On the first day of September in the fifth year of Chongzhen, Chongzhen held a banquet here in the Jiaotai Palace, the Jiaotai Palace was originally the place where the queen invited the officials to the wives, and Chongzhen chose to be here mainly because the guests of this banquet were basically the family members of the queen and the concubine in addition to Liu Fan.

When the time was almost noon, the Jiao Tai Hall was already full, and the invited guests had basically arrived. This banquet is a rare grand scene in the palace, with an endless stream of maids shuttling and drinking, and all kinds of delicacies, delicacies, wines, and wines. Chongzhen has always been frugal since he succeeded to the throne, and all kinds of banquets can be saved, and even the prince's 100-day banquet is a small number of guests, and his family members celebrate it, which is quite shabby. Not to mention that compared with Qianlong's "Thousand Banquets" in the Manchu Qing Dynasty, I am afraid that even some rich landlords are inferior. The reason why this time is so "luxurious" is also due to Liu Fan's blessings, without the silver sent by Liu Fan, I am afraid that Chongzhen will be reluctant to do such a "big job" with the little silver left in Chongzhen's internal money.

In the Jiaotai Palace, it was lively and noisy, and the laughter of the guests came from within. Liu Fan came to the hall under the guidance of the eunuch, and saluted loudly, "Minister Liu Fan to see Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen!" ”

Chongzhen scolded with a smile: "Jimin doesn't need to be polite!" Hurry up! Everyone is waiting for you! Don't know what day it is? Didn't I send someone to inform you a long time ago? Why did you come so late? ”

Liu Fan smiled: "This... Your Majesty! Didn't you go and prepare a gift? Last year, the ministers were shy and even ate His Majesty's food! This time I finally have a little money! I brought some gifts to all the mothers. ”

"Oh? Got a gift? Jimin, you're a rich man now! Take it out and let me see what the hell it is. Chongzhen asked curiously

"Yes! Your Majesty! Liu Fan instructed the eunuch to distribute the perfume bottles he brought to the female concubine, while explaining, "This is a new type of perfume developed by the minister based on the perfume popular in the Western court, and only a few drops can maintain a long-lasting fragrance." After the research and development of Chen, there are now a variety of floral types such as rose, jasmine, osmanthus, peony and other types, you can choose your favorite type! ”

The perfume bottles were distributed to many beauties in the hall, listening to Liu Fan's explanation, everyone couldn't help but try it curiously, and was immediately conquered by the elegant and fresh smell of this new type of "rouge gouache". Seeing the chaotic scene in the hall, Liu Fan broke out in a cold sweat, and secretly congratulated himself that he had taken out all the inventory, otherwise it would not be enough! In case the concubine is dissatisfied and blows the pillow wind on Chongzhen, then how wronged he is.

Compared with the warm atmosphere of many female dependents, the only four men in the hall were slightly embarrassed. Seeing such a scene, Chongzhen couldn't help but smile bitterly: Jimin! You, you! I always give me unexpected "surprises"!

Liu Fan said aggrievedly: "Minister, this is also a good heart!" Besides, you ladies like it so much, it seems that the minister's hard work has not been in vain! ”

Chongzhen was a little speechless when he heard this: "Okay! You're a lot of sophistry! Come on! I'll introduce you! This is the queen's father, the national abbot Jiading Bo Zhou Kui! ”

Liu Fan looked in the direction pointed by Chongzhen, and saw an old man in luxurious clothes with a majestic face sitting upright, and hurriedly saluted, "Liu Fan has seen Jiadingbo!" Seeing this, the old man nodded expressionlessly.

Chongzhen pointed to a middle-aged wealthy businessman who looked very kind, and introduced, "This is Concubine Tian's father, the national abbot Tian Wan, who is currently the commander of Nanjing Jinyiwei. ”

Liu Fan also followed and saluted: "Liu Fan has seen Lord Tian!" ”

Tian Chou stood up, supported Liu Fan, and said with a smile on his face: "Are you Liu Jimin?" The old man has long heard that Jimin is young and promising, and he is a rare talent in our Ming Dynasty! When I saw it today, it was really heroic! Not bad! Shuying will rest assured when she hands it over to your husband! ”

"Poof..."Liu Fan was stunned! What's the situation? Who is Sook-young? Give it back to me? Looking at the smiling man in front of him, Liu Fan's expression was stiff, and he didn't know how to answer for a while!

"Hehe... I didn't have time to tell you! How about I marry Xiuying's sister to you? Chongzhen patted Liu Fan's shoulder and smiled

Liu Fan replied stiffly: "The minister has no opinion!" It's up to Your Majesty to decide! ”

At this time, the three-and-a-half-year-old prince Zhu Cihong broke free from the arms of the nurse, ran to Chongzhen's side, pulled his sleeve and asked, "Father!" Father! They all have gifts! The sons also want gifts! The sons also want gifts! ”

Chongzhen heard the prince's question, and turned his head to look at Liu Fan helplessly, "Jimin!?" ”

Liu Fan hurriedly replied: "Your Majesty, rest assured!" The minister has already prepared gifts for the crown prince and the little prince! Someone will be sent to fetch it! Then he commanded the little eunuch beside him. After a while, the little eunuch brought someone over with a large box.

Seeing the little eunuch carrying a large box over, the eyes of many female dependents who were still whispering were suddenly attracted, and they all guessed what was in the box! Liu Fan smiled and took out two jade pendants and two Dongzhu and a longevity lock from the box and gave them to the two princes, and then took out two calligraphy and paintings and gave them to the two princes. Then he said, "The minister came in a hurry, I didn't know that the two lords were also there, and only prepared two calligraphy and paintings, and I hope that the two adults are not strange!" ”

The prince immediately smiled when he received the gift from Liu Fan, and Chongzhen smiled: "I didn't expect Jimin to be so well prepared!" Everyone has a gift, so did Jimin prepare a gift for me? ”

"Of course! How can you forget Your Majesty! This gift is still made by the minister himself! With that, he took out the gift that had been prepared from the box.

Seeing Liu Fan's gift, Chongzhen was a little surprised: "This is the globe that Jimin mentioned before?" ”

Liu Fan replied, "Yes! Your Majesty! This is the globe! The minister sent this thing to His Majesty, which means that the world is in the hands of His Majesty! ”

Chongzhen was a little surprised when he heard this, and said, "Okay! I love Jimin's gift! This is the best gift I've ever received this year! ”

Seeing the strange affairs in Liu Fan's hands, everyone was a little surprised, and they didn't know what such a strange wooden ball was that caused His Majesty to be very happy. Tian Chou, who was closest to the two, couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty! Helping the people! What is it? How come the old minister has never seen it? ”

Chongzhen laughed: "The gift was given by Jimin, or should Jimin tell everyone!" Jemin will explain it to everyone! ”

Liu Fan replied, "It's Your Majesty!" Then he took the globe in his hand and explained to everyone, "The name of this thing is: Globe!" It can also be said to be a map, a map of the world. You may or may not know. But the truth is that the world we live in is a big ball! This sphere is called the Earth by Westerners! ”

"What!? Ball? When the crowd heard this, they exclaimed.