After three drinks and five dishes, the atmosphere gradually became lively.
Although the officials were wary, Zhang Yanling's attitude of laughing loudly after the drink was over made everyone feel a little relieved. This Mr. Zhang didn't seem to have any malicious intentions and no scheming. Tonight, look at
It's just a banquet.
Li Siming also felt confident.
Since yesterday, he has sent people to keep an eye on Zhang Yanling's whereabouts. The news he received is that Zhang Yanling and others did indeed play in Baiyun Mountain from yesterday afternoon to today's afternoon before returning to the city. During this period, in addition to touring the mountains and rivers, they also
There is no abnormality.
What's more, tonight, we have made complete preparations. Inside and outside Wuyangju, the nearby streets have all been blocked by our own people. Nanhaiwei sent thousands of people to blockade the place tightly in advance.
Even at this moment, there are still more than a hundred of our own troops hiding in the private room on the third floor. Downstairs, there are also more than a hundred troops hiding in the dark in the front and back yards. If there is any change in Mr. Zhang tonight, then
These manpower can come out immediately to control the situation.
Zhang Yanling had better not cause anything to happen tonight, and don't force him to take action. Otherwise, I'm afraid the ending will be ugly.
Of course, unless we have no choice, we will not do anything to Zhang Yanling. After all, this person has a high status and no one will ask for trouble. It is easy to kill him, but the consequences after killing him will be very difficult.
.
"It is an honor for me as an official in Guangdong to have the Marquis of Jianchang come to Guangzhou this time. I have been waiting to hear the name of Marquis Zhang for a long time, and I have long wanted to see the Marquis. Unfortunately, the Marquis will leave tomorrow. I
The Guangdong officials felt deeply regretful. Today they actually asked the Marquis to spend so much money on hosting a banquet, which made us all quite uneasy. No, I have discussed this with you sirs today, and the Marquis has traveled a long way.
Come here, we can't be so rude. So, everyone gathered together and prepared some small gifts to show our respect. Come, bring them up." In the warm atmosphere, Li Siming thought that he would go further.
We have a good relationship and can send Zhang Yanling away safely. And even if Zhang Yanling knows something about this place, the time has come to silence him.
Zhang Yanling chuckled and said, "Oh, how can that be done?"
Even so, his eyes were full of expectation.
Two men brought up two brocade boxes. The boxes were not big, but everyone knew that the contents in these boxes were definitely not simple.
Li Siming took a brocade box and slowly opened it, and the audience suddenly burst into exclamation. On the black velvet in the brocade box, two milky-white beads with pigeon eggs were placed on it. Under the light,
Exuding a faint white halo.
Hazy as the moon, soft as gelatin.
"Nanzhu!" someone shouted in a low voice.
Li Siming chuckled, reached out and pinched a southern pearl between his fingers, and raised it to the light. Under the light, the southern pearl appeared translucent. It was hazy and dreamlike.
"Yes, this is the Southern Pearl. It is unique to our land in the South China Sea. Some people say that these are the tears of the sharks, which is naturally just a legend. However, the Southern Pearl is hidden in the deep sea and is difficult to pick. Generally, the Southern Pearl is like a cat's eye.
They are already treasures. They are the size of pigeon eggs and are extremely rare. These two southern pearls should be given to Lord Zhang as a gift. As the saying goes, pearls are given to heroes, and I hope the Lord will accept them." Li Siming said with a smile.
Zhang Yanling stared at the two southern pearls. This was the first time he had seen such a legendary treasure. Although the so-called southern pearls are essentially pearls, such pearls are naturally produced in large shells in the sea. Later generations
Pearls are not rare and valuable things. But such a big pearl will be valuable even in future generations, let alone in this era.
Although Guangdong is located in the South China Sea, it is considered the place of origin. But it goes without saying that it is precious.
Although Zhang Yanling didn't know the price, he knew that these two southern pearls were worth at least tens of thousands of taels of silver.
"Oh, this is impossible. How dare I accept such a generous gift for such a precious thing. It's inappropriate, this is inappropriate. I can't accept it," Zhang Yanling waved her hand.
"Dear Mr. Li, you have such good pearls, why don't you trade with us? Why don't you trade with us even if you give them away? My God, is this how you treat your friends?" Anda sat beside him.
Captain La's eyes widened and he shouted loudly.
Li Siming frowned and said: "Mr. Andala, I, the Ming Dynasty, prohibit the trading of goods with outsiders. What did you say?"
Andara was shocked to realize that he had made a mistake and quickly shut up.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Since Mr. Andala likes it, you can give it to him. I don't want it anyway."
Li Siming said in astonishment: "Master Hou, don't be joking. How can you give this high-quality Southern Pearl to others? Only the Marquis can own it because he is a relative of the Ming Dynasty. Doesn't it mean that the Marquis doesn't know how precious this Southern Pearl is? Don't think this thing is just a piece of gold."
A pearl, but as for the price, I can only say that it may not be possible if you have silver.
You can buy it. Our Nanhai produces only a dozen or so pearls of this quality every year, and they are all presented as tribute to the imperial court. They will not be given to outsiders, let alone sold. If it were not Mr. Zhang, others would come.
We will not give such valuable things. I hope the Marquis will know."
Zhang Yanling chuckled and said, "Does Mr. Li think I am a country bumpkin? Of course I know how precious the Nanzhu is. Don't forget that the current Queen Mother is my biological sister. I have seen many tributes from various places. This Nanzhu is in the Taipei
I've seen it in the harem too, but I still can't accept it."
"Why is that?" Li Siming said with a smile: "This is just a little bit of our thoughts. This year's Nanzhu has also been paid tribute. Don't worry, Mr. Hou."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "That's not what you mean. I accept your wishes. But if I accept this Nanzhu, I'm afraid my family will be uneasy."
"How do you say this?" Li Siming and other officials were surprised.
"Everyone knows that I have a wife and three concubines. I love them all very much and treat them equally. I always give four sets of gifts. You tell me, if I accept these two southern pearls, I will go back to them.
Which two of them should I give to them? If I prefer one to the other, wouldn’t it make me feel dissatisfied and make noise with me? Wouldn’t it make the house uneasy? So I can’t accept it.” Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Everyone was shocked and thought it was for some other reason. It turned out that this guy was too few. He obviously wanted to get two more. He was really a greedy and shameless person.
"Hahaha. That's it. Why should I think so? Isn't this easy to handle? Just give two more to the Marquis. The house will be peaceful, the wives and concubines will be happy, and the Marquis will be able to make great contributions to the country. This matter is covered by
I have it with me. Come, go to the treasury and get two more southern pearls. Then send them back to Mr. Zhang’s residence." Li Siming laughed loudly.
Although Li Siming despises Zhang Yanling for being greedy, it is a good thing since Zhang Yanling is willing to accept gifts. As long as he can block his mouth, send him away safely, and shut up about everything here, the goal will be achieved. Moreover, this
If you feed the fish with bait, you may be able to use this person later.
"How's that? Hahaha, you are too polite. I would like to thank all of you on behalf of my wives and concubines at home." Zhang Yanling chuckled.
"Your Majesty, you are very polite. As long as the Marquis is satisfied, we will be happy too. Your Majesty, there are some small gifts here, please accept them. These are vulgar things, so I won't put them out for display."
Li Siming smiled and opened the second brocade box, but only gave Zhang Yanling a glance at the contents. There was only a banknote inside, which was densely covered with stamps and secret words, and the face value was 10,000 taels.
With a snap, Li Siming closed the lid of the brocade box and placed the two brocade boxes in front of Zhang Yanling.
Zhang Yanling laughed, cupped his hands and said: "Everyone is so kind, but Yanling is disrespectful. So I'll accept it."
The guards behind him came forward, picked up the two boxes, and put them into their arms.
Zhang Yanling picked up the wine glass and said: "Thank you all for your kindness. I am very happy about this trip to Guangzhou. The land of Lingnan is really a good place. All of you have also fulfilled your duties and are honest and upright. After returning to the capital, Yanling has since
You should report this to the emperor. Come, I will give you a toast."
All the officials raised their glasses and said, "Thank you, Lord Marquis."
Zhang Yanling drank the wine and lit up the bottom of the glass, then turned to look at Andara and Piris who were sitting sideways. The two guys looked at Zhang Yanling with contempt the whole time. When Zhang Yanling toasted, the two guys didn't get up, but just said to themselves
Enjoy drinking and eating.
"Master Andala, how was the food and wine tonight? Did you enjoy the meal?" Zhang Yanling asked with a smile.
Andara wiped his greasy mouth, rolled his eyes and said: "It's okay, but there is no veal steak, which makes me not satisfied. I have a medium-rare veal steak from France, dripping with lemon juice, and taking a bite
When you bite into it, there will still be blood inside. That’s how delicious it is.”
Zhang Yanling laughed loudly and said: "As expected, he is a person who eats raw meat and drinks blood. I heard in the capital that overseas barbarian countries like to eat raw meat. When I saw it today, it turned out to be true. Mr. Andala, how about I ask the cook to cut some for you?
How about raw meat for you to feast on?"
Andara's face changed color and he said coldly: "Dear Lord Marquis, are you insulting us?"