Carpenter Zhao was speechless after being scolded. After all, what Stonemason Sun said was the truth. His family's situation was indeed very complicated. Even he himself felt unhappy and would often sigh gloomily, not to mention the opinions of others.
However, no matter how biased his mother was, no matter how shameless his brothers were, they were still his family. Blood was thicker than water with him. Therefore, even if he was unhappy, he would still side with his family.
But in the eyes of outsiders who were not related by blood, that was not the case. They would think that Carpenter Zhao's mother was an old fool, and that Carpenter Zhao's brothers were parasites who did not seek improvement. They were extremely disgusting, and they would even think that Carpenter Zhao was soft-hearted, too weak, and could be bullied easily. Marrying his daughter into such a family was bound to make him suffer.
Looking at Carpenter Zhao's aggrieved expression, Ang Lee felt that it was quite funny. Just being scolded by Stonemason Sun made him so worried. It could be seen that he was indeed an indecisive person. When faced with a difficult problem, he would choose to run away indefinitely instead of working hard to solve the problem. The result was that the longer he delayed, the more serious the situation would be, and the more difficult it would be to change.
Carpenter Zhao's cowardly personality was completely inherited from his old mother. His old mother was the same. When she saw her younger sons crying about being poor, she immediately felt her heart ache. When she saw her second son not being able to find a wife, she also felt her heart ache. Both her palms and the back of her hands hurt a lot. As a result, she lost the most basic ability to judge. She would side with whoever she liked more miserably.
In terms of crying about being poor and pleasing others, Carpenter Zhao's brothers and their families were all experts. However, Carpenter Zhao and his sons were not very good at pleasing others, nor were they good at acting out their misfortunes. They were somewhat dull. As the saying goes, a crying child gets milk. However, Carpenter Zhao's family was not a crying child. Therefore, they did not get milk and would always suffer unfair treatment.
"Old Zhao! You have nothing to say, right? My new house is already built. If you are willing, you can marry your second son into our family! I will definitely treat your Second Young Master like my own son. I will definitely not let your Second Young Master suffer. What do you think? "
Stonemason Sun said.
He understood that Carpenter Zhao was too soft and couldn't make decisions for his mother. As such, the Zhao family's assets would be divided among Carpenter Zhao's younger brothers. His daughter and son-in-law probably wouldn't be able to get any inheritance. Therefore, he might as well let the second son of the Zhao family be his live-in son-in-law. This way, he could casually support them in the future, and their lives wouldn't be too difficult. At least, they wouldn't be annoyed. Moreover, he could also see that the second son of the Zhao family was a dutiful person. As long as there were no accidents, the couple would be able to live a better life with their own abilities.
"No, how can that be? Our family will be able to build a new house soon. Old Sun, you have so many daughters, why do you have to make our Erlang a live-in son-in-law? Letting your daughter marry our family's second son is also quite good. We won't let our daughter be wronged. "
Carpenter Zhao said fawningly.
"I won't let my daughter be wronged? Who would believe that? With your family's situation, do you think you can hide it from me? Look at how your eldest daughter-in-law has been bullied. You still say that you won't be wronged? Who would believe you? "
Stonemason Sun said with a look of disdain.
"Old Sun, my mother has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She's not as bad as you think. As long as the children are obedient, she will love them. She won't let her daughter be wronged. You're really overthinking."
Carpenter Zhao still had a fawning look on his face.
Ang Lee just watched them chatting quietly. As they usually got along more casually, they weren't nervous. Even when they were at work and gossiped in front of Ang Lee, Ang Lee wouldn't blame them. As long as they did their jobs well, everything was negotiable.
"Alright, alright, Old Sun! I won't chat with you anymore. Assistant Minister Li is still here. I'll just make a few small requests. If you agree, then this matter will be settled. If you don't, then treat it as if I didn't say anything. Our family's daughter won't have to worry about finding a husband, and we won't have to worry about a live-in son-in-law. "
Stonemason Sun said firmly.
"Alright, Old Sun, say it! What requests do you have? "
Seeing that there was hope, Carpenter Zhao asked with a complicated expression.
He really hoped that his son could eventually marry Stonemason Sun's daughter, but at the same time, he was also very worried that Stonemason Sun would make an unreasonable request. If the request was too unreasonable, how could he agree?
Seeing that Carpenter Zhao was so agreeable, Stonemason Sun smiled and said, "Old Zhao, don't worry. My request isn't too high. First, the three main houses that your family intends to build shouldn't be built in your small garden. Why don't you build them in the middle of the village? There's a piece of empty land there, and the price is very cheap. I'm prepared to buy it as my daughter's dowry.
What do you think? "Carpenter Zhao thought carefully. Although it was a little far, it was still in the same village, so it wasn't a problem. Moreover, this piece of land was bought by Stonemason Sun. In this way, he had picked up a great bargain. What reason did he have to disagree?
"Old Sun, I can agree to this condition. It's nothing much."
Carpenter Zhao replied straightforwardly.
Stonemason Sun continued, "Since you want to build the house in the middle of the village, Erlang can be considered a part of the family. Therefore, after the marriage, all of Erlang's salary will belong to him. He can't hand over a single cent to you. Your family will also have to take care of their meals. You can't let them starve. How about that?"
Although Carpenter Zhao felt that it was inappropriate, after thinking about it carefully, it wasn't a big deal. Erlang's salary wasn't high, so it was better for him to keep it for himself. Otherwise, it would be plundered by his brothers.
"I can also agree to this condition. However, if the two of them aren't willing to go over to eat, then don't blame me."
Carpenter Zhao said.
Stonemason Sun nodded and continued with his request, "There's another request. That is, you have to nurture Erlang well. Teach him all of your carpentry skills and let him take over the carpentry."
"Alright, that's even less of a problem. I've already planned to do so. As long as Erlang has the potential to be a carpenter, I'll do my best to nurture him. He's my son, so how can I not do my best? Old Sun, do you have any other requests? "
Carpenter Zhao replied with a smile.
"The last condition is also very simple. The wedding has to be held in a grand manner. We can't let the villagers see us as a joke."
Stonemason Sun requested.
"Alright, then it's settled. Let's set the date first."
Carpenter Zhao said eagerly.
"I've already inquired about the land in the village. I can buy it anytime. However, you still have to settle the matter of building a house for your family. When the craftsmen start working on the house, we'll discuss the wedding date."
Stonemason Sun said.
"Alright, it's settled then. Assistant Minister Li is here. He can be our witness."
Carpenter Zhao was afraid that Stonemason Sun would go back on his words, so he said.
Ang Lee nodded with a smile and said, "Alright, I'll be your witness. I hope that the two of you can get married soon. Hahaha!"
After that, Ang Lee chatted with the two of them for a long time before leaving reluctantly.
"Husband, why are you in such a good mood? What did you talk about so happily?"
After boarding the car, Yan Ruyu asked happily.
"Haha! My wife is also in such a good mood! "
Ang Lee said with a smile. After a pause, he continued, "Of course it's something good. My wife might not know, but just now, Carpenter Zhao and Stonemason Sun got married. Carpenter Zhao's second son is going to marry Stonemason Sun's second daughter. I estimate that it will take at most half a year for the wedding to be completed. How can I not be happy?"
"My husband is right. Stonemason Sun's daughters are all quite good-looking. Each one is prettier than the other, especially the second daughter. She's so pretty. Carpenter Zhao's son is really blessed."
Yan Ruyu said.
"Each one is prettier than the other. Your husband's heart is itching. Why don't your husband ask for one of them to be his concubine?"
Ang Lee said.
Yan Ruyu's expression was slightly unhappy. She smiled and said, "If my husband really has such intentions, what are we waiting for? Stop the car and let's go back."
"Who told you to stop the car? Let's continue on our way."
Ang Lee reprimanded his subordinate. He looked at Yan Ruyu and said, "My wife, your husband was just saying it casually. It's not like I'm really going to take one in. Why do you have to take it so seriously?"
"Stonemason Sun's daughters are indeed quite good-looking. What I mean is that if my husband likes one, you can take one in. I won't stop you, and Stonemason Sun won't object either. Why don't you choose the third daughter? Fifteen years old is just right. "
Yan Ruyu seemed to be very sincere.
Ang Lee hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Fifteen years old is still a child? My wife, you don't have to say anymore. Your husband was just saying it casually. Look at you, you're taking it seriously. Besides, although Stonemason Sun's daughters are quite good-looking, they're still far from being comparable to my wife. "
"My husband only knows how to coax people. I've been busy for so long and only managed to deliver to three families. At this rate, I won't be able to complete that many today. It seems like I'll have to continue tomorrow."
Yan Ruyu said.
Ang Lee said with a smile, "It's fine. If there's not enough time, we'll split up and let Hanlu and the others take care of a few families each. This way, we'll definitely be able to make it."
"Right, my husband gave the telegraph machine to His Majesty today. Is there going to be a celebratory feast tonight? Then, won't we have to leave later? "
Yan Ruyu said.
Ang Lee nodded and said, "There's no hurry. The celebratory feast is at night. It's still early. We just have to get to the palace before sunset. "
After that, Ang Lee and Yan Ruyu visited more than ten families. It wasn't until the sky darkened that Ang Lee hurriedly rushed back to his residence. He had Yan Ruyu stay at home while Ang Lee immediately rushed to the palace. The celebratory feast at night could have anyone missing, but it couldn't have Ang Lee missing.
After all, Ang Lee was the one who contributed the most and was a high official of the imperial court. As for Carpenter Zhao, Blacksmith Li, and the others, although their contributions were also great, their status was very low. Moreover, there were many of them. If they were all invited to the palace, the main hall wouldn't be able to accommodate them. Moreover, in this era, people of different status wouldn't sit together for a meal. The people who could sit in the main hall were all officials of the imperial court.
Moreover, the so-called celebratory feast wasn't only for meritorious people like Ang Lee. On the contrary, most of the people who participated in the feast were officials of the imperial court who had nothing to do with the development of the telegraph machine. Only Ang Lee and a few officials above Level Six in the R&D Center were the real meritorious people. The total number of these meritorious people was less than ten. The remaining nearly one hundred people were high-ranking officials who didn't contribute anything, including the emperor himself.
Of course, from another point of view, the emperor and all the high-ranking officials who participated in the celebratory feast actually contributed. For example, without the emperor's full support, Ang Lee wouldn't have had the chance to study this project. Therefore, the emperor also contributed. Many of the officials were responsible for providing materials and money for the R&D Center. These could also be regarded as indirect meritorious people. There were also some officials who didn't do anything, but they each performed their own duties and stabilized the imperial court of the Tang dynasty. After all, if the imperial court wasn't stable and there were fires of war everywhere, Ang Lee wouldn't have a good environment to develop the telegraph machine.
In short, no matter what, since ancient times, the people sitting at the celebration banquet were always the high and mighty big shots. No matter who achieved something, the big shots must have contributed to it. And the Emperor, as the supreme ruler, could share all the credit. Any major achievement of the imperial court would have the Emperor's credit in it.
Regarding this situation, although Ang Lee was a little unconvinced, there was nothing he could do. A great figure was a great figure. No matter how great the contribution of a small figure was, it couldn't compete with the great figure.
"Assistant Minister Li, you're finally here. All the officials are here."
As soon as he entered the door of the hall, a little eunuch said with a relieved expression.
"Has His Majesty arrived?"
Ang Lee asked.
"Assistant Minister Li, His Majesty will be here soon. Assistant Minister Li, please take a seat."
The little eunuch replied respectfully.
Ang Lee nodded and went straight to the front. His status was higher, so naturally, he had to sit in the front. As soon as he walked to the middle, the little eunuch in charge of arranging seats hurried to lead the way and let Ang Lee sit in the designated seat.
"Assistant Minister Li, Assistant Minister Li …"
The large group of officials, regardless of their rank, all bowed to Ang Lee, but Ang Lee couldn't return the greeting one by one. He could only return the greeting several times in a row.
"Today's celebratory feast is all thanks to Assistant Minister Li!"
"Assistant Minister Li is truly amazing to be able to come up with such an amazing machine as the telegraph. This will be too convenient. In the future, we won't need to send people by carriage or horse to communicate with the provinces and counties. We can just send a telegram. It's truly too convenient."
"The ticking of the telegram isn't good enough. I heard that Assistant Minister Li has invented a machine that can directly communicate with people thousands of miles away. If such a machine can be manufactured, the effect will be even better."
The officials all began to enthusiastically discuss.
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