At the end of the 16th year of Jiading, the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month, New Year's Eve.
As night fell, fireworks were brilliant outside. In the study, Zhao Hong lay alone on a chair with his eyes closed and meditative. The brazier next to him was blazing with charcoal.
On New Year's Eve and New Year's Eve, it would be a paradise if we could eat hot pot around the table with a lot of beer, drinks, and relatives and friends.
As a prince, the emperor did not drag him out to eat and drink and give him pocket money on New Year's Eve, which shows Zhao Hong's failure.
However, the officials of the Song Dynasty were obsessed with Taoism and practiced Taoism all day long. They didn't know if they still had the country of the Song Dynasty in their hearts.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, that is, the New Year's Day, the "New Year's money" is given out after the main meeting. It's like a few sheep and a few stones of rice, nothing special.
What the hell are you thinking about?
Zhao Hong shook his head mockingly.
Emperor Zhao Kuo's body was getting worse day by day, leaving him less and less time to fight back. When he shakes hands with Shi Miyuan and makes peace, can the other party trust him, clear up the past grudges, and support his ascension to the throne?
Zhao Hong shook his head secretly. He cannot put his own destiny and life on the kindness and luck of the other party.
Telling the truth frankly might alert the enemy, making Shi Miyuan more alert and more difficult to deal with.
Never underestimate the wisdom of the ancients. Especially this Shi Miyuan, who has been able to control aspects for nearly twenty years, is by no means a mediocre person.
There are also palace commander Xia Zhen and empress Yang in the harem. The military and political affairs are controlled by them. What can I fight against? Rampage?
I'm afraid I'll die faster!
Duke Ji Guo is not even a prince or a county king. Prince, there is no trace.
Zhao Hong was upset and picked up a book, but he couldn't read it.
"Your Highness, Wu Wenying and Hu Mengyu are here."
Li Tang came in, followed by two Confucian scholars, the two from Fengle Tower.
"Boy, please take a seat, let's serve tea, serve good tea!"
It is always a happy thing to have acquaintances visit on New Year's Eve.
However, Zhao Hong, who was accustomed to drinking "making tea" in later generations, was really not used to the "ordering tea" drinking method of Song people.
The custom of drinking tea in the Song Dynasty was not to brew tea directly, but to brew tea leaves and tea powder into soup, which was called "ordering tea".
When making tea, first grind the tea leaves into powder, then brew it with boiling water to make tea soup. At the same time, use a tea spoon to quickly whisk the tea soup until it foams and the tea foam floats on the surface of the soup, and you can write or draw on it. It is very similar to the brewed coffee of later generations.
As for the "tea drinking method" that became popular in later generations, it originated in the Ming Dynasty.
"Your Highness, are you celebrating the New Year's Day alone?"
Hu Mengyu looked at the empty lobby and was a little surprised.
How come the dignified Lord Ji Guo has some friends and confidants, so why is the house so deserted on New Year's Eve?
Wu Wenying had a quiet personality and looked at Zhao Hong calmly.
"I drove all the beauties back to celebrate the New Year. As for those bad friends, it's probably because I offended Shi Miyuan in the court, so they are all invisible. It is human nature to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, so there is no need to make a fuss."
Zhao Hong looked at the two of them, feeling a little strange in his heart, but still full of enthusiasm.
"You guys are here, and it's getting lively here. I'll ask my servants to prepare wine and food, and we'll get drunk before resting!"
Although most of the people in the house went home to celebrate the New Year, some were still at the house in case of unexpected needs for food and travel.
"Your Highness, thank you for your kindness. However, we are here to invite you to a banquet. Madam Yang and Zhen Zhidao held a banquet at Fengle Tower to talk about poetry and poetry and celebrate the festival together. Wei Shilang's son is also there, This is an apology to you!"
Hu Mengyu said with a smile, took out a rectangular business card and put it on the table.
When he was first transferred to serve in Dali Temple, he was dissatisfied with Shi Miyuan's autocratic power. Naturally, he was much closer to the prince Zhao Hong.
Zhao Hong picked up the business card. It was rectangular, about the length of a palm, the paper was thick and hard, light red, and had a faint fragrance. On the front, there are four bold characters "Lin'an Yang Yi" written in beautiful words, words of compliment to Pan Yiju.
People in the Song Dynasty called business cards "famous assassins". Between scholars and officials, especially when subordinates see their superiors, regardless of whether they are familiar with them or not, they must hand over their business cards, otherwise it will appear disrespectful.
Wu Wenying still didn't speak and remained taciturn.
"Going to the banquet? Yang Yi?"
Zhao Hong was stunned, thought for a moment, and then shook his head.
"I spend countless hours talking about poetry and poetry, but they are just boring skills. The Tatars in the north are eyeing the tiger, the Song Dynasty is lacking in national power, the people's livelihood is in decline, and under internal and external troubles, I am really not in the mood. Let's skip this party. .”
Thinking of that cold lady with plain face and black hair, Zhao Hong's heart couldn't help but tremble.
In the splendid scenery, amid the feasting and feasting, people are talking boring nonsense, showing off, fawning and flattery. To be honest, this kind of banquet is too boring, he hates this kind of entertainment, and he is not sociable.
If you have the time, you might as well have a good sleep.
"Your Highness is concerned about the country and the people, and I admire you. Since Your Highness is not going, the two of us can just get rid of this trivial entertainment and go on a night trip to the West Lake together!"
Hu Mengyu has a bold personality and laughs out loud.
Zhao Hong was slightly startled. It seems that this Hu Mengyu also has a free and easy-going character and a sweet temperament.
"Brother Hu, if you two don't go, Yang Yi and the others won't be angry, right?"
Zhao Hong asked in surprise.
In this way, this boring dinner party may lose its luster, and may even end unhappy.
"It's just for socializing, not to mention that there are so many dandies in Lin'an City, there is no shortage of just the two of us. Wouldn't it be nice for Your Highness to take a trip to the West Lake with me?"
Wu Wenying finally spoke and invited Zhao Hong.
Zhao Hong's poetry was unparalleled in the world. He was really competitive and wanted to have a good discussion with Zhao Hong.
"Cha is a young boy from my classmate. He is in his prime, and he is full of scholarly energy. He scolds Fang Qiu. He points out the country and inspires writing. He is the filth of thousands of households. This... let's forget it."
Zhao Hong laughed heartily, shook his head in the end, and chose to refuse.
Things started in a hurry, and it seemed that he still had a lot to do on New Year's Eve.
As for Wu Wenying's secret rivalry with him in poetry, he was not aware of it at all.
"Qia is a classmate of a young boy who is in his prime, vigorous in scholarly business, and scolds Fang Qiu. He points out the country and inspires writing, which is like the dust of thousands of households... Your Highness, what a good word!"
Hu Mengyu reacted very quickly and couldn't help but cheer.
"... point out the country, inspire words, and the dung is like ten thousand households..."
Wu Wenying was sweating on her forehead, looking at Zhao Hong, trembling in her heart.
Is there any need to discuss this?
"Brother Wu, I remember that you and Shi Miyuan are from the same hometown. You are very talented. Why don't you go to Shi Miyuan and get an official position so that you can do things easily?"
Zhao Hong smiled and asked curiously about Wu Wenying.
I don’t know what kind of person this talented man in history was and what kind of thoughts he had.
"The emperor governs by doing nothing, the powerful prime ministers control the government, the officials are corrupt, officials are promoted by favor, and side affairs are weak. A gentleman is poor, and if he is poor, he lives alone. Wu cultivates himself and manages his family, and will not bury his conscience."
Wu Wenying said softly, without any righteous words, but he expressed his intention vividly.
"Expelling adultery and rebuking the wind and frost, withstanding and forbidding the cold and iron heart. Winning the dense place of the banyan tree, forgetting words and sitting silently in front of the incense burner. Your Highness, we scholars have our own integrity. Your Highness should clean up and take care of himself, and wait for the day when he ascends the throne. Give the Song Dynasty a bright future."
Hu Mengyu looked solemn, and then Wu Wenying said.
Ascension to the throne is a great treasure, and the world is bright and clear?
Zhao Hong smiled bitterly, shook his head, and bowed his hands.
"You two, please keep a low profile and live up to your expectations!"
Everyone in the world came to persuade him, but they didn't know that Shi Miyuan was so bold that he dared to "change the civet cat for the prince". He did not dare to say these words to others, so as not to alert others and make Shi Miyuan wary and even more frenzied.
"Your Highness, Wu Wenying is talented and has noble aspirations. He has traveled among the people and is well aware of the sufferings of the people. It is better for him to stay in the house and serve His Highness."
Seeing that Zhao Hong was approachable, Hu Mengyu emboldened to connect Zhao Hong and Wu Wenying.
Hu Mengyu's words made Zhao Hong stunned, and his eyes involuntarily glanced at Wu Wenying.
A scholar, or a famous poet in history, working hard for him?
However, he didn't need such a scholar, especially now.
Now, what he needs are fearless warriors who can go through life and death, think tanks and dog-headed strategists who can make plans, not Confucian scholars who are powerless.
Moreover, he and Shi Miyuan were at odds with each other, and Wu Wenying came to surrender at this time. What Wu Wenying brought to Wu Wenying might not be glory and wealth, but unavoidable disaster.
Maybe, after he ascends to the throne, he can use Wu Wenying, but not at this time.
"Your Highness, you don't need to take it seriously. Brother Hu is just joking. After the Lantern Festival, I will leave Lin'an City and travel around. At that time, I will not bid farewell to Your Highness."
Sure enough, Zhao Hong's hesitation made Wu Wenying speak immediately, with a slight blush on his face.
The pride of a scholar is clearly revealed in Wu Wenying.
Hu Mengyu was blushing and embarrassed.
He does bad things with good intentions, which brings shame to his friends and makes him look down upon.
"Brother Wu, you misunderstood!"
Zhao Hong reacted, shook his head, and said seriously:
"Brother Wu, you and I hit it off immediately and have become friends. What you don't know is that I am at odds with Shi Miyuan, and the people around me may be implicated. If Brother Wu can help me, I would be happy to ask for it, but not at this time."
Zhao Hong saw the sincerity in his eyes. Wu Wenying and Hu Mengyu looked at each other. Wu Wenying's face turned red, and she immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness is sincere, I am Meng Lang!"
He could naturally feel whether Zhao Hong was sincere or not.
Hu Mengyu breathed a sigh of relief. Poems are like people, and I was right about this prince.
"Brother Wu, I have a suggestion. You are still young. It is better to travel around the world to explore the sufferings of the people in the world. One day, if I am lucky enough to ascend the throne, it will not be too late for Brother Wu to come back and help me. Maybe at that time, Brother Wu can do something for me. The country can do more for its people.”
Only by solving the big problem of Shi Miyuan can he do his job properly. Otherwise, it's all out of the question.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Wu Wenying and Hu Mengyu bowed one after another. Both of them were smiling and felt great psychological satisfaction.
"Li Tang, go and get 100 coins, so that I can travel for Brother Wu!"
Zhao Hong signaled, and Li Tang reluctantly took out the money.
100 Guanqian is equivalent to about 200,000 in later generations. Zhao Hong is indeed sincere, but he is also quite spendthrift.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Wu Wenying did not refuse and took the money.
At this time, he was already worrying about gains and losses.
He even hopes that Zhao Hong can ascend to the 95th Supreme as soon as possible and that the two of them can renew their relationship.
"Brother Hu, you have a straightforward personality. Now that you are working in Dali Temple, you must be patient in everything and don't go against Shi Miyuan. Protect yourself so that you can do better things in the future!"
Zhao Hong reminded Hu Mengyu again seriously.
Even though he is still young, he is still an eighth- or ninth-grade sesame official. He is too straight-tempered and can't tolerate sand in his eyes. Don't let yourself get away with it.
Historically, Hu Mengyu seemed to have been played to death by Shi Miyuan.
"Your Highness, all sages have been lonely since ancient times, let alone me who are lonely and upright. Farewell!"
Hu Mengyu smiled handsomely, said goodbye to Zhao Hong without comment.
The words have been said, there is no need to stay any longer.
"Your Highness, Wu Wenying takes leave!"
Wu Wenying bowed solemnly and bowed solemnly to Zhao Hong.
Corporal Zhao Honglixian was kind to him, and he might be able to repay him in the future.
"Your Highness, this is another big expense. If this continues, I will really be left with nothing!"
Wu Wenying and Hu Mengyu left, and Li Tang pouted with a dark face and started mumbling.
"You guys are like a miser. Things that can be solved with money are nothing! Sell all the antiques, calligraphy and paintings in the house that can be sold. I don't believe it. You can't sell them for thousands or tens of thousands!"
Zhao Hong said nonchalantly, looking cool and unrestrained as a young man who doesn't feel sorry for his father.
Anyway, it’s all for nothing, let’s have fun before talking about it.
He suddenly remembered something and asked immediately.
"Li Tang, have you bought the horse I asked you to buy?"
"Back to Your Highness, I only bought four horses!"
Li Tang replied seriously.
"Why? Is it because there is not enough money?"
Zhao Hong couldn't help being stunned.
The majestic Duke's Mansion, the only prince of the Song Dynasty Emperor, couldn't afford a few horses.
He had seen the account books and found that he still had five to six thousand guan in his house, which was enough to buy a few good horses.
"Your Highness, that's not the case. I went to buy horses that day and happened to meet Miss Yan's family. I heard that my family wanted to buy horses, so they sent three good horses over, saying they were repaying Your Highness for your help."
Li Tang observed the words and answered carefully.
He was afraid that His Highness would make a mistake, so he gave the horse back to someone else.
Three good horses!
Zhao Hong was slightly startled.
He still knows the price of horses in Lin'an City. The average horse costs two to three hundred guan, and the price of a good horse is at least 500 guan.
This little lady Yan only made one or two thousand guans, what a big deal!
"Did she really not ask for money?"
The gift a woman gives to a man is three BMWs at a time. Even if she has helped others, she would not give such a big gift.
Everyone carries the sedan chair. It’s great to be powerful!
"Your Highness, I didn't ask for money! All of these big businessmen in Lin'an City are extremely rich. Since she gave it away, you can accept it reluctantly!"
Li Tang's dark face could not hide his happiness.
"Li Tang, what you said makes sense. No matter what, I'll pledge myself to you."
It is most difficult to accept the kindness of a beautiful woman. Thinking of Yan Chun's frown and smile, those two strong long legs, Zhao Hong's little heart beat inexplicably fast.
