On the twelfth day of the first lunar month, the capital is extremely lively. Ever since Li Mou entered the capital as a warrior and Li Qingcheng slaughtered 200,000 Huns outside the Great Wall, looking at the present, the land of the Central Plains has accumulated three hundred years of accumulation, and it is already a peaceful and prosperous age. The Holy Son is alive. China's richness is the highest in history.
Dayu is rich and powerful, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. There are 800,000 households in the capital, four cities and eight cities, the inner and outer imperial cities. When it is near the Lantern Festival, the people all enter the city to enjoy the lanterns, and there are people everywhere outside the huge city gate.
It was the first time in You Mengzhe's life to see this battle. When he arrived in the capital, it was early in the morning, and the Wandeng Bridge on the moat had already pulled up the cables for the Lantern Festival three days later. He followed Zhao Feihong into the city, and he saw businesses everywhere, and the restaurants and restaurants were overcrowded. , the city is magnificent.
Compared with the capital, Jiangzhou is like a rural place.
The cost of food and clothing here is the best in the whole of Dayu, and there are many kinds of entertainment, merchants from the Western Regions, swordsmen from Yingzhou, warriors from the East China Sea, and Yunmeng's caravan. It is a scene of prosperity from all nations.
Those who fight cocks, play crickets, play and sing, perform arts, fight swords, write, blow sugar, sell copper fish, and tell stories are everywhere.
You Mengzhe almost got lost a few times, and squeezed in when he saw something lively. Every time, Zhao Feihong turned around and came back, holding his collar and walking towards the road.
"What is that, Master."
"What about that?"
"Candied haws! I know this!"
"What is a mask?"
"What about this? Why is there still water?"
"The machine will turn on its own?"
You Mengzhe looks like a countryman. In fact, he and Zhao Feihong also seem to be from the country. The master and apprentice each carry a long gray stick and a dusty robe. It's almost like a busker in Beijing.
On the 16th, a large sedan chair was carried along the street in a mighty way, with gongs and drums beating, the people hurriedly gave way, a wealthy family in the capital was getting married, and You Mengzhe became angry when he was stepped on, and he pulled other people's servants and said, "Hey!"
"Don't make trouble!" Zhao Feihong said displeased.
You Mengzhe had no choice but to give up, and looked at this and that curiously when passing by a store.
"What is this? Master?" You Mengzhe took a pure gold gadget.
"Hey! Don't move around!" The clerk in the store glanced at him as a shopper, and said, "This is a hook for ladies to smoke water pipes."
"How do you sell this pen?" You Mengzhe asked again, and glanced at Zhao Feihong, asking if he wanted to buy something and come to visit Zhang Yuanshan.
The man didn't laugh at him, but replied, "Three thousand taels."
You Mengzhe: "..."
Zhao Feihong smiled and said, "Let's go."
You Mengzhe: "Such a pen costs three thousand taels of silver? Give me five taels of silver and I can make a box..."
Clerk: "It's not three thousand taels of silver! It's three thousand taels of gold! The handle of the sunken wood, the handle of the wolf of the northern region, and the pen made by the people of Kunlun Mountains! The price is clearly marked in this store, all of which are gold."
You Mengzhe went to see the Four Treasures of the Study, the Nine Dragons white jade bowl for washing the pens, the Meidai mountain end for the pen holders, the Wuyan rouge inkstone, the root carving table, the glazed screen, and any one of them was worth tens of taels of gold.
The clerk took water and poured it into a brush washing altar. Under the white sky, in the almost exquisitely carved glass altar, countless swimming fish carved on the wall moved with the light of the water.
You Mengzhe clicked his tongue in amazement, and the clerk said again: "The four treasures of the study in the imperial study are all tributes from our shop." As he spoke, he stirred the bowl with a pen, and the smoke-like ink dispersed, lingering for a long time, like frozen in white jade A dark cloud.
You Mengzhe laughed and said, "I can't afford it."
Really, he can't afford it even if he becomes a man. You Mengzhe only has a net worth of a few thousand taels of silver at most.
"What is this for sale?" You Mengzhe asked an old man.
"Bronze Yuhu!" The old man carried the burden: "Three hundred years of craftsmanship in the capital!"
The burden was full of dangling copper fish. You Mengzhe would stop and look at everything he saw. Zhao Feihong finally said, "Let's go. If you keep reading, it will be dark. One month is not enough to finish watching. I'll take you when I'm done." come out."
You Mengzhe was dragged away, Zhao Feihong hired another carriage at Dongshikou, the driver asked for a tael of silver, Zhao Feihong didn't bargain, it took him an hour and a half to ride, stop and go, and occasionally encountered a lot of traffic Still have to wait.
When it was completely dark, I finally arrived outside Zhang's mansion. I saw lanterns everywhere, reflecting the long street like daytime. Two big red lanterns with the character "Zhang" were hung. Four doors, four side doors, but the doors are closed, and no guests come and go.
Zhao Feihong went up to knock on the door, and the young man at the side door said: "Master is out to visit, come back another day."
Zhao Feihong said: "Where did you go? I'm Zhao Feihong."
The young man frowned and saw that it was Zhao Feihong, he hurriedly said: "Uncle Zhang! The master's big brother is here!"
"Hero Zhao!" There was a commotion inside, and after a while, a person dressed in luxurious clothes greeted the guests, Zhao Feihong clasped his hands and said, "Uncle Zhang."
You Mengzhe didn't know, he just thought it was Zhang Yuanshan's father, and when he was surprised that Zhao Feihong didn't let him kowtow, Uncle Zhang said again: "Master went to Chaoting County three days ago. It's said inside."
Zhao Feihong said: "What's the reason? I guess I missed it on the way."
Only then did You Mengzhe realize that the person in front of him was the housekeeper. Zhang Bo, the housekeeper, let them into the house. There was a front yard when they entered, and there were two doors beyond the front yard. Two servants came out with lanterns, and the housekeeper said, "Here, please, Hero Zhao."
All the way through the front porch, the courtyard was full of lights, You Mengzhe walked in a daze, good guy! The ostentation of Zhang Yuanshan's house is even more luxurious than that of the Demon Sect's main hall on Yuheng Mountain. There are six courtyards and three courtyards, and there are probably hundreds of rooms. You Mengzhe walked in a daze. Finally, he was taken to a large room in the west courtyard.
The housekeeper ordered people to serve tea, and Zhao Feihong sat down without giving in. The housekeeper stood up and spoke, and gave a general idea of the matter. Zhang Yuanshan received a letter a few days ago, ordered his horses to be prepared, and set off for Chaoting County in person.
You Mengzhe thought that it would be best if he was absent, so as not to be tossed about by Sangong, when he was listening for a while, the maid brought out a few more plates, hand-shredded mink meat with sesame seeds, deer lips pickled in sauce, bamboo fungus rolled with ham and steamed Rolls, a plate of fried fish mouth, and two cups of ginger and brown sugar water.
You Mengzhe was hungry all afternoon, thinking that it's time to eat, it's really good, following Zhao Feihong these days, he hasn't eaten a meal to support himself, his eyes turned green when he saw this pile of food.
The butler said again: "It's cold outside, warm up your stomach with some snacks first, what does Young Master You like to eat? Are there any taboos? Then tell them to cook."
You Mengzhe: "!!!"
It's just a snack! You Mengzhe really felt that he underestimated the luxury of Zhang Yuanshan's family.
Zhao Feihong said: "Young man, don't get used to him, what does the letter say? Let me see it?"
The butler hurriedly said yes, and went to get the letter. You Mengzhe wolfed down all four plates and glanced at Zhao Feihong.
After a while, the dinner was served, and the table was full of delicacies from mountains and seas. You Mengzhe ate until his belly swelled, and he lay on the chair belching.
Zhao Feihong only ate some casually, then looked down at the letter seriously, and said after reading: "Please borrow a pen and paper."
The butler said: "Hero, please." As he spoke, he let Zhao Feihong into the study, and You Mengzhe followed him after a while. The butler spread out the letter paper, and Zhao Feihong pondered for a moment and took up a pen to write the letter.
You Mengzhe read Zhao Feihong's letter, and vaguely guessed something—Zhang Yuanshan received a letter on the eighth day of the first lunar month. There will be a gathering of martial arts people in Xichuan. After arriving in the local area, his virtue was not enough to convince the public, and he was plotted against by other small factions, or provoked openly, and fell into a big fight.
So Zhang Yuanshan went to Ting County to look for Zhao Feihong in person, planning to go to Xichuan with Zhao Feihong on the road to quell the incident.
However, Zhao Feihong happened to be in Beijing at that time, so they missed each other.
Zhao Feihong wrote another letter and sent it back to Ting County to find Zhang Yuanshan, to the effect that he would deal with the matter of Xichuan himself now, and asked Zhang Yuanshan to return to the capital, and told him about You Mengzhe in the letter.
Not long after, Zhao Feihong put down his pen and sealed the letter. The housekeeper went to send someone to deliver the letter. Zhao Feihong got up again and said, "Borrow a horse for use."
You Mengzhe didn't say a word, but the housekeeper said, "Let's go prepare the horse for Hero Zhao."
Zhao Feihong said again: "During the time I'm not around, I will trouble Uncle Zhang to take care of me."
You Mengzhe said: "Are you going to Xichuan?"
Zhao Feihong said: "Yes."
The housekeeper said: "Hero Zhao won't wait for the master to come back before going?"
Zhao Feihong said: "No need, I can solve it, Meng Zhe, you live at home first, Yuan Shan is my sworn brother, don't cause trouble to others, you understand?"
You Mengzhe frowned, with a hostile expression on his face.
The butler knew people, and said with a smile: "Master You is from a scholarly family at first glance, if there is anything that you can't take care of, please take care of him."
Zhao Feihong trained Meng Zhe again: "Did you hear that? Why don't you speak?"
When talking, several people have already arrived in the backyard, and the servants brought a white jade dragon colt, You Mengzhe suddenly said: "Didn't you say that you won't fight with my father? Don't go."
Zhao Feihong frowned, but couldn't find anything to refute.
You Mengzhe said: "You and my father don't have any deep hatred. Whatever Xichuan Wulin wants, let it go."
Zhao Feihong said: "Presumptuous! I was used to you at the beginning, when did you do something? I just said 'let's talk', not to mention that this matter is not trivial, how can I take it for granted?"
You Mengzhe felt a little angry, Zhao Feihong's face softened a little, and said: "Stay here well, you have friends to visit, Yuan Shan is expected to come back in a few days. After returning, all he listened to was that I left. "
Zhao Feihong got on his horse, and the butler brought Pan Chuan again. Zhao Feihong took it without any excuse. It seemed that he and Zhang Yuanshan were really sworn brothers.
Zhao Feihong looked at You Mengzhe immediately, and You Mengzhe also looked at him. Zhao Feihong seemed to expect him to say something, but You Mengzhe didn't say anything.
Zhao Feihong waited for a while, the atmosphere was very awkward, You Mengzhe still did not speak, Zhao Feihong cupped his hands to the butler, lifted the reins and left the back alley.
"My dog's eyes misread you! Zhao Feihong! You treacherous bastard!"
Until Zhao Feihong left dozens of steps, You Mengzhe yelled at him angrily.
Zhao Feihong reined in the horse suddenly, and the white jade dragon stalled with a hiss.
You Mengzhe was taken aback, and hurriedly hid in the backyard. Zhao Feihong turned his head and glanced, as if he wanted to come back and say something, after a moment of silence, he turned around and sneaked into the night capital, leaving Zhang's house.
You Mengzhe poked his head out again, watching Zhao Feihong leave alone, his heart was about to explode, he was angry and hated at the same time. Come back with a stinky face.
The butler has a good eye and knows when to speak and when not to speak. You Mengzhe just wants to find something to smash, and vent his anger, but he is in someone else's house... By the way, money! Zhao Feihong didn't leave him any money, what should he do
That night, the butler sent You Mengzhe two followers to boil water for him to take a bath. You Mengzhe hurriedly said that he was not used to being served, and when he returned to his room, he saw another sixty small gold ingots on a plate, and he immediately breathed a sigh of relief. The quilt was fragrant, and the clothes were washed. While You Mengzhe was still taking a bath, the butler sent someone to buy unlined clothes and ready-made clothes. The colors were chosen according to the color of the sky blue military robe, but they were all made of expensive materials. As soon as You Mengzhe put it on, immediately I have a lot of energy.
Compared with that dusty martial robe, it is like heaven and earth.
In the room, there are silk curtains, five or six layers of warm brocade quilts, and camel wool blankets from the Western Regions on the floor. You Mengzhe has seen the paintings on the walls one by one, and they are all from the hands of famous masters.
There is also a cursive script written by Zhang Yuanshan: "Wen Qin undresses the fairy couple, and I can't keep the clothes off."
There are scattered antiques from the previous dynasty on the shelves, not many, but they are all very unique. You Gutian also has a lot of antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and any guest room in Zhang Yuanshan's house is furnished with the grade of the Demon Cult's centuries-old family.
Really rich, You Mengzhe thought to himself, maybe richer than You Gutian, where did his money come from
It was still early, and You Mengzhe's anger dissipated in a short while. After thinking about it, after all, he was relying on others. If the other party hadn't sold Zhao Feihong's face, he would not have served Zhao Feihong both for food and clothing, and was a little bit for Zhao Feihong. I can't hate it, my feelings are very complicated.
You Mengzhe went out for a walk, the servant immediately came over to follow, You Mengzhe waved his hand and said, "No need to follow."
The boys immediately stood back in front of the room, You Mengzhe was the young master of the Demon Sect, even though he didn't get along with You Gutian day and night, he still looked like a young master when he raised his hands and feet in a serious manner.
The Zhang family is extremely large, with a large courtyard and a small courtyard, and a large house with a small house. You Mengzhe wandered around in the garden. The housekeeper learned that he was wandering, so he came to accompany him in person.
"Your family is really grand." You Mengzhe said casually.
The housekeeper laughed and said, "What's the matter, Young Master You's house must be magnificent, I'm laughing at you."
You Mengzhe raised his eyebrows and asked, "Do you know who I am?"
The steward said respectfully: "Only a distinguished guest of Mr. Da would give such a compliment. If it were someone else, they would only come to the mansion to watch, not to speak, because they are afraid of saying the wrong thing and making a joke."
You Mengzhe laughed, this housekeeper is too good at talking.
You Mengzhe said: "This is... Zhang... Uncle Zhang's residence?"
The housekeeper said: "Master doesn't shy away from anything, the young master can call you whatever you want."
No matter how exaggerated You Mengzhe was, he didn't dare to say the word "dumb" in front of his face. He nodded and didn't enter his bedroom, but watched from afar in the yard outside his room.
That room was about the same size as his bedroom in the side hall of Qinghua Hall, and there were many furnishings in it, but You Mengzhe seemed to feel something. Zhang Yuanshan's bedroom was almost exactly the same as his own bedroom, and the layout was similar.
The bed is also big, the shelves are full of books, and the priceless celadon floor-standing vases are stuffed with calligraphy and paintings, which seems to fill up the room.
Living alone in such a place must be very cold. When You Mengzhe was a child, he also liked to take things everywhere and put them in his room. You Gutian also let him do it. Every day, You Mengzhe liked to stuff things into the bedroom. When the Demon Cult cleaned up a lot, it was thrown away, and You Mengzhe got some new ones back in a few days.
The housekeeper saw You Mengzhe standing at the door for a long time, with an expression of wanting to go in but not going in, and said: "Master, you can go in and have a look if you want."
You Mengzhe nodded and walked in without disturbing his things. There were quite a lot of bottles and cans, and asked, "Master uncle is sick all year round?"
The housekeeper smiled, and removed a white jade plum flower urn, there was a bit of dust inside, but it was empty, and there was a bunch of rotten things at the bottom of the urn.
You Mengzhe was very curious and asked without reaching in, "What is this?"
The butler said: "Potatoes, crickets. The master raised them when he was a child, but they are all dead now, so they are still kept and not allowed to be buried."
You Mengzhe nodded, Zhang Yuanshan used to like to fight crickets, and saw the adverb on the wall——
"Governing a big country is like cooking small fish."
You Mengzhe smiled and said, "Why are you hanging this picture here? Shouldn't they all be hung in the kitchen?"
The housekeeper cupped his hands toward Zhengbei and said, "This is the word that the master wrote to the current emperor. His Majesty didn't like it, so he changed it to a picture of 'Prosperity and Prosperity, Splendid Rivers and Mountains', so I hung this picture in my house."
You Mengzhe said movedly: "He still knows the emperor!"
The butler smiled and said, "Master has known three people in his life, one is the Son of Heaven, the other is Zhao Daxia, and the third is You Shaoxia."
You Mengzhe: "..."
You Mengzhe wondered if this flattery was a bit too much, the corner of his mouth twitched and said, "He doesn't have any other friends?"
The housekeeper said: "No, when other people come to visit, they will all thank you behind closed doors."
You Mengzhe said: "No one proposes marriage either?"
The housekeeper waved his hand with a smile, and You Mengzhe asked again: "There are so many people, just serve him? Do you usually talk to him? Oh, for him..."
The housekeeper said: "The master asked us to do our own things on weekdays, and we can do it in the house."
You Mengzhe thought to himself that this person's temper was really strange, but suddenly he felt that they were similar, didn't You Mengzhe do the same when he was on the mountain? Walking around on weekdays, there is always a place in my heart that I can't fill. The members of the Demon Sect seem to have nothing to do with him... You Mengzhe thought of Yu Wenhong again, and he missed him so much, especially after being bullied by Zhao Feihong, he just wanted to talk to someone.
It may not be that Yu Wenhong is asking for trouble, he just wants to complain and complain, and someone will listen to him.
After thinking about it, isn't Zhang Yuanshan even worse? He couldn't even speak, and he couldn't talk to himself, he kept it all in his heart, if You Mengzhe was going to be dumb, he would probably go crazy.
You Mengzhe felt a little sad, but unexpectedly the housekeeper said: "A year ago, the master received a letter from Jiangnan, and heard that Young Master You was studying under Zhao Daxia. He was very happy all night."
You Mengzhe thought it was no wonder, the butler knew his identity after all, Zhang Yuanshan should also know his mother, Zhao Feihong said last time, the three of them were still drinking in Jiangshan Pavilion... I just don't know if the dumb clenched his fists when he was happy Ahhh, what kind of happy method is it...
"How to be happy?" You Mengzhe asked casually.
The housekeeper smiled and said, "On the day I received the letter, I personally wrote a letter for the young master, please come here, young master."
The butler invited You Mengzhe to the study, and took a volume from the shelf. You Mengzhe opened it and saw six words: A gentleman dives into the abyss.
You Mengzhe looked left and right, but couldn't see why, and said, "Hehehe, thank him for me."
The housekeeper said: "When the master returns home, the young master can tell him in person."
You Mengzhe smacked his lips and had to admit that the writing was indeed prettier than his own. He put away the scroll and went back to his room. He asked the streets of the capital and planned to visit Yu Changqing tomorrow.