The heavens set sail from the courtyard

Chapter 364 Fishing
Although Wang Gang was happy when he learned that he was released from high school, he still asked someone to find out the rankings of Gu Tingye and Qi Heng.

This time, several people participated in the township examination together, and they all attended classes at Zhuang Xuexue's private school, so they would naturally compare.

Gu Tingye did well in the exam this time, ranking No.2 only below Wang Gang.

Sheng Changbai was seventh, and Qi Heng was just a little bit behind, ranking No.13.

Fortunately, everyone won the exam and is eligible to participate in the general examination held next spring.

The general examination is a higher-level examination than the rural examination.All the scholars from all over the country gathered in the capital to take the exam.And because it is presided over by the Ministry of Rites in spring, it is also called "Chun Wei" or "Li Wei".

It is nothing for Wang Gang to pass the Jieyuan exam. Only when he can pass the high school exam can he really step into the officialdom with one foot.

Now that there are still a few months before the test, Wang Gang is not in a hurry, he invites Gu Tingye and Qi Heng to get together first, and also invites Sheng Changbai along the way.

As a result, when Wang Gang arrived at Fanlou, he found Gu Tingye limping over.

"What's wrong with you, were you beaten?" Wang Gang couldn't help laughing at Gu Tingye's appearance.

Gu Tingye said unhappily: "In Bianjing, who can beat me except you?"

Qi Heng was puzzled and said, "Then what's going on with your injuries?"

Gu Tingye sighed and said, "I was beaten by my old man."

Sheng Changbai was even more puzzled.

"You didn't just win the exam, your old man is too happy, why would he hit you?"

Gu Tingye pursed his lips and said unconvinced: "I found an outside room."

Qi Heng and Sheng Changbai opened their mouths, not knowing what to say for a moment.

The so-called outer room refers to the women raised by men outside, not even concubines.

Originally, it was no big deal for Gu Tingye to raise a concubine, anyway, he was rich, but who told him to be born in the Marquis Mansion.

As the son of the Hou family, he found a foreign room before he married his main wife. This reputation is not very good. When it comes time to discuss marriage, he may be bitten by the other party.

Which regular wife would like to have a woman in her husband's family vying for favor with her before she got married.

Generally, high-ranking and wealthy families would find a servant girl to help the young master meet his physical needs.

This has an advantage, maids are not concubines, they can only be regarded as servants, and regular wives can dispose of them at will when they marry into the house, they can stay if they want, or they can send them away with money.

But the outside wife can't control it.

Gu Yankai was just angry with his son. Before his main wife got married, he got an outside room and came back. It will be very troublesome to find a regular wife for his son in the future.

In addition, Gu Tingye is also stubborn, he insisted on keeping the outer room, and argued with his father, but was beaten.

"You too, if you find a concubine before you get married, you will lose your reputation!" Sheng Changbai accused Gu Tingye.

"What reputation do I have?" Gu Tingye smiled wryly, "Anyway, it stinks already."

Although Gu Tingye is the son of the Hou family, he has a vicious stepmother, Xiao Qin.

This little Qin's rank is very high, she can be regarded as a senior green tea, she has always acted like a loving mother to the outside world, and even treated Gu Tingye like her own son.

But in private, she spoiled Gu Tingye, but she disciplined her own son Gu Tingwei strictly. In private, she kept finding someone to blackmail Gu Tingye and pour dirty water on him.

However, Gu Tingye was foolishly deceived by Xiao Qin, thinking that she was a good person.

Wang Gang reminded Gu Tingye several times, but he didn't take it seriously.

In the TV series, Gu Tingye only recognized Xiao Qin's true colors after his father died.

"Who is that outer room of yours who can fascinate you?" Wang Gang asked.

Gu Tingye said: "Mannia is a singing girl, but she is not stained in the mud, because life forces her to do so."

Wang Gang frowned and said, "This Mannia was born in a humble family, be careful that she cheats you out of money."

Gu Tingye said angrily: "Mannia is not that kind of person. Although she is a lowly citizen, she has never been greedy for a penny, and she is already pregnant with my child."

Wang Gang raised his eyebrows and said, "You don't want to be famous at all. You have an illegitimate child before your real wife. How dare a good woman marry you."

Different from wives and concubines, the children born to the waifu are not included in the family tree and can only be regarded as illegitimate children, and the family property cannot be divided.

"I agree with Mannia, and I can't let her down. When her child is born, I will buy a house."

Qi Heng persuaded: "I think you are really crazy. Are you going to have a falling out with the family for the sake of an outsider?"

Gu Tingye straightened his back and retorted: "If you fall out, you will fall out. If you think I am like you, you will know that you are a good son in the eyes of your parents. Do you dare to mention Minglan to your family?"

Qi Heng was brought up to a point of pain, and for a moment didn't know how to refute.

Everyone present knew that Qi Heng liked Sheng Minglan, but it was a pity that their identities were too different, one was the heir of the Duke's Mansion, and the other was the concubine's daughter of a minor official.

It is impossible for Duke Qi and Princess Ning to agree to his son marrying a concubine, but it is still possible to be a concubine.

But Sheng Minglan didn't want to be a concubine, and it was impossible for Wang Gang to let his sister be a concubine.

Qi Heng is planning to take the high school exam this time, and then propose to his parents to marry Minglan.

"Qi Heng, if you really want to marry my sixth younger sister, tell Qi Guogong earlier, otherwise my younger sister won't wait for you." Wang Gang said to Qi Heng.

"Changfeng, haven't you always supported me in marrying Minglan?" Qi Heng asked nervously.

Wang Gang and Sheng Changbai looked at each other, and said: "I am Minglan's elder brother, it is impossible to see her waiting for you to become an old girl.

If you don't have the confidence to marry my sister, you might as well give up as soon as possible, it's good for both of you. "

Sheng Changbai sighed: "Yes! The gate wall of the Duke's Mansion is too high, and my Sheng family doesn't have to climb high."

Qi Heng bowed his head and fell silent.

Wang Gang is happy to see the matter of Qi Heng and Sheng Minglan come to fruition, but there is one thing, Qi Heng can't look forward and backward like in the original book.

"What's the matter, everyone? We came out for a drink today, didn't we celebrate the Chinese National Examination? Why are we talking about marriage?" Gu Tingye came out to smooth things over.

Wang Gang sighed, "Because we've reached our age, we can't avoid the topic of marriage."

After coming to Song Dynasty for many years, Wang Gang is used to many things, but he is still not used to marriage.

There is no free love in this era, and all marriages are based on the orders of the parents and the words of the matchmaker. Even the emperor cannot marry whoever he wants.

The four of them drank some wine dully, and then switched to other topics.

"Chang Feng, how is your business recently?" Gu Tingye asked.

"This year's income is higher than last year, and each family should be able to share 20 taels of silver." Wang Gang said.

Even if Qi Heng didn't ask about the Duke's Mansion, he knew that 20 taels was definitely not a small sum.

"Mainly use the Bai family's channels this year to sell glass overseas, and the profits will be huge." Wang Gang started talking about business, and started talking.

Sheng Changbai frowned upon hearing this.

"Third brother, you always manage these things badly."

Gu Tingye said disapprovingly: "I think it's pretty good. The annual income of one million taels will make everyone's heart beat after seeing it."

Wang Gang said: "Because the benefits are too great, more and more people are doing business with us recently."

Qi Heng sighed: "I heard from my father that King Yong approached him and offered to cooperate."

Wang Gang's eyes lit up when he heard the words, and after several years of planning, he finally caught that big fish.

He has never forgotten the disaster of prison.

"Did the Duke agree?" Wang Gang asked.

"No, Princess Yan also visited my mother, intentionally or unintentionally inquiring about the glass business." Qi Heng said with a gloomy face.

The corner of Wang Gang's mouth twitched, knowing that the profit of the glass had already made the two princes jealous, so he couldn't help but end it himself.

"The two princes were fighting with each other in the court, but they didn't expect to see our little business." Sheng Changbai said puzzled.

Gu Tingye said: "It's not a small business now, even the prince can't make a million taels of silver a year."

Wang Gang said: "The battle between the two princes for the heir apparent has become more and more fierce. It is almost torn apart. The struggle for merit, power, and profit has made the court a mess, and it has also implicated us small people. We offend everyone. Sorry."

Gu Tingye snorted coldly: "Our families are united, and we are not afraid of him as a prince. Is it true that he has already sat on the throne?"

Qi Heng said nervously: "Speak carefully, carefully, don't talk nonsense."

Wang Gang said: "What do you think I should do? Choose one, or reject both."

The three faced difficulties at the same time.

Regardless of whether it is the Hou's Mansion or the Duke's Mansion, in fact, they don't want to be involved in the battle for the heir apparent. Anyway, no matter who becomes the emperor, it will not affect their family's wealth.

But now that the business is getting bigger and bigger, it has attracted the attention of the prince, and it is already impossible to stay out of it.

"Have you ever wondered why the two princes are already so rich, why do they need money? What is the most expensive thing in this world?"

Gu Tingye didn't even think about it: "What else can it be? Raising an army costs the most money."

Sheng Changbai and Qi Heng were shocked.

"Don't they want to rebel?!"

(End of this chapter)