poor family prodigal

"The emperor has lost his mind. Brother Yuan has made such a great contribution. If he is not rewarded, he will be punished."

"No scientific examination is allowed, and it will never be used. This will ruin Brother Yuan's future!"

"The Dog Emperor is too stupid. Mourinho was killed for his great achievements, and his military advisor was punished for his extraordinary achievements."

"Emperors and high officials are all pig-brained, otherwise Daye would be bullied like this by the desolate people!"

A group of people were filled with righteous indignation.

"All right!"

Wang Yuan's voice deepened: "No one is allowed to say these words outside. It is a serious crime to be beheaded outside!"

Everyone in the audience lowered their heads, knowing the consequences of saying these words!

In the past, they did not dare to talk about the emperor, even the county prince.

However, after experiencing many important events with Wang Yuan, many people became bolder!

"Brother Yuan, we are grieving for you, and this court is so sorry for you!"

Even the big tiger, who has always been steady, can't help complaining, his eyes full of dissatisfaction.

"That's right, if it weren't for you, cousin, the deserters would have defeated Chengzhou by now!"

Zhao Qinghe pursed his lips: "The imperial court not only refuses to reward you, but also refuses to let you take the imperial examination. Isn't this bullying?"

The uncle also said in a low voice: "Yuan'er, uncle is feeling very worried right now!"

In Zhao Dachui's opinion, his nephew is extremely smart and will be able to win the first prize in the future and become a high official and honor his ancestors!

Guo Cang, who had always been kind, gritted his teeth and said, "My benefactor, I don't accept it either!"

"The imperial court is like this. Mourinho was the same back then. Now it's the military advisor's turn!"

Chang Sheng, Ping Jian, Yu Tieshan and the other black-armored veterans also began to shake their heads.

"Sir, I don't blame everyone for being angry. The court is so chilling!"

Hu Mengying, who was wrapped in a white fox cloak and looked like icebergs and snow lotuses, also shook her head.

When the court did this, everyone was so upset that they couldn't help but complain!

"I know everyone is unhappy with me, but this is exactly what I want!"

Wang Yuan spread his hands and smiled and said: "You also know that I don't like to kowtow to others. If you really want me to go to Kyoto and kowtow to the emperor every day, I would rather stay in Dawang Village. In this life, there is no such thing as fame, fortune, and imperial supremacy. It’s all just passing through the wild clouds, safety, health, happiness and longevity are the most important things.”

Many people nodded unconsciously.

They are all ordinary people, and they have no serious pursuits. They just want to have enough to eat and live in peace.

"Okay, don't mention this matter again, talk about other things!"

Wang Yuan changed the subject: "Guo Cang, how are you preparing for the new year's goods?"

There are still seven days left before the Chinese New Year, and the whole village is preparing for the Chinese New Year!

Guo Cang immediately said: "My benefactor, according to your request, for all the people we hire, ten catties of pork, ten catties of fish, five catties of mutton, one stone of grain, ten catties of lard, and three feet of cloth are ready. .”

"Okay, hurry up and distribute the New Year's goods, so that everyone can have a good New Year this year!"

Wang Yuan smiled and waved his hand, turned around and said: "Qinghe, are you ready for the year-end bonus?"

"It has been prepared for a long time. Each person will be paid two months' salary and bonus!"

Zhao Qinghe pouted, feeling very distressed.

A few days ago, her cousin was about to hand out the year-end bonus, and she finally figured out what it meant.

He immediately objected, but as a result his arms couldn't hold his thighs, and my cousin still had to pay two months' salary bonus.

This prodigal cousin, why is he using money as money? He is so good to these people!

Many people’s eyes were wet!

During Chinese New Year and festivals in the countryside, tenant farmers have to give various New Year goods to their employers.

Wang Yuan not only gave out new year's goods, but also gave out year-end bonuses. Neither his parents had ever loved them so much.

"Then send it to everyone quickly!"

Wang Yuan looked at Yu Tieshan again and said, "Uncle Tieshan, Uncle Jian, and Uncle Sheng, what's going on with their marriage?"

When the marriage was mentioned, everyone looked at Ping Jian and Chang Sheng, the black-armored veterans, and smiled.

Ping Jian and Chang Sheng, these black-armored veterans who killed enemies on the battlefield without blinking an eye, lowered their heads one by one, their old faces couldn't help but shudder.

The depressing atmosphere in the venue was relieved a lot!

"hey-hey!"

Yu Tieshan grinned: "We have found the girls, but there are not many good days. We have to arrange them one by one. It will be next spring when everything is done!"

Black-armored veterans are treated the same as Wang Hanshan, with each person receiving ten taels of silver per month. Plus various bonuses, they get more than two hundred taels of silver a year.

This kind of generous treatment made the black-armored veteran who was originally unable to marry a wife become the favorite of people from all over the country, and they had the choice of girls from all over Fu County!

Wang Yuan pondered slightly: "It's too troublesome to do it one by one. If you don't mind, just choose a good day before the year and have the wedding together. It will be more lively and worry-free!"

Many old bachelors in Pingjian and Changsheng have bright eyes and smiles that are so close to their ears that they would be so willing to get a wife earlier.

"Okay!"

Yu Tieshan said excitedly: "Then let's ask the brothers to make arrangements immediately!"

"Remember, don't spread any rumors about what happened today, lest everyone have an unhappy New Year!"

Wang Yuan warned again!

Many people nodded!

Now that Wang Yuan is the backbone, the court's decree needs to be spread, and everyone will have a bad year.

Everyone goes about their business!

There are only four people left in the house!

Wang Yuan took out a stack of new drawings and handed them to Zuban and his uncle.

There are two drawings in total, one looks like a ruler and the other is a round tube with a handle.

Holding up the ruler-like object, Zuban asked curiously: "What is this?"

"Vernier caliper!"

Wang Yuan explained casually: "Can we measure the internal and external diameter, length, width and depth of workpieces with high precision? Can we measure it accurately close to micrometers?"

Zuban looked confused: "Micrometer?"

"This is a measurement unit I saw in an ancient book. One meter is equal to ten meters, one decimeter is equal to ten centimeters, one centimeter is equal to ten millimeters, and one millimeter is equal to one thousand microns. Millimeters can also be distinguished by the eyes, and microns are It’s hard to tell the difference!”

Pointing to the scales drawn on the drawing, Wang Yuan started talking to his uncle and ancestors!

Making swords does not require fine scales at all, but making machine tools, firearms and other precision machines requires the use of vernier calipers!

My uncle looked confused when he heard this!

Holding the drawing of the round tube with the handle, Zuban's eyes lit up: "Sir, did you divide the scale so small just to do this? What is this?"

Wang Yuan explained: "This is called a flintlock gun. It can be stuffed with gunpowder bullets and can break armor when fired!"

"Gunpowder, stuffed into a pipe, can break armor and hurt people!"

Zuban was startled when he heard this: "Isn't this the sudden fire gun secretly kept by the imperial court?"

Daye already has gunpowder and muskets.

However, the burst gun has a short range and is easy to explode, so it has not been popularized.

It's just a plaything for dignitaries.

"The production principle is similar to the sudden fire gun, but it is more advanced than the sudden fire gun and more troublesome to make!"

Wang Yuan took the drawings and explained in detail to the two of them how to make a flintlock gun!

Zuban has a quick mind and knows how to draw inferences from one instance to other cases. Wang Yuanyi said that he understood quickly!

Although my uncle was a little slow-minded, he didn't slap the fat man in the face and asked questions immediately if he didn't understand!

Soon, the two figured out how to make a vernier caliper and a musket, and left.

Only Wang Yuan and Guo Cang were left in the room.

Wang Yuan said directly: "Guo Cang, do you know why I want to make a flintlock gun?"

Ever since the three brothers risked their lives to kill Liu Jianye for him, they have become his true confidants!

"do not know!"

Guo Cang shook his head: "But I know that as long as it is done by my benefactor, it must be useful!"

"That is the foundation for our future settlement!"

Wang Yuan explained: "As we make more and more money, the number of people who have ideas about us will also increase. The court is unreliable. If we want to keep our hard-earned wealth, we must rely on our own efforts!"

Originally, he was not prepared to develop such things as guns and gunpowder.

These are weapons of destruction!

But the imperial court issued such a decree, which made him feel a sense of crisis about the situation.

You cannot count on others for security issues, you must take them into your own hands.

"understand!"

Guo Cang nodded: "My lord, whatever arrangements you have, I will do my best to make them happen!"

Wang Yuan nodded: "You go and select a group of people, those with reliable character and smart brains, and place them in the former Sanhu Village. I will find people to go to the mountains to train them. Don't let the third person know about this. "

"understand!"

Guo Cang clasped his fists, nodded and retreated!

Wang Yuan also left the house!

Watching Guo Cang leave, Wang Yuan frowned and his eyes became gloomy.

It would be a lie to say that I was not unhappy when I defeated Huangren for the imperial court, but was treated like this.

Emperor Xinglong's decree showed that the court's attitude towards him would bring him countless dangers.

For the sake of his wealth and life, he had to consider making more trump cards!

Taking a deep breath, Wang Yuan walked out of the room and grinned!

The village is full of joy, and the villagers are receiving new year's goods.

One by one, the whole family was carrying fish and meat, and both adults and children were laughing from ear to ear!

In the past, they didn't always have enough to eat during the Chinese New Year, but this year they have so much meat and money that they can't even dream of having a good life!

"Brother Yuan is here!"

"Brother Yuan, I'll give you some maltose!"

"Xiao Yuan, Miss Hu has been here for so long, when will she get a second bedroom?"

When they saw Wang Yuan, adults came to say hello, children came to hand out candies, and sisters-in-law joked.

Seeing the simple smiles of the villagers, Wang Yuan responded with a smile, and the gloom in his heart was swept away.

This is the life he likes, living his own life well and letting the fellow villagers live a better life.

Not to mention giving them good food and clothing, at least let them live like human beings!

If you are rich, you can help the world, if you are poor, you can be alone. This is the simplest thought of Chinese children who have received traditional education!

Wandering around the village and looking at the vibrant village, Wang Yuan's mood became better and better.

Suddenly, a villager shouted loudly: "Brother Yuan, Sihai, Ergou, Tiangan and others are back, all the people are back!"

"go!"

A group of people walked towards the village!

More than a dozen carriages arrived, flanked by young men on horseback and a group of guards with sharp eyes.

The leader, Wang Sihai, was now wearing a satin robe, a jade pendant around his waist, and a cloak with boots. He was dressed like a human and no longer had the look of a village boy.

The rest of Guo Cang, Guo Liang, the reckless Wang Ergou, and the rest of the young guards were also in satin clothes, with high-spirited expressions on their faces.

"Hey, Sihai, we don't even recognize him this way. He looks like a rich man!"

"Ergou and Tiangan are also different, they all look stylish!"

"You bastards, you've burned all the money you earned. How much does it cost to wear such nice clothes? I don't know how you can live your life!"

The villagers ridiculed and blamed, but they were all concerned.

"Folks, it's not that I'm in trouble all over the world, it's that I'm in charge of the Feicang salt well for Brother Yuan now! If I dress like a beggar, it will be an embarrassment to Brother Yuan and make people say that Brother Yuan treats his subordinates badly!"

After months of experience in the county, Wang Sihai, who became increasingly good at dealing with people, responded to the villagers with a smile and quickly came to Wang Yuan: "Brother Yuan, I'm back!"

"Thanks for your hard work!"

Patting Wang Sihai on the shoulder, Wang Yuan looked into the crowd and said, "Where's Uncle Shanshan!"

Not long ago, he sent a letter to the county town asking everyone to come back to celebrate the New Year!

Erhu went to the capital, and Auntie Hong would probably feel bad if Uncle Shanshan didn't come back!

"Unable to bring back some copper coins and silver, Uncle Shanshan was worried and stayed in Jiushan County!"

Wang Sihai lowered his voice and changed the subject: "Brother Yuan, Mr. Haitian asked me to bring you a message!"

Wang Yuan smiled and said: "Say it!"

The first time he went to Wang's Mansion, Wang Haitian used his drinking power to prevent him from becoming a second Wu Mu.

Looking at the court's decision now, it is very prescient.

Wang Sihai said: "Mr. Haitian told you not to take the court's decision to heart. After the New Year and the New Year, he will come to Dawangzhuang. He has identified three disciples who will be elected and will bring them with them. Take root here and never leave!”

"what!"

The surrounding villagers, black armor, and veterans were all breathing heavily, and their blood was boiling.

The No. [-] Scholar is coming, and he will bring three candidates to take root in Dawang Village.

From then on, their children will be taught by the Number One Scholar to read!

Children from poor families dream of studying, and they are taught by the number one scholar.

Can't even dream!

In an instant, many people looked at Wang Yuan and wished they could kneel down to him.

Ninety-nine percent of the people are excited, but some are also worried!

Wang Bizhong, Wang Badou and his son turned pale.

By teaching villagers and children how to read, father and son have established prestige among the villagers again!

Now that the No. [-] Scholar has brought some people to teach in the village, their jobs will be taken away.

Although Wang Bizhong believed that he had no talent, he did not have the confidence to compete with the number one scholar.

"it is good!"

Wang Yuan's eyes widened and he quickly ordered: "Let all the bricklayers and carpenters work overtime. Let's build another three-story building with a courtyard. It must be completed before the Lantern Festival. Let Mr. Haitian and his disciples When you come here, you will have a clean new house to live in!”

I said it casually last time, but I didn't expect that Brother Haitian would really take it to heart and even bring three Juren disciples here.

When a scholar becomes a scholar, he becomes a squire in the local area, with property and status.

Now that he is under the treatment of the imperial court, he is still willing to come to Dawang Village to teach.

This is entirely Brother Haitian’s face.

Nowadays, the ten-acre manor is occupied by black armors and veterans. Adults and children are noisy together. Scholars with a quiet temper may not be used to it.

"Yes, if the champion is coming to our village, we must give him a good place to live!"

"Build a new house, let's build a new house immediately!"

"My child is a good student at home. Let Master Zhuangyuan teach him, and he will be able to achieve great success in the future!"

"Do it!"

The villagers were excited.

Following Wang Yuan's instructions, everyone went to do their own division of labor!

Wang Bizhong and Wang Badou, father and son, looked at them with pale faces.

"Clan leader, Badou, even if Mr. Haitian and the three ministers come, I will not let you go."

Seeing the concerns of the two people, Wang Yuan smiled and said: "Badou will teach you in the night school. Chief, you go to the accounting department. I will let Mr. Hai Tian give you guidance. Maybe you can take the exam to become a scholar or a scholar."

"Brother Xie Yuan!"

Wang Bi's heart was filled with joy, his goatee was trembling with excitement, and he wanted to kneel down.

Bastard Badou didn't care. As long as he could work for Wang Yuan, get five or six taels of silver a month, and have meat to eat every day, he would be satisfied!

He knew he didn't have the ability to take the imperial examination or anything like that, and he didn't dare to think about it!

The father and son left in high spirits!

That night, the land leveling began, and Wang Yuan drew a sketch of a villa overnight.

Major construction has begun in the village, and craftsmen are working in two shifts.

On the other side, the three brothers Guo Cang, Guo Qiang, and Guo Liang also went for a walk in nearby counties.

Not long ago, the barbarians invaded, and the counties took the opportunity to increase taxes, and there were people selling sons and daughters everywhere.

Every day the three of them go out, they will bring back dozens of people and place them in Sanhu Village.

Then Pingjian and Changsheng quietly went to Sanhu Village with carts of meat and grain.

Everything happens quietly!

Seven days passed by in a flash, and a group wedding was held for more than a dozen black-armored veterans!

New Year's Eve is here, and the whole village is bursting with joy!

The large dining hall was moved to the manor, and the women cooked and stewed meat together. The aroma of meat filled the whole village.

Teenagers and young children clean the house, apply paste, put up Spring Festival couplets, and set off firecrackers.

Adults pay tribute, burn paper, and pay homage to their ancestors.

Serve cooked pig's head and four hooves without salt, rice, and light two large red butter candles.

First, burn paper in the yard to offer sacrifices to heaven, and then kowtow three times and nine times under the altar table.

After Wang Yuan offered sacrifices to heaven and ancestors, Dahu brought out a basket of firecrackers, his face full of excitement!

"Let it go!"

Wang Yuan smiled and waved.

Daye had firecrackers similar to those of later generations, but no one sold them in Fu County.

What Fuxian sells are firecrackers. The bamboo tubes are filled with saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal. When they explode, they produce loud smoke.

I asked people to buy back the firecrackers and try them. They found that the sound, smoke and light were very bad, but the effect was very poor.

Wang Yuan mixed some gunpowder, made some cannon twisters, and made firecrackers.

The villagers were shocked when he released it.

"okay!"

With permission, Dahu picked up a firecracker, lit it and threw it out!

The onlookers quickly covered their ears!

Bang bang!

Loud noise, fire, and smoke!

"Let me put one in!"

"Brother Tiger, let me put one out!"

"I want to let it go too!"

Wang Sihai, Wang Ergou, Wang Tiangeng, and many other villagers couldn't help but rushed forward one after another!

Dahu fired off firecrackers in distress, and the villagers set off the firecrackers cautiously!

Bang - bang!

The explosion spread throughout the village!

Some old people looked at it from a distance, with smiles on their faces. They laughed but cried.

In the past, not to mention firecrackers, villagers couldn't afford them during the New Year, so they just threw bamboo into the fire.

Now I finally have a decent year and live like a normal person.

Wang Yuan watched with a smile!

Suddenly, Guo Cang galloped over on his horse, shouting with joy: "My benefactor!"

"It's Chinese New Year. If you're not at home to celebrate the Chinese New Year, what are you doing here?"

Wang Yuan asked with a smile.

Three days before the Chinese New Year, all five factories are on holiday, and work will not resume until the eighth day of the new year.

Apart from building new villas, everyone else is idle!

However, he knew that the three Guo Cang brothers were not idle and were still buying people out every day.

"My benefactor, I went to the city today and there was a letter from the Li family in Zhoucheng. It seems to be from my wife!"

Guo Cang got off his horse, took out a letter from his arms, and held it in front of him with both hands.

"Shihan has a letter!"

Wang Yuan's eyes were bright, and he quickly took the letter, and when he saw the familiar Juanxiu boy, he quickly opened it.

All around, Dahu, and many villagers held their breaths, not daring to take a breath.

They all know how much Brother Yuan and Sister-in-law Shihan miss each other after being separated for so long.

Glancing at the handsome young man, Wang Yuan smiled, then gradually frowned again.

“Husband, here’s to you!

After two months of separation, I have not seen my husband’s face, and my family misses him day and night.

Three years ago, the Li family suffered a catastrophe. No one in Fu County dared to marry a slave. Only the husband ignored the danger and married a slave. This kindness will never be forgotten by the slave family.

Therefore, after marriage, the husband often suffers humiliation, and the slave family does not change their original intention and swears to stay with her husband forever in this life.

However, your husband should not be greedy and want to get involved in the great defeat of the deserters, so he will not be able to take the imperial examination and will never be used by the court.

Now that Your Majesty has abandoned her husband, if the Li family is related to her husband, they will be implicated sooner or later.

My father had a career full of ups and downs, and my eldest brother, second brother, and third brother Han Chuang studied hard for ten years.

The slave family can't bear that all their hard work has been wasted!

Therefore, I write this letter to tell my husband that our relationship as husband and wife is over now!

No need to come to Zhoucheng to welcome you again!

The slave family already has a good match, he is the governor of the state and city, and he has the reputation of being a civil servant!

Please respect yourself and don’t get entangled! "

Keenly noticing the change in Wang Yuan's expression, Guo Cang quickly asked: "My benefactor, what's wrong?"

Sihai and Dahu also lowered their eyebrows, and they were keenly aware of this!

"It's nothing, just a small matter, just deal with it later!"

Putting away the letter, Wang Yuan said with a smile: "Hurry up and go back to celebrate the New Year. No matter how late you are, you won't be able to catch the New Year's Eve dinner!"

Guo Cang rode away.

The other villagers in Dawang Village saw Wang Yuan smiling and didn't think much about it!

After setting off the firecrackers, the New Year’s Eve dinner begins!

The whole village gathered in the large manor and opened nearly a hundred tables, organized as a family unit.

Of course, Wang Ergou and some veterans all share the table together.

After the New Year's Eve dinner, New Year's money was distributed to the children, and the fuss lasted until midnight!

Returning to the old house, Wang Yuan stood in the yard, looking up at the stars!

"Cousin, are you worried? Why do I feel that you are unhappy?"

Zhao Qinghe walked out, holding a big cloak and draped it on Wang Yuan's shoulders.

"I miss you, sister-in-law Shihan!"

Wang Yuan wrapped himself in a big cloak, looked at his pretty and beautiful cousin, and sighed: "I haven't seen her for more than three months, and I don't know how she is doing in Zhoucheng!"

"I miss my sister-in-law Shihan, but you still want to beg for a little wife, you are such a playboy!"

Zhao Qinghe hummed and turned around.

"Cough cough!"

Wang Yuan's face turned red and he smiled sarcastically: "Qinghe, my cousin is also an ordinary person!"'

"I don't blame you!"

Zhao Qinghe turned around and said with a blushing face: "Any man who is capable does not have three wives and four concubines, let alone you are so powerful! I have no objection to you marrying Miss Hu. The most unfilial thing is to have no offspring. You have been with your cousin for so long. If you don’t have a brother and a half-daughter, it’s right to renew your relationship. My father and I support you!”

"..."

Wang Yuan choked for words.

Women in this era are simply too tolerant of capable men.

"Hurry up and wash your feet. Tomorrow morning we have to welcome the New Year, worship ancestors, and pay New Year greetings!"

Zhao Qinghe brought a basin of hot water and moved a stool behind.

"I will do it myself!"

Wang Yuan quickly took off his boots and washed his feet himself, not daring to ask his cousin for help.

Zhao Qinghe walked aside with a sad look in his eyes. Only a wife can wash her husband's feet. She went too far!

It was late at night, and the two of them went back to their rooms!

Lying on the big bed, smelling the remaining fragrance of the quilt, Wang Yuan took out the letter again.

With Shihan's temperament, even if she wanted to break up with him, she would not write such a letter.

Even if it was for her father, she would feel extremely guilty if she really wrote a letter!

There is no threat hidden at the end of the letter.

But this is Shihan's handwriting.

There was something wrong here, which made him want to go to Zhoucheng to find out everything.

……

Zhoucheng, Li family mansion!

After having the New Year's Eve dinner and giving New Year's money to her nephew, Li Shihan stood in the courtyard, watching the fireworks in the city, but her mind flew hundreds of miles away: "I don't know how my husband is doing now!"

Suddenly, the eldest young lady of the Li family came over, her charming eyes flickering: "Shihan, what are you thinking about!"

"nothing!"

Li Shihan quickly changed the subject: "Sister-in-law, didn't you and your eldest brother take Xiaobao to see the lanterns?"

"Originally I wanted to watch it, but after seeing you like this, how can my sister-in-law still be in the mood?"

The eldest young lady of the Li family took out a letter: "This is a letter that the young marshal had someone bring to you when he passed through Zhoucheng not long ago."

"What, then why did you just hand it to me now? What did you write!"

Li Shihan grabbed the letter, hurriedly ran into the room, and read it under the light!

The eldest young lady of the Li family also followed in, with a sly smile on her lips.

"It's my husband's handwriting!"

After scanning the font, Li Shihan looked happy. After a closer look, her pretty face turned pale. She fell to the ground with a plop and murmured as if she was stupid: "It's impossible, it's impossible. My husband won't do this to me. He won't let me go." I won’t, absolutely won’t!”