Making money, taking exams, and raising a family in rural imperial examinations

Because the merchant ship had to stay in Yangzhou County for two full days, everyone had a whole day to relax the next day.

However, most people will not travel too far to play on this day, but they all choose to go to various restaurants, dim sum shops and other places that sell food to buy food that can be stored for a long time, and prepare to take it back to the ship to eat for the next month. boat trip.

This is also a matter of no choice. The cooks on the merchant ship are of mediocre skills, and because of the limited materials, the taste of the dishes is really not very good, and it is also expensive.

If you want to do it yourself, the boat is made of wood, and you can’t even light candles, so you can cook. Only a special kitchen can provide hot water for food.

So taking advantage of the rest time, everyone is buying dry food.

Lin Ze is similar, taking everyone shopping while buying all kinds of food that can be stored. They have already eaten almost all the food they brought from Nanyang Town, and the only leftovers in the luggage are chocolate peanut candy and other snacks for children.

In addition, there is Lin Dongdong's milk, which must be replenished. Fresh ones can't be kept for long, but they can be fermented into yogurt and can be drunk until they reach the capital, otherwise the child's nutrition will not be able to keep up.

This preparation basically took almost the same amount of time on the second day, and on the morning of the third day, we went to the restaurant to pack two fresh meals, and everyone had to rush to board the boat and continue the journey.

When queuing up to board the boat, they didn't see Dou Ying's cousin and his wife, and they didn't know whether they had too much fun in Yangzhou County and forgot the boarding time, or they simply stayed in Yangzhou County.

Regardless of their affairs anyway, Lin Ze didn't care much.

The life on the boat is still boring, but scholars like Lin Ze who are rushing for the exam have a lot of things to do, take the time to read and review more.

Because there is a good teacher to help focus on key points, Lin Ze's review is very purposeful and directional.

According to 'Mr. Han', this year's Imperial Court Examination will still focus on the same questions as the provincial examination, focusing on mathematics and policy theory. The purpose of His Majesty's envoy this time is to select a group of people to directly fill the positions of ministers who were beheaded before. .

So this time Enke, it doesn't matter if you can't do well in poetry and poetry, as long as you have a strong ability to handle affairs, you have a very high hope of passing the exam.

Lin Ze is very confident in this aspect. He is a practical person, but he is not really confident that he thinks that he is the best in the world. Although he has advanced knowledge in modern times, there are also a lot of talents in ancient times.

So Lin Ze still studied very seriously, reading books on human geography from various places every day, and then exchanged customs with the merchants and sailors on the ship.

Don't look at these as miscellaneous books, if the exam really needs to test the ability to handle affairs, then it will definitely take a current event for the examinee to analyze and solve.

What can happen to the current affairs of the court?Isn't it a problem that can't be solved by governing the country in various places? If you don't even know the local customs, human geography, how can you find a way to solve it?The written answer is nothing more than talk on paper and does not conform to reality.

After hearing what Lin Ze said, Dou Ying felt that it was very reasonable, so she also put down the Four Books and Five Classics and followed him to read miscellaneous books.

Anyway, I have memorized the Four Books and Five Classics for a long time, and now I see it as reviewing the old and learning the new, and relieving the tension and pressure before the exam. Now that there is a new direction, of course we must pay attention to it.

Analyzing and discussing with a companion, Lin Ze's progress rate is much faster than when he saw it by himself. It really is that sentence, three people must have my teacher, and it is always impossible to work behind closed doors.

In fact, the boring life on the boat is tolerable for Lin Ze. The only thing that made him feel very bitter was that he brought Lin Dongdong and his three apprentices with him. Make noise.

Otherwise, the son would still be on the bed, and there is only one door separating the side room, and there are three light bulbs outside listening to the corner of the wall.

This was very hard for Lin Ze. Except when Zhang Yu was pregnant and in confinement, the other time the couple lived a very rough life. After all, their bodies were young and full of vitality.

And as he grows older, the longer he grows, the better he looks. When I first met him, he was young and still a little young. Now two years have passed, and he looks like he is in full bloom. Every day They all looked at him affectionately and lay beside him.

Lin Ze said that his self-control is really limited, and he endured it very hard...

But it was inconvenient on the boat, so he could only hug, touch and kiss his wife, and then sleep peacefully.

In this way, another month of boat time passed by, and they finally arrived at the capital pier.

In fact, it is said that it is the wharf of the capital, but it is not. The capital is an important place of the imperial city, where the emperor and various dignitaries live. How could it be possible to allow the wharf, where dragons and snakes are mixed, to affect the majesty of the imperial city.

The so-called wharf is indeed in the capital city, but it is only in the outer city of Kyoto. If it is simply described in modern words, it is the difference between the first ring, second ring and third ring area.

Standing on the boat, looking at the general appearance of the capital, I have to sigh deeply, it really is under the feet of the emperor.

Regardless of prosperity, the architectural style and layout of the capital alone give people an indescribable sense of majesty. There are no modern high-rise buildings, but they are more shocking than high-rise buildings, which is revealed inadvertently. The special temperament, only the supreme imperial power in ancient times would have it.

Lin Ze took a deep breath of air, a little excited.

The other buildings are okay, so he was curious about what the ancient imperial palace looked like, and he went to the Forbidden City to see it in modern times. It is impossible not to be curious about such historical and royal things.

"Brother Dou, my teacher lives in the capital. I should stay at my teacher's house when I come to catch the exam this time. If Brother Dou doesn't mind, why don't you come with me, and then we can continue to discuss one or two before the exam."

The merchant ship docked and got off the deck. Lin Ze took the initiative to invite Dou Ying.

It is rare to meet someone who can talk well. He really hopes to make friends with the other party. Dou Ying is very knowledgeable. Sharing and discussing together can give him a lot of inspiration. It is more useful to have a personal discussion before the exam than to read a few more books. many.

Moreover, the consumption in the capital is higher than that in Yangzhou County. Given Dou Ying's family background, he may not be able to stay in any good inn, so he is also willing to help.

But Dou Ying is not easy to accept the cheap food. Lin Ze always lives in other people's homes. It is really embarrassing for him to live and eat for free.

"Brother Lin is very kind to Dou, but I already have a place to stay, so I don't bother Brother Lin. For the discussion, Brother Lin give me the address. I will go to you in the daytime. Dou Ying is really embarrassed to nag Master Ling .”

"That's fine. I live on Huanger Street beside the south gate of the capital. Brother Dou comes to the 'Han Mansion' directly."

Since people are unwilling, Lin Ze can't force it, so he can only leave an address and separate.

The capital city is at the foot of the Son of Heaven, so the public security officials here naturally dare not cheat, and the management is very strict, so although there are "guide guides" at the wharf, they are different from Yangzhou County, they are really just guiding the way, and there is no way.

Of course, whether the inn and restaurant you lead the way to is good or bad, and whether it is affordable or satisfactory, still depends on how much money you give.

Because he was just leading the way, Lin Ze found a teenage boy. This kind of boy who just came out to make money should be a little more honest and easier to deal with.

The boy who led the way became even more enthusiastic when he heard that they were going to Huanger Street.

Originally, I saw that Lin Ze and his party were poorly dressed, but they didn’t expect that they had relatives in the capital and lived on Huanger Street. There must be a reward.

This is not generosity, but a matter of face.

The masters living on Huang'er Street are not considered high-ranking officials, but they are also merchant owners with a family background and some dignity. They have nothing but a lot of money.

My family has a branch of a dessert shop in the capital, and Lin Ze knows the general distribution of the capital, so it is not surprising that the boy leading the way suddenly became enthusiastic. It is common for those who live outside to look at the dishes.

Sure enough, when we arrived at the Han Mansion on Huanger Street, the butler who opened the door immediately put a smile on his serious face when he heard that Lin Ze was a student of his master.

He casually rewarded the boy who led the way with silver, and hurriedly called his servants to help Lin Ze and the others with their luggage.

"Mr. Lin, you are here. The master has ordered this old servant to wait for you for a long time. The master has moved into the mansion for rectification. The master is out to discuss business, and he doesn't know when he will come back. The master said that the son treats this place as his own home, so don't be too polite."

"Don't worry, I'm definitely not polite to your master. He didn't eat and live with me in Qingshan County. Now it's time for me to eat and live. Let the kitchen make some food first, and then find a thief for me." The milking cows and ewes are back to feed, and my son is starving and thin..."

Lin Ze is someone who doesn't know how to write the word "polite" at all. He has already planned to eat and drink, and immediately enters the role of master and subordinate.

The butler was slightly taken aback, it was the first time he saw this kind of rudeness, but then he laughed, maintaining his imminent imminence as a servant,

"Mr. Lin, don't worry, the master has already ordered the old slave to raise the cattle and sheep for the young master. They are the kind that produce milk on the grasslands, and there are many other things. The master said that no one is allowed to neglect the young master."

"You also raised cattle and sheep on the grassland?"

Lin Ze was pleasantly surprised and a little happy.

That's how he is. It makes him more happy if others please his son and wife than please him. The old guy can also order someone to give milk to his family's two cows and sheep on the prairie, which shows his caring and concern.

It sounds inconspicuous, but under the conditions of ancient times, how much effort would it take to bring back two cows and sheep from the grassland thousands of miles away, and to feed them?

"When will the teacher be back?"

Lin Ze felt that he had to thank the old guy. He had long wanted to improve nutrition for Dongdong, but many things in this era cannot be done with money.

'Ms. Han' doesn't often live in the mansion, so the housekeeper can't answer.

"The old slave doesn't know either, but the old slave will notify the master as soon as possible."

"OK then."

Lin Ze nodded regretfully, he could only give up, and brought a few happy children to live in the Han Mansion.

But what Lin Ze didn't know was that at the moment he moved into the Han Mansion, a few passers-by on Huang'er Street showed surprise in their eyes, and then left in a hurry.

*********************

Late at night, in a mansion in the capital.

A few elderly people gathered together, and after listening to the reports of the guards below, their brows were a little worried, and they couldn't help sighing.

"It seems that His Majesty really has a plan. If it wasn't for the princes being impatient, we might have to wait until the edict is issued to know the existence of this prince. His Majesty is indeed His Majesty..."

The old men took a deep sigh, and couldn't help admiring the emperor on the dragon chair from the bottom of their hearts.

It is self-evident who the "Prince" refers to in the words, and it is Lin Ze who arrived in Beijing today.

Although His Majesty has been hiding very well for many years and there is very little movement, but after all, the paper can't keep the fire, and everyone can't help but feel a little bit of movement and wind direction, and guess what His Majesty is doing outside.

But it never occurred to him that His Majesty actually hid a prince outside. No wonder His Majesty has been slow to establish a crown prince despite everyone's memorials in the past few years. The performance of being helped up, turned out to have been planned a long time ago.

If it wasn't because the princes couldn't hold their breath this time, His Majesty had no choice but to clean up, showing doubts, it would be hard for them to think of this point.

But these are just guesses and associations, there is no substantive evidence, some people still have doubts,

"However, there seems to be a gap in the age of this prince. The Han family has only been away for 20 years, and this prince is about 24 years old..."

But this is also explained:

"It's not surprising. Your Majesty knew the man from the Han family at an early age. If he hadn't given birth to a child early, based on what happened in the Han family, how could your majesty bet on Jiangshan Sheji to keep a beauty? It's not what the old man said, although Your Majesty He doesn't like us old things, but he can be regarded as a good master in the past."

"Also, look at the two prairie cattle and sheep in the Han Mansion on Huanger Street. They are obviously specially prepared for babies. Which other emperor's grandson has such treatment, so that His Majesty can share the responsibility while worrying about government affairs. Careful about it?"

That being said, everyone nodded their heads and felt more convinced.

Isn't that right? Although His Majesty cares about his grandchildren, he doesn't care about every little thing. If he didn't really value his son, how could His Majesty care so much about a baby? , the king has a lot to worry about.

"Furthermore, I see that the prince looks handsome, with a gentle temperament and sly eyes, exactly the same as His Majesty when he was young, and it is most likely true..."

Someone pointed to the portrait presented by the guard and said.

Although Lin Ze didn't have the slightest similarity in facial features and appearance with the old guy, they were both of the same type in essence. Coupled with their long-term contact and matching of thoughts, the temperament they exuded was inevitably somewhat similar.

Just based on a portrait of ink wash people that re-depicts the charm, it is really credible to say that they are a family.

"It seems that His Majesty Enke is also paving the way for this 'His Royal Highness' this time. In case we old guys object, he deliberately let people show some talent first, and then it will be logical to take the position."

"Hey, we're old, and it took so long for His Majesty to realize that we deserve to be old. Well, let's see how His Majesty sees us. After all, we were raised among the people. I'm very worried..."

"No, people who grew up among the people have never experienced battles, and the protection is too good to be less decisive than the royal family."

In the middle of the night, several old men who couldn't stop thinking about it frowned.

……

On the other end, Lin Ze, who had no idea that he had been given the extra identity of 'His Royal Highness', rested and rectified in the Han Mansion and had a good night's sleep.

Early the next morning, he took Zhang Yu out alone.

Lin Dongdong and his three apprentices stayed in the mansion, accompanied by Zhang Shidan, the 'Brother Rong', his father and father disappeared for a long time and Lin Dongdong would not make trouble, so the husband and wife and Zhang Shidan were the only ones who could take care of the child. No one else can.

Lin Ze took Zhang Yu out alone for a purpose, one is to visit their dessert branch in Beijing; the other is to live a quiet two-person world.

Ever since they had a child, it was really rare for the two of them to spend some time alone in peace. They were busy teaching during the day, and had to put their son to sleep at night before they could make out. He hadn't been shopping with Zhang Yu for a long time.

Although Lin Ze is not a particularly romantic person, no matter how good the relationship between husband and wife is, it needs occasional fun and getting along with the two of them to adjust and adjust, so that it will be more interesting and happy, and the relationship will be further enhanced.

Although Zhang Yu never asked him for anything, he was very useful and happy in Lin Ze's occasional romance.

The dessert branch they went to first.

The overall decoration style of the dessert branch in Beijing is still similar to that in Nanyang Town, but depending on the location, it is more elegant and low-key luxury in Beijing.

The store that 'Ms. Han' found for them is in a good location and spacious. It is located in the bustling 'Commercial Street'. Although the rent is expensive, the people who come and go on the road are all high-ranking officials and dignitaries. It is really difficult to open a store here if you want to make money. Difficult, it doesn't matter, you can't get the pavement at all.

The shopkeeper and the main clerks in the store were all sent by Nanyang Town. Naturally, they knew Lin Ze and had already received the news that Lin Ze was coming.

Seeing the owner coming, he immediately welcomed them in, served pastries and tea, and then handed over the shop account book.

"I'll go back and look again. The store is doing well. Is there anything new in the capital recently?"

Lin Ze didn't look at the account immediately, but took it away and asked other questions.

He opened a dessert shop in the capital to make money is only one of the purposes, the more important purpose is to know more about the wind direction of the imperial city, Duan Wensai and Teacher Han will tell him, but after all, it is not as convenient and free as his own people.

Even if the people he put here can't find out any secrets, it is still possible to analyze some things from some big things to him.

"Returning to the master, apart from the news about the princes and Kai Enke, there is nothing new here, but recently a lot of dignitaries from other places have come to the capital, and it is said that the time for the triennial tribute from the feudal domain is coming soon."

"I made a special inquiry. This year, the vassal kings from all over the country did not come in person. Those who came were all the vassal king's sons. Hearing everyone's comments, it should be to express dissatisfaction with His Majesty's abolition of the title of vassal king and changing it to a vassal marquis..."

The people in the dessert shop have limited abilities, so far they can only know the superficial movements and well-known discussions.

But this is enough, it is better than not knowing at all, after all, these are current affairs 'news', otherwise, according to the speed of news spread here, people in remote places would be deaf and blind.

Is it a coincidence that the vassal king incident and the Enke exam collided?or something else?

Lin Ze had to keep an eye out, and simply gave a few instructions to the shopkeeper of the dessert shop, then put away his thoughts and took Zhang Yu out to go shopping and relax.

The capital is prosperous, with various shops and things, many of which are not available in a small place like Qingshan County.

"Sanggong, I want to eat that, fried oil fruit, and the woodcarving seller over there, the wooden hairpin you carved for me is so ugly, I'm too embarrassed to take it out, so give me another one..."

They are all old couples, and now the family is not short of money. Zhang Yu is not pretentious, saying don't waste money to save the fun, and just say what you want to eat. It was originally for the world of two people to play, so it is natural to let it go. Open up.

There was no reason why Lin Ze could not bear to part with some fried sweet and oily fruits on the roadside, so he immediately dragged someone over to buy two bunches.

As for the wooden hairpin, he said nothing and would not buy it. He had long wanted to make a wooden hairpin for Ah Yu himself for a little romance.

However, due to technical problems, he has not succeeded so far. Every time he makes it, it is very ugly, and people can't use it at all, but Lin Ze is a person who never gives up. He has to let Zhang Yu wait for him to do it well before he can bring wood. hairpin.

So much so that Zhang Yu didn't want to be too high-profile and didn't wear a hosta, so far he can only tie his hair with strips of cloth and silk, and he has convinced him.

"No, no, no, I can't carve jade, so it's easier to carve wood, Ah Yu, you have to give me a chance to express myself, otherwise when I get old, our grandson will ask me what I gave their father-in-law when I was young? Then except The engagement jade pendant has nothing, how stingy."

Lin Ze was very stubborn and insisted on letting his wife wear something he made himself.

Zhang Yu was very helpless, "Master, I gave you this opportunity from last year to this year. You don't have the talent for carving. Admit it, I'm not laughing at you."

Lin Ze touched his nose in embarrassment, but he still didn't let go, "Anyway, you can't wear other people's clothes. You see, you don't just let me wear the underwear you made."

Can it be the same...

Zhang Yu 囧囧, of course his husband's wife should make his man's underwear, so such intimate things can't be faked.

"Then let's go to see the cloth shop. I didn't bring any good clothes this time, and our 'good clothes' seem too shabby here. I'm going out to watch dishes. My husband is going to make friends in the capital. It would be better to make some clothes... Sheng'er and the others should also make some, because I have wronged them in the past two months, especially moving, my son can actually pick and choose."

In the end, Zhang Yu couldn't agree with Lin Ze, so he could only give up the idea of ​​buying wooden hairpins, and instead turned his attention to cloth village, let's make some coats for Xianggong.

On the road, pretending to be poor is for safety. When you arrive in the capital, you can’t be shabby anymore. Not to mention dressing rich and noble, at least you have to clean up decently. Only when you go out will someone deal with you. People rely on clothes and Buddhas rely on gold clothes. Not everyone can see through it. The surface sees the inner.

"It's time to make a few sets, but it's not just for me and those brats. Don't forget about yourself. Go, go and see, I'll pick some colors for you, my wife is so beautiful, you must live well adjusting……"

Lin Ze took Zhang Yu's hand, interlocked his fingers, and smiled deeply.