Han Ximeng continued to shake his head: "The mulberry farmers are still the same as in previous years. They are all tenants at the foot of Sheshan Mountain. They share the land of Brother Gu's house to grow mulberry trees. Atta said that on weekdays, grandma personally takes care of it."
When she said this, Zheng Haizhu remembered that when he was hiking on the Double Ninth Festival last year, among the tenant farmers of the Gu family who came to pick up their daughter, there were several daughters-in-law of sangong farmers.
Zheng Haizhu stared at it and asked, "Miss, do silkworms that don't spin silk eat all the leaves provided by the Gu family's mulberry farmers?"
Han Ximeng nodded and said: "Yes, that's why Miao Atai met the second aunt and me in Sheshan today because she personally went to see the mulberry garden there and said she couldn't see anything strange. I don't think so either. It could be because of the mulberry leaves. After the Wake of Insects, several handkerchiefs and I had gone to Sheshan to enjoy the peach blossoms. We each bought a basket of mulberry leaves from the Gu family mulberry garden and returned home to raise silkworms. Although raising silkworms was fun, those silkworms were The child spun silk obediently, and the cocoon was still white and shiny."
"Oh, that's it," Zheng Haizhu thought thoughtfully, paused for a moment, and then calculated, "Then I have to ask Shoukuan to take a boat to Suzhou in the next few days to prepare some silk threads to avoid running out of embroidery. Our tailor shop made it When the tobacco bags sold to the Japanese reach 500, they will be put on handkerchiefs, socks, and Japanese clothes, and transported from Zhilong to Yuegang. Eunuch Liu has already ordered the magistrate of Haicheng County to give them to the Japanese. Brother Yan gave him a boat guide and taught him to start the business first."
Han Ximeng said happily: "Okay, don't forget to ask your fellow countryman brother to find some fine embroidery and good paintings from Japan. Let's go upstairs."
After thinking about it, he said: "I just hope that our Songjiang will open and close like Yuegang as soon as possible and sell goods overseas, so why bother looking far away from the near. In fact, it is not wise to still impose a sea ban on Japan. The imperial court can cooperate with the Frankies , Hongyi people, Persians, and Taixi people are doing business, why are Japanese merchants stuck because of the old affairs of the past? Isn’t their silver silver? Can’t the silver earned from their hands be used to support our Ming soldiers? Can't you reduce the taxes on the people?"
Zheng Haizhu thought to herself, my eldest lady, you can think like this because your heart is clear and free of greed.
As the saying goes, when things go wrong, there must be monsters. The Ming Dynasty is in such need of money, but it has not yet relaxed its ban on sea trade with Japan. It only encourages people to hate Japan. The big reason is that from Deng to Nanzhi Li, and then to Ningbo, Zhejiang, many officials had intertwined forces to operate smuggling merchants between the Ming Dynasty and Japan.
He talks about doctrine, but his heart is all about business.
What Liu Shimin said is true. They are just businessmen wearing official uniforms.
However, Zheng Haizhu still looked at Shuyuan, who was called her employer but was more like a partner, and praised her sincerely: "Miss does not reject Japanese craftsmanship, nor does she object to us embroidering the tobacco bags and making Japanese products." It’s a business, but when the lady embroidered this piece of "Chronicle of the Anti-Japanese War", she also put in all her efforts, which really impressed Azhu."
Hearing this, Han Ximeng stroked the embroidery in his hand and said with a smile: "I am a living person, and I am not like that copybook. I see everything in black and white. Have I, the Ming Dynasty, fought few battles with the Mongols? Isn't it open now? Mutual trading. People must understand at the same time, look at the past, look at the present, and look at the future."
Zheng Haizhu fully agrees.
She stood up, walked to the other end of the embroidery cloth, picked up the long embroidery scroll that had been condensed with painstaking efforts, and examined it carefully.
This long scroll, when fully unfolded, is nearly half a foot long.
The fine yellow silk base is divided into six independent parts like a screen. Each part is a battle scene with magnificent scenes and numerous characters.
There are water battles on the sea and inland rivers.
There were land battles, some in the wilderness and some under the city walls.
Waves and ships, strong soldiers and generals, hunting with flags, rain of arrows like locusts, spears and hooks stabbing each other, close combat.
The scroll shows Songjiang Prefecture's several anti-Japanese battles since Emperor Jiajing.
From Xinchang to Siqiao, from Deshenggang to Dianshan Lake, from Minhang to Tianfei Palace.
The unique three-dimensionality of silk thread brings more intense changes in light and shade, which are more vivid and delicate than the brushes of Qiu Ying and other painting masters.
Like real history, this embroidery shows the battles in which the Ming army lost and won, and the Japanese pirates were not all Japanese bandits. From the commanders to the soldiers on the enemy ship, many wore Han buns. Most of the men were merchants or fishermen from Ningshao to Fujian.
Zheng Xiao, the minister of war during the Jiajing period, had already recorded: Most of the thieves were Chinese, and only one or two tenths of the Japanese slaves were Chinese.
Han Ximeng and Zheng Haizhu embroidered two pieces of this epic-themed embroidery.
One piece will be hung in the main hall of the library in the North Park of Shoukuan School.
Poems, paintings, and embroidery, like good books, seek the word "truth."
Whether it is aesthetic truth, scientific truth, or historical truth. Not to please the powerful and violent, but to seek truth. This is what Zheng Haizhu said to the children when he was about to bring each class of students down to the library.
For another piece of embroidery, Zheng Haizhu wanted to cash out the dividends given to her by Yan Siqi from a bank in Suzhou, and then took the money and the embroidery together with her to Zhenjiang, near Chichi, to visit Qi Jin, who was still serving as the commander-in-chief. For the descendants of Qi Jiguang, I would like to offer military training rewards and commemorative gifts.
She confessed to Han Ximeng that she not only admired these soldiers who defended the country, but also wanted to get to know as many military generals who guarded the eastern part of the Ming Dynasty as possible for her brother Yan Siqi, who was very likely to become the commander-in-chief of the Taiwan Strait.
To Zheng Haizhu's surprise, after hearing her plan, Han Ximeng offered to go with Gu Shouqian.
That was such a huge support to her.
After all, Gu Shouqian's grandfather, Gu Mingshi, was a civil servant in the capital, and Gu Shouqian was already a scholar.
For a military general like Qi Jin, it was safe and very respectable to associate with the descendants of scribes who became officials. With money as a guarantee, he had no reason not to be enthusiastic.
Han Ximeng, in addition to recognizing Zheng Haizhu's idea, also has his own willingness to actively promote this matter.
"Azhu, my second brother told me a long time ago that the children of the Jin gentry should not just study their careers, recite poems and paint all day long. Last time at their Gu family's Academy of Literature and Philosophy, he liked General Ma's team. Aren’t you quite in favor of him associating more with men in the military?"
Zheng Haizhu nodded and said: "Miao A is really a kind and knowledgeable elder. This time when I saw the female chief who led the party on the island, I always felt that her demeanor was familiar. After thinking about it carefully, I found that she looked like Mu A. Tai. Tai sent a lot of things to our school today, I will have to visit you someday to say thanks."
…
Three days later, in the pavilion in the backyard of Gu Mansion, the last apricot blossom rain of the mid-spring season fell softly.
The petals are white with light pink, spread on the green grass and soil, like embroidery on green or ripe brown brocade.
Mu Atai was in high spirits and walked along the flower path to the pavilion.
Zheng Haizhu hurriedly stood up and saluted, and after the old lady sat down, he presented a tray full of souvenirs.
"Ata, these are the dried flowers and herbs that I was given by the Siraya people when I was on Taiwan Island. They said they are very good at repelling insects. After I brought them back, I asked the dolls in the school to make them into sachets. The beginning of summer is coming. , mosquitoes breed, Mrs. and all the grandmothers and ladies, you might as well give it a try."
With a kind face, Mrs. Miao personally picked the fresh mulberries and cherries into a colorful plate, placed it in front of Zheng Haizhu, and said with a smile: "You kid is so determined, come here, don't be restrained, and eat the fruit." While talking. Whether your trip south this time is thrilling or interesting, please tell Atai about it."
Zheng Haizhu followed the order and became a temporary storyteller. However, the legends and characters mentioned were all within the limits explained by Liu Shimin.
Muartis listened with great interest, and at the same time thought over the secret undertaking in his mind, adding some minor adjustments.
When Zheng Haizhu's narration came to an end, Mu Attai praised a few words, commented a few more, ate two fruits, admired the beautiful scenery of the lush trees in the garden, and then started another topic with a discussion tone. .
"Azhu, I want to ask you a favor today."
"Huh? If you have any orders, just send me."
"Something strange has happened these days. Many of the silkworms in the nearby silkworm farmers have turned into zombies and have stopped spinning silk. You should also know that. Our Gu family has a mulberry garden after all. We took money from the silkworm farmers in the early spring. Now look at it. They are so worried, how can we just sit back and watch? Yesterday, the eldest daughter-in-law and I discussed that after the sacrifice to Leizu this year, my family will pay for another ceremony to invite the Silkworm Queen."
Zheng Haizhu was a little confused.
Of course she knew that Leizu was the concubine of Huangdi Xuanyuan. It was said that she invented the art of raising silkworms. Therefore, whether it was the ceremony of the empress of the Tian family to kiss silkworms or the folk temple fairs every spring, there were sacrificial ceremonies for Leizu. .
Isn’t Leizu the Silkworm God? But according to Mu Atai, is there a second god who is in charge of silkworms?
Seeing her look of surprise, Mu Atai explained that in the Susong area, the Silkworm God and the Silkworm Empress were two different things.
The god of silkworms is Leizu, and the silkworm goddess is called "Horse-headed Lady".
It is said that during the Wuyue Kingdom, there was a family here. The husband was powerful, the wife was beautiful, and the only daughter they gave birth to was also a first-rate beauty. When the war broke out, her husband was drafted into the army and disappeared on the battlefield. His wife and daughter swore to God that whoever could find the master would have their daughter marry him. A white horse at home broke free from the reins, ran to the battlefield, and humped back the unconscious male owner in the nearby mountain forest. The man of the house recovered from his injuries under the care of his wife and daughter. After hearing the family's oath, he was so frightened that he shot the white horse to death with an arrow.
Unexpectedly, that night, the soul of the white horse turned into a horse skin and wrapped the daughter.
The horsehide turned into a white silkworm cocoon, and the beautiful daughter became a pupa that could never break out of the cocoon. She ascended to heaven and became the Silkworm Queen, also known as the "horse-headed lady".
After listening to this, Zheng Haizhu couldn't help but feel horrified, secretly sighing at the standard swear word for modern people.
Such a perverted story is almost on par with dark Greek mythology.
Why should the sericulture industry, which is scientific and beautiful and benefits the common people, involve such a crazy sadomasochistic origin?
Just listen to Miao Atai continue: "Azhu, Ma Tou Niang has great supernatural powers and boundless magic power. If Canhu is not desperate, he dare not disturb her. When inviting Ma Tou Niang, he should use white thick paste to make a horse look like. Let a woman sit on horseback, holding a pot of silkworms in her hands. A big bull will pull you through the entrances of all silkworm households to accept their worship."
"Me, us?" Zheng Haizhu asked carefully, "Ata, do you want me to be the woman riding on the white horse?"
Mu Atai looked apologetic and sighed: "The one who welcomes the horse-headed lady must be an unmarried woman. It is not good for a young lady from a wealthy family to show up in public like this. A girl from an ordinary farmer's family or a girl from a theater troupe is afraid that Ma Tou Niang felt neglected. Songjiang asked Ma Tou Niang once many years ago. The person sitting on the horse was a female hermit who practiced immortality, but she had already gone out to wander and disappeared."
Zheng Haizhu opened his mouth slightly.
She has never been married, yet she is able to show her face, and she is not a girl from a theater troupe...
So, it’s just me?
Okay... well, isn't it just like the cosplay that became popular in later generations? It's just an immersive experience of ancient folk customs.
Zheng Haizhu then regained his composure and said respectfully to Miao Atai: "Thank you for Miao Atai's favor. Speaking of which, young lady and I are also people who deal with silk all day long. I should help you with the important matters involving silkworms in this government." . There are rules here, please give me some advice."
Mu Atai's eyes were pleased: "Good girl, I know that you are a busy man. Later, I will organize your outfit for you personally, so you don't have to worry about it anymore."
…
The ceremony to welcome Ma Tou Niang is held after Grain Rain, because a batch of new silkworms will be converted into mature silkworms in early summer. Songjiang silkworm farmers hope that Ma Tou Niang will appear and bless the batch of silkworms to spin silk smoothly.
On this day, Zheng Haizhu had breakfast in Han Mansion. Han Ximeng sent her to the door and asked her to sit on the sedan chair and go to Gu Mansion to change clothes. He, Shoukuan, and other women in the manor who were going to watch the ceremony, turned around and went directly Wait at the gate of Chenghuang Temple.
The sedan walked for a while, and when it reached a stone bridge, Zheng Haizhu suddenly saw his student, Liu Daqiang, son of Capt. Liu, squatting on the ground, wondering about something.
His sister, a nine-year-old girl, stood beside him, seemingly wiping away tears.
At this moment, why don't the brother and sister go to school?
Zheng Haizhu hurriedly asked the sedan bearer to stop, got off the sedan, and went to find out.
Liu Xiaomei saw Zheng Haizhu first and called out. She was still crying. Her eyes were red and swollen. She was indeed crying.
Liu Daqiang raised his head to see who was coming, and stood up with a dejected look. His salute to Zheng Haizhu was also hesitant.
Zheng Haizhu glanced at a pile of various bugs surrounded by stones on the ground, most of which were burnt.
Looking back at Liu Daqiang's hand, he saw it was a pair of reading glasses that he used as a teaching aid when he was a teacher in Gezhi class.
"Why don't you take your sister to school and use your lenses to focus sunlight to burn bugs?" Zheng Haizhu asked with a stern face.
Liu Daqiang said angrily: "If I go today, I won't be able to go tomorrow. My parents are going to sell my sister to someone else as a child bride."
"Ah?" Zheng Haizhu was shocked.
After all, Capt. Liu is considered a well-established official in Songjiang Prefecture. His monthly salary is one or two taels of silver, plus the various benefits he usually receives when running errands. How can he not make trouble for the family?
The son is only eleven years old, and it’s too early to marry a wife. Wouldn’t he have to sell his daughter now in exchange for his son’s betrothal gift?
