The daily life of the great grandson of Ming Dynasty

Zhu Zhanji is not afraid of being ugly and has a sweet mouth, which attracted many people to come to his stall to watch.

Seeing that the calligraphy on the couplets he sells is really beautiful, and they only cost a penny a pair, many people are willing to spend this money to buy them.Some people were very generous and bought several pairs of couplets in one go.

Even the boss who sells calligraphy and paintings next door came to Zhu Zhanji's stall to buy couplets.They understand the words on the couplets sold by Zhu Zhanji better than ordinary people.

The words on the couplets sold by Zhu Zhanji are flowing, vigorous, graceful, upright and elegant...not something ordinary people can write.These couplets look like they were made by famous masters.

The owner of the calligraphy and painting booth asked Zhu Zhanji where these couplets came from, and Zhu Zhanji asked someone to help write them.

Many people came to buy couplets. Seeing Zhu Zhanji and his elder brothers selling couplets, they curiously asked how their children came out to sell couplets.

Zhu Zhanji made up a story for himself a long time ago, saying that their family didn't have much money, so they wanted to come out to make some money, and then help the family buy some New Year's goods.As for why the couplets were sold so cheaply, it was because they came out to set up a stall to sell things for the first time, fearing that no one would buy the couplets of their children, so they decided to sell them for a penny.

Hearing what Zhu Zhanji said, the people who came to buy the couplets felt that their children were filial.Some people took the initiative to raise the price, but Zhu Zhanji refused.

"Master, I sold a pair to the people in front of me for a penny, but I can't sell you a pair for five pennies. It's dishonest to do so."

"Son, it's me who is willing to pay five cents for your couplets, and it's not you who raised the price." The uncle who took the initiative to raise the price has a kind face and a handsome figure.He saw that although Zhu Zhanji looked ordinary, but his eyes were smart, his small mouth was sweet and could speak, he was smart and cute, and people couldn't help liking him.

"That doesn't work either. I sell a pair for a penny, and I will never charge you more." Zhu Zhanji did not expect to meet a buyer who took the initiative to raise the price, "If you give me five pennies, I will give you more money." You have five couplets."

Seeing that Zhu Zhanji insisted not to raise the price, the uncle had no choice but to let him.

"Then I'll buy five pairs of couplets." This was the first time he had seen such an honest and trustworthy child.

Zhu Zhanji was not in a hurry to choose couplets for the uncle, but first asked: "Master, do you have any children in your family who study, or do you have any children who want to take the imperial examination?"

The uncle didn't know why Zhu Zhanji asked such a question, but he still replied: "Yes, I have two grandsons who are studying, and they will definitely take the imperial examination in the future."

"Then how old are your two grandsons, how many years have they been studying, and where did they study?"

"My eldest grandson is 16 years old this year, and my younger grandson is 13 years old this year. They are both studying at Yingtianfu Academy." Mentioning the two grandsons who are studying, the uncle's expression is very proud.

When the people next to him heard that the two grandsons of the uncle were studying in Yingtianfu Academy, they all cast envious eyes.

"Your two grandsons are both studying at Yingtianfu Academy, so they are very good." Yingtianfu Academy is not only the best academy in Nanjing, but also one of the best academies in Jiangnan, and even in the whole of Ming Dynasty. "Then they will definitely be able to obtain fame if they take the imperial examination in the future."

Others echoed Zhu Zhanji's words one after another, and the uncle was very happy when he heard this.

"Little boss, I accept your good words."

"Master, I can tell from your face that you are a blessed person, and you will definitely enjoy the blessing of your grandson in the future."

The uncle was very happy to be coaxed by Zhu Zhanji's words: "Hahahaha...you can read faces, little boss."

Chen Wu and Xu Jingchang looked at their Highness in astonishment, they didn't even know that His Highness could read photos.

"I can only look at the superficial. You must be a blessed person with such kindness and kindness."

"Thank you little boss for the compliment."

"You're welcome." Zhu Zhanji selected five couplets and handed them to the uncle, "Master, these five couplets are all related to the future, I hope it can bring good luck to your two grandsons, I wish them success in the future and serve the court .”

The uncle is obviously literate, and he was very happy to see that the five couplets Zhu Zhanji selected for him were indeed related to his future.What pleased him most was that the characters on the five couplets were very beautiful.Although the uncle doesn't know calligraphy, he can tell that the five couplets are written very well.

Of course it is very good, Zhu Zhanji specially selected five couplets written by the top scholars.

Most of the officials of the Hanlin Academy are champions, or the second and third, and the worst are Jinshi.

"Little boss, thank you." The uncle happily accepted the five couplets.

"Master, the imperial examination will be resumed next year. If your two grandchildren take part, I wish them the best of luck."

"Little boss, will the imperial examinations really resume in the next year?" The uncle has not heard of this matter.

"Really, you let your two grandsons study hard."

Due to wars in recent years, the imperial examinations have not been held normally.Now that the world is peaceful, Zhu Di naturally wants to resume the imperial examination.

"Okay, okay, I will let my two grandsons study hard." The uncle wanted to say something more, but was pushed aside by others.

When they heard that the imperial examinations would be resumed next year, many people wanted to buy couplets related to their future.

The two hundred couplets that Zhu Zhanji brought out were sold out within a short while.He was worried that it would not be sold out, but he didn't expect it to be sold out in less than an hour.

After selling the couplets, Zhu Zhanji was not in a hurry to go back to the palace, and chatted with other stall owners and common people in front of his stall.

Seeing that Zhu Zhanji was eloquent, clever and cute, the people chatted with him.

Regardless of how young Zhu Zhanji is, he is very good at chatting and can quietly get what he wants to know from other people.

The small vendor told Zhu Zhanji that life has been difficult in recent years.Because of the war, the price of food has risen a lot.The emperor at that time didn't care about this matter at all, or the current emperor severely punished those unscrupulous businessmen who raised the price of grain as soon as he came to Nanjing, so that the price of grain returned to normal.

"The harvest in the past few years has not been very good, and the previous imperial court doubled the collection of grain."

"We are in the capital, so we don't have to worry about the lack of food, but food is expensive."

"In the past few years, many refugees have come to the capital, but they were all turned away."

"There are still many refugees who died outside the city, committing crimes."

"Those in power ordered the expulsion of the refugees."

"Some of those refugees are not good people. I heard that they rob people outside the city."

"I have relatives in the countryside outside the city, and their village was robbed by refugees. They reported it to the government, but the government didn't care."

"I heard that many people died."

It was the first time Zhu Zhanji heard about this kind of thing, and he was shocked when he heard it: "There are refugees?" Why hadn't he heard of it. "Are there still refugees?"

"It seems to be gone now."

"Before the emperor came to Nanjing, those refugees ran away in fear."

Zhu Zhanji hurriedly asked, "Where did you go?"

"I do not know."

Zhu Zhanji asked again: "Then do you know where these refugees come from?"

An aunt said: "Listen to the accent, there are people from the north, and some from Yangzhou and Changzhou."

"North?" Zhu Zhanji asked thoughtfully, "Did these refugees appear because of the wars in the past few years?"

"No, there were refugees before the war."

A middle-aged man said: "Before the war, many refugees came to the capital."

"Before the war?"

"There were quite a few before the war." The middle-aged man said in a low voice, "When the previous one ascended the throne, there were droughts or floods in many places, resulting in no food in many places."

"Sigh, there were really no food in many places in those years."

Zhu Zhanji had never heard of such a thing.Since his birth, Beiping Mansion had sufficient food.Even though there have been wars in the past few years, Beiping Mansion has no shortage of food.

"That is to say, there have been refugees all these years?"

"Yes, always have."

After Zhu Zhanji heard this, he didn't dare to believe it: "There have always been refugees, and the officials in the capital don't care?"

"No matter, they drove the refugees away."

"I think it's because the previous one was not the real dragon emperor, so droughts and floods occurred after he came to power."

"In the past few years, I am afraid that many people have starved to death."

"I heard that when the current Holy Majesty was in Beiping Mansion, the weather in Beiping Mansion was good and the harvest was abundant every year."

"This shows that the current emperor is the real dragon emperor."

"Now that the Holy Majesty is enthroned, I don't know if the weather in the south of the Yangtze River will be smooth?"

"It's going to be fine."

Zhu Zhanji wrote down what they said, and then asked, "Is there anything else besides refugees?"

"Nothing."

Next, the common people talked about the family's shortcomings.

Zhu Zhanji listened with gusto, and decided to tell Zhu Di and Empress Xu after returning to the palace.

"Little boss, will you come here to sell couplets tomorrow?"

"Come, come tomorrow afternoon."

"Then we'll wait for you."

After saying goodbye to the small traders and the common people, Zhu Zhanji took Chen Wu and the others back to the palace.

Zhu Di has long been waiting for Zhu Zhanji in Kunning Palace.While playing chess with Empress Xu, he chatted about some things in court.

Hearing the voice of saluting Zhu Zhanji from outside, Zhu Di and Empress Xu looked at each other and smiled: "I'm back."

"Grandmother, I'm back." Zhu Zhanji ran in bouncingly, and then saluted Empress Xu and Zhu Di, "I've seen Grandpa and Grandmother."

Looking at Zhu Zhanji's smiling face, Zhu Di joked, "Why are you smiling so happily, all the couplets are sold?"

"That's right, they are all sold out. I'll go find my husband and the others to write couplets tomorrow." Zhu Zhanji took two hundred coins from Chen Wu and showed off in front of Zhu Di and the others, "Grandfather and Grandmother, two full couplets." A hundred coins."

Seeing the smug little grandson, Empress Xu laughed and said, "It's thanks to Mr. Yang and the others that you can earn two hundred Wen."

"I decided to thank Mr. Yang and the others tomorrow." Zhu Zhanji turned his head and told Chen Wu, "Let Guanglu Temple deliver meals to the Imperial Academy at noon tomorrow, and ask them to cook some good dishes for Mr. and the others, as well as snacks. "

"Yes, Your Highness."

"By the way, tell the people in Guanglu Temple that this is a thank you gift from me to my husband. If they dare to neglect, I will never forgive them lightly."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Zhu Di smiled and said, "You will thank me."

"I can only treat Mr. Yang and the others to dinner." Zhu Zhanji pouted and said, "I can't reward them with golden beans."

Empress Xu teased, "Are you willing?"

Zhu Zhanji said very frankly: "I can't bear it." He couldn't bear to use those golden beans.

Empress Xu and Zhu Di were stunned when they heard what Zhu Zhanji said, and then they smiled helplessly: "You are honest."

"Grandfather, I have something to tell you."

"Go and wash your face first." Zhu Di still didn't like his grandson's ordinary appearance.

"I'll wash right away."

"This child actually sold for two hundred Wen." Empress Xu felt incredible, "How did this child sell?" Although the couplets Zhu Zhanji sold were written by officials of the Imperial Academy, Zhu Zhanji is a child To sell, not necessarily someone will buy.

"Zhanji has always been smart, so it's not surprising that he sold all the couplets he brought." Zhu Di is also full of confidence in Zhu Zhanji's grandson.

"Did you see how proud he was just now?" Empress Xu found it funny when she thought about it, but at the same time she was a little worried, "This kid was originally a money addict, but now he made two hundred coins by selling couplets. I'm afraid he might be addicted to it." This."

Zhu Di was not worried: "Queen, you have underestimated Zhan Ji."

Empress Xu didn't quite understand what Zhu Di meant, so she asked with a puzzled face, "What do you mean?"

"Zhanji is a money addict, but he is not obsessed with all kinds of money, and he knows his responsibility, and he will never indulge in business for two hundred coins." Zhu Di played with the chess pieces in his hand and smiled deeply. "This kid has a very clear heart."

"Your Majesty, you have full confidence in Zhanji."

Zhu Di looked at Empress Xu, and said in a deep tone, "He is my grandson."

At this time, Zhu Zhanji washed himself clean.

"Grandfather, do you know the refugees?"

"Refugees?" Zhu Di asked in surprise, "What refugees?"

"Grandfather, after I sold the couplets, I heard from the vendors and the people that there have been refugees in recent years, and there are quite a few refugees."

Zhu Di immediately frowned when he heard this, and his face darkened.

"Where are the refugees?"

"The refugees don't know where they are now, but they have always been here." Zhu Zhanji told Zhu Di in detail what he had heard.

After Zhu Di and Empress Xu finished listening, the faces of the couple became heavy at the same time.

Empress Xu couldn't believe it: "Did Yun Wen ignore the refugees?"

Zhu Di sneered and said, "I'm afraid he doesn't know."

"I think Grandpa Huang is right. Those officials concealed the matter of the refugees." Zhu Zhanji frowned, with a very serious expression, "Now it's not about finding out whether the villain Uncle Yunwen is responsible for the refugees, but that the refugees are Where did you go?" Listening to what the people said, there were a lot of refugees before.It is not a good thing that so many refugees are now missing.

If there are more and more refugees, it will cause riots.Some refugees even carry the plague on their bodies, so they cannot sit idly by.

"Zhanji is right, we have to investigate where those refugees are going."

"They also said there was a possibility that refugees could go to the north."

"North?" Zhu Di suddenly thought of the refugees he saw during the march, "I will send someone to investigate."

"Grandpa Huang, in the past few years, there have been droughts or floods in the south of the Yangtze River. I think you have to send someone to check the river."

Hearing this, Zhu Di raised his eyebrows in surprise and asked, "Why check the river?"

"Whether it's a drought or a flood, it's all related to the river. I think it's better to investigate." Zhu Zhanji didn't know why he wanted to investigate the situation of the river, but there was a voice in his head that made him say so. "Didn't there be a flood last year? I think the river may have accumulated a lot of silt. If there is too much silt, it will not only affect the flow of the river, but even cause floods."

Zhu Di and Empress Xu looked surprised, they didn't expect Zhu Zhanji to think of this.

"Grandfather, there are too many rivers and canals in the south of the Yangtze River, so we need to investigate carefully."

"Zhanji, who told you about the river?"

"Grandpa once told me about the canal, and the canal is very important." Zhu Zhanji said, "I just thought about checking the river."

"Grandpa Huang will send someone to investigate the river immediately." Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanji and praised, "Zhanji, you are selling couplets for nothing."

"Isn't the purpose of Grandpa letting me set up a stall to make money is to let me understand the affairs of the people." If you want to understand the sufferings of the people in depth, you must be among the people. "I'll sell couplets tomorrow, and listen to more folk stories."

"What else have you heard?"

Zhu Zhanji told Zhu Di and Empress Xu about the short stories he heard from the parents.

After Zhu Di and Empress Xu finished listening, they took Zhu Zhanji to the dining room for dinner.

Bai Hua and Ma Sanbao arranged meals.

Empress Xu smelled the aroma of vegetables and suddenly felt sick.