The world of film and television begins from childhood

"Gu Qianfan, commander of the Imperial City Division, greets the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery."

At this time, besides Zhou Chen, Gu Qianfan and Qin Yi, only Zhao Paner and Sun Sanniang were left in the room.

Gu Qianfan's words immediately made Zhao Pan'er and Sun Sanniang both widen their eyes and look at Zhou Chen in disbelief.

"Loyal, loyal and brave Marquis, Lord Marquis?" Sun Sanniang murmured in shock.

Zhou Chen also saw Zhao Pan'er's shocked expression, smiled slightly, and said to Gu Qianfan: "Gu Qianfan, you are from the Imperial City Division, not my subordinate, so you don't have to be so polite."

Gu Qianfan cupped his hands and said, "This is what this humble official should do. Just the actions of the Marquis are enough for this humble official to respect and admire."

Zhou Chen knew that he was talking about what happened on the border battlefield.

"Commander Gu is a very busy man. He came all the way from Tokyo to Qiantang, probably to handle a case, right?"

"I do have some official business to attend to. I wonder what the Marquis has come here for. If you need anything, I can help you a little."

Gu Qianfan carefully explored Zhou Chen's purpose.

Zhou Chen said, "Nothing. One of my personal guards went back to visit his family. I happened to be in Tokyo for more than two years, so I came here with him. I didn't expect to meet Commander Gu. It's fate."

"But you, you came all the way to Qiantang to handle the case. It must be really hard for you."

"I am paid by the emperor and I am loyal to him. This is what I should do."

Gu Qianfan didn't quite believe that Zhou Chen was just visiting relatives with his subordinates, but since Zhou Chen didn't want to say it, he didn't intend to ask any further questions. After talking to Zhou Chen for a few more words, he turned around and left with Lao Jia.

Sun Sanniang dared to speak only after Gu Qianfan and the others left. However, her attitude was completely different from before. She was extremely respectful and her tone became cautious.

"You, you are the loyal and brave Marquis?"

Zhou Chen laughed and said, "Why, don't I look like one?"

Sun Sanniang waved her hands repeatedly: "No, no, you look like me, very much like me. When Pan'er first saw you, she told me that you have an extraordinary bearing and must be a noble man. But, but I still didn't expect that you are actually a marquis. This is too scary."

Zhao Pan'er then bowed respectfully to Zhou Chen and said, "I am Zhao Pan'er, a country woman. I am honored to meet the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery. I did not know your identity before and neglected you. If you want to blame someone, just blame me. It has nothing to do with Sanniang."

Zhou Chen found it very funny: "In your eyes, am I an unreasonable person?"

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 966: Unequal Status, Song Yinzhang

"Although I have a title, this is Qiantang, not Tokyo. In your teahouse, I am just an ordinary customer, so you don't have to be so reserved."

Zhou Chen told Zhao Pan'er and Sun Sanniang not to be so restrained, but now that they knew Zhou Chen's identity, how could they be as relaxed as before?

Even Sun Sanniang, who has always been careless and can't speak well, is cautious at the moment and doesn't dare to speak.

However, they were relieved to see that Zhou Chen had no intention of making a fuss with them. Sun Sanniang was fine, but Zhao Pan'er had also met many officials.

But even so, in the entire Qiantang, and even in Hangzhou, there are very few people whose status can compare with Zhou Chen.

This fictional Song Dynasty is different from the Song Dynasty in official history. Although there are many titles of princes, dukes, and earls, more than 90% of them are lifelong titles that cannot be inherited by one's parents. Not many can be inherited by one's parents, and even fewer can be inherited without interruption.

You have to know that even the Meng family, which is Zhou Chen's mother's family, was named a prince after the death of the patriarch, but the hereditary title was still only the title of Duke of the State.

Therefore, the Zhou family's hereditary marquisate is a first-class title in the entire Song Dynasty. As long as the Zhou family does not rebel, it can be passed down.

Therefore, even though the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's Mansion is only of the third rank, its status is deeply rooted and is more honorable than that of a second-rank official.

Zhao Pan'er whispered, "My Lord, you are of noble status. It is a great favor for you not to blame us. How dare you treat you as an ordinary guest?"

Zhou Chen also knew that Zhao Pan'er would be worried after his identity was exposed, so he said: "I guess I will have to stay in Qiantang for a while. Regarding my identity..."

Zhao Pan'er immediately understood: "Don't worry, Lord Marquis, Sanniang and I will never reveal a single word about this matter."

Sun Sanniang also promised: "Me too, Lord, I will never tell anyone, not even my son Fang."

Zhou Chen nodded and said, "My interest in drinking tea has been interrupted. I can't stay in this room anymore. I'm going to the pavilion outside. Please help me make another pot of tea, Madam Zhao."

"That's what I should do. My Lord, please go over first. I'll make you a pot of Lingyin Buddhist tea now." Zhao Pan'er answered without hesitation.

Zhou Chen walked out of the house and sat down in the pavilion by the river in the yard. Qin Yi immediately handed him the book that Zhou Chen had just read.

Picking up the book, Zhou Chen started reading again.

Inside the house, Sun Sanniang was discussing in a low voice with Zhao Paner.

"It's really scary. It turns out that Mr. Zhou is actually a marquis. Pan'er, you have good eyesight. You can tell at a glance that he is extraordinary."

"I don't have much insight. I just saw that he had an extraordinary demeanor, unlike an ordinary person, but I didn't expect that his status was so noble. A marquis like him could actually talk to a common merchant like us on an equal footing. I find it unreal."

Sun Sanniang agreed with Zhao Pan'er's words: "You are right. I never felt that he was arrogant before. He is not like the officials here. The small officials are always showing off. By the way, Pan'er, how high is the official rank of this loyal and brave marquis?"

Zhao Paner rolled her eyes. "Loyal and Brave Marquis is a title, not an official position, so it's not wrong for Lord Zhou to say that he has no official position. It's just that the rank of a marquis is higher than most official positions. Even our governors and prefects are not as good as Lord Zhou in terms of rank alone."

"Ah? He is a higher official than the prefect. He is so young and handsome, and I wonder if he is married." Sun Sanniang looked infatuated.

Zhao Pan'er was even more speechless: "What are you thinking? Whether they get married or not is none of our business. Let's get some fruit. They just saved us, and we have to repay them."

Sun Sanniang sighed, "I just feel it's a pity, Pan'er, I think Lord Zhou looks at you in a strange way. If it weren't for your Ouyang Xu, I think it would be a good choice for you to follow him."

"Just shut up, Sanniang."

Zhao Pan'er was startled, and glanced at Zhou Chen outside in panic, and lowered her voice: "Don't talk nonsense, Ouyang and I are destined to be together. I am only grateful to this Lord Zhou, nothing else, and I have sworn long ago that I, Zhao Pan'er, will never be a concubine in my life."

She was born into a family of officials, but later ended up in the Music Bureau. She had seen too many women become concubines, but the endings of concubines were one more miserable than the other, so she swore early on that she would never be a concubine in this life, even if she never got married.

So after she became a good citizen, she did not get married until she was twenty-one years old. In that era, it was really rare for a woman to remain unmarried at that age.

Until later she met Ouyang Xu, and she was so devoted to helping Ouyang Xu in the scientific examination that she no longer cared about anyone else.

Sun Sanniang said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Pan'er, I just said it casually. I know what you are thinking. Didn't Lord Zhou also say that the exam should be over? I believe Ouyang Xu will definitely pass the exam. Maybe he has already arranged for someone to come to Qiantang to take you to Tokyo."

Hearing this, a sweet smile suddenly appeared on Zhao Paner's face, but for some reason, she suddenly thought of what Zhou Chen had said to them.

If Ouyang Xu passed the exam and stayed in Tokyo, would he still treat her well like he did in Qiantang?

"I hope so."

"My Lord, your Lingyin Buddhist tea."

Zhao Pan'er and Sun Sanniang placed the tea and fruits in their hands on the table.

"Let's go clean up the house so as not to disturb the Marquis from enjoying his tea."

"it is good."

Zhou Chen picked up the teacup and took a sip. Zhao Paner's tea-making skill was indeed very good.

Although the variety of tea is not as good as that of later generations, this is all handmade tea, which is more natural than the tea made by machines in later generations.

People who don’t like tea tasting may not be able to taste the difference, but Zhou Chen often tastes tea in modern times, so he can taste the difference.

"My Lord, your identity has been known. Do we need to leave? Jin Huan can leave at any time."

Qin Yi asked Zhou Chen in a low voice.

Zhou Chen said casually: "No need, my identity is not shameful, and I don't have an official position now, is there anyone who would harm me?"

There is one more thing I haven't said. Even if someone wants to harm him, we have to see if they have the ability to do so.

The reason why he was not in a hurry to leave was because he knew that he would meet the last of the three sisters of Meng Hualu, the youngest one, Song Yinzhang, soon.

The character of Song Yinzhang in the play does not seem to be very likable, but in fact, Song Yinzhang is a good woman, but she is inexperienced, too naive, and does not know people well; and she is determined to get rid of her citizenship, and in order to do so, she is easily blinded, which leads her to do many wrong things in the play.

But this is all from the audience's perspective. If you look at it from Song Yinzhang's perspective, it would be a different situation.

For a prostitute living in the Jiaofangsi, her status is not even as good as that of a servant in an ordinary family. She looks glamorous, but in fact she is just a plaything in the hands of big men and will never be free.

This is still the case in this era. If a woman in modern society came into this world with the same identity as Song Yinzhang, I am afraid that what she would do for freedom would be even more extreme than Song Yinzhang.

Don't advise others to be good without experiencing their suffering! If you have experienced my suffering, you may not be as good as I am!

The audience watching the TV series basically stands from the perspective of the protagonist, so all they see is Song Yinzhang's stupidity and hopelessness, but in fact, she still has many redeeming qualities.

At least without Song Yinzhang, Zhao Pan'er and Sun Sanniang would not be able to gain a foothold so quickly after they arrived in Tokyo.

After watching so many movies and TV dramas, Zhou Chen has already learned to look at people from multiple angles, rather than just one side.

Seeing that Zhou Chen had no intention of leaving, Zhao Pan'er did not urge him and continued to clean up the house.

Qin Yi didn't sit down, but stood next to Zhou Chen without making any sound.

In the blink of an eye, an hour passed and Zhou Chen finished reading. He stretched and was about to stand up when he suddenly saw something flying over from the other side of the stream.

Qin Yi's expression suddenly changed. He stood behind Zhou Chen, quickly reached out his hand, caught the flying object, and then found that it was actually the ball used for Cuju.

"Throw it back." Zhou Chen said coldly.

Qin Yi did not hesitate. He saw the child opposite and threw the ball at him. His aim was very good and hit the target right away.

"oops!"

A scream startled Zhao Pan'er and Sun Sanniang who were cleaning the house. They rushed to the railing and saw Fu Zifang covering his head on the other side of the river.

Zhao Pan'er was fine, but Sun Sanniang was so angry that she felt a surge of anger rising from the soles of her feet.

"Fu Zifang, you skipped school again and you dared to hit someone. I will beat you to death."

You can't blame Sun Sanniang for being angry. She had high hopes for her son, and she was already furious when she saw him skipping school, not to mention that he even dared to hit Zhou Chen with a ball.

Zhou Chen is the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, a great noble of the imperial court, and is not someone they can afford to offend. If Zhou Chen is unhappy, a beating would be the least of their worries, but if he were to be more severe, they wouldn't dare to even think about it.

In a small county like theirs, the son of the county magistrate can bully the people in the village, act tyrannically and have no regard for the law. The marquis, who is countless ranks higher than the county magistrate, must be even more terrifying.

Thinking of this, she couldn't bear it any longer, picked up the broom, and rushed out of the tea shop.

She first bowed and apologized to Zhou Chen: "Lord Zhou, I am really sorry. I have not taught my son well and have offended you. I will go and bring him back now and ask you to punish him."

Zhou Chen waved his hand: "It's just a child's prank, but Madam Sun, you still have to discipline him in the future. If you let him continue to act like this, he will cause trouble sooner or later."

Sun Sanniang was grateful and frightened at the same time.

"Thank you for your grace, my Lord. I will go and teach that little bastard a lesson now."

After saying that, she picked up the broom and chased in the direction Fu Zifang escaped.

Zhao Pan'er, who was in the house, also came over to plead for Sun Sanniang and her son. Although she thought Zhou Chen would not be so stingy, her attitude towards Zhou Chen had changed drastically since she knew Zhou Chen's identity.

Not to the point of flattery, but still serving with great care.

"Madam Zhao, I see that you don't seem to be very sad about the destruction of the tea shop. Why is that?" Zhou Chen deliberately tried to find a topic to talk to Zhao Pan'er.

Zhao Pan'er said truthfully: "My fiancé is a scholar. After I marry him, I will no longer run the tea shop. So I am a little sad that the tea shop was destroyed, but I feel relieved when I think that this day will come in the future."

Zhou Chen sighed: "Scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, merchants are ranked last, but people don't understand that if there were no merchants, how could the world be stable?"

Zhao Pan'er looked surprised and asked curiously, "My Lord, from what you said, you don't think merchants are lowly?"

"Why is it lowly to make money by relying on one's own abilities? Why, as the owner of a tea shop, do you feel lowly?" Zhou Chen asked back.

Zhao Pan'er replied without hesitation: "Of course not, I have never felt that I am lowly, it's just that the world is like this..."

"Yes, everyone in the world is like this, there is nothing we can do about it."

Zhou Chen sighed. What can I say? Among the businessmen, this is a historical issue with many problems, but it cannot be said to be completely unreasonable.

Think about it the other way around. What would it be like if merchants had a high enough status, had both money and power, and became rulers?

Do the consortiums control the country?

Shaking his head, Zhou Chen didn't think about it anymore. He just expressed his feelings and comforted Zhao Paner.

In this day and age, thinking about these things does nothing more than cause headaches.

To put it bluntly, even if the emperor wanted to elevate the status of merchants, it would be absolutely impossible to do so in a dynasty with this background.

Zhao Pan'er became more and more curious about Zhou Chen. You know, even an ordinary scholar could look down on businessmen and dare to point at them and scold them for being money-minded.

And Zhou Chen, who was obviously one of the rare nobles in the world, did not look down on businessmen. This was something she had never seen before.

"Madam Zhao, if you go to Tokyo in the future and encounter any problems, you can go to the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's Mansion to find me. Perhaps I can help you."

Even if she really went to Tokyo in the future, Zhao Pan'er had never thought about going to find Zhou Chen, but she was flattered that a Marquis like Zhou Chen could say such words to her.

"Thank you, my Lord. I have nothing to repay you for."

"Sister Pan'er, Sister Pan'er."

Suddenly, a woman's voice came from the stone arch bridge, and Zhou Chen turned around to look.

I saw a carriage parked on the stone arch bridge, two women and one man standing on the railings of the bridge. One of them was a young and beautiful girl looking here. It was obvious that she was the one who called people just now.

Zhao Pan'er asked in surprise: "Yin Zhang, why are you here?"