The sound of firecrackers marks the end of the year, and the spring breeze brings warmth to Tusu.

Thousands of households exchange old talismans for new peaches every day.

The spirit of the New Year is very strong in Beijing. During this New Year festival, every household has New Year couplets pasted on it, and red lanterns are hung in front of many houses, exuding a festive atmosphere everywhere.

From the first to the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, it is bustling with people. Officials visit each other, while ordinary people visit relatives. Relatives always come to visit every household bringing gifts.

In particular, some merchant families clearly feel that their business has been better in the past two years, which makes them feel more comfortable and happier during the New Year.

After the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, another important traditional festival - the Lantern Festival - is about to usher in. Every household treats it with great grandeur, at least having a bowl of glutinous rice balls.

At this time, the scholars in the capital were more active. They were carrying out activities everywhere, looking for venues, inviting famous talents, and organizing a unique Lantern Festival Poetry Festival.

Naturally, the Drum Tower in the north of the city will not miss this Lantern Festival. It has been lighting up the lanterns since the twelfth night of the year. It has also invited many theater troupes and organized lantern guessing and other activities, striving to rival the grand occasion of last year's Lantern Night Market.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, countless people and scholars flocked to the Drum Tower area to participate in this large-scale lantern festival and visit this extremely lively night market.

In an attic next to the Drum Tower, a group of scholars are holding a poetry meeting here to add color to the Lantern Festival.

A somewhat famous talented man was about to compose a poem in front of the full moon that appeared on the roof. His eyes inadvertently passed across the street, but he was suddenly attracted, with a rather strange expression on his face.

This strange behavior immediately attracted the attention of others, who came to the attic and looked across the street.

But in front of the theater building opposite, a large group of officials came out to greet them neatly, and two inconspicuous sedans arrived in front of the building, and the officials greeted them enthusiastically.

"I wonder which official has such arrogance?" Seeing this scene, some scholars murmured in confusion.

"Our role model for scholars from the thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty, the current left minister of the Ministry of Rites, Lin Haoran!" Someone recognized Lin Haoran coming out of the sedan at a glance, and said loudly with envy on his face.

At the age of only seventeen, he entered the officialdom with a dazzling record of winning six exams in a row. He then presided over the opening of the sea in Guangdong, rebuilt the prestige of Shuntian Prefecture, rectified the salt administration of the Huaihe River, etc., and became a recognized capable official in the Ming Dynasty officialdom. Now he is an official.

Pay homage to the left minister of the Liturgy Department.

For the scholars present, Lin Haoran was like a bright light. They also hoped to enter the official career and make a mark, and then receive high-ranking officials and generous salaries in the Ming Dynasty.

All the scholars looked at Lin Haoran who was enthusiastically surrounded by a large group of officials in front of the theater, and looked at the beautiful lady next to him who was all over the country. They were deeply moved and said with emotion: "If you can do this, you will have no regrets in this life."

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Lin Haoran naturally didn't know the sentiments of the scholars upstairs, so tonight he came here with Tonghua Yingrong to watch the opera and listen to the music.

The Drum Tower Lantern Festival started because of him, not only for the prosperity of the north of the city, but also to maintain this political achievement project. He has reasons to keep the Drum Tower Lantern Festival lively.

This time I was invited to watch a play and listen to music. In fact, I am here to stand for the Drum Tower Lantern Festival. Even if someone wants to destroy this lantern festival in the future, or wants to make money from it, they must first take a look at him, the Minister of Rites.

The waiter's face.

Now that he is in officialdom, although he does not like to make too high-profile appearances, some things must be done after all.

"I have met Lord Butang!"

Wei Shangchun, Yin of Shuntian Prefecture, led all the officials forward and saluted respectfully.

Wei Shangchun was from Henan and followed the path of Guo Pu, the former minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Therefore, he returned to Nanjing, the capital of the capital, as Yingtian Prefecture Yin. Ordinarily, if Guo Pu fell, his career would only go from prosperity to decline.

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However, Wu Shan did not have any clique-like thoughts and felt that Wei Shangchun was a promising talent. Not only did he not suppress Wei Shangchun, he promoted him from Yingtian Prefecture Yin to Shuntian Prefecture Yin and became the "Minister of the Ministry of Punishment".

Even if they hold the same official position, different people have different confidence.

Although he and Lin Haoran are both third-rank officials now, their status is very different. Wei Shangchun hopes to become a small local governor next, while Lin Haoran's next step is to target six ministers, or even join the cabinet to become the prime minister.

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Just like this, facing Lin Haoran, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, Wei Shangchun also addressed him as a "lower official", revealing a strong sense of flattery.

"I'm going to pay my respects to the boss!"

Chen Fucheng, Liu Tongpan and Mo Fei were all Lin Haoran's old subordinates in Shuntianfu Yamen. At this time, they also stepped forward to greet him respectfully. Mo Fei was now appointed as Shuntianfu Tongpan, although he was not too outstanding.

, but it is already considered good progress.

In addition, there were several other officials and principals from the six yamen offices, who also came forward to greet Lin Haoran respectfully.

Lin Haoran faced the officials and responded with a smile on his face: "Everyone, tonight is the Lantern Festival. Let's just watch the show and not be so polite!"

Wei Shangchun and others all said yes, but no one dared to be bold.

"Mr. Lin, the arrangements have been made, please come in!" Mr. Sun, who is the president of the Shuntian Chamber of Commerce and one of the organizers of this lantern festival, stepped forward to invite him respectfully.

Lin Haoran nodded lightly, and with another false courtesy, he led Hua Yingrong into the tall theater building.

Common people have their own entertainment methods, while officials have their own entertainment methods. Many officials love listening to opera and singing.

When Lin Haoran was taking part in the examination, he sang "The Peony Pavilion" in the Sunchon Gongyuan: It turned out that the colorful flowers were blooming everywhere, but they were all ruined by ruined wells. What a beautiful scenery in a good time..., so that the invigilator at the time couldn't bear to disturb it.

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Even after so many years, many examiners and scholars present at the time still remember what happened that night. They all know that the Ming Dynasty had a "singer who was delayed by the imperial examination", and they are still talking about it to this day.

This theater belongs to the Shuntian Chamber of Commerce. Since tonight is the Lantern Festival, it will no longer be open to the outside. Many officials and gentry are invited here to watch the drama.

Lin Haoran was placed in the best stand on the second floor, from where he could comfortably watch the wonderful performances on the stage.

Hua Yingrong was accompanied by other official female family members, while several important officials such as Yin Wei Shangchun of Shuntian Prefecture were accompanied by Lin Haoran, including Xu Wei, the editor of the Hanlin Academy.
Chapter completed!