Chapter 65: High, really high!
"Weidu in the south of the city, go to Tianchiwu"
This proverb is by no means a legend, let alone an adjective. It has been widely circulated among the gentry and common people in Guanzhong since the Western Han Dynasty. It is an image description of the political and social status of the Wei and Du tribes who lived in the south of Chang'an City, close to the imperial palace and close to the imperial power.
Since the Han Dynasty, the two major families have danced to music and respected scriptures in order to obtain official positions. This is the foundation of the family tradition of being courteous and learning. The descendants of the clan either led the army to fight against the enemy and participated in key important positions, or pastored and guarded the prefectures and counties to bring peace to the people, or they were in charge of Taiheng to regulate the world.
Xinfengdufu.
Du Lianzhong was sitting in the hall, stroking his beautiful beard under his chin with one hand, and tapping the table in front of him with his knuckles with the other hand, contemplating deeply.
The eldest son, Du Huaigong, was sitting at the bottom, wearing a rich robe and jade belt, holding a teacup in his hand, but he was a little lost in thought, sitting there in a daze.
Another capable and neat old man in his fifties stood in the hall with his hands lowered and was softly reporting the news to Xinjin.
"His Royal Highness the King of Wu has posted a notice at the city gate, saying that in order to commend the Xinfeng gentry for their great efforts in rescuing the victims, he specially requested the emperor's order to erect a stone tablet on the bank of the Weishui River, and invited the great scholar Kong Yingda of the time to mark all meritorious deeds in three days' time. The names and deeds of the people were written into books and engraved on the stone tablets. ”
The old man spoke with a measured tone and his narrative was very clear.
Hearing this, Du Lianzhong opened his eyes slightly, frowned, and seemed to be saying to himself: "What is the meaning of this?"
Du Huaigong interjected: "It must be that Wu Wang Li Ke failed to raise funds. Seeing that he was far surpassed by His Majesty the King of Wei, he became very anxious and wanted to use this method to encourage the wealthy people in the city to donate enthusiastically. Huh, he is too naive, even if he is really that vain. The famous people want to take this opportunity The list of stone tablets is just a drop in the bucket. Those who have family wealth in the city have already secretly communicated with the king of Wei, and they can't show this. The others have the intention, but they don't have the strength. I can’t donate much food!”
The standing old man also agreed: "What Dalang said makes sense. This should be the helpless move of the King of Wu. I don't need to care about it."
Du Lianzhong did not speak, closed his eyes again, and thought carefully.
After a long while, he sighed slightly and praised: "It's really high!"
high?
Du Huaigong and the old man looked at each other, not knowing why.
Du Lianzhong looked at his bewildered son and sighed in his heart. This eldest son's brains and talents were the best choice, but his temper was too frivolous and he was reckless and impetuous when things happened. I'm afraid he was not a talented person who could support the family business.
Although my family is a direct branch of the Du family, the Du family has luxuriant branches, complicated connections, and a huge family. Even among the same clan, there are open and secret fights, swords and swords. Competition means more than family affection. If you are not careful, you will be linked to others. Swallow it bone-deep.
It seems that one can only count on the future in-laws to maintain the prosperity and wealth of one's family. As for making further progress, I'm afraid it is an extravagant hope...
Thinking in his mind, he still taught his son tirelessly and patiently explained: "King Wu's move seems to be just an encouragement out of desperation, but in fact it hides a mystery, but it makes people have to fall into his trap willingly."< br>
When he saw his son, he still looked confused and didn't understand the deeper meaning, so he had to continue: "Let me ask you, how much will the Du family donate this time when King Wu raises funds?"
Du Huaigong scratched his head and thought for a while: "There are hundreds of strings, right?" As he said that, he looked at the old man standing in the hall uncertainly.
The old man was the steward of the Du Mansion, and he knew all about the entry and exit matters, so he said: "It's two hundred strings."
"Uh... That's a little less." Du Huaigong said, even if he does not belong to the same camp, he is a prince after all. It is indeed a bit unreasonable for the Du family to spend such a small amount of money. For His Highness King Wu, it is still It's better not to come out, it's a slap in the face!
Du Lianzhong became more and more disappointed with his son who only spent the whole day looking for flowers, hunting willows, and fighting cocks. He spoke harshly and reprimanded: "Don't do your job all day long. This family is not my own. When I die, why do you hold up the facade?" ?”
Du Huaigong was not very afraid of his father, and said with a smile: "Aren't you still here? Besides, now I am hugging King Wei's thigh. Wait for you a hundred years later, we will also have the merit of serving the dragon, and we will be granted the title of Duke. Next, your children and grandchildren will have endless enjoyment, so what is there to worry about?”
Du Lianzhong said angrily: "You bastard! Do you think that our Du family has been able to flourish to this day and remain standing even if the dynasty changes, because of the so-called royal favor?"
Du Huaigong asked curiously: "Isn't it?"
Du Lianzhong snorted and glared at his son with hatred: "What our Du family relies on are poems and books, and reputation! Only by studying can one be sensible, and reputation can be passed down to the family! The kings of the past generations have never dared to touch the Du family. Why do you think so?" ? Is it because as long as my Du family is touched, it will cause turmoil in Guanzhong and countless people will have strange feelings? Heart! Why do people care about my Du family? It’s because our Du family has a good reputation. We don’t increase taxes in rich years and donate money and food in bad years! As long as my Du family is here, the people will always have something to beg for if there are three disasters. If you ask for help, there will be a way to survive! The Du family is gone, who will they turn to?”
These words were spoken urgently and quickly. After taking a breath, he continued: "Your Majesty has a good saying: Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. This sentence is not only applicable to kings and countries, but also to As a family. Our Du family has never done anything bad to the common people! So countless prosperous families have fallen, but our Du family still exists! Now, you understand what His Highness King Wu is doing! Intention? ”
Du Huaigong blinked and quickly figured it out. He is not stupid, on the contrary, he is extremely smart, but he never bothers to think about these trivial matters. If he has time, he might as well go to Zuixian Tower to have a drink with a popular girl...
After thinking about it this way, I suddenly exclaimed: "This is so damn gloomy!"
Du Lianzhong was also very happy to see that his son had figured it out. Although his son was a little vain, he still had room for improvement and was not considered a waste...
"If it were written on the stone tablet that our Du family donated two hundred yuan, how would the people in the city view our Du family? Thousands of people were affected by the disaster, and countless people died of starvation and freezing. As a result, the imperial court called on the rich to donate The Du family donated two hundred yuan to rob food for disaster relief? Is this the reputation of the Du family? But it is completely ruined! Not only that, this stone tablet was erected by the emperor. As long as the Tang Dynasty is not completed, this stone tablet will remain there, and no one will dare to touch it! By then, won’t my Du family be in disgrace for thousands of years? This is too poisonous! How could King Wu come up with such a wicked trick?"
The more Du Huaigong talked, the more excited he became, and the more he talked, the more angry he became.
In this way, wouldn't the Du family be completely accused of being "unkind for the sake of wealth and indifferent to humanity"? Wouldn’t the reputation built up through generations of hard work be destroyed in one fell swoop?
The housekeeper was also a little dumbfounded. There were so many mysteries behind a stone?
He quickly said: "There are still three days left, should we... donate more?"
Du Huaigong also suddenly woke up: "Yes, there are still three days left! Donate, donate quickly! That..." After saying this, he suddenly remembered something.
The Du family and the King of Wei had already warned that they would never support Wu King Li Ke, so they would let Wu King Li Ke suffer a complete defeat in Xinfeng and return home in defeat, completely ending his desire to compete for the heir apparent!
If he donated money and food again, wouldn't he offend Wei Wang Li Tai?
It’s not a problem to donate, it’s not a problem not to donate, it’s difficult to handle...
Du Lianzhong glanced at his son and said calmly: "We support the King of Wei, but we are just preparing for a rainy day. Although the position of the crown prince is determined, everything in the world is determined by the emperor's heart. Who can say for sure that the King of Wei will be able to ascend the throne? You go immediately arrange, Check out the trends of other companies, and you will see that those companies also want to donate, so don’t be petty and be the first to donate. Our Du family’s name will be engraved on the top of the stone tablet. Head!”
Du Huaigong quickly accepted the order.
No wonder my father said at the beginning that King Wu’s plan would make people willing to join him. Not only did they have to donate, but they also had to rush to donate. Who doesn’t want their name to be engraved on the top of the stone tablet for future generations to admire?
This is an honor that no amount of money can buy!
This move, tsk tsk tsk, is so high... (End of chapter)