The Wu Mansion is located to the east of the provincial capital. It was Ruyuanfang and Shengyefang in the Tang Dynasty. It was also where the original royal palaces were concentrated. For example, Ruyuanfang was once home to sixteen princes of Xuanzong. At the entrance of the alley, there were also
You can vaguely see the ruins of Longshouyuan, which is the northern suburbs of the provincial capital and the original location of the Han and Tang imperial palaces.
Although the scenery of the Han and Tang Dynasties is no longer there, it is still the seat of dignitaries and there are many official residences here.
After a while, we arrived at a high gate courtyard.
The green bricks and black tiles of the courtyard wall are as high as two people, and only the plum trees in the courtyard can be seen. There are two Ruyi gates, with bronze rings of animal heads inlaid in the middle. The threshold is very high, more than a foot high, and there is a squatting figure on the door pillow.
The two drum-holding stones are carefully carved with patterns of wishful grass, lotus flowers and mythical beasts.
Write a letter to "Wu Mansion".
In fact, this is against the rules. Generally speaking, only princes can be called mansions, ordinary officials and nobles can only be called residences, and higher-ranking officials can be called residences. But no one is pursuing these things now.
The groom knocked on the corner door.
In ancient times, doors were generally closed, especially to official houses.
The maid who was preparing inside answered the door and the three of them walked in together.
Walking into the side door, to the right is the sedan hall of the Wu Mansion. There are several soft sedan chairs in it. The curtains are all made of silk. There are several bearers squatting in the sedan hall, drinking water and tea. There are also small tables beside them.
Some dry food to eat.
Directly leading from the sedan hall are several courtyards on the left and right, all with moon gates. Some flowers and plants such as lucky bamboo are planted around them.
There were many maids and servants on the road. When they came in, they bowed and bowed.
The rules are strict!
"Brother Bai, Brother Liu please!"
"This is……"
Wu Huai entered his courtyard first, and immediately acted like a master, pointing to every scene and thing along the roadside, and telling them the history. There were many old and prosperous things, all of which were rich and noble, and even
It was mentioned that some utensils given by the Queen Mother were also enshrined in different rooms.
There was pride all over his face, but there was some humility in his words.
Liu Mingda and Bai Gui also responded casually and supported the scene.
After passing through the screen wall, I walked into a main room. The scenery here is very different from other places. It is a combination of Chinese and Western. There are mosaic glass windows in all directions. The glass is mixed with gold threads. When the sun shines, it is golden.
This is the living room.
There is a bright red soft curtain with a flower sprinkler on the copper hook outside the door. After entering, you can see several sofas lying horizontally. There are already people sitting on them, including two foreign women, three foreign devils, and a few Asian faces.
.
As for ladies, I didn’t see any.
After all, cultural salons have to avoid certain influences, and it would be bad if it affects reputation.
"This is your classmate Huai Xian, the capital of this class?"
A woman in her forties or fifties came over, looked at Wu Huaixian and the two people beside her with a smile, and nodded slightly to the three of them. Liu Mingda was her junior and had been familiar with them for a long time, so she only asked the person on the side.
Baigui.
"Yes, Mrs. Wu."
Bai Gui nodded.
Madam, this title cannot be called randomly, there are strict divisions. Only those with first rank, second rank, and third rank can be called madam. As for Zhengcong, third rank, it is a lady, fifth rank is pleasant, and sixth rank is peaceful.
To be called madam was the greatest honor given to women in the feudal era.
If you don't know some rules and yell randomly, you will be punished.
Hearing this, Zhou Ying also showed a bit of a smile on her face, "Go, go in and play. Remember, Huai Xian, don't rush into the guests, and there are many friends who will take care of you. By the way, Priest Dun Chongli also
I appreciate your knowledge and would like to ask you something..."
The second half of her sentence was addressed to Bai Gui.
Entering the living room, Bai Gui asked about who Reverend Dun Chongli was and walked over.
Dun Chongli is an Englishman, an Englishman at heart, and still retains the rigid aristocratic dogma. His sitting posture is very characteristic and strict. However, he has a pipe in his mouth and a silver cross pendant hanging on his chest.
There is a hat on the edge of the table.
"Priest Dun Chongli, I'm glad to see you. I wonder what you want to say to me?"
Bai Gui got straight to the point and asked the middle-aged missionary in front of him.
The foreign missionaries who came to the northwest were mixed, some were traffickers who stole cultural relics, and some really abided by the dogma and were able to provide relief when encountering disasters... Before coming, Wu Huaixian also said that these foreigners also donated money to the natural disasters nearly ten years ago.
The money is good, it should be considered to be of good character.
Priest Dun Chongli saw Bai Gui step forward to shake hands, and then said: "Little friend Bai, I was shocked when I read your diplomatic strategy for Thailand and Spain. I never expected that there are students like you who are knowledgeable about Western history in Qin Province. I would like to serve you as a graduate of the Department of Qing Studies."
Order, I will go to Taiyuan the next day to teach Tang Xizhai of Shanxi University. I hope you can come to study. I will apply to the school for a tuition fee exemption, and I will also apply for a place for you to study in England..."
At this time, the three great universities of the Qing Dynasty were very famous: the Capital University, the Shanxi University, and the Peiyang University.
In addition to studying abroad, after completing higher education, entering a university for further study is also a way to study.
As for the Ministry of Education, it was the central educational institution established by the Qing Dynasty. It was at the same level as the traditional six ministries. Later, the Ministry of Education was changed to the Ministry of Education in the Republic of China.
"Shanxi University Hall, studying in England..."
Bai Gui couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. He didn't expect that Reverend Dun Chongli had such an idea. He wanted to attract him to go to Shanxi University. As expected, good students are all being competed for.
However, he thought about this tempting condition and gave up.
Although England is now the first choice for studying abroad, Priest Dun Chongli just gave him a blank check. His quota for studying in Japan has been almost confirmed, and he still doesn’t know how long he will have to wait to study in England.
"Priest, although I am happy to go to the university with you, I have decided to go to Japan with Brother Huaixian and Brother Mingda. England is still too far away from my country..."
Bai Gui shook his head and refused.
He also told his reasons. If he stayed in the UK, the distance would be too far, which would not only cost a lot of money. Also, if he stayed in the UK, he would be easily targeted because he is Chinese. If he stayed in Japan, although there would be many, there would be few.
Otherwise, given the family wealth of the Wu family, the first class is to study in Europe, the second class is to study in the United States, and the third class is to study in Japan. Why should Wu Huai go to study in Japan first? It is because Japan is not far from the Qing Dynasty and can be safer.
What he said was also a little clever. Wu Huaixian, Liu Mingda and I had made an agreement to stay in Japan together.
"Yes, it's too far to study in England. Besides, how much higher can a university school be than a normal school..."
Wu Huaixian also said that he was happy when he heard what Bai Gui said.
What he said is true. At this time, university education started late, and the university hall was not necessarily much better than the higher school. Therefore, there were still a small number of people who chose to go to the university hall after completing the higher school.