Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 379 Eating Bones and Talking About Morality

People always have all sorts of troubles, even outstanding members of the Wei brothers, who come from top-tier aristocratic families, are no exception. It's just that the troubles they face may be somewhat different from those of ordinary people.

Although Wei Bin was over thirty, he was still unmarried, much to the worry of his elder brother, Wei Zhi, who was like a father to him. It might sound ridiculous, but how could a scion of a top-tier aristocratic family be unable to find a wife?

But that's the reality, because the woman who could enter their household and become their principal wife must also come from a family of equal social standing. And if such families had women of marriageable age, would they have trouble finding husbands?
Wei Bin lost his father at a young age, and spent his prime years of youth in seclusion, which reduced his competitiveness among young talents of the same social class, making him less of a first choice for marriage with women from similar backgrounds.

Moreover, the brothers were born to Wei Anshi late in life. Even if they had married aunts, elder sisters, and other relatives, these people are now very old or have already passed away. It would be difficult to find someone of similar age to marry among these cousins.

"The Ministry of Personnel is currently in disarray. Although Lord Guangping is renowned for his time, officials and those selecting candidates each hold their own views, and it is difficult for Lord Guangping alone to quell public resentment. Lord Zhang Yan has been out of the political arena for several years, but now he has been suddenly given the responsibility of performance evaluation. His ability to respond effectively and combine firmness with flexibility is well-documented, and it is quite possible that he will replace Lord Guangping as the head of the Ministry of Personnel at this time."

Wei Zhi also had his own insights into the current situation. He could clearly sense Song Jing's inability to control the affairs of the selection office, as evidenced by the previous riots by the candidates and those being selected in the southern province. In the current situation, there was no one else besides Zhang Yue who could replace Song Jing in handling this thorny issue.

"At this time, it is a good opportunity to regroup and restore our former strength. As the eldest grandson of Zhang Yan, and already renowned and influential, Zhang Zongzhi should take this opportunity to cultivate relationships with the leading figures of the time to bolster his reputation. However, he disregards this opportunity and instead tries to make a fool of himself among merchants, which is truly laughable!"

Wei Zhi sighed deeply at this point and said, “The land and water of Guanzhong have been cultivated by my ancestors for so many years. If they had truly had the resources, how could they have allowed this fellow to dig it up? In the past, I thought he had a good reputation and must have some outstanding qualities. But now I see that he is a mediocre talent! He doesn’t understand the big picture, doesn’t know what’s important, is self-righteous, and is putting the cart before the horse.”

"But even if he didn't come for political gain, Tapi Napo Ridge is desolate and abandoned. Since he intends to buy it, why not sell it to him? Now, brother, you refuse him because you want to build a pagoda. If you don't build it in the future, won't that leave something for others to talk about?"

Wei Bin knew that his family had never intended to build a Buddhist temple on that vacant land in Tapi. The place had been abandoned for many years. If Zhang Dai hadn't come to ask about it today, he would have forgotten that his family still had such a piece of vacant land.

“Even if it is abandoned, there is no need to sell it. My family has its own way of making a living and does not need to sell our ancestral property to survive. Since our ancestors have passed this down, there will be a time when it will be useful. Why should we diminish the legacy of our ancestors for a little money that we do not need? If there is a great project here next year, but it is given away by my brothers, our descendants will laugh at our brothers for being foolish!”

Wei Zhi has a very traditional mindset. He is unwilling to sell the residential properties inherited from his ancestors, even if they rot in his hands. This is the confidence of a true old money tycoon.

"I'm quite interested in Zhang Zongzhi's plan. Since that hillside is just lying abandoned, why don't we give it a try?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Bin added with great interest that he also had a certain curiosity about new things.

Wei Zhi shook his head and said, "Farming and weaving are the livelihoods passed down from our ancestors. Only by focusing on these can we ensure the prosperity of our family. Other miscellaneous occupations are driven by greed. Even if one can gain something in the short term, it is by no means a long-term solution. It leads people to exhaust their cunning and seek the greatest profit. In the long run, they will be filled with evil desires and moral decay."

His family owned countless fertile fields and mulberry groves, and the income from farming and weaving was enough to meet their household needs and even accumulate substantial savings. Naturally, he did not need to seek profits from other businesses, and he held those who schemed and did not focus their minds on their proper affairs in contempt.

Upon hearing this, Wei Bin dared not continue the topic. After a pause, Wei Zhi said, "Besides, this desolate mountain range should be left for Zhang Zongzhi to inquire about."

“My brother has already rejected him so blatantly, why is he coming back?”

Upon hearing this, Wei Bin was taken aback and asked with a curious expression.

Wei Zhi laughed: "How can everything go smoothly when there is a plan? If Zhang Zongzhi backs down because of this, then this matter is nothing more than an ordinary thing for him. Even if he gives up this desolate mountain, it is not a great favor. Only if he goes to great lengths and seeks it desperately, and then gives it to him with a smile, can he be grateful for a long time. If he wants my garden, we will see how sincere he is and how much effort he puts in!"

"Your wisdom regarding human affairs is far more thorough and profound than mine!"

After listening to Wei Zhi's explanation, Wei Bin couldn't help but sigh again, expressing his growing admiration for his elder brother's wisdom in personnel matters.

"No matter how wise one is, one is still bound to be a mediocre person! Although the women of the Xue family are not a good match, if there is no better choice, we can only settle for second best. We can't let you continue to have no wife and your household affairs fall into disarray."

When he is in control, Wei Zhi can easily manage personnel matters. However, when he needs help from others, his wisdom in personnel matters cannot provide much practical assistance. He still faces the awkward situation of not being able to reach higher positions and not being willing to accept lower ones.

In particular, Wei Jian, the maternal uncle of the Xue family's daughter, was the son-in-law of their enemy, Jiang Jiao. Although Jiang Jiao had been dead for several years, the brothers still couldn't let go of this past grievance. They even secluded themselves at home for eight years in their youth, unwilling to serve as ministers alongside Jiang Jiao, the enemy who had framed their father!

Leaving aside the Wei brothers' plans at home, Zhang Dai, who had been quite expectant, was met with a cold reception and returned home still feeling somewhat disappointed. Meanwhile, his doorstep was already crowded with guests, but he was too lazy to go out and deal with these meaningless social interactions. He left his uncle Zhang Yang and younger brother Zhang Yi to handle the welcoming and seeing off, while he returned to his own courtyard to make other plans.

He had gotten a little carried away before, thinking that everyone was easy to talk to because of the smooth addition of Pei Zhen, Li Xia and others. It was only after Wei Zhi poured cold water on him that he realized that this was actually the normal way to communicate with the old money.

These people are wealthy and have powerful connections, so it's much harder to win them over. Even the universally applicable principle of equivalent exchange doesn't apply to them; it all depends on their mood. If they're in a bad mood, they'll simply ignore you.

When he visited earlier, the Wei brothers' enthusiasm was genuine. This shows that, at least at the moment Zhang Dai arrived, he possessed qualities that earned the Wei brothers' respect, or even their covetousness.

When he revealed his purpose, Wei Zhi's attitude changed immediately, and he used words to put him on hold, making it difficult for him to continue pleading.

Upon reviewing the situation now, Zhang Dai could clearly sense a significant change in the Wei brothers' attitude, from initially being obsequious to later becoming arrogant. Although Zhang Dai couldn't immediately pinpoint the exact reasons, he was certain that they wanted something from him, just not so much that it needed to be stated openly.

He was too lazy to dwell on the matter and make wild guesses. It would be best if both sides could reach a consensus, so as not to make enemies with the Wei brothers.

In fact, if it's just about building a tea garden, it doesn't necessarily have to be the Wei family's garden estate.

The main reason he was so interested in this desolate ridge was its location and terrain, which were so captivating. However, if he couldn't have both, he could settle for second best and stop focusing on the southern part of the city. He could also look for areas further away from Chang'an.

If Wang Wei could manage a villa in Wangchuan, then if he put his mind to it, building a tea plantation in Guanzhong wouldn't be too difficult. At worst, he could try expanding into the surrounding areas after his tea plantations elsewhere had reached a certain scale. By then, he would likely have more power over personnel matters, making these wealthy old fogies even more respectful of him.

Zhang Dai comforted himself, and the next day, Dou E rushed to the Zhang family to report good news: another member of the Wei family was willing to sell his property.

"The Wei family's Xiaoyao Garden is willing to be sold. The estate plus the hillside is priced at 30,000 strings of cash."

Dou E sat down at the Zhang family's house, gulping down his tea as he spoke to Zhang Dai.

"Thirty thousand strings of cash! Are they desperate for money? How much does it cost to buy property in the city? How dare they ask for such an exorbitant price in this desolate suburb south of the city!"

Zhang Dai was startled when he heard this. The Jingzhao Prefecture was asking for less than 30,000 strings of cash for his Pingkangfang residence. Although the Wei family's Xiaoyao Garden and Poling area were much larger, it was still far more than that.

"I also think this price is inflated and unrealistic. Zhang Liu, what price do you think we should lower it to before we sell?"

Dou E then spoke up after hearing this.

"Six thousand strings of cash, the cost of the manor houses can be discounted separately, but if the total exceeds eight thousand strings of cash, then there is no need to discuss it further."

Zhang Dai was somewhat like someone who had seen the ocean and found it hard to be satisfied with a river. Since he hadn't managed to acquire Wei Anshi's Tabei, Wei Sili's Fengqiyuan Garden became rather indifferent. In any case, if they didn't sell it, it would just remain there and continue to be abandoned.

Although Wei Sili's family also belonged to the Jingzhao Wei clan, his ancestors moved south to Xiangyang during the chaos caused by the Hu and Di tribes, and later settled in Zhengzhou. In terms of wealth and property in Guanzhong, they were far inferior to those of Wei Anshi's family. His sons, Wei Heng and Wei Ji, must have been more willing to monetize their idle property than the Wei brothers.

However, this is not necessarily true. As Yuwen Rong's cousins, the Wei brothers have followed him in managing finances both internally and externally for many years, and they must have made a fortune in Weizhou and Bianzhou in the past two years. Moreover, with the increasing interactions, if they knew that Zhang Dai was also involved, the deal would likely be even more difficult to complete.

I really want to kill all these old money guys!
Zhang Dai sighed inwardly, feeling that these people, well-fed and lazy, were truly an obstacle to the progress and development of the world.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Sitting at the table, Dou E noticed Zhang Dai staring at him intently, making him feel uneasy. He quickly stood up and said, "Then I'll go ask again!"

(End of this chapter)