In the eighth year of Tianyou in Dayue, the New Year Festival just passed and the first month was still in the middle of the year. Even in the south, the weather was still cold, but the carriages, horses and ships passing through the official roads and the Caohe River were already in full swing.

Luo Wen sat on the passenger ship heading north, looking at the same boats on both sides from time to time, feeling deeply moved. This was his first time leaving his hometown to go to Luoyang, a capital city thousands of miles away, just to participate in this year's spring examination. What he saw and heard along the way completely subverted his previous understanding of the world.

In the books of sages he studied hard for ten years, he always regarded chasing interests as a villain's actions, but along the way, the merchants took care of their scholars with politeness and thoughtfulness, meticulousness, and although it was expensive, it was worth the money.

Whether it was food and drink expenses along the way, or various faster transportation, he and his classmates felt that it was not as hard as they imagined. For example, he and a few friends could take a boat all the way north early, without having to delay in a town somewhere south like some candidates who refused to spend money.

"This is the convenience brought to us by the lucrative business." Bian Ze, a friend next to him, couldn't help but sigh and pointed to the cargo ship that was quickly surpassed by his own passenger ship. "I heard from the dock yesterday that these goods can be transported to the north, and the value can be increased by more than two or three times. When we reach the northern border, we can sell the cloth from Jiangnan for five times the price. The horses and fur over there are also the good things that many wealthy families in Jiangnan are most willing to buy."

"Brother Bian is from a wealthy family. He looks more refined than the scholars who are like me." Another friend Feng Hui also replied with a smile, "I only know that in the past few years, our Jiangnan has really been very different from the past. Not only is the business more prosperous, but we have lived a lot better life as a young man. Now, as long as we have the skills and are willing to do things, we can find work in the county town, and we have not seen many beggars in our county town."

The conversation between the two made Luo Wen stunned again, and then he said deeply: "Brother Feng, I really didn't notice it. When did you start to see beggars and refugees in the county town?"

"It should have been five years ago." This time, Bianze continued the conversation again, "After the self-great Yue court really spread money and made the business more prosperous, shops of all sizes were opened everywhere, and small shops were opened in the most inconspicuous small villages at that time, and a large number of people were required to take care of them, so those who were down-to-earth and hardworking had a place to support themselves.

"Do you still remember that in the third year of Tianyou, our city suffered a flood, and some counties were flooded. As a result, the government can still quickly take out a large amount of supplies to help the affected people, and at the same time, they can also divide up many responsibilities to allow all affected people to use labor for relief and quickly rebuild their homes. It took only three months to recover everything. If this was the case, it would be a waste of corruption. Countless victims would leave their hometowns and escape from the disaster."

"I remembered this time when you mentioned it. Even the county government office has become more and more concerned about civil affairs in recent years. In the past, it was said that the eight-character yamen was open outside, and if you have any reason or money, you should not come in. Now it is different. As long as there is really grievance and there is really grievance, no official dares to favor personal gain. On weekdays, people have any difficulties, and only ask for help from the government, they can get some help... I heard that the court has recently put forward an argument, saying that it is not a parent official, but a public servant of the people..." Feng Hui interjected again, full of emotion.

But these words made the other people's expressions a little weird. I waited for ten years to wait for a high school and then become an official. But now, the officials in this court look really not more prestigious than businessmen, especially under the constraints of the new official law, they are all cautious and dare not make mistakes. Is it really interesting to be an official like this?

Their thoughts were quickly interrupted by Luo Wen's cheers: "Your Majesty is indeed wise now! Isn't we studying the words of the saints just to hope that the world will be stable and the people will be prosperous? It's great that the court can let us make decisions for the people after becoming an official!"

When other candidates who had hidden their own thoughts heard this, they felt ashamed or disdainful, but no one dared to object, and they could only express their opinions. However, people's hearts are selfish, and most people still have some doubts about their future.

As they spoke, the speed of the ship heading north slowed down, and finally stopped by the dock. This made the candidates a little confused. Before they could ask the merchant responsible for their journey north, the man rushed over with a wry smile: "My masters, please forgive me. The Caohe River ahead will be difficult to move forward smoothly because of the dry water. Although there are still a large number of boatmen on both sides of the Caohe River, because the cargo ships gave enough money and asked for everyone, it is difficult for our boat to find the boatmen.

"In order not to delay your trip, the small meaning is that we will switch to land. The carriage has been found there, and we will definitely be able to send you to Luoyang smoothly, but we just want to apologize for a while. The carriage is obviously not as comfortable as the ship..." As he said that, he bowed repeatedly, looking like he apologized.

Everyone said this, and the candidates were not really in conflict with him, so they agreed and went ashore with him. Sure enough, the carriages there were already in place, and everyone divided into several piles, and each of them had a cart, and the team continued to go north.

Along the way, they saw that there were fewer traffic and people coming and going from north to south than boats on the Caohe River, which was completely different from what they should have after the New Year. However, the renovated official road was enough to allow many cars and horses to pass smoothly. And every few dozen miles, there must be an official station on the side of the road, which allows everyone to stay at a high level, making it no longer so difficult to get on the road.

Especially when the candidates took out their own juren sign and went to accommodation with the documents issued by the Ministry of Rites, all fees were exempted. The people in the inn were also extremely considerate and felt as if they were home.

Luo Wen and his friends stayed in the same room. When it was dinner time, a friend brought a few dishes, wine and meals into the room. Just as the guy put them down one by one and asked the masters to have a meal with a smile, Luo Wen called him curiously: "Waiter, are you all run by the official station? How is your business on weekdays?"
Chapter completed!