Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 208 Lü Huiqing's Little Thoughts

"Disembarking! Hold onto your luggage and watch your step!"

The boatman shouted at the top of his lungs, but his voice still sounded weak amidst the noise.

As soon as we disembarked, the aroma of sweat, livestock manure, new grain, cooked food oil, and unknown spices wafting from afar outside the East Water Gate of Kaifeng hit us in a strong and vibrant way.

Even if you cover your nose, it's no use; the smell can still forcefully enter your nasal cavity.

They were heading into the city, so they naturally followed the procession to the shed where the tax collectors were located, which had a sign that read "Field Affairs".

Here, merchants, some anxious, some obsequious, and some arguing vehemently, surrounded the tax officials who held the pens and tallies, their voices mingling with the sounds of arguing, quoting prices, and shouting as they inspected the goods.

"Gentlemen, are you candidates for the imperial examinations?"

A quick-witted broker noticed that although the group looked travel-worn, they possessed an air of refinement. He immediately squeezed forward, bowing with a beaming smile, and said, "Would you like to find a quiet and elegant inn to stay in? I know the place well and can make sure everything is arranged perfectly!"

As an elder, Zeng Gong calmly returned the greeting, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, we have our own arrangements."

After the broker left, Zeng Gong turned to Lu Beigu and the others and explained, "Inns are too expensive and not worth it. Once you enter the city, if you don't have a place to stay, you can go to a temple to stay. There are many temples in Kaifeng, and most of them can be used for lodging. They are cheap and quiet, which is more suitable for studying for the exam. Moreover, even if you need to go to an inn for the convenience of socializing, there is no need to go with these brokers outside the city. It is easy to be ripped off."

"Thank you, Brother Zigu." Wang Shao nodded first.

"Well, it's alright. I just come here more often than you guys."

While they were talking, it was their turn to queue up.

Zeng Gong turned to the tax collectors, took out the official document he had prepared beforehand from his pocket, and raised his voice, saying, "We are candidates who have come to the capital to take the imperial examinations."

The tax collectors checked each document and, after confirming that everything was in order, their attitude softened slightly: "For candidates entering the capital, boat and ship taxes are waived; however, if the goods they carry exceed the prescribed limits, they will still need to pay the market price."

His gaze swept over the Yuezhou specialties the group was carrying—tangerines and lake crabs, which they had already eaten on the way, leaving only two bolts of cloth and a few packets of dried fish.

These local products were not particularly valuable, and were mainly for personal use. In addition, the quantity was within the range of "local offerings," so the tax collector did a quick calculation, collected a symbolic amount of tax, and then waved for them to leave.

Upon entering Kaifeng, the city was extremely prosperous.

The streets are wide and straight, paved with smooth bluestone slabs, but they are still packed with pedestrians and vehicles. Shops line both sides, with signs hanging high, colorful and dazzling.

There are grand main shops with colorful banners hanging at the entrance, loud calls from wine vendors, and tea shops selling all kinds of food, with enticing aromas filling the air. There are also silk shops, gold and silver shops, incense and medicine shops, paper and ink shops, and all kinds of goods, as if all the world's treasures have gathered here.

Pedestrians thronged shoulder to shoulder, dressed in various styles. There were scholars in tall hats and wide belts riding in carriages or on mules, wealthy merchants in brocade robes, peddlers and waiters in short clothes hurrying by, and many foreigners with high noses and deep-set eyes dressed in exotic clothing.

Street patrolmen dressed in black uniforms, carrying fire and water sticks, vigilantly patrolled the crowd.

"Truly a place teeming with people, and flowers blooming everywhere!"

Zeng Bu, being young, watched intently and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

Upon reaching a relatively open intersection, Zeng Gong stopped and bowed to Lu Beigu, Lü Huiqing, Wang Shao, and Cui Wenjing.

“My dear brothers, we will be staying at the bathhouse of Taiping Xingguo Temple. It is simple, but quiet and peaceful, which is convenient for studying. If anyone is going with us, we can come together. If you have somewhere else to go, we will take our leave here for now.”

"I live in a private house."

Wang Shao had his own plans, but it was unclear whether the house he mentioned was a relative's or a rented house.

"Where is Brother Lü?" Cui Wenjing asked.

“I…I want to stay at the inn,” Lü Huiqing said, staring at her luggage without looking up at him.

Cui Wenjing kindly advised, "The inns are quite expensive. Why don't you come with us to Tianqing Temple for the night? I know the old monk there."

"no need."

Cui Wenjing nodded and said no more.

Lu Beigu, who was watching from the side, saw through it but didn't say anything. Lü Huiqing was quite shrewd. He was definitely going to stay at the home of Zeng Gongliang, who had just become the acting prefect of Kaifeng. This was because Lü Huiqing's father, Lü Shu, was a Jinshi in the first year of Jingyou and rose to the position of Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Although he was no longer in the court, he had a very good relationship with Zeng Gongliang, and the two families were related by marriage.

Moreover, both families are from Jinjiang County, Quanzhou. A few years ago, when the Zeng family wanted to expand their mansion, Lü Zhu even gave away his own land to the Zeng family and chose a new site under the guidance of the master Huang Yingzhong.

With such an unbreakable bond, Zeng Gongliang would never agree to let Lü Huiqing stay at his home when she came to Beijing for the examination.

The reason Lü Huiqing didn't tell his friends on the road was simply because he didn't want them to know about this relationship, or for them to get to know Zeng Gongliang through his connections.

So, the group, who had been traveling together for a long time, bid farewell and dispersed.

“Brother Zigu,” Cui Wenjing said, “after we’ve settled in, we’ll find an opportunity to visit you at Taiping Xingguo Temple.”

"Okay, let's talk another day."

Zeng Gong said very sincerely.

"Gentlemen, then I shall take my leave here." Wang Shao cupped his hands in a graceful gesture. "Once I have found a place to stay and settled in, I will visit the two temples to exchange information with you and together we will tour this scenic spot of Tokyo!"

"good!"

"Until we meet again!" Afterwards, Zeng Gong, along with his family and carrying their luggage, joined the crowd moving forward, while Lü Huiqing and Wang Shao quickly disappeared into the depths of the streets and alleys.

In the blink of an eye, the bustling crossroads was left with only Lu Beigu and Cui Wenjing, along with their simple luggage containing a few changes of clothes, a large number of books, and Yuezhou specialties.

“It’s just the two of us left. Let’s go to Tianqing Temple. It’s a very quiet place. The old monk Huiming is an old acquaintance of mine and he will definitely be able to make the arrangements.”

Lu Beigu nodded. The hustle and bustle in the city did not change because they changed direction. Various sounds, smells and colors intertwined and formed a dizzying flood of the five senses.

"Make way! Make way! Urgent delivery!"

A sharp shout, accompanied by the crisp sound of horses' hooves, came from behind, and the crowd scattered to both sides as if cleaved by a knife.

A courier dressed in ochre-red official robes and wearing a cross-legged turban rode slowly past, his horseshoes striking the stone slabs with a crisp, rapid "clattering" sound. A small triangular red flag was stuck in the rump of his horse, with a conspicuous character "急" (urgent) written on it.

The weary courier lay prone on his horse, oblivious to everything around him, focused solely on delivering the military intelligence he carried as quickly as possible.

This is proof that the imperial bloodline flows on.

"so close!"

Cui Wenjing pulled Lu Beigu to hide under the eaves of a spice shop, watching the courier's departing figure.

"There's never a moment's rest in this city of Tokyo."

After walking along the street for about fifteen minutes, the noisy city sounds were gradually left behind.

A temple came into view, appearing solemn and majestic under the clear autumn sunlight.

The mountain gate is tall and imposing, with three large gilded characters inscribed on it: "Tianqing Temple".

The area in front of the temple is quite spacious, with several tall ginkgo trees planted there, their golden fallen leaves carpeting the ground.

Compared to the hustle and bustle of the city just now, this place seemed like a different world. Only the chanting of monks and the melodious sound of bells and chimes could be faintly heard, and the air was filled with the unique scent of incense and candles.

"This is it!"

Cui Wenjing smiled easily and led Lu Beigu to the side door with practiced ease. He informed the gatekeeper monk of his name and explained that he was looking for Elder Huiming.

The guest monk clasped his hands in prayer and went inside to announce the arrival of guests.

They waited for a while, and then an old monk with white hair and beard came out to greet them.

“Amitabha!” Master Huiming said in a calm voice, “Several years have passed since we last met, and you are even more radiant than before.”

"Master Huiming!"

Cui Wenjing bowed deeply respectfully: "I have come to the capital again to take the imperial examination, and I am sorry to have troubled your temple. This is my good friend who came with me, Lu Beigu, a candidate from Luzhou."

Lu Beigu quickly bowed and said, "This junior, Lu Beigu, greets Master Huiming."

"Good, good, you are all promising students. Study hard and you will have a bright future."

Elder Huiming nodded with a smile, his gentle gaze sweeping over the bags on the two people's shoulders.

"You must be tired from your journey. There are a few quiet monks' quarters in the temple where you can stay. Please come with me."

Following Elder Huiming through several courtyards and past the incense-filled Mahavira Hall, we arrived at a relatively secluded courtyard at the back of the temple. The courtyard was paved with blue bricks, and several narrow monks' quarters were neatly arranged. Several clumps of bamboo were planted in front of the rooms, and the environment was indeed quiet and elegant.

Elder Huiming arranged two adjacent monks' quarters for them.

The room was small, containing only a bed, a table, a stool, and a simple bookshelf, but despite its simplicity, it was kept exceptionally clean and tidy.

Pushing open the wooden window in the room, you can see several stalks of green bamboo outside, with the autumn sun casting dappled light and shadows through the bamboo leaves.

Elder Huiming said, “The vegetarian meals are served in the dining hall, once each at Chenshi (7-9 AM), Wushi (11 AM-1 PM), and Youshi (5-7 PM). Hot water can be obtained from the tea room. If you need anything else, you can ask me or any of the monks here at any time.”

"Thank you, Elder! This place is excellent; it's a perfect place to settle down." Cui Wenjing and Lu Beigu thanked them repeatedly.

After seeing Elder Huiming off, the two finally unloaded their heavy luggage and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Lu Beigu rubbed his shoulder, which was sore from being squeezed by the book box, walked to the window, took a deep breath of the air with the fragrance of bamboo leaves, and his nerves, which had been tense for many days, slowly relaxed in this sudden tranquility.

Outside the window, a few sparrows hopped among the bamboo branches, chirping softly, which further accentuated the tranquility of the courtyard.

"We've finally arrived," Lu Beigu exclaimed.

Cui Wenjing also came over and stood beside him, looking out at the clear autumn sky.

"Yes, we've finally arrived."

Cui Wenjing turned his head and asked, "What are your plans next?"

Lu Beigu took out two letters he had treasured from his pouch and said, "I need to visit two important people."

(End of this chapter)