Under Ning Ning's urging, the three went to the main room together, and Zhao'er was sitting cross-legged on the kang to read the bills.
This habit of pan kang was brought by Xue Tingxiang. Even if he moved from Dinghai to Guangzhou, there was no winter in Guangzhou, and it was still the same. However, this kang is more of a place for the family to relax, but it is rarely used for rest.
On the kang sat not only Zhao'er, but also her and Xue Tingxiang's second son, Xue Yaotai.
Compared with his younger sister Ning Ning, Brother Tai has a big brother on top and a younger sister on the bottom. It is considered that his father does not care about his mother and does not love him. However, this kid is also quite clever. Knowing that his father and eldest brother are fond of his sister, he goes to Zhao'er every day. Zhao'er felt a twin, but they were treated differently, and it was inevitable that he would have to love him more.
No, Ning Ning always followed his elder brother and cousin, and he followed Zhao'er.
Zhao'er rarely goes out these days, unless something happens outside that no one else can solve. However, this situation is rare. She spends most of her time with her children and husband, taking care of the affairs of the Xue family.
In her spare time, there are inevitably accounts sent from various places, so she will check the accounts and so on.
Brother Tai is not very interested in studying, but he is quite interested in accounting, and now he will not talk about it, and he has also learned 80% of his mathematics.
At this time, Zhao'er lowered his head to read the account, flipping the abacus from time to time. He also took this old account and kept a small abacus in his hand.
This is a trick for him to play with.
Zhao'er once also hoped that both sons could read. All things are inferior, but reading is high. Unfortunately, Tai Geer is interested in this. If the children want to learn, she will teach them.
Ning Ning is a coquettish person, so she called him before he even entered the door.
"mother-"
"Why are you here?" Zhao'er looked up at her, then looked at her son and nephew, and the two teenagers gave her a wry smile.
"What's the matter? You're bullying two older brothers again."
Ning Ning wrinkled her nose and said, "I don't have one. I just want to go back to my hometown with my big brother."
"Why did you think of going back to your hometown with Big Brother?"
Knowing that mother is not as easy to deal with as father, Ning Ning rolled her eyes and said, "I haven't been back to my hometown in Shanxi yet. I heard that it was fun there, so I wanted to go and see it."
"When did your father tell you that Shanxi is fun?" Zhao'er wouldn't be fooled by the little girl.
Ning Ning put her two little hands behind her back and tugged at her sleeves. She thought she was keeping it secret, but she didn't know that it fell into the eyes of her two older brothers.
"Dad really said it. If you don't believe me, ask your father."
"You're just relying on your father to help you tell the truth, right? Even your mother dared to lie?" Zhao'er pretended to be stern.
Ning Ning rushed over and shook her mother's sleeve: "Ning Ning didn't lie to her mother, my father really said it, when Ning Ning was a child, his father said that there was a mountain behind his hometown, and his mother used to grow vegetables on it. I also said that when my father was studying and the family was poor, it was my mother who grew vegetables for my father to study."
Hearing this, Zhao'er couldn't help but flash a flash of memory in her eyes, she reached out and rubbed Ningning's little head and smiled: "Then you are not allowed to go, your elder brother is going back this time to go to the exam, you are a clever little guy. The ghost is making trouble next to you, your big brother has no heart to think about it."
"I'm not..."
The word was still spinning around in his mouth, and Zhao'er was greeted with rejection: "I can't tell if I'm not sure."
Well, in today's Xue family, for the sons, it is a strict father and a loving mother; for daughters, on the contrary, it is a strict mother and a loving father.
Zhao'er is usually the one who pretends to be a black face, and Ning Ningtian is not afraid, but she is afraid that her mother will be angry.
"Uuuu...I just want to go back..."
He didn't dare to say these words in front of him, but covered his face and went to the elder brother's side. The cry was fake as soon as he heard it, Tai Geer sat on the kang and watched the little sister play tricks with her mother.
But in general, the devil is one foot high, and the Tao is one foot high, so crying is also a point of vain.
Sure enough, the little girl cried for a while, and she was really sad seeing no one to comfort her. She wooed out of the room and knew without thinking that she was definitely looking for her father.
Ning Ning always had a way to find his father.
This is also why the entire Xue family dotes on her, including Hu San, Xue Tingxiang's confidant and head guard.
Let's put it this way, Zhao'er doesn't necessarily know where Xue Tingxiang is, but Hu San must know that if Hu San can be taken down, he will be able to find his father.
At this time, Xue Tingxiang was working in the governor's yamen in front. The governor's yamen and the county yamen were almost regulated. They all worked in the front and the back.
Ning Ning went to find Hu San first. Hu San was guarding outside the study room. Seeing her coming, he hurried over and asked her why she came.
"Uncle Hu, I'm looking for daddy."
"My lord is discussing matters, why don't Uncle Hu take you to play?"
Seeing Ning Ning nodding, Hu San nodded to the guards guarding outside the door, and carried Ning Ning out on his shoulders.
In the study, Xue Tingxiang sat behind the desk, and there were two rows of chairs on the left and right under it, and several people were sitting there.
Being able to sit here at this time is considered Xue Tingxiang's confidant.
"I received a letter from Beijing this morning, and the imperial edict to call me back to Beijing is coming soon."
For this remark, the few people sitting below are not surprised. As early as last year, when Xue Tingxiang took the position of governor, he said that sooner or later, such a day would come.
Unexpectedly, just over a year later, the one in Beijing couldn't sit still.
Most of them have been in the coastal area for a long time, and the concept of monarch, monarch, ministers and ministers in these people's minds is very weak. They were following Xue Tingxiang with bare hands and fighting hard, for the sake of the court, for that person, how much grievance Mr. Xue suffered and how many difficulties he faced.
When Shibosi made a lot of money, he was a loyal minister and a pillar of the court. When the imperial court became rich, they began to worry about what meritorious power was built.
With Xue Tingxiang's age, it is indeed indispensable for that person to be promoted to sit in this position. But these years, every time Mr. Xue encountered any crisis, the one who had never supported him with open flames always followed the general trend and followed the trend.
Especially in recent years, there has been a flattering person who can't help fanning the flames in his ears, and that person is not less rewarding and obscurely beating.
Of course, the other party is the emperor's father, and the world belongs to others. No matter what you do, the subordinates below should not have the heart to complain.
Just a little bit chilling.
"Sir, can you find a way not to return to Beijing?"
The speaker was Geng Ronghai, the former commander of Dinghaiwei, and the current deputy commander-in-chief of the Southeast Ocean Navy. Now the commander-in-chief of the Southeast Ocean Navy is Gou Datong, the former commander-in-chief of the Zhejiang Navy, who was also ranked second at this time, all of whom were picked up by Xue Tingxiang.
"Actually, even if I go back to Beijing, there are too few people in the capital, and no matter how much credit is made outside, I can't stand a word in someone's ear. As a person of your Majesty, after I return to Beijing this time, I should not treat me badly. With me taking care of you in the capital, your errands below will be easier."
That being said, who would like the Emperor Tiangao to stay far away and run back to pretend to be a grandson. It's just the general trend, it's just a last resort.
"I can rest assured that you and General Gou are on the side of the navy. There is Xie San in Dinghai, Badou in Guangzhou, Datian in Changle, and only the one in Shanghai. You should be more careful, don't rely on him. If you have some kind of incense love with me, you will tolerate too much."
The so-called Shanghai one refers to Shunxi, which was originally scheduled to be promoted by the Haishi Shipping Company.
Now, with Emperor Jiacheng's centralized power and full wings, all the courtiers who dared to fight against the emperor in the early years have all quieted down. It was also hit hard, because the coastal area was very involved, and many people were implicated and their wings were chopped off.
This change and the other grows, the majesty of the emperor is better than the other day.
People's attitudes are always changing over time.
A few years ago, Emperor Jiacheng's imperial power was divided, and the elders of the pavilion joined forces to make it up, so that what they wanted to do had to be calculated. In the past few years, the Haiyan River was clear, the treasury was abundant, and no one restrained him, and Emperor Jiacheng became more and more complacent.
And Supervisor Si Li also rose with the tide.
Now Emperor Jiacheng uses those eunuchs more and more easily, like arranging Shunxi to Shanghai Shipping Division, it seems like the action of the supervisor of Li, but if there is no conferment from Emperor Jiacheng, no one will believe it.
To put it bluntly, Shiboji in Shanghai Town has a superior geographical location, and has now replaced Dinghai as the largest import and export port in Toyo.
This kind of place is naturally in your own hands.
The reason for the cold heart also accounts for a part here.
"Sir, if Your Majesty really intends to call you back, I'm afraid I won't be able to sit here for too long." Xie San, who was almost middle-aged, touched the wrench on his hand.
The air froze.
If this is true, it is the worst case.
Mao Badou, who has a moustache, is still so fat, even a little fatter than before, exploded and said: "If you can't sit, you can't sit, whoever wants to sit in this bad position, anyway, no matter how much money you earn , it won't be ours, they can play how they want."
The reason is such a reason, who is willing
The most chilling thing in this world is to plant a tree so hard, but someone picks peaches.
"Ting Xiang didn't say that, what are you saying?" Li Datian said. After several years of precipitation, now he has become more and more calm, and he is a lot richer than before. Because he is over 30 years old and has a beard, he looks more and more dignified.
"Can I give in for him?"
The two cannot be together, and they will bicker when they are in one place.
"Okay, don't think about the bad in everything, just take it one step at a time." Xue Tingyan sighed.
we can only do this.
"By the way, I asked you to pay more attention to things in the New World before, and you continue to pay attention. With the current situation in Dachang, the grain output is decreasing year by year, and you need to seek food from outside."
"I said you don't care about this. If you are not in your position, you don't want to be in politics. Maybe when you return to Beijing this time, you will be left in a leisurely place to enjoy the cool." It is Mao Badou who likes to splash people with cold water.
Xue Tingxiang looked at him helplessly and shook his head.
After that, several people discussed other things and then dispersed.
Xue Tingxiang was the only one left, who sat in the study for a long time and pondered for a long time before slowly exhaling.
He came to the window and looked at the gloomy sky outside.
Xue Tingxiang's news was not wrong, and it was only two days before the imperial decree arrived in Guangzhou.
The one who announced the decree was an old acquaintance, Eunuch Anshun.
"Lord Xue probably doesn't know, His Majesty has been talking about you for a long time, saying that Lord Xue is the pillar of the country and the minister of the stock, but because of the errand for the imperial court, he has been on the coast for nearly ten years. Your Majesty feels guilty, I mention you again and again. They said they were treated badly. No, His Majesty hesitated again and again, but still intends to call you back to Beijing to give you some leisure time."
"Xiaoguan panicked, I am ashamed to be so concerned about Your Majesty."
An Shun smiled and waved his hand: "You are right, you are right, who knows that Lord Xue has devoted himself to the court and is a loyal minister. Every time His Majesty mentions a loyal minister in the court, I will take you as an example. Our family congratulates Xue first here. My lord, this trip back to Beijing is bound to rise."
"Thank you, Eunuch An, for Ji Yan."
…
Anshun stayed in Guangzhou for two days, and then left in a hurry, saying that he was going to return to Beijing to restore the decree.
As for Xue Tingxiang, the imperial decree did not specify what his official position was, that is to say, he would not know until he returned to Beijing. In addition to Anshun's words, Xue Tingxiang simply mentioned the matter of returning to his hometown to worship his ancestors.
Anshun agreed, saying that he would report to Emperor Jiacheng when he returned. Emperor Jiacheng's original intention was to feel sorry for Xue Tingxiang for so many years of hard work, and it was naturally not an extra to return to his hometown to worship his ancestors.
In this way, from the original two small ones back home, now the whole family plans to go back home.
Xue Tingxiang was also a decisive person. When he got the imperial decree, he let the following prepare. Anshun left Guangzhou on the front foot, and he took his family on the road to Shanxi on the back foot.
This road is a long journey. Fortunately, the sea is smooth now. First, take a boat from Guangzhou to Suzhou, then change boats from Suzhou and go all the way north through the canal. thing.
Naturally, this situation would not catch up with the county test. Xue Tingxiang could only feel guilty and told his son that he would wait for the next year.
Originally, Xue Yaohong was planning to try his hand this time, but not for the sake of fame. It was not a hindrance to end this year or next year.
…
In March, in Xia County, it is only a cold spring, warm and cold weather.
However, the farmers are already busy. From time to time on the country roads, farmers can be seen carrying hoes, pulling oxen, and ploughing the fields in spring.
This line of motorcades meanders for hundreds of meters. Where have I seen such a scene in a rural place like Xia County? All passers-by who saw it stopped and couldn't help guessing which family it was.
In a place like Xia County, who could have such a large force? ! So people rushed to Yuqing Village to report.
After a while, Yuqing Village came. After asking if the guard in front of the convoy was back, Master Xue, he returned to the village at a galloping speed.
Mr. Xue is back, Mr. Xue has returned to his hometown with his family!
The news spread throughout Yuqing Village in an instant.
Today's Yuqing Village is not like it was in the past. The village has expanded too much, and it seems to be a town.
All of this is due to the Xue family's clan, thanks to these years, even though Xue Tingxiang and Zhao'er were outside, they still did not forget to send all kinds of books to their hometown.
Two batches are sent every year.
Not only to send books, but also to have money and money, and to make a strong contribution.
Today, Yuqing Village has the entire Xia County, which is the largest library in Pingyang Prefecture, as well as the largest academy in Pingyang Prefecture, Yuqing Academy.
In the past ten years, there have been too many changes in Yuqing Village, too many to list.
And when I heard that the greatest glory of the Xue clan, Xue Tingxiang, Lord Xue, Admiral Xue and Governor Xue, brought the family back to their hometown, and the entire Yuqing Village was dispatched.
Even the old patriarch, who has rarely appeared in front of people in recent years, was helped to the entrance of the village.
…
When you get close, you can see the famous flagpole standing at the entrance of the village from a distance.
There are three in total.
The first one was built by Xue Tingxiang in the sixth year of Jiacheng's Bingwu District Examination, and the first place in it was Jie Yuanshi. The second one was Xue Tingxiang's palace examination in the year of Yiyou, and it was erected by the old patriarch himself when he was the first champion. The last one was erected by the current patriarch when Xue Tingxiang was admiral and governor.
There are three flagpoles a little over five feet long, one bucket, three buckets, and four buckets, on which hang a red-rimmed and yellow-earth flag, fluttering in the wind.
The highest honor in an official's life is nothing more than this.
Xue Tingxiang took ten years to complete.
…
"Father, are you almost there? Hey, what is that?" A young girl asked in a carriage.
A gentle female voice answered her: "That's your father's fame flagpole."
"So tall, so big, so majestic." The little girl used three good words to express her amazement.
Zhao'er glanced at the man sideways, and saw that his face was tense.
She sighed inwardly and took his hand.