Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 13

Chapter 13 The Courtyard Is Like a Market
Qin Mubai had expected that the Emperor would have such a trick. As an emperor, it was naturally not good for him to learn from him, but there was no harm in sending a rank seven official. Qin Mubai did not think that I, Jin Zizhen, would not be able to spread the secret. I am inferior to all kinds of music by myself. I accidentally used a bit of talent to change and promote the pipa playing skills of the Zhenguan Era. This matter itself has a sense of accomplishment.

Soon, the pipa was taken. Qin Mubai played a song first, so Young Friend Zeng Hongyou naturally listened attentively.

At the end of the song, Friend Zeng Hongyou was completely dumbfounded and his eyes went straight.

“Zeng Sign Order, what’s wrong with you?”

“Ah?!” Friend Zeng Hong suddenly regained his senses. His face seemed to be a little pale, “Sure enough, sure enough!” His Majesty indeed has a keen eye for sincerity and does not deceive others! Qin Zhijiu, this pipa skill of yours is truly unprecedented! Xiaguan had been immersed in pipa music for 30 years and had always been quite conceited. Now, he had no choice but to admire himself! “Learn from those who have no elders or children first. Xiaoguan, Xiaoguan must take you as his teacher. Definitely!”

After saying that, he knelt on the ground and bowed to his master and disciple.

Qin Mubai could only shake her head and smile bitterly, “Forget it, whatever. Since you are also a great expert in this field, you don’t need me to teach you step by step-I’ll teach you this unique finger technique!”

“Student thanks teacher!” Friend Zeng Hong was unequivocal as he cupped his hands in gratitude with a happy expression.

It was one thing for the Emperor to order him to complete the task. Friend Zeng Hong was also a music lover. He was naturally happy to learn Qin Mubai’s unique skill. Moreover, in the feudal dynasties, it was always up and down-whatever the emperor liked, the officials and civilians below would follow suit, citing it as fashionable and fashionable.

For example, Li Shimin, an emperor from a Guanlong military noble family, was proficient in riding and shooting martial arts since he was young. He was also a horse emperor who had won the world during the Southern expeditions and Northern wars. After becoming the emperor, he did not forget martial matters. He often brought a group of warriors to draw bows and compete arrows in front of the hall.

Li Shimin was fond of calligraphy, and his Flying White Calligraphy was unique. It could be called a contemporary calligraphy master, and he often led a group of officials to discuss calligraphy, which made it popular in both the government and the public. Therefore, all the people in the world, regardless of whether they were old or young, studied calligraphy carefully, and the Great Tang Dynasty was expensive in Luoyang for a time.

Even Li Shimin was lecherous and lecherous, and the people of the world were competing to imitate him. As a result, the customs of the Great Tang Dynasty were open, and they did not avoid the matters of male and female boudoirs, and their chastity concepts were relatively weak. Not even the 21st century can compare.

It was no exaggeration to say that in the feudal dynasties, the emperor was the “king of pop” who led the world’s fashion.

Everyone knows that the emperor likes music only for the pipa. It was naturally a good thing who could play the outstanding pipa.

Therefore, there is no reason for you to be unhappy. Even though he was in his forties, he was still as calm as a primary school student, attending to Qin Mubai with caution and modesty. After studying for half a day, he finally bowed his farewells gratefully and thanked Qin Mubai for his kindness.

In the next few days, the mansion was quiet and no other idle people came to visit. Even Prince Li Ke did not visit again. Qin Mubai was not in a hurry to get the official appointment letter from the Imperial Court. He lived a regular life every day. At dawn, he started practicing his martial arts, exchanging blows with Qin Shubao in his room, discussing spear and arrow techniques, and then concentrating on reading. Then he chatted with his mother and sister and taught her how to play the pipa.

Friend Tsang Hong paid his respects to his master and acted according to his orders. He didn’t dare to be undiligent. Every day, he would come to study at the beginning of the afternoon and leave in less than three minutes. After several days of bitter practice, he had already learned almost all of the lute fingering techniques, and could be considered to be at the peak of his mastery.

Two days later, the Qin Mansion, which had always been a bustling place, suddenly became lively.

Early in the morning, there was a commotion in the mansion-a group of eunuchs and palace maids from the palace had come to see Qin Mubai by name, saying that they were here to learn from him.

Qin Mubai’s head was already big. He was truly afraid of famous pigs and strong men. This matter had caused a stir!

It was Zeng Hongyou who dared to play in the palace for the Emperor after he had learned the skill. Long Yan Dayue praised him greatly. News of his apprenticeship with Qin Mubai spread like wildfire.

Concubines of the harem, who doesn’t want to have a specialty that pleases the emperor and win the favor of the emperor? Therefore, many concubines of the harem sent personal eunuchs or palace maids who knew how to play the pipa to Qin Mubai to learn from him.

A group of palace maids and eunuchs were waiting anxiously in the hall of the Qin Manor. Who didn’t want to go back and win the favor of their master and get a reward? This was a big matter that concerned whether their master was favored by the Emperor or not. It was also closely related to their own interests to ascend to the heavens with the Dao of a Chicken and a Dog.

As a result, Qin Mubai, an unknown figure who had never appeared in court, had inadvertently become a hot spot for many concubines in the inner court of the Imperial Palace.

Just as the palace maids and eunuchs were getting impatient, a deep and powerful knock sounded from the corner of the hall, as if it was ringing in their hearts-Qin Shubao came out on crutches.

“Greetings, Duke Yi!” He knelt down.

“All of you can go back now. You can just find the Grand Department to ask Young Friend Zeng Hongyou to learn from us. There’s no need to come back.” Qin Shubao said indifferently. The entire hall was silent with a hint of killing intent. All the palace maids and eunuchs didn’t dare to show their anger, let alone anyone who dared to raise any objections, they could only apologize and leave one after another.

Qin Mubai came out to support her father. The father and son shook their heads with bitter smiles.

“Sanlang, as a general, you are not allowed to have any connections with the people of the harem. This is a big taboo, remember!”

“Child, remember!”

Before the father and son could turn around, another group of people surged out from the entrance. They were actually people from various song workshops in Chang’an West City. They had brought a lot of money to learn from them.

It seemed that Qin Mubai’s pipa skill had already spread from the palace to the city square, alarming the people in the crowd.

Qin Shubao angrily waved his hand, “Shut the door and refuse the guests!”

He refused to let these unfashionable people out of the door. “Liang’er, don’t show off this kind of magical skill in the future. It’s useless. My Qin Clan is a general. I believe in you as my father. In the future, the things that you need to settle down will definitely be martial arts and military arts. Spend more time practicing martial arts and studying!” He snorted.

“Understood, Father.” Qin Mubai could only smile bitterly. As for the pipa, it was at most a “hobby” for him, but he had never thought of relying on it to make a name for himself or find a way out. He didn’t expect that the occasional “accidental loss” would cause a huge stir in the trees.

It was so difficult to keep a low profile.

A few days later, the tightly shut doors of the Qin Clan finally opened. This time, it was officials from the Ministry of Officials. They had sent Qin Mubai’s official credentials, title deeds, official robes, shoes, and other items. Without saying a word, they had collected the five strands of money. Whether you were a Shangzhu Kingdom or a rank seven official, it didn’t matter if you received it wrongly.

Qin Shubao didn’t say anything about this either. He thought it was the “example” of the Great Tang.

Qin Mubai unfolded the official certificate and saw that the vermillion folded book was actually the official appointment letter. It stated his birthplace, age, appointment, and other official positions. It had the seal of the Ministry of Household Registry, the Ministry of Officials, and a series of other departments. The production was sturdy and exquisite.

“Mm, we are also bureaucrats, even though we are rank seven sesame officials.”

Looking at the deed of land, Qin Mubai felt a little overjoyed, “This is becoming a landlord.”

According to the system of Zhenguan Great Tang, the salary of officials was mainly lumi and land. Seventh-grade officials could receive eighty stones of grain a year, and another three hectares and fifty acres of “official land”. Employment fields can be leased to farmers for planting and collected annually. Even ten Qin Mubai would not be able to eat and drink all of this. Of course, it was another matter to insist on spending money and wine.

He tried the Seventh Lyu Official’s green robe again. Although this style was not very pleasing and customary, at least the fabric was good enough to fit him. Fortunately, the official hat was not green.

“Tomorrow at dawn, go to the Wu Palace and point a socket!” Qin Shubao said, “Be honest and diligent.”

“Mm” Qin Mubai nodded in agreement, but she was thinking in her heart, “The wisdom of the ancients and their way of being officials are not inferior to their descendants in the slightest. I wonder what it would be like to be an official in the Great Tang Dynasty? It’s challenging. I’m looking forward to it.

The next day, Qin Mubai woke up early as usual. After practicing martial arts for an hour, he dressed up and prepared to go to work on the first day. Before leaving, Madam Liu and Qin Shuang’er smoothed out the unnecessary wrinkles on his shoulders and sent him out with a warm smile.

Qin Mubai walked along the stone path in Chang’an Li Fang, breathing in the dry and cold winter air of the Great Tang Dynasty. He looked around. The simple buildings and crowds gave him a fresh feeling.

Prince Wu’s Mansion was not far from Qin Mansion, and it was only a cup of tea on foot. Not long after, they arrived in front of the manor. Above the bronze-riveted door was a plaque of the “Wu Palace”. Eight soldiers with long spears stood upright in the cold wind. They were rather proud of the arrogance of the military in the harsh winter.

“Stop! Who are you?” Qin Mubai stepped forward and was stopped by a military academy with a black beard on his face.

“This is Qin Mubai. The new Wu Palace’s East Pavilion is here to offer sacrifices. This is the first time I’m here today.” Qin Mubai replied.

“Qin Mubai? Never heard of him. Official diploma.” The Black-Faced Military Academy said coldly.

“Commandant Fan, I recognize this person-the famous Qin Sanlang of the Winged Nation, right?” Said a pawn behind him.

Just as Qin Mubai was reaching out to take out the official certificate, she was stunned and couldn’t help but shake her head.

“Oh, it’s a bit similar to the Duke of Winged Nation.” The Black-Faced Military Academy smiled and waved his hand. “Adjunct officials below the fifth grade should enter through the side door. Let’s go-Qin Jiejiu.”

Qin Mubai frowned slightly. It seemed that my reputation as a pipa player really wasn’t that good. Even these military academy pawns treated me like a good performer.

Qin Mubai tugged at the thick fur on his body and smiled indifferently as he walked towards the side door.