Chapter 91: Marriage Visit from a Famous Family

Chapter 91: Marriage Visit from a Famous Family

After He Basheng's letters were released, apart from the frightened He Basheng brothers, the first person to come to Shang Yuan Village was Director Yu Wen, who was the governor of Yongzhou at the time.

When Li Tai heard the reports from the villagers, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. Director Yu Wen couldn't be considered a close confidant of He Basheng, could he?

But after thinking about it for a while, he understood. Even He Bawei's brothers rushed over after hearing the news. Could Daxingtai Yuwentai not be curious about what He Basheng was doing?

Although most of the generals who had a subordinate relationship with He Basheng, such as Dugu Xin, were sent to remote areas, some of the dozens of letters sent by He Basheng's officers always stayed in Huazhou or Chang'an Kinki area.

Ten days have passed since the first letter was sent, but no one has come to see him with the letter. Li Tai has always felt a little strange.

Now that Director Yuwen is visiting, he has finally figured out the relationship. Everyone is watching Da Xingtai wink and act. Daxingtai made no statement on this, so He Basheng's old friends naturally did not dare to rush to see him.

Although Li Tai didn't have much hope for this from the beginning, after thinking about this, he couldn't help feeling that the appeal that He Basheng, including the entire Heba family, had in the Western Wei Dynasty was very weak.

As the saying goes, in the first half of your life, you will respect your father and your son, and in the second half of your life, your son will respect your father. It is certain that the Heba family will have no successor. Even if there is any friendship left to pursue in the past, everyone must base themselves on reality now.

Director Yu Wen did not come here alone. He was accompanied by several courtiers and officials of the Bafu, as well as more than fifty slaves and two large carts. Li Tai's eldest cousin Cui Qian is also among them.

When Li Taixing came out of the manor to greet him, Cui Qian took the initiative to step forward and introduce the visitors to him.

Some of the people who came to visit Li Tai had heard of, while others had little impression. His main attention was still focused on Director Yu Wen.

Although Director Yuwen and Yuwen Hu are direct brothers and their age gap is not that big, the two brothers are very different in appearance and temperament.

Yu Wenhu's eyebrows are raised and his eyes are sharp. Even if he is not happy or angry, when he stares at something, it makes people wonder if this guy is looking for trouble.

But Director Yu Wen looks a bit unremarkable, with no obvious physical features and no majestic bearing that is unforgettable at first sight. If he hadn't been surrounded by the crowd, Li Tai would have believed that he was just an insignificant passerby, but at a glance there wouldn't be any sharp edges.

Of course, Director Yuwen is not an insignificant person. He is now the well-deserved number two figure in the Yuwen family. His power and prestige have reached the same level as those old military leaders in Beizhen.

"There is a lot of noise in the outer village, and there is another business in the east valley. The grand master is recuperating there. I want to introduce Zhang Wu Gong and other princes to see him."

Li Tai looked at Director Yu Wen and found that he was also slightly scrutinizing him. Although the other party did not have any arrogance, he still felt a little embarrassed, so he extended his arms as an invitation.

Director Yu Wen rode his horse slowly behind and took a brief look at the manor. Like other people who came here for the first time, he said: "I remember that Li Sanqi just came to the village last year. The improvement of this garden has been so impressive. It shows you are very talented!”

"The horses are blunt-footed, their steps are hobbling, and they dare not praise their deeds. They only enjoy the grace of Daxingtai, which prospers and governs the country. The rain and dew are good, and the plowing and mulberry cultivation are timely, so they have enough food and clothing."

Li Tai dared to boast about his brilliant business skills in front of Yu Wenhu, but he was much more honest and did not dare to show off in front of Yu Wenhu.

Director Yuwen smiled after hearing this. During the trip, he carefully observed the manor, especially the large warehouses and workshops surrounded by high walls.

The group of people walked around the slopes and came to the valley. The boy Shuofeng was already supporting He Basheng and waiting in front of the villa.

Upon seeing this, Director Yu Wen quickly got off his horse and walked forward. He held He Basheng's arm in both hands and said, "The mountain breeze is cool and cool. Grand Master can just sit in the hall and wait for me to worship."

"I'm old and stubborn, but I don't like to show my bad attitude to others!"

He Basheng gave a faint smile and nodded to Director Yuwen first, then turned his eyes to the people behind him. When he saw Cui Qian, his eyes paused and the smile on his face became stronger: "Shixun, you are here. Long time no see."

Cui Qian had the temperament to keep his emotions and anger hidden, but when he saw He Basheng's appearance and heard what he said, a trace of sadness flashed across his expression. He stepped forward and bowed deeply, saying: "Grand Master, things in this world are impermanent. Just take care of yourself!”

After He Basheng and others in the group greeted each other one by one, he waited until Li Tai came to help him, then turned around and walked into the hall. As he walked, he smiled and said to Cui Qian: "This young relative of yours is really a grateful person." What a righteous young man! Last year I visited several Huibao camps and saw him helpless, so I picked him up and protected him.

There was no long-term plan at that time, and I would gain a lot if I didn't change my mind. Since the family changes, if it had not been for this young man to support and comfort this old man, I am afraid that we would not have the time to see each other today! "

When Director Yu Wen heard this, he took another deep look at Li Tai. Cui Qian next to him said quickly: "Apan is a young talent in the household who was carefully raised by my uncle. In the early years, my brother and the grand master traveled around the world, but we didn't have the opportunity. I care about his growth, and I am very happy to see him in Kansai. He understands right and wrong, is sensitive to kindness, and is not a perverse and arrogant person."

Li Tai couldn't help but feel a little blushed when he heard these two singing and praising him, so he showed great diligence and swept aside any stones or dead branches on the road with his toes.

When everyone entered the hall, the visitors were inevitably curious about the ingenious layout of the villa. Even Yuwen Dao took a few glances before he remembered to ask the accompanying usher to present the letter of condolences from the Grand Secretariat.

Yuwen Tai was very caring for the old man from Wuchuan who was in an ominous state in his later years. He rewarded fifty male and female slaves to serve medicine, as well as a lot of money and food.

Li Tai also took the list of rewards and read it carefully. He found that there was nothing that patients with diseases should not eat, so he felt a little relieved. It was not his conspiracy theory, but he was influenced by the unofficial history of later generations and felt that the king would always give gifts to persuade the meritorious officials to kill them when they were sick, but it was obvious that Yuwen Tai did not mean that.

But even so, the scene of the meeting was inevitably awkward.

Yuwen Dao stopped talking after expressing his condolences on behalf of the Grand Secretariat, as if he wanted to leave time for others to talk. But he was such a big living person sitting here, and it was difficult for everyone to judge the scale of the conversation. It seemed that it was not appropriate to be too close or too distant.

So the topic could only revolve around what they had eaten today and what they wanted to eat tomorrow. Li Tai stood by and became a person who called out the names of dishes, introducing Heba Sheng's recent diet.

When everyone heard that the Grand Master still had an orderly diet every day, they all nodded with relief. Although they were a little curious about what the names of the dishes Li Tai mentioned were, it was obviously not easy to ask in detail at this time.

Li Tai chatted with everyone awkwardly, looked at the sky and said that he would prepare a meal, but when he walked out of the hall, none of these people got up and said goodbye tactfully, it seemed that they had made up their minds to eat a big meal.

So he could only go into the kitchen and order the preparation of food for these people. Thinking about the awkward atmosphere in the hall, he didn't want to go back.

Of course, it was also because the personnel of this trip did not particularly attract him. In addition to Yuwen Dao and his eldest cousin Cui Qian, there was also Houmo Chenchong's younger brother Houmo Chenkai and Changsun Zhi's son Changsun Shaoyuan, who had a slight impression, and the other visitors were a little unfamiliar.

Li Tai was wandering outside the hall, and when he looked up, he saw several visitors coming out one after another. They nodded to Li Tai and then wandered around the valley villa with interest.

Cui Qian also came out, waved to Li Tai, and then walked towards the pavilion in the peach forest behind the villa.

"Lord Zhangwu wants to have a few words with the Grand Tutor, so we'll leave first." Cui Qian explained first, then pointed to the orchard that was already fragrant with peaches and plums and said with a smile: "Living in the capital, the noise disturbs people. But you, A Pan, are smart. You cleverly bought a house in this quiet place in the countryside, making people linger and reluctant to leave." "If you like the scenery here, there are still vacancies in my garden." Li Tai laughed first, then leaned closer and said: "Cousin, do you know why Lord Zhangwu wants to... Could it be that the Grand Executive doesn't like the Grand Tutor to make noise again?" "Why would I like it? It's just that the Grand Tutor is old and has come here. Even if he is a little willful, it is within human tolerance." Cui Qian sighed first, then said to Li Tai: "A Pan, the Grand Tutor really cares about you! He is not afraid of being disliked, and he wants to pave the way for you. But whether it is help or trouble, you still need to decide!" Li Tai nodded after hearing this, indicating that he understood. "Duke Zhangwu has paid much attention to you, and even specially went around Shangyuan Beiqu to the plateau, summoned villagers along the way to inquire about the details of the village canal, and praised the villagers for forming alliances to build things, but there are many who are as meticulous as you."

Speaking of this, Cui Qian asked again: "A Pan, do you want to serve in the court? Since the court went west, the system has been in disarray, and the academic knowledge of Westerners is sloppy, far inferior to that of Shandong people. You come from a famous family, smart and knowledgeable. If you can enter the court to learn about rituals and policies, you will become an expert within 20 years! "

When Li Tai heard this, he shook his head without thinking: "The rules and regulations are important, they follow the ancients and guide the present, they are the model for all ages, how can a mere child be competent! I am now living in a low profile in the countryside, and I may still be praised as a good person, but once I enter the court and take on important responsibilities, I will be destroyed by the strong wind and be laughed at for years!"

It is definitely a glory for the nobles to formulate the rules and regulations of the dynasty, but it is not tempting for Li Tai at all. Even if he can become a master of etiquette and Confucianism in the future, how can he arrange the enthronement ceremony for Yang Jian?

Hearing Li Tai's straightforward refusal, Cui Qian also laughed: "It is indeed a bit delusional, but it is rare for you to have such self-awareness, A Pan. Before, the Grand Secretariat summoned you but did not accept you. I thought you were arrogant and did not want to go to the Secretariat. Now it seems that I was worrying too much.

Now the East and the West are gradually confronting each other. The old disciples that the Grand Secretariat values ​​are gradually declining. It is urgent to maintain the strength of the soldiers. A Pan, you are going west at this time. At this age, it is the right time. Be smart when dealing with things, and don't follow the old customs."

Li Tai was also a little happy after hearing this. He was still worried that he would appear to be unorthodox in doing things sometimes. This cousin actually advised him that those who know the times are heroes.

But soon he understood why Cui Qian said this: "Zheng Daoyong of Yongzhou visited the household before, and what he said was mostly about your family affairs, A Pan, and whether you are married. I discussed it with the scholars and felt that I still had to tell you."