On the evening of the twelfth day, the towering walls of Night Shine City appeared in front of them. However, the city gate was closed. This was not a normal phenomenon. It must have something to do with the complicated struggle for the throne in Night Shine City. Outsiders who were not local were strictly interrogated. This was to prevent disloyal people from gathering in the city. Even ordinary people were treated like this, so it was impossible for an organized army to enter the city.
Lou Xiaoyi did not waste any time. He found a large inn nearby, but all the rooms were full. He had no choice but to be a spendthrift and booked a side courtyard.
Fortunately, the service here was good. Unlike the common inns, who did not even bother to give you water, bathing, changing clothes, changing clothes, and whatever you wanted to do, they would yell at you. The most convenient way to get in and out of Zhaoye City was for scholars like him. They did not have any martial skills, so they were not on guard. The others were like caravans with dozens of people. Only a few could get in, and the rest had to wait outside the city.
The change of the imperial power was imminent, so they could not be too careful.
When it was late, after dinner, the waiters were free. Lou Xiaoyi called a smart waiter and gave him a silver coin. The waiter immediately spilled everything he knew. There was nothing to hide, because what he knew was not a big secret. It was all information that the locals knew. However, it was important to Lou Xiaoyi, who was new to the city.
The next morning, Lou Xiaoyi woke up early. He did not want to waste his precious time waiting in line. As soon as the sky turned bright, he started to move toward the gate. When he walked out, he realized that he was not the first to wake up. The big gate of Zhaoye City was packed with people.
Lou Xiaoyi immediately realized his mistake. He should not have taken the west gate, but the side gate. Zhaoye City had four main gates, north, south, east, and west. There were also nine side gates. The city was so big that four main gates were not enough.
Among them, the North, West, and East Gates were the most crowded because they were directly connected to the highway. The South Gate and the Nine Gates were much better, but since they were already here, they might as well give it a try.
The main gate of the west side of the city was very wide. As usual, the main gate was closed. Only the royal family or the military used it. Commoners could only use the six side gates on both sides of the main gate. The crowd also lined up at these six side gates.
The security was especially strict. Lou Xiaoyi estimated that there were hundreds of soldiers at the city gate alone, and this did not include the soldiers on the city walls that could not be seen. Their helmets were bright and their halberds were shining, and their discipline was strict. They were worthy of being called the elite soldiers that guarded the capital.
With a glance, he had a rough idea of how the six long lines were differentiated. Two of them were local farmers carrying baskets from outside the city. They had entered the city early to make a living. These were also the two lines with the largest number of people. They were the passageway for the commoners to enter and exit. They were also the lines with the strictest inspection. Even the baskets had to be overturned to prevent people from secretly carrying weapons.
The other line was a caravan of camel caravans and horses. There was an endless stream of them. They were the most strictly inspected, regardless of whether it was the people or the goods.
The other three lines were more sparse. They were for officials, civil servants, the private carriages of various nobles to transport goods, scholars, and a series of people with status.
Lou Xiaoyi chose the passageway that had scholars entering and exiting. He roughly estimated that this was the most suitable path for him to take based on his situation.
However, the other scholars passed through very easily, but he was stopped here. An armored soldier who looked like a military officer walked over and took his Kangha from the soldier. His basic situation was written on it, mainly about whether he had a criminal record, his occupation, his scholarly achievements, and other simple things. It was stamped by the Office of Transmission of Pu City's government office, so it was valid.
The military officer did not see anything suspicious, but he saw that the scholar in front of him was different from other scholars. There was a certain high-spirited air in his elegance, and he was not a bookworm who only knew how to study. He had guarded the city gate for a long time, so he naturally had a pair of sharp eyes. He knew clearly who he should check and who he should not.
"Young Master, what are you doing in the city? It's a special period, so the inspection is a bit stricter. Please don't take offense, Young Master! "
The military officer was very polite. Although the Kangha did not indicate the scholar's family background, because Lou Province was not an official now, just based on his impression, the military officer knew that such a person could not be imitated by ordinary poor scholars. That was a kind of noble air. Even when faced with dozens of fully armed soldiers, he did not show the slightest hint of panic or restraint. Usually, people like this were people who were usually arrogant and bossy. In their eyes, the soldiers were no different from their servants.
"To seek refuge with my relatives!" Lou Xiaoyi's answer was very simple.
"Seeking refuge with your relatives at night at this time is not appropriate, is it?" It was no secret that the Emperor was critically ill at night. A rational person would not choose to come to the capital at this time, whether it was to do business or to seek an official position. If he was just a bookworm who did not know about the world, the military officer would not ask about this. However, since he had a background, how could he not know the severity of the situation? Since he still wanted to come, he must have a purpose.
"It is precisely because this is a special time that I received orders to come to Zhaoye. If it were any other time, I would be too lazy to come!" Lou Xiaoyi knew very well what the military officer wanted to know. He had nothing to hide. It was a simple matter of family ties, so why should he make it so mysterious and arouse suspicion?
"Oh?" The military officer was very surprised. Usually, people would subconsciously avoid this question, but this person did not hesitate. From this point of view, there was no problem with this person. However, the military officer's curiosity prompted him to continue asking.
"Young Master, may I know which family you are seeking refuge with? And where are you from? Whose orders are you following? "
Lou Xiaoyi frowned, but still controlled his temper. This was official business. Who asked him to look so special? If he had known, he would have dressed more shabbily.
"Good Government Square in the south of the city, Fenwei General's Mansion. That is my second uncle. I am following my mother's orders. She is the wife of the previous dynasty's Minister of War, Lou. However, I don't know if the Emperor still recognizes me … General, is there anything else you want to know?"
The military officer was in awe. The previous dynasty's Minister of War was a well-known figure in the Zhaoye Kingdom. Even after so many years, his actions were still mixed with praise and blame. However, he had a reputation. With the Zhaoye Kingdom's official system, he was a person who could control half of the court. Even now, the Minister of War had a say in who the Emperor belonged to. As for whether he would say it or not, it was another matter.
"Recognized, recognized! So it is Young Master Lou. Of course, such a family member is worthy of visiting, too worthy of visiting … However, Young Master, the Zhaoye Kingdom's law enforcement has been stricter recently. Perhaps it is different from the singing and dancing in the past. Many young masters from wealthy families have been obediently staying at home and not going anywhere. Young Master, you … "
Lou Xiaoyi smiled. "I know. I am here to persuade my second uncle to go to Pu City and get some fresh air. Is this a good place to stay?"
The military officer laughed and helped Lou Xiaoyi lead the horse. The two of them walked through the long corridor together and said softly,
"Young Master, you are still the one who understands! You are indeed a true disciple of Lou Province. Why should I, a small fry, get involved in this kind of thing? If I don't cause trouble, I won't be able to wash my hands of it! "
Lou Xiaoyi said half-jokingly, "What is your name, General? If there is a chance, I will find you for a drink! This is my first time in the Zhaoye Kingdom. I am not familiar with this place. If there is an accident, I will need someone I know to open the door for me and let me escape! "
The military officer laughed. He felt that this young master from Lou Province had a good temper. He did not have the sour air of a scholar.
"My surname is Ling and my courtesy name is Tianfang. I am just a small military officer at the city gate. I dare not call myself a general!
It is not a problem to find me for a drink. I live in the camp of the Lanxiang Square Garrison Army. However, I am afraid that I cannot open the door. This place is not up to me alone! "
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