Chapter 275: Mars Guarding the Heart
This year's enrollment is indeed good. Zhou Jijiu and his colleagues spotted several students on the first day.
What’s rare is that among those who registered, there were several female students.
When those students came for the exam, they felt honored to be competing with Su Zhizhi.
"Are you the first female student in the martial arts school?"
"The legendary ten-year-old tiger-slaying hero?"
"The eldest daughter of the Black Mountain Mansion? The one who fought against the Mi Po people?"
"My brother told me about your legend in the martial arts school..."
Su Zhizhi nodded in agreement: "Yes, it's me. No need to be so polite. When you enter the martial arts hall, just call me Senior Sister."
Su Zhizhi spoke very inspiringly and enthusiastically, and then the next moment she knocked the man to the ground.
other side:……
Su Zhizhi: ...You were already being very gentle.
After Su Zhizhi finished a busy day at the martial arts school, Zhou Jijiu said:
"Zhizhi, you've worked hard. We've been recruiting students lately, so you guys will take turns. Tomorrow you'll have a rest, and it'll be Caiwei's turn."
Coach Lin also asked Su Zhizhi if she was hungry after fighting all day, and if she was, she could eat at the martial arts hall first.
Su Zhizhi studied at the martial arts school for three years, and Zhou Jijiu and others had a deep understanding of Su Zhizhi's talents and appetite.
Su Zhizhi: "Master Zhou, no need. I'll go directly to the Black Mountain Restaurant. My friend is waiting for me there."
The martial arts school is not far from the West Market. The Xiaoyaofang that was burned down has been rebuilt into a restaurant that is bigger and more luxurious than Xiaoyaofang.
There are four large gilded characters on the restaurant's plaque:
【Black Mountain Restaurant】
In the past few years, many branches of Heishan Restaurant have been opened in Chang'an, among which the one in Xishi is the largest and most luxurious.
Su Zhizhi walked into the Black Mountain Restaurant and went straight to a room at the end of the third floor.
Knock, knock, knock! Fingers knocked on the door cheerfully.
The person who opened the door was a girl with delicate features, like a fresh pear blossom after the rain.
"Lime!"
“Zhizhi!”
Gu Qingning and Su Zhizhi hugged each other.
With a creak, the door of the opposite room opened, and a young man in brocade clothes walked out and called out "Zhizhi" happily.
Su Zhizhi turned around, surprise flashing in her eyes: "Wu Zhan? You've grown a lot taller."
Wu Zhan smiled: "Same here."
Gu Qingning took Su Zhizhi's hand and said, "I've already ordered the food. It will be delivered soon. Let's go in and talk."
A moment later, several fragrant dishes were placed on the table in the room.
Su Zhizhi, Gu Qingning and Wu Zhan sat around.
The Wu family's caravan came to the capital to do business, and Wu Zhan also came this time:
"I'm fourteen this year. My father said he would let me manage the caravan on the northern route, so he brought me to the capital to familiarize myself with his connections."
The Wu family's caravan is now so famous that it is known throughout Dayu, and they have so many caravans under their command that they cannot be counted on one hand.
"We brought a lot of black mountain tea to Beijing this time. In the past two years, black mountain tea has been in short supply in Beijing. Everyone knows about black mountain tea."
Wu Zhan spoke in a businessman-like manner, and while he was talking, he did not forget to pour tea for the two girls.
Gu Qingning came with the Gu family.
Because Gu Qingning's two cousins came to Beijing Academy to study last year, Gu Qingning came with her elders to visit her cousins this year.
The journey from Lingnan to Chang'an is long. For safety reasons, the Gu and Wu family caravans traveled together and arrived in the capital together.
After they came to the capital, they stayed at the Black Mountain Restaurant and felt very familiar, just like they were in Lingnan.
Gu Qingning covered her lips and said, "Zhizhi, you haven't seen it. The Wu family has become very famous in Lingnan in the past two years. Many people have followed them on the caravans. Even some of my family's original tenants stopped renting land and were poached by the Wu family to work for them."
Wu Zhan: "Hey, we didn't poach them. We hired people with a clear price. People came willingly."
Su Zhizhi asked, "Qingning, what will happen if your tenant leaves? There will be no one to farm the fields."
Wu Zhan: "Yes, yes, Zhizhi, the Qingning family's land has no trouble renting. A group of tenants left, and new tenants came."
“There are so many people in Lingnan now?”
Su Zhizhi remembered that when she left a few years ago, although there were many people in Heishan Township, there were not many people in other places in Lingnan, not to mention that a lot of people were lost due to the war with Mi Po.
Gu Qingning was full of energy. "Yes, Lingnan has seen an increasing number of people in recent years. We have a lot of people from Xunzhou in particular. Zhizhi, you haven't seen what Heishan Township looks like now. It's almost catching up with Baiyun County."
"Zhizhi, how are you doing in Beijing?" Gu Qingning asked.
"I'm doing well in the capital. I'm not in the academy, but I'm training in the martial arts academy. I have a good classmate in the martial arts academy. I'll ask her out in a couple of days and take you guys to play in the capital."
Su Zhizhi talked about many interesting things in Beijing. It seemed that she could thrive wherever she went.
"How is Village Chief Hao now?" Wu Zhan said with admiration in his eyes when talking about Hao Ren.
Su Zhizhi: "My father is quite busy, which is good. Ever since he was given an official title, he has to go to the palace."
Hao Ren has really made a name for himself in Beijing in recent years.
Everyone knows that the imperial merchant Hao Ren is deeply trusted by the emperor. He has contributed a lot of silver and money to the court in the past two years. The emperor was very pleased and conferred him a casual official title of Chao San Da Fu at the New Year's Eve palace banquet two months ago.
Although he had no real power, he not only held an official position but also received a salary from the court. When he entered and left the palace, people had to call him "Lord Hao" when they saw him.
Wu Zhan clutched his chest and said, "If I can reach Village Chief Hao, no, even one-tenth of Mr. Hao's ability in this life, I will die without regrets!"
In Wu Zhan's heart, Hao Ren has become a being on par with the sun and the moon.
Gu Qingning glared at him: "What are you talking about? It's bad luck."
Wu Zhan: "My father sent a letter to Heishan Mansion today, hoping to visit. I wonder if I can see him tomorrow."
Su Zhizhi took a bite of the food and said, "I'll go back and ask tonight. My father has entered the palace again today."
…
In the imperial study, Hao Ren was standing in front of Murong Yu, lowering his eyes and reporting:
"Your Majesty, all merchants in the capital are now under our control. We have detailed accounts of the purchases made by the court officials and the transactions of the servants."
Hao Ren handed over a record book.
Murong Yu flipped through a few pages, his eyes clearly showing approval:
"Well, Hao Ren, na Hao Ren, I really didn't misjudge you. You did a great job on this matter. You relieved me of a lot of worries."
Hao Ren bowed his head and said, "I am able to achieve what I have today thanks to the support of Your Majesty. I will naturally serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly."
Murong Yu smiled and nodded.
He liked this thing about Hao Ren the most. He knew that he came from a humble background, but he always remembered the emperor's kindness.
Just like a well-fed dog, it can see clearly who its owner is.
"You've been very busy lately, go back and rest early." Murong Yu waved Hao Ren away.
Hao Ren: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration. I will take my leave."
When Hao Ren left, he saw Eunuch Wang standing at the door, smiling and saying:
"Master Hao, take care."
Eunuch Wang follows the emperor every day and knows best who is the emperor's favorite.
The other palace servants also knelt down and saluted Hao Ren.
As the saying goes, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. In recent years, the emperor's temper has become increasingly erratic, and it seems that anyone around him who says more than one word is wrong.
But every time the emperor summoned Hao Ren, he was obviously in a good mood.
"Wang Miao, please go to Minghui Palace." Murong Yu walked out of the palace.
Eunuch Wang: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Murong Yu has been to the harem less frequently in recent years, and when he did, he mostly went to see Concubine Hui or Concubine Shu.
He spent the night in the harem, but that was just spending the night. He couldn't do anything else and was powerless.
This made him always feel frustrated when facing Pei Shu.
At one point he wanted to escape and simply not see Pei Shu, but he had become accustomed to going to Minghui Palace at least once every two days.
If I hadn't seen Pei Shu, I would have felt chest tightness, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Murong Yu also became suspicious and asked the imperial physician what was going on.
The imperial physician felt the emperor's pulse several times and said, "Your Majesty seems to be a little weak. You should replenish your Qi and blood."
Murong Yu asked again, "Why do I feel energetic when I see Concubine Hui, but feel dull and weak when I don't?"
The old doctor blushed and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. This is called lovesickness."
Murong Yu: ...
After having dinner in Minghui Palace, Murong Yu did not stay overnight and returned to Ganyang Palace.
He strolled along the palace path, looked up at the sky full of stars, and thought the stars were very bright tonight.
Murong Yu: "I see the stars shining brightly tonight, as if the stars are gathering together."
Eunuch Wang echoed, "With a wise ruler like the Emperor on the throne, wouldn't the star gods in the sky gather together to enjoy peace on earth?"
Eunuch Wang couldn't understand the celestial phenomena and the stars, so he just said something nice.
Murong Yu didn't understand it either, so he laughed when he heard it, as if he really saw the immortals laughing and talking about the harmonious and happy scene on earth.
The one who truly understood the celestial phenomena was the Imperial Astronomical Observatory.
The Imperial Observatory was in an uproar at this time.
Observatory.
Wan Jian, who was on duty at the Imperial Astronomical Observatory, was staring at the vast starry sky, his pupils suddenly shrinking.
Mars, twinkling in the starry sky, slowly moved to the vicinity of Antares, and seemed to be staying there.
Wan Jianzheng's originally calm face turned pale in an instant, and his lips trembled slightly:
"Yinghuo...Yinghuo Shouxin!"
Mars is the star that governs wars and disasters; Heart is related to the fate of the emperor and the safety of the world.
Mars is in the heart.
A astronomical phenomenon rarely seen in a century.
There are changes in the world, a sign of great disaster.
"Quick! Someone, bring this memorial to the palace!"
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