Since he was released from Beihai Town in February, Enhai has only returned to the capital in May. Although the errands of the firearms camp have stopped, Enhai still has a first-class viscount and Yunqi Lieutenant, and his family has a farm and several other places outside the city.
Even though there are dozens of people in the family, they can still live a decent life.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, news came from the court that the Beijing Camp would be doubled in size. Enhai and the others saw hope again. Because there were so many of them who came back from the north, there was no chain of contempt. Everyone was the same.
The stick noodles were stirred in the pot.
After getting up and having breakfast, he checked the accounts of the farm and the two shops with the housekeeper. It was almost noon. Enhai then changed into casual clothes, took a long entourage, and walked out.
Enhai was wearing a white flag, and his family lived near Dongdan Archway. Not far to the south was Chongwenmen. The master and servant walked for a while, hired a carriage inside Chongwenmen, and headed towards Qianmen Street.
After the middle period of Qianlong's reign, teahouses were everywhere in and around the capital, mainly concentrated in places starting from Chongwenmen in the east and Xuanwumen in the west. There were more than a hundred of them. Among them, the most famous ones are "Tianquanxuan" and "Yushunxuan" on Qianmen Street.
", "Gao Mingyuan", "Dong Hongtai", etc. Because this place is close to the six major theaters, some large teahouses can be filled with four to five hundred people drinking tea and chatting at the same time from around lunch to before the theater starts in the evening.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of "Tianquanxuan". Enhai and other captains opened the curtain, the coachman put on the footstool, and then he got out of the carriage in a grand manner.
The front door of Tianquanxuan is very big. Two pillars more than two feet high stand at attention at the door. There is a horizontal banner in the middle. It looks like a single archway. On the horizontal banner are written three huge characters "Tianquanxuan".
", the signature turned out to be "Tongshan Fool".
"Hey! Master En is here. How many of you are there today?" The waiter at the door saw En Hai coming and quickly stepped forward to salute Qian'er. En Hai has been coming here frequently in the past few months and has become a regular customer.
"Our master made an appointment with friends and asked for a private room." Enhai's attendant said with a smile.
"Okay! My dear, please come in."
The master and servant entered the teahouse under the guidance of the waiter. They faced a "Red Stove Pastry Shop". They walked around the back cabinet and passed through the waist bolt (aisle) before actually entering the teahouse.
Tianquanxuan is famous, not only for the exquisite furnishings in the shop, but also there are often literati and opera singers and storytellers here. At this time, the teahouse is already full of people, eating melon seeds, sneezing, and teasing birds about fish. You don’t want to hear it.
All drilled into the ears.
The teahouse manager is still as clean and tidy as ever, wearing a six-tile black hat, a blue cotton coat that reaches the feet, white cuffs with a dragon head turned up, and a snow-white hand towel (towel) on his shoulders.
), was looking around. As soon as he saw Enhai coming in, he hurriedly came forward to say hello, and personally led him to a secluded corner, surrounded by screens.
At this time, most of the teahouses in the capital had Eight Immortals tables and large stools. The shopkeeper said that he needed two armchairs, but Enhai waved his hand and said no. Since he had experienced the life of a prisoner, he was not as fussy as before. At this time, the waiter was holding
Here comes a blue and white porcelain teapot and a blue and white porcelain covered bowl.
According to the old rules, what is brewed in the pot is Junshan Silver Needle. The water from Yuquan Mountain in the capital is hard, so although there are all kinds of tea in the teahouse, the locals still mainly drink scented tea. The price of tea ranges from high to low.
Everything ranged from a large piece of minced tea to a tael of silver worth of new tea. The shopkeeper ordered the waiter to bring two plates of snacks and some dried fruits from the pastry shop, then bowed and left with a smile.
Outside the screen, several teagoers were talking about Wei Changsheng, which made Enhai's ears perk up.
"Have you heard? Wei San'er will be on stage at Guanghe Tower today."
"Eh? He's not allowed to sing, so why do you dare to go on stage?"
"You were last year's old man. The one you were not allowed to sing was Western Qin Opera. Wei Wanqing (Wei Changsheng ranked third, also known as Wanqing) now sings Kun Opera."
"Hmm. So what? Go to Guanghe Building at night?"
"Of course! I heard him sing "Iron Lotus" the day before yesterday. It was so enjoyable!"
At this time, there was a sudden commotion in the teahouse, as if some important guest had arrived. Enhai said to Chang Sui: "Take a look."
Changsui went out and came back quickly, saying to Enhai: "Sir, it's Wei Wanqing who's here."
Normally, Enhai would go out to say hello and chat with Wei Changsheng; but today he had an appointment with someone, and he was an acquaintance, so he had to wait patiently.
Not long after, people moved outside the screen, and a strong and burly man wearing a brown gown was led over by a waiter. Enhai did not get up, but smiled at the visitor: "It's too late today, I've been waiting for you for a long time.
"
The other party didn't smile. He just cupped his hands and said, "I'm delayed by something."
The person who came was none other than the official security officer of Xianglan Banner. The two people, who were originally so temperamental that they couldn't even urinate together, had formed a good friendship because of their days in the prisoner camp of Fuldan City. Since returning to the capital, the two of them have become friends.
People gather together every once in a while to drink tea.
"Brother, please bring me a bowl of rotten pork noodles first." The officer sat down and ordered the waiter.
"Okay! Please sit down for a moment and I will bring it to you in a moment."
After the waiter left, Enhai asked with a smile: "What? You are so busy that you don't even have time to eat?"
The official said: "I went to the Ministry of War early in the morning. My dear, the line from the door to East Chang'an Street, I'm so hungry that my heart is pressed against my back." After saying that, he picked up a snack and started eating.
Enhai shook his head and smiled: "I told you to go before the festival, but you just didn't listen. Let's not talk about the expansion of the Beijing camp, just talk about the five large sailing ships and hundreds of cannons, how much oil and water! Tsk tsk, our man and He Zhongtang
If you don't have any friendship, you can still get a good job."
The two chatted for a while, and then the waiter brought the noodles. The officer gulped down the meal, drank half a bowl of tea, and then said: "It's Mr. Qing's staff who is looking for me."
Enhai's expression changed: "Do you still want to go north?"
"Yes, I can't swallow this breath. If I don't fight with them openly, I can't help but feel sorry for the death of so many brothers."
"Ouch! What do you want me to say about you?" Enhai pointed at the official security with his fan and scolded: "You were defeated in the east in a daze, but I can see clearly in the south. This battle cannot be fought!"
"We have to fight even if we can't! Lord Qing is right. If we don't take action, our ancestral graves will not be saved in a few years!" The official security guard put down the teacup, looked at Enhai and said: "I know you have a good relationship with Master Shiyi, yes.
He is protecting you and will not let you go north this time. But after I leave this time, the whole family will be entrusted to you."
Enhai said anxiously: "What are you talking about! What kind of friendship do we have? Brother, listen to my brother and don't rush forward. Musketeers don't have eyesight. How is your mother's health?"
"It's still the same as before. Even after taking several doses of medicine, it doesn't seem to be getting better. The imperial doctor we invited said it was caused by internal heat and anxiety."
"Then you are still going?"
"Since ancient times, it is difficult to have both loyalty and filial piety. For the sake of the imperial court, I have no choice but to do this." The official guard was silent for a while, stroking the tea cup and slowly said: "I will leave early next month. When I arrive, I will build the city first and start farming in the spring next year. This
Returning is no small matter for tens of thousands of people. Marshal Fu is reorganizing the green camp in Shandong, and I heard he will be transferred there as well."
Enhaidao: "How did Mr. Qing arrange it for you?"
Guan Bao said: "Deputy general, follow the Ming army and listen to your orders."
"Okay, then I'll have tea instead of wine and congratulate my brother on his promotion. Don't worry about everything at home, I'll take care of it for you."
Guan Bao was just a staff general before. Although he was defeated and captured, he was one of the few Eight Banners generals who returned to the north who was not afraid of Zhao Ni. He often clamored to organize the army and fight again.
Qinggui heard that when the Eastern Route Army was bombarded, he did not retreat hastily, but stayed calm in the face of danger and tried to appease the deserters; so he was named.
"What about you? What's the arrangement?" The official security officer put down the teacup and asked Enhai.
"Damn it! I get angry when I think of this. I was thinking of transferring to Hangzhou a few days ago. I spent all my money and searched for people, but it failed again!" Enhai sighed and said, "I can only stay in the Beijing camp, I guess.
A general."
After he said this, he suddenly leaned forward and whispered to the official security: "Have you heard? Someone from the Ministry of Internal Affairs proposed to the emperor that the ransom money be deducted from our salary."
The official security officer frowned. He knew that Enhai had better information than him and asked, "Oh? I've never heard of this. The court is short of money right now?"
"Why is there no shortage?" Enhai counted each item with his fingers: "There is a severe drought in Henan, the expansion of the Beijing camp, buying ships, building cannons, which one is not spent like water? I heard the old figure from the Ministry of Households complaining in the first two days.
, at least this number."
After saying that, he stretched out two fingers and made a gesture.
"Two million?" As soon as the official security officer finished speaking, he immediately reacted and said it was less.
"Twenty million!"
"Hey!" The official security officer took a breath of air and then said: "Then He Zhongtang is really suffering now. Where can he plan such a large sum of money?" It is said that since He Shen went to Hunchun in person, he brought all the captured soldiers with him.
After his return, his reputation among the bannermen in the capital rose sharply, and many people thought of him well.
Enhai curled his lips and said: "Bullshit! If others don't tell me, how can he be short of money? His family is richer than the palace!" He looked around, then whispered in his ear: "Haven't you heard that there are good things in the world now?
, the best ones are all in his house, and the second-rate ones are in the palace.”
The official security guard said in astonishment: "Is there such a thing?"
Enhai said: "Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, I went to the Eleventh Master's house to pay my respects and listened to what the eunuch said."
"Tell me about it." The official security officer was also a little curious and asked quickly.
The eleventh master in Enhai's mouth is Qianlong's eleventh son Yong Xuan. It is said that in the first few years, the eighth elder brother Yong Xuan and Yong Xuan were enjoying the treasures in the palace and accidentally broke a jade plate displayed on the table.
This jade plate was turquoise in color and one foot in diameter. It was Qianlong's favorite thing and was extremely precious. Yongxuan was so frightened that she almost cried when she got into trouble. Yongxuan was young but very resourceful. After thinking about it, he said to his brother: "I heard that
The Heshen family has many treasures and antiques, so why not go find him and find a solution."
So the two brothers found Heshen. When Heshen heard that the jasper plate was broken, he deliberately pretended to be embarrassed and said: "Two gentlemen, this kind of treasure is a tribute from overseas. How can it be owned by me? There is nothing I can do about it."
When the Eighth Prince heard that the jade plate was a tribute from overseas, he was even more afraid of Qianlong's severe orders and couldn't help crying again.
Yongxuan saw Heshen's intention, so he pulled him to a quiet place and whispered to him to keep it secret. Heshen nodded and said to the eighth prince: "I will search slowly. I don't know whether I can find him."
, I’ll get back to you two tomorrow.”
The next day, the two brothers came to He Mansion as promised, and He Shen took out a jade plate from his arms. This jade plate was brightly colored and one foot and a half in diameter. It was better than the broken jade plate. The two brothers were grateful.
Bring the plate into the palace and quietly put it back to its original place.
After Enhai finished speaking in a low voice, he told the stunned official security: "You must keep this matter to yourself and never tell anyone about it. If it weren't for our friendship, I would definitely not tell it."
The two of them were chatting about various things on the screen. Outside, on a table of Eight Immortals, several people were chatting about the genres of opera.
"Nowadays, it is said that bangzi is not a serious thing, but the Yiyang tune is commonly known as Yangzhou bangzi. In the past, when Kun Opera was popular, this tune was only used for singing operas. Its tunes are easy to learn, and they are consistent from beginning to end. There is no difference between north and south, and there are no twists and turns.
After a long period of development, one flute is played horizontally, and after one or two licks, it becomes popular. Although there are many kinds of tunes, such as "Cherry Beating", it is the authentic one. In addition, "Visiting Relatives" and "Widow Visiting the Grave" are also tunes of this tune.
Most of the changes are made with the flute and the clapper, which are different from the four-level tunes and clappers of the string."
The man who spoke was not tall, about forty years old. His head was shaped like a date pit with two pointed ends, a face with fine white pockmarks, a hooked nose and knotted eyebrows, a shaved chin, and sparse hair.
There is always only a braid as thick as chopsticks.
With such a dignified appearance, if one did not recognize him on the street, no one would guess that this person was Wei San Wei Changsheng, the leader of the "Flower Department" who was once famous in the capital and was known as the "Master of the Wild Fox".
One of the people present clapped his hands and praised: "Wanqing's words are insightful. In the past, Dan'an in Wei Dynasty had a saying. It was because of the rich drinking in Heshuo and the new songs in Han. After dancing, the banging of clappers made the sound of Qin startle and fall into the Guangling tide. Not to mention
Is it the Western Qin tune that he plays!"
Wei Changsheng cupped his hands and said: "My insights were all given by Mr. Yucun. He once said that the Qin Qiang is the same as the Qin Qiang, and has no rhythm, but does not use the bangs and uses the flute as a different tune. This tune is very popular in Sichuan. It is true.
I’m so ashamed!”
Another person present said: "We haven't seen Mr. Amemura for several years, and I don't know what is going on now."
Wei Changsheng smiled and said: "I just received a letter a few days ago. The gentleman said that he is now living in Wanjuan Tower, and he can see the beauty of Pingquan every day, and watch the haze paint the picture of Wangchuan River. It is very happy."
"Wanqing, I heard that you plan to go south to Yangzhou?"
"Originally I wanted to go back to Sichuan to visit Mr. Yucun, but it happened that Mr. Jiang from Yangzhou sent someone to invite him. I have also thought about it. The world is one-third of the moonlit night, and the other two are rogues in Yangzhou. I can't stay in the capital anymore!"
"Alas, now that Wei Wanqing is gone, the opera garden in Beijing will be so boring!"
Since last year, the performance of Western Qin Opera (this Qin Opera is not the later Qin Opera, but a blend of Danxi opera elements from Sichuan Opera) has been banned in major theaters in the capital. The infantry commander's office issued a notice stating that only Kun and Yi Liang can be sung in the capital.
If you don't want to change your accent, then change your profession! If you still want to continue singing, then you will be deported to your hometown.
The reason for this is very simple. The Liyuan business is in too deep water! The correct way to say it is that Shuangqing Part is too popular, especially after Wei Changsheng joined the cast and took the leading role. Someone once said that he would not watch "Shuangqing Part" when watching the show.
"No matter how many Kun and Yi are used, it will be in vain.
Why is Shuangqing Department so popular in the capital? It’s not because of Wei Changsheng’s "Rolling Tower".
Who would have thought that after this word came out, it would completely offend the other "six major departments" (Wangfu, Cuiqing, Dacheng, Yuqing, Yuqing, Baohe). The six major departments all sing Kun and Yi tunes.
The tune was elegant and elegant, and there was no lack of support from the royal family and powerful people. So these jealous people took the opportunity to complain, saying that "Rolling Tower" mostly described love affairs between men and women, and that there was too much "pink play" in the performance, which was really immoral.
Although they were jealous of each other, Wei Changsheng's plays did contain a lot of "fan opera" elements, so he had to leave the Shuangqing Department sadly. No matter how good the actors are in singing these days, no matter how famous they are, they are nothing if they leave the stage.
None. So Wei Changsheng would sometimes go to the Beijing-Kunyi Troupe to sing enlightenment plays praising loyalty and martyrdom.
At this time, there were fewer and fewer guests in the teahouse. Wei Changsheng and others were sighing sadly. Suddenly, they vaguely heard someone humming. The tune was something they had never heard before, and the content of the lyrics also had a sense of sadness.
Affection.
Although the voices of the two hummers were not high and their accents were distorted, who was Wei Changsheng? He was stunned as soon as he listened to two sentences. In front of him, it seemed that there was a brand new opera door opening to him.
He waved faintly
"I came to the entrance of the street and gave a respectful shout to all the guests and friends passing by. Firstly, there were thieves and thieves, and secondly, the gangsters stole the city. I couldn't let go of my grandpa's kindness, and I couldn't let go of the government officials. I really couldn't let go of the neighbors and me.
My good friend, I can’t bear to see my mother turn gray. When a mother gives birth to a son, her heart is tied to her flesh. The son has traveled thousands of miles and the mother is worried. The son misses the mother and it’s hard to kowtow, but the mother misses the son and sheds tears.”
It wasn't until the humming gradually subsided that Wei Changsheng stood up and walked over, saying loudly: "I'm Wei Changsheng from the Shuangqing Department. Is this Master En sitting inside?"
Yucun, also known as Li Tiaoyuan, was a Sichuan opera theorist in the Qing Dynasty.