Zhou Hexuan stood up slowly, bowed and saluted like a gentleman: "Hello, madam, my name is Zhou Hexuan, and I come from far away China."
"I know, they are all talking about you," the woman pointed to the crowd next to her, then elegantly clasped her hands on her belly and smiled, "You can call me Mrs. Spencer."
Spencer is the surname of a wealthy British aristocrat. When the woman reported her name, an indescribable sense of superiority was evident.
Zhou Hexuan had a bad smile on his face and said in a complimentary tone: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it turns out that my wife is from the Wool family."
The woman corrected unhappily: "It's the Spencer family, not the Wool family."
"Isn't the Spencer family the wool family?" Zhou Hexuan specifically pronounced wool with a very strong emphasis, making it clear that he was not talking about the surname "Wool", but was referring directly to the original meaning of the word wool.
Hearing this, the surrounding guests looked over one after another, wondering how Zhou Hexuan would end.
Insulting a noble's surname is a hundred times more serious than insulting the noble himself. A hundred years ago, someone would have thrown a handkerchief at Zhou Hexuan on the spot and demanded a life-or-death duel.
The woman turned blue with anger. Before she could speak, another man suddenly came over. The man stared at Zhou Hexuan and sneered: "I am Earl Spencer. I hope Mr. Zhou can give me a reasonable explanation. Otherwise,
...Hmph!"
Earl Spencer?
Zhou Hexuan looked at the man in front of him carefully, trying to guess from the man's age whether this man should be the future Princess Diana's grandfather or his father should be the grandfather.
Earl Spencer showed up in person to question him, which immediately attracted the attention of countless people. Even Prince Albert and the Princess came closer.
Mountbatten looked at Zhou Hexuan with a smile, as if he was enjoying a good show. This guy was not as simple as he appeared on the surface. He was full of insidiousness, vengeance and desire for control, but he hid it very well.
Vivien Leigh had a worried look on her face and quietly tugged on Zhou Hexuan's sleeve, fearing that Zhou Hexuan would offend the Spencer family because of her.
Zhou Hexuan said with a smile on his face: "Hello, Earl Spencer, I'm sorry for offending your surname. I am a historian, so when I heard Spencer, my first reaction was Henry, who raised sheep in Australia.
·Mr. Spencer. Henry Woolen is so famous. He was one of the richest Britons during the British Industrial Revolution. He almost monopolized the British wool trade."
When Zhou Hexuan said these words, Earl Spencer's expression suddenly became extremely exciting, and the enemies of the Spencer family wanted to clap their hands and applaud.
Zhou Hexuan told the dark history of the Spencer family in a few words. At that time, Australia was a place where the British exiled criminals, and the ancestors of the Spencer family herded sheep in the exiled place. It is conceivable that they were not decent citizens.
Earl Spencer said coldly: "Mr. Zhou, the first Earl Spencer earned his title based on military exploits and has nothing to do with wool."
"Oh, you mean Mr. Henry Spencer, who has the same name as Woolen Henry," Zhou Hexuan looked like he suddenly realized, "I know this man. He has indeed made military exploits. His great military exploits are enough to win
Created a baron."
"It's an earl, not a baron!" Earl Spencer emphasized.
Zhou Hexuan said: "I know, Mr. Henry Spencer made military exploits that were enough to be awarded a baronet, and then he spent 3,000 pounds to buy an earldom with the money his family made from selling wool."
"You are slandering!"
Earl Spencer's lungs were almost bursting with anger. He took out a white handkerchief and threw it at Zhou Hexuan: "I want to fight you, life or death!"
Zhou Hexuan waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, no, dueling is what barbarians do. If Earl Spencer disagrees with what I say, you can check your own family tree, or go to the Royal Library to read documents from the Industrial Revolution. I believe
You can get clear answers."
Earl Spencer's face was gloomy and uncertain. He really didn't know the history of his family. He only knew that the first generation of Earl Spencer relied on military exploits to make his fortune. As for the misfortunes before he became rich, there was no record in the genealogy, but there was a slight mention.
My ancestors were big businessmen.
Is what he said true?
Recalling that Zhou Hexuan is a world-famous historian, Earl Spencer did not dare to delve deeper. If more dark history of his ancestors were dug up, it would be a great shame.
"Hmph, I will go back and check the literature, and then I will discuss it with Mr. Zhou!" Earl Spencer said and turned around and left.
Mrs. Spencer, who laughed at Vivien Leigh, no longer dared to talk nonsense anymore, and ran to chase her husband in dejection.
The surrounding nobles immediately whispered:
"The ancestors of the Spencer family were really shepherds who were exiled to Australia?"
"It should be true. The Spencer family is still in the wool business."
"This is a sensational topic."
"It turns out that the title of the first Earl Spencer was purchased for 3,000 pounds."
"Mr. Zhou is indeed a great scholar, and he actually knows the history of the British aristocracy so well."
"..."
In fact, Zhou Hexuan has not yet said it all. The ancestor of the Spencer family, Henry Wool, made his fortune by flattering the British royal family.
In order to please Charles I, Henry specially raised 200 purebred lambs. He only allowed these lambs to eat grass and drink milk, and prevented the lambs from coming into contact with other animals. When the sheep shearing season came, Henry had the best part of the wool sheared.
The long hair essence of 200 sheep was used to weave a close-fitting vest for Charles I.
Charles I was very happy about this, and the Spencer family came into the sight of the British royal family. Then, relying on various flattery and bribery, as well as shady and dark methods, the Spencer family finally gradually monopolized the British wool trade.
At that time, the Spencer family was only rich and belonged to the nouveau riche who were looked down upon by the nobles. Although Henry Spencer was appreciated by Charles I and was named a life peer, this noble title was not hereditary. His descendants have worked hard for several generations.
, perseveringly sent money everywhere, and finally bought a hereditary earl through bribery, thus turning it into a well-known aristocratic family.
"Wonderful, wonderful!" Mountbatten clapped his hands and laughed, and at the same time murmured in his heart: I must not quarrel with this guy in the future. Who doesn't have those shady old men in their ancestors?
Vivien Leigh looked at Zhou Hexuan with admiration. She was laughed at by the nobles for saying the wrong words, but Zhou Hexuan was able to use his knowledge to make the nobles so angry that they dared not speak anymore. It was really amazing!
Prince Albert was very interested in this. He was about to step forward to talk to Zhou Hexuan when Zhou Hexuan suddenly said loudly: "It is true that I offended Earl Spencer just now, but I am by no means malicious. I just want to say that everyone
We are all created equal, and there is no distinction between rich and humble by blood. Just now, my dance partner, Miss Vivian, was laughed at for calling pud a dessert. Is there anything worth laughing about? No, it is not worth laughing at. China has long been
More than 2,000 years ago, someone said, "Princes, generals, and ministers have their own kind." The Chinese believe that nobility is not born, but comes from the efforts of individuals and families. I am a historian. Regarding the usage of English, I
We can use history to discuss it with you."
As he spoke, Zhou Hexuan suddenly asked Albert who was not far away: "Is Your Highness the Prince interested in listening?"
"Of course, please...please say it." Albert smiled.
Zhou Hexuan started by saying: "From the perspective of historical development, English itself is a vulgar language."
Well, I’m not targeting anyone, I’m saying that everyone here is rubbish!