Chapter 919
: Notice Posted at Prince Jin’s Mansion
Chapter 919: Notice Posted at Prince Jin’s Mansion
Beijing,
After the army passed through, the capital did not calm down. Not only were ordinary people talking about it, but even the princes who were taking the imperial examinations were concerned about the world. The chaos in the south of the capital had already affected the current situation in the world. Whether Luo Yunhou could turn the tide as the commander this time was a topic of conversation among the people.
The centurion He Yixiu, who was sent back by His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin, rode back to the palace with several people from the Imperial City Department, and summoned the clerks in the palace and gave them instructions;
"Hurry, come here if you can read, and copy what the prince wrote on the notice paper. Write quickly."
A dozen clerks, still at a loss, gathered around. Seeing that it was written by the prince, they dared not complain. They picked up their pens and ground ink, and then separated and copied the document. As they wrote, they became curious. It turned out to be a story. What did Luo Yunhou mean by that prince?
A few people couldn't figure out what it was, but they were extremely amazed by the poems in the story. Unfortunately, they were just clerks, and they couldn't match such poems at all. It seemed that there were few people in the capital who could match them.
Time is fast,
Each person copied ten pages, which took the time of an incense stick. After they were finished, He Yixiu did not even look at them. He immediately called the people together and gave them instructions.
"Each of you, take three pieces of paper and post them at the gates of the capital, at the notice booths of government offices, in various market squares, and in front of several large residential squares. Tell the story of the conversation between His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin and Marquis Luo Yun, and ask the people of the world to discuss the result and make a poem to match it. If anyone can match it, he will be rewarded handsomely on the day he returns to the capital in triumph!"
"Yes, Lord He."
moment,
The men under He Baihu got on their horses, took the rice paper and left the palace, and posted notices in the notice booth in front of the military headquarters, on the eight-character wall at the city gate, and on the walls of the headquarters and the main entrances of the neighborhood. Moreover, his men were smart, and whenever they arrived at a crowded place, they shouted loudly;
"His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin and Marquis Luo Yun are having a great conversation in the Anhu camp, seeking a solution to the story and the poem. If anyone can match them, they will be rewarded handsomely after the army returns victorious."
The people of the capital city like excitement. This clamor happened in a busy city. After the people from the Imperial City Department posted the notice, onlookers crowded in. Many scholars came in to read and appreciate the story. They were all shocked. The story was simple, but the artistic conception was so profound.
The people who read it before were filled with emotion, sighing at the fate of the man and the woman, and could not help thinking about it carefully. The man was dead, and the woman should continue to wait or remarry. For a time, the two groups of people started arguing. This waiting was the talk of the entire capital.
West Market,
On the bank of Qiushui Lake, the upstairs of Youlai Inn was full of guests and friends. Many merchants and children of wealthy families came here to taste the specialties. There happened to be three tables in the southeast corner of the empty space near the lake, which had been occupied by someone.
"Brother Zhengbai, come and try the signature dish of Youlai Restaurant, roasted lamb. It tastes absolutely amazing."
At Youlai Inn by Qiushui Lake in the West Market, the people who wanted to sit at these tables were not others, but several princes. They actually sat on the attic here, with their guards, and asked for three partitions. Today, they could not go to the court meeting, so they could only wait outside the palace. Time was tight, and someone came to report anyway, so they simply came to the restaurant here, eating and talking, which was also a fun thing.
The first person to speak was Zhou Yewen, the prince of Song. He loved to show off in such occasions. After all, he had eaten it once when he came here and was quite amazed.
The other princes all picked up their chopsticks, picked up a piece of meat and put it in their mouths. The rich aroma of mutton filled their noses. The roasted meat was tangled with ghee and a layer of spices. The mouth was full of meaty aroma, making people reluctant to swallow it.
The prince of Zheng, Zhou Zhengbai, nodded and said;
"It's really a delicacy from the Western Regions. The meat is fresh and tender, and the spices used are really unique. This dish is not cheap, is it?"
"Brother Shi is really amazing. It's really not cheap. And I heard that these spices are all sent from the west. Ordinary restaurants only put a little bit of them in each dish as seasoning. Only this restaurant can put a lot of them in."
Zhou Yewen's face was full of envy. Could this place really be the Gong family's property? It was too blatant. However, when he thought about the money spent by the Gong family, this was just a drop in the bucket. He picked up the chopsticks, picked up a large piece of meat, put it into his mouth, and felt comfortable.
"Yes, people have their own ways, ghosts have their own ways, to be able to get these, the people behind must have a skill, and besides, some people are blessed, there is nothing wrong with that,"
Zhou Yunfu, the son of Prince Chen, rarely spoke, and was more ashamed of himself. After a trip to the capital, he thought that the soldiers of Prince Chen's mansion were strong and powerful, and they could suppress others with their elite morale. Unfortunately, he was wrong. In terms of weapons, armor, money and food, Prince Chen's mansion was at the bottom. The heavy armored army of Prince Zheng's mansion was all built up with silver.
unfortunately,
The Chen Palace is in Hanzhong. If it were not for the convenient entrance to Shu, how could it support a large army?
"Hehe, there's nothing we can do about this. By the way, brothers, what does the palace say? It's already early summer in June. We've been eating and drinking in the capital and having a great time, but the palace can't wait any longer."
Zhou Yewen chuckled. There were too many benefits, how could he take them all? If that happened, he would die without knowing how he died. And his father seemed to have sent a secret letter to the military advisor, so he didn't know how to deal with it.
"Hmph, what else can we do? The court is focused on the south of Beijing. Although there are many evil people in the Taiping Sect, they are easy to eliminate. Now the White Lotus Sect has revived, and it involves not only those untouchables, but also the martial arts sects. There are countless sects in the world, and there is no guarantee that a master will emerge. How can we prevent it then?"
Zhou Xingshan, the prince of Han, was in the heart of the Central Plains. There were many sects around him. The retainers and guards recruited by his father were all experts from various sects. Without armor and crossbows, a team of soldiers really couldn't do anything to these people from the martial arts world. But with battle formations and armor, these people from the martial arts world would not be able to achieve anything. However, there was one thing: if they were masters of a certain grade, they would not be able to defend against the armor-breaking energy. Fortunately, there were not many such masters, and even if there were many, they would not participate in the disputes in the court.
But the people of the White Lotus Sect are different. Not only are they full of experts, they are like a large martial arts sect rising up in rebellion. With a leader, it is hard to guarantee that some unscrupulous sects will join in, and the court will be in trouble.
"Brother Shi, these are not what you and I can think of. When Marquis Luo Yun led the troops to fight, there would never be such talk. In front of him, it's all the same. Also, there are very few first-rate masters, so how can there be a grandmaster to take care of these things? Of course, the Xiantian realm can indeed come and go without a trace, but how can they have a chance of winning against those 10,000 iron cavalry outside the pass? This is just nonsense."
Grandmasters are also human beings. Innate warriors from various schools and factions are also practicing in their schools. Those who roam the world are mostly first-rate or third-rate martial artists. Those who have names and surnames are mostly local tyrants. They will never mix with rebels.
Moreover, the imperial court stipulated that privately possessing armor and crossbows was a crime of treason, so weapons and military formations were the foundation of the imperial court. They did not rely on these things, but on their lethality.
"Brother Shi, what you said makes sense. Grandmasters and experts are all submissive in front of our palace."
Zhou Lianghao was eating with his mouth full of oil, talking nonchalantly. At this time, there was a commotion downstairs. Many scholars and young men came up one after another, and then gathered at a table in groups of three or five. They ordered wine and food and started discussing in secret. Many of them were arguing with each other in a loud voice, their faces flushed. No one knew why.
Just when they were confused, the guard downstairs came hurriedly, walked to the side of Prince Zheng, took out a piece of rice paper and handed it to him.
"Your Highness, look, this is the story that His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin told him during his conversation with Marquis Luo Yun outside the city gate. It has spread all over the capital,"
Zhou Zhengbai paused for a moment, somewhat puzzled. What was so interesting about the conversation between the Grand Highness and Marquis Luo Yun?
Think about it.
There was something strange about it. Since it could be spread out, it must not be a serious matter. So he put down his bowl and chopsticks, took the brocade cloth to wash his hands, took the rice paper and opened it to look at it. The other princes at the table couldn't help but look at him. The meat in his hand didn't seem to smell good anymore.
"Brother Shi, what did His Royal Highness Prince Jin say?"
Zhou Lianghao became very interested. It was rare for the eldest prince to go south with the army, and he should have set off now. Why was there still a story coming? It was really interesting. It seemed that the eldest prince was also thinking about the future. After all, the position of the crown prince had not been decided yet, and no one knew who would sit on the position first.
"Yes, according to the current sun and the report from our spies just now, the prince has already left the city for a long time, and the soldiers from the Anhu camp have already headed south, with the carriage of the Prince of Jin among them. How come this piece of rice paper came over here?"
Zhou Yewen shook his head, quite puzzled. The three princes were all appointed as military supervisors by Emperor Wu, and the road to succession to the throne had begun. However, the first to take action was Prince Jin. Was it an unintentional act or intentional?
"Haha, that's a good question. Where does this rice paper come from?"
Zhou Zhengbai had already opened the paper and started reading. The content was ordinary, telling the story of a border soldier who had the regret of not being able to return home.
"My Lord, it is posted in the pavilion at the entrance to the market square. I have brought it here."
The guards were silent. They didn't bring it here. They should have torn it off and taken it away. Zhou Zhengbai didn't say anything. He handed the rice paper to Zhou Xingshan, the prince of Han, and said;
"You all take a look. I think the story is ordinary, but I haven't figured out the deeper meaning. It tells the story of a soldier in the frontier army who was forced to join the army, leaving his wife behind in the village. This separation is the last time they will see each other. The focus of the woman is whether she will remarry or not. What do you think, brothers?"
How could Zhou Zhengbai not know this? In the Han and Tang dynasties, women were not subject to too many restrictions. Remarriage and divorce were not in the court's hands. Even in the Dawu Dynasty, it was the same. However, after the Han and Tang dynasties, Confucianism became the doctrine of saints, and the restrictions on women became increasingly severe. After the publication of "Biographies of Women", "Book of Filial Piety", "Precepts for Women" and "Rules for Women", these books were the most important in the previous dynasties, but in this dynasty, there are not so many discussions.
"Brother Shi, this story seems simple, but it is not. The border troops guarding the border have never been wealthy in all dynasties. It is normal for them to be buried in a foreign land. Countless of them have not been able to see their wives and children at home. However, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin narrated this matter and his conversation with Marquis Luo Yun. You know, Marquis Luo Yun is just outside the pass. Could it be that he wants to win over Marquis Luo Yun?" Zhou Yewen took a look. These things were nothing new. Everyone in the Dawu Dynasty knew about it. After thinking about it, could it be that someone from the border troops came to the capital and contacted the eldest prince? It is not impossible. The border troops are in poverty, and whoever gives them money should give them face. Those border troops are hungry wolves.
"Brother Yewen is wrong. The border troops have been like this for a long time. Everyone in the court knows about it. What I care about here is this woman. Whether she will remarry or not, didn't she write a poem? The last line is, 'The rings and pendants on the shining jade platform, the shoes on the gorgeous silk mat. The distance is so close, but how can we expect the distance thousands of miles away?' It's clear that there is still some hope in it. The last stanza says, either wait or break off and start a new life."
Zhou Yunfu looked around and felt that it was not a question from the border troops, but the woman's reaction, which should also be the business of the civil officials. Then why was it sung in the capital? Was it the civil servants who started it?
As if he was a little suspicious, he turned his eyes to the students around him, and saw that many students were divided into two groups and kept arguing. Someone stood up and shouted,
"That's all nonsense. A woman should abide by her duty and be faithful to her husband. A man kept her alive with the rations he earned from military service. If she remarries, she will be ungrateful."
"Well, well said,"
"Well said, sir,"
As soon as this statement was made, not only their table, but also several tables around them cheered, attracting more and more people to look over and ask what happened.
Even Zhou Zhengbai thought it made sense. The woman depended entirely on the food her husband worked so hard to earn to survive. If she remarried, wouldn't she be a heartless and ungrateful person?
"Ridiculous, everyone. Although the woman relied on the man to sell her food to survive, the man had no news for so many years, and the woman remained chaste and served the man's old mother until she passed away. This is how she repaid her kindness. The matchmaker advised her to remarry, which might not be a way for her and her young son to survive. It is human nature. In the end, the man wrote a poem that said, 'If the sky has feelings, it will also grow old.' I am ashamed and have no answer to this."
"Yes, this woman may not have failed to repay the favor."
"If there is no man in the family, a woman should be filial and do her best."
"We scholars are not even as good as the soldiers of the frontier army. If the sky has feelings, it will also grow old. No one can answer this."
Another person sighed, and almost instantly, many people who were still arguing in the hall on the second floor looked ashamed and remained silent.
Several princes and sons of the vassal states felt that this love was priceless and that a man would never forget his first wife until his death. However, this was not the most important thing. What was the purpose of Prince Jin and Marquis Luo Yun? The way of a sage involved scholars from all over the world. Would such an argument stir up public opinion?
"Brother Shi, what they said makes sense. Even we were dragged into the debate. Whether this woman remarries or not, it is a difficult decision for her, not to mention the principles of the world. But for her, she has done her best and whatever choice she makes is right."
King Zhou Xingshan of Han was somewhat emotional. Who can explain the affairs of the world clearly? Even my father could not see things clearly.
"Haha, well said, Brother Xingshan, since you can guess it, how could these scholars who are taking the exams and the students in the academy not know it? It's just that they don't want to do this, but follow the human ethics and the teachings of the saints, and insist on deciding the winner. There are many people who are competitive and aggressive. If I guess correctly, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin and Marquis Luo Yun want to use this topic to divert the tense atmosphere of going south to quell the rebellion. Perhaps, the court has other backup plans."
Zhou Zhengbai, the prince of Zheng, had a solemn expression on his face. Although he had just laughed off what he had just said, he knew that what the court and even His Majesty were worried about was still Jingnan. This battle concerned the safety of the capital in the Central Plains and the situation in the world. For the stability of the capital, he could only divert the attention of the people of the world. He never thought that His Highness would have such means. He underestimated them.
Everyone at the table was silent. Brother Shi was right. Thinking in this way, they could understand the methods of His Royal Highness Prince Jin.
"Brother Shi, could this method have been taught by Marquis Luo Yun? His Royal Highness Prince Jin has just left the palace, how could he have such an idea?"
Zhou Yewen didn't quite believe it. The three princes were not even twenty years old, and they didn't even have any disciples or guests. He found it a little hard to believe that they could think of these things.
"Yes, His Royal Highness Prince Jin has always been calm and composed. This method is more like the character of Prince Wei."
Zhou Yunfu nodded. It was hard to say who made the move, but the means of competing for favor had already appeared. This was not a good thing for them.
"Okay, stop guessing and do your best. I think there will be some action in the palace. Come on, grab the chopsticks and eat. It's such a delicious dish, it would be a shame to waste it."
Zhou Zhengbai shook his head, picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and started eating. The world is full of troubles, so it is better to satisfy the desire for food.
"This, listen to Brother Shi,"
Several people started to eat with concerns, but the food that was originally delicious now tasted like chewing wax.
downstairs,
A bustling crowd poured in, and many people were still arguing, as if the whole capital was talking about these things.
The captain of the Imperial City Division of Jinwen Prefecture personally posted a notice at the west city gate with his men, and then hurried back with his men. When passing by the Youlai Restaurant in the West Market, Captain He suddenly pulled down the reins, reined in his horse and stopped.
The guards behind him followed suit and asked;
"Sir, why did you stop?"
"Leave one person to look after the horses. Let's go to the restaurant and bring some food to His Highness and the Marquis. I heard that the roasted lamb in this restaurant is the best in the capital. Let's buy some and bring it back for His Highness and the Marquis to have as a snack on the way."
Captain He almost passed by this place. If he hadn't smelled the fragrance, he would have really forgotten all this. He dismounted and was about to walk in. Several small flags behind him showed envy. The captain was indeed the captain. How could they, the errand boys, not think of this?
Seeing the adults go in, several flag bearers also dismounted and followed behind. One of them asked;
"Sir, this restaurant is not only famous, but the dishes inside are not cheap,"
Just a reminder, the signature dish of Youlai Restaurant is roasted lamb. If they really want to order too much, they can't buy much with their salaries.
"You guys, it's hard to achieve anything great,"
Captain He was so disappointed that all this money was nothing compared to the favor of his master. He took the lead and walked in, shouting;
"Hurry up, boss! Pack a good roast lamb and some cooked food. Don't you have some pastries or something? Take some away."
"Okay, sir, please wait a moment, I will prepare it for you."
After one or two calls, several people entered the restaurant and sat around a table. The waiter brought them tea and filled their glasses. They sat there leisurely. Several small flag officers looked around with envy, the aroma wafted in their noses and their mouths watered. Many people were arguing with red faces, as if they were arguing about the words His Highness had given them. How could they spread so quickly?
(End of this chapter)