The two entered the city from the east gate Qihua Gate (Chaoyang Gate) and walked west along the street. The weather was clear and cloudless today, and the sight was quite good. Zhang Ning could see the tall and magnificent buildings in the imperial city from a distance.
The imperial city in Nanjing is even worse. Just looking at it from a distance, it is easy to see that Emperor Yongle spent a lot of time moving the capital to Beijing. From the street, the prosperity of commerce is still not as good as that of Nanjing. It is said that Yongle was exempted from taxes for five years.
The preferential policies have moved wealthy people from all over the country to Shuntian Prefecture, but the economic foundation is obviously not comparable to that of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and the prosperity of the city has not been fully developed. Zhang Ning came from Nanjing, and felt that there was less romance and beauty here, except for the imperial city
The colors around there are more monotonous, but they have a bit more square and domineering momentum.
The pavement of Qihuamen Street is wide, and there are sedans, carriages, horses, and donkeys. Most of them ride donkeys. Zhang Ning and Luo Yaoniang walked along the street until they reached the intersection, then turned south and entered Dongsi Archway South Street.
There are archways, and you can know the names if you can read. The further south you go, the closer you get to the Dengcheng Market, the more people flow and the more shops there are. The atmosphere of the market becomes stronger, and people speak various local accents. Most of the people here are immigrants.
Population, because there were not many aborigines before Beijing was promoted to the capital; however, the most popular dialect is Mandarin, which is not much different from Nanjing Mandarin, but it is completely different from Beijing dialect or Mandarin in later generations. The same accent makes Zhang
Ning feels a little less strange.
The two rode horses south to the Dongdan Archway, then turned west and entered Jinyu Alley. There are many houses with red painted gates in this alley, and it is obvious that some dignitaries live there. For officials, this area is really good.
: Jinyu Hutong goes straight to the west, and after passing Dong'anmen Street is Dong'anmen, a gate of the Imperial City. Ministers often use this gate when going to court; it is also southeast of the Imperial City, and it is not far from the Liubu Yamen and other government offices in the south of the Imperial City.
, it can be said to be convenient transportation.
They talked little after entering the city. When Zhang Ning saw the scene in Jinyu Hutong, he thought that Yang Shiqi might live here and wanted to go directly to Yang Shiqi's house. He couldn't help but kick the horse's belly and catch up with Luo Yaoniang and turned around.
Asked: "Master Yu, can you tell me in advance where we will go after we enter the city? I don't think we should go to your house."
Lu Zhen was still in jail waiting for someone to rescue him. The fundamental reason for his misfortune was not accepting bribes, but because he was suspected of betraying the crown prince secretly. This touched the nerves of Emperor Yongle and was beaten. According to Zhang Ning's
I imagine that Emperor Yongle must not trust his own son very much, fearing that he would gather ministers to change political affairs and seize power, so that's why he acted like this; and Yang Shiqi's official position is Zuo Yude, who is the prince's teacher, and is obviously an official of the East Palace. Now "witness"
"Run to stay at Yang Shiqi's house... I am afraid that the final result will only prove that Lu Zhen is indeed flirting with Dong Gong, rather than proving that he did not accept any bribes.
"Of course you won't go to my house. Why should I invite you to my house?" Luo Yaoniang said in a bad tone. She might still be thinking about Zhang Ning's association with prostitutes. "Master Hu Ying, the Minister of Rites, just came back not long ago."
Jing, you can come to see me later. With the witness's testimony, it will only be useful if Mr. Hu writes a letter. My father's letter will not work either."
When Zhang Ning heard this, he suddenly understood and felt more relieved. Since the Mr. Hu mentioned by Luo Yaoniang can concurrently serve as the director of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Propaganda, he must be a person trusted by the emperor, and he has enough weight.
If there is real evidence, this is probably very reliable.
Luo Yaoniang sneered: "You have never been an official, why do you feel so slippery?"
"What the hell, after all, I am well-educated but not too stupid. Master Yang and Master don't want me to be like a pig, right?" Zhang Ning said seriously.
Luo Yaoniang couldn't help laughing when she heard that she was like a pig, and rolled her eyes at him: "I think you are just like a pig."
Zhang Ning took the opportunity to ask again: "How is the personal relationship between Mr. Hu and your father?"
Luo Yaoniang said: "We don't have much contact. Although Mr. Hu is an official in the capital, he has been away from the capital for a long time. His most important thing is to find the real person Zhang Sanfeng. The emperor believes in building a Taoist palace on Wudang Mountain, right?"
Zhang Ning said "Oh" and nodded hurriedly, not because he knew about the Wudang Mountain Taoist Palace, but because he understood that this Lord Hu might be someone who was specifically looking for Emperor Jianwen. If he could be ordered by the emperor to do secret errands, he must be a close confidant, so Zhang Ning therefore
A little more optimistic. But if Mr. Hu really has nothing to do with Donggong, why should he care about this nonsense? Since Yang Shiqi chose him, he should have considered it.
There are a lot of bureaucrats in the capital, as can be seen from the large wealthy families in Jinyu Hutong, and the relationships may be complicated. Zhang Ning thought that it would be better for him to speak less and keep a low profile.
After walking for a while, Luo Yaoniang said: "Get off your horse and give me the post horse. Mr. Hu's mansion is in front. You can go by yourself. I will send you here. It will be my kindness and righteousness. From now on, you can go your own way and I will pass mine."
The bridge!”
"Oh." Zhang Ning jumped down a little stupidly, handed her the reins, cupped his fists and said, "See you later."
"Who will have a date with you, Meng Lang's disciples! Let's go..." Luo Yaoniang paused and said, "I'll go back to Ganyu Hutong."
After she said that, she left without looking back. Zhang Ning looked at her back and felt a little reluctant for a moment, vaguely confused. Maybe it was because this was the first time he came to Beijing in the Ming Dynasty and he was not familiar with the place.
, even the city of Beijing is unfamiliar in my mind and memory, and Luo Yaoniang is my only acquaintance here.
Strange places always make people feel insecure.
He looked at Luo Yaoniang's back in confusion and sighed slightly. At this moment, Luo Yaoniang suddenly turned around and looked back. When she met Zhang Ning's eyes, she hurriedly turned her head away, scolded her horse and drove away.
A strange door in a strange city. The red-lacquered door and the size of the foyer, which represent status, made Zhang Ning, who was dressed in nondescript messenger clothes, feel very small and insignificant. A servant in soap clothes stood at the door and looked at Zhang Ning, because he was at the door of someone else's house.
It was not normal for him to wander around the poke lamp. After a while, he finally walked up. Before he could say anything, the slave asked first, "Who are you?"
Zhang Ning said: "Zhang Ning is under the jurisdiction of Nanzhi. I have something to see Mr. Hu. Please let me know."
Unexpectedly, the servant suddenly said: "Are you Zhang Ning? Come with me."
After opening the corner door, the two of them walked there together and went in. Of course, it was impossible to enter through the gate. Only those with higher status or equal status were qualified to enter through the gate. Zhang Ning followed without saying a word, and would not say anything if he could.
, without looking left or right, with a very well-behaved look. He did not take a closer look at the house that resembled a courtyard. At a glance, the house was well-built and appeared to be spacious and spacious, without the cramped feeling of a courtyard courtyard in the south.
The servant took him to a tea room in the back room, asked him to sit down, and then went to report. Standing at the door was a little girl with a two-ring hairstyle. After a while, she quietly looked at Zhang Ning several times and finally spoke.
He said with a very concerned look: "Are you thirsty?"
Probably not everyone who comes here has the opportunity to be offered tea and drinks, it depends on their status. But Zhang Ning looks like he is so tired from work, it is really not easy. He responded with a friendly smile, shook his head and said: "Thank you, no need to
"Yes." The little girl's face actually showed a slightly shy blush.
After waiting for about half a stick of incense, a middle-aged man wearing a Dongpo scarf came in at the door. Before he stepped through the door, he said cheerfully: "Keep the guests waiting. Mr. Hu is out on official business. My surname is Yan. I am not polite."
Please give me a warm welcome wherever you go."
Zhang Ning immediately stood up from his chair, saluted, and introduced himself again. No matter what, it was always polite to introduce yourself to your family. He noticed that the middle-aged man named Yan was lame in his legs, but he spoke with great energy.
, his appearance is also smooth and square, but it is difficult to guess whether he is a servant butler of the Hu Mansion or a relative.
"Tea." Yan ordered, and then politely asked Zhang Ning to take a seat.
Zhang Ning thought that he could not determine the identity of this person, and since he was a civilian who had been demoted, he lowered his posture and waited for the middle-aged man to sit down first before he sat down. Someone from Yan asked: "I heard that Mr. Zhang came from Nanzhili
Come, I have something to ask you to see Mr. Hu, why?"
Thinking of how smoothly he had entered the house, Zhang Ning guessed that the people in the Hu Mansion had known that he was coming, but now Yan knew it and asked, presumably intending to stay out of the matter. Zhang Ning pondered for a moment, and after thinking about it, he figured out how he was forced to come.
, I briefly talked about how I had troubled the examiner and couldn’t bear it.
Mr. Yan listened attentively, as if it was the first time he heard about this matter. He did not interrupt Zhang Ning's narration midway. After he finished speaking, he touched his chin and asked thoughtfully: "Mr. Zhang
Did you have a smooth journey to the capital?"
Of course it didn't go well. I almost died "accidentally" before I even got on the road, not to mention that I met some peach blossom fairies and other people on the road who had nothing to do with officialdom. Zhang Ning had no regard for those people who were playing dirty tricks.
It is impossible to have an angry mood or a revengeful mentality, but he seemed relatively calm and cautious at this time, probably due to his instinctive and defensive mentality due to lack of security.
Accusing the censor Zhou Ne of his unscrupulous behavior to the people in the Hu Mansion? This is actually unnecessary. There is no need to do it yourself. Just as Luo Yaoniang said, this person completely does not abide by the rules of the officialdom game. He is jumping over the wall in a hurry and cannot achieve the goal.
When it comes to making and changing rules, sooner or later someone will mess with him, just wait and see; another consideration is if you clearly explain the dangers you encounter, how will you resolve them? In the end, you have to involve Yu Qian or even Yang Shiqi, only they can
With this ability, it is obvious that the people in the Hu family do not want to make the relationship with Donggong too obvious. After all, although Donggong is very likely to be the future owner, there is a future for him. The question is, do he have the life to wait and enjoy the future now?
Although many things are just my own inferences and conjectures, it is not a bad thing to be conservative when you are not familiar with the place, so Zhang Ning thought about it for a while and said: "I set off early, so there will be no setbacks."
Mr. Yan glanced at him approvingly, nodded and said: "It is related to Shilang Lu's innocence. Since someone has come to the door, Mr. Hu is most likely willing to intervene. In this way, you can stay in the Hu Mansion temporarily and then return to the house."
Write a true confession, and when Mr. Hu comes back, I will tell him the whole story."
Zhang Ning quickly stood up and thanked him.
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