Xiaoyun Shurui. The cold shadow returns and the long day comes. New stockings. Who else will follow in his footsteps?
The window is cold and shallow. Add a line to the road. You must swim by holding a candle. The copper pot has been reduced and raised last night.
This is a winter solstice poem written by Taoist Songju during the Jianyan period when he was in office in Yuanzhou. According to the customs of the Southern Dynasties, the Winter Solstice is one of the most important festivals of the year, which is called "Winter Solstice is as big as the New Year". Before the southward crossing, the winter solstice meeting was a fixed date for all nations to pay their respects. The Huanghui battle used in the meeting consisted of 5,075 people and corresponding flags and utensils, which was second only to the 20,000 large swords used in sacrificing heaven and earth. People, in order to show the world the majesty of the powerful Song Dynasty, Fengheng and Henan.
Nowadays, in Lin'an, the country's situation is in decline compared to the past, and people's morale is even worse. The complacent and unparalleled posture can no longer be displayed. The specifications of various ceremonies in which the emperor personally participated were far less luxurious and grand than those in Bianliang City. After Emperor Gaozong, the ceremony of the Winter Solstice gatherings was continuously reduced, and even the major congratulations were cancelled.
Before the winter solstice this year, there were many disputes in the court because the two emperors in the north were divided between Dajin and Jin. The ministers quoted scriptures and discussed what kind of etiquette should be used to deal with the two emperors. Who is the uncle of the nephew of the Song Dynasty? One person. The most important and critical item is this year's annual coins, who should give the 300,000 taels of silver and 300,000 pieces of silk to whom.
These questions are naturally very nerve-wracking. According to the practice of the Song Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty, samples were submitted to the Huaihe River before shipment every year. The official transfer example for the Jin Dynasty was the Nanjing Cao Cao. After verification by Zhongdu, Nanjing, and Sizhou, all the coins were The silk was shipped from the Xuyi Army to the Sizhou Suibi Treasury of the Jin State in Huaibei, and then the Sizhou Suibi Treasury slowly shipped it to Zhongdu. It has nothing to do with the Song Dynasty.
But now Daikin is divided, and both Zhongdu and Nanjing are eyeing the money. If we followed the previous methods, we would be waiting to send it to the Jin court in Nanjing; if we wanted to transfer it to Zhongdu, we might suddenly change course and displease the Jin people in Nanjing.
Moreover, everyone in Zhongdu now knows that the emperor is just a decoration. Guo Ning, the powerful minister of the Han Dynasty, was a rare general who was good at fighting in the world. He led troops to conquer the east and west, and seized the power of the boss.
Not long ago, Guo Ning ascended the throne as Zhou Guogong, Pingzhang Zhengshi, Zhongdu Remainer, and Du Marshal. It is said that during his inauguration ceremony, the Jurchen emperor trembled and did not dare to raise his head or sit down during the whole process. This posture clearly indicates that he is planning to usurp the throne step by step.
It was no hindrance to the Song Dynasty for the captives to fight for power and gain within their own families. People with the surname Yelu or Wanyan were on the stage, and even black Tatars from the grassland with the surname Boer were on the stage. There were always people in the Song Dynasty who could continue the country. Method. But one man is about to take over half of the Kingdom of Jin...
The monarchs and ministers of the Song Dynasty had always despised the Northern Han people and believed that the Northern Han people had no heroes, so they surrendered to the rule of the Jurchens. But now there are really heroes among the Northern Han people, and so many nobles in the Great Song Dynasty just feel scared.
But this kind of fear could not be expressed in words, so everyone felt cold in their hearts, but in the court they were full of enthusiasm and bickering every day. They blame each other and go around in circles. No one has the intention to celebrate the winter solstice.
Fortunately, what happened to the court had nothing to do with the people, and the people still celebrated according to old customs.
Although most of the shops were closed on this day, there were many more traveling merchants and hawkers. Those who sell noodle soup, those who sell nourishing and vitality winter supplements, those who sell sesame cakes, steamed cakes, glutinous rice cakes, ice cream, steamed pear cakes, hairy beans and other snacks, those who sell crown combs, collar wipes, hair and face, clothing, and those who sell copper Those selling iron utensils, suitcases, and porcelain were all shouting and selling on the streets, attracting people from all directions to gather in huge crowds.
Occasionally, the crowd would panic and stir, and it turned out that some trickster or monkey juggler suddenly appeared and showed off a unique skill, which scared the pedestrians next to him and made him run away, while the pedestrians outside hurriedly rushed up to join in the fun.
Han Xi wore a newly acquired fur coat and held a box of freshly baked taro in his hand. He walked struttingly down the street, twisting one to eat from time to time. After walking for a while, I stretched my head to see what was new and lively in the crowd. Unfortunately, I had seen them many times before, so there was nothing worth paying attention to.
There were two men behind him, both of whom were bored.
One of them was still holding various bits and pieces of food for Han Xi, and his arms were sore. He immediately asked: "Xiao Lang, what's there to see in this little bustle? Let's find a cupboard to have some fun and try our luck." !”
Han Xi rolled his eyes at him: "If you go to the counter to do something, do you really think that I have too much money to burn? You two are almost done, stop confusing me! Let me save some money! Besides, if I take the money There is excessive gambling in the counter, troubles are caused, and the discussions between the DPRK and the Qing Dynasty are chaotic. Can you feel comfortable doing inspections on the left and right compartments?"
The two gentlemen looked at each other and smiled.
Although they were following Han Xi, they were not Han Xi's servants. Hearing this young man complaining, he smiled and felt no pressure at all.
What kind of trouble could a mere kid from a run-down eunuch family cause by gambling?
This boy's old father had an extraordinary status, but his head was missing and he became a dead ghost. The only child left behind was a hot potato. There have been orders from above long ago, not to die, not to be too motivated, it is best to keep an eye on him and let him be a lazy young man. In this case, all they can do is eat, drink, whore and gamble. He is young and not yet enthusiastic about women, so why should he gamble money?
Han Xi ignored them and took two steps before passing by Tianjing Alley.
This is where Lin'an City's closets are concentrated, where many dandies and scoundrels hang out. There are also fireworks and willow alleys scattered among them, and there are singing and orchestral music.
Since Han Xi said the harsh words, he strode past the entrance of Tianjing Alley without turning his eyes away.
However, just as he passed the alley entrance, a gambling idler pushed the door out of the alley. As soon as the alley door is opened, the unique heat and sound of the cabinet room and the unique fragrance of makeup and powder from Huajie Liuxiang all rush out.
Han Xi stopped immediately.
His ears twitched and his nose twitched. He turned around to look at the two gentlemen and coughed lightly: "You two, don't think I'm a fool. I know that prostitution is in vain and gambling is a bottomless pit! The only thing in our family is Go and watch the excitement. Just watch and do nothing else!"
After saying a few words, he turned around and got into the alley. The two accompanying men hurriedly followed.
After less than half an hour, the three of them stumbled out together.
The fur on Han Xi's body was gone, and a brand-new belt was also stripped off, leaving his robe dangling. It was expected that people would be a little cold, but instead he was sweating all over and the top of his head was steaming like a steamer.
The two gentlemen on both sides complained: "Xiao Lang, if you lose money, you will lose money, and we will also be unlucky!"
"It's not you two who asked me to go!" Han Xi said angrily: "If you two just come up with another small amount of money, I can make up for it! This bad thing is all your fault!"
The two gentlemen also looked pale and dejected. I originally thought that I could play with this guy's money for a while. If I could make some money, both of them would benefit from it. Who would have thought that they would lose it all so quickly? Who would have thought that the two of them were watching the whole battle, and ended up being so excited that they lost the Winter Solstice reward they had just received?
Hearing Han Xi's accusation at this time, the two of them immediately became angry: "Is it reasonable to hurt us?"
Seeing that the three of them were about to fight each other, Han Xi suddenly slowed down and shouted: "Stop! Stop!"
The two gentlemen didn't want to hit him seriously, so they immediately stopped and asked, "What's going on again?"
"I have a way to earn back your money! Look over there, Jia Sidao is here!"
Han Xi stretched out his hand and pointed in the direction, and sure enough, a young man in brocade robes in his early twenties came.
This Jinpao young master's name is Jia Sidao, and he is the eldest son of Jia She, the former magistrate of Baoying County. When it comes to this person's family status, it is like a sesame mung bean in Lin'an City. It is completely unworthy of praise. However, he has a huge specialty that is enough to make most of the young people in the industry dwarf him.
That is having money.
Jia Sidao's father, Jia She, specially arranged smuggling and transshipment during his tenure in Huaidong, and was used as a useful tool by many wealthy merchants. Therefore, in the past two or three years, Jia She's own family has also benefited a lot, and this is all a semi-open secret.
It is said that this kind of unexplained money will never be coveted by others one day. It should be carefully hidden and spent slowly. It is best to take it back to your hometown and buy some farms and manor. But Jia She, the eldest son, was said to have been raised in his hometown on Tiantai since he was a child and had never been taught by his father. Now that his father is not around, he is alone in charge of the money coming in and out of the family, and he has just seen the wealth and wealth in Lin'an, so why not act recklessly?
In the past month or so, Jia Sidao spent money like water. During the day, he visited prostitutes' houses, invited friends to have horse fights, and at night, he wandered around the lake and never returned. He had become a famous swinger in Lin'an City. Bring two idiots who are easily defrauded of money.
At this moment, Han Xi saw Jia Sidao approaching leisurely and immediately cheered up.
