Chapter 165 164. Throw the ball
The waterway to Xiling Prefecture City.
Zhongchuan is too far away, and it will take more than half a month to get there. It is also uncomfortable to sit on the boat for too long and shake it a lot, so we decided to go to Xiling Prefecture City. Xiling is much closer, and it will take only ten days to get there quickly.
Many people go there.
Lei Li's family of five, his grandfather's family of seven all went, as well as Miao Fulang's family of three, Liu Xiaocao's family of three, and Zhu Zhuer's family of four, a total of twenty-two people, who chartered a boat from the Meng family.
Mengluo originally said that he would not charge Lei Li any money, but Lei Li insisted on paying, saying that there were too many people and it would be embarrassing to ride without paying. If Mengluo refused, he would rent another boat.
Mengluo charged a symbolic fee for the journey.
Meng Luo is also going back to Zhongchuan this time. He did not go home during the last year's New Year. His parents wrote to him several times to urge him to go back, but he found an actor without his family's knowledge. He felt guilty and did not dare to go back, saying that business was more important.
There is no way not to go back now.
He was already twenty years old and had not studied for the imperial examinations, so if he didn't get married, he would be too old. For example, his brother had his first child at the age of twenty.
The group parted ways at Xiling Wharf. Lei Li went to Xiling with his family and friends, while Meng Luo and the caravan continued to Zhongchuan - the rice from Xiling was to be delivered to Zhongchuan.
"It's getting late now. Let's find an inn to stay for the night. Tomorrow we can find someone to rent a large courtyard. We can stay in Xiling for ten days or half a month before returning."
Lei Li said, and the others nodded in agreement, that they had all underestimated the prices in Xiling. Although they had made mental preparations, they were obviously not prepared enough.
"Fifty cents for one night's stay?"
Liu Xiaocao's eyes widened in shock, and she couldn't help but pull Lei Li's sleeve and whispered,
"In our county town, the best room for one night only costs twenty cents, but why is it more than double in the capital? Why don't we just stay in a cheaper room? It's only one night."
"You've only been talking all night. Now that you're in the capital, you'll naturally have a better place to stay. Things in the capital are so expensive, are you going to stop eating rice just because it's so expensive?"
Lei Li patted his hand to comfort him, "Besides, your Tao brother is so young, and my Jiang and Hua sister's Xiaomu are not that big either. We adults can just bear it, and the children won't suffer, right?"
"That's also..."
Liu Xiaocao thought about it and it made sense, but the price of the standard room was really expensive, and he felt a pain in his heart when he paid.
The waiter smiled and said, "It's a coincidence that you didn't come during the imperial examination period. When the students arrive in September, the prices will go up. Those with money can just rent a house, which costs several taels of silver a month."
"How much is it a month?"
"That's right."
Liu Xiaocao calculated that if it was three taels of silver, it would cost one hundred coins a day, plus food and drink... I heard that you have to buy water in the city, so that would really be a lot of money.
Everyone says the capital is great, but after coming here, I don't think it's that great. It's pretty big...
Liu Xiaocao muttered to herself.
When they first entered the city, the wide streets and bustling markets amazed these country bumpkins. The lively and magnificent Lantern Festival in Qingmi County, which was only celebrated by the Heavenly Emperor, was just an ordinary thing in the provincial capital.
Miao Fulang's family also asked for a standard room. Lei Li and his grandfather had a large family, so they asked for five rooms in total, which cost them two hundred and fifty coins.
However, being expensive also has its advantages, that is, the environment and service are good. We ordered hot water and it was delivered to the room in no time, allowing everyone to wash off the fatigue from the boat and the water.
We had dinner at the inn.
Food is also expensive in the capital city. A plate of vegetables costs dozens of coins, and a plate of pork ribs costs hundreds of coins. But the taste is really good, with sweet vegetables and fragrant meat.
We all went to bed early at night, and went house hunting the next day, which was another tiring day.
Finally, they chose a two-story house, which was not too far from the downtown area, but very quiet and not noisy. The agent also said that there would be a student coming to the provincial capital to take the imperial examination next month who would need to make a reservation, and they arrived at the perfect time.
"Why are the students taking the exam here so early?"
Lei Jingsheng didn't know much about the imperial examinations, he only knew that scholars in Qingmi County also took the exams.
But that was a test for students of higher learning, held once a year and hosted by the county magistrate. It only took a few days to walk from the farthest village to the county town. Scholars usually booked inns and houses three or four days in advance, and sometimes five or six days in advance.
"Since the city is far away, some scholars come here early and rent a quiet house to study hard, so they won't be too nervous when the exam comes."
The broker smiled and said, "Some people live far away, and after finally arriving in the capital, they still have diarrhea due to the unfamiliar climate, or the inn is short of rooms and the quiet courtyards are gone."
"Finding a place to live has taken up quite a bit of time, and it's also affecting my mood. Do you think I can do well in the exam?"
"That's right."
Lei Jingsheng nodded.
The others understood after hearing this. There were no educated people in their families, and naturally they didn't understand these things as they were busy working in the fields all day.
But this house is also quite expensive. It costs ten taels of silver to rent for half a month. Even if you divide it evenly, it’s almost two taels per family. In addition, you have to pay one month’s rent as a deposit, which is twenty taels of silver.
"This isn't fear..."
The broker smiled in a flattering and slightly awkward manner, obviously having been cheated before.
For example, if you rent a house and then empty out the things in it, such as tables, chairs, and decorations, even if they are old, they still cost a lot of money when added up.
Every family thinks it is expensive. Think about when Lei Li and Zhou Yi rented a shop at the busiest port in Qingmi County, they only earned four taels a month, and that included the tables, chairs, furniture and a well in the shop. This two-story house also has a well, but it is expensive!
Lei Li thought it was okay. The house had winding corridors and deep paths, and there were beautiful scenery of water and mountains to see. The roads and security were also good, and there were government officials patrolling day and night.
"Okay, ten taels."
"Everyone, rest assured. When you come to cancel the lease, we will confirm that there is no problem with the house, and then the twenty taels of deposit will be returned to you intact."
"If you have any problems living here, you can come to the dental office and talk to us at any time. If we can solve it, we will solve it for you."
The broker took the money and signed the contract. He smiled so hard that his eyes became slits. He also busied himself with moving luggage and packing things for everyone. Finally, he left enthusiastically.
The layout of this two-courtyard house is similar to the Lei House in Qingmi County, but it is smaller overall. After all, the land price in the county town is cheap, so it is natural to build it bigger so that it can be sold at a higher price.
Lei Li's family lived in the largest north room because they contributed the most money. Liu Xiaocao and Miao Fulang lived in the east wing, and my grandfather's family lived in the west wing.
After everyone had chosen a room and put their belongings away, they went to the streets of the city.
Xiling Prefecture City is large and prosperous, with nine streets and ten alleys, flowers everywhere, red and green flying in the sky, and the curfew does not start until midnight, so it is still bustling late at night.
When the river lanterns are first lit, they are as brilliant as the stars in the sky.
"The clothes of the people in the prefecture are really beautiful."
Liu Xiaocao was dazzled by the colorful people coming and going.
"Yes."
Lei Jingsheng nodded. "The girls and boys here also have a lot of beautiful hair ornaments on their heads. They are made of gold, silver, pearls, and some unknown gemstones. They are obviously very expensive."
"There are more girls and boys here than in our county."
Miao Fulang said.
"The girls and boys in our area are also busy making money, so naturally there are few who can enjoy the fun and excitement on the streets."
Lei Li also noticed this. "And you see, some of the girls and boys are followed by people. Their outfits are different from theirs, with fewer colors and jewelry, but they are still prettier and fresher than ours."
"Yes!"
Everyone just realized it, and after looking for a while, they realized that they were all maids and servants of the young ladies and gentlemen. But even the maids were wearing silver and jade, which shows that there are indeed many wealthy families in the capital city.
Liu Xiaocao subconsciously touched the silver bracelet on his wrist. This bracelet was given to him by Niu Ershu last year. It weighed two taels and had exquisite and beautiful patterns.
He liked it very much, but he was reluctant to wear it normally for fear that it would be broken or ripped off by others. He only wore it during festivals and New Year, and the villagers praised it for its beauty for a long time.
Only when he left the city did he put on the bracelet and his best clothes.
But when he saw the people from the provincial capital, even their maids were dressed better than him, and no one noticed the silver bracelet on his wrist at all, which made him blush for a moment.
His best things are just insignificant things to others, but he still guards them carefully for fear of losing them.
Seeing their surprise, Zhou Yi explained, "The separation between men and women in Xiling Prefecture is not as strict as in Zhongchuan and Jingdu Prefectures. The daughters and sons of wealthy and powerful families are not bound by restrictions and can usually go out and have fun."
"Thus, you can easily see young men in brocade hats and gorgeous clothes, and young ladies in emerald and pearl jewelry on the streets."
"In August and September, when there are many students and scholars coming to the capital, the lively and outgoing girls and boys will even throw small embroidered balls or handkerchiefs to the scholars they like from upstairs."
"Is there such a thing?"
Liu Xiaocao's attention was immediately attracted, and so was everyone else's. Hydrangeas and handkerchiefs were tokens of love, usually only given to engaged couples or as gifts to their husbands. The girls and boys there were reserved and introverted, and would not give them away easily.
"yes."
Lei Li nodded, unable to resist laughing. "If the scholar blushed and got embarrassed, those girls would laugh and make fun of him."
Everyone laughed when they heard it.
Lei Li also teased Lei Jingsheng, "Jingsheng also sells a few small embroidered handkerchiefs. If there's a scholar or young man who likes one, just throw it to him and see if he takes it. We'll just throw it and leave. It's sure to stun him."
"Oh, what did you say, brother..."
Lei Jingsheng's face flushed. After thinking about it, he thought that this was a good idea. If the other person was interested, he would definitely catch up with him. If not, then forget it.
Zhou Yi added, "Look how lively it is now. If it were the 15th of July, the birthday of the Earth God, it would be even more lively. The fireworks would be more numerous and more beautiful than those in the county."
"And fireworks?"
Sister Hua'er's eyes lit up immediately when she heard this. "I love setting off fireworks the most, Aunt Cousin, can we go out and watch the fireworks?"
"OK."
Zhou Yi nodded. "In two days it will be the 15th of July. Let's all go out to watch the fireworks. I heard from Meng Luo that there will also be a night lantern parade during the Ghost Festival. The parade will feature the Earth God, and the government will even give out sugar figurines."
"Send a sugar man?"
Little Ginger's radar immediately went off. He loved sweet things, especially the beautiful and delicious sugar figures. "Two? One for Ginger and one for Brother Xiaobao!"
"What about Sister Shengsheng?"
"Sister too!"
"But Ginger only has two sugar figures, what should I do?"
Lei Jingsheng teased him deliberately.
Little Jiang was stunned when he heard it. After thinking for a while, he said with a sullen face,
"Then, then one for sister, one for brother, and ginger, I don't want to eat ginger anymore."
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