The news of the eunuch's relocation today spread throughout the four-nine cities like it had wings, attracting the attention of countless people. Whether they were ordinary people or literati, merchants and wanderers, they all came to see the excitement and please.
The so-called "pleasant" means asking for good fortune. Ordinary families will scatter some candies and dried fruits when building a new house or moving house. In addition to these, wealthy families will also scatter some copper coins. Therefore, the common people will take notice of the news. After all, in addition to watching the excitement, they can also seek some benefits. What those literati are more concerned about is, who will come today?
On the surface, it looks like a housewarming banquet held by the powerful eunuch, but in fact, the night is a gluttonous feast in the officialdom, and it is also a power confrontation between various factions.
Pushing forward a few decades to the Wei Zhongxian period, nine out of ten court officials would come to such a banquet because too many people were dependent on him and were afraid of him!
Many people are waiting to see how many people will come to support Chang Yu today.
Even Emperor Chongzhen was curious.
It stands to reason that Chang Yu has not had any direct confrontation with the courtiers, but he has indeed offended a large number of nobles.
It can only be said that those who came here definitely did not come because they were afraid of his retaliation, and those who did not come may not be his enemies. With his current reputation, even the nobles he offended did not dare to confront him, and even He had to borrow Po Xia Donkey to reconcile with him, and in fact Chang Yu rarely punished them because of personal grudges.
Catch them and punish them, all because they have violated the law of the country.
The housewarming banquet was held in the evening, but now it was just around noon. The street outside the mansion was already crowded with people watching the excitement on both the inside and outside, blocking the entire Chaoyangmen Street. There were even people eating and watching with their rice bowls in their hands. He was so lively that he muttered from time to time: "What do you say on the sign at the door?"
"I'm not polite." The literate people said, "It's really rare that you're not polite when you move to a new house, and you're still such a big official."
"Hey, this is just for the common people to see. You will know later whether you are treated well or not. I don't believe that all the officials who came to congratulate me came empty-handed. Who would believe it..."
While we were chatting here, we suddenly heard a noise coming from Shuangnian Street in Zhengxi. We could hear the sound of gongs and drums, which immediately caused the crowd to rush over there to watch the excitement: "It's the head of the palace, it's the palace, there's someone there." Start shouting."
Shuangnian Street is connected to Dongzhimen Street. Dozens of handsome men were carrying objects covered with red cloth. Several eunuchs hurriedly walked to the front. Before they even reached the mansion, they shouted loudly: "Congratulations to Eunuch Chang on his new move. The emperor inscribed a plaque on it." , Eunuch Chang, come quickly to receive the order."
The crowd immediately went crazy. Hey, the emperor is really fond of his little eunuch. He gave the house a military memorial arch and even gave him this handwritten plaque. But it makes sense after thinking about it. The little eunuch has made great contributions to the imperial court. The emperor also favors him. That’s not to blame. The common people understand this very well, and this is also because Chang Yu has a very good reputation among the people.
After all, although some people kept fanning the flames and said that he was the second Wei Zhongxian, there was no real basis for it, and he did not have any actual evil deeds. Over time, the people no longer believed those rumors, and his illustrious military exploits were all It's something you can actually see and touch.
The eunuchs shouted, which made Lao Hu very anxious because Chang Yu was not at home. He quickly walked forward with his hands raised, only to find that the person who came to deliver the order was actually Wang Dehua, the Supervisor of Rites.
Wang Dehua was also one of the powerful eunuchs, known as the Second Prince in the palace. He was also the eunuch who cursed the officials next to Chongzhen's coffin in history.
"Eunuch Wang, the Governor is not at the house. This..." Old Hu quickly saluted with an anxious look on his face. Wang Dehua grabbed him and said, "Since Eunuch Chang is not at the house, let Mr. Hu take the lead over there. Let's go. It's just a good idea to go and talk to the house and help."
The words "Lao Hu" made Lao Hu so shocked that his jaw almost dropped. You must know that Wang Dehua was the second prince in the palace, and he was originally an old, poor and incompetent old eunuch. Compared with the old eunuch Wang Dehua like him before You wouldn't even look at him, but now you have to call him Mr. Hu.
It's true that one person can ascend to heaven with chickens and dogs.
"But Eunuch Wang, the Governor said that the people in the palace are to serve the emperor, and he can't use them." Old Hu was a little worried, and Wang Dehua laughed: "Our family is here under orders. Who dares to make irresponsible remarks? Besides, My family and Eunuch Chang are very close friends. If my friend’s family has a happy event, why don’t we come over to help?" He held Lao Hu in his arms and was about to enter the house, but he heard the crowd of onlookers booing: "What plaque did the emperor inscribe for me? Let’s take a look…”
"Are you literate?" Wang Dehua turned his head and said with a smile. The crowd also laughed loudly: "We are literate people. The plaque inscribed by the emperor is an eye-opener for us ordinary people. Besides, isn't this plaque just for people to see?"
"Okay, let me open your eyes. This plaque will be hung up anyway." Wang Dehua waved his hand, and the eunuchs behind him removed the red cloth from the objects carried by the Jin Yiwei. The crowd became commotion and asked the people around them: " What words did you write?"
The literate people read it aloud, and they burst into laughter.
Although Emperor Chongzhen was not outstanding in talent, he was a pragmatic monarch. Even when he wrote a plaque to his most trusted confidant, he was very pragmatic. There were no fancy words. There were two horizontal plaques. One was "Changfu" in large block letters with gold on a black background. The first one that hangs on the door of the mansion is the "Guodong", which is the one that hangs on the inner hall.
The pillar of the country, the pillar of the country!
The emperor's high evaluation of a eunuch was surprising, but he could only silently agree.
And the two vertical plaques are even more simple and clear, with a total of eight words: Safeguard the internal and external, protect the home and the country!
Including the ten characters "Guodong" in total, this is both Emperor Chongzhen's affirmation of Chang Yu and his expectations for him!
"It's worthy of the name, it's worthy of the name" someone in the crowd shouted, and the common people also shouted. Wang Dehua and Lao Hu were happy and bowed their hands to the crowd: "Thanks to your great love for the Governor, today the Chang Mansion has The luck of the happy event is certainly not small, please wait and see."
"Don't worry, we will wait until midnight." Someone shouted, and everyone burst into laughter. Wang Dehua and Lao Hu Gong turned around and entered the mansion. The guards behind them began to busy hanging up the plaques. This was the emperor's imperial pen. The inscribed plaque must be carefully preserved and cannot be hung outside casually. However, for today's housewarming, hang it up first to suit the occasion, and replace it with a copy later.
More and more people are watching the excitement, and people in Chang's Mansion are also busy nervously preparing for the dinner. But where is Chang Yu? Is he still doing exercises with the princess of Prince Jin's Mansion?
On the side of the official road outside Desheng Gate in the northwest of the city, Chang Yu finally put Zhu Zhi'e, who was carrying pear blossoms and raining rain, into the carriage, and then waved to call Huo Chao to his side: "With the governor's order, the cavalry retinue will be transferred along the way, and we must be safe. The princess sent him back to Taiyuan."
"Don't worry, Governor, the thirteen brothers under Beizhi are not good and there are twenty brothers who are disguised before and after. There won't be any trouble. Beizhi guarantees that the princess will be returned safely within seven days."
"Don't worry, my supervisor." Chang Yu patted him on the shoulder: "Don't be in a hurry to come back after you go, just listen to the princess's instructions." He took out a bag of silver from his arms and handed it to Huo Chao: "I'll give it to my brothers on the way. Buy a drink, but remember not to miss anything." Huo Chao quickly declined: "No, no, I am a humble official and have the honor to work for the Governor. Eunuch Chun has already given me a lot, how can I be greedy?"
Chang Yu refused to pretend to be angry and said: "Why, Chunxiang's money can be collected, but our money hurts your hands, right?" Huo Chao even said he didn't dare, and his face turned red: "Being humble doesn't mean that... By the way, Today is the day when the governor moves to his new house, so this money can be used as a congratulatory gift from the brothers."
Chang Yu smiled and scolded: "What gift do you want me to give you?" Then he put the money into his hand: "Sending the princess back safely is the greatest gift to the governor."
Huo Chao nodded vigorously: "I won't give up even if I die!"
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