Chapter 428 Meeting Zhao Ji

The emperor's reception must be taken seriously. So after the daily morning exercise, he took a comfortable bath in a large wooden barrel. He did not wear the previous clothes, but changed into a new dark blue thick shirt, wrapped in a well-made brown black bear fur coat, and wore warm and comfortable deerskin boots. His hair stood up into a crown, and a jade green hairpin passed through it. He was dressed very energetically.

It snowed early this morning. The official set up a small red clay stove in the room of the inn, and a small pottery kettle for boiling water was placed on it, bubbling with hot steam. Put a handful of fried tea leaves into the porcelain bowl, pour hot water into it to clean the dust on the tea, watch the tea leaves slowly expand, pour out the water, and pour hot water again.

The tea we drink now is not brewed with clear water, but with many things added. It is a very tedious process. It is loved by literati and scholars, and there is even a game of tea fighting. Wang Yan drank this way when he first came, and then he started to fry tea. He also invented covered bowls that are not available now, as well as other tea-related items. This is one of the industries.

However, habits cannot be changed in a short time, and tastes are not the same. When his tea was launched on the market, it did not cause as much shock as expected, but it was still fermenting slowly. Some people began to get in touch with it, while others did not agree. Gradually, the literati of the Song Dynasty formed two schools of thought on how to drink tea. It was quite interesting to discuss it when they had nothing to do.

The official picked up the tea bowl, took a sip, felt the original taste of the tea blooming and colliding in his mouth, and tasted the fragrance. Outside the window, the world was covered in snow, and the ancient buildings were authentic and had been there for thousands of years. The sky and the earth were the same color. It was a beautiful scene. The senior official watched silently, lost in thought for a moment...

Around ten o'clock in the morning, two eunuchs appeared outside the inn with the sedan chair bearers. Wang Yan went downstairs and saw the two eunuchs at the door. He bowed and said, "Wang Yan greets the two nobles."

"Captain Wang, please get up quickly. Don't embarrass me. I can't accept the courtesy of the captain, let alone be the captain's noble. We are all blessed by the captain." The leading eunuch quickly stepped forward and dragged Wang Yan's arm, smiling and said, "I am the emperor of the palace. "Palace Master, Hu Xiang, the Emperor has sent us to take the Captain to the palace. It will take some time on the road, so please get on the sedan chair."

Looking at the two sedan bearers in front and behind, Wang Yan shook his head and said, "There is no need to take a sedan chair. Wang Yan was born in a poor and remote area. This is my first time in Bianjing, not to mention the palace, so I will walk with the two eunuchs. Please tell me something, Palace Master Hu, so that I can broaden my horizons. These two sedan bearers, please help me carry the gifts for the Emperor."

Hu Xiang nodded and did not refuse. Although the sedan chair was approved by the Emperor, it was okay if he didn't do it. So after seeing that the things to be sent were not sharp weapons or food, and there was no danger, Wang Yan put on a cowhide felt hat to avoid the snow after resealing the box, and followed the two eunuchs into the palace.

All the way, Hu Xiang introduced each palace and pavilion like a treasure, talking about their uses and so on. Wang Yan listened and looked around at the scenery. Although the palace of the Song Dynasty was very small compared to other dynasties and did not form a complex of buildings, it was the residence of the emperor after all, and the Song Dynasty was not poor. It was much better than the Forbidden City he took over during the Ming Dynasty, but it was much smaller.

Because it was snowing, the whole experience was very good. Unfortunately, I couldn't stand on a high place and overlook the entire palace, which should be a different feeling. He treated it as a tourist attraction, and it was very good to see.

Although the imperial city of the Song Dynasty was not big, that was also relatively speaking. Several people walked on foot, and although they worked hard, it took more than half an hour to reach Taiqing Tower. After Hu Xiang took the felt hat and helped to pat the snow off the bear fur coat, he followed Yang Jian, who had been here for a long time, upstairs and met a generation of artists who were standing in front of a large desk to do art because of the snow.

Wearing a purple robe, it seemed to be a modified Taoist style, which was very beautiful. His hair was a little messy and tied on his head, fixed by a white jade hairpin. Thick eyebrows, big eyes, high nose, thin lips, and two upturned beards. He is about 1.7 meters tall, slightly fat, round and white, so his face looks very kind. With this appearance, he must have been handsome and unrestrained when he was young. Even now, in modern terms, he is still a handsome uncle.

This is normal. After all, there is no one in the royal family who looks bad. Even if the first generation is not good-looking, he is the emperor, and the next generation is also the emperor. The appearance of the queen is the most basic point. It is absolutely in line with the aesthetics of the times. Anyone who sees it will say that it is beautiful. Generation after generation, the genes are improved, and the more handsome they are, the more handsome they are.

Tong Guan spoke in a moderate voice: "Official, Captain Wang is here."

Zhao Ji, who was immersed in artistic creation, looked up when he heard the voice and saw Wang Yan standing behind Yang Jian. Because he was wearing a bear skin, he was not as thin as usual, but was particularly tall and strong.

"Haha, Ziyan, you are finally here."

"I, your humble servant Wang Yan, pay my respects to the emperor." As he spoke, Wang Yan bowed and saluted in a proper manner. He did not kneel down now, and there was nothing much to say to the emperor. Besides, he was originally a seventh-rank Zhiguo school lieutenant. Although he was a military officer, he was still an official, so it was no problem to call him a minister.

"Get up." Zhao Ji waved his hand with a smile, walked out from behind the desk, looked at Wang Yan carefully, and nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, you are really young and promising. You have helped me a lot in the past year or so."

"I am a citizen of the Song Dynasty, and the emperor is the emperor of the Song Dynasty. It is the duty of the citizens to share the worries of the emperor. I am not good at literature or martial arts, but I have made some achievements in business and the way of studying things. It is the honor of my family to be able to share the worries of the emperor."

Although what he said was flattering, Wang Daguan's face remained unchanged, he was upright, and his words were sonorous and powerful, as if they were true and he was just stating the facts.

"I know you are loyal." Zhao Ji looked at Wang Yan who was serious with a smile on his face, patted his shoulder vigorously, said something really strong, like the concern of an elder, and then asked: "This is my first time here. Bianjing, are you still used to it?”

"Thank you for your concern, but I didn't sleep well." After saying that, Zhao Ji, who didn't show the intention of asking questions, opened his mouth and licked: "I have little knowledge. When I was in Yanggu County, the people were already very wealthy. When I arrived in Bian the day before yesterday, Only in Beijing did I know how our Song Dynasty was like. I have also studied history. The prosperity of our Song Dynasty is unparalleled in all previous dynasties. This is all due to the merits of the three emperors and the virtues of Emperor Wu. He is truly a saint. The only emperor through the ages is the steward.”

"Well, at such a young age, I'm really good at flattering you. I admit that I'm a holy king. But I'm still not qualified to be the emperor of the ages. I'm still far behind in martial arts and martial arts. Youyun Sixteen State…”

"The minister always tells the truth, and he also wants to correct the officials. The minister is really shooting, but what he shoots is also a dragon's fart. With the strength of my Great Song Dynasty, it is just around the corner to regain the Sixteen Provinces of Youyun."

There is no one who does not want fame and wealth in this world. No one wants to regain the Sixteenth Province of Youyun more than Zhao Ji. Once he succeeds, his achievements will be unmatched by anyone except Zhao Kuangyin, the founder of the country. This is a huge temptation and he can't help it.

"You..." Zhao Ji smiled very happily and pointed at Wang Yan: "Let's go, I've been staying here in Taiqing Building for a long time, it's snowing outside, come with me to walk in the garden and talk."

"Officials, wait a minute. I have something to offer for this trip."

"Oh? Is there something new that can make money?" Seeing Wang Yan nodding, Zhao Ji still had that gentle smile: "Take it up and take a look."

Wang Yan turned to look at Yang Jian beside him: "Excuse me, Mr. Yang."

The announcement was made from beginning to end. He had been watching Wang Yan flatter him and was sighing at his high skill at such a young age. When he heard Wang Yan's words, he turned back and looked at the little eunuch standing at the stairs: "Go and get Captain Wang." Bring up the boxes you brought."

The little eunuch accepted the order and went downstairs. Not long after, two eunuchs carried the slender wooden box up and landed lightly on the floor.

Wang Yan thanked the eunuch who carried it, squatted down and opened the box, only to see a rectangular object covered with silk cloth, and some long wooden strips with openings, which seemed to be able to be spliced ​​together. He took out all the things, and under the watchful eyes of Zhao Ji and Yang Jian, he skillfully started assembling them quickly. After a while, a supporting frame took shape in my hands. He placed it on the ground, then picked up the rectangle and used the two wooden bars protruding from it to connect it to the chassis that had just been put together.

He stood up, shook the erected object, and after confirming that it was stable, he turned to look at Zhao Ji: "Guan, please take a look." As he spoke, he pulled off the silk cloth and let Zhao Ji Take a closer look.

"Mirror?"

Zhao Ji, who was standing behind, asked a question, walked around Yang Jian and stepped forward. He stood in front of the mirror in surprise, looking at the clear appearance of every detail in it. He happily stood in front of the big mirror and turned around to look at himself, and asked the little eunuch. After putting on clothes, I looked at myself in the mirror and felt happy.

The clarity of the bronze mirror is actually quite good at this moment. After polishing, the illumination is also very clear. It's just that compared to glass mirrors, copper mirrors are not good enough. Not only are they clearer, but also the fakeness of copper is too high. After all, copper is the raw material of money. The size of the mirror is how much it costs. If you really want to get such a big full-length mirror, how can ordinary people afford it?

In fact, this glass mirror is not unusual. There were already glass mirrors in Europe during the Middle Ages, but not in the Song Dynasty. If you can afford a bronze mirror, you can certainly afford a glass mirror. In the past, those who could not afford bronze mirrors could not afford glass mirrors either. Although the cost is very cheap, of course it cannot be sold cheaply, and it always has to be reduced slowly.

"Okay, okay, this mirror is clearer than a bronze mirror and more comfortable to look at." Zhao Ji praised without concealment. He was so kind and patient to Wang Yan. It is for this reason that new things are constantly appearing, and the new things bring A lot of money came.

Wang Yan's status in his heart was also quite high, no worse than Cai Jing, Tong Guan and others. He is not a fool, he knows the situation in Yanggu County clearly. The changes there were all brought about by Wang Yan alone. It's not like Cai Jing and others, who made the place a mess, made more money, and made judgments.

Now that he saw another source of wealth appearing, of course he was happy.

Wang Yan has always known that Zhao Ji is not brainless, he is faint, but he still has political skills. Otherwise, he would not have been able to be the emperor for so many years. He must be aware of the suffering of the people, he just pretends not to see it. Of course, what he knows is the pain on paper, but he cannot see the real pain. When he came to the throne, he had always had good food and clothing, but he could not imagine how miserable the people were. He knew how miserable they were, but he didn't know how miserable they were. Of course, even if he knew how miserable it was, it wouldn't be in his eyes. There was nothing anyone could do about it.

He took out another small piece of transparent glass: "This is the main thing that makes money for officials."

"Oh?" The handsome Zhao Ji turned his head when he heard the sound, took the thing in his hand, and then touched the mirror in front of him: "These two are one thing? What is the name of this thing?"

"The good eyesight of officials is exactly the same thing. This is glass. The mirror is just a special material coated on one side of the glass."

"In addition to being a mirror, can this thing be used for anything else?"

Wang Yan pointed to the window covered with paper: "Guan family, if this thing replaces the window paper, the sunlight can penetrate directly into the room, and the outside scenery can be clearly seen indoors without opening the window. On a snowy day like today, in the Wouldn’t it be fun to drink tea, read, write and paint in front of the window?”

As an artist, Zhao Ji certainly has no shortage of imagination. Looking at the clean and transparent glass in his hand, a flash of joy in that scene flashed through his mind. He looked at Wang Yan with a smile: "But we already have enough glass. , can you change all my palace?"

Wang Yan shook his head slightly awkwardly: "I apologize to the officials, because they have just given birth and the time is still short, and it is not easy to achieve such clear light transmission. Therefore, the glass brought by the minister can only be given to the officials. Change the palace first.”

"Nothing, I don't blame you, just take your time." Zhao Ji said with a smile: "If it's a palace, let's replace the Taiqing Building first. I have more time here. Yang Jian, this matter is up to you. manage."

"Old slave obeys the order."

"Let's go out and enjoy the snow." After saying that, Zhao Ji walked downstairs leisurely with his hands behind his back.

Wang Yan and Yang Jian, one on the left and the other on the right, were a small step behind, following Zhao Ji as they walked in the imperial garden. A path has been cleared in the garden, but the snow is heavy. Even if a bunch of little eunuchs are sweeping it now, another layer will soon fall, and it still squeaks when you step on it.

"The auspicious snow brings good harvest, this year is another good one."

Hearing his master's emotion, Yang Jian gave him a flattery at the right time: "The Song Dynasty has the protection of the saint king, so the weather will naturally be smooth."

Zhao Ji had heard too much flattery and was very tired. This time it was obviously of no use. He glanced at the reckless boy who was following him and looked around with a smile: "Zi Yan, I heard that you passed the age of fifteen. If it weren’t for the impact of the death of my parents in the government examination, I would still have hope after passing the national examination. I’m really talented. I wonder if I’d still be studying sage books in the past few years?”

That's the point... The senior official shook his head and said: "The junior minister dare not deceive the official. I really read the book again. It's just that I am busy with business on weekdays and haven't gone deep into it. It has been abandoned for a long time. But the official wants to test the junior minister?"

"Haha, I didn't have such an idea at first, but as soon as you said it, I got it. Just use what you have learned, pick up the snow today, and compose a poem. It doesn't matter whether it's good or bad, just do it. Think about it slowly, don't be in a hurry. "

You have to be a good leader and do whatever you want. If I want to play with you, I can play with you, and I have to thank others.

After walking for a while, the senior official pretended to be answering Zhao Ji's questions and was distracted by his thoughts. Guessing that the time was almost up, he cupped his hands and said, "To report to the official family, I have thought of a limerick."

"As I said before, it doesn't matter whether it's good or bad, just do it and say it."

"One piece, two pieces, three or four pieces, five pieces, six pieces, seven or eight pieces, nine pieces, ten pieces, countless pieces..." In Zhao Ji's confused eyes, the official cleared his throat and slowly said: "Flying into the plum blossoms Never see you!”

Sure enough, time travel without rewriting poems is not an easy time travel.

Zhao Ji was stunned for a moment, then repeated the last half of the sentence. Looking at the plum blossoms blooming not far away, he clapped his hands and applauded: "Not bad, not bad. Although it is a limerick, it has its own artistic conception, which is just right for this scene. Okay, okay, With this sentence, the plum blossoms will disappear, and you will have an extra glass of wine for lunch. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

"If the officials don't blame me, it's a blessing for me. I don't dare ask for rewards from the officials."

Yang Jian opened his mouth and said: "Captain Wang is so ignorant. The official is a sage who keeps his word, so why are you so pretentious?"

Looking at Zhao Ji carefully, Wang Yan said: "Did the minister say that?"

"Say it."

"I also want to ask for a piece of calligraphy and painting from the official family. The calligraphy treasure given by the official family last year shows the authentic work of the crane style created by the official family. I love it so much that I copy it every day. After a year, I want to see it. The official family has made more progress, and now I want to ask the official family to give me another one so that I can teach my subordinates to think about it carefully. "

Zhao Ji laughed and found it very useful: "I will write a picture tonight and send it to you."

"Thank you for the reward from the official family."

After wandering around for a while, Zhao Ji asked aimlessly about various aspects, and finally asked about martial arts. He said, "Ziyan, I just remembered that you are not only good at studying, but also good at martial arts. You have been working as a nurse at home since you were a child. I have worked hard to build my strength, and I have been practicing hard so far. Last year, I even heard that I defeated the one who was known as the best in the world..."

Seeing that his eldest brother had forgotten his name, Yang Jian answered in time: "The official is Lu Junyi, who once served with the Northern Army."

"Yes, it's Lu Junyi. With such a big name, he is definitely not an incompetent person. If you can defeat him, you must be a strong martial artist. Lunch is about to be served. Ziyan might as well compete with others and stretch his muscles. It's time to I feel good about eating more.”

Wang Yan smiled bitterly and said, "The officials intend to test the ministers today."

Yang Jian continued to do his job and praised you: "It is the government that wants to use you. Others who want to take the official exam have no chance. You don't know how lucky you are."

"Thank you for your love and care. If this is the case, then I will show my shame. I wonder which master the officials want me to compete with?"

Zhao Ji waved his hand without looking back. A tall soldier with a sword from behind came forward. He first bowed to Zhao Ji and asked for instructions. After seeing Zhao Ji nod, he turned around and bowed his hands to Wang Yan: "Bring your imperial weapons, Zhou Hong. I’ve met Captain Wang.”

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