According to the Book of the Later Han Dynasty, Tang Yue was from Yingchuan and his father was Mao. When the king died, he returned to his hometown. His father, Liu Mao, the prefect of Kuaiji, wanted to marry him, but Liu Ji vowed not to. When Li Wei captured Chang 'an, he sent troops to attack the east of the country and captured Li Ji. Li Wei wanted to marry her, but she refused and never called herself. Shang Shu Jia Xu knew this and told Emperor Xian about it. When the emperor heard this, he was moved and sad, so he issued an edict to welcome the concubine, put her in the garden, and let the attendants hold the festival to worship her as the princess of Hongnong.
At this moment, the Yingchuan Tang Clan was the same as the Wang Clan of the State of Zhao. They were not doing very well, and were even inferior to the Wang Clan. Although the family head Tang Mao was quite talented, he was just and did not know how to flatter others. Therefore, he was not liked by the Ten Generals. He had been an official for ten years, but he had only been the county magistrate of Baofeng County around Yingchuan. He was depressed and did not achieve his goals.
Tang Mao had a daughter named Tangyue. She was six years old and was well-behaved since she was young. In addition, she was unusually smart and was deeply loved by Tang Mao. Although the Tang family was not doing very well, they were still living in Yingchuan and had close ties with the aristocrats in Yingchuan. With the support of the gentry, Tang Mao managed Baofeng County quite well.
Tang Mao was also hesitant when faced with the proposal from Ding Yuan, the governor of Bingzhou. He had heard that Ding Yuan was as honest as he was and was not afraid of power. He had been friends with him for a long time. However, this decision was, after all, the happiness of her daughter's life. Moreover, she heard that although Ding Huai was young, he was a little devil who was avoided by passers-by in Taiyuan City. How could her daughter be happy if she married him?
Therefore, Tang Mao did not yield like Wang Bo, using his daughter's young age as an excuse to politely reject the Ding family's marriage proposal. In fact, in the social environment at that time, women were generally used by men to climb the ladder. As a father, he didn't care whether his daughter was happy or not, and as a brother, he didn't care whether his sister was dead or alive, as long as he could get the most benefits, just like Wang Bo. However, Tang Mao was not like that. Tang Mao truly loved his daughter, so he would not use his daughter to exchange for his meteoric rise. In history, Tangyue was able to become Liu Bian's concubine because of the recommendation of Yingchuan Governor He Jin, and Tang Mao was promoted from Baofeng County Deputy to Kuaiji Governor.
After Liu Bian died, Tangyue couldn't remarry because she was once the Imperial Consort and now the Princess Consort. However, the Imperial Court was controlled by Dong Zhuo and the world was in chaos. Tang Mao was also anxious to prove that his daughter had become the Crown Princess not because she wanted to climb up the social ladder but because someone had recommended her. That was why Tang Mao had forced Tangyue to remarry. After all, this was just history. This was just a simple introduction, because this book was not written completely according to history.
When the news reached Bingzhou, Ding Yuan was furious and felt that he had lost face. A small county magistrate actually dared to reject the marriage proposal of the provincial governor. Concubine Kong was even more worried that her son would not be able to marry the daughter of the Tang family and die. Only Ding Huai understood that Tang Mao's rejection must have been because of his previous reputation.
He just didn't expect that in this Three Kingdoms Era, where sons were valued more than daughters, there would still be people like Tang Mao, who didn't hesitate to offend the powerful and unwilling to ruin his daughter's happiness. Thus, Ding Huai was not as angry as his father, Ding Yuan. He secretly admired Tang Mao's character. This Yingchuan scholar was indeed different from the rest. Just by looking at Tang Mao alone, one could tell.
Thus, Ding Huai sent people to inquire about Tang Mao's character and preferences. He learned that Tang Mao was quite talented and liked talented people. After understanding this situation, Ding Huai had an idea. He would personally make a trip to Yingchuan's Tang clan to meet this Tang Mao.
Ding Huai first told Ding Yuan his thoughts. Ding Huai said,"This time, the Tang family rejected the marriage because I was not liked by Tang Mao. However, Tang Mao did not know that I had become a master and had changed my bad habits, so there were many misunderstandings. However, this matter concerns my life, so I plan to go to Yingchuan and personally explain this matter to Tang Mao.”
When Ding Yuan heard his son's words, he couldn't help but feel both happy and worried. He was happy that his son seemed to have changed into a different person ever since he woke up from his serious injuries. Not only did his previous bad habits disappear, but he was also filial to his parents, respectful to his elder brother, and considerate to his subordinates. This made Ding Yuan feel greatly comforted. The worry was that if Tang Mao really did not agree to this matter, his son's life would be lost in vain. Moreover, Ding Huai had been unusually smart since childhood and was deeply loved by Ding Yuan, although he was a little naughty.
Ding Yuan said," My son, don't panic. Although it's understandable that Tang Mao of Yingchuan rejected this matter, this matter concerns my son's life and death after all. How can we be rash?" Tomorrow, Father will send someone to go again. If Tang Mao still doesn't agree, Father will snatch his daughter even if it means snatching her.”
Ding Huai couldn't help but be greatly surprised and even more touched. An upright person like Ding Yuan could actually say such words for his son. He couldn't help but be touched. Ding Yuan could be said to be one of the few loyal officials at the end of the Great Han Dynasty. He was absolutely loyal to the Great Han Dynasty. If not for his son's life, Ding Yuan would never have said such words. Because as the governor of a state in the Han Dynasty, if he did something like kidnapping the bride, his reputation would be ruined.
Ding Huai suppressed the emotions in his heart and said to Ding Yuan,""Father can't ruin your son's reputation. Moreover, this matter isn't hopeless. We'll discuss everything after your son returns from Yingchuan. Perhaps this child will resolve the matter.”
Hearing his son's words, Ding Yuan almost burst into tears. His son had finally grown up. Concubine Kong had also repeatedly instructed Ding Huai not to have any conflict with the Tang family when they reached Yingchuan. Even if the Tang family did not agree to this matter, there was still your father.
Considering that his son was too young, Ding Yuan sent two people to protect Ding Huai. These two people were the two new elites that Lu Bu had recruited, Wei Xu and Song Xian.
The Yellow Turban Uprising had not yet begun, so nothing much had happened along the way. Around ten days later, Ding Huai and the other two arrived at Yingchuan County.
Yingchuan Prefecture was located in the westernmost part of the six prefectures of Yuzhou. It bordered Jingzhou and Sizhou. Yingchuan had always been filled with talented people. Many famous strategists in the Three Kingdoms came from Yingchuan, such as Guo Jia, Xun or's uncle and nephew, Xi Zhicai, Xu Shu, Zhong Yao, Sima Yi, Chen Qun, and so on.
This was Ding Huai's first time going out since he was young. Moreover, he had come to Yingchuan County, which was full of outstanding people and talents. He was quite excited and could not help but look around. Wei Xu and Song Xian, who were behind him, saw Ding Huai looking out curiously and could not help but burst out laughing.
Ding Huai only retracted his gaze when he heard their laughter and focused on walking.
Ding Huai wasn't interested in Wei Xu and Song Xian. Instead, he was disgusted.
These two were originally two of Lu Bu's eight generals, but they betrayed Lu Bu together with Hou Cheng. It would have been fine if they had only betrayed him and joined the enemy, but what was even more detestable was that these three people had taken advantage of Lu Bu's sleep to tie him up and offer him to Cao Cao. Otherwise, with Lu Bu's abilities, even if Cao Cao had broken through the White Gate Tower, it would have been difficult to capture Lu Bu.
In fact, surrendering was not a very shameful thing. As the saying goes, a good bird chooses a tree to perch on, and a good minister chooses a master to serve. However, surrenders were categorized into two categories. The first type was those who sold their masters for glory, such as Lu Bu, Song Xian, Wei Xu, Hou Cheng, Hu Chi 'er, and others. The other type was those who sought glory but did not sell themselves. For example, although Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, Guan Yu, and the others had surrendered, they did not oppose their former masters. Even for people like Guan Yu who still went to seek refuge after receiving news of their former masters, surrendering would also give them a good name for eternity.
When they arrived at Baofeng, it was already evening. Ding Huai and the other two found an inn to stay in and prepared to visit Tang Mao the next day.
The night was silent.
The next morning, Ding Huai, accompanied by Wei Xu and Song Xian, went to the Tang Manor to visit Tang Mao.
Tang Mao was studying at home when he suddenly heard a servant report that the third son of the governor of Bingzhou, Ding Huai, had come to visit. Tang Mao couldn't help but sneer in his heart. It seemed that after being rejected by him, this hedonistic son of a rich family still didn't give up and ran over to Baofeng. Although Tang Mao was not happy, he was still a scholar and was deeply taught by Confucius and Mencius, so he could not lose his manners.
So Tang Mao ordered the steward to lead the person to the living room to wait, and the steward left. Tang Mao only tidied up his clothes and headed to the living room after he saw the housekeeper's back disappear.
When they reached the living room, there was naturally a series of fake and complicated formalities.
After the small talk, both sides sat down. Tang Mao asked despite knowing the answer,""Young Master Ding, what advice do you have for coming from afar?”
Ding Huai thought to himself, This old fox is really good at pretending. Since you already know the answer, I won't be polite with you. Hence, Ding Huai went straight to the point."I'm here to propose marriage."
"Could it be that Young Master Ding did not receive Tang Mao's reply? My daughter is still young and is not suitable for marriage.”
Ding Huai said," It's not that Ding Huai doesn't know how to advance or retreat. Ding Huai really has something he can't say. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so thick-skinned as to visit today."”Thus, Ding Huai told Tang Mao the lie he had fabricated that day.
After Tang Mao heard this, his brows furrowed tightly. He couldn't figure out whether what Ding Huai said was true or false. If it was true, he would definitely harm Ding Huai's life if he didn't agree to this matter. If she agreed to this, what if this was a lie fabricated by this rich playboy? Wouldn't it ruin her daughter's happiness for the rest of her life?
After a moment of silence, Tang Mao thought of a countermeasure and said,""It's not that Tang Mao is ruthless, it's just that my wife has a wish. I want to find a hero who has both civil and military talent for Yue 'er.”
The meaning behind this was very obvious. It meant that even if my daughter wanted to marry, she would not marry a profligate son like you. How could Ding Huai not understand the meaning in Tang Mao's words? He pondered for a moment and said,""Ding Huai was once young and ignorant. He only knew how to play all day, so much so that he neglected his studies and made his parents worry. However, ever since Ding Huai became the disciple of Daoist Priest Zuo Ci, he had already made up his mind to repent and work hard to achieve great things. Within two years, Ding Huai would definitely make Lord Tang look at him in a different light. Otherwise, Ding Huai would rather die than take half a step into Baofeng.”
"Good." Scholars always liked words with backbone, so Tang Mao appreciated Ding Huai's words very much. He unconsciously blurted out,""If Young Master Ding can really do as you say, Tang Mao will definitely marry my daughter into the Ding Residence.”
Ding Huai was overjoyed and stood up with a whoosh. He said to Tang Mao,""Alright, Lord Tang, it's a deal. Ding Huai will take his leave now and go home to study hard behind closed doors.”
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。