There is a swing in the yard. Zheng Yuanyi stands on it with one foot and gently pushes the other foot on the ground, swinging and watching Ju Ming dance there in the distance.
Li Xiuxiu came over to push her, and the sister-in-law and sister-in-law whispered.
The sound of breaking through the air kept coming, and Zhu Ming danced more energetically.
Take this thing to the battlefield and swing it at the enemy when you see it. It doesn't matter how many layers of armor you have, it will cause internal injuries and blood will spurt out.
Zheng Hong stood nearby and was dumbfounded. He had played with this mace before and it was difficult to swing it with both hands. Ju Ming could actually play with it for so long with one hand.
How powerful this is!
Ju Ming put down the iron mace, picked up the two-meter-long iron gun, and asked, "Isn't this pure iron?"
"There is a section of wood in the middle," Fatty Zheng explained. "The craftsman said that after adding wood and wrapping it with bamboo slices, it would be tough and not so heavy."
There are many records of iron guns in history books. For example, Wang Jingzhen during the Five Dynasties period was good at using an iron gun weighing 30 kilograms. When converted, it is 19.8 kilograms, which is heavier than the barbell bar in the gym. It is very consistent with the weight of the iron gun of that length.
There are also physical objects unearthed. Two iron spears from the Eastern Han Dynasty were unearthed in Zixing, Hunan Province. They were all made of wrought iron.
The traditional horse war gun shaft has a wooden core on the inside, bamboo sheets on the outside, wrapped in silk thread and leather, and finally coated with a layer of lacquer.
It is so strong and tough that horse poles are also made this way.
However, composite gun shafts are relatively expensive and cannot be used by ordinary soldiers.
The iron gun shaft in Ju Ming's hand was also painted with a coat of paint.
There is a shaft more than one meter long in the middle, and there are faintly visible circles of iron wire. Iron wire is used instead of silk leather, and it is reinforced and wrapped around a hardwood core and bamboo slices.
(Note: Metal wire drawing technology existed in the Han Dynasty, and was mainly used to pull gold wire. Iron wire drawing technology appeared in the Song Dynasty, but it could only be pulled one by one. In the Ming Dynasty, four or eight wires could be pulled at the same time.
.)
The craftsman was afraid that the whole iron would be too heavy and could not be lifted by thirty or forty pounds, so he took it upon himself to make it half wood and half iron.
Ju Ming held the middle part of the iron gun horizontally, and the gun tip slowly sank.
The center of gravity of this iron gun is not very forward. As long as you are strong enough, it is easier to use than a gun with a wooden handle.
Unfortunately, Ju Ming's spear skills are not perfect for the time being, and he only practiced simple stabs in the village.
He lifted it up and danced a few times, then stabbed it out one after another. He played with it over and over again and couldn't put it down.
"Dalang, what do you want these weapons for?" Zheng Hong couldn't help but ask.
Ju Ming said with a smile: "Being a general or a prime minister, I may have to go into battle to kill the enemy in the future. If you practice your skills well, you will definitely come in handy."
After saying that, he picked up the bow again.
The ordinary standard mulberry bow is a finished product bought from Xingyuan Mansion.
Zheng Hong explained: "It takes one or two years to order a good bow. You can only buy it ready-made at a bow and arrow shop."
"As long as it works." Ju Ming is not picky.
He put the bow and arrow on his back, hung the mace on his waist, then stood with the iron gun in hand, feeling a manly romance.
If you then put on armor and mount a war horse, you will be fully equipped.
Zheng Yuanyi and his sister-in-law were standing on the swing, their eyes shining as they looked at him. Such a man was so majestic!
Near noon, the servant came to invite us to dinner.
Zhu Ming put down his weapon and followed Fatty Zheng there.
The women and children did not come because the Zheng family was too prosperous. Zheng Hong had an elder brother, two younger brothers, and several sisters. Most of them were married and had children, so the whole family was too crowded.
Even Zheng Hong's two younger brothers didn't come, only he and his eldest brother were present to keep him company.
"This is my eldest grandson Zheng Yuan, who usually helps with work in the business." Zheng Lan introduced.
Zheng Yuan cupped his hands and said, "I have met Zhu Xianggong, and I have met Zhu Dalang."
The father and son returned the gift one after another.
The dishes on the table are very rich, and they are mainly mutton.
There are cooked lamb ribs, fried lamb sausage, and soup made with mutton, haggis, and almonds. In addition, there are chicken, duck, and goose, and two vegetables.
Although Su Dongpo is the image endorsement, pork is still not on the table, and big businessmen like the Zheng family will not eat it.
Zheng Yuan, the young master, took the initiative to pour wine for the father and son, and said in a frivolous tone: "When you two come to Yangzhou, have you ever been to Ruyi Tower? The girls there are all beautiful and gentle, and I have an acquaintance..."
"Ahem!"
Zheng Lan coughed repeatedly and interrupted the eldest grandson's speech: "I would like to propose a drink to you two."
"I can't take it seriously." Zhu Guoxiang raised a toast and automatically ignored Zheng Yuan's nonsense just now.
Fatty Zheng is already a playboy, but looking at this, his eldest brother is even more indifferent, and Ju Ming's evaluation of the Zheng family is even lower.
But I am also more assured that when a rebellion occurs in the future, such a family will be easy to handle.
Push the cup to change the cup, drink for three rounds.
Zheng Lan said inadvertently: "I heard that Dalang is sixteen years old this year and has not been engaged yet. How can such a talented man lack a good match? How about I help find one. In the three counties of Yangzhou, Min, Wang, Zheng, and Li
The four families are the most educated, and the girls are all gentle and virtuous, so they can always choose the best one for the elder man."
Zhu Ming declined politely: "This junior is determined to study, and has no plans to get married for the time being. I have let down the good intentions of the old gentleman."
"We have to take the imperial examination, so we can't delay our marriage." Zheng Lan said with a smile.
Ju Ming said: "It won't be too late in a few years."
Zheng Lan could only shut up.
Late marriage was still very common in the Song Dynasty. Many famous officials and scholars did not get married until they were twenty years old.
Even for women in the Song Dynasty, according to statistics from more than 400 epitaphs, some scholars found that the average age of marriage was around nineteen years old.
This is of course inaccurate and can only reflect the situation of the middle and upper classes, because the people at the bottom cannot leave information.
Zheng Lan said in a roundabout way: "I have a niece-in-law who is also studying at Yangzhou Academy. He will take the Interpretation Examination this autumn. He has already passed the examination three times and his knowledge is extremely good. I am sure he can talk to me."
Fatty Zheng added: "My uncle's name is Sun Tao. He only lives in the academy and teaches in private schools. That day Mr. Chen was giving lectures, and my uncle also went there."
"Well, I have a bit of an impression." Zhu Ming rambled casually.
Zheng Lan stroked his beard and said: "Although I don't have much knowledge, I value talented people very much. Sun Tao was born in a poor family, and his family only had dozens of acres of land. It was his first time to go to Beijing to take the exam, and he couldn't even pay for the travel expenses.
Knowing this, not only did he give him money, but he also gave him a niece."
It's just a rare thing to live in, just to attract outstanding scholars, and make yourself look noble.
During the Northern Song Dynasty, when people in Sichuan, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi and other places rushed to take the exam, the government would issue post coupons and coupons, which allowed them to take the trains and boats at the post stations for free and eat at the stations along the way for free. But you also had to prepare money, otherwise you would starve to death in the capital.
Zhu Ming pretended not to understand and praised: "The old man loves talents and values their talents. It is really a blessing for the poor scholars in Yangzhou. The younger generation respects the old man!"
"please."
Zheng Lan raised their glasses and clinked their glasses, not sure what Zhu Ming was thinking.
It seems to be rejected, but it seems that it is not rejected.
Ju Ming's idea is actually very simple, that is, he is not in a hurry. He does not mind being the son-in-law of the Zheng family, and the Zheng family's financial resources will help him rebel.
However, he cannot agree easily, otherwise he will be easily manipulated, and he must take the initiative himself.
Just wait and see again in a year or two. Anyway, it is popular for rich girls to marry late, unlike in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
After eating and drinking, and resting for a while, the father and son went up the mountain together.
Fatty Zheng didn't come with him anymore. He was tired of staying in the academy. Wouldn't it be nice to stay at home with his wife?
The river breeze blew, and Zhu Ming sobered up a little.
He was fully armed and had three weapons on his body. As he walked, he said, "Can we fry the best tea leaves? Just like the best Tuancha."
"It's hard to say. I don't know how to get it at all. I have to slowly explore it." Zhu Guoxiang shook his head.
The best tea leaves are not classified as first, second or third class.
For example, Lao Baiyuan's family's top-quality tea can be sold for at least four to five hundred yuan per kilogram, and the top quality has to be calculated in terms of guan. This kind of tea is scarce in quantity, so it is definitely not sold by tea horses, and it is secretly traded behind the government's back.
But how to make the best fried tea?
Zhu Guoxiang recalled the tea he had drunk and said: "We must start with the quality. For example, some tea leaves are really beautiful when they are suspended in the water after brewing. Some tea leaves have silver threads on the surface. Some tea leaves are rolled up.
Just like snails. What we are frying now is just ordinary green tea, and we are still far from developing the best tea."
"How to make black tea?" Zhu Ming asked again.
"How do I know?" Zhu Guoxiang said, "It seems to have to go through fermentation, but I don't know exactly how it is fermented. There is no use in thinking about it. As I said, slowly explore and test."
We walked all the way up the mountain and returned to the VIP dormitory of the academy.
When Zhang Guangdao saw the three weapons, he immediately exclaimed: "Good stuff!"
Ju Ming threw the iron gun over and said, "Brother Zhang, give it a try."
Zhang Guangdao waved the iron gun in his hand, shook his head for a while and said: "It's a bit too heavy. It's okay for daily practice. If you go to the battlefield, you will definitely be tired and not suitable for long-term combat."
Ju Ming took out his bow and arrow again and formally asked for archery lessons.
Zhang Guangdao learned the art of archery by himself, and even the bows and arrows were made from homemade clay bows. He first taught Ju Ming how to string the bow correctly, how to maintain it in daily life, and then how to draw the bow to exert force.
In the next half month, Ju Ming became completely busy.
In the morning, I tutored Chen Yuan in mathematics with my father, and also borrowed books from the library to read. In the afternoon, I practiced bows and arrows first, and then practiced iron spears and maces.
After the eighteen iron pots were finished, Zhu Guoxiang and Zhang Guangdao took the iron pots and took a boat away.
Only Ju Ming was left, occasionally chatting with the students, teaching Chen Yuan mathematics, and spending the rest of the time practicing martial arts.
Chen Yuan was not in a hurry to go down to spread new ideas; he was already fascinated by mathematics.
This gentleman has not taken the imperial examination for more than 20 years. Apart from traveling around the world, he spends the rest of his time studying. He can endure his temper and will not do anything else until he has thoroughly studied mathematics.
Zhu Ming was very troubled by this and worried that Chen Yuan would not go down the mountain for a whole year...
At this time, an official ship came south from Baoxie Road and headed straight for Xingyuan Mansion (Hanzhong).
The leader is an eunuch, who has the emperor's mandate to conquer Zhu Chenggong, a scholar from the Eighth Route Army, and invite Zhu's great talent to come to the capital... to write lyrics for the emperor.
The official ship docked and everyone was in a hurry.
The transfer envoy, the inspection envoy, the Changping envoy, the Tixue envoy and other officials received the news and rushed to greet him.
Lu Tixue was quite puzzled by this. He was recommending Ju Ming to study as an imperial scholar, but he was not recommending him to be an official. Why did all the eunuchs come to spread the message?
Lu Tixue asked out of curiosity: "Dare I ask, Mr. Zhonggui, if you really want to conquer Zhu successfully?"
The eunuch nodded and said with a smile: "Zhu Chenggong's poetry is very good, and the officials like it, so they want to admit him to the Dasheng Mansion."
Lu Tixue was stunned for a moment, then became angry, and tried to use a gentle tone to ask: "Zhu Chenggong has mastered the Three Classics at a young age. If time will be his pillar, how can he be allowed to enter Dasheng Mansion to write lyrics?"
"It is his good fortune that the officials value him. How can anyone say so much?" The eunuch said impatiently, "Hurry up and carry the sedan. The praises are flowing fast and we are exhausted all the way."
Lu Tixue lowered his head and got out of the way, muttering: "Hunjun!"
Dasheng Mansion has been established for several years. Once you get in, you can't even think about getting out. It also has a particularly bad reputation.
Only one person was successfully released, namely Zhou Bangyan, who was promoted to the first post of the Dasheng Mansion, and he was slandered and pushed out of the capital by Cai Jing.
