Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

There was a swing in the yard. Zheng Yuanyi stood on it with one foot and gently pushed the other foot on the ground, swinging and watching Ju Ming dance there in the distance.

Li Xiuxiu came over to push her, and the sister-in-law and sister-in-law whispered.

The sound of breaking through the air kept coming, and Ju Ming danced more energetically.

Take this thing to the battlefield and swing it at the enemy when you see it, no matter how many layers of armor you have, it will cause internal injuries and blood will spurt out.

Zheng Hong stood by and was dumbfounded. He had played with this mace before and it was difficult to swing it with both hands. Ju Ming could actually play with it for so long with one hand.

How powerful this is!

Ju Ming put down the iron mace, picked up the two-meter-long iron spear, and asked, "Isn't this pure iron?"

"There is a section of wood in the middle," Fatty Zheng explained. "The craftsman said that after adding wood and wrapping it with bamboo slices, it would be tough and not so heavy."

There are many records of iron spears in history books. For example, Wang Jingzhen during the Five Dynasties period was good at using an iron spear weighing thirty kilograms. This is converted to 19.8 kilograms, which is heavier than a barbell in the gym, and is very consistent with the weight of an iron of that length.

There are also physical objects unearthed. Two iron spears from the Eastern Han Dynasty were unearthed in Zixing, Hunan Province. They were all made of wrought iron.

The traditional horse war gun shaft has a wooden core on the inside, bamboo sheets on the outside, wrapped in silk thread and leather, and finally coated with a layer of lacquer.

It is so strong and tough that horse poles are also made this way.

However, composite gun shafts are relatively expensive and cannot be used by ordinary soldiers.

The iron gun shaft in Ju Ming's hand was also painted with a coat of paint.

There is a shaft more than one meter long in the middle, and there are faintly visible circles of iron wire. Iron wire is used instead of silk leather, and it is reinforced and wrapped around a hardwood core and bamboo slices.

(Note: Metal wire drawing technology existed in the Han Dynasty, and was mainly used to pull gold wire. Iron wire drawing technology appeared in the Song Dynasty, but it could only be pulled one by one. In the Ming Dynasty, four or eight wires could be pulled at the same time. .)

The craftsman was afraid that the whole iron would be too heavy and could not be lifted at thirty or forty pounds, so he took it upon himself to make it half wood and half iron.

Ju Ming held the middle part of the iron gun horizontally, and the gun tip slowly sank.

The center of gravity of this iron gun is not very forward. As long as you are strong enough, it is easier to use than a wooden handle gun.

Unfortunately, Ju Ming's spear skills are not perfect for the time being, and he only practiced simple stabs in the village.

He lifted it up and danced a few times, then stabbed it out one after another. He played with it over and over again and couldn't put it down.

"Dalang, what do you want these weapons for?" Zheng Hong couldn't help but ask.

Ju Ming said with a smile: "Being a general or a prime minister, I may have to go into battle to kill enemies in the future. If you practice your skills well, you will definitely come in handy."

After saying that, he picked up the bow again.

The ordinary standard mulberry bow is a finished product bought from Xingyuan Mansion.

Zheng Hong explained: "It takes one or two years to order a good bow. You can only buy it ready-made at a bow and arrow shop."

"As long as it works." Ju Ming is not picky.

He put the bow and arrow on his back, hung the mace on his waist, and then stood there holding the iron gun, feeling a man's romance.

If you put on armor and mount a war horse, you'll be all set.

Zheng Yuanyi's aunt and sister-in-law stood on the swing, their eyes shining as they looked at him. Such a man was so majestic!

Near noon, the servant came to treat me to dinner.

Ju Ming put down his weapon and followed Fatty Zheng there.

The women and children did not come because the Zheng family was too prosperous. Zheng Hong has an elder brother, two younger brothers, and several sisters. Most of them are married and have children, so the whole family is too crowded.

Not even Zheng Hong's two younger brothers came, only he and his eldest brother attended.

"This is my eldest grandson Zheng Yuan, who usually helps with work in the business." Zheng Lan introduced.

Zheng Yuan cupped his hands and said, "I have met Zhu Xianggong, and I have met Zhu Dalang."

The father and son returned the gift one after another.

The dishes on the table are very rich, and they are mainly mutton.

There are cooked lamb ribs, fried lamb sausage, and soup made with lamb, haggis, and almonds. In addition, there are chicken, duck, goose, and two vegetables.

Despite the image of Su Dongpo, pork is still not on the table, and big businessmen like the Zheng family will not eat it.

Zheng Yuan, the young master, took the initiative to pour wine for the father and son, and said in a frivolous tone: "When you two come to Yangzhou, have you ever been to Ruyi Tower? The girls there are all beautiful and gentle, and I have an acquaintance..."

"Ahem!"

Zheng Lan coughed repeatedly and interrupted the eldest grandson's speech: "I would like to propose a drink to both of you."

"I can't take it seriously." Zhu Guoxiang raised a toast and automatically ignored Zheng Yuan's nonsense just now.

Fatty Zheng is already a playboy, but it seems that his eldest brother is even more indifferent. Ju Ming's evaluation of the Zheng family is even lower.

But I am also more assured that when a rebellion occurs in the future, such a family will be easy to handle.

Push the cup to change the cup, drink for three rounds.

Zheng Lan said inadvertently: "I heard that Dalang is sixteen years old this year and has not been engaged yet. How can such a talented man lack a good match? How about I help find one. In the three counties of Yangzhou, Min, Wang, Zheng, and Li The four families are the most educated, and the girls are all gentle and virtuous, and they can always choose the best one for the elder man."

Zhu Ming declined politely: "This junior is determined to study, and has no plans to get married for the time being. It would be a disservice to the old gentleman's good intentions."

"We have to take the imperial examination, so we can't delay our marriage." Zheng Lan said with a smile.

Ju Ming said: "It won't be too late in a few years."

Zheng Lan could only shut up.

Late marriage was still very common in the Song Dynasty. Many famous officials and scholars did not get married until they were twenty years old.

Even for women in the Song Dynasty, according to statistics from more than 400 epitaphs, the average age of marriage was around nineteen.

This is of course inaccurate and can only reflect the situation of the middle and upper classes, because the people at the bottom cannot leave information.

Zheng Lan said in a roundabout way: "I have a niece-in-law who is also studying at Yangzhou Academy. He will take the Interpretation Examination this autumn. He has already passed the examination three times. His knowledge is extremely good. I am sure he can talk to me."

Fatty Zheng added: "My uncle's name is Sun Tao. He only works in the academy to give up his life. He usually teaches in private schools. That day Mr. Chen was giving lectures, and my uncle also went there."

"Well, I have a bit of an impression." Ju Ming rambled casually.

Zheng Lan stroked his beard and said: "Although I don't have much knowledge, I value talented people very much. Sun Tao was born in a poor family, and his family only had dozens of acres of land. It was his first time to go to Beijing to take the exam, and he couldn't even pay for the travel expenses. Knowing this, I not only gave him money, but also gave him a niece."

It's just a rare thing to live in, just to attract outstanding scholars to make yourself look noble.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, when people in Sichuan, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi and other places rushed to take the exam, the government would issue post coupons and coupons, which allowed them to take the trains and boats at the post stations for free and eat at the stations along the way for free. But he also had to prepare money, otherwise he would starve to death in the capital.

Zhu Ming pretended not to understand and praised: "The old man loves talents and values ​​​​their talents. It is really a blessing for the poor scholars in Yangzhou. The younger generation has a drink for the old man!"

"please."

Zheng Lan raised glasses and clinked their glasses, not sure what Ju Ming was thinking.

It seems to be rejected, but it seems that it is not rejected.

Ju Ming's idea is actually very simple, just don't be in a hurry. He doesn't mind being the son-in-law of the Zheng family. The Zheng family's financial resources will help him rebel.

However, he cannot agree easily, otherwise he will be easily manipulated, and he must take the initiative himself.

Just wait and see again in a year or two. Anyway, it is popular for rich girls to marry late, unlike in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

After eating and drinking, and resting for a while, the father and son went up the mountain together.

Fatty Zheng didn't come with him anymore. He was tired of staying in the academy. Wouldn't it be nice to stay at home with his wife?

The river breeze blew, and Zhu Ming sobered up a little.

He was fully armed and had three weapons on his body. As he walked, he said, "Can we fry the best tea leaves? Just like the best Tuancha."

"It's hard to say. I don't know how to get it at all. I have to slowly explore it." Zhu Guoxiang shook his head.

The best tea leaves are not classified as first, second or third class.

For example, Lao Baiyuan's top-quality tea can be sold for at least four to five hundred yuan per kilogram. The quantity of this kind of tea is scarce, so it is definitely not sold by tea horses, and it is all traded secretly behind the government's back.

But how to make the best fried tea?

Zhu Guoxiang recalled the tea he had drunk and said: "We must start with the quality. For example, some tea leaves are really beautiful when they are suspended in the water after brewing. Some tea leaves have silver threads on the surface. Some tea leaves are rolled up. Just like snails. What we are frying now is just ordinary green tea, and we are still far from developing the best tea."

"How to make black tea?" Ju Ming asked again.

"How do I know?" Zhu Guoxiang said, "It seems to have to go through fermentation, but I don't know exactly how it is fermented. There is no use in thinking about it. As I said, slowly explore and test."

Wander all the way up the mountain and return to the VIP dormitory of the academy.

When Zhang Guangdao saw the three weapons, he immediately exclaimed: "Good stuff!"

Ju Ming threw the iron gun over: "Brother Zhang, give it a try."

Zhang Guangdao waved the iron gun in his hand, shook his head for a while and said, "It's a bit too heavy. It's okay for daily practice. If you go to the battlefield, you will definitely be tired and not suitable for long-term combat."

Ju Ming took out his bow and arrow again and formally asked for advice on archery.

Zhang Guangdao discovered his own archery skills, and even his bows and arrows were made from homemade clay bows. He first taught Ju Ming how to string the bow correctly, how to maintain it in daily life, and then how to draw the bow with force.

In the next half month, Ju Ming became completely busy.

In the morning, I spent time with my father to tutor Chen Yuan in mathematics, and also borrowed books from the library. In the afternoon, I will practice bows and arrows first, and then iron spears and maces.

After the eighteen iron pots were finished, Zhu Guoxiang took Zhang Guangdao, took the iron pots and took a boat away.

Only Ju Ming was left, occasionally chatting with the students, teaching Chen Yuan mathematics, and spending the rest of the time practicing martial arts.

Chen Yuan was not in a hurry to go down the mountain to spread new ideas. He was already fascinated by mathematics.

This gentleman has not taken the imperial examination for more than 20 years. Apart from traveling around the mountains and rivers, he spent the rest of his time studying. He is patient and will not do anything else until he has thoroughly studied mathematics.

Zhu Ming was very troubled by this, worried that Chen Yuan would not go down the mountain for a whole year...

At this moment, an official ship came south from Baoxie Road and headed straight for Xingyuan Mansion (Hanzhong).

The leader is an eunuch. He has the emperor's order to recruit Zhu Chenggong, a scholar from the Eighth Route Army, and invite Zhu's great talent to come to Beijing... to write lyrics for the emperor.

The official ship docked, and the chickens and dogs jumped.

Officials such as the transfer envoy, the inspection envoy, the Changping envoy, the Tixue envoy and so on received the news and rushed to greet him.

Lu Tixue was quite puzzled by this. He was recommending Ju Ming to study as an imperial scholar, but he was not recommending him to be an official. Why did all the eunuchs come to spread the message?

Lu Tixue asked curiously: "Dare I ask the noble man, are you really going to conquer Pi Zhu successfully?"

The eunuch nodded and said with a smile: "Zhu Chenggong's poetry is very good. The officials like it, so they want to admit him to Dasheng Mansion."

Lu Tixue was stunned for a moment, then became angry, and tried to use a gentle tone to ask: "Zhu Chenggong has mastered the Three Classics at a young age. If time will be a pillar, how can he be allowed to enter Dasheng Mansion to write lyrics?"

"It is his good fortune that the officials value him. How can he say so much?" The eunuch said impatiently, "Hurry up and carry the sedan. The praises are flowing fast, and our family is exhausted along the way."

Lu Tixue lowered his head and got out of the way, muttering: "Hunjun!"

Dasheng Mansion has been established for several years. Once you get in, you can't even think about getting out. It also has a particularly bad reputation.

Only one person was successfully released, that is, Zhou Bangyan was promoted to the first position of Dasheng Mansion, and he was slandered and pushed out of the capital by Cai Jing.