Seiwa

Wuchen in December of the third year of Yongle was the day of Meng Chongjiu's funeral.

Meng Qinghe rushed back to Mengjiatun one day in advance, before returning home, he followed Meng Guangshun to the Lingling of Meng Chongjiu to worship.

The north wind howled, and the snow was all over the sky.

The door of the mourning hall was wide open, and Meng Chongjiu's children and grandchildren were kneeling in the hall, all dressed in sackcloth, their voices hoarse from crying.

There was a brazier burning in the hall, but it was still bone-chillingly cold.

Wearing plain clothes, Meng Qinghe walked into the hall, looked at the black spirit tablet, and knelt down deeply regardless of the cold ground.

"Twelve Lang..."

Meng Chongjiu's eldest son, Meng Cheng, turned his head. A stocky farmer, his cheeks were sunken, and he seemed to have a bellows in his throat when he spoke.

"Uncle Cheng, my condolences."

Meng Qinghe bit his lip, unable to utter the comforting words that reached his lips no matter what, and finally turned into two low and hoarse words, saying everything.

"Twelve Lang, Dad was still thinking of you before he left." Meng Cheng stopped after a few words, coughed non-stop, and insisted on finishing the sentence, "Dad said, our family can have what it is today because Twelve Lang. Twelve Lang is a descendant of the Meng family, and also a benefactor of the Meng family. To be a man, you should repay your kindness and do things to be worthy of your conscience. When he was around, if anyone had bad thoughts, the old people in the family could It is also a safety measure. He is gone, afraid that someone will change his mind again, and he can't take care of it, but anyone who has a conscience or is a person should know how to do it. If you really want to lose your conscience, you should also face it. Think about the tablet of the ancestors, if you go to the underworld in the future, do you have the face to kowtow in front of the ancestors of the Meng family!"

These words, carried by the north wind, clearly entered everyone's ears.Meng Qinghe didn't answer the words, and the old man still thought about him before he left. I'm afraid this kindness will never end in this life.He could only kneel in front of the coffin, and kowtow heavily to Meng Chongjiu's coffin.

Meng Qinghe originally wanted to guard the spirit of Meng Chongjiu, but the two families had already produced five suits, it was against the rules to do so, he wears a title, and he is a general of the first rank, let alone do it arbitrarily.

"It's enough for Twelve Langs to have this kind of heart, and Daddy will be able to rest in peace if he knows." Meng Cheng was supported by his younger brother and son, and sent Meng Qinghe out of the mourning hall. The sackcloth was blown against his body by the wind, but his spirit seemed to be much better .

Standing outside the mourning hall, Meng Qinghe bowed to Meng Cheng and others in front of his clansmen.

"Uncle Cheng, don't worry, Uncle Jiu is gone, but Twelve Lang is still here."

He wanted to let his clansmen know that when Uncle Nine was gone, his branch would not just fall down like this.Uncle Jiu regarded him as a junior, and he also regarded Uncle Jiu as a relative.The person is gone, but the family relationship is still there.

The expressions of several clan elders were a little unhappy, they were still there, and it should never be the turn of a junior to say these words.One clan elder wanted to speak, but was held back by another clan elder, who finally remembered Meng Chongjiu's words before leaving, and suppressed his unhappiness.

Apart from the clan elders, the faces of some clan members also changed instantly. Twelve Lang was not in the clan for a long time, and they forgot how ruthless he was.

Be ruthless to others, and even more ruthless to yourself.

Back then, a family of orphans and widows were almost driven to a dead end by Meng Guangxiao and his son, how is it now?Where are Meng Guangxiao and Meng Qinghai when the twelve officials pay homage to the nobles?

Twelve Lang can't allow his family to treat Meng Chongjiu's family with contempt, how can he allow others to plot against his family? !

Thinking of this, my heart is already beating a drum.

Meng Wang's family is friendly, her two daughters-in-law are good-natured, and her family is very wealthy. As the third and fifth sisters of Meng get older, more and more icemen come to their door.After the news that the Meng family wanted to recruit a new relative came out, not only the nearby villages, but even some people from the distant houses were moved.

Because of Twelve Lang's meritorious service as a dragon, Meng Guangzhi was posthumously counted as an earl, Meng Wang's family became an uncle's wife, but Meng Balang and Meng Jiulang were white.Their daughters, even with Meng Qinghe, could not marry a high family.

According to Twelve Lang's filial piety to his widowed mother and his care for the two widowed sisters-in-law, he became the door-to-door son-in-law of the Meng family, which definitely brought him many benefits.The son-in-law cannot take the imperial examination and has no property, but with the golden sign of Uncle Xingning, are you afraid that life will be bad?

Ten thousand steps back, the status of the son-in-law is extremely low, but the children and grandchildren of the son-in-law are not restricted.

There is a precedent in Mengjiatun. In the previous dynasty, the son of the son-in-law was also an official, and he was also changed back to his original surname by the gift.As long as his son is promising, how can Uncle Xingning help him through his kinship?With this in mind, more people came to ask to marry the third sister and the fifth sister, and among them were children and scholars.

After entrusting someone to inquire, Meng Wang learned that these families were either too poor to get rid of the pot and were thinking about the dowry of their two granddaughters, or they had a problem with their character and could not take the imperial examination at all.The hearts of Meng Xu's and Meng Zhang's were half cold at the moment.Another iceman came to the door, mentioned similar people, and immediately kicked them out.Only when I meet a honest farmer's family will I take a closer look.

After a year, I still haven't been able to meet someone I like.

The mother-in-law wanted to find a husband for her daughter, but Meng Xu and Meng Zhang did not object too much.The husband is gone, I have no son, and the presence of my daughter and son-in-law is more or less a sustenance.After seeing these families who proposed marriage, the two had to reconsider this matter.Even if it goes against the mother-in-law's will, it can't delay the daughter's life.

In the letter to Meng Qinghe, the Meng Wang family never mentioned this matter until Meng Qinghe returned home this time.

A son cannot marry a woman, and it is not a good way for a granddaughter to recruit a wife. The Mengwang family wants to adopt from the clan.

"It's not for your father, it's for Balang Jiulang." Mrs. Meng licked her white hair at the side of her temples, "I just said that your two elder brothers have someone to inherit the incense, and others can't say anything."

"Mother, it's my son who is unfilial."

"I don't blame you." Mrs. Meng Wang stroked Meng Qinghe's hair, with a look of relief and a little bit of sadness, "Your father is gone, and your two elder brothers are gone. It is me who can live a happy life for our family." I fought with my life."

As she spoke, Meng Wang's voice became choked up, and her hands trembled faintly.

"Before your ninth uncle left, you met with your mother. At that time, your ninth uncle and your mother said that Twelve Lang's life was not easy, so he just thought about it a little bit, and at least it came true. As long as there is someone surnamed Meng, our family's priests will worship him." It can't be broken. If you can't make it in the clan, there are you Uncle Cheng and Uncle Gen."

Meng Qinghe raised his head abruptly, he never expected that Uncle Jiu would say these words to his mother.

"Son, if you tell the truth with your mother, you're really sure? You've made up your mind, what about her?"

"Mother, my son's life is already settled." Meng Qinghe knelt in front of the Meng Wang family, "Shen Xuan is the same as my son. The emperor also knows about this matter."

The tears in the corners of Meng Wang's eyes were frightened back, "What?"

"Duke Dingguo is the adopted son of the emperor." Meng Qinghe tried to slow down his voice, "My son has been given the surname of the country."

Meng Wang looked at Meng Qinghe, and was in a daze for a long time without responding.

"mother?"

Meng Qinghe called carefully, but Meng Wang still didn't respond.

In the back room, Meng Xu and Meng Zhang stared wide-eyed. According to my uncle, even if he had a son, his surname would be Zhu, not Meng.Unless the emperor ordered him to change his surname back.

The sister-in-law looked at each other, feeling like they were stuffed with cotton, not knowing what to do.

In the main room, Meng Wang finally came to his senses, regardless of Meng Qinghe's old age, he rubbed his son into his arms and cried, "My son!"

Why did she "marry" without even worshiping the world!What a good mother!

Meng Qing and a black thread.

Should this be the focus of concern?

In any case, I cried a lot today, the matter between him and Shen Xuan is clear at home.As for the clan, he would not specifically explain it. After all, he and Shen Xuan are both officials, and they are not very good at dealing with civil officials. If someone grabs this matter and reads a book every day, it will not hinder him, and it is true. upset.

After dinner, Meng Qinghe handed the two purses he had with him to Mrs. Meng Wang and said, "This is for the two nieces, mother, give it to the sister-in-law."

The purse contained two ingots of gold beaten into patterns, which Ding Qianhu brought back from Japan when he went to the East.

Emperor Hongwu stipulated that the common people were not allowed to use gold and silver, and ordinary people were not allowed to use gold ornaments. For the time being, these two ingots of gold could only be given to the bottom of the box for his niece.

Meng Wang called two daughters-in-law, Meng Xu and Meng Zhang took the purse and said together: "Thank you, uncle."

Meng Qinghe quickly waved his hands, they are all a family, and it is his job to prepare dowry for the two nieces.

Meng Xu and Meng Zhang thanked each other again, but Meng Qing had no choice but to visit Meng Wang.

In the end it was Mrs. Meng Wang who spoke, and the two daughters-in-law stopped thanking them and left the main room.

Meng Qinghe pinched his ear, it was a little hot, it must be red.It's not used to being treated so politely by family members.

The next day, Meng Chongjiu went to the funeral.

Meng Qinghe tied a hemp belt around his waist, left the house early, and followed the funeral procession.

Meng Chongjiu's eldest son threw the basin, his second son and grandson held white banners, and the clan carried the pavilion.

The white paper money was scattered all the way, and the north wind mixed with the sound of crying, seemed to be seeing the old man off together.

The yin and yang have passed the feng shui, Meng Chongjiu's two grandsons took the lead, and laid a thick layer of gold paper and Ming money on the lower coffin.

After the funeral procession, two figures in sackcloth followed all the way, but they never dared to go forward.

Meng Qinghe recognized it as Meng Hu and his father.

Three months ago, Meng Hu's mother died of illness, Chen's son-in-law threatened him with his life, and made a fuss in the ancestral hall, Meng Hu changed back to Chen's surname.Not only that, but Chen's son-in-law also took back the rewards and land allocated to him after serving in the army.

"My son has returned to Chen's surname, and he is enshrining the ancestors of the Chen family. He should take back the property of the Chen family."

Meng Hu, who should be called Chen Hu now, did not agree with his father to do this, but the son-in-law of the Chen family had repeatedly threatened him with his life, and said that having the status of the son-in-law would be detrimental to his future official career, so Chen Hu compromised.

Since then, Meng Chongjiu has fallen ill.Feeling depressed in my heart, after all, I am getting old, and after a disease, I just went away like this.

The old man thought he had the ability to know people, and it was he who saw Meng Qinghe in his sights that made the Meng family what it is today.But he never expected that he would miss his grandson.

"Goro, it shouldn't be like this..."

Until he closed his eyes, Meng Chongjiu still had regrets.

Meng Cheng took his brother and son and drove Chen Hu and his son out of Mengjiatun. Since they are no longer members of the Meng family, why are they staying here!

No clansman spoke for the father and son, even if Chen Hu was promoted to a thousand households, it was the same.

"An ungrateful, unconscionable thing! A wolf-hearted dog, worse than a beast!"

The ugly words slammed down his head and face, Chen's son-in-law was so angry that his face was livid, but Chen Hu knelt on the ground, kowtowed three times to his uncle, forced his father to support him, turned and left.

Meng Qinghe still clearly remembered the days in Kaipingwei, when Meng Hu was upright and honest, he hesitated for a long time even to smuggle some furs in exchange for food.

When did it change?

He stopped, looked at the two people behind him, presumably Chen Hu also saw him, lowered his head, stopped in place, and did not follow up.

Some mistakes can be forgiven and made up for.

Some mistakes, once made, cannot be turned back.

In seven years, many things can be changed, and a person can also be changed.

Meng Qinghe knew that Chen Hu had his helplessness. In the era of filial piety and righteousness, if Chen's son-in-law really hanged himself, or if the trouble continued, he was not alone.

Even so, isn't there a better way?

You can discuss it with Uncle Jiu, or you can come to yourself.Chen Hu has Xiaoyi pressing down on his head, but he doesn't have it!Besides, with his father's words and deeds, is he really willing to die?

Sighing, it's no use thinking about it now.

Many people in the team also saw Chen Hu and his son, but no one paid any attention to them, and no one drove them away.

This ignorance is more uncomfortable than scolding.

After the funeral, Meng Qinghe didn't see Chen Hu and his son again, but accidentally saw Shen Xuan when he returned home.

"My lord?"

Looking at Duke Ding who was also dressed in plain clothes sitting in the main room, Uncle Meng seemed to have his tongue bitten off by a cat, and he couldn't say anything else except for the word "Grandfather".

Meng Wang sat at the head, judging from the degree of petrification, Shen Xuan didn't arrive for a long time.

Hearing Meng Qinghe's voice, Shen Xuan nodded, "Are you back?"

"kindness."

"Well."

After the ending sound fell, Shen Xuan got up suddenly, stood in front of Meng Wang, and saluted as a junior, saying: "Xuan and Twelve Langs have married hair, Mrs. Uncle is Twelve Lang's mother, and she is Xuan's mother. Mother is here, please Bye."

With mental preparation, Meng Wang's hands and feet were still weak and dizzy for a while.

The son said, this is the Duke of the State, the adopted son of the emperor, and the adopted grandson of Emperor Taizu Gao, but he salutes and calls himself mother?

It's okay if you don't want to, but it's even more dizzy when you think about it.

Meng Qinghe was stunned for a few seconds, and it would be good to change his words formally, it should give Meng Wang a reassurance.

However, Meng Qinghe scratched his chin, he should really be glad that Shen Xuan claimed to be "son" instead of "son-in-law".

daughter in law?What is the Spring and Autumn Dream? Shen Xuan dared to say it, but he didn't dare to answer it.

While Meng Wang was dizzy and Meng Qinghe was in a daze, Duke Ding completed a series of actions such as saluting, changing his mouth, and getting up.

The only thing the Meng family can do is to accept reality in silence.

Shen Xuan was busy with military affairs, completed the task of changing his words, and after paying homage to Meng Chongjiu, he left Mengjiatun that day without staying for a meal.

His appearance caused quite a disturbance in Mengjiatun.

The Duke of the State, the adopted son of the emperor, guarding the side holding the military power, the ordinary officials would dismount and make way to salute when they saw him, and he personally paid homage to an old man in civilian clothes?

Before the turmoil caused by Shen Xuan subsided, Han Wang Zhu Gaoxu sent someone to deliver the funeral ceremony.

"In the past, the emperor Jing Nan, when the rebels besieged Beiping, the elders led the villagers in the village, and they were not afraid of rebellion. They supported the defenders with food and fodder, performed great righteousness, and made great achievements." The servant was young, but he spoke very decently. People also respected him a little more, "The elders are relatives of Uncle Xingning, and they helped Uncle Xingning a lot when he was not prosperous. His Highness regards Uncle Xingning as a close friend, and sending our family here is out of the affection of all friends."

After saying that, the servant personally handed over the funeral ceremony to Meng Cheng, and Meng Cheng and the others immediately bowed down, their eyes blushing.

After today, even if the old father is gone, no one will laugh at their own family about the fact that the son-in-law abandoned his wife and Wu Lang changed his surname.

Without Twelve Langs, would Duke Ding and His Highness the King of Han know who they are?

Twelve Lang will help his family in this way, all because of thinking about his father

After seeing off the servants and returning home, looking at the memorial tablet of the old father at home, Brother Meng Cheng threw himself on the ground, crying loudly, as if he wanted to cry out all the depression and depression in his chest.

Meng Chongjiu and Meng Qing made five uniforms, and the Hui people went to the funeral, so they couldn't stay for too long.

Two days after the funeral, Meng Qinghe left for Daning.Before leaving, he specially told the Meng Wang family not to speak out to the family for the time being about adopting a step-heir for his elder brother.

"Mother, my son cares about this matter."

"Okay, listen to my son for everything."

Meng Wang still hasn't recovered from the "surprise" brought by Shen Xuan.

After changing his words, Shen Xuan still pulled Meng Qinghe to kneel and kowtow together.The undelivered Luanfeng jade pendants are now worn by Shen Xuan and Meng Qinghe respectively.As for the official betrothal gift... the Duke's property is now in the hands of Uncle Meng, plus Meng Qinghe's saved family fortune, the amount revealed, in the eyes of ordinary people, is completely astronomical.

The Meng Wang family is not entangled anymore, nor can it be entangled.Instead of thinking too much about it, it is better to follow what Uncle Jiu said and hope that his son will live well.

The person the son identified, his wealth, appearance, and behavior were all the top choices, except for one thing...

Meng Wang gritted his teeth, isn't he a man?

For the sake of my son, after a long time, I will definitely be able to get used to it.

Meng Qinghe couldn't fully guess Meng Wang's thoughts.However, judging from their personalities, it is not without reason that Meng Qinghe would dress up as Meng Wang's son.

After returning to Daning, without time to rest, Meng Qinghe was blocked by Dias with a mess of grass on his head.

"My lord, I have a new blueprint!"

Meng Qinghe is very generous. Every time Dias makes a new contribution, he can receive a generous reward.

Under the heavy reward, Frang Robot became more and more obsessed with the research and development of firearms, and even threw the travel notes of Marco Polo into the corner of the wall.

"New drawings?"

"Not just drawings, but samples!"

Dias waved his hands excitedly, so excited that he forgot that he couldn't make physical contact with Meng Qinghe.In the end, he was kicked out by Meng Qing and the guards around him.

Presumptuous in front of uncle, looking for kicks!

Instead of taking care of Hong Mao, who was lying on the ground and unable to get up, Uncle Meng's eyes were completely attracted by the things brought by the deputy envoy of the Miscellaneous Manufacturing Bureau.

A blunderbuss, in terms of appearance, is very similar to a bird blunderbuss imported from Europe after the mid-Ming Dynasty and modified.

"The gun body is composed of an iron pipe, gunpowder pool, gun machine, quasi-door, and gun handle. It is fired by igniting the match and pulling the gun machine. Because it is shaped like a bird's beak, humble officials call it a bird gun."

After the explanation by the deputy envoy of the Miscellaneous Bureau, Meng Qinghe knew how shocked his expression was now without looking in the mirror after the personal guards tried to shoot.

Dias turned from a navigator to an inventor, the Franc machine gun came out, and the bird gun was born ahead of schedule. The skilled craftsmen of Ming Dynasty, is this the rhythm against the sky?