Quick Travel: Jing Yuan's Wanderings

Qian Banliang stood at the intersection halfway up the mountain, craning his neck to look down.

I saw someone walking up the mountain from afar. I shook my head which was a little dizzy from the sun, rubbed my eyes, and looked carefully.

After confirming that the person was Jing Yuan, he immediately started shouting excitedly.

"Hey, Brother Jing, you're finally back. I've been waiting for you for so long!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Lieutenant General Jing Yuan quickly looked up.

Looking closely at his face, he immediately recognized him as Qian Banliang, a good friend that the original owner made while working in the farm.

He hurried up the mountain, followed the original owner's example, enthusiastically took Qian Banliang's arm, and led him to his home.

They chatted to each other and exchanged pleasantries.

"Hey, Brother Qian, why are you here at this time?

Come on, come on, go home quickly and have a good rest.

It’s sunny here. How long have you been waiting?

You must be very thirsty!

What a coincidence! I have some cantaloupes and watermelons planted in my backyard, and some of them happened to be ripe.

You stay under the locust tree for a while to cool down, I will go and get you a watermelon to cool you down."

As they were talking, they arrived at the gate of the courtyard.

Lieutenant General Jing Yuan quickly pulled out the key hanging from his neck and unlocked the door.

Qian Banliang licked his dry lips and smiled as he replied, "Hey, I'm in for a treat."

Lieutenant General Jing Yuan pushed open the wooden door and placed the carrying pole against the wall.

"Brother Qian, there is a bed under the locust tree. Sit down and cool down for a while. I'll go to the backyard and pick some melons."

After hearing this, Qian Banliang waved his hand to send them away, "Okay, go!

I'm feeling very hot right now, I need to lie down and take some time to relax!"

Lieutenant General Jing Yuan walked to the backyard without stopping, instructed system 003 to be on security alert, and then quickly took out a watermelon from the system warehouse.

Then, holding the watermelon, he hurried back to the front yard and came to the kitchen.

Put the watermelon into the wooden barrel, and scoop three large scoops of water from the water tank and add it in until the watermelon is soaked.

Then, holding the bucket in his left hand and the knife in his right hand, he walked under the old locust tree.

After scooping up water to rinse the table, he started to cut the watermelon.

With one cut, there was a 'bang' sound, and the unique sweet scent of watermelon instantly spread.

Qian Banliang sniffed and couldn't help but praise, "What a good melon!"

His saliva was oozing out like crazy, he instantly perked up and sat up swiftly.

His eyes were fixed on the knife in Lieutenant General Jing Yuan's hand.

Hiss, hiss, hiss, hiss!

After four cuts, half a watermelon was immediately broken into eight round pieces.

Without Jing Yuan's instruction, Qian Banliang quickly stretched out his right hand, picked up a clove, and started eating.

He spit out all the plump, black watermelon seeds, one by one, into his left hand.

Such a delicious watermelon must be saved for seeds.

When I got home in the afternoon, I asked my wife to find a piece of land to farm.

The same pose as Lieutenant General Jing Yuan eating watermelon.

The only difference was that one was sitting half-cross-legged on the edge of the bed, while the other was sitting on a wooden block with his legs apart.

Suck, suck, suck...

Half a piece of watermelon was quickly devoured.

Lieutenant General Jing Yuan quickly stood up and ate the other half of the watermelon quickly and efficiently.

After carefully sweeping the watermelon seeds in his left hand onto the table, Qian Banliang stretched out three fingers and proudly said why he came:

"Brother Jing, I came here this time with a great way to make money!

If you are willing, I guarantee you can earn 180 taels of silver in three months."

Upon hearing this, Lieutenant General Jing Yuan turned his head sharply, and with a click, his neck sprained.

He quickly raised his hand to cover it, and kept crying out "ouch, ouch".

"Hahaha……"

Qian Banliang laughed heartily without any hesitation.

“Hahahaha…I’m dying of laughter.

I know you are anxious, but I didn't expect you to be so anxious.

Hahahaha...promising!

It's just a matter of a hundred taels of silver, and you're so anxious! You might even risk your neck!"

Lieutenant General Jing Yuan rubbed his neck and tentatively moved it.

strange?

The original owner didn't remember what happened today.

Is it because I missed it?

"It's all because of poverty. I made a fool of myself in front of my second brother."

Qian Banliang put away his smile, stretched out his index finger, and pointed helplessly in the direction of his old friend:

"I don't know you yet?

Time has changed.

At first, it seemed like they couldn't survive, but their two children were chosen by the Duke's wife to enter the mansion to serve.

Having food to eat and clothes to wear is a great thing.

Now that your life is better and you have hope, it is normal for you to want to redeem the indentures of your two children.

Furthermore, the wife of the Duke is kind-hearted. Farmers like us with clean backgrounds can redeem our indentures by paying ten times the amount of silver.

After that, they would sign a 5 to 10-year contract as long-term workers, staying near the village. As long as they did not betray the master's information,

When the time comes, you will be free and have a clean slate.

I remember that you seemed to be ill at that time, and the Duke's wife showed mercy and gave you a high price of five taels of silver.

After that, I also arranged for someone to ask a doctor to prescribe medicine for you!

You were lucky enough to survive.

Oh, it’s really scary to think about it. A lot of people died in that drought.

When you are dying, it is your destiny to meet a good person like the Duke's wife. "

So, doesn't it mean that with just 100 taels of silver, you can redeem a pair of children in advance?

Great news!

Lieutenant General Jing Yuan, who had figured out the secret, was immediately delighted.

Following Qian Banliang's words, I sincerely praised:

"Madam Guogong is indeed a first-class noble person in our Jing family.

Second brother, hurry up.

Tell me quickly, about this little hundred taels of silver!

I’m in a hurry!”

"Tsk, all you do in the spring is fix up the house.

You really don't care at all about what's happening in the capital!

The new emperor ascended the throne, such a major event, you didn't pay any attention to it at all?"

"Didn't the new emperor ascend the throne last year?" Lieutenant General Jing Yuan retorted.

"Oh, I mean your brain.

Have you forgotten the new reign title this year?"

“I know this!

Is there any explanation?"

“At the beginning of the year, an imperial decree was issued.

The new emperor ascends the throne, in the golden month of August, he will select scholars through imperial examinations!"

Lieutenant General Jing Yuan raised his eyebrows. The original owner had never paid attention to this.

So, he handed over a piece of watermelon with both hands in a flattering manner and listened carefully.

“This is Enke, a genuine disciple of the emperor!

In the minds of scholars, it holds an extraordinary status! "

Qian Banliang took a bite of the watermelon and spat the seeds into his palm before continuing:

"Countless candidates went to Beijing to take the imperial examinations, but they had no place to stay or food.

Inside the capital, the inn was noisy.

The private courtyard is quiet and peaceful, allowing one to prepare for the exam with peace of mind.

But it’s too little and too expensive, not enough for us to live in!

Those who are rich, powerful and well-connected have been heading to the capital since the beginning of spring."

Slurp, and take another bite of watermelon...

“We just arrived in Beijing at this hour, and the good locations are already gone.

Doesn't the focus naturally shift to the residential houses in the suburbs of Beijing?

Especially for someone like you, who lives in a private house far away from the village, you can reach the city gate in less than quarter of an hour by carriage.

The rent is more than five times lower than in the city.

It is most popular among candidates from lower-class families.

Besides, who is the Duke of England?

The current queen's biological brother.

The farm owned by the Duchess of England is right in front of us. Who would dare to cause trouble here if they don't want to die?

Absolutely safe and reliable.

Furthermore, your two children are working in the British palace.

The villagers have always kept their distance from your family.

What a great place to prepare for the exam?

If you agree, I will let my youngest son be your middleman.

We promise to find a reliable candidate for you and rent it out as soon as possible.

From now until the end of August, there are more than two months, and for 100 taels of silver, there will definitely be people rushing to rent it.

If you are willing, come with me now to find my youngest son.

By the way, let’s have lunch at Xizhimen.

When it's done, come over to inspect the house right away.

This needs to be done as soon as possible.

The day after tomorrow morning, I will go to Northeast China to do business with my eldest son.

The furs there are cheap, and if you go now, you can get back before winter.

You can make a lot of money in one trip!"

Lieutenant General Jing Yuan scratched his head and said, "Of course you can.

But the house has been rented out, and I can’t find a place to live for a while, right?”