My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 720 Lyre and Homer’s Epic
"Have all the goods needed by the Ottoman mission been delivered?"

In Shi Zhan's house, Zhu Zhanhe asked Li Qi in front of him without raising his head.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I specifically asked the relevant officials. All the goods have been delivered. The Ottomans paid the bill with money and goods, and some people were left to stay in Beizheng Port. It seems that they plan to keep the business for a long time." Keep doing it."

Li Qi replied immediately.

"Osman is a big customer, let the officials below pay more attention."

Zhu Zhanhe finally finished approving a memorial, then raised his head and warned again.

Before the opening of the canal, the Ottoman Empire would be the most friendly partner of the Han Dynasty. Both parties would benefit from each other and there would be no conflict of interest. But after the canal is opened, that may not be possible.

"The subordinate understands!"

Li Qi agreed again, and then thought of something again, so he spoke again.

"Cheng Guo Gong Zhu Yong has put down the rebellion in the northwest and will lead the Shenji Battalion back to Beijing in the near future."

"Remember to remind me when the time comes, and I will go to greet you in person."

Zhu Zhanhe ordered again.

The Shenji Battalion had all been equipped with flintlock guns. Zhu Zhanhe wanted to personally check the situation of these guns after the war. In addition, he also wanted to discuss with Zhu Yong and let him prepare to lead his troops to Egypt.

Li Qi agreed again, and then reported a few other things before retreating.

At this time, Helen brought tea to Zhu Zhanhe, and while pouring him tea, she said: "How come you, the prince, are so busy? For several days in a row, I only see you sitting here dealing with things. Even when you eat, you are interrupted." Things interrupt.”

"There is no way. The time since our Han Dynasty was founded is too short, and manpower everywhere is very tight, so I have to worry about many things myself."

Zhu Zhanhe drank the tea in one gulp.

Of course, he is not extremely busy all the time. Sometimes when there are less government affairs and less important matters, Zhu Zhanhe will leave them to Yang Shiqi and others so that he can take a rest.

"I think you are too ambitious. The big man already has such a vast territory, but you still want to expand outwards. You are just asking for trouble!"

Helen curled her lips and said.

Venice was a country that developed as a city-state, and it controlled mostly islands with a very limited area. Therefore, she really couldn't understand why Zhu Zhanhe was so keen on expanding his territory?

"You don't understand. We have an old saying in the Central Plains, which is called 'Born in sorrow and dying in happiness'. We big men may look strong, but if we don't make progress, we will be replaced by others sooner or later!"

When Zhu Zhanhe said it to the end, he couldn't help but sigh.

Sometimes it is not a good thing to know the direction of history, because he has too many things to worry about, so he wants to solve all hidden dangers in advance, but human energy is limited, and sometimes he feels tired, but he can not stop.

It was also the first time that Helen saw Zhu Zhanhe showing such a worried look, and she couldn't help but feel soft. She poured him a cup of tea again, and then gently sat next to him.

Zhu Zhanhe took the tea cup and did not drink it all in one gulp like before. Instead, he slowly tasted the taste of the tea, and his body and mind gradually relaxed.

"Can you play an instrument?"

After a while, Zhu Zhanhe suddenly asked Helen. "Yes, my lyre is unique in Venice. Normally no one else can hear it. I only play it when my father holds a banquet!"

Helen said with a proud expression again.

"It's a coincidence. Among the gifts given by the Ottomans last time was a lyre. I asked someone to get it. How about you play it for me?"

Zhu Zhanhe was also quite surprised when he heard this.

The lyre, also called the lyre, is the earliest plucked string instrument in the West. It is said that Hermes, the son of Zeus, wound the strings around a turtle shell and made it. This type of lyre is most commonly used by bards in the West.

"Okay, I haven't played the piano for a long time, and I'm going to give birth to my hands if I don't practice!"

When Helen heard that Zhu Zhanhe had a lyre, she nodded in surprise.

Following Zhu Zhanhe's instructions, a palace maid soon brought the lyre over. It was a very gorgeous lyre. The body was carved from ivory and gemstones, and was full of exotic amorous feelings.

Helen took the lyre and tuned the strings, tried the tone again, and then played it gently while singing a poem that had been passed down for thousands of years.

Zhu Zhanhe could not understand the poems Helen sang, but listening to her clear voice and the melodious music when the strings were plucked, he slowly became immersed in it. It must be said that music does transcend national boundaries and nations. Vigor, but he felt a sad emotion from the sound of the piano.

After the song was played, Helen stopped her fingers, looked toward the west with red eyes, and said nothing for a long time.

After a while, Zhu Zhanhe finally said, "What poem are you singing?"

"Odysseus."

Helen replied softly, with lingering sadness in her voice.

“The hero in Homer’s epic who returns home after many hardships?”

Zhu Zhanhe asked in surprise. At the same time, he finally understood why Helen was so sad, because her fate was a bit similar to that of Odysseus. He went through hardships and wandered at sea for ten years before returning to his hometown. , and if Helen wants to return to her hometown, she will probably have to wait for several years.

"You even know about Odysseus?"

Helen asked again in surprise. Although she knew that Zhu Zhanhe was very knowledgeable and had some knowledge of Greek mythology characters, he even knew about Odysseus, which was beyond his expectation.

“Not only do I know Odysseus, but I also know the Iliad.”

Zhu Zhanhe said with a faint smile.

Odysseus is the protagonist of the epic poem "The Odyssey", and "The Odyssey" is combined with another epic poem "The Iliad" to form the famous "Homer's Epic".

Helen was even more excited to hear that Zhu Zhanhe actually understood Homer's epics. She immediately put her homesickness behind her and pulled him to chat about some plots in Homer's epics.

Zhu Zhanhe had read many miscellaneous books in his previous life, and Homer's epic was one of them. Later generations had many interpretations of Homer's epic. Therefore, when he talked about Homer's epic, he often added some interpretations and comments from later generations. The more Helen listened, the more shocked she became, and little stars appeared in her eyes when she looked at Zhu Zhanhe.

Just when Zhu Zhanhe and Helen were chatting happily, a chamberlain suddenly came in and reported: "Your Highness, the Duke of E wishes to see you!"

The Duke of E is also Chang Wei. This title was once the title of Chang Yuchun. Later, the title was taken away because the Chang family was in the wrong team. But now Zhu Gaoxu has returned the title to the Chang family, which can be regarded as a settlement with Chang. A wish for home.

(End of this chapter)