1. Journey to the Capital

Zhao Baozhu had no idea the capital city was so vast.

Standing in the queue waiting to enter the city, he heard the faint bustle of voices from within the walls. Peering through the gaps between the inspecting guards at the gate, he saw the throngs of people flowing by inside.

The sheer number of pedestrians was so great that their legs seemed to merge into a continuous mass, with horse hooves and carriage wheels occasionally weaving through. In just the brief moment Zhao Baozhu stared, five carriages passed by.

He was dumbfounded.

Back home, only the county magistrate owned a carriage, and occasionally merchants passing through the county seat had horses. Ordinary families hardly ever saw horses, and possessing a draught ox was considered a sign of considerable wealth! Yet here in the capital, so many carriages moved about, their side panels draped with exquisite beaded curtains that shimmered in the sunlight like the sparkling pebbles in the little stream by Zhao Baozhu’s home.

The clamor of street vendors reached his ears over the city walls, making him dizzy.

The journey from his hometown to the capital had been fraught with hardship — his book-laden bundle was nearly stolen — but he had never once faltered. Yet now, standing before the towering city walls, he felt a sudden shiver of apprehension. Within those walls, the prosperity seemed like a beast desperate to break free from its cage.

“Hey, young man.”

Someone tapped his shoulder from behind.

Zhao Baozhu shuddered and turned to see an old man squinting at him, motioning forward with his mouth.

Only then did Zhao Baozhu realize he was quite far behind the person in front of him. He snapped back to attention and heard low murmurs of complaint from the queue behind.

“Thank you, sir.”

Quickly, Zhao Baozhu expressed his gratitude and turned to follow the line.

The old man paused briefly, then caught up with him. He thought to himself, “That young man’s words are strangely sweet. Perhaps he’s from the south — I’ve heard people there like to repeat syllables.”

While Zhao Baozhu was still lost in thought, only one person remained ahead of him. As he caught up, he saw that person bowing politely and presenting a travel permit before passing through. A soldier at the gate turned around and looked at him. “Next.”

Zhao Baozhu stepped forward carefully, taking the place of the person ahead, and looked up at the soldier.

The soldier was tall, clad in silver armor, with a sword hanging at his waist. Zhao Baozhu’s gaze lingered on the sword, silently marveling — it was the first time he had ever seen a real treasure sword.

So handsome, he thought.

The soldier’s voice, tinged with the capital’s accent, came from above: “What’s your business here?”

Zhao Baozhu regained composure and looked up, offering a slightly ingratiating smile. “M-my lord, this humble one has come for the examination.”

The soldier paused, then asked, “Which examination?”

Zhao Baozhu blinked, thinking, What else could it be? “The provincial exam, of course.”

Those words caused a stir.

Those waiting behind began whispering excitedly. The soldier’s brows furrowed, voice rising: “You say you’re a successful candidate?”

Zhao Baozhu didn’t understand why the soldier was so surprised but nodded subtly.

He looked doubtfully at the small beggar standing before him. It was understandable that the soldier mistook Zhao Baozhu for a beggar — his clothes were torn and tattered, his cloth shoes patched multiple times, clearly worn thin. The boy claimed to be a successful candidate while looking disheveled, dirt smeared across his face, hair in disorder. Only the large, dark eyes hinted at a decent appearance beneath the grime.

The soldier was silent for a moment, hand resting on his sword sheath, his voice deliberately lowered. “How bold! All scholars are selected by His Majesty. Do you know that falsely claiming a title is a crime against the emperor?”

Startled by the soldier’s sudden anger, Zhao Baozhu’s mouth parted dumbly. Seeing this, the soldier leaned in slightly and softened his tone.

“You must not lie. Best be honest. Prince Wu has set up a porridge stall in the West Market — I won’t bar you from entering just because you’re a vagrant.”

Normally, he might not have spoken so plainly, but seeing the boy’s youth and guessing he’d been misguided by some scoundrel, the soldier felt a pang of sympathy.

To his surprise, Zhao Baozhu grew anxious. “No! My lord, I’m not lying!” Eyes wide, he hurriedly pulled his ragged bundle to his chest and rummaged inside.

The soldier frowned, suspecting the boy might produce a tattered copy of the Four Books and Five Classics to fool him.

But then Zhao Baozhu swiftly drew out a name certificate and handed it over. “Please have a look.”

The soldier took it and opened it carefully. It read: “Zhao Baozhu, successful candidate in the 35th year of the Yuan Zhi era at the provincial examination.” Below was his place of birth: “Qingxi Village, Chang County, Southern Prefecture of Yizhou.” Stamped alongside were the seals of the Yizhou academic office, the prefect, and the chief examiner from the Hanlin Academy — unmistakably authentic.

The soldier’s hands trembled slightly as he read it thrice. “You are Zhao Baozhu?”

Zhao Baozhu nodded. “Indeed, this humble one.”

The soldier closed the certificate and returned it carefully. Then, surprisingly, he cupped his hands in salute. “Honorable Candidate Zhao. I beg your pardon for my ignorance and rash suspicion.”

Zhao Baozhu’s eyes widened at the sudden respect. He stepped back two paces and bowed in return. “Not at all, it was my fault for not speaking clearly. Your courtesy is unnecessary, my lord.”

Their exchange caused a commotion in the queue behind.

“Is it really… truly Candidate Zhao?”

“No way… that kid’s barely grown!”

“Show some respect! He’s a successful candidate… destined to be an official!”

They all stared in disbelief and amazement at Zhao Baozhu at the front of the line, dressed like a beggar yet truly a successful candidate. Passing the provincial exam meant a future as a government official! These were refugees who had fled the floods to the capital. Before the disaster, even one successful candidate from a county was considered exceptional.

They looked at Zhao Baozhu with a mixture of envy and confusion. Here was a prodigy, still unadorned by formal rank, reduced to standing in line with them poor refugees.

Meanwhile, the soldier straightened and said, “Candidate Zhao, I will escort you into the city.” He signaled to his comrade and turned back to Zhao Baozhu. “This way, please.”

Zhao Baozhu smiled sheepishly at the soldier’s respectful demeanor, a pair of dimples appearing at the corners of his mouth. “Thank you kindly, my lord.”

The soldier chuckled. “Please don’t be so formal, Candidate Zhao.” Leading him through the city gate, he continued, “To my knowledge, all prefectural offices should provide travel allowances to successful candidates.”

These travel allowances were granted by the imperial court to help candidates reach the capital. For Zhao Baozhu to have fallen into such a sorry state piqued the soldier’s curiosity.

He tilted his head slightly, his noble brows arching. “Candidate Zhao, was someone in the office deliberately withholding your allowance?”

Zhao Baozhu quickly shook his head. “It’s not the office’s fault.” Embarrassed, he explained, “The journey from Yizhou was arduous. There were landslides, and I had to travel with merchant caravans to get through the mountains. Then I ran into bandits. That’s why I look like this.”

The soldier nodded and sighed. “I’ve heard the roads in Yizhou are perilous, especially the passes. Candidate Zhao, you’ve suffered much.”

Zhao Baozhu felt a rosy flush rise to his cheeks, thankfully hidden beneath the grime. Hearing the soldier speak so eloquently, as refined as a scholar, he bowed his head and clasped his hands.

“Nay, I am blessed by heaven. To have arrived safely in the capital is already a great fortune.”

The soldier smiled slightly, noting the boy’s humble tone and lack of the usual arrogance found in scholars. He looked down at Zhao Baozhu.

“You must be tired now. I won’t keep you. If you follow this road south, you’ll find several inns where you can rest.”

Zhao Baozhu had been worried about where to stay, so this was a relief. “Thank you, my lord!”

The soldier laughed softly. “I’m but a guard, unworthy of ‘my lord’.” He hesitated, then added, “If you face trouble, come to the Lan Mansion and ask for me.”

With that, he bowed and turned, heading out the city gate.

Zhao Baozhu watched his back, thinking he didn’t yet know the man’s name. But since he mentioned Lan Mansion, the kind soldier’s surname was probably Lan. He bowed in farewell.

“Lord Lan, I am deeply grateful.”

The soldier waved and disappeared beyond the gates.

Zhao Baozhu smiled faintly, wiping the sweat from his brow. Though his journey to the capital was fraught with hardship, he had met a kind soul upon arrival. Perhaps his streak of bad luck was finally ending.

He chuckled softly and turned around — but the smile froze on his lips.

…Which way did that soldier say the inns were?

His sense of direction, honed in the mountains, was useless amid the capital’s labyrinthine streets.

Standing before the bustling market, he saw five or six branching alleys. He stood helpless among shouting vendors and nearly stepped on a merchant pushing a cart. The man scowled, annoyed at being blocked.

“What are you doing? Can’t you watch where you’re going?!”

Startled by the shout, Zhao Baozhu stepped back and clasped his hands in apology. “Sorry, sorry. Could you please tell me where the inns are?”

The vendor eyed him up and down with a sneer and a malicious grin. “Inns? Just head that way — any direction will do.”

Zhao Baozhu thanked him and glanced at the vendor’s cart, which sold glutinous rice rolls skewered on sticks, looking tempting. He hadn’t had a proper meal in nearly two days; if he had extra silver, he would have bought one as thanks. But with only two taels of silver left, he needed to save every coin until after the spring exams.

He bowed again and set off in the direction indicated.

The vendor watched his retreating figure, snorting through his nose with a sinister smile. What a strange day! A beggar daring to seek an inn? Probably thinks a few coins in his pocket will buy him a meal in the capital.

He deliberately led the boy toward the city’s most expensive district, anticipating some entertainment to come.