Chapter 13: The Gate is like a Market

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  Qin Mubai had expected the emperor to make this move. As an emperor, it was naturally not suitable for him to come and ask Qin Mubai to be his teacher, but sending a seventh-rank official was no big deal. Qin Mubai didn't think that he should keep his skills to himself, and instead thought that sharing them would bring more joy than keeping them secret. His unintentional display of skill ended up changing and advancing the pipa playing techniques of the Zhenguan era, which in itself was a pretty fulfilling thing.

  Soon, the pipa arrived. Qin Mubai played a piece first, and Zeng Hongyou naturally listened with rapt attention.

  The song ended, Zeng Hongyou was completely stunned, his eyes were wide with wonder.

  "What's wrong with you, Zeng Shu?"

  "Ah?!" Zeng Hongyou suddenly came back to his senses, his face seemingly a bit pale. "Indeed, indeed! Your Majesty is indeed wise and discerning, not deceiving people! Qin Ziju, your pipa skills are truly unmatched, unprecedented in the past and unparalleled in the future! I, who have been indulging in pipa music for 30 years and have always been quite proud of myself, now cannot help but admire you sincerely and acknowledge my inferiority. Learning has no age limits, those who are capable come first. I, I must definitely make you my teacher, definitely!"

  He then knelt down and performed the rituals of a master-disciple ceremony without another word.

  Qin Mubai could only shake his head and smile wryly: "Forget it, do as you please. Since you're also an expert in this field, I suppose you don't need me to hold your hand and teach you step by step - I'll just teach you this unique finger technique!"

  "The students thank you, teacher!" Zeng Hongyou, on the other hand, was clear and explicit, with a happy expression, clasped his hands in gratitude.

  The emperor's decree was one thing, but Zeng Hongyou himself was also a music lover, and being able to learn Qin Mu Bai's unique skills made him happy. Moreover, in the feudal dynasty, it has always been the case that what the emperor likes, his ministers and subjects will follow suit, making it fashionable and trendy.

  For example, Emperor Taizong of the Li family was born into a military aristocratic family from Guanzhong, and was skilled in archery and martial arts from a young age. He himself was also an emperor who won the world through conquest on horseback. After becoming emperor, he did not forget about military affairs, often leading a group of brave warriors to shoot arrows in front of the palace - thus the Tang Dynasty valued martial prowess, and the people were strong and robust.

  Li Shimin was fond of calligraphy, and his "Flying White Script" was a unique style among the masters of his time. He often led a group of officials to appreciate and discuss calligraphy, which became a popular trend throughout the court and society. As a result, people all over the world, regardless of their social status or age, studied calligraphy diligently, and during the Tang Dynasty, paper from Luoyang was highly valued.

  Even Li Shimin was romantic and fond of beauty, people all over the world emulated him, so that the Tang Dynasty's folk customs were open-minded, and men and women's boudoir affairs were not avoided, and the concept of chastity was relatively thin. In this regard, even in the 21st century, it may not be comparable.

  It can be said without exaggeration that in feudal dynasties, the emperor was the one and only "trendsetter" who led the fashion of the world.

  The emperor liked music and was particularly fond of the pipa. People all over the world knew this. Whoever could play a pipa that stood out from the rest would naturally be doing something very good.

  So, Zeng Hongyou had no reason to be unhappy. Although he was over 40 years old, he still served Qin Mubai with a humble and cautious attitude like a primary school student, concentrating on learning for almost half a day before bidding farewell with gratitude.

  In the following days, the mansion was quiet and there were no other visitors, not even Wu Wang Li Qiao came again. The official appointment letter from the imperial court had not yet arrived, Qin Mu Bai was not in a hurry, every day he lived a very regular life. At dawn, he got up to practice martial arts, discussed gun and arrow techniques with Qin Shu Bao in his room, then devoted himself to reading books. Then accompanied his mother and sister chatting, teaching little sister to play the pipa.

  Zeng Hongyou paid his respects to the master and, being entrusted with a mission, did not dare to be lazy. Every day at noon sharp he would come to learn the art, and leave after three o'clock in the afternoon. After several days of hard practice, he had already learned the pipa fingerings quite well, and could be considered to have completed his apprenticeship successfully.

  Two days later, the usually quiet Qin Manor suddenly became lively.

  Early in the morning, the mansion was bustling - a group of eunuchs and palace maids from the palace arrived, specifically asking to see Qin Mu Bai, saying they came to pay respects and learn from him.

  Qin Mubai's head has grown big, it's really "people fear fame like pigs fear strength", this matter is causing a stir!

  It turned out that Zeng Hongyou had learned the skill and performed it in the palace for the emperor, who was extremely pleased and praised him highly. The news of his apprenticeship under Qin Mubai also spread quickly.

  Who doesn't want to have a special talent that pleases the emperor and wins his favor? Therefore, many concubines in the harem sent their eunuchs or palace maids who understood music and could play the pipa to find Qin Mu Bai to learn from him with all their heart.

  A group of palace maids and eunuchs were anxiously waiting in the grand hall of the Qin manor, who didn't want to accomplish their mission and return to gain favor with their master and receive rewards? This was a big deal that affected whether their own masters would be favored by the emperor, and if one person succeeded, everyone would benefit, which was also closely related to their own interests.

  Thus, Qin Mubai, a small figure who was unknown and had never appeared in the imperial court, inadvertently became the sweet pastry that many concubines in the palace wanted to win over.

  Just as the palace maids and eunuchs were getting a bit impatient, a low, powerful knocking sound came from the corner of the great hall, ringing out clearly, as if resonating in their hearts - Qin Shubao had emerged, leaning on his cane.

  "Pay respects to Duke Wing!" A loud thud as they all knelt down.

  "You all go back, find Taishouling Zeng Hongyou to learn from him, no need to come again." Qin Shubao said lightly, the whole hall was silent with a hint of killing intent. The palace maids and eunuchs didn't dare to breathe loudly, let alone anyone dared to raise any objections, they could only apologize and leave in succession.

  Qin Mubai came out and supported his father, and the two of them shook their heads with a bitter smile.

  "Sanlang, as a general and minister, it is improper for you to have overly close relationships with the palace ladies. This is a great taboo, remember!"

  "Remember, child!"

  Before the father and son could turn around, a group of people rushed out from the entrance, surprisingly, they were all from various music schools and song houses in Chang'an West City, bringing heavy gifts to pay respects and learn from them.

  It seems that Qin Mu Bai's pipa skills have spread from the palace to the streets, astonishing those in the entertainment industry.

  "Shut the door and refuse all visitors!"

  Keep these unrefined and uncouth people out of our door. With a heavy thud of his staff on the ground, he grunted: "Liang'er, from now on, don't ever again show off such despicable tricks. It's beneath you. Our Qin family is a martial household, believe me, your father, the things that will bring you success and prosperity in life are martial arts and military strategy. Spend more time practicing martial arts and reading books!"

  "Got it, Dad." Qin Mubai could only smile wryly. As for the pipa, to him it was at most just a "hobby", and he had never thought of relying on it to make a name for himself or find a way out. He didn't expect that an occasional "careless mistake" would actually bring him fame.

  It's so hard to keep a low profile.

  A few days later, the tightly closed gate of the Qin family was finally opened because this time it was an official from the Ministry of Officials who came to deliver Qin Mubai's official certificate, job title deed, and official robes and boots, etc., and without saying a word, took away five guan "certificate fee", regardless of whether you are a pillar country or a seventh-grade minor official, collected without error.

  Qin Shubao also didn't say anything about it, presumably because it was a "precedent" of the Great Tang.

  Qin Mubai unfolded the official document to take a look, it was a crimson red folded booklet, actually an "official appointment letter", on which were written his native place, age and appointed position, etc., with the large seals of the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Personnel and other departments, the production was solid and exquisite.

  "Well, I'm also a bureaucrat now, although just a minor seventh-rank official."

  Looking at the land deed again, Qin Mubai felt a little pleased in his heart: "This is still a landlord."

  According to the system of the Great Tang Dynasty in the Zhenguan period, the salary of officials mainly consisted of grain and land. Seventh-grade officials in the capital could receive 80 dan (a unit of measurement) of food per year, as well as 3 mu and 50 acres of "official land". The official land could be rented to farmers for cultivation, and they would collect rent every year. All this income was more than enough for a comfortable life. Of course, if one wanted to indulge in extravagance, that would be a different matter altogether.

  I tried on the seventh official green robe, although this style is not very likable and accustomed to, at least the fabric is good and it fits well. The most fortunate thing is that the official hat is not green.

  "Let's go to Wu Wangfu at Chen time tomorrow and get an early start!" said Qin Shubao, "Be a down-to-earth person and be diligent in your official duties."

  "Hmm..." Qin Mubai nodded in response, but his mind was thinking: The wisdom of the ancients in politics and governance is not inferior to that of later generations. I wonder what it would be like to hold office in the Great Tang Dynasty? It's a challenge, really worth looking forward to.

  The next day, Qin Mubai got up early as usual, practiced martial arts for an hour, dressed neatly, and prepared to go to work on the first day. When he was about to leave, Liu Shi and Qin Shuang'er helped him smooth out the nonexistent wrinkles on his shoulders, each with a warm smile sending him off.

  Wrapped in a thick coat, walking on the stone-paved road in Chang'an's alleys, breathing in the dry and cold air of Tang Dynasty winter, Qin Mubai looked around, feeling quite fresh about the ancient architecture and crowds.

  The Wu King's mansion was not far from the Qin King's, and it would take only about a cup of tea to walk there. Before long, they arrived at the gate, where a large vermilion-lacquered copper-studded door hung with a signboard that read "Wu King's Mansion". Eight soldiers stood upright in the cold wind, each holding a long spear, exuding an air of military grandeur and majesty.

  "Halt! Who are you?" Qin Mu Bai had just stepped forward when a military officer with a thick black beard and mustache blocked his path, exuding an air of authority.

  "In the lower Qin Mu Bai, newly appointed as the eastern chamber's sacrificial wine officer of the Wu King's palace, today is my first day on duty." Qin Mu Bai replied.

  "Qin Mubai? Never heard of him." The black-faced military officer said coldly.

  At this time, a small soldier behind him said: "General Fan, I know this person - isn't he Qin Sanlang of the Wing State's royal family, who is quite famous for playing the pipa?"

  Qin Mubai was about to reach into his pocket for his official token, but he hesitated for a moment and shook his head.

  "Oh, it's a bit like being with Wing Guo Gong Zhang." A hint of a smile floated onto the face of the dark-faced military school student, who waved his hand casually and said, "Junior officers below fifth rank enter through the side door, hurry up - Qin Jiu."

  Qin Mubai slightly furrowed his brow, thinking to himself that it seemed his reputation as a pipa player hadn't spread far after all, and even these military school students were treating him like some kind of performer or actor.

  He pulled at the thick fur on his body, Qin Mu Bai smiled indifferently and walked towards the side door.

  .??，！