Early the next morning, Fang Yizhi continued on his way with He An and Fan Dazhi. Fang Yizhi said that Yique County is still sixty or seventy miles away from Luoyang City, Kyoto. He can reach it in the evening by crossing Longmen Mountain. I think that at this time, Luoyang City in Kyoto should be already crowded with people. The test for the entry-level disciples of Zhixingyuan is about to begin, and there must be a gathering of talents from all over the world.
Fang Yizhi hired another mule cart and drove the two of them up Longmen Mountain along the mountain road. Longmen Mountain is located in the southern suburbs of Luoyang, Kyoto, and is a natural gateway to defend the imperial capital. Due to the confrontation between Xiangshan Mountain and Longmen Mountain in the east, and the Yishui River cutting into the middle of the valley, the cliffs on both sides of the valley stand like natural gates.
The mountain is not steep, there are people walking in the mountain all year round, and the mountain road is wide enough to drive. Fang Yizhi sat at the shaft of the carriage holding a whip, while He An and Fan Dazhi sat behind. They looked at the lush green cypress forests on the two mountains of Longmen, the clear water in Yi, with countless fish swimming in them, and the green willows on the banks. Countless springs flow in and out of the stone crevices at the foot of the mountain. They are a wonder to behold. The mountains and rivers are truly magnificent and the scenery is superb.
A great poet from the previous dynasty once said: "In the suburbs of Luodu, the most beautiful landscape is Longmen!" The beauty of mountains in the world comes in various types and styles. The beauty of Longmen's mountains is like a landscape painting. , a series of blue waves, full of sound and color.
As the saying goes: "The Yishui water shakes the mirror, and the fine scales are as clear as the distance. Thousands of niches and roads are close to the ancient times, and a bird is white on the sand!" He An and Fan Dazhi were so relaxed and happy when they saw it. They didn't expect that they would see such beautiful scenery along the way before they arrived in the imperial capital!
The three of them walked down Longmen Mountain. The sun had already set to the west. Looking far into the distance, the majestic city at the foot of the mountain was already vaguely visible.
Fang Yizhi drove the mule cart into the official road and gradually merged into the flow of people coming and going. As the sun set, the three of them crossed Dingding Bridge and finally arrived at Luoyang City.
He An and Fan Dazhi grew up in the village. They just saw the prosperity of Yique County yesterday, and they were even more shocked when they saw the Dingding Gate in Luoyang City, Kyoto today.
The majestic city gate towers into the clouds, and the gate tower, tower, tower and the corridors between them are connected into a huge "gate"-shaped building complex, which is magnificent in scale and momentum.
Two teams of soldiers holding halberds and armor stood under the city gate. There were also a few soldiers at the door checking people entering and leaving the city, and were responsible for checking road guides, customs clearance documents, etc.
Entering the city, the roads inside are wide, there are many shops on the streets, and there are many pedestrians. There are Persians leading camels, blond and blue-eyed Pulu people, bearded turtles selling sesame cakes, big cannibals wearing turbans and robes, and burly and sturdy Uighurs. , all kinds of people come together, naturally and full of harmony, one can't help but feel that this is really a great city. This is a powerful country. The country is peaceful and the people are peaceful and prosperous. The Chen Empire has attracted congratulations from all directions.
The mule cart was squeezed into the crowd and moved forward step by step. Fang Yizhifeng told He An and Fan Dazhi calmly that there were not many people here, but it was really lively when they arrived at Zhixingyuan. At this time of year, students who dream of studying in Zhixingyuan will come from all over the country. Zhixingyuan is often surrounded by water, and the scenery is spectacular.
The mule cart squeezed through the crowd with difficulty, drove through Zhuque Street, and finally arrived at Zhixingyuan.
Fang Yizhi jumped off the mule cart and looked around in confusion. He saw only a dozen people at the entrance of Zhixingyuan. There were more teachers in charge of registration than students taking the test.
In previous years, when Zhixingyuan was recruiting disciples, the surrounding inns were full every day, and the entrance was so crowded that multiple training teachers were needed to maintain order. Even the residents of nearby Chongwenfang, all young and old, came together to set up a remote place surrounded by a two-foot curtain with a pail in the middle to solve the problem of candidates having difficulty getting into the latrines. No matter how big or small you go in, you only get a copper. It is said that some people make a lot of money, which has become a joke among the people.
This year, there are so few people around. Is there something wrong?
Fang Yizhi asked the receptionist to greet He An and Fan Dazhi to register and arrange their accommodation, and hurriedly went to find Wei Zhilin, the head of the liberal arts college.
There is an antique-colored courtyard in Zhixing Courtyard, with a few bleak autumn bamboos under the south wall, two lush green pines beside the west wall, a dozen pots of budding autumn chrysanthemums under the northern eaves, and a tree full of red dates in the center of the yard. receive.
Wei Zhilin was sitting in the Panasonic. He was about forty or fifty years old, wearing a Xiaoyao scarf, with silk eyebrows and phoenix eyes, and three long beards. He had good appearance, wore loose Confucian clothes, and looked graceful in his movements.
Tea was brewed on the stone table, and Wei Zhilin signaled Fang Yizhi to help himself to the tea. He looked at this disciple and saw that Fang Yizhi had a lot of talent. Although he was not the best, he was calm-minded, unfazed in times of crisis, did not seek power, was gentle to others, and had a gentleman's attitude. This was what he had learned from thousands of people. The reason for being accepted as a disciple.
Wei Zhilin told Fang Yizhi about the situation while drinking tea. Just over a month ago, the old lady of the Cui family in Fanyang County proposed the construction of Longmen Academy. The Cui family will be responsible for all the expenses of the academy. The emperor has approved it and inscribed it himself.
Grandpa Cui raised another 800,000 dans of grain and fodder, all of which were donated to the court. Emperor Longyan was delighted and passed an edict to commend the Cui family of Fanyang County. It was also said that all disciples of Longmen Academy who join the officialdom or the army in the future will be treated the same as disciples of Zhixing Academy.
The Cui family has now gathered many outstanding children of the family, and at the same time, it has spread the word to the world, attracting a large number of young talents to apply for Longmen Academy, so Zhixing Academy is not as noisy as in previous years.
Fang Yizhi was so wise. After listening to the teacher's explanation, he took a sip of tea and said, "This series of operations of the Cui family in Fanyang County has obviously been carefully planned for a long time. For a wealthy gentry to interfere in state affairs, there is obviously someone behind it. Your Majesty, this is... ...Are you going to attack our Zhixingyuan?"
Wei Zhilin nodded and said: "Ten years ago, the late emperor died suddenly, Xiliang invaded, Dongyang founded the country, and the eldest prince was unfortunately assassinated. Under internal and external worries, the dean supported the second prince to succeed him. Although the dean ignored the government affairs, the two After all, the prince is young and has to consult the dean on many things. Ten years later... the second prince is the emperor after all. Half of the current important officials in the court are meritorious elders who followed the late emperor and achieved great achievements, and some are disciples of Zhixingyuan. They all respect Mr. Dean. The emperor wants to win over the Cui family of Fanyang County to cultivate his own power."
He paused and then said seriously: "Yi Zhi, remember, no matter how the court changes, we know that the academy must abide by its original intention. Mr. Dean once said that a gentleman's study is only to seek truth. The two principles of seeking truth Words are worth chewing. He who plants a tree must cultivate its roots, and he who plants virtue must cultivate his heart!"
Fang Yizhi suddenly paused, cupped his fists and said, "Disciple, please remember the teacher's teachings!"
After bidding farewell to the teacher, Fang Yizhi went to Zhixing Yuan to arrange an inn for the candidates, and told He An and Fan Dazhi to live here with peace of mind. The test for the entry-level disciples of Zhixing Yuan was about to begin. Students should review their homework every day and officially become disciples of Zhixing Yuan in the future. You will see another world.
Although He An, like Fan Dazhi, didn't quite understand what Fang Yizhi meant by another world, after Fang Yizhi left, he still took out a few volumes and started studying.
Fan Dazhi sat on the couch. One moment he was like an old monk in trance, the next moment he turned somersaults on the couch, and the next moment he imitated a cat meowing at the top of his voice. Seeing that He An was not moved at all, he lazily said: "Xiao An Yeah, stop watching it. You've watched it ten times. Don't you know it all? The Emperor of Kyoto, the world of flowers... that... the full moon, you haven't thought about it... let's go together... do something thing?"
He An rolled his eyes at him and said calmly: "Before he left, my uncle made some more annotations on the "Five Classics of Justice", "Eclectic Theory of the Spring and Autumn Period", and "New Evidence of the Mandarin Language". I will try to figure it out again! Don't bother me! "
Fan Dazhi was quiet for a while, then picked up a book, read it for a moment, then put it down and said, "Xiao An, are you hungry?"
Seeing that He An ignored him, he stretched out boredly, rolled over and over on the couch and said: "Heaven is going to give this man a great responsibility, and he must first work hard on his will, work his muscles and bones, and starve his body and skin... Hmm ?Xiao An, what sound do you hear?"
He An listened to what he said solemnly and couldn't help but listen carefully. A melodious and narrow voice sounded, but it was this guy who farted with a soul-stirring sound.
"Get out!" He An covered his nose and scolded with a smile.
Fan Dazhi came over and pulled He An with a playful smile. He shook his head and imitated Fang Yizhi's tone and said: "Relax and relax, this is the way of civility and martial arts. Let's go... let's go out for a walk! Come on, I'm already hungry. He was cooing." He An had no choice but to go out with him.
The Chen Empire has established its capital in Luoyang for more than ten years. During these ten years, there has been no war with foreign countries. The courtiers are honest, the weather is smooth, and the prosperity is unprecedented.
He An and Fan Dazhi walked along Zhuque Street and all the way to Dingding Street. They saw pavilions and pavilions, bright lights, bustling pedestrians on the street, and an endless stream of carved cars and horses. It was indeed a prosperous imperial capital and the world was rich.
The two of them walked to a Red Mansion Guild Hall and saw huge red lanterns on both sides of the gatehouse, illuminating the eaves with splendor. When they looked up, they saw a large plaque on red gold and green ground. On the plaque were written the three characters of Douda: "Hibiscus." Pavilion".
Many people in luxurious clothes were coming and going. When the two of them took a closer look, they found that it was a huge place with corridors on both sides and a hallway in the middle. There was also a large red sandalwood screen on the ground. Turning around the screen, there was a three-story small building.
There are carved beams and painted pillars everywhere, verandahs running through the mountain, the side rooms are beautifully lit, and various parrots, thrushes and other birds hang under the verandahs. On Taiji, there are many pretty women in red and green clothes.
Trees, rockeries and flowing water can be seen everywhere in the courtyard, with unique and beautiful shapes. Upstairs, there are still many beautiful women welcoming and sending off, and the fragrance is blowing on your face.
He An and Fan Dazhi secretly smacked their lips when they saw it. They didn't expect that the restaurants in the imperial capital would be so magnificent.
When the two of them came here, they couldn't help but feel hungry. Fan Dazhi secretly squeezed the silver in his pocket and said proudly to He An: "Xiao An, this is your first time in such a high-end place. Don't show your timidity. I have a lot of money today." I’ll treat you to a nice meal, and I’ve brought a full two taels of silver with me!”
He An smiled and said: "It sounds like you come here often. This place is indeed beautiful, and the food is definitely not cheap. We don't have much money. Although there is no charge for study and accommodation in Zhixingyuan, we usually have a lot of trivial expenses for meals. Well, you save some money and buy something for your father when you go back in the future. Come on, let's find another house."
Fan Dazhi chuckled and said: "My dad is worried about whether I have enough to eat outside..." Before he could finish his words, a slender white palm rested on his shoulder. Fan Dazhi turned around and saw a thrush on his sideburns, The woman in green with a thick face of makeup hugged her affectionately and said, "Sir, are you here to beg for food?"
She spoke with a curled tongue and her pronunciation was not very standard. He An frowned when she heard it. Fan Dazhi was at a loss as she approached her.
The woman asked Fan Dazhi again: "Is the young master interested in rice?"
Fan Dazhi was stunned and whispered to He An: "How does she know that my surname is Fan?"
He An couldn't laugh or cry, and was about to answer when another woman in red came next to her. The woman saw Fan Dazhi wearing a turban and a long gown, and guessed that he must be a student from other places who came to Beijing to take the test.
She gathered around him affectionately, and after looking at him from top to bottom, she said, "The two young masters must have just arrived in the capital. Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, this lord is well versed in poetry and books, and has great ambitions!"
"Alas!" Fan Dazhi agreed casually, and then asked He An in a confused voice: "She actually knows my name? How did she know that my name is Dazhi?"
The woman in red said enthusiastically: "You two gentlemen, are you here to drink or listen to music? Our sisters can stay with you in the private room on the first floor. If you want to go up to the second floor..."
Fan Dazhi looked at the accumulation of makeup on her face, the freckles on her cheekbones were still visible, and there was a faint smell of strong perfume as she spoke from her thick lips, and he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.
He An looked at the two women and looked at them. The place looked like a restaurant, but it was weird. He couldn't tell what was wrong. He immediately grabbed Fan Dazhi, broke away from the two women, and they ran away through the door.
