The Ring of the Red Chamber and the Nine Heavens

In the suburbs of Yangzhou City, Tianning Pavilion.

Tianning Pavilion is the villa of Xie Jin, the Taifu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It is built on the mountain. In the palace, ordinary people can only admire its fairy posture in the misty clouds and mists from a distance, and they can no longer glimpse the beautiful scenery in it.

In the evening of that day, King Qin's charity dinner was held here.

Jia Huan made all the arrangements and was standing on the platform outside the main building of Tianning Pavilion together with the Western missionary he found out with great difficulty, looking down at the group of guests above who were holding invitation cards with bright red clay gold They dressed in the best clothes in their lives, and they walked up the mountain ladder, exchanging a few words of complacent feelings with other people who came with them from time to time.

Missionary Xiu Ning said enviously: "What a group of elegant Chinese gentlemen!"

Jia Huan said with a smile: "Can you guess that they are the merchants who were criticized in the past for being penny-pinching and full of copper stink?"

Xiu Ning shrugged and said, "Anyway, I can't see it."

Jia Huan said: "The fact that you can attract so many guests this time is all due to your well-painted poster with a large oil painting."

Xiu Ning said: "That large painting did cost me a lot of hard work, and I haven't had a good night's sleep for five days. However, I feel very honored to be able to work for His Royal Highness King Qin."

Jia Huan said with a chuckle, "I'll trouble you to wave your magical paintbrush later, but this time, please use your best and fastest charcoal pencil to paint."

Xiu Ning bowed slightly, and said: "I would like to listen to the young master's orders."

At about the time of two incense sticks, all the guests gathered in Feixian Tower of Tianning Pavilion.

A grand banquet has been set up here. Originally, according to King Qin, if it was according to the specifications of the state banquet, there should be table seats, one person, one case, divided into several columns, but it was rejected by Jia Huan, because one person, one case, It would be very crowded to accommodate these hundreds of people, and a lot of dishes would be wasted. In the end, King Qin followed Jia Huan's plan and used big round tables for all of them.

I saw a large mahogany round table, spread out with delicacies from the sea and mountains, and the food was colorful; in the white jade cups, the fine nectar and jade liquid glowed with a beautiful luster, surrounded by embroidered screens on both sides, and the seats were full of gold mats.After the guests were directed to sit down, they couldn't hold back their curiosity. They took a peek at the main seat, which was also an ordinary mahogany round table, but it was decorated more exquisitely and luxuriously. There was a white jade vase with decorations on the left and agate and coral on the right. Tree.The beautiful Gong'e held a blue and white round fan, and the respectful servant waited quietly for the king of Qin who had not yet arrived.

Tea first.The tender buds of the sparrow tongue are slowly stretching in the green tea soup, and the misty sound of silk and bamboo is floating in the ear. After listening to the introduction of a small servant, I know that the music is played by the palace, and it is played by the lake on the other side of the mountain. The sound of music comes through mountains and rivers, as if touched by the aura between heaven and earth, it is like fairy music in the middle of the mountain, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.

Then the salute was fired, countless fireworks bloomed, and they competed with each other in the valley. Looking out from the window, all the colorful lanterns were lit, and they swayed up the mountain ladder. In the dark night, it is like a string of bright and clean pearl necklaces, just surrounding the Tianning Pavilion where the guests are located, and it is as beautiful as an illusion.

However, everyone did not have time to appreciate the rare beauty in this world, because the King Qin, who was the focus of everyone's attention, arrived after a long time surrounded by a group of Yangzhou officials, and finally arrived, and then sat down in the seats.

The shock of everyone is hard to describe. In the book and the play, the words that praised a certain handsome man, such as "the jade tree is facing the wind", just sounded numb and toothache. After all, people have such eyes and noses, no matter how handsome they are, they are also handsome. Where to go?They are all sour and exaggerated words. When I saw the King of Qin today, I felt that all the words are not too much to add to him. In a word, this son only exists in the sky, so we can see him a few times in the world.

Here, Qin Wang Qiqian sat on the left side of Yangzhou Yanyan Yushi Lin Ruhai, on the right side sat Jia Huan and Yangzhou prefect Wu Zhizhou, and on the opposite side were guests who spent 2000 taels of silver.Sitting face to face like this made King Qin feel a little uncomfortable, so he whispered to Jia Huan who was beside him: "It's better to have a table, this big round table looks like it's in a wine shop."

These days, Qi Qian and Jia Huan got to know each other well, and their conversation became less formal. Jia Huan replied in a low voice, "If it's a case, it's laid out so densely that people don't think it's for a banquet. I thought it was for the exam."

Qi Qian thought about the scene, it was true, how could there be so many people at the state banquet?There are dozens of people at most, so it's okay to set up a table, but if hundreds of people gather together, it's necessary to set up a table, even if it's difficult for the servants who serve the food to turn around, Jia Huan's consideration is more realistic.

Afterwards, the King of Qin gave a short speech and started the banquet.

Coral dish with fairy peach and different fruits, tortoise shell dish with phoenix marrow and dragon liver.The scales are cut into silver shreds, and the jade pistils are cooked in fine tea.Even the great salt merchants who savor delicacies from mountains and seas every day, it is difficult to see the grand occasion of this splendid state banquet, sitting upright, holding chopsticks inlaid with seven treasures like jasper and glass, and savoring carefully.

At this time, a group of young dancers in mandarin skirts and emerald sleeves came gracefully, flung out the long sleeves of cirrus clouds, and danced in feather clothes and neon dresses.

About three hours later, the banquet was over.

The King of Qin got up and changed his clothes, and all the guests were led by the servants to drink tea on the rooftop outside and enjoy the mountain scenery.

King Qin changed into a lighter python robe, and he didn't wear a king's hat on his head. Instead, he tied his long hair in a delicate white jade hair crown on a lotus seat. His complexion was not as solemn as before, and he seemed very relaxed.

At this time, a young man in brocade clothes and jade belt came out from the side of King Qin, stood in a prominent position in the middle, bowed slightly to the guests present, saluted, and said in a loud voice: "Ladies and gentlemen, everyone knows Mr. Wu Zhizhou, the magistrate of Yangzhou, loves the people like a son, is fair and honest, but do you know that Mr. Wu has the unique skill of splashing ink with one hand, and can make a picture of flowers and birds in a stick of incense? Okay, let’s invite the prefect of Wu to show it Take a look at his amazing talent."

Wu Zhifu drew two pictures, and he twirled his beard and smiled triumphantly amidst the admiration of the crowd.

Jia Huan, the host of the banquet, then invited a white-faced and thin-bearded scholar, Feng Huanran, who was said to be the fifth-rank general judge, to play the song "High Mountain and Flowing Water" for everyone by plucking the strings leisurely.

……

The finale is a joint sentence with the former detective Hualin Ruhai.It is very difficult to recite poems and write lyrics. There are many merchants present here, and most of them are proficient in Chinese and ink. They have achieved something in the world, but it doesn't mean that they don't yearn for those literati who are full of poetry and calligraphy. Now that they have the opportunity to connect with the rich and talented former Tanhua Lang Lin, who wouldn't be eager to try?

After about two hundred couplets, the game came to an end, and all the guests at the table looked happy.

Jia Huanfu stepped forward again, and Lang Lang said: "Guests, today we gather together to enjoy a banquet with His Royal Highness King Qin and all the adults in this breezy Tianning Pavilion. It is really a joy in life. But, At this time, a large number of victims caused by floods in Cheng'an River have neither porridge to feed their stomachs nor tiles to cover themselves. Hunger is everywhere, and the Holy One is worried, so His Royal Highness King Qin came to raise money and food for disaster relief. As the saying goes, all men in the world are brothers, and the men in Yangzhou are all honest men. Brothers are in trouble, how can we stand idly by?"

The guests were moved and were whispering and hesitating, the King of Qin said flatly: "Xiao Wang is willing to donate three years' salary, including a thousand taels of gold."

The prefect of Wu immediately stood up and said impassionedly: "The salary of an official who eats the king must worry about state affairs and the victims of disasters. I am willing to follow the prince and donate three years' salary, which is 500 taels of silver."

Lin Ruhai also stood up and said, "I am also willing to follow the prince and donate three years' salary, including 500 taels of silver."

The rest of the officials echoed generously, and generally donated three years' salary, ranging from more than a thousand taels of silver to several hundred taels.

A servant hurriedly took a notebook to record.

The leading salt merchant also stood up and said, "We don't dare to stand shoulder to shoulder with the adults, but we don't dare to lag behind. Let's donate 500 taels of silver."

Jia Huan said with a smile: "Brother, don't underestimate yourself. Although you have no official positions, you are all rich men. It is much easier to live than those who have official positions. It is already the limit for them to donate a few hundred taels of silver, but you should not be limited. Therefore, I would like to donate as much as possible. On behalf of His Royal Highness King Qin and the victims of the Cheng'an River flood, I would like to thank you. Oh, by the way, here are three unique charcoal drawings..."

Jia Huan opened the drawing paper in his hand for everyone to see. It turned out to be a figure painting drawn with thick black charcoal. On the painting was the king of Qin toasting for a drink. The strokes of the brush were the same as those on the poster. style.

Jia Huan said with a smile: "This painting is the masterpiece of Western painter Mr. Xiu Ning. Mr. Xiu Ning said that another person can be painted in this blank space. Then, the three distinguished guests who donated the most money today will get one of them." Second painting, and ask Mr. Xiu Ning to complete the painting, and then we will have a toast with His Royal Highness King Qin on this painting."

The atmosphere suddenly became lively, and finally the salt merchants compared their donations one after another. The three highest ones donated 3000 taels, 800 taels, and 500 taels respectively. Although the rest of the salt merchants stopped, they also made large sums of money. The silver donation reached an average of 1000 taels per person, which was a full 500 taels more than what the leading salt merchant had promised just now, and more than 200 people were 10 taels of silver.

The banquet ended in a warm and joyful atmosphere. Every guest who participated in the banquet received a copy of calligraphy signed by the King of Qin as a souvenir, and they all went down the mountain contentedly.

Afterwards, after checking, the admission fee was 6 to 30 taels of silver, the donation was about 5 taels of silver, the banquet cost 40 taels of silver, and the total income was [-] taels of silver.

Therefore, Jia Huan planned to hold another one in ten days. Rao Qi Qian couldn't help admiring: "The merchants in Yangzhou are really rich in the world. The banquet last night cost 2000 taels per person. I thought it would be better if we held it again." It will be at least half a year and a year later, why are they eating it for the second time so soon?"

Jia Huan laughed out loud, and said: "Your Highness, the salt merchant's money was blown by the wind? Who would come to such an expensive meal if it wasn't based on the name of Your Highness King Qin? Besides Eat it once, it opened your eyes, and in this life, you have the qualifications to show off with others. I think I went to the banquet of His Royal Highness King Qin back then. Two banquets. It's enough to be frightened after going to the banquet. As for the number of banquets, it doesn't matter."

Qi Qian understood, and said: "You mean, they won't come again. Then why do you plan to hold the banquet ten days later?"

Jia Huan said: "It was prepared for the wealthy merchants near Jinling and Gusu. Although the merchants in Yangzhou spent money this time, they all cheerfully thought that the money was worth it, and they must be publicizing it everywhere. If the news spreads, the nearby merchants will definitely not be outdone, why don't we give them a chance to spend their money and be good people?"

Qi Qian patted Jia Huan on the head, and said: "I really don't know how your little head grows, but you keep coming up with such weird but very useful ideas?"

Just at this time, a guard came in quickly, knelt down and said, "I want to report to the lord, I just heard that the five-rank judge Feng Huanran slandered the lord outside just now, and now he has been tied up, waiting for the lord's release."

King Qin was slightly taken aback, did Feng Huanran eat Xiong Xinbao's guts?He dared to slander this king, besides, this king is not afraid of the shadow, so what can he slander?

The guard said: "Feng Huanran murmured behind his back that this important event should have been presided over by local officials in Yangzhou, but the prince appointed a kid who didn't even have a reputation, who was equivalent to no name. Did he intend to embarrass the officials in Yangzhou?"

Nameless? ! ! !Jia Huan is confused: I understand that Feng Tong judged you to mean that I am neither a Jinshi nor an official, but please don't use these ambiguous words indiscriminately, okay?It's nothing at all, how can I be embarrassed by you, Mr. Feng, calling me like a resentful woman!