Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 22
On March 44, 28th year of Kangxi, Shengjia came to Jiangning.Prior to this, all the guards of Jiangning Weaving Mansion had been taken over by the guard battalion that had arrived earlier.

The entire Cao family was full of joy, the old lady, Mrs. Li, and Mrs. Zhao Jia were all dressed up according to their ranks, waiting to see the ladies who came with them.

Cao Yong didn't go to school, and he also wore a dress according to his title. In the side hall of the east chamber of the front yard, he waited with the eldest son of the official family in Jiangning City to greet the emperor.According to the past, on the first day of Shengjia's arrival, in addition to all the officials in the city to greet him, the elders of the officials' Xungui's family who are over ten years old also respectfully greet Shengan.In the next few days, the emperor will summon officials at all levels according to the arrangement.

The sons of each family are all dressed up, and stand in civil and military positions according to their father's title and official position.In fact, if we talk about it, Cao Yong should stand in the first place among the sons of civil officials, because not only Cao Yin has the title of baron of the second rank, but he himself is also the first-class light car captain of the third rank.It's just that Cao Yong acts low-key and is the most troublesome.Standing in the first place, having to deal with the emperor's questioning, and facing other people's side-eyes, was something he didn't want to do.Therefore, according to Cao Yinzheng's fifth-rank official position, standing behind the two sons of the prefect's family and the Jiangnan salt transport envoy Si Tongzhi's family, followed by Cao Song and the sons of several other low-level officials.

On the other side, the military officer's children were led by an eighteen or nineteen-year-old boy with a slightly dark complexion, wearing a brand-new large dress, and two jade pendants the size of fists hanging from his waist.In the past few years, during festivals, Cao Yong also went out with Cao Yin several times to socialize, but it was the first time seeing this young man.Thinking of Wan Jiha, the newly transferred General Soldier of Jiangning who had heard several times, it seemed that this was his family's young master. This majestic posture really looked like a general.It's just that his personality is a bit arrogant, his eyes are clean, and his eyes occasionally glance at everyone, with a bit of contempt.

It was the first time for Cao Song to meet him. He was both excited and nervous. He ran to Cao Yong and spoke in a low voice.Cao Yong saw that he was full of childishness, not the slightest bit of stability, and worried that he would lose his appearance before the king, and told him to follow the teachings of the elders, and then he was not allowed to raise his head, not to move rashly, and not to speak at will.Although it was the first time for Cao Yong to greet everyone together, but because he had seen Sheng Jia the year before last, he felt calm.

Although Wan Jiha's son didn't know the Cao Yong brothers, he saw that Cao Song's words and deeds were casual, as if he was at home, not as rigid as other sons, and he said "brother" and shut "brother", he knew he was from the Cao family. He cast a glance and snorted coldly.

After Kangxi met all the officials, it was the turn of these officials' children to meet. The main courtyard of Zhizaofu Middle Road, as the emperor's palace for several southern tours, has already been expanded from the original seven rooms to a hall.Kangxi accepted the audience of Jiangning civil and military officials in the main hall, and received greetings from the children of local officials and eunuchs in the side hall.

Under the leadership of a servant, Cao Yong and the others entered the side hall one by one, holding their breath and lowering their heads. They stood in the position on the hall just now, and then knelt down in the sound of a eunuch who was in charge of the ceremony, "Greetings for Shengan". They said in unison: "Respectfully, Sheng'an, long live, long live, long live!" Then kneeled three times and kowtowed nine times.

With some gentleness in his majesty, Kangxi said, "Get up!"

Everyone rose in response, and Kangxi saw that the person standing at the top of the east side looked familiar, and after a few more glances, he recognized that it was Yongqing, the son of Wan Jiha.Yongqing's mother is from the clan, and she is Gege from Prince Kang's mansion, so she is Kangxi's niece.Kangxi saw that he was wearing a finger pulley, and asked with a pleasant face: "How about riding and shooting, how many crossbows can you drive?"

"Returning to Lord Long Live, the servant can drive two and a half stones, and three stones is a bit difficult!" Yongqing replied kneeling according to the rules.

Kangxi nodded: "Okay, don't lose the style of a man of the Eight Banners, your father taught you well!"

Yongqing kowtowed again, stood up, and retreated to his original position, completing the conversation.

Kangxi looked at the west side again, saw that Cao Yong was not standing in the first place, he was slightly startled, and asked the young man in the first place: "What is your name, and whose family is it?"

The young man who smelled like a book stepped out, bowed his head and answered, "As for the Long Live Lord, the student's name is Ma Jun, and my father is the magistrate of Jiangning."

Kangxi heard that the young man claimed to be a student, so he knew that he was famous, so he asked a few questions about this autumn's provincial examination.

When Ma Jun came back to line up, Kangxi glanced at Cao Yong and saw that his little head was hanging low. He wanted to be as disciplined as possible. Thinking of the monkey-like [-]th elder brother who was his age in the palace, he wanted to tease him. When he spoke, he turned his face and said, "Where is Cao Yong, the son of Cao Yin?"

When Cao Yong heard that Kangxi had finished the conversation with the two, he thought it was almost time, but he didn't expect that something would happen. Although he was a little surprised in his heart, he didn't show it on his face. Greetings to Lord Long Live, long live, long live, long live!" I was constantly slandering, what kind of ghost system, although the Cao family is not Manchu, but because they are in the banner, they have to follow the Manchu rules and call themselves slaves.Luckily, he was prepared and knew that today was the day to kneel, so he asked Hui Xin to make two soft cloth cushions and tied them on his knees. Kneeling back and forth did not feel uncomfortable.

When Kangxi saw that Cao Yong was not surprised, his tone was neither humble nor overbearing, he was not very old, but he was young and steady, so he couldn't help but feel happy for Cao Yin.Those who survive a catastrophe must have future blessings, this should be a good saying.

"I ask you, are you still shooting five hundred arrows every day like the year before last?"

Cao Yong replied: "If you go back to the Lord Long Live, since last month, the servants practice archery on one day out of three, five hundred each time!"

Kangxi nodded: "It seems that I have achieved a little success. I don't know how much of your father's true biography. What about homework, which book did you learn?"

"If you go back to Lord Long Live, the servant is learning "Spring and Autumn". After replying, Cao Yong felt surprised. Didn't the old man above want to gossip?Sweeping to the sides with the corner of his eye, he really got a bunch of envious and jealous eyes.

"How many emperors are recorded in "Spring and Autumn"?" Kangxi continued to ask.

At this time, there is no technical content at all for any question. Anyone who has read "Spring and Autumn" knows the answer. If he asks something else, he is just ignorant if he can't answer this question. If he can't answer this question, he is an idiot.Therefore, Cao Yong had no choice but to bite the bullet and replied: "Returning to the words of the Long Live Lord, the twelve emperors recorded in "Spring and Autumn" lasted for 240 years."

"Well, yes, it seems that you put your heart into it, don't be proud, just keep going!" Kangxi praised.

Cao Yong faintly felt that something was wrong, the emperor's behavior was a bit deliberate, I don't know if it was a disguised show of favor to the Cao family, for others to see.

Kangxi gave a few words of advice to all the officials and eunuchs, even if the audience was over, they got up and left their seats.The crowd knelt down to send off the holy chariot again, and then they were led by the servants as when they came, and they left the side hall one by one.

After returning to the front yard, everyone can return to their homes after finishing their errands.Cao Yong felt hungry and exhausted. He used breakfast early and delayed lunch again.After saying goodbye to the young masters around him, he wanted to go back to his yard.

"Cao Shixiong, stop!" At the moment Cao Yong turned to leave, Ning Chun, who was standing between Ma Jun and Cao Yong when he was in line, said.Ning Chun was the son of Tongzhi, the Jiangnan Salt Transport Envoy. He was fourteen or five years old, with a slightly fat body, and he smiled at everyone.

"Brother Ning Shi, you're being polite, just call my younger brother by his name!" Cao Yong said politely, this little fat man had known him before, and he had been a guest at Ning's house with Cao Yin.No wonder it is said that Yantie Yamen is full of oil and water, this Ning family is one of the most wealthy families in Jiangning City.Ning Chun is even more of a dandy among dandies, eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling.However, he has a good nature and a lot of money in his hands, so he doesn't do anything to bully men and women, because he has no bad reputation.

"Little brother knew that he was going to see all the senior brothers today, so he booked Ruyi Fang, and invited a few brothers to drink. If anyone refuses to go, I will not go!" Ning Chun said carelessly.

Ruyi Square, the famous painting boat on the Qinhuai River, Cao Yong couldn't help being a little tempted. These days, he doesn't have to go to school, and he is free.

The general's children were almost scattered, only Yongqing stayed where he was, looking at Cao Yong with his chest in his arms.On the side of the civil servants, only the Cao brothers, Ma Jun, and Ning Chun remained.

Ma Jun said with a bit of embarrassment: "Brother Ning Shi, forgive me, sir is still waiting for me to return home to do my homework, I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you!"

Ning Chun pretended to be angry and said: "No, no, if you don't go, you will slap your brother in the face. Send the boys back and tell me, if the husband dares to be naughty, I will resign him, and the brother will ask someone to find a good one for the elder brother!"

Ma Jun was already shy, seeing that Ning Chun was so talkative, he knew that he couldn't evade it, so he had no choice but to obey, and ordered the boy to report back to the manor.

There were only five people left on the court. Ning Chun looked at Cao Song, who was slightly younger, and looked at Cao Yong with some embarrassment.Seeing his expression, Cao Yong knew that there were naturally things that were not suitable for children in the Ruyi painting boat, so he whispered to Cao Song: "The old matriarch is still waiting for me to eat, and the second brother will help me to report back, saying that I am with you. Shixiong ate outside!"

Cao Song is used to listening to Cao Yong's words, he responded with a simple voice, and didn't ask why he didn't take him with him.

Ning Chun hadn't planned to invite Yongqing, but he was right next to several people, so he couldn't take his face off and say no, so he just smiled and said: "Brother Shi is willing to give face to younger brother, it's really, really very interesting!"

Yongqing glanced at Ning Chun, then turned to look at Cao Yong: "I'll show you face, I want to compete with you in archery!"

Although he called himself a "slave" in front of Kangxi, Cao Yong hadn't realized how to be a "slave" for the time being. Seeing that the young man in front of him was so arrogant, he was very annoyed, and said to Ning Chun: "I'm hungry, brother Ning Shi, the guests are welcome." , shouldn't it be time to go!"

Seeing Cao Yong ignoring himself, Yongqing said angrily: "My lord is talking to you. How does Cao Yin, a slave, teach a little slave? Know how to behave, what a cheap coat!"

Yongqing's voice is getting louder, which can't help but attract the attention of people who come and go.

Cao Yong's gaze gradually turned cold. If he was the only one to talk about, he would not be in the mood to argue with this ignorant young man; however, the matter was related to Cao Yin, and he was in front of everyone, so how could he bear it any longer.

"The Cao family is Baoyi, and there are big servants and small servants, but they are servants of the royal family. I don't know which master and son of Zhengbaiqi this is?" Cao Yong looked at Yongqing and said slowly.

Yongqing's face turned pale, and only then did he realize that he had made a slip of the tongue.Among the Eight Banners, Zhengbai Banner, Zhenghuang Banner, and Xianghuang Banner are the upper three banners, which are in the hands of the emperor.Yongqing was not angry that the son of Cao Yong, a fifth-rank official, was inquired and praised by the emperor. Cao's family was born in Baoyi, but he didn't want to ignore it for a while, which was a taboo.

Seeing that the faces of the two were not looking good, Ning Chun pushed one of them with one hand, and said with a smile: "The sky is big and the earth is big, and eating is the most important thing. I am hungry, brother. They are all mixed in Jiangning City. If you don't see you when you look up, you can see you when you look down. Those nonsense, what are you talking about, let’s chat at the wine table!"

(End of this chapter)