Now there is a fourteenth floor?
Gu Zhengchen thought that it would have to wait until the late Hongwu period, but unexpectedly it had already been completed.
According to Hu Dashan, the fourteenth floor was built shortly after the founding of the People's Republic of China for the following purposes:
make money……
It needs to be made clear that the Fourteenth Floor opened by Lao Zhu is completely different from the base village of Bangzi. Lao Zhu held a large number of captives and criminals in his hands because of the initial settlement of the world, including many women, such as Le Ren of the Yuan Dynasty. , Yuan Dynasty officials, wives and daughters of soldiers who did not surrender, wives and daughters who were imprisoned as Jiaofangsi due to official crimes, and there were also beggar women who had nothing and were displaced.
Lao Zhu made rules for entertainment venues such as Jiaofangsi and the Fourteenth Floor. Civil and military officials, housekeepers, and students could invite prostitutes to entertain them during banquets, but they were not allowed to enter or leave the Fourteenth Floor.
To put it crudely, it means that you can order takeout but cannot go to the store.
Of course, officials need to remember that they are all pure and do not sell their bodies when performing arts. If you feel that it is not selling without spending money, then it is not their face that will be lost, but your own head.
As a friendly reminder, officials are not allowed to sit with them, and they may be beaten at worst, or punished by punishment at worst.
Of course, this was the rule in the early Hongwu period.
If you sneak around without being discovered, no one will beat you up.
Gu Zhengchen and Liang Jiajun are already officials, and they don't dare to go to Qingyan Tower at this time.
"You haven't been to the capital, why don't you even know about the fourteenth floor?"
Liang Jiajun was a little confused.
Gu Zhengchen smiled bitterly. It was true that he had been to the capital, but that Gu Zhengchen was here to take the exam, not to go shopping. Everyone on the way went to greet Lord Zhu Xi. How could he bother to ask about the capital, let alone enter Jinling City that day? It was in the middle of the night. When I woke up, I was already in the city. How could I know what was going on outside the city.
Standing outside the examination room as cold as a grandson, Lao Zhu stopped taking the imperial examination, lost interest in playing, and went home dejected. Apart from Gongyuan and the nearby inn, Gu Zhengchen knew nothing about the capital.
Since you are here, you naturally want to live in the city.
The group rented a boat again, and after being interrogated and questioned by the sergeant, entered the water gate.
A cold breath hit his face.
Gu Zhengchen raised his head and looked at the iron gate above the water gate. The thick chain was coiled high. Not far away, there is a thousand-jin gate on the wall above your head.
These designs are all for wartime safety.
Passing through the water gate, the sun is shining brightly and there is a lively atmosphere.
There are residential buildings along both sides of the Qinhuai River, and the streets are bustling with people coming and going.
Hu Dashan introduced: "This area is where the people and merchants in the city are most concentrated. The Red Paper Corridor, Yangshi Bridge, Jewelry Corridor, and Blacksmith Alley are all here. If you want to buy goods in the future, you can come here."
"Where is Brother Hu's Huimo shop located?"
Gu Zhengchen asked.
Hu Dashan chuckled and pointed to the north: "The south side of Guozixue is called Gu Yue Mo Pavilion. If you need anything in the future, you can come and find me in the store."
Gu Zhengchen readily agreed.
The joy brought by the excitement swept away the depression along the way.
Going south from Teng County, we stopped in many places and visited various cities, but only Jinling could be called prosperous.
Regardless of other factors, the overwhelming popularity, the constant movement of boats on the Qinhuai River, and the endless flow of people in the distance show that Jinling City has recovered from the ruins of the war.
After all, it is Lao Zhu's old territory and the center of Ming Dynasty, so it is normal for it to recover quickly.
Not far from Wuding Bridge, there is a row of inns. Three hundred steps east of the inns is Gongyuan.
Gu Zhengchen casually found a Baoyuan Inn. It was much cheaper than when he came to the capital last year to take the exam. At that time, it cost 260 cash per day without any bargaining, but now it only costs 130 cash.
It seems that the habit of robbing customers during special periods has been around for a long time and has been passed down continuously.
Seeing that the two of them were tired, Hu Dashan invited them to meet at the store another day and left.
Private room on the third floor of the inn.
Gu Zhengchen opened the window and saw the Qinhuai River a dozen steps away, with a panoramic view of the pedestrians on the street and the boats on the river.
The cost of living here is not low, but it is more comfortable and convenient.
Liang Jiajun knocked on the door and came in, holding a greeting card in his hand: "Zhengchen, my father has a few old friends in Beijing. One of them is an assistant professor of Guozi. Would you like to visit with me tomorrow?"
"is it suitable?"
Gu Zhengchen hesitated.
Liang Jiajun said confidently: "It's appropriate. My father will make you a year-end friend, and you and he will definitely be able to talk. That's it. I'll write a greeting note first."
Gu Zhengchen smiled helplessly and didn't have time to ask Guozi's assistant teacher's name.
"Let's go for a walk."
Gu Zhengchen was not tired.
After informing Xialiang Wujin, Gu Zhengchen led Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba out of the inn and blended into the hustle and bustle.
People pass each other by, they don’t know each other, but they all have their own direction and purpose.
Gu Zhengchen stood on the Huaiqing Bridge and looked not far away. There were teahouses and restaurants. Various tricks were swaying in the wind, and people were constantly coming in and out.
"Let's go to the restaurant to celebrate our arrival in Jinling."
After Gu Zhengchen finished speaking, smiles suddenly appeared on the faces of Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba.
Fuxiang Tower.
The layout is far from exquisite, but rather spacious and clean.
Most of the people who came were ordinary people from the market, some went away to buy wine, and some stood on the benches and shouted drinking orders, just to create a lively atmosphere.
Gu Zhengchen walked in, and the young waiter threw the long scarf from his wrist to his shoulder, walked forward with a smile on his face, and invited him to take a seat.
Ordered some dishes and two bottles of wine.
Cup full.
Gu Zhengchen raised his glass and looked at Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba, who had worked hard with him. He wanted to say a few words of gratitude, but due to their different status, he had to say: "Some of the words are all in the wine."
Drink it all in one gulp.
Gu Cheng and Sun Shiba understood, looked at each other and paid respect to Gu Zhengchen.
The lively tavern is always full of news.
The story of the salt disciples causing trouble in Huai'an Mansion had spread in the capital. When he heard that the emperor was angry and issued an order to severely investigate and punish the salt disciples, Gu Zhengchen lowered his head and just looked at the wine glass quietly, thinking about potential problems and possibilities.
There shouldn't be any clues left about this operation. The paper is ordinary and cannot be traced. The characters were distorted by Sun Shiba and could not be used as clues. Gengxiang is sold everywhere and is unmarked.
The source of gunpowder cannot be traced. After all, the ingredients of gunpowder are not produced by one family, one city, or one place.
Since Sun Shiba was not exposed during the operation, there will be no more flaws in this matter.
Zhao Yaer, you can rest in peace.
Evil people will pay the price, and that river will become safer because of you.
The news on the street is very mixed and interesting.
After hearing about the fact that a sergeant's wife gave birth to three sons, Lao Zhu rewarded her with twelve ounces of money.
A meteor fell from the sky, and I don’t know who died.
Two wheat ears appeared in Xuyi, which is an auspicious thing. I just said that this was God's favor and a sign of a good harvest. As a result, many places in the north suffered from locust plagues.
Just when Gu Zhengchen was listening a little listlessly, a voice suddenly came from behind his ear.
"I heard that Uncle Chengyi is back."
"Why did he come to Jinling if he wasn't recuperating in his hometown?"
"I don't know. Someone saw him returning to the mansion. I don't know what mistake he made and his salary was taken away."
"I guess it may have something to do with Zhongdu."
"how do I say this?"
"..."
"What, suppression?"
"Hush, be careful!"
"The craftsman won't be so bold, right? This is a curse, but it will cause your head to fall off."
"The labor is too heavy and the supervisors are too hasty. It's hard to count how many people have died, and we don't know how many more people will die. Who can care about others if they can't see tomorrow."
"If this explanation makes sense, Uncle Chengyi is proficient in the art of Qimen Kanyu after all. If he can understand it, a lot of people will probably die."
Talk about fading.
Gu Zhengchen frowned slightly and said to himself: "Liu Bowen came to Jinling?"
Coming back at this time is a bit fatal.
I guess it was caused by the famous Wang Qi of talking about foreign affairs.
But, Liu Bowen, you shouldn't come, and you shouldn't stay here forever.
Now Hu Weiyong has long been sharpening his sword, and Lao Zhu's attitude is not clear. Staying in Jinling seems to be a brilliant move. Tell Lao Zhu that you have no other thoughts. It is nonsense to talk about Wang Qi, but you are here in Jinling. It's like lying on a sticky board. When they get it right, they're likely to cut it and stay away. At least they need to put in more effort, because if they don't get it right, it might not kill you.
When leaving the restaurant, Gu Cheng packed some food and wine for Liang Jiajun and Liang Wujin.
at night.
Gu Zhengchen stood by the window, feeling the coolness of the August night.
On the Qinhuai River, there are more boats, coming quietly and entering the narrow waterway quietly.
The courtyard, which was originally shrouded in darkness, now has lights.
At this time, has Lao Zhu rested in the palace? What is he thinking?
Nowadays, the officials in the court are changing frequently, showing an indescribable impatience and giving people an incomprehensible uneasiness.
This is not like Lao Zhu's style. He should know the importance of official stability to the political situation. But this is indeed his order. He is adjusting the officials of the Six Departments. Hu Weiyong does not have this authority.
Is this a huge chess game, or is it a decision made due to paranoia?
Gu Zhengchen couldn't guess.
The next day.
Liang Jiajun and Gu Zhengchen left the inn. Liang Wujin brought some souvenirs and headed to the Fish Market Street in Zhongcheng to visit Liang Heng's old friend.
Yushi Street is still two streets away from Guozixue, and the rent is relatively cheap. Many officials from the capital rent their houses near Yushi Street. From here, heading east, you can reach the Imperial City in less than half an hour.
Living here is always much better for officials attending morning and evening dynasties than living outside the city.
"Brother Liang, it's almost time to reach the door. You should tell me who you are visiting, right?"
Gu Zhengchen straightened his clothes.
Liang Jiajun looked at the small house not far away and said seriously: "The person we want to visit has a surname of Ji and a surname of Ji."
"Kai, Kaiji?"
Gu Zhengchen's expression changed, and he was horrified.
Liang Jiajun coughed: "Don't call him by his first name! Uncle Kai was once the secretary of Chahan Timur. When Chahan Timur captured most of Shandong, he got acquainted with his father. Later, when the new dynasty was founded, Uncle Kai was awarded Henan Mansion Tutor, I have never lost correspondence with my father. It was May this year that he became the assistant teacher of Guozi. It is a coincidence that I can work with him."
Gu Zhengchen swallowed, his feet feeling a little heavy. Kaiji, this guy is a bit dangerous...
