There were only three servants in Sun Bingchen's residence, an old man, an old woman, and a maid.
The old man's surname is Li, and he and the old woman are a couple. The maid's surname is Xu. These three people are refugees. They met Sun Bingchen in their early years and were taken in by Sun Bingchen. They stayed with Sun Bingchen and became his servants.
Sun Bingchen lived a simple life and followed very strict rules, so even when he came back, his family didn't prepare any big meals. They just had a simple meal, and after a few words, they all went back to their rooms to rest.
Yan Liqiang had just arrived, and that night he slept in a cleaned-out room in Sun Bingchen's house.
That night, Yan Liqiang, who was alone in his room, tossed and turned after completing his training and evening classes, and could not fall asleep. This strange city, strange environment, and the dangerous encounters along the way made Yan Liqiang worry about the future for the first time, because he knew that in a place like the Imperial Capital, his identity and cultivation were just like a speck of dust, too insignificant. In the high winds and rough waves, if he was not careful, he would be blown away and not even his shadow could be found.
How to survive? Only by constantly striving for self-improvement!
Staring at the half-old mosquito net on the bed, listening to the sound of rain hitting the tiles on the roof, Yan Liqiang's eyes became firm, and he made a decision secretly. He was going to ask Sun Bingchen for a leave in the next two days, find a place near the Imperial Capital to practice for a while, and improve his strength and cultivation in all aspects. At least he had to advance to the Dragon and Tiger Warrior, advance to the fourth level of archery, and advance to the first level of the Golden Bell Cover. Otherwise, a 15-year-old boy who had just advanced to a warrior would not be worth a damn in a place like the Imperial Capital. Without cultivation and strength, relying only on a little intelligence, luck and luck, he would definitely not last long.
Unlike being a soldier, the attendants and guards of a high-ranking official like Sun Bingchen had relatively more freedom. Although they also had official status, their identities were more like helpers and retainers hired by high-ranking officials like Sun Bingchen. The rules were not so strict. It was very common for attendants and guards to take leave to practice, because it was common for people who practiced cultivation to go into seclusion. Yan Liqiang remembered that there was an attendant beside Sun Bingchen, whom he had never met, but he heard from Liang Yiji that the attendant and guard also took a year's leave and returned to the sect to practice in seclusion.
After making this decision, Yan Liqiang felt relieved. He then entered the Heavenly Dao Divine Realm and spent another day in the Heavenly Dao Divine Realm. After he came back to his senses, he fell asleep peacefully.
Early the next morning, before daybreak, Yan Liqiang got up. After washing and completing his morning lessons, he had a simple breakfast with Liang Yijie and Sun Bingchen. Then he and Liang Yijie rode on horseback to send Sun Bingchen into the palace.
Sun Bingchen was riding in a horse-drawn carriage, and the driver was the old servant named Li in the house.
The sky cleared up today, and early in the morning, the streets of the imperial capital became lively with crowds of people and traffic. Yan Liqiang rode on a rhino horse, following the carriage in front, looking curiously while listening to Liang Yiji introducing the streets and buildings in the city to him.
…
"This is Shunyifang, which contains rare treasures from all over the world..."
…
"Go down this street and you will reach Manxiantai, which is one of the most spectacular sights in the capital. The food near Manxiantai is also unique in the capital..."
…
"That's the Governor's Office. The Governor's Office of the Imperial Capital is responsible for the security of the Imperial Capital and the arrest of bandits. However, the Imperial Capital is full of powerful people. Anyone who walks out of the Imperial Capital may be linked to a high-ranking official or a royal relative. Therefore, the job of the Governor of the Imperial Capital is not easy. If you don't care, the people will scold you. If you care, you will offend people. Therefore, it is rare for a Governor of the Imperial Capital to serve for more than ten years..."
…
It's rare to have such a living map around you, Liang Yiji said, and Yan Liqiang also memorized it in his mind.
"After crossing this street and going forward, you will reach the most famous Weiyang Street in the imperial capital. The four famous prostitutes of the imperial capital are in the four major music houses on Weiyang Street..." When passing an intersection, Liang Yiji pointed to the road over there and said to Yan Liqiang.
"Brother Liang, isn't this prostitute in a brothel? Why is she in a music house too?" Yan Liqiang asked curiously.
"There are also women in brothels in the capital, but since they are famous prostitutes, how can they be in brothels for people to enjoy with money? Famous prostitutes are naturally in music halls, and ordinary people rarely see them. Only when the music hall opens will they perform on stage, which can feast people's eyes and ears. Last time I went to see Feng Shishi's piano skills, she was really extraordinary. After listening to it once, the lingering sound lingered in my ears for three days..." Liang Yijie said, with a look of aftertaste on his face, "When you have time, Li Qiang, I will take you to listen once, I guarantee you won't regret it!"
Listening to what Liang Yiji said, Yan Liqiang understood, and it suddenly dawned on him that the famous prostitutes Liang Yiji mentioned were almost equivalent to the performing stars in his previous life, except that there was no such profession as a star in this world, and all the women who performed arts, smiled, and served others were considered prostitutes. In fact, the meaning of the word "prostitute" did not carry as many derogatory connotations as in his previous life.
When Yan Liqiang was in Pingxi City, he knew that this world lacked entertainment activities. Therefore, anyone who could perform on stage, whether acting or singing, would attract a large number of dignitaries who had the time and money to entertain themselves. This must be how this prostitute came to be.
"By the way, Brother Liang, is the Lord going to the palace to attend court today?"
"Today is the 19th. There is no need to attend court. The only day to attend court is the first day of every month, which is once a month!"
Yan Liqiang was stunned for a moment. He had watched too many TV dramas in his previous life, so he thought that in this world, officials would go to the palace to attend court every day. After hearing what Liang Yijie said, Yan Liqiang rubbed his face awkwardly, "Ahem, so that's how it is. I thought that when adults go to the palace, they attend court..."
Liang Yijie looked around, his voice suddenly lowered, his face a little more solemn, "Even if he goes to court, it doesn't mean much. The six ministries of the imperial capital are almost all under the control of the prime minister. The cabinet is the center of the government and is also in charge of the prime minister. When the court is in session, the discussion is what the prime minister wants to discuss. Basically, everything is decided by the prime minister alone. It's a real one-man show. For this reason, every time he goes to court in the past two years, he claims to be sick and doesn't go..."
“Out of sight, out of mind…” Yan Liqiang also sighed.
"almost… "
"Brother Liang, have you met His Majesty? I wonder what kind of person His Majesty is?"
Liang Yijie thought for a moment, "Your Majesty can be considered a benevolent monarch..."
"Ahem... Ahem..."
Liang Yiji wanted to say something, but he heard two slight coughs from Sun Bingchen in the carriage. Yan Liqiang and Liang Yiji looked at each other, smiled at each other, and stopped discussing this topic.
Half an hour later, the carriage stopped at the edge of a square outside a magnificent palace building full of royal style. The square was paved with white jade, with dragon patterns everywhere and iron armor standing all around. When Sun Bingchen arrived here, he got off the carriage, and after giving instructions to Yan Liqiang and Liang Yiji, he patted his official uniform of a second-rank official, and let a guard lead him onto the arch bridge, crossed a moat on the square, and then walked into the tall dark red palace gate.
Next to the square there is a carriage yard, which is larger than a football field and can easily park hundreds of carriages. Next to the yard, there are several rows of houses, called class rooms, which are where guards of high-ranking officials like Yan Liqiang and Liang Yiji rest and wait. To put it bluntly, they are like tea rooms.
Sun Bingchen went to the palace to meet the emperor. As Sun Bingchen's guards, Yan Liqiang and Liang Yiji were not qualified to enter the palace and could only wait in the classroom.
When Liang Yiji brought Yan Liqiang into the classroom, there were already many guards in official uniforms drinking tea, chatting and waiting inside.
"Hey, isn't this Guard Liang who was beside Lord Sun? I heard that Guard Liang encountered the Twin Devils in Huizhou City. Not only did he lose the person he was supposed to be watching over, he almost got killed by them himself, hahahaha..."
As soon as he entered the classroom, before Yan Liqiang could take a clear look at the environment, a somewhat harsh voice came into Yan Liqiang's ears.
(End of this chapter)