Red Mansion Reader

Chapter 25

Jiangnan in spring has entered the rainy season, and it rains one after another.There are layers of water vapor rising from the ridges among the mountains. From a distance, it looks like a dragon soaring into the sky, or like a fairy driving up to the sky.

A donkey cart brought Chen Heng and his son to the outside of Yangzhou City. The owner of the donkey cart pulled up the reins and stopped, saying to the passers-by he met by chance: "You two guests, Yangzhou City is ahead."

Chen Heng jumped out of the car first, and stamped his numb feet, "Old man, sorry for the trouble."

"What's the trouble? Everyone is away from home." Although the old man has white hair and beard, he is very energetic. After Chen Qi took all the luggage, he said to the father and son, "You two, let's leave now."

He was entering Yangzhou City to deliver goods, and he had to go through the west gate, so the inspection by officers and soldiers would be more detailed.And people like Chen Heng can enter the city directly through the east gate.

The official road under my feet feels slightly muddy when walking due to the continuous light rain for several days.When he came outside the east gate, Chen Heng could see the long queue, and seeing that the queue entering the city could not see the end for a while, he took a leisurely look at the appearance of Yangzhou City.

Since the opening of the canal in the Sui Dynasty, Yangzhou has gradually become a famous city in the world.The poem "Fireworks will go down to Yangzhou in March" refers to this moment.

Looking at the end of the line of sight, flags fluttered on the three-foot-high city wall, and occasionally a group of patrolling guards walked out of the arrow stack.It happened that a beam of midday sunlight passed through the gray clouds and shone on the blue-brown wall. The clouds cleared and the sun was bright, and it seemed that the sun was about to rise.

"Is Yangzhou City this big?"

Chen Qi said in disbelief that Taixing County was the biggest place he visited in his memory. He thought that all the places in the world were similar, but only now did he realize that it is often said in operas that six or nine scenic spots are eight percent prosperous.

Chen Heng couldn't be exempt, after all, it was the first time in his life to travel far away.Some scenery, or to experience it in order to feel its shock.

With this small expectation, the father and son couldn't wait to take out the guide and hand it over to the inspecting officers and soldiers.After learning that Chen Heng came to participate in the government examination, he waved them to enter the city without even checking their salutes.

As soon as they entered the city gate, they felt that it was unusual. The shops opened from the entrance extended along the long street, ten steps away was a post station, and next to it was a small open-air tea shop.Another ten steps away, there are two shops. The signboard says Yongjia Lacquer Ware Store, and I don't know what they do.

Ten steps further, there is the Taikang Bridge, where the gurgling river and the boat pass under the arch bridge.Walking past it, the building in front of it was immediately elevated, and the crowds coming out of all the alleys gathered into an exaggerated flow of people, blocking Chen Heng's sight.

Now I want to see it, but I can't see any scenery.Chen Heng could only raise his head. Above his head, those buildings capable of building two stories high, without exception, hung lanterns and ribbons on the corners of the eaves.

It's really strange, how long it has been since the Lantern Festival, why are these still placed.Chen Heng didn't understand, but he didn't know that this was a habit of Yangzhou people.

It has the convenience of north-south transportation, and the Yan government is the foundation for its livelihood.The prosperous life makes Yangzhou people have enough energy to pursue the romance of life.

I heard that people in Jinling like to decorate with lanterns and streamers during festivals?Then we will spread lanterns all over the city all the time.

I heard that the famous prostitutes on the Qinhuai River have been romantic since ancient times?Then we also have the world famous...

This cannot be said, this cannot be said.

Chen Heng took a few glances at the bustling scenery, then took Chen Qi's hand and started looking for an inn.The day they arrived was the first day of April, and they had to stay in Yangzhou for more than ten days, counting the government examination time.

Fortunately, they carried the 15 taels of silver prepared by their grandma, as long as they save some money, it should be enough for the father and son during this time.Fortunately, the two of them found four or five inns in a row, all of which were full.

After finally finding one, the waiter said directly: "It's unfortunate that the two guest officials came, there are only two upper rooms and one lower room left in our shop."

Hearing that the house was divided into upper and lower houses, Chen Qi couldn't help swallowing, and asked, "What are the prices?"

"One or two taels of silver a day for the room, including three meals. Two small dishes are enough. If the guest officer pays more, he can also have meat. The room is cheap, 200 yuan a day."

Chen Qi was overjoyed when he heard the words, but Xiao Er went on to say: "But there are already three guests inside, and if you two stay here again, it might be a bit crowded."

It turned out to be a shop.Chen Qi's complexion immediately collapsed.The two father and son looked at each other, thinking that this trip was to take an exam, Chen Qi gritted his teeth, took Chen Heng out of the inn, and continued to look for a satisfactory place.

Finally let them find an inn called 'Erkang' in an alley.The name was really interesting, Chen Heng took a fancy to it, pulled his father and walked in.

"You two, are you really here to stay here?" The shopkeeper looked at the father and son with big bags and small bags with a strange expression.

"Yes, shopkeeper, do you still have guest rooms here? What's the room rate?" Chen Qi was really tired, and it was Chen Heng who was in charge of the conversation this time.

The shopkeeper smiled, looked up at the noon sky outside, and said, "At this time...our guest rooms are all empty. But you two should think about it, the Fishing Alley is behind our inn, and it will be very noisy at night."

"Let's talk about the price first."

Chen Heng asked the question he was most concerned about.

"400 Wen a day, not including three meals."

"Open the shop?"

"It's a joke, how can our inn do such a business that can't be seen on the table."

"Come on, it's you."

"The guest officer doesn't think about it?" The shopkeeper looked straight at Chen Qi.

"It's okay, the shopkeeper quickly arranged a guest room for us father and son."

Chen Heng made a decision on the spot, and the price is already there, so it doesn't matter if there is a little bit of arguing at night.

Under the leadership of the shopkeeper, the two of them were surprised when they entered the room.Although there is nothing in the room except a bed, other tables, chairs and benches.Although there is nothing else, the advantage is that it is clean and cheap. Chen Heng can fully tolerate some of its shortcomings.

I happily handed over the money, and waited until the shopkeeper closed the door and left.Chen Heng fell down on the bed uncontrollably. The father and son had been traveling all the way, and they were a little tired by now.Fortunately, the weather was good, so they didn't encounter any wind and rain along the way. If they got sick along the way, that would be the scariest thing.

This is what they are worried about coming to Yangzhou so much earlier.If you catch a cold or something on the road, the extra time is just enough to take care of your body. Those guys who count the time to go out have no life experience.

The father and son didn't have the strength to eat for the time being, so they hugged each other and huddled together on the bed, planning to get enough sleep before thinking about the problem of the stomach.

While they were in a drowsy sleep, loud voices came from outside from time to time.For some reason, the sound became more and more intense from the moment it appeared, without any sign of stopping.

Chen Heng, who was finally woken up, got up a little out of breath, went to the wooden window and pushed it open, just to see if it was that bastard who caused people to wake up in the middle of the night.

I saw the flower building decorated with lights and festoons outside as bright as day, and there were many women in bright clothes in the attic, waving their long sleeves against the railing.

When Chen Heng was still in a daze, he could only hear them shouting softly to the crowd below:

"Guest officer, come in and play."

"Guest officer, do you want to come in and listen to a song?"

When did Chen Heng see such a scene, his eyes widened unconsciously. It turned out that the shopkeeper had been talking about it for a long time, and it was such a noise.

"Heng'er, what's going on outside?"

Chen Qi, who opened his eyes in a daze, propped himself up on the bed.

Chen Heng didn't dare to hesitate, and immediately closed the window.Guilty explained: "It's nothing, there is a butcher's shop outside. Get up early to do business."

"It's been a few days, and I started killing pigs so early." Chen Qi turned over and went back to sleep.He was really tired these days, and the father and mother brought his son to Yangzhou, tossing him a lot along the way.

"It's time for Yin, Dad, just sleep. I also want to continue to sleep for a while."

Putting the topic away, Chen Heng lay on the bed anxiously, saying that Huahua World is charming, and hoped that his father would sleep until dawn, and when he woke up tomorrow morning, they would change hotels.

Erkang Inn in Fishing Lane, I remember you! !
(End of this chapter)