A cool breeze blew through the treetops, and the leaves rattled, occasionally mixed with withered yellow leaves, falling down and hitting the ground with a crisp click. The wooden wheels rolled forward, and the sound of clattering as they ran over the dead leaves was endless, which reminded Jiang Tian of eating potato chips in his previous life, but he had a different taste in his ears.

Jiang Tian, who was sitting in the car, retracted his thoughts from the memories of his previous life, and raised his eyes to look at the passengers in the car, these young women were the chief musicians of his Jiang Mansion, in front of him, the head of the family, all dignified and elegant without the slightest cringe expression that lowly people often have, and there was no foxy and enchanting attitude to seduce men. This is all because Jiang Tian doesn't like that kind of woman, and repeatedly asks them to have the consciousness of freelance women. Only by learning self-esteem and self-love can they not let others look down on them, I don't know if they can really understand the meaning of this sentence, but at least in front of Jiang Tian, they still put away their habitual flattery.

Linglong sat in the corner of the carriage, glancing at Jiang Tian and Xi Yun beside him from time to time, the emperor's birthday banquet was nominally a state banquet but it was actually more like a family banquet, so it was explicitly required that the relatives of officials should also participate, so Jiang Tian's sister-in-law was also invited. From Xi Yun's original intention, she definitely didn't want to participate in this kind of activity, not to mention that the little girl was afraid of showing up, just said that she was ashamed of herself when she faced those official daughters when she had just turned positive, but she couldn't help herself, so after getting into the carriage, she curled up beside Jiang Tian and looked unhappy. The women in this car didn't feel pity for me when they saw it, but they were mostly envious of her identity.

Under normal circumstances, the head of the family should not ride in the same car with these maidservants, but although our Jiang Da's family background is getting thicker and thicker, he has been lagging behind in terms of pomp and circumstance, and although this representative of hard work has not publicly preached women's rights, there is no one in the world who treats others more equally than him in actual action, especially these girls who stay as servants, Jiang Tian's attitude towards them is simply conniving in the eyes of others, that is, Zhang Tao, who is also a traverser, has been in this world for a long time. It is inevitable that it will be contaminated with some habits of this time and space. It's no wonder that others speculate that Jiang Tian is going to take all these women into the house.

But unlike other people's ideas, the reason why Jiang Tian rode in the same car with these maidservants regardless of dignity and inferiority was that there were not enough carriages in Jiang's mansion, and Jiang Tian did not feel the need to share the carriage, what he didn't expect was that when these women were really in this small space with him, it made both parties a little uncomfortable, as for why Linglong kept staring at Xiyun, Jiang Tian's idea was that Linglong might not be able to accept the fact that Xiyun ascended to the sky in one step.

Because there are female dependents, this time all the official carriages can drive into the noon gate and then get off, so the noon gate has become the entrance to the banquet, and it has also become the boundary between the officials and their families, in this era originally raised in the boudoir, you can also peek at other people's young talents, those old-style officials did not agree to let the unmarried girl go to the banquet at first, but the queen personally ordered the invitation These people absolutely did not dare to refuse, and there are rumors that this banquet also implied the selection of concubines for the soon-to-be-adult prince, So some people started to think about it, thinking that if they could be favored by the queen, their daughter would marry into the palace and be the future queen, and if someone took the lead, it would naturally be impossible to resist.

Jiang Tian also heard this statement, and just laughed at it. Because Zhang Tao told him a long time ago that his wife was obviously very jealous, but she had to put on the appearance of a mother, the prince had just turned 16 years old, and according to the new marriage law, it was still early to get married, so this time it was not so much about choosing a concubine for his son, but as the main one of the harem, he was the emperor's draft, but if his son fancied a girl from which family, his mother would also make decisions for him, otherwise he couldn't show his generosity, as for whether his husband and son like this kind of blind date activity, it's not for her to consider, Anyway, it's just for people to see.

Holding Xi Yun's hand and getting off the carriage, the rest of the women in the car can't get off here, they have to enter from another side door with other actors, Xi Yun looks timid since she got out of the car, especially when she finds that she wants to separate from Jiang Tian, she begged with her eyes not to leave her alone, the two of them naturally attracted the attention of many people, which made Jiang Tian embarrassed, but the place where she wanted to go was not only men, but also important things such as receiving envoys from various countries and the surrender of the Zheng family before the banquet, How can you bring a little girl by your side.

At this moment, Wu Yuan, who was standing not far away, saw them and hurriedly walked over: "Sir, the student has been waiting here for a long time. ”

Jiang Tian had already seen his student standing there, he didn't think much about it, and he thought that this prospective marquis was taking the opportunity to look at the beauty, and he was wondering in his heart that it should be the Liu family's pervert @ wolf who had this habit? However, such a jade tree in the wind of the son to that station, it did attract the attention of many girls, those who seemed to look at it intentionally or unintentionally secretly a large number of eyes have been chasing him, but I never expected that this famous and handsome son and others were Jiang Tian.

"My mother thinks that there are not many of your family members, and female family members are even rarer, if the sister of the Rong family is alone in those official eunuchs, it is inevitable that people will be neglected, so the special students come to greet them, and they will be at the same table with their mothers, please rest assured."

The words are so clear, of course Jiang Tian is relieved. Although he didn't agree to the other party's proposal to marry, he did a good job on this face. Xi Yun knew that this was already the best way, so she stopped pestering Jiang Tian. The people on the left listened to the conversation between them, and they all began to be curious about Xi Yun's identity, I heard that this Jiang Tian's was originally just a rough girl in the green building, even if she was next to Jiang Tian's big tree, she didn't need to raise this girl like this, could it be that this princess who was also born in the wind and dust touched the scene, and she had a love for Xi Yun?

This kind of gossip can only be thought in their hearts, no one dares to say it, and they don't know that Xi Yun was the only one who invited the female dependents on the invitation card, even Jiang Tianzheng's cousin's nominal fiancée did not appear on the list, but this is in line with the excuse of choosing a concubine for the crown prince. But in fact, the crown prince Zhang Huan goes in and out of Jiang's Mansion every day just like his own back garden, he has never seen any woman in the whole mansion, this Xiyun is naturally too familiar to be familiar with, if anyone believes that these two people can make any sparks, it is better to believe that the sun is coming out in the west. But his dignified prince and master can't let his fiancée who has not passed through the door come to the draft, so he has to reluctantly let Xiyun play, but fortunately, no one expected him to be selected.

Jiang Tian walked into the side hall leisurely, a large group of civil and military ministers are chatting here, there are powerful people of the dynasty here, and there are also meritorious veterans who were invited to the banquet, among such a group of old guys, he Jiang Tian is indeed very different, and what is more alternative is that in a big red official uniform, there are a few old men wearing green military uniforms without signs, except for the medal on his chest, he can no longer see the identity of the old man, who is sitting on the side for a long time around another old man talking, Jiang Tian can not slack off when he sees this formation, Hurriedly walked through the room to the old man, and bowed respectfully.

"The child is a step too late, and the father is okay? I only heard a message from the messenger that my father had arrived in the capital, and I didn't want you to come here directly. ”

The voice of the surrounding chat has weakened a lot, and many people are peeking at him, and then look at the old man who was saluted by Jiang Tian, who is also wearing a simple green military uniform, but the medals on his chest as many as seven show that he has an extraordinary identity, and the sleeve of his right arm is empty, and he is gently picking up a cup of tea with his only left arm, and he doesn't look at Jiang Tian with his eyes: "Your Majesty summoned, even if it is just a monarch and a minister to catch up with the old days, he should worship the monarch first and then return home." ”

"Yes, my father taught me." Jiang Tian still stood there with a respectful demeanor, and he didn't have the style of a first-class official at all: "It's just that it's rare for you to enter Beijing, and the child will do his filial piety before his knees." ”

Jiang Hu nodded noncommittally: "I heard that you are busy with official business in front of the palace, and you should be the most important thing about state affairs, I still have to chat with your uncles, so you can go on official business." ”

Jiang Tian knew that the old man was deliberately setting up the score, so he got off the donkey and was about to leave, when he saw Liu Junding, who was dressed in a python robe, walking over with a smile: "Won't Lord Jiang introduce me to me?" ”

Don't look at Jiang Hu in front of his son, but as soon as he saw Guogong coming over to greet him in person, he didn't dare to hold the shelf just now, and hurriedly stood up and stood upright: "Report, Jiang Hu, the former commander of the Eighteenth Musket Regiment of the Praetorian Guard, reports to you, please instruct!" ”

"Oops!" Liu Junding looked at Jiang Hu with a surprised face, and hurriedly clenched his fists and arched his hands: "It turned out to be an old hero who fought in Yangzhou for 7 days, it was really disrespectful!" ”

The Battle of Yangzhou was the peripheral battlefield of the Nanjing Defense Battle, and the only thing that was sent to support was the 18th Musket Regiment of Old Man Jiang, which was a pure firearms unit that had just completed training before the war. In order to completely encircle Nanjing, the Manchu Qing Dynasty must have conquered Yangzhou City first, but the result was a 7-day war, and Yangzhou City, which had been exhausted, was still standing there. But it was also in this battle that Jiang Tian's eldest brother died, and Jiang Hu also lost his right arm, otherwise he would not have changed jobs and returned home later.

Hearing that the famous generals in the army, the Liu family Guogong thought so highly of himself, even if it was because of his son's light, it still made Jiang Hu feel honored. At this time, Jiang Tian had no room to interject, so he could only watch the two old foxes staging a scene of hating each other and cherishing each other. Before he went out this morning, he actually received a report from his family, saying that the old lady had entered the capital when the city gate was opened this morning, but instead of coming towards Jiang's mansion, he rode straight to the imperial city. At that time, Jiang Tian already understood that his father was not good.

Before the two old fellows could do enough tricks, a eunuch walked in and shouted loudly at the male duck's throat: "Your Majesty has a decree, announce the ministers to the palace!" ”

Hearing this shout, the officials who were still running around the room just now hurriedly stood up according to their ranks, Jiang Tian was naturally the second only to the cabinet on Wenchen's side, and Old Man Liu was also standing in the front of the generals, but Jiang Hu fell behind, and a group of people walked towards Fengtian Palace. Jiang Tian looked back at his father, but he didn't see it because the line was too long. Then I remembered that the first time I went to the palace, I was also lagging behind like this, and I didn't think that I would already be a supreme minister in just two years. I didn't expect that today's celebration of the emperor's birthday seemed to be a formality, but in fact, the inner meaning and the whole process were actually formulated with their own participation.

When he entered the Fengtian Palace, he naturally stood in two classes according to the old rules, Jiang Tian was still in the front row because of his peculiar identity, and the only difference from the previous dynasty was that there was such a row of stools at the entrance of the main hall, which was prepared for those who had meritorious service in battle, to highlight the court's grace to the heroes, Jiang Hu was also sitting there, looking at the dragon chair with some expectation.

"Your Majesty has arrived!" It was still a roar from the duck's throat, Zhang Tao wore a full set of dragon robes and walked up to His Majesty from behind, and the civil and military ministers also knelt down on the mountain and shouted long live collectively according to the previous routine.

"Zhongqing is ......" and everyone stood up, Zhang Tao said: "Today's birthday banquet is a joy for the monarch and the ministers, and I don't want Fanbang to send an envoy to congratulate after learning about it, so I have to celebrate with the whole world." ”

Jiang Tian stood below and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, listening to the emperor's meaning, it was as if he was reluctant, in fact, who doesn't know what you think in your heart, now the big landlords in the south of the Yangtze River are completely unable to turn over, and Japan, which has been wandering outside the Central Plains, has also been tied to the chariot of China, and even the Western Zhuyi who have been eyeing China have also put away their thoughts, in addition to not completely cutting off the hidden dangers in the north, you Zhang Tao can indeed flaunt his martial arts. But standing on top of this hall, looking at the scene that seemed to be the prosperity coming again, Jiang Tian couldn't be happy.

Some of the surrounding small countries of the pilgrimage in accordance with the established procedures, these so-called envoys still follow the past practice, in fact, most of them are to do business, civil and military officials are not strange about this, the only difference with the former Ming is that from this year the emperor decreed to completely exempt the foreign envoys from the procedure of three kneeling and nine knocking, in Zhang Tao's words, if people are happy and convinced of you, it doesn't matter whether they kneel or not, if they are convinced, then kneeling or not kneeling is even less important. Since this is the first time this standard has been implemented, many envoys who have become accustomed to the etiquette of the Central Plains still kneel and bow according to the previous practice, and some who come to China for the first time do not kneel.

But this did not include the Spaniards, who appeared in the Chinese court for the first time, and Fernando's decision to kneel on one knee according to European etiquette was already a recognition of the Chinese emperor as monarch, and the greatest compromise for a devout Christian. And when he symbolically presented the national credentials repaired by the two countries, the impact on the civil and military officials was not as great as some people imagined, after all, these people still thought that China would always be the hegemon of the world, and did not realize that their civilization was going downhill, so it would not be a big deal for an envoy from a distant Fanbang to come to the Hajj. The only thing that touched this historic moment was actually the Dutch who rushed to repair it and the unworthy vassal states of Southeast Asia, and the Spaniards, who used to dominate the sea, brought the real national letter from thousands of miles away, what does it mean?

So the Dutch decided to behave more deferentially than the Spaniards after just making eye contact, so there was a scene of a certain area manager of the East India Company completely kneeling under His Majesty, and Fernando, who had already walked out of the hall, scoffed at it, of course, he was also shocked by the capitalist face of the Dutch who could abandon all beliefs for the sake of profit, and the only thing that pleased him was that the Chinese Empire needed Spain, Then he is not worried that these dirty people who believe in cults in the lowland countries will shake the results of his negotiations. This was also what Jiang Tian had assured him, so when he saw these Dutchmen in the side hall where the envoys rested, he conveyed a look of extreme contempt with the most elegant aristocratic gesture possible. The latter did not notice him at all, because it was the first time that these guys had penetrated into the political center of China, and it was the first time they had seen what a Chinese royal palace was, and everything here was more attractive than a small Spanish nobleman.

The repetitive and uninspired pilgrimage ritual made Jiang Tian drowsy, and peeked at Zhang Tao who was sitting on the dragon chair, but this guy has always maintained a majestic royal posture, and I really don't know how to hold on. But just as he was secretly yawning, the eunuch's shout made him sleepy: "Xuan, the envoy of Japan is ...... to the palace."

Jiang Tian turned his head and saw Fujiwara walking over with a serious face holding a national letter with a small broken step unique to the Japanese, but it was a pity that his solemn expression matched with his natural short-legged height, there was really a feeling of monkeys parading the streets in this hall. I saw that the envoy, who was no more than 1.6 meters tall, walked in front of His Majesty Dan, respectfully prostrated on the ground according to the three bows and nine bows, and then lowered his head and raised the national letter and said loudly: "Foreign Minister Fujiwara Kaminaka has come to meet His Majesty the Emperor of Shangbang by the order of my monarch......"

Jiang Tian was in a trance for a moment, as if he said the same thing when this guy knelt here last time, and at that time he thought that he could settle Japan by economic and trade means, but it turned out that he had returned to the historical road of opening the way by force. Although there are branches, but fortunately, it is back to the established track, but it is not possible to burn Edo, which makes Zhang Tao and Jiang Tian a little unhappy, and Fujiwara has already revealed the final negotiation conditions two days ago. In order to take care of the treaties that China and the emperor had already signed, the emperor would receive the newly minted coins in the future, but the treasury would be controlled by the Tokugawa family, and for this reason, he did not hesitate to release a 10% share of the trade as a subsidy for the emperor's internal funds. In other words, the Tokugawa family exchanged 40% of the trade quota for the right to mint coinage, and the Tokugawa family paid for all the fire consumption.

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Recently, the mundane things have been busy and updated more slowly than before, I'm really sorry for the friends who still insist on reading, if possible, I try to write more during the Chinese New Year, which is a New Year's greeting to you.