Chapter 111: Entering Bianjing

"Moonlight by the shore, ten thousand fragrant trees rise in auspicious mists. The Imperial residence is magnificent, the dynasty flourishes, and the precious fortune shall last a thousand years..."

These lines were written by Liu Yong as an elderly man, returning to Bianjing after serving as an official for many years. Finding the city even more prosperous than in his youth, he used the first half of his poem to depict the splendor of the capital.

"Once I viewed the scenes with pride, wandering wildly through the sights; seeing them again, they are even more refined... The traces of an official’s life and the sentiments of song and wine are not as they were in years past."

The second half of the poem captures his feelings upon seeing the scenery of Bianjing; he knew the prosperity of the capital would only grow with each passing day, yet he felt the melancholy of his own aging and the loss of his youth.

Now, Zhang Yue had arrived in the Bianjing that Liu Yong would never see again.

Early in the morning, the Bian River flowed through a veil of rain. The boat passed through vast stretches of farmland and villages in the suburbs, slowly making its way toward the East Water Gate. Countless cargo ships on the water were heading toward the city, one after another.

It was no wonder it was said that since the transport of grain from the southeast flowed through Sizhou into the Huai River, all goods from the southeast entered the capital via this route; the needs of both the state and the people depended entirely on this Bian River.

A living "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" slowly unfolded before his eyes.

Beside him, someone familiar with the sights of Bianliang introduced them to Zhang Yue: "Look, young master, that is the Rainbow Bridge!"

Zhang Yue gazed at the bridge, which had no pillars and was constructed of giant timber beams arched in mid-air, decorated in cinnabar red. It truly lived up to its name, the Rainbow Bridge.

As they passed under the bridge, the masts of the various ships were lowered and stowed away one by one. Many commoners stood by the bridge watching the scene, pointing and whispering. The boatmen on the cargo vessels tossed hemp ropes onto the bridge, then had people on the bridge pull the boats through with the ropes.

Zhang Yue asked, "How many bridges like this are there on the Bian River?"

"You've asked the right person, young master. From the East Water Gate to the West Water Gate, there are twelve more such bridges. The most prosperous ones are the Great Xiangguo Temple Bridge and the State Bridge on the Imperial Street. You will have plenty of places to visit once you are in Bianjing. You might as well take a stroll through the various pleasure quarters and entertainment districts."

Zhang Yue glanced at the man. He, too, was eager to see these legendary "pleasure quarters and entertainment districts" and to gain a deeper understanding of the charms of the ladies of Bianjing, but alas, he was away from home and dared not spend money recklessly!

If only he could be admitted to the Imperial Academy; that would be government-funded. If he failed, he would either have to return home or remain in the capital to prepare for the Directorate of Education examinations, and all of that would cost money.

When passing the Rainbow Bridge, the boatmen used bamboo poles to brace against the stone foundations on the walls of the bridge arch.

After passing the bridge, the masts were raised again. The boatmen pulled on dozens of ropes to reset the masts and sails, while the rowers continued to work the oars without pause. These large oars were not like paddles; they required several people to operate them, with some in front and some behind, rhythmically rising and lowering their heads.

The sound of water being struck, rising and falling in succession, mingled with the rhythmic chants of the boatmen, shattering the morning tranquility of the rain-drenched Bianjing.

Before long, Zhang Yue saw the city walls of Bianjing through the veil of rain—layered, imposing, and stretching out to both horizons.

The boat passed through the East Water Gate for inspection before entering the city.

Zhang Yue looked closely; most of the boats on the Bian River were like this—their bows pressed low by heavy loads of cargo and grain, while only the sterns were tilted high.

Once the Wu family’s flag was displayed, the officials at the water gate dared not conduct a thorough inspection and quickly let them into the city.

After passing the East Water Gate, they continued along the river until they reached the wharf before the Great Xiangguo Temple Bridge. The three large boats of the Wu family had already lowered their masts to clear the bridge, and with the help of trackers pulling from the banks, the boats slowed down significantly.

Boats coming from the East Water Gate were not permitted to proceed further; only boats from the West River were allowed to pass.

Before Zhang Yue could fully appreciate the scenery along the river or the bustling trade at the Great Xiangguo Temple, everyone disembarked at the wharf in Henan.

The rain had eased significantly, yet the wharf was still chaotic and noisy early in the morning.

Nearby, boatmen in short tunics were busy loading and unloading cargo, their muscular, knotted bodies glistening with what could have been either rain or sweat.

After pulling a boat past the bridge, the lead tracker called his companions to collect their pay. Many porters and trackers, clutching their hard-earned coins, bought bowls of rice porridge at the food stalls. They squatted under the eaves, bare-backed, devouring their food, occasionally lifting their heads to cast vacant gazes toward the rain-slicked Bian River.

A boat captain, having just settled his accounts at the riverside warehouse, didn't even have time to seek shelter from the rain before running into an acquaintance. After a hurried exchange of pleasantries and a cupped-hand farewell, he was back on his boat before the words had even faded.

At the labor agency not far from the wharf, many men sat, stood, or lay lifelessly under the eaves. These commoners, dressed in short shirts and rolled-up trousers, watched the wharf. Whenever someone stopped by, a crowd would immediately swarm toward them.

However, these people were promptly and rudely driven away by a middleman wielding a whip, and then one man would step forward alone, wearing a fawning smile to discuss the terms.

Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi also stepped off the boat under umbrellas. On the other boats, the attendants and maids climbed down the ladders in a bedraggled state, holding umbrellas and draping coats over their masters and mistresses. Wu Anshi was already waiting on the wharf.

"My two friends, I must leave. We have traveled thousands of miles from Fujian to the capital, and I have troubled you both to share in the anxieties of the journey. Having weathered the wind and rain together, our friendship need not be spoken of. Now that we are in Bianjing, at the feet of the Emperor, living is not easy. If you encounter any difficulties, do not hesitate to ask me. My residence is on Jinliang Bridge Street; anyone can point the way."

"Thank you, eldest young master!"

"Let us part here. I shall invite you both to the terrace for a drink another day."

With that, Wu Anshi mounted his horse. Zhang Yue caught a glimpse of the woman from the Wu family holding an apricot-colored oil-paper umbrella, moving through the misty rain, the noisy Bian River wharf becoming a mere backdrop for her.

He watched as she boarded the carriage with the help of her maids.

As Wu Anshi had said, the journey to the capital had been thousands of miles. Although they had traveled by boat, Zhang Yue felt they had truly experienced something. At first, he had only wanted to finish the journey quickly and get to the capital. Now that he was here, a different mood took hold.

Zhang Yue stepped forward and said to Wu Anshi on his horse, "Take care, eldest young master."

Wu Anshi was moved. "We are both in Bianjing; we shall see each other often. In a few days, have Tang Jiulang come to my residence, and I will have my father write a letter for him."

Zhang Yue was overjoyed. "Many thanks, eldest young master."

With that, Wu Anshi, the Wu family carriage, and their entire retinue headed west and departed.

The Bian River flowed east, and a fine rain drifted down. Zhang Yue held his umbrella and watched for a long time, until the carriage vanished around the corner.

Huang Haoyi asked Zhang Yue, "Third Brother, where shall we go?"

Zhang Yue regained his senses and said, "To the Imperial Academy first, of course."

Huang Haoyi said, "I thought you would go to stay at your second brother's place first. If so, I would have liked to meet him; I wonder if I might have such an opportunity?"

Zhang Yue remained silent for a moment before saying, "Fourth Brother, let us go to the Imperial Academy first."

"Very well, Third Brother, be sure to call for me then."

Zhang Yue asked, "Why don't you go to your brother's house?"

Huang Haoyi replied, "My brother has gone to Xincai to serve as a magistrate, but my sister-in-law is currently living in Bianjing. Speaking of her, isn't she the sister of your second brother?"

Zhang Yue felt the web of kinship was getting confusing—the sister of his second brother?

Zhang Yue said solemnly, "Fourth Brother, I must correct you on this. My second brother has now been registered into my uncle's household. While we share blood, I cannot call him 'Second Brother' to his face; I must address him by his rank in the clan, or call him Brother Dun."

"When you see him, be sure not to address him incorrectly."

Huang Haoyi said, "What of it? We are all family; there is no harm in basking in his glory. Third Brother, surely you aren't unwilling to introduce me to your second brother? I know that someone like me, not even an Imperial Academy student, is like a small fish or shrimp—hardly worthy of being a friend to your second brother."

A thousand thoughts raced through Zhang Yue's mind.

*You are a candidate for the Imperial Examination; how could I look down on you? You are far too cynical.*

Zhang Yue hurriedly said, "Fourth Brother, what are you saying? It's just that my second brother... well, you know... he has always been strict with me and forbids me from using his name to parade about. I dare not inform him lightly of my admission to the Imperial Academy, otherwise, he might think I am trying to use his influence."

"How so?"

Zhang Yue said, "My second brother is a man of high standards. And you know, the family of my uncle is famous for having a father and son who are both Jinshi scholars! Do you not intend to visit them? Besides, I heard your second brother just entered into a marriage connection with a prestigious Censor-in-chief, a man of the purest reputation. If they could help you, living in Bianjing would be much easier."

Zhang Yue gave a dry laugh. "That is precisely why it is difficult to disturb them."

He already felt that getting into a county school was considered "basking in reflected glory," and if he were to enter the Imperial Academy, his uncle would surely claim it was entirely due to his own influence.

Huang Haoyi nodded after hearing this.

Zhang Yue asked, "So, Fourth Brother, where are you staying in the capital?"

Huang Haoyi said, "My brother bought a house in Bianjing. Third Brother, I will take you there another day to meet my second cousin, Haoxin. And my sister-in-law, who is also your cousin."

"Oh, is your second cousin studying in the capital as well?"

Huang Haoyi nodded. "He is preparing for the examination for the Guangwen Hall."

"I see." Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi walked along Baokang Gate Street while they talked.

As they walked, they passed out of the inner city's Baokang Gate, crossed the gate bridge, and reached the intersection of Baokang Gate Street and Wheat Straw Lane. They were not far from the Imperial Academy now.

Those familiar with the history of the Eastern Capital would know that there was a Water Cabinet Street beside Wheat Straw Lane, where Ding Wei's residence was located.

Why did Ding Wei choose to live there?

There was a story behind it.

Water Cabinet Street was adjacent to the Cai River and often suffered from flooding, so high-ranking officials avoided living there. Thus, Ding Wei bought it at a dirt-cheap price.

Then, taking advantage of the imperial court's construction of the Huiling Temple, he ordered the digging of many swamps. Since this was close to his home, Ding Wei had all the soil excavated from the temple’s swamps transported to his own estate to raise the foundation.

Ding Wei also petitioned the court to open the Baokang Gate and build the new Anguo and Yan'an bridges to span the Bian and Cai rivers.

From then on, the path from the Xiangguo Temple to the Huiling Temple became a major thoroughfare, densely populated. The property values skyrocketed, and Ding Wei’s residence, historically described as a "central hub," earned him a fortune.

Regardless, the Imperial Academy students were quite grateful to Ding Wei.

From Baokang Gate Street to Wheat Straw Lane, the streets were almost entirely lined with brothels and red-light districts. This was Bianjing, and the largest red-light district in the Great Song.

Moreover, it was opened right next to the Imperial Academy and the Examination Hall. The students were, of course, delighted.

If it weren't for the fact that it was early morning, the scenery along the way would have been quite something, but the thought made Zhang Yue clutch his purse to cool his heart.

Zhang Yue arrived at the Imperial Academy.

Before the Qingli Educational Reform, the Directorate of Education followed the Tang system, implementing the "Three Halls" system: the Guangwen Hall for Jinshi candidates, the Imperial Academy for various subjects, and the Law School for legal studies.

Ouyang Xiu had once failed the provincial examination, passed the Directorate of Education's monitoring exam, and was admitted as a student of the Guangwen Hall. He then took first place in the Directorate’s selection exam, first in the provincial exam, and finally placed fourteenth in the Palace Examination.

However, after the Qingli Reform, the Three Halls system changed.

The original Three Halls were merely names; they were not actual schools. Passing the exam to become a "hall student" and entering the Directorate of Education or the Imperial Academy was more like a professional title.

After the Qingli Reform, the Jinshi and other subjects were merged into the Imperial Academy.

The sons of officials of the seventh rank and above were "National Students," and their school was located at the Tianfu Puli Zen Temple.

The Xiqing Institute was used as the Imperial Academy. It was located next to the Directorate of Education and was originally used to host Liao envoys and imperial banquets.

Now, it was used to instruct the sons of officials below the eighth rank and talented scholars recommended from the provinces and counties.

From then on, the Directorate of Education and the Imperial Academy moved past the situation of having empty titles without actual schools.

As for the original Guangwen Hall, which taught Jinshi candidates, it was repurposed for failed scholars and students recommended from all over the country. Students could receive a small monthly allowance of grain to support their lives in the capital.

If Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi had failed to get into the Imperial Academy, they could have entered the Guangwen Hall.

Students of the Guangwen Hall could participate in the Directorate of Education's selection exams alongside the official students.

There were 450 quotas for these selection exams.

Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi arrived in front of the Directorate of Education to submit their documents, but the clerk, without even looking up, said, "Document verification is not handled by this office."

"Then where is it handled?"

The clerk did not answer, merely holding out his right hand.

Zhang Yue placed some money in his hand. The clerk weighed it, seemed dissatisfied, and shook his head, saying, "Any bookstore outside the gate will do."

Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi went to a bookstore outside the gate, where a clerk greeted them enthusiastically.

Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi showed him their documents, reports, local records, and official certifications—including those for Tang Jiu and Ma Wu.

The clerk's expression turned cold. "Are you not handling other matters?"

Huang Haoyi asked, "What other matters?"

The clerk said coldly, "If you don't know, then forget it. Are you in a hurry?"

Huang Haoyi said, "The sooner, the better."

The clerk said, "If you are not in a hurry, we can take these and submit them to the Directorate of Education in three days. If you are in a rush, I have a 'Family Record Collection' here. You can take it and submit your petition to the Directorate of Education yourself."

Without waiting for Huang Haoyi to ask, Zhang Yue said, "What is the price for the rush service, and what is the price if we are not in a hurry?"

The clerk said, "The rush service is two thousand coins; the non-rush service is one thousand."

Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi cursed inwardly; this was pure robbery.

Huang Haoyi said angrily, "We'll go ask at another bookstore."

The clerk spread his hands and smiled. "The market rate is the same everywhere. If you two are going to take the selection exams and provincial exams, you'll need the bookstore eventually. If you buy the 'Family Record Collection' now, it will be more cost-effective later."

Zhang Yue knew this was indeed the way things were, so he said, "Fine, we'll take the rush service."

The clerk smiled. "Smart. The sooner you get into the Imperial Academy, the more you'll save on accommodation costs."

"And this guest?"

Huang Haoyi said proudly, "Not in a hurry."

"That's not very decisive," the clerk sneered. "Come back in three days, then!"

Zhang Yue pulled Huang Haoyi aside and urged him, "We’ve come thousands of miles to Bianjing and spent so much money already; a little more won't hurt. Getting into the Imperial Academy a day early will give us peace of mind sooner."

Huang Haoyi struggled for a moment, then stomped his foot and said, "This kind of person... very well, I'll follow your lead, Third Brother."

Thus, Zhang Yue and Huang Haoyi took their Family Record Collection and entered the Directorate of Education.