Chapter 022 Nanzhen Envoy
The first one updated after the National Day. If you like it, please add it to your collection. Thank you.
The official rank of the governor of Jinyiwei is the fourth rank. Unlike the governors of other guards in the army, the governors of the northern and southern yamen of Jinyiwei are real figures, not supervisors.
Chen Cao's performance in Nanzhen Fusi was that he was both Luo Sigong's and Xu Xianchun's man. The fundamental reason was that Chen Cao, a simpleton, had a good way of doing things. After returning to Nanjing, he got 170,000 taels from Lin Youcai. Among them, 50,000 taels of silver were given to Luo Sigong and 50,000 to Xu Xianchun. In addition to being promoted, he also received a reward of 10,000 taels of silver from the court. It was quite a harvest. It was precisely because he was "aware of current affairs" that not only Luo Sigong, but also Xu Xianchun greatly praised Chen Cao's character and patted his shoulders to encourage Chen Cao to work hard and diligently...
The rewards in this compartment have been completed, and Chen Cao, the new official who has been the most popular official since his appointment, is also in the process of awarding rewards.
"Zhao Xin will be in charge of punishing thousands of households." Chen Cao was sitting in the office of the office of punishing thousands of households in Xuanwu Lane, drinking tea and saying with official authority: "Gao Chong is the deputy of Qianhu, and Han Shizhong is the deputy of Qianhu. In the household head class, Liao Yaowen sits in charge of hundreds of households. As for Xu Kaixian, you will be transferred to the Zhenfu Envoy Yamen and still be my secretary." He stared at Zhao Xin and said: "The eighteen brothers we have returned will all be arranged in Qianhu. The lowest person in the institute shall not be less than the chief flag officer."
"Thank you, Sir..." The injuries of the five people are almost healed. Xu Kaixian left some sequelae. His right foot will shake when running fast, but the problem is not serious.
As he spoke, Chen Cao pointed to the box in the hall and said: "This time the imperial court rewarded you with not much money. The imperial court rewarded you with these ten thousand taels of silver. I personally put 40,000 taels of silver in silver notes in it. Ten thousand for each of you five.”
As soon as the words fell, the five people knelt down at the same time and said: "I am willing to die for you..."
Chen Cao laughed, and the effect was very good. He then smiled and said: "You five have followed me, Chen Cao. From now on, follow me and work hard. I will never treat you badly."
"yes..."
...
Wei Guogong Xu Hongji had a hobby, going to the brothel to attend poetry festivals. However, his literary attainments were not as educated as those of his previous ancestors. When it came to martial arts, he did not have the courage of his ancestor Xu Pengju. When he went to poetry festivals, there were only a large number of people with titles. body person.
Chen Cao was honored to be invited to the party. Since Zhejiang, Xu Hongji has been more optimistic about Chen Cao. Chen Cao, a talented man with both civil and military skills, often recruited him to the Duke's Mansion to write poems. Today, he took Chen Cao and a few guards with him. Wear casual clothes and go to Qinhuai Tower, the largest shop in Jinling, to attend the poetry meeting.
Qinhuai Tower is the first of the eight major houses in Jinling and the most profitable one in Nanjing Jiaofang Division. Just the renovation of the hall can accommodate thousands of people watching the dance music in the stands at the same time, not to mention the four floors above. It is surrounded by private rooms, and the stands of the private rooms on each floor extend out, so that guests standing high up can watch the dance music in the hall. Under the management of the Jiaofang Division of the past dynasties, the Qinhuai Building has been the best in the entire South Zhili. The brothel house.
In the private room on the third floor, Xu Hongji was in the first seat, with young men on his left and right, and Chen Cao was sitting opposite Xu Hongji.
The concept of seating in the Ming Dynasty was very strict, and there were strict requirements for who, what status, and grade. Chen Cao sat directly opposite the owner, which was the last seat, that is, the seat with the lowest ranking, which showed that Chen Cao's status was not as good as that in front of him. of these people.
There were not many people in the private room. Xu Hongji put down his wine glass, pointed to the first young man on the left, and introduced Chen Cao with a smile: "Yew High School, this is Xin Guogong Tang Qingnian."
Believe in the Duke?
The first thought in Chen Cao's mind was Tang He. There were not many records about Tang He's descendants in the history of the Ming Dynasty. The Tang Qingnian in front of him should be the same as Xu Hongji. He was a man who ascended the throne at a young age. He did not dare to be careless at the moment, stood up and saluted. : "My lower official, Chen Cao, has met Mr. Xinguo..."
Tang Qingnian was a fan of Chen Cao. He didn't miss two of the "Four Great Classics" written by Chen Cao. He smiled and nodded and said: "My ancestor, King Dongou, I saw you Chen Zhenfu acting like this, so he thought I was The only young prince in the Ming Dynasty is Wei Guogong." As he said this, he and Xu Hongji burst into laughter, and then showed his youthful character and said happily: "Wei Guogong should be proud to have a talent like you."
As he spoke, Xu Hongji pointed to the first young man on his right and said, "This is the Duke of Zheng, Chang Shichun."
"The lower official Chen Cao has met Mr. Zheng Guo..."
Chang Shichun smiled and nodded: "My ancestor, King Kaiping, Chen Zhenfu, it's a pleasure to meet you..."
King Kaiping...
Chen Cao's mind turned around. Chen Cao, one of the few princes with foreign surnames who were granted titles after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, was from a clear family. He was the Duke of E and Chang Yuchun, the king of Kaiping. He was the most brave general in the Ming Dynasty.
Chen Cao saluted again, then Xu Hongji pointed to the second person on the left and said: "This is Jinshan Marquis Puxiang..." Then pointed to the second person on the right and said: "Yingyang Marquis Yang Can..."
"Chen Cao has met the two princes..."
Those who can meet Xu Hongji alone are the people who have the best personal relationship with him. Chen Cao has a good eye. Moreover, these nobles are all young people. They are about the same age as Xu Hongji, who is twenty-five years old. They can play even if they want to. Come together.
At that moment, Zheng Guogong Chang Shichun said: "I heard that Nalan Rongruo of Jinling wrote wonderful pens and novels that were soul-stirring and fascinating. When I read The Legend of the Condor Heroes at home, I could imagine myself like Guo Jing..."
"Hahaha..." Xu Hongji laughed, and then said sternly: "Yao Zhong, you have been here for so long. You haven't done anything since "A Dream of Red Mansions" and "The Legend of the Condor Heroes". There are still other things in your belly." Good story?”
Chen Cao smiled and nodded: "Yes, yes, my subordinates have already prepared a lot of good stories. I will just wait for these few days to be free and go home to write them all. When the time comes, let Juxianju distribute them. Naturally, I will do it first." Send it to your residence, all the princes and marquises."
"good..."
The five people all nodded and applauded at the same time. They couldn't wait to read Chen Cao's novels. If he could write such a good novel, there must be other good stories.
"Chen Zhenfu, your poems are now even more famous all over the world. Since you made Li Fengchun back with "Mulan Ci", few poems have been published. By the way, I heard that you wrote a poem on the canal as a gift. Is this the case for the boss of Juxianju?" Yang Can asked with a smile.
Chen Cao smiled awkwardly and said, "It's true that I made the Marquis laugh."
Xu Hongji nodded and said: "Today is the Jinling Poetry Festival. Later, there will be performances by those talented people. Yaozhong, please don't disgrace me, the Duke of Wei."
"I'll save it... I'll save it..." Chen Cao promised repeatedly.
They had a great time drinking here, went out there, told Xin Zhao to do some things, and then returned to the private room. At this time, the poetry meeting began, and enthusiastic shouts broke out in the hall. Xu Hongji invited everyone in the room to go out together. I walked to the stand in the private room, sat down and started drinking and watching the poetry show.
Chen Cao was also sitting next to him. This was the first time he had participated in such a large-scale poetry gathering since leaving Huafang. Comparing the two, the poetry gathering in Huafang was just a gimmick for the Qing Dynasty to make money. This one in front of him was the poetry gathering.
A competition began below, and many well-educated scholars came to the stage to perform. Some were applauded, and some were ridiculed. Chen Cao watched and listened with great interest.
At this time, Puxiang, the Marquis of Jinshan, approached Chen Cao with a mysterious look on his face. He imitated Chen Cao and leaned against the railing of the stand. He pointed at the stand and said, "Chen Cao, do you know why these people work so hard to compose poems?" ?"
"Oh..." Chen Cao really didn't know. He simply thought that this was a poetry meeting, but he also pretended to be curious: "Why, Lord Marquis wants to say that this poetry meeting has other good things? Please give me some advice. .”
Pu Xiang showed a smile, then turned to look at the brothers and nobles sitting behind him, and then said: "Qinhuai Tower holds a poetry meeting every three months, and all civilians and scholars who enter the top ten will be free of charge. Enjoy the new prostitutes in Qinhuai Tower..."
Chen Cao was not a good person. When he saw Pu Xiang's unkind smile, he heard what he was saying and became interested. When Pu Xiang saw Chen Cao being so active, it was as if he had found a close friend and he began to give endless advice. Chen Cao started to explain.
The remaining four people next to him all showed smiles. These dandies were indeed not good people. No wonder Ming died so quickly.
Although Chen Cao thought so, he listened carefully.
Just listen to Pu Xiang say: "The people in the private room upstairs are either rich or expensive. The biggest feature here is that after the poetry meeting, there is a talent show."
"Is there a talent show here?" Chen Cao looked at Pu Xiang with wide eyes.
Pu Xiang knew that Chen Cao had misunderstood, so he waved his hand and said: "This draft is not for Your Majesty, but for capable candidates. The prostitutes, courtesans and the like can have sex with them."
Yang Can couldn't help but interjected: "Chen Cao, you are good at poetry. When the criminals' families appear on the stage, you will compose a poem. As long as you win, how about I pay you to enjoy it?" "
"Haha..." Xu Hongji shook his head and said, "You, you..."
"Thank you, Lord Marquis..." Chen Cao quickly handed over his hand.
"By the way, Lord Marquis," Chen Cao turned to look at Pu Xiang and said, "May I ask Lord Marquis, who are the family members of criminals?"
Pu Xiang became even more mysterious now: "I don't know. Every month in Nanjing Jiaofangsi, the female relatives of criminals from all over South Zhili are brought into Jiaofangsi. Some of them can only be released after a general amnesty. Others, if there is no The official documents of the Jiaofang Division will never be released in this life. These women are all young ladies from wealthy families. Think about it, the woman under you may have been your boss's wife and daughter yesterday, but now she is in your... ."
"Hahaha..." Xu Hongji and others burst into laughter upon seeing this.
Pu Xiang was stunned for a moment. Although Chen Cao retracted, the feeling of his hand was: "Damn, your boy's penis is so big?"
Chen Cao was embarrassed. Fortunately, these guys were not as good as Long Yang, otherwise he would have been in trouble. However, many people in the Ming Dynasty liked Long Yang, which was also elegant.
Pu Xiang saw that Chen Cao looked at her unkindly, and immediately cursed: "Bah... I am not as good as Long Yang, you guy, don't think wrong..."
It's okay if it's not...
Chen Cao breathed a sigh of relief. At this moment, enthusiastic shouts broke out downstairs. The top ten of the poetry competition had been selected. There were scholars and sons of wealthy businessmen. Everyone was ecstatic. Many people wanted to say that they were from the official family. Miss.
This kind of large-scale poetry gathering is hosted by people from the Jiaofang Division, not Gui Gong of Qinhuai Tower. The person in charge of Qinhuai Tower is Zuo Sile of Nanjing Jiaofang Division, who is hosting it at the moment.
Just listen to him say: "There are 147 family members of the new officers in our company who have entered Nanzhili and have committed official crimes. These eleven people will be acquired by the highest bidder, and the rest will be acquired according to the price..."
The fighting started below. When the first woman was pulled onto the stage crying, there was a thunderous commotion below. Chen Cao just looked at him with interest. Pu Xiang came closer and said, "You and I have just met each other. Let me give you a Opportunity, if you like it or not, if you like it, I will make the decision and buy it for you."
Chen Cao shook his head: "This kind of thing depends on your mood. These are all boring."
Pu Xiang looked at Chen Cao with a meaningful smile: "It's a bit interesting..."
However, Xu Hongji still made the decision and asked his servants to go downstairs to buy five virgins for several noble brothers. Of course, Chen Cao still expressed no interest at the moment.
Until the last woman appears...
Zuo Sile raised his head and shouted in a sharp voice: "Everyone, the two people appearing now are mother and daughter..."
Oops...
The scene suddenly became uncontrollably lively. Pu Xiang, who had been labeled a little pervert by Chen Cao, let go of the prostitute who was accompanying him and stood up to watch with Chen Cao.
Just listen to Zuo Sile continue to say: "This mother and daughter are the newly convicted generals. They are the wife and daughter of Zhang Tiande, the former commander of the Nanjing Right Guards. His wife Zhang Liu is thirty-three years old, and his daughter Zhang Shuhua is eighteen years old. Everyone is as beautiful as a flower..."
"ah..."
Chen Cao screamed, and the wine glass in his hand fell from the third floor, hitting the ground with a clang. People around him yelled and cursed, and the scene started with targeting the woman and targeting Chen Cao upstairs.
"You bastard, do you have any sense of public morality? You threw a wine glass down from upstairs. Are you looking for death?"
Pu Xiang saw Chen Cao's wide-eyed look and touched him curiously: "Chen Cao, what's wrong with you?"
After Chen Cao came to his senses, he shook his head: "No...nothing...nothing..."
"Upstairs, I'm asking you a question. Do you want to die?"
Xu Hongji and his party were all in plainclothes, and only one servant from each family was around. Puxiang saw the excitement and didn't mind it, so he immediately stuck his head out and said: "Listen downstairs, the one who threw the wine glass down is Jin Lingna. Lan Rongruo..."
Oops...
The dang even exploded underneath, and everyone began to whisper, and the cursing man continued: "So what if Nalan Rongruo can just throw the wine glass?"
Pu Xiang coaxed Chen Cao: "Go and declare your identity quickly, so as not to be looked down upon by others."
Chen Cao took a deep breath and looked at Zhang Shuhua, mother and son, who had been brought to the stage. Chen Cao stood at the edge of the stand, and when the crowd became quiet, he said loudly: "I, Jinyi Weinan Town Fusi Town Fushi Chen Cao , Jinling Nalan Rongruo is also..."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhang Liu immediately raised her head, with a look of shame and anger on her face. She hugged her daughter and huddled behind Zuo Sile, not daring to stand up.
"It's really Mr. Nalan..." A scholar once heard Chen Cao at the Yingtian Mansion Yamen and met Chen Cao.
"It's really Nalan Rongruo..."
"Mr. Nalan, please write a poem..."
The crowd started to boo, and Zuo Sile also raised his hand towards Chen Cao and said, "Master Chen is very elegant. I have met Master Chen. Master Chen wants to compose an impromptu poem. If it is done, the Zhang family's family members can join you." ..."
Mrs. Zhang Liu behind her looked at Chen Cao in horror, but the light was not very good and she could not see clearly.
"Mother..." Zhang Shuhua shouted tenderly.
Mrs. Zhang Liu just hugged Zhang Shuhua and cried.
"Chen Cao, write a poem quickly and let them see your name Nalan Rongruo..." Pu Xiang continued to yell.
"Ahem..." Chen Cao coughed twice, and the audience immediately became quiet. Xu Hongji looked at Chen Cao with interest, and Chen Cao said loudly: "I have experienced the pain of parting at the end of the world, and when I return home, I will look like scattered flowers. The flowers look at each other without saying a word, and the green window is full of spring and sky. When the lovesickness lamp is turned on, there is a wisp of new love and thousands of old hatreds. Most of all, the world cannot keep it, and the beauty leaves the mirror and leaves the flower and the tree."
After ten seconds of silence, the audience burst into thunderous applause, followed by loud cheers, and the scene suddenly became uncontrollable.
"Okay," Xu Hongji clapped his hands and said, "Yaozhong, you haven't embarrassed me..."
"May I ask, sir, where is the name of this poem?" someone asked from below.
Chen Cao thought for a while: ""Remembering an Old Friend""
Zuo Sile also clapped his hands and applauded, and then said loudly: "I announce that Mr. Nalan's "Remembering My Old Friend" is the first place in this poetry competition. Mr. Chen and the Zhang family will be sent to the room immediately."
"My lord..." Chen Cao said as he knelt down towards Xu Hongji and said, "My lord, please help me."
Xu Hongji looked stunned, and everyone else looked at Chen Cao: "What's the matter?"
Chen Cao took a deep breath and told everything about himself and the Zhang family. Everyone present was dumbfounded. Finally, for some unknown reason, Pu Xiang dissipated the awkward atmosphere with one sentence: "Chen Cao, you are such a thief. I sold my daughter-in-law to my mother-in-law for only ten thousand taels..."
Hahaha...
The others couldn't help laughing. After hearing this, Xu Hongji nodded and said, "The government of our country will help with this."
After saying that, he ordered the boy beside him to call Zuo Sile up.
"Sun You, Zuo Sile, the Secretary of Xiaguan Jiaofang, has met the Duke of Wei, all the princes and marquises..." Sun You was a little frightened.
Xu Hongji said: "Master Sun."
"I dare not..." Sun You lowered his head and said.
"So Sun Sile, I want you to do something." Xu Hongji said, pointing to Zhang Shuhua's mother and son who were following him: "For these two, I, the Duke of Wei, have made the decision to buy them."
Sun You was frightened when he heard this: "Master, let me tell you the truth, the mother and son of this family are the family members of the criminal officials appointed by His Majesty, so we cannot let them go..."
Xu Hongji frowned and didn't speak, and the boy next to him scolded: "You are such a courageous dog official, do you not want to be this Sile anymore?"
When Sun You heard this, he was so frightened that he knelt down and said, "The Duke is angry. It's not that he won't let go, but that the superiors have actually said that this is a family member who has been imprisoned. He cannot be let go. It doesn't matter if he is an ordinary prisoner." Yes, this..."
"Just tell me, how can we take them away?" Xu Hongji said.
Sun You rolled his eyes, and then said: "Your Majesty has not celebrated the New Year since he ascended the throne. After the New Year, I heard that there will be a general amnesty for the whole country. At that time, the Duke only needs to send someone to inform him, and he will personally deliver it to the Duke's house."
"How to protect them during this period?" Xu Hongji asked again.
Sun You raised his head in embarrassment and said: "Young Master also knows the rules of our Jiaofang Department, that is..."
"Okay..." Pu Xiang interrupted Sun You: "I am the hereditary Marquis of Jinshan Pu Xiang. From today on, the mother and son will give you one hundred taels of silver as compensation every day when they leave. If you dare Say no words...hehehe..."
Sun You was frightened by Pu Xiang's identity and the murderous look in his eyes, and said immediately: "Please rest assured, Lord Marquis, enough is enough... I will ensure the safety of their mother and son, and will never let them receive guests."
"It's good that you know, go down..." Xu Hongji waved Sun You away, and then raised his hand towards Pu Xiang.
Chen Cao was about to salute when he was grabbed by Pu Xiang: "I'm in love with you and will be your friend. These are just small coins, so it's not a big problem."
Chen Cao still stood up straight and raised his hands to several distinguished nobles: "Thank you, all gentlemen and marquises..."
Understanding things here, Xu Hongji took several virgins to his private room, and Chen Cao also slowly walked into the room where Zhang Shuhua and her son were.
Chen Cao liked this kind of young woman at the first sight of Mrs. Zhang and Liu. After all, she was very good at it in his own time. Now that there is such a woman in front of him, he cannot let it go. However, before doing things, he has to discuss some things with Zhang. Mrs. Liu said it nicely.
Chen Cao walked to the wine table in front of the carved bed, which was filled with wine and food. Chen Cao sat down with a golden sword and looked at Zhang Shuhua coldly. This woman who was originally his fiancée, now has an identity that everyone can The feeling of sleeping with a prostitute...
"Master Chen, Master Chen..." Mrs. Zhang Liu rolled out of bed, knelt down at Chen Cao's feet, hugged Chen Cao's feet and started crying: "Master Chen, the guilty woman was blind at that time. Ah, sir, please don’t be as knowledgeable as a woman like me. Remember that Shuhua was once married to sir, please save her.”
Zhang Shuhua had already known that the Chen Cao in front of her was her former fiancé, but when they met again, his identity had changed.
"My father saved Uncle Zhang," Chen Cao said after a long time, but his eyes kept staring at Zhang Shuhua: "That's why Uncle Zhang promised Shuhua to my Chen family. However, do you know that officials in the Ming Dynasty are not that easy to be Yes, it doesn’t matter if you look down on me, but you forced me to get the marriage certificate even before my father’s body was cold. If things like yours hadn’t happened, maybe Nanjing Youwei and I would have made great contributions at that time..."
It's okay not to mention it. As soon as she mentioned this, Mrs. Zhang Liu couldn't stop crying, and Zhang Shuhua also shed tears. With that look, Chen Cao secretly thanked his cheap dad for choosing a fiancée who was actually pretty and pretty, not bad. ...
"Now I am the envoy of Fusi Town in Jinyiweinan Town. I am no longer the same as the Xiao Zongqi back then." He lowered his head and lifted Mrs. Zhang Liu's chin with his hand: "What is your family's name? "
Zhang Liu's face was red when Chen Cao raised her chin like this. She also felt unspeakably embarrassed and angry, but for some unknown reason, she still answered Chen Cao's words: "Sinful woman... sinful woman... my family ...named Liu Huier..."
"Liu Huier..." Chen Cao looked at her face and took a deep breath: "That sounds great... Do you want to leave this place?"
When Liu Hui'er heard about it, she hurriedly said, "The sinful woman has only dreamed that after my husband's accident, my Zhang family will be gone. Poor Shuhua is not married yet. The sinful woman is fine. I just ask you to save Shuhua."
