When Zhu Ping'an came out of the inner hall, the outer hall was empty. Ministers such as Yan Song had returned to their duty rooms or went home. Only a few eunuchs and palace maids were waiting.
"Top Scholar, we must get closer to each other in the future..." Eunuch Zhang said this on the way to send Zhu Ping'an out of the palace.
After Zhu Ping'an was praised and rewarded by the emperor, Eunuch Zhang's attitude towards Zhu Ping'an changed 180 degrees. At first, he was rude to Zhu Ping'an; later, after Zhu Ping'an stuffed him with a red envelope, he became much gentler towards Zhu Ping'an; now, Eunuch Zhang treats Zhu Ping'an like a long-lost brother.
"As long as Eunuch Zhang doesn't mind, Ping'an would be more than happy to do so." Zhu Ping'an replied as he walked, holding an exquisite sandalwood box in his hand.
Zhu Ping'an had a bad impression of eunuch Xiao Zhang. He was a fence-sitter. He could add icing on the cake, but he would never help someone in need. He was not trustworthy. He was different from Feng Bao. Feng Bao was one of the few eunuchs with integrity.
Of course, although I regarded Eunuch Zhang as someone who was not trustworthy and was on guard against him, I would rather offend a gentleman than a villain.
Just keep it in mind.
Moreover, you never know when such a person may be useful in the future, so it will do more good than harm to maintain a good relationship with him.
Zhu Ping'an would never take the initiative to offend such a person, so at this moment, his face was very enthusiastic.
"Haha, how could I despise the number one scholar? I'm even afraid that the number one scholar would despise a eunuch like me." Eunuch Zhang smiled and shook his head and said self-deprecatingly.
"How could that be? There are top talents in all 360 professions. Why should you belittle yourself, eunuch?" Zhu Ping'an raised his head and said seriously.
Then, Zhu Ping'an repeated the same words he had used to Feng Bao to Eunuch Zhang. "Eunuch, do you know who wrote the first great history book that 'studies the relationship between heaven and man, understands the changes of ancient and modern times, and forms a unique opinion'? Who improved the papermaking technique, allowing the world's civilization to be passed down through the ages? Who risked his life to travel to the West seven times and spread the power of the Ming Dynasty thousands of miles away?"
I have to say that this set of rhetoric is simply full of positive energy for eunuchs to the point where it cannot be added to.
From ancient times to now, the view of eunuchs is mostly contempt, disdain and ridicule, anyway, almost all of them are negative comments. However, the people listed by Zhu Pingan, although physically incomplete, have made unprecedented achievements, which are beyond the reach of many men with intact bodies. They have made great contributions to history and are remembered in history.
Because these examples are real, they are more convincing and appealing.
"The number one scholar is referring to Master Sima, Marquis Cai and Eunuch Zheng?" Eunuch Zhang had little resistance to Zhu Ping'an's words.
"So, father-in-law, there is no need to underestimate yourself." Zhu Ping'an stopped there, smiled slightly and nodded.
"Haha, then I'll rely on the good wishes of the number one scholar." Eunuch Zhang smiled and clasped his fists.
As they walked and talked, they soon arrived at the palace gate. Eunuch Zhang escorted Zhu Ping'an out of the palace gate and reminded him, "Top Scholar, it is best to take the elixir given by the emperor while it is hot."
"Thank you for the reminder, eunuch. I will take it with my wife when we get home." Zhu Ping'an bowed to express his gratitude.
Outside the palace gate, Liu Mu and Liu Dadao saw Zhu Ping'an leaving the palace and hurriedly led their horses over.
"Young master, what are you holding in your hand?" After mounting his horse and galloping through the street in front of the imperial palace, Liu Dadao looked at the sandalwood box in Zhu Ping'an's hand and asked curiously.
"You're the only one who talks too much." Liu Mu scolded.
"I'm just curious." Liu Dadao chuckled and touched the back of his head.
"Haha, this, this is the 'magic pill' bestowed by the emperor." Zhu Ping'an held the reins in one hand and shook the box in the other.
In the box in Zhu Ping'an's hand were two "magic pills", which were given to Zhu Ping'an by Emperor Jiajing as a reward after dinner, after he took the pills as per usual. Thinking of Zhu Ping's articles and couplets he had written today.
Originally, Zhu Ping'an was given one pill as a reward and was required to take it on the spot.
However, looking at the black ball of "heavy metal chemicals" in his hand, Zhu Ping'an really didn't have the courage to swallow it, so he made the excuse that he thought of his newly married wife at home and couldn't bear to enjoy the elixir alone, fearing that the story of Chang'e flying to the moon would be repeated.
Emperor Jiajing was touched by Zhu Ping'an's deep love for him, so he rewarded him with another pill and asked him to take it home and take it with his wife.
God knows how "sincere" the tears in Zhu Ping'an's eyes were when he thanked the Lord for his grace.
"What? An elixir?" Liu Dadao was surprised when he heard that there was an elixir in the box, and his mouth opened wide. "Sir, is it really an elixir? If it is an elixir given by the emperor, then eating one can at least extend my life by ten years..."
Zhu Ping'an was speechless after hearing this. You must have heard too many myths... Forget about prolonging your life. It's scary to think about ingesting this kind of heavy metal compound. It would be strange if you don't get poisoned over time.
But we really can't blame them. As native Ming people, it's not surprising that they have such feudal and superstitious ideas.
"Sir, I have never heard of anyone becoming immortal by taking 'immortal pills'. On the contrary, I often hear people say 'all medicines are three parts poison'..."
Liu Mu is different from Liu Dadao. He has a pragmatic character. He often heard the barefoot doctors who went around the streets in the village say that all medicines are poisonous. Over time, he kept it in mind and couldn't help but remind Zhu Pingan.
"Of course there is. Chang'e in the sky flew to the Moon Palace after eating the elixir, right, sir?" Liu Dadao retorted.
Well, you really believe this. In Zhu Ping'an's eyes, Liu Dadao is now equivalent to a 200-pound child.
"Haha, go back home."
Zhu Ping'an laughed and didn't say anything else. He pulled the reins of his horse and went towards Linhuai Marquis' Mansion.
It is really not appropriate to discuss the "magic pill" on the street, as the factory guards are everywhere. If it gets to the ears of someone with ulterior motives, or to the ears of Emperor Jiajing, I will be accused of "criticizing the magic pill" and I will not be able to bear it.
Half an hour later, in the bedroom of Tingyuxuan in Linhuai Marquis Mansion.
"What's this dark thing?"
Li Shu and Baozi, the little maid, were like two curious babies. They opened the imperial treasure box brought by Zhu Ping'an and saw two black pigeon egg-sized pills inside. They stared at each other in amazement...
"The emperor specially bestowed two elixirs on me in recognition of my meritorious contribution in writing and my hard work in checking the accounts." Zhu Ping'an shrugged.
"Magic Pill?!" The reaction of the little maid Baozi was similar to that of Liu Dadao. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened into an O shape.
"You don't even give me something useful..."
Upon hearing this, Li Shu curled her lips in disdain and was too lazy to take a second look. She was very disdainful of the elixir bestowed by Emperor Jiajing.
That night, there was one more box in Tingyuxuan that was offered as a sacrifice. Two sticks of incense were burned in the morning and evening... ...
I don't eat it, but it's okay to offer it as a sacrifice. No one can say anything about it.