Chapter 534
Words:1438Update:22/06/25 06:02:15
Chang 'an City was very big.
People in the East Market basically knew that there was an extraordinary person in Tonghui Lane.
They also heard about it in the West Market.
But there were still some people who didn't know about it.
For example, Yong Yang Lane.
This place was located at the very edge of Chang 'an City. It was basically a place where few people would come to. It was the kind of place where slaves gathered.
In addition to the high walls and big tiles built by the government on the main street, behind these high walls, endless shacks formed the main style of Yong Yang Lane.
It was also jokingly called Shack Lane by the people who lived here.
It was also called a pigsty by outsiders.
It couldn't be helped. Those who could live here were basically slaves. Moreover, they were all old people who couldn't leave this place.
At this time.
In Yong Yang Lane, near the corner of the city wall, there was a house made of bamboo and weeds. It could be considered a house.
A man in his twenties was holding a notice in his hand. He was wearing a Confucian robe that had been washed so many times that it was starched white. It was even a little yellow, and it seemed like it would rot and tear at the slightest force.
This notice was the imperial edict that the Emperor announced in Zhang Feng Tavern today.
"Free!"
"Free!"
"Free tuition!"
The young man was so excited that his whole body was trembling.
His name was Ma Zhou.
He had been in Chang 'an for three years in order to pursue his studies. In these three years, he had raised horses for others, done odd jobs, and even worked as a study companion for a wealthy family to make a living. However, there was one thing he would do every day, and that was to send letters of recommendation everywhere.
Although the imperial examination system was used in the Tang Dynasty, the imperial examination at this time still required recommendations. In these three years, he grew from a hothead who didn't know anything and only cared about his dreams to a mediocre person who had to make a living every day.
It wasn't easy for him to settle down in the government office. In this place where every inch of land was worth an inch of gold, he built a shelter with his own hands.
However, the thought of studying still lingered in his heart. Although on the day of the opening ceremony of Chang 'an University, he still rushed forward without hesitation despite the risk of being kicked out by the host family. But …
He couldn't get in!
This was because he was not wearing a Confucian robe. He was only wearing the clothes of a servant.
With great difficulty, he used the money he had saved up for three years to exchange for a set of Confucian robes in the black market. Although it was a bit shabby, it was still a Confucian robe. However, he received the news that the academy in Chang 'an named University had closed!
Ma Zhou couldn't help but despair.
He was about to reach thirty years old. When would this matter end?
However, just as he was about to leave Chang 'an in despair and travel to Shandong to see if he could join the Shandong gentry, someone took pity on him and tore a piece of paper from the bulletin board and gave it to him.
What is this?
The heavens didn't forsake him!
Ma Zhou's eyes reddened as he held the notice.
"Kid, Tonghui Lane is bustling with noise and excitement today. The shopkeeper of the tavern, who is also the head of the White Deer College, is holding a banquet for guests. I heard that in addition to the Four Great Demons of Chang 'an, there are also a few well-known wealthy people celebrating. If you want to go and become a disciple, now is the time."
An old man squatting beside Ma Zhou said as he weaved straw sandals and pulled hay from Ma Zhou's thatched hut.
Although the roof of the thatched hut was almost bald because of the old man, Ma Zhou didn't care.
He hurriedly wanted to take the notice, but when he picked it up, he couldn't help but hesitate.
"Old Man Liu, are you sure that Head Zhang is holding a banquet for guests in Tonghui Lane?"
"How can it be fake? You just have to walk out of this shack and go to the streets to take a look. Anyone who goes today will be able to eat a full belly. This old man just ate water … "
Before the old man could finish his long-winded speech, Ma Zhou had already rushed out.
This was an opportunity.
Although he might not be able to attract the attention of others now, if he could meet Zhang Feng today, perhaps this would be an opportunity!
However, when he rushed to Tonghui Lane and saw that the streets were filled with banquets, he couldn't help but be stunned.
Although it was still summer, everyone was wearing new clothes that they were only willing to wear for the New Year. Although the clothes were very thick, and everyone was grinning and sweating profusely, what was this?
This was their face!
They were people from Tong Hui Fang, and today, such a big thing had happened in Tong Hui Fang. How could they embarrass Zhang Fengshi?
When they saw Ma Zhou arrive.
The old village chief, who was in charge of welcoming guests under the willow tree outside the lane, cupped his hands in salute.
"Please, please come in. Come in!"
As he spoke, he pulled Ma Zhou inside. Although Ma Zhou's clothes were shabby, in this era, anyone who could wear a scholarly robe would be respected.
However, Ma Zhou hesitated.
He smelled the tempting fragrance in the air. It was a fragrance that he hadn't smelled when he was a page boy in the house of a Rank Seven official. He couldn't help but stop in his tracks.
"Student Ma Zhou is here to pay a visit to Mr. Zhang Feng, but … forget it, I'll come another day."
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