Three-tailed shad?

This is a gift given by the Son of Heaven to the ministers of the imperial court with more than three grades, why did he suddenly give it to himself?

Lin Qianqian smiled and said, "Xianggong, I'm afraid this anchovy will be eaten often at home in the future." Twenty catties of sweet potatoes for three anchovies, this is still cost-effective. ”

"It may not have been given by the Queen."

Lin Yanchao knew that things were not simple, because the queen had already rewarded Lin Qianqian, and she would not reward her again afterwards, there might be something strange about this.

Lin Yanchao and Lin Qianqian went out together to receive the reward.

The three-tailed anchovy is served in ice, except for the last time the Son of Heaven came to give it to him, this is the second time that the anchovy has been given.

This anchovy is not about how delicious it is, it is mainly a gift from the Son of Heaven and a face.

When Li Zihua boasted about the Yellow River carp, it was also delicious, but it was also a food that ordinary people could obtain. The anchovy is different, transported from the south to the north, and paid tribute to the Son of Heaven.

It's just that Caoyun has developed recently, and there are also people who transport it from Jiangnan to Jingshi to sell, but in terms of size and taste, it is not as good as the anchovy given by the Son of Heaven.

Lin Yanchao asked with a smile: "Dare to ask my father-in-law, is this anchovy a gift from the emperor?" ”

The lieutenant who came to send the anchovy said with a smile: "Master Lin, they are all from the palace, what do you say?" ”

Seeing the other party's vague words, Lin Yanchao knew what to expect, and immediately said: "My father-in-law said that I was joking, but it wasn't given by the emperor." ”

The envoy's face changed slightly, and then he said with a smile: "What did Master Lin say?" Let's take thanksgiving. ”

"Wait! My father-in-law also asked you to explain who gave this anchovy! ”

Lin Yanchao's words made the surroundings feel like an ice cellar, not necessarily how to speak sharply, but it has a majesty that cannot be refused.

The envoy was about to shake his face, but when he saw Lin Yanchao's momentum, he took the words back to his lips at the moment. He also often gave gifts to the ministers on behalf of the Son of Heaven, and he saw many ministers greet him, but Lin Yanchao alone made him feel a little empty in his heart.

No wonder some people in the palace say that this person is another Zhang Jiangling in the future.

The envoy Zhengse said in a low voice: "It was given by Concubine Zheng." ”

Lin Yanchao finally knew the ins and outs of this matter.

This anchovy is really not a gift from someone else, but Concubine Zheng!

That's right, Concubine Zheng is today's favorite concubine. Although she is only a concubine, she does not have to be about the same as the queen in the six palaces.

"By the grace of Concubine Zheng, I gave the minister anchovy, but the minister did not dare to accept it, so I asked my father-in-law to send it back."

Lin Yanchao said with a straight face, it was not given by the Son of Heaven himself, but the emperor's concubine, so it didn't hurt to go back. What's more important is what your Concubine Zheng has and what qualifications you have, how can you give anchovy to yourself, no matter how favored you are, you are just the emperor's concubine, how can you give anchovy to the minister without going through the emperor.

This name is not right, and it spreads out like this, as if Lin Yanchao and Concubine Zheng have a personal relationship.

The envoy was embarrassed: "Master Lin, aren't you embarrassed by our family?" ”

Lin Yanchao said: "Concubine Zheng's kindness, the minister is very grateful, but the minister does not dare to accept this generous gift. ”

The lieutenant envoy hurriedly said: "Master Lin, don't be ignorant, the sweet potato you offered, Concubine Zheng likes it very much, so how about giving you anchovies?" Don't be ignorant, you need to know who Concubine Zheng is? ”

Lin Yanchao suddenly said this, the ins and outs of the matter are probably like this, Concubine Zheng and the queen are competing for favor in the harem. Concubine Zheng saw that the queen had received the sweet potatoes she offered, so she also opened her mouth to ask the Son of Heaven for it.

Concubine Zheng didn't see how much she was satisfied with this sweet potato, as if it seemed that the queen had the same mind as me, and asked the Son of Heaven for sweet potatoes. Later, I learned that the queen rewarded Lin Qianqian, and she also came to reward one, so that it was spread out as if Lin Yanchao had offered sweet potatoes to the queen and Concubine Zheng respectively, and the two were on an equal footing.

But Concubine Zheng didn't expect that Lin Yanchao saw through her careful thinking and refused to accept it.

Of course, it is okay for Concubine Zheng to spread it out like this, but it is to use Lin Yanchao to let off the wind among the ministers, which is also a temptation, and this matter is extremely unfavorable to Lin Yanchao's career.

Lin Yanchao presented gifts to the queen and Concubine Zheng at the same time, this was not to praise Concubine Zheng, but to slap the queen in the face.

How dare you, a concubine, be on an equal footing with the queen? At the same time, this is not a way to get married, if you really like to eat this sweet potato, you should reward yourself through the emperor, and then someone will say by the way that Concubine Zheng also likes it, so the meaning is achieved.

Lin Yanchao will appreciate it in this way.

Although she knew that this woman was calling for wind and rain in the harem, and even the emperor respected her and loved her for three points, she calculated herself. Lin Yanchao won't give you this face.

Your harem women compete for favor, just get it yourself, why are you involved with me?

Hmph, it's not the first time Concubine Zheng has done such a thing.

The demon book case of the three major cases in the late Ming Dynasty is related to the incident caused by this woman.

During his tenure, the official Lu Kun served as the envoy of Shanxi, and during his tenure, he collected the deeds of virtuous women and martyrs in history, and wrote the book "Boudoir Fan Illustrated" and distributed it to the people. Later, this book was seen by Concubine Zheng, and she wanted to use this book to elevate her status, so she ordered people to add twelve people, starting with Empress Mingdema of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and ending with Concubine Zheng herself, and personally added a preface, and then ordered his brother, Zheng Guotai, the uncle of the country, to issue the folk with the help of Lu Kun's name.

So much so that many people thought that this book was written by Lu Kun himself.

Later, someone took this book as an article, wrote a demon book in the capital, and distributed it everywhere. It mentions that the boudoir fan picture said that the book first contained the queen of Han Mingdema, and this queen of horses was entered by a nobleman, and the purpose of Lu Kun to write this book was to persuade Concubine Zheng to be the queen.

Then the government and the opposition exploded all at once, and the aftermath of the matter was not discussed.

Speaking of Lu Kun alone, although he defended himself in the book, saying that he did not write Queen Ma into the book at all, he implored the Son of Heaven to compare the two versions of the book to understand.

But this incident later caused an uproar, and Lu Kun could not escape the blame, and was finally criticized for the crime of 'settling the palace', which made him have to resign from the office, and his political future was ruined.

This matter has nothing to do with Lu Kun's sincerity, everything is Concubine Zheng's own means and selfishness. Then Lu Kun was cheated like this.

Therefore, Lin Yanchao accepted this anchovy, and the reputation of 'accepting the palace man' would not be able to leave.

Even if Lin Yanchao wants to take refuge in Concubine Zheng in the future, it will not be blatant. At that moment, Lin Yanchao resolutely retreated.

After the gift-giving envoy left, Lin Yanchao felt that the palace seemed to be calm, but there was an undercurrent surging underneath.

Whether it is Concubine Gong or Concubine Zheng, no matter which side they are close to, they are very dangerous, and if they are not careful, they will be caught in the whirlpool and cannot get out.

Once it comes to this matter, not to mention that he is a Hanlin bachelor, even if he is a cabinet scholar, he will not be able to protect himself.

Lin Qianqian saw Lin Yanchao like this, and couldn't help asking: "If you don't accept it, you won't accept it, why is your face so solemn?" ”

Lin Yanchao stroked Lin Qian and said with a smile: "It's okay, it's just some things." Although there is no anchovy, Motosuke gave me one, and you can dip it in sake lees and vinegar before eating. ”

In these years, things such as anchovies are like Moutai in later generations, which are generally not eaten by themselves, but given away.

This is also the person who gives it away and does not eat it, and the person who eats it does not give it away.

Lin Qianqian knew that Lin Yanchao was worried about eating anchovies, and he was happy in his heart, but he said in his mouth: "It's not that I haven't eaten it before." ”

Lin Yanchao smiled and looked at Lin Qianqian, his face was sweet.

That night, Sun Chengzong, Chen Yinglong, and Lin Xin went to the banquet together, and Lin Yanchao was very happy with the students.

But he said that in the palace.

The Son of Heaven was drinking a small bowl of porridge, which was served in a silver chamber, while a palace concubine with Liujia was sitting aside.

The Son of Heaven put down the porridge and said with a smile: "Concubine Gong also brought me a bowl of sweet potato porridge before, but the taste is far less good than yours." ”

This woman is Concubine Zheng. Concubine Zheng said with a smile: "So that Your Majesty knows that the concubine's porridge is filled with sugar, hazel pine, melon kernels, and finally sweet potatoes with rice, and the taste is fragrant, where is the old mother comparable." ”

Concubine Zheng often satirizes Concubine Wang Gong as an old mother in the palace, which means that she is old, even in front of the Son of Heaven, Concubine Zheng said so.

The Son of Heaven didn't care about this, but said, "Since you like it, I will let the officials of Fujian pay tribute every year." ”

Concubine Zheng thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, forget it, Fujian is too far away from Beijing, and paying tribute for the concubines is really suspected of working the people and hurting the money, so those officials are going to talk about it again." ”

"I am the Ninety-Five Supreme, where do I have to take care of those officials? Besides, the queen also likes it. ”

Concubine Zheng smiled when she heard this: "The concubine knows that Your Majesty feels sorry for the concubine, but Your Majesty, you don't understand Master Lin's intention to offer this sweet potato." ”

When the Son of Heaven heard this, he was not angry but smiled and said, "Women's family, what knowledge do you have?" Besides, the rules of the ancestors, the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics, and you should not talk about my ministers in front of me. ”

But Concubine Zheng was not afraid and said with a smile: "Your Majesty doesn't believe it, the concubine wants to say that Master Lin offered this sweet potato not to please His Majesty and the concubine, but to think that if this sweet potato is planted in Gyeonggi, Hebei, according to him, the sweet potato really has the effect of producing twenty or thirty stones a year, and it is not for the purpose of preparing for famine, so the imperial court does not need to encourage the people to reclaim the famine in Gyeonggi." In the future, the four million Shicao grains sent by Jiangnan every year will be delayed in Beijing, and Your Majesty will not be in a hurry to sleep all night. ”

Hearing this, the Son of Heaven nodded and said, "Yes, what you said is the same as Mr. Shen, but Pan Qing and Haiqing have said that sweet potatoes cannot be transplanted to the north, but Master Lin is not clear about this, so it's a pity." ”

"The concubine just feels sorry for Your Majesty and works for state affairs." Concubine Zheng's eyes were a little red.

The Son of Heaven nodded and said, "I understand, about sweet potatoes, I will ask Master Lin again what he means, and I also want to taste your sweet potato porridge again." ”

Concubine Zheng burst into tears and said with a smile: "Yes, Your Majesty, this steamed sweet potato is also very delicious, and the concubine will cook it for Your Majesty next time." ”

At this moment, the envoy who had gone to Lin Yanchao's mansion to send anchovies returned to the palace and told the Son of Heaven and Concubine Zheng that Lin Yanchao refused to accept the gift.

When the Son of Heaven heard this, he patted his leg and said with a smile: "How about it, I said, Master Lin will not accept it." Your little caution can hide it from other ministers, but you can't hide it from him. ”

Concubine Zheng was annoyed at the moment: "Okay, the concubine should never see this sweet potato again." Those ministers in the court, who have studied for decades, sharpened their heads to test their fame, and have been officials for more than ten years, are more refined than the other. ”

Hearing this, the Son of Heaven smiled and said, "Eh, don't be angry, I know your hardship." It's just that the queen has always been submissive to me, and the ministers have a very high opinion of her, even if I favor you again, I will not make you the queen. ”

Seeing that Concubine Zheng was a little sad, the Son of Heaven said again, "But I promise you, as long as you give birth to a prince for me, I will immediately make you a concubine!" ”

Concubine Zheng turned around and asked, "Your Majesty, is this true?" ”

The Son of Heaven nodded and said, "You have no jokes!" ”

"But the old mother, no, Concubine Gong, she is not a concubine yet, where can the concubine be above her." Concubine Zheng said this, but her face was full of joy.

The Son of Heaven shook his head and said, "She is in my heart, how can she be compared to you." I'll find a way out of the minister's side, in short, you can rest assured. ”

The days of the first month of the new year are so peaceful.

A few days later, the queen sent someone to give Lin Yanchao a festival gift, and Lin Yanchao knew that it must be his rejection of Concubine Zheng, which had reached the queen's ears.

The gift given by the queen was very valuable, and Lin Yanchao had no reason to refuse, so he accepted it immediately.

However, after the queen's and Concubine Zheng's open and secret battles, the reputation of this sweet potato made many women and children in the capital know. What is this sweet potato that even the queen and Concubine Zheng are interested in?

So they became curious.

After the New Year's Day, it is the Lantern Festival.

The Son of Heaven has been in power for several years, and in order to show the martial arts of cultural governance, this year's Lantern Festival is particularly lively.

Not to mention the lantern exhibition that laid out a few streets, that is, the huge Aoshan lanterns were lit in the various city gates, which were as bright as the galaxy, and the people in the capital came out to see the lanterns this night.

When Tang Bohu came to Beijing for the first time to take the exam, he saw this grand scene and wrote a poem about watching Ao Mountain.

The guards were strict and the night was silent.

Dengshan suddenly saw Cui Zhaoxuan.

Six Ao side by side with the Immortal Mansion.

The two magpies are connected to form the Emperor's Bridge.

Xingzhen pearl pavement splendid.

The golden shadow of the moon is chaotic Qiong Yao.

Gu Shen has climbed the ridge by himself.

Why bother Qin Ji to play the dong flute.

Of course, the officials couldn't help but complain that this move was too laborious and costly, and they were worried about the country and the people, but Lin Yanchao was okay, he and Lin Qianqian hadn't seen the prosperity of Beijing for a long time, and they took Xiao Yanchao out to see the lights together.

Looking at this prosperous atmosphere of the Ming Dynasty, whether it is whitewashed or not, Lin Yanchao still likes it. Living and working in peace and contentment is not only his hope, but also the expectation of every people.

This is the prosperity of the Wanli Dynasty, even a small people can be satisfied with the stability of the present world, this day Lin Yanchao and his family swam for most of the night before returning home.

However, a few days later, at the end of last year, Che Zongkong, Wang An, and others, who were from Huaxian County, Henan, borrowed money from wealthy businessmen Zhao Guoying and Zhang Xueshu, who had tens of thousands of wheat, because of a lack of grain, but they were refused.

Che Zongkong and others gathered thousands of hungry people to rise up to grab wheat, and then unveiled the poles. The government came to suppress it, and the hungry people spread to the area of Qi County and Ji County, and there were fierce battles with officers and soldiers, gathering thousands of people, and swept Hebei.

When the news came, this peasant uprising caused a hint of gloom in the prosperous atmosphere in the capital.

At this time, there was also a big event in the palace.

That is, Concubine Zheng gave birth to the prince, so when she heard about it, all the officials entered the palace to congratulate the Son of Heaven.

Lin Yanchao is also among them.

All this also indicates that the fourteenth year of Wanli will not be a peaceful year.