Outside Xi'an Gate, on South Street of the Fourth Archway of Anfufang, next to Pu'en Temple. A large antique mansion is Liu Jin's outer residence.
Anfufang is located next to the Xi'an Gate outside the imperial palace. It was the most prosperous and prosperous place in the Ming Dynasty. People who can live in Anfufang are either rich or noble. What's more, Liu Jin lives in a large house with three entrances and six open spaces.
, it’s something that many people don’t even dare to think about.
Of course, Liu Jin was not that lucky. Just a few months ago, Liu Jin's outer house was by the Jishui Pond in Deshengmen where Luanlin Cemetery was gathered. It couldn't be considered a serious house. However, a few months later, he had
Lived in this big house in Anfufang.
Power is an omnipotent thing. Once you have power, many things will appear like magic. Many good things that were originally unattainable will suddenly happen to you. And it seems to be destined.
This house was originally Wang Yue's mansion. After Wang Yue's downfall, the servants in the family were scattered and everything was lost. Originally, Liu Jin did not expect to live in Wang Yue's big house. But one day, someone sent Liu Jin the title deed of the house.
Liu Jin's name was clearly written on it, saying that from now on, this house would be owned by Liu Jin.
The person who gave him the house was a prince named Zhu Chenhao. Zhu Chenhao's identity was not ordinary. He was a prince who had lived in Nanchang for a long time, and he had the hereditary position of Prince Ning. He was the tenth son of Emperor Taizu Gao.
Seventh son Zhu Quan’s great-great-grandson. Liu Jin has met
Zhu Chenhao, Prince Ning often came to live in the capital when the late emperor was in power, and he often appeared in the inner courtyard of the palace. He had a good impression on Liu Jin. Although he was only in his early thirties and a vassal king, he was affable and friendly.
Nice smile.
However, Prince Ning Zhu Chenhao was in Nanchang Mansion. After the emperor ascended the throne last year, Zhu Chenhao attended the emperor's enthronement ceremony and then returned to Nanchang Mansion. The person who came to present the land deed was a royal eunuch from Zhu Chenhao's palace in the capital.
"My prince admires Eunuch Liu's high righteousness. He turned the tide this time and eradicated the traitors for the Ming Dynasty. He has worked hard and made great achievements. The prince heard that Eunuch Liu lived in poverty and heard that Wang Yue's mansion was confiscated and auctioned, so he bought it and gave it to Eunuch Liu. He has the right to congratulate Eunuch Liu.
I have been promoted to the position of Chief of Ceremonies and will work hard to eliminate traitors for the country." The eunuch of the palace said this.
Liu Jin was shocked. Wang Yue's house was worth at least one hundred thousand taels of silver. The prince gave it to him because he said it was for him? Although he knew him, he didn't have much contact with him. He gave it to him.
What does it mean?
Liu Jin wanted to refuse, but the gift was too expensive. When they copied Wang Yue's house, Liu Jin went there in person. The house was extremely gorgeous with its carved beams and painted edifices. At that time, she even scolded Wang Yue for appearing to be poor and frugal, but in fact he must have embezzled a lot of money.
, accepted many bribes.
Now, this house has been handed over to him. How could Liu Jin not hesitate? What Liu Jin is worried about is that if he takes over the house, Zhu Chenhao will make some excessive demands. He needs to be cautious when making friends with local lords.
, Liu Jin was of course very hesitant.
"Your prince gave you such an expensive gift, but our family dare not accept it. We are afraid that we will live up to your prince's kindness." Liu Jin said to the eunuch of the prince's palace at that time.
"My prince has said that he must accept it, please Eunuch Liu. My prince also said that Eunuch Liu does not have to have any worries. The prince has no request to embarrass my father-in-law. He simply admires and respects his father-in-law and wants to make friends with him. This is all.
No one will know about this. Father-in-law, please rest assured. My prince likes to make friends, he has always been like this."
The words of the palace eunuch dispelled Liu Jin's doubts. He felt that since Zhu Chenhao was sincere, he would offend him if he were to be prude. Besides, it was a mansion worth more than 100,000 taels.
She moved into the house early the next morning. When she slept in the magnificent bedroom on the first night, Liu Jin suffered from insomnia.
In the first few days, Liu Jin was actually a little worried. He was worried that others would say that he occupied Wang Yue's house, and that others would point fingers at him. But as time went by, Liu Jin found that no one mentioned this matter, even
There were not even rumors. It was as if it was natural for him to live in Wang Yue's house, and no one thought there was anything strange about it.
Liu Jin was relieved. He understood that at his position, some things had become a matter of course. Even if others had ideas, they could only be kept in their stomachs. Because he had reached the pinnacle of power and already had the power of life and death. He
Qualified to live in this house.
Zhu Chenhao gave him a house because his status was worthy of living in this house. Zhu Chenhao, the vassal king, wanted to curry favor with him, which made Liu Jin very proud.
Perhaps there is only one person in the Ming Dynasty who can raise doubts about this matter, and that is the emperor. The emperor does not speak, and no one has anything to say. But how can the emperor care about these things?
It is impossible for Liu Jin to allow the emperor to have time to meddle in such noisy matters. The schedule he has arranged for the emperor is very tight, and they are all things that the emperor likes. The emperor's time is precious, so how can he have time to care about what is going on in his house?
Earned.
There was only one person who didn't know how to praise someone and said something in private that made Liu Jin feel uncomfortable. That was Zhang Yong.
Zhang Yong said angrily: "That house is Wang Yue's old house. Wang Yue is unlucky. It must be because the feng shui of that house is not good. I'm afraid there will be obstacles to living in."
Liu Jin was extremely angry, but these words reminded him. Soon after, Huici, the ninety-year-old abbot of Puen Temple next door, personally came out and held a grand ritual in Liu Jin's house. The old abbot personally consecrated the ceremony.
Several Buddhist utensils were buried in the four corners of the house. Then, Liu Jin felt that she could sleep peacefully under the bath of Buddha's light.
In the evening, Liu Jin was sitting in the courtyard of the luxurious main house of the back house, drinking tea, listening to his biological father Liu Rong and brother Liu Jingxiang beside him talking excitedly about the New Year gifts that had been sent to the house in the past few days.
It’s funny to say that Liu Jin’s original surname was Tan. After entering the palace, he recognized the eunuch Liu Shun as his godfather and changed his surname to Liu. His father and brother were also surnamed Tan, but now that Liu Jin has become successful, the father and son actually followed him
The eunuch's son is also named Liu. This case
The incident has long become a joke and a source of conversation in teahouses and restaurants in the capital. Many people secretly said that the Tan family was really extraordinary and had a soft body. The son of a promising eunuch even changed the ancestral name of the Tan family.
Sure enough, he was from a eunuch family and his family was extinct from then on.
"There have been so many gifts these days, and there is so much food and clothing in the warehouse at home. Oh, these people are very stubborn. They are afraid that if we don't accept them, they will just put the things down and leave. Oh, it's true. We still have
Can I not accept it?”
Liu Rong's date-core face smiled like a flower. He was originally just a poor man in a remote place, but suddenly he became a master. Liu Rong has been smiling in his dreams since he was brought to the capital.
"Dad, you must not have seen the world. What is the status of our family now? The second child is now worth less than one person and more than ten thousand people. What is the use of this food? Next time they want to flatter them, they will have to give them a lot of money. Ingots, luminous pearls and other rare things are the only things that are rare. From now on, we will be able to get these ordinary gifts if they are not rare. Right, second child." Liu Jingxiang said with a smile.
Liu Jin frowned and said, "Don't call me second, I've told you so many times."
Liu Jingxiang was stunned for a moment, then he apologized and said with a smile: "Look at my memory, I won't scream anymore. From now on, you are my brother, and I can call you daddy."
Liu Jin frowned and thought to himself: "Lao Er Lao Er" is a Beijing dialect, and "Lao Er" means ***. If I had that thing, what would I be taboo about?
But Liu Jin didn't care, even though he didn't have any feelings for his father and brother. He was sold to the palace as a eunuch when he was a few years old. But that's how people are. If you don't return home after wealth, you will walk at night in brocade clothes. When you become rich, first It was time to bring her father and brother from her hometown to the capital to enjoy their blessings. Although she despised them for not having seen the world, Liu Jin felt very satisfied when she saw them looking happy.
Watching them show their adoring eyes in front of me gives me a greater sense of accomplishment than those court officials groveling in front of me.
"Old...that...brother, there is something I have to say. Our brother-in-law is not very talkative. He takes the things sent by others to our house in carloads without saying hello. I am not happy to see it. .I said a few words to him, but he still wasn't happy. You have to reprimand him a few words later, and don't treat yourself like an outsider." Liu Jingxiang said in a low voice.
The brother-in-law he mentioned was indeed Liu Jin's biological brother-in-law named Sun Cong. He had studied and was now working as a clerk in the Ministry of Rites. When Liu Jin was not yet prosperous, Sun Cong had helped Liu Jin with a lot of ideas. Recently. Taking credit for his achievements, he often took gifts from others home. Liu Jin was of course nothing, but his father and brother couldn't stand it and felt very distressed.
Liu Jin was about to teach his father and brother a few words, telling them that they were all one family and there was no need to be so fussy. Suddenly, the housekeeper Liu Fu walked in quickly with his robe in hand.
"Master, Master, Master Zhang is here to ask for an audience." the housekeeper reported.
"Which Mr. Zhang?" Liu Jin asked.
"Master Zhang Caizhang, the Minister of Civil Affairs." The steward said hurriedly.
"Next time, just call them by their names. There are so many people in the court, Mr. Zhang, who knows who is who? Besides, there are no adults who come to our house, so just call them by their first names." Liu Jin said solemnly.
"I understand, little one. So, will the master see him or not?"
"Tell him to wait in the front hall, and I will come after changing my clothes." Liu Jin stood up and came.
Soon after, Liu Jin came to the front hall. Zhang Caizheng was sitting at the table with a frown on his face, deep in thought. When he saw Liu Jin arriving, he stood up and saluted.
"I have met Eunuch Liu."
Liu Jin smiled and waved her hands and said, "No need to be polite. What's the matter? You avoided suspicion and refused to come to see me. Why are you here again today?"
Zhang Cai was thin and had a sinister look on his face. He was very lecherous and looked like he had a weak kidney. However, he had a lot of ideas and gave Liu Jin advice, so Liu Jin actually thought highly of him.
Recently, Zhang Cai rarely comes to see Liu Jin, saying it is to avoid suspicion. But Liu Jin knows the reason, Zhang Cai is just angry with herself. So when I met Zhang Cai today, I couldn't help but joke a few words.
"Eunuch Liu, who gave you the bad idea? Are you going to rectify the farmland? levy taxes on the land of princes and princes? Why didn't Eunuch Liu discuss such a big matter with me? Eunuch Liu, this matter is too big. It's sloppy, too sloppy." Zhang Caidao said loudly.
Liu Jin's face darkened. This Zhang Cai was probably too self-righteous. Who did he think he was? He came up and asked questions? This is unreasonable.