Future library

All the way north, except for encountering a little downdraft on the second night, the airship drove smoothly. When the dazzling sunlight passed through the porthole for the second time, the Jingzhou Canal was already vividly visible.

The capital is located in one of the most fertile areas in the country. Over the years, the imperial court has focused its water conservancy projects on the capital area. The Jingzhou Canal can be said to be the most successful one. Since it was built by the previous Xia Hui Emperor Yin Ni, the irrigation area has reached more than 40 counties. With 800,000 hectares of irrigated land, the rice produced not only supplies the daily needs of hundreds of thousands of residents in the capital, but also supports the needs of more than 300,000 frontier troops. Viewed from the air, the tributaries converge and diverge like the veins of a leaf.

Liu Qingshuang was dressed in a fancy dress, looking out the window, her light red skirt dragging on the ground, as if she was attending a banquet.

Cheng Jinzhou was a little surprised at first, but when the airship gradually descended and saw two queues of more than a hundred people, he finally understood. He couldn't help but asked in surprise: "Is this to welcome Warlock Liu Kuangxing?"

"Yes and no." Wang Linghe smiled brightly and said: "Warlock Jiang Huangxing just can't leave."

"How do you say that?" Cheng Jinzhou asked in confusion.

Xiang Xin said disdainfully: "The Royal Star Warlock can issue orders through the court every year to collect various materials and supplies, and organize academic scholars to conduct research. Jiang Huangxing Warlock is reluctant to part with such a good condition, and is worried that the master will take him away. position, so please demonstrate."

The answer was beyond his expectation. When he thought about it, the Star Warlocks seemed to be existences like outsider monks who did not eat fireworks. Hearing that there would be power struggles among them, it felt like it was the first time he heard that professors also wanted to ask people for help. I bowed my head to ask for sponsorship, as if there were unspoken rules in the ivory tower, I was surprised but also a little natural, even relieved.

Liu Qingshuang glanced sideways and saw that Cheng Jinzhou was still confused, and couldn't help but smile: "There are many astrologers who are proficient in mathematics and science, but to become a royal astrologer, most of them need the support of the courtiers. Since Jiang Huangxing supported Jiang Huangxing three years ago, Warlock's prime minister Cai Xiangshi was demoted to another county, and his position was in jeopardy. Warlock Liu Kuangxing had an outstanding reputation in the peripheral peninsula and had a good chance of succeeding him, so he was jealous of him."

Star Warlocks are a transcendent existence to any official, but in front of the emperor, it cannot be said that a fourth-level Star Warlock can be an equal. After all, the Great Xia Dynasty is one of the powerful countries on the mainland. It has been inherited for many years, and there are also problems for Star Warlocks. Various checks and balances and capabilities. Astromancers themselves are not engaged in production, which determines that they cannot survive completely apart from society. Even if people praise them as being as rich as the country, after all, they are not as rich as the entire country, let alone the mobilization ability of a country. Even if the high-ranking star warlocks have the ability to mine and farm, can they really do it themselves? Therefore, although becoming a royal star warlock requires some sacrifices and losses, there will be huge rewards in the end, especially for those who have no hope of advancement. For the star warlocks, accepting offerings is also a very comfortable thing.

Of course, there are very few royal families on the mainland, and they consider conditions other than astrology more. Therefore, most of the time, aristocratic families become the retirement home for astral sorcerers, and their financial resources and status often determine the choices of astral sorcerers.

Cheng Jinzhou knew little about this. When he came to the capital, he was more concerned about which courtiers supported Liu Kuangxing Warlock. Thinking about it, he swallowed it in his stomach. There would be many opportunities in the future, and he didn't have to ask in front of the other two Star Warlocks, so He just said: "Since there were changes three years ago, why is Warlock Jiang Huangxing still in office?"

"Star Warlocks always change very slowly." Liu Kuang's rich voice came from behind, and he said with a heavy bass: "Jiang Huang is really talented and learned, and the royal family will not change the Royal Star Warlock easily. If To change the prime minister, you need to change the star warlock. Will the star warlock become the vassal of the important minister? But it will not work if it is delayed for too long. Jiang Huang offended too many people back then, otherwise he would not be able to make friends with the ministers like this. In the final analysis, he is narrow-minded. man of."

He didn't care much about Cheng Jinzhou's age. Perhaps for Star Warlocks, adults are the ones who can understand mathematics, and children are the ones who can't. People in this era don't think about the so-called IQ and EQ.

Cheng Jinzhou pretended to understand and nodded, but he saw a trace of lust for power in Liu Kuang's eyes. This gentleman dared to participate in the land reform of Liu Bin's transfer envoy. His utilitarianism was probably no weaker than that of Warlock Jiang Huangxing. I just didn't expect to encounter such "explosive" activities when I first arrived in the capital.

The airship vibrated slightly, and the sail above it slowly lowered, covering most of the hull. A "clatter, clatter, clatter" sound came from outside, and then Lu Xu wiped his face and came to the door, loudly saying: "Open the door. Already?"

Liu Kuang straightened his clothes and nodded immediately.

The slightly heavy hatch slowly slid open.

Cheng Jinzhou hid behind Wang Linghe and watched the two gentlemen in official robes walking forward happily. The petty official on one side gestured fiercely, and he was instantly overjoyed, as lively as a weasel marrying a chicken.

Xiang Xin lowered his head and shouted: "Let's take a step first."

She didn't like the noisy environment, and Cheng Jinzhou also wanted to keep a low profile, so he quickly pulled Liu Qingshuang to follow, but he was walking in a hurry, but he grabbed Liu Qingshuang's hand.

In the Great Xia Dynasty, there was no such serious gap between men and women since the Song Dynasty, but it was also far from the free-spiritedness of later generations. Liu Qingshuang had never been in such contact with a man other than her relatives. In an instant, her face turned red with embarrassment, and she walked unsteadily, as if It's a chick that just came to Duck's house.

The little Lolita's catkins were light and tender, and Cheng Jinzhou felt the softness on his palms. Taking advantage of the crowd and clutter, he pulled her and walked quickly.

Qing Shuangmei frowned hard, not daring to look at other people's eyes. She regretted why she had to wear a formal suit because she could easily be spotted for no reason. After thinking about it, she had no intention of blaming Cheng Jinzhou. Classmate Xiao Cheng also pretended to be very good. He was righteous and restrained in his lust, and he acted like an innocent little boy.

The airship landing site is still a few kilometers away from the capital. There is not a large population nearby, but all kinds of transfer tools are readily available, from ships and horses to cars and cars. The guys are respectful and respectful. In addition, whether they were old, young, women or children, whether they were in rags or in luxurious clothes, they were all as attentive as ever. Cheng Jinzhou watched as a waiter lay on the ground and let an old man in linen step on his back - not from the capital. The service industry is so prosperous and dedicated, but everyone who appears at the airship transfer point is so noble. If there are no idlers in the business and nobility in chatting and laughing, this place will definitely be enough.

After walking through half a street, he finally separated from the welcoming crowd. Cheng Jinzhou pretended to wipe his forehead and smiled: "Fortunately, not every star warlock comes back with such an array, otherwise he would open a welcome company or something. It’s definitely very profitable.”

"Company?" Liu Qingshuang blinked, unnoticedly taking her hand out of his palm, and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Guild organizations and the like." Cheng Jinzhou shrugged.

Xiang Xin looked behind him disapprovingly and said with some pride: "Master is not the only fourth-level star warlock in the outer peninsula, but he is the only one who can receive such a level of welcome and jealousy."

Cheng Jinzhou raised his eyebrows in response. He didn't know how to respond to Warlock Liu Kuangxing. The other party always valued him very much, but fundamentally speaking, Cheng Jinzhou disliked Liu Kuang's character.

"Let's go to Hongwen Hall first." Liu Qingshuang suggested softly. Cheng Jinzhou's quota was hard-won and was closely related to Cheng's father and the Cheng family, so it should be confirmed earlier.

Xiang Xin said nonchalantly: "Master won't have time to return to the outer peninsula until evening. I'll accompany you there."

As she spoke, she waved to the man in the distance and shouted: "A big carriage."

Ever since they entered the door, the waiter had been paying attention with careful and polite eyes. As soon as they were called, his feet started to move like smoke. In a moment, he came to report: "You three gentlemen, you are ready."

A large carriage is a four- or six-person carriage pulled by two or more horses. In a city like Shaonan City, it is difficult for the city streets to accommodate many large carriages traveling in parallel. Therefore, even if the Cheng family uses two horses, they rarely pull a large carriage. The carriage is far less comfortable than one that can lie on its back and roll over.

Amidst the crisp sound of the whip, the carriage passed through Longjin Bridge and Baokang Gate, and then passed Xiangguo Temple and Taixue. A few hundred meters further, you can see the Hongwen Pavilion under the Zhuque Gate.

This is already the most central area of ​​the entire Great Xia Dynasty. It was until this moment that Cheng Jinzhou opened the curtain and stepped out of the carriage. He didn't want to appreciate the scenery of the capital from the carriage - Xia Jing was perhaps the most prosperous city of this era.

Taking a deep breath, the air seems to be filled with the aura of the imperial capital - like the breath of a dragon, the strong smell of undigested power and wealth is mixed, floating, rotting, burning...

"It looks very beautiful -" Cheng Jinzhou can only describe it as beautiful. For anyone who is used to seeing pedestrian streets and those who have experienced the endless tourist activities, the busy Zhuque Street is nothing more than that. They built a tall 4-story restaurant and designed a clothing store that can accommodate 50 people to shop at the same time. They gathered tens of thousands of gold and silver jewelry and antiques and jades, attracting hundreds or even thousands of people to linger here and look back on ancient times. From a personal perspective, this place is excellent, but as a person who lives here, comparing it with the experience of later generations, I will be somewhat disappointed.

Cheng Jinzhou's expression was somewhat beyond Xiang Xin's expectation, and she asked strangely: "Do you want to go for a walk?"

"Is it convenient to enroll in school today?" Cheng Jinzhou didn't want to be crowded with people. The fluttering wine flags, the skillfully crafted sculptures, and the meticulous and smooth granite floors all seemed to him more like museums and antique streets than the area where he would live. In Shaonan, he still had the memory of Sick Yangzicheng. He also cares more about the people or things around him rather than the environment. Unlike now, he wants to stay in a familiar place.

"Hongwen Hall allows admission at any time. Before I came, I asked my friends to build a small courtyard near Zhuque Street. You can live there. Qingshuang can live with me, not far from Zhuque Street." After all, Xiang Xin She was a woman. She was prepared very carefully. She carefully covered the tattoo on her wrist. As she walked, she did not forget to introduce it to him: "There are three walls in the capital. The outer city wall is far away from here. A little behind the Suzaku Gate is the second city wall." , past Xihua Gate is the palace wall. When you are in school, it is best to stay within the scope of the Second City Wall. If you want to go out of the city, you can call me. Don’t trust the local security too much. I will meet with Master in the branch every day do research"

"Is the law and order bad?"

"There are too many nobles." Xiang Xin said simply, and I believe Cheng Jinzhou can understand. Nobles who behave badly are inevitable everywhere. Things that disregard human lives often happen. The court cannot prohibit it, nor can it expect nobles to be conscious.

Cheng Jinzhou thanked him first and then asked: "What about the outer peninsula? Where is it?"

"It can be regarded as a gathering place for the star warlocks of the Capital City and the Great Xia Dynasty. When I have time, I can take you to have a look. You need a recommendation to enter. The results of the Delivery Association are there."

"Are there many people? Will they buy or sell some Star Warlock products, books, etc.?"

"There is a specialized market, which is very complicated. There are also people who hire and recruit star warlocks." Xiang Xin explained casually.

Cheng Jinzhou nodded thoughtfully. The things he got out of the library really needed a proper place to "dispose of stolen goods".

"We're here." Liu Qingshuang took the maid's hand and reminded the two of them.

…

The Hongwen Pavilion is not big, or in other words, it is disappointingly small. The Yimen Gate, which is only three or four meters wide, is at the outermost corner and has the three characters "Hongwen Pavilion" written on it by Emperor Lizong. Other than that, it is difficult to read the book. Find something special in its low walls.

"Students from the Hongwen Hall will not have to worry about taking the scholar exam." Xiang Xin said half-introducing: "Compared with other provinces, the capital has the most places. The hall also has its own quota, but you still have to memorize it and use it. Only the scriptures are suitable. If the first two parts are wrong, it will be very dangerous."

Cheng Jinzhou smiled bitterly. He was simply at the stage of recognizing Chinese characters. When it came to taking the exam, no matter how simple it was, it would be useless. It was just like the open-book exam in the previous life - open-book exams also required plagiarism. Writing cheat sheets for exams is what children need most. .

There was a sergeant guarding the gate. Xiang Xin stepped forward to explain the matter and showed him his academic certificate. Naturally, someone rushed to report it. Cheng Jinzhou waited outside with his eyes wide open, feeling like a transfer student.

Comrades in the Great Xia Dynasty did not take a lunch break. Within three to five minutes, an academic officer walked out of the door with misty eyes, looked outside and asked: "Who is the new entrant to Jinzhou?"

Except for Cheng Jinzhou, there was no one else outside the door. Cheng Jinzhou rolled his eyes and replied, "It's me."

It seems that bureaucrats in every world are hopelessly lazy and arrogant.

"Is his father, an eighth-level civil servant, Cheng Yunan, the capital of Shaonan Prefecture?" The academic officer checked against the academic certificate.

"Exactly."

The attitude of the academic officer was a little better. He was able to send his son to Hongwen Hall with the level of an eighth-level civil servant. He also had unusual connections. Who knew that Cheng Yun'an had used up the reserved political resources. He confirmed the academic certificate and said: "Cheng Jinzhou can go in and take classes. , you follow Class 3, remember not to walk around the school casually."

Cheng Jinzhou thanked him and stepped in. Xiang Xin pulled Liu Qingshuang and wanted to go in, but the academic officer stopped him and said, "Miss, you can't enter."

As he said this, he was also surprised at Xiang Xin's boldness.

Students passing by inside the Yimen also looked over. Classmate Xiang Xin’s bald head has the effect of isolating perverts, but the little girl behind him has an attracting effect. Soon, a noble man came closer and shook his head. He explained politely: "Guys, according to the rules of Hongwen Hall, only those who enter Only students can enter. Or a few special people."

He bit the word "special" very hard and looked at Xiang Xin expectantly.

Among the several official central schools, only the Guangwen School recruits daughters of officials above the 12th grade. The others, including the Hongwen School, only recruit men. Although they are still discriminatory, their performance is much better than the feudal society Cheng Jinzhou knew.

Xiao Cheng was about to persuade Xiang Xin, but he didn't expect that the latter ignored Noble's suggestion and pulled up his right sleeve, exposing half of his forearm.

A small tattoo extends from top to bottom.

Only then did Cheng Jinzhou notice that Xiang Xin was not wearing a star warlock robe today, but a light blue uniform. It is what most women who are out in public and have a job often wear. It is relatively close to the look of men's clothing, but the skirt is larger and shows off a little waist.

The spiraling and fine tattoos seemed to reflect the sun's rays. The academic officer raised his head in surprise, but did not speak rashly. He was still the pretentious little nobleman and said with a smile: "Shen Cong, is this young lady a star warlock or a star warlock apprentice?" ?”

The children, who had no interest in this place at first, also ran over and looked up to see a star warlock. They seemed to be watching. Of course, the strongest one is Shen Cong. He can still joke with the Star Warlock, but in a different place, there is no need to think about it.

"First-class Star Warlock." Xiang Xin hung up the badge. Xu has been following Liu Kuang, the fourth-level star warlock, for a long time, and she does not take her first-level title as important, but in fact, a first-level star warlock is the guest of the local chief executive in any area, and can even treat him as a guest. Seen as a combination of national academician and 007, even if he reaches the position of Liu Bin's transshipment envoy, he will not underestimate any real star warlock.

The academic officer is no better than the students of Hongwen Hall. Looking at Xiang Xin's unfalsified collar badge, his posture weakened and he said: "Your Excellency Star Warlock can enter, but you must register. This lady is..."

"How can such a young girl be a star warlock?" Shen Cong still smiled in a normal tone, and nodded politely to Cheng Jinzhou: "For those who have recently enrolled in school, I have seen one with more than a dozen knights, but I have never seen one with a dozen knights. To the one with the Star Warlock, I am 17 years old, how about you?"

"13." Cheng Jinzhou tried to be brief to avoid saying the wrong thing.

The Hongwen Pavilion was far less grand than the Cheng family's old residence. Xiang Xin saw that everyone was still kind and said simply: "Since there are rules, I won't go in."

With that said, he signaled to Cheng Jinzhou that he and Liu Qingshuang were waiting outside.

Shen Cong glanced at Liu Qingshuang again, reached out and patted Cheng Jinzhou's shoulder in a familiar gesture and said with a smile, "Which class are you in? I'll take you to see it."

…

Niaoyu: I don’t know how many people who read Shitiao’s book are still studying. I would like to suggest that everyone must study hard before confirming that they can travel with supernatural powers or other cheats. Although cheating is a skill that should be mastered proficiently, a true expert is someone who can cheat at any time and anywhere, but still pass without cheating - a person who only masters one skill is not complete……

…