Chapter 83: Noble Conduct
Chapter 83: Noble Conduct (First Order)
After discussing the rent with Hai Rui, Zhu Zaigui turned around and said to Meng Chong who was chasing after him, "Is Liu Yishou's yard nearby? Send someone to bring the key and rent it to Mr. Hai. The rent price will also follow the market, so you can pay what you should pay. Don't make it difficult for Mr. Hai."
Meng Chong quickly replied, "Yes, please wait a moment, I will arrange for someone to go there right away."
Hai Rui, who was standing aside, was moved when he heard Zhu Zaigui's words and bowed to him, "Thank you very much for your noble help, young master."
Meng Chong immediately sent someone to the East Market to find Liu Yishou and get the key to Liu Yishou's courtyard in Liulichang Hutong.
At this moment, Zhu Zaigui also invited warmly: "Mr. Hai, the weather is freezing right now. I have asked my servants to get the key to this courtyard. It will take some time to go back and forth. Why don't we find a place to drink some tea and warm ourselves up?"
Hai Rui looked at Zhu Zaigui who was so enthusiastic and sincere, and replied: "Thank you very much, sir, but please don't go to too extravagant places, otherwise I can't afford the tea fee."
After hearing what Hai Rui said, Zhu Zaigui felt deeply moved. If an ordinary person was invited like this, not only would he feel embarrassed to refuse, he would even be embarrassed to ask for money.
As a result, Hai Rui always insisted on his original intention. Even though he accepted Zhu Zaigui's kindness, he was unwilling to take advantage of Zhu Zaigui.
There are only a few people like him even if you look back over the past five thousand years.
Zhu Zaigui said, "Don't worry, Mr. Hai. I will not make it difficult for you. I will take you to an elder's house for a short visit. My elder is also a man of upright character, and there will definitely be no extravagant things in his house."
Hai Rui couldn't help but heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this. "If that's the case, then thank you very much, sir."
Seeing that Hai Rui agreed to the invitation, he happily invited Hai Rui to where his carriage was parked.
At the same time, Zhu Zaigui instructed Meng Chong, "Go and inform Mr. Gao that I will bring a friend to visit today, and ask him to warm up the tea and wait."
After hearing Zhu Zaigui's instructions, Meng Chong immediately arranged for his men to rush to Gao Gong's residence in Hanlin Hutong near the Imperial College in the east of the city.
After seeing Zhu Zaigui's carriage, Hai Rui couldn't help but hesitate. He really didn't know how he deserved such courtesy from this noble man.
It was obvious that this carriage was a carriage that only the rich and powerful could ride in, so when Zhu Zaigui invited Hai Rui to get in the carriage, Hai Rui hesitated.
Hai Rui said, "I appreciate your kindness, sir. However, I am a coarse-mannered man, and my clothes have been worn for a long time, so they are already smelly. I cannot pollute your carriage any further."
When Zhu Zaigui saw that Hai Rui was still refusing to get on his carriage, he immediately stopped and said, "Since Mr. Hai is unwilling to get on the carriage, I will just walk with you."
Then Zhu Zaigui instructed Meng Chong who was standing beside him, "Go get the heater and cloak from the carriage and put them on Mr. Hai. It's so cold, and I'm afraid he'll be frozen to death by the time we get to the east of the city."
When Hai Rui heard Zhu Zaigui's words, he quickly refused again, saying, "How can this be allowed? How dare I use your things?"
Zhu Zaigui said, "You are unwilling to sit in my carriage, and you are unwilling to wear my cloak to keep warm. If we really walk to the east of the city, what will I do if I freeze to death? Otherwise, you make a choice. Either we get on the carriage together and go to the east of the city, or you wear my cloak and walk to the east of the city together."
Hai Rui was deeply moved by Zhu Zaigui's sincere eyes and his true words without any ulterior motives.
Hai Rui bowed to Zhu Zaigui and said, "In that case, I thank you very much, sir. I am willing to ride with you."
Zhu Zaigui smiled and said, "That's great! Sir, please get in the car quickly."
Zhu Zaigui invited Hai Rui to get on his carriage. After getting on the carriage, looking at the luxurious decoration inside, Hai Rui really couldn't imagine that he would have such an adventure. He really didn't know what this nobleman in front of him saw in him? Did he hear about my "Governing Li Policy"?
But looking at how young Zhu Zaigui was, it didn't seem like he would be interested in political management. Just now, Hai Rui still vaguely remembered Zhu Zaigui spending money lavishly in Liulichang Hutong!
How could such a wealthy and generous young man really care about the governance of the common people thousands of miles away?
So at this moment, Hai Rui really couldn't figure out what on earth had attracted this rich young man in front of him.
But since you're already on his horse, just make the best of it. If he has other bad thoughts later, just refuse him in a proper manner.
Anyway, just do it with a clear conscience!
After the two of them sat down in the carriage, Hai Rui looked at Zhu Zaigui again and asked curiously, "Why is the young master so friendly to me? I thought about it and realized that I am just a poor candidate who came to Beijing to take the imperial examination and I don't have many relatives or friends in the capital. The young master is so kind and I really can't understand why."
Zhu Zaigui smiled and said, "Mr. Hai, don't think too much. I have no ill will towards you. I just saw that you wanted to live in the west of the city and wait for the exam as a juren. I really admire your noble character, so I treated you with such courtesy."
However, Zhu Zaigui's words did not dispel Hai Rui's doubts. Hai Rui asked again, "How did you know my name?"
Hearing Hai Rui's question, Zhu Zaigui naturally couldn't say that he was a time traveler and had known your name a long time ago.
So Zhu Zaigui couldn't help but laugh at this time and said, "Didn't you announce the title yourself, sir?"
When Hai Rui heard what Zhu Zaigui said, he couldn't help but wonder, is this really the case?
Just when Hai Rui was a little confused about the whole thing, the carriage finally came to a stop in Hanlin Hutong near the Imperial College.
"Sir, it's here."
Meng Chong reminded him from outside.
After hearing Meng Chong's voice, Zhu Zaigui quickly said to Hai Rui, "Mr. Hai, we're here. Let's get off the carriage first."
Zhu Zaigui leaned out from the carriage first, then walked down the wooden ladder beside the carriage.
"Knock on the door."
When Meng Chong heard Zhu Zaigui's instructions, he hurried to the courtyard where Gao Gong lived and knocked on the door a few times.
"Mr. Gao, my son is here to see you."
Meng Chong's voice reached the courtyard. Gao Gong, who was at home warming himself by the charcoal fire and reading a book, heard the noise outside and hurriedly got up, put on a thick cotton robe and walked out.
"Who is it?"
Meng Chong replied, "It's me, Mr. Gao. My son is here to have tea and chat with you."
As soon as Gao Gong heard the voice, he knew who it was. His hands moved faster and he quickly buttoned up his coat and pulled the bolt at the gate of the courtyard.
Just as Gao Gong was about to salute Zhu Zaigui, Zhu Zaigui bowed first and said, "Uncle Gao, please don't be offended that my nephew brought a friend with him today."
(End of this chapter)