The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

Zheng Tingyan was so shocked by Zheng Xiaoyun's question that he couldn't catch his breath. The hand holding the pen trembled slightly. He thought that he and his father had great reputations throughout their lives, but their son was so... incomprehensible.

"What else do you want? Since you have already signed the divorce agreement that day and agreed to give both children to Mian Wan, how can you go back on your word now?" Zheng Tingyan asked.

Zheng Xiaoyun said: "I can't do anything about it. I only said I wanted a divorce, but I didn't say I wanted to give the child to Mian Wan. She made the conditions herself, and I couldn't do anything about it."

Zheng Tingyan: “…”

"So what? You bring Chen Ge'er and Yu Jie'er back? Then what status will Sa Sa and Qin Ge'er have? Won't Sa Sa make a big fuss with you?" Zheng Tingyan said unhappily.

Zheng Xiaoyun said unconvincedly: "But that's my first child!"

Zheng Tingyan clenched his fists, looked at Zheng Xiaoyun gloomily and warned: "I advise you not to have any thoughts that you shouldn't have when you go to Jiangnan this time, otherwise it will end badly and implicate your brothers and sisters and the entire Zheng family. My silver spear is not for decoration."

Zheng Xiaoyun was still afraid of his father, and finally he dared not say anything. However, after arriving in Jiangnan, he was far away from his father and his father could no longer control him.

Zheng Tingyan was afraid that his son was confused, so he turned around and ran to discuss it with Old Madam Zheng.

When Madam Zheng saw her son's angry face, she ordered the maids and servants around her to go back first.

"Why is it like this? What happened?"

Zheng Tingyan calmed down and said, "Mother, I am afraid that Xiaoyun will be confused when he goes to Jiangnan, and Zhuang Shi cannot take on the responsibility of being the mistress. Under this situation, I am really worried about Jiangnan..."

Old Madam Zheng looked at the few strands of white hair on her son's head and sighed, "I'm too old to go to Jiangnan, and I just took back your wife's housekeeping rights, so I can't get away for the time being."

Zheng Tingyan thought for a moment and said, "Why not... let Xiaoqi and Zhu go with us?"

"No, you only have one son. Xiaoqi has already found a job in Beijing. How can you let him follow your eldest brother?" Old Mrs. Zheng disagreed.

Zheng Tingyan sighed and felt a little embarrassed for a moment. He couldn't just go with him, as the emperor was still wary of him.

Old Madam Zheng also sighed and said, "I don't know what you are thinking. Xiaoyun is always not very foresighted in doing things. If he had Mianwan's help, he could still do something. Under the current circumstances, it is much better for you to keep him than for Xiaoyun to keep him."

It's not that Zheng Tingyan doesn't want to, but he can't. The emperor also thinks he is more capable and may use him in the future, but it is impossible at the moment. And his son has a bad reputation and a weak foundation, which is exactly what the emperor wants to see.

Seeing her son was silent, Old Lady Zheng had already thought of all this. She fiddled with the red sandalwood Buddhist beads in her hand and said, "Let Ling Wan go..."

"Would it be inappropriate? After all, Lingwan isn't married yet." Zheng Tingyan hesitated.

"There is no better candidate. Besides, Ling Wan and Mian Wan got along well in the North. If something really happens, I think Mian Wan will give it some time for Ling Wan's sake."

"That's all it can do..."

In this way, Zheng Lingwan packed up her boxes and went down to Yanzhou in the south of the Yangtze River with Zheng Xiaoyun and his wife.

……

The Zheng family’s unhappiness had no effect on Xia Mianwan at all, and Xia Mianwan was busy every day.

After the wine sold well, Xia Mianwan realized that the ancients also liked gimmicks. As long as the name is good, it is artistically interpreted, and there is the passionate participation of literati, this ordinary wine can be sold in an extraordinary way.

Therefore, Xia Mianwan also thought of a name for the second batch of wine mixed with osmanthus, which was called "Zhegui".

At this time, "fish farming in rice fields" was a great success. The rice yield per mu increased, and the fish, loaches and crabs all grew a lot bigger.

Prefect Chen also heard about it and hurried to discuss with Xia Mianwan, wanting to promote this technology throughout Yanzhou.

This technology already existed in ancient times, but compared with modern "fish farming in rice fields", it was more like a draft.

After a period of experimentation, the experienced farmers under Xia Mian Wan have also figured out how to plant and raise fish. Xia Mian Wan did not hide his knowledge and sent many experienced farmers to teach them step by step. However, the cost of "raising fish in rice fields" is still quite high, and it is still a bit difficult to promote it to farmers with average financial conditions.

Prefect Chen did the work himself, going to the fields with the old farmer. Finally, based on the old farmer's oral description, he compiled the "fish farming in rice fields" technology into a book and submitted it to the court.

But there is no such thing as too much food, and we need to find some places for the fish, shrimps and crabs that hibernate late in the summer.

Prefect Chen accepted Xia Mianwan's kindness and said that he could take in the batch of fish, shrimps and crabs.

Prefect Chen also had private property, which was now managed by his housekeeper. Prefect Chen had his own restaurants in the capital and Yanzhou, so he thought of collecting all the fish, shrimps and crabs.

Who knew that the housekeeper came back and told Prefect Chen, and Xia Mianwan declined.

When Prefect Chen was drinking with Mr. Yang, he mentioned this, but Mr. Yang smiled and said, "Mianwan told me this because I was afraid you thought she didn't know how to be kind."

"Oh? Please explain it to me, teacher." Chen Suzhi bowed and asked with a smile.

“Mianwan said that ‘raising fish with rice’ is a plan that will benefit the people. However, just collecting her fish cannot solve the problem of fish for all the people. If we want to promote this technology on a large scale, we still have to solve the problem of fish and shrimp. If the restaurant buys fish at a low price because there are too many items, then the people won’t even be able to get back the money they paid for the fish seedlings, and this technology won’t be promoted.” Mr. Yang explained with a smile.

Prefect Chen held up his wine glass in a daze for a long time, and couldn't help but sigh in admiration, "I didn't expect that Madam Xia actually thought this way. Su Zhi can't compare to her."

Mr. Yang was naturally happy to hear people praising Xia Mianwan like this. Only such a wonderful person could raise such an outstanding child like Chen Ge'er.

"Teacher, I wonder if Madam Xia has any idea?" asked Prefect Chen.

Mr. Yang smiled and said, "Mianwan is at my wife's place. I'll have someone go tell her."

Prefect Chen said happily: "This is the best."

Xia Mianwan was wearing a sky blue Shu brocade long dress today, which made her look even more gentle and peaceful.

"Prefect Chen." Xia Mianwan bowed slightly.

"Madam Xia, you can't do that."

After Xia Mianwan and Mrs. Yang sat down, Mr. Yang smiled and threw the question he had just discussed with Chen Suzhi to Xia Mianwan.

Xia Mianwan smiled bitterly and said, "For the time being... I have no idea. It's easy to solve the problem of fish and shrimp for one family, but it's difficult to solve the problem of fish and shrimp for the entire Yanzhou...

Mrs. Yang's eyes lit up at this time, "How about transporting it to the capital to sell it?"

Xia Mianwan shook his head and said, "The cost of transportation is too high, and the fish and shrimp cannot withstand the tossing and turning, and they are easy to die."

We still have to stimulate domestic demand! Xia Mianwan secretly set the tone.