Ming Zhengzhi, I am Zheng Kezang

On the evening of the new year, the snow on the main streets of Wuchang Prefecture was shoveled clean by the imperial guards. There were also several bright braziers lit on both sides of the street intersections, which outlined the roads in the dark. Moving forward, the officers and soldiers on guard and the policemen in Wuchang Prefecture could have a nearby fire to keep warm.

Under the protection and guidance of the officers, soldiers and police who could not rest during the New Year's Eve, a continuous stream of horses and horses and some officials on foot gathered in front of the Danfeng Building of the Wuchao Gate, which was rebuilt from the Xingyuan Gate of the former Governor of Huguang in an orderly manner.

After all the chariots, horses, and officials finally arrived at the square in front of Meridian Gate, which had undergone major changes in Yijing, the people and vehicles began to separate. The civil and military officials who got out of the car first had to register with the military students on duty and the students of the Naval University. Only when they have confirmed their respective identities can they continue to lead to the block where their respective grades are located; after arriving at the block where they are located, the inner court head Taoist guards who are waiting there early in the morning will point out the specific weizhi of the curtains that they are seated in.. " ".

The so-called curtain is actually a simple tent, which is supported by wooden sticks on all sides, and then wrapped with raw cloth on the top and surroundings, and finally fixed with support wires to form it.Because of its simplicity, it cannot completely block the penetration of the cold wind. For this reason, there is also a charcoal fire burning inside the curtain. It is not as warm as spring, but at least it can drive away the chill in the middle of the night.

The size of the curtains is the same, but due to the different grades, there are more or less people sitting in the curtains, the few are no more than four or five people, and the more keneng have to squeeze in twelve or three, but No matter how crowded the curtains are, no one complains about the narrowness of the seats, bijing, it’s not because all the officials in Beijing can come to the [-]th dinner party and go to the Meridian Gate at the beginning of the new year. Apart from certain ranks, there are shihou who can be invited pure luck

"Speaking of it, it's because the imperial city is too small." In a tent in Zonggui District, Zheng Keqi, the hereditary Duke of Jiujiang, was sitting by the charcoal fire, chatting with some of his uncles who had come earlier. "Otherwise today's celebrations should be held in the imperial city, not in the square in front of Wuchao Gate."

Perhaps it was because of the many hardships these years, so Zheng Wen, the Duke of Xunwu County, changed his temper and asked his nephew humbly: "I heard that the reward is a million guan. Logically speaking, the Holy Majesty is not short of money, why not expand the imperial city, this is the face of the royal family."

There is a reason why Zheng Wen is not ashamed to ask questions. Although he is an elder, his title is only the county prince, which is lower than Zheng Keqi's county prince. This is naturally because Zheng Wen and others abandoned their clan and fled to Japan finally lost points in the eyes of Zheng Kezang.However, what makes Zheng Zhi and others even more envious is that Zheng Keqi's county title has hereditary words on it, which means that Zheng Keqi's title and the title of meritorious officials do not need to be downgraded. In this way, Zheng Ming's lineage will share weal and woe with the Xu family and Mu family of the former Ming dynasty and the dynasty.

"It's not that the Holy Majesty doesn't feel cramped, it's just that Wuchang Bijing is good, so it's not appropriate to make a lot of construction work." Zheng Keqi replied after thinking about it. "However, this year we have to be patient. After the Phoenix Mountain Palace is completed next year, all future ceremonies will be moved there, and the difang will be spacious."

"That's good, that's good." Zheng Rou, the county magistrate of Ningguo, didn't know the so-called continuous claim, but the next moment he changed the subject. "What about Weicheng, you are currently in charge of the Minister of the Interior, the Zuo Zongren of the Clan Mansion, and you are closer to the Holy Majesty, can you talk to the Holy Majesty, and ask for a position for some of your uncles. Don't misunderstand, It's not for any reason, it's just that the land that the governments only received at the end of last year will return some income in a short while. Although the emperor rewarded some gold and silver coins when they were bestowed last year, they are a big family, and they can't help spending them, so they want to get another one. With a salary, it’s easy to make ends meet.”

"I understand what uncle Jiu meant, but it's not easy to tell the sage about this matter." Zheng Keqi shook his head, shattering Zheng Rou's delusion unceremoniously. "Although the Holy Majesty does not forbid my descendants of the Zheng family to participate in politics and take charge of the military, but Uncle Jiu, don't you think the Holy Majesty is extra lenient with the big guy Yijing? If you want to bother the Holy Majesty about Yidian's money, will the Holy Majesty remember what happened back then?" .” Zheng Keqi, who beat Zheng Rou, thought for a while. "It's easy to handle if the government is short of money. Uncle Jiu, didn't you also run a business in the past? Why don't you go back to your old business, why do you feel uncomfortable in front of the Holy One?"

Zheng Yu was a little annoyed: "Weicheng, you're talking shime, could it be that you can do it, but your uncle and we can't do it?"

Zheng Keqi chuckled, and pointed at Wen, Rou, Yu, Zheng Zhi, Zheng Kuan's bereaved sons, Zheng Kexi, and Zheng Keji: "Uncles and two younger brothers, do you think that my current title is inherited from my father? I was wrong, anyway, I also entered the junior martial arts and martial arts back then, but later on meiyou continued to develop in the army, but no matter what, I have a background of meritorious service, otherwise, you think the Holy One will casually name* Do you give it to your family?"

Wen, Rou, Yu, etc. really didn't know that Zheng Keqi had served in the army, and he was dumbfounded for a while and couldn't respond. At this time, the curtain was lifted, and Zheng Cong, the hereditary Duke of Ying, walked in clapping: "We are sincere!" Well said, one must be self-aware.”

Seeing Zheng Cong's family walk in, Wen, Rou, Yu, Zheng Kexi, Zheng Kekui and others stood up one after another: "Second brother (uncle)!"

"Sit down," Zheng Cong told everyone to sit down. "Now that I've said this, let me say something in Zuo Zongzheng's capacity. Although we are relatives of the clan and have relatives with the Holy Spirit, we are far less useful to the Holy One than capable and talented outsiders. Therefore, you want Shime. If you want to be a shime, you can only do it narrower and narrower in the name of your clan, and the more you want to be less pleasing in the eyes of the Holy One, it is far better to do it with Ziji's ability and get it."

"It's just that the second brother has exhausted his food in Japan all these years, and if he wants to start a business again, I'm afraid it will be too much for me."

"Lao Qi, do you dare to mortgage Jue Tian's income? If you dare, I will save face and say hello to the manager of the inner court, and ask the Four Seas Bank to lend you a sum of money. I think it is enough for you to start a business and even buy a ship." Haimao’s”

The talker noticed that unexpectedly, the curtain of the curtain was rolled up, hundreds of dancers came out from the darkness, and formed a formation on the side of the main road outside the curtain, at the same time, the majestic music The sound also resounded.

"The Music of the King of Qin Breaking the Array," Zheng Keqi immediately explained. “New Years Celebrations Begin”

Sure enough, the lights on the Danfeng Tower of the Wuchao Gate also became brighter, presumably Zheng Kezang was here.

After a dance, a voice came down from the Danfeng Building, followed by the mouths of the imperial guards, martial arts students, Naval University students, and Toudaomen guards who were on duty everywhere: "My lord! Orally, on the Zhengdan festival, celebrate with all the ministers, give wine, and congratulate China and all people in the world."

The ministers bowed their heads in the curtain and responded: "Congratulations to China, congratulations to all the people in the world, congratulations to the sage, and congratulations to the country of China!"

Students and imperial guards holding imperial wine in their hands walked into various curtains to fill wine glasses for ministers of civil and military affairs, dignitaries and relatives.

Unexpectedly, after receiving the shime code, the Chinese courtiers holding the imperial wine in their hands chanted in unison: "Long live, long live, long live!"

This shihou, the famous chefs drawn from Wuchang, Wuhan and other places began to serve dishes. When all kinds of wine and dishes were served one by one, Zheng Keqi suddenly noticed the martial arts student standing at the door of the curtain who had poured wine for Ziji. Going over to take a closer look, he suddenly took a deep breath: "Officer Sheng, why is it you?"

"Respond to your lord's words," Zheng Kezang's third son, Zheng Yu, made a subtle gesture, asking him not to reveal Ziji's identity. "The humble job is to celebrate the festival with my mother, but the military order is like a mountain."

"I can save it, I can save it." Zheng Keqi nodded flusteredly, not knowing that some of Ziji's words just now had been heard by Zheng Yu, and confused with confusion, he sat back on Ziji's bed for some reason, and finally woke up after a long time Pinch Ziji's thigh to wake up. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is still the same, always doing amazing things."

Zheng Rou, who was seated next to her, listened to Qingchu Zheng Keqi's words, so she asked, "Weicheng, are you talking about Shime? Which family is that sergeant from just now? Do you know him?"

"Oh," Zheng Keqi replied hesitantly. "I, I mean, why didn't you see Duke Liang and Duke Yiyang?"

"Duke Liang Guo and Duke Yiyang are accompanying the Holy Majesty on the Danfeng Tower." Zheng Cong had also discovered Zheng Yu before, but he just wanted to wear it, so he naturally helped Zheng Keqi to explain the truth at this time. "The Holy Majesty also asked me to stay, but I think you guys are not very affectionate when you just came back. I was afraid that Weicheng would not be able to take care of you well, so I pushed the Holy Majesty's intention to come and accompany you."

"Oh, thank you very much, second brother." After being interrupted by Zheng Cong, Zheng Rou couldn't ask Zheng Keqi any more, but even a clan member like Zheng Keqi had to join the junior martial arts school, and only after learning martial arts would he have the chance to be an official. , Zheng Rou didn't think it was too much for the children of important ministers outside. "By the way, second brother, in this way, are Kejun and Kefu also serving in the army now?"

Zheng Cong responded with a smile: "Yidian is right, these boys are all in front of the army now, this is to win the status of a meritorious citizen so that they can successfully attack the noble in the future, this is the second reason, the army is to train people's difang After coming out, no matter whether he is an official or a businessman, at least he will not become a dude."

Wen, Rou, Yu, etc. were speechless for a while. At this time, the wine and dishes had been served for a few rounds, and the singing and dancing on the passage outside had also changed a few times. Turan, all the sounds were gone, only the faint sound of firecrackers and firecrackers coming from all over the city. The sound of fireworks.

When Wen, Rou, Yu, etc. were at a loss, Zheng Wei, who was standing outside the curtain, walked in: "Masters and Lords, please line up in the passage, and stand according to their ranks. Kowtow to the door."

Zhengdan Dachaoyi mashang is about to start