When an elder invites you, you cannot refuse.

Zheng Pu walked slowly, following Xiang Lang, towards his residence.

When I arrived, I couldn't help but be surprised as soon as I entered.

I had heard before that Xiang Lang had the greatest collection of books in Shu, but now I know that the rumor is true.

I saw that the furniture on both sides of the office room was piled high with books; even on both sides of the desk and in the corner of the couch, there were many bamboo slips piled up in every crack. The space, which was not large, became even more cramped.

Zheng Pu felt cramped even where he was.

There was already someone in the house.

He is about about the age of a weak man, more than seven feet tall, with a light beard and a dignified appearance.

He is wearing the official uniform of a scholar and has an unusually strong scholarly atmosphere. He should be a member of Xiang Lang's family, not a lieutenant.

Seeing Xiang Lang and Zheng Pu walking in, he was sitting in front of the couch reading, so he stood up, bowed, and moved to stand by the side wall.

"Zijin, this is the youngest son of my deceased brother. His name is Chong, and his courtesy name is Wen Gao. Because his eldest brother favored him, and his second brother Ping has already appointed ministers, and he is not yet old enough, I will stay by your side to take care of him."

As the host, Xiang Lang introduced Zheng Pu with a smile.

After saying this, he did not forget to wave to Xiang Chong, "Wen Gao, come quickly to see me. This is the prime minister's office joining the army to lead the captured general Zheng Zijin."

"Chong, meet Zheng Canjun."

Xiang Chong followed his words and met him again.

He has a gentle voice and calm demeanor, quite gentle and elegant.

It also made Zheng Pu feel good about it.

He returned the salute with a smile, then turned his head to look at Xiang Lang and praised, "In the past, the late emperor once praised Xiang Zhong for his ability, and the prime minister also praised him for his good nature and conduct. Today, we can see that he is elegant in writing, conducts well, and has a special grace. Therefore.

It can be said that there is no shortage of talented people in the Xiang family in Yicheng!"

Well, Xiang Chong's current official position is the leader of the Central Army, and he lives in the Wei Palace.

"Hahaha~~~~~"

Hearing this, Xiang Lang couldn't help but laugh heartily, waving his hands and saying humbly, "Zijin, you are too praised! You are praised too much!" After laughing, he stretched out his hand to invite Zheng Pu to sit down, "Zijin, please."

"Changshi, please."

Xiang Chong, who was already quite knowledgeable, stepped out, closed the door and left.

After sitting down, the two of them exchanged a few polite words. Xiang Lang smiled solemnly and said softly, "When Zijin's book arrived in Ji County, the Prime Minister summoned me to discuss it privately. Many of the strategies in the book were against me.

The great man benefited. The only way to do this was to 'spare a small family into an acre'. The Prime Minister hesitated for a long time. It was not because he felt that Zijin was not thoughtful, but because he was afraid that it would be detrimental to Zijin in the future."

Will it be detrimental to me in the future?

Oh, it should be because once this policy was implemented in Hanzhong and Wudu, the wealthy people in Yizhou were alarmed and thought that it would be implemented in Bashu in the future?

After thinking for a moment, Zheng Pu cupped his hands in salute and said humbly, "I wonder why the Prime Minister is worried about me? Please forgive me, Chief Minister."

"It's because of the nobles and nobles of the imperial court."

But he didn't want to, and Xiang Lang gave a completely different answer, "The late emperor was kind. When he recaptured Hanzhong County in the past, he gave many acres of land to meritorious people because the population of Hanzhong was desolate."

After Zheng Pu heard this, he understood in his heart.

In the past, after the late Emperor Liu Bei conquered Shu, he originally wanted to give the houses in the middle of Chengdu and the mulberry fields outside the city to the generals. However, Zhao Yun admonished him and only rewarded those with high achievements. After he captured Hanzhong County, he assigned the fields in the county to the generals.

The mother gave generous rewards to the meritorious officials.

Among them, most of the officials of the Jingxiang clan had acres of mulberry orchards in Hanzhong.

Because when Chengdu was captured, most of the Yuan Cong clan and Dongzhou scholars had already received rewards.

If "dividing children into acres" is implemented in Hanzhong County now, it will definitely damage the interests of these nobles.

After all, according to the prime minister's rule of fairness in governing affairs, these nobles must first set an example by dividing a small family into a small family, and there is no paradox in allowing the children of wealthy families to move to Hanzhong County.

Therefore, the Jing and Xiang clique's officials whose interests were harmed did not dare to bear grudges against the Prime Minister, but they would gnash their teeth at Zheng Pu, the instigator.

In particular, Zheng Pu was a scholar from Yizhou.

He was born not to please Jing and Xiang.

The Prime Minister had always recognized Zheng Pu's talents and had already trained him as a successor to the Han Dynasty. Naturally, he had some concerns about Zheng Pu not being able to be integrated into the Jing and Xiang clan in the future.

"Thank you, Prime Minister and Chang Shi, for your support."

Zheng Pu, who was silent for a while, raised his head and said, "However, as a minister, I only seek to benefit the country and do not dare to favor myself. Although I am not a useful person, I will not be criticized by others in the future."

"nice!"

Hearing this, Xiang Lang's voice was mute, and he raised his hands and praised, "Zijin's heart to serve the country can be expressed in the sun and the moon!"

After praising him, he smiled again and said softly, "The Prime Minister knows that Zi Jin is doing things for the country, and he always does not hesitate to do anything for himself. Therefore, he called me to discuss it, just to see if he could be of some help."

oh?

The Prime Minister has actually done something evil for me?

Zheng Pu raised his eyebrows, looking a little surprised.

However, when I thought about it again, I found it was not surprising.

According to the Prime Minister's meticulous and cautious character, he always has the habit of eliminating many hidden dangers before putting things into action.

Alas, the prime minister has to worry about it again.

With an inaudible sigh, Zheng Pu grinned, "I'm stupid, please give me a clear explanation."

"Haha~~Zi Jin is so humble."

Xiang Lang stroked his beard and smiled, but did not answer the question, "Zi Jin still remembers that before His Majesty granted you a marriage, did the Prime Minister once say that he would find a match for you?"

"Prime Minister's kindness, I dare not hope for it."

Immediately, when Zheng Pu heard the words, he frowned, raised his hands and walked to the prime minister's right side.

"However, Zijin may not know."

Raising his head slightly, Xiang Lang said in a somewhat sad tone, "If Your Majesty does not propose a marriage, the Prime Minister will find my youngest daughter, or the daughter of Ma Jichang, an old servant, and marry it to you!"

Uh~~~~

Is this happening?

The emperor gave Zhang Chaqi's daughter a gift for marriage, but it was not the prime minister who told her about it!

For a moment, Zheng Pu was stunned.

After Xiang Lang sighed, he continued to ask without waiting for him to speak, "Zi Jin has just met my nephew Wen Gao. I wonder what Zi Jin thinks of his talent? If he embarks on an official career, he will be a benefit to the country."

no?"

But after we met for a long time, I was asked to make a conclusion?

not.

Hearing this, Zheng Pu had a vague realization in his heart and did not refuse.

"When a long history has a question, I dare not not answer it. Let me put it bluntly. If there are any mistakes, I hope the long history will not blame you."

After thinking for a moment, Zheng Pu first said something polite with a smile, and then said, "I think the writer is tall and handsome, with a seven-foot tall body. He walks calmly and calmly. It can be said that he has the spirit of poetry and calligraphy in his belly!"

"Hahaha~~~~"

Xiang Lang laughed loudly and showed no humility, "The Prime Minister is also very fond of literary talents. He has already told me that if he reaches the imperial examination next year, he will be promoted to the Prime Minister's Mansion as his assistant."

"I tasted it and found that the cone was in the sac, and I could see the end immediately."

After hearing this, Zheng Puxian smiled and said jokingly, "The right way is to 'do not avoid relatives when you are promoted internally'. At the time when the country is employing people, there is a nephew who has become a talented person in the long history, but he is asked to stay on the left and right, which is a disgrace to his talent!"

"

"Hahaha, Zijin couldn't be more impressed."

Xiang Lang, who was smiling happily, waved his hands modestly again and again, and finally saw his face.

He then restrained his face, looked at Zheng Pu and said, "My nephew is young and lonely. Although he is very miserable, he is rarely good in character and has good talents and learning. As a respected elder, I feel very relieved. And because he is about to reach the crown, I will

I am determined to find a good match for him. I heard that there is a daughter in Zijin’s family who is very talented and virtuous, but I don’t know if she is a match for her?”

They really want to get married.

After Zheng Pu heard this, he couldn't help but say something in his heart.

However, there is nothing strange about the Prime Minister's arrangement.

Xiang Lang had a very good reputation. He often borrowed books from his family's collection and was praised as an elder. He was also older, and his official position was the Chief of the Prime Minister's Office. He was implicitly one of the leaders of the Jing and Xiang clan. His nephew Xiang Chong had great talents and character.

He was praised by the late emperor and the prime minister, and stayed in the palace to protect the emperor. He will definitely become an important minister of the country in the future.

If the Zheng and Xiang families become in-laws, even if they offend some of the Jingxiang clan by suggesting that they share the family, they will not be criticized by the Jingxiang clan because of the kindness of the Xiang family.

Furthermore, Zheng Pu has already made a marriage arrangement with the Zhang family, a relative of the Yuan Cong family.

If another trace of the Jingxiang clan is added, no courtiers in the Han Dynasty will regard him as a Yizhou scholar and guard against him in the future.
To be continued...