The prosperity of Shangjing is very different from Tokyo, Tokyo is located in the Central Plains, the rain is abundant, and because of the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, along the banks of the river, there are many shops, restaurants, cloth shops and pharmacies, all available. Shangjing is more than 1,500 miles north of Tokyo, and the weather is more generous and bold, less graceful and more unrestrained.

The streets of Shangjing, with wide roads that can accommodate four carriages side by side, are unimaginably rough in Jiangnan. On both sides of the street, all kinds of small merchants and vendors compete to sell goods, there are fried cakes, steamed noodles, a little tea matcha, and cold drinks, including "ice and snow licorice soup", "ice and snow cold yuanzi", "raw flooded papaya", "cold water lychee paste", etc., as well as "medicinal papaya", "snow bubble bean water", "snow bubble plum blossom wine", ......

When they first arrived in Beijing, Xia Xiang and Xiao Wu found that their eyes were not enough.

The two stopped in Lingshou County, changed into clean clothes, and went all the way north to Beijing, spending more than a month, and finally arrived in Beijing safely.

The shock of the tall city gate and the unattainable city wall still stirred in my heart, and after entering the city, I was stunned by the dazzling array of goods. The two of them felt that everything was so new and fun, and they were very happy. Not to mention that Xiao Wu was happy like a child, Xia Xiang also changed his previous old habits, talking and laughing, and asking curiously.

After all, it's still a teenager's heart.

The two of them spent most of the day in the city, and it was not until it was getting late that they found an inn to stay.

Originally, Xia Xiang wanted to stay in the good times, as soon as he entered the city gate, he found the most magnificent flags, the most distinct and high flying good scenery is often in the inn, after entering, he asked, a night of accommodation actually costs 300 Wen, it is really too expensive, so he had to give up.

I don't want to go around the city, I see restaurants, tea shops, inns, two out of ten are good times often in the signboard, so that Xia Xiang was surprised, and he had to sigh that Shangjing is really the capital, whether there are other chain businesses He didn't know, only said that good times are always in one, he couldn't help but admire the breadth of its power and strength, only a few stores he saw, I am afraid that it can be worth the annual tax of Lingshou County.

It wasn't until it was getting late that Xia Xiang and Xiao Wuer stayed at the Quanyou Inn.

The whole inn is close to the good scene, and the magnificent good scenery is often in the backdrop of the inn, and the whole inn with a small scale is quite disgraced. Fortunately, the cost of only 30 wen per day is ten times worse than the 300 wen per day when the good times are always there, saving money is the last word, and Xia Xiang doesn't care that the guest rooms of the Quanyou Inn are not well soundproofed and the bed boards creak.

Fortunately, the location of the inn is not bad, not far from the Ministry of Rites, which is convenient for the exam. Perhaps it is precisely because the Quanyou Inn is not far from the Ministry of Rites and is close to the good times, so when Xia Xiang and Xiao Wu moved in, there were only two rooms left. A total of more than 100 rooms are fully occupied, and business is not bad.

You don't have to think about it to know that basically the students who live in Beijing are students from all over the world who are rushing to Beijing to take the exam.

Xia Xiang's room is located in the middle of nowhere, at the westernmost end of the first floor. The north-facing room has long been looted, because the legend of Emperor Wenchang is in the north, although the scholar is silent, in order to seek fame, but also to be closer to Emperor Wenchang, but also to ask for a psychological comfort.

Simply used dinner - the daily accommodation fee of 30 wen in the inn does not include the cost of eating, not to mention that Xia Xiang and Xiao Wu lived in the cheapest lower room, and the dinner of the two was on the first floor of the inn to ask for a few baked cakes and a bowl of hot and sour noodles, and they were sweating profusely after eating, and finally settled out, spending a total of 20 Wen.

"Sure enough, rice is expensive in the capital, and it is not easy to live in vain, if it is in Lingshou, the meal just now is at most ten Wen." When paying the bill, Xia Xiang looked painful, and it took a long time to count enough twenty yuan to be handed over to the guy, in the guy's contemptuous gaze, he didn't care, picked up the bowl, and drank the remaining soup in the bowl.

found that there was a piece of cake crumbs on the table, Xia Xiang picked it up and threw it in his mouth, and said to the stunned guy with a smile: "A gentleman has nothing to eat, no food to eat, no place to live, big fish and big meat, and he doesn't feel delicious when he is full." Coarse tea and light rice, hungry and anxious are also delicious. Xiao Er, if there is any fun nearby, I am tired of pointing out one or two. ”

Xiao Er rubbed his eyes, convinced that the scholar in front of him was a talented person with red lips and white teeth, although his clothes were old, he was also clean and tidy, how could he be so stingy? He is also a well-informed person, and among the students who come to Beijing every three years to take the exam, there are many people who are poorer and more economical than him, but it is the first time to see a student like him who does not let go of a cookie crumb, which can be regarded as an eye-opener.

Xiao Er coughed a few times, rubbed his face, and tried to sober himself up a little: "There are so many fun places nearby, but ...... None of these are places where you can go empty-handed. He twisted his two fingers and smiled, "With the principle that if you can save, you can save, go back to the room to pick up the lamp and read at night to live up to the good time, remember, a smaller wick can save lamp oil." ”

The surrounding guests laughed.

Xiao Wu was so angry that he raised his fist and hit him, but was stopped by Xia Xiang.

Xia Xiang bowed to Xiao Er: "Thank you Xiao Er's teachings, I have been taught below." It is necessary to read at night, but the more important thing at the moment is to ask you to tell me the Qinglou closest to the inn...... Which one is it? ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked.

There are many literati in Daxia, and there are many in the literati, and there are many. Since the summer, in addition to the highly respected Taidou Sima ornament, even the famous Lianche has also lingered in it, and it is fortunate to drink flower wine with the Oiran. If you ask which literati and elegant guest have never been in and out of the Qinglou, the most famous literati in Great Xia, no one dares to answer. Of course, entering and leaving the Fengyue place is a matter of elegance, not an unbearable move.

It's just that Xia Xiang, as a student who came to catch the exam, has no merit and no official position, lives in the lowest guest room and eats the cheapest meals, so frugal, but he saves money to go to the Qinglou, and everyone can't help but be shocked. So much so that some people squint and despise Xia Xiang, deeply ashamed of his behavior, and feel unworthy for Xia Xiang's parents to save money for him to study and catch the exam, such a prodigal, such a scum, what kind of fame do they get? It's simply an insult to the reputation of readers.

Some people secretly applauded Xia Xiang, thinking that Xia Xiang was true temperament and daring, not like some sanctimonious people, who were humble and respectful on the surface, but secretly robbed men and prostitutes.

Hearing that Xia Xiang was looking for Qinglou, Xiao Er didn't even laugh at him, and he had seen a lot of students like Xia Xiang. Every three years, there are countless students who come to take the exam, half of them can take the exam, and the remaining half, thirty percent of them travel in the capital and return empty-handed. Sancheng lingered in the flower street and willow lane, and finally the bedside was exhausted, either returning to his hometown in despair, or living in another country, and finally disappeared. Sancheng was busy with all kinds of social entertainment, and made a group of wine and meat friends in the staggered room, and after the plate was entangled, the wine and meat friends scattered in a hurry, leaving only the mess everywhere and the smell of wine, and nothing else.

Xia Xiang is just one of the three types of people, Xiao Er thinks that he has seen through Xia Xiang, the corners of his mouth are upturned, and he smiles proudly: "The upper and lower sword camps, lacquer walls, Shapi Lane, Qinghe Fang, Ronghe Fang, Xinjie, and sword camps are all the places where Yingying Yanyan is swallowed." If you don't like the overly strong atmosphere of the Qinglou, there are also young ladies who accompany the singing in the Qingle Tea House and the Eight Immortals Tea House. Don't blame me for not reminding the guest officer, after entering the door, I ordered flower tea, and a cup of flower tea cost 3,000 Wen. After going upstairs, you have to order another glass of wine, and the wine will cost thousands of dollars. There were no more than a dozen taels of silver on his body, and he was swept out of the house without even seeing the appearance of the young lady. ”

Xia Xiang listened carefully to Xiao Er's introduction, nodded and smiled, and asked curiously: "Xiao Er is so familiar with the land of Flower Street and Willow Lane, where do you usually go to?" Can you tell us a little bit about that? ”

Xiao Er was about to talk about his experience proudly, but before he could speak, he suddenly felt that something was wrong, and saw that the surrounding guest officers were looking at him curiously and secretly, and he realized that he was surrounded by Xia Xiang, and couldn't help but be annoyed and angry: "You don't know how to lift up, I am kind enough to teach you, but you dirty my innocence, I am a lowly shopkeeper, how can I get to the place of drunkenness?" Don't talk nonsense. ”

Xia Xiang laughed: "Xiao Er, don't be angry, I'm just saying it casually." Tell me, which Qinglou is the farthest away from the inn restaurant where the good times are always there? ”

"Good times?" As soon as Xiao Er heard the words 'good times are always there', as if he had been pricked by a needle, he almost screamed, and whispered like a toothache, "The inn where good times are always there is next to it, what are you doing with good times?" Directly said that it is the farthest away from the Quanyou Inn, which is really a lot of things. ”

Xia Xiang didn't have to think about it to know that Xiao Er's business was much better than his own. Standing in the courtyard and looking to the north, a row of palatial buildings is extraordinary, like a tall horse, and all inns are as lustless as a gray donkey.

"Sir, do you really want to go to the Qinglou?" Walking out of the Quanyou Inn a mile away, Xiao Wu finally couldn't hold back the doubts in his heart, and Ai Ai asked the exit, "I'll just stay at the door, or don't go in." ”

"I'm not going in either." Xia Xiang smiled mysteriously and waved his sleeves, "One is that there is no money, and the other is that there is no interest, well, in fact, the main thing is that there is no money." ”

Xiao Wu was stunned: "Really just to see?" ”

"If you order flower tea and drink a bottle of wine, it will cost you six or seven thousand Wen, and if you sell me, I can't take it out, can I still touch it if I don't look at it?" Xia Xiang rolled his eyes at Xiao Wu angrily, "Xiao Wu, don't blame me for not reminding you, your hands should be honest, don't move around, move a move, let alone spend a thousand ......"

Xiao Wu blushed, rubbed his hands and stomped his feet: "Sir, I, I, where do I dare to move my hands and feet?" No, where do I dare to rob Mr.'s friend? Nor is it, me, me, me...... If the gentleman does not believe in the small, it is better for the small one to die. ”

Xia Xiang laughed: "Okay, I won't tease you, don't panic, the young lady of the Qinglou and the lady of the Liang family are both women, women are women, and they are not tigers, what are you afraid of?" ”

"Xiao Wu is not afraid." Xiao Wu cheered himself, "A woman is a woman, not a tiger." But sir, if you don't move or touch, you can enjoy yourself with just one glance, aren't those who throw money around with a big hand foolish? ”

Xia Xiang was also confused: "Also, standing at the door, you can not only watch the demeanor of the young lady from a distance, but also hear the sound of the piano in your ears, why bother to go in and spend thousands of dollars to see it up close?" It's really puzzling, could it be that they are all deaf and blind, and they can't get close to Fangze until they get close? ”

Such a big problem really stumped Xia Xiang and Xiao Wu, and the two of them walked towards the sword camp, which was the farthest away from the restaurant while enjoying the brilliance of the night market all the way.

The Tang Dynasty imposed a curfew, and the Tang Dynasty's "Palace Guard Order" stipulated: every night when the missing "daytime" of the yamen has been exhausted, 600 "closed door drums" will be sounded; Every morning after five or three o'clock, 400 "open door drums" are sounded. Anyone who walks on the streets of the city without reason behind the "closed door drum" or in front of the "open door drum" is guilty of "committing a night crime" and is to be given 20 lashes. If it is an official business such as delivering a letter to the government, or a private matter such as buying medicine or a doctor for a wedding, funeral, or illness, you can walk with the permission of the street patrolman, but you are not allowed to leave the city.

Before the Tang Dynasty, there was also a curfew in the Sui and Han dynasties. After the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty, the curfew was lifted, and since then, cities with a population of more than 100,000, including Shangjing, Tokyo, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, and the Daimyofu, have become cities that never sleep after dark. The people of the city are constantly operating day and night, circulating goods and goods, selling all kinds of goods, and supporting the countryside.

Before the capital was set in Beijing, there was a night market in Tokyo as the capital, and usually, the night market did not end until the third watch, and after two hours, the fifth watch reopened, almost all night. Even in winter, when it is snowy and rainy, there is a night market. Someone recorded in a note, "There are bitter gnats in the world, but there are no gnats in the Dumaxing Street in the capital." Those who walk on the street, the restaurant of Jingshi Night Market is also very prosperous. Gnats are bad oil, and the horses are noisy, the lights shine on the sky, and every four more drums, so gnats will never be eradicated. It is said that the candle oil that burns all night smokes not a single mosquito in the entire street, which shows that the prosperity of Tokyo's night market is nowhere in the world.

After the capital went to Beijing, the center of gravity of Daxia shifted, and Tokyo as the accompanying capital, the prosperity is still the same, but its prosperity is overshadowed by the scenery of Beijing. The street business in Beijing is endless, day and night, and when it comes to the third or fourth watch, tourists begin to sparse. It was only after the fifth watch, and the morning market sellers got up early to open their shops. The morning market starts at 5 a.m. and lasts until late at night. Above the night market, there are calls for all kinds of KitKat utensils and other Baise objects, which are no different from the day market. Other alleys, markets, buying and selling, gambling, restaurants, songs, lights, all year round.

Restaurants, teahouses, and Qinglou inns are all welcoming guests day and night. There are also various food stalls in the night market, selling all kinds of delicacies, ginger bezi, fat skin, roasted pepper, sour, mutton fat leek cake, bad sheep's trotters, bad crab, and there are stretchers selling spicy canned lungs, spicy vegetarian soup, bacon, fine powder, ginger shrimp......

The night market in Daxia is not only about shopping, shopping, eating and drinking, but also forming a unique and vivid night market culture. There is a poem that praises: Liang Yuan's singing and dancing are full of romance, and the wine is like a knife to relieve sorrow. I remember how happy the youth was, and the lights went up to the Fan Tower in the middle of the night.

There are also words as evidence: thousands of trees bloom at night in the east wind. More blows down, stars like rain. BMW carved cars are full of fragrance. The sound of the phoenix flute moves, the light of the jade pot turns, and the fish and dragon dance all night.