Liangzi Lake is a large irregular lake with a very large water area. There is an island in the lake, and the surrounding mountains are undulating. There are villages and towns connected and some inaccessible places. There is a mountain in a desolate place near the island in the lake, named Xianglu Mountain.
It is said that there was a temple on the mountain before, but it has long since disappeared due to the passage of time. There is only a broken incense burner left, hence the name. No one knows whether it is a temple or a temple. The mountain is not very big or high, but it is very steep.
There is a cliff halfway up the mountain. There is a rock protruding from the cliff. It is very spacious and can accommodate dozens of people to take shelter from the wind and rain. However, there are no people in this desolate and dangerous place. Most of them are wild animals.
Chang Yu has been here, and the rock has been cleaned up, including firewood, rice, oil and salt. Of course, these were not cleaned up by his men, let alone prepared by his men, but Qing Yi and the girl named Pu Jie. They wanted Take root and practice here.
Standing under the rock, the mountain breeze was extremely cool despite the scorching heat. He looked at the lake in the distance below his feet, and then turned around to review everything in the cave. Chang Yu finally left silently. He had been staying here for three or four days. He watched with his own eyes Qing Yi and the girl carrying supplies up from the mountain with difficulty, watched them cut down trees and build houses, watched them clean the caves, and even saw Qing Yi slap away three hunters with evil intentions.
After all, people are not from the same world, each has its own way, and they all have to practice it.
At dusk, a sweaty Tsing Yi came back with supplies on his back. Before he entered the rock, he frowned alertly. The girl Pu Jie grabbed her clothes in fear and asked in a low voice: "Master, what's wrong?"
Someone has been here, and although there is no trace, Qing Yi can feel the subtle residual smell in the air.
But when she entered the rock, she was suddenly startled, then laughed, and then cried again.
"Master, what's wrong with you?" Pu Jie was confused.
"He has been here." Qing Yi wiped his tears and smiled lightly.
"Who?"
"A... friend" Su Jing walked to the edge of the cliff and looked at the lake in the distance, her expression gradually becoming firmer.
A few days later, there was a small town near the river outside Jiujiang City.
The town is small but very lively. There is an endless flow of people, vendors, carriages, and people. There are also ships of all sizes parked on the shore. Passenger ships and cargo ships traveling to the Yangtze River often stop here to rest, because it is less than ten miles away from Jiujiang City.
A passenger ship docked at the pier, and the waiter shouted: "Let's take a rest and leave after a while. If you want to go ashore, don't delay." Some of the passengers on the ship were sitting still, while others got off the ship to stretch their bodies, and some couldn't bear it. The waiters at some tea shops on the pier told me to go to the shed to drink a bowl of herbal tea to relieve the heat.
There were two Taoists among them, one old and one young. The old one was not that old, but he was in his forties, but he had a childlike appearance and a crane-like hair. He had an air of immortality. The younger one was not that young either. He had a strong body and looked a bit older than his actual age. , the old one walks slowly in front, and the young one carries a banner behind: the iron mouth is straight.
It seems that they are a pair of master and apprentice who are wandering the world.
In fact, it was Li Muchian and Chang Yu.
A few days ago, Chang Yu felt bored and had nothing to worry about in Wuchang, so he decided to leave, so he went down the river and prepared to go north. As for why he had to leave just as the prelude to the Jingzhou military training began, the reason was simple. In control.
But why did the dignified Governor of the East Factory leave with only one entourage? What about the other personal attendants and guards?
Don’t ask, it will come out naturally when it’s time to come out.
Boating in the hot summer is a miserable experience. There are many people in the boat and the smell is strong. Fortunately, the two of them have been traveling for a long time and are not so squeamish or pretentious. They just get out of the boat and stay in a hotel whenever they dock.
On the pier, Chang Yu raised his hands to shield his forehead from the sun and looked around. Under the scorching sun, people were coming and going, vendors were shouting, and boats were weaving on the river. He felt a little emotional in his heart. It was much more prosperous than before.
Next to him, Li Muxian seemed to have seen through his thoughts and smiled lightly: "In the past, there were so many thieves and wars around Jiujiang Prefecture, but after Baiwang was destroyed last year, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment. It was a completely different scene."
Chang Yu nodded slightly: "Last year, we didn't see this scene even at the dock outside Jiujiang City, but now... tsk tsk, this is just a small town outside Jiujiang City. You can imagine how lively Jiujiang City is now." .
"It's certainly much more prosperous than this place." Li Muchian casually pointed to a few scholar-looking people in a tea shed on the street and said, "Because it's autumn, so it's not lively." Chang Yu suddenly realized.
Qiuwei is the township examination, which is held once every three years. Candidates from various prefectures and counties go to Fucheng to take the examination. Jiujiang is a Fucheng, and candidates from various prefectures and counties under its jurisdiction will come long in advance. After all, there is no traffic information these days. Conveniently, you have to start early to avoid missing the date, and the exam is not like the later generations who just handed in the paper and left. The exam is divided into three sessions, one session takes three days, and you have to enter the examination room one day in advance. Once you enter, you cannot come out, that is It was said that he would eat, drink, and defecate there for twelve days...
There are often hundreds or even thousands of candidates coming from various states and counties. They gather in one place, which is quite lively. However, candidates must take care of their own food and accommodation before entering the examination room. Those with money can enjoy the five-star presidential suite as they like. The rest can be found in a small inn, staying with relatives and friends, or staying in a temple. Anyway, the city's guest rooms are full at this stage, but even so, there are still many candidates who can't find a place to stay, so they will stay in nearby villages or towns outside the city. Find a cheap hotel to wait for the exam.
This town is only ten miles away from Jiujiang City, and the waterway transportation is very convenient. Many candidates stay here until the exam time before entering the city. So everywhere in this town, you can see some students dressed up, or reading alone under the trees. Books, or small groups in restaurants and teahouses giving advice.
"In the spring of next year, the capital will be so lively." Li Muchian said casually. In the spring of 2016, the imperial examination was held to take the Jinshi exam, and it was held every three years. The exam would be held in the second year after the provincial examination, and those who passed the exam could take the subject. The final section of the imperial examination is the highest. If you pass, you will be a Jinshi, and the first place will be the number one scholar.
"Are you going to try it next year?" Chang Yu was startled. He really didn't know. Li Muchian hummed: "No, next year we will have a champion." The vendors who happened to be resting next to him heard this and were very happy. Followed by hooting: "If you get the top prize in the exam, you can become the prince-in-law. That will be a huge wealth."
"Isn't that right?" Li Muxian echoed and asked casually: "Are you going to read fortune tellers?"
The hawker chuckled: "Look, but I don't have any money..." Before he finished speaking, Li Muchian pulled Chang Yu into a tea shed next to him. This tea shed was not small, with a pergola set up by the river and some strips. There are a few square tables and stools, and guests of all kinds sit around drinking tea to cool off and listen to books.
That's right, there was a storyteller inside who was talking with excitement and foaming at the mouth. The tea guests were also listening with gusto. Chang Yu and the two found a place and just sat down when the waiter picked up the teapot and tossed two bowls: "Cool." Yes, hot?".
"It's cold of course," Chang Yu said casually, and Li Muchian waved his hand: "Give me a bowl of hot tea for the poor Taoist."
"Good fellow, the Taoist master is really not afraid of the heat..." Chang Yu clicked his tongue, and Li Muchian sighed: "The poor Taoist has a weak spleen and is afraid of the cold..."
"I think you have kidney deficiency," Chang Yu said with a smile, and Li Muchian said seriously: "This is true. It's not just a boast. Seven times in one night, even those little girls can't stand it... cough cough cough."
Fuck... Chang Yu rolled his eyes and was about to scold him, but he saw two scholars sitting next to him. Thinking that swearing was an insult to gentlemen, he chatted with Li Muchian: "Master, do you really think like that hawker that you have won the first prize in the exam? Can you be the prince-consort?"
