Prime Minister

Chapter 113 Entering Bianjing

Beside the moonlight, the ten thousand-year-old fragrant tree is full of auspicious smoke.The emperor's residence is magnificent, the royal family is prosperous, and the fortune is in abundance...

This is when Liu Yong returned to Bianjing at an old age after being an official for many years. It is more prosperous than Bianjing back then, so the first half of the poem describes the prosperity of Bianjing.

In the past, I was proud of my sightseeing, and I went wildly in the scenery. Seeing you again is even more beautiful. ... The traces of Taoism and eunuchs, the feelings of singing and drinking, are not like back then.

The second half of Que is written about witnessing the scenery of Bianjing, knowing that the prosperity of Bianjing will only get better day by day, but I am getting older day by day, feeling sad that I am no longer young.

Now Zhang Yue came to Bianjing, where Liu Yong would never see again.

In the early morning, the Bian River was flowing, and under the rain, the boat passed a large area of ​​farmland and villages in the suburbs, and slowly sailed towards Dongshuimen.Countless cargo ships on the water are headed back and forth to Bianjing City.

No wonder there are clouds, Sizhou enters Huaihe River.Transport food from the southeast.All things in the southeast.Since then into the capital.Both public and private supply depend on this Bianhe River.

A picture of the river during the Qingming Festival slowly unfolds in front of my eyes.

A person who was familiar with the scenery of Bianliang and Zhang Yue introduced: "Look, sir, this is Hongqiao!"

Zhang Yue looked at the pillarless building, and then used giant trees to frame it.The bridge decorated with dandelion really looks like his name is Hongqiao.

When crossing the bridge, the masts of the ships were put down and put away one after another. Many people stood by the bridge to watch this scene, pointing and pointing.When the cargo ship got on the boat, Huoer threw the hemp rope onto the bridge, and then the boat was pulled by the rope.

Zhang Yue asked: "How many bridges like this are there on the Bian River?"

"Lang Jun asked the right person. There are twelve other bridges from Dongshuimen to Xishuimen. The most prosperous ones are the Daxiangguo Temple Bridge and the Zhou Bridge on Yujie. When you arrive in Bianjing, you will have to go shopping. There are many places here. You might as well take a stroll around the Washe Goulan.”

Zhang Yue glanced at the other party, and he also really wanted to see the legendary "Washe Gou Lan" and learn more about the style of the little lady in Bianjing, but it's a pity that he didn't dare to spend money when he was out!

It would be fine if you get admitted to Taixue, but it is provided by government fees. If you don’t pass the exam, you can either go home or stay in Beijing to prepare for the imperial examination, which will cost money.

When passing Hongqiao, the boatmen set up bamboo poles against the stone foundations on the two walls of the bridge hole.

After crossing Hongqiao, the mast was erected again, and the boat fire pulled dozens of ropes to re-stretch the mast and sail, but the boatman was still rowing. Such a big oar is no more than oars, it must have several oars. It is operated by people, with several people in front and several people behind, or raise their heads or lower their heads to shake the oar.

The sound of hitting the water one after another, and the singing of the boatman occasionally broke the tranquility of the morning scene in the rain in Bianjing.

Soon Zhang Yue saw the city wall of Bianjing in the rain curtain, overlapping and majestic, stretching to both ends.

The ship passed through Dongshuiguan and entered the city.

Zhang Yue took a closer look, and found that most of the Bianhe ships were like this, with the bow low and full of cargo and grain, but the stern was raised high.

As soon as the Wu family raised their banners, the officials dared not to inspect the water, so they put it into the city early.

The boat passes through Dongshuimen, all the way to the wharf in front of the Daxiangguo Temple Bridge.The three big boats of the Wu family had lowered their masts to make it easier to cross the bridge. There were men on the left and right pulling the ropes manually, so the boats moved much slower on their own.

Boats from the east water gate are not allowed to enter here, but only boats from the west river are allowed to pass.

Zhang Yue hadn't had time to enjoy the sights along the river and the trade of Wan surnames at the Daxiangguo Temple, and everyone disembarked at the Henan pier.

The rain has lightened a lot, and the pier is still chaotic and noisy early in the morning.

The boatman in the cargo ship on the side was wearing a bunt to carry up and down, turning over the cabin and loading the cargo.I don't know whether it is rain or sweat on the knotted muscles.

After pulling a boat across the bridge, he greeted his companions to collect the money.Many shippers and trackers bought a bowl of water and rice with the money they just got. They squatted under the eaves with their bare backs and ate the bowls, and occasionally raised their heads and looked blankly at the Bian River in the rain.

The bow of the boat has just settled the tent in the collapsed house along the river, and dared to go back to the boat without an umbrella. Just in time, I ran into an acquaintance, exchanged hasty greetings, and then clasped my fists to say goodbye.

And at the footsteps not far from the pier, many people were sitting or standing, or lying lifelessly under the eaves. People in short shirts and trousers were looking at the pier.Once someone passed by and stopped here, a group of people immediately greeted them.

But these people were immediately chased away by a dental practitioner with a whip, and then one person went up to talk to each other with a smile on his face.

Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi also got off the boat with umbrellas, and the female envoys on the other ships walked down the boat ladder in embarrassment, holding umbrellas and putting on clothes for the gentlemen and ladies of each family.But Wu Anshi was already waiting on the pier.

"My two dear friends, I have to leave. Ever since Fujian came to Beijing for thousands of miles, I have been tired of worrying and fearing with me. We have gone through the ups and downs together. Needless to say, this friendship. Now that we have arrived in Bianjing, the Son of Heaven It's not easy living under your feet, if you two have any difficulties, just tell me, my Wu Mansion is on Jinliangqiao Street, if you ask someone, you will know."

"Thank you Dalang-kun!"

"Let's just say goodbye, and invite the two of you to have a drink on stage some other day."

After Wu Anshi got on his horse, Zhang Yue saw the woman from the Wu family walking in the mist with an apricot-colored oil-paper umbrella.

The rain poured on the umbrella, and Zhang Yue watched as the other party got into the carriage with the help of the female envoy.

As Wu Anshi said, traveling thousands of miles to Beijing, even though he took a boat all the way, Zhang Yue always felt that he had experienced a lot. At first, he only thought of ending the journey as soon as possible and entering Beijing as soon as possible.Now that I have reached the end of the land, I am in another mood.

Zhang Yue took a step forward, and said to Wu Anshi who was on the horse: "Mr. Dalang, take care."

Wu Anshi was touched and said: "You and I are in Bianjing together, and we will see each other for a long time. After a few days like this, you can ask Tang Jiulang to come to my house, and I will ask Dad to write a letter for him."

Zhang Yue said happily: "Thank you, Mr. Da Lang."

After Wu Anshi finished speaking, the Wu family's carriage and everyone in the Wu family left westward.

As the Bian River flowed east, and the rain powder was flying, Zhang Yue held an umbrella and watched for a long time until the carriage disappeared into the corner of the street.

Huang Haoyi asked Zhang Yue: "Sanlang, where are we going?"

Zhang Yue came back to his senses and said, "Of course we should go to Taixue first."

Huang Haoyi said: "I also thought that you would stay at your Erlang's house first. If so, I also want to see Mr. Zhang Erlang. I wonder if there is such a chance?"

Zhang Yue said silently for a moment: "Silang, it's better to go to Taixue with me first."

"Okay, Saburo must call me when the time comes."

Zhang Yue asked, "Why don't you go to your brother's house?"

Huang Haoyi said: "My brother went to Xincai to serve as the county magistrate, but now my sister-in-law is living in Bianjing. Speaking of my sister-in-law, isn't she the elder brother's sister?"

Zhang Yue feels that the name of this relative is a bit messy, what is the second brother's sister.

Zhang Yue said sternly: "Silang, I want to make a correction with you here. My second elder brother is now in my uncle's family. Ranked in the clan, or called Brother Dun."

"When you meet him, don't call him wrong."

Huang Haoyi said: "What's the matter? We are all brothers, and it's okay to be in the light. Sanlang, don't you want to introduce me to your second brother? I know that I am not even a student of the imperial court. I am a fishy person, How can you be worthy of talking about friends with your second brother?"

In Zhang Yue's heart, ten thousand grass and mud horses galloped past.

You are a Jinshi, how dare I look down on you?You are too sour.

Zhang Yue hurriedly said: "What did Shiro say? But like my second brother, hey, you know... I wouldn't dare to take advantage of him normally."

"how to say?"

Zhang Yuedao: "Second brother has always been very strict with me, and I am not allowed to use his name to publicize outside the market. This time, I dare not report my entry into the Imperial Academy lightly, otherwise he will think that I borrowed it from him. What about the name?"

Huang Haoyi suddenly said: "Your uncle's family is a father and son Jinshi! Don't you come to get close to one or two? Besides, I heard that your second brother got married, and that is a dignified servant of the imperial censor. If you help me With one hand, Bianjing Residence can also be changed."

Zhang Yue laughed dryly and said, "It's precisely because of this that it's not easy to disturb."

If he entered a county school by himself, he could be said to be honored, and if he entered the Taixue, his uncle would say that it was his credit.

Huang Haoyi nodded when he heard what Zhang Yue said.

Zhang Yue said: "Then where does Shiro live in Beijing?"

Huang Haoyi said: "My elder brother is buying a house in Bianjing. Sanlang will take you back sometime to meet my second cousin. His name is Haoxin. And my sister-in-law is also your cousin."

"Oh, is the second cousin also studying in Beijing?"

Huang Haoyi nodded and said, "Is he preparing for the Guangwen Institute?"

"That's it." Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi said while walking on Baokangmen Street.

The two talked as they walked, they first left Baokangmen in the inner city, crossed the gate bridge, and arrived at the intersection of Baokangmen Street and Maizhu Lane, which is not far from Taixue.

Familiar with the anecdotes of Tokyo City, you will know that there is a water tank street next to Maizhu Lane, and Ding Wei's house is also here.

Why did Ding Wei choose to live here?
There is a reputation.

Shuigui Street is adjacent to Caihe River, which is often damaged by waterlogging, and dignitaries do not live here.So Ding Wei bought it at the price of cabbage.

Then Ding Wei took advantage of the opportunity of the imperial court to build a spiritual temple, and ordered more swamps to be dug.This place is relatively close to Ding's house, and Ding said that he will transport all the soil dug out of Lingguan Swamp to his home to build a higher foundation.

Ding Wei also played that the imperial court opened the Baokang Gate, and the north and south newly built the Anguo Yan'an Second Bridge to cross the Bianhe Caihe.

Since then, it has become a thoroughfare from Xiangguo Temple to Huiling Temple, densely populated.As a result, the house price rose in value all of a sudden, and Ding Wei's family history said that "the residence must be met", and he made a lot of money.

But no matter how you say it, the Tai students are very grateful to Ding Wei.

From Baokangmen Street to Maizhu Lane, the streets are almost full of brothels.This is Bianjing City, and also the largest red light district in the Song Dynasty.

And it's just beside Taixue and Gongyuan.Of course the students were overjoyed.

Now if it is not morning but evening and night, I don’t know how beautiful the scenery along the way is, but thinking of this, Zhang Yue couldn’t help covering his purse, so as to cool his heart.

Zhang Yue arrived at Taixue.

Before the founding of Qingli School, Guozijian inherited the Tang system and implemented the system of three halls, Guangwen Hall taught Jinshi, Taixue taught various subjects, and Law School taught Ming law.

At that time, Ouyang Xiu failed the provincial examination, passed the examination supervised by the Imperial College, and became a student of Guangwen Museum.Then he won the first place in the Guozijian Examination, the first place in the Provincial Examination, and finally ranked No. 14 in the Palace Examination.

However, after Qing Shi established the school, the system of three halls was changed.

It turns out that the three-library system is just a name, not a school in fact. Students who pass the exams in the library, enter the Imperial Academy, and Taixue, are more like the name of a professional title.

However, after Qingli founded the school, all the disciplines of Jinshi were merged into Taixue.

At that time, the children of the seventh-rank officials and above were Guozisheng, and the school was located in Tianfu Puli Temple.

Taking Xiqingyuan as the Taixue, Xiqingyuan is located next to Guozijian. In addition to receiving envoys from Liao Dynasty, Xiqingyuan was often used to hold royal banquets at first.

Now it is used to teach the children of officials below the eighth rank, as well as Han Jun recommended by Zhuzhou counties.

Since then, Guozijian and Taixue have changed the situation of being famous and not having a school.

As for the Guangwen Museum, which originally taught Jinshi, it was changed to listen to students who failed the exam, and students recommended by Sifang counties to enter Beijing.Students can also receive a small amount of grain and rice every month for living in Beijing.

If Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi are not admitted to Taixue, they can be admitted to Guangwen Museum.

Guangwenguan students can also participate in the Guozijian solution test together with the Guozijian students.

There are a total of 450 solutions in the Guozijian solution test.

Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi came to the gate of Guozijian and were about to enter the gate to submit an ultimatum, but the clerk did not look up and said: "The matter of examination is not in this department."

"Where is that?"

The scribe didn't answer, and spread his right hand.

Zhang Yue took some money and put it in this person's hands. The other party weighed it up and was a little dissatisfied. He shook his head and said, "You can use any bookstore outside the door."

Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi came to the bookstore outside the door again, and a clerk warmly received them.

Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi showed each other the document, statement, township certificate, and public inspection, including the official documents of Tang Jiu and Ma Wu.

The guy's expression turned cold, and he asked, "Aren't you two doing other things?"

Huang Haoyi asked: "What else?"

The clerk said coldly: "It's fine if you two don't know, are you two in a hurry?"

Huang Haoyi said: "The sooner the better."

The clerk said: "If you are not in a hurry, we will accept these first and deliver them to the Imperial College in three days. If you are in a hurry, I have a collection of family certificates. You can take them and submit them to the Imperial College."

Zhang Yue didn't wait for Huang Haoyi to ask, and said directly: "So what's the price if you're in a hurry, and what's the price if you're not in a hurry?"

The clerk said: "It's urgent, it's two thousand dollars, don't worry, it's one thousand dollars."

Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi cursed from the bottom of their hearts, this is simply killing people.

Huang Haoyi said angrily: "Let's go to another bookstore and ask."

The clerk spread his hands and said with a smile: "It's the same price wherever you go. In the future, if the two of you are going to solve the test, you can't do without the bookstore for the provincial test. If you do the family certificate first, it will be more cost-effective later."

Zhang Yue knew in his heart that the atmosphere was indeed like this, so he said: "That's fine, we need to hurry up."

The guy smiled and said: "You are smart, if you entered the Taixue earlier, you would have saved a lot of money for the accommodation fee."

"Where is this guest officer?"

Huang Haoyi said proudly, "No rush."

"It's not cool either," the man sneered, "then you can come back in three days!"

Zhang Yue pulled Huang Haoyi aside and persuaded him: "I spent thousands of miles to Bianjing, and I spent all my money, and it's not bad. The sooner I enter the Imperial Academy, the sooner I can feel at ease."

Huang Haoyi struggled for a while when he heard the words, and finally said: "Such people... just follow Sanlang."

So Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi took the family certificate together and entered the Guozijian.

(End of this chapter)