Rise From the Humble

By the time Zhu Ping'an came out of the inner hall, the outer hall was already empty. Yan Song and other ministers were returning to the duty hut, and those returning home were only a few eunuchs and maids waiting for them.

"Master No. 1, we must get closer and closer in the future." Little Eunuch Zhang said on the way to see Zhu Ping'an out of the palace.

After Zhu Pingan received commendations and rewards from the emperor, Little Eunuch Zhang's attitude towards Zhu Pingan made a 180-degree turn. In the beginning, he was polite to Zhu Pingan; later, after Zhu Pingan gave him a red envelope, he was much gentler to Zhu Pingan; now, little Eunuch Zhang treats Zhu Pingan like a brother who has been separated for many years.

"As long as Eunuch Zhang doesn't dislike it, peace will be a blessing." Zhu Ping'an replied as he walked, holding an exquisite sandalwood box in his hand.

Zhu Ping'an has a bad impression of Little Eunuch Zhang. This kind of person is a kind of helpless person who can be the icing on the cake, but he will never provide help in times of need and is not worthy of trust. He is different from Feng Bao. Feng Bao is one of the few eunuchs who has integrity.

Of course, although I classified Little Eunuch Zhang as being untrustworthy in my heart and was wary, I would rather offend a gentleman than a villain.

Just be aware of it.

Moreover, this kind of person might be needed in the future, and it would be beneficial and harmless to have a good relationship with him.

Zhu Ping'an would never take the initiative to offend such a person, so he was very enthusiastic at this time.

"Haha, how could the Za family dislike the number one scholar, and be afraid that the number one scholar would dislike an eunuch from the Za family." Little Eunuch Zhang laughed and shook his head, mocking himself.

"How could it be so? Three hundred and sixty years later, he is the number one scholar. Why should my father-in-law belittle himself?" Zhu Ping'an raised his head and said seriously.

Then, Zhu Ping'an used the same rhetoric he had told Feng Bao before to fool Little Eunuch Zhang, "Eunuch, do you know who wrote the first great general history book 'Studying the relationship between heaven and man, understanding the changes of ancient and modern times, and becoming a family's words'" ? Who is it that improved the art of papermaking and allowed the civilization of the world to be passed down through the ages? Who was it that traveled through water and sea seven times to the Western Ocean, spreading the might of the Ming Dynasty thousands of miles away?"

I have to say that this set of rhetoric is simply overwhelmingly positive energy for the eunuch.

From ancient times to the present, most views on eunuchs have been contempt, disdain, and ridicule. In any case, they are almost all negative comments. However, although the bodies listed by Zhu Ping'an were incomplete, the achievements they made were unprecedented and unparalleled. They were things that many men with intact bodies couldn't do even if they wanted to. They have made great achievements in history, both ancient and modern. ,go down in history.

Because these examples are real, they are more convincing and contagious.

"The number one scholar is talking about Master Sima, Marquis Cai and Eunuch Zheng?" Little Eunuch Zhang didn't have much resistance to Zhu Ping'an's rhetoric.

"So, father-in-law, there is no need to belittle oneself." Zhu Ping'an stopped and nodded with a smile.

"Haha, then the Za family relies on the blessing of the number one scholar." Little Eunuch Zhang smiled and clasped his fists.

While walking and chatting, they soon arrived at the palace gate. Young Eunuch Zhang sent Zhu Ping'an out of the palace gate and reminded: "Master Zhuangyuan, the elixir rewarded by the Holy Emperor is best taken while it is hot."

"Thank you for the reminder, father-in-law. When we get to the mansion, Ping An will take it with my wife." Zhu Ping'an cupped his hands and thanked him.

Outside the palace gate, Liu Mu and Liu Dadao saw Zhu Pingan leaving the palace and hurriedly led their horses over.

"Sir, what are you holding in your hand?" After getting on his horse and galloping across the street in front of the palace, Liu Dadao looked at the sandalwood box in Zhu Pingan's hand and asked curiously.

"You are the only one who talks too much." Liu Mu scolded.

"I'm just curious." Liu Dadao chuckled and touched the back of his head.

"Haha, this is the 'elixir' rewarded by the Holy One." Zhu Pingan held the horse's reins in one hand and shook the box in his hand with the other.

The box Zhu Pingan held in his hand contained two "elixirs". After dinner, Emperor Jiajing took the elixirs as usual and thought of Zhu Pingan's articles, couplets and other things today, and rewarded them to Zhu Pingan.

Originally, Zhu Pingan was given one as a reward and asked to take it on the spot.

However, Zhu Ping'an looked at the black mass of "heavy metal chemicals" in his hand and really didn't have the courage to swallow it, so he excused himself by saying that he thought of his newlywed wife at home and couldn't bear to keep the elixir to himself, fearing that the story of Chang'e flying to the moon would happen again. play.

Emperor Jiajing felt that Zhu Pingan was deeply affectionate, so he rewarded Zhu Pingan with another pill and asked Zhu Pingan to take it home and take it with the couple.

God knows how "sincere" the tears in the corners of Zhu Pingan's eyes were when he thanked the Lord for his kindness.

"What? The elixir?" When Liu Dadao heard that there was an elixir in the box, he looked surprised and opened his mouth, "Sir, is it really an elixir? If you take one of the elixirs given by the emperor, you can extend your life for at least ten years."

Zhu Ping'an was speechless for a while after hearing this. You have heard too many fairy tales, don't think about extending your life. It's scary to think about eating this kind of heavy metal complex. Over time, it would be strange if you don't get poisoned.

But we really can’t blame them. As natives of the Ming Dynasty, it’s not surprising that they have such feudal superstitions.

"Sir, I have never heard of anyone who took the 'elixir' and became an immortal. On the contrary, I often hear people say that 'it's three parts of medicine and poison'."

Liu Mu is different from Liu Dadao. He has a pragmatic character. He used to hear the barefoot doctor walking around the village say that medicine is three parts poisonous. Over time, he remembered it in his heart. At this time, he couldn't help but remind Zhu Ping'an.

"Why not? Chang'e in the sky flew to the Moon Palace after taking the elixir, isn't she?" Liu Dadao retorted.

Okay, do you really believe this? In Zhu Ping'an's eyes, Liu Dadao is equivalent to a child weighing 200 pounds at this moment.

"Haha, go back home."

Zhu Ping'an chuckled, did not continue, pulled the reins of his horse and headed towards Linhuai Marquis Mansion.

It is really not suitable to discuss "elixir" on the street. Factory guards and the like are everywhere. If it reaches the ears of interested people, or the ears of Emperor Jiajing, I will not be able to bear the accusation of "criticizing the elixir".

Half an hour later, Ting Yuxuan's bedroom in the Linhuai Marquis Mansion.

"What is this dark thing?"

Like two curious babies, Li Shu and the little maid Baozi opened the imperial treasure box brought by Zhu Ping'an. When they saw two dark pills the size of pigeon eggs inside, their eyes widened.

"Your Majesty, because of my merit in presenting the document and hard work in checking the accounts, I was specially given two elixirs." Zhu Ping'an shrugged.

"Elixir?!" Baozi's little maid's reaction was just like Liu Dadao's. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened into an O shape.

"I won't reward you with anything useful."

When Li Shu heard this, she curled her lips in disdain and was too lazy to take a second look. She was very disdainful of the elixir rewarded by Emperor Jiajing.

That night, there was an extra box in Tingyuxuan, and two sticks of incense were offered in the morning and evening.

I don’t want to eat it, so I can offer it as an offering, but no one can say anything.