Troubled times: Start practicing spiritual practice by taking care of your sister-in-law.

Chapter 538

The sooner the better, the later, after you have made up your mind.

Lin Zhong packed up his books, said goodbye to his father, wife and children, and went to Huaizhou City with Ma Fu.

After arriving in Huaizhou City, Lin Zhong was immediately attracted by the prosperity before his eyes.

Ma Fu was also stunned.

In the past two years, with the confrontation between Fengzhou and Huaizhou, and the constant conflicts between the Huai Army and the Chen Army, Ma Fu has not been to Huaizhou City for a long time, so his influence on Huaizhou City still remains at the time when King Huai was in power.

But at that time, it was not as prosperous and lively as it is now.

The streets on both sides were filled with all kinds of goods, colorful curtains were hung between the stalls, and the people were wearing all kinds of clothes, some were wearing gorgeous brocade clothes, and some were wearing simple clothes, but no matter what, everyone's face was filled with excitement and anticipation for the future life.

The sounds of shouting, singing, and cheering mixed together, making it very lively.

"Although I have never been to Kyoto, the Kyoto described in the books is probably just like this." Lin Zhong exclaimed.

"The current Kyoto is not as good as Huaizhou City."

At this moment, a voice sounded beside Lin Zhong.

Lin Zhong looked over and saw that the man who spoke was about the same age as him. He was dressed like a scholar and carried a bag. He bowed to Lin Zhong and said, "I am from Su County, Yanzhou. I am about 21 years old. My last name is Guo Ning. You are also a student who came to Huaizhou City to take the exam, right?"

Lin Zhong also quickly returned the greeting and said, "I am Lin Zhong, Zhong in the sincere heart, two years older than you, and I am from Jing County, Fengzhou."

Then, Lin Zhong added: "I have already taken the exam in Yi County. This time I came to Huaizhou City just to confirm one thing."

"It's Brother Lin." Guo Ning bowed again and said, "I've just arrived in Huaizhou City and I'm unfamiliar with the place. It's said that meeting is fate. Otherwise, the three of us can find a restaurant and chat while drinking."

Hearing this, Lin Zhong suddenly looked embarrassed and glanced at his cousin beside him. His cousin had already spent too much money on this journey. If the certificate was confirmed to be authentic, he would probably have to stay in Huaizhou City until the day of the exam in August, and he would need money later. He really couldn't bear to see his cousin spend another sum of money to go to a restaurant to eat and drink with someone he just met.

Just as he was about to refuse, Guo Ning seemed to see Lin Zhong's embarrassment and said with a smile: "To be honest, I also have something to ask Brother Lin, so can you invite Brother Lin and his cousin to the restaurant for a drink?"

Having said that, regardless of whether Lin Zhong agreed or not, Guo Ning pulled his arm and walked towards a restaurant.

Ma Fu still had the ability to judge people. Judging from the way this man talked and dressed, he should be from a high family. It would not be a bad thing if Zhong'er could get to know him. He hurriedly followed him and said with a smile, "As Master Guo said, meeting is fate. Even if we are just drinking, how can I let Master Guo treat me?"

"My dear cousin, you don't have to be so polite. It's just a glass of wine. I can still afford it."

As he was talking, Guo Ning stopped in front of a shop called Fuze Restaurant and said, "I heard about the fame of this Fuze Restaurant when I was in Yanzhou. I didn't expect there is one in Huaizhou City. Brother Lin, let's go in and eat hot pot and drink."

After saying that, he pulled Lin Zhong directly into the Fuze Restaurant.

Ma Fu followed behind.

It’s not dinner time yet, and although there are still many customers at Fuze Restaurant, there are still empty seats.

After the three of them sat down, the waiter came over, handed over the menu, and asked, "Would you like mildly spicy, medium spicy, or extra spicy?"

Lin Zhong: “?”

Guo Ning: “?”

Ma Fu: "Slightly spicy." "Okay." The waiter called downstairs, "A slightly spicy hot pot on the third floor."

As he spoke, the waiter said to Ma Fu, "The soup base will be here soon. After you place your order, just call me."

After saying this, the waiter left.

"Cousin, have you ever eaten hotpot?" Guo Ning was a "community elder" and he followed Lin Zhong's lead and called Ma Fu.

"I ate it once in Wuguan. I didn't expect that there is a branch in Huaizhou City." Ma Fu said with a smile.

"It's not surprising. Huaizhou City is so lively and crowded. There is no reason not to open it." Guo Ning said.

"Uncle, Brother Guo, what exactly is hot pot?" It was the first time that Lin Zhong had heard of the word hot pot, and he asked curiously.

"I heard that it came from Yuzhou. It was created by Duke Anguo and is the property of Duke Anguo's Mansion. But what exactly it is?" As he spoke, Guo Ning looked at Ma Fu.

Having never eaten it, he couldn't explain why it was like that.

"To put it simply, it's a hodgepodge, but it's also a little different. We'll know after we order the dishes and they come up." Ma Fu couldn't explain it clearly in just a few words.

Lin Zhong suppressed his curiosity for the moment and started chatting with Guo Ning: "From what Brother Guo said before, Brother Guo has been to the capital?"

Guo Ning nodded, and then explained: "The capital I mentioned is Tianchuan, not the current Luonan. My grandfather was a member of the Ministry of Rites. Later, he was dissatisfied with Xu Guozhong's control of the government and nepotism, so he retired and returned to Yanzhou. So I also lived in the capital for a period of time at that time."

Hearing this, Lin Zhong showed deep respect and quickly stood up and bowed to Guo Ning.

You have to know that the Yuanwailang of the Ministry of Rites is a fifth-rank official. In his eyes, he can be said to be a high-ranking official that he cannot meet in daily life.

As he was talking, a voice slamming the table and shouting came from downstairs: "Everyone, I'm sure you're all tired of hearing about Zhao Zilong's seven ins and outs, and the story of the burning of Red Cliff. Today, I won't talk about Zhao Zilong or Cao Aman, but will talk about the deeds of our Anguogong, okay?"

"Good." Everyone echoed and cheered. Most people came to Fuze Restaurant to eat hotpot, and listening to stories was just a side job.

Lin Zhong, Guo Ning and Ma Fu also looked downstairs.

The storyteller slapped the table again and said, "I'm sure everyone has heard about the recent restoration of the imperial examination by the court, right?"

"Of course, this is a world-shaking event."

"Then do you know who proposed the restoration of the imperial examination system?"

"Who?"

"It's the Duke of Anguo." The storyteller slapped the table again and said, "I heard that when the Duke of Anguo went north to fight against the foreign enemies, he felt sad about the hardships of the people's lives. The officials in many states and counties were inactive and the people were living in dire straits. The Duke of Anguo wanted to elect a new official for the people in the north.

Therefore, after we drive the Jinxia barbarians out of our Song Dynasty, we will immediately ask the court to restore the imperial examination system and select officials for the whole country."

As soon as the words fell, there was an uproar.

They just knew this secret.

Someone said, "No wonder the notice posted in the city said that anyone who passed the provincial examination would be given an official position by the Duke of Anguo. It turns out it was because of this."

(End of this chapter)