Since entering the city on the winter solstice, Xu Ping has been living in the capital, one is that the village is fine in winter, and the other Zhang Sanniang is reluctant, so he will not let Xu Ping go.

On November 21, Yisi Day, the Empress Dowager Liyuan Pinglu Festival made Guo Chong's granddaughter the queen, and the whole world celebrated. Because Xu Ping happened to be the same age as the current emperor, Zhang Sanniang nagged, saying that his in-laws Lin Wensi was too stubborn, and the emperor was married at this age, and his son would have to wait for a few years.

In December, the gall minister Wang Qinruo finally died. During the Zhenzong period, Wang Qinruo was called the Five Ghosts with Ding Wei, Lin Te, Chen Pengnian, and Liu Chengqi, and the folk reputation was very poor, but he got a good death, which was very sad. A few days later, Wang Zeng worshiped Zhao Wenxiang, Zhang Zhibai took the position of Jixian Xiang, and the other ministers were all promoted.

At this time, the officials of the Manchu Dynasty, except for Li Yonghe, Xu Ping only had a relationship with Shi Yannian, a lower-level petty official, and the others were just friends of interests. Zhang Zhibai has the grace of knowing Shi Yannian, although he was also a privy deputy envoy a few years ago, he actually couldn't say anything, at this time, the rank and order were very different from before, and Shi Yannian finally came to the beginning.

After coming to the capital, Xu Ping has always wanted to find an opportunity to go to Shi Yannian's house to reminisce about his old friendships. The two have some similarities in temperament, they don't like flattery, and they have more frankness in their relationship.

On the day of Laba, there was a sudden strong wind in the morning, and in the afternoon the wind stopped, and the whole sky was covered with dark clouds, and it was necessary to see that a heavy snow was about to be suppressed. Before the sky was dark, the snowflakes began to fly all over the sky, and the rain became bigger and bigger.

On the ninth day of December, Xu Ping went out of the room early in the morning and saw that the sky and the earth were white, and there was no other color. When I got to the yard, the snow was knee-deep, and it was the biggest snow of the year.

After breakfast, Xiuxiu and Dou'er were building a snowman in the yard together, Zhang Sanniang called Baofu and said, "You go to Uncle Li's house outside Wansheng Gate, let his family come to us to enjoy the snow, and have a banquet by the way." He doesn't have any relatives in Beijing, and this kind of day is strange and lonely. ”

Bao Fu took the order and went.

When Xu Ping saw it, he wondered if he would go to Shi Yannian today, first, to congratulate him on Zhang Zhibai's promotion, and secondly, to enjoy the snow together. Although Xu Ping does not have many literary and artistic cells, Shi Yannian is a famous poet in the capital, and this kind of day is the easiest time to make a lot of poetry.

At this time, in the city of Tokyo, there is nothing to do in winter, and when it snows, it is like a festival, and it has become a custom for families to call friends, some are at home, some go to temples and palaces, and even some go outside the city, enjoying the snow and drinking.

Xu Ping told his parents what he thought, and Xu Zheng and his wife knew that their son was already old and had his own socials, so they didn't stop him, but just asked him to bring two jars of good wine and go early and return early on horseback.

Although the family is wine-making, Xu Zheng and Xu Ping are not fond of wine, and Xu Chang in the village sends people from time to time, and there are always a few jars of good wine at home.

Xu Ping rode out of the door, and at this time the sun was rising, and the red sunlight shone on the snow, reflecting a faint colorful light. The streets were already full of people, and people all over the city came out to see the snow. The houses facing the street, there are two big snow lions piled up in front of every house, which looks lively and spectacular.

The soldiers patrolling the streets were clearing snow on the road one by one, all piled on the sand bank by the Bianhe River, like two high city walls. Every year, the sand of the Bianhe River is dredged, and by the way, it is piled up on the bank, and the sand pile is getting higher and higher, and at this time, the snow is piled on the sand, and even the Bianhe River is invisible.

At this time, Kaifeng City can be said to be the peak of ancient Chinese cities, the streets are spacious and tidy, and there are surface trees on both sides of the avenue, just like the street lamp poles in Xu Ping's previous life. The streets are full of people, but they are orderly, bustling and lively, and they are not boring. Later, the Mongols entered the Central Plains, the nomads did not pay so much attention to it, although the scale of Beijing City was large, the appearance of the city was far inferior, at the end of the Qing Dynasty, the feces and urine around the imperial city were everywhere, where was the civilized atmosphere of Kaifeng at this time.

Kaifeng City is divided into the imperial city, the inner city, the outer city plus the part outside the city, just like the three rings of the city in later generations, the imperial city is the emperor's family to live not to mention, the inner city is the old city of Bianzhou in the Tang Dynasty, the area is not large, the people who live are all wealthy families, it can be said that every inch of land is gold. Shi Yannian's income is meager, and he can't afford to live in the inner city, so he just rented a house in the outer city, in the southwest of the city, near the Cai River.

Xu Ping had already inquired about the road, rode all the way south, and in less than half an hour, he arrived in front of Shi Yannian's house.

Outside the door, Shi Yannian was waiting for an old servant to get on the horse, and when he saw Xu Ping, he hurriedly got off the horse again and asked, "Why is Brother Yun Xing free today?" ”

Xu Ping hurriedly dismounted and saluted: "Since I came to the capital, I have always wanted to come to see my brother, but I am just entangled in miscellaneous matters, so I have free time today." ”

Men between the ages of fifteen and twenty to perform crown salutes, take the table words, originally with Xu Ping's previous temperament, this kind of thing is not good to say, businessmen do not pay attention to it. In the past six months, Lin Wensi has made great progress, Lin Wensi intends to cultivate him, and often wants to take him out to meet some people with status, so he named him the word "Yunxing", which is the two words "Yunxing Yushi, the world is peaceful" in "Zhou Yi".

In the past, Xu Ping interacted with people who had little culture, who was in the mood to remember what he said. Xu Ping came from his previous life, and he didn't have this consciousness. There is only a scholar like Shi Yannian, who has taken this to heart since he knew about it, and called him a cousin to show respect.

The two chatted for a while, and Shi Yannian heard that Xu Ping came to invite him to enjoy the snow and drink, and said with a smile: "Brother Xian came just in time, Zhang Yong Xianggong also came to recruit me to appreciate the snow, I also think it's a pity that there is no good wine in your village, so you rushed over, is it not providence?" Let's go, let's go to accompany Zhang Xianggong to enjoy the snow! ”

Xu Ping was stunned: "Is this appropriate?" ”

Shi Yannian said: "Zhang Xianggong has always been kind, and he likes to promote the latter the most, so what's not to do?" Just go with me. ”

Xu Ping couldn't say anything more, so he had to get on his horse again and follow Shi Yannian to the west. At this time, Zhang Zhibai was ranked second-minister, and he could be said to be one of the most powerful people in the Great Song Dynasty at this time. Xu Ping himself is just a young man from a wine family, and he feels incredible that he has come into contact with it so easily.

Shi Yannian originally said that he would make peace with Zhang Zhibai outside Xinzheng Gate, and go to the Bianhe River outside the city to find a restaurant to see the snow scene of the garden in Jinming Pond. The two men got on their horses and rode straight to the west.

When they arrived outside the Xinzheng Gate, Zhang Zhibai had not yet come, so the two tied their horses to the side of the road, and there happened to be a wonton stall next to them, so they bought a bowl and waited while eating.

Outside the Xinzheng Gate, there are two royal gardens, Jinming Pond and Qionglin Garden, and there are countless temples and palaces and private gardens around. On this day, there are a lot of people who come here to play, and there is an endless stream of people at the city gate. Xu Ping even saw a tricycle that he had sold and was modified passing by on the road, surrounded by people hugging each other, and he didn't know which wealthy nobleman it was.

After Shi Yannian finished eating the wontons, Xu Ping asked him in a low voice: "How many people did Zhang Xianggong invite today?" Immediately, I only brought two jars of wine, and I was afraid that it would not be enough by then, and it would be embarrassing. ”

Shi Yannian said: "It's just a private trip for relatives and friends, just a few of us, there are no outsiders, and two jars of wine should be enough." ”

He didn't dare to say it to death, because he was too good to drink, and it was really hard to say that he was drunk.

After waiting for a while, I finally waited for someone to come.

Zhang Zhibai is a little old man, with a thin body and a yellow face, giving people a feeling that his body is not very good, and he is wearing civilian clothes.

When Shi Yannian took him to salute, Xu Ping couldn't believe that this was the prime minister of the dynasty. In addition to his unsightly appearance, he only brought an old servant and two soldiers with him, where is the prestige of dominating the world!

After the salute, Shi Yannian introduced Xu Ping: "Enxiang, this is Xu Ping, who sells wine in Baisha Town, and the words are cloudy, the jar of good wine I gave you a few days ago is from their house." Although he is young, he is ingenious, and he has many inventions in things, as well as literary talents, and the song "Ask the canal where it is as clear as promised, for there is a source of living water" is from his handwriting. I have always been friendly, and today I just brought two jars of good wine to me to enjoy the snow, so I came to see the grace together, don't blame me for being presumptuous! ”

Zhang Zhibai looked at Xu Ping and nodded: "At your young age, it is very rare to be able to make this kind of poem." Not only is it literary, but also philosophical, which is the most difficult thing for poets. Today is fate, and the little friend may wish to get drunk with the old decay. ”

Xu Ping hurriedly said that he didn't dare.

Zhang Zhibai added: "You have a good strong wine brewed at home!" ”

Everyone laughed together, got on their horses, and went around the Jinming Pond.

When I arrived at the edge of the Bianhe River, I saw the big hope son who "came in the breeze" again.

Zhang Zhibai said: "This is the largest restaurant in the neighborhood, I heard that the Queen Mother's in-law Ma Shi Museum took it from someone else's house, it's not easy to get in, let's find another one." ”

Xu Ping hesitated for a moment before he spoke: "It was taken from our family." ”

Zhang Zhibai listened and turned his head to look at Xu Ping suddenly.

Xu Ping's expression was calm, and the expression on his face did not change. I have no power or status in my family, and if the property is taken away, I will take it back, and I will take it back when I have a chance.

Seeing that Xu Ping did not have any resentment, his expression was calm, Zhang Zhibai nodded: "Young man is open-minded, you have this bearing, plus that talent, you will have an opportunity in the future." Just forge ahead bravely, there will be a day when the gold will be gone, and there is no need to learn from this time! ”

Xu Ping arched his hand and said: "Xie Xianggong's teachings!" ”

Zhang Zhibai is frugal by nature, although he has become a prime minister at this time, he is still like an ordinary scholar. He is an upright official and never uses power for personal gain, which can be said to be a model of scholars. But no matter what, he was appreciated by the Queen Mother and promoted to Prime Minister, and he would not refute the Queen Mother's face for this trivial matter of Xu Ping's family, and treat Ma Jiliang well. In the final analysis, the Ma family took the Xu family's property, but they all used legal means, purely to oppress people with power, so that the Xu family had to let go. Although the price was lowered, the Xu family still got the money from the pawn sale restaurant.

It is impatient to be bullied by others, unless another force overpowers him.