"Tell me, why do you insist on keeping these people? Is it because they are your old subordinates? Or are they your friends and relatives?" Zhang Yanling asked in a deep voice.
Chen Shiyi said in a deep voice: "Sir Mingjian, these people are all my old subordinates, and they are all people who were bullied in the yamen. Although they are lazy, they are all honest people. They all have families to support.
, they can't do anything without Jinyiwei. Adults should understand that no one wants to use the people who come out of Jinyiwei. Even if they go to the dock to do coolies, no one wants them. They are not born lazy, they just have nothing to do. These people
They have been following me for many years. The reason why I am unwilling to be transferred from my office to the North Town Fusi this time is because I know that as soon as I leave, they will have no place in the South Town Fusi and will be abandoned. I sincerely ask the town to Fusi.
Your Majesty gave them a way out, I am very grateful to you."
Zhang Yanling nodded slightly. Zhang Yanling, a member of the Guards, had already checked their files. Almost all of them were from the No. 3000 household, and they were all former subordinates of Chen Shiyi. Chen Shiyi did not lie about this. Third
When the Qianhu Station was transferred to Beizhen Fusi, many personnel were picked and eliminated, including most of the one hundred personal guards.
Some of these people were injured, and some were old. According to normal standards, they were all unqualified. However, they were all included in their personal guards. I don’t know if someone did this deliberately, or if Chen Shiyi did it to protect them.
They were brought together. But in any case, Chen Shiyi had the heart to protect the weak, which was enough to make Zhang Yanling look at him with admiration.
Chen Shiyi is a loyal person.
With his high martial arts skills and sense of loyalty, Zhang Yanling hopes to conquer this person. The remaining most important quality is loyalty to himself.
Rewarding good and punishing evil, and giving both kindness and power, is the way to control people. This is what is needed to subdue this person and make him loyal.
"Chen Baihu, I didn't expect that you are still a person who is loyal to your brothers. I admire you very much. However, rules are rules, and as I said, I can't stand that my personal guards are a bunch of lazy and useless people. For your loyalty,
For example, I can be lenient. I will give you a chance. Within a month, I will see that they are well-organized and well-disciplined. Otherwise, there is no need to say anything, they will all be demobilized. I don’t ask them all to become
Elite soldiers and generals, but they must be useful. Do you understand? Being useful does not necessarily mean being strong in martial arts, it can also mean being loyal, or it can mean other aspects. In short, they cannot be lazy wastes." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Chen Shi was overjoyed and said excitedly: "Thank you, sir. Don't worry, sir. I will train them well and let them show you a new look. I would like to thank you for my brothers."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Chen Baihu, I'm looking forward to it. From now on, I announce that the Guards will use the best equipment and weapons and ride the best horses. There will be a separate canteen. The military pay will be increased by 500 yuan per month. Sick
My brothers and injured and disabled brothers asked outside doctors to come for treatment and alleviate their conditions and injuries. From now on, the Guards no longer need to live in these pigsty-like places in the back. They will move to the front. Let the irrelevant people move out of my public house.
Yard. Chen Baihu, this support should be enough."
Chen Shiyi stared blankly at Zhang Yanling's dull expression. He never expected that Zhang Yanling would give so many resources and benefits to the Guards all at once, which was completely beyond his expectation. Didn't the Governor want to dismiss them before?
"Sir... Sir, aren't you joking?" Chen Shi said.
"Are you kidding me? Chen Baihu, I only care about you. You don't have to thank me. You have to thank yourself. I like people who are capable, loyal and straightforward. You are very good at my temper.
This is what you earned for your brothers." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Chen Shi's throat rolled, and he raised his hands to speak, but did not say anything. Zhang Yanling waved his hands and said, "You can do it yourself. Come see me when you are done with your work. From today on, you have to be responsible for protecting me, and you are not allowed to slack off."
Zhang Yanling turned around and walked away. Chen Shiyi cupped his hands for a long time before saying in a low voice: "Thank you, sir. I humbly obey my orders."
…
A few days have passed, and in a blink of an eye, the Shangyuan Festival is approaching. The Shangyuan Festival is one of the few important festivals in the Ming Dynasty. Its grandness even topped all festivals for a time. During the Chenghua period of Xianzong, there was another holiday for the Shangyuan Festival.
Ten days. From the eighth to the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, the government and the people took a ten-day holiday to celebrate the festival. However, during the Hongzhi Dynasty, the holiday was shortened to five days, from the thirteenth to the eighteenth day of the first lunar month. After all, Emperor Hongzhi was famous for his diligence.
Naturally, officials, soldiers and civilians will not be allowed to indulge too much.
The Shangyuan Festival of the Ming Dynasty was also a festival for enjoying lanterns, guessing riddles and having fun like the previous dynasties. During the festival, even the homes of ordinary people would hang at least two lanterns in front of the door to celebrate. Not to mention the homes of dignitaries.
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It is during the Lantern Festival that many wealthy families can show off their luxurious life. They will hang hundreds of colorful lanterns in the courtyards of high-rise buildings, hang a large number of lanterns near the door and attach lantern riddles with colorful heads for the people to enjoy.
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Some wealthy homes will even open their doors for the common people to visit. After all, walking in brocade clothes at night will not bring you psychological satisfaction. Only by letting others see the beauty of their mansions and the gorgeous lanterns can their vanity be satisfied.
It is said that some families spend thousands of taels of silver just to hire skilled craftsmen to make lanterns during the Lantern Festival every year.
The Marquis of Jianchang has no plans to spend a lot of money in this area. His master is no longer the extravagant and wasteful master he used to be. According to Zhang Yanling, money should be spent wisely, and there is no need to do meaningless things.
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Of course, necessary arrangements must be made, otherwise it will lose their status. Therefore, in addition to hanging lanterns in their homes, Axiu, Xing'er and others also arranged lanterns in the alleys and street intersections where the Zhang family is located.
We prepared spring cakes and other items to enjoy with the people, but the scale was too small.
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, after eating rice dumplings in the morning and a reunion banquet at noon, everyone took a nap and then got up to wash up and get ready to go out to enjoy the lanterns in the evening. On the night of the Lantern Festival, there are several lantern markets in the capital, as well as dragon lanterns and lion performances.
Although Zhang Yanling was not very interested in it, Axiu had never seen it once since she was a child, so Zhang Yanling agreed to accompany her to watch it.
It's almost dusk, everything has been prepared, and everyone is ready to go out on the streets. The moment it gets dark, the moment all the lights in the lantern market come on is the most shocking and wonderful moment, so you need to go out before dark
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However, just as Zhang Yanling and A Xiu led a large group of people chatting and laughing outside the door and preparing to get in the car, a carriage came silently from the entrance of the alley and stopped in front of the house.
In front of everyone.
Just as Huang Si was about to step forward and scold him, he saw the driver jumping out of the car and walking quickly to Zhang Yanling, reaching out and taking off his bamboo hat.
"Hello, Lord Marquis!" the man whispered.
Zhang Yanling said in surprise: "Eunuch Zhang? Why are you here?"
The visitor is Zhang Zhong, the chamberlain beside the Queen of Kunning Palace.
"The Queen has arrived, Lord Marquis, please take her into the palace quickly." Zhang Zhong said in a low voice.
Zhang Yanling was stunned when he saw two people getting off the inconspicuous carriage. A maid helped another woman get out of the carriage. Zhang Yanling recognized the woman as Queen Zhang at a glance. But the one she recognized
For a moment, Zhang Yanling's heart skipped a beat.
Empress Zhang was wearing an ordinary women's skirt, her body was hunched, and her head and face were covered with a layer of black gauze. She was used to seeing Empress Zhang's radiant and elegant appearance, and now seeing Empress Zhang dressed like this, Zhang Yanling felt that the contrast was too great.
Big and awe-inspiring.
"Something must have happened." Zhang Yanling thought to herself.