The news of the arrival of the Protector Zhang Yanling had long been known to Nanjing officials. The Chengguo Duke Zhu Fu had arranged for several warships to greet him at Jiangpu Ferry. He himself also came to greet him personally.
After the greetings were completed, the carriages and horses boarded the boats, crossed the Yangtze River overnight, and entered the city from the north gate of Nanjing.
Cars and horses were traveling along the long streets in Nanjing, with houses lined on both sides and lights shining. Men and women in brightly dressed clothes were walking on the streets, laughing and calling their children.
Zhang Yanling looked at all this and couldn't help but feel emotional.
Nanjing was originally the capital of the Ming Dynasty. Emperor Hongwu established his capital here, and it was the most prosperous and prosperous city. Later, after Zhu Di was in trouble and seized the throne, the capital was moved to Beijing. Nanjing became the remaining capital.
A large number of people and wealth moved to Beijing with the emperor. Nanjing, which was originally the capital of the Ming Dynasty, once became lonely and desolate. But sitting on the side of the Yangtze River, with smooth waterways, and on the dividing line between Jiangnan and Jiangbei, its terrain determined this city.
The ancient city cannot be depressed.
Today's Nanjing is the largest city in the southeast. Its commerce is developed and its people are as prosperous as Suzhou and Hangzhou.
Just looking at the night view, it is even more lively than the capital city. In the capital city, the streets are probably deserted at this time, not many shops are open, and not many people are still wandering outside. On the one hand, the climate, on the other hand, because of
Public security issues. Public security in the capital is always extremely strict. Nanjing's loss of its status as the capital was a blessing in disguise in this regard.
As for why Yongle Emperor Zhu Di moved the capital to Beijing and abandoned Nanjing, the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, it is actually not difficult to understand. Zhu Di was not in the right position. After raising troops to seize Nanjing, although he won the throne, his foundation was in Beijing. He suffered
He was granted the title of King of Yan, and his home base was in Beijing.
As emperor in Nanjing, the intricate relationships here, local forces, and the collusion between the royal family and officials have long been ingrained. In a place like this, he who was already in an unfair position obviously felt insecure. So he moved the capital to himself.
The old nest is naturally a one-and-done approach.
Of course, the reason on the surface is high-sounding. The reason that the capital is close to the border town shows the determination to fight against the powerful enemy in the north, boosts the morale of the army and the people, and despises the threat of the Tatars. It is obviously a good argument.
Ma Quan and his people have already found a private mansion to rent, which is a private garden in the west of the city. There are actually many such mansions in Nanjing, and they are all private mansions left over after the capital was moved. Although it is an old mansion,
But it is applicable.
After everyone arrived at the mansion, they were busy settling in. Zhu Fu, the Duke of Chengguo, personally escorted Zhang Yanling to his residence. Seeing that it was getting late, he knew that Zhang Yanling and his party came from a long distance after traveling and traveling, and they would have to work hard until at least midnight to rest tonight, so they left randomly.
.
Before leaving, Zhang Yanling was invited to a banquet at noon tomorrow. He said that Nanjing military and political officials would hold a banquet together tomorrow to honor the Lord Protector.
Zhang Yanling thanked Zhu Fu profusely and sent Zhu Fu off.
Looking back, the house was abuzz with excitement. Boxes of various things were being carried in. The men were sweating profusely while the maids were busy folding quilts, making beds, and carrying things. They were all sweating profusely from exhaustion.
Xu Wanyi, Axiu and others pointed at the arrangement, and the trapped Zhang Yi cried in the nurse's arms, with a sharp voice like the roar of a kettle. In short, it was a mess and hectic.
Fortunately, Ma Quan arrived in Nanjing more than ten days early. After renting the house, he did some tidying up and bought a lot of supplies. There are several yards in the back of the big house, which is enough to live in. The place is also clean and elegant.
So after being busy for a while, I quickly settled down.
There are three courtyards in the back house. Xu Wanyi and Zhang Yanling live in the main house. Xu Youtang and Tan Ruqing live in the east courtyard. Axiu and Zhu Qingyi's mother and son live in the west courtyard. The courtyards are all very large, and there are several rooms in the main house and wing, so it doesn't look too complicated.
It’s cramped. Of course, it’s incomparable to Zhang Yanling’s mansion in Beijing.
The five hundred accompanying soldiers and horses settled in the front yard and several courtyards at the second entrance. Although it was a bit crowded, this was only a temporary measure. Afterwards, Chen Shiyi arranged for them to be stationed in the military camp in Nanjing City, where only
It only requires dozens of personal guards to protect it.
It was not until the second watch of the busy work that everything settled down. Everyone was very tired. Zhang Yanling fell asleep with her head on the pillow and slept until dawn.
The next morning, Xu Gao came to meet him at his residence. The two briefly chatted and learned some general information about the shipyard. Zhang Yanling wanted to go to Longjiang Shipyard immediately, but because he had to attend a banquet at noon,
But he couldn't leave for the shipyard either.
So Zhang Yanling asked Xu Gao to go back and tell the old shipbuilding craftsmen and masters, asking them to wait for him at the shipyard tomorrow morning, and he would definitely arrive.
After seeing off Xu Gao, Zhu Fu, Duke of Chengguo, came again. After some pleasantries, Zhang Yanling was invited to a banquet at Yanqi Tower in Nanjing City.
Zhang Yanling and Chen Shiyi followed Zhu Fu to the banquet. Yanqi Restaurant is an extremely high-end restaurant in the prosperous area beside the Qinhuai River. It is still a garden-style restaurant hidden among the green trees. There is a park at the door.
There were many horses and vehicles, and obviously there were many guests.
A few people went up to the second floor. Before they entered the hall, they heard the noise of laughter and joy inside. Various sounds mixed with Wu Nong's soft words filled their eardrums. There were wanton laughter and wanton shouting, just like a dish.
The market is average.
When Zhang Yanling and others appeared, dozens of officials in the entire hall fell silent almost at the same time and stood up.
"Everyone, the Lord Protector has arrived. Fortunately, I have fulfilled my duty." Zhu Fu laughed.
"We have met the Protector of the Country, and we are eagerly looking forward to the visit of the Lord Protector to Nanjing."
"Yes, I have heard about the reputation of Lord Protector for a long time. I finally meet him today. I am truly lucky."
"The Protector turned out to be a young man. In the past, people said that the Protector was young and handsome, but the old man still didn't believe it. Now I see it, it is true. A young man has great ambitions and has made outstanding achievements. It is really a blessing for the country to have such talents in Ming Dynasty.
."
"Isn't that right? The Protector was granted the title of Duke at the age of twenty-three. Looking at the past and present, who can compare? What's even more rare is that Pan An is more beautiful and Song Yu is more beautiful. If the girls on the Qinhuai River see this, they will go crazy.
Are you done? Hahaha."
"..."
Zhang Yanling stood there blankly in a daze. This group of officials acted like rainbow farts and boasted loudly when they met. It was really unexpected. This was the first time I had encountered such unabashed flattery.
Zhang Yanling knows that these officials in Nanjing are actually people with no ambitions. If they are sent to Nanjing, they are actually demoted. This is a permanent capital. Even if the six departments are complete, the official positions of this minister and that minister are not small, but here the guard
There is an empty palace, there is no emperor, and there is not much real power, just a bunch of empty titles.
For example, they are just like the old maids, concubines, concubines and eunuchs who still live in the Nanjing Palace. They can only live alone in the empty palace. The palace is their prison, and the city of Nanjing is like this gang.
The prison of Nanjing officials.
Who is Zhang Yanling? The current protector of the country, the current uncle of the country, has outstanding achievements and is famous all over the world. He is a red and purple person. When he came to Nanjing, he couldn't help but fawn over him. If he wants to escape from the cage of Nanjing,
That was just a matter of a word from the Protector. Therefore, these people would rather give themselves a chance, so they gave up their self-esteem and openly flattered him.
"My lords, please respect yourselves." A person shouted in a deep voice.
Zhang Yanling followed the sound and saw an acquaintance, Wang Hua, the Minister of Civil Affairs in Nanjing, Wang Shouren's father. He was the Minister of Civil Affairs in Nanjing at his own request, because his son had offended Liu Jin, and Wang Hua knew what he was doing.
Came to Nanjing.
"Duke Protector, I'm very sorry. My Nanjing officials are very enthusiastic and respect the Duke. So my words were a bit excessive, so I hope you won't be offended." Wang Hua saluted.
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Shibo, you are too worried. My lords, thank you for hosting a banquet for me. I have already felt your enthusiasm. Nanjing is a good place. I will stay here for a while, and we will have more friends by then."
Get close to each other and move around more. Hahaha. I like making friends the most."
Everyone cheered loudly, pointing their fingers and praising: "The Protector has no pretensions and is approachable. He really makes people feel at ease."
"The Protector is very friendly and has a heart as big as the sea, which is admirable."
After another bombardment of flattery, everyone gathered around Zhang Yanling to sit down at the table, and drank from each cup.
Zhang Yanling does not like others to flatter him, especially the meaningless flattery of this group of people is actually unpleasant. But he has to do things in Nanjing. Although these people do not have much power, I am afraid they still have some means in the local area.
and strong people. Having a good relationship with them will be beneficial to your work.
Although I am not afraid of them making trouble or constraining me, it is better to be friendly and harmonious than to have a stalemate relationship. Although some people are not successful enough, they are more than capable of making trouble in secret. The easiest and smartest way is not to offend them.
, treat them as human beings.
There was a banquet where everyone was enjoying themselves. A group of officials took advantage of the wine to be unscrupulous at the banquet, telling dirty jokes and romantic affairs. Some people even recommended Zhang Yanling's eight top brands along the Qinhuai River as if they were family treasures.
, counting their benefits in detail, and even willing to recommend Zhang Yanling, etc., it is really full of ugliness.
Zhu Fu was nothing. It was common for nobles to visit romantic places. He himself was a frequent visitor to the brothel, and his son Zhu Lin was also a prostitute. Zhang Yanling was a frequent visitor to the brothel. She once had a conflict with her son because of jealousy. I'm afraid it's the same.
It was inevitable to visit the brothels on the Qinhuai River, so I didn’t take it seriously.
Wang Hua, on the other hand, frowned and drank sullenly, looking out of place. He felt disgusted and helpless towards these officials.
During the banquet, Zhang Yanling had time to ask Wang Hua about Wang Shouren's current situation, and unexpectedly got some news.
"Shouren is on his way back to Nanjing. I have been in poor health recently. Shouren got the news and took leave in January to come back from southern Jiangxi for a visit. If the Protector stays in Nanjing for a while, we may be able to meet him."
Zhang Yanling was overjoyed when he heard this and said: "Brother Shou must inform me when he comes back. I'm afraid I will have to stay in Nanjing for three to five months. I came here with my whole family for shipbuilding. I must see him."
Wang Hua was also happy. He knew that Zhang Yanling had recommended his son's position as governor of southern Gansu. He was very grateful to Zhang Yanling. He nodded and agreed. He thought that he didn't need Zhang Yanling to do anything, and he didn't need to do anything.
He plans to return to the capital. His son is still young, so he needs to have a good relationship with the Protector. It may be of greater benefit in the future.
The banquet ended in the late afternoon. Zhang Yanling was very drunk. Two personal guards carried him downstairs and found a carriage before returning to his residence. After entering the door, he fell asleep and fell unconscious.