Taking the warehouse back to Datang, Li Erle felt numb

Chapter 29 The road to the imperial examination is too narrow, so I won’t squeeze in

Donglin Restaurant is the largest restaurant in Chang'an.

The people who eat here on weekdays are either rich or noble, mostly powerful and wealthy businessmen.

After all, the high price of vegetables, one meal is equivalent to half a year's wages for ordinary people, prohibits many people.

Lin Heng looked at the restaurant in front of him and could tell at a glance that this restaurant was very high-end, but as for how high-end it was, he didn't know very well.

The original owner was a bookworm who stayed at home and read every day. Even if he had money, he would buy all the books, not to mention that he couldn't come here if he had no money.

So I don’t know many things about Chang’an.

As soon as Li Chengqian appeared, the waiter immediately called the owner of the restaurant to come and entertain him: "Too..."

Li Chengqian directly stopped what the other party was saying: "No need to be too polite, find a better private room, arrange your best dishes, and entertain the guests today."

The shopkeeper said with some embarrassment: "Unfortunately, all the private rooms today are fully booked. There are only guest seats on the second floor, and there are fewer people there."

Li Chengqian nodded: "That's okay, you can also find a seat by the window."

The shopkeeper nodded apologetically, and then immediately went to ask the kitchen to arrange the meals. The waiter also led the two of them to a seat by the window on the third floor.

Through the window, half of Chang'an City was in full view, and the Imperial City in the distance was also clearly visible.

Lin Heng also noticed that this place was unusual, and immediately smiled and said: "Brother Li, I'm a little embarrassed to invite guests to such a nice place for dinner. Why don't I prepare two bottles of wine to eat together?"

Li Chengqian chuckled: "No need, the drinks here are the best in Chang'an City."

Lin Heng shook his head: "Brother Li, don't worry, the wine I serve will definitely be better than what you said. Wait a moment."

Lin Heng turned around and went out. After a while, he came back with two bottles of wine in his hands. The dishes were also served.

"Brother Li, give it a try. If I hadn't eaten such a good meal today, I wouldn't be able to bear it!"

Li Chengqian looked at the exquisite ceramic wine bottle brought by Lin Heng and was a little curious: "Maotai? What kind of wine is this? I've never heard of it."

Lin Heng said proudly: "The products produced by Guojiao must be of high quality. What a wonderful thing when good wine is paired with delicious food!"

After saying that, he opened the lid of the wine, and a strong aroma of wine hit his face, and Li Chengqian immediately became stern.

"It tastes so good, I've never seen it before."

As a prince, he had never tasted any good wine, but the taste of the bottle Lin Heng brought made him feel extraordinary. Especially when he saw the clear and refreshing wine that came out, he couldn't help but want to take a sip. .

Lin Heng raised his glass and looked at Li Chengqian: "Brother Li, take a sip and try."

Li Chengqian nodded, then picked up the drink and took a sip.

Suddenly, a strong smell of alcohol spreads in the mouth, spicy, so spicy!

This is stronger than the strongest wine in Chang'an!

But after this high-concentration wine enters the throat, it becomes soft and has a peculiar aroma of wine.

After swallowing it, I just feel relaxed and warm all over my body.

"Good wine!"

That's a must. This thing costs thousands of dollars a bottle. Even Lin Heng in his previous life would only drink it when entertaining big customers!

"Lin Heng, I haven't found you in the past few days, so I sent someone to inquire. Is your father the one who advises Lin Tangqing?"

Lin Heng smiled: "It's my father, but why is Brother Li asking about this?"

After all, who would investigate who his biological father is, and Li Chengqian suddenly invited him to dinner today, and he came to such a nice place.

Hard to do.
This person is interested in his own products and wants to be a dealer?
Lin Heng immediately refused and said: "Brother Li, I don't plan to cooperate with others recently. I want to open a store and sell goods by myself, so let's forget about the business." He wants to make a lot of money by relying on word of mouth. , this person has an extraordinary background, and there must be a way. After giving it to him, you can make a small amount of money, which is not worth it.

Li Chengqian laughed loudly: "Do you think I am coveting your business? Don't worry, your things are good, but I have no plans to get involved yet."

Lin Heng was a little confused and asked, "What about Brother Li?"

The two drank a glass of wine and filled it again. Li Chengqian then smiled and said: "Of course I am a little curious about your talents. Although you just said that the poem was written by a Taoist priest, I don't believe it."

Lin Heng said helplessly: "I really didn't write it. I don't have much knowledge. Otherwise, I would have gone to the imperial examination."

"Oh?"

Li Chengqian asked curiously: "Have you ever participated in the imperial examination?"

"Well, I took part three times and didn't even pass the exam."

This is true. After all, the original owner really failed the exam three times, even though he was studying and studying every day.

"really?"

Lin Heng nodded: "So I really didn't write that poem. It was just to spite your brother-in-law. If I hadn't seen your sister still there, I would have done it!"

Li Chengqian said helplessly: "It's not a big deal to take action. I think he was a little impulsive that day. That's all. In that case, let's not talk about it."

"Let's have a drink, Brother Li, and don't talk about what's available and what's not!"

After all, Maotai's alcohol level was not low. The two of them were eating and drinking, and chatting about some recent events in Chang'an. After two ounces of wine, both of them were a little confused.

Today's Lin Heng can't compare to the one who never got drunk after a thousand cups in his previous life, and he almost can't hold him anymore.

Li Chengqian's face was also flushed at this moment: "This wine is too strong, but the wine has been brewed for a long time, which is unheard of. I can only drink it today because of your blessing!"

Lin Heng waved his hand: "Brother Li, why do you say that? The food in this restaurant is probably not cheap. If you don't treat me, I won't come to eat."

Li Chengqian smiled and said: "Since my father is the advisor of this dynasty, why don't you go to Taixue to study instead of doing this business?"

"You know, once you open your shop, it will be different from selling goods at a stall. You will be labeled as a merchant, and you will not be able to take the imperial examination in the future."

The imperial examination system of the Tang Dynasty was still very strict. First of all, one must be among the top three ranks of scholars, farmers, industry and merchants, and civilians must be recommended by someone, either a businessman or a wealthy family.

The imperial examination is the only way for many people to get started. After all, Lin Heng has a father who advises him. If he works hard in the future, it will be okay to become an official in the court.

Lin Heng chuckled: "Being an official is not the only way to take the imperial examination. Besides, the water in the imperial examination is so deep, doesn't Brother Li not know that well?"

At this time, a middle-aged man and an old man who were quietly observing on the side couldn't help but look away.

"How deep is the imperial examination?"

Li Chengqian couldn't help but be a little confused: "Lin Heng, what do you mean, you said there are tricks in the imperial examination?"

Lin Heng waved his hand: "That's not what I mean. It means that people who can stand out through the imperial examination are not simple people. If you don't believe it, just look at the number one scholar in the Zhenguan period. Some of them came from poor families and even were even ranked first. Aren’t all the common people with no family background taken over by the five families of Lu, Li, Cui, and Zheng?”

"So, it's not realistic to get ahead in this way. The pressure of competition is too great. Even if I have an official admonishment and the right to take the imperial examination, it depends on luck to get ahead in the imperial examination. But there is no such thing as luck. reliable."

Li Chengqian thought for a moment and nodded: "What you said does make sense, but the imperial examinations are fair and impartial, and His Majesty personally sends people to supervise every step every year. Those people really rely on their own ability to take the exams." Did you go up there?"

Lin Heng said with a smile: "So, the water is very deep. The status of the aristocratic family brings excellent education from childhood to adulthood. Needless to say, I have read the Four Books and Five Classics. There are also great Confucian teachers and professors, so my level is natural." Much taller than others.”

"Even if it's fair and just, others can't compete with them. Instead of competing with those who are already guaranteed to win, it's better to find another way."

"Although the imperial examination opened a path for most people, the path is still too narrow, so I won't squeeze in."

(End of this chapter)