Chapter 79: Hai Gangfeng from Hainan
Chapter 79 Hai Gangfeng from Hainan (Available on Monday)
In December, the city of Beijing is covered in silver, and everything is white, as if the whole world is covered in ice and snow. The bustling streets and alleys in the past are now deserted.
But even so, it did not stop the successful candidates from the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty from arriving in Beijing one after another in this winter, fearless of wind, snow and frost, to prepare to take part in the imperial examination in the Gengxu year of the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing.
The students from Qiongzhou, which is known as the end of the world, were almost frozen silly after experiencing the bone-chilling cold in the north.
But there was one person, dressed in a thin gray coat, still standing tall with unyielding pride, like a proud plum blossom blooming alone in the snow in the cold. He stood in front of the city gate waiting to enter the capital, and did not use his privileges as a juren to jump the queue and get his documents verified in advance to enter the city.
At this moment, even though his beard had been frozen into ice, his nose tip was red from the cold, and his ears had frostbite, his spirit was still not broken. He maintained his upright and unyielding posture as usual, with a calm and tenacious character, and never wavered in the righteousness in his heart.
Therefore, even the merciless wind, snow and frost could not make him give up his unyielding and upright attitude, and he would not bow to the cold wind like the people around him, with his head lowered and his arms folded.
"Ruxian, hurry up and follow us to verify your certificate and enter the city. The capital is different from Qiongzhou. Qiongzhou is like summer all year round, but the capital has four distinct seasons. Now is the coldest time of the year, so don't be stubborn anymore."
The other candidates from Qiongzhou who came with Hai Rui could not stand the biting cold wind, so they called Hai Gangfeng, who was still trying to abide by the rules, to join them in the queue to enter the city.
But Hai Rui was unmoved. He said, "The court granted us the status of Juren, not to let us enjoy special privileges. As the ancients said, 'When God wants to give a man a great responsibility, he must first make his mind suffer, his muscles and bones work hard, and his body hungry. Now we are just enduring some wind and frost. How can we compete with the common people to enter the city first? I cannot do that."
Hai Rui's words made the other students who were studying with him look angry and resentful. One of the elders scolded Hai Rui, "Since ancient times, scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans have been the class system. Since we have already achieved the title of Juren, we are naturally scholars. Since we are scholars, what's wrong with us introducing you to the city through the examination documents? If you are still so stubborn, don't blame us for abandoning you without considering our fellow countrymen's friendship."
Hai Rui remained standing in line with a proud spirit, and replied calmly, "Please do as you please."
The other candidates were also furious when they heard what Hai Rui said. They had seen people as stubborn as Hai Rui before, and they didn't know if he had become stupid from reading too much.
Isn't it the purpose for us to study hard for ten years to stand out and be superior to others?
He could clearly use his status as a juren to enjoy priority entry into the city, but Hai Gangfeng was like a turtle eating a weight, and was absolutely unwilling to use his privileges for his own benefit.
The journey north to the capital was thousands of miles long and took several months. The students from Qiongzhou who were traveling with them were almost driven crazy by Hai Rui's torture.
It's so cold now, but he still has to abide by the so-called rules and queue up behind these lowly country folk to enter the city. How can this not make people angry?
The person traveling with him said angrily, "If you really want to do this, then you can queue up here. I will leave you soon!"
Hai Rui didn't even look at these fellow candidates from his hometown. He still adhered to the rules and morals in his heart and stood in line.
Upon seeing this, the people traveling with him turned away, quickly cut in line to the front, and used their status as juren to enter the city.
After entering the city, these people discussed again: "Let's find an inn to stay first, and tomorrow we will go to ask the young minister for advice. I hope that the young minister can give us some advice, so that we can pass the imperial examination and return home in glory."
"That's right, that's right. It should be like this." Hai Rui was abandoned in front of the city gate by his companions. It was not until the afternoon that he lined up in front of the city gate, had his documents verified, and was led into the city.
The guards in charge of verifying the documents were also startled when they saw Hai Rui wearing such thin clothes and with hair and beard frosted by the wind and frost. This was the first time in all their years of guarding the city gate that they had seen a scholar queuing up obediently at this time to enter the city.
After Hai Rui entered the city, the guards on duty at the city gate couldn't help but whisper, "Did you see that? A scholar from Qiongzhou actually queued up to enter the city in this cold winter. It's really rare!"
The guard who heard the conversation also looked at Hai Rui's straight back and couldn't help but comment, "Maybe he has become stupid from reading so much. A noble scholar doesn't need to show off, but acts like a beggar. I really don't know what's going on in his head."
"Shh - keep your voice down, they haven't gone far yet."
After entering the capital from the city gate, Hai Rui looked at the unfamiliar streets in front of him and for a moment didn't know where to go. The money he had left was not enough for him to think too much. After all, if he failed the examination, he would have to leave some money for the return trip.
Therefore, the only place Hai Rui could go to was naturally the most common west side of the capital.
Facing the cold wind, Hai Rui did not hesitate at all and headed straight towards the west of the city.
That area was the gathering place for common craftsmen in the capital. Renting a temporary small house there would only cost a few taels of silver. For Hai Rui, it was also the most suitable and affordable place for him.
"My Lord, it's too cold. Let's go back."
Meng Chong, wearing a fur coat and a dog-skin hat that covered his ears, followed behind Zhu Zaigui and whispered reminders.
Zhu Zaigui, who was also dressed in casual clothes, turned around and hummed at Meng Chong, "You called me Young Master. I finally came out once, and we haven't even started shopping yet, why are you going back?"
However, although Zhu Zaigui's casual clothes look ordinary, they are actually very expensive. The lining is made of sable fur tributed from Liaodong, and the outside is made of Nanjing brocade with first-class weaving and embroidery craftsmanship. It can be said to be low-key, luxurious and meaningful. Only members of the royal family can use this kind of fabric.
Meng Chong listened to Zhu Zai's words and couldn't help complaining in his heart. What did he mean by "not easy"? In the past six months or so, he had to go out for almost half of the time. The day before yesterday, he just went to Shunyi Industrial Park for a tour. He just had a day off. Now he was going out to visit the west of the city, wasn't he?
Meng Chong continued to persuade him, "Sir, the people in the west of the city are mixed, what if something unexpected happens?"
Zhu Zaigui said nonchalantly, "Aren't we still bringing guards with us? What accidents can happen with them? Besides, I have become much stronger in the past six months and have grown more than three inches. What danger should I be afraid of? If there is real danger, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture should die to apologize."
After hearing what Zhu Zaigui said, Meng Chong also smiled awkwardly, "Sir, you are really a joker. How could there be villains under the emperor's feet?"
Zhu Zaigui snorted, "Since there are no villains, what are we afraid of? Let's go to Liulichang later. I have thought of another good thing. If we can find a suitable item in Liulichang, our business will be able to reach a higher level next year."
(End of this chapter)