The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Why don't you take it seriously? Lord Banshee, do you think that I smell like copper and don't want to recognize me as an old friend? Feng Zhu pretended to be loud, with a look of sadness and regret on his face.

If you can change my fault of being anxious, I'll be a bit gentler. Mei Hanlin reluctantly took his eyes away from the painting and teased the wealthy man from Yangzhou in front of him.

If Monkey King says that, he might as well become a kind-hearted living Bodhisattva and take the dog under his tutelage and teach him carefully, so that the smell of copper in my house can be cured.

Mei Changlong smiled and said nothing. He had met Feng Zhu's son. He had a fat head, big ears, and a perverse temperament. If his father hadn't taken care of him, he would have been lawless.

We've finished admiring the paintings. Why don't we have a few drinks. I just have a naughty joke to tell you. I'm sure you'll laugh when you hear it. Feng Zhu took Mei Changlong's hand and made a gesture of intimacy. The latter had just received a precious painting and did not refuse it. Just asked: What is it?

Didn't Mr. Lin's beloved daughter celebrate her birthday some time ago? Feng Zhu pulled Mei Changlong to the table. As soon as he sat down, seven or eight maids came forward to serve him. The two of them washed their hands and rinsed their mouths. . At that time, Mr. Lin invited us to accompany him. That idiot from the Zhao family sent us a handwriting in a daze. Guess whose it is?

Mei Changlong held the tea cup, blew lightly, and cooperated in a good mood: Who is it?

Li, Tai, Bai!!

Feng Zhu finished speaking word for word.

Pfft!!! Mei Changlong, who was half choked, blushed, patted his chest and pointed at Feng Zhu. It took him a long time to recover and said, It's an insult to elegance, it's an insult to elegance!!

Feng Zhu just giggled and continued: He only knew that Li Bai was a banished immortal, but he thought that Li Taibai was just a vassal fanatic. So he wanted to give it away as a gift. This man has always been stingy and won't give a banquet. The superior knew about this, and as soon as he got home, he beat up the servant who was in charge of the matter and sold him out.

Mei Changlong was no longer concerned about this. He stood up and walked around the table a few times, murmuring to himself with a look of urgency on his face: How can a little girl be exposed to such a rare treasure? No, I I have to go to His Majesty to read a copy of it.

Hearing this, Feng Zhu couldn't help curling his lips. If you have this ability, you cannot let a young scholar climb over you. Even though Lin Ruhai is only a minor official now, he is so powerful that he is in charge of Yangzhou's most important salt policy.

And I heard that he has won the trust of His Majesty and will take over the post of magistrate after Master Wei expires. You, a top three Jinshi, are just pretending to be a Hanlin Duke in front of me. Who doesn't know why you came to Yangzhou?

What happened to that calligraphy treasure? Did they really take it into the house? Mei Hanlin felt very regretful, feeling that the treasure fell into the hands of thieves.

Then I would like to congratulate Ban Shan Gong. Feng Zhugong cupped his hands and said with a smile, Hasn't Ban Shan Gong come to Yangzhou to serve as academic principal at Yangzhou Academy? Lord Lin happened to donate it to the academy and wanted to wait for you to take office. After that, you can hang it in the study room and enjoy it.”

This is not possible. I am here entrusted by Your Majesty to assist Grand Scholar Pei in running the academy. How can I hang this thing in my study? Since it was donated to the academy by Lord Lin, I am going to give it to the scholars. He is the one who improves his writing skills by copying every day.

Mei Hanlin shook his head in disapproval, but returned to his seat and sat down peacefully, no longer mentioning Shen Lin Ruhai in his words.

Feng Zhu doesn't understand elegance, but he understands people's hearts. He couldn't see what the other party meant, he just smiled and poured the wine. By chance, a row of waiters walked in carrying various delicacies.

As soon as a dish was served, a servant was standing by to announce the name of the dish. The first four items are: licorice, ice and snow cold water, lychee paste, broad mustard melon, and plum ginger. They all use first-class and thoughtful meals. Why do you think there are lychees in March? As a Yangzhou salt merchant, if you have money, you can find a way to do anything.

The four specialties are: hemp cured chicken skin, chicken head cooked in sand, pan-roasted rabbit, and crispy crystal dumplings.

The last four items have been changed again, in order: fragrant candies, fried carvings with honey, minced peony chicken, and lettuce shoots.

After three rounds of wine, I drank until I was half drunk. Under the maid's clothes, Mei Hanlin even called for calligraphy and wrote four big characters for Feng Zhu: Extremely elegant.

Feng Zhu was extremely happy to accept it and said that he recognized a treasure today and gained another treasure. He was really happy.

Mei Hanlin was also happy, his face turned red and his ears turned red, which was truly the joy of his life.

But Feng Zhu stood up and said that he was going to prepare a gift for the other party. He left the other party to drink alone, while he got up and walked outside. When he reached the verandah, a steward came forward and handed him a stack of banknotes.

Feng Zhu took it with one hand and asked directly: How are the scholars in the front hall taking care of you?

I went to take a look. Manager Ji was with me, and they drank with all their heart.

Feng Zhu nodded and continued walking forward quickly. At this moment, the house was brightly lit like daylight, and there were still six maids and servants holding lanterns in front.

After walking hurriedly, Feng Zhu panted and walked into the hall. He was so rich that he was walking in a hurry. They couldn't help but gasp, but when the scholars saw his appearance, half of the blame in their hearts disappeared.

Everyone, please forgive me. It's really unlucky that I have old friends here to meet me today. I missed my chance to meet future candidates and scholars.

Everyone declined one after another and exchanged polite remarks with each other. Feng Zhu opened his mouth again to explain that he had promised in front of the magistrate two months ago to give each county case leader one hundred taels of silver.

He also said: I made a mistake today, and the hundred taels were entrusted by the prefect. The other one hundred taels was an apology from him and Mei Hanlin.

The scholars were drinking happily, so they had reason not to agree. In addition, he received a windfall, and he praised Mr. Feng for his righteousness and the magistrate's mercy. The conversation while drinking was ridiculous.

Taking this opportunity, Feng Zhu walked up to the county head of the case one by one and handed over the two hundred taels in person, while saying words of forgiveness.

When the matter was over, Manager Ji stood up, picked up the wine glass, and invited everyone to drink. Only Chen Heng noticed that Feng Zhu had quietly left and continued to accompany his Hanlin Duke.

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After hurriedly returning to Mei Changlong's place, Feng Zhu sat down without changing his expression. Seeing him leaving in a hurry, he returned empty-handed. Mei Changlong couldn't help but asked curiously: Didn't you say you were going to get the treasure and appreciate it with me? Where is the treasure?

Feng Zhu smiled mysteriously, turned to the other party's ear, and told the scholars one by one. He also mentioned that he had given an extra one hundred taels in the name of the other party.

Having not yet entered the academy, Ban Shangong has already gained the trust and friendship of the students. This is nothing but a treasure. It is easy to get priceless treasures, but it is difficult to know the people you know. I think that with these criminal leaders here, Ban Shangong will also gain a lot in the academy. Fragrant peaches and plums are the ones.”

After hearing this, Mei Hanlin was very moved. He stood up and held Feng Zhu's hand, sighing: You are also my close friend.

Can a rough guy like me be a close friend of a monkey?

What's wrong? The most important thing is sincerity.

Feng Zhu laughed and raised his wine glass to greet him. The two of them drank a few more times, and Feng Zhu suddenly sighed. Mei Changlong couldn't help but ask why.

It's troublesome to talk about this matter. Feng Zhu shook his head and sighed, Didn't I mention Master Lin's invitation earlier? He set up a trap with the prefect to deceive and kill us salt merchants.

After telling the whole story about what happened in Lin's house, Feng Zhu said with half eagerness and half regret: Mr. Banshang, I don't feel sorry for the money, but it's just a matter of a few thousand taels, I can just turn around and deal with it. It's just that since Mr. Wei took office , they are pressing hard on us ordinary people, which really makes me wonder what we did wrong, and I would like to ask Banseng Gong to clarify our doubts.

You idiot, your Majesty is short of money. Mei Hanlin shook his head. Although he has been studying books in the Hanlin Academy, living in the court for a long time can be regarded as a training of his eyesight. Now it is suitable to show off, In the eighth year of Wu Ding's reign, various grassland tribes invaded. Your Majesty wanted to raise an army to attack, but the treasury could not afford the money, so he had to give up.

Then just say no to us. You can still make money. It is a righteous act to help the country like this. I, Feng Zhu, am not a reckless person. I am definitely willing to spend all my wealth to help His Majesty.

Are you really willing to give up? Mei Changlong really drank too much and even dared to say such things to his face. Fortunately, he continued to talk smugly, You still think too little. Instead of bowing your head and asking you to donate, why doesn't Your Majesty directly Take Yanzheng as an example, then you will be the Ninth Five Supreme Being who dominates the world, and you will have the courage of a heroic leader.

Then I'm done waiting? Feng Zhu's face turned as white as a sheet of paper when he heard this.

Why are you so anxious! When I don't know whether the Jinling Honors behind you are noble or not? This matter is easy to think about but difficult to do. Why is the Supreme Emperor still here? There are many people who are stumbling upon His Majesty. Just watch. The eldest daughter of the Jia family entered the palace as a female official the year before last, and she was named a talented person last year.

This is the condition His Majesty has given to the nobles to allow them to come down the slope. It's a pity that even Yang Guang has not touched the salt policy. His Majesty's wishful thinking may not be so easy to realize.

Speaking of this cruel emperor in the history books, Feng Zhu let out a giggle and commented: A harsh government is stronger than a tiger. This kind of truth needs to be taught to scholars by Banshen.

That's right. Being warlike is the sign of ruining a country. Your Majesty only thinks about your own reputation. How can you make fun of the country and the country? I came to the academy this time to tell them more about the examples of Qin and Sui Dynasty.

Good, Mr. Mei is righteous.

Feng Zhu laughed and toasted to invite him.

When I looked up the information, I was quite surprised. It is said that Lao Yang was very happy throughout his life, but during this period, people were in dire straits. As a result, the most profitable salt policy was not even touched. I don’t know if it’s true or false.