Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan had never been to the capital before. They only knew that it was very big. Only when they saw the road that could allow more than a dozen carriages to run side by side did they know how big it was.
Zhang Xiaobao looked at the road in front of him and the trees planted on both sides of the road and muttered, "It's really beautiful and grand. It really is the capital of a country. When we go back, we should also make a road like this between the two newly bought Zhuangzi. We don't need to farm anymore."
Wang Juan didn't say anything. She kept looking at the capital city that had left behind many stories and legends. The streets were more lively than the docks of Sanshui County. There were people wearing all kinds of clothes. From time to time, they could see people who were obviously from a foreign country walking by.
Li Xun didn't find this place strange. Seeing Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan standing there looking around, he said, "We're here. Do you two want to go to the palace with me or go to your family's restaurant?"
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan looked at each other and shook their heads at the same time, "We're not going to the palace."
"I don't know where my father is. I won't meet with him today. I'll wait until after the exam tomorrow." Zhang Xiaobao didn't want to disturb his father now. He asked the people around him to ask around. He and Wang Juan strolled slowly on the streets.
Li Xun didn't force him. He left with the guards and found a place by himself. He didn't want to go to the palace.
*****
It didn't take long for the people here to find Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan.
"Little Young Master, Little Miss, Master is now resting in Savant's Restaurant. Do you two want to go to Savant's Restaurant, or …?"
The person in charge respectfully stood in front of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan and asked.
"Then we'll go to Savant's Restaurant. Don't let my father know that we're here. Okay, let's go to Savant's Restaurant." Zhang Xiaobao ordered and pulled Wang Juan and prepared to go there.
The steward hurriedly found a car and invited the two of them in. From here to Pleasure House, there would be a long way to go.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan sat in the carriage. They lifted the curtains and looked out. At this time, there were residences on both sides. At first glance, they saw that the houses were lined up. There was a special ditch between the houses and the road. There were also elm and locust trees planted beside it.
"Xiao Bao, this place is indeed not bad. Perhaps because of this, the later generations have always remembered this dynasty and treated it as a spiritual symbol. It's a pity that when they accepted so many people, they didn't think of keeping some of the technology a secret and letting others learn it."
Wang Juan thought of something and said to Zhang Xiaobao.
Zhang Xiaobao nodded and then shook his head. "Actually, maybe these people thought that in the future, their future generations would also have a bright future. To be able to maintain this prosperity is a kind of confidence, confidence in themselves, confidence in their future generations. Unfortunately, success is because of Xuan Zong, failure is because of Xuan Zong.
He pushed the Kaiyuan Dynasty to a new high in history and made Tianbao a precursor to the destruction of the Tang Dynasty. The advantages and disadvantages of the imperial system are perfectly reflected in him. When it's time to delegate power, you have to delegate power. You can't treat the entire country as a game. "
"Then shouldn't we do something? We can't just watch a powerful dynasty disappear, right? "Wang Juan asked a little unwillingly.
"There's no hurry. We haven't reached the peak of Shengshi Dynasty yet. We have time, so let's take it one step at a time. Tomorrow's exam will depend on my father. As long as he can do what needs to be done, the rest will be easy. He will be an official outside the capital and may stay in the capital and scheme against others all day long."
"En, it shouldn't be a problem. Your father has a solid foundation and came here to experience it in advance. Moreover, in these days, he has been writing poems from time to time. He has already practiced it." Wang Juan knew that Zhang Xiaobao was a little nervous, so she softly persuaded him.
The two of them chatted as they walked along the road. They wanted to get a good feel of the atmosphere here. As they walked, they arrived at the West Market. At this time, they could see many shops standing on both sides of the road. There were even some foreign merchants hawking their wares.
"Xiao Bao, look at the things they are selling. There are a lot of different things. When your father is done with the exam tomorrow, let's walk around here and buy some small things back. We can't go out without bringing anything." Wang Juan looked at the people hawking and bargaining and said excitedly.
"En, we should buy some. We can also give prizes to children who study well. Look over there, they are selling flowers. Some have bloomed, and some are just bare branches. Especially that one, it doesn't look like it's going to bloom at all. That thing … Stop the car."
Zhang Xiaobao also said, pointing to a place where flowers were sold in pots. As he spoke, he shouted.
The carriage immediately stopped.
"Xiao Bao, what flower did you see? Why are you in such a hurry?" Wang Juan asked when Zhang Xiaobao pulled her out of the carriage.
"Good flower, cotton, I finally found it. I'm convinced. They actually put cotton in a pot. Our quilt is stuffed with cotton. How can it be compared to cotton?"
Zhang Xiaobao said happily. With cotton, things would be easier. In the future, there would be more things to do. The convenience of life came from cotton.
Wang Juan was also happy. She had been thinking about looking for watermelon and cotton. She didn't expect to see them here. She said, "They originally planted cotton as flowers. It seems that it was only in the Song Dynasty that it had other uses. This thing doesn't seem to be called cotton. What is it called?"
"Just ask and you will know. Flower seller, how much are you selling these flowers?" Zhang Xiaobao stood in front of the cotton that was about the same height as him and asked.
"Young master, are you asking about the White Fold Zi? If you only want to buy flowers, you can take two coins and I will also give you some mountain soil. If you want to buy it together with the pot, then it will be twelve coins. "
The flower seller turned his head and saw two children. He lowered his voice and said so as not to scare them.
Zhang Xiaobao looked at Wang Juan. Wang Juan was also thinking and said, "Flower seller, where did you find the White Fold Zi? We want to buy more. Can you still get it? "
"Yes, no matter how much you want to buy, I will find it for you. The price is even cheaper. But … will your parents agree?" The flower seller felt that a big deal was coming, but he was afraid that the two children were just talking and couldn't take out the money.
Zhang Xiaobao calculated and said, "We want to buy ten thousand plants. How much do you think it will be?"
While talking, he gave a look to the steward who got off another car and walked over. The steward immediately said, "Flower seller, don't worry about the money. As long as the young master and the young lady want to buy it, we will naturally give you one coin less."
With his words, the flower seller was relieved and showed a slightly embarrassed expression on his face. "If you want to buy ten thousand plants, we will have to wait a few days. If I can't find so many today, I will have to go to other people to get them. It may be possible if several families work together. If you want to buy these, why don't you give me seventeen thousand coins?"
"Fifteen thousand coins. Okay, we will pay the deposit first." Zhang Xiaobao made a counteroffer. He could have lowered the price, but he felt that the flower seller didn't have it easy, so he gave a little more.
The flower seller paused for a moment and immediately agreed. As for how to transport it, it was the steward's business.
After finding the cotton and ordering ten thousand plants, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan happily got in the car again and went to Joy House.
"Xiao Bao, the cotton is here. Where do we plant it? We can't plant it in the field. If someone reports it, we will be punished. "With the cotton, Wang Juan began to worry about the planting again.
"Plant it in Grandpa Bi's field. He hasn't planted anything yet. It turned out to be a wasteland. No one will say anything." Zhang Xiaobao thought of the old man's field, which was just right.
"Okay, when we make the bedding, give it to him first." Wang Juan said generously.
*****
As expected, no one told Zhang Zhong that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan had come to the capital. The servants knew that if the master knew that the young master and young lady had come, he wouldn't be so calm. Maybe he would be absent-minded during the exam.
At this time, Zhang Zhong was eating a simple and light meal. There was also a pot of warm wine. He was not going to see anyone today. A few days ago, he had seen the people he wanted to see and sent the invitations. He was just waiting to see how things would go after the exam.
County Magistrate Cheng sat opposite him and explained what to do during the exam. County Magistrate Cheng had not taken the Jinshi exam, but he had taken other exams and knew some things about the Jinshi exam.
Zhang Zhong listened carefully to County Magistrate Cheng's words. The two of them ate for a full four hours. When the dishes were cold, they were taken away and replaced with new ones. The wine was also kept warm at all times.
In the afternoon, Zhang Zhong read for a while and then went to bed early. He still had to wake up early tomorrow.
The servants began to prepare the things for tomorrow. They prepared three sets of the four treasures of the study, some food and some things that might be useful.
Early the next morning, countless High Scholars were accompanied by their servants. Some of them were alone and some of them were outside the examination hall prepared by the Ministry of Rites.
Zhang Zhong brought a few servants with him. When he saw so many people waiting in front of him, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He calmed himself down and walked over.
There were soldiers maintaining order over there. Many people were not sure and were whispering to each other. Some people even closed their eyes.
After Zhang Zhong came to the capital, he had met many people. As he walked, he was greeted by many people. Those who were taking the Jinshi exam, those who were taking the Jinshi exam, those who were taking the Jinshi exam. They gathered together to guess what the exam would be.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan also secretly came over and watched from afar. The servants around them surrounded them so that they wouldn't get lost in the crowd.
When it was time for the exam, a few officials came over and talked about the things that they should pay attention to during the exam. They also asked the soldiers to check the things that the High Scholars brought. As for the body search, they did not appear.
These people also began to enter one by one. Zhang Xiaobao clenched his fists and muttered, "Dad, don't be afraid. You can do it."
"Xiao Bao, why are you trembling? You said that others are not afraid. Look at you being so nervous. "Wang Juan grabbed Zhang Xiaobao's arm and said.
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