On a smoky night, the Xu Wen and Xu Ji brothers brought people over, put on incense expressionlessly, and walked to the spiritual shed on the side, and the little ones hurriedly moved over two stools.

Xue Tao took the opportunity to stand up and loosen his legs, expectantly took a letter of silver wrapped in white paper handed over by the steward, weighed it gently, at least twenty taels of heavy weight, and thanked Cui Shi again and again with great joy.

When the Xu brothers came in, Xu Hao had already stood up and said in a low voice, "Big brother and second brother." ”

Xu Wen tilted his head and didn't speak, and sat down. Xu Ji asked with great interest: "Third child, have you become a temple?" This is a good thing, and he became a civil official directly without the imperial examination. Unlike me, even if I win the next lift, I will have to wait another three years. ”

"You're on the right path, I can't compare." Xu Hao smiled and returned to sit down beside Xu Wen, Zhao Liang and the others. Xu Wen was so panicked that he took out a folding fan to fan the wind, and said disdainfully: "It's not that you have a serious background, I forgot to tell you, thanks to the weight of the Holy Master, this official is now a hundred households of the sixth grade." ”

Zhao Liang is from the eighth grade of Zhan Mansion Zuo Qing Jilang, hearing this, he smiled and said: "Congratulations, I don't know which guard the second young master is on an errand in?" ”

Xu Wen said proudly: "Qianqing Palace." ”

Zhao Liang was taken aback, and suddenly said: "It turned out to be a palace guard, that is the Son of Heaven guard, and the future is immeasurable." ”

Xu Hao said suspiciously: "Did Bixia order it personally?" ”

Xu Wen said coldly: "That's natural, you don't think that only you can be favored by Bixia, right?" ”

Xu Hao smiled and said, "How could it be." ”

"Humph!" Xu Wen snorted coldly and stopped talking, but his heart was full of mixed tastes, and he was both envious and jealous of the third child. It turned out that he was able to be promoted so quickly, completely because of Xu Hao, Comrade Zhu accidentally learned that he was Xu Hao's brother, and asked a few words with interest, and said with a smile Since you are Xu Hao's brother of the bastard, he was demoted by me. Your brothers are one, and I compensate him.

This matter has been spread all over the avant-garde of the government army, and everyone said that he was stained with the light of his brother, Xu Wen was not convinced at first, saying that I am also a child of the Xu family, and it is reasonable for the saint to take a look, why is my brother not because of this?

Immediately, some colleagues ridiculed and said that there are many children of the Xu family, and the children of the nobles who are guards are even more unknown. You don't know, but your brother used to be in the Upper Twelve Guards. The most important by the saint, it can be seen that he was ordered to take care of the fields at first, the big guy who is not standing guard and patrolling, but your brother is chatting with Bixia every day, I don't know how many people were envious at that time.

Later, he was promoted to a sword officer, responsible for guarding the Xinuan Pavilion, which was the most glorious errand among the guards, and he was not deeply trusted by the saints, who could? At the age of seventeen, he was ordered to go out of Beijing to do business. There is no one before in the guards. Later, he went to Jinyiwei, and traveled with the guard Shengshang, only half a step away from the Shengshang, and took him with him wherever he went. The imperial embroidered spring knife does not leave the body, this glory, the entire Forbidden City can be called a unique.

At the age of seventeen, he was promoted to a pacification envoy, and he was an unprecedented guard. If it weren't for the impeachment of the imperial history this time, your brother would actually be the commander of the Jinyi Guard, and he would be a hot imperial henchman. Not because of him. With you, a fledgling new guard, you won't be able to rise to 100 households in another ten years.

Xu Wen was ashamed and ashamed, angry and annoyed, he intended to prove that he was no worse than his brother, and he wanted to get close to the emperor when he had the opportunity, but unfortunately Zhu Yuanzhang was still interested in talking to him at first, but later found that Xu Wen's qualifications were average and he had nothing to say. And when he spoke, he was obviously under pressure from the emperor, and he stumbled and couldn't get his words right. Unlike Xu Hao, who may not be talented, his speech and demeanor are calm and interesting, and the most important thing is that he dares to tell the truth, never conceals his novel and unique ideas and opinions, which always makes people feel refreshing and interested in talking.

There are many outstanding talents among the guards, because Zhu Yuanzhang is gradually too lazy to pay attention to Xu Wen, and the rules of the Forbidden City are strict, and Xu Wen has not had the opportunity to get close to the emperor recently, so he is very distressed.

Seeing Xu Hao tonight, Xu Wen knew that as long as he was supported by the other party, it was easy to be valued again. I don't know how many bosses and colleagues want to make friends with Xu Hao through him, although Xu Hao is very kind and polite to everyone in the past, in fact, he abides by the ethics of the guards, never gets close to anyone, let alone gangs in private, and always refuses to be thousands of miles away and goes alone.

But Xu Wen is just not convinced, I can do what the third child can do, and even better than him, since he was a child, what is not better than him? The third child is nothing more than pleasing Bixia by pretending to be ugly, and I have to rely on my true talent and loyalty to Bixia, Lu Yao knows the horsepower, and I will definitely step on the third child under my feet in the future.

Xu Ji is envious to death, since he had a woman, his ambition to be the champion in the early years was exhausted by wine. It was also since he entered the Guozi Prison, there are too many talented prisoners in the young age, compared to Xu Wen, who may be the leader in the family, but he is not outstanding outside, so he is quite disheartened.

Recently, he planned to learn from his brothers to abandon literature and martial arts, but he has always been mediocre in martial arts, thin and weak, has no interest in the boring military camp life, and is reluctant to have a beautiful wife and concubine at home, so he can't bear to be offended and can't endure hardships, so he has been hesitant about it. At this moment, if you think about it, it is better to ask the third generation to recommend it once, once you succeed, wouldn't you be able to become an official directly?

Here, Zhao Liang began to discuss the matter of his classmates asking for help, and said: "The Jiang family is the master and Jiang Tao, the master is young, Jiang Tao is not counted, there are no relatives, we disciples have to mourn for his family." Hurry up and make your classmates famous, thick and thin, don't be detained, invite all the people to come at night, go to the public sacrifice, and give private gifts. ”

With Zhao Liang and Xu Hao in charge, he didn't worry about his former classmates not coming, Xue Wen echoed: "Cheng, I'll go write a post, and if you don't arrive, you will send someone to invite you immediately." ”

Xue Wen ordered a few disciples to go, and Zhao Liang whispered to Xu Hao: "Shi Niang is a widow at a young age, and it is estimated that she can't keep it, and Jiang Tao is so restless that I am afraid that the family property that Jiang Shi has earned by digging out his heart will lose sooner or later." I think both of them respect you very much, in the future, if the master wants to remarry, let her go, Jiang Tao has to think of a way, quit gambling, and help him marry a daughter-in-law to live in peace in the future. ”

Xu Hao shook his head and said: "It is inconvenient for you and me to meddle in the affairs of the Jiang family, and when it comes to money, don't talk about you and me, it is useless for the king of heaven and Laozi." Look at it, Shi Niang and Jiang Tao will definitely fight for the family property, Jiang Tao is a muddy person, and he is by no means the opponent of Shi Niang and her mother's family, fortunately, with you and I and other disciples, the Cui family is used to being a guarantor. At least one-third of the silver money will be left for Jiang Tao, and the real estate and land will not be taken away. Needless to say, the public is unfair, no matter how much belongings he leaves, within three years at most, he will be squandered by Jiang Tao, and he will not recruit his daughter-in-law for him, and he will pit other people's daughters. ”

"Then wait and see what happens, if Jiang Tao can't support the wall with mud, alas!"

Zhao Liang sighed, and then looked at Xu Hao in surprise. The heart said that he didn't blame him for becoming the emperor's confidant at a young age, and he was really cautious and long-term, and now he doesn't need to shy away from being a civil official, and he will have to be close to him in the future.

Not to mention that everyone was thinking about their hearts, so they sat dry for an hour. Sure enough, after Zhao Liang and Xu Hao raised their arms, one after another, their classmates who had gained fame came from afar near the capital in a hurry, and after some politeness, they put on their filial piety clothes.

Xu Hao looked at the hour, and it was already the second watch. It was so late, and no one should come to mourn, so he ordered a banquet to be set up outside, so that the villagers could eat and drink enough. Prepare for the funeral.

Suddenly, seeing Xu Yaozu hurriedly coming in with a cold face, Xu Hao was stunned and hurriedly stood up.

Xu Wen and Xu Ji, who were in a daze, reacted half a beat slowly, and immediately sobered up, and both got up and walked quickly behind their father.

Xu Yaozu didn't even look at their brother. took the three sticks of incense handed over by Cui, and bent down to bow three times to Jiang Song's spiritual position.

Xu Yaozu turned around and said earnestly: "The three of you do your best to take care of the funeral. Remember to start and finish well, and the whole first seven should come to help. Half of the money spent is from our family's account office, and the remaining half can be offset by the money. ”

Seeing that Xu Hao lowered his head and was silent, Xu Yaozu sighed in his heart, said goodbye to the Cui family after a few more words, and left with someone.

Xue Wen came over with a sacrificial scroll, with an empty name on it, and filled it in as he went. According to the age, Zhao Liang was the first to write it, and then everyone signed their names one by one.

All the disciples were a little emotional, thinking back to when they were students, who had not been poisoned by Jiang Song? is more thankful than a thank-you gift, Jiang Tao asked which school had a bundle more expensive than him, so he had to let everyone make up for it, which gentleman received more thank-you gifts, so he forced everyone to go home and tell their parents, so who can like Jiang Song?

It's just because Zhao Liangnai is a Beijing official who has always been highly respected, Xue Wen is a good person on weekdays, and there are noble Xu family brothers who come out, thinking of the friendship between teachers and students, so he responded.

Everyone helped to mourn a piece of silver, as little as one tael, as much as three or five taels, Zhang Liang gave twenty taels, Xue Wen and his son were originally going to pay ten taels of silver, but they were returned by Xu Hao, "These days, your family has contributed a lot of money and efforts, and I will pay for this silver." ”

Xue Wen didn't do it, Xu Hao glared at him, and they couldn't argue for a while. Seeing this, the others laughed and joked, and Zhao Liang said with a smile: "It's no less than a hundred taels of silver, which is enough for all expenses." Lao Xue, keep your money for dinner and wine in the future, and have a meeting with classmates, and you will have to get together often in the future. ”

As soon as this remark came out, it was in line with everyone's wishes, and Xue Wen said with a smile: "That's okay, the first time I came to be the host, there will be no one missing." ”

Xu Ji interjected: "With so many people, how can ten taels of silver be enough?" It's better to have five taels of silver per person, and then let's go to the Qinhuai River to hire a painting boat and get drunk happily. ”

Xue Wen still remembered that he couldn't say goodbye in the morning, so he smiled coldly and didn't speak. Many people around subconsciously frowned, and looked a little hesitant, not that everyone was stingy, five taels of silver was enough for a family to live for two or three months. You must know that the monthly income of ordinary soldiers is one stone of grain, of course, this is all the income from their own farming, and most of the income must be paid.

A stone of grain is probably worth the same amount of money, during the Hongwu period, there were many people and few people, and the price was cheap, and every soldier had land to plant, and one tael of silver per month was enough to feed his wife and children, and the more men in the family, the more surplus.

The price of goods in the capital is much more expensive, but if you are frugal, there is not much human contact, and you can't spend two taels of silver every month.

Unfortunately, with the increasing annexation of land, population growth, and rising prices, the more sons born to military families, the poorer they became, just because there was no land.

The hereditary military household court ruled that they were not allowed to switch to other professions, so that more and more men had nothing to do, and they had to live by serving as military officers or working as part-time jobs for the wealthy.

Therefore, it directly led to every uprising of the displaced people, and there were countless children of military households who had no land to cultivate to participate in it, and these military households were trained since they were young, and they dared to fight in order to survive, and became the backbone of the Ming Dynasty.

The military household system has been revised several times in the Hongwu years, and the various systems have been very perfect, and the farmland is cultivated on weekdays and the army is served in wartime, without spending a tael of silver from the imperial court. After training during the slack farming, the combat effectiveness is good, because the land is sufficient, the officials have integrity, and the family is guaranteed after the death of the war, and no one is afraid of death on the battlefield.

The most important thing is that more than 2 million military households paid more than 40% of the total grain tax in a year, which is no less than the government military system in the Tang Dynasty, and the contribution to the early years of the Ming Dynasty is too great.

It's a pity that no matter how haode the system is, it can't stand the test of time, don't talk about Xu Hao, no one can do it, just because no matter how big your ability is, you have to grow old, and then just an ordinary modern person, just ask Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di and other Ming Jun? Can you compare to a capable minister in the court?

And the various systems set by Zhu Yuanzhang are the most in line with the actual needs of the early years of the Ming Dynasty, and vainly trying to change what modern people have crossed over to change is the most unrealistic, and it is purely utopian and misleading the country.

With the passage of time of the change of emperors, it is necessary for future generations to produce talents, and every ten years to assess the situation and carry out drastic and continuous reforms, so that the Ming Dynasty can maintain its vitality and continue. With the efforts of a generation, it is categorically impossible to last, and the traverser is at most the same as Zhu Yuanzhang, leaving behind a bunch of systems and ideas.

And the greatest contribution of the traverser is to rely on the great navigation to connect Shijie as soon as possible, and stand on the same starting line as the entire West, so as to push the government and the opposition up and down.

Regardless of the ultimate success or failure, doing a good job in HNA is enough to make a person worry about it for a lifetime, so that he is worthy of his heart. (To be continued......)