Emperor Zhengde of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 132

Zhu Houzhao felt that there must be something tricky in it. Although he had not taken the imperial examination, he was actually the one who wrote the questions for this exam. He wanted to know why there was a distinction between the number one scholar and the second place in the room on the floor.

"There are two of us. I plan to live in the No. [-] Scholar's Room, and my brother will live in the No. [-] Scholar's Room. Do you think it can be accommodated?" Zhu Houzhao pointed to Shen Lian behind him and said to the store owner.

The shopkeeper took a closer look at Shen Lian, and felt that he didn't look like a scholar, but why not do this door-to-door business?

Even if more than a dozen people can stay here, it's just that Zhu Houzhao can't make things big, he just wants to see the tricks here.

"Yes, yes, please, the two guest officers!" The store owner nodded and bowed and introduced Zhu Houzhao and Shen Lian into the store. Xiao Fangzi and other eunuchs dressed up as tourists and looked around the store. Do not leave here.

After entering the shop, the shopkeeper's hippie smile just now disappeared, replaced by a cold expression.

Shen Lian stepped up his guard at that time. Generally, there is no big trouble such as robbery in this place. The worst thing is to blackmail these rich people.

The shopkeeper kept looking around after seeing Zhu Houzhao entering the shop, and made sure that this person was a son of a rich family, and he looked very rich. He knew that he had a lot of money on him, so he made preparations for him.

"Guest officer, according to what you said before, there is a champion room on the third floor of our store, but"

"but what?"

The shopkeeper shut up after talking halfway. He subconsciously observed Zhu Houzhao again, and after feeling relieved, he said: "Guest officer, to tell you the truth, our master has someone in the court, and he is related to the current Mr. Shoufu." , This exam has already got the questions from the examiner, so the fee of this store is naturally a bit higher."

"The two scholars are lucky to see you, so I might as well make room for you. You two are particular about living in the No. [-] building. I will take down the test papers for you to have a look at. If you prepare well, you will definitely pass the exam the day after tomorrow." Champion."

After listening to Zhu Houzhao, he felt that what the store said was wrong. There was only one champion every year, so if they knew the test questions, it would be the same as leaking the questions. Wouldn’t there be many champions by then?

Besides, the last time Liang Chu from the household department asked about the questions of this year's test, Zhu Houzhao thought it was a big problem and no one told him, but why did the test questions leak out?

"If the test questions are not pressed by your store, what should you say?" Zhu Houzhao still kept a cautious eye. After all, as a person who has traveled through time, he still knows many anti-fraud methods in later generations.

Your innkeeper stroked his goatee and said in a serious manner: "It's okay, this store has always been operating with integrity, and the guest officers only need to pay half of the accommodation fee. Return the number."

Zhu Houzhao was amused when he heard it, which is a good thing!

He didn't even think of the topic for this test, so why did the topic leak out?How strange.

"Okay, Zhen, it's really great! Then live in the second place, it's settled." Zhu Houzhao immediately felt that he had exposed his mouth, and agreed after changing it.

Shen Lian looked at Zhu Houzhao, and didn't know how to address him. He knew that His Majesty was making a secret investigation, and his duty was to protect His Majesty's safety. As for the rest, he had to follow His Majesty's arrangements.

Zhu Houzhao was about to go upstairs excitedly, but was stopped by the shopkeeper.

"Guest officer, according to our store's rules, you have to pay part of the fee in advance." The store said with a smile.

Zhu Houzhao took a look at Shen Lian, and Shen Lian immediately understood what Zhu Houzhao meant. He took out some banknotes from his sleeve, which were exchanged between various shops. Although Shen Wanqian's shops were closed down, there are still A small amount of bank notes are in circulation, and the Ming government still recognizes them.

"This is a total of 800 taels of silver bills. I will put it on you first. After the two of us are in high school, we will make up your balance. What do you think?"

The storekeeper took the money, and he was so happy that he couldn't help but like to deal with rich people.

Zhu Houzhao raised his legs and went up to the second floor, when he heard a few scholars making a noise inside. When he listened carefully, these people were actually playing Niu Jiu. (a card game)
Zhu Houzhao didn't bother to pay attention to these people, and raised his hand to push open the room designated by the store.

What came into view was a spacious and bright room. In the middle of the room was an Eight Immortals table surrounded by four stools. It looked antique and had a strong scent of sandalwood.

Zhu Houzhao immediately felt a little dizzy and wanted to lie down on the bed and go to sleep.

At this time, the shopkeeper hurried up after receiving the bank note, and followed Zhu Houzhao. Seeing him open the room, the shopkeeper took the first step and said, "Guest officer, you can find the test questions while you are sleeping. If you have any other Yes, you tell the little one before you rest."

"I won't bother you little one, please rest early, guest officer."

Shen Lian kept a straight face all the time, he couldn't stand with Zhu Houzhao, so when he pushed the door, Shen Lian was on guard, always standing not far from Zhu Houzhao, monitoring everything around him.

"Okay, you go down!"

There are two big beds in the room, and nothing else. It turns out that in order to save more resources, the store arranged the two of them together. This is shared by many scholars. They usually go to Beijing to take the exam in two or three people. Yes, all the hotels in the capital are decorated like this.

Standing outside the door, Shen Lian saw that there was no one around, so he came in and bowed to Zhu Houzhao and said, "Your Majesty, I think this shop is a black shop, why don't I call Jin Yiwei up, surround the place, and interrogate one by one? "

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and said: "Don't worry, wait until they send the test questions later, and then we can talk about it after reading."

"You wait outside first, I'm a little dizzy, sleep for a while, and wake me up when someone comes to deliver the test questions."

Shen Lian held up his hands and stood deftly outside the door, acting as a guard.

Zhu Houzhao lay on the bed and soon fell asleep.

Night falls.

The entire capital is lit up with lanterns, which is very spectacular.

dong dong dong.

A burst of trivial footsteps came.

Seeing six or seven young women in coquettish costumes walking upstairs, Shen Lian stepped up his guard again.

"Master, come in and talk!"

The woman who took the lead held a handkerchief, pawed a few times in front of Shen Lian, and walked into the room tremblingly.

The rest of them also entered other people's rooms, their eyes were blurred, and each of them seemed to be full of affection.

As soon as she came in, the woman rushed towards Zhu Houzhao as if she had never seen a man before. Fortunately, Shen Lian was quick to stop her violent behavior.

"If you have something to say to me, don't wake him up." Shen Lian's eyes were cold and he said sternly to the woman.

Your woman suffocated for a while, quickly changed her expression, and said, "Oh, brother, I'm here to deliver the test papers, shouldn't you pay for your hard work?"

"On such a hot day, elder brother doesn't care about the fragrance and jade at all?" As he spoke, he flicked the handkerchief towards Shen Lian a few more times.

There was a strong smell of rouge. Only now did Shen Lian understand why Zhu Houzhao put his head on the pillow and fell asleep in less than 3 minutes. Was he really tired?
He felt more and more that there was a deep trick here.

(End of this chapter)