Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 74: Yan Shifan's Visit (Part )
When Beijing was built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, memorial archways were built at Dongsi, Xisi, Dongdan, Xidan, East and West Chang'an Avenue.

Ancient maps were not available to ordinary people, so these archways were signs for ordinary people to identify directions when walking.

At this time, Haiyue was looking at a four-pillar, three-story, painted wooden archway from afar, which looked like a tourist check-in point.

Compared with several other archways, Xisi Archway has a big difference.

This is the place where executions have been carried out in all dynasties.

In the more than 160 years since the Ming Dynasty, countless people have died and their blood has stained the dust in the West Market.

Among this group of people, some deserved to be put to death. When they were being executed on the ground, the people applauded. For example, twenty years ago, the eunuch Liu Jin was domineering and was known as the "standing Emperor Liu in Beijing". Later, when he was sentenced to death by slicing, "everyone cheered and celebrated, and children and women also fought with tiles and stones, vying to buy his flesh to eat."

In stark contrast, after Emperor Baozong restored the throne, he charged Yu Qian, who had made great contributions to the defense of Beijing, with treason and executed him. "On the day he was executed, the sky was covered with gloom, and all the women and children in the suburbs of Beijing wept." Many people brought wine and paper money to the execution ground in Xishi to pay tribute and cry bitterly.

Haiyue believes in this kind of record.

Because Liu Jin's evil and Yu Qian's merits had indeed affected the city of Beijing, the people in the city naturally hated and loved them from the bottom of their hearts.

If he were to travel back to that era, given his personality, Yu Qian would definitely be saved. It would be best if he could personally punch a bloody hole in Ming Baozong's body, so that his life in this world would not be in vain!
"Where's the house?"

Retracting her wandering thoughts, Hai Yue turned around and happened to see the scarred man Yan Xiu approaching enthusiastically. "Haha! When Xiaochuan told me, I was a little skeptical. I didn't expect it to be Mr. Hai. We are really destined to be together!"

"Is it fate?"

Hai Yue smiled and said, "If I had known that Brother Yan was going back to Beijing, we would have gone together. You are experienced in the martial arts world, while we are newbies. We need your care and support!"

"How dare you!"

Yan Xiu said sincerely, "If Master Hai is still a novice, then we who have wasted our years are truly ashamed. The Guangzhou case truly impressed us! Oh, Master Hai, did you know that something happened to the retired Wang Tuxue?"

Haiyue raised her eyebrows: "Oh? What's the matter?"

Yan Xiu said, "I heard he committed suicide! Alas, he was born into a noble family and was deeply influenced by the teachings of the saints. To commit such a wicked act, I imagine he must be overwhelmed with shame and unwilling to live in disgrace."

Haiyue nodded: "I think so too."

A strange look flashed in Yan Xiu's eyes.

There was neither surprise nor fear. This kind of calmness was something a seventeen-year-old boy could not possess.

This also completely confirmed his previous speculation.

It seems that the reward I should pay is much higher than the original one!

'what? '

As the two were talking, Hai Rui, who was standing next to them, vaguely sensed that the atmosphere was a bit strange, but there was also an inexplicable tacit understanding, and he couldn't help but blink.

Lin Daqin was looking forward to a place to stay. He was hungry and thirsty along the way. He was not strong to begin with and could no longer hold on. He could not help coughing: "Cough!"

"Ouch! We've been standing here talking and almost forgot what we're doing. Please follow me!"

Yan Xiu gestured, "You three will definitely be able to enter the Imperial College. It's only a matter of time. Rented houses may not be needed at any time. Even a small single-room courtyard in the inner city requires a deposit of one-third, and four months' rent in advance. Damage compensation will also be deducted upon moving out. It's difficult to get your rent back for outsiders, so it's not cost-effective! So this time, I've chosen a three-courtyard east wing for you. The owner used to work in the Ministry of Works, but has now been transferred to a local official position. The house is vacant, so he rented out a few rooms, which is perfect for your needs..."

They talked as they walked, and after walking halfway down the street, they turned into a small alley.

At the end of the alley, you will see a three-courtyard house with an elegant environment and quietness in the midst of a bustling city. It is really nice.

When I entered the courtyard again, I found that there were two old maids staying inside, and the house was very clean inside and out.

"Those two maids can cook, so just give them some money."

Yan Xiu showed them around. "The monthly rent is 1,200 wen. No deposit required, and three installments. Considering the three of you are decent people, you don't have to worry about damage. How about that?"

The three of them shared the cost, which was 400 wen per month. If they moved to a large courtyard in the outer city, the cost would not be much lower. The location and environment were really worth it. Hai Rui and Lin Daqin were both very satisfied.

Hai Yue knew that this must be due to Yan Xiu's favor, otherwise it would never be their turn to rent such a room as they had just arrived in the capital. However, she did not hesitate: "This is it, thank you, Brother Yan!"

"As long as Master Hai is satisfied, come! Sign the contract!"

Yan Xiu chuckled, very happy. He quickly completed the lease agreement and clasped his fists. "You three must be tired from the journey. I won't bother you any more. Goodbye!"

"Huh! We have a place to stay!"

The three of them saw Yan Xiu off, returned to the room, put down the packages, cheered, and suddenly felt different.

This is the center of the Ming Dynasty, at the feet of the emperor.

Even Haiyue couldn't help but wonder what the 24-year-old Zhu Houcong would look like?

"Why bother? Let's go eat!"

After making arrangements, Haiyue consulted the old maid of the mansion and learned that the most recommended mid-range restaurant in Xisi Pailou was Liuquanju, so she headed straight there. Of course, a good meal was necessary to welcome the guests!

As you enter the restaurant, the aroma hits your nose.

Braised lamb with rice wine, braised oven-roasted duck, and duck bones with cabbage. Now that the end of summer has not yet passed, there is also cold sophora japonica flower soup.

The most humane thing is that it is written on the doorplate that if a candidate comes to Beijing to take the imperial examination, he can get credit until the announcement of the results, and the four treasures of the study are provided to facilitate the scholar to compose impromptu poems.

"After we pass the exam tomorrow, we'll come here and buy on credit!"

Haiyue whispered a joke, then ordered a table full of dishes and started to feast on them.

He was not the only student who had this idea. The private room here was already full. Three people were sitting in the middle of the hall. There was another table not far away with four students sitting at it. They were all talking about what they would do when they entered high school next year.

As he spoke, he became furious: "Sacrificing heaven and earth together is against etiquette, and building two separate suburbs is unprecedented in history!" "The Minglun Grand Ceremony has been established, but the rituals haven't ended yet?" "Alas! There are disasters everywhere, the court should no longer be obsessed with etiquette..."

Their voices grew louder and louder, attracting the attention of other diners.

This refers to what happened in February of this year, when heaven and earth were separated for sacrifice.

For modern people, it is not a big deal, but now it is a reform of the ancestral system of separate worship of heaven and earth. The emperor's move is shocking. Even the emperor's divination not long ago said it was unlucky, and almost all the officials in the court opposed it.

Only one official from the Ministry of Personnel submitted a memorial to the emperor, standing up to please him, which pleased the emperor greatly. He ignored all objections and ordered this official to do the job. Now the altars have been built in the south and north suburbs.

As Hai Rui and Lin Daqin listened, they both frowned, obviously thinking that what these scholars said made sense.

Only Haiyue was eating and drinking as she pleased, but she knew in her heart that a critical juncture in the Jiajing Dynasty had arrived.

"Xia Yan is about to rise!"

The five most powerful ministers in the Jiajing period were Yang Tinghe, Zhang Cong, Xia Yan, Yan Song, and Xu Jie.

Needless to say, Yang Tinghe wanted to take advantage of the power vacuum caused by Zhengde's death and join forces with Empress Dowager Zhang in the palace to seize imperial power. If he succeeded, he would be another version of Zhang Juzheng, regent of the country. However, he was defeated by the teenage Jiajing, and now even his funeral cannot maintain the most basic decency.

Starting from Zhang Cong, each of them was Jiajing's confidant, and the bottom line of each prime minister was lower than that of the previous one.

Oh, Xu Jie rebounded from the bottom, because Yan Song’s bottom line had already been as low as it could be, and the country was really in a mess at that time.

One has to admit that no matter how much Xu Jie indulged his relatives, he was still qualified to be the chief minister of the cabinet, like a paperhanger, who could make some repairs and prevent the situation from getting worse.

What Xia Yan is doing now is no different from that of a treacherous villain. Not to mention the officials, even the scholars among the people look down on this kind of flattery and attempt to seek credit, and they are ridiculing and mocking him openly and covertly.

Listening to the disputes in the court and enjoying the delicacies of the capital, Haiyue asked the servant to run an errand and pass the address to Lu Bing in her spare time.

This was something Lu Bing had specifically told her when they parted. Haiyue knew that he had other arrangements, probably related to admission to the Imperial College.

As expected, just two days after returning to the rented house, a visiting card arrived. It was written on red paper, in neat regular script, with a lot of words written in it, expressing admiration:

"I respectfully pay my respects to Brother Haiyue..."

"I respectfully choose to come to you at noon on the 23rd to meet you. I hope you will take my leave..."

"Yan Shifan, I bow my head and respectfully submit this, on August 22, the ninth year of the Jiajing reign, after bathing and paying my respects."

"Hey! Am I having a falling out with the Yan family?"

Haiyue put down the visiting card.

Wu Lin wanted to recommend him to enter the Imperial College and follow Yan Song's path, but he refused.

If you are willing to go along with the Yan Party and invest now, you will definitely be the backbone of the Yan Party in the future.

I'm afraid he is only inferior to Yan Song and his son Yan Shifan. People like Zhao Wenhua, Yan Maoqing and Luo Longwen can all stand aside.

When Jiajing scolds my money, he won't be scolding me for making smoke rise, but he might be scolding me~
But if you don't want to join Yan's party, Yan Song is not in power now. If you get close to him, you will have to jump ship in the future. Why bother?
Of course, it is not advisable to be directly recommended for admission, but there is no need to worry about normal exchanges.

Such as now.

Wu Lin's reputation is not that great, and several months have passed. Now, Lu Bing must be behind this visiting card.

The purpose, of course, was what was discussed on the boat before, how to get into the Imperial College with one's own ability and become a respectable tribute student.

Haiyue would not refuse.

On the second day, he also bathed and changed his clothes, prepared tea and simple snacks. When it was almost noon, he arrived at the door and saw a young man walking towards him from afar. He had no servants or followers with him. He was holding a gift box in his hand and had a big smile on his face.

'No way……'

"Is this Yan Shifan?"

(End of this chapter)