The first ray of morning light shone on the earth, and a string of crisp, melodious, and highly penetrating hammering sounds echoed in Jiying Alley, accompanied by loud chanting.
"Mao hour has arrived, the morning light is faint, the day is clear, and there is haze by the river. It gets cold in the morning and evening, so you need to prepare jackets..."
Wei Chen rubbed his sleepy eyes, listened carefully to the singing outside the room, and couldn't help but shake his head and smile.
"There is no need to report to Yuan Rong at the fifth watch. A piece of iron will pass through the door by itself." Apparently it was midnight, and the tutuo in charge of this neighborhood came to provide wake-up service.
Toutuo announced the dawn. This technique originally originated in Bianjing, and later spread throughout the country. Wei Chen heard it several times in Jiangning, Yangzhou and other places, but never as sonorous as he heard in Jiying Lane. I think it’s because This is the authentic one in Bianjing.
As the sound of the dawn gradually faded away, the city of Bianjing, which had been silent all night, slowly became alive.
When Wei Chen packed up and walked out of the house, Zhuang Jun had already set up a rack and started breathing in the yard.
Seeing this, Wei Chen couldn't help but feel ashamed. The teacher was so old, but he got up earlier than a young man like himself, so he quickly joined in and started today's morning exercises.
By practicing the Qi Zhan Zhan Zhan Zhan Zhan, coupled with the routine practice of Yizhu Xiang, the master and the disciple finished their exercises at nearly the hour of the hour.
"Gugu~~"
Hearing the protest from Wei Chen's stomach, Zhuang Jun smiled, waved and said, "Let's go, I will take you to try the breakfast in Bianjing City."
After briefly freshening up, the master and apprentice went out. At this time, Bianjing City gradually woke up and became noisy. The sound of dough being rolled out in the street pancake shop was particularly clear, which made Wei Chen feel even hungrier.
On the street, vendors pushing carts and carrying burdens were walking through the alleys, shouting along the way. Zhuang Jun found a waiter carrying a burden of food, asked him the direction of his store, and took Wei Chen to find the place. It's a breakfast shop with a big word "food" on it.
This breakfast shop is located under the attic facing the street. The shop is not big, with only five tables. But looking at the food boxes that are carried out like running water, you can tell how popular this breakfast shop is with people in Bianjing.
Zhuang Jun took Wei Chen into the store and found an empty table to sit down.
Seeing a guest arriving, the waiter came over to greet him with a smile: "The guest looks strange, it seems like it's his first time here!"
Zhuang Jun said with a smile: "We, master and apprentice, just moved from Jiangning yesterday."
"Hey, I would like to congratulate you two on your new housewarming." The waiter smiled and clasped his fists, pointing to a row of bamboo signs hanging behind the counter: "Our shop is best at making cakes, and we also have all kinds of food and soups. Please take a look. What do you want to use?"
Master Wei Chen and his apprentice followed what the waiter pointed out, and saw that different foods were written under each brand, and the price of each item was clearly marked.
Sesame cakes, soup cakes, cooking cakes, ring cakes, sugar cakes, shortbread cakes... there are seven or eight kinds of cakes alone, as well as steamed buns, flat food, wontons and so on.
Wei Chen has lived in Dazhou for two years, so he naturally knows that the so-called cakes in Dazhou are actually the general name for noodles. For example, soup cakes are noodle soup, and cooking cakes were originally called steamed cakes, which are steamed buns. In order to avoid being taboo today, It was then renamed Chubing, and the steamed buns that Dazhou referred to were actually steamed buns with fillings...
Zhuang Jun ordered two bowls of soup cakes and a basket of steamed buns. Considering Wei Chen's appetite, he ordered five more steamed buns.
Every time Wei Chen finished his work, he was like a starving ghost reincarnated. In the blink of an eye, he swept away all the food on the table with the force of wind and clouds.
"Eat slowly, don't choke."
Zhuang Jun smiled heartily and quickly ordered another basket of steamed buns, which would fill Wei Chen's stomach.
"Thanks for your kindness, twenty-two cents. It's the first time that a guest has come here. The shopkeeper said, I'll give you twenty-two cents." The waiter spread out a palm, still smiling.
Zhuang Jun, who was picking his teeth, waved his hand, indicating that he had no money, and asked the waiter to find Wei Chen.
The waiter turned around and felt a little uneasy when he saw the young-looking Wei Chen.
Seeing Wei Chen readily take out twenty copper coins from his waist, the waiter breathed a sigh of relief and smiled again: "Thank you for your care, sir. See you later."
On the way back, the sun was rising and the streets were much livelier.
Pedestrians under the Huanmen crowded in an endless stream. There were businessmen from the Western Regions holding camels, romantic scholars waving folding fans, hawkers hawking along the street, family members riding sedans, traveling monks carrying baskets, and people hanging around. Idle people in the streets listening to Pingqu...
Men, women, old and young, scholars, farmers, industry and commerce, all three religions and nine streams, all gathered on the streets of Bianjing City. Wei Chen couldn't help but look at this prosperous scene of the peaceful and prosperous era.
"This is the style of the best city in the world!"
After breakfast, Wei Chen and Zhuang Jun did not go directly to Sheng's house, but returned to their own courtyard.
They had come all the way, so they should rest for a while and adapt to the soil and climate of Bianjing first. This was not to show off, but a necessary move in line with Zhuang Jun's identity.
Sheng Hong had been in the officialdom for many years, so he naturally understood the truth. Apart from sending people to his door every day to deliver gifts and greetings, he never said a word urging Zhuang Jun to give lectures at the Sheng family.
As for Wei Chen, he and the two Sheng brothers have been wandering around Bianjing in the past few days, but there is no local person to take them with them, so it always feels a little less interesting.
"It would be great if Zhong Huai was here." Wei Chen thought of his friend Gu Tingye and couldn't help but sigh.
While they were attending the annual examination in Jiangning, Gu Tingye took care of the property left by Mr. Bai and returned to Bianjing on his own.
But in April, Gu Tingye had a quarrel with his family and ran away from home in anger. He went to Bailudong Academy in Jiangxi to study alone, and happened to pass by Wei Chen and his entourage who were visiting Beijing.
Otherwise, if a few people can get together in Bianjing, Gu Tingye, a famous stubborn man in Bianjing, will definitely be the best tour guide.
Half a month after arriving in Bianjing, Zhuang Jun, who had taken good care of his health, finally decided to officially start classes, and Wei Chen also ended his leisurely wandering life.
Early in the morning, after morning exercises and breakfast, Zhuang Jun mounted his donkey, Wei Chen led him in front, and the master and apprentice went straight towards the Sheng Mansion deep in Jiying Lane.
The door of Sheng Mansion was opened, and Sheng Hong led his two sons to wait outside the door. When he saw Zhuang Jun arriving, Sheng Hong asked his sons to pay homage to Zhuang Jun.
After the ceremony, when Sheng Hong saw Zhuang Jun nodding, he happily led Zhuang Jun towards the private school that had already been packed up.
Ever since Sheng Changfeng turned around and passed the county examination under Wei Chen's supervision, Sheng Hong became more and more confident in Zhuang Jun's teaching ability - every disciple in his sect is so good, let alone Zhuang Jun himself?
Naturally, such good teaching resources cannot be wasted, so Sheng Hong respectfully discussed with Zhuang Jun in advance. In addition to Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng, all the girls in the Sheng family can come and observe, except of course the youngest Lao Qi.
On the way to the private school, Sheng Changbai walked silently to Wei Chen and whispered: "Xingyun, in addition to my younger sisters, today the young prince from Qi Guogong's family will also come to listen."
Wei Chen asked almost subconsciously: "Young Master, are you Qi Heng and Qi Yuanruo?"
Sheng Changbai was slightly startled: "Why, Xingyun has also heard of this young master?"
"I've heard a little bit, I've heard a little bit." Wei Chen laughed, already feeling a strong interest in his heart.
I want to see how handsome this man in Bianjing, who has fascinated the daughters of the Sheng family, is!
