Lin'an City, outside the Fengyu Gate of the West City Gate, Fengle Tower.
Fengle Tower is built according to the West Lake, with thousands of peaks connected, a vast expanse of green, willows and flower docks, passing through the railings and sills, and when you swim on the rafters and sing on the dike, you will often have a panoramic view of the lake and mountains below, which is Lin'an City. A tourist attraction for scholars.
Compared with the "Fengle Tower" in Bianliang City in the Northern Song Dynasty, the Fengle Tower in Lin'an City is more like a garden. There are built-in moon pools, shuttle doors, exotic flowers and plants, many pavilions, and swings in the building. It integrates entertainment and dining, and is equivalent to a luxury hotel in later generations.
Singing and laughing, the sound of silk and bamboo orchestras continued, and the people drank and drank, creating a prosperous and prosperous scene.
Zhao Hong entered the restaurant with people rubbing shoulders and smiling, and couldn't help but feel in a trance.
Historically, there were more than one million people in Lin'an City. Under the prosperity and wealth, they lived in a state of drunkenness and sleep, living peacefully in the south of the Yangtze River. Little did they know that the Mongols' rolling iron cavalry would crush this false prosperity.
After Lin'an City became the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, Lin'an took advantage of the right time, location, and people, and the luxury style reached its peak. Chen Zao, a contemporary, wrote in "Postscript of a Tour to the Mountains": "Now that it is the imperial capital, its benefits are extravagant and extravagant, and its pleasures are unbridled." In the "Noodle Shop" article of "Mengliang Lu", Wu Zimu calls the capital the capital. People are "delicate"; in the "workshop" section of "Old Martial Arts", Zhou Mi uses the word "arrogant and lazy" to describe the people of the capital. Their "coquettishness" and "arrogance" stem from the capital's usual extravagant atmosphere.
The extravagant style of the Southern Song Dynasty was not only the essence of the drunkenness of bureaucrats, but also the epitome of the unprecedented prosperity of the urban economy and culture of the Southern Song Dynasty. The imperial government of the Southern Song Dynasty advocated charity, paid attention to people's livelihood, and sympathized with the people's suffering. Therefore, the folk customs of the Southern Song Dynasty, especially those of Lin'an Prefecture, were one of extravagance and the other of simplicity.
Collect taxes from all over the country and goods from all walks of life, and provide them to Lin'an City for the enjoyment of one place. It's like a floating world.
Just like in this restaurant, bird cages and cricket boxes are everywhere on the table, carried by wealthy businessmen and dignitaries in rich and luxurious clothes, as well as ladies with pearls on their heads. The chatter and laughter are mixed with the sounds of insects and birds, and the sounds are noisy and impetuous.
This was much more lively than the Cantonese teahouses of later generations. But under the prosperity of Lin'an City, there are still people who have frozen to death. It can be imagined how the people's livelihood in other state capitals and remote areas in the Song Dynasty was.
"Your Highness, one meal here is worth a thousand dollars. This meal can make up for the hard work of the people for a year."
Li Tang, who sat down uneasily opposite Zhao Hong, felt embarrassed and asked with a dark face.
The country is easy to change, but the nature is hard to change. His Highness Huahua had just changed his appearance for a few days, and now he was wandering into this place of wine and sex.
"Li Tang, it's good that you still know the sufferings of people's livelihood. I just experienced it and won't come again in the future."
Zhao Hong was slightly embarrassed and replied sarcastically.
"Beyond the mountains, there are towers outside the mountains, and when are the singing and dancing in the West Lake closed? The warm wind makes tourists drunk, and they only call Hangzhou Bianzhou."
The "building" in the poem refers to "Fengle Building". Now that we have come to this era, we naturally have to experience it.
Li Tang had a dark face, feeling secretly distressed.
You, old man, haven’t come to this gold-selling cave in Fengle Tower before!
There is a difference between high and low, and it seems that I have never enjoyed it with Zhao Hong at the same table before. Let’s have a good meal today, it’s not your own money anyway.
The two of them were looking for a seat by the window on the second floor, where they could see the beautiful scenery of the West Lake and the mountains. As the New Year was approaching, the West Lake was filled with men and women and countless tourists.
Fengle Tower is one of the largest restaurants in Lin'an City. Ordinary people cannot easily go upstairs to the pavilion and can only sit downstairs to relax. Only those wealthy businessmen and powerful families can do whatever they want.
"Li Tang, it seems like you don't like this place very much."
Seeing that Li Tang was a little reserved, Zhao Hong asked with concern.
Some people naturally dislike crowded and noisy places and prefer silence. Maybe this Li Tang has this kind of character.
"Your Highness, I am just a guard of the Duke's palace. I am paid ten guan a month. How can I come to a place like this? What I earn in a year is not enough for a meal here!"
Li Tang's words made Zhao Hong nodded slightly.
Eating here is like a five-star hotel in later generations, and opening a bottle of wine is Lafite from 1982. Ordinary people's salary is three to four thousand, who is willing to spend money in these places.
"Li Tang, you've come here today, have a nice meal and drink, I'll pay for it!"
Zhao Hong smiled boldly, a little embarrassed.
As a prince, his monthly salary is several hundred guan, and he is given many rewards for food and clothing. Compared with the moonlight clan before, now I finally experience the pleasure of a rich man spending money like water.
"Your Highness, with my status as a villain, it's good to be able to drink with His Highness. There is no need to drink, so as not to cause trouble."
Li Tang quickly declined and said seriously.
Zhao Hong secretly admired him when he saw him sitting upright with his back straight and a serious look on his face.
"Li Tang, if you join the army, you must be a good soldier!"
"Your Highness, the villain is a Forbidden Army like a golden spear. However, after my father passed away, the villain has no power, so he can only..."
Li Tang was a little embarrassed.
"Your Highness, this is not what I mean. Don't take it personally."
Judging from what he said, it seems that Zhao Hong's place is a pile of shit.
"Talent is not appreciated! You have talent, but it's a pity that you don't have a chance."
Zhao Hong waved his hand, not dissatisfied.
"So, the guards in the palace are all the imperial guards of the palace?"
If this is the case, Li Tang may be a subordinate of Xia Zhen, the commander of the front department, and his confidant may not be certain. Xia Zhen is Shi Miyuan's best friend, so be careful.
"Your Highness, yes, the other guards are all forbidden troops of the Palace Front Division. Xu Sheng is a guard in the archery class, and Hu Datou is a guard in the silver spear class. They are both very skilled. They are also appointed by the current officials. Your Highness does not have to worry about the family. Safety."
A hint of pride appeared on Li Tang's dark face unconsciously.
"Disrespectful! Thank you for your hard work!"
Zhao Hong quickly handed over his hands in awe.
I was really flattered that Zhongnanhai's bodyguard protected me.
"Your Highness, there is no distinction between superior and inferior. You don't need to be like this. Otherwise, the villain will be restless."
Li Tanghei's face turned red and he stood up again unconsciously.
"Sit down, sit down."
Zhao Hong poured a glass of wine for Li Tang and picked up the glass himself.
"Let's have a drink, just one drink, just think about it."
Li Tang had no choice but to touch Zhao Hong respectfully and drink it all in one gulp.
"Your Highness, I can still drink some wine, but Xu Sheng can't. After a few glasses of wine, he will get drunk and act crazy. If Your Highness takes him out, be sure not to let him drink, so as not to make a joke!"
Li Tang whispered, and Zhao Hong laughed.
"Why didn't you bring this guy out?"
He originally wanted to ask that Tian Yi to come, but he was afraid of disturbing others. Especially at the end of the year, people are very busy.
"Li Tang, you said last time that your father had passed away. Who else is there in your family? How are you doing?"
Zhao Hong poured another glass of wine for Li Tang.
Since you can drink, drink a few more glasses, just to get rid of your restraint.
Just this 20% fruit wine is probably not enough to drink, so I just need to add water a few times.
"Your Highness, I also have my mother and the Hun family at home, and two young children, one is one year old and the other is three years old. The mother and the Hun family do some needlework to support the family, which is pretty good."
Li Tang replied softly and drank another drink unconsciously.
In the past, Zhao Hong would never take guards like them to eat at the same table, let alone ask questions about the family's filial piety.
Zhao Hong nodded. Throughout the ages, life has been difficult for the people at the bottom.
"Li Tang, do your best. Believe me, there will be miracles in life!"
If you are successful, you can help the world; if you are poor, you can only take care of yourself. If you can't save the world, you should still have the ability to help those around you.
"Your Highness is determined! Your Highness still needs to hide his power and bide his time and temper his sharpness. Shi Miyuan is so powerful that your Highness does not need to fight him. There will be plenty of opportunities when His Highness ascends the throne."
Li Tang said with a straight face, and Zhao Hong nodded appreciatively.
"Li Tang, you are right, I will be cautious."
I just don’t know if I can ascend the throne smoothly?
Zhao Hong couldn't help but frown as various animal sounds other than human voices came.
"Li Tang, I see the people eating here, birds, crickets, cats and dogs, etc., don't you have any at home?"
Losing one's ambition by playing with things, what he saw from these middle and upper class people in the Southern Song Dynasty was full of disappointment. He let go of all the birds, beasts, insects, and fish in his house, but few people were like him.
If there is a "beautiful country" in this era, it is estimated that the number of powerful and powerful people fleeing from abroad will be no less than that of later generations.
"Your Highness, how can a villain have the money to raise these things? However, I do have a yellow cat, but it is to prevent rats. Rich people mostly raise crickets to protect themselves. Sometimes one fight can cost more than ten thousand gold, and even lose everything. have!"
Li Tang said angrily, frowning.
Cricket fighting was popular in the Southern Song Dynasty. In history, Jia Sidao was called the "Cricket Prime Minister". It is not known whether it is true or false. At least what I heard from Li Tang is that cricket fighting is about gambling, and this is true.
"In addition to cricket fighting, there is also tea fighting. Tea fighting includes tea fighting products, tea fighting orders, tea games, etc., from the emperor to the scholar-bureaucrats, everyone is good at this. The key to the victory or defeat of tea fighting is first to look at the color of the soup, and secondly to see the color of the soup. Look at the tea flowers. The general standard for the color of tea is pure white. The sooner or later the water marks appear becomes the basis for determining the quality of the tea flowers..."
Li Tang introduced carefully, but Zhao Hong was confused.
There are so many tricks to drink tea, cricket fighting is all the rage, blood and energy are melted into the sensuality of dogs and horses, and it is not surprising that the country will be destroyed.
Seeing that Zhao Hong seemed distracted, Li Tang decisively shut up.
What he didn't know was that Zhao Hong was naturally disgusted with these things.
Zhao Hong hesitated for a moment and suddenly asked in a low voice:
"Li Tang, tell me, is there any room for reconciliation between Shi Miyuan and I?"
Zhao Hong's words stunned Li Tang. He looked at Zhao Hong and hesitated:
"Your Highness, you and Shi Miyuan don't have any deep hatred. It shouldn't be difficult to sit down and talk. However, Shi Miyuan has great power and is a ruthless character. Your Highness should be careful."
Li Tang's reply made Zhao Hong burst into laughter.
Although Shi Miyuan was domineering, he would not depose the prince. This was the view of most people in this era. He asked Li Tang, but it was in vain.
He has long been a serious problem in Shi Miyuan's heart, and he wants to get rid of it quickly. However, there is one thing Li Tang said rightly. Shi Miyuan is a ruthless person. Even Shi Miyuan himself is afraid of being ruthless.
Two Confucian scholars in loose robes and slow robes came over and passed by Zhao Hong's table. Among them, a handsome Confucian scholar in his thirties accidentally saw Zhao Hong. He was surprised and stopped to salute.
"Your Highness, you are here too!"
"Mr. Hu, long time no see."
Li Tang quickly stood up and saluted Hu Mengyu.
He knew that Zhao Hong had been in a bad state of mind recently and was in a daze, so he had to whisper popular science in Zhao Hong's ear.
"Your Highness, Hu Mengyu, Xiazhou Judicial Officer joined the army and is an honest official."
"Mr. Hu, you are here too. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Zhao Hong stood up with a fake smile and bowed his hands.
Seeing that Hu Mengyu was around forty years old, he was still just a low-level judicial prosecutor. No one believed him even if they said he was dishonest.
"I have met His Highness!"
Another young scholar, handsome, fair and elegant, came to greet Zhao Hong.
"Your Highness, this is my old friend Wu Wenying, a famous talent in the south of the Yangtze River."
Hu Mengyu recommended the young people around him to Zhao Hong.
"It turns out to be Mr. Wu, disrespectful!"
Zhao Hong did not dare to neglect and bowed his hands.
This Wu Wenying seems to have some reputation in history. Among the 300 Song Ci poems, there seem to be some of his masterpieces.
Wu Wenying quickly returned the gift. They say this prince is aloof and arrogant, why is he so approachable?
Are the rumors about his debauchery false?
"Your Highness, if you have nothing to do, why don't you wait with me and sit in the Cuiyun Pavilion in front?"
Seeing that the food had not been served yet, Hu Mengyu invited Zhao Hong.
"Then it's better to be respectful than to obey. You two, please!"
Zhao Hong smiled broadly and did not refuse.
When you come to Fengle Lou to eat, you will inevitably meet these powerful people, and it is not easy to refute others' faces.
Li Tang had no choice but to follow closely with a dark face.
It seems that Zhao Hong will be taken advantage of again today.
