late Qing Dynasty

Chapter 71
September 1861, 11 Cloudy

In the morning, I was lying in the guest room, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. I don't know if it was because of nervousness or other reasons, but my mind was full of Luo Bingzhang's questioning look.

I have to admit that my psychological quality is still very poor. I will suffer from insomnia all night when I encounter a little incident. Although I can't see anything on the surface, I can't bear it in my heart.

Since I couldn't sleep, I got up and strolled in the yard. At this time, the capital was already very cold. After all, November in the lunar calendar is similar to December in our solar calendar.

Everyone else wore thick clothes, and I also put on a padded jacket. I have to mention that the floor heating in the north is really warm.

In my original room, when I slept at night, I only needed to wear a thin pajamas, but in the guest room, although the stove was also lit, I had to sleep wrapped in a quilt.

I walked around the Tang family's yard, and finally entered the greenhouse. The seeds I planted yesterday, when I looked at them this morning, the soil surface was slightly moist. I didn't dare to water more, for fear that the seeds would rot.

I also ordered my servants to spray a thin layer of it with my mouth when the soil surface is dry.

I inspected around, only one night, none of the seeds germinated, I don't know if such a house can handle Luo Bingzhang.

The short-season vegetables I deliberately let my servants plant, such as coriander, Chinese cabbage, and vegetables, can see results in only ten days and a half a month.

In the north of the Qing Dynasty, in winter, ordinary people could only eat vegetables such as Chinese cabbage and radishes. In such a disaster year, they could not even eat radishes and cabbage.

After inspecting the Tang Mansion, it was almost time for breakfast. The housekeeper ran over and asked me what I wanted to eat.

"Get some porridge." I said.

"Yes, my lord." The housekeeper responded and withdrew.

I had breakfast and waited for a while, but I didn't see Luo Bingzhang coming. It seems that today is not the day for going to court.

I waited for a while, but Luo Bingzhang still didn't show up, and I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

I really couldn't wait any longer, so I changed into my official uniform and went out towards the palace.

Everyone in the Tang Mansion has almost left, only the housekeeper refused to leave and insisted on staying to serve me.

I was walking on the streets of the capital, and when I passed Caishikou, I couldn't help feeling a chill in my heart.

It is said that Sushun was beheaded here. I heard from the little eunuch in the palace that when Sushun was beheaded, he kept yelling unconvinced, and even insulted the Queen Mother and Prince Gong with foul language.

Said that the relationship between their uncle and sister-in-law was ambiguous.

It is said that Sushun's blood was splashed two meters high at that time, and even some onlookers had blood on their faces.

At Caishikou in the morning, there are already some small stalls and hawkers bustling with each other. The common people here have long been used to beheading.

Every beheading, for them, is like watching a Huangmei opera in the theater, it is very common.

But I wrapped my sable fur cloak tightly and walked over quickly. The murderous atmosphere here is too heavy to stay for a long time.

If I'm not mistaken, An Dehai should have been killed here as well.

I remember once traveling to the Forbidden City and listening to the tour guide explain that every time the emperor of the Qing Dynasty said that he would be beheaded outside the Meridian Gate, he was actually beheaded outside the Meridian Gate.

The meaning of launching the Meridian Gate is to launch our family, and kill wherever you want, and the killing place in the Qing Dynasty is generally at Caishikou.

I walked quickly through this cold place and headed towards the palace. Instead of taking a sedan chair, I walked on foot, just to feel the street in the morning again.

When I was about to enter the palace, I unexpectedly met a person.

I was surprised, but he was very respectful.

"I said that I couldn't wait for Mr. Luo's arrival, so I entered the palace." I said.

Luo Bingzhang saluted me, he was more polite than yesterday, "I'm really sorry for keeping Mr. Tang waiting for so long."

"Master Luo entered the palace so early, what is the so-called reason?" I asked tentatively.

After listening to my words, Luo Bingzhang waved his hands again and again, "I have nothing to do, I just came to bid farewell to the Empress Dowagers and the Emperor, and I am going back to SC today."

"Going in such a hurry?" I was a little surprised, but I still pretended to be calm, "Did Master Luo decide when to leave?"

"Let's go after noon. If it's later, I'm probably going to sleep in the open." Luo Bingzhang greeted politely.

"It's so good, Mr. Luo can come to my house to have a look, maybe my solution can solve the famine problem of the people."

"If that's the case, Lord Lao Tang will lead the way."

"Please."

I took Luo Bingzhang back to the Tang Mansion and showed him the greenhouse I made yesterday.

"Look, I planted some short-season vegetables. If Mr. Luo can stay in Beijing for ten days and half a month, he will be able to eat the vegetables here."

I walked among the wooden frames one by one, introducing my 'masterpiece' to Luo Bingzhang.

"Master Tang, your house is truly as warm as spring, but in the homes of ordinary people, the roof tiles are not suitable for the wind and rain, and no vegetables can be grown at all."

"I have my own way, Master Luo, just rest assured."

In the case of SC, it must be much better than the Shanzhai, so the most important thing now is to find the coal mine there.

It's just that I don't know if I will have such good luck to find a coal mine.

"Master Tang is serious?!" Luo Bingzhang was overjoyed.

"Not necessarily, wait for me to go and have a look."

I can't boast about Haikou now and give him too much hope. If I can't finish it by then, everyone will be disappointed.

"That's good, I'm waiting for Mr. Tang's arrival at any time..."

Before Luo Bingzhang finished speaking, the butler hurried in.

"My lord, people in the palace have sent word that the Empress Dowager ordered you to enter the palace immediately."

"Now?" I glanced at Luo Bingzhang, feeling uneasy.

When Luo Bingzhang saw me looking at him, he immediately cupped his hands towards me and said, "Since Mr. Tang has official duties, I will take my leave first."

"Lord Luo, go slowly."

I looked at Luo Bingzhang's back suspiciously, what kind of wind was he playing with, it seemed like he had changed into a different person in one night.

"My lord?" the butler called me tentatively.

Then I withdrew my thoughts, "I see, housekeeper, go outside the city and help me buy some peanuts."

"Now?" The butler looked at me puzzled.

"Right now." I answered him as I walked out, "I'll go right away!"

Now that Lan'er has asked me to enter the palace, it means that the matter has come to an end, whether it is good or bad, I have to face it.

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(End of this chapter)