Seiwa

At the beginning of December in the seventh year of Yongle, Shengjia returned to the south.

Meng Qinghe was ordered to accompany him, and before leaving, he specially rushed to Meng Qingyi's house in the city to bid farewell to his mother and brother.

After he was promoted to the commander of the Army and Horse Division of the Five Cities of Beijing, Meng Qingyi bought a three-story house in Daxing County and moved his family.

Because the previous homeowner was a thousand households of the Yan army, the house was built in strict accordance with the grade regulations, and no major changes to the house layout were allowed, and the house could be moved in with simple repairs.

The main hall has three halls and seven frames, and the doors are not painted. Iron rings are hung on the black doors, and the beams are decorated with pink and blue.

The courtyard wall faces the street, there is no stone in front of the main entrance, no plaque is hung on the door, and there is a bare horizontal strip of wood.

There is a section of stone road between the screen wall and the front hall, and a [-]-step yard from the front hall to the second hall.The back house is also mainly simple, there are no pavilions, flowers and trees, and there are no carvings on the corridors, verandas and windows, which is extremely simple and unpretentious.

The owner of the house, surnamed Wu, has been transferred to the Fusi of Jinyiwei North Town, and is still a thousand household, working under the commander Yang Duo.Since both parents are gone and only his wife and young son are around, after careful consideration, he plans to sell the house in Beijing at a price, and then buy a house in Nanjing for resettlement.

Because it is a fifth-rank official residence, and it is a bit old, it will cost a lot of money to repair and rebuild it.

People with high official positions look down on them, and those with low official positions don't need them. Ordinary people are unwilling to spend more money, and middle-aged people have been unable to find suitable buyers.

However, Meng Qingyi caught sight of the house that others didn't like, but he was a little hesitant about the price.

With limited money in hand, if you buy a house, the cost of repairing the house will be stretched.

There was silver in the family, no less than a thousand taels, but Meng Qingyi didn't plan to use it.

Ten years away from home, the old mother, wife and daughter are all supported by brothers, and they are no longer worthy of being a son, a husband, or a father.

After returning from the grassland, he was able to regain his household registration and be promoted to an official position, all thanks to his brothers.

Now I want to buy a house to take care of my mother, resettle my family, and set up a family business, but I also need to use my brother's money. How can I justify asking my brother for help?

Even if Twelve Lang doesn't care about it, he will still have a fever on his face.

Knowing that the housing price could not fall any further, Meng Qingyi did not make a decision right away.Instead, after returning home from the city, he discussed with Meng Zhang.

"My lord, wait a moment."

Mengzhang rummaged through the boxes in the house, and quickly found several boxes, which contained the copper coins and treasures she had accumulated over the past ten years and a few silver ingots.

Putting the box in front of Meng Qingyi, Meng Zhang said: "The silver ingots and copper coins are given by the mother, and the precious banknotes are the husband's salary. If it is not enough, there is also the Lumi saved in the granary. The Xunliang shop sold it, so it should be able to make up for it." sufficient amount."

"Xiu Niang," Meng Qingyi looked at the box and hesitated for a moment, "Don't let Mother know about this, I don't want Twelve Lang to bother him, thinking that I have something to do with him."

"Husband, a concubine is not a person who doesn't know the truth." Meng Zhang said, "My brother is gone, and my husband is the eldest son of the family. Logically, I should support my mother and set up the family business. I should support myself. How can I bother my brother with everything."

Meng Qingyi breathed a sigh of relief, as if relieved, "That's it. Our family can have today because of Twelve Lang. I don't have much ability, I can't help Twelve Lang, but I can't make him tired. Everything depends on face. Brother, what have I become?"

"Husband, don't worry, even if mother knows what husband thinks, she will definitely be considerate."

"I'm going to buy a house this year, and the family will be less. Next year, I'll take people down to the fields, plant sorghum and buckwheat, and find good lambs to raise more than a dozen. After the autumn harvest, there will be plenty for the family." After a pause, Meng Qingyi straightened his expression "There is one more thing. When the fifth sister comes back during the holidays, please give me some more instructions. The son-in-law is kind and honest. I know that I can't stand someone fanning the flames. If you dare to use the name of Twelve Lang to make trouble, you will really cause trouble." Come on, I'll be the first to let you go!"

Meng Zhang nodded.

The couple decided to buy a house, and Meng Qingyi went to the grain store in the city a few times to sell the accumulated Lumi in batches.It is impossible to lower the price.

Knowing this, Meng Xu sent two ingots of silver.

Mrs. Meng Zhang declined, saying it shouldn't be like this, but Mrs. Meng Wang let her keep it.

"Accept it, this is your sister-in-law's wish. After you and Jiulang have a boy, let him honor your sister-in-law."

On the day of the transaction, the homeowner, Wu Qianhu, learned that the buyer was Xingningbo's elder brother, so he took the initiative to lower the house price a lot.

"A certain person was born in the left guard of Yanshan Mountain. During the Jingnan period, he was under the command of the uncle. If I knew it was the commander, why bother to go through all these troubles."

But Meng Qingyi shook his head, "One matter is another matter, if my brother is here, it will be the same."

Wu Qianhu was stubborn, so he had to accept the banknotes.Turning around, he took over the cost of house repairs.Meng Qingyi knew that he could no longer be "polite", so he simply invited Wu Qianhu to a restaurant for a drink, which was regarded as making this friend.

Meng Qingyi thought he owed Wu Qianhu a favor, and felt a little bit sorry.

Unexpectedly, after he was helped into the bullock cart by his family, Wu Qianhu, who was supposed to be drunk, pushed away the supporting family members, wiped his face, and did not look drunk at all.

"Thousands?"

"It is said that my birth year is fierce, hey!" Wu Qianhu clenched his big fist, "Go, go and tear down the stall of that magic stick!"

Today Maimeng commanded a favor, and in the future, when Uncle Xingning learned of this, why worry about his official career not going well.

Is there evil in the year?

This kind of ferocity, others can't ask for it!

Wu Qianhu is not the only one who is lucky.

After the house deed was completed and the house was repaired, Meng Qingyi asked the yin and yang students to look forward to a better life, and the whole family moved into Daxing County.I don't want to move into a new home, and then I receive the emperor's will to confer a title.

After reading the imperial decree, the eunuch took the red seal and said to Meng Qingyi with a smile: "Commander Meng risked his life and returned from the desert to bring back important military information and help the army conquer Tatar. Have some joy."

"Eunuch is polite."

Seeing off the visitor, Meng Qingyi held the imperial decree, as if he was stepping on a cloud, which was extremely unreal.

Taking two deep breaths, he knew very well that the so-called risking his life to return from the desert and report the military situation were all excuses, and the real reason for his honor was Twelve Lang.The imperial court's 10,000+ army went out of the fortress, and the twelve princes went out with the army, and they must make great contributions.Otherwise, the emperor will not grant titles to his family.

After figuring it out, Meng Qingyi reported to the Meng Wang family, asked his wife to tell his daughter and son-in-law, and asked Meng Xu to deliver a letter to Third Sister Meng's husband's family. Mistakes.

The two sons-in-law of the Meng family are kind people. It's not that no one in the family has their own thoughts, but they have to carefully consider how to end up if Meng Qingyi is annoyed.

Meng Qinghe is in a high position, so he may not have time to pay attention to them.Meng Qingyi, on the other hand, holds the official title of Commander of the Five Cities in Beijing. Although he doesn't care about business, it's not a problem to deal with a few people.He doesn't even need to do anything, as long as he shows some interest, someone will do it for him.

In the hands of the surname Meng, there is still some kind of relative affection.If it fell into the hands of the soldiers of the Wucheng Bingma Division, if they didn't die, they would have to peel off their skins.

I heard that Xing Ningbo has friendship with the two chief eunuchs of the Beijing Firearms Bureau, and has a good relationship with Jin Yiwei. If these Buddhas are disturbed, they will die if they want to.

In Mengjiatun, the patriarch and elders repeatedly told the clansmen not to have bad intentions, otherwise, Meng Guangxiao, Meng Guangshun and others would be a lesson from the past.

After several beatings, the honest ones became more honest, and the dishonest ones could only rest their minds.

Many children of the Meng family devoted themselves to studying and practicing martial arts. In the seventh year of Yongle, three of them passed the college examination, and two of them were admitted to Daning martial arts school.When the good news arrived, all the people in the village contributed money together to rebuild the ancestral hall and tell the ancestors.Due to the fault of Meng Guangxiao and others, the haze that gathered over the heads of the Meng clan has already begun to dissipate.

Driven by the members of the Meng clan, the villagers in Tongli became popular in studying and practicing martial arts, and the county government reported it for the merits of educating the village.In the next year's township examination, Daxing County produced three candidates, two of whom were descendants of the Meng family.

At present, no one can predict how the Meng clan will prosper.Even members of the Meng clan dare not say for sure that their own children will surely succeed, like the Twelve Langs.Only time will tell.

On the day Meng Qinghe bid farewell to the Meng Wang family, a heavy snowfall fell in Shuntian Mansion.

Facing the wind and snow, Meng Qinghe rushed to Meng Qingyi's house in Daxing County.

There is still no plaque hanging on the black gate, according to the regulations, Meng Qingyi was granted the title of third-class uncle, and the plaque of "Bofu" can be hung on the door.However, the third-class uncle is different from the first-class uncle, there is no hereditary, and there is no demotion to inherit the title. In the future, Meng Qingyi will have a son, and he will still be white.In this way, it makes sense not to hang a plaque.

This kind of title system, to put it bluntly, is the difference between an iron rice bowl and a contract worker.

They are all uncles and masters, but their treatment and status are very different.To put it bluntly, Meng Qinghe's first-class uncle has a higher gold content than the dukes who cannot inherit the title.It's just that Uncle Meng is destined to have no heir, and it doesn't make much difference to him whether hereditary or not.On the other hand, Meng Qingyi, a third-class uncle who was conferred the title of no-rank, was obviously better, at least not so conspicuous.

Meng Qinghe got off his horse in front of the main gate, and the gate immediately reported to Meng Qingyi.

Soon, the main door opened wide, and Meng Qingyi, who was dressed in a blue cotton robe with a round collar, came out from the door.

"Such a heavy snow, come in!"

Compared to a year ago, Meng Qingyi has changed a lot.

The gloom between the eyebrows gradually dissipated, and the injured leg got better. As long as you don't run or jump, you are no different from ordinary people.

The skinny cheeks turned red, the white hair on the sideburns became thinner, and the slightly hunched back began to straighten.Seeing it in Meng Qinghe's eyes, he couldn't help thinking to himself, this is what a mature man should look like.

The two went straight through the front hall and walked to the back house.

Seeing Meng Wang, Meng Qinghe knelt down and kowtowed.

"Get up." Mrs. Meng Wang hurriedly pulled Meng Qinghe up, his hands were cold, and immediately asked for more braziers, "Why is it so cold, you should add more clothes."

"Mother, I'm fine." Meng Qinghe took off his cloak, sat down at the table, held a cup of hot tea, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Brother Ninth, I have something to say to Mother and Brother Nine. Let them go down first. "

Meng Qingyi waved his family back, and when the door was closed, Meng Wang still stuffed a hand stove for Meng Qinghe, "Hold."

Rubbing the delicate patterns on the stove, Meng Qinghe couldn't laugh or cry.It seems that this is for female relatives, right?

Meng Wang said: "Our family is not so particular. Your sister-in-law uses it well, and I can use it conveniently. Hold on!"

Helpless, mother and elder brother can't live up to their wishes.

Holding the hand stove, his cold fingers gradually warmed up, Meng Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "I came this time to bid farewell to my mother and elder brother. The emperor returned to Luan, and I was ordered to accompany him."

"Leaving soon?" Meng Wang said, "When can I come back?"

"This, I can't say for sure." Meng Qing said softly, avoiding the departure date of the holy driver, "However, after all, my son will be guarded by Daning and will live in Beijing forever. If there is nothing wrong with the court, he will be back in about a year."

"In the next year?" Meng Wang sighed, "I thought this year would be a good year. When you came back from the battlefield, your ninth brother bought the next family business, and the third sister just had a baby boy. The whole family can celebrate the new year together."

"Mother," Meng Qinghe said with a sore nose, "the days will be long."

"Yes, I missed it." Meng Wang smiled, "It's cold, I made you two jackets, and I was thinking about when to send them to you, and you happened to come and take them back with you. "

"Yes."

The mother and son chatted a few words, and finally got back to the topic.

"There is one more thing I want to discuss with my mother and brother.

"What's the matter?" Seeing Meng Qinghe's suddenly serious expression, Meng Wang immediately became nervous, "Could it be that you are going out to fight again?"

"No." Meng Qinghe hurriedly comforted Meng Wang, and continued after her complexion improved, "It's about the iron certificate given by the emperor. I can't make decisions alone, so I discussed it with my mother and elder brother."

"Iron coupons?"

"Exactly. When I return to Nanjing this time, I want to hand over the iron coupon to the emperor."

After saying that, Meng Qinghe carefully observed Meng Wangshi and Meng Qingyi, and saw that there was nothing but surprise in their expressions, and finally let go of his suspended heart.

"Twelve Lang," Meng Qingyi said sternly, "Ninth Brother is a rough man, he doesn't know how to speak the truth, and he doesn't understand the things in the court, but Ninth Brother knows that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger. If you do this, you must have thought it through carefully It means that you will not be an official in the future, and you will go back to your hometown to farm with Brother Ninth at worst. Brother Ninth has the ability to farm and raise sheep, and our brothers will always have enough to eat."

"Ninth Brother..."

At first, Meng Qinghe was very moved, but when he listened, he began to feel that something was wrong.

He only said to return the iron certificate, didn't he say that he would resign?

Farming and raising sheep to eat well... Well, he admitted that his family is honest.

"Mother, Ninth Brother, the matter is still undecided, and the reasons for this cannot be explained in detail. But please rest assured, Mother and Ninth Brother, the benefits of returning the iron coupons will definitely outweigh the disadvantages."

Having said that, neither Meng Wang nor Meng Qingyi asked any more questions.

Mrs. Meng Wang went to pick up the jacket in person. Meng Qingyi hurriedly told Meng Qinghe that he must protect his hands and feet and wear more when traveling in winter.

"If I had known earlier, the two wolf skins you sent back should be kept and made into thick boots for you."

Meng Qinghe listened with a smile, the warmth spread from the chest, and soon flowed to the limbs.

It's nice to feel like family cares.

The parting was imminent, Meng Qinghe took the initiative to stay for dinner, and then talked with Meng Wang.

The Meng Wang family wanted to keep him here, but before it was time to light the lamp, they heard a report from the porter, and Duke Ding came to pick him up in person.

"The Duke is just outside."

Menzi's face was pale, and his hands and feet were stiff.

It is said that Duke Ding is the God of Killing, and seeing him today really deserves his reputation.Just being glanced at, it looks like a knife has been scraped on the scalp, and I wish I could run away immediately, at least five miles away.

Looking at her son who got up and was about to leave, Meng Wang suddenly felt sad.

Was it really the water splashed by a married child?

Shen Xuan was invited to the main hall by Meng Qingyi, but he said that he wanted to meet Meng Wang's family, and Meng Qingyi's liver ached when he said a word.

"As a son-in-law, I should pay my respects to my mother-in-law, please ask my brother to lead the way."

With a tall body, a scarlet robe and a jade belt, and a sable cloak, the whole body is full of nobility, but it is also full of evil spirits. Even if the tone is gentle, it will make people feel chills in the back.

Meng Qingyi was completely puzzled, why did Twelve Lang find such a man?

After visiting Meng Wang's family, Shen Xuan took Meng Qinghe back to the mansion.

Meng Qinghe was very surprised that Shen Xuan did not ride the horse, but rode with him in the carriage.

The north wind was howling, the snow was getting heavier, and there were few pedestrians on the road.

The carriage booth was covered with thick mattresses, Meng Qinghe held the stove, but still felt cold, and sneezed several times.

Grandpa Guo really couldn't stand it anymore, he reached out and pulled the man into his arms, wrapped his cloak around him, and patted him with his big hands, "Don't move."

Meng Qinghe's body was warm, but his heart felt a little awkward.

The carriage, this posture again, reminded him of a very discordant word.

X shock.

"My lord, that..." Is it possible to change the posture?

"Not cold?" Shen Xuan raised his eyebrows.

"……cold."

"Then be honest."

Uncle Meng was in tears.

Simply smashing the can, breaking his heart, and wrapping his arms around, Uncle Meng said that he has done so many disharmonious things, isn't it just a little more disharmonious?We are not afraid!

Shen Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he used his arms to support Meng Qinghe's waist. His warm breath passed by, and he could feel the trembling under his palms.

Uncle Meng continued to be arrogant, raised his head, and said that if you are not afraid, you will not be afraid!

Grandpa Guo paused for two seconds, held back for a while, but finally couldn't hold back, buried his head in Meng Qinghe's neck, and let out a low laugh.

Meng Qinghe gritted his teeth, "...is it funny?"

Grandpa Guo raised his head, brushed the corner of Meng Qinghe's lips with his thumb, endless bright colors overflowed from the depths of his black eyes, tilted his head, and brushed his lips against Meng Qinghe's ear, "If Twelfth Lang wants to, Xuan is willing to follow."

boom!

Meng Qing and Sanhua gather together on a tripod, and ten thousand Buddhas are at the court.

Can I have XX more?ah? !

Nanjing

Members of Zheng He's fleet are entering the city.

The gold, silver, gemstones and coral pearls in the team are not uncommon, and the exotic beast talents are more eye-catching.

The two sheep-like animals, the two aliens with brown-red complexion and feathers on their heads, attracted the most attention.

Naive appearance, strange looks, quiet personality.If Meng Qinghe was present, he would definitely exclaim.

These two animals are clearly the famous XXX beasts of later generations, alpacas!