One evening twelve days later, the tall and majestic city wall of Zhaoye City appeared in front of us, but the city gate was closed. This was not a normal phenomenon, and presumably it was related to the current complex struggle for imperial power in Zhaoye. Non-local outsiders were strictly scrutinized. , this is to prevent people with different intentions from gathering inside. Ordinary people still do this. As for organized troops entering the city, they don't even think about it.
Lou Xiaoyi didn't fight for this little time, so he found a larger inn nearby. The common rooms were already full, so he had no choice but to be taken advantage of and book a hotel across the courtyard.
But fortunately, the service here is attentive, unlike those general shops that are too lazy to give you saliva, bathe, change clothes, put on scholar's clothes, do whatever you want, and shout out whatever you want. In Zhaoye City now, the most convenient people to get in and out are those with meritorious status. The scholars did not take precautions because they had no force value. The others were just a caravan with dozens of people. Only a few people could enter, and the others had to wait outside the city.
The change of imperial power is imminent, so no one can be too careful.
When it got later, after dinner, and everyone was at leisure, Lou Xiaoyi called over a more clever-looking waiter and handed him a silver dime. The waiter immediately vomited up what he knew, like pouring beans through a bamboo tube. He was clean and had nothing to hide, because he didn’t know any big secrets. It was all information that the locals in Zhaoye knew, but it was very important to Lou Xiaoyi, who had just arrived, so that he would not look like a blind man. .
In the early morning of the next day, Lou Xiaoyi got up early. He didn't want to waste his precious time waiting in line. As soon as it got dark, he started to move towards the city gate. As soon as he walked out, he realized that he couldn't count at all. They were the first to get up, and the thick and dark crowd almost filled the wide gate of Zhaoye City.
Lou Xiaoyi immediately realized his mistake. He should not have gone through the west gate, but should have found a convenience door. According to the night, there are four main city gates in the southeast, northwest and southeast. In addition, there are nine convenience gates. The city is too big and there are four main gates. The city is simply not enough.
Among them, the three main city gates in the northwest and east are the most crowded because they are directly connected to Chidao. The south gate and the nine public gates are much better, but even if you come here, you have to give it a try.
The main gate of the West City is very wide, and the main gate is not open as usual. It is a special road for the royal family, or used by the military. Common people can only use the six side doors on both sides of the main gate, and the crowds are here. There are queues at six side gates.
The security was particularly strict. Lou Xiaoyi's visual inspection showed that there were hundreds of soldiers at the city gate. This did not include those who could not be seen on the city walls and towers. They had bright helmets and halberds and strict discipline. They were worthy of being elite soldiers guarding the capital.
With a quick glance, I can probably tell the difference between the six long teams. Two of them are local farmers outside the city who carry burdens and carry baskets. They entered the city early to make a living. These are also the two teams with the largest number of people. It is the passage for civilians to enter and exit, and it is also a strictly inspected team. The baskets must be turned over to prevent people from bringing swords privately.
There was also an endless stream of caravans, camel and horse teams, and they were the most strictly scrutinized, whether they were people or goods.
The other three are relatively sparse, and are used for officials, public servants, private convoys of princes and nobles transporting supplies, scholars, and a series of other distinguished people.
Lou Xiaoyi chose a passage with scholars coming in and out. He probably estimated that this would be the most suitable route for his situation.
But the other soldiers passed easily, but he was stopped here. A soldier in armor who looked like an officer came over and took his qenhe from the soldier. His basic information was written on it, mainly.
It means simple things such as whether there is a criminal record, personal professional reputation, etc., and it is valid if it is stamped by the Pucheng Government Office General Secretary.
He didn't see anything suspicious, but the officer saw that the scholar in front of him was a little different from other scholars. He had a high spirit in his elegance. He was not a bookworm who only knew how to study; he had been guarding the city gate for a long time, so naturally he had
He has a pair of poisonous eyes, and he knows who should be investigated and who should not be investigated.
"Why do you want me to go to the city? In special times, the interrogation is stricter. Don't blame me!"
The officer was very polite. Although the name did not indicate the other person's family background, because the Lou family was indeed not a member of the officialdom, but based on his impression, the officer knew that such a person could not be imitated by ordinary poor scholars. He was a kind of person.
He has the spirit of everyone, even when faced with dozens of fully armed soldiers, he does not show any panic or restraint. Generally, such people are those who usually boss around. In their view, the soldiers are no different from their slaves.
"Seeking relatives!" Lou Xiaoyi answered simply.
"Isn't it appropriate to come to Zhaoye to visit relatives at this time?" It is no secret that the emperor is critically ill in Zhaoye. No rational person would choose this time to come to the capital. It is not suitable for doing business or seeking an official position. If it is just
A nerd who is ignorant of world affairs, the officer will not ask these questions, but since he has a background, how can he not know the importance of this? Since he is still coming, there must be a purpose.
"It is precisely because this period is special that I was ordered to come to take care of the night. I would have been too lazy to come at another time!" Lou Xiaoyi knew very well what the other party wanted to know, and he had nothing to hide. It was simply a matter of family affection, so why bother?
Is it mysterious and arousing suspicion?
"Oh?" The officer was surprised. Usually everyone would avoid this question subconsciously, but this man did not hesitate. From this point of view, it seemed that this man had no problem, but his curiosity prompted him to continue asking.
"I wonder where the young master has joined? Where did he come from? Whose order did he serve?"
Lou Xiaoyi frowned, but remained patient. This was business, so who made him look special? If he had known better, he would have dressed more down-to-earth.
"In Shanzhengfang, General Fenwei's Mansion in the south of the city, that's my second uncle; I was ordered by my mother to be the wife of the former Sima Lou family, a first-class royal wife, but now the government still doesn't recognize me.
Do you know...is there anything else the general wants to know?"
The officer was in awe. The former Lou Sima was a well-known figure in Zhaoye Kingdom. Even after so many years, his actions were mixed, but his reputation was there. With the official system of Zhaoye Kingdom, that was in the court.
The person who covers half of the sky with one hand, now, Sima can talk about who owns the throne, but whether he can say it or not is another matter.
"I admit it, I admit it! It turns out to be Mr. Lou. Of course such a relationship is detectable, it's too detectable... But Mr. Zhao, the management of Zhaoye City has been stricter recently. It may be different from the previous singing and dancing. Many rich and powerful young masters are old.
Just stay at home and don’t go anywhere, sir..."
Lou Xiaoyi smiled and said, "You know, I came here this time to persuade my second uncle to go to Pucheng to get some fresh air. Is this place a good place to stay?"
The officer smiled and helped Lou Xiaoyi lead the horse. The two walked down the long corridor together and said softly:
"Young master should understand clearly! He is indeed the true successor of the Lou family. Why should I, a small person like Sesame Mung Bean, get involved in such a thing? If you don't cause trouble, there is no place to wash it off!"
Lou Xiaoyi half-joked, "What's your name, General? I'll meet you for a drink if I get the chance! This is my first time coming to Zhaoye, and I'm not familiar with the place. If something unexpected happens, there must be an acquaintance who can open the door for me and let me escape!"
The officer laughed. He felt that the young master of the Lou family had a good temper and did not have the sourness of those literati.
"My surname is Ling, my given name is Tianfang, I am just a small city gate captain, I dare not call myself a general!
It’s okay to drink with me, I live in the Lanxiangfang garrison camp, but I’m afraid it won’t be possible to open the door, this place is not decided by me alone!”
