Dao Fruit

Time goes by, and another day passes in the blink of an eye.

Today is the annual Lantern Festival. Qiu Yan left the inn early in the morning and met with Luo Jiayun and others at a tea shop to chat.

During the examination period, candidates from all over the world gather together to talk loudly. You can often see scholars in teahouses and taverns sitting around a table in small groups, chatting and laughing.

Most of these actions involve unclear economic laws and price changes, but when merchants deliberately do it, they become the main victims of each and every one of them. They are favored by merchants and affect the residents of the city. No wonder they are angry.

Qiu Yan walked alone on the street, walking slowly and leisurely, as if he was visiting the city's scenery. The pedestrians on the road were not surprised. Every time he tried, there were many people visiting the capital like this.

However, hostile looks and whispered comments are still inevitable.

Little did they know that when Qiu Yan walked, he didn't pay all attention to the scenery.

"Xingjing is the capital of Darui, so it is impossible not to be noticed by the Shinto. But with the dragon energy and many factors here, not only the ordinary extraordinary power will be suppressed and weakened, but the Shinto will definitely be affected. Now that I have experienced it personally, I know how good it is. A Shinto is so oppressed that it is scattered everywhere. I don’t know what the underworld looks like here.”

Although he was doubtful, Qiu Yan would not investigate rashly to avoid causing trouble. Now is the time when more trouble is worse than less trouble. The mastermind behind the Book Collection Inn has not yet been figured out, and he really has no energy to provoke other enemies.

As he thought about it, he focused on the pedestrians and scenes along the way. With the help of perception and Shinto aura, he could vaguely understand other people's hearts through their emotions.

Along the way, I collected a lot of information about people's livelihood by relying on these methods. At the same time, I looked at the layout of the city and compared it with the scenes of the previous dynasty that I saw in books and the Dongdu Menghua that I experienced not long ago. It also made Qiu Yan's understanding of Xingjing invisible.

"In the capital city of the previous dynasty, the cities and towns were very strictly separated. The residential areas and commercial areas were almost closed to each other. However, the capital city of Darui is no longer so strictly divided. Tea shops, taverns, and shops are almost everywhere. , However, it cannot compare to the prosperity of Dongdu.”

Looking at the signs of the shops along the way, listening to the words of people inside and outside the shops, and seeing the small merchants and hawkers along the way, Qiu Yan slowly grasped some of the subtleties.

"In the previous dynasty, the market was divided into one hundred and twenty rows and two hundred and twenty rows, which were divided according to the types of goods sold. The individuals involved in commerce were mostly merchants, traders, vagrants, and handicraftsmen. In the Da Rui Dynasty, On the basis of inheriting the industry divisions of the previous dynasty, entertainment, catering, hotels, and even some hidden places were added, as well as the so-called 'lower-9' industries. According to the division of the previous life, this was already considered a flourishing tertiary industry. "

Walking on the streets of Xingjing, Qiu Yan's mind gradually became in tune with it. In the voices of passers-by, in the cries of nearby vendors, and in the light and shadow of various words and colors on the signboards along the street, Qiu Yan gradually deepened, faintly and harmoniously. The atmosphere of the whole city was combined, and thoughts were swirling in my mind.

"The world is unpredictable. Xingjing City looks bright, but in fact there are turbulent undercurrents. It is not the danger of the temple. The alliance of merchants alone is extremely dangerous. According to the practice of imperial examinations in the past, this examination is likely to select a major military and national event. I’m asking for advice, but I don’t know who is taking the exam, so it’s hard to figure it out..."

When taking the exam, in addition to their own knowledge, candidates must also know how to judge the situation. Trying to figure out the examiner's mind is one of the important things. The examiner's academic tendencies, official positions, and departments are even more important, and they are likely to be related. When it comes to the content of the examination papers, the first thing many people do when they come to the capital is to visit relatives and friends and rely on their connections to explore.

But for Qiu Yan, nothing can be done until the identity of the examiner is confirmed.

As he walked, Qiu Yan's mind slowly wandered, and he felt a huge will. He couldn't help being frightened, and then he realized something in his heart, and he used a little bit of perception to get in touch with that will.

Xingjing, this city, has gone through many trials and tribulations. It was once prosperous and once ruined. Many dynasties have settled here as their capitals in history. It can be said to be the ancient capital of several dynasties. It is like a thick history book. The inner and outer city walls and the bricks and earth underfoot are all this book. of one page.

Flipping through the pages of the book, a picture scroll appeared in front of Qiu Yan.

"Huh?"

In the center of the city, in the imperial city, in a palace located deep in the palace, a light cry suddenly came out.

"Is there anyone who has the same thoughts as Xingjing? Want to read the history of the city? Could it be that there is another great Confucian who has traveled here to study?"

In this light moan, thoughts spread out from the palace, faintly touching the aura of the city, and instantly contacted Qiu Yan's consciousness, but quickly receded.

"Interesting, interesting, this scholar is very interesting..."

A few breaths later, Qiu Yan arrived outside the tea shop that he had agreed on. He seemed to be in a trance. At first glance, he looked drowsy.

"Brother Qiu, you're here..." Zhou Guan and others were sitting around a table. His position faced the store door. When he saw Qiu Yan, he greeted him.

Qiu Yan felt like he was waking up from a dream. The thoughts in his heart were gone, but he caught a bit of breath in his heart, brewing slowly, and then walked forward to talk to Zhou Guan and others.

A few hours later, everyone said goodbye and returned to their residences.

There is the Lantern Festival tonight, and there are many exam candidates gathered. Some candidates feel that the examination is coming soon, and have no intention of playing and want to go back to study; while some candidates have things approaching and have no intention of reading, but want to see the prosperity of Xingjing.

Even Luo Jiayun, Zhou Guan, Cao Hanqi and others had different ideas, so at noon, they went back and prepared separately.

Qiu Yan returned to the inn, had lunch, and then went back to his room, staying indoors.

"Young Master, why are you in such a hurry? Did something happen?"

Outside the door, Dai Guo looked at Qiu Yan's closed door with a puzzled look on his face, muttering in a low voice.

Hu Qi beside him shook his head and said in a deep voice: "Young Master has his own ideas, so we don't have to worry about it. Speaking of which, I saw a familiar figure in the city a few days ago. It is very likely that he is from that sect."

"Huh?" Dai Guo was confused at first, and then shocked, "Is he from that sect? Then you have to be careful. Although the foundation of that sect is no longer in the heartland of the Central Plains, it should not be underestimated."

"Yes, I plan to..."

Hu Qi and Dai Guo started talking. They did not notice that while they were talking, the local dog tied to the door was moving stealthily, biting the rope that tied itself with its teeth, struggling hard, but with little effect.

"Huh?" This movement finally alarmed Dai Guo. He pulled the rope suddenly, pulling the local dog's tongue coating outward, and pulled it back alive.

"You reckless man! You are so proud..."

The local dog was so angry that he was strangled and couldn't finish the rest of the words.

However, when it was foaming at the mouth, it suddenly saw that Qiu Yan's door had opened a crack, and the ginseng baby rode on the beast, with the eight-character ancient seal wrapped around the incense burner, and came out little by little.

"Uh! Uh!"

The dog struggled again, but could not make a sound. It could only watch a group of things sneak away from the window at the end of the corridor.

………………

Time flies, night falls, and the lights are on. The whole Xingjing City soon becomes lively. Every household is decorated with lights and colorful lanterns are hung up.

The girls and boys in the city also walked out of their homes, in groups of three or five, wandering and playing in the city. On the streets, vendors gathered and people came and went, a prosperous scene.

There were also beauties competing for beauty in the brothel, talented people fighting in the building, and warriors drinking outside the building. It was really a variety of human life.

"Sister Ji, wait here for a while, I'll be back soon."

In the crowd, Xu Ran and Ji Zheng, who were dressed in men's clothes, walked through the crowd. Xu Ran suddenly saw a familiar figure in the crowd and turned to Ji Zheng and said something.

Ji Zheng smiled slightly: "You are going to see your lover, right? I shouldn't disturb you, but your father told you to come."

Xu Ran pouted immediately, but she had no choice but to run over with Ji Zheng.

Wen Zhizhen was playing lantern riddles with others in front, winning repeatedly, and people around praised him. Suddenly, two young ladies came over and talked to Wen Zhizhen, and the onlookers envied him again.

Xingjing's Lantern Festival has a long history, and there are many unwritten rules. People like this who can be seen at a glance as women dressed as men are generally young ladies from official families.

Although they were envious, no one went up to spoil the fun. You must know that in the past, there were so many poor boys who were favored by the daughters of rich families and officials, and they turned over and sang songs, which was a good story.

Not far away, under a locust tree, Pang Qianru was talking to Song Qian.

"...Since Qiu Yan has talent, he will not easily let go of this literary gathering. I heard that the judges of the literary gathering are the deans of several academies, and it is said that the prime minister will also be present."

"It can be said to be a grand gathering." Song Qian nodded, and was about to say more, but was interrupted by Pang Qianru's wave, and she saw a smile on her face.

"It's not urgent. I didn't expect that I was away for a while, and let that little girl take advantage of the opportunity." After saying that, Pang Qianru walked towards Wen Zhizhen.

"Sister, then..." Song Qian hurriedly followed.

As Pang Qianru walked, she turned back and said, "No hurry, I have already told the staff to keep an eye on the scholar named Qiu Yan."

She did not deliberately lower her voice, and the word "Qiu Yan" reached Ji Zheng's ears, causing the latter's face to change slightly.

Almost at the same time, there were two other places in the city where Qiu Yan's name was mentioned.

One of them was located in a dark place. The owner of the book collection inn was kneeling on the ground with a respectful face, telling everything about Qiu Yan, without hiding anything.

The other place was a well-decorated elegant pavilion. Several men were sitting in different places. The one sitting at the top was Wang Fu, a black-faced minister.

"You mean, Qiu Yan is Ma Yang's disciple? A member of the old party?" (To be continued. Please search for Piaotian Literature, the novel is better and updated faster!)