The New Year of the sixth year of Taihe passed quickly, and on the fourth day of the first lunar month, Li Hui decided to set off for the capital.
Although with Xie Xuan's help, he postponed his appointment, after all, he was going to the capital to take up a post, and he was a novice in officialdom, so he couldn't ignore his perception. If he delayed it for too long, he would definitely attract criticism and feel that he was too ignorant.
Although he was reluctant to leave, Gu Lanzhi also knew that he could not delay his son's appointment. At noon, Li Hui went to the county government to visit Zhao Molin and bid farewell to him. In the evening, the family had a reunion dinner together.
At the dinner, Li Hui said to Gu Lanzhi and Chou Gu: "Mom, Chou Gu, I am going to the capital this time and I am not familiar with the place. I don't know what it will be like when I go there. So I have to go and settle down first, and then I will pick you up."
.What do you think?"
Gu Lanzhi smiled and said: "Hui'er doesn't have to worry about us. Mom and Chou Gu have already agreed to live here and not go to the capital. My son is going to the capital to make progress, so we can follow you."
Distraction is also a drag. The old house is in such good repair, wouldn't it be in vain if we leave? It will lose popularity if no one lives in it, and the house will grow grass and collapse, wouldn't it be in vain?"
Chou Gu also said: "That's right. How can there be a good home in the capital? We won't go. Then it will be inconvenient for food and accommodation, so it would be better to be here. Jiankang is not far from here. I can come back at any time when I am free.
."
Li Hui actually knew that the two old people would not follow him to the capital, but he had to ask and get their words after all. Indeed, the renovation of the old house was precisely for Gu Lanzhi and Chou Gu to live here.
It's comfortable, but there's no need to go to the capital and suffer.
"In that case, let me follow the arrangements of mother and ugly aunt. I will leave a few people to guard the hospital and run errands. If you have anything to do, ask them to do it. By the way, clan brother Li Zheng said yesterday that he can come and help.
Take care of the house and hire some people to do things at home. I think it’s feasible. I think this clan brother is also practical in his work, and he is our Li family after all. So I thought about asking him to help with daily household chores. I still have to hire him.
Two maids came to the back house to serve Mother and Chou Aunt, and they also needed help in the kitchen, so I simply asked him to do it as well. What do you think of Mother?" Li Huidao.
"No, no, we don't need people to serve us. What are we spending money on? Li Zheng is an honest man, so it's okay to ask him to help. As for asking people to serve, that's not necessary. Your mother and I are not so lucky.
." Gu Lanzhi said softly.
Li Huidao: "I can't serve anyone. The ugly girl has weak legs and feet. After all, my mother is also the mistress of the family. Is it possible that I can't do the laundry and cook for myself? There are other people in the family. Is it possible that I have to cook for them? If my mother cares about money, then
I can only let Zhuer stay, and I can only work hard for her."
Zhu'er was startled and looked at Li Hui in surprise. Li Hui winked, and Azhu immediately understood and said hurriedly: "Then I'll stay and serve the two elders. I'm good at washing and cooking. It's true.
There is no need to invite anyone else. It’s just that when the young master goes to the capital, there will be no one around to serve him, which is a bit worrying.”
Li Hui almost laughed out loud, but this little girl reacted quickly. After adding that sentence, her mother and Chou Gu would definitely not let her stay.
Sure enough, Gu Lanzhi said: "That can't be done. Azhu has to go with you. Otherwise, who will help you sew, wash, cook, and serve tea? That's all, I'll do as you say. I'll ask Li Zheng to buy some for me later.
An honest one."
Li Hui nodded with a smile. Then Gu Lanzhi and Chou Aunt gave another round of warnings. They told Li Hui to be careful and do good things when he went to the capital. He wished Azhu to take good care of Li Hui and not to be cold and hungry. Chou Aunt took his place.
For Ah Zhu's sake, Li Hui was told to treat Ah Zhu well. The meal was not finished until the second watch.
Early the next morning, Li Hui and others packed their bags, loaded onto the mule cart and set off. Gu Lanzhi and Chou Gu sent them out, wiping tears as they bid farewell.
Shicheng County is only a few dozen miles away from the capital, and it is only a day's journey on foot. However, it was covered with heavy snow and the road was difficult to travel. The group walked along the official road for two days, and finally arrived at the fifth floor south of Jiankang City in the early afternoon of the next day.
On a hill six miles away.
Standing on the official road and looking from a distance, a majestic, open and majestic city is right in front of you. Under the setting sun, Jiankang City after snow seems to be shrouded in a layer of golden light, like a city that exists in mythology
It usually stands there.
The city gates are towering, and the buildings in the city are stacked on top of each other, stretching endlessly. The sky above the entire city is filled with a prosperous and majestic atmosphere. Various lights seem to be flashing and wandering in the air.
On the west side, the Yangtze River is vast, winding around the city. On the north side, the continuous peaks stand, like a huge arm embracing Jiankang City. It is really a huge city with infinite weather.
It was the first time for everyone to come to Jiankang. Everyone stood on the official road and looked at the city, and they could not help but feel a sense of excitement in their hearts.
"Is this Jiankang City? Is it the capital of the Jin Dynasty? It's so majestic." Azhu poked his head out of the donkey cart, his little face turned red from the cold, and said softly.
"This is the capital, we have arrived." Li Hui nodded and smiled: "Jiang Sheng, you are fast, go to the city first to report and thank the eldest son. Didn't he say that he wanted to welcome me? Tell him that I have arrived."
Jiang Sheng responded loudly and strode quickly along the official road.
An hour later, Li Hui and others arrived outside the southern border of Jiankang. In front of them were tall walls and tall city gates. The city was covered with snow, and patrolling armored soldiers and horses were walking around on the city. Above the city gate was written
Three big characters: Nanlimen.
The layout of Jiankang, the capital city, is a two-layer city outline pattern, which is divided into the inner city and the outer city. The inner city is called Taicheng, which is the Health Palace of the Jin Dynasty. The outer city is very large and is the area surrounding the capital of Jin Dynasty.
It's just the outline of the outer city that comes out.
You will know the clues when you listen to the name of the outer south gate. The so-called Nanlimen actually means that the outer city wall was just a wooden fence gate before.
But that was when the Jin Dynasty had just established its capital, Jiankang. Nowadays, the wooden fence city wall on the outside is all made of bricks and stones. It is not a fence at all. It just uses the name. Now it is worthy of the name.
The city gate is open.
The Nanlimen city gate is wide open, and there are soldiers at the city gate checking the people coming and going. At this moment, in the evening, a large number of people are coming out of the city, and the city gate is very busy.
Many people rode tall green mules and sat in mule carts. Men, women, old and young, entered and exited the city gate as if there was no one else around. They were neatly dressed, behaved calmly, and looked calm.
From the appearance and demeanor of these people, Li Hui felt a great difference. This is the place under the feet of the Emperor of Jin Dynasty, and these are the people of the capital city of Jin Dynasty. Their temperament and behavior are obviously different from those in other places.
Can be compared. They possess the unique inner confidence and calmness.
Li Hui withdrew his gaze, breathed a sigh of relief, and was about to order everyone to enter the city. Suddenly, there was the sound of horse hooves inside the city gate, and dozens of horses rushed out of the city gate like a whirlwind. The horses' hooves stepped on the snow, splashing a cloud of snow mist.
Li Hui immediately saw the leader riding on a white horse. He was Xie Xuan, who was wearing a brocade robe, a purple brocade hat, and a handsome face.
"Ah haha, brother Li Hui, we've arrived as expected. Some are far away to welcome you, some are far away to welcome you." Xie Xuan also saw Li Hui standing next to the mule cart, shouting loudly and galloping over on his horse. In just a moment,
Then he rushed to Li Hui and others. Xie Xuan reined in the horse, and the white horse stood up like nails on the ground.
"Good riding skills! Brother Xie is so polite." Li Hui cupped his hands and laughed loudly.
Xie Xuanfei dismounted, walked forward with a big smile, opened his arms, and hugged Li Hui.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome to Jiankang. Hahaha." Xie Xuan laughed enthusiastically.
Li Hui has become accustomed to Xie Xuan's enthusiasm. He also gave him a bear hug when he met him in Juchao County. So he smiled and said, "I feel a little sorry that Brother Xie came to pick me up in person. It's because I'm not familiar with the place. I don't know...
…”
"Don't say it, it should be. When you come to the capital, I will naturally welcome you. Don't be pretentious between friends. Come on, come on, get on your horse and enter the city quickly, otherwise the city gate will be closed soon." Xie Xuan said with a smile.
Xie Xuan loudly ordered his men to bring a horse. Li Hui hesitated for a moment, but still got on the horse. Xie Xuan got on the horse, and rode side by side with Li Hui into the Nanlimen city outline. They passed through the tall city gate.
, passed through the dim city gate, and soon found ourselves within the city walls.
In front of you, a clean green brick avenue stretches all the way north. The surrounding terrain is undulating, but it is densely populated with markets. Houses are covered with white snow and arranged neatly, almost all built of bricks and stones. Rows of buildings are lined up in rows.
extends to the north.
Not far away, tall towers stand, wooden buildings are staggered, and trees covered with white snow extend along the road that extends northward and downward inside the south gate, until it is beyond the reach of the eye.
Li Hui was shocked and dumbfounded by the scene in front of him. He had also seen cities large and small, but no city had such a scene and so many sights as soon as he entered the city gate like Beijing. The houses on the left and right were actually so beautiful.
It is not the common low earthen house, but a patchwork of wooden houses. This is obviously an area on the edge of the city wall, and it should be a chaotic place. But the impression I have in front of me is that this is a high-end residential area.
, or a place where wealthy families live.
"Going ahead is the Zhuque Gate. We will enter the city soon. Brother Li Hui, how is the scene in the capital?" Xie Xuan said with a smile.
Li Hui was stunned for a moment and said in astonishment: "Entering the city? Haven't we already entered the city?"
Xie Xuan was also stunned, and laughed and said: "This is the outer city wall. After crossing the Qinhuai River, you can't enter the city until you enter the Suzaku Gate. There are still several miles to go."
Li Hui asked in surprise: "Are these houses and markets outside the city?"
Xie Xuan laughed and said: "This area is where the people live. In front is Changganli, to the east is Dongchanggan, and to the west is Xiaochanggan. In fact, what you said is right, it can be considered as entering the city, Kuo
The city is also an outer city. This area is where people live together. However, entering the Zhuque Gate is the real main city of Jiankang. Our Xie family is right next to the Zhuque Bridge and the Qinhuai River. We will be there soon."
Li Hui breathed a sigh of relief and said softly: "Do you live in Wuyi Lane?"
Xie Xuan smiled and said: "How do you know? Yes, this is not a secret. Your subordinate Jiang Sheng must have told you. My Xie family does live in Wuyi Lane."
Li Hui nodded slightly, forcing himself to suppress the excitement in his heart.
There are wild grasses and flowers beside the Zhuque Bridge, and the setting sun is setting at the entrance of Wuyi Alley. I will soon arrive at the place in the poem.
[Author's digression]: Note: The Qinhuai River was called Huaihe River in the Jin Dynasty, and it was only called Qinhuai River in the Tang Dynasty. For the convenience of understanding, this book is called Qinhuai River.