mortal clerk

Chapter 68 Examination of the Artifact Pavilion
Lao Shen took Li Qingniu and Xiao Anzi to bid farewell to Luo Wushuang, and as soon as he left Zhuque Street, Xiao Anzi bid farewell to the two, and took his own salute to Zhuqi Pavilion to participate in the assessment.But today coincided with the academy taking a rest, so Li Qingniu had to go to the academy to report tomorrow.

Old Shen looked at Li Qingniu with a sad face, and joked: "Oh! Boy, I always thought you were not afraid of the sky and the earth. I never thought... oh..."

"Didn't you think about it? Don't just say half of what you say!"

"I never thought that when you heard that there was going to be an assessment, you'd be in a hurry! Tsk tsk!"

"Old Shen, you don't have to provoke me, I won't give up easily."

"Uh... well, as long as you have faith, there will be no difficulties in the world that can stop you!"

"A scholar must be resolute and diligent!"

Lao Shen was taken aback by Li Qingniu's sudden words. Although the words were not clear, they sounded very reasonable and suited his mood at the moment.

"Boy, what you said is good!"

"That's natural! These are the wise words of the sages."

"Cough! I thought you said it yourself!"

"It's just what I think."

While the two were talking, they had already arrived at Lao Shen's courtyard.

"Boy, you can live with me from now on."

While packing his books, Li Qingniu said, "I went to the academy tomorrow, and I won't come back again, so I don't want to live with you, a widowed old man!"

"Cough! You kid, you don't know good from bad!"

"You and I met by chance, but you took good care of me along the way. I suspect that you want to find someone who will take advantage of your retirement, so I don't live here."

"What a white-eyed wolf, it's in vain for you, Uncle Shen, to worry about you all the way!"

……

The two chattered while putting away the book, but in fact, Lao Shen knew in his heart that Li Qingniu didn't want to be sent to others.I sigh in my heart, this is a strong child.

"Xiao Niu, it's almost time, I'll take you to the Casting Pavilion."

"Why are you going to the Forging Pavilion?"

"I'll give you a scabbard, and let's see if Xiao Anzi passes the exam!"

"Alright! But what about my horse?"

"Don't worry, just tie it in the yard and feed some aquatic plants."

……

It was already noon when the two walked from the West Market to the Casting Pavilion at the East Gate. Although it was early autumn, it was still hot.However, more than 100 furnaces in the square in front of Zhuqi Pavilion were blazing fiercely, and the surrounding temperature was even abnormal. Even the passers-by watching were sweating profusely.

Li Qingniu searched for a long time before he found Xiao Anzi who was blacksmithing in the last row.I saw Xiao Anzi with his upper body naked, struggling to beat the red iron block in the heat wave.

After asking people around, I found out that this year's Apprenticeship Examination in the Foundry Pavilion has three levels, which are divided into metal identification, standard iron sword forging, and engraving and engraving.We have now entered the second level.

"Unexpectedly, Brother An has such strong muscles!"

"Yeah, this kid is not bad! Let's go, there will be no results in a while, let's go to customize the scabbard first."

The two of them bypassed the bustling assessment square and came to the slightly deserted counter.The guy in charge of reception saw that there were still customers coming to the counter today, so he hurried forward to say hello.

"Guests, what can I do for you?"

"Second brother, I want to make a scabbard!"

After finishing speaking, Li Qingniu handed over his rusty iron sword.

The young man took out the iron sword, looked at it carefully and said, "I wonder what you two want to be like?"

Old Shen asked, "What styles are there?"

"Guest, our Ware Casting Pavilion is the No. [-] foundry shop in Guimen County. There are various shapes and shapes. It is divided into three grades. The most common one is ordinary hardwood as the sheath, and the hoop is made of animal skin copper rings; slightly better Some of the sheaths are carved with precious wood, covered with high-quality animal skins and gold and silver hoops; the best are made of light alloys, with three-dimensional decorations carved on them, and inlaid with gemstones and pearls. The three grades are either standard or private. Customization, but the price of private customization is slightly higher."

Li Qingniu asked: "Then which kind of sword do you think is suitable for me?"

The young fellow sized up Li Qingniu's clothes, words and deeds, and then looked at Lao Shen, thinking that he was probably just an ordinary warrior, it seemed that he would not be able to earn much money.But there was still a smile on his face.

"From the point of view of a villain, my lord's sword has a simple shape and a thick blade. It is best to choose hardwood, copper ring and animal skin, and it is best to order it privately."

"How much will it cost?"

"Guest, just six gold coins."

"So expensive?"

As soon as he heard that he wanted six gold coins, Li Qingniu immediately missed the bamboo sticks made by his second father.

Seeing his hesitation, Old Shen said to the boy:
"Then quickly measure the size and make it."

After saying that, he threw six gold coins on the table.Li Qingniu wanted to stop it.Old Shen waved his hand and said:

"Boy, Uncle Shen promised to make you a scabbard, how can you break your promise? Besides, a few gold coins are nothing more than two jugs of good wine to me!"

Seeing Lao Shen like this, Li Qingniu had no choice but to accept it.The boy took the iron sword and went to the back hall to measure the size.

After the two waited for a while, the boy came back with the iron sword and told him to come and pick it up early in the morning.

When they returned to the square, there were more than 100 people participating in the assessment, but now there were only more than 20 left, and Xiao Anzi was impressively listed.

"It seems that Brother An has passed the first two levels, and the remaining level is to test the decoration."

"Wait patiently, this little Anzi has always been alert, this level is not too difficult for him."

After waiting for another hour, the gong sounded, and the people participating in the assessment immediately stopped their hammers and chisels.The engraver of the Foundry Pavilion personally came forward to inspect it.Every time I see a satisfactory one, I pick up the chiseled works on the plate.

The engraver did not stop after Xiao Anzi passed by, and Xiao Anzi's body trembled visibly.

Just when Xiao Anzi was about to give up and accept his fate, the engraver turned back, hesitated for a while, and picked up Xiao Anzi's work on the plate.

Li Qingniu saw it clearly from the audience, and shouted to the stage:

"Come on, Brother An!"

Xiao Anzi heard it, but didn't look back.After waiting for a while, Xiao Anzi walked down the square with a face full of excitement, and ran towards Li Qingniu and Lao Shen.

"Maverick, Maverick, I pass! I pass."

"Let's go, I'm treating guests today, so I must celebrate it well. Uncle Shen wasn't here yesterday, so I must drink to my heart's content today!"

"Okay! Brother An, today should be celebrated."

"Then what are you talking about, let's go, two boys."

The three of them found a decent restaurant this time, chose a table by the window, ordered two jars of good wine, and ordered seven or eight side dishes.

Xiao Anzi was busy all the time, calling for food, serving tea, and pouring wine.

Seeing this, Old Shen smiled and said:

"You boy, you have been busy all day, why bother, I will arrange it myself."

Li Qingniu also joked:
"Brother An is so excited, I can't run out of energy."

Xiao Anzi also responded with a smile.

"It's not that I've been out for more than ten years, and I finally found a right way."

Old Shen couldn't help sighing:

"In the future, when you go to the Metalsmith Pavilion, you must work hard and learn from the old master. At your current age, it is not difficult to be an intermediate metalsmith and earn hundreds of gold coins every year."

"Uncle Shen, thank you! In the past year, if you hadn't been taking care of me all the time, I'm afraid I would have become a bone of a bone just like the other handlebars! I offer you a toast!"

After saying that, drink it up.Li Qingniu raised his glass to congratulate Xiao Anzi, but unexpectedly, Xiao Anzi raised his glass first and said:

"Xiao Niu, thank you too! Originally, I had already given up, but in the past six months, seeing you study hard and study hard has given me a lot of encouragement! In addition, I couldn't drink to my heart's content yesterday, anyway, thank you! You have to work hard too. ! Nothing is impossible in this world!"

"Brother An, you talk a lot, but I also want to thank you for taking care of me along the way."

Old Shen called them Moji, raised his wine glass and joined.

"Okay, okay, let's come together!"

……

Unknowingly, the three of them drank three jars of old wine in a row, talked the most in the past six months, and told many interesting things on the road.

When the waiter came to urge them, the three of them were quite drunk.Fortunately, Lao Shen was experienced and had a good capacity for alcohol, so he finally sent Xiao Anzi back to the Apprentice Dormitory of Zhuqige.

When the moonlight was dim, Li Qingniu followed Lao Shen back to the West Market Hutong in a dizzy state.

　Ordinary is the appearance of all beings, thank you for your encouragement and support.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)