Chapter 61

Inside the Pingyang Zhang Family's carriage, Zhang Gui looked through the window at the plaque hanging high in mid-air.

He couldn't help but laugh:

"Burning Tail Gate, Burning Tail Gate.

Legend has it that when a common fish jumps over the Dragon Gate, its fish tail will be burned off and transformed into a dragon tail.

What a good omen!"

As he spoke, the carriage slowed down; they had already entered the market street.

If it were an ordinary time, anyone would stop to watch for a while in such a lively and prosperous place.

But now there was official business, and time was pressing.

The Zhang Family's carriage did not stop along the way and drove straight to their destination, the "Dragon Gate Trading Bureau."

This place was equivalent to the yamen of Dragon Gate Berth.

It's just that from the gatekeeper, the errand boy passing messages, the yamen official handling public business, to the master sitting in the hall, they were all missing something down below.

And because eunuchs had their original yang cut off.

They were often sycophantic and extra careful toward those above, but sharp and mean toward those below, rarely showing generosity.

Zhang Gui couldn't help but become cautious.

The Trading Bureau was a royal enterprise operated by the Inner Court, and nothing was off-limits.

The two gold-painted main doors alone were ten zhang wide.

For the convenience of entering and exiting, no steps were built, and there were no guards.

Only twenty or so eunuchs in blue shirts stood at intervals, acting as gatekeepers.

The oldest among them was at least forty, with a face that smiled without smiling.

The youngest looked like they were fifteen or sixteen, their faces frozen stiff, expressionless.

Carriages that frequented the place went straight into the "Dragon Gate Trading Bureau" without even saying hello.

Instead, those eunuchs in blue shirts kept dodging, clearly showing that their status wasn't very high.

However, no matter how lowly the gatekeeping eunuchs were, they weren't people Zhang Gui and his group could look down upon.

Outside the "Dragon Gate Trading Bureau," the three of them jumped off the carriage and tidied their clothes properly.

Afterward, Zhang Qitong found a gatekeeping eunuch with a round face who looked the most kind-hearted and cupped his hands:

"Greetings, Gonggong.

I am a steward of the Pingyang Zhang Family, here with a promising young member of our family to apply for a martial tribute."

As he spoke, he subtly stuffed a small silver ingot over.

But he didn't expect that the little eunuch would slightly dodge, not accepting the tip, and said with a smile: "Please follow me."

Without any difficulty, he led Zhang Gui and the three of them to the martial tribute training ground on the west side of the Trading Bureau, the "General-Pointing Platform."

A little eunuch was learning from others to act with integrity, handling business without taking money, so Zhang Qitong didn't insist and put the money away without a word.

But Zhang Gui saw that the round-faced little eunuch's blue shirt hem was frayed, yet he acted as if nothing was wrong.

He spoke softly and bid farewell to the three of them with a face full of spring breeze.

For some reason, the four words "like bathing in a spring breeze" popped into his mind.

Suddenly, he smiled and said: "Gonggong, don't leave yet.

It's still the New Year season, and the Lantern Festival hasn't passed yet; I am truly grateful for you guiding the way for me.

These three small silver ingots aren't worth much, just a little token of my appreciation.

Please accept them to buy a pot of wine."

He took two steps forward, fished three three-tael silver ingots from his sleeve, and handed them over with both hands.

The little eunuch was stunned, his smile unchanged as he responded: "Wealthy young master, I am just a gatekeeper and handyman.

Giving me silver is like throwing it into water to hear the sound; why waste it?"

"I am not a wealthy young master.

I was raised by my mother selling shrimp paste since I was a child.

Later, I had some opportunities and reached this step today.

When I was selling paste with my Amu, I would initially help the elderly deliver goods.

I also didn't want a tip, it was purely out of kindness.

But later, as the number of times I helped increased, I became irritable and slowly didn't want to help anymore.

Now that I think about it, if someone had seen that my kindness at that time was rare and insisted on giving me a tip.

My heart would have been balanced, and maybe I would have continued helping people..."

"But I am not you.

I really don't want this kind of money, and I won't be hypocritical like you.

Clearly wanting the reward for helping, yet still putting on an act."

The little eunuch interrupted Zhang Gui's words with a grin.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gui suddenly clapped his hands, "Someone as hypocritical as me can have a good outcome and have a salted fish flip over.

Let alone a top-tier person like you who truly makes people feel like they are bathing in a spring breeze.

Maybe when you become successful, the three small silver ingots I offered can be exchanged for huge benefits."

The round-faced little eunuch was stunned upon hearing this and said softly, "Then I'll take your auspicious words."

He took the silver from Zhang Gui's hand, put it into his sleeve, turned around, and left...

In the first lunar month, even if work started, they would rest a little early.

But the head eunuch in charge of the "Dragon Gate Trading Bureau" was a famous person of all sorts.

He still closed the main gate and rested at the Xu hour, which is seven o'clock at night.

It was hard to finally rest.

The round-faced little eunuch paced back to the "General-Pointing Platform" and slipped into the official hall.

There was no one in the hall, only a eunuch of similar age to him, sweeping the floor carefully.

Hearing someone enter, he looked up and laughed, "Tuanzi, you're here.

Hurry up and help me sweep.

After we finish, let's go see the lanterns and eat fried meat pockets.

My treat."

The round-faced little eunuch smiled and nodded, "That sounds great."

While going to get a rag, he chatted casually:

"Jiang Ge, I heard that a kid from the Pingyang Zhang Family came today and applied for a martial scholar title at about our age."

"Hmm, it's a kid named Zhang Jiugui.

The age he entered the Dao is indeed very young, which shows his talent is extremely compatible with the path of the Pingyang Zhang Family's 'Vertical and Horizontal Book.'

But that's about it.

The cultivation technique he practices will at most reach 'Upper Bing.'

If he mixes well, he'll be a fifth-rank official for his whole life.

And as a child of a great clan, he definitely won't be able to hold a military town; after a few turns, he'll be wasted.

This is called, 'Being strong when young isn't real strength, it's just milk-strength,' hahahaha."

Even if their status in the Inner Court was lowly, and they were low-grade eunuchs who swept floors and watered, they still naturally looked down on local figures.

Of course, from a certain perspective, this was also a matter of course.

After all, in the whole world, except for the royal family and those few ancient sects, whose rough work could casually comment on the cultivation techniques of the fourth-rank Dao entry?

And the round-faced little eunuch nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

But in his heart, he quietly remembered the name "Zhang Jiugui."

At the same time.

Pingyang Town, Youyu Ward.

To celebrate his son's salted fish flipping over and becoming a martial scholar in the Siyang Commandery City of the Dongyue Sea Province.

The flowing banquet that Caiyang Auntie rushed to organize in the afternoon had just begun.

A long shed of more than ten zhang was built;

Dozens of tables were set up, including tables, chairs, benches, chicken, fish, meat, eggs, and seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Those who didn't know the trade would think that ten days or half a month wouldn't be enough.

But in reality, as long as the money was in place and you found specialized experts, it could be done in half a day.

And the reason why a flowing banquet is called "flowing" is that it means you can eat as soon as you arrive.

This kind of banquet is usually not too exquisite, emphasizing richness and affordability.

Big fish and meat, heavy oil and salt, every dish looks oily and smooth, and a rich taste is best.

Eighty percent of the neighbors around Caiyang Auntie's house were hardworking people making a living in the fish market, which was also suitable for this style.

Seeing her son's salted fish flip over, even if they were jealous, they would come to support the scene if there was free food and drink.

Finally, the banquet was lively and held three times, and everyone on the whole street was satisfied before it finally ended.

(End of chapter)