Be a master through ancient times

The two stayed in Haiping Mansion for a day, and then went to the capital.When renting a carriage this time, they inquired for a long time before choosing a carriage dealer.

Expensive is more expensive than other private, but safe and secure.It's nothing to be cheated of some money. If those people see the money and start a black hand, it will be a loss if they lose their lives.

After walking on the road for three or four days, the security gradually became stricter.Every time you walk a certain distance, you can see a sentry post.Inside, two soldiers in armor were staring at the pedestrians on the road.Zhang Hu was sitting in the carriage, not daring to open the curtain, fidgeting.

"Dahu, what's wrong with you?" Chu Ci asked strangely.

"Master, this is too scary, why are people watching all the way?" Zhang Hu said in a low voice.

"Haha, you don't do anything wrong, what are you afraid of? They also want to protect the safety of the people in the capital. This important place in the capital, under the feet of the emperor, is naturally more strictly guarded than other places."

Chu Ci was a little excited. He lived in City B most of his life, and he didn't know that the capital here was as different as the one in his impression.

This time when entering the city, the inspection was stricter than all the previous ones. Even if Chu Ci showed him the Juren document, the man searched their salutes.

If it were an ordinary Juren, he might be a little angry.But Chu Ci is very self-aware.At the root of this imperial city, the most indispensable are dignitaries and nobles.

There is a joke that says that throwing a stone at random on the streets of the capital can hit a person wearing a black hat, which shows that there are many officials in the capital.

These gatekeepers may be the children of some big family who have come out to practice. How much respect can they have for a small juren?

I really don’t come to the capital, I don’t know that I’m an official!Chu Ci sighed with emotion, and his desire to pass the Jinshi examination became stronger.If you want to be respected, you must first strengthen your own abilities, rather than expecting the qualities of others.

After entering the city, he looked at the most prosperous scene he had ever seen since ancient times. There were many shops on both sides, and the tall houses were decorated with lights and festoons. People who entered and exited had that kind of confident and prosperous smile on their faces. , who are also wearing brocade clothes.

"Master, where are we going now?" Zhang Hu asked.

"Go to the Xijiang Guild Hall. The master said that all candidates from Xijiang Province who are rushing to take the exam can stay there for free."

"And what about this good thing?"

"Of course, the court still treats scholars very favorably."

"Then will they let me live? What if I'm not a scholar?"

"It's okay, they don't give you a room, so you can sleep in the master's room."

"Hey!" Zhang Hu was very happy, and followed Chuci to find a place.

All provinces have established guild halls in the capital. The original intention is to allow their local students to stay in the capital and study at ease without being overwhelmed by the pressure of life.These guild halls were built on Xichang Street. Chu Ci asked four or five people back and forth, and walked for an afternoon before finding the location of the guild halls.

It was already dark, and there was a hall brightly lit, and there was the sound of students composing poems together.Chu Ci raised his eyes to look at the signboard hanging on it. Because of the darkness of the night, he could only vaguely see the word Jiang.This must be Xijiang Guild Hall!Chu Ci regained his energy, took a few steps forward, and knocked on the door.

"Brothers are well, is this the Xijiang Guild Hall?"

The students stopped, and one of the elders said, "I'm afraid this brother has misread it. This is the Nanjiang Guild Hall, and your Xijiang Guild Hall is still behind."

"Thank you, brother!"

Chu Ci led Zhang Hu all the way through the Guild Halls in Southern Yunnan Province, Guizhou-Guizhou Province, and Eastern Shandong Province.Among them, the guild hall in Eastern Shandong Province is the largest.

After passing the Ludong Provincial Hall, a little further forward, a dark house appeared in front of the two of Chu Ci.The lantern hanging at the door was not bright, and the red paper pasted on it had faded a bit, and the black paint on the door was missing a piece, and the mottled appearance was really sad.

Chu Ci fixedly looked at the three words Xijiang Province above, and comforted himself in his heart, maybe it's just that it doesn't look good on the outside?It is not advisable to pursue superficial scenery!

He knocked on the door of the Xijiang Guild Hall, but no one answered for a long time.Zhang Hu walked to the door, held two large packages in one hand, and then pushed hard, and the door fell to the ground.

The people in the room seemed to hear the sound, lit a candle and came out.The first thing he saw was the underground door, and he couldn't help exclaiming: "This is the door I just repaired yesterday! You have to pay for it!"

"Uh, we must lose money! Dare I ask this uncle, is this the Xijiang Guild Hall?"

"It's written in big characters, isn't it? Are you a student from Xijiang Province?"

"Yes, I heard from my husband that all provinces across the country have guild halls built in the capital, where students can stay for free. Is there such a thing?"

"Oh, yes, you come in with me."

The uncle yawned, then carefully protected the candle with his hand, and led the two of them inside.

The place was dark, except for the faint light of the candle in his hand.Chu Ci recalled the scenes he had just seen, and couldn't bear to sigh, they were both guild halls, how could there be such a big gap between the guild halls?

When they came to a place that looked like a lobby, the man turned around and walked behind a counter, and said, "Let me tell you in advance, we don't spend money to live here. But other expenses do cost money. You How many quilts do you want? One tael of silver for each quilt. There is also a charcoal fire, fifteen yuan per catty. For hot water, it costs one penny per barrel. If you want to eat here, then it is calculated at thirty yuan a day. Candles, oil lamps, etc. also count as money..." The uncle ramblingly introduced to Chu Ci where the money would be spent.

At first glance, this price may not seem high, but in fact it is quite a lot.If it is spent like this every day, the average student will stay here for three years, and three months may be used up.

To sum it up, the legendary place to live for free requires money for everything except a room and a few bed boards.

"Uncle, didn't each province allocate funds to build this guild hall? Didn't the imperial court allocate money?" Chu Ci asked.

Maybe it's because he didn't start cursing after hearing him say a few words like other students, so this uncle still has a good impression of him.

"Oh, you don't know something. This guild hall was built with funds from each province, but the follow-up application depends on the capital officials and wealthy businessmen. Our Xijiang Mansion has been there for seven or eight years. There has never been a third-rank or higher member in this time! Because there is no one to take care of them, there are fewer and fewer merchants. In the past two years, the supply of this guild was cut off."

"So that's how it is." Chu Ci was silent, no wonder I saw that some provinces' guild halls were brightly lit, while others were like those in Xijiang Province.

"Are there any other students living here in the hall?"

"Yes, but I'm afraid I've already fallen asleep at the moment."

"Then I'll visit again tomorrow. Today, I'll stay for one night first." Chuci decided to move out from here after inquiring about the market situation tomorrow.

After the man collected the money, he took out a candle from under the counter, lit it carefully, and handed it to Chu Ci.

Then, he took the two of them to the room.The table inside was covered with a layer of dust, and the room was also a little dilapidated, and there was even a damp and rotten smell inside.

"Uh, if you ask us to clean it, it will cost you [-] Wen, and you won't be charged for cleaning it yourself."

Zhang Hu took out a piece of cloth from his body first: "Master, let's clean it ourselves!"

The man looked a little disappointed, turned and went out.

Chu Ci sighed, and took the broom and started sweeping the floor. It was a mistake, I knew he would find an inn first.