"Open the door, open the door..."
While Zhu Ping'an was listening to the fat-headed and big-eared official talking about the intricacies of fans, the side door of Yan's mansion opened and began to accept letters of greeting. The people in the queue were excited.
The person at the front of the line was an official from another province. He arrived in the capital yesterday, but did not get in line and stayed at a nearby inn. As soon as the night curfew ended this morning, he came to queue up first.
The administrative regions of the Ming Dynasty were also called provinces. The administrative regions of the Ming Dynasty were divided into two capitals and 13 provincial governments. The two capitals refer to Shuntian Prefecture (i.e., Northern Zhili) and Yingtian Prefecture (i.e., Southern Zhili). The 13 provincial governments were abbreviated as 13 provinces. Some people also called the Zhili area provinces, which is how the saying of the Ming Dynasty's 15 provinces came about.
Hard work pays off.
Sweat and rewards are always proportional.
It was because this official from another province came to pay his respects just after the night curfew ended that he was first in line today.
The side door of the Yan residence opened, and a middle-aged man in his forties walked out. He was dressed in the finest steward-style clothes, looked like he had just eaten but was still sleepy, and walked out staggeringly with a toothpick in his hand, picking his teeth.
This person is very special. He has a photographic memory. He looks up at the sky at a 45-degree angle when walking and never looks people in the eye. This ensures that people will never forget what they have seen.
"Mr. Henian?!"
"It's really Mr. Henian!"
"I didn't expect that Mr. Henian would come in person today..."
"Mr. Henian is really humble. He personally came out to handle the matters of surrendering to the emperor for us. I am so lucky."
When they saw this man leaving the house, the people outside were excited. Just like the fanatical star-chasers in the 21st century, they were as excited as if they had seen their idol. From a distance, they stretched out their hands, bowed, and said flattering words to him.
Forehead
This guy is the high-ranking official of the Yan family, the Yan Nian who is good at making money
Zhu Ping'an turned his head and looked at the butler whose eyes were on top of his head with interest, and curled the corners of his mouth slightly.
He is really a third-rank official in front of the prime minister. How dare a housekeeper call him "Mr."? ! The "Mr." in ancient times is not like the "Mr." in modern times, which can be called by all men. Mr. means someone who was born before me and heard the truth before me. In ancient times, only the elders with high moral character and profound knowledge were qualified to be called "Mr.". It was a respectful title for people with a certain status and position.
"I have long admired Mr. Henian's name, but never had the chance to meet him. Now that I have met him, I can see that he is indeed extraordinary. It is my great honor to have seen his demeanor."
The official from another province who was ranked first in line saw Yan Nian coming out, and immediately lifted up his official sleeves to reveal the folding fan in his hand. He went to greet him immediately, bowed as if he was meeting his superior, and spoke flattering words.
This is so greasy...
Zhu Pingan got goosebumps when he heard this from behind. From behind, the official was wearing a green official uniform with a white pheasant pattern embroidered on it, indicating that he was a fifth-rank official. A fifth-rank official was so flattering to a steward who had no rank at all.
Yan Nian was somewhat indifferent at first, but when he caught a glimpse of the fan in the official's hand, Yan Nian's cold expression showed signs of melting, and he pursed his lips and responded with a "You're welcome, you're welcome..."
Soon, after the official skillfully and covertly stuffed several silver bills in his hand into Yan Nian's hand, the two of them became much more intimate, like old friends meeting.
The official passed through smoothly and was led into the Yan Mansion by Yan's servants, waiting to be summoned by Lord Yan.
The second person also came prepared, bringing a fan and generous gifts, and passed smoothly.
The third person also passed smoothly.
Basically, everyone who comes here is well prepared, and they know all the rules and so on, so the pass rate is very high.
After a while, it was Zhu Ping'an's turn.
"Hello, Mr. Henian." Zhu Ping'an stepped forward, bowed slightly, and then handed over the visiting card.
polite
But not disrespectful.
It is very different from the attitude of the previous ones who were almost licking their boots.
Um
Yan Nian, who had half-closed his eyes, heard the words, moved his eyelids, glanced at Zhu Ping'an, and scanned him up and down...
No fan!
So rude!
Yan Nian's expressions, which had been melted by the people in front of him, turned cold again. You know, ever since he became the steward of the Yan Mansion, apart from the master and the young master, few people had not flattered him respectfully when they saw him.
Where is it from
Nothing will happen
Such impolite people should not be tolerated.
Yan Nian frowned and did not look at Zhu Ping'an. He looked past Zhu Ping'an and saw the fat-headed and big-eared official behind Zhu Ping'an, and saw the fan in his hand.
So Yan Nian narrowed his eyes and said to the fat official, "You go first. I think I saw you queuing yesterday."
The fat official was overjoyed. He looked at Zhu Ping'an complacently, then pushed Zhu Ping'an to the back with his buttocks, and came to Yan Nian with his waist bowed. His fat face smiled like a flower, "Mr. Henian, it's such an honor to meet you..."
This is polite.
Yan Nian was very satisfied with the fat official's tact.
The fat official had a lot of expressions. After he said the first sentence, his fat face was filled with concern and heartache, and he was very sincere. "You have been so busy these days. Seeing how hard you worked, I couldn't bear to disturb you yesterday. I didn't expect that you would take the trouble to handle our visit again today. This kind of dedication is really a role model for us. I am overwhelmed with emotions. I will learn from Mr. Henian in the future."
The fat official said this, bowed, and covertly stuffed a few silver bills into Yan Nian's sleeves.
Zhu Ping'an was listening from behind and rolled his eyes.
"I have no choice. The master has entrusted me with this important task, and I have to take it on even though it is hard." Yan Nian said as he counted the silver bills in his hands, and his expression melted.
After a few words, Yan Nian asked the fat official to go into Yan's mansion and wait.
See? Learn from this... Before leaving, the fat official gave Zhu Ping'an a proud look.
Then, it was Zhu Ping'an's turn.
"Please let Mr. Henian know that I, Zhu Ping'an, am here to pay my respects to Lord Yan." Zhu Ping'an bowed and handed over the visiting card honestly.
What does it matter what I call you! If you don't know the rules and don't show respect, don't even think about getting in! Yesterday, those barbarians were turned away, so they learned the rules, didn't they
Yan Nian seemed to have not heard Zhu Ping'an's words. He glanced at Zhu Ping'an with his eyes drooping. After Zhu Ping'an repeated what he said, he took the visiting card from Zhu Ping'an and waved his hand impatiently, "Okay, go back and wait for the news."
Just like that, Zhu Ping'an was sent away without any intention of letting him in.
You can tell what it means at a glance.
"Please go back."
After Yan Nian said this, two guards came to the gate of Yan's house. They had a face full of flesh and came over from the left and right, "asking" Zhu Ping'an to leave. They looked like if you don't leave, we will take action.
Zhu Ping'an curled the corner of his mouth, said nothing, shook his head slightly, and then tactfully withdrew.
After Zhu Ping'an was "asked" to leave, Yan Nian opened Zhu Ping'an's visiting card in front of everyone, glanced at it, then raised his hand and threw it to the ground...
It’s just a small sixth-rank rank!
I have seen many third and fourth grade ones...
"Remember this from now on. Don't let just anyone in to queue up! Not just anyone can enter our Yan Mansion."
Not only that, Yan Nian also scolded the guard in front of the Yan Mansion in front of everyone.
The people in the queue said yes one after another, echoed and laughed.
Zhu Ping'an, who had retreated to the side of the street, paused slightly when he heard the words, turned around and looked back, from Yan Nian to the towering gate of the Yan Mansion, then shook his head and smiled at himself, turned around and strode into the street.
Just as Zhu Ping'an disappeared around the corner, a large sedan chair carried by eight people slowly approached from the direction of Xiyuan on West Chang'an Street...