Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

The next day.

Today was not a lecture day, so Jiang Xinghuo naturally got up late.

He wasn't hungry in the morning anyway, so he woke up naturally at noon and just had lunch.

if not? Do you also need to be in jail? Which leader should I show the paper to? What about Ji Gang, the commander of Jin Yiwei?

The disciplinary commander will not rate you as a "three good prisoners" or "excellent prisoners", so why bother.

Jiang Xinghuo has always believed that the highest realm of life lies in not working for the sake of working. This kind of labor must be what one loves and ideals.

If you don't have or can't do the kind of ideal work that Jiang Xinghuo loves, such as teaching and educating people, or changing the world, then it might be a good idea to relax yourself and cultivate your spirit.

Anyway, just from Jiang Xinghuo's personal point of view, he doesn't think that he has to force himself to do something he doesn't want to do, such as getting up early to torture himself, or insisting on some meaningless clocking in, in order to make life feel meaningful. The meaning of self-discipline.

Thinking further, it is that "a person's destiny depends not only on personal struggle, but also on the process of history."

Sometimes, the results of personal struggle are just a grain of sand submerged before the waves of history or the tide of the times.

The hundreds of millions of farmers in the "Qing Dynasty" who are in the process of involution, get up early every day and work hard every day, and they wake up before the chickens wake up. Don't they have no self-discipline? So is life hard? Jiang Xinghuo already understood this answer deeply.

Just like self-disciplined people are often just the fastest hamsters in the cage, suffering is not worthy of praise at the same time, but it is quite worthy of praise if the person who caused the suffering is eliminated in a physical sense.

Therefore, suffering is often unavoidable for ordinary people. The only way to save the common people is to find ways to solve the root causes of suffering.

After clearing his throat for a while, Jiang Xinghuo began to do stretching exercises.

"Those who get up at this hour are the future stars and pillars of talent. They are the most knowledgeable and talented people in the idioms. They are the talented people in the common sayings. They are the dragons and phoenixes among people in the ordinary Chinese novels. They are the ones who have to examine themselves three times every day. The self-disciplined person is the king of the jungle in nature, the scorner of all the ugliness and evil in the world, and the creator of all the beauty and good in the world. When I think of someone breathing the same air as an outstanding person like me, I can’t help but feel sorry for this person. The same outstanding people feel proud and proud!”

The inmates next door and across the street have long been accustomed to this weird Mr. Jiang.

After all, according to Jiang Xinghuo, it seems that those who get up early are better, right?

Just take it as a compliment to everyone.

"Danglanglang~"

The bell rang, and the jailer who delivered the meal and the prisoner whose turn it was to draw lots came.

Today, the bearded man was actually responsible for delivering the food. The big bucket that usually required two people to lift could be easily lifted with one hand in his hand.

The jailer Lao Wang stood in front, ringing the bell and shouting.

"Come on! Come on!"

Jiang Xinghuo stopped moving, opened the pottery basin, used the water stored in the small bucket, and after a simple wash, stood by the cell and waited for his meal.

Zhu Gaoxu obviously took extra care of Mr. Jiang and handed him a Jinyiwei food box.

The meal this time was more substantial. In addition to steamed buns, pickles and porridge, there was also a plate of fried cabbage, a plate of soybean curd, a few slices of bacon and a small plate of pickled radish. Although it didn't look very good, it was okay to eat well. .

Zheng He obviously didn't receive the same treatment as Jiang Xinghuo. The jailer Lao Wang snorted coldly and shook his wrist again and again. After a spoonful of gruel reached the bowl, only a few mouthfuls of yellow soup and clear water were left, which was extremely pitiful.

Zheng He was about to have a seizure, but when he peeked out of the small window of the cell door and glanced sideways at Zhu Gaoxu who appeared next door, in front of his and Jiang Xinghuo's cell, he held it back.

"What are you doing"

Zhu Gaoxu, who was talking to Jiang Xinghuo, was suddenly stunned when he saw Zheng He who was made up into the image of Guan Gong with a red face and a long beard.

Zheng He was afraid that his secret would be revealed. He had not yet got the spherical chart in Jiang Xinghuo's hand, so he quickly nodded to Zhu Gaoxu and explained with a wry smile.

"General, I'm not afraid of your jokes. You also know that I am a kind-hearted person from Shandong. During the Jingnan period, the imperial court conscripted me into corvee service. After the Battle of Jinan, the whole of Shandong was destroyed, and the Yan army's cavalry went out to destroy Huaibei. At the supply line to the Dezhou camp, us slaves couldn't complete our mission, so we had no choice but to go to Luocao in the mountains and become bandits."

Only then did Zhu Gaoxu realize that Zheng He had pretended to be a prisoner and approached Jiang Xinghuo. He probably had a way of explaining his origins. Telling him again was equivalent to patching the clothes he had already sewn.

"Hey, you two are still old acquaintances?"

Jiang Xinghuo stopped "sucking, sucking, sucking" and looked at the person next door to him. It was the irritable old man who glared at people last night.

"This man and I are indeed old acquaintances." Zhu Gaoxu said in a teasing tone, pointing to a short scar on his face, "This scar of mine was inflicted by this righteous man in Huaidian."

"."

Jiang Xinghuo suddenly realized that this was a script for enemies to be extremely jealous when they meet.

Interesting, very interesting.

Zhu Gaoxu, who played the role of "Gao Yu, the cavalry general of the Southern Army", also got into the act, snorted coldly, made an expression of indignation, and said in a deep voice.

"If it weren't for you, the bandits, who couldn't be wiped out, and the Lingbi decisive battle, why wouldn't the army be able to be supplied with food and grass? How could the Yan thieves win?"

Zheng He, who was also an old actor, looked outside and said loudly: "The imperial court has forced us into desperation. If we don't rebel, are we going to starve to death?"

Zheng He became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke: "Jianwen Huangkou boy, how do you know the sufferings of the people? He was only bewitched by the two treacherous ministers of Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng, and he lost people's hearts from top to bottom. If not, how could King Yan be so invincible all the way? How could he still be invincible? Isn’t it what people want?”

Zhu Gaoxu rolled his eyes, his father was not here yet, yet he could still praise him so much.

The two of them continued to argue loudly, but were stopped by a warning from the jailer further away.

Zhu Gaoxu carried the bucket and left the prison area with the jailer Lao Wang.

Next is the lucky time in the morning.

The jailers will draw lots to decide which prisoner will be responsible for cleaning the passages in the prison today.

"Yichen 13th."

Zheng He was drawn on the first day of reporting. According to Jin Yiwei's official documents, his identity was that of a bandit leader who had turned into a bandit in Huaibei. As a key prevention target, he was required to perform this job wearing handcuffs and shackles.

Again, there are many prisoners and few prisons in Nanjing, so those who were not eligible to live in imperial prisons before are now being admitted.

There is no strict time limit for cleaning the passages, as long as the cleaning is completed before letting out air at noon.

Therefore, seeing Zheng He's staggering steps, the jailer did not urge him and went back to the big iron gate not far away to rest.

Zheng He cleaned and peeked again and again.

Jiang Xinghuo, who was drinking porridge, seemed to realize something. He also turned his head and looked sideways, but he only saw Zheng He sweeping the floor seriously.

Seeing Jiang Xinghuo turn his head, Zheng He secretly turned his head again, wanting to see the "globe" buried under the straw pile.

However, this time, Jiang Xinghuo quickly turned his head and caught him.

"Why do you always look at me?"

"."

"Want some plain porridge?"

"."

"If you want to drink, just tell me. How will I know if you don't tell me."

Jiang Xinghuo moved his buttocks, squeezed to the cell door, stretched out his bowl, and tilted the remaining white porridge.

"That was not what I meant."

Zheng He swallowed and shook his head.

"I know you eat a lot, you must be hungry since last night." Jiang Xinghuo obviously sympathized with him, "Come on, face is worthless, how many heroes can't be defeated by a penny? A mouthful of porridge in prison is much more valuable than a penny. .”

Zheng He was busy running around last night and didn't have time to eat. He has a big appetite. It would be fine if he didn't drink the two mouthfuls of gruel in the morning. He could still bear it. After drinking two mouthfuls of gruel, it would make him appetizing.

When Zheng He saw the white porridge, he suppressed his hunger and waved his hand.

"I really am not like this. Hiccup!"

His stomach was like a drum, and the situation was once embarrassing.

Zheng He waved his hand. Anyway, his face was dark and red, and there was no trace of blushing: "Can you lend me that thing of yours?"

"Which one?" Jiang Xinghuo became alert.

"That." Zheng He couldn't describe it at the moment.

"Which one is that?" Jiang Xinghuo's brows furrowed even more.

"It's a spherical chart or a map." Zheng He finally found the exact description.

"Oh, you mean the globe."

Jiang Xinghuo nodded.

Zheng He put down his broom and looked at him hopefully.

"Thank you" was about to blurt out.

"No borrowing."

Instead, Jiang Xinghuo said righteously: "Don't you know that it is illegal to hide maps in the Ming Dynasty? I am a law-abiding citizen who wants to be released from prison. This is not a chart or a map. It is a handicraft carved out of personal hobbies. It is a handicraft. Do you understand?"

Jiang Xinghuo was not a fool. Now that he knew Li Jinglong's true identity, he knew that the identity of the person in the prison who he thought was abnormal must be abnormal, but he just didn't know it.

Now that "Mr. Qiu" had just left, a man who looked like Guan Gong came, and there was obviously something wrong.

Since he knew that the other party had a problem, Jiang Xinghuo certainly couldn't let the other party get his wish.

Otherwise, how can this game of "guess whether I can guess the identity" continue?

Jiang Xinghuo turned over and went back to sleep, leaving Zheng He alone outside the small window of the cell.

Zheng He clenched his fists, and his cheeks that were already red turned a little purple.

However, after considering the hardness of his fists and the iron door, Zheng He gave up the idea of ​​dismantling the iron door with his bare hands and snatching the "globe" from Lao Shizi.

"calm down"

After all, Zheng He was a man who had seen the world. The reason why he was so angry was because he had been sent too many unintentionally by Jiang Xinghuo before.

I had a good stay in the capital. After attending a lecture with the emperor, I was sent to Quanzhou to build ships. That was all shipbuilding. I also had to go to sea to exterminate Japanese pirates. That was all. I also had to dig guano in Wanli Shitang. !

And these, just because of a few words from a prisoner who accidentally pointed out Jiangshan, he almost broke his leg!

How unreasonable!

If anyone had experienced it from Zheng He's point of view, they would probably be angry.

But after Zheng He got out of his angry state, and thought about it carefully, he felt that Jiang Xinghuo really didn't know all the troubles he had caused to him.

From Jiang Xinghuo's point of view, he was scared by himself in the middle of the night yesterday, and he was so aggressive during the day. It is true that no one would lend it to him.

After such self-reflection, Zheng He became calm.

So, he began to clean the passages in this prison area seriously.

Zheng He believed that as long as he could put aside his prejudices and get along well with Jiang Xinghuo, Jiang Xinghuo would put down his guard against him in a few days.

"Well, I will definitely be able to see that 'globe' again."

——————

The two streets in front of the prison.

"Thank you, Master, for your help!"

Jiang Xuan was in shock and thanked Huikong, who was wearing apricot monk robes.

Huikong, who practiced closed-mouth meditation, remained silent and just returned the gift with his hands clasped together.

Not far away, there was the cursing uncle from far away and her sons.

The uncle's pacifier still turned around and cursed "mothers are born without fathers to teach them", but her sons were beaten by Huikong until their noses were bruised and their faces were swollen. At this time, she pulled her mother and just wanted to run away.

"No need to say thank you. Since we are passing by, we cannot see this injustice. This is what we should do!"

Qingfeng Nvguan, who had just huddled behind Monk Huikong, flicked her fly whisk and comforted Jiang Xuan with a kind smile.

These two people were naturally sent by Dao Yan and Zhang Tianshi to secretly protect and monitor Jiang Xuan.

The uncle from far away was hacked to death by a group of people in the "Ningbo Caravan", and my uncle lost his position. In her desperation, she didn't expect to have anything to do with this little girl Jiang Xuan. She just felt that something had happened to her man inexplicably. , it must be due to bad feng shui.

The reason why the feng shui is not good is naturally because the new house was not chosen well. The reason why the new house was chosen must naturally be attributed to Jiang Xuan.

Well, it can only be said that the shrew's logic does not need to be taken seriously.

Huikong winked at Qingfeng Nu Guan. Qingfeng suddenly understood, but took something out of her sleeve without leaving any trace.

A beautifully carved jade statue of an immortal.

Qingfeng Nvguan said to the timid Jiang Xuan with a sweet smile.

"Your Majesty, Fertilizer Immortal, giving this to my little friend can be regarded as a blessing for you and me."

Jiang Xuan looked at the miniature statue of the immortal in front of her at the Eastern Suburbs Sacrificial Altar. When she thought of her brother's appearance, she was indeed a little moved, but it was not good to just take someone else's things for free just after being helped.

"this"

Qingfeng Nvguan simply put the immortal statue directly into Jiang Xuan's hand, and handed a sachet to Jiang Xuan.

"Don't worry, little friend, we are definitely not evil people. This sachet is used to ward off evil spirits. As for the statue of the Fertilizer Immortal, although it is a random creation by my teacher, it also has the effect of praying for peace."

Jiang Xuan was even more confused when she heard this. Even if this immortal statue was a casual creation of her teacher, it wouldn't just be given away casually, right?

But then I thought about it, since the other person said that, there must be a reason. Moreover, Jiang Xuan also felt that the jade material used in the statue was indeed extraordinary. It was warm and tight in her hands. The other party might have other intentions, but it was hard to say right now.

After a few more words of refusal, Jiang Xuan couldn't refuse, so she had no choice but to thank the two of them: "Thank you Master for saving your life, and thank you Nu Guan for your gift."

"You don't have to be polite, little friend." Qingfeng nodded.

Huikong also put his hands together.

Watching Jiang Xuan walk towards the prison, the two people who completed their mission also left calmly.

Soon, Jiang Xuan, who was wearing an ordinary cloth and linen skirt, met Jiang Xinghuo in the prison very smoothly.

It is unclear whether this unusual smoothness was due to Ji Gang's greeting.

Jiang Xinghuo, who came out to meet his family, also gave the jailer some copper coins as a treat for tea.

"No money?"

Jiang Xinghuo's question, as always, struck straight to the soul.

It stands to reason that the price of silver in the early Ming Dynasty was very strong. It was incomparable to the flood of silver in the late Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. Silver was still a scarce precious metal at this time. If you just live in a hotel and eat out, you can buy two taels of silver, even in Nanjing. The city is enough for more than three months.

Jiang Xuan shook her head and took out an exquisitely carved white jade statue from her arms.

"What is this?"

Jiang Xinghuo looked at the human-shaped white jade statue and asked doubtfully.

Jiang Xuan handed the statue to Jiang Xinghuo and said softly.

"Brother, look what this looks like."

Jiang Xinghuo took the statue and looked at it carefully for a moment, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

Although this statue is dressed in Taoist robes, why does it look familiar?

etc!

Isn't this my statue? !

Jiang Xinghuo put down the statue, held down his cousin's shoulders, and looked at his face reflected in her eyes through her watery eyes.

broken,

I'm a stand-in.

Jiang Xinghuo fell back on the check-in chair, rubbed his cheek, and took a few breaths to regain his composure.

"Did you carve this thing? When did you get this skill?"

Jiang Xuan shook her head.

"A female crown gave it to me."

Jiang Xinghuo breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. Maybe it was a coincidence. It was not impossible that he was serious.

And Jiang Xuan's next words immediately made the breath he had just released get stuck in his throat, causing a violent cough.

"This is a smaller version of the statue of the Fertilizer Immortal outside. Now in many places in Zhili and Jiangnan, there are identical statues of the Fertilizer Immortal."

Jiang Xinghuo had heard Jiang Xuan talk about the binding of chemical fertilizers and Ming Dynasty national debt before, so he realized something was wrong, and then guessed Li Jinglong's identity.

But the new information now suddenly made him sober.

Fertilizer, Ming Dynasty National Debt, Fertilizer Immortal.

A small flash of lightning seemed to flash across Jiang Xinghuo's mind.

The Fertilizer Immortal is actually me?

At this time, Jiang Xuan also felt that something was a little wrong. She asked softly, "Brother, are you okay?"

"it's okay no problem."

Jiang Xinghuo suppressed the turmoil in his heart and pretended to be calm and said to his cousin.

"This Fertilizer Immortal looks so much like me. For a moment I thought it was carved in my likeness. I was a little shocked. What's the name of the Fertilizer Immortal?"

Jiang Xuan asked strangely: "How can the Fertilizer Immortal have a name? The Fertilizer Immortal is the Fertilizer Immortal."

After hearing this, Jiang Xinghuo felt relieved.

As long as the extremely social-destructive name "Fertilizer Immortal Jiang Xinghuo" is not passed down through history, then it won't be a big problem.

However, Jiang Xinghuo's vigilance level further increased. This time, just in case, Jiang Xinghuo asked again after learning more information.

"What other news have you heard recently? You can tell me about anything."

Jiang Xuan told Jiang Xinghuo all the market news she heard in the inn.

At first, it was all about the feud between the boss and the west, until one of the rumors aroused Jiang Xinghuo's high suspicion.

"You mean, there are rumors in the streets of Nanjing that the second prince Zhu Gaoxu is about to be released from prison and will compete with the eldest prince Zhu Gaochi for the heir apparent?"

Jiang Xuan nodded obediently.

"Which prison is the second prince Zhu Gaoxu in, and why is he imprisoned?"

"I'm in the imperial prison. I wonder if I know my brother?" As for the latter question, Jiang Xuan asked confusedly, "Why was he imprisoned? It seems that he was angry with His Majesty? Who can say clearly? Anyway, I have been there for several months. .”

Jiang Xinghuo was silent for a moment and asked the last question.

"What is Zhu Gaoxu like in the rumors in Nanjing?"

"Nine feet tall, King Xiang is reincarnated. He has a beard like a horned dragon and is strong enough to carry a cauldron."

Another small flash of lightning flashed through Jiang Xinghuo's mind.

Gao Yu, Big Beard, the Second Prince, Zhu Gaoxu!

A possibility that had never been imagined was realized through Jiang Xinghuo's own hands.

After waiting to die in prison, I was bored and gave advice to the country. The two students I taught were Cao Guogong Li Jinglong and the second prince Zhu Gaoxu!

No wonder!

No wonder the fertilizer fairy turned out to be me!