Li Guolou now rides a carriage pulled by four horses. His family now rents a house in Dengcao Huley to raise horses. There are eight horses and two carriages. There are also two carriages that are often chartered. This is also There is no way, he is different from the past, and his family is busy with things. As for riding in a sedan chair, he does not have one in his house. A sedan chair with only style and slow movements is not suitable for the pace of life of his family.
The carriage turned into the gate of Li Mansion in Dengcao Alley. Battelle knocked on the carriage door and shouted: "Master, come home."
Li Guolou was awakened by a knock on the door. He had drunk too much and fell asleep on the carriage. Li Guolou rubbed his sleepy eyes and breathed: "Battle, you'll be home so soon." As he spoke, Li Guolou Guo Lou put on his official hat, straightened his wrinkled official robe a little, opened the carriage door, and jumped out of the carriage.
But I saw a long queue in front of the Li Mansion, stretching for more than 100 meters, reaching the corner of Dengcao Hutong. A team of three to four hundred people came to congratulate Li Guolou. All of them were for Li Guolou. The person who gives gifts.
Such a long queue is so spectacular. This kind of thing has never happened in Dengcao Hutong. There are hundreds of eunuchs in the queue, and they move really fast. Li Guolou was promoted to the "Longevity Mountain" at noon. "Project Supervision", in the afternoon, before anyone went home, people congratulating him had already heard the news.
Li Guolou felt sorry for seeing so many people queuing up outside the gate. He bowed and walked back and forth to say hello to the guests. It was not surprising that there were so many people and he tried not to offend anyone. When he turned to the entrance room, there were still more than twenty colleagues crowded inside. The Jinshi in the department were drinking tea and chatting.
At this time, Li Guolou couldn't help but said angrily: "Old Jiu, what are you doing? How can you let the guests sit here?"
The gatekeeper, Lao Jiu, touched his lees nose and said vaguely: "Master, the living room in the mansion is already crowded with people. It's good to have a seat."
"Hey, Li Laosan, you can't blame Laojiu. It's just us who like to sit here. Who told us to like to join in the fun?" A new scholar named Zhao Yutang hooked Li Guolou and said indifferently. He used this move Recruit, during the next one or two years of studying to be an official in the Hanlin Academy, you can also find a real job here in Li Guo Tower, and you don't need to be a poor official in the capital.
The other twenty-odd Jinshi all have the same idea. The so-called "one person can attain enlightenment, a chicken or a dog can ascend to heaven". They are all Jinshis of the same discipline who are closely associated with Li Guolou. They had troubles with the groom in Baozhifang and were good friends of the bride. They have been hanging out in the capital for the past two years. Of course they hope to live a better life. How can they show off their honor of becoming a Jinshi by simply receiving a salary from the imperial court?
These Jinshi scholars from the same field stayed away because they wanted to get close to Li Guolou. They wanted to ask for a wedding drink from Li Guolou, and they clamored to have a drink with Li Guolou in the evening.
Li Guolou had no time to drink with his friends, so he hurriedly bowed and begged for mercy. After a group bow, he patted his chest and promised that he would not forget the friendship between the same subjects and the same year, and would find a job for them in the capital first. These new academicians, no Regardless of whether they were young or old, they had the experience of making trouble with their groomsmen. Regarding Li Guolou's guarantee, they still nagged a few words, as if Li Guolou owed them a debt in his previous life and was here to repay the debt in this life.
Li Guolou blew the conch and sent these new scholars away. He turned around and asked, "Old Jiu, who else is there in the living room of the mansion?"
"Oh, they are all the entourage of officials, big and small, who come to congratulate them with greeting cards. They have to wait for you to give them an agreed time." Laojiu bowed and replied with a low eyebrow, a pair of mouse eyes full of smiles.
"How can I have time!" Li Guolou grunted, walked away, and went straight to the living room. He is not Sun Dasheng. He knows the art of avatars, so how can he have time to talk in official terms with officials? It takes thirty to meet an official at least. Minutes, otherwise what’s the point of people coming all the way here? Sometimes I have to have a meal with them, so that we can reflect the relationship of mutual respect and love. In addition, some officials are higher than him, which makes it even more troublesome. When I arrived, I had no choice but to bite the bullet and chat with the guests.
Li Guolou's stomach was full of worries, and there was no joy in being promoted. Li Guolou came to the living room, bowed around again, greeted the entourage of officials in the living room, and took a stack of greeting cards from Chen Xiangfang's hand. He smiled bitterly and said: "Everyone, I'm really busy these days and I can't make time arrangements. When I come back from my hometown to worship my ancestors in June, I'll ask my entourage to set a time. Please, I'll keep it for now and take the time. I’ll definitely meet the guests.”
The entourage of dozens of officials could also sympathize with Li Guolou's situation. Anyway, the congratulatory gifts had been delivered and Li Guolou accepted the invitation. When they received an answer, they uttered auspicious words and bowed to Li Guolou. Say goodbye to Lou.
The family already knew about Li Guolou's promotion. Li Guolou told his family members that from now on the three ladies would dress up as Manchu women to meet guests. The family came to the incense hall to burn incense for the two imperial edicts and solemnly This incident comforts the ancestors and clans, and his lineage will be the disciples of the Eight Banners from now on.
Chen Xiangfang wanted to ask clearly, but Li Guolou blinked and said hurriedly: "Grandma, if you have something to talk about, go to the inner house." After saying that, Li Guolou hurried to the inner house. He couldn't care about the things outside.
Arriving at the inner house, Li Guolou hurriedly drank a bowl of tea, wiped the corners of his mouth, and took a breather. Yelia, Xie Liya, Mayuko, and Chu Xiangyu had already gone to Tianjin, and there were five grandmothers staying at home. Li Guolou said to the five of them: "I'm going to have a big problem, and I have to go to Prince Qing's mansion right away, otherwise I won't have any good things to eat in the future. Second Mistress, load the carriage with the gifts you are going to give to Prince Qing." Grandma Qi, give me another 30,000 taels of silver. I have thought about it. It is not appropriate to give Prince Qing 10,000 taels of silver. This man is too greedy. If we don’t deal with him, he will cause disaster to our family in the future."
Xie Xiuzhu said anxiously: "Oh, I'll make arrangements now." After saying that, Xie Xiuzhu jumped up and trotted out of the back house. She, Chen Xiangfang, and Zhen Yuhuan were responsible for everything in the house, and the other three were responsible for it. The level is not high enough to put it on the table.
Zhen Yuhuan was a little dissatisfied and reluctant to part with the 30,000 taels of silver, and said: "Xiaolou, that's too much. He's just the chief secretary of Qingzhong University. I can't say whether it will be successful or not. You are Prince Gong's man." , is it worth going to celebrate the prince’s stinky feet?”
Li Guolou said angrily: "Seventh Grandma, I don't know. It seems that the imperial court agreed to handle the Qingzhong University matter, and it was started by Prince Qing. However, future development will be even more difficult. In order to prevent Prince Qing from going back on his promise, , I have to satisfy his greed first. If this person says something bad about me to the Queen Mother of the Two Palaces, I will be ruined in his hands for the rest of my life. Our family cannot be hanged here by Prince Gong, Prince Qing is also my mentor. .Do you understand?”
"Oh...it's just a waste of money anyway. I'll go upstairs and get the banknote for you." Although Zhen Yuhuan was reluctant, Li Guolou had just been promoted and should have laid a good foundation. Now No matter how hard it is, there is nothing you can do if you spend money like water.
Li Guolou briefly told what happened today. When Xie Xiufang came back, Zhen Yuhuan gave him 30,000 taels of silver notes. Li Guolou said again: "Let me tell you something, our family will be full in the future. Please hurry up and order clothes for everyone, especially the eldest grandma and the second grandma. Try to dress appropriately outside. You can wear whatever you want in the house. Don't cause any trouble for me when you go outside."
"Oh! We understand." Chen Xiangfang was the first to speak. In order to get promoted and make a fortune, Li Guolou even sold his ancestors. What did she have to say? Could it be that she was saying something treasonous?
Li Guolou wanted to go to Prince Qing's residence earlier. While the old lady was heating food and rice for him, he said: "Let me tell you some Manchu rules first. Don't let others catch you. Manchu parenting customs It's quite special. When a boy is born, a bow and arrow are hung on the left side of the door, and when a girl is born, a colorful strip of cloth is hung on the right side of the door. The mother's family sends a carriage. When the baby is three days old, relatives and friends send congratulatory gifts, commonly known as "breast delivery". A baptism is also held, called "washing three days". When the moon is full, guests should be invited to "make the full moon", and the bows and arrows or strips of cloth should be removed and hung on the "children's rope". On the 100th day, strips of colored cloth obtained from each house should be used to make a lock, called a padlock. .A more solemn ceremony must be held when the child is one year old to let the child "grasp the week". Generally, at the age of 16, boys have their hair shaved and girls have their hair tied into a bun. Remember these grandma, the children born and raised by the third grandma, We must follow this set of rules.”
Chen Xiangfang asked: "What about the Fifth Grandma?"
Li Guolou curled his lips and said: "Aren't the top three occupied by you? She is Japanese, so she can go as she pleases."
"Laoba" Wu Peipei is a Manchu and said with a smile: "I will tell you some more Manchu rules, please listen to me. Shangyuan Festival: It is the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, commonly known as the 'Lantern Festival'. Same as Like the Han people, the Manchu people also have the custom of hanging lanterns and eating Yuanxiao during the Lantern Festival. Walking for all diseases: It is a festival for Manchu women. It usually falls on the 16th day of the first lunar month. That night, women gather in groups, travel together, or go for a walk on sand and ice. , or playing and having fun, it is called "walking away all diseases". February 2: commonly known as "dragon raises its head day". In the morning of that day, Manchu people spread stove ashes in the courtyard, and the ashes curved like a dragon, commonly known as "drawing ashes". Then A ceremony is held in the courtyard to pray for good weather. The whole family also eats dragon beard noodles and dragon scale cakes. Women cannot do needlework on this day. Dragon Boat Festival: The Manchu Dragon Boat Festival is not to commemorate Qu Yuan, but to pray for blessings and disaster relief. It has been passed down for a long time In the past, the Emperor of Heaven sent people down to earth to observe the people's sentiments. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the Emperor's envoys dressed as oil sellers and shouted: "One gourd for two, two gourds for three." Everyone rushed to buy, but only one old man not only refused to buy, but also told the old man that the calculation was wrong. When the oil was sold out, the old man followed the old man who didn't buy the oil and said, "You are a good man. The God of Plague will bring a plague tonight. You can plant mugwort on your roof to avoid the plague." After hearing this, the old man went from house to house. Go to each house and tell everyone that if mugwort is planted in every house, the plague god cannot bring down the plague, and everyone will be saved. During the Dragon Boat Festival in May, the Manchu people pay attention to planting mugwort on the eaves to prevent diseases, and also pay attention to walking in the dew in the suburbs. It is said that this day is used Washing your face, head and eyes with the dew can prevent sores, boils and eye diseases. Laba Festival: Manchu people make Laba vinegar and cook Laba porridge on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. In addition to eating it for the whole family, they also distribute it to relatives and friends. Xiaonian: An old custom of the Han people , the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is regarded as the Little New Year. At that time, every household will offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God, commonly known as sending off the Kitchen God. The Manchu custom of celebrating the Little New Year is the same as that of the Han people."
The grandmothers were all nodding and listening attentively. Some of the Manchu customs were not something they understood very clearly, and most of them had only a partial understanding.
Li Guolou said anxiously: "Grandma Eighth, tell them about ancestor worship. From now on, our family must follow Manchu customs for ancestor worship." Wu Peipei was very happy, with a smile on her face, and said: "Grave ancestor worship."
At that time, we Manchus were not like the Han people who burned paper money on top of the tomb
Instead of pressing paper money on the grave, "Buddha" is inserted on the grave. "Buddha" is Manchu and translated into Chinese as "liu" or "willow branch". According to the legend of Shamanism believed by the Manchus, Liu is the ancestor of human beings.
, people are descendants of Liu, to show that there are successors, they should be placed on the tomb
Inserting willows. The Manchu people have many taboos. They do not allow blasphemy against gods and ancestors. For example, the Manchu people value the west, and the ancestral box is placed on the Western Kang. No one is allowed to live in the Western Kang, and no debris is allowed to be placed on the Western Kang. All kinds of disrespectful behaviors are not allowed. Beating of dogs is not allowed.
It is taboo to kill dogs, eat dog meat, and wear dog skin hats
They also do not allow foreigners to wear dog skin hats into their homes. It is said that dogs saved the life of Nurhachi, the ancestor of the Manchus, so the Manchus are not allowed to eat dog meat or wear dog skins in the future. When a dog dies, it must be buried because dogs are human.
, can save the savior, is a righteous dog. Love from now on
Dogs, and respecting dogs have become a Manchu custom. In addition, the Manchus not only do not eat the meat of crows, but also feed crows and sacrifice crows." Wu Peipei saw that Li Guolou was listening very carefully, and said: "I'll say it again
Talking about ordinary Manchu families, there are sacrifices or celebrations
On the occasion of the festival, if you want to kill an animal and eat blessing meat, you should invite relatives and friends as guests and let them sit on the Nankang. The family should offer the blessing meat to the distinguished guests. The meat is boiled without adding salt. It is especially tender and beautiful. Guests can eat it with a knife and serve with it.
Serve with salt, sauerkraut, and soy sauce. When guests enter, they kowtow to the Lord and turn around.
When you sit down to eat meat, you are not allowed to say thank you or wipe your mouth after eating, otherwise it will be disrespectful to the owner. Traditional Manchu houses are generally divided into three rooms: west, middle and east, with the door opening to the south. The west room is called the west room, and the middle room is called the main room.
, the east room is called the east lower room. The west room is called the south and west rooms.
There are three Kangs in the north, the West Kang is the most expensive, the North Kang is the bigger, and the South Kang is the smaller. Visitors live on the West Kang, the elders mostly live on the North Kang, and the younger ones live on the South Kang. There are also funeral customs. On this special day, I will not
I said it, I will write it down in detail soon, so you all can study hard."
Li Guolou said sneakily: "Don't be so happy that you become sad, keep a low profile. Grandma, go and tell the servants who want to be a soldier to sign up as soon as possible and become an officer in the future. Do you understand?"
Chen Xiangfang understood, nodded and said: "Oh, I'll ask right away."
Li Guolou suddenly remembered and said to Chen Xiangfang's back: "Sister Xiaofang, I want someone who can read and count, not someone who is illiterate."
Chen Xiangfang didn't even look back and said, "It goes without saying that I don't know what you think."
Li Guolou chuckled a few times. It is better to use slaves. Be obedient and have no hesitation. No matter whether your order is wrong or right. Those national scholars who have read poetry and books have their own ideas and will never abandon their great ideals.
He didn't want to be betrayed by the person he selected.
In the bedroom, Li Guolou was alone with Zhen Yuhuan and said, "Grandma Qi, hurry up and ask Prince Gong if I want to visit him. I found out today that Prince Gong seems to want to avoid suspicion and doesn't want me to worship him.
He deliberately made me become the emperor's slave in the Yangxin Palace, and this was a trick to separate me from him."
Zhen Yuhuan nodded and said: "Yes, I understand. Prince Gong also knows that the emperor is going to rule personally, and his power will become smaller and smaller. You are the chess piece that Prince Gong buries next to the emperor. He will not touch you unless he has to. of."
Li Guolou praised: "Hmm...Seventh Grandma, it's a pity that you don't do Xi Shi. You are very political. I will let you enter the palace when I have the opportunity to pay birthdays to the two Queen Mothers." It’s up to you, Grandma, Second Grandma can’t do this kind of thing. I’ll let you play with the two Queen Mothers. Your flattery skills are top-notch, and you will definitely be able to save me from danger and get promoted step by step.”
Zhen Yuhuan immediately understood what Li Guolou meant, and she was happy in her heart, but she said: "Xiaolou, are you not afraid that Emperor Tongzhi will fall in love with me?"
Li Guolou sneered and said: "Grandma Qi, you still think you are eighteen years old, so...ah!" Li Guolou jumped up with a loud scream, and he grinned in pain. To be honest, it was He who needs to be punished has already suffered.
Next, Li Guolou could only coax Zhen Yuhuan, hold her in his arms, and swear that he would be the first to have sex with her when he came home at night.
As soon as Zhen Yuhuan arrived in Li Guolou's arms, she went limp and was kneaded by Li Guolou without any resistance. She cooed and said: "Well, little rascal, don't burn bridges by crossing the river. Just treat Nunu as if he was eighteen years old." , I’ll give you some sweets!” After saying this, Zhen Yuhuan kissed Li Guolou and the two hugged each other.
Li Guolou gasped and asked, "Grandma Qi, do you want it now?"
"Yeah!" Zhen Yuhuan was like a hungry tiger pouncing on food, gnawing at Li Guolou. This little man gave her endless motivation.
"Okay, I'll satisfy you, you little she-wolf." Li Guolou took off his official robe, hugged Zhen Yu and put him on the bed. The jade body was lying on the bed, the honey liquid was flowing, and the two of them had a deep sleep in the bedroom. If he wanted "Xi Shi" to die for him, he had to make "Xi Shi" determined to die. Li Guolou asked "Xi Shi" to praise his achievements in madness.