Knowing that Duke Ding was coming, the two of them were not in a hurry to enter the mansion and chatted at the door. Shi Kefa, Wang Dehua and Ni Yuanlu also came out to chat. While they were talking, they saw a carriage entering the alley, and there was a lantern on the front of the carriage. It was Xu Yunzhen, the Duke of Dingguo, who came. He was of high status and everyone hurriedly greeted him in front of the car. After some greetings, everyone entered the house.
At this time, the Chang Mansion was already full of guests. The front yard was used to entertain officials below the fifth rank. There were tables set up in the lobby under the eaves of the courtyard. A group of officials were greeting each other. For low-level officials like them, this kind of big event did not require tickets. The body party is definitely not to be missed.
The second entrance to the courtyard is for people of fifth rank and above. Of course, those who can take a seat in the lobby must be senior officials of six or nine ministers or above. The rest are also seated under the corridor in the courtyard. Although this move divides the seats into three, six, and nine grades of officials. But there is no objection to taking it for granted. After all, class is very strict in this era. Isn't it true even in later generations?
It was getting dark, and Chang Yu's distinguished guests came one after another. Except for other officials from the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers, most of them were distinguished guests. Even Li Guozhen came, not to mention the others. But Fan and Chang Yu had or even never crossed paths. Most of the dignitaries from the capital came here after hearing the news. This guy immediately made Chang Yu's head feel big. There was not enough space.
Create a backyard to serve these big guys! Originally, Chang Yu's backyard was reserved for friends from all walks of life, such as the Thirteen Taibao whom he worshiped, but now he could only ask Fang San to inform those friends that they would meet again another day. I believe Fang Ba and others will understand. After all, the hall is full of officials, and it is not appropriate for them to be in the underworld.
"Master Governor, the British Duke's carriage has arrived at the entrance of the alley." When Lao Hu ran up here panting, Chang Yu knew that a big boss was coming. The ordinary nobleman Wang Dehua received him at the door. He only needed to You don't even need to go out to greet him in the hall, but for a big man like the British Duke Zhang Shize, he must greet him in person.
The officials who were chatting and drinking tea in the front yard waiting for the banquet to start saw Chang Yu leading a group of big shots out in a hurry and knew that another big shot was coming. They were also looking forward to it. After all, today was like a dream to them. You can only meet so many big shots at once during court, but many people here are not even qualified to go to court, and you can't chat and chat with them during court.
So today is the right time. When the banquet starts later, while toasting, I can casually meet a few of them and it will be of great benefit in the future.
Li Guozhen was shocked in his heart. He thought he would be considered a big shot when he came, but he didn't expect Duke Dingguo to come. He was still surprised when the two of them laughed it off and put aside their grudges. Then he was shocked to hear that the British Duke Zhang Shize was also here. .
The Duke of England holds the highest title in the Ming Dynasty, and this lineage is also quite low-key in dealing with things. It has always been adhering to the style of doing things that are stuffy and rich, and is never ostentatious, but it is also never afraid of getting into trouble. I think Wei Zhongxian, who was so arrogant in the past, would dare to fool anyone, but he is not Dare to be a British public servant, which shows how rich his background is.
But when did such a low-key and awesome British public have a relationship with the young eunuch? Li Guozhen clearly remembered that the British public was often punished by the young eunuch for the private use of official equipment. Could it be that he also took this opportunity to repair it?
So far, nearly a hundred officials from the DPRK and the Central Government have come, forty or fifty dignitaries from the capital have come, and two of the three princes have come.
That's right, Zhu Chunchen, Duke of Chengguo, didn't come.
It's normal that he didn't come. He maintained his identity and looked down on Chang Yu and was dealt with by him. Chang Yu also looked down on him and would deal with him as long as he seized the opportunity.
Duke Dingguo and Duke Yingying were different. Although they had looked down upon Chang Yu's status as an eunuch before, they couldn't bear to see that he had great military exploits and was capable of being a good person. More importantly, Chang Yu roped them in to become a shareholder and make a lot of money. I am the major shareholder of Daming Bank, so this occasion must come! Face must be given!
As for Zhu Chunchen, do you want to come or not? One more, no more, one less, because at this time, Changfu has enough cards. There are court officials, nobles, and generals, and even Wu Sangui’s father Wu Xiang They all came to the door in person.
Seeing that the guests and time were almost gone, Chang Yu ordered the banquet to begin, and the servants and helpers began to serve wine and food. Chang Yu held the wine glass and greeted a group of officials in the front yard to eat, drink, and chat. These officials also He said all kinds of nice words and congratulations, and the whole hall and yard were filled with people chatting and drinking. It was very lively.
On the surface, it looks like Chang Yu is hosting a housewarming banquet to raise funds for the Royal Academy, but in fact, for many officials, this is a social gathering.
Outside the courtyard gate, Lao Hu asked his servants to carry several large baskets and walked out of the alley. The copper coins he had specially exchanged for them were about four to five hundred taels, all of which were used to distribute to those pleasant people.
The sound of firecrackers rang out, and the people outside the alley were crowded: "Hey, the firecrackers are set off, the banquet is about to begin, and the host's family will be lucky soon." Someone said loudly and couldn't hide his joy, obviously very experienced.
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, he saw the servants of the Chang Mansion slowly walking over carrying several large baskets. Everyone couldn't help shouting, and some people were even astonished: "How can this cost hundreds of taels? Good guy, the big family just can't do it." It’s the same, enough for me to earn for a lifetime…”
(Note: One tael is always equivalent to one thousand wen, which is one thousand copper coins)
The guests of the Chang Mansion were having a great time. The officials and nobles chatted while eating and drinking. They greeted and introduced each other and had a great time. Chang Yu was chatting and laughing with a few big shots in the hall of the mansion and even asked everyone straightforwardly. How many gifts were given.
The bosses were not stingy. Although they all knew that all the gifts he received were donated to the Royal Academy, the least he received was a thousand taels of silver. Xu Yunzhen and Zhang Shize both received 5,000 taels of silver.
I have to say that these big guys are all human beings. After the emperor and his family have done enough, don’t they just ask them to come and give gifts and donate them to the royal academy. Think about it when the emperor raised military salary some time ago, they all cried out that they had no money to pay. I have to take advantage of this opportunity to make up for it, and I can go to the merit arch and sell favors to the little eunuch at the same time. It's a good thing to kill three birds with one stone.
Spend some money, it's worth it!
And Chang Yu also felt that it was worthwhile to hold this housewarming party. No matter what was shameless or nameless, money was the most important thing!
The Chang Mansion was very lively, but the palace was very quiet. Emperor Chongzhen was reading the book in Qianqing Palace, and Wang Chenen was waiting beside him: "The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty have been there for at least seven or eight years."
"There are too many people who want to hug his thighs now. Besides, this time there is no threshold for people to hug him for free. It would be strange if there are few people." Chongzhen curled his lips and chuckled: "I just want to know who are there. Did not go?"
"This may not be known until tomorrow morning. The news before the imperial city closed its doors is that most of the officials from the six ministries and nine ministers have gone. The first and second assistants have sent gifts, but no one has gone. As for those nobles who are hiding behind Most people only go there after dark." Wang Chenen said in a low voice.
Emperor Chongzhen nodded: "Li Banghua was so cunning that he did not go to avoid suspicion. His subordinate Shi Bangzhao, as the censor of Zuodu, did not avoid suspicion at all and went to the emperor's house. It is beyond my expectation. Do you think he is really stupid or just plain stupid?"
Wang Chengen smiled bitterly and shook his head: "I can't guess what Lord Shi is thinking. I heard that he went with Lord Wang Jiayan..."
Chongzhen chuckled: "Wang Jiayan is the governor of Beijing Camp and a military general. It is well known that the military and Chang Yu are close, but Shi Bangzhao is the censor of Zuodu, the Metropolitan Procuratorate. This is a professional The yamen that you eunuchs have trouble with, you say he... really puzzles me."
"Perhaps Mr. Shi only went there in his personal capacity..." Wang Chengen guessed, and Emperor Chongzhen sighed: "Where does his personal status come from? Forget it, let's not talk about it. By the way, did you send any congratulatory gifts?" .
"Send it away, send it away, the old slave will be with the eunuch in charge of the palace yamen, ranging from five hundred to five thousand."
"Hey, you actually have so much money?" Chongzhen looked surprised, and Wang Chenen quickly said: "Thanks to the Emperor and Eunuch Chang!"
"This boy is really a god of wealth." Emperor Chongzhen sighed, but his curiosity became more intense: "Is it really that profitable for you to have that boxing match in the palace?"
Wang Chenen smiled sheepishly: "Your Majesty, there are tens of thousands of people in the palace, and it's not just that one, there is also the Cuju that the prince played before... Oh no, the old slaves called the football game also participated, and I followed Eunuch Chang outside and got involved in some other businesses..."
