The Romance of the West Chamber: The Bells are Ringing

Cui Yingying said calmly: "Stay back and I will open the door and tell them."

At night, the walls of the hotel look even darker, and dots of lights shine on the floor through the windows. Zhang Sheng held Cui Yingying's hand tightly and frowned slightly. He knew now was not the time to hesitate, but to deal with it calmly.

Cui Yingying frowned and said, "These are the thieves who just dug trenches around Pujiu Temple and used weapons to block the throat. Thieves are born with greedy hearts and ugly eyes."

Cui Yingying opened the store door, and the soldier asked sharply: "Whose girl are you, crossing the river late at night?"

"Stop talking and stay back!" Cui Yingying said calmly, "You should know that General Du is a hero. If he looks at you coldly, you will turn into vinegar. He will turn you into bubbles with just a finger. General Du is now He’s coming on a white horse, let’s see where you go to escape!”

The thieves swarmed up and forcibly picked up Cui Yingying. Cui Yingying struggled, her voice full of helplessness and grievance.

Cui Yingying felt herself being tightly hugged by pairs of thick arms, and her body was almost lifted off the ground. She struggled unwillingly, and her slender body looked extremely thin under the control of the thieves.

"Let me go! You gangsters!" Cui Yingying's voice was full of anger and helplessness. She kicked the air hard, but the strength of the thieves made it difficult for her to break free.

Zhang Sheng watched anxiously, his fists clenched tightly, but he didn't know how to take action. A strong anger surged in his heart, and his eyes shone with determination. However, faced with this sudden attack, he knew that he was also in a predicament from which he could not escape.

The thieves smiled ferociously, as if they smelled victory. A bandit soldier roughly pulled off Cui Yingying's hair ornaments, and her long hair fell down like a waterfall. A trace of shame and despair flashed across Cui Yingying's face. She struggled hard, but seemed to be getting weaker and weaker.

Zhang Sheng's heart sank, but he knew that taking action rashly in this situation would only make things more confusing. He eagerly scanned his surroundings for an opportunity to turn the situation around.

Suddenly, the thieves didn't care about Cui Yingying's resistance. Instead, they attacked and attacked her even more wantonly. This scene made the anger in Zhang Sheng's eyes continue to rise, and he finally could no longer sit idly by.

"Let her go!" Zhang Sheng's voice sounded like thunder. He took a staggering step and faced the thieves in front of him. He balled his hands into fists, his eyes flashing with anger. At this moment, he was no longer the helpless bystander, but an angry warrior.

At this moment, Zhang Sheng suddenly woke up. He suddenly sat up from the bed and said blankly: "Ah, it turned out to be a dream."

And push the door open to see. I saw the morning dew all over the earth, and the autumn frost shining silver on the ground. In the light blue morning light, the willow trees swayed gently, as if they were telling a dream.

The scenery outside the window gradually became clearer, everything was so peaceful and beautiful. The long-lasting dream gradually dissipated in the early morning sunshine, leaving only a faint trace of sadness.

Qintong woke up from the stable, gave the white horse some grass, came to Zhang Sheng's guest room and said, "Lang Jun, it's already dawn, let's go on our way early." Zhang Sheng took a deep breath, sorted out his thoughts, and nodded in agreement.

Various emotions surged in Zhang Sheng's heart, and the figure of Cui Yingying in the dream still lingered in his mind. He knew that reality was not as beautiful as in the dream, but full of helplessness and the bitterness of separation.

Zhang Sheng came out of the guest room and said to the waiter: "Second brother, I'll give you the rent. Put the saddle and bridle on the horse and get ready to go."

Zhang Sheng walked to the window and looked at the willow trees outside the window, unable to help but fall into memories of past dreams. He sighed deeply, knowing that he almost missed the opportunity to reunite with his beloved for the sake of his official position. But, isn’t this what it should be?

Zhang Sheng and Qintong traveled through thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, bumping along the way, and finally arrived at Chang'an City. Their clothes were covered in dust, and the white horses on their backs were soaked with sweat.

The grand city wall of Chang'an City rises in front of you, giving people a solemn feeling. The flags on the top of the city are waving, as if welcoming everyone who steps into this ancient city.

"Zong Dan, this is the city of Chang'an. This is the capital of the prosperous times and a place where literati and scholars gather." Zhang Sheng looked at the fluttering flags on the city wall with anticipation in his eyes.

"Yes, Mr. Lang, Chang'an City is the gathering place of literary styles in the world. You will definitely be able to display your ambitions here." Qintong said respectfully.

The two of them gradually approached the city gate. Zhang Sheng held his head high, confident that this lively and prosperous land would open a new chapter in his life.

However, when they reached the city gate, the guards severely blocked their way. Zhang Sheng frowned. He was a self-proclaimed scholar, how could he be treated like this?

"Stop! Who are you? Why don't you dismount and get checked?" The guard refused to give an inch and spoke harshly.

Zhang Sheng was a little unhappy for a moment, "What a bunch of unqualified guards, they don't even recognize the scholar." Zhang Sheng muttered.

But Qintong hurriedly stepped forward, bowed and said, "This general, this is my husband, Mr. Zhang. He is a scholar and has come to Chang'an to take the exam."

The guard hesitated for a moment. Seeing that Zhang Sheng was well-dressed and not like an ordinary common man, he nodded, looked up at the sky, held the spear in one hand, and stretched out his palm on his waist to move his fingers.

Qintong knew that the guard guarding the city wanted to rip him off again, so he turned to look at Zhang Sheng.

"Zhang Sheng smiled slightly, appearing calm and composed. "In that case, here it is. "He stretched out his hand to get the money.

At this moment, an angry shout suddenly came from the tower: "What are you doing? Don't you have eyes?"

Everyone immediately looked sideways in the direction of the sound, and saw an aggressive civil official standing on the tower, his eyes burning like a torch, exuding majesty.

The guard immediately took his hand back and stood there with an embarrassed look on his face.

At this time, the sound of hurried footsteps was heard on the tower. The civil servant came down from the tower in a hurry and greeted him.

He is an elegant young man who seems to have a rather literary temperament. He smiled and said to Zhang Sheng, "It's a great honor for us to have a distinguished guest come to Chang'an. I am a small official in the palace. I learned that a talented person has entered the city, so I came here to welcome him. This scholar must be named Zhang?"

Zhang Sheng was overjoyed, got off his horse and bowed: "My surname is Zhang, Xiluo Zhang Gong."

The civil servant smiled and said: "That's right, Mr. Zhang, I have been waiting here for a long time. I thought that the two of you coming from the area under the jurisdiction of General Du in Puzhou must enter the city through this gate."

Zhang Sheng said happily: "Oh, does the general recognize my sworn brother, General Du?"

"Hahaha, that's natural!" The civil servant laughed, "General Du and I have the kindness to meet each other, and he has already told me to welcome Mr. Zhang!"

Qin Tong was shocked and thought: "Sure enough, the Zhang family and the Du family have hands and eyes, and they have already been arranged in Chang'an City!"

The civil servant led them through the bustling Zhuque Street and finally arrived at a house. This is a quiet courtyard, surrounded by green bamboos, with a small bridge spanning the clear water.

"This is the residence prepared by the lower official for your husband in the city. The environment is quiet and quiet. I hope your husband will be satisfied." The civil servant said earnestly.

Zhang Sheng glanced around and nodded to express his satisfaction. Qintong looked around cautiously, fearing that something was wrong.

Entering the courtyard, a light and elegant aroma hits your face. The entire courtyard is elegantly and comfortably decorated, as if it is a paradise where you can rest peacefully.

"Thank you for taking care of me, sir. You really make me feel at home." Zhang Sheng said politely.

The civil servant's smile remained unchanged: "There are many talented people who are very elegant, so there is no need to be polite. You should have a good rest in Chang'an. If necessary, feel free to give orders to your servants without being formal."

"Thank you, sir." Zhang Sheng nodded with a smile and said, "I feel ashamed for your kindness, sir. Why don't we have a glass of wine together to express my gratitude."

The civil servant smiled and said: "Sir, you don't have to be polite. I am my subordinate Liu Zongyuan. From now on, please ask me to say a few nice words in front of Du Shuai. Liu will be satisfied! I have business to do, so I'll take my leave now!"

Qintong was shocked. This man had extensive connections with the upper echelons of the officialdom, and was actually being used by Du Que. He did not hesitate to lure Zhang Sheng in person.

It seems that Zhang Sheng’s high school career is a sure thing.