The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 199: Being a trouser and eating out at the same time
The next morning, Xu Xuan and Li Congjia walked out of Taihe Building and stood on West Street.

Li Congjia picked his teeth with a bamboo stick, and Xu Xuan counted the money in his wallet, his face gradually becoming serious.

He returned to Anding County for just one night, and the cost of accommodation and food was far more than he expected.

Li Congjia slept in Datongpu in the renovation site for a month, suffering from insomnia until midnight every day.

After finally regaining his freedom, he strongly demanded that the accommodation environment must not be compromised.

When he returned to the county yesterday evening, Xu Xuan took him to find a place to stay and visited many mansions. Li Congjia only took a fancy to the most expensive Shenghe mansion.

There is nothing to say about the environmental services of Shenghe Dishe. The price is three or four times that of ordinary Dishe.

If it was normal, Xu Xuan would definitely have nothing to say, it would not be a problem to spend money to live for a month, after all, everyone wants to sleep peacefully and comfortably.

But now the two noble sons who are in trouble are a little shy, Xu Xuan originally wanted to change to a cheaper place.

Li Congjia didn't want to leave, so he wanted to live in Shenghe's residence. He kept saying that he would not save on accommodation fees, but he would save on other things if he could.

Having no idea, Xu Xuan could only grit his teeth and pay for a room. Fortunately, the bed was big enough, so sleeping two people wouldn't be a problem.

Shenghe Residence is located on the most prosperous West Street in the county. A few shops away from the door is Taihe Building, the best restaurant in the county.

When the group first arrived in Anding County, they came here because of its reputation and had a meal at Taihe House. They were deeply impressed by the novel dishes and delicious taste.

Xu Xuan and Li Congjia settled down in their residence and went out to look for a place to eat. Li Congjia took another look at Taihe Building.

When he was going down the mountain, Xu Xuan had said that he would come to Taihe Tower for a meal to celebrate their escape from the sea of ​​suffering.

And with Li Congjia encouraging him eagerly from the side, Xu Xuan could only squander it once more.

When I went out this morning, I originally wanted to go directly to the pawn shop. When I passed by Taihe Building, I was attracted by the fragrance wafting from inside and couldn't move my legs.

The glutton in Xu Xuan's stomach couldn't resist the temptation, so he pulled Li Congjia into the restaurant and had another delicious breakfast.

The two of them had a tacit understanding, and no one mentioned spending money.

However, when paying the bill, Xu Xuan's hand shook violently when taking out the money.

Li Congjia bit his toothpick, touched his round belly, and burped with his oily mouth.

Knowing that he was a little embarrassed, Li Congjia smiled sheepishly.

In the Jiangning Palace or the Prince's Palace, Li Congjia would never be so rude, and his words and deeds would always be a gentle and gentle gentleman.

But only he knew that he was not the real Li Congjia, but the sixth prince of the Southern Tang Dynasty. He was a young and wise man who was praised by the people of Jiangnan as a wise king.

Coming to a foreign country, no one knew him, and no one paid attention to him. Li Congjia felt relaxed and unrestrained, and his youthful nature was revealed naturally.

He didn't hide it either, because this kind of living condition is very comfortable.

After wiping the oil stains on his mouth, Li Congjia saw Xu Xuan frowning, blinked and asked, "Sir, why do you look so sad?"

Xu Xuan squeezed his shriveled purse and said solemnly: "The little prince must promise me that from now on, I will not be able to enter the Taihe Building even half a step."

"Ah? Why? The food in Taihe Building is very delicious, and even the breakfast has many varieties. Wouldn't it be good for you to eat it, sir?" Li Congjia blinked and asked in confusion.

Xu Xuan's face trembled, and he showed his empty wallet to him: "From yesterday evening to now, Xu Xuan only has five cents left in his hand! Two meals and lodging, that's a total of money! This is only Counting the deposit for the mansion, the rent has not been settled yet!"

"Always. Not a lot," Li Congjia muttered softly.

Xu Xuan's lips trembled, not knowing what to say.

Compared to past expenses, this little money is really nothing.

But today is different from the past. The two of them don't have much money, so they can't afford such expenses.

"No! Find a pawn shop as soon as possible to exchange some money, and then start looking for work to make money immediately! The little prince must listen to Xu this time and never step into this Taihe Building again!" Xu Xuan spoke sternly.

Li Congjia whispered: "Isn't it okay to come here for one meal every day?"

Xu Xuan shook his head seriously.

"Then buy a drawer of xiaolongbao every day and add three fried dough sticks! Don't you also like to eat those steamed buns filled with onions and pork?" Li Congjia tugged on his sleeves and begged.

Xu Xuan smelled the aroma of meat buns wafting from the building, his throat slid up and down, and he kept swallowing.

But holding his empty wallet, he still shook his head cruelly: "No! The price of one meat bun is enough to be worth three millet buns!"

Li Congjia's face was full of disappointment, and he wanted to bargain again, but Xu Xuan hurriedly stopped him: "Xu promised the little prince, find a job and make money, and then go to Taihe Building to taste the food."

Li Congjia reluctantly looked back at the restaurant, sighed and nodded.

Xu Xuan hurriedly pulled him away.

If he goes on, he is afraid that he will not be able to resist the temptation of delicious food and will spend all his last money on it.

In the face of delicious food, the bottom line of principles can be changed again and again.

"Eat and drink, men and women, people have great desires! Dai Cijun, sincerely don't deceive me~ I'm so ashamed, so ashamed!"

Xu Xuan silently recited his sins in his heart and pulled Li Congjia away from Taihe Tower.

After walking along the street, he found several pawn shops on East Street. Xu Xuan observed them carefully and chose the one with the largest floor space and the most luxurious decoration.

As soon as they walked in, Master Zhangyan greeted them attentively and took them into a quiet elegant room.

A boy served tea, then lowered the bamboo curtain and left.

Li Congjia sat on a stable high-leg back chair, twisted his buttocks in a novel way, grabbed a piece of pastry and took a bite.

After eating it, I just felt it was sweet, soft and glutinous, and very delicious.

Li Congjia used both hands, stuffing his mouth until it bulged.

Xu Xuan grinned and used his eyes to signal him not to be too rude.

Master Zhangyan said with a smile: "These are Guangheji candies and pastries, specially designed to entertain distinguished guests. If your son likes to eat, you might as well use more."

Xu Xuan was surprised and said: "The candies and snacks sold in Guanghe shops are very expensive, but your bank actually buys them to entertain guests?"

Master Zhangyan said with a smile: "Open the door to do business. When guests enter this shop, of course they have to be well received. Customers come first!"

Xu Xuan was secretly surprised. The proprietor behind this pawn shop must be a wealthy man.

The palm-eye master added: "Of course, although our store will not judge people by their appearance, we will not let swindlers with impure intentions take advantage. If there are those who want to cheat the autumn wind, they have to weigh their own weight."

The old master had a smile on his face and his tone was full of pride and confidence.

Xu Xuan hurriedly held up his hands and smiled, knowing that the old master was hinting to him that there was a lot of energy behind this pawn shop. No one dared to take advantage of it in vain, and customers would not suffer losses, so feel free to trade with confidence.

"Please ask the master to see how much these things can cost?" Xu Xuan put the baggage on the table, thought about it and took off his coat.

The old master was not surprised. He took a cursory look at the coat, put it aside, unpacked the baggage, and laid out the things one by one.

A few silky and thin crotch skirts were particularly eye-catching. The old master frowned and glanced at Li Congjia strangely.

This is the first time I have seen my son's trousers used as a pawn.

"Don't worry, master. These short robes have never been worn before. They are made of fine Shu brocade. If master takes them away, they can be used by his children and grandchildren at home."

In order to exchange for more money, Xu Xuan had no choice but to put down his reputation as a Jiangnan celebrity and vowed to sell silk pants.The old master laughed and said: "I have several naughty grandchildren who play in the mud with their bare buttocks all day long. How can they afford to wear short robes made of Sichuan brocade?"

Xu Xuan smiled apologetically and said, "If the proprietor of your bank doesn't dislike it, you can take it and wear it for your own children."

"My proprietor?" The old master was stunned, wanting to laugh but holding back, his expression was full of weirdness.

Xu Xuan said bravely: "If it doesn't work, it can be changed to three or five silk handkerchiefs."

The old master weighed some trousers with a little distaste, and said, "If this official is willing, I will pay you 150 Wen per tael."

Xu Xuan was in a hurry: "Too little! The master will pay you more! In Hanzhong, a piece of green and white brocade is worth fifteen guan!"

The old master shook his head: "The price of silk in Jingzhou is 150 wen per tael. I'll give it to you based on the price of silk. It's a lot! These things are of little use after being collected. Most people can't afford them. Those who can afford them will just buy them again." One for cutting. Besides, no one in Jingzhou wears short brocade robes~"

After Li Congjia finished a plate of pastries, he was a little embarrassed by the meaningful look in his old master's eyes. He wiped the crumbs on his mouth and cheeks, showed his rabbit teeth, and smiled harmlessly.

Xu Xuan hesitated, the master smiled and said: "If the officials don't want it, you can ask elsewhere. I'm sure no one will offer a higher price than this."

"Oh, okay." Xu Xuan could only sigh and admit it.

The master took a few pieces of trousers aside, then picked up a pen, ink and inkstone to examine them carefully.

Xu Xuan hurriedly started selling: "Master, please look at this. This is a high-quality fine-grained brush. The penholder is made of tender bamboo from Songjiang. Also, this Huishan ink ingot and this square inkstone are all of the best quality! If I hadn't encountered any misfortune during my business trip, I would have I really don’t want to take it as a pawn.”

The old master palmed his hands and was secretly surprised in his heart.

These treasures of the study are all genuine and cannot be obtained by ordinary people. I am afraid that I will not be able to find a few of them even if I search through Jingzhou.

When the Xue brothers were in charge of Jingzhou, they loved collecting these treasures.

The master showed his love, and asked casually: "Listen to the official voice, from the south? Do you want to do business in Jingzhou?"

Xu Xuan replied: "I wanted to go to Lingzhou and bring some dragon beard mats with me on the way back. I never thought that we would encounter a thunderstorm in the mountains. The guide fell off the cliff and died. We lost our way and finally got back. In Jingzhou, all my belongings and goods were lost, alas~"

The old master stared at him slightly, looked at him critically, and then said: "It's really not easy for you businessmen~"

"Beg for food, save some belongings, and strive to live until the day when the world is peaceful!" Xu Xuan sighed with emotion.

The old master smiled, pondered for a moment, and said, "How about two pens for the price, five ink ingots, and three inkstones?"

Xu Xuan cupped his hands and said, "The price is still a bit lower, please ask the master to increase it."

The old master smiled and said: "Look at the officials, they are also well-educated people. In this case, including this coat and five hundred coins for each item, it will be worth eight guan in total. No more, but it is really not enough. At this price, No other pawnshop can give it."

Xu Xuan rubbed his hands vigorously, struggled for a while, and sighed: "Okay, eight guan is eight guan. Ask the master to help exchange six taels of silver, and keep two guan as pocket money."

"It's easy to say. The officials will wait a moment, and I will order someone to take care of it." The old master gathered the items, opened the bamboo curtain and left.

After a while, he returned to the private room with a tray covered with red silk, followed by a boy carrying two coins.

Uncovering the red silk cloth, six small silver ingots weighing one or two were exposed. Xu Xuan, regardless of dignity, picked up a silver ingot and weighed it. He turned his back and bit it with his teeth to determine its quality.

There was no shortage of six taels of silver, and Xu Xuan felt relieved.

He carefully put it into his purse, put two coins into the bag, and slung it over his shoulder.

The old master handed over a pawn ticket. After verifying that it was correct, Xu Xuan signed and stamped it.

"I have another unkind request." Xu Xuan saluted.

"Officer, please tell me."

Xu Xuan felt ashamed and said: "The master is from this county, right? Maybe in order to introduce me to a job, we have to stay here for a while to find some work and earn some travel expenses."

The old master thought for a moment and said, "What will the officer do?"

Xu Xuan puffed up his chest and said hurriedly: "I am well versed in literature and writing. If there is a family of officials or businessmen who need to hire teachers and lecturers, I think I am qualified for the job."

The old master smiled and said: "I'm afraid the officials will be disappointed. Jingzhou was originally a remote and cold place. Although there were many merchants, most of them were small traders. It would be good if our children and grandchildren could learn to read and count. We don't expect to take the exam." Fame will not spend extra money on learning.

As for the children of officials, there were actually not many. Jingzhou had been poor for a long time. The sons and daughters were either fighting in the war or farming, and few were interested in studying.

There is another thing that the officials may not know yet. Nowadays, the Jiedu Mansion has rebuilt the official school. The children of meritorious generals and officials and their nephews are gathered together, and the Jiedu Mansion sends gentlemen to impart knowledge uniformly.

I heard that students will soon be recruited from the private sector, and those who pass the exam can enter the government school. "

Xu Xuan was surprised and said: "Zhang Yijun wants to open an official school on his own?"

The old master smiled and said, "I just heard about it. I won't know until the announcement from Jiedu Mansion comes out about the real situation."

Xu Xuan nodded, thoughtfully.

The old master thought for a while and then said: "By the way, if an official wants to find a job, he might as well buy a Jingzhou daily life tabloid, which often publishes news about recruitment, such as the recruitment of workers in salt factories, the recruitment of soldiers, and the recruitment of soldiers in various counties. There are all officials.”

Xu Xuan's eyes lit up: "Jingzhou life tabloid? Where can I buy it?"

"There are newsstands beside the city gates, and officials can buy them wherever they go."

Xu Xuan remembered it in his heart and said with a smile: "One last thing. I see that the master is also educated. Did you know that a year ago, an article was circulated in Anding County called "Snow Fu"?"

There was a hint of vigilance in the old master's eyes, and he said with a smile on his face: "Of course I remember, I wonder what the officer wants to know?"

Xu Xuan said happily: "Master, do you know who the author of this article is? Where does he live now?"

The old master shook his head and said: "I don't know about this. I just know that it seems to have spread from Jiedu Mansion."

"Changyi Army Jiedu Mansion?!" Xu Xuan was not too disappointed, and finally got some information about the author of Xuefu.

"Thank you very much for your advice, master! Master, please stay and we will take our leave."

Xu Xuan saluted and thanked him, and took Li Congjia away from the pawn shop.

Identifying the direction of the city gate, the two walked quickly.

"Mr. Xu wants to enter Jiedu Mansion to find that expert?"

Li Congjia saw through his thoughts and whispered worriedly: "But you and I have sensitive identities. If we approach the Changyi Army's Jiedu Mansion rashly, our lives may be in danger once our identities are revealed."

Xu Xuan smiled and said: "Young prince, you don't need to worry. Didn't the old master just say that the Changyi Army was going to open an official school? To open an official school, we must hire lecturers. When the time comes, I will apply under a pseudonym."

Li Congjia suddenly realized: "I see, sir, you are good at making plans. With your talent, you will definitely be able to get the position of official lecturer in Jingzhou."

Xu Xuan stroked his beard and smiled, full of confidence.

"It's not urgent. Let's go and read the Jingzhou Life tabloid first and see what's new."

Li Congjia squeezed the copper coins in his bag and licked his lips: "To celebrate the success of the pawn and to find out the whereabouts of the author of Xuefeng, how about having a meal at Taihe Building today?"

Xu Xuan hesitated for a moment, and the greed in his belly started to stir up again. He gritted his teeth and said, "This is just one meal, I won't do it next time!"

Li Congjia was so happy that the few freckles on his cheeks seemed to be jumping.

In the pawn shop, Master Zhangyan quickly wrote a note and stuffed it into a special sealed red lacquered bamboo tube. He called a waiter and whispered: "Send it up quickly and tell the superiors that there is an unidentified Nan." People are inquiring about the young envoy."

The man took the bamboo tube, clasped his fists and stepped back.

(End of this chapter)