At this time, the capital city was lively in the city that never sleeps.
A craftsman had already been hired to put the big characters "Si Li Jian" on the left side of the door of the police station, and further to the left was the sign "Jinyiwei".
There are also two yamen on the right side of the gate: Xingbu and Dali Temple.
Above the central plaque are the six words "Sleepless City Public Security Office".
The original doubts about this place were all eliminated with the swaggering visit of Eunuch Liu, the Superintendent of Ceremonies. After all, the so-called Earl's Mansion man was caught on the spot.
Yu'e also suddenly became a celebrity in the city that never sleeps.
Many people don't know what's going on. They always feel that the eunuchs in the palace will not support her for no reason. Maybe there is some secret behind it, but they usually don't show off! !
As a result, no one dared to come to this crispy tofu shop to cause trouble anymore, and the normal life of opening a business has returned. Moreover, after becoming famous in the first battle, many people came here because of its reputation!
Some elegant people like to sit here, order a piece of tofu and say a few sarcastic words. Like...
"Tofu is a soft thing in the world, but Miss Yu'e's ambition is a hard thing in the world. If you eat this tofu, it will be both soft and hard. Isn't it one of the best delicacies in the world?"
"Not bad!"
"If you ask me, the name of crispy tofu can be changed to firm tofu. What do you think, Miss Yu'e?"
It was originally a tofu shop, but now it has become a place where Qingliu expresses his moral integrity.
But Yu'e didn't understand this. Anyway, she was happy when the business was good. She smiled and answered whatever the guests said: "I am an uneducated woman who doesn't understand what to name it. If you buy it, what are you willing to give it?" Give it whatever name it deserves."
"Look, I'm not happy about it." The visitor's friend teased him from the side, "It's hard tofu, it sounds so tight. Besides, tofu is soft. If you call it hard, you won't be able to do business in the future." ?”
"Huh? It's just to make people feel puzzling, so they want to understand. Once you know the inside story, you will naturally feel that this girl Yu'e is different."
Yu'e looked at these young people talking about this and felt happy in her heart. Anyway, there are many people, which means it is prosperous.
It's a small shop like hers, and there aren't that many seats.
There were quite a few people standing in line outside.
If this incident hadn't happened, it would not have been easy to get this group of people to queue up in an orderly manner.
"Er baby," Yu'e was busy back and forth, looking for a moment to tell a relative who was helping her, "urge the kitchen and bring out the prepared tofu quickly. There are quite a few people lined up outside. And , we have to do more tonight.”
"Then, when can I rest?"
"Why rest? Go quickly!"
I still think about these things when I’m making money.
The liveliness here has also boosted the popularity of the city that never sleeps.
Looking back now, this time it was a blessing in disguise.
For other merchants, after seeing a tofu girl defeat two Earls in a fight with their own eyes, they have nothing to be afraid of.
And it happens to be New Year's Eve, so many people go to the streets to buy new year's goods, and the flow of people in this city that never sleeps cannot stop.
Furthermore, this year is the fall and winter season for the imperial examinations, and it is already November after the results are released. In addition, there are various procedures to go through, and it will be December after a slight delay.
The Ministry of Personnel means that all officials appointed this year can take office after the Lantern Festival and before the freeze.
After all, there is no reason for people to rush on the road during the twelfth lunar month. This might make it easy for people to spend the holidays on the road.
Furthermore, even if you take up that position, there is nothing to be busy with at the end of the year, so what are you rushing to do?
Of course, those who don’t win are casual.
As a result, more than 300 new scholars were gathered in the capital. These people had achieved success after years of hard work, and they had no burdens on them. They were the most proud of their lives.
So in the city that never sleeps, these people gather together every day.
This scene is connected by corridors and eaves, with lanterns everywhere. When you are in it at night, you just feel that the prosperous Ming Dynasty is right in front of you.
After what happened last time, Gu Zuo didn't dare to take it lightly, so recently he would go around the city that never sleeps and even buy some things to see if there was anything wrong.
Lest like last time, the emperor knew about it and he, the official in charge, didn't know about it yet.
After walking around a few times, I met Xing Guan and Jiang Yong, whom I met on the boat before.
There were three of them, but this time there were only two.
After finding a teahouse and sitting down on the second floor, Gu Zuo understood the reason.
Another person, Song Wen, failed the exam.
"Alas." Gu Zuo couldn't help but sigh. Looking out from the second floor here, it was decorated with lights and colorful decorations, and it was glorious and prosperous. But he didn't know how many failed candidates were rushing against the cold wind in this dark night.
"Ten Kougou has been treated like a god, and for half a year there has been no sound for thousands of miles. My hair on my temples is like snow, my heart is like death, and I am like a descendant of Chang'an."
What he recited was the work of Wen Xian, a poet from the Tang Dynasty.
This means that dozens of people in his family depend on him for food and clothing. He has been in the capital to take the exam for half a year, and has completely cut off contact with his family. But the result?
The hair on the temples is like snow,
The heart is like death.
So heavy, so sad.
Xing Guan also couldn't hide his emotions and said: "Brother Song, he is also a talented person. Maybe it is God's will not to succeed this time. Next time, he will definitely be on the list next time."
There are those who get Jinshi, and there are those who fail. There is nothing we can do about it.
"Where are you two? Have you been commissioned?"
Xing Guan was a little embarrassed, "Brother Jiang let go of Deqing County Magistrate, and I... I don't have the upper hand in the ranking. I only lost a seat in the Guanzheng and Punishment Department."
The so-called "watching the government" actually means that there is no place to put you. You can find a place to see for yourself.
"This matter is not difficult. With your talents, it is a waste to monitor the government and the Ministry of Punishment. When the time comes, I will say hello to the Ministry of Punishment, and you will come to the Shaofu to observe the government. As for Ruxing (characterized by Jiang Yong), it is still in accordance with the Ministry of Personnel Secretary, go to Huzhou Prefecture and serve as the county magistrate."
Xing Guan was overjoyed when he heard this and left his seat to greet me, "Thank you so much, Young Situ. Young Situ appreciates the promotion. I will keep it in my heart and will not forget it."
Jiang Yong was also happy for him, "Brother Xing's opportunity makes me even more envious."
"Young Situ, look at this Confucian scholar. He is dishonest. Everyone in the capital knows now. Where does the Holy Master place his emphasis? He even says he envies me."
Gu Zuoze said: "It is true that the magistrates are one step ahead, but if they want to advance further, they must have some political achievements. This is not easy."
Precisely because it is not easy,
Therefore, the officials selected through this method must have withstood a test.
Comparatively speaking, in the bureaucracy, you are actually just a part of it. When the management level and structure have been fixed, even if you achieve any results, the emperor will most likely only notice one or two officials in charge. .
All I can say is that if you do hard things, you will be rewarded.
Jiang Yong has big buck teeth and his appearance is extremely ugly.
However, in Gu Zuo's opinion, although Xing Guan talks more, he is better at talking. But in terms of true talent and learning, this Jiang Yong is still the most powerful.
On the boat, the first person who had an impression was Jiang Yong.
Even Jiang Yong himself still has confidence, probably because he has a gap in his heart.
Such a somewhat leisurely and extremely lively night,
Zhu Houzhao did not continue to indulge in government affairs. Lanterns were hung up everywhere in the palace.
Some of the patterns on the lanterns are like auspicious animals such as dragons and phoenixes, some are like auspicious fruits such as peaches and plums, some are like towers, and some are like longevity stars.
After night falls, the lanterns in the East and West Gardens and all over the city are lit up, as if they are competing with the stars and the moon in the sky.
The emperor took his first wife and three concubines, passed the Yuhua Gate to Xiyuan, and took a boat on the Taiye Pond. This is a horseshoe-shaped artificial lake in the West Garden of the Imperial Palace. The Long Live Mountain in the palace was built from the soil dug here.
There are thousands of lights on both sides of the lake, and the festive atmosphere is still quite strong.
It is said that there are one queen and three concubines, but they are actually four little girls in their prime.
In addition to Queen Xia, there are also the virtuous concubine Chen, the Shu concubine Shen, and the Shun concubine.
Chen is the girl who looks like Qiuyun. Shen was chosen because of her appearance. She has a slender figure and is thin and cold. Zhu Houzhao still likes this goddess look.
As for Ru Qi Qiqi, Zhu Houzhao has not been to her place yet.
Only thirteen years old.
It's a pity that Huaiyan and Huaixiao are not here. Because they are both pregnant, they still don't go out at night in winter.
The dragon boat rowed leisurely on the lake. Zhu Houzhao was particularly intoxicated by the beautiful scenery and beauties. He even thought that it would be better if the second year of Zhengde came slower.
"You all look at me like this. I don't even know where I'm going tonight. I feel that whichever one I go to, the other three will be sad."
Probably because they were not particularly familiar with her, except for Ru Qiqige, a Mongolian woman, the other three people including Queen Xia all told the emperor that they were shy.
"In the harem, the queen is the most respected. Your Majesty will naturally go to Kunning Palace." Concubine Chen took the initiative.
Empress Xia also thought the same thing. The emperor had not consummated her marriage in a serious way yet.
When Zhu Houzhao saw how beautiful they all were, he couldn't help walking over and kissing one of them on the cheek. This was his way of getting along. They were already known as husband and wife. Even if he didn't do that, he wouldn't be too honest. , so although the first three were shy, they did not hide.
I only came to the right side,
Zhu Houzhao always felt that thirteen was really too young, "Shun Concubine, you..."
"Your Majesty will never favor one over another, right?" Mongolian women are bold.
So, he kissed me on the forehead.
"I just said that you will be sad, and it's not all about whether I go or not. I'm also thinking that for the wedding in December this year, you will also have to stay away from your relatives and go to the depths of the palace. I'm afraid this red lantern can't be with you. My parents watched it together.”
"Your Majesty." Queen Xia said, "My three sisters and I entered the palace willingly. Your Majesty is a man who values love and justice. How can I be sad if I am committed to Your Majesty?"
Zhu Houzhao didn't completely believe this, maybe they didn't dare to say it even to their parents.
"I will stay with the four of you more this year. It doesn't have to be anyone's palace. Just like tonight, if we are together and accompany each other, we won't stay in the cold palace in vain."
"If Your Majesty says so, then there are two sisters who are pregnant."
"There is wind here after all."
Queen Xia insisted, "Then go to the house? We won't leave the two of them behind every time."
Zhu Houzhao nodded happily, "Okay. The Queen will handle this matter. You order someone to buy a bigger place. I will spend it with you every festival."
In fact, he was beginning to miss home and his relatives. How could these teenage girls miss him?
He still remembers where he came from, and naturally knows where he wants to take Ming Dynasty.
"In a few days, it will be the second year of Zhengde..."
(End of chapter)
