"It's a joke, but it's not uncommon for students to be castrated." Zhang Dai said with a smile: "In the early years, Chengzu once issued an edict that all scholars and students in the world who are not worthy of the performance appraisal should be allowed to enter the palace to train female officials and eunuchs, and be the teachers of eunuchs and palace maids, haha." ”

Zhang Yuan said: "I heard the eunuch Zhong of the Hangzhou Weaving Department say that there is a teaching old Confucian in the palace, and the year is richer than that of the county school and the government professor. ”

Zhang Dai remembered something and asked, "Jie Zi, I heard that you sent a pair of faint glasses to Sect Sun?" ”

Zhang Yuan didn't answer, Zhang Cao patted his legs and laughed: "Jie Zi must have been a businessman in his last life, he gave Sun Jiaoyu a pair of glasses, but in Confucianism, he sold thirty-two pairs of myopia glasses and seventeen pairs of faint glasses, and got more than one hundred and sixty taels of silver. ”

Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "What kind of huge profit is this, the folding fan made by Shen Shaolou, a famous fan maker in Suzhou, in the hands of the third brother, will be sold for three taels of silver, how can this be said." ”

Zhang Cao said: "In fact, even if ten taels of silver and a pair of glasses are only afraid that those blind students will also buy, let's stop in moderation, not too much, a pair of glasses only earn three taels of silver is kind, this time to Nanjing Guozijian, and you can vigorously publicize it, Guozijian has six or seven thousand students, the old prisoners are dizzy, and most of the younger ones are short-sighted, it is estimated that at least a thousand pairs of glasses can be sold, and we will not worry about the glasses in three years, which is equivalent to earning back my silver from the prison, which is wonderful." ”

Zhang Dai said: "I'm afraid that someone wants to imitate it, there are also opticians in Suzhou, and we must prevent these three glassmakers from being lured away by Houli." ”

Zhang Cao said with a smile: "Jie Zi has already taken these into consideration, he has made a ten-year contract with the three mirror craftsmen, the remuneration is very expensive, the three mirror craftsmen are happy, if they dare to breach the contract and run elsewhere, they can't afford to pay for the default silver, many mirror grinding skills are taught to them by Jie Zi, they respect Jie Zi." ”

Zhang Dai looked at Zhang Yuan, shook his head and said, "Jie Zidi really doesn't know which way the immortals descended to earth, as if he knows everything." ”

Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "How dare you call it omniscient, I am not as good as the eldest brother in tea and opera, and I am not as good as the third brother in fighting land fighting cards, and there are still many places to learn." ”

The three brothers talked and laughed, the two night boats in the drizzle like two big white fish in the dark river waves, the night deepened, Zhang Cao gradually profaned the words, and sat beside him The beautiful maid Lumei put his hands on it, Lumei's maidservant cheeks were flushed, her hands were covered left and right, but she didn't get up to avoid each other, and begged in a coquettish voice: "The third young master doesn't want to be like this, the young master of Zongzi and the young master of Jie Zi are here, so embarrassing." ”

Zhang Cao pouted and said: "What's there to be shy about, it's not the first time, I don't know how many times, you said it yourself, how many times have you been with me, have you been a hundred times?" ”

Lumei was really ashamed this time, her face was red and her ears were red, and Zhang Cao said again: "Young master, I love you with a white ass." Even more said "huh" to Lumei, broke away from Zhang Cao's hand, and hid in another cabin.

Zhang Yuan laughed, the third brother Zhang Cao's life ideal is to be as poor and luxurious as Ximen Qing, and last time he pretended to be a Water Margin character begging for rain, but he pretended to be a Ximen official and hugged two fans - Zhang Dai's personal maid Su Zhi was more quiet, and at this time he saw Zhang Cao teasing Lu Mei, this Su Zhi didn't dare to raise his head, and carefully poured tea for the three young masters.

Zhang Cao looked at Wuling, who was dozing off behind Zhang Yuan, and said: "Jie Zi, why don't you bring Mu Zhenzhen here, don't tell me that you are still like a jade, you are also seventeen years old, and it is really shameful to know the human avenue." ”

Zhang Yuan's "hehe" smile didn't match.

Zhang Dai, a tasteful gentleman, spoke at this time and said: "It is said that the red sleeves are very good to read at night, but I don't know that the most interesting thing is to tease the beautiful maid on the night boat, especially the drizzle knocking on the canopy window, which really makes people-"

Zhang Cao answered: "It's really exciting. ”

Zhang Dai and Zhang Cao glanced at each other and laughed.

Zhang Yuan said: "Then I'll go back to the ship, don't disturb the two brothers' Yinxing - the ship is about to arrive at Qianqingyan." ”

Zhang Dai smiled: "Just kidding, just kidding, it's good for the three of us brothers to talk all night." ”

After another conversation, the boat arrived at Qian Qingyan, the boat was to pause when crossing Qian Qingyan, Zhang Yuan took this opportunity to return to the white canopy boat behind with Wu Ling, at this time it was about the end of the day, Zhang Ruoxi had fallen asleep with the two children, Mu Zhenzhen was still talking to his father Mu Jingyan under the lamp, seeing Zhang Yuan return to the boat, Mu Jingyan went back to the back cabin to rest, Wu Ling also went to the same cabin with Mu Jingyan, the front cabin is Zhang Yuan and Mu Zhenzhen, the Sanmingwa white canopy boat has three cabins, the middle cabin is the most spacious, it is Zhang Ruoxi's mother and son, and Zhou's mother and two maidservants. Mu Zhenzhen brought water to Zhang Yuan to wash, and after Zhang Yuan lay down, she blew out the lamp and lay down on the bunk on the inside, at this time the boat drove up again, the two oars rowed each other, and the white canopy boat moved forward leisurely, slightly swaying, a little bit of the feeling of being in the cradle when she was young, and the rain was small at this time, and it was sprinkled in pieces.

There are two red lanterns hanging on the bow of the night sailing ship, which is to prevent a collision with the oncoming ship, the lantern light shines in through the gap in the board, and the hull shakes and the light shakes at any time, Zhang Yuan drank too much tea, and couldn't sleep for a while, he was instigated by Zhang Dai and Zhang Cao before, and he was really a little emotional, seventeen years old and healthy, just reading and learning words, and he had some excess energy, but he was not Zhang Dai and Zhang Cao after all, and his sister Zhang Ruoxi was in the wall, how could he be so confused - just listen to Mu Zhenzhen speak: "Young master, can my father come back alive when he goes to the army?" ”

Mu Zhenzhen went to his mother's grave with his father Mu Jingyan early this morning to kowtow, Mu Zhenzhen's mother died when Mu Zhenzhen was seven years old, since then, seven-year-old Mu Zhenzhen washed and cooked for his father, and when he was ten years old, he began to run back and forth for more than two miles to Xixing Canal Wharf to pick up fruits to sell, and his father was dependent on each other, and this morning he saw his father say goodbye in front of her mother's grave, and told her not to forget to come here to worship on the winter solstice of Qingming Dynasty in the future, when the rain was very heavy, Mu Zhenzhen was wearing grass shoes, and the hem of her skirt was splashed, although she was wearing a robe, I still feel that my body is wet from the rain and it is generally very cold-Zhang Yuan was silent for a while, Juniper's 60,000 troops were almost wiped out in the Battle of Salhu, let Mu Jingyan defect to Juniper, will it be sent to death, can it change anything?

Zhang Yuan said: "The sword soldiers are ruthless, life and death are unpredictable, if your father is unwilling to go, I will not force him." ”

Mu Zhenzhen felt that it was quite disrespectful to lie on his side and talk to the young master, so he got up and knelt down, and said: "The maid also persuaded Daddy not to go, but Daddy was determined to go, saying that this was a good opportunity given to him by the young master, Daddy didn't want the Mu family to be a degenerate for generations, and Daddy wanted to earn a background with military merits." ”

Zhang Yuan also sat up and said, "Uncle Mu is right to think so, life is only a hundred years, and you must always fight hard if you have the opportunity." ”

Mu Zhenzhen asked: "Then can my father have a chance to make military merits?" ”

Zhang Yuanxin said: "Nurhachi still doesn't dare to openly oppose the Ming Dynasty, there are still five years left in the Salhu War, Mu Jingyan's martial arts are extraordinary, he should be able to stand out in the army, the middle and lower ranks in the army are not particular about identity, and military merits can be promoted, of course Mu Jingyan can't change the battle situation in Salhu, the key is to convince Juniper of me-" said: "Your father will definitely be able to make military merits, don't worry too much, the Ming army is hundreds of thousands, military practitioners abound, Uncle Mu is strong in martial arts, and there are more chances to survive than others, Isn't it? ”

Mu Zhenzhen nodded and said, "Yes." A little embarrassed, he said: "Young master, rest quickly, it's the maid who thinks too much and disturbs the young master's rest." ”

…… In the afternoon of the next day, two white-canopy boats crossed the Qiantang River and anchored at the mouth of the Hangzhou Canal, just as the clouds were happy and the rain was shining, Zhang Yuan immediately went to meet Eunuch Zhong outside the Yongjin Gate, Zhang Dai, Zhang Cao and Eunuch Zhong were not familiar with each other, and went to Nanping Mountain to see Mr. Huang Yuyong.

Eunuch Zhong was very happy to see Zhang Yuan, first congratulated Zhang Yuandao on winning the championship, and said with a smile: "The reputation of Shaoxing Mansion Xiao Sanyuan is like thunder, next year's township test, the next year's test, you want to be successful, our family is now admiring you more and more, you must also know that King Fu is a vassal." ”

Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "My friendship with my father-in-law can be called irreversible, and I know everything, my father-in-law is willing to accept my good words, and he will have good rewards." ”

Eunuch Zhong said repeatedly: "Our family knows, our family knows, when our family returns to the palace, we ask to serve the emperor's eldest grandson, and after the bitter time, our family also recognizes it." ”

Zhang Yuanxin said: "The Hakka Ke Yinyue is Zhu Youxiao's nursing mother, according to the records of later generations, the Hakka family is extremely beautiful, and your Zhong Gonggong grabbed the Hakka to eat before Wei Zhongxian, which can be regarded as a good fortune, hey, compliment the eunuch with Yan Fu, isn't it ironic?" Zuo Yi said: "The father-in-law is benevolent and righteous, and he is said to be in charge of the inner prison, which is also the blessing of the people." ”

Eunuch Zhong Dayue, as if he was going to let him take the seal of the master of ceremonies when he returned to the palace, said: "Zhang Gongzi came to Hangzhou this time to spend a few more days, and there are not many people in Hangzhou who want Hangzhou——"

Zhang Yuan hurriedly asked: "Is my father-in-law really going back to Beijing?" ”

Eunuch Zhong nodded and said: "Zheng Zhihui, the eunuch of the Hangzhou Weaving Bureau, the prime minister of our family, has already left Beijing, and will arrive in Hangzhou at the end of the month. Speaking of which, I can't help but feel a little unhappy.

Zhang Yuan said: "Father-in-law in Hangzhou for five years, the people feel the virtue of the father-in-law, the father-in-law left Hangzhou has no regrets, the ancestral hall has, the Sanatorium under the gem mountain was built under the initiative of the father-in-law, since the West Lake for thousands of years, in the West Lake for the official does not know how many, leaving a good name for a few, the people of Hangzhou only know that there are Bai Lotian, Su Dongpo, from now on, the father-in-law will be with Bai, Su Ding and three. ”

Eunuch Zhong was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth, and said modestly: "How dare our family be juxtaposed with the two sages Bai and Su, I just hope that the people of Hangzhou will remember that our family still has a little benefit, and don't want our family to tear down our family's ancestral hall with the front foot and the back foot." He added: "The nursing home has now housed more than 20 orphans, and distributed 8,000 stones of disaster relief food last winter and this spring, I dare not say much, hundreds of lives have been saved, the West Lake meritor, our family really heard someone call our family that, haha." ”

(To be continued)