Chapter 4: Almost Got the Cane

Su Yan’s legs went weak when he heard this.

Ah, the famous court staff of the Ming dynasty!

Not in his previous life, his old man with a bamboo pole, belt pumped a few so simple, was a group of wolves like tigers of the jin yiwei stripped naked, holding a sea bowl thick large wooden stick spanking, a staff down is the skin and flesh, seriously hit, thirty or forty canes can be beaten to death. Twenty canes, not to beat half dead?

He blanched as his mind raced to do the math.

Option 1: learn a novel protagonist tearfully pounced over, hugging the emperor’s thighs mournful and cut and cry for sympathy votes.

Option 2: Learn the protagonist of another novel to do the wind standard of high purity, while spitting blood and chanting “those who know me say that I am worried, do not know me say that I do not want”, to win the appreciation of the vote.

Which one, exactly, is more likely to impress the Emperor?

According to historical records, this Jinglong emperor temperament is good, compared with other emperors of this dynasty, to the ministers is quite mild and lenient, but from the current situation, it seems to be inconsistent with the historical data, it is difficult to judge in the end he is good which cup of tea.

Just when Su Yan was struggling in pain between the two programs, just when the guards next to him were waiting for the emperor’s order to come over to drag the person, the crown prince Zhu Helin finally couldn’t help but jump out, glaring with round eyes: “Father, you can’t beat him! He is a weak scholar, which can not withstand twenty canes, I’m afraid that on the spot will be fainted to death, then where will I find a willing reader?”

Emperor Jinglong reprimanded without a good voice: “How dare you! Even if you are allowed to disturb the golden words, do you want to disobey the decree?”

Zhu Hailin although some of the favor and arrogance, but not not the man of the hour, a see the situation is not right, immediately changed to a side of petulance to please the tone: “The son of the court is just worried about, canes to death of the subject fear of damage to the father’s benevolence of the name of the Emperor, why not send this twenty canes, the next day if you dare to commit the same offense, the two crimes and punishment, can be good?”

Jinglong emperor pondered for a moment, to Su Yan profoundly said: “This time is the prince for you to intercede, I only spared you once, sent down twenty canes, you and well remembered in your heart, future prudence, can no longer wantonly, or the former crime and punishment.”

Su Yan was very relieved to hear that he didn’t have to take that horrible big stick, and hurriedly thanked him.

At this time, a chamberlain hurriedly from into the temple, reported: “Your Majesty, your consort more than weeping for some reason, the palace people are afraid of moving the fetus, has gone to the Imperial Hospital to ask Xu, Lin two eunuchs.”

Emperor Jinglong frowned slightly, and somewhat helplessly said to the crown prince, “I will go to Yongning Palace, and you will take care of the rest.”

Zhu Hailin respectfully sent away the emperor, turned back to see Su Yan is still kneeling there, cheeky smile: “still kneeling to do what, get up get up, not just twenty canes, look at you give a fright.”

Su Yan laughed bitterly: dare this young master is not received the court cane, also have not seen those who have received the staff after the courtier’s appearance, not only is the skin cracked, beaten muscle necrosis, blood splattered a few feet away from the have, endured but not thirty to fifty canes on the spot gas death of a handful of people.

I remember the historical record of a minister was beaten to the buttocks meat rotting off, his wife also picked up a piece of the largest go back to the collection of salt pickle.

If the previous life of a meter eight or so, a hundred and a half pounds of body, may be able to endure a few more strokes, but now this small body, I’m afraid that less than 20 strokes will have to go back to hell to report to the judge.

Belly slander to belly slander, in the face of the current prince or convergence of good, Su Yan followed the instructions to get up, the rules and bowed his head and stood.

Zhu Hailin look at his respectful and tame appearance, completely missing when the spirit of the spirit of frivolity, the heart at the same time, I do not know why a trace of unhappiness, pull down the face: “Tribute to Su Yan, kneel down to listen to the decree.”

Just called to stand up and then called to kneel, this is not deliberately torturing people? Su Yan froze, immediately reacted, this kid is making fun of him!

People under the roof, had to bow down, we endure! Su Yan a lift robe and knelt down again, some numb knees knocked on the stone floor stinging pain, could not help but gouge out this arrogant brat.

In the other party’s view is that he slightly tilted up his face, a pair of phoenix eyes raised harshly containing anger, the eyes fly over diagonally, such as ink in the air, a clear cold moon, there is a kind of shocking stunning.

The young prince is posing a condescending air, was swept by the eyes, God thought suddenly suffocated, suddenly gave birth to a few points of inexplicable weakness, pretended to cough twice, signaling the next chamberlain to start reading the imperial decree.

Su Yan put up his ears, in addition to the first sentence of the familiar “By the grace of God Emperor said”, the next is a large section of difficult language, listening to him cloudy and do not know what, well in the key sentences or understand: “Fujian Tribute student Su Yan, hair Yinke, intelligent and loyal, it is appropriate to add the order of grace, specially given! You for the Secretary by the Bureau of the wash horse and Prince of the readers, barely repair their jobs, not as my life.”

“Crown Prince reading” good understanding, Su Yan squinted at the front of this childish brat – identity noble yes, but in the modern world is only a read the second, the third kid, he a 985 university undergraduates, even when the tutor can not be, can only fall into the When a chaperone and book boy, so not depressed.

The other one, “Scripture Bureau Horsewashing”, I don’t know what it is, it sounds like …… horsemen?

Zhu Hailin saw his face showing difficulty, yanked over the imperial decree and shoved it into his hand, viciously saying: “Still not quick to receive the decree to thank you! What kind of expression is that, is it wrong to be the Prince’s reader? Hmph, even if the temple examination three ace, but not to the Hanlin Academy as a seven grade editorial, you jumped up is from the fifth grade, actually still give me a bad face!”

Su Yan helplessly accepted the decree, staggered up, rubbed his bloodied knees, and muttered, “So what if he’s from the fifth rank, he’s still a Pilgrim.”

Little Prince ears very sharp, although did not understand the meaning of “But Ma Wen”, but also guessed a general, thick eyebrows raised: “What horse is not a horse, and is not asking you to go to the Imperial Household Servants Temple as a horseman. Si Jing Bureau under the Zhanfu, wash the horse is responsible for the management of the four libraries in the palace, the future of the East Palace books are given to you to take care of, and remember to regularly help me to write a window class to the father. That a bunch of Confucius and Mencius way to see my headache, but each Tai Fu are like a golden rule, hate to even eat toilet to learn how the saints are doing.”

It seems that even if you are the crown prince, but also with those anorexic playful middle school students is no different, this age of the boys, and how many is in the heart of the diligent and good at learning it.

Su Yan recalled his own junior high school, the same playful to go home to get the duster, affectionate feeling suddenly born, can not help but lose a smile: “Although His Highness, although the body of ten thousand gold, but every day shut in this tightly guarded deep palace, if you do not look for some entertainment, must be stifled very much.”

Zhu Hailin’s eyes glowed, grabbed his hand and said emotionally: ”Still Qinghe understands my heart ah! Li Taifu was released from prison, I thought I would live a few days, I did not think that my father just arranged a Cabinet Minister, the Ministry of Rites, Yan Xing temporarily, his lectures are more boring than the former, I can suffer.”

Suddenly put his mouth to his ear, whispered: “Today I said I want to read with Su read the books, the old man Yan sent away. The East Palace has just entered some novelties from the West, go, let’s go with to see.”

A gust of hot air sprayed between his ears, Su Yan couldn’t help but shiver, wanting to pull out his hand, but he was grabbed tightly by the crown prince, thunderously dragging him towards Duanben Palace.

–

Duanbeng Palace for the Crown Prince lived in the palace, located in the Forbidden City on the east side, so also known as the East Palace.

Zhu Hailin got a new playmate, full of excitement, also do not take the carriage, so drag Su Yan all the way to the East Palace.

He had been a keen rider since his childhood, and had also learned a bit of boxing and kicking from a few guards who were skilled in martial arts, so this bit of distance was naturally not a problem.

Poor Su Yan, the previous life is also considered a sportsman, now cast a lean and elegant Wenxiu body, to the East Palace has been the chest gasping skin sweat, face flushed, a while before easing the energy.

Zhu Hailin excitedly asked the palace staff to carry a half-human high object, and placed it on the short table to show Su Yan as if offering a treasure.

“This is the Western Barbarians tribute to the strange things, called the self-timing clock, the needle with the sundial carving self-turning, punctual and ringing, reporting time than the leaky pot is much more accurate.”

Su Yan did not think, is not a big point of the seat clock it, just imported into China is relatively rare, by the ancients as Western treasures.

When he took a closer look, found that the original idea is too simple, this is not a clock, is clearly a production of extremely subtle castle, houses, streets, fountains and gardens, and even spread throughout the small people are like a frown, but also very similar.

It was the right time, and on the highest bell tower of the castle, a little gilded man suddenly moved, and struck the bronze bell to a buzzing sound, and then the whole silent castle seemed to be awakened from the curse. Fountains began to flow in the square, flowers and trees swayed, minstrels raised their piccolos to their lips, noblewomen with umbrellas and lace skirts walked along the streets, and even gendarmes with dogs paced slowly.

Su Yan looked at this large moving organ maneuvered by countless gears in amazement, and had to marvel at the ability of the Europeans of hundreds of years ago to make precision instruments.

Seeing his astonishment, Zhu Hailin was secretly pleased, pointing to one of the young girls who was standing still, saying, “Originally, this little person would dance when she heard the bell, but I don’t know where it was broken.”

Su Yan stacked up his wide sleeves with considerable interest, stretched out his white and slender fingers, and flicked up the young girl’s skirt, “Perhaps the axle is insufficiently lubricated and stuck, I’ll take a look.”

He saw that the Prince is not formal, and speak freely, around the time when no one simply do not call “minister”, or use “I” is more accustomed to.

Zhu He Lin saw that exotic young girl doll fluffy round skirt train inside, double stock snow white realistic, thin pink blasphemy pants to see clearly, can not help but two cheeks slightly hot, some embarrassment to turn away the face.

Although the people of this dynasty is open, the palace of the young prince’s education is very strict, calligraphy and painting and other things, but also dare not defile the Prince’s ears.

After all, Zhu Hailin is only a fourteen-year-old boy, has not been close to the female sex, in line with the “impolite do not look at” the gentleman’s admonition to turn his head, just on the side of Su Yan look focused.

This look, but also stunned can not move their eyes. Su Yan’s side face lines flow beautifully like a brushstroke painting, lips slightly thin, the corner of the lips habitually upturned, seems to always hold a touch of if not smile, the end of the first before the words contain love, no words also flow.

Zhu Hailin some lost in thought looking at his thick light hanging eyelashes, crown cap in a few silk hair because of running and slipped down, was thin sweat wet sticky in the back of the neck, more and more black and white distinct. Suddenly thought, father so many concubines, each color like spring flowers, but compared with him, will become a paper folded silk made of fake flowers.

“Sure enough, it is stuck, the chain is pressed a little deformed, later scrape clean the grime, and then put some oil ……” Su Yan turned his head, saw the little prince is staring at himself with strange eyes, startled, subconsciously wiped his face, and checked his clothes.

Zhu Hailin instantly awake, can’t help but be a bit annoyed and angry, roughly said: “You will? Then you come to fix it, if you can’t fix it, I’ll take you to task!”

Su Yan looked askance at the crown prince: “What if I fix it? Do you dare to bet with me?”

Zhu Hailin was indeed galvanized and his jaws flared, “A gamble is a gamble! If you can fix it, you can have this clock!”

Su Yan heatedly smiled, little boy, you will lose, computer we have dismantled a number of units, an old-fashioned clock is nothing. Now find a clean wolf-hair brush, fine iron hook, sharp-nosed pliers, take tea oil instead of machine oil, action to start work.

Not a couple of times, but also suspected that the sleeves of the regular clothes are wide and cumbersome, stacked up but also always down, simply the whole Ò up and don’t in the shoulder, revealing the two arms of the bone and flesh Pavilion even.

Zhu Hailin half squatting aside to watch him repair, only to feel the white flowers shaking eyes, can not help but slander: a big man, born so white for what? Thin arms and legs, I’m afraid that even a knife can not carry up, no interest.

“Done, small case!” Su Yan dropped the tool, patted the ash on his hands, suddenly realized that he had missed the point, and busily laughed dryly at the Prince who revealed a puzzled look, “That’s my hometown dialect, it means it’s done.”

Zhu Hailin grunted half-heartedly and set the hands to the spot. The little gilded man high above began to ring the bell again, the entire castle leapt into motion, and the young girl standing next to the fountain slowly bent over and whirled around in a dance.

Su Yan explained, “The oil was just put on, the movements are a little raw, it will be fine after a while.”

“Hey, it’s really fixed!”

Seeing Zhu Helin happily lying on his back and fiddling with it, Su Yan could not help but lose his smile, a brat is a brat after all. He immediately got up the idea of teasing him, “Since I have repaired this clock, your highness will not forget the bet just now, right?”

Zhu He Lin this just thought up, look at the ingenious treasures in front of the eyes, very some reluctance, turned his head and look at Su Yan’s serious look, hesitated for a moment, clenched his teeth: “This is a father sent me …… a great man with a promise of a thousand pieces of gold, and now it will reward you.”

He is willing to give, Su Yan also do not dare to accept it, not to mention the little kid sent meat pain, said the emperor’s gift, the court has its own record note, if it is damaged but the big crime of losing his head, he has nothing to carry such a dangerous product home for what, for up to worship it?

Turning to smile, “I thank Your Highness for the reward. However, the humble house is small, I’m afraid there is no place to put it, or put it in the East Palace is more stable, I beg Your Highness for permission.”

The prince’s gift, if you directly thank you will be guilty of contempt of the crime, in order to the face of the brat problem, he is given enough steps.

Zhu Hailin was slightly stunned, then grinned widely and wrapped Su Yan’s shoulders and said, “Granted, granted, Qinghe, in the future, you will follow me well, I will never treat you poorly.”

Su Yan while thanking the grace, while secretly thinking: since ancient times, accompanying the king is like accompanying a tiger. Now you say good, and do not give a written document, in case of the future one day turn the other cheek, to me to click, I go to find which management department to complain? The court is dangerous, the official field is treacherous, since inadvertently into this pool of mixed water, I still have to think more about the way of self-preservation ……

Seeing him pondering, Zhu Helin raised his eyebrows and said, “Worrying about what happened in the temple just now? Don’t worry, if father didn’t punish you today, he won’t mention it again in the future, as long as you don’t make any big mistakes, this crown prince will bear it for you.”

Su Yan thought for a moment, the tip of his eyebrows slightly knitted: “That Feng An Marquis seems to have some misunderstanding about me, I’m afraid that it will be difficult to avoid embarrassment when we meet in the future.”

He said lightly, Zhu Hailin long in the palace, and will not know the deep meaning of his words, immediately sneered: “Not just a palace consort relatives it, Zhenzhi high and mighty, look at it is not good. Dare to move my people, see if he has the guts!”

With the backing of the crown prince, Su Yan’s guts suddenly strengthened a lot, thinking that before he stood firmly on his feet, he still had to firmly hold on to this small tree whose height was still lacking.