Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it was the latter half of the twelfth month of the second year of Yan Ning.
As another year draws to a close, the entire capital city is once again bustling with activity.
The biggest difference compared to previous years is that the capital city is much more lively!
However, the bustling areas in Beijing are not inside the city itself, but rather around the Beijing West Railway Station and Beijing East Railway Station.
All the shops in this area have opened for business.
All sorts of things were being sold, a dazzling array.
Merchants from all over the country gathered here to trade unique products. Among them were also some merchants from other countries, bringing goods with exotic characteristics.
Products manufactured in various parts of Tanggu were gathered at the West Railway Station in Beijing. From there, they were sold to Western countries by merchants from the Western Regions.
Goods from Jiangnan, Lingnan, and Southeast Asia were even transported to Tanggu by sea, and then transported by train to Beijing West Railway Station after docking.
The Beijing West Railway Station is now incredibly bustling.
Especially since behind this prosperity lies a peaceful and prosperous era for the entire Great Gan Kingdom!
The pacification of the entire country has been underway for one or two years now!
In the northern country, it has been going on for two or three years!
With such a long period of peace, especially since the imperial court did not pay taxes, the people have become much wealthier.
Some ordinary people also used their spare money to buy farm tools and furniture.
Some ordinary people even bought cement and bricks and started renovating their houses.
After all, the policy of exempting farmland from taxes for five years has only been in effect for two years.
Moreover, the poll tax was abolished, and the government no longer exploited people.
These policies, taken together, have made people's lives very prosperous.
At the exit of Beijing West Railway Station, an elderly man and a young man stood there, gazing absently at the bustling street outside.
"Father, the capital is really lively! Look at all these people, it's much better than Dongning City!"
A young man of about seventeen or eighteen years old said with a smile.
"Yi'er, keep an eye on our packages!"
The middle-aged man looked around and said, "This is all our worldly possessions!"
"Father, I know."
The young man wrapped his cotton-padded coat tightly around himself, clutching the package in his arms.
These two men were Han Wen'an and his son Han Yi, who had just arrived in the capital from Dongning City.
"Yi'er,"
Han Wen'an walked outside, saying as he went, "Today is only the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, it's still a long way from the New Year, and it's also a long way from the start of your school year. Let's settle down in the capital for now."
"But it's getting late today,"
Han Wen'an glanced at the sky, took a deep breath, and said, "Let's find a place to stay first."
"Hey, you two are new to Beijing from out of town? What kind of accommodation would you like? Come with me, I know this Beijing West Railway Station well!"
An old Beijing resident approached, beaming with a smile.
Looking at the person in front of him, Han Yi subconsciously hugged the package in his arms tighter.
"This young man,"
The old Beijinger chuckled and said, "Don't be afraid. The security in Beijing is much better now. Haven't you seen how many police officers are patrolling the streets and alleys? My buddy at the Beijing police station said there are even hidden sentries in the shadows. Criminals don't dare to do anything reckless. Don't be afraid, you two!"
After explaining, the old man from the capital continued, "I know the capital well. The inns in all the places have clearly marked prices, and they're fair to all, young and old. Where do you want to go? Just tell me."
Han Wen'an frowned and glanced at Han Yi.
Han Yi nodded slightly and asked, "How much are the inns near the university in Beijing?"
"Beijing University?"
The old man from Beijing was taken aback and exclaimed, "So you're a student at Beijing University, sir! No wonder! It's not expensive, it's a great deal! The students at Beijing University are all on holiday now, there aren't many people around, the inn is less crowded, and it's very cheap! Please come with me, this way please."
Is it far or not?
Han Yi didn't move, but asked, "If it's too far, we won't go."
"Don't worry, it will be there in less than fifteen minutes."
The old Beijing resident said with a smile, "Start timing now. If you exceed the time limit, I won't charge you!"
"Alright, lead the way."
Han Yi nodded slightly.
Immediately, Han Wen'an and his son Han Yi followed the old man from Beijing out of the West Railway Station. Outside the station, the old man instructed the two to get on a tricycle, and then he pedaled the tricycle northward.
Looking at the tricycle, Han Yi frowned slightly and said, "Dad, this vehicle is quite novel! I've never seen one like it before in Dongning City!"
"Are you two from Dongning?"
The old man from the capital city said with a smile, "This is a new product that Qingyu Trading Company just launched not long ago. It's only been on the market for less than two months, and it's selling like hotcakes! So I bought one too. I can use it to pick up some customers when I'm not busy and earn some extra money to supplement my household income."
"It's quite convenient!"
Han Wen'an nodded and asked, "Brother, may I ask how much this tricycle costs?"
"It's not cheap."
The old man from the capital shook his head and said, "When I bought mine, tricycles were selling like hotcakes, and you couldn't buy one at all. I had to ask someone to buy it for me, and it cost me an extra hundred coins, so it came to 1,100 coins. If you want to buy one, it won't cost that much. I heard that the Beijing bicycle factory will start production after the New Year, and once production increases, the price won't be too high. I estimate it will only cost 1,000 coins!"
"That's not expensive at all!"
Han Wen'an nodded and asked again, "Brother, how much money do you earn each day by driving customers?"
"how?"
An old Beijing resident asked with a smile, "So, brother, you want to buy a tricycle to carry passengers?"
"No, I was just asking."
Han Wen'an quickly waved his hand.
"It's alright, it's alright."
The old Beijing resident laughed and said, "It doesn't matter if I buy a tricycle to carry passengers. I earn my money through hard work. One more or one less won't make a difference."
"only,"
The old man from the capital turned to look at Han Wen'an and said with a puzzled look, "Brother, you seem like a respectable man, a scholar, right? Why do you have to do all this hard labor? There are bureaus, businesses, and shops all hiring near the West Railway Station in the capital. If you're capable, you can even go to various government offices in the capital. As long as you can pass the exams, you can get a job. Why bother with this backbreaking work?"
"Yes, Father!"
Han Yi turned to look at Han Wen'an and said, "You are very well-known in Dongning and in our district. It would be better for you to go to the grassroots level and get a minor official position than to do this hard labor!"
"At worst,"
Han Yi began, "You can also go..."
"Alright, Yi'er!"
Han Wen'an interrupted Han Yi, saying, "Let's settle down first! As for the rest, we can talk about it later. If all else fails, Dad can go back to Dongning; we still have dozens of acres of land there!"
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