Ancient promotion routine

Soon came the night of New Year’s Eve, when the sound of firecrackers continued. Zhang Yanjin stood on the attic and looked at the Nuo dance on Chang’an Avenue. The dancers on the street wore masks with heavy makeup, brightly colored clothes and high shoes. , beating on the long street.

Some Nuo dancers play the role of White Lady, some as Meng Jiangnu, and some as Nezha... There are characters in mythology and historical figures. These roles form China's huge system of Nuo gods and have a long history.

Half-grown teenagers ran behind the Nuo dancers, shedding a series of laughter.

Red lanterns are hung at the gates of every household. The difference from modern times is that the red lanterns are not electric lights, but red candles with the thickness of a child's arm. Only such thick red candles can burn overnight, bringing good luck to the new year. omen.

Looking at the bustling Chang'an Long Street, Zhang Yanjin was filled with emotion.It has been half a year since he came here, and he has gradually adapted to life here.Now that he's here, he can only go on, but the problem is, he doesn't want to go on, can't he?

Zhang Bowen was brought into the palace by Zhang Zhongqian to watch the "Nuo" in the palace. Zhang Xiuwu and Zhang Yanjin stayed at home to watch the house. After they ate dumplings with Mrs. Zhang, Zhang Xiuwu went back to the room to change clothes. Ready to stroll on Chang'an Avenue and join in the fun.

But when he came back, Zhang Yanjin was nowhere to be seen. He didn't know that Zhang Yanjin had returned to his own small courtyard until he asked the servants.

"Second brother, why did you fall asleep?" Zhang Xiuwu looked at Zhang Yanjin who was lying on the bed in his clothes, his eyes under his thick eyebrows were wide open.New Year's Eve pays attention to keeping the year old, his second brother knew to keep the year old in the past, why is he not even prepared to keep the year old this year?It's really bohemian.

Zhang Yanjin yawned. In modern times, there are very few people who still watch the new year as a family until the first day of the new year. Naturally, the same is true for him who came from modern times.

He looked at Zhang Xiuwu sleepily and said, "I'm just lying on the bed, I won't sleep."

Zhang Xiuwu was puzzled and said, "The exorcism meeting is only once a year, aren't you going to go out and watch it?"

Zhang Yanjin waved his hands lazily and said, "Go and join in the fun, I'll watch the house for us."

Zhang Xiuwu was extremely puzzled by Zhang Yanjin's deviant behavior, but he couldn't find a reason to refute it. The exorcism meeting didn't require everyone to participate, did it?

In this way, Zhang Xiuwu made an appointment with friends who had a good time on weekdays to attend the exorcism meeting, and Zhang Yanjin turned over and went to sleep after Zhang Xiuwu left.

It wasn't until the first day of the new year that Zhang Yanjin woke up slowly. Under Xiaolan's sleepy and surprised gaze, Zhang Yanjin washed and changed clothes refreshedly, and prepared to enter the palace with Zhang Zhongqian to pay the emperor a New Year's greeting.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the top ministers of the Wei Dynasty all entered the palace to pay New Year's greetings to the emperor, and each minister would bring out his own New Year's greeting gift. In this way, there was a comparison of superiority and inferiority.

In addition to Zhang Zhongqian, who is the Duke of Ning who works in the court, Zhang Yanjin, the emperor's personal recorder, works in the court, so Zhang Zhongqian will bring Zhang Yanjin with him when he visits the emperor's New Year's greetings on the first day of the lunar new year.

Zhang Zhongqian looked at the box in Zhang Yanjin's hand, looked puzzled at the butler beside him and said, "Didn't I ask you to send Erlang the New Year's gift prepared for the emperor?"

The housekeeper hurriedly stood up and explained: "It was indeed delivered, but Erlang said he wanted to take the gift he prepared for the emperor."

Zhang Zhongqian paused, and his eyes fell on the box in Zhang Yanjin's hand again.

"Uncle, this New Year's gift was brought back by my nephew from Datong, Xizhou." Zhang Yanjin opened the box and showed it to Zhang Zhongqian.

"Is this a brick?" The forehead lines on Zhang Zhongqian's forehead deepened because of surprise.

There is no decoration at all in the box that can be held with two hands. There is only a rectangular, powdery, pink, and orange thing. It is a red brick.

"Second brother, you gave this to His Majesty, isn't it obviously making His Majesty angry?" Zhang Bowen looked at Zhang Yanjin angrily and helplessly. Compared with other people's novelty treasures, the bricks in the box are not a little shivering!

Why can't his second brother be normal?Why does everything bother him?Today is the first day of the new year, it is not appropriate to get angry, he can only suppress the rising fire.

Even Zhang Xiuwu, who is a bit rough on weekdays, said seriously: "Second brother, today is the first day of the new year. No matter the emperor's subjects, or the prince's grandsons, they will send congratulations to the emperor. The gift you give to the emperor is not just Representing yourself, you represent our Ningguo Mansion!"

Zhang Yanjin smiled lightly and said: "It is precisely because of this that I want to send a special gift to the emperor to bring glory to our Ningguo Mansion."

"Erlang, didn't you hear what Saburo said? Today is the first day of junior high school, let's follow the rules and don't make the emperor unhappy on the first day of junior high school." Zhang Zhongqian is still more cautious. Although he does not agree with Zhang Yanjin's ideas, but for Zhang Yanjin, since childhood He indulged a little, and he was much more tactful when he said he disagreed.

"Uncle, there is still some time before we go to the palace, you just listen to my explanation." Zhang Yanjin knew that Zhang Zhongqian was not an arbitrary parent, so she patiently explained.

Zhang Zhongqian was silent for a while, finally nodded and said: "Okay, then tell me, what is the purpose of the bricks you sent to His Majesty."

Zhang Yanjin raised the bricks in his hand a little higher and said: "The things I gave to the emperor are called red bricks. This kind of thing is extremely hard. If you use this kind of thing to build a house, the house will be strong and not easy to decay. It can keep its original shape for several years. Years, not only saves wood, but also does not need to bother with maintenance every year."

He pondered for a while and said: "More importantly, a house built with red bricks and iron can have two, three, or even several floors, and it is not easy to collapse."

The current houses of the Great Wei Dynasty, whether they are palaces or houses used by ordinary people, are all one-story. As for inns, post stations, etc., they are at most two-story, and these two floors are connected by various wooden tenons. , although it won't collapse, it can't stand the erosion of time. Compared with the red brick house, it will collapse easily.

Zhang Zhongqian felt his head popping, stared at Zhang Yanjin and said, "The same goes for Qingzhuan."

Zhang Yanjin calmly said with a smile, "Then what if I say that firing red bricks is ten times cheaper than blue bricks?"

Zhang Zhongqian was stunned!

Blue bricks are rarely fired because of the difficulty, so they are basically used occasionally by nobles and palaces.In Dawei, most of the houses were built with earth and some stones.Zhang Zhongqian has been an official for so many years, how can he not understand people's livelihood?The benefits of brick houses to the common people are like clear water to fish.

The forehead lines on his forehead stretched out all of a sudden, he looked at Zhang Yanjin in surprise and said, "Erlang, are you serious about what you say?"

"Naturally."

Zhang Yanjin smiled and said: "To tell you the truth, Uncle, I have already started building such a house in Datong, and a house should be completed in March next year, and I will invite Uncle to live there for a few days. This red brick is also I had someone bring it here from Datong."

Then he paused: "In this short period of time, the red bricks in my warehouse have piled up three warehouses, and the number of people I recruited is even less than the number of people who built the house."

Hearing this, Zhang Zhongqian couldn't help reaching out to touch the red brick inside the wooden box, then pinched it again and said, "It's really as strong as the blue brick..."

Zhang Xiuwu couldn't help reaching out to touch it, squeezed it vigorously and said, "Second brother, is it really so easy to make this red brick? You came up with the method?"

But Zhang Bowen still doesn't believe that Zhang Yanjin can come up with it. After all, it's too far away from their lives. So many craftsmen didn't think of such a way to burn green bricks. The second brother is a dude who eats and drinks every day. How can he know?

Zhang Yanjin glanced at Zhang Bowen, shrugged his shoulders and said with a smile: "It's just a coincidence." He knew that in Zhang Bowen's heart, he had always been a representative of incompetence. If he didn't put the real house in front of Zhang Bowen, Zhang Bowen would not Believe him, but he doesn't care, after all, it doesn't matter whether Zhang Bowen believes it or not.

"Uncle, even if the red brick nephew does not present it to His Majesty today, he will present it to His Majesty another day. If Uncle is worried that the red brick will displease the Emperor, he will do so sooner or later. Why don't you let your nephew give it to His Majesty today?" This red brick is dedicated to the emperor, and my nephew has the confidence to show the emperor the benefits of this red brick and win glory for our Ningguo Mansion." Zhang Yanjin's eyes were burning like a torch, and his tone was firm.

Zhang Zhongqian stared at Zhang Yanjin, seemed to be moved by the firm expression in Zhang Yanjin's eyes, and was also a little bit moved by his father.

Although Zhang Yanjin is not his own son, he has always regarded Zhang Yanjin as his own son.

In addition, the things that Zhang Yanjin invented a few times ago were very favored by the emperor, and they were also very practical, especially things like the heater and Ruitan, which were simply popular throughout Chang'an City, so he really should let his nephew Zhang Yanjin go. Go try it, you can't always protect him under your wings, can you?

"Okay, let's try it." Zhang Zhongqian pondered for a while, and finally nodded in agreement, but he changed the subject: "But I have to change to a more delicate box, your box is too monotonous."

Zhang Yanjin also compromised, allowing the butler to change him into an exquisite carved box, not only the outside of the box is carved with exquisite patterns, but also the inside of the box is carved with blossoming red plums, which smells faintly fragrant, while the red bricks put In a piece of red silk.

The corners of Zhang Yanjin's mouth twitched slightly, it was the first time he had seen bricks packaged like this.

After the steward pulled the carriage over, Zhang Yanjin and Zhang Zhongqian got into the carriage together and rushed to the palace.

When the two arrived outside the palace, they got off the carriage.The imperial palace of Great Wei also had regulations on carriages. The carriages of princes, princesses, and princes could all enter through the gate. The courtiers' carriages could only stop at the entrance of the palace, and then enter the palace on foot.

Zhang Yanjin followed Zhang Zhongqian all the way through the Danfeng Gate, and came to the Hanyuan Hall along the main axis of the palace.

After all the people handed over the presents of court congratulations to the chief eunuch, they all stood in the order they stood in the court, waiting to say congratulations to the emperor.

At this time, the chief eunuch would stand at the lower head of the emperor, but a little higher than the civil and military officials, and receive the congratulatory gift from the little eunuch at the side, and show the gift to the emperor while reading. At this time, the emperor Being able to say something or nod their heads is a kind of recognition for the civil and military officials who came to congratulate them, and they can also fully display their gifts to the emperor by taking advantage of this opportunity.

Rui Guogong Zhou Qin, as the head of the civil servants, stood up first to present the New Year's greetings to the emperor: "My humble minister congratulates the emperor with blessings like the East Sea, and a long life without bounds. My emperor's literary skills and martial arts strategy, my great Wei cavalry will be able to conquer the outside of the pass!"

The chief eunuch also took the rationale handed over by the young eunuch, and sang in harmony: "Duke Zhou Qinjin of Ruiguo presents a volume of the Tripitaka "Danjuer"—"

With the economic prosperity and national strength of the Great Wei Dynasty, the culture of the Great Wei Dynasty also had a moist soil and began to flourish.The prosperity of Buddhism is a bright fruit on the tree of Wei Dynasty culture.

Zhang Yanjin looked up and found that although the Tripitaka "Danzhuer" looked like a yellow cloth package, when he opened it, he found that there were many articles inside.

First, the upper and lower mahogany boards are inlaid with gold, engraved with golden characters and patterns, the patterns are complicated and magnificent.

When the chief eunuch carefully removed the upper and lower mahogany boards, the dark blue inner sutra board inside appeared in front of everyone. It has to be said that the navy blue inner sutra board inlaid with golden patterns is elegant and delicate.

With the indigo blue inner sutra board also removed, the five-color embroidered sutra curtain with Buddhist scriptures embroidered inside was displayed in front of everyone like a beautiful heavenly book, making everyone unable to take their eyes off it.

The emperor was obviously very satisfied with the Tripitaka "Danjuer", he nodded repeatedly and said: "Ai Qing has a heart."

Generally, under such circumstances, since there are too many congratulatory gifts to see, and the emperor is also someone who has seen all kinds of rare treasures, when the people below present gifts, the emperor will only smile and nod. The emperor said something specifically, which can be said to be the greatest compliment to Zhou Qin.

Zhou Qin congratulated him a few more times before returning to his seat.

Zhao Guogong Chu Chigong saw Zhou Qin coming down, so he went up to say New Year's greetings to the emperor.

When it was Zhang Yanjin's turn, it was almost noon, and Zhang Yanjin almost yawned as she stood behind and waited.

Firstly, his official position is too small, so he can only stand behind, and secondly, an official of his size is not qualified to enter the palace at all. He was able to enter the palace because of the honor of his uncle Ning Guogong Zhang Zhongqian .

Zhang Yanjin was very clear that she came in through connections, and stood at the back tactfully. Anyway, no matter whether she was standing in the front or the back, she couldn't leave early, so Zhang Yanjin simply stood behind.

After the chief eunuch took the brocade box handed over by the eunuch at the side, he didn't realize the surprised look on the young eunuch's face, and sang in unison as usual: "Zhang Yanjin, the accountant of the rear camp of the supply chain, offered a piece..."

There was silence in the hall, and everyone was staring at the chief eunuch who suddenly became hoarse.

The chief eunuch has been with His Majesty for more than ten years, and has never had such a problem. He looked at the red or orange rectangle object surrounded by silk in the brocade box, and organized his words for a long time, but Still can't find a word.

It's not that he is poor at words, but that he really doesn't know what this thing is!It's bricks, and the color is not blue.

Everyone's eyes fell on the chief eunuch, whose fair face was flushed red, looking at the emperor dully, just when he was about to kneel down and beg the emperor to forgive him, he heard Zhang Yanjin say: : "Red brick."

Everyone's eyes fell on Zhang Yanjin in unison, and even whispered in the courtroom.

"Red brick?" The emperor frowned slightly, and he felt that the word red brick was a bit strange.After all, in everyone's consciousness, bricks are blue or gray.

Zhang Yanjin slightly arched his hands and said, "Returning to the emperor, the New Year's gift I gave to the emperor is this red brick that has been tempered by the fire and has become extremely hard. I wish my Great Wei Dynasty as strong as gold!"

The emperor looked at the rectangular object in the brocade box again, with mixed feelings on his face.

"Zhang Yanjin, this year is the first day of the Lunar New Year. You gave the emperor a red brick and said that it was hardened by the fire. What is your intention? Do you want to threaten the emperor?!" The speech officer Liu Yanshi stood up angrily. road.

Since the last incident in the back camp of the supply chain, he has been staring at Zhang Yanjin. After Wang Jianting accepted the book from Xizhou Datong, he continued to contribute to the flames, but he did not expect that the emperor would give Zhang Yanjin a lesson and it would be over.

Afterwards, Liu Yanshi only felt that the emperor didn't care about Zhang Yanjin, a dude, just because of Zhang Zhongqian's face, so the resentment towards Zhang Yanjin in his heart deepened, and he even hated the Zhang family for no reason.He didn't believe that if he brought down Ning Guogong Zhang Zhongqian, Zhang Yanjin, a vampire living on a big tree, could continue to be arrogant!

But Zhang Zhongqian was cautious in his words and deeds, and Liu Yanshi stared at it for a long time, but he didn't find a mistake.

Today was the first day of the Lunar New Year, and he was already displeased with Zhang Yanjin who was dressed in brocade clothes, and Zhang Yanjin gave such a strange red brick and said strange things, he felt even more strange.

In addition, as far as he knew, Zhang Yanjin was not very serious, ignorant, and a dandy, so he felt that this time was a good opportunity to bring Zhang Yanjin down, so regardless of the occasion, he directly stood up and angered Zhang Yanjin.

Zhang Yanjin glanced at Liu Yanshi, and looked at his upright gaze, feeling agitated in his heart.

What he hated the most since he was a child is this kind of superficial excellence, who thinks that he is right in everything, and others have different values ​​from him, and indiscriminately thinks that others are wrong. I feel that this kind of person who is not as good as him can be better than himself, narrow-minded, mean and arrogant.

The last time Liu Yanshi provoked him indiscriminately, he didn't care. Is this guy still addicted?Come again this time?Since this guy is looking for trouble on his own, don't blame him for not giving him face!

Isn't this Liu Yanshi the speaker?What a speech officer pays attention to is being able to speak well, and today he is going to speak so that Liu Yanshi is speechless!

Zhang Yanjin cupped his hands, and said slowly: "Report to the emperor, I have something to say."

Liu Yanshi can be said to be the most troublesome speaker of the emperor, he can't go out of line, once he goes out of line, he will definitely be caught by Liu Yanshi.

What kind of situation would it be for an upright speaker and Zhang Yanjin, a rascal who always does things out of order?The emperor suddenly became interested. He looked at Zhang Yanjin and nodded slightly: "But it's okay."

"All living beings have the wisdom and virtue of the Tathagata. When you practice Zen and enlightenment, you should pay attention to seeing your mind and nature. People with Buddha nature see everything as a Buddha, and people with evil thoughts see everything with filth. Similarly, the same thing, benevolent people see benevolence A wise man sees wisdom, and a prostitute sees prostitution."

The author has something to say: continue to send red envelopes~~