The bright moon hangs high and the moonlight is bright.
Bang bang bang bang...
A burst of crackling firecrackers sounded at the door of the courtyard, and the New Year's Eve was finally here.
In the small courtyard of Laizhou Mansion, Su Jing, Zhu Biao, and Muying were busy in the kitchen.
Although there were only three of us and there was no routine for visiting relatives, we couldn't just eat casually.
You still have to pay attention to what you should pay attention to.
"Okay! Serve it, let's eat!"
As the chef, Su Jing shouted loudly, and Zhu Biao and Mu Ying brought the dishes to the table.
"Come, let me toast you. On this last day of the year, eat and drink well!"
Su Jing stood up, held the wine glass and said to Zhu Biao and Mu Ying.
"I sincerely follow Master Su's teachings."
"What Mr. Su said is true!"
Zhu Biao and Mu Ying clinked their glasses with wine, their faces full of joy.
The New Year here is simple and warm.
At this moment, in the Forbidden City, Zhu Yuanzhang was also having a banquet with the officials.
During such important festivals, it is a routine practice for the royal family to entertain officials. This was not only the case in the Ming Dynasty, but many emperors in previous dynasties also had this custom.
Inside the palace, the lights are brightly lit.
Ma Zhiyuan, who is the head of the Hubu Branch, was also fortunate enough to attend the banquet in the palace.
Of course, the seat he was sitting at was the low-level table, and this was the only seat he could sit at due to his rank.
There are four levels in this grand banquet, namely the upper table, the upper middle table, the middle table and the lower table.
The dishes vary depending on the order.
It is best to serve it on the table. There are many kinds of side dishes, including five kinds of candied fruits and melons, and five kinds of fried snacks. For main dishes, there are phoenix chicken, double stick bones, etc., five kinds of wine, four kinds of vegetables, and three kinds of soup.
There are also horse, beef, mutton, etc., which are very rich.
As for the upper and middle tables, there is not much difference in the dishes, except that the types of wine and the number of dishes are reduced.
Compared with the other three dishes, the difference between the dishes on the table is quite big. There are only fine powder soup, pepper and vinegar pork, pigeon hooves, pork rice, steamed buns and a few bottles of wine.
But even these dishes are still delicacies to Ma Zhiyuan.
The child at home is recovering from a serious illness and cannot eat these foods. I can only think about whether I can take some home after eating.
In the main hall, Zhu Yuanzhang was naturally the center of attention.
Beside him were six princes including Li Shanchang and Xu Da.
After that came a group of princes. Although 28 princes were granted the title, some were granted posthumously, so the number was not satisfied.
These are Zhu Yuanzhang's heroes in creating the Ming Dynasty. At this moment, they are drinking and drinking in high spirits.
On such an occasion, all the princes were naturally present.
"Brother is not here, I feel like this banquet is a bit unaccustomed."
Zhu Xi sat in his seat and said to Zhu Fan beside him.
As the prince, everyone can see how carefully Zhu Yuanzhang cultivated Zhu Biao.
As long as it is a grand occasion, Zhu Biao will basically appear on the scene.
Of course, Zhu Biao also attracted everyone's attention. Whether it was Zhu Yuanzhang or the ministers, they would naturally look at Zhu Biao.
This future prince carries all the hopes of the Ming Dynasty.
As Zhu Biao's younger brothers, naturally they will not receive too much attention.
But now, Zhu Biao is not here, and many courtiers have begun to search for traces of Zhu Biao.
Zhu Xi, the second prince, felt that he was suddenly being stared at by many eyes, which made him quite uncomfortable.
"Second brother, it's okay. It's just that those ministers don't know where the elder brother is. They are looking for him. They are not looking at you specifically."
Zhu Fan explained sincerely.
Zhu Ming looked slightly embarrassed and said, "Of course I know, it's not like I feel a little bored and just pick some topics."
Zhu Fan said: "Second brother, I think you are thinking about your marriage. Do you like any of the daughters of these ministers?"
Zhu Fang is only one year younger than Zhu Biao. Zhu Biao's engagement has already been decided, and next year will be his coming-of-age ceremony.
As a prince, he definitely cannot make the final decision on this important matter of marriage.
There is a high probability that he will marry the daughter of a minister. In-laws are a powerful tool to maintain ruling relationships.
However, this does not prevent the princes from having someone they like.
"Third brother, you really said what you said."
When Zhu Ping heard about the important event of marriage, he suddenly became interested.
"I think Duke Wei's daughter is pretty good-looking. I like her."
Zhu Ping looked in the direction of Deng Yu, Duke of Wei, and recalled the appearance of Deng Yu's daughter in his mind.
Zhu Fan thought for a while and said: "Second brother, the daughter of Duke Wei, maybe you really have a chance."
Next year they will be crowned a vassal king. As a vassal king, the daughter of the Duke is indeed a good match.
But this is just Zhu Fan's guess and cannot be true.
"Hey, third brother, second brother likes to hear what you say."
Zhu Xi laughed, very excited.
Indeed, in the future he will marry the daughter of Wei Guogong Deng Yu, but she will not be the official concubine.
His concubine is Wang Baobao's sister Guanyinnu.
And now Wang Baobao is still the right prime minister of Zhongshu of the Yuan Dynasty, and is working hard to restore the Yuan Dynasty and defeat the Ming Dynasty.
"Second brother, why are you laughing?"
Zhu Yuanzhang's voice suddenly sounded, frightening Zhu Ping.
What he just thought was so beautiful that he didn't care about his own image at all.
"Reporting to my father, my son... I was chatting with my brothers about Mr. Su. I found it interesting, so I laughed."
Zhu Xiang's shell got stuck, and his mind couldn't turn around for a while, and it was directly pulled on Su Jing's body.
You can't say that you are thinking about women now.
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Xi and continued to ask: "What is it about Su Jing that is so interesting?"
This confused Zhu Xiang. He was just making nonsense and didn't know what to say.
At this time, Zhu Fan said: "Father, my sons and ministers are talking about the glass made by Mr. Su. It can be turned into a magnifying glass or a telescope. It is really interesting."
"Yes, yes, yes! Brother taught us how to use a magnifying glass to light a fire before."
Zhu Xi immediately agreed.
"Oh, is there anything else?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked curiously: "How to ignite a magnifying glass? I just have one in my hand. You can demonstrate it to me."
As he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang had already taken out a magnifying glass from his hand.
Zhu Yuanzhang often used a magnifying glass to help him study and read excerpts on weekdays, and he was accustomed to carrying it with him.
This also shows that Zhu Yuanzhang read a lot of frequency and time.
Zhu Xi immediately said: "Father, this must be done during the day, and it must be sunny. It cannot be lit without the sun."
This time it was Zhu Yuanzhang's turn to be surprised. He saw the double act of Zhu Xi and Zhu Fan.
After all, he is his own son, how could he not understand.
But Zhu Yuanzhang was surprised when he was really good at it.
"Okay, I'll look at it later."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and did not continue talking.
After all, these sons are not as important as those ministers at present.
"Your Majesty, is this glass made by Mr. Su?"
Duke Cao Li Wenzhong asked Zhu Yuanzhang.
As the nephew of Zhu Yuanzhang, he began to lead troops in combat as a soldier at the age of nineteen.
Li Wenzhong was a general who was deeply loved by Zhu Yuanzhang, and he had given him a lot of telescopes before.
Most of the officials now know about the existence of the telescope and that it was made by Su Jing.
But they don't know the glass that the telescope is made of.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "Yes, glass was created by Su Jing. The glass you buy now actually belongs to Su Jing, and the glass used in the palace is also purchased from him."
The glass market was really popularized by Zhu Yuanzhang.
In the decoration and renovation of the palace, the use of glass is very high.
Although the price is not cheap, it is not an expensive item for these founding heroes.
Therefore, the mainstream market for the glass produced by Su Jing's glass factory is actually these people.
Focus on a top market.
"I see, this Mr. Su is really a god."
Li Wenzhong sighed sincerely.
As a general, he knew the usefulness of telescopes very well. He really didn't expect that Su Jing also made the glass.
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "Su Jing is not as powerful as you said. He is just a businessman and does whatever he wants to make money."
Although the words seemed to be belittling Su Jing, Zhu Yuanzhang's look was clearly a compliment.
"I dare to ask, why is the prince not in the palace today?"
While talking and laughing, Cui Liang, the Minister of Gifts, suddenly asked.
Prince Zhu Biao!
When Cui Liang asked this question, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became much calmer.
Everyone knew that Prince Zhu Biao was not here, and they all guessed where Zhu Biao should be now and who he was with.
But no one was the first to ask.
Cui Liangtou is still very stubborn, without any foreshadowing, he goes straight to the topic.
On the one hand, Cui Liang is indeed stubborn, on the other hand, Cui Liang already feels that his body is not doing well.
The job of being the Minister of Rites is really tiring.
Zhu Yuanzhang has very high demands on officials, and Cui Liang is also a person who does not take care of others.
I always do my best.
Even if I feel unwell, I won't ask for resignation or anything, I will just hold on.
He felt that he had to shoulder his responsibilities at the last moment of his life.
Zhu Yuanzhang replied: "The prince is in Laizhou Mansion and cannot come back for the time being."
He was very satisfied with Cui Liang, the Minister of Rites.
The officer is efficient and at the same time very conscientious and meticulous.
All the rites including the enthronement and the grand ceremony were planned by him. All etiquette systems were cited and verified in detail by him, which was even better than his predecessor Yong Ren, the Minister of Rites.
Cui Liang said: "The Spring Festival is a major festival for removing the old and bringing in the new, worshiping gods and ancestors, and praying for blessings and warding off evil spirits. The emperor should offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for blessings and blessings. As the future heir of the Ming Dynasty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince should also do these things well."
"I believe that a situation like this should never happen again."
The Minister of Etiquette always starts his speech from etiquette.
The Spring Festival was a very important festival for ancient feudal society.
The emperor would hold a grand ceremony to pray to heaven and pray for the people.
There are etiquette regulations on how to conduct such etiquette and who needs to participate.
What Cui Liang said is quite correct.
The ministers looked at Cui Liang with different expressions.
Of course, some people must be happy, because even for things like the Spring Festival, Zhu Yuanzhang felt free to let Zhu Biao spend it with Su Jing.
This trust will make Su Jing even more difficult to deal with after she enters the court in the future.
"What Cui Shangshu said makes sense, I will definitely let the prince pay attention to it."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded without refuting.
This surprised the ministers. Isn't Zhu Yuanzhang ready to speak for Su Jing?
Even Cui Liang felt that things went so smoothly that it was unimaginable.
"Your Majesty is holy."
Cui Liang slowly retreated.
Although he is stubborn, Cui Liang is not a fool. It is enough to do his own thing well.
Zhu Yuanzhang has said so, and he will not continue to be entangled in Zhu Biao's affairs.
However, Cui Liang retreated, but someone stood up.
"Your Majesty, there won't be any safety issues for His Royal Highness with Su Jing."
Zhu Liangzu stood up from his seat and said to Zhu Yuanzhang.
Although his surname is Zhu, he is not related to Zhu Yuanzhang in any way.
On the contrary, he served in the Yuan Dynasty in his early years, fought against Zhu Yuanzhang many times, and suffered repeated defeats. He was finally defeated and conquered by Zhu Yuanzhang.
He is relatively close to Li Shanchang. Although he is from Huaixi, he is not upright and not popular. He can only be regarded as a marginal member of the Huaixi Group.
This kind of Zhu Liangzu is the easiest to become an optimization target.
He is in a hurry!
"Marquis Yongjia is worrying too much. The prince is still accompanied by Mu Ying, so there is no big problem."
Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly.
Upon hearing that Mu Ying was following Zhu Biao, the expressions of all the ministers at the banquet changed.
Who doesn't know Zhu Yuanzhang's love for Mu Ying, and Mu Ying has lived up to Zhu Yuanzhang's love, and is excellent in everything she does.
His reputation in the court is also quite good.
This most favored adopted son and a prince actually spent the New Year with Su Jing.
Su Jing's status was obviously higher than they thought.
"So that's it. I'm worrying too much."
Zhu Liangzu said: "But Your Majesty, as Cui Shangshu said, the prince's absence during the Spring Festival still has some bad effects."
"When Su Jing goes to Shandong, why should His Highness the Crown Prince follow him? Even though Mu Ying is following him, there are still risks. The plague in Qingzhou Mansion is the best proof."
"His Royal Highness is the foundation of a country. No accidents must occur. I hope your Majesty will not be deceived by Su Jing."
Speaking of being bold, Zhu Liangzu was indeed very courageous.
When facing Zhu Yuanzhang, he dared to call Mu Ying by his first name. Although Mu Ying was his descendant, he was still Zhu Yuanzhang's adopted son.
It can only be said that after being named Yongjiahou, Zhu Liangzu was very arrogant, and his unobtrusive speech has always been his problem.
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Liangzu, and there was a flash of strange color in his expression, but he did not get angry.
"Su Jing can't fool me. His Royal Highness went to Shandong with Su Jing. It was my personal order."
Zhu Yuanzhang said seemingly casually.
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of the officials changed again.
What does it mean?
Was this arranged by Zhu Yuanzhang?
So what exactly is Su Jing doing in Shandong?
It actually made Zhu Yuanzhang take the initiative to send the prince to accompany him.
Things are not simple!
However, the most embarrassing person at the moment was Zhu Liangzu, who took the initiative to pick out Su Jing's issue, but Zhu Yuanzhang obviously stood on Su Jing's side very forcefully.
Zhu Liangzu couldn't get off the tiger, and he didn't know what to do for a while.
(End of chapter)
