"My Xiaoice has grown up." Zheng Peng touched his sister Zheng Bing's little head and said with a smile.

I haven't seen it for three years, and the little fart child at the beginning has been standing upright, and there is a feeling that the girl next door has just grown up.

Zheng Bing didn't care about saying polite words to Zheng Peng, and said anxiously: "Brother, help me." ”

"If you have anything, just say it, and my brother will also make the decision for you." Zheng Peng immediately asked with concern.

When I first went home, I felt that Zheng Bing was preoccupied, as if he had something to say to himself, but he had always been the focus, he couldn't leave, he had no chance, and he called himself out with a code in the middle of the night, so he knew that there must be something wrong with him.

It's still urgent.

I thought that my sister wanted to think about herself, or that she liked something and wanted to buy it for him, but when Zheng Bing finished speaking, Zheng Peng's face on the side changed.

How to say that after a famous family, even if you marry someone, you have to marry a decent person, Zheng Yuanye is good, he regards marriage as a business, and the most shameless thing is that he sacrifices the happiness of his niece to obtain his own interests.

Zheng Peng knows his second uncle's character too well: do more wrong, do less wrong, don't do it wrong, if it is not good, he will definitely not come out, in addition, Zheng Yuanye is also very good at taking advantage of Zheng Changduo's weakness, through hints, instigation, agitation and other means to deal with Zheng Changduo, so that things go in the direction he wants.

Knowing that the other party is not serious, he is still so positive, needless to say, he must have received benefits.

"Brother, I don't want to marry that dumb overlord." Zheng Bing said nervously.

Zheng Peng said with a firm face: "Don't worry, with my brother here, it will definitely be fine." ”

"Well, thank you, brother." When Zheng Bing heard Zheng Peng's assurance, he finally breathed a long sigh of relief, and a relieved look appeared on his face.

Seeing Zheng Bing's cute appearance, Zheng Peng couldn't help but tease her and said: "Look at you so nervous, do you have a sweetheart, just say which one you like, and my brother will call the shots for you." ”

Zheng Bingqiao's face flushed, and she stomped her feet a little shyly: "Brother, what are you talking about, how can anyone have it, and you want to accompany Ye Niang for a few more years." ”

"Oh, only for a few years?" Zheng Peng immediately teased: "It turns out that Xiaoice plans to get married in a few years." ”

"Brother, if you say these things again, people... People won't talk to you anymore. ”

Zheng Peng saw that his sister was in a hurry, so he immediately changed the topic: "Okay, don't laugh, Bing'er, the family has been okay recently." ”

Zheng Bing pouted and said: "When the eldest brother is here, the second uncle and they are still a little more restrained, you are not at home, the uncle doesn't care, Aya and the third uncle are people who work with their heads down, the second uncle at home They have the final say, they often open a small stove in one room, and before the Chinese New Year, they held a banquet in the name of the eldest brother, and my mother saw them secretly moving a lot of things back to their room from the warehouse, but Aya didn't allow us to say it." ”

"Don't worry" Zheng Peng snorted coldly: "I'll make them look good." ”

The two brothers and sisters sat on the stone bench and chatted, most of them were Zheng Bing asking questions with interest, Zheng Peng patiently answered, and the brother and sister chatted for another half an hour, and then they dispersed.

Early the next morning, after breakfast, all the men of the Zheng clan in Yuancheng gathered in the ancestral hall, and there was only one reason, that is, Zheng Changduo wanted to pass on the position of head of the family to Zheng Peng, so that Zheng Peng would become the head of the Zheng clan in Yuancheng.

This matter was raised at the reception banquet last night, and it was voted on in advance, needless to say, it must be the credit of Zheng Yongyang again.

As soon as Zheng Yongyang made a move, he helped Zheng Peng solve a big problem, not only that, but when the ancestral hall was handed over, Zheng Yongyang and Zheng Changduo appeared in the ancestral hall as representatives of the Zheng family in Xingyang, giving Zheng Peng enough face.

The handover went smoothly, and after a complex set of rituals, Zheng Changduo handed over a bunch of big keys symbolizing power and a family tree to Zheng Peng, which was considered a complete ceremony.

"Peng'er, I'm old, in the future, the Yuancheng Zheng clan will be handed over to you, I hope that the Yuancheng Zheng clan can be carried forward in your hands," Zheng Changduo instructed with some sighs.

Zheng Peng said respectfully: "My grandson remembers my father's teachings. ”

"Also, you can't write two Zheng characters in one stroke, remember to be kind to the people around you, put patience first in everything, and value harmony in everything."

"Yes."

Zheng Changduo originally had a lot to say, but he didn't know what to say when the words came to his lips, so he just patted Zheng Peng's shoulder vigorously to express his support.

"I've seen the patriarch" Zheng Yuanye was the first to come up and salute.

Zheng Peng immediately said: "Second uncle is exempt, you are an elder, and the little nephew can't afford this gift." ”

"No, virtuous nephew, you are now the principal of the Zheng clan in Yuancheng, this etiquette cannot be abolished, there are no rules, there is no square circle, or the virtuous nephew will not be able to convince the public." Zheng Yuanye said immediately.

At the beginning, Zheng Yuanye was against Zheng Peng as the patriarch, he knew that he was hopeless, so he recommended his eldest brother Zheng Yuanjia to be the leader, because Zheng Yuanjia is a person who reads to the point of being stupid, with soft ears and easy to deal with, unlike Zheng Peng, who is a bad stomach.

Zheng Yuanye only learned after a long time that Zheng Peng had just been expelled from his home, and when he left Yuancheng, he also played Zheng Cheng ruthlessly, what kind of scheming is this?

It's a pity that Zheng Changduo is so hard-hearted that he can't listen to it at all, and threatens to divide him if Zheng Yuanye doesn't agree.

As soon as he heard that he was going to be divided, Zheng Yuanye immediately coaxed, knowing that he relied on the whole family to support his house, and he spent money and spends lavishly on weekdays, and his father and son did not have the ability to settle down, so he finally admitted it.

not only recognizes, but also is a "handsome man" who understands affairs, and flatters Zheng Peng in every way.

"The second child is right, this high and low still has to be divided." Zheng Changduo nodded in agreement.

Zheng Peng thought for a while, and then said: "That's it, when I talk about business, I am the patriarch, and I will call it whatever everyone calls it on weekdays." ”

"Okay, whatever the patriarch says, it's what it is." Zheng Yuanye immediately agreed.

"I've seen the patriarch."

"Hello Patriarch."

The clansmen in the ancestral hall stepped forward to greet the new principal, and there was not a lot of flattery.

Don't underestimate that the patriarch is not an official position, but sometimes it is better than an official position, such as some public security incidents, the ancients believed that the family ugliness was not publicized, and many things were solved within the family.

Some yamen hit the 30 boards before they saw the officials, but they actually hit the killing board, because most of the people who entered the yamen were difficult people who could not be mediated.

When the people of the Zheng family in Yuancheng saw each other, Zheng Yongyang and Zheng Changshou also stood up with a smile and walked up to Zheng Peng to salute:

"Xingyang Zheng Yongyang"

"Xingyang Zheng has a long life, and I have seen the Zheng patriarch."

Zheng Peng immediately replied: "Polite, polite, please get up quickly, I can't afford this gift." “

"Too modest, that's hypocritical." Zheng Yongyang said jokingly.

Looking at the time, after nearly two hours in the ancestral hall, it was time to eat, Zheng Peng said with a smile: "Brother Yongyang, Elder Zheng, thank you for your hard work, I asked people to prepare thin wine in the backyard, and please be sure to appreciate the light." ”

Zheng Yongyang and Zheng Changshou glanced at each other, smiled at each other, and then said with some regret: "Patriarch Zheng ....."

"Don't, it's better to call me Feiteng." Zheng Peng said with a wry smile.

This patriarch is not good, especially when those who are much older than themselves are called, as if they are old.

Zheng Yongyang didn't care, and continued with a smile: "Brother Feiteng, don't hide it from you, I still have important things to deal with with my uncle, I really can't stay longer today, three days, we will return here in three days, and then we will have another drunk party." ”

"The new official has three fires, and Patriarch Zheng should be careful." Zheng Changshou said with a smile on the side.

Both of them said that they had something urgent to go, Zheng Peng didn't look like they were joking, thought about it, and quickly nodded and said: "There are indeed a lot of things, the two of you have something, it's okay to do it first, remember, you must come here when you come back, let me do my friendship as a landlord." ”

"Definitely."

Zheng Peng personally sent the two out of the gate and asked casually, "Brother Yongyang, where are you going?" ”

Zheng Yongyang didn't speak, and Zheng Changshou said on the side: "Actually, I went to Guixiang to visit the Guixiang Guo family, and the Guixiang Guo family must be no stranger to the Zheng patriarch." ”

"Acquaintance, the friendship is not bad, the two of you go to Guo Mansion, this is to...."Zheng Peng said without hesitation.

"It's nothing, it's just to find a good relationship for the children of the clan."

Guixiang Guo's family has risen very quickly recently, with a good family background and a wide range of contacts, such a family is very popular, and it is normal for someone to come to the door to propose marriage, Zheng Peng has a stirring in his heart: Should anyone take a fancy to Guo Ketang?

No, with Cui Xiyi's ruthlessness and obsession with Guo Ketang, if someone moves Guo Ketang, he will definitely have to make a fortune.

"Oh, I don't know which lady in Guo Mansion I like?" Zheng Peng said quietly.

Zheng Peng doesn't have many friends, Cui Xiyi is one, and the Zheng Yongyang in front of him is barely one, so if you don't want the two to have a conflict, let's ask first.

If Zheng Yongyang takes a fancy to Guo Ketang, he still persuades him to find another target.

Zheng Changshou didn't hide it, and said directly: "I heard that Guo Kexiu, the third lady of the Guo Mansion, is gentle and generous, with beautiful makeup, let's try it and see if it can be a good marriage for Qin and Jin." ”

It turned out that it was not Guo Ketang, Zheng Peng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zheng Yongyang winked at Zheng Peng and whispered: "Feiteng, don't worry, I know that you are worried about your friend surnamed Cui, in fact, every step we take, it is deliberate and repeatedly probed before contacting." ”

"That's, I'm worried in vain." Zheng Peng simply admitted his mistake.

While speaking, he had already arrived at the door, Zheng Yongyang smiled and said to Zheng Peng: "Brother Feiteng, stay here, don't send it anymore, go back to eat, they are all waiting, let's have a good drink in a few days." ”

"Okay, I'll leave a few jars of imperial wine rewarded by His Majesty, and I'll get drunk with Brother Yongyang another day."

"It's a deal."

Zheng Yongyang and Zheng Changshou rode in a luxury carriage and drove straight in the direction of Guixiang.

"Yongyang, this Zheng Peng, is it really worth your personal departure?" Zheng Changshou said with some doubts.

Before he came, Zheng Changshou thought that the Zheng family in Yuancheng was very prosperous, but when he came, he found that it was only a small side branch, and the first thought after entering the door was: Let yourself come in person, Zheng Yongyang is not making a big fuss.

Zheng Yongyang said with a wise face: "A few years ago, the Lanting held in the Guo Mansion saw Zheng Peng, I thought he was not in the pool, I wanted to make friends at that time, and then the trivial things were annoying, and slowly this matter faded, I didn't expect him to rise so fast, by the way, I heard that he and the Boling Cui clan are hot, and he is expected to marry Qin and Jin, the icing on the cake is never as good as sending charcoal in the snow, this time it is actually too late." ”

After a pause, Zheng Yongyang said with envy: "Look at Guixiang Guo's family, they are faster than us, let them have a good relationship with Zheng Peng, it is braised meat and bicycles, and the annual profit is millions, according to reliable information, the new printing technology offered by the Guo family also has a lot to do with Zheng Peng, if it had been done earlier... Alas. ”

"It's not too late" Zheng Changshou finished speaking, and said to himself: "But Zheng Xiaolangjun is still too young, and I don't know if he can control those elders and clansmen, Yongyang, you said that if the old man stays and assists him, will it be better?" ”

"Uncle clan, it is difficult for Qing officials to judge family affairs, this kind of thing must not take the initiative to interfere, unless they take the initiative to invite, or give someone a handle, when Zheng Peng was the deputy supervisor in the Western Regions, thousands of troops and horses can control it, these flat-headed people, cleaning them up is not like playing." Zheng Yongyang said with confidence.

If Zheng Peng is kind and afraid that things will be easy to deal with, I am afraid that this matter will not appear here.

"That's right, forget it, let him toss."

Zheng Changshou seemed to think of something, and suddenly said: "Yongyang, since you are so optimistic about Zheng Peng, why don't we give him another charcoal in the snow." ”

"Oh, Uncle Clan, what do you mean by that?"

Zheng Changshou squinted his eyes and said: "Zheng Peng was promoted to a knighthood, and the house he lives in now obviously does not meet the specifications, and Zheng Peng reconciled his family so quickly, the time seems to be a little urgent, it is very likely that the marriage is approaching, no matter what, a new mansion must be built, this new general Qian Yin is not difficult for him, but if you are in a hurry, you can put some effort into the materials and suitable craftsmen." ”

"That's right" Zheng Yongyang's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but wave his fist: "Okay, I'll write a letter right away and let someone send it back to Xingyang to prepare." ”

After Zheng Yongyang and his clan elder Zheng Changshou left, Zheng Peng led everyone to eat and drink to their heart's content, and held the first meeting after serving as the patriarch in the lobby.

When it came to business, Zheng Peng sat at the top for the first time, Zheng Changduo and Zheng Yuanjia sat separately from the left and right, and the others sat down in seniority, everyone sat up straight and had a somewhat serious expression.

No one knew what the new patriarch was going to do.

It is no exaggeration to say that most of the people present have satirized Zheng Peng in front of or behind his back, thinking that he is immersed in fireworks and willow alleys and will not be productive.

Zheng Peng turned his head to Zheng Changduo and said, "Father, everyone is together, how many words can I say?" ”

"Don't say it, don't say it, I'm tired after talking about it for decades" Zheng Changduo waved his hand and said: "Now I only bring eyes and ears, not mouth, Peng'er, look at you." ”

For the revitalization of the family, Zheng Changduo can be said to be day and night, and he finally put down the burden, and he is naturally happy.

The first time he heard that he was going to step down from the position of patriarch, he was a little reluctant, but now Zheng Changduo was relieved.

Zheng Peng looked left and right at the people present, and then coughed dryly.

Everyone was waiting for the new patriarch to speak, and as soon as Zheng Peng's voice fell, the scene was so quiet that it seemed to be audible as if a needle had fallen.