Fenghou

He kissed the little lady on the cheek, "She looks just like mother, and she will definitely be daddy's most beautiful little princess in the future."

It was only then that Yu Ying remembered that she forgot to put a diaper on her child, and was a little flustered. Chen Qing smiled and said, "Don't worry, it's the first time my child peed on my clothes, and it feels good."

He put the baby back in the cradle carefully, and suddenly he felt that he should make a pacifier for the baby, so that the baby can hold the bottle and drink milk by itself. After much deliberation, it seems that only rubber pacifiers are the most suitable. Nanyang is rich in rubber, but it can be bought in large quantities.

At this moment, the nurse came over, Yu Ying handed the baby to the nurse, and then took her husband to change clothes.

……

In the afternoon, the concubine Lu Xiu began to distribute the annual rewards. Now that Chen Qing is the prince, the rules of the annual rewards are different from before. Because there are too many people, it is impossible for the princess to distribute the annual rewards to everyone.

The annual rewards of the palace are divided into three categories, one is the family's annual money, which is distributed by the male owner Chen Qinglai to his wives, concubines and children. The princess is the main wife, and his annual reward is the highest, [-] guan, followed by Zhao Qiaoyun and Zhao Yingluo, Five thousand guan for each person, three thousand guan for each of the sisters of the Yu family, and then the eldest son Chen Ji, with one thousand guan for the year, and five hundred guan for the other children.

The family is called New Year's Money, which means New Year's money, not only for children, but also for wives and the elderly.

The housemaid is not called annual money, but annual reward, which means year-end bonus.

The second category is the special category, personal female guards, each with [-] guan, the same is true for wet nurses, each with [-] guan, [-] soldiers stationed in the mansion, each with [-] guan, several personal soldiers and generals are one One hundred guan, and another [-] soldiers accompanying the team, each with [-] guan.

The third category is the servants and stewards. The housekeeper Tian, ​​the housekeeper Wen of the inner house, and the accountant Liu are fifty guanice each, and the five field house stewards each have forty guanice. Afterwards, there are cooks, servants, accountants, grooms, coachmen, house maids, etc. each with ten pennies, and finally a dozen rough envoys and maids, as well as the caretakers in the farm and the house, each with eight pennies. .

Everyone waited eagerly for a year, and finally waited for the time to distribute the reward money. The money was distributed. One silver coin can be exchanged for [-] Wen, and the black market can be exchanged for [-] Wen. Everyone is happy when they get bags of vain money. Abnormally, many people jumped for joy.

There were no slaves in the Song Dynasty, they were hired by contract, and the maids were all innocent girls. They signed a contract to work in the house at the age of thirteen or fourteen. Usually, they signed a three-year contract. At the latest, they were 20 years old. Going home to get married, some rich families are reluctant to leave their familiar maids, so they continue to work in the mansion as prostitutes, or marry high-status male servants in the mansion.

The Song Dynasty did a good job of protecting personal freedom, and Chen Qing also completely inherited it, and it was even stricter. For example, there were strict restrictions on taking concubines. A noble can only take concubines if he has a title or official rank. Different levels have different upper limits for taking concubines, such as The upper limit of the prince level is 20 people, but there are actually five people from Chen Qingcai.

Ordinary people are not allowed to take concubines, monogamy is practiced, what should rich businessmen do if they want to take concubines?Then you have to make a contribution, donate money and food to the army, donate money and food to a nursery school, or run a school, etc., you can get an honorary officer, and you can only take a concubine if you are an honorary officer of the seventh-rank Yunqiwei.

Moreover, the Royal Palace does not recognize the honored officials awarded by the imperial court, and must be awarded by the Royal Palace.

Taking a concubine is very important, of course it is not for playing with women, you can go to a brothel for playing with a woman, the purpose of taking a concubine is to pass on the family line.

It's a bit far-fetched. After the reward money is distributed, the palace will be on vacation. The New Year holiday is three days, and you must go back on the fourth day of the lunar new year. If you don't go back, you can celebrate the New Year with the master, and the salary can be doubled, and you can get extra reward money.

With these benefits, many maids and domestic servants went back to have a New Year's Eve dinner with their families, and returned early the next morning.

On New Year's Eve, every household is having a reunion dinner, and Chen Qing's family is no exception. A dozen of them, including Li Qingzhao, sit in the lobby, and a few maids stand behind them. More than [-] female guards, maids from the inner house, and several wet nurses also sat together to eat the New Year's Eve dinner.

"You go to eat too! You are not needed here." Lu Xiu smiled to the maids behind her.

"Hey!" several maids agreed and went down to the hall.

"Drink less alcohol." Lu Xiu shouted again.

"understood!"

Without the maid, Yu Ying took the initiative to get up and pour wine for everyone, Chen Ji took the jug and said, "Si Niang go sit down, I'll pour wine!"

Chen Qing said with a smile: "Sit down, Ah Ying! It's rare that Ji'er has the filial piety to pour wine for everyone."

Ji'er poured wine for Li Qingzhao first. She is the elder, so it should be the father who pours wine for her first. Chen Ji is very clear about the order of elder and younger.

"Good boy! Grandma gives you this."

Li Qingzhao smiled brightly, and gave Chen Ji a five-two-weight reunion gold cake, which was exquisitely crafted.

"Thank you grandma!"

Chen Ji didn't take the gold cake, but looked at his father, Chen Qing nodded and said with a smile, "Accept it! Granny's kindness to you."

Only then did Chen Ji accept the gold cake, and then pour wine for his father.

"We want to pour wine too!"

Chen Xueer and Chen Binger saw their brother get the glittering golden cake, they were really greedy, and they also ran out and clamored for wine.

Chen Qing laughed and said: "You two are too young, I don't want you to pour wine, Xue'er sings, Binger dances, and Daddy will reward me later!"

Zhao Yingluo smiled and said, "I'll play music for you!"

She took the pipa from the wall and tuned it, and a series of cheerful melodies popped out from her fingertips like rolling balls.

Like a little swallow, Chen Binger danced lightly and danced the court dance.

With her hands behind her back, Chen Xueer shook her head slightly, and sang in a childish voice.

"Between sheng and song, there is a Chinese feast, to celebrate the new year. The dishes are passed on delicately, and the green silk is light and thin. The harmony is in, and the east wind is in.

Fan'er Sheng'er is a aunt, and she wears it even more embarrassingly.May everything go well after the new year with good luck and good fortune. "

Chapter 76 Palembang

After the song was over, everyone applauded and cheered. Li Qingzhao said in surprise, "This poem is the order of Tanchun. It's well written! Who wrote it?"

Zhao Qiaoyun pointed at Chen Qing, "Master, it was written by an official."

Li Qingzhao praised: "It is unexpected that His Royal Highness Yong Wang, who is golden and iron horse, can also write such a festive and appropriate poem. It is well written, and I should respect His Highness Yong Wang."

Li Qingzhao raised his glass to toast, Chen Qing's face turned hot, this was written by Zhao Changqing, this Zhao Changqing was not born yet!It doesn't matter anymore.

He raised his glass to agree, and everyone followed suit.

Chen Qing put down his wine glass, only to find two young ladies standing in front of him, looking up at him eagerly with their little faces up.

Chen Qing patted the cute little faces of his two daughters, and took out two large gold coins from his bosom, each weighing one or two. Ministers and generals.

Chen Qing asked for six coins, and planned to distribute them to the six children. He happened to put two coins in his pocket, and gave them to his two daughters according to the occasion.

"Thank you Daddy!"

The two little ladies each held a large gold coin, and happily ran back to their seats.

Chen Ji filled everyone's wine again, Chen Qing raised his glass and stood up with a smile, "Come on! We have a new start for next year, and we drank this glass!"

"cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drank it down.

……

When Yinshi arrived, there was a clear knock on the cloud board, and Yu Ying got up quickly, helped her husband put on his clothes, combed her hair briefly, and went out to the lobby to gather.

Many people have to watch the New Year’s Eve, mainly waiting for Yinshi to offer sacrifices. Yinshi is exactly four o’clock in the middle of the night, and staying up until four o’clock in the middle of the night is difficult for people with weaker health. A few years ago, Chen Qing’s family also kept the New Year’s Eve, but Every time after the New Year's Eve, someone will always get sick.

Chen Qing followed Dr. Liu's advice and prepared all the items for the sacrifice during the day, then went to bed early, and everyone got up at Yinshi, half an hour before the sacrifice, so there was enough time.

A quarter of an hour later, everyone came to the lobby, except for the eldest son Chen Ji, the other children were still sleeping.

"Let's go!"

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Chen Qing led him down the hall. It was cold at night, and everyone dressed very thickly. They got into two carriages and drove towards Shuiyue Nunnery in the northeast corner.

The carriage slowly stopped at the small gate in the northeast corner, and the nunnery master Jingxin was already waiting in front of the gate with seven apprentices.

"Welcome Your Highness, welcome Wangfei and Prince, welcome ladies and gentlemen!"

Shuiyue Nunnery is dedicated to Shuiyue Guanyin. It is the family temple of the royal family. Last year, it was expanded to two acres of land and dedicated to a precious white jade Guanyin. Lu Xiu and several sisters often come here to make wishes and fulfill their wishes. People who live nearby also often come to offer incense. , the incense is also strong.

Chen Qing clapped his hands together and said, "It's too much work, Master!"

Master Jingxin smiled slightly and said: "There is still some time before the sacrifice. The poor nun and his disciples made two pots of charcoal fire. Everyone go to warm up the fire first. The poor nun will notify everyone when the time is up."

"Thank you!"

Chen Qing took his family into the side hall of Shuiyue Nunnery. This is the ancestral hall of Chen Qing's family. It is not open to the outside world. Only one door is open to the inside of the mansion. The nuns of Shuiyue Nunnery offer incense and worship all the year round.

The three animals and all kinds of pastries and fruits are ready, and a table is full, with more than a dozen spiritual tablets placed in the mahogany niche above.

Chen Qing is more considerate of his family. In addition to his parents, the spiritual tablets enshrined include the biological mothers of Lu Xiu and the Zhao sisters, and the parents of the Yu sisters. This year, there is an additional spiritual tablet, Lu Xiu's grandfather Lu Yihao.

Everyone put on black robes, followed Chen Qing to perform rituals, and finally put the incense on the incense burner one by one. Master Jingxin sat on the futon with seven disciples and chanted sutras.

Chen Qing bowed to Master Jingxin, and then left Shuiyue Nunnery with his family and returned to the mansion.

"Husband will have a New Year's meeting tomorrow, it's still early, let's sleep for a while!" Lu Xiu persuaded.

Chen Qing nodded, "I'll just go to the study and take a nap for a while."

Two healthy women driving the carriage waved their whips, and the carriage accelerated and drove towards the inner house.

……

The first day of the first lunar month in Jingzhao is still a world of ice and snow, and the world is full of snow.

But tens of thousands of miles away, it was extremely hot. At noon on the first day of the first lunar month, a fleet was sailing south through the waves.

This fleet of [-] Wanshifu boats set off from Quanzhou to Palembang City, the capital of the Three Buddhas, which is Mantrika, Indonesia this year.

They have been sailing for a month and are gradually reaching their destination.

Standing on the first big ship was a young official wearing a seventh-rank official uniform of the Song Dynasty. He was of medium build, but very strong, with tanned skin. He was Chao Kun, the judge of the Quanzhou Shipbuilding Administration, and Chao Qing's brother.

This time, Chao Kun came to Nanyang to look for some valuable items under the order of King Yong. He held the list of King Yong in his hand, mainly some crops.

But King Yong didn't ask him specifically what crops to find, but only asked him to bring back a sample and seeds of all the crops.

"Land ahead!" A sailor shouted from the mast.

Chao Kun also faintly saw a black line, and he asked the guide Zhang Jiugong next to him, "Is that Palembang City?"

Zhang Jiugong is a very experienced old seaman. He is 60 years old this year and his body is still very strong. He went to Nanyang at the age of 17 and wandered at sea for 40 years. He has been to Nanyang many times. He was never married and had no children.

He was extremely tired of life in Quanzhou, and yearned for the sea, but no one was willing to hire him, but he heard that the government was looking for experienced veteran crew members, so he recommended himself, and was selected by Chao Kun as a guide based on his rich experience in sailing.

Zhang Jiugong said with a smile: "That's not Palembang City, it's an outer island. The island is very big. We call it Guogai Island. The mountains on the island are very steep and the waves are relatively large. It is Palembang that bypasses the big island."

Chao Kun asked, "Does Palembang City have the kind of big round melon that Jiugong said?"

Zhang Jiugong smiled slightly, "I really don't know, I have to look for it. I saw it 30 years ago. Some natives came here by canoe from a distant island. It took them more than a month to row on the sea. Their food is a very Put a few big round melons on the canoe, and they can still hold water when they are hollowed out, enough for them to eat for a month."

"Well! I hope we are lucky."

"In fact, the rice here is also good! There are also three crops of rice a year."

Chao Kun frowned, "It is estimated that three crops a year can only be planted in hot places. Maybe it can be planted in Lingnan, but we can get some rice seeds and try it in Quanzhou."

The fleet circled the big island and walked for another day. Another continent appeared in front of them. When they saw the ships, they arrived at Palembang City.

……

"Woo-woo-"

The horn sounded in the distant harbor to welcome the arrival of the new fleet.

The fleet entered the bay and gradually saw the pier and the shore. The shore was full of houses. The houses were small and mainly made of wood. In the distance, you could see huge temples, all of which were domes of Buddhist temples.

During the Three Buddha Qi era, this place was still dominated by Mahayana Buddhism.

The pier was already full of dark crowds, and there were people running from all directions.

As the capital city and the largest seaport, Palembang City relies largely on overseas trade. Huge quantities of materials come in from overseas and are scattered to various places. Specialty products from all over the country gather in Palembang and are bought by overseas merchants.

The overseas merchants here are not only Song Dynasty merchants, but also Dashi merchants, Tianzhu merchants, and even Genoese merchants from the far west. They come here to buy spices.

The local people are mainly black people with dark skin, but there are also many well-dressed upper-class people. They wear silks and satins from the Song Dynasty, their skin is not so dark, and their smiles are friendly.

"Welcome to Sanfoqi!"

Chao Kun heard a familiar language, which turned out to be very pure Song official dialect.

Chapter 77 Yuanguo

After Chao Kun and Zhang Jiugong got off the boat, a large group of black vendors rushed up with fruit and food and surrounded them.

"Go away! Go away!"

Someone yelled a few times and drove the peddlers away.

A 40-year-old man walked up and asked with a smile in pure Mandarin, "Hasn't Jiu Gong retired? Why are you on the boat again?"

It was the man just now. He looked like a local, but his skin was not so dark, and his figure was relatively tall. He was wearing high-quality silk and a hat, and his figure was slightly fat.

It turned out that he knew Zhang Jiugong, Zhang Jiugong stepped forward and clapped his arms with him, and said with a smile: "I can't live without a boat in my life, this old bone is going to be thrown into the sea."

"Where? Jiugong is always strong!"

The two laughed, and Zhang Jiugong introduced Chao Kun to him, "This Mr. Chao is my new employer, a wealthy young man who wants to go out and meet the world."

Zhang Jiugong deliberately concealed Chao Kun's identity to avoid unnecessary trouble.

He introduced this man to Chao Kun, "This is Sanfo Qi's reception officer, his name is Chanong, and his Chinese name is Wang Nong."

Chao Kun bowed his hands and said: "It turns out to be the reception officer. May I ask if you have been to Song Dynasty?"