Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

The Taipei students left before evening and had to return to the southern suburbs campus before dark.

However, Chen Yuan stayed and asked Zhu Guoxiang for advice.

Min Zishun was sitting in the pavilion, looking at the scenery in the garden, and couldn't help but sigh: "Brother Chenggong, your house is so comfortable!"

Ju Ming said: "The Min family's mansion is no smaller than this one."

"Can the mansions in Yangzhou and Tokyo be the same?" Min Zishun was extremely envious.

Ju Ming smiled: "How is Brother Juncai? Have you started working on the work case?"

"We've already started, but the accounts are a mess." Bai Chongyan shook his head and sighed.

The place where he works is called the Work Department of the Ministry of Industry, and he is in charge of the production of boats, vehicles, equipment, money and goods, etc.

The top leader is a foreign minister from the Ministry of Industry. Bai Chongyan is responsible for financial auditing. There are several auditors like him.

Ju Ming asked: "Is corruption serious?"

Bai Chongyan said: "We can no longer call them greedy, but a group of robbers. No account can be reconciled. How to do the account books depends entirely on the orders of the superiors. The accounts reported by the local government cannot withstand scrutiny. Anyway, every day Paying bills in a daze."

Min Zi responded: "You can only fool yourself and follow the crowd."

Bai Chongyan was silent. He had studied hard for more than ten years in a cold window, and once he was named on the gold medal list, he was full of ambition.

But after becoming an official, he found that he could not do anything but hang out in the Ministry of Works every day.

The gap was too big, and Bai Chongyan felt a little depressed.

Moreover, even though the Ministry of Industry has countless money handlers, a small official like Bai Chongyan can't even make half a penny.

Ju Ming asked: "How much does it cost for officials to build palaces?"

Bai Chongyan shook his head and said, "I don't know. The account books in my hand only deal with various construction equipment, and I can't understand the accounts I made. But one thing is very clear, there will be a lot of construction work next year."

While they were talking, Fatty Zheng suddenly came over and said, "How about going to Fan Tower tonight? I have admired Fan Tower for a long time, but I have never been there."

Min Zi said along the way: "If I go, I can only have wine in the lobby. The second and third floors are too expensive, and I don't have much money."

Fan Lou is more like a comprehensive nightclub.

The first floor is for general consumption, just eating and drinking.

The second and third floors are all private rooms with various entertainment projects. Small officials and businessmen would not dare to go up there.

Zheng Hong asked curiously: "How much does it cost to have a meal on the first floor?"

"More than ten passes." Ju Ming said.

"Why are you so expensive?" Zheng Hong was quite surprised.

Ju Ming explained with a smile: "No matter how many guests, as long as you sit down, you will be given a set of pouring bowls (wine warmers), two sets of plates, five fruit and vegetable dishes, and three water and vegetable bowls."

In a word, Fan Lou has a minimum consumption, and even drinking and eating alone requires more than ten guan.

Bai Chongyan said: "I heard from my colleagues who worked on the project that all silverware is used above the second floor. Rice bowls, food plates, and wine glasses are all made of silver. Every few days, famous prostitutes are invited, who can not only drink , and can also sing lyrics and songs. There are two singers who are the most famous, one is called Li Shishi and the other is Cui Niannu."

"I have also heard of these two women being called the two beauties of Tokyo." Min Zishun said with great interest.

Bai Chongyan said with great longing, "I heard that when they show off their singing voices, they can make birds and butterflies stop. It's a pity that I have no chance to see them."

Min Zishun said: "When I become a high official, I will definitely pay him a visit."

They are obviously two new scholars, but they are just like those hanging threads, fantasizing about top nightclubs and famous prostitutes, and have no financial resources to experience it for themselves.

They can afford it on the first floor, just start with Ten Guan.

On the second floor, I was disappointed. Even if I brought hundreds of dollars, I would use them all in a daze.

As for the third floor, it is completely unimaginable.

As for Master Li, there should be two people with the same name and surname (both stage names). One was active during the Zhezong period of the Song Dynasty, and the other was active during the Song Huizong period. The difference between the two is at least thirty years old. There are a large number of literati poems and notes to prove it.

The first person who had close contacts with Zhou Bangyan was Li Shishi.

It was the second Li Shishi who had an affair with Song Huizong.

A low-level official like Bai Chongyan was not even qualified to meet Master Li.

After Li Shishi became famous, he disappeared from sight unless he was a high-ranking official.

At the turn of the Song Dynasty, there was a bibliophile named Zhang Bangji. This man was rich and traveled all day long. After arriving in Tokyo, he excitedly wanted to visit Master Li, but he couldn't even get in. Many years later, he also complained in "Mozhuang Manlu" that Master Li "comes from a particularly distinguished family" and has much greater arrogance than Cui Niannu.

Fatty Zheng was sitting next to him, his heart was surging when he heard it, and he asked: "I have spent three hundred guan, can I ask Li Shishi and Cui Niannu to sing a song?"

"Maybe." Min Zishun said.

At this time, Master Li's fame has not yet reached its peak, so there is a chance for him to sing three hundred songs. Not only can you listen to music, but you can also probably drink together.

Ju Ming smiled and asked, "Have you brought enough money?"

Fatty Zheng was instantly frustrated: "I have three hundred strings, but I just use them to listen to music."

"Let's go, come to Tokyo at least. I don't have money to treat you to see Master Li, so I can treat you to a tour of Wazi." Ju Ming is not a saint. He has been serious for so long and wants to have some fun.

Everyone went out together, instead of going to the low-level tiles in the outer city, they went straight to the high-end tiles in the inner city.

There are tile houses everywhere in Panlou Street, Xijier Lane, and Dongjier Lane. It is adjacent to the Imperial Palace to the west, Fan Tower to the north, and Pan Tower to the south. It belongs to the prime location of Tokyo City.

The Sangjia Wazi that Zhu Ming and his friends chose is next to Pan House.

Outside here is the Wa Market, with various stalls, vendors, and even fortune tellers.

There is a check bar inside, and you need to buy a ticket to enter.

After spending money to buy some food and wine, a few people sat down and listened to music.

They are very lucky. Xu Poxi sings today, and he is the second best singer after Li Shishi. She does not receive customers privately, but only travels around the bar and is hired to participate in public performances.

Xiao singing can be understood as ancient popular songs, and the definition is different in each dynasty.

Xiao singing in the Song Dynasty included qubo, introduced songs, close-up shots, and could also be a variety of lyrics, mainly singing slow songs and small orders.

"In late autumn, a light rain fell on the courtyard. The chrysanthemums on the threshold were sparse, the wells were in disorder, and the smoke was lingering..."

There was no accompaniment of silk and bamboo, so Xu Poxi only used wooden boards to play the rhythm. The first thing that came up was Liu Yong's "Qi Shi·Late Autumn".

This is a new tune created by Liu Yong, and it is the best long tune and slow ci in the Northern Song Dynasty.

Ju Ming has closed his eyes, singing a cappella without any instruments, and his singing voice alone makes people intoxicated.

Fatty Zheng had only visited Wazi in the outer city before and listened to all the slang songs in the city. Now when he heard this elegant little singer, he immediately clapped his hands and cheered: "Okay, you are worthy of being a famous singer in Tokyo!"

The nearby audience looked sideways and glared, blaming Zheng Hong for ruining the atmosphere.

Fatty Zheng immediately shut up and drank to cover up his embarrassment.

"The scenery in the emperor's house is beautiful. In those days, there were banquets in the evening and joy in the morning. In addition, there were wild friends and strange couples, who would stay together while singing and drinking. The scenery is like a shuttle, the old travel is like a dream, and the journey of smoke and water is not limited..."

At this point, the elderly audience members recalled the time when they were young and went to Beijing to sing over wine with their friends.

How wonderful it was at that time. Things were not so expensive in Tokyo, and the emperor was also a wise monarch.

Now, I am in a state of despair. My former friends have gone their separate ways, and some of them have even turned into dust.

After singing a long tune, several elderly people were moved to tears.

An old gentleman wiped away his tears and immediately called the boy to reward the singer with a few coins.

Xu Poxi held the wooden board in her right hand, patted the palm of her left hand gently, and said with a smile: "The slow poem just now is really sad. The next poem will be a bold and desolate poem, which is Zhu Tanhua's "Linjiang Fairy" "."

"the river is long and tempestuous, it was like a hero……"

Fatty Zheng didn't dare to speak louder, so he leaned into Ju Ming's ear and whispered, "What a coincidence, it's your words."

"Linjiangxian" belongs to the double-tone Xiaoling, but there is no double-tone term in the Northern Song Dynasty. It can only be considered in terms of Xiaoling, middle tune and long tune.

For example, "The Sapphire Case: Yuan Xi" is the middle tune.

Even if you are not proficient in music, you can still create. The typical representative is Su Shi.

Moreover, Su Shi was obviously not good at music, but he still liked to innovate the tone of his words, which was already quite controversial in the Northern Song Dynasty. There are many people who like it, and many people who hate it. Music experts like Huizong and Li Qingzhao of the Song Dynasty did not like to listen to Su Shi's lyrics because they always felt uncoordinated when singing.

"Snap, snap, snap!"

Xiaoling finished singing quickly, and Zhu Ming applauded along with everyone.

Meng Yue, the author of "Tokyo Dreams", was also applauding vigorously at this moment. He has lived in Tokyo with his father for twelve years and is now in his early twenties. He lives on the west side of Jinliang Bridge, only two streets away from Cai Jing's mansion.

Xu Poxi suddenly picked up the pipa and began to play and sing more cheerful music.

Qupo was a large-scale song and dance performance in the Tang Dynasty. Small singers in the Song Dynasty sang only the essence of it.

The atmosphere in Goulan also became more relaxed.

Well, in Ju Ming's understanding, these are all popular songs from the Song Dynasty. The first two songs are lyrical slow songs, while this one is a happy and fast song.

This Goulan restaurant is quite plain, and there are even a few female visitors.

Not only is it simple, but it is also quite elegant and has a certain threshold for appreciation.

Ordinary people prefer Goulan in the outer city, where all slang songs are sung.

After the song was finished, Xu Poxi began to sing the lead song again.

The songs are Yuefu tunes, mainly accompanied by the sound of the piano. For the great songs of the Tang Dynasty, the first paragraph is the "preface" and the second paragraph is the "introduction".

The most famous introduction song is undoubtedly "Li Ping Konghou Yin".

Ju Ming didn't understand the music at all and couldn't even tell what the beat was. He just thought it sounded good. The tempo of this song is slower than Xiaoling's and faster than the middle tune, which is more in line with Ju Ming's listening habits.

When I heard it, there were several singers who came to join us.

Guessing that it was already very late and he would have to get up early to go to work tomorrow, Ju Ming and his friends got up and left.

Walking on the street, it was already twelve o'clock in the evening, and the lights in Tokyo were still bright.

Thinking about Europe at this time, there was no nightlife at all. The Song Dynasty was truly a beacon for mankind.

Min Zishun was very excited: "The little singing stars in Tokyo are indeed not comparable to those in Yangzhou."

Bai Chongyan also said: "No wonder the rich and powerful families like to raise singers. If I were rich, I would also raise a singer at home, and I can hear such music every day."

But Fatty Zheng said: "It's still not as good as the drama."

Alas, a bunch of bumpkins from a small place finally got to see the high-end entertainment in the capital city.

Ju Ming walked on the streets of Tokyo late at night, looking at the lights around him and listening to the faint singing. The cold wind blew, and he felt like he was in another world.

It seemed that I was suddenly awakened from a dream.

Pan Lou's wine stick is still swaying in the wind, silently telling the prosperity of the world, as if it is extremely far away from the golden horse.