There are signs that Zhang Luan is critically ill.
For more than a month, he felt his blood surge and his head felt dizzy.
After the fright he suffered at the elephant training center, he became bedridden after returning home. Now he only has air coming in and no air coming out. The imperial doctor was at his wits' end.
Everyone in the court called Zhang Luan Lao Guozhang, and "Lao" was an honorific title. In fact, he is only forty-seven years old this year.
In the first forty years of his life, he failed despite repeated attempts and failed to achieve his goals.
Until the age of forty, his greatest ambition was to pass the examination, participate in the official selection, and become a county magistrate or a magistrate.
The selection of the princess in the winter of the 22nd year of Chenghua changed his destiny.
When he entered his forties, his father soared into the sky because of his daughter's wealth. First, he was specially awarded the title of Minister of Honglu Temple and became a fourth-rank official of the Eight Classics.
When Prince Zhu Youtang came to the throne, Chao worshiped him as Dr. Ronglu and the Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Army. Become the first rank of the dynasty.
Three years later, he was awarded the title of Shouningbo, a super rank.
This year, his grandson Zhu Houzhao was granted the title of prince, and he was also granted the title of Marquis of Shouning. Both of his sons were also granted the title of earl.
Human destiny is really amazing. When I was carrying my back, my teeth would get clogged even if I took a sip of cold water. When luck goes well, wealth and wealth cannot stop you.
In the past seven years, Zhang Luan has enjoyed all the wealth and honor in the world. This life is worth it!
In front of Zhang Luan's hospital bed, two brothers, Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling, hugged each other and cried.
Chang Feng walked in and said, "Uncles, how is the old father-in-law doing?"
Zhang Heling wiped his tears and said, "Brother Chang, the imperial doctor said that my father's death date may only be today."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Luan sat up, and his originally pale face turned red.
As if nothing had happened, he ordered his son: "I'm hungry! Heling, ask the kitchen to mix a bowl of tofu with green onions and peppercorn oil. By the way, remember to sprinkle some Tanggu shrimp skin."
The two brothers Zhang Heling were stunned at first, and then overjoyed.
Zhang Heling laughed and said, "Dad, are you okay?"
Zhang Luan said: "Well, that's it. Go and get me some food. I'm hungry."
Chang Feng felt that Zhang Luan was not recovering from his illness but was recovering from his illness.
Not long after, Zhang Heling brought a bowl of tofu mixed with green onions to Zhang Luan.
Zhang Luan "嘡嘡嘡嘡嘡" wolfed it all down.
Then Zhang Luan raised the empty plate in his hand: "Is there anything else? I'm not full. Have another bowl."
Zhang Heling went to bring another bowl.
Zhang Luan finished eating like a storm and wiped his mouth: "One more bowl."
Zhang Luan ate three bowls of tofu mixed with scallions in a row, and still wanted to eat before he was full.
Zhang Heling noticed something was wrong: "Dad, you can't eat anymore. You have eaten too much."
Zhang Luan cursed: "I don't want to eat dragon liver and phoenix marrow! You don't care if you are full with tofu mixed with green onions? How unfilial!"
Zhang Heling had no choice but to bring the fourth bowl.
Zhang Luan finished the bowl and said, "It feels good to be full! I'm sleepy. I'll take a nap."
After saying that, Zhang Luan lay on the hospital bed.
The two Zhang brothers were extremely happy. It seems that my father's catastrophe has been over.
Chang Feng noticed something was wrong. He reminded Zhang Heling: "Check your father's breathing."
Zhang Heling was confused: "I tried to find out what my father was doing, and then I woke him up."
Chang Feng was used to seeing dead people in Jinyiwei. He noticed that Zhang Luan's face was now pale, and he clearly had the look of a dead person.
Chang Feng lowered his voice: "Your father seems to have... ascended to heaven."
Zhang Heling was surprised: "What?" Then he stretched out his hand to feel Zhang Luan's breath, and it was indeed cold!
A heart-rending scream came from Shouning Hou's residence: "Dad, why did you leave us and go like this!"
The old father-in-law passed away, and the funeral was extremely honorable.
Emperor Hongzhi personally gave him robes, rice bowls, inscriptions, robes, coffins, and utensils for the funeral.
The next day at Fengtianmen, Emperor Hongzhi went to court in mourning clothes. This is not in line with etiquette
Made. The emperor would only wear mourning clothes during the mourning period of the late emperor, the empress dowager, and the empress dowager.
However, no one in the civil or military circles of the Manchu Dynasty raised objections to Emperor Hongzhi's actions.
Some officials did not dare to touch Emperor Hongzhi's bad luck.
Another part of the officials believed that the emperor was a good emperor who was diligent and tolerant. This slightly illegal behavior is nothing.
At the beginning of the morning, Emperor Hongzhi said sadly: "The old father-in-law died of illness. I plan to posthumously confer him the title of Duke of Chang, with the posthumous title of Zhuang Su. His eldest son, Zhang Heling, will serve as Marquis of Shouning."
Emperor Hongzhi went too far.
According to later historical records, during the 276th year of the reign of the Ming Dynasty, there were only ten successors. There were only eighty-seven people who were granted the title of Duke.
Only those who have made great contributions are eligible to be granted the title of Duke.
Zhang Luan, the old father-in-law, had done almost nothing except enjoying himself in Beijing.
Unexpectedly, the new Minister of Civil Affairs, Ma Wensheng, was the first to stand up and support: "Your Majesty, the old monarch has a good conduct and is a model for his relatives. It is reasonable and reasonable to pursue the title of Duke."
Chang Feng in the military attache class was a little strange: Ma Laobu Tang was suspected of catering to his superiors.
Emperor Hongzhi was extremely pleased to hear what Ma Wensheng said.
Unexpectedly, Lao Ma changed the subject and said, "The old Guozhang was born in Nasu Supervisor."
"During the Chenghua period, due to severe disasters in Henan, Shaanxi and other places, a precedent was set for accepting millet. Anyone who accepted millet could be specially selected as a supervisor, official, or dian."
"During the Yongle, Xuande, and Zhengtong years, great disasters also occurred in the world. At that time, there was no case of accepting millet."
"Since the Chenghua Dynasty, whenever there is a famine in various places, the imperial court has made donations. The officials, supervisors, officials, and officials have made donations with money. How can they be honest and self-sufficient?"
"I suggest that we suspend the millet regulations and clarify the administration of officials."
Suspension of millet regulations was a task that Wang Shu entrusted to his successor Ma Wensheng before leaving office.
Ma Wensheng is indeed an old fox. He first catered to Emperor Hongzhi in order to get approval for his advice.
In fact, Lao Ma hasn't finished speaking yet.
Accepting millet and donating one's life is the only way for many scumbags to get promoted.
Many people have ancestors and fathers who were officials, but their children are not proficient in eight-part essays and cannot be elected.
They would spend money to buy grain and donate food to buy a supervisory education for their children.
The supervisors of the Ming Dynasty can be junior officials of the eighth or ninth grade. Those who donated prisons entered official careers.
To put it bluntly, it means spending money to buy an official position.
Ma Wensheng wanted to completely cut off the promotion channels for officials' children to spend money to buy official positions.
Emperor Hongzhi immediately agreed: "It's accurate! The cabinet has drafted a decree to stop the adoption of millet."
Chang Feng thought to himself: Lao Ma, like Lao Wang, is not afraid of offending others. His suggestion was approved, and countless officials and aristocratic families in the world would hate him till the very end of their teeth.
After the morning court, Chang Feng came to Fulu Street and personally selected the funeral papers for the late Duke Chang Guo.
Unconsciously, he walked to Qingsong Coffin Shop.
Seven years ago, Chang Feng interrogated an old cripple at night at Qingsong Coffin Shop. That's when his fortune began.
Changfeng entered the door of Qingsong Coffin Shop. Unexpectedly, the owner of the coffin shop changed. ..
The new owner is Lao Laizi.
The old cripple did not take his adopted son to the south. Instead, he stayed in the capital. He simply spent his money to buy a coffin shop and treated it as his own property.
Chang Feng raised his hands towards the old lame man and said, "Old senior, you're welcome and safe!"
When the old lame man saw Chang Feng, he shuddered subconsciously: "I have been washing my hands in a golden basin for seven years. What kind of case did I get into this time?"
Chang Feng comforted him: "Old senior, I misunderstood. This time I came to buy funeral papers."
The old cripple let out a long sigh of relief: "Good guy, you scared me to death. You made me sit on the tiger bench seven years ago. Then I didn't take care of myself well, and my left leg became lame. I turned from a fake lame to a real lame."
"I thought you were going to cripple my right leg today!"
Chang Feng felt a little guilty: "Old senior, I had confidential matters at hand at the time, so I had no choice but to sentence you. Don't hold grudges."
The old lame man was very calm: "It's all over! Now I have quit the Miaoshou Sect and am working as a businessman. You said you want to buy mourning papers?"
Chang Feng nodded: "Yes. This time it's for the Duke's funeral. According to the rules, the soul-inducing paper cranes and paper deer should be as tall as each person."
"Don't worry about money for me. I made you a real cripple. This time you can kill me and take revenge."
The old cripple said half-jokingly: "Then I'm not polite. I'll treat you as a birthday gift. Let's go to the backyard and choose a pattern first. Once you've chosen a pattern, I'll tie it up for you and send it off within a day."
Chang Feng and the old lame man entered the backyard.
I saw a handsome young man sitting among a pile of paper and immersed in reading.
Chang Feng was surprised: "Old senior, is this your adopted son? Has he grown so big?"
Back then, Chang Feng used the old cripple's adopted son to blackmail him and forced the old cripple to reveal who the leader of the Miaoshou Sect was.
The old lame man smiled and said, "Yes, he is already thirteen. Huang Yuan, come here to meet Mr. Chang from the Jinyi Guards."
Huang Yuan is the name of the old cripple's adopted son.
Huang Yuan walked up to Chang Feng and bowed to him respectfully: "The common people have met Mr. Chang."
This Huang Yuansheng has red lips and white teeth, a pair of big eyes full of intelligence, and is full of bookishness.
Chang Feng smiled and said: "No courtesy."
He then picked up the book Huang Yuan was reading, which was the "Commentary on Chapters and Sentences of the Four Books" that should be used.
Chang Feng asked: "Are you preparing for the county exam?"
Scholars in the Ming Dynasty took the exam to become a scholar, which was divided into three steps. The first step is the county examination, the second step is the government examination, and the third step is the hospital examination.
Unexpectedly, Huang Yuan answered: "I have passed the government examination. I am preparing for the college examination."
Chang Feng was greatly surprised: "You're only thirteen, and you've already passed the government examination?"
Chang Feng never passed the county examination until he was seventeen.
Huang Yuan nodded: "Back to my lord. The government examination just passed this year."
Chang Feng asked: "How did you rank in the government examination?"
Huang Yuan's answer shocked Chang Feng even more: "Back to your lord, the government examination is at the top of the list."
The head of the case is the first in the government examination!
Shuntian Mansion is at the feet of the Emperor, and its academic style is unparalleled in the world. Huang Yuan passed the Shuntian Prefecture examination, but in some remote provinces, he could have passed the examination!
Chang Feng praised: "Awesome! Senior, you are blessed."
The old lame man said proudly: "This child has loved reading since he was a child and knows how to make progress. It's worth it that I picked him up from the beggars."
Chang Feng smiled and said, "Brother Yuan, I'm also preparing for the exam. I'm going to prepare for next spring. When you have nothing to do, come to my house and let's discuss the exam essays."
In the Song and Ming dynasties, young men in their teens were called "brothers" to show their closeness.
Huang Yuandao: "It turns out to be Senior Juren. I'm disrespectful. I will definitely go to your house to ask for advice."
Chang Feng chose the paper pattern and returned to his house.
Early the next morning, Huang Yuan drove a mule cart to Chang Mansion to deliver paper bundles. Chang Feng went to attend Yumen's morning court and was not at home.
The servant helped and carried the paper bundle into the front yard with him.
In the front yard, Chang Tian and Zhuang Zhuang were playing with a puppy. Huzi lay beside him with his ears drooped.
Good news came from the delivery room that the female dog paired with Huzi had given birth. There were seven in a litter.
Then the news came that six of the seven milk dogs had died, and only one survived.
Chang Tian named it "Little Tiger".
When Huang Yuan saw Chang Tian, he raised his hands and saluted: "Miss, I'm here to deliver the funeral papers ordered by your lord."
The servant reminded Huang Yuan: "Miss. This is Princess Wanping!"
Huang Yuan quickly knelt down and kowtowed to Chang Tian: "The common people pay their respects to the princess."
Chang Tian hugged Xiaohu and said, "Forgive me."
Huang Yuan stood up, looked up, and looked at Chang Tian.
Chang Tian saw that this little brother was extremely handsome, and two red clouds suddenly appeared on his face.
What girl is not pregnant? Chang Tian, a little flower in bud, has already begun to sprout.
Chang Tian put down Xiaohu and walked to Zhizhan Noodles
Front: "This crane is really exquisite."
Huang Yuan quickly said: "Thank you, Princess, for the compliment."
Chang Tian asked: "Is this your craft?"
Huang Yuan answered truthfully: "My father built the bamboo frame, so I just paint it with glue and cover it with paper."
Chang Tian turned to look at him. Huang Yuan lowered his head.
Chang Tian said: "It's really interesting. The craftsmanship is really good. How about you come to my house and teach me?"
It is obviously against etiquette and law for the dignified princess to learn how to make paper.
However, Chang Tian is a favorite in the capital and has always been willful. Even if she learns to make coffins, no one will stop her.
Huang Yuan hesitated a little: "The grassroots are preparing for the college entrance examination. I'm afraid..."
Chang Tian said: "Then I don't care. I won't let you come every day. Come once every seven days, just give me an hour, right?"
"I will give you five taels of silver every month."
The princess has a destiny, how dare Huang Yuan, a commoner, disrespect her? He said: "Yes, the common people obey."
The seeds of love between a boy and a girl began to sprout from then on.
New Year's Eve, the fifth year of Hongzhi's reign, arrived as promised.
On New Year's Eve, it snowed heavily in Beizhili. Auspicious snow heralds a good harvest. Emperor Hongzhi respected heaven and loved the people. It seemed that God was moved by this wise emperor and sent blessings.
Inside the Chang Mansion.
Chang Feng led Chang Tian and Zhuang Zhuang to have a snowball fight in the snow. Huzi and cubs ran back and forth excitedly in the snow.
Liu Xiaoyan came over and said, "What are you doing? A princess, a fourth-grade military attache, and the prince's future companion, how unbecoming it is to run wild in the snow..."
Before Liu Xiaoyan could finish her words, Chang Tian threw a snowball in her face.
Liu Xiaoyan suffered the loss of her sister-in-law, so she didn't care about her identity as a fourth-grade Gongren, so she grabbed a handful of snow and joined the battle group.
Mrs. Ninth is preparing the cooks to prepare dumpling fillings. Hearing the noise, he came to the front yard.
Chang Feng picked up a big snowball and slammed it directly on Madam Ninth's head...
For the Chang family, the fifth year of Hongzhi was a year of unity and victory.
Changfeng drove away the mediocre prime minister Liu Ji on behalf of Emperor Hongzhi, cleared away the grievances of the famous minister Wang Shu, and gained even more power and prestige in the capital.
Chang Tian became the adopted sister of Emperor Hongzhi and was granted the title of Princess Wanping. The Chang family became royal relatives.
Liu Xiaoyan and Queen Zhang have a deep love for each other and continue to be Liu Xiaoyan's close friends.
Mrs. Ninth is also good at women's red embroidery and quilt wrapping skills.
At the same time, many people inside and outside Beijing are also spending the auspicious New Year's Eve in their own way.
In the Qianqing Palace.
After Emperor Hongzhi paid homage to his ancestors, he returned to the Dragon Case and immersed himself in reviewing the memorial.
Charity and diligence are the strengths of this wise king. Even New Year’s Eve is no exception.
Compared with the dumplings made by Empress Zhang herself, he was more concerned about whether the supplies for the Jiubian soldiers were sufficient for the winter, whether there would be severe floods in the Henan section of the Yellow River, and whether the counter-insurgency war in Guangxi could end in complete victory...
Gongfang of Kunning Palace.
Liu Jin was carefully wiping the little prince Zhu Houzhao's buttocks.
Zhu Houzhao was not honest when he was defecating and wiping his buttocks. He twisted his buttocks and got the cake on Liu Jin's hand.
Liu Jin smiled with a smile on his face: "Thank you, Your Highness, for giving me the gold."
Serving the prince well and having a good future in the future is Liu Jin's New Year's Eve wish.
In the ceremonial prison.
Bing Qian, who was on duty, could sit around the fire with his adopted son Qian Ning. Eating the dumplings just delivered by Qian Ning.
A supervisor named Gu Dayong was giving money to Neng and reading a letter written by Wang Shu from Shaanxi.
Qian Neng lamented: "The old bastard has been gone for a few months. I really miss him!"
Li Dongyang's mansion in the north of the city.
Li Dongyang, the examiner for next year's spring examination, sat on a chair with his eyes closed, listening to his three sons kneeling and reciting Wen Tianxiang's "Song of Righteousness".
Reciting "Song of Righteousness" on New Year's Eve is the origin of the Li family's family tradition.
Zuo Chunfang, Zhan Shifu.
Just served as a lecturer at the banquet
Yang Tinghe, an official, is sorting out the contents of the Great Sutra Banquet that will be held in the palace on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. After his family urged him three times, he left the koan and went home to celebrate the New Year.
Lectures to the emperor were a job with a promising future. He didn't dare to slack off at all.
Shanxi Nasi Yamen.
Yang Yiqing, who is uglier than a dog, is interrogating a prisoner.
Although he is only the deputy envoy of the Imperial Guard, he is more diligent in his official duties than Zhen Si Zhengtang.
He believed that in his position, he must seek his own policies. It is his responsibility to clean up the prison of injustice and provide justice to those who have been wronged.
Datongwei.
A young general from the border town named Jiang Bin was standing on the city tower, staring eagerly at the north.
He was worried that the northern barbarians would take advantage of the Han family's New Year's Eve and go south to invade and harass them.
The government residence of the Northern Zhili Academy.
Wang Hua, the former No. 1 scholar who had just taken charge of academic affairs, was reading an examination essay written by his son Wang Shouren.
Last year, Wang Hua took a clever trick and asked Wang Shouren to return to his hometown in Zhejiang to take the provincial examination. Wang Shouren lived up to his father's expectations and was promoted to high school. Will participate in next year's Spring Festival.
After Wang Hua read the article, he scolded his son: "The writing is confusing."
In fact, I feel happy: my ancestors bless me! My son is indeed a man of great talent and learning. The eight-part essay I wrote today is smooth and well-conceived. There will be no problem for him to pay tribute in the coming spring. He can at least be ranked second in the imperial examination.
Wang Shouren is twenty-one years old. His studies have made great progress in the past two years. But he became more and more fond of talking about military affairs and also enjoyed archery.
His current idols are not Zhu Xi and Er Cheng, but Wang Shu and Ma Wensheng.
He once said to his friend Zhang Cong, who was three years younger than him: "If you go out, you will become a general, and if you enter, you will become a prime minister. A man who can bring peace to the world with his pen, and a man who can mount a horse to settle the world with military force can be a true husband!"
After the failure of "Gezhu", he became suspicious of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.
Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism is now just a step to realize his ambition.
Yihong Building.
Fatty Xu didn't like the messy Duke's Mansion rituals during New Year's Day to honor ancestors. He simply hid on Sai Tanghong's couch.
Although Sai Tanghong is thirty-five years old, she is still a mature woman and her charm is still there. It's time to get excited.
Fatty Xu pressed her bed so hard that it creaked and trembled.
His two brothers, Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling, didn't mess around with him this time.
These two boys are busy downstairs in the room of the two new Datong aunts.
That's right. These two little bastard relatives went to Yihong Mansion to enjoy incense and steal jade before their father's funeral.
The Ming Dynasty had a population of 60 million. Everyone has their own unique way of spending New Year's Eve.
At noon, the New Year drums were played in the Drum Tower of the Royal Palace.
The little eunuch of the Bell and Drum Division shouted at the top of his voice: "Guichou in the sixth year of Hongzhi! Auspicious snow and good harvest, good luck!"
Time is like water, flowing water does not rot. The torrent of history is still rolling forward...
