Zhu Houzhao originally planned to follow Zhang Zhou out of the city or see some novel things, especially useful weapons on the battlefield.
At this age, what he wants to do is no longer horseback riding or archery, but something more direct, either setting off cannons himself, or going hunting with a blunderbuss. In short, he is not afraid of anything. Age and lack of awareness of the dangers of this world.
But unfortunately, in the end, he didn't want to leave, so he was taken away by the Jinyiwei people.
When he left, he still looked unyielding, as if coming to see Zhang Zhou was an opportunity he gave Zhang Zhou, but there was obviously a little loss in his expression.
Because he can still feel that Mr. Zhang has lost "interest" in him, and is not as obedient to him as he was at first. He will not tease him, but rather treats him as a child. Seen by a stranger.
"Just wait. Sooner or later, I will ask you to follow me to fight on the battlefield. Then you will have to follow me even if you don't want to. Who makes me the king and you the minister?"
p>When Zhu Houzhao thought of this, he suddenly felt good again.
In terms of self-comfort, he is still relatively strong. He seems to be a born optimist, and a moment of depression cannot affect him.
Liu Jin didn’t hear clearly and asked hurriedly: “Your Highness, what did you say?”
Obviously Liu Jin vaguely heard the words about fighting together and thought he was talking to him. Yes, he really wanted the prince to affirm his ability, and also planned to let the prince support him well, after all, he had such a strong backer.
Zhu Houzhao said: "What does it have to do with you? Drive well! Just take me to the palace gate. I will come to you if I need anything in the future."
Liu Jin said: "I want to go back. The palace is waiting for you."
"Just you? Forget it." Zhu Houzhao said, "There are a lot of people serving in the East Palace. Besides, I don't care about you bunch of dead eunuchs. It's best to have more people. Bring some palace maids, especially the pretty ones, and I can talk to them."
At this time, Zhu Houzhao was already on the verge of adolescence, and he probably didn't care about the relationship between men and women. He doesn't quite understand it yet, but he seems to understand one thing.
That is, women are stronger than men.
His interest in the opposite sex is his biggest change recently. It seems that he wants to chat with a beautiful little palace maid from time to time.
Liu Jin felt a little aggrieved when she heard the prince calling herself a "dead eunuch", but she thought that the words were not directed at herself, and the prince had always been a sharp-tongued person. She thought that the prince had cared about her a lot in the past... ...Suddenly there was another warm current surging in my heart.
Being a servant should be to the point where you are moved. Liu Jin also took great care in respecting and serving Zhu Houzhao.
......
......
After Zhu Houzhao returned to the palace, he took his box and walked to Duanjing Hall.
Soon Zhu Youtang also learned that Zhang Zhou gave some "gifts" to the prince. He didn't understand what they were specifically.
And Yang Peng, who told the story, obviously couldn't explain it clearly, because Yang Peng himself didn't know what it was.
"...It is said that it can move on its own, just like the train that is being repaired now. It is one size smaller and not big. After the prince brought it back, it was already spread out by others. It is said that it can move on its own. He also had to assemble according to the drawings, and the prince did not pay attention to his homework," Yang Peng said carefully.
Zhu Youtang said: "It's a gift from Bingkuan. Of course, there is no need to worry and there will be no danger. Just let the prince play with this matter...just let him do it and don't make trouble."
Obviously, the emperor did not want to control his son too much. If Zhu Youtang was that kind of strict father, he would not make Zhu Houzhao an absurd emperor.
It’s not that Zhu Youtang doesn’t have the intention to control him, it’s just that he himself is not in good health, and he is too diligent, so that he lacks education for his son... and he is also very doting. This son will often follow his son's temperament.
Yang Peng said: "Cai Guogong is still researching new cannons and new gunpowder recently. I heard that several tests have been conducted, all outside the city. The effect is surprisingly good, but the range of the artillery has not been improved. Several new cannons have been cast and temporarily sent to the Beijing camp for training."
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "Bingkuan can do things."
Yang Peng. Then he said: "There is also the matter that His Majesty asked to investigate the British Duke. He has basically stayed at home recently and has not visited anyone in particular. I heard... that he often writes letters to his son in the northwest. The specific contents are as follows. Some of them were transcribed, but the content was unclear."
"Keep an eye on it," Zhu Youtang said, "There must be no trouble in the capital if there is a war in the northwest. When things go wrong, I am most afraid that those who were in the army have evil intentions." Yang Peng thought to himself, is your Majesty worried about the British rebellion?
I don’t even dare to lend him ten courages.
If it is not a rebellion, it may be because they are worried that the British Duke and others will target Cai Guogong, right?
There are still a group of capable people around these people, even dead soldiers. If there is any chance of being caught by them, the Ming Dynasty will change again.
……
……
Ning Tong recently returned to the capital.
This time she came back as the wife of the Zhang family to work for Zhang Zhou. She also claimed to be back to report her work to Zhang Zhou, but in fact, she couldn't help but feel closer to Zhang Zhou. When she returned to the capital, she was no longer the same person.
Because she is still a "sin-bearing body", she has to be careful when she returns to the capital. In addition to not wanting Mrs. Zhang to know that she is back, she also doesn't want to let Duke Cheng Guo know about her return. I know, but I don’t want the people in Dongchang and Jinyiwei to know...
She seems to be avoiding everything, but in fact, her return is not a secret, at least the Dongchang side knows it clearly.
By the time she saw Zhang Zhou, she had already returned to Beijingon the third day.
It’s not that Zhang Zhou didn’t have time to meet, but he deliberately didn’t meet.
Because when Ning Tong wrote to tell him that he was going back to Beijing, Ning Tong people had already left Binhai City, and Zhang Zhou hoped that Ning Tong could stay in Binhai City, even if he did not take care of Concubine Xian. It also gave Concubine Xian some psychological comfort, but Ning Tong seemed to be deliberately keeping a distance from Concubine Xian after experiencing the previous imprisonment.
She is afraid of death.
She won’t admit it, but it’s obvious that she can no longer regard Concubine Xian as a good sister.
Inside the theater.
In a private room, the windows were closed, and the weather was already relatively hot at this time. Zhang Zhou just wore a waistcoat and sat there with Zhang Lushui fanning him. After Ning Tong came in, he saw in front of him The scene was immediately a little avoided.
She also seems to have some low self-esteem.
Because from a certain perspective, her status is actually no different from Zhang Lushui and others. She is just a slave beside Zhang Zhou. The only difference is that Zhang Zhou has officially accepted her. Being a concubine is considered a status.
"Get out." Zhang Zhou said to Zhang Lushui.
Immediately Zhang Lushui went out and even brought Xiao Jangjin and others downstairs who were about to enter.
As a result, only Zhang Zhou and Ning Tong were left in the private room.
Ning Tong came over and saluted: "I have met the master."
Zhang Zhou said: "You shouldn't come back to Beijing, at least not for the time being. But I don't know how you feel. I understand. I’ll stay here for a few days and then go back.”
Ning Tong asked: “Master, did I do something wrong? I heard that there is something wrong with you. I will give you direct orders and let you do it yourself."
"Do you like being managed?" Zhang Zhou said, "I will leave some business to you and let you take care of it. Go ahead, are you still not satisfied?"
Ning Tong lowered her head and said: "I don't want to escape from the master's control, it's better for the master to regulate everything, and I will act according to my orders. It won’t cause trouble.”
Zhang Zhou was surprised when he said this.
The previous Ning Tong was not like this. The Ning Tong in front of her seemed to be a bit more dependent on men. It was obvious that this was not the way Ning Tong used to be.
Could it be that after experiencing some twists and turns, Ning Tong "wondered"?
"It's okay." Zhang Zhou said, "But you are in Binhai City, so I can't teach you everything about business, but I can teach you the necessary plans and some future plans. Tell you. Come here."
After this, Zhang Zhou asked Ning Tong to come to him.
There is no need to sit separately. After all, they are considered husband and wife. Zhang Zhou actually has some unclear thoughts about Ning Tong in his heart. At least this woman has some characteristics that do not belong to women of this era.
"The master has asked me to run the theater. Can I come and visit more these days?" Ning Tong said, "I will not disturb the master's work. At most, I will just find a place., to see how guests are treated here, and what is being sung on the stage. If possible, I would like to go backstage for a walk. ”
“Okay. ”
Zhang Zhou said, “Let Zhang Lushui take you there to take a look tomorrow. She is in the background and has a relatively high status. ”
After all, Zhang Lushui has some talents, that is, how to deal with men.
And because many people in the theater are people from North Korea, some of them also started to Assimilating the culture of the Central Plains, especially the culture of opera, Zhang Lushui was a pioneer, and had the qualification to meet Zhang Zhou, so that she became the foreman of the Koreans in the theater. Although the Koreans did not follow her orders, they encountered She would take the initiative to take care of everything.
Over time, Zhang Lushui regarded herself as the "mistress" in North Korea, equivalent to Zhang Zhou's spokesperson in the theater.
As for Xiao Jang Geum, he followed her behind. He seemed like a little follower, but he was often more farsighted than her. However, Zhang Lushui only regarded Jang Geum as a child and never let Jang Geum do other things. What he wants to do.
Zhang Lushui also has a strong desire to control.
Ning Tong leaves the theater. It was almost midnight.
At this time, the theater had already closed, and as Ning Tong left, Zhang Zhou also took a carriage back home, although he had a rest room in the theater. , but he did not go in that day.
The next morning, Ning Tong came to the theater. She really wanted to see Zhang Zhou as a heavenly master in the eyes of others and a powerful official in the dynasty. , how to manage a theater business that seems to have nothing to do with the powerful officials.
She wanted to know what was hidden in it.
Zhang Lushui took her. After walking around the backstage, she didn't see any clues. When she returned to a private room, there were only scattered guests, mainly in the afternoon. and at night, especially when there are many people.
“Madam, I’ll bring you some tea. ”
At this time, Xiao Janggeum not only spoke Chinese fluently, but also mastered a lot of Chinese knowledge and skills, such as singing in Chinese and memorizing poems. The rest was the basics of reading and writing. He also learned arithmetic.
Ning Tong seemed to like Xiao Zhangjin very much when he saw her. He called her over and asked with a smile: "I saw you yesterday, what's your name?" "
Little Jang Jin said: "This slave dare not say his name. In Chinese, he said it is Jang Jin. I don't know what it means either. ”
“Jiangjin. Ning Tong shook his head, "It sounds strange." What's your last name? ”
Jang Geum lowered her head, still not daring to speak casually.
Because in her opinion, there is still a difference between Koreans and Central Plains people. Well, it would be easy for her aunt to teach her a lesson, which would affect her ability to survive in the theater, and she felt that she could not live without the theater.
Of course, all of this.It was Zhang Lushui who was scaring her.
Let her character be a little depressed.
Ning Tong said: "Are you not a Han?"
"Yes." Jang Geum said, "I am from North Korea. The master said that I may not need to return in the future." North Korea, unless there is something there that really requires me to go back."
Ning Tong pursed her lips and said with a smile: "As a girl from North Korea, after you come to Ming Dynasty, what else do you have to go back to? Are your parents and relatives still there?"
Jang Jin shook his head, but did not explain what he meant.
Ning Tong only thought that she was an orphan and sighed: "She is also lonely. I have a family, but what is the difference between having a family and not having one?"
At this time Xiao Zhangjin, looking at Ning Tong, suddenly felt that she had the same problem as herself.
But Xiao Janggeum also knew that the woman in front of her was the "Madam" and her status was higher than her aunt. And her aunt was already very powerful, so this woman was even more powerful. As for why she is awesome, it is not something she can know at this age.
"Are you an opera singer in the theater?" Ning Tong asked.
"Yes." Xiao Janggeum said, "The master taught me to sing a Korean minor tune. I don't know if it was a Korean minor tune. When I first sang it, many people came to listen. The master said that my The voice was very ethereal and the singing was beautiful. Later, the master didn’t need me to come on stage, so he asked me to sing for him alone.”
“He is really...”
Ning Tong. I wanted to say that he really knows how to enjoy it, and he also monopolizes this little girl and prevents her from showing her good things to the world.
I then thought that this was just a slave of Zhang Zhou. How Zhang Zhou wanted to teach her or use her was her business, not hers.
Ning Tong said: "Originally, I wanted to let you go to Binhai City and work for me, but he... is the master you call him, and he didn't agree."
"Where is Binhai City?"
Xiao Janggeum was obviously a little nervous.
In her mind, she could not survive without the theater. It would be very dangerous to follow this lady.
“It’s not too far away, close to the sea. It’s more comfortable there. You don’t have to worry about food and drink. If possible, I can also teach you what I know, such as treating diseases. . Although I have only scratched the surface. "Recent transcoding has made us more motivated and updated faster. Please use your little hands to exit the reading mode. Thank you