Chapter 316 Cui Mansion Proposal
Chapter 316 Cui Mansion Proposal
Xiao Xia met Crown Prince Yang Yong in the East Palace, and Zhang Yunqiu was also sitting next to him.
Yang Yong said slowly, "I just got the news this morning. Originally, my son Yang Jun wanted to take over the task of destroying Yang Liang's private army, but I thought his number was too small, only 3,000 people, and I was afraid that he would not succeed, so I found you, but I didn't expect that bastard to be dissatisfied and took the initiative to ambush you halfway. Xiao Qilang, I'm sorry, this was not my intention."
Xiao Xia sneered, "Would Xiao Sanlang be so courageous as to let my soldiers go?"
Yang Yong shook his head. "With his ruthless character, he would have wiped out all six thousand of your men without mercy. But the one who actually controlled the army was Xiong Kuohai. He was firmly against killing soldiers. Since he was only seeking wealth, there was no need to make enemies. So in the end, it was Xiong Kuohai who controlled the situation, not Yang Jun. I'm telling you the truth, there's no need to hide it from you."
Xiao Xia groaned for a moment and said, "I believe what Your Highness said. Since no one was hurt, there is room for negotiation. That's why I came to Your Highness. I hope this incident will not destroy our cooperation."
Yang Yong said happily: "I also think so, so I am being frank with you. Xiao Qilang, do you want me to return all your property to you?"
Xiao Xia shook her head. "Your son has worked hard, so let's leave the spoils to him! I hope Your Highness can compensate me in another way."
Yang Yong was overjoyed. He was worried that he would not be able to persuade his son to hand over the looted items. He did not expect Xiao Xia to be so understanding. At this time, Yang Yong suddenly found that Zhang Yunqiu was constantly winking at him.
He quickly stood up and said, "Nephew, wait a moment!"
He and Zhang Yunqiu walked to the next room, and Zhang Yunqiu whispered, "This kid will not suffer any loss. Your Highness should think carefully. Returning the supplies to him is the smallest price at the moment."
Yang Yong nodded, "I know, if I give him a little sweetness, it will be helpful for him to deal with the King of Han for me next time."
"Your Highness, just keep it in mind!"
The two came back and Yang Yong said, "Nephew, why don't you tell me how to make it up to me?"
Xiao Xia said slowly: "I will say the first thing first. After I leave Chang'an, I ask Your Highness to protect my property, especially the Yun family, and not allow them to encroach on my property. Your Highness, can you agree to this?"
This was not a big problem, and the prince agreed immediately, "I can guarantee the safety of your property!"
Xiao Xia smiled again and said, "Then let's do some calculations. Your son has robbed more than 100,000 livestock, 120,000 copper coins, nearly 400,000 grains, and a large amount of weapons and armor. These are estimated to be worth at least one million. I will deduct this money from the taxes in Liangzhou. Secondly, Your Highness, please allow me to recruit another 14,000 soldiers."
Yang Yong felt a headache. This kid really wasn't one to suffer any loss. He even wanted to deduct money from Liangzhou's taxes and recruit 14,000 soldiers.
He hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm afraid I don't have the power to agree to it. The court will never agree."
Xiao Xia smiled, "Of course the court won't agree now, but it will agree after my uncle ascends the throne. Besides, I need money and food and recruit soldiers to deal with the King of Han. I have plundered the King of Han's accumulation for so many years, how can he let me go? He will definitely attack Liangzhou. If I can help my uncle weaken him, defeat him, and save his throne and country, what does this little money and food mean to me?"
Xiao Xia's words hit Yang Yong's soft spot, and Yang Yong was finally persuaded by Xiao Xia. He looked at Xiao Xia for a moment and nodded, "Then it's a deal!"
Zhang Yunqiu, who was standing by, couldn't stop him in time, and watched helplessly as the prince nodded in agreement. He sighed in his heart, "The prince's background has been grasped by this kid!"
After coming out of the East Palace, Xiao Xia breathed a sigh of relief. Although he lost some property, he got to know the prince's background. The prince just wanted him to help him deal with Yang Liang.
As long as you grasp this point, many things will be easier in the future.
Xiao Xia returned to the business and wrote a few letters, asking Ma Yue to send someone to deliver them to three aides on his behalf. He told them that the plan had changed and that they should go directly to the Xinfeng County Manor instead of going to Shangluo County.
After returning to the mansion, Xiao Xia called Xiao Qing and A Chu over. "I will be leaving for Liang County in three days. You should pack up first! If the servants want to go with me, then we can go together. If they don't want to go, then I will give them three more months' wages and let them go."
Xiao Qing asked quickly, "Does the young master have any arrangements for Miss Cui?"
Xiao Xia nodded. Before leaving, he must meet Cui Yu. Besides, he has to propose marriage tomorrow, so he must not forget this matter.
The next morning, Xiao Xia met his uncle Xiao Yu, and they went to Cui's house together to propose.
Once the proposal of marriage has been approved, the marriage proposal will enter the six-ritual stage, but now it mainly involves four rituals, which are not so complicated. Nacai and Wenming are the first step, and Naji and Nazheng are the second step. In today's terms, the first step is proposal, the second step is engagement, the third step is Qingqi, which is the parents of both sides discussing the wedding, and the fourth step is the personal reception. It is the same now, except that the means of transportation are different.
Today is the day for the proposal and name-asking ceremony. There was also supposed to be a blind date, but since we don’t have that much time, we’ll put it aside for now.
Although the Cui family agreed to discuss the marriage, they still continued to control the pace. There was no big problem with the proposal, but Naji and Nazheng needed to slow down because even if the proposal was successful, the marriage could still be cancelled. Although the cost was a bit higher, after all, there was no official status. The main consequence would be offending people and the two families would fall out.
But once the Naji and Nazheng stages are passed, the marriage is settled and the man and woman become an engaged couple. If the man dies, the woman will be called a widow, and it is unlikely that she will cancel the engagement unless there are special circumstances.
Before that, Yuwen Shiji had not yet entered the six rituals, and the temporary cancellation of the marriage proposal had little impact on both parties.
In any case, the Cui family did not want to arrange a marriage before the overall situation was clear.
Cui Hongzhou and Cui Hongsheng stood in front of the gate waiting, and saw several carriages coming from afar. After a while, the carriages stopped in front of the mansion gate. Xiao Yu held a red plate with a wild goose tied with colorful silk on it. Most families used wooden geese, and real geese were not so easy to catch. Xiao Xia followed behind, holding a red plate with a proposal gift on it. Generally speaking, there are no specific regulations for the other gifts except the wild goose. Rich families can give more, and poor families can give less. Anyway, before the proposal, they already know each other well and can accept each other.
Xiao Xia gave a pair of one hundred taels of gold, a pair of one hundred taels of silver, and a pair of white jade, all tied with colorful silk. This was a very generous gift. It not only expressed his sincerity, but also represented his status. He was a prince, and the gift for proposing marriage could not be too small.
Cui Hongzhou and Cui Hongsheng came over and exchanged a few words. Cui Hongzhou took the wild goose and handed it to the housekeeper. He then stepped forward to take the marriage proposal from Xiao Xia. Xiao Xia bowed slightly and said with a smile, "Uncle, how are you!"
Cui Hongzhou looked at Xiao Xia. Although he was not as fair and handsome as Yuwen Shiji, he had a strong aura, a tall stature, and a sharp gaze. Cui Hongzhou was quite satisfied with his appearance. He laughed and said, "Mr. Xiao, please come into the mansion!"
The Cui family warmly welcomed Xiao Yu and Xiao Xia into the mansion. Both parties sat down in the lobby and the maid came in to serve tea.
Cui Hongzhou and Xiao Yu sat at the top. Cui Hongzhou took out a red card and handed it to Xiao Yu, "This is my daughter's birthday card!"
Xiao Yu also handed Xiao Xia's engagement letter to Cui Hongzhou, and the two exchanged engagement letters.
The proposal ceremony is over, and all that's left is small talk.
Cui Hongzhou asked Xiao Xia, "I heard that my nephew is going to Liang County?"
Xiao Xia nodded, "I received an imperial decree yesterday morning, appointing my nephew as the governor of Liangzhou and the governor of Liang County. The emperor asked me to choose, either to go to Liangzhou, Lingzhou, or Ezhou. I chose the governor of Liangzhou."
Cui Hongzhou stroked his beard and nodded, "I see!"
Cui Hongsheng beside him asked with a smile: "Why don't you consider Lingzhou, nephew? The area there is vast and is located in the Hetao area."
Xiao Xia bowed and said, "My nephew mainly considered the population. Although the Central Plains is a place surrounded by wars, it has a dense population and sufficient financial resources. It can be self-sufficient and does not need to wait anxiously for the court to allocate money and food. If you choose Lingzhou, you will basically be strangled by the court."
Cui Hongsheng praised: "Money is always the most important thing. Without money, the army's morale will be unstable."
Cui Hongzhou asked again: "When will my nephew take office?"
"We are scheduled to leave early the day after tomorrow!"
"Then I wish my nephew a safe journey and a bright future!"
"Thank you, Uncle Cui!"
The four of them chatted for a while, and then Xiao Yu and Xiao Xia stood up to say goodbye. The Cui brothers accompanied them to the gate and watched them get in the car and drive away.
"What does Laowu think of this son-in-law?" Cui Hongsheng asked with a smile.
Cui Hongzhou nodded. "At first glance, he is a tough guy, but fortunately, he is not fierce and looks good. Overall, I am quite satisfied."
"When is the estimated time for the betrothal payment?" Cui Hongsheng asked again.
Cui Hongzhou shook his head. "No one mentioned it. I estimate that it will take at least the second half of the year. If the situation changes, it will have to be next year."
"Indeed, the current situation is unstable. With the character of the King of Han, he will definitely seek independence. If the imperial court reduces the number of tribes, war is inevitable, and the King of Jin will probably take the opportunity to send troops."
Cui Hongzhou sighed, "So the biggest fear when marrying someone powerful is instability. Fortunately, today we are only accepting the marriage proposal. If it doesn't work out, we can still cancel this marriage."
The two of them returned home together while expressing their feelings.
The proposal was successfully concluded, and Xiao Xia felt relieved. When the carriage arrived at the gate, Xiao Xia saw Cui Mei running up stealthily. He hurriedly stopped the carriage and opened the door.
Cui Mei got into the carriage and said with a smile, "I will see you off tomorrow at noon!"
Xiao Xia nodded, "It's still the old place, Wencui Restaurant, Baiyutang!"
Cui Mei stuffed a jade pendant into Xiao Xia's hand and said, "This is given to you by my sister. It is her personal belonging."
After saying that, Cui Mei jumped off the carriage, waved to Xiao Xia, and ran towards the side door of the mansion.
(End of this chapter)