When we go out of the side gate, we can see the Fengtian Gate, which is majestic and magnificent. Outside the Jinshui River comes in a long way, several stone bridges are scattered across the river, the bluestone ground, clean and tidy, and the guarding Jinyi Guard, people can only watch from a distance and dare not approach. Xiang Chong said that there was the responsibility of the Yiluan Division, and there were opportunities to go there to be on duty in Jinyiwei, of course, the life there was also very boring, and it was easy to get out.

We walked along the Jinshui River, gradually moving away from here, crossing a stone bridge, and saw a forest of shops on the opposite bank, busy with traffic, people coming and going, very different from the quiet here, extremely lively.

Xiang Chong led me directly, crossed the stone bridge, turned left and right, walked for a long time in the flow of people, the roads in the capital are horizontal and vertical, paved with bluestone, and the houses on both sides are clean and tidy. The rule of Emperor Hongzhi made the capital of the empire prosperous. At one corner, we left the main road and turned into the path, but the blue brick floor was still many times better than the dirt road in the countryside. A small three-story wooden building comes into view, although it is also next to the street, obviously there are many fewer pedestrians, but it seems a little remote. On a wooden pole at the door, a wine flag was hung. When I got closer, the wooden building became more and more old, so that the plaque at the door fell off, and I could still see the four big characters "Pingjia Old Store", but it was the imperial title!

Hotels and the like are mostly in the downtown area, here is not too conspicuous, there are not many pedestrians, there is still a small forest behind, more and more quiet, why put so many big shops do not go, just come here? I couldn't help but wonder, Xiang Chong seemed to see my thoughts, and said: "This is the shop of Grandpa Hongwu's imperial title, when Grandpa Hongwu paid a private visit, ate the food of this house, greatly appreciated, and wrote a plaque with his own handwriting, which caused a sensation in Nanjing." The old store was originally in Nanjing, and Grandpa Yongle moved over, and it has been passed down for three generations, and it is also a century-old store. We Jinyiwei and this boss get along very well, it can be said that we have been friends for many years, and we buy things here. He blinked his eyes and said in a low voice: "The boss is good!" Very enthusiastic for people like us. ”

Hu Haisan once told me that this Hongwu grandfather likes to give people inscriptions, probably he was born as a beggar, he has never read, and he is afraid that people will look down on him, so he left a lot of handwriting in Nanjing. In fact, I don't believe that Emperor Hongwu rose from the people, swept Liuhe, unified the country, there must be his superiority, as for these stories, how much is made up by later generations, there is a way that the bamboo silk tobacco sells the emperor's industry, and the Guanhe empty lock the ancestral dragon residence. The ashes of the pit were not cold, and Liu Xiang did not study. Xiang Chong: The so-called people like us are Jinyiwei.

While speaking, a person ran out of the store and said very politely: "Brother Xiang, you are here!" Who is this little brother? "This person is about forty years old, short in stature, with a smile on his face, but his eyes are bright and calm. Xiang Chong saluted back and said: "Sixth Brother Ping, I'm here to disturb again today, he is Zhang Ying, a new brother!" Zhang Ying, this is Brother Ping, the boss here. ”

Because his surname is very special, I thought of Uncle Ping in Gusu, and suddenly felt that the two were somewhat similar, and when the words came to his mouth, he didn't say it, but hugged his fists and said: "Little brother Zhang Ying, Brother Ping will take care of him in the future!" ”

"Where? In the future, I hope that Zhang Ying's brothers will give more support, and the small shop will rely on your favor, please inside, just came from Jiangnan A batch of good tea, you try it first! When I heard this, I couldn't help asking, "Sixth Brother Ping is from the south?" "I regretted it after saying that, his family was originally from the south, why should I ask him this!

Brother Zhiping glanced at me and said, "My hometown is from Gusu, but I am indeed a native of Beijing!" ”

My heart was shocked, the Uncle Ping I knew before was also from Gusu, but I didn't know what his name was, I glanced at Sixth Brother Ping suspiciously, he also looked at me, we all avoided each other's gaze, and went straight to the Accord inside and sat down.

The decoration inside is very ordinary, there are not many people, and it is more like an antique leisure place. Xiao Er had already brought tea and snacks, winked at Chong Chong, and whispered: "The guests here are not ordinary people, don't bother, let alone eavesdrop, I'll go back when I go!" Saying that, he took Sixth Brother Ping out, presumably to talk about some confidants. I silently drank my tea and looked at the scenery outside.

It is extremely secluded, there is a quiet grove outside the window, and you can even see the stream outside the grove, and a few birds are jumping around in the courtyard, which is a little similar to the old home. I can't help but think of my hometown, hey, a few days ago, I was a young and ignorant You Fanglangzhong, but now I am in the capital, wearing beautiful clothes, and I have become a brocade guard! It's changed so much, it's like a dream!

After a while, a young girl came quietly, with a delicate face, carrying a teapot, saw me, and said with a slight salute: "My lord, I am Shu'er in the store, and I have added water to you." She looked natural, without any twisting, I had little contact with women, and hurriedly got up and said, "Thank you, girl, my name is Zhang Ying, and I will come often in the future." Shu Erwan smiled, skillfully filled with water, and said, "Slow use, adult!" Say hello when there's something. With that, he turned and went elsewhere.

I sat down again, and felt my face hot, and a sudden commotion came from far and near, and it was very ear-grabbing. I couldn't help but hear the prestige, a group of colorful people walking along the path, each with a light gait, a bright spirit, looking forward to each other, but wearing heavy makeup, more enchanting. These people are clearly men, needless to say, they must be fathers-in-law in the palace. It's just that the two brocade guards beside him look particularly solemn.

The age is about thirty, one of them has sword eyebrows and starry eyes, a straight nose and a square mouth, and a little beard, and the other person has a square face, a beard, and the clothes should be the hundred households in the brocade guard.

These people are making a fuss and rushing to the old store of the Ping family, I am still watching, Xiang Chong, who came to hear the sound, only glanced at it, and quickly pulled me up and said, "Let's go quickly, don't let them see it." They are Dongchang and Qian and Gu, two hundred households. As he spoke, he pulled me up confused.

I didn't ask much, after all, I didn't know the place well, I didn't care about drinking tea, and I came out with him in a muffled voice, and Brother Ping was already watching outside, looked at us, and motioned for us to go to the side door, and he hurried out to meet those people. We had just come out of the side door, and we thought we could go straight away, but we didn't want to just open the door, and we were met by a couple of people wearing pointed hats, brown robes, hurried steps, and white leather boots rattling in, and behind them was a chubby man with a round hat and soap boots, because we were walking with our heads down, and we almost ran into each other.

"Hey, you're from Jinyiwei?" One of them looked us up and down a few times and asked, his voice a little dissatisfied.

It seemed that Xiang Chong didn't know them, and said very respectfully: "Exactly, we are Xiang Chong and Zhang Ying, the subordinates of Lord Murong Zhao, Fusi of Beizhen, because they are thirsty outside, come here to drink tea and rest, and go back immediately." ”

The man was still talking, but the chubby man smiled and said, "Old Tang, forget it!" Since they are subordinates of the Murong brothers, and everyone is from the same family, let's eat a bar together! ”

Xiang Chong was taken aback, and arched his hand: "Dare to ask the adult?" "I'm Ji Lifan, the foreman of the East Factory, call me Lao Ji!" Ji Lifan's smile makes you feel invisibly intimate.

Xiang Chong and I hurriedly saluted together, and said, "How dare you, how dare you, Lord Ji, your subordinates have eyes and no beads, please bear with me!" ”

Ji Lifan smiled and said, "What's polite?" I am like brothers with your Lord Murong, so don't let you go outside. So saying, he was going to take us in.

"Thank you for your kindness, but my subordinates still want to go back to the Zhenfu Division, so I won't disturb my lord's business." Xiang Chong hurriedly said, Ji Lifan looked at us, although he was full of smiles, I could sense that he was secretly observing us, and other people were also wary of us.

Ji Lifan said: "What is this called?" We are here for recreation, Brother Ping is not an outsider, I am away all the year round, what is wrong with the Zhenfu Division, I don't know, I just have a chance today, let's sit and chat, wouldn't it be good? As he spoke, he glanced at the others, and they scattered around, presumably to take in their surroundings.

I don't know what kind of medicine Ji Lifan sells in the gourd, but I can feel that Xiang Chong is very anxious, so I saw him give a deep salute and said: "My lord, you are a shameful subordinate, I am just a school captain, I just listen to some shouts every day, what is the big thing in the Zhenfu Division, we really don't know." You know, our identity can't even enter the small courtyard of Tingtao Pavilion. ”

Ji Lifan laughed, walked over, patted Xiang Chong's back hard, Xiang Chong's face changed, it was estimated that it was painful, and he only heard Ji Lifan say: "It's the truth, there are too many rules in the Zhenfu Division, and people are divided into three, six, nine, and so on, and it is really difficult for ordinary captains to know." However, I heard that a batch of new babies came, I wonder if Lao Liao will give me a few? Saying that, he glanced at me, and then said to Xiang Chong: "Come to Dongchang tomorrow, we are like a family here." ”