Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

He returned the horse to the official in charge of imperial stables.

He secretly approached Zhao Ding and said,

"May I ask the Prefect, when will the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) receive their salaries?"

Zhao Ding noticed that his face was thin and gaunt.

I could probably guess that he was short of money.

"But I have some money here,"

"Please feel free to take it and use it."

"Thank you for your kindness, but I have enough money."

Zhang Jiucheng bowed and took his leave.

Unwilling to spend money to rent a car

Walk to a house in the suburbs to retrieve your luggage.

Zhao Ding was deeply moved and chased after him, saying...

"The Qionglin Banquet will be held in three days,"

"The emperor will bestow rewards upon the newly appointed scholars."

"Thank you!"

Zhang Jiucheng bowed again.

I finally felt more at ease.

His ancestors moved from Kaifeng to Hangzhou.

They also acquired several hundred acres of land.

He built a rural house in Qiantang County.

But Zhu Mian and Fang La took turns causing trouble,

Emperor Huizong of Song also levied exorbitant taxes in Hangzhou.

Zhang Jiucheng's family has sold all their land.

Even this trip to the capital for the imperial examination,

Along the way, passengers could travel on free official boats.

The food and lodging expenses along the way were borrowed.

After all, sometimes you have to change boats halfway through the journey.

However, official ships were not always available.

Often, it's necessary to stay overnight while waiting.

Baolu Palace is located in the north of the inner city.

Zhang Jiucheng first walked to the south of the city.

Then I went to a house in the suburbs to retrieve my belongings.

Fearing it would be too late to enter the city,

He even jogged out of there.

It took more than three hours to go there and back.

On the way home, I was still carrying large and small bags.

He was afraid of getting his newly issued court robes and boots dirty.

He changed into worn-out cloth clothes and cloth shoes.

I was exhausted and out of breath when I got back to the city.

Later,

It's time to close the city gates!

A passenger rushing to catch a carriage passed by him.

Upon noticing the scholar's cap and hairpin on Zhang Jiucheng's head, he quickly stopped and asked,

"Would you like a ride, my lord?"

Zhang Jiucheng smiled and said, "No need, thank you for your kindness."

The driver, finding the scholar to be very polite, couldn't help but say...

"Are you going to the Baolu Palace, my lord?"

"I'll take you there, it's free."

"No need, we'll be there soon."

Zhang Jiucheng continued forward.

The man rushing to catch the train shook his head and drove away into the distance.

They hadn't gone far when another sedan chair stopped. A wealthy man lifted the curtain and asked,

"Would you like to ride in a sedan chair, my lord?"

“My sedan chair is very comfortable,”

“You may escort the gentleman to the Baolu Palace.”

"No need, thank you for your kindness."

Zhang Jiucheng continued walking with his luggage on his back.

Many kind people offered to help along the way.

He politely declined them all.

As dusk settles over Panlou and Fanlou,

The wealthy guests began to listen to music and enjoy a feast.

Zhang Jiucheng, dressed in tattered cloth clothes,

Wearing the Jinxian crown,

Carrying large and small bags,

I walked past the gates of Panlou and Fanlou with my body bent over.

We're almost there; just past the stationery shop ahead...

This is the Baolu Palace, where the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) reside.

There's a party going on there.

Free official meals.

Besides the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations),

There were also officials who led their horses through the streets.

Why hasn't Zhang Zishao returned yet?

"He was looking for a cheap price,"

"The place I rented was extremely far away,"

"It takes an hour to get out of the city."

"What a fool! Lai went to rent a car and came back a long time ago,"

"Let hundreds of us wait for him!"

"Shall we start the meal now?"

"Prefect Zhao has ordered them to wait,"

"Are you going to start eating first?"

“…”

Everyone was growing increasingly anxious.

Especially those officials who led the horses,

I was already starving after wandering around the city all day.

"Back, back!"

The officials guarding outside,

Upon seeing Zhang Jiucheng, he immediately shouted.

Several clerks quickly stepped forward.

Ignoring Zhang Jiucheng's refusal,

They directly helped him carry his luggage into the Baolu Palace.

Then they ushered him to the main hall for a meal.

This main hall was formerly where Lin Lingsu lectured on Buddhist scriptures.

Emperor Huizong of Song and his ministers and dignitaries would come to listen.

The table is now full of food.

Several hundred people were seated at separate tables.

The clothes issued by the imperial court were court robes.

It can only be worn on important occasions, because

The scholars all changed into their own clothes.

As Zhang Jiucheng walked, he removed his official hat, bowing and apologizing all the way.

"We're too late, we're too late!"

Please forgive me...

Zhao Ding smiled and waved, "Come sit here!"

Everyone was wearing beautiful clothes.

Even those officials in Kaifeng Prefecture.

She also changed into her best clothes.

Only Zhang Jiucheng was wearing patched cloth clothes.

Sitting among these hundreds of people,

It was as if they had come to serve tea and water and do odd jobs.

Zhao Ding stood up and raised his glass.

He said a few brief, polite words.

Let the hungry crowd begin their meal.

Everyone clinked glasses first.

Then I ate something to fill my stomach.

Li Yi couldn't help but ask, "Is Zishao facing difficulties at home?"

Chapter 1862 Applying Knowledge

Zhang Jiucheng swallowed a few mouthfuls of food.

Without feeling embarrassed at all, he calmly replied,

"Things used to be alright,"

"I own several hundred acres of land in Qiantang County,"