Han officials

Chapter 18: Cunning and cunning【4K】

After returning from Sanshan Island, Wei Zheben wanted to leave the next day.

But Xi Zhicai caught a cold due to traveling all the way, so he had to postpone his departure for a few days.

After all, it's harmless to stay up late for a few days, but it would be a big loss if Xi Zhicai died.

"Zhicai, you're indeed a little weak. You should drink less of this cup in the future!"

In the side room of the mansion, looking at Xi Zhicai who kept coughing, Wei Zhe couldn't help but persuade him sincerely.

This is because the doctor just said that Xi Zhicai was physically weak and was invaded by external evil.

Taishi Ci, who was standing by, nodded in agreement.

"Sir, why don't you practice martial arts with me more often in the future? I will definitely teach you to be strong and healthy!"

However, Xi Zhicai was not moved at all when he heard this.

"If you don't let me drink, you might as well let me die now!"

Seeing this, Wei Zhe didn't know what to say.

Everyone has a habit, and Xi Zhicai is addicted to alcohol. It is really harder than climbing to the sky to get him to quit drinking.

Of course, no matter how much Xi Zhicai loves drinking, he can only take medicine obediently when he is sick.

As for Wei Zhe, he simply took this opportunity to buy some things in case of emergency.

However, for some reason, Guan had been looking at him with a strange look recently.

Taishi Ci would occasionally reveal an inexplicable smile and always ask questions.

After all this, Wei Zhe was speechless.

……

The next day, Xi Zhicai's cough finally subsided.

Just when Wei Zhe was about to find Guan Weng to confirm the itinerary, he took the initiative to send Wei Zhe a message.

"Why are you inviting me to a banquet for no reason?"

Looking at the visiting card in his hand, Wei Zhe was a little confused for a moment.

However, Xi Zhicai advised: "You will know if you go and take a look. Maybe you can even make a friend."

Along the way, Xi Zhicai had actually been thinking about how to revive Daifang County.

Although he didn't have a clear idea yet, it would be beneficial for Wei Zhe to make friends with a big merchant like Guan Weng.

Wei Zhe thought the same and went to the appointment as scheduled.

The next day, at Guanshiwu, Yimu Township, Huang County.

Looking at the building in front of him, Wei Zhe couldn't help but look surprised.

He didn't expect that Guan Weng had such a background. It seems that he came to the right place today.

The so-called dock wall is a dock fort.

This type of building is usually built on flat ground, surrounded by walls, with gates at the front and back, a watchtower inside the dock, and corner towers at the four corners, somewhat like a city. Docks and forts are common, especially in border counties.

For example, Wei Zhe's ancestors fled to Liaodong during the Tianfeng period of Wang Mang and lived there in a fort.

However, from what Wei Zhe had just seen from outside, the area of Guan's fort was much larger than Wei's.

Moreover, the styles of the two are obviously different. Wei's Fort focuses more on military affairs, while Guan's Fort is more gentle.

that's the truth.

After the servants ushered Wei Zhe and his group inside, the interior of Guan's Dock slowly unfolded before him like a picture scroll. He saw cottages scattered across the ground, tall buildings connected to each other, and winding streams surrounding it. He could see servants working on the banks, cultivating mulberry and hemp. He could even hear the faint cries of vendors hawking their wares not far away.

It can be seen that "a market is built behind closed doors" is really not an empty statement.

For a moment, Wei Zhe couldn't help but raise his evaluation of Guan Weng's strength in his mind again.

However, a moment later, facing Wei Zhe's praise, Guan Weng laughed and said, "Mr. Wei, you have misunderstood. This is my brother's villa. I am just borrowing it for use!"

After saying that, he stood up and introduced Wei Zhe to the old man with white beard standing beside him.

This man's name was Guan Yue, the elder brother of Guan Weng and also the head of the Zhuxu Guan family.

After hearing this, Wei Zhe realized that the old man with white beard was not an invited guest, but the host of this place.

He immediately bowed slightly in embarrassment to express his apology.

"No problem, I just heard that there are talented people here today, so I have the audacity to meet you."

Wei Zhe didn't know if it was his illusion, but he always felt that this old man with a white beard had a good impression of him.

But when he thought that it was the first time they met, Wei Zhe didn't think much about it.

However, Xi Zhicai vaguely saw some clues, so he took the initiative to speak frequently at the table, and for a while both the guests and the hosts were happy.

But if he drank too much, he would have to worry about his three urgent needs, so Wei Zhe had to excuse himself to go to the toilet and change clothes.

But everything was fine when I came, but after Wei Zhe solved the problem, I couldn't go back.

There is no way, the area of Guan's Dock is too large.

Wei Zhe could only vaguely identify a direction, and then walked forward along a stream.

Wei Zhe unexpectedly stumbled into a flower garden along the stream.

After Wei Zhe walked around the bushes, he saw a girl in a blue dress and skirt swinging happily not far away. It seemed that she was swinging too hard. She was now out of breath, with crystal beads of sweat oozing from her forehead, and the hairpin on her head was a little loose.

But the girl obviously didn't care and continued to sit on the swing and laugh.

Seeing this scene, Wei Zhe couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly for some reason.

It was only then that the blue-clad girl spotted Wei Zhe on the forest path. She let out a small cry of surprise, then, without even having time to straighten her clothes, she quickly jumped off the swing and dodged. Her nimble figure was like a fawn leaping lightly through the woods.

Seeing this, Wei Zhe immediately stopped and prepared to turn around and leave.

Even if he doesn't care about some etiquette, he still has to respect the customs of the host's family.

Unexpectedly, just as he was about to leave, the girl in blue stopped.

She poked her head out from behind a peach tree, tilted her head, and asked curiously, "Are you the talented general that Aye was talking about?"

Wei Zhe was stunned when he heard this: "I wonder who your father is?"

However, before he could finish his words, he heard a maid's voice calling "Madam~Madam~" from not far away.

The girl slapped her forehead in annoyance when she heard this: "Oh, I've gone too far again!"

After saying this, the girl picked up her skirt and prepared to slip away.

However, before leaving, she remembered something and suddenly turned around and glared at Wei Zhe fiercely.

"Don't tell me you've seen me!"

After saying that, the girl in blue disappeared into the depths of the garden as familiarly as a deer.

Seeing this, Wei Zhe couldn't help but laugh and shook his head.

……

Let’s not talk about how Wei Zhe found the servants and returned to the main hall afterwards.

Xi Zhicai, on the other hand, had a pleasant conversation with Guan Yue, and they seemed to get along quite well.

When he saw Wei Zhe coming back, Xi Zhicai gave him a reassuring look.

Seeing this, Wei Zhe finally put aside his worries. He thought Guan Weng was trying to befriend him to pave the way for his business, so he was very casual at the table until Guan Weng asked:

"Mr. Wei shouldn't have married yet, right?"

"Never."

"Then are you engaged?" "Huh? No, I haven't."

At this point in the conversation, Wei Zhe had no idea what his family had encountered.

No wonder that old man Guan Yue kept staring at him with a smile on his face. He was almost annoyed by him.

Thinking of this, Wei Zhe quietly turned his head and glared at Xi Zhicai fiercely.

This guy must have guessed it, just waiting to see him make a fool of himself!

However, Guan Weng stopped talking here, after all, it would be embarrassing to continue talking.

No matter how satisfied Guan Yue was with his son-in-law, he would never tell him in person that he wanted to marry his daughter to him.

If Wei Zhe is interested, he should find a matchmaker and take the initiative to propose marriage.

The banquet had come to an end at this point.

So with mixed feelings, Wei Zheqiang cheered himself up and said goodbye to Xi Zhicai and left.

However, as soon as they left Guan's Wharf, Wei Zhe took Xi Zhicai hostage and got on the carriage.

Seeing Wei Zhe's unfriendly expression, Xi Zhicai immediately spoke up to defend himself, "Why are you so angry, sir? Isn't this a good marriage?"

Wei Zhe was stunned when he heard this. He had just felt it suddenly and hadn't thought about it in detail.

Seeing Wei Zhe's expression, Xi Zhicai tried to persuade him earnestly, "Although the Zhuxu Guan family is a humble family, they are descendants of the sage Guan Yiwu. They also have famous scholars like Guan Youan in their family. They are not just an ordinary family of humble origins."

"Besides, the Guan family has always been known for their business acumen, and their current wealth is far beyond the reach of ordinary wealthy people."

"With Guan's help, you will be able to achieve twice the result with half the effort in Daifang!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Wei Zhe was completely convinced.

Indeed, Daifang was located deep in the east of the sea, even more remote than Liaodong County. Without the help of the sea route, he would have had a hard time traveling by land alone.

Although the Zhuxu Guan family was not a prominent family in Donglai, they were not as powerful as the aristocratic families in Luoyang.

But Wei Zhe is not a nobleman from a famous family, right?

To put it bluntly, Guan Yue is already showing favor to Wei Zhe by liking him.

After all, with his family's strength, it should not be a problem to find a local small noble family for marriage.

So for Wei Zhe today, Lady Guan is truly a rare and perfect match.

For some reason, a blue figure suddenly flashed through Wei Zhe's mind.

Thinking of this, Wei Zhe stopped thinking about other things and made a decisive decision.

……

At the same time, after seeing the two off, Guan Weng asked in confusion, "Brother, is it necessary to be so anxious? Ah Kui will only be coming of age next year, there's still time to find her!"

"Akui" is the girl in blue that Wei Zhe met by chance.

Because he especially liked eating sunflower greens when he was young, he got this nickname.

However, although Guan Weng also admired Wei Zhe, he did not understand why his brother took a liking to him at first sight.

However, Guan Yue sighed helplessly upon hearing this: "Time flies, and it's hard to find a good lover!"

Guan Yue also wanted to spend a few more years with his daughter, but it was not easy to find a good husband.

As for marrying into local gentry, that was an act of helplessness.

After all, the nobles he looked up to might not take the Zhuxu Guan family seriously; and he might not look down on the small local nobles who wanted to marry into the Zhuxu Guan family.

It seems that Lady Guan has many choices, but in fact she has no priority in choice.

However, seeing that his younger brother still didn't quite understand, Guan Yue immediately said with disdain, "Have you been in business for so long that your brain has become clogged? Do we, the Zhuxu Guan family, really want to be a family of merchants?"

"Although Wei Zhe is only the son of a powerful family in Xuantu County and his family background is humble, he is a man of extraordinary character. And now that we are in turmoil, who knows, he might rise to the rank of one of the Three Dukes one day."

"With the support of this in-law, my family might even be able to restore the glory of our ancestors!"

Speaking of this, Guan Yue also felt tired.

Even though his family always claims to be descendants of Guan Zhong, that was almost a thousand years ago.

Over the years, Guan Zhong's descendants have had many branches throughout the world, but most of them have become ordinary people.

Guan Yue’s ninth-generation ancestor Guan Shaoqing did serve as the magistrate of Yan during the Western Han Dynasty, but that was all he achieved.

It can be said that the Zhuxu Guan family has been supported by their ancestor Guan Zhong for so many years. Otherwise, they would not even be considered a humble family and would have been reduced to local tyrants or even merchants.

A few years ago, the clan finally produced a Guan Ning, who by chance became a famous figure in the country. Guan Yue thought he saw the dawn of the clan's revival, but he didn't expect that this guy didn't want to be an official, but only wanted to be a hermit in the mountains. Guan Yue was so angry that he almost went to see the ancestor in advance.

Now that he had finally met a talented and beautiful girl who had not yet risen to prominence, Guan Yue naturally did not want to let her go.

Hearing this, Guan Weng had to admit that his brother was far-sighted and was becoming more and more wise as he grew older.

……

Let’s not talk about how the two Guan brothers became close friends.

After Wei Zhe returned, he thought about it and decided to go to Taishi Ci's house to invite his mother Guan to be the matchmaker.

When they met again, Taishi Ci expressed his apology.

After all, it was not convenient for him to say anything more before Lady Guan made her statement.

Otherwise, if the marriage fails, the two families might become enemies.

Wei Zhe naturally didn't care, but the present was different from the future. You couldn't get married just by getting a certificate.

Even if Wei Zhe was 100% sure that his father would agree to this marriage.

But etiquette is etiquette.

Parents’ orders and matchmaker’s words, neither can be missing.

Moreover, Lady Guan will not reach the age of marriage until next year, so the two parties can only make an engagement first.

As for the details, Wei Zhe was not quite clear.

Finally, Xi Zhicai took out a copy of "Yili", and Wei Zhe finally knew what he was going to do.

It turns out that it is similar to later generations. The man needs to first "Nacai", that is, propose to the woman.

However, it is not popular to use diamonds nowadays, but it is customary to use geese as gifts.

Only after the "Nacai" is completed can one "ask for the name", that is, ask for the woman's name, in order to predict whether the marriage will be successful or not, and whether it will be auspicious or inauspicious.

After consulting the temple and getting an auspicious omen, a messenger can be sent with geese to the girl's family to announce the good news, which is called "Naji".

The man can then send an envoy to the woman's family to propose marriage, which is called "Na Zheng".

The so-called "Na Zheng" means sending an envoy to pay money to complete the wedding.

In other words, Wei Zhe only needs to reach the step of "accepting the betrothal gift" at present.

Because in the Han Dynasty, "engagement" was a part of the "wedding".

After the betrothal gift is received, the formal preparations for the wedding begin, which is also known as "asking for the date".

The wedding can only begin after the man has chosen an auspicious wedding date, formally agreed with the woman, and presented geese as a gift.

However, considering that Miss Guan has not yet reached the age of marriage, the auspicious date for the wedding will probably have to be postponed significantly.

Wei Zhe naturally had no objection to this, after all, he was not that beastly.

What he should do most right now is to inform his parents who are still in the dark.

After handing the matter over to them, Wei Zhe could go and take Fang to take office first.

Of course, Guan's side wouldn't have any objections to this, and they might even increase their investment in Wei Zhe...

(End of this chapter)