The consequences of opening the palace gate at night are extremely serious, and I already knew this when I first entered the palace.

When I was eight years old, I was managed by my clan to be sent into the palace as a small yellow gate. My father died, my mother changed to someone else, and no one in the clan wanted to adopt me, so there was nothing I could do.

Together with thirty or forty other children who entered the palace at the same time, I received an education on the rules and regulations of the court, which involved important points, and the head of the inner palace who was responsible for teaching us would invite the officials of the two provinces to explain to us in detail.

"The gates of the Imperial City must be closed as soon as it gets dark, and they must not be opened before sunrise." The person who said this was Zhang Maoze, the inner east gate. To enter and exit the inner palace, it is necessary to go through the inner east gate, and the head of the inner east gate prohibits people and things from entering and exiting, which is a very important official position for eunuchs. He was in his twenties, a time when there were not many people in the position, and his expression was indifferent, slightly unreserved, and his tone of voice was very gentle. I also noticed that of the courtiers who had come to lecture that day, he wore the darkest clothes, as if they had been worn for many years, but they were cleanly washed.

"If there is really something important, those who must open the palace gate at night should have an ink fish talisman." Zhang Mao went on to explain the following procedure: "The recipient must first write down the time, the detailed reason, the name of the door that needs to be opened, the number of people entering and leaving, and the identity, and send it to the door of the Chinese book. From the general of the prison gate to the general, the relevant people who guard the door must repeat the recital after reading, and obtain the royal approval of the official family, so that the minister in charge of the key to the palace door can be invited to open the door at that time. ”

Entering the inner service province, Ren Shouzhong was in a high position in the palace, so there was no need to come to teach, but when he passed by this place at the right time, he also came in to have a look. After hearing Zhang Maoze's words, he nodded, glanced at us, and said, "You have all listened carefully, and you are still particular when you open the door." ”

I held my breath and listened to Zhang Mao. "Before opening the door, the guards of the gates should check the bronze deed fish talisman with the ministers who hold the key." Zhang Mao raised a pair of fish talismans and signaled to us sitting in front of us: "The copper deed is engraved with a fish-like pattern and the name of the city gate, and each copper fish talisman is divided into two on the left and right, and the keepers of the gates and the ministers who hold the key each hold one of them. When the door is opened, the prison officials and ministers must first prepare the guards, line up two teams inside and outside the opened door, light the torch, and the guards and ministers carefully check the fish charm to ensure that it is correct before opening the door. Even if the fish charm is combined, the prison envoy opens the door without inspection, or if it is found to be inconsistent, or if it is opened, or if it is opened without acceptance, all of them will be severely punished by the criminal law. ”

"Do you remember?" Ren Shouzhong interjected. He pointed to the small yellow door closest to him in front of him, and ordered, "You, repeat it." ”

The boy was a little sluggish, and stood and thought for a long time before he stammered two or three sentences, and there were mistakes.

Ren Shouzhong knocked him on the head and said angrily: "Can't remember how to do things in the palace just these few words?" In the future, it is inevitable that there will be a few of you who are in charge of the palace key, and if you make a mistake, you will lose your head! ”

Zhang Mao added from the side: "If you don't let people in and out according to the law, the light ones will flow in vain, and the heavy ones will be hanged." ”

Most of the little yellow men were shocked when they heard this, looking left and right, and secretly speechless.

"You go out, kneel down in the courtyard and think about it, and tonight's meal will be free." Ren Shouzhong announced the decision to punish the child, looked around at the others, and finally chose me: "Have you written it down?" ”

I stood up and bowed and gave him an affirmative answer, according to Zhang Maoze's original words: "The gates of the imperial city must be closed as soon as it gets dark, and they must not be opened before sunrise." If there is indeed something important, those who must open the palace door at night should have an ink fish charm...... If people are not allowed to enter and exit according to the law, the light ones will flow in vain, and the heavy ones will be hanged. ”

Word for word, from Zhang Mao to below, all the ministers and ministers are smiling.

Ren Shouzhong was also quite satisfied, and asked me with Heyan: "What is your name?" ”

"Liang Yuanheng." I replied and added: "Yuan Heng of Yuan Henry Zhen." ”

Obviously, this is a lot of money. As soon as this remark came out, everyone changed color, Ren Shouzhong walked in front of me in two steps, and gave me a slap in the face: "Bold little cub, don't you know how to avoid it?" ”

I vaguely remembered that when my father explained my name to me, he also instructed me not to say the word "zhen" in front of others, because "zhen" is now hidden, so "zhen" should also be avoided.

I was stunned, not knowing what to do, so I just stood silently.

Ren Shouzhong instructed left and right: "Pull him down and lock him up, and I will deal with him after I consult the official's house." ”

I spent two or three days in a dark hut, lying in a daze, barely eating, and several times groggy as I fell asleep I thought I was dying.

Someone finally opened the door, and the long-lost light poured in like a tidal wave, stinging my eyes.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw the kind face of my teacher, Liang Quanyi. Probably because I share his last name, he has always been very good to me.

"Let's go." He said. Seeing that I was unable to walk, he actually squatted down and carried me out himself.

I couldn't contain tears falling down his neck, and he continued to walk as if nothing had happened, not comforting me, but saying, "Be careful in the future." If you commit this kind of thing, if you are outside, most of them may be covered up, but it is different in the palace, and the slightest mistake may endanger your life. It was Mr. Zhang who begged the queen to intercede for you in front of the official family, which you should remember......"

Of course I will remember. After Zhang Mao came back to teach, I followed him out, ran to him and knelt down in front of him, and thanked him for saving his life.

He only smiled slightly, and said, "You kid, it's too easy to lead to a bad word, so it's better to change one." ”

I agree and respectfully ask him to change my name.

He groaned for a moment and said, "Huaiji, you will be called Liang Huaiji in the future." ”

I thanked him earnestly. He asked, "Have you ever studied?" ”

I replied, "I used to learn a few words with my father at home. ”

He bowed his head and looked at me intently before turning away.