52 Chapter 52
◎Cold or strong, choose one◎
Half a month later, the ground was filled with starving people and suffering.
Soon after, an epidemic broke out and the city gates were locked, keeping all refugees out.
The whole city is under martial law and every household is required to stay indoors.
The crying continued day and night.
Three months later, the ban was lifted.
I stepped out of the house after a long absence. It was midsummer, but the air in the city felt bone-chillingly cold.
From beginning to end, Jiang Jingyun just watched from the sidelines, staying at home to study and no longer getting involved in outside affairs. When his family asked him about it, he just replied, "Under the power of the powerful, you and I are both mediocre people, why bother ourselves?" and he was unwilling to say more.
After the city was unsealed, Uncle Jiang and his friends came to visit them with a cart full of food. Seeing her nephew who had become much thinner, her aunt hugged him and cried for a long time out of heartache.
For this, my second brother was beaten twice.
One beating was because the second brother Jiang refused to return to his hometown to find a girl, get married and have children, and insisted on going out to do business. Jiang Jinglin also insisted on going with him, and the angry uncle picked up a wooden stick and beat him up; the other beating was because he knew that Jiang Jingyun and Xiao Muyan were together, and as the eldest brother, he did not take good care of his younger brother, and allowed people with bad intentions to take advantage of the situation.
Of course, the person who had evil intentions, Xiao Muyan, could not escape a beating.
During those days, the two of them walked with a limp at home, and avoided their uncle and aunt when they saw them. They felt an inexplicable sense of sympathy, and their relationship eased a lot.
Afterwards, the second brother Jiang resolutely took Jiang Jinglin and a few servants he bought after the disaster to form a caravan. Carrying the goods that had been prepared long ago, they resolutely embarked on a business journey to the north.
Considering that it was the first time for both of them to go out independently, the goods that Jiang Jingyun prepared for them were all portable and high-priced items, including the previously mentioned food such as meat floss and meat jerky, as well as soaps and ointments for daily use.
In fact, he could also make the world-famous treasures of the study - lotus silk ink and Hui ink, but these two items were too precious. In order to avoid getting into trouble, Jiang Jingyun held them back and did not take them out, waiting for a chance to bring them up later.
As for the Fucheng Restaurant, it was taken over by Brother Jiang.
Although Jiang Jingyun tried his best to persuade Uncle Jiang and his partner to live together in the capital, they said that it was hard to leave their hometown and they still preferred to live in the countryside, where they could farm and take walks and enjoy a leisurely and comfortable life.
Hearing his uncle say this, he thought it was a good idea and didn't force it.
***
In August of the following year, the provincial examination took place.
The provincial examination was divided into three sessions, each lasting three days. Participants were required to enter the examination room one day in advance and leave the examination room one day after the examination. [1] Although the official exams are only held on the 9th, 12th and 15th days of the lunar month, the actual 9-day non-stop training is too much for even the strongest.
On the 14th, the three people waiting in line to enter the venue all had black eyes, especially Jiang Jingyun, who was in a trance and seemed like he was going to fall down at any moment.
Seeing this, Zhang Zhengbai took out the ginseng he had prepared in advance from the exam basket and gave it to the two of them. "This is ten-year-old ginseng, it replenishes your energy and strengthens your body. If you really can't bear it, put a piece in your mouth, at least you can get through this exam."
The two took it and thanked him sincerely.
While waiting, there was a sudden noise from the team in front.
Before they could get close to ask, everyone saw a man with shackles on his head being escorted out.
Taking advantage of the morning light to carefully identify him, he turned out to be an old acquaintance of Jiang Jingyun and the others.
"I didn't bring any copies with me. I was framed!"
"Let me go. Do you know who I am? I'll make you suffer!"
"I want to see the examiner!"
“It’s unfair!”
No matter how the pale-faced Xie Weicai screamed and howled, the two yamen runners remained unmoved. They dragged him to the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall with cold faces, beat him with a stick 50 times in public, stripped him of his title of scholar, and ordered him not to take the imperial examination again for five years. Then they walked away, leaving Xie Weicai lying there motionless like a corpse, accepting everyone's pointing and criticizing.
"Tsk tsk tsk, I never expected that the arrogant Young Master Xie would end up like this, really..." Su Yuheng saw Xie Weicai's miserable state and gloated, "It's really gratifying! Hahahahahahaha, if it weren't for the exams, this would be worth celebrating with cannon fire and drinking for three days!"
Zhang Zhengbai looked at the man lying there with blood all over his body and no one knew whether he was dead or alive, and frowned, "I just saw him screaming so miserably, could it be that he was really wronged?"
Jiang Jingyun shook his head. This friend was good in every way except that he was a little too soft-hearted. This might be a common problem among kind-hearted doctors.
In order to prevent anyone from seeing his overly presumptuous smile, Jiang Jingyun lowered his head and brushed off the non-existent dust on his clothes.
What he wore today was the most popular breathable gauze gown among the nobles today. Xiao Muyan bought this fabric from outside at a high price because he was afraid that he would get heatstroke again.
The thin and flowing long gown makes her look like a beautiful jade tree or branch, while a crudely carved civet cat jade pendant hangs abruptly on the exquisitely embroidered belt around her waist.
Jiang Jingyun lowered his head to play with the tassels on the jade pendant, thinking of the beggar who passed by him on the road this morning, and sneered: "What injustice could he have suffered? It's just the cycle of cause and effect, and retribution.
As he was talking, the people in the queue ahead of him had already gone in one after another. Jiang Jingyun called out to his friends, "It's our turn now. Let's work hard together and see you on the list."
In September, the imperial examination results were announced, and the three were on the list.
The first place winner was Jiang Jingyun, the second place winner was Zhang Zhengbai, and although Su Yuheng was slightly behind, they were still within the top 20.
***
It's February again.
The streets of Kyoto are bustling with BMWs and luxury cars, and it is no wonder that wealth and luxury make people confused.
"I don't know where my second brother and the others are now?" Jiang Jingyun looked around while sitting in the carriage, hoping to find a familiar figure among the horses and carriages.
In the past two years, Second Brother Jiang took Jiang Jinglin to travel all over the country. Each time he came back, he would only stay for half a month. Once the goods were prepared, he would leave immediately. The last time he saw them was during the Chinese New Year last year. They traveled thousands of miles to bring him a smoked sheep.
Before leaving this time, he said he was heading north. Maybe they can meet here again.
The streets of Kyoto were crowded and complicated. Xiao Muyan was afraid of accidentally bumping into someone of honor while walking, so he got off the car and led the horse forward as soon as he entered the city. At this time, he saw Jiang Jingyun talking about his family, and turned to comfort him, "Second brother and his family will stay in various prefectures, and their speed may not be as fast as ours. Maybe they will arrive in the capital after you finish the exam, and then we can get together."
"Yeah." Looking at the snow on the road that had not yet melted, Jiang Jingyun gathered his fox fur coat and said, "It's too cold here. Our winter is warmer."
Seeing his face turning blue from the cold, Xiao Muyan advised him, "Go back to the carriage and hold on for a while until you get there."
"No, you're not the driver. I want to sit here and watch you." Jiang Jingyun was being stubborn and refused to go in.
Xiao Muyan was helpless, but there was nothing he could do, so he could only speed up the pace of the carriage.
Su Yuheng and Zhang Zhengbai had already arrived in Beijing. When they arrived at the small courtyard they rented together, they were about to go out. When they saw Jiang Jingyun coming, they said with surprise, "You are finally here. I thought we would be late."
Originally, the three of them had agreed to go to Beijing together, but Jiang Jingyun missed his younger brother whom he had not seen for a long time, so he stayed at home for a few more days. He set out after New Year's Eve, and rode at full speed all the way, arriving in Beijing just a week before the exam.
"Aren't we here yet? Not too early, not too late, just right." Jiang Jingyun jumped out of the car, "I see you guys are about to go out, where are you going?"
"A new teahouse has opened in the capital, gathering many scholars from all over the world. We wanted to join in the fun and appreciate the literary talent from other places." Su Yuheng led them inside, "It just so happens that you are here today, so how about we go together tomorrow?"
"Okay." Jiang Jingyun nodded. The exam was approaching and there was no point in cramming at the last minute. It would be better to go out and find out the bottom line of his competitors.
The next afternoon, after resting, Jiang Jingyun wrapped himself in thick clothes and went out like a bear.
The cold wind in February is like a pair of scissors, scratching people's faces and causing pain.
Jiang Jingyun was thinking as he walked, if he could pass the imperial examination and stay in the capital, he would sell down jackets this year and increase the production of various types of facial creams. With just these two things, he might be able to make a fortune. I don't know what the situation is like in the northern part of the border. If I could get someone to buy some wool there and make sweaters, it would be even warmer...
Just as he was thinking, a gust of wind blew over again, making him shiver with cold. He wished he could shrink into his clothes, and he walked quickly, soon overtaking the two people who were walking side by side in front of him.
Although it was cold outside, the teahouse was packed with people. Talented people with different accents were debating loudly, freely displaying their literary talent, and from time to time there were cheers when they made wonderful remarks. The atmosphere was very lively.
Jiang Jingyun asked the waiter to lead them to sit in the middle of the restaurant and ordered some tea and snacks.
"I see there's still room by the window, why don't we sit there?" Su Yuheng threw the fried peanuts into his mouth, "Look at the people standing in the wind, reciting poems, how high-spirited they are!"
After drinking a cup of hot tea, the frozen Jiang Jingyun finally recovered his breath. He held the cup to warm his hands and said slowly, "If you want to go, go by yourself. You are so high-spirited. I think you will get a migraine in a while."
"Hiss... You are so vulgar. After studying for so many years, how come you haven't developed any literary qualities?" Su Yuheng had a look of disgust on his face, but had no intention of changing seats.
Jiang Jingyun paid no attention to his verbal attack and sneered, "Your character can withstand the cold, so why are you wearing so many clothes? Take them off and give them to those poor people who have never been to school. It will be a good deed."
Su Yuheng snorted coldly: "You have no character, but your iron teeth and copper jaws are becoming stronger day by day."
Zhang Zhengbai smiled and poured him two cups of tea. He habitually tried to smooth things over by saying, "Actually, Jingyun is right. The exam is coming up soon. If you catch a cold, it will be more trouble than good. Besides, this place is open, and we can hear some of the topics discussed around us. It's not a wasted trip for us."
There were many concerns at the foot of the emperor, and there were not many topics to talk about. The three of them sat and listened for a while, then felt very bored, so they turned around and went home, each burying their heads in their studies.
【Author’s words】
【1】The contents of the provincial examination refer to Baidu Encyclopedia
(*^▽^*) I originally wanted to take a day off to buy a bottle of 502 to mend the author's glass heart o(╥﹏╥)o, ╰(*°▽°*)╯ but I didn't want to break my promise, so I chose to finish the update in a cowardly way ⊙▽⊙, and then put my broken heart together (broken like this: II | 三/-\ 尺丅)
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