A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 247 Poverty Buried Underneath Prosperity
From the very beginning, Zhao Zhen was overjoyed to learn that Song Xuan had become the top scholar in the imperial examination, and worried that he would not be able to take charge of the government in time.

And now, Song Xuan has finally arrived in Tokyo and is excited to participate in the provincial examination.

He listened expressionlessly as Song Xuan stood at the entrance of Fanlou, observing for a long time.

Zhao Zhen understood that Song Xuan was recalling the time when they went to Fanlou for a big meal together when they were young, and he couldn't help but feel happy.

For Song Xuan, Zhao Zhen felt that the provincial examination was not a big problem.

The only thing to worry about is whether my twelfth brother can pass the imperial examination with top honors.

Zhao Zhen is increasingly looking forward to meeting Song Xuan during the palace examination, which will surely give him a big surprise.

"Alright, I understand. You may leave."

Gao Zunfu quickly withdrew.

He felt that the stall in front of the Twelve Bookstores could only last for another six months at most.

After Song Xuan returns to his hometown, he will remain in this position for a period of time to avoid arousing suspicion.

"I wonder if Twelfth Brother will recognize me?"

To avoid being discovered, Emperor Zhao Zhen did not allow the Imperial City Guard to draw a portrait of Song Xuan.

I've only heard them describe Song Xuan's appearance.

In addition, Song Xuan's physique would undoubtedly make him stand out among the students.

Zhao Zhen was completely unaware that he had automatically added a filter, influenced by his own mind, to his imagined Song Xuan.

……

"roll."

A student was roughly pushed out by a waiter:

“无人作保，就想赊账拿药，想的美。”

"Get out of here! Do you really think that just anyone can come and swindle us just because our pharmacy is a trial branch for charity?"

There are relatively few people watching the commotion.

It's not that this kind of thing is commonplace, but people who make a living in Tokyo find it hard to stop and watch the spectacle.

Aside from those busybodies who aren't doing it for a living or are simply scoundrels.

Hu Yuan collapsed to the ground, her face deathly pale.

For a moment, I didn't know how to deal with myself.

More than anything, I felt a deep sadness.

His ancestors were prominent for generations.

There were even two empresses and an empress dowager, as well as many high-ranking officials, generals, and governors.

But by his father's generation, when his father was only a military governor.

Because the salary was too small, the family was so poor that they could not support themselves.

Hu Yuan was intelligent and studious from a young age. She was good at writing at the age of seven and mastered the Five Classics at the age of thirteen. However, due to her family's poverty, she did not receive a good education and could only travel around to study.

Regardless of how difficult his studies were, he had already taken the provincial examination once in the second year of the Tiansheng era, but failed.

To save on travel expenses, he worked and studied in Tokyo, but unfortunately, he couldn't save any money.

Now that her friend Ruan Yi is ill, Hu Yuan doesn't have enough money to buy medicine.

He sat there motionless, completely disregarding any semblance of decorum.

As for Tokyo City, I've seen far too many students in such a sorry state.

Everyone wants to leap over the dragon gate like a carp.

But before you cross that line, how can anyone know if it's a real dragon or a fake one?

"Hey, what's wrong with you?"

The two spoke in unison, then looked at the person opposite them.

Hu Yuan raised her head and looked at the people standing on either side of her; they were blocking out the sunlight.

张源打量了一下对面的人，穿着锦衣，还牵着一匹高头大马，身边跟着看上去就不好惹的随从。

Song Xuan sized up the two people opposite him:

"Seeing injustice on the road?"

"To lend a helping hand."

Zhang Yuan chuckled, then cupped his hands and said:
"My name is Zhang Yuan, courtesy name Leifu. I am from Huayin County, Huazhou, Yongxing Army Road. I have come to participate in the provincial examination. This is my good friend and fellow townsman, Hu Hao."

Song Xuan also cupped his hands and said:
"My name is Song Xuan, and I am not yet of age. I am from Lema Town, Ningling County, Yingtian Prefecture. I have come here to participate in the provincial examination. These are my good brothers."

"Nice to meet you."

Zhang Yuan never expected that these burly men were Song Xuan's brothers.

That's really surprising.

After exchanging greetings, the two pulled Hu Yuan up and asked her what had happened.

“My good friend Ruan Yi, whom I met in Tokyo, is sick. I didn’t have any extra money, so I wanted to buy medicine for him on credit, which is why I was kicked out.”

Hu Yuan was a little embarrassed after she finished speaking.

毕竟这种事是他想要先赊账。

It's not the shop owner's fault at all.

There are too many people in Tokyo, and a lot of medicine is needed. Where are there so many kind-hearted people?
Numbness is the true reflection of most people's reality.

"No problem at all. Whatever medicine you want to buy, I'll take care of it."

Zhang Yuan immediately patted his chest, indicating that it was nothing.

Buying a few doses of medicine wouldn't cost much even in Tokyo!
Song Xuan didn't say much, but gestured for Tao Hong to go and buy medicine as well, mainly for the horses.

After they came out, Hu Yuan quickly thanked Zhang Yuan and told him about her hometown, how she hadn't been home for many years and how she was studying in Mount Tai.

Although Zhang Yuan was generous, he didn't expect that pharmacies in Tokyo were damn expensive.

Song Xuan reached out and gestured for Wang Bao to take out the meat pie from Granny Cao's arms:
"Take this meat pie back and eat it. I see you're trembling all over; you must be hungry because you haven't eaten anything."

Hu Yuan looked at the oil-soaked paper and smelled the fragrance in her nostrils.

He swallowed hard and shook his head with difficulty to say thank you.

Do you know Sun Fu or Shi Jie?

Upon hearing Song Xuan's question, Hu Yuan's eyes immediately lit up:
“I recognize you. We both studied at the Taishan Zhenguan. After failing the imperial examination in the second year of the Tiansheng era, Sun Fu traveled with his elderly mother. I stayed in Tokyo and heard that Shi Jie was admitted to Yingtian Academy.”

“Sun Fu also wrote to me, inviting me to study at Yingtian Academy, but because of the travel expenses, I was only thinking about taking the provincial examination in Tokyo, so I did not accept the invitation.”

Song Xuan nodded, confirming that what Hu Yuan said was true:

Both of them stayed at my house.

Hu Yuan looked Song Xuan up and down again, then said, "You are Song Twelve!"

"Ok?"

“Sun Fu mentioned you in his letter, but because of water stains, the character ‘Xuan’ in your name is blurred. I only know one name: Song Twelve.”

Hu Yuan was delighted to hear that Song Xuan was also from Yingtian Academy and eagerly inquired about the recent situation of her two classmates.

He was overjoyed when he learned that Shi Jie would soon be coming to Tokyo to participate in the provincial examination.

Song Xuan handed the meat pie to Hu Yuan so he could have something to eat first, since they were friends.

Hu Yuan no longer insisted on refusing this kindness; as long as it was someone she knew, it would be fine.

There will be other opportunities to repay you in the future.

Zhang Yuan continued to scrutinize Song Xuan; he had indeed heard of that name before.

I heard about it when I passed through Luoyang.

"Famous throughout the three capitals!"

Zhang Yuan chuckled to himself again.

It seems that Song Xuan's reputation in Tokyo is not very high.

That makes sense, Tokyo is just too big.

There are just too many people!
"Has your friend seen a doctor?"

"No, it's just being treated as a cold."

Song Xuan was stunned for a moment. He didn't even see a doctor, and he made his own remedy?

"Since I have nothing to do and you're a friend of a friend, and I happen to know some medical skills, I'll take a look at your friend."

Hu Yuan was overjoyed and quickly led Song Xuan away.

"let's go?"

Hu Hao felt that helping out casually was no big deal.

"I met a new friend today, so I'll go check him out since I have nothing else to do anyway."

Zhang Yuan felt that passing the imperial examination in the capital this time would be no challenge at all.

Besides, Song Xuan is here too; making more friends would be a great thing.

Hu Hao mainly listened to Zhang Yuan, so he agreed.

The group followed Hu Yuan, walking through increasingly bustling streets until they entered a smelly alley and arrived at a secluded house.

The two of them squeezed onto a wooden bed, and the temperature inside the room was no different from that outside.

"Tokyo is big, and it's not easy to live there."

Hu Yuan was already used to it.

Poverty has always surrounded him since childhood.

Zhang Yuan and Hu Hao exchanged a glance; they felt that Hu Yuan must be in a pretty bad situation.

However, the environment at the scene was truly eye-opening.

There are even more unfortunate students out there!

You can't imagine how miserable students at the bottom of society are until you see it with your own eyes!

Song Xuan didn't say much.

He simply sat on a makeshift, broken stool and took Ruan Yi's pulse as he lay on the wooden plank.

Ruan Yi opened his eyes, not expecting that a young man dressed in brocade robes would take his pulse and examine him.

Hu Yuan quickly introduced these classmates who had specially lent a helping hand.

"Thank you."

Ruan Yi quickly thanked him, then coughed again.

Song Xuan stood up and walked outside, followed by the others.

Hu Yuan quickly asked, "Is it serious?"

“If he continues to live like this, his illness will not get better, and it will eventually develop into lung disease, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that he will die.”

Hu Yuan looked surprised after hearing Song Xuan's words.

Renting an apartment in Tokyo is extremely expensive, especially as the spring exams approach, prices have already risen significantly.

Most importantly, they couldn't afford charcoal, but burning firewood was also quite expensive.

Although there are many trees outside Tokyo, it is a military restricted area. They were planted to prevent the Liao cavalry from advancing south, and no one is allowed to cut them down.

Most importantly, once the door is opened, who knows if you're going to cut down trees or just collect branches?

Just to be on the safe side, we'll cut it off completely.

Besides, no matter how many trees are planted outside the city, it won't be enough for a million people to keep warm, cook, and make meals.

Some people do burn coal, but that can easily lead to poisoning and death.

He really didn't expect his friend to be so seriously ill!
"What should I do?"

“That’s easy. Take him to stay with me first.”

Zhang Yuan also spoke up: "Shierlang must be new to Tokyo, and probably hasn't found a place to live yet."

"In at most another half month, the weather won't be so cold anymore, and Ruan Yi's illness will be cured by then!"

Hu Yuan was overjoyed.

I never imagined that Zhang Yuan would have such a chivalrous heart.

They not only bought medicine, but also provided them with warm accommodations.

Hu Yuan, however, seemed indifferent to her situation:

“Then I will thank Brother Zhang on behalf of Ruan Yi. You can take him there. I’m fine sleeping here alone. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to stretch my legs at night.”

The two of them were covered with a thin blanket, but they were actually relying on each other for warmth.

It's really hard to endure the cold alone!

However, neither Hu Yuan nor Ruan Yi felt bitter. As long as they could pass the imperial examination, everything would change.

Just hang in there a little longer, and you'll get through this period.

"I won't take care of him."

Zhang Yuan didn't force Hu Yuan to go either, but simply said:

"I still need to review my lessons to prepare for the provincial exam."

Song Xuan glanced at Zhang Yuan.

Actually, he felt the name was very familiar, but when he asked earlier, it wasn't "Li Yuanhao's" Yuan.

Li Yuanhao has not yet changed his name, nor has he been sent to attack the Ganzhou Uyghurs and achieved great success, thus being established as the crown prince.

"Brother Hu, please take care of Ruan Yi again."

Song Xuan also mentioned that although Cao Yong had rented a house for himself a long time ago, it was inconvenient for Song Xuan to bring anyone else since he already had so many people with him.

Hu Yuan sighed inwardly; he understood the meaning behind Zhang Yuan's words.

I've received a lot of disdain from others in Tokyo over the past few years, and it's the same back home.

After all, being poor really makes people look down on you, especially if your ancestors were wealthy and the breadwinner of your family was an official.

However, the salaries of low-ranking officials in the Song Dynasty were really not high, making it quite difficult to support a family.

In this day and age, it's no longer about small families of three.

If another person takes time off to study, it will be even more costly.

Actually, there wasn't much else in the dilapidated house, but Hu Yuan still tidied up the pots, pans, and thin blankets, and the group worked together to stuff Ruan Yi into the donkey cart.

The group followed Hu Hao to their residence.

Hu Yuan sat outside the donkey cart, biting into a meat pie from Granny Cao's house.

He had been craving this flavor for a long time, but unfortunately, he lacked the financial means to buy it, even after living in Tokyo for so long.

Even if she didn't eat it while it was hot, Hu Yuan still thought that the most delicious thing in the world was Grandma Cao's meat pie.

He didn't know how long it had been since he had sung about the taste of meat.

Meanwhile, Ruan Yi, inside the donkey cart, was also eating meat pies heartily.

Zhang Yuan was extremely curious about Song Xuan, so he asked Hu Hao to lead the way so he could have a chat with Song Xuan.

"I truly admire Twelve's public-spiritedness and sense of justice."

"Hey, everyone says I'm a spendthrift, that I spend all my money."

"Hahaha."

Zhang Yuan burst into laughter, feeling quite satisfied that Song Xuan showed no trace of arrogance.

This person is just so compatible with me!

"Why should Twelve Lang lower himself to the level of those vulgar people? We scholars should have the same awareness as Li Bai, who could return even after spending a fortune."

"Indeed, after passing the imperial examination and becoming an official, one can live off the salary without worrying about food and drink, and also realize one's ambitions. Isn't that wonderful?"

Song Xuan chatted idly along the way.

Listening to Zhang Yuan describe the majestic Huashan Mountains, the area where Qin, Jin, and Yu provinces meet, stretching from Tongguan in the east to the Qinling Mountains in the south and the Wei River in the north, and how it is easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, the founding emperor of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Zhen, a renowned incorruptible official from Guanzhong, and Yang Jiong, one of the "Four Great Talents of the Early Tang Dynasty," were all from Huayin.

Zhang Yuan also dreamed of serving the Song Dynasty in the future and making his hometown proud of his name.

In short, he achieved good results in the Huazhou examination and is full of confidence for this provincial examination.

Song Xuan nodded repeatedly; this was the first time he had ever heard of the idea of ​​making his hometown proud of him.

Because many people want their family to be proud of them.

In particular, Song Xuan was not very interested in the "fellow villagers" group.

But it was different in the Song Dynasty!

It was extremely common for officials in the imperial court to look after each other from their hometowns.

We haven't reached the point where, in later generations, people going overseas would prey on each other!

"Xiangdang" is a term used in Shaanxi to refer to fellow villagers.

From Liu Bang's hometown of Fengpei to Liu Xiu's hometown of Nanyang and Yingchuan, the Three Kingdoms period was a gathering place for hometown cliques.

Even within the reformist faction led by Wang Anshi and the conservative faction led by Sima Guang, there was a so-called "Shu-Luo-Shu factional struggle."

An even more radical approach was to promote officials based solely on their place of origin, without considering their abilities.

China has been a close-knit society since ancient times, with everyone involved in various social relationships. Among these, the kinship ties based on geographical proximity have become one of the most solid types of social relationships.

When they entered the place rented by Zhang Yuan and the others, they found that the two of them also had two large rooms, with his fellow villagers living in the side rooms on both sides.

Zhang Yuan asked Hu Hao to move in with him, and gave the room to Hu Yuan and Hu Hao for the time being.

After everyone had been busy for a while, they finally sat down to talk.

"I truly admire Shierlang's poetry."

Zhang Yuan poured tea for Song Xuan and the others: "With the imperial court's reform of the imperial examinations this time, I'm afraid Twelfth Brother's poetry and prose will not be able to demonstrate his true abilities."

"Poetry is a minor art; what use is it for governing a country?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuan poured Song Xuan's teacup until it overflowed.

He truly hadn't expected that Song Xuan, who was about to become a great master of poetry in the entire Song Dynasty, would actually think that poetry and prose were of no use in governing the country!
"Excuse me." Zhang Yuan quickly put down the teapot and asked somewhat uncertainly, "Does Twelve Lang think that poetry and prose are of no use in governing the country?"

Instead of asking, Song Xuan replied, "I wonder what Brother Zhang thinks of Li Bai's poems?"

"That is undoubtedly the best in China!"

"And what about his political talent?"

Zhang Yuan paused, because he felt that Li Bai's political abilities were not very strong.

Both Du Fu and Gao Shi were capable of being officials, with Gao Shi even rising from a minor official to a military governor, far surpassing Li Bai.

"Li Bai's political ambitions, like the talk of Shen Guan and Yan Ying, and his strategies for becoming emperor (as stated in 'Reply to Prefect Meng's Letter on Behalf of Shoushan), are too abstract and resemble the fantasies of strategists in the Warring States period, which are out of touch with the mature bureaucratic system of the Tang Dynasty."

Emperor Xuanzong summoned him to the Hanlin Academy merely as a literary attendant, yet he compared himself to Xie An, saying, "If only I had Xie An of Dongshan, I could quell the barbarian hordes with a few words," overestimating his own importance.

Song Xuan first lowered his head and took a sip of tea before speaking:
"In my opinion, although Li Bai's poems and prose are excellent, he lacks the ability to govern the world, and his political views are even more naive."

"On the other hand, what benefit can poetry and prose bring to governing a country?"

Song Xuan chuckled and said, "The reform of the imperial examination system is a good thing, so that there will be no more of those pointless, sentimental poems and essays in the Xikun style, which will only make future generations laugh at us."

Zhang Yuan, Hu Yuan, Hu Hao, and even Ruan Yi, who was lying in the room, were all stunned by Song Xuan's remarks.

After all, Song Xuan's poems are still quite popular among students.

Isn't he deliberately digging up his own roots?

"Shierlang's insights have truly broadened my horizons."

Zhang Yuan was the first to come to his senses. As far as Song Xuan's level was concerned, many people would find it difficult to reach.

"If we truly want to do practical things for the people and the Song Dynasty after we become officials, where will we find so much time to write those poems and essays?"

"good."

Zhang Yuan burst into laughter, increasingly feeling that Song Xuan was truly to his liking.

"I wonder what Shierlang's ranking was in the imperial examination?"

Hu Yuan was busy making a living every day and didn't know much about Song Xuan's poems and essays, which were widely circulated among scholars.

I only learned about it by listening to the conversation between Song Xuan and Zhang Yuan.

"Top scholar in the provincial examination".

After those two words were uttered, the students in the room who were taking the provincial exam fell silent for a moment.

"really."

Zhang Yuan took a sip of hot tea and said, "If anyone else said such a thing, I would think they were just bragging. But what Twelve Lang said is thought-provoking."

Hu Hao also looked at Song Xuan with a surprised and uncertain expression. After all, they were already among the best if they could pass the exam.

I never expected that Song Xuan would be the best of the best.

Isn't he one of the strong contenders for the top score in this provincial examination?

Song Xuan waved his hand casually: "These are just superficial views. If I were to become an official in the future, I would need to study more."

modesty.

That's really being modest.

Zhang Yuan and the others increasingly felt that Song Xuan truly lived up to his reputation.

If one has such a mindset, it's not impossible that one might become a prime minister in the future!
After chatting for a while, Song Xuan thought for a moment and said, "Ruan Yi has already eaten the meat pie. I'll take another look at it for him. You all wait outside."

阮逸自从来到了这个温暖的屋子后，便觉得浑身上下舒爽了不少。

Song Xuan took his pulse, and after a while, he said:
"You might be in trouble with Hu Yuan recently. It's best not to leave this room for eating, drinking, or using the restroom. Your lungs are already inflamed, and sudden changes in temperature could kill you."

Ruan Yi also solemnly indicated that he had remembered it.

Song Xuan then took out another gold leaf and placed it in Ruan Yi's hand:
"Besides recuperating, this medicinal ingredient might help you focus on your treatment with more peace of mind."

"what?"

Ruan Yi really didn't expect that Song Xuan would give him a gold leaf.

He is from Fujian and came from afar; his family is also quite poor.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have ended up almost dying from illness.

What Song Xuan didn't know was...

Ruan Yi was also a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the fifth year of the Tiansheng era, and was also a "musician" of the Song Dynasty!
Some later scholars doubted the validity of Ruan Yi's "Questions and Answers with Li Weigong," one of the famous military treatises.

"Twelfth Brother, it's me."

Song Xuan closed his palms together: "Don't tell me you look down on me and think I'm feeding you handouts?"

Ruan Yi was immediately at a loss for words, neither laughing nor crying.

Who throws away a piece of gold leaf as a gesture of charity?
If Ruan Yi hadn't passed the imperial examination, he would never have been able to accumulate so much wealth in his entire life with just this gold leaf.

"But this is too expensive."

"Study hard for the exam and strive to become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), only then will you have a chance to repay me."

Song Xuan patted Ruan Yi on the shoulder:

"Besides, it's not just for you. I know Hu Yuan's friends Sun Fu and Shi Jie. Shi Jie will also be returning to Tokyo to take the exam. You can ask him about my character, Song Twelve."

"Do you really think that I, Songcheng Timely Rain, am just a figure of speech? There are many people who have benefited from my kindness, and I haven't been taking care of you alone."

"After you both recover from your illnesses, you will need to move out to live separately so that you can focus on your studies."

Ruan Yi understood that Song Xuan's words were meant to reassure him: "I will definitely return it!"

Song Xuan patted Ruan Yi on the shoulder:

"Focus on getting better and try to have a meal together at the Qionglin Banquet."

Qionglin Garden was a royal garden located west of Tokyo (present-day Kaifeng) in the Northern Song Dynasty. The emperor would hold banquets for newly successful candidates in the imperial examinations at Qionglin Garden, hence the name "Qionglin Banquet".

Hearing Song Xuan's encouraging words, Ruan Yi nodded heavily.

Song Xuan gave Hu Yuan a few more instructions, but since it was getting late, he decided not to linger any longer.

Once we find a place to stay, we'll have another get-together and Ruan Yi will also have a follow-up appointment then.

Zhang Yuan and the others saw them off.

Song Xuan then took some silver from Tao Hong and gave it to Hu Yuan:

"Buy him some warm clothes, otherwise he won't make it through this period. You also need to pay more attention, otherwise you won't be able to perform at your best in the exam."

Hu Yuan did not refuse again, but bowed deeply to Song Xuan.

"gone."

Song Xuan mounted his horse and waved to the others.

Wang Gui drove the horse-drawn carriage and let Wang Bao and the other man get into the donkey cart.

As Zhang Yuan watched Song Xuan leave, he could guess that Song Xuan had given money to Hu Yuan and Ruan Yi respectively.

What do you think of Song Twelve?

Hearing his friend's question, Hu Hao put his hands behind his back and watched Song Xuan's departing figure:
"I think he's more chivalrous, more dashing, and more talented than you!"

"Hey."

Zhang Yuan looked at Hu Hao and said, "You've only known Song Twelve for a few hours, yet you speak so highly of him?"

"Isn't that what you asked?"

Hu Hao burst into laughter, because Zhang Yuan had always thought that he was the one who looked like that.

But when he met Song Xuan, he realized that those adjectives could indeed be applied to the same person.

"Song is so young yet has such insight; he will surely become prime minister in the future!"

Zhang Yuan's words drew Hu Hao's complete agreement, but then he heard:

"I, Zhang Yuan, am no less capable. We'll see who becomes prime minister first!"

"Hahaha."

Hu Hao retorted sarcastically, "There are many more top scholars like Song Xuan than you. Let's focus on passing the provincial examination first, and then we can talk about other things!"

What's so difficult about the provincial examination?

Zhang Yuan chuckled:
"This reform of the imperial examination system caught many people off guard!"

"For people like you and me who are not good at poetry, this is of great benefit. I even want to try my luck in the imperial examination. After all, it's a rare opportunity, and we've come across it. We deserve to be on the list!"

Hu Hao was delighted to hear this, for it was indeed true!

Wang Bao had never worn nice clothes since childhood, and he noticed that the servants who followed the rich young master were not as well-dressed as he was.

Not to mention the other students.

Wang Bao was deeply moved when Song Xuan introduced him as his brothers.

Even his own father didn't do this much.

Wang Bao lifted the curtain and looked at Song Xuan riding a large horse in front of him.

"What, want to see the prosperity of Tokyo?"

Wang Gui knew that he had a bad relationship with his fellow villager Xu Xianchun.

Using the excuse of wanting to see the scenery is a perfectly normal way to give him a way out.

"Ah."

Upon hearing this, Wang Bao got out of the donkey cart and sat down to the side, watching Song Xuan ride away on horseback.

"Twelfth Brother's horseback riding posture is truly a sight to behold!"

Wang Gui nodded in agreement as he listened to Wang Bao's flattery.

Twelfth Brother truly looked like a man from the Song Dynasty.

With such a physique, it's truly a pity he's not in the Imperial Guard!
Xu Xianchun didn't want to sit alone in the donkey cart, so he lifted the curtain and sat behind the donkey.

Once Wang Bao saw him come out, he didn't say anything more.

"Hey."

Tao Hong, who was sitting inside, was somewhat displeased.

"Damn it, pull down the curtain, the cold wind is blowing in."

People like Song Xuan, dressed in fine clothes and riding a chestnut horse, are few and far between, so it's inevitable that some people will take a second look.

It was still dark at this time.

However, because there are always second-floor shops and various stalls on the street, they encroach on the street and block a lot of sunlight.

Many shops have already lit their lanterns.

"Look, I wonder which young man has gone out."

The courtesan, also dressed in fur, stood on the second floor and pointed at Song Xuan, who was riding a tall horse.

"He is quite handsome."

"Young master, come up and play!"

The young women in the brothels were naturally bold enough to open their mouths, and business came to them.

Do you really think you're a courtesan who can sit back and wait for men to send her money without ever showing your face?

When Song Xuan looked up again, the young ladies upstairs gasped in surprise.

A handsome young man has come along. If I can make a sale to him, then I'll have made a profit!

Song Xuan grinned and waved, which attracted the young ladies upstairs to rush to the window to look at him.

"He is indeed a handsome young man."

While some people upstairs were sighing, a bold girl had already run downstairs and stood at the door, blocking Song Xuan's tall horse.

"How can she be so shameless!"

The young woman upstairs said indignantly.

"Don't worry, I don't think she'll succeed."

There is a blatant competitive relationship between peers.

There are plenty of fake friendships out there!

"Young master, you must be here to take the provincial examination. Why don't you sit in the shop for a while? It's free, and I can even help you find a suitable place to stay."

Her idea was that even if she found a house, she couldn't move in immediately, so she would stay here tonight.

Even if the young man in front of you doesn't spend any money, surely his servants must cost some money?

Looking at the panting woman blocking his way, whose chest barely rose and fell, Song Xuan gestured for Wang Gui to take out a few copper coins:

"Thank you, young lady. I've found a place to stay. I need to go back and start a fire to keep warm before it gets dark."

"Next time you come for tea, this will serve as a deposit."

Wang Gui spoke a few words to the woman in the Tokyo dialect.

The woman didn't take the money, but said that the store didn't have a deposit policy, and that customers should just remember to order Xiao Tao next time they come.

"must."

Song Xuan was talking, but he didn't actually want to do anything at all.

In many brothels during the Song Dynasty, the women's aesthetic sense was cultivated according to that of the scholar-official class.

Not to mention the Yangzhou "slender horses" (a euphemism for prostitutes), they were all dry and bland.

It doesn't mean anything!
Finally, led by Wang Gui, they arrived at a courtyard.

"Twelfth Brother, this should be the house of Privy Councilor Zhang Qi."

"what?"

Song Xuan was somewhat surprised; he really hadn't expected that Privy Councilor Cao Liyong would rent a house for him from Privy Councilor Zhang Qi.

Currently, the Song Dynasty has three official Privy Councilors. Apart from Cao Liyong, the other two are nominally in charge of distributing salaries.

Even if Song Xuan becomes an official in the future, in addition to the official position he will actually hold, he will also have honorary titles. The Song Dynasty set them up just to give you more salary.

A nominal post is simply a position where someone receives a salary from the imperial court without actually holding one. Some people hold many nominal posts, while others hold fewer.

However, Song Xuan smiled again, it seemed that Lao Cao was listening to him and trying to get along with others.

Zhang Qi was one of Empress Dowager Liu's most trusted confidants.

Who is Zhang Qi?

Wang Bao came entirely from the countryside and was preoccupied with filling his stomach every day; he had no time to listen to anyone else.

Wang Gui, however, offered an explanation.

After all, living in Tokyo, you could easily hit an official, their family, or a servant on the head with a random stone. Knowing the power of certain people can help you survive.

To avoid offending the wrong people while out in the world on behalf of my twelfth brother.

The waters in Tokyo run deep!

They even touched the ruins of the capital of the State of Wei during the Warring States period!

"Before Empress Dowager Liu rose to prominence, she lived in Zhang Qi's house."

"After Empress Dowager Liu began to rule from behind the curtain, she showed Zhang Qi great favor and bestowed upon him a large residence located on the west side of the Ministry of Personnel, with a total of seven hundred rooms."

He built winding corridors in his house, displaying various goods, and played buying and selling games with the maids in his household.

When he encountered sick maids, he would personally examine their pulses, prepare medicine, and sell it to them, but he didn't actually accept money (it was just a simulated transaction for amusement).

Wang Gui pointed to the houses: "From this street to the other street to the end, all of them are his houses. Even the prince's mansion is only five hundred rooms."

Wang Bao and the others were also surprised when they heard Wang Gui's introduction.

Actually, when they lived in Song Xuan's house, they thought the house was quite big. They never expected that they would realize what a big house really meant when they arrived in Tokyo.
"I've heard that houses in Tokyo are ridiculously expensive, so expensive that even the prime minister can't afford them easily."

Tao Hong clicked his tongue in amazement. It was only by maintaining a good relationship with the emperor that one could occupy the best house without spending a single penny.

"Yes, who wouldn't envy Privy Councilor Zhang!"

Wang Gui also felt that Zhang Qi was truly ruthless. In order not to be misunderstood, he slept in the government office for seven or eight years and gave his own residence to Empress Dowager Liu to live in.

Such a character earned him the trust of Emperor Zhenzong.

After listening to Wang Gui's rambling, Song Xuan told him to go up and knock on the door.

dong dong dong.

The door knocker was knocked.

An old servant opened the door, first sized up the people outside, then looked at Song Xuan riding a horse, and immediately came out.

"May I ask if it is Twelfth Brother who has arrived?"

"Exactly."

Upon hearing Song Xuan's affirmative answer, the old servant was overjoyed and quickly bowed to Song Xuan, saying that his master had long ago sent him to live here.

We need to light a fire every day to keep warm, just waiting for our twelfth brother to arrive.

"Please come in quickly."

The house that Song Xuan was led to was a rented house, which was a small courtyard.

“Master knew that Twelfth Brother had many classmates, and some of them would inevitably be unable to find a place to stay and would be brought to stay by Twelfth Brother. Therefore, he rented a large house, which was more than enough for ten people to live in.”

"Thank you for your kind offer. I will visit Lord Cao tomorrow."

"Has Twelfth Brother eaten yet?"

"I didn't eat any."

"It's good that Twelfth Brother hasn't eaten."

The servant quickly replied with a smile, "I'll go to Sun Yang's restaurant and book a table for the banquet."

The Song Dynasty did offer food delivery services.

The old servant had already been instructed that ordering takeout was inappropriate for a place like Fanlou, so someone from his hometown would definitely take Song Xuan there.

"it is good."

Song Xuan replied, "Go ahead and make the arrangements. Let's freshen up first, and order more food. My brother here has a huge appetite; he's as good as five people."

"I understand," the old servant quickly noted.

The servants quickly summoned all the maids to serve Twelve, instructing them to take good care of him.

Anyone who dares to climb into Song Twelve's bed, even if forced, will die.

After giving the instructions, he sent someone to Sun Yang's restaurant to order a lavish meal.

He personally went to the Cao family to report to Cao Yong that Song Xuan had finally arrived.

Wang Bao sat in the room, being served by a maid for the first time, and his whole body appeared extremely stiff.

He quickly said he would do it himself, but the two maids knelt down and asked him what he had done wrong.

This left Wang Bao at a loss, and he could only let it go.

Song Xuan simply asked them to bring the wooden buckets, place them aside, and wait behind the screen.

To be honest, this kind of "feudal landlord-like" enjoyment was a first for him.

After washing up, Song Xuan finally felt refreshed.

They didn't have to wait long before the takeout from Sun Yang's main store was packed and delivered.

Since there wasn't enough room on the table, the rest was kept warm in food containers.

Seeing Wang Bao and the others swallow hard, Song Xuan spoke up:

"You all go down and eat and rest. I don't like eating with strangers around, so I'll call you if I need anything."

"Yes."

All the maids then withdrew.

"Began to eat."

Song Xuan picked up his chopsticks and said, "I've heard that Sun Yang's restaurant is comparable to Fan Lou."

"Yeah."

Wang Gui didn't stand on ceremony either. Ever since he followed Song Xuan, he had been eating meat just like his twelfth brother.

I can't even get a table for a bowl of soup!

Once again, because they misjudged Wang Bao's appetite, they didn't even get to eat soup.

Once Wang Baoyi sat down at the table to eat, there was no longer any distinction between superiors and inferiors.

No one could eat as fast and as voraciously as him, even though Song Xuan said there was plenty to go around.

But the habit of grabbing food that has been cultivated over the years is deeply ingrained and difficult to change!
He remembers the feeling of hunger from childhood to adulthood. How many full meals did he have with Song Xuan?
"a ha ha ha."

Wang Gui couldn't help but burst into laughter a few times:
"Fortunately, Twelfth Brother sent others down first, otherwise, with Brother Wang Bao eating like this, people would really suspect that he could eat children alive."

"Alright, alright, he can't change this habit anytime soon. Maybe he'll be able to keep an eye on things when he marries a woman."

Upon hearing this, Wang Bao suddenly paused:
"Twelfth Brother, those two women washed my feet, and it made me feel so uncomfortable. They were so smelly, didn't they mind?"

Song Xuan did not answer; what freedom could such a servant have?

Even if Cao Liyong killed them all, who would dare to seek justice?
The powerful and wealthy in Tokyo are just that domineering.

It wasn't just Cao Yong; other powerful families were in a similar situation.

Tao Hong opened his mouth and said, "Eat your food? Such a disgusting excuse. Finish eating first and then we'll talk."

"Hey."

Song Xuan and others ate and drank lavishly in the room that Cao Yong had rented in advance.

The old servant, however, returned to the Privy Councilor's home.

"Master, Twelfth Prince has arrived with his men."

Cao Liyong, who was eating, put down his chopsticks with great pleasure upon hearing this.

"You didn't even say a word when you arrived."

"Twelfth Brother said he will visit in person tomorrow. He is too tired from his journey to come today."

"Ah."

Cao was overjoyed, and the whole family looked at him.

Both daughters and sons have heard their father mention Song Shier's name countless times.

"Father, are you really going to marry my sister to him?"

The eldest son, Cao Yuan, received a pleading look from his younger sister and asked her what was wrong.

Cao Liyong glanced at him and said, "Eat your food and don't ask questions you shouldn't."

Faced with his father's imposing presence, Cao Yuan immediately fell silent.

Madam Cao shook her head, signaling her children not to cause him trouble while they were in high spirits.

In any case, Song Twelve will arrive tomorrow. Let's all see him again and see what he looks like that makes her husband miss her so much.

"Give me another bowl!"

Cao held up his bowl with great relish, drawing stares from his family.

After all, Cao Liyong usually only eats two bowls of rice a day, and this is his third bowl today.

Why are you so happy?

(End of this chapter)