An Lingrong's Rebirth: The Lock of Qingqiu

A wide white magnolia bridge spans over Yangliu Lake from east to west. The bridge is crowded with people. It is very lively. An Lingrong followed the emperor across the white magnolia bridge. The other side of the bridge is said to be the center of the market. The afternoon sky is an endless slightly smoked yellow with spots of light. Even the copper bowls and hookahs on the street are reflected in a slightly halo of color. Walking east along the street, you can only smell the curling smoke and the fragrance. The shouts of street vendors come and go, and the shouts of those selling vegetables, cakes, and flowers are intertwined. Countless noisy sounds echo in the ears. There is an endless stream of people coming and going on the road. The noise of cars and horses and the crowds are crowded. An Lingrong and the emperor are squeezed by the crowd and move forward involuntarily.

Shops are lined up one by one on the street, with all kinds of goods neatly displayed in the shops. The government's big red flags are fluttering in the wind, and shouts and the sounds of carriages and horses echo in the market for a long time. On the main street, there are government officials maintaining order, while the side streets have become a world of street stalls. In the streets and alleys, the already narrow streets are surrounded by people on both sides, some are watching others buying and selling, and some are buying what they need. They are busy communicating, and it is a busy scene.

Passing through the alley, there is another bustling market. From afar, you can see many shops of various colors, with colorful flags flying, pavilions and terraces, and colorful decorations, which makes people feel refreshed. On the rough stone pavement, you can see some merchants put convenient small stools in front of the door, display high-quality goods in front of passers-by, and use various humorous tones to attract customers to stop and buy their things.

On both sides of the road not far from the main street, you can vaguely see some beggars, some are disabled people, some are widowed children, disabled adults are still eating sunflower seeds, holding baskets and bags hoping for alms from passers-by, some are looking for edible leftovers in the trash can. Some beggars have struggling faces and empty eyes, and their hardship in life is also unbearable.

The emperor could not help but stop and look, saying: "This place was prosperous in the past, but now it is even more prosperous. I always hope that the people will get better and better. As time goes by, everything is changing, but some people still live in poverty. Why don't they work hard and try to change themselves? After so many years, they have always been the unchanged existence of this street and this market. People's hearts have not changed!"

An Lingrong consoled him, "Fourth Master, if you can make most people live happily, you have already succeeded. Some people, like those who beg for a living, may not be incapable, but have lost interest in life. Once begging becomes a habit, it is difficult to change. They have become dependent on it, and there is no easier way to make money than this. For such people, it is better to ignore them."

The emperor glanced at her and said, "But, Rong'er, in such a beautiful and prosperous city, isn't it a real eyesore to have people like this? The people here work so hard, and the market here is so prosperous, but they drag their crippled limbs and sick bodies around begging. Seeing this, I feel really bad. I always feel that the government has an unshirkable responsibility for the people's miserable lives."

At this time, Xia Qian interrupted and said, "Some of these people come out to beg, some are forced, some are willing. In short, their lives are not easy. The government is not a charity, how can it take care of so many old, young, sick and disabled people?"

An Lingrong nodded and said, "Fourth Master, what Lord Xia said is absolutely right. Fourth Master, let's go quickly and ignore them. We still need to see if there is a clinic nearby. I want to find a job in a clinic so that we can have a stable life."

The emperor asked, "Master Xia, how much silver do you have left? Go and give ten taels of silver to each of the beggars sleeping under the bridge. If we had known that we would not be so extravagant on the farm, every tael of silver must be spent wisely. The farm has spent more than sixty taels of silver, which is enough to feed them for many days."

An Lingrong was naturally unhappy when she heard that the emperor was going to distribute the few silver coins she had on her to those strange beggars. But since the emperor had given the order, Xia Qian dared not disobey. She had to reluctantly take out the silver coins on her body and distribute them to the beggars one by one. When the beggars took the silver bills and dispersed, Xia Qian found that he only had more than 30 taels of silver left. This would not last long!

An Lingrong was anxious, and a worried look appeared on her brows, but the emperor was not anxious at all. He said, "Rong'er, don't worry. Look, this world belongs to the Fourth Master, and these people are also the Fourth Master's people. Everything in this world belongs to the Fourth Master. Rong'er, what are you afraid of? The Fourth Master will go fishing with Lord Xia tomorrow. When we catch big carp and big turtle, we will sell them at the market. Not only will we have food to eat, but we will also have money to spend."

The emperor smiled and said, "I am not afraid of anything, Fourth Master. I am only afraid of Rong'er being hungry. I am afraid that Rong'er will have no food to eat after the previous one. If I am hungry, it is not a big deal. But if Rong'er is hungry, Fourth Master will be worried!"

An Lingrong bowed slightly and said jokingly, "Fourth Master, I will also find work to do and share the burden with you. We will definitely be able to get through this difficult time."

The emperor looked at the emotional An Lingrong, and said with a slightly stunned expression: "The people of this world must be cared for. Only when the people of this world are safe and happy, the Fourth Master will be at ease and happy. Rong'er, why do you call yourself a slave? If you become a slave, then don't I have to call myself a servant?"

Although the three people were wearing coarse cloth clothes, they were very clean, and An Lingrong exuded a faint and charming fragrance.

Xia Qian lowered his head, with a smile hidden in his eyes, but he didn't dare to say it out loud. He just focused on leading the way. Before he knew it, he walked through the streets and alleys and came to an unfamiliar yet very lively place.

An Lingrong raised her eyes and saw that it was a large medical clinic with five shops. Hanging above it was a very eye-catching plaque: Tongjitang.

Outside Tongjitang, there was a recruitment advertisement written in black characters on red paper posted on the wall. There were crowds of people outside, and someone read out loud: "Tongjitang's annual recruitment opportunity is here, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! But the requirements are a bit high. You must have more than ten years of medical experience and have experience. You must also pass many tests before you can pass. I heard that the salary is very high, and many people are scrambling to get in."

"It's a pity that you can't use connections or backdoors. Anyone who gives gifts to the recruiting officer will not be allowed to come for an interview within five years and will be banned from working at any of Tongjitang's branches!"

"Yes, the requirements are extremely strict! Not everyone can get in. I heard that more than 30 people went in for the interview yesterday, but not one of them made it through. They were all pushed out!"

"Well, does anyone know anyone in Tongjitang? Can you introduce them to someone?"

"It's no use asking for recommendations. You must rely on real skills and knowledge. Once you get in, you have to take an exam and perform acupuncture and wiring in public. I heard that there can't be any deviation in an acupuncture point, let alone a mistake. You have to be very precise. I have a younger brother-in-law who has studied medicine for more than ten years, but he didn't dare to show up in the clinic. He was afraid."

"Oh, what are you afraid of? If you're lucky, you might win!"

"This isn't some other place. Look carefully, this is Tongjitang. Would Tongjitang let people try their luck? This is ridiculous!"