Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

When Zhu Ming returned from the banquet, he happened to meet Zhu Guoxiang and sent the eunuch out of his house.

"What does the emperor want to do?" Ju Ming asked.

Zhu Guoxiang said: "I asked the eunuch to send a singer over. A few days ago, didn't I say that I wanted to go home and reunite with my wife and daughter? I guess the emperor thought I missed a woman."

The father and son walked in together, and a young girl stood in the corridor, bowed and said: "Bless you, my husband, my husband, An Niang is so polite."

"An Niang?" Zhu Ming became interested and asked, "Where did you sing before?"

An Niang replied: "In the teaching workshop."

Ju Ming asked again: "Singing something?"

"Puchang." An Niang said.

After investigating the details, Zhu Guoxiang called Liang Yi and arranged for the girl to stay in a side room.

There were only father and son left in the yard. Zhu Guoxiang asked curiously: "Do you know them?"

Ju Ming said: "This An Niang is a star in "Tokyo Dreams", and she may not be very famous yet. She mainly sings, and sings more local slang songs, and her main audience is ordinary people. Li Shishi specializes in small singing, The content is more elegant and the fans are readers."

Zhu Guoxiang said with a smile: "He is actually a future star."

"That Hunjun is quite considerate," Zhu Ming teased, "Probably he ordered the eunuchs to go to the Jiaofang Department to select beauties. They must be both talented and beautiful. He carefully selected one and sent it to you. Dean Zhu , just take your time and enjoy the gentle countryside."

Zhu Guoxiang didn't answer. He really missed Daming Village.

Not only do I miss my wife and daughter, but I also worry about the villagers there.

I have been away for a long time, and I don’t know how the village is developing.

No matter how many rewards the emperor gave, Zhu Guoxiang thought it was empty and only regarded Daming Village as his own property. The bobbin carts, irrigation canals, weirs, tea mountains, workshops, inns, docks... all contain Zhu Guoxiang's hard work, just like the children he raised with his own hands.

"Ms. Sir, Mr. Qian, Mr. Qian and Mr. Hou Sanlang are here to visit!"

"Invite him in."

Qian Chen and Hou Xuan have been here many times, and they are all familiar with the Zhu family's servants.

They also brought a young man, Han Zhao (Han Zhouzhou's second uncle), the second son of the consort Han Jiayan.

After everyone greeted Zhu Guoxiang, Qian Chen hooked up with Zhu Ming and said, "You have been very busy in the past few months, but you have no time to play with us. You must go to Master Li's house today."

"Is she willing to open the door to welcome guests?" Zhu Ming asked.

Hou Xuan said: "Master Li admires Dalang very much. I heard that we are familiar with Dalang, and we have even invited him many times."

Ju Ming said: "Then I'll call my friends to come together."

Fatty Zheng will return to Yangzhou in a few days. When he heard that he could see Master Li, his face suddenly lit up and he couldn't wait to leave.

Ju Ming sent Bai Sheng on horseback to inform Min Zishun and Bai Chongyan, taking the opportunity to take his friends to see the world.

While waiting, Hou Xuan whispered: "Dalang has gone to Puzhou, and he will deal with the Li family severely!"

"Li family?" Zhu Ming couldn't understand.

Hou Xuan said: "The Li family in Puzhou is the descendant of Prime Minister Li Di, the most prominent family in Puzhou. The Li family has been a prominent official for generations, and they have served the people with integrity from generation to generation. Everyone is upright. But in this generation, Li Xiaoshou and Li Xiaochen Both brothers relied on Cai Jing for promotion."

"Especially Li Xiaoshou, known as 'Li Yanwang' in Tokyo. He killed many people when he was the governor of Kaifeng."

"Li Xiaocheng also judged cases indiscriminately in Dali Temple, either giving in to beatings or accepting bribes to get away with it. All cases were judged very quickly in his hands. He repeatedly reported that the prison in Dali Temple was empty, and he was moved to the position of Minister of Household Affairs because of his exhaustion. "

The two brothers had both served as ministers of Dali Temple, and their methods of judging cases were exactly the same. They emptied the prison in a few seconds and asked for rewards.

When Li Xiaoshou was the governor of Kaifeng, a subordinate who stole money from the treasury escaped from prison. This guy didn't bother to interrogate, so he arrested all the jailers and punished them to death. Forty people were sent to prison, and several of them died before leaving the capital. Even Song Huizong couldn't stand it. After hearing about this, he ordered the survivors to be released.

Zhu Ming continued to ask about the situation, while Qian Chen and Han Zhao also told stories.

The Li brothers have convicted too many unjust cases, and their stories are well-known in Tokyo. They were Cai Jing's most vicious minions in the past few years.

Ju Ming smiled and said nothing, having already decided to operate on the Li family.

The Li brothers are so arrogant in Tokyo. Why don't their brothers and nephews fly to the sky in their hometown in Puzhou?

Just the right thing to use to establish your authority!

When Bai Chongyan and Min Zishun arrived, everyone went out together.

The place where Master Li lives is called "Master Li's home".

This is a way of naming. For example, "Grandma Cao's house" sells meat cakes, and "Grandma Chou's house" opens a medicine shop. There are many similar names in Tokyo.

Li Shishi is not yet independent, she has a mother (an old bustard). The owner of the house was the madam. Ever since she became famous, she had people hang up the sign of "Master Li's House".

The house is not big, a two-story building.

Master Li is not in the building, but lives in the backyard.

Ordinary guests are looking for fun in the small building. You have to spend a certain amount of money, or you have to be a high-ranking person, and you have to pursue him many times before you can drink and chat with Master Li.

Ju Ming and the others came here, had a few drinks in the lobby, and were finally taken to the backyard to meet Master Li.

A young man followed over and saw them entering the backyard. He immediately said angrily: "Tell me, Master, you have distinguished guests tonight, and it's these birdmen?"

Mr. Turtle quickly explained: "Little Mr. Gong, they decided in advance."

This guy seemed to be a little drunk. He quickened his pace and rushed forward, grabbing the corner of Hou Xuan's clothes: "Stop, I'm here first tonight!"

Ju Ming turned around speechlessly, wondering if he should be so cruel.

I just came to see what Mr. Li looks like. Do I still want to be jealous of others?

Qian Chen obviously knew this person and rebuked angrily: "Cao Yu, don't act like a drunkard anymore. Do you think I'm afraid of you? Your mother is the Great Emperor, isn't my mother?"

Another person came up with his followers, pulled Cao Yu and said, "Fourth brother, forget it, they have decided that we will come back tomorrow."

But Cao Yu pushed his brother away, staggering and said: "No! I have been here every day for the past half month, but you are not allowed to enter the backyard. You must be looking down on me!"

Qian Chen sarcastically said: "You make trouble whenever you drink. Who wants to deal with you? Master is already tired of you."

Ju Ming asked in a low voice: "What are the backgrounds of these two people?"

Han Zhao said: "They are all descendants of the founding general Cao Bin. The one who drank and made trouble was called Cao Yu, and his mother was a princess of Lu. The person who persuaded him was called Cao Huai, and his mother was the head of Shouguang County. Cao Yu is usually quite well-behaved, but it's a pity that The wine is so bad that after just a few glasses of rice wine, you’ll start to drink too much.”

There was a commotion here. Madam Li, the madam of the brothel, came over after hearing the news. She pulled Cao Yu and said with a smile, "Oh, young master, Qiao Nu is waiting for you to drink."

Cao Yu pushed Mother Li away and angrily said, "You're such a scumbag, you're always fooling me. Call Master Li out quickly, I don't want any clever slaves!"

Mother Li had a depressed look on her face, so she simply stopped trying to stop him and allowed this guy to make a fuss.

Ju Ming is a layman in this kind of matter, so he humbly asked for advice: "How to deal with it in general?"

Hou Xuan said: "Let their royal relatives make trouble, and we don't have to get involved. It's just a fight. There are relatives on both sides. How can they fall out with a little singer?"

Hearing this, Ju Ming smiled and watched the excitement. He didn't bother to conflict with the Cao family.

While the two were talking, Han Zhao suddenly kicked the drunken Cao Yu to the ground.

They are all the sons of the princess, who is afraid of whom?

Cao Huai was originally trying to dissuade him, but when he saw his clan brother being beaten, he immediately helped to fight back. Qian Chen also rolled up his sleeves and got to work.

The followers on both sides did not dare to take action. When they saw that the fight was almost done, they stepped forward and pulled away.

The sons of three princesses and the son of a county lord were all dead in Ju Ming's eyes. They were lucky to be able to survive the destruction of Tokyo.

Is there any need to care about the dead?

"Are you sober?" Qian Chen asked.

Cao Yu, whose nose was bruised and his face was swollen, was blown by the cold night wind. He nodded and said, "Wake up, I want to go in too."

Qian Chen said: "You can go in, but no more wine is allowed!"

"I drink tea." Cao Yu said.

When it comes to wealthy families, the Cao family ranks first in the Northern Song Dynasty. More than one person in each generation is married to the royal family.

But the main sect has been abolished, and they are all nothing but wine and rice bags. On the contrary, there are several sons of the Cao family who currently hold important positions in the Forbidden Army.

Just like Hou Xuan said, there is no need to fall out with a famous prostitute.

After the clan members finished their fight, they pretended that nothing had happened and went to the inner courtyard to meet Master Li, arm in arm. Several friends of the Cao brothers also came over after hearing the news, looking for an opportunity to crowd in together.

The guests are seated, but the host has not yet appeared.

Only a few maids came out to pour wine for everyone.

Fatty Zheng came over and whispered, "She's very impressive. She's worthy of being a famous prostitute in the capital. She even has several clan members waiting for her."

"The more this happens, the more powerful people flock to him." Zhu Ming said with a smile.

Fatty Zheng said: "It's just like doing business. If you don't sell the goods, the more people will want to buy."

Hou Xuan also came over and pointed at someone at the table: "That is the son of the Li family in Puzhou. He usually does errands for Cai Jing's son, but unexpectedly he got mixed up with the son of the Cao family."

Bai Chongyan was a little embarrassed. The people present were either rich or noble, so he seemed too shabby.

Min Zishun muttered: "I Hanchuang studied hard for twenty years and finally passed the Jinshi exam, but I am still not as good as these dudes."

Bai Chongyan heard clearly and encouraged himself: "We must work hard. In time, we will surpass them!"

"Yes, don't underestimate yourself!" Min Zishun gritted his teeth.

In fact, they know very well that unless the dynasty changes, these dandies in front of them will inevitably become noble for generations, and they will not be able to catch up no matter how hard they try.

"I've kept you waiting for so long!"

Master Li came out to dress up and took a seat behind the curtain, with his slender figure vaguely visible.

The sound of the piano sounded immediately, and the singing voice floated out gently.

Ju Ming had to admit that Li Shishi's singing voice did sound more interesting than Xu Poxi's.

Before leaving Tokyo, I had seen it.

He did it purely out of an appreciation point of view, just like watching a star perform. He only thought of marrying a star when he was out of his mind.

Li Shishi sang Liu Yong's lyrics, just a song. He lifted the curtain and came out, Yingying bowed and said, "I have admired the name Tanhua Lang for a long time, and today I can finally see it with my own eyes."

Ju Ming cupped his hands and said, "To each other."

Li Shishi lowered his eyebrows and asked, "If Tanhua Lang is happy today, can Shishi ask for a new poem?"

Ju Ming was noncommittal: "Let it go."

(I recommend a historical text, "Father Li Shimin, I will launch the Xuanwumen Revolution". Friends who are interested can take a look.)