"The Emperor's Longevity Festival is coming." As he spoke, Han Du stared directly at Li Yuanming.
Li Yuanming didn't know what Han Du meant when he mentioned the Longevity Festival, so he looked at him doubtfully.
"This is the Wanshou Festival, and the emperor has appointed me as the ceremonial officer."
Li Yuanming's pupils shrank suddenly when he heard this, and his face suddenly turned red. This was because he was angry.
"Why, why is this?" All the previous Wanshou Festivals have been organized by the Ministry of Rites. How can Han Du, a noble man, be allowed to serve as the ritual officer now?
Due to the power of the civil service group in the pre-Song Dynasty, even in the Ming Dynasty, the civil servants never gave up on wanting to restore their status to the status of the pre-Song Dynasty. In the eyes of civil servants, noble officials were almost on the same level as vulgar warriors.
Equal sign.
How can we leave things like Wanshou Festival etiquette to Han Du? ???
Han Du glanced at Li Yuanming and said with a smile: "Of course it's because this Wanshou Festival is unusual. This year is the Emperor's birthday, and the Ming Dynasty destroyed the Bei Yuan Dynasty and captured the Bei Yuan Emperor in front of the emperor. Naturally, it is necessary
Big things are done.”
After hearing this, Li Yuanming's face was solemn. He stood up unceremoniously and stared at Han Du, as if to warn Han Du: "If you have such a big job, it should be left to the Ministry of Rites. Isn't it too much for the Marquis to have a hand in it?"
pass?"
How did the Ministry of Rites gain a sense of presence in front of Lao Zhu? It relied on various ceremonial activities in the court, the most important of which was Lao Zhu's Wanshou Festival. And this year's Wanshou Festival is still so special and important.
, the Ministry of Rites was naturally unwilling to relinquish the power of hosting.
Facing Li Yuanming's hostility, Han Du was not angry. He smiled calmly and said, "I think you have misunderstood. I did not take this position of courtesy officer myself, but was directly appointed by the emperor.
If you can advise the emperor, I would be willing to give it up to you as the official of ceremony. How about that?"
Li Yuanming's heart skipped a beat, and he glanced at Han Du blankly, then slowly sat back down as if frustrated. If he were the Minister of Rites, he could still argue with Lao Zhu. Unfortunately, he was just a minister, and there was no way he could have any predecessors.
Are you qualified to ask the emperor to change his will?
Han Du was very open-minded. Seeing the grievance on Li Yuanming's face, he filled Li Yuanming's tea with his own hands and persuaded him: "Don't feel aggrieved, Mr. Li. In fact, I am just as aggrieved as Mr. Li."
Li Yuanming thought that Han Du was provoking him because he was getting an advantage and being obedient. He turned to look at Han Du angrily, but he only saw a face full of sincere smiles.
Han Du opened his hands and closed them again, and said: "To be honest, I am not willing to be the official of ceremony. Perhaps in your opinion, being the official of ceremony is an opportunity to make meritorious deeds. As long as this Wanshou Festival is successfully held,
, that will be a great achievement for you and the Ministry of Rites."
Li Yuanming was told something that was on his mind by Han Du, but he had a big heart, and even so, there was no trace of emotion on his face. It was as if what Han Du said had nothing to do with him, and he, a scholar, did not bother to take such credit.
.
This is how people like Li Yuanming, who have been thoroughly influenced by the officialdom inside and out, clearly want to die in their hearts, but they still want to act like they don't care about anything.
A perfect interpretation of what it means to be both responsible and established.
Han Du didn't care about his disagreement, as long as he knew what was going on, he continued: "If I want to take credit, I will capture the Emperor of Beiyuan in front of the imperial court. Is it rare to be greater than this? But I
Give up when you say you want to give up. Have you ever seen me hesitate? This time, the Emperor requested that the Longevity Festival be more grand and grand than before. To be honest, I don’t know how much effort I spent on this.
Do you think I am willing to be this ceremonial officer?"
After a pause, Han Du directly confronted Li Yuanming: "I came here today just to tell you that as long as the Ministry of Rites cooperates with me to successfully organize this Wanshou Festival, it will still be yours if it is your credit.
I will not covet you even a little bit."
"Do you really mean what the Marquis said?" Li Yuanming suddenly felt happy, his eyes widened in surprise, and he cried out in surprise. Perhaps if someone else had said this, Li Yuanming would have just sneered at it, because he simply didn't believe that someone would give up easy-to-get credit.
But since it was Han Du who said it, even though Han Du was a noble and not close to him, he somehow believed Han Du's words.
As Han Du said, this Wanshou Festival
It can be said to be three blessings for the Ming Dynasty. If it is successfully completed, the credit will naturally be huge.
Thinking of this, Li Yuanming's chest felt hot, and he suddenly felt a burst of heat.
"I have said that the credit for this Wanshou Festival belongs to you. Of course, the prerequisite for you to get these credits is to do your best to help me organize this Wanshou Festival to the satisfaction of the Emperor.
"Although Han Du nodded in agreement with Li Yuanming, he also made demands on him.
Regarding Han Du's request, Li Yuanming fully agreed.
It is good to have demands. It is precisely having demands that can show that what Han Du said is true. If there are no demands at all, then Li Yuanming will doubt Han Du's purpose. There is no such thing as pie in the sky.
This has been the case since ancient times.
And if the Ministry of Rites wants to show up at this Wanshou Festival and earn credit in front of the emperor, the prerequisite is to run the Wanshou Festival well and to the satisfaction of the Emperor. Han Du's requirements are consistent with Li Yuanming's hopes, and there is no conflict at all.
, Li’s original name will naturally have no objection.
"Don't worry, Lord Marquis. I promise you that the Wanshou Ceremony Department will fully cooperate with you this time. No matter what you need, just give me your instructions." Without the conflict of interest, Li Yuanming suddenly became much closer to Han Du. Even
Lower your posture in front of Han Du and take the initiative to show your goodwill to Han Du.
"Okay, with your words, I will feel relieved." Han Du picked up the tea and gestured to Li Yuanming with a smile.
Li Yuanming reacted quickly, picked up the teacup, and exchanged a greeting with Handu.
The two laughed loudly and drank the tea in one gulp.
Leave Fang Xiaoru behind to discuss the Wanshou Festival etiquette with Li Yuanming.
Han Du left the Ministry of Rites on his own and kept coming to see Lao Zhu.
"My lord, please pay homage to your Majesty."
Lao Zhu nodded lightly, stroked his beard and suddenly asked: "How is it? Are you satisfied with the new job I gave you?"
Han Du smiled bitterly upon hearing this, bowed and said, "Can I refuse?"
"How dare you!" Lao Zhu became so excited that he even tore off one of his beards, grinning in pain.
Thinking that all of this was caused by Han Du, I widened my eyes and wanted to deal with him.
"I lost a beard! Let me tell you, you have to be the official of etiquette whether you want to or not, and you have to handle my Longevity Festival well. If you can't handle it well, I can forgive you.
You, even my beard can’t spare you.”
"I obey." Faced with such an unreasonable person, Han Du had no choice but to agree no matter how reluctant he was.
"But I have some ideas about the Wanshou Festival and would like to ask the emperor for instructions."
When Lao Zhu saw that Han Du agreed, he felt relieved. As for Han Du taking the opportunity to raise conditions, it was just a matter of common sense, "Say it!"
"I want the Jiaofang Secretary to be responsible for the singing and dancing part of this Wanshou Festival." Han Du straightened up and said to Lao Zhu with a calm expression.
Lao Zhu's eyes widened when he heard this, and he placed a piece of jade he was playing with on the imperial desk, and asked in a bad tone: "What did you say? Can't we use the palace maid as before? Why do we have to use the Jiaofangsi?"
"
In a large-scale ceremonial event such as the Wanshou Festival, singing and dancing performances will naturally not be missing. However, in Lao Zhu's Wanshou Festival in the past, these singing and dancing performances were performed by palace ladies.
Jiaofangsi was a place used by Lao Zhu to punish the female relatives of criminal officials, and the female musicians there were all official prostitutes. In the past, the Ministry of Rites presided over Lao Zhu's Longevity Festival, so naturally Jiaofangsi would not be involved. Although these
Officials from the Ministry of Etiquette may often visit the Jiaofangsi, but they have never taken a direct look at the female musicians there. Naturally, they would not let the Jiaofangsi participate in such an important ceremonial event.
"Your Majesty, of all things in the world, only beauty can shock people's hearts. If you use a palace maid, I'm afraid it won't achieve the effect I want." Han Du shook his head.
Although there are many beauties among the palace ladies, they have been in the palace with strict rules for a long time and have been trained by the environment like mechanical puppets. This way
The dance performed by people will only make people feel stiff, how can it have soul?
How can songs and dances without soul shake people's hearts?
Of course, Han Du also has selfish motives, and wants to take this opportunity to help Jiaofangsi. Except for Yao Yue, all the female musicians in Jiaofangsi are still lowly. If he can make it happen during this Wanshou Festival, let him
Lao Zhu is happy, maybe things will turn around?
"Is there anything wrong with letting the Jiaofang Si come to sing and dance?" Lao Zhu pondered and looked at Han Du.
Lao Zhu had seen Jiaofangsi's singing and dancing with his own eyes, and was deeply impressed by its wonderful and magnificent momentum. It was precisely because of this that when Han Du mentioned that Jiaofangsi should replace the palace maid, Lao Zhu did not reject it outright.
, but asked Handu.
"Your Majesty, the Jiaofang Secretary is originally responsible for the imperial court's large and small celebrations and welcoming distinguished guests to perform music. This is determined by the Ministry of Etiquette. How could there be anything wrong?" Han Du took out the responsibilities of the Jiaofang Secretary with a smile.
He also pointed out that this was decided by the Ministry of Rites and not by oneself.
Lao Zhu suddenly looked at Han Du speechlessly, but he could not refute Han Du's words.
"What if I don't agree?" Lao Zhu looked at Han Du with bright eyes. At the same time, he felt a little regretful that with his tacit approval, the good Jiaofang Si, the Yamen in charge of court celebrations, was turned into an official brothel.
.
"Well, I can only do my best." Han Du didn't ask Lao Zhu to hire someone else. He just said that he should do his best. What he means by doing his best is that if you are not satisfied when the time comes, don't blame me. You are here.
There's no point in blaming me, because I already have a handsome partner.
Lao Zhu thought about it again and again, and still felt that this Wanshou Festival was more important. As for the Jiaofang Division, as Han Du said, this is its responsibility, and no one can say anything.
"I'm sure, but if you can't satisfy me by then, you should watch your skin carefully."
Han Du didn't pay attention to Lao Zhu's threat, which had no new ideas at all. Anyway, he had been threatened by Lao Zhu so many times, but he never saw what Lao Zhu did to him.
"I obey the decree."
Jiaofang Division.
After hearing Han Du's words, Grandma Li and the others couldn't believe what they heard.
"Hou, Lord Hou, are you telling the truth? Is Jiaofangsi really going to perform singing and dancing at the Wanshou Festival?"
Looking at Nanny Li, Han Du nodded affirmatively and said: "Of course, this is something approved by the emperor, how could it be false?"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in front of him burst into cheers.
After hearing Han Du's words, Grandma Li felt as if she suddenly woke up and fell into a dream.
She couldn't help but glance at the cheering crowd, and felt that everything she saw before her was a bit unreal.
Han Du sat on the chair with a smile on his face, picked up the tea and took a sip without disturbing the people who were immersed in joy.
Grandma Li has been in Jiaofangsi for many years, and she was the one who saw the glory of Jiaofangsi until Han Du took over. In the beginning, Jiaofangsi was indeed responsible for performing music for imperial celebrations, etc., but later on
As time went by, she unknowingly became the depraved person she once was.
It's fine now. The moment she got the news about Han Du, Grandma Li felt as if the entire Jiaofang Division had been reborn.
The crowd gradually calmed down, and Han Du raised his eyes to look at the crowd, his thoughts turned, and he sighed and asked: "Are you happy?"
Aunt Li subconsciously replied: "Gao, I'm happy. Duo, thank you Lord Marquis for making the decision for us."
As she spoke, Grandma Li's voice gradually became lower and lower until it disappeared.
She also found that the long-standing grievances and long-term desires in her heart could even make her cry with joy when she succeeded.
Han Du said in a deep voice: "It's good to be happy, but don't be happy too early. How important the Longevity Festival is, I don't think I need to elaborate on it one by one, right? If you fail in the performance, what will be the consequences? I don't think so.
I also know it very well.”
Finally, Han Du added: "
Now is not the time for you to be happy, you should first arrange the singing and dancing and try to spend the Longevity Festival perfectly."
Aunt Li quickly wiped the corners of her eyes and said before anyone else spoke: "Don't worry, Lord Marquis, I will definitely warn them and let them do their best."
"That's good." Han Du pursed his lips and nodded.
After receiving Han Du's reply, Grandma Li immediately turned around and headed towards everyone's capable arrangements.
The first thing is to clear out the Grand Theater. After all, it is impossible to have a spacious place for rehearsals, and the Grand Theater is the most suitable.
As for the closure of the Grand Theater, it will affect Jiaofangsi's money. Now Jiaofangsi has no shortage of money for a long time. Even if it is without a penny for a year or two, Jiaofangsi still has enough money in its books to support it.
Moreover, he can also send the money that is sent to the palace every year in considerable amounts.
So, Grandma Li blurted out neatly: "If you come, please close the door. From today on, the Jiaofang Department will no longer accept outsiders."
Although it is still morning, there are already many people coming to Jiaofangsi to have fun. The round table near the middle stage in the lobby is almost full, and there are also people drinking and watching singing and dancing in the private room upstairs.
Following Grandma Li's order, a row of servants immediately filed out and went to the tables to persuade the guests to leave.
"What? Are you going to drive us away? I won't leave. I spent money to come in and play. Why do you, the director of teaching, have to drive me away with just one word?"
"That's right, we won't leave, we will continue to play music and dance."
Such a sudden change caused the dancing female singers on the stage to stop in confusion. Some people looked at them and shook their heads. When they saw the female singer stopped, they naturally stopped and shouted loudly.
The handyman who had already received orders from Grandma Li had no choice but to smile patiently in the face of the crowd, "Sir, don't be upset, our stewards have said that the money you paid for entering the Jiaofang Division will be fully repaid by the Jiaofang Division."
, we won’t take any money from this table of food and wine, please, sir.”
When the busboy said this, the man refused even more. He slapped the table angrily, "What's money? I have plenty of money. Since I spent the money, I never thought about getting it back. You guys?"
After receiving my money, the Jiaofang Secretary will let me stay as long as I can. Even if they serve wine, I still want to drink it!"
The handyman never expected that he would meet a ruthless gangster. Thinking back to the time when Jiaofangsi was subjected to such a gangster's harassment, he gradually became more and more weak, short of breath, and even almost died.
To the point of starving to death.
Otherwise, if Han Du had been stronger, maybe there would be grass growing on their graves now.
Now seeing such a person again, the faces of the handymen couldn't help but become ugly.
But no matter how ugly the servant's face was, the man didn't even look at the servant. He sat down and called his friends to continue drinking. He knew that these servants didn't dare to do anything to him.
At this time, a faint voice suddenly came from upstairs, "Open your mouth and shut up, I, whose father are you? Are you my master?"
With a bit of arrogance on his face, Zhang Lei walked downstairs step by step, waving his fan coquettishly.
The sound of thump, thump, thump footsteps clearly reached everyone's ears and echoed in the lobby.
Seeing Zhang Lei looking at him with fierce eyes, the person who was so arrogant just now suddenly became a weak and short-tempered person. He quickly stood up with a flattering smile, held his hands towards Zhang Lei and said, "I didn't know it was the young Marquis here.
, for disturbing the young prince’s enjoyment, the villain deserves to be damned, damned!”
This person's expression changed from being wanton and arrogant just now to a cautious and smiling expression in an instant, fully demonstrating to the world what it means to be fearful of being stunned.
How arrogant this person was just now, now he is so humble when facing Zhang Lei.
Zhang Lei may not be scary in person, but he has a protective father. In addition, he doesn't seem to be very smart, but no one with a right mind would want to face such a person.
Zhang Lei saw that this person was so groveling and resigned, so he had no intention of chasing him. "You know you deserve to die, so why don't you get out of here? Do you really want to die here?"