You are only a year or two older than Sanlang, but not only are you much stronger, you are also smarter and more capable than you."
Zhang Yue understood that it was his brother's words that were typical of adults, but he still showed the same unconvinced expression as before.
Peng Jingyi was very proud when he heard this, but he said: "What are you talking about? Sanlang is a scholar, I am a martial artist, and we will fight side by side in the future!"
This statement made everyone laugh.
Zhang Shi said: "Okay, you two are just friends, and you need to support each other more. You stay here for dinner tonight, and I will... cook you some good food."
Zhang Shi originally said to go to the restaurant to buy some good food, but he immediately changed his mind when Mrs. Yu glared at him.
Zhang Yue was glad that his eldest brother was still making progress.
Peng Jingyi didn't know such an inside story. Hearing that he had something to eat, he smiled cheerfully and said, "Okay, please, brother!"
Having said this, Peng Jingyi sent General Han Xian away, then pulled Zhang Yue aside and whispered: "I heard that you were accepted as a disciple by Mr. Boyi?"
Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Why have you heard of all this?"
Peng Jingyi said: "The county is such a big place. How can anything be hidden from my eyes and ears? What's more, they were all famous people in the county at that time. After they told me that there was a man named Zhang Yue, I knew it was him."
you."
"You are quite capable, and you don't even know how to deal with such a big matter. Do you know who Mr. Boyi is? He is a person that no one in the government can leave today. How did you become his disciple? Tell me quickly.
, didn’t you say you couldn’t enter the Zhang clan’s clan school?”
Zhang Yue briefly talked to Peng Jingyi about how he got appreciation from the servant letter by coincidence.
Zhang Yue said: "I just learned seal script from him, and it doesn't count as joining the family. It's still undecided whether I can join the clan and learn seal script. Tell me, what do you need my help with?"
Although he and Peng Jingyi have a good relationship, there must be another plan for this son to suddenly send such a heavy gift.
Peng Jingyi smiled and said: "Ah, I thought you were a student of Mr. Boyi, but it turns out that you are studying seal script and have not yet been recognized by the family... In fact, it's not that I want to ask you to do something, but that my second uncle has always been
Xiangqiu Boyi’s words..."
Zhang Yue said in surprise: "Your second uncle also wants Mr. Boyi's name?"
Peng Jingyi smiled and said: "Although I may not necessarily understand calligraphy... but it is still hanging on the wall, and visitors will look brighter when they see it."
Zhang Yue thought to himself, I see, this is just like when I went to someone's office in my previous life, and as soon as I walked in, I saw photos of the person taking photos with many leaders and celebrities. It seems that the ancients understood this very early.
Zhang Yue smiled slightly and said, "Why don't your second uncle go and ask for it in person?"
Peng Jingyi sighed: "Mr. Boyi's writings never give away or charge for money. He only gives them to a few close friends on weekdays. It's not good for my second uncle to say this rashly. If it doesn't work, he will lose his face."
Zhang Yue thought for a while and said: "I'm not completely sure about this matter. If your second uncle doesn't urgently ask for words, he will have to wait for me for a while!"
Peng Jingyi said: "As long as Sanlang agrees."
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "Your second uncle's matter is my matter, and I will try my best to help."
Peng Jingyi smiled and said: "Sanlang is really loyal."
Zhang Yue suddenly said: "Yes, my eldest brother has been leaving early and coming back late recently. He has some unexplained spare money in his hands. You have a good eye in the city. Please help me find out where my eldest brother has been going in and out recently."
Zhang Yue was recalling it in his dream last night and found that his brother's expressions when he went out with money were often untrue. After reading it several times, he suddenly became suspicious.
"Check your brother's whereabouts?"
Zhang Yue nodded and said: "Exactly, I think the eldest brother either has some shady background or is in a gambling stall."
Zhang Yue thought to himself that it would be terrible if the eldest brother really went to the gambling stall.
Peng Jingyi nodded and said: "What you said makes some sense. I will take care of this matter."
At that moment, Zhang Shi asked the two of them to have dinner. Although they didn't go to the restaurant to buy food, they still had good wine and good food.
Zhang Shi said: "Sanlang never drinks with me, but today Mr. Peng Dalang is here and is having a few drinks with me!"
Peng Jingyi, who was also a drunkard, smiled and said: "That's the best."
Peng Jingyi and Zhang Shi were very drunk that day, but Zhang Yue was not worried. He didn't need to give any more orders. Peng Jingyi was someone who would take his friends' matters to heart.
During the New Year, peach charms are hung to worship ancestors, and firecrackers are used to drive away exorcism.
A big family has its own customs, and a small family has its own celebrations.
With these few days free, Zhang Shi took his family to Gongguan Temple to walk around and see the hustle and bustle of the county town.
As for Zhang Yue, he did not neglect his homework. He read the Book of Songs diligently every day, practiced calligraphy in his dreams, and helped hang peach charms at home and clean the inside and outside.
Qi, he cleaned everything upstairs and downstairs.
When the New Year's Eve dinner arrived, Zhangqiu looked full of anticipation.
Zhang Shi and Yu Shi were all amused. Zhang Shi immediately picked up a bunch of copper coins, hung them around Zhang Qiu's neck and said, "Xi'er eats a hundred and two."
Eat a hundred and two is a Fujianese saying, that is, eat until you are one hundred and twenty years old.
Zhang Qiu was very happy when he saw the copper coins, although he didn't know that the money would be collected by Yu the next day and was only given to him to keep for one day.
"Third brother, there's yours too."
"Mine?" Zhang Yue was slightly surprised. He almost forgot that he was still a thirteen-year-old 'kid'.
"Our family's rule is that before we get married, we must give annual allowance." Zhang Shi said.
"Thank you, brother!" Zhang Yue accepted it happily.
Zhang Yue counted thirteen coins. Yes, he would be thirteen after the New Year.
It will be the second year of Jiayou in the Song Dynasty soon. I don’t know how many years it is when converted into the Gregorian calendar.
Zhang Shi added: "Third brother has grown a year older. It seems that it is time for me to arrange a marriage for you."
Zhang Yue suddenly sweated when he heard this. How old is he?
Firecrackers went off outside, but Zhang Shi said happily: "You have become a disciple of Mr. Boyi, which is different. You can help our family save face. Since Grandpa Zeng's generation was separated, although he has taken some I have a lot of money, but I don’t want to be an official."
Zhang Yue knew that his great ancestor was Zhang Renche, who served as the governor of the Southern Tang Dynasty and the minister of the Ministry of Inspection and Industry.
My great-grandfather was one of seven sons and received some family wealth. He did not have an official position, so he did not show up. Later, he was appointed as a minor official in Zhejiang. However, due to the collapse of the Southern Tang Dynasty, the family had to move back to his hometown of Pucheng from Zhejiang.
My great-grandfather also gave birth to three sons and three daughters. My grandfather was born as a commoner and worked as a farmer in his hometown.
My grandfather gave birth to a son and a daughter, and Zhang Yue's aunt married far away.
Zhang's father failed many times and spent a lot of money, but fortunately, his family was relatively rich at this time and could afford supplies.
Now in the generation of Zhang Shi and Zhang Yue, although they still bear the surname Zhang, they have lost even the hundreds of acres of farmland, houses and shops passed down from their ancestors.
In the past, the family placed their hopes on the second brother, but now that he has escaped from marriage, Zhang Shi always feels that it is his elder brother who has not taught his younger brother well, and he has not revitalized the family, so he inevitably blames himself.
Now that I heard that Zhang Yue became a disciple of Zhang Youzhi, I felt a little hopeful.
Zhang Shi suddenly said: "Your second brother doesn't know where he is?"
"Brother, don't you blame the second brother?"
Zhang Shize said: "How can you not blame me? How can I blame my family? Third brother, please remember that brotherhood means breaking the bones and connecting the tendons."
Zhang Shi said: "You may not understand yet, but if something happens to you and your second brother one day, I would rather give up my life than to protect you. I can even give up my life, so what do these money and acres mean?" What? Once you figure this out, I won’t blame your second brother."
Zhang Yue nodded and thought to himself, how is the second brother now? But he dare not say anything nonsense at the moment, otherwise a lot of things will happen in the family. Maybe the second brother wants to be a Jinshi in this subject, and then come back to let the eldest brother and his sister-in-law Forgive me.
Two days later, Zhang Yue was studying in the house when he saw a stone hitting his window sill.
He leaned over and looked outside, only to see Peng Jingyi winking at him on the street downstairs.
Zhang Yue hurriedly went downstairs when he saw it. Peng Jingyi pulled Zhang Yue to the side of the street corner and whispered: "I found out about your eldest brother for you. As expected, your eldest brother has been gambling for money in recent months."
Zhang Yue's heart suddenly sank after hearing this.
"Thank you for asking me, I'm telling you, there is someone behind this to set a trap for your elder brother!" Peng Jingyi said.
"What?" Zhang Yue was furious when he heard this. His eldest brother is such a kind person, but someone wants to harm him.
There was a hint of chill in Zhang Yue's eyes, and he said solemnly: "Did Zhao Yasi arrange this?"
If it was said that he had some feelings for Zhao Yasi before, but since his sister-in-law said that there seemed to be something hidden about the matter, Zhang Yue became suspicious.
Peng Jingyi said: "I don't know if Zhao Yasi intervened. But Sanlang, you should not fight with Zhao Yasi, otherwise..."
Zhang Yue said: "I have my own sense of discretion on this matter. Please explain it carefully first."
Peng Jingyi said: "The cause of this incident is a friend of your brother..."
After Zhang Yue heard what Peng Jingyi said, he couldn't help but grit his teeth. First find someone close to you to gain trust, first induce a small profit, and finally lose a big fortune.
Peng Jingyi said: "Fortunately, your eldest brother just took action now and the trap is not deep. It's still too late to save him. It will be bad if it is too late..."