Chapter 37: Going to Beijing to take the imperial examination, shooting a few rabbits, and having a meal. ...
The candidates were not afraid at all.
Possessing the title of "juren" not only exempts one from taxes and corvee labor on a daily basis, but even if one commits a crime, the county government cannot easily punish him.
Wang Pu put down the book and drew out the bamboo stick behind him.
He stood up and got off the donkey cart, his left foot dragging slightly, and he was actually limping.
Wang Pu looked the spy up and down, and seeing that he indeed had the prefect's seal, he bowed and saluted. "I wonder which fugitive the captain is pursuing? We are all candidates from Linghe County, traveling to Beijing to take the imperial examination."
The customs pass was issued by the Linghe County Magistrate and had the seal of Magistrate Luo Songyan on it.
A beige piece of paper with detailed information, including fifteen candidates, three coachmen, one supervisor, and one attendant.
Wang Pu's body swayed slightly, and he used a bamboo stick to maintain his balance.
The spy's eyes were as sharp as a torch as he swept across the donkey cart that was clearly visible, and finally his eyes stopped on the horse carriage.
The carriage was hung with thick curtains made of dark brocade, swaying in the cold wind, and two vague figures could be vaguely seen.
"This is a female scholar." Wang Pu stretched out his hand to stop her.
Female candidates are like orchids in the valley, sitting upright behind the curtains. How can we treat them lightly?
Most of the other candidates also got off the donkey carts and formed a standoff with the spies.
“Why is there no portrait of the fugitive on the arrest warrant?”
"There should be a name, right?"
Everyone looked solemn and determined, some stood with fists clenched, and some were talking among themselves.
"No comment." The spy looked around and pushed down his hat.
Seeing that there were so many candidates, he hesitated for a while, took two steps back, and did not dare to act rashly.
During the stalemate, the carriage curtain was suddenly lifted.
"Everyone, are we the people you want to arrest?" The two female scholars looked resolute and fearless.
Daliang did not prohibit women from taking exams and even set up special examination halls.
Provide appropriate care during body searches and toilet use.
The spy was also stunned when he saw his tough attitude.
Looking at their appearance more closely, one was bold and chubby, the other was slender and delicate, neither of them looked like what the butler had described.
I could only apologize: "I'm sorry for the offense."
We have reached the border of East Lu. If we search further, we will cross the border.
"Hiss!" the horse neighed loudly. The scout jumped on the horse and shook the reins. "Return the way you came!"
The horse's hooves raised dust, and the figure wearing a black hat walked away.
"What the hell, this is nonsense."
"Brother Wen Jing, look at these..."
The candidates were filled with righteous indignation. They had been nervous and worried just now, and now they had to vent a few words.
"Be careful with your words." Wang Pu retracted his bamboo stick and interrupted.
If the spy has eyes and ears, the inappropriate words may be passed on to the officials behind the scenes, adding to the chaos.
He sighed and got on the donkey cart with some difficulty.
"Mr. Muxi, should we rest here, or continue on and go around Huashangang into the city?"
Wang Pu asked with a respectful gesture.
"Hmm." One candidate curled his lips slightly.
It's not directed at Wang Pu, but at Mr. Muxi.
As the educational supervisor appointed by the Linghe County Magistrate, he is totally unqualified!
When I asked him about the rules of poetry and classics, he dismissed me with one sentence: "Read a book a hundred times and its meaning will become clear."
If you ask about itinerary, food and accommodation, the answer is the same - "It's up to you."
At this moment, Mr. Muxi was leaning lazily on the edge of the donkey cart, wearing a felt hat, two pieces of hay in his mouth, and an old blue cross-collared cotton robe.
His facial features were very rough and his sitting posture was inelegant.
When the candidates were confronting the secret agent, he didn't even move.
Wang Pu is old-fashioned and adheres to the concept of respecting teachers. He requires his teacher's approval for everything.
Everyone could already guess how Mr. Muxi would respond.
A shake of the head, a wave of the hand, and then another word...
"Let's take a break. I see there are a lot of wild rabbits in the mountains. Why don't we catch a few and try them?"
Unexpectedly, Mr. Muxi changed his words.
"Ah? Oh, as you said, sir." Wang Pu was also taken aback, but quickly reacted, "Everyone, rest here."
It was chilly in early spring, and the wind was a little chilly, but not as biting as the winter in the north.
When the glacier began to melt, Mr. Muxi and his followers left the crowd and bent down to wash by the river.
"Those spies won't pursue us anymore, right?" The follower had a birthmark on his face, which was reddish-brown in color, obscuring his beautiful face a little.
She cleared her throat and her childish voice returned to the melodious chirping of an oriole.
For actors, false voice is a basic skill.
"No, the North's hands can't reach that far." Mr. Osmanthus replied.
He picked up a wooden pole in the jungle, connected the pole and the curved hook with silk thread, and then used earthworms to bait the fish.
With a wave of his hand, the fishing line was swung out, arcing through the air like a spirit snake. "I'll tell you you're a fairy," the follower muttered, "you can transform into different shapes."
"This is called disguise, just like when you put on makeup when performing an opera." Mr. Muxi stuffed the fishing rod into her hand.
It’s just that in pursuit of realism, the fake human skin exchanged by the system is used.
Mr. Muxi, who was Guizhier who fabricated a fake identity, felt relaxed and happy watching the gurgling river.
"Come and catch some fish." Guizhier stretched his muscles and took out the arrow that he had hidden in his sleeve when he was on guard.
"I'm going to shoot some rabbits to supplement my meal."
Listening to these weak scholars muttering nonsense and eating dry food along the way, my head and stomach ached.
Stepping into Donglu, the success of this "escape" was finally announced.
At the end of December, Miss Liu handed over the huge amount of banknotes she had saved to the brothel owner through an intermediary, and hinted that a high-ranking official was willing to buy her.
"The redemption of one's body is something that important people don't want to publicize." Liu Qianjin's delicate hands gently picked up the rouge box, the powder trembling on her fingertips. "I'll use the gold hairpin as a token of my love."
"If you really have a future, mom won't stop you." The madam narrowed her eyes slightly, still suspicious in her heart.
She thought about it quickly.
That poor fellow Commander Cai not only couldn't make any money, but also delayed the business of Yaoyue Tower.
The only worry is that he has soldiers under his command and has a say in the government office.
"Bring me a jar of aged Huadiao wine. By the way, please invite the courtesan to sing a New Year's song to liven up the atmosphere."
When the madam saw the golden phoenix hairpin in the housekeeper's hand, all her doubts disappeared.
It turned out that the prefect wanted to redeem her!
Yaoyue Tower buried some old wine for the brothers and sisters.
The best Huadiao is a fragrant girl's red wine, which is used for wedding banquets when actors are redeemed.
The madam put on a smile and ran upstairs in two steps.
"My darling, when did you get to the high position of the prefect?" The madam's voice was sharp and a bit flattering.
"Indenture." Liu Qianjin put down the Luo fan and stretched out her hand.
Her hair was covered with pearls and emeralds, her face was as rosy as a peach, her chin was held high, and her expression was full of arrogance.
"Hey, here it is for you." The madam handed it over hurriedly.
She was also hoping that Miss Liu would be able to get some benefits for her after she entered the mansion. The madam's narrow eyes were raised, revealing a touch of sophistication and shrewdness.
At the end of December, Guizhier stopped Tofu Weng who was going to Linghe County to visit his daughter and her husband's family.
"Mr. Weng, please take a letter for Lord Liu and deliver it to Magistrate Luo of Linghe County."
Liu Shanyuan once explained Gui Zhier's doubts, why did County Magistrate Luo give her a gift?
Because he was anxious to return to the Nanlin government office, the annual performance evaluation focused on taxation, recruitment of talented individuals, and the attitude of superiors.
This letter perfectly captured Luo Songyan's mind.
"I see that you are very satisfied with the importance of the Spring Examination. I am sending a supervisor to accompany this year's candidates to the capital."
Guizhier is not good at polishing the literary works, but fortunately Luo Songyan is also a well-known idiot, so he can understand it.
As expected, when Luo Songyan heard that it was the prefect's doorman who delivered the message, he believed it without a doubt.
"Perhaps it's because of that famous painting that I gave you, my Lord, that I've given you." Luo Songyan stroked his long, beautiful beard and paced back and forth. "It's also thanks to Miss Gui's kind words."
Excitement went to his head.
To enter Beijing, the travel permit must be signed by the chief official.
Luo Songyan wrote and stamped the document in one go. The candidates from the northern border, due to the long journey, did not even have time to spend the Lantern Festival in their hometowns, and had to set off on the eighth day of the first lunar month.
From then on, everything went smoothly.
Sunlight shines on the water, making it sparkle. In the mountains, the land gradually wakes up, and the soil exudes a fresh scent.
Guizhier took the bow and arrow and took aim.
Rabbits in the wild are extremely alert, with their ears erect, ready to escape at any time.
The furry white ball lowered its tail and moved its nose slightly, sniffing for any unusual smell.
"Swoosh." The sound of breaking air suddenly arose.
Before the rabbit could escape, the arrow had already reached its body. In just a moment, the rabbit fell to the ground, twitching a few times, and then stopped moving.
"Roast rabbit, roast fish, and pick some berries." Guizhier nodded with satisfaction, "Almost done."
Beside the carriage, the candidates complained continuously.
Most of them were dressed in long robes, with their hair tied up and crowns on their heads, but now they had to bend over to collect firewood. After leaving the firewood scattered on the ground, they were so tired that they even gasped for breath.
"Brother Wen Jing, you shouldn't have been so kind as to agree to help." The scholar wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead.
"Yes, it would be great if everyone could eat dry food. We are about to enter the city."
"Who knows how to prepare the game and control the heat..."
"We should respect our teachers." Wang Pu squatted down and arranged the firewood, separating the long branches from the short branches, and classifying the thick trunks and thin strips.
He was patient, but he was also confused in his heart.
Mr. Muxi, you can't be so impulsive, right?
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