When Qingwen went to the storeroom to ask for charcoal, she got into trouble with a few old maids. After a fight, she came back with a small basket of silver charcoal. From then on, she lay in bed all day and did not eat. When the little girl went to call her, she was also scolded and could not even see her face.
Everyone in Daiyu's room only said that after Sister Zijuan left, Qingwen's temper became worse. In the past, when Second Young Lady Lin was around, she was more arrogant than other girls. Now that Second Young Lady Lin was there, she learned from Second Young Lady and acted like a master. Now that Zi Juan was out again, she was really amazing. She could scold and hit whoever she wanted. Even Miss Lin, her master, could not compare to her temper. After Daiyu went out to play, the servant girls were free. They sat on the porch and talked about these things. They were really willing to bring Zijuan back, hoping that the Second Master would remember them again.
During the Qingming Festival, each family would have to hold a banquet to worship their ancestors, so everywhere was especially lively, especially in the capital. Everywhere was bustling with activity. As for Lin Ming, he bid farewell to Ruhai from Suzhou and went to Guanxia County with the young ladies of the Zhang and Zhou families. On the day of Qingming Festival, it was the second day of his stay at the Zhang family's residence at Caitou.
Originally, he wanted to persuade Zhang Cao's family to put aside their personal grudges and care for the people and country. Unexpectedly, not only did this new Cao head not behave like Old Zhang's Cao head, he did not even have the slightest similarity with his daughter, the second daughter of the Zhang family.
When Lin Ming and his group arrived that day, Zhang Caotou led a group of people to the dock to welcome them. They spoke nicely and smiled all the way. After they entered the door, they didn't see anyone else.
On this day, Lin Ming was taking a walk in his courtyard. From afar, he saw him having a banquet at the mountain-viewing pavilion. Although he couldn't see the scene of pushing cups and exchanging drinks, he could still hear the music of the singers. He sighed and said,"When many officials negotiated with him, he always refused on the grounds that his father had passed away unjustly and that he was grieving. Now, he knew that I was also representing the official family, so why did he do such a thing to show me? I really don't understand what this new head of the canal means.”
" I heard that this new head of the grain transport company isn't a decent person," Zhao Fusheng said." We can't judge him based on common sense." No matter what tricks he is playing now, since he personally welcomed us in respectfully, it means that he has the intention of walking through the officialdom. The two armies are fighting in the early stages. His actions are nothing more than waiting for us to get anxious. If we act rashly, it is inevitable that we will lose 10% to him during the negotiations.”
Lin Ming nodded and said," Sir, you're right. It's naturally a good idea to wait and see. However, it's difficult to delay the disaster. How many people will die in a day?" I thought that Cao Shang would get the news the fastest. He would know my identity and background. Although I represented my uncle, I wasn't his uncle. The ideas he could have were limited. Since he welcomed us, it meant that I had his intentions.”
Lin Ming had been thinking a lot these days. Ru Hai was a leader who had read the books of sages and had been immersed in officialdom for many years. Putting aside his weak body and wanting to entrust Daiyu, why did he leave such a major matter that concerned the face of the imperial court to a little girl? Could it be that he really believed in her ability and paved the way for her to enter the imperial court?
It was definitely more than that.
"I heard that the new head of the canal is a noble person in the romantic world. Teacher has spent a lot of effort to close the matter. I think you also know about this, right?”
Zhao Fusheng nodded and said," This new head is very different from his father, who would kill someone if he got angry. He has been a playboy since he was young and has read about a dozen books. He has some literary skills when he speaks, but those literary skills are shallow and useless in other areas. He only writes erotic poems about romance and romantic songs. He had a reputation in the willows and flowers.”
Lin Ming furrowed his brows and thought to himself, Putting aside Zhang Cao Tou's status, his uncle would not have such an idea even if he had literary talent and knowledge. Then he asked again,"What about the character and ability of this Cao Tou?"”
Zhao Fusheng shook his head and said,""He can't compare to his father's ability and spirit, nor can he compare to his children's temperament and breadth of mind. At least he still recognizes his family's ancestral tablets.”
Just as he said this, he suddenly heard someone shouting loudly. Following the sound, it was actually a guest invited by Zhang Caotou. He was dressed in a white robe and had a scarf on his head. He probably drank too much and came down to the pavilion to sober up. When he saw Lin Ming from afar, he waved his sleeves and shouted,"Miss, are you the one sent by the imperial court to marry Lord Zhang? Hurry up and go back and find a husband. Don't suffer such a big loss. Hahaha." As he was laughing, he stumbled and fell down. He rolled a few times and fell to the ground motionless.
"What a pity for that pearl-like white brocade and jade satin dress.”Lin Ming chuckled and turned to look at Zhao Fusheng.
Zhao Fu was so angry that his chest heaved up and down, and his face turned green. After holding back for a few breaths, he couldn't help but curse,""Don't talk nonsense!" He cupped his hands at Lin Ming." Miss, please go back first. I, Zhao Fusheng, will go and greet them."”After saying that, he quickly ran over.
Lin Ming didn't nod or call him to persuade him. He ordered the girl and boy to change directions and continue to the garden.
The next day, Lin Er gave up his initiative and went to see the new head.
In the main hall, the furniture was made of thick mahogany and the decorations were simple. The front and back of the hall were painted with the painting of Yu the Great controlling the flood. On both sides were a few bottles of blue and white antiques with plum blossoms inserted in them. It was very free and crude of the Wu family. Only the palm-sized jade nine-ring incense burner on the main seat was different. It was very exquisite. Lin Ming could smell that it was high-quality Dragon's Bones.
There were three or four red copper charcoal braziers burning the best silver charcoal, making the main hall look like it was in August or September. Zhang Caotou sat at the head of the table, wearing a pearl-colored brocade robe. The hair ornaments on his face were even more exquisite than his clothes.
As soon as Lin Ming arrived, he took off his black brocade cloak. He sat down and looked at the tea. It was not Longjing tea that he was used to drinking, but made from lotus seeds. It was incomparably fragrant.
Zhang Cao waved his hand and smiled." What do you think of my tea? Has it been used before?"”
Lin Ming took another sip and shook his head with a smile. Although she was born into a martial arts family, she was also a young lady of an aristocratic family. Especially when she came to the Lin and Jia families, not to mention anything else, just the tea that she drank, the madams and young ladies were full of tricks. Especially the tea of Miaoyu in the Jia residence and the medicine of Baochai in the Xue family. They were all very exquisite.
Daiyu was best at these delicate things. She could also taste whether the snow water in the first month had been stored for three years or two and a half years, whether it had been picked from the plum blossoms or whether it had no roots. Others couldn't tell the difference between Miao Yu and Lin Ming, so Miao Yu always complained that they couldn't eat good food and that eating it was a waste.
With Miaoyu's tea in front of him, Zhang Caotou's tea was not that difficult to distinguish. Tasting, observing the shape, and observing the color, it was nothing more than picking the pistil of the ninth-grade lotus flower and drying it in the air. Then, adding fresh lotus seeds to make thin slices, and soaking them in warm water until the fragrance lingered.
"This tea is novel. It smells fragrant and tastes soft. I've never seen it before.”
"Haha." Zhang Cao smiled, but he restrained his pride and asked the servant girl to change to a new one. He said," I can't say it's novel. I had nothing to do and made it myself. It tastes pretty good. It's at least softer and more refreshing than Longjing Maofeng. I think it's more likable to women."”
Lin Ming's hand paused. He smiled and said," I'm a rough and wild man. My family was originally in the military. I can't compare to the other aristocratic families. Perhaps my father raised me crudely. I can't taste the mysterious taste of tea." I am fated to be sisters with the Second Young Lady of the residence. Presumably, she must love the taste of elegance?”
"That girl is not qualified to drink my good tea yet." Zhang Cao laughed.”After laughing, he stood up and bowed to Lin Ming.""Yesterday, my friend Chang Shan was drunk and offended Young Lady.”
Lin Ming gave way and smiled. He said,"Cao Tou is elegant, and your friend is also an elegant person. Moreover, he is in the mood to drink. This won't happen again. There's no need to mention such a small matter."”
"Thank you for your understanding, Miss Lin." Zhang Caotou nodded. It's fine for me, but that friend of mine is really a refined and romantic person. He's well-read, talented, and full of the heart to serve the country and the people. A few days ago, when he heard that the imperial court couldn't defeat those barbarians and wanted to negotiate peace, he almost cried. Yesterday, he was talking about the four beauties. I think he drank too much, so he spoke rudely. This Chang Shan…"
Lin Ming stopped smiling and said solemnly," It's good that you have the heart to serve your country and retreat from the enemy. When you heard about the peace negotiations, your ambition was not stretched out. It's understandable that you're a little depressed." However, one had to know that the recent natural disasters in the country had caused the people to suffer greatly. The soldiers were fierce. The move to negotiate peace was also a move by the emperor to be benevolent, pity the people, and govern the country. It was not a big deal to be rude and not understand the benevolent government of the emperor. Moreover, Caotou controlled most of the waterways in the world. It was important to the court and the people. If even Caotou's residence did not understand the emperor's will and followed his orders, how prosperous would the country be? How can the people be stable? I really shouldn't have."
Zhang Caotou's face was slightly red as he said,""Our Zhang Clan naturally supports His Majesty in water transport. We will always follow His Majesty's orders.”
Lin Ming smiled as he held his tea and slowly advised,""There's no need to say anything more. Although I'm new, I've heard from my uncle and the other teachers that the Zhang family is very dedicated to managing the water transport for the Imperial Court. Whether it's the real gold and silver offered by the tax, or the tea, silk, salt, grain, and other items that are essential to the people's livelihood, the Imperial Court has entrusted them with the water transport. However, alas, regarding the matter of Zhang Caotou first, my uncle often said that the imperial court understood the grief of Caotou's death and tried to comfort him. However, when there was a flood in the pass, the lives of the people were on the verge of death, and even the emperor was worried about it. This matter is of great importance and cannot be delayed.”
Zhang Cao held his teacup, his eyes fixed on the crystal clear lotus seed heart scroll in the cup, and he didn't say anything for a moment.
"Caotou?" Lin Ming called out.
"Zhang Caotou?" Lin Ming called again.
Lin Ming called out twice, and Zhang Caotou finally raised his head. However, he didn't say anything and only gave him the tea. Lin Ming wanted to continue, but he shouted for the maids to change their food and drink. After that, Zhang Caotou was like a different person. When Lin Ming mentioned the disaster victims, he would drink from the purple clay teapot. When Lin Ming mentioned the righteousness of the country, he would eat the five-spice melon seeds and throw the skin all over the ground. If it was anything else, he always had a few tricks to deal with it.
The servant girl came to treat them to a meal, and this ended the first confrontation.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。