The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun

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However, this is no different from courting death.

There is a joke that goes like this: In ancient times, there was an orphan who became a bandit. Once, while robbing a courier on an express route, he robbed him. In the end, the court executed his entire family. Because he was an orphan, the court also found his biological parents and even the dog he had raised when he was a child, and executed their entire families as well.

This illustrates the importance of urgent dispatches.

Although Jiang Ning's martial arts skills are now high, he wouldn't be so bored as to do such a thing.

Without giving up on the urgent matter, Jiang Ning continued on his journey.

After bidding farewell to Yue Buqun in Dengfeng, he headed north to investigate the unorthodox individuals who had escaped from Mount Song that night.

Along the way, they did indeed capture quite a few evil spirits and wicked people, as well as some heinous criminals.

Jiang Ning sent all of these people to be reincarnated.

Originally, his plan for this trip was not only to hunt down those evil people, but also to eliminate Ren Yingying's vassal forces.

Many of the various factions that surrounded Mount Hua last year have escaped.

However, as Jiang Ning traveled north, he realized that he had never been to the capital. Since he had not encountered those evil people again, Jiang Ning decided to visit the capital. A few days ago, he met the caravan and hitched a ride with them.

Jiang Ning continued on his journey. It was morning when he left the caravan, and by the time he was almost in the capital, it was already afternoon.

More and more people were traveling along the official road, all heading towards the capital.

Jiang Ning and the others traveled for a while longer before finally arriving in the capital.

Magnificent.

atmosphere.

Jiang Ning was looking at the city from the outside. The towering city walls were very imposing, and the soldiers on the walls stood motionless with their weapons in hand.

After looking around, Jiang Ning prepared to enter the city.

At this time, there were rows of soldiers guarding the city gate, and people were queuing to enter and exit.

"What's your name? Where are you from? Show me your travel permit."

When they reached Jiangning, the soldiers conducting the inspection asked them questions.

The travel permit was similar to a pass, issued by the government. Ordinary people had to have a travel permit to go to other places. Without it, they would be punished for violating the laws of the Ming Dynasty. The punishment ranged from caning to exile.

"Jiangning, from Shaanxi, has no travel permit."

Jiang Ning replied.

Upon hearing this, the soldier glared, and the other soldiers were about to grab Jiang Ning, but Jiang Ning immediately handed over a plaque.

"But I have this."

The soldier took the plaque with a hesitant look. The weight of it and its gold color surprised him, and he was even more shocked when he saw the words on it.

"The Great Hero of Guanzhong?"

Chapter 412: The Nemesis of Evil Paths

The soldier paused for a moment when he saw the words "Master Guanzhong". After flipping the gold medal over, he saw the smaller characters and a seal.

"This was issued by the imperial court. With this gold token, you can go anywhere without a travel permit."

Jiangning Road.

This gold medal was given to him by Prefect Chen of Hanzhong when he was in Hanzhong. Although the gold medal was not very useful, it was just a title without any official position or salary. It was simply a recognition from the imperial court. However, it also had another function: if he went to other places, he would not need a travel permit.

The soldier examined it closely and found that the gold medal was indeed genuine; both its craftsmanship and the seal on it were something only the imperial court could produce.

"Master Jiang, I'm so sorry, so sorry."

The soldier quickly bent down and returned the gold medal to Jiang Ning, presenting it with both hands.

"I was blind and offended you, Master Jiang. I hope you will forgive my mistake."

Jiang Ning accepted the gold medal without saying anything; it was just a normal inquiry.

After entering the city through the city gate, Jiangning truly entered this great city.

bustling.

That's not enough to describe the capital city.

Jiang Ning has been to many places, including Xi'an, Luoyang, and Jiangnan. These places are all very prosperous, but the capital city is more unique.

The streets were bustling with people coming and going, creating a lively atmosphere.

Jiang Ning attracted the attention of many pedestrians as he walked down the street.

It wasn't his extraordinary appearance or demeanor that was the reason, but rather the gentleman's sword at his waist.

Although there were many pedestrians on the street, some dressed in fine clothes and others in coarse linen, they all looked like ordinary people and none of them were carrying weapons. Jiang Ning was the only one with a sword hanging at his waist, which made him stand out and naturally attracted a lot of attention.

This is also why Jiang Ning felt that the capital was different from other prosperous places.

In the past, when Jiang Ning was in Xiangyang, Luoyang, and Jiangnan, those prefectures were prosperous and had many Jianghu people. But Jiang Ning had been in the capital for half a day and had not encountered a single Jianghu person in the huge capital city, which was quite surprising.

Moreover, Jiang Ning discovered that the capital city had excellent public security and presented a thriving scene.

If you only look at the capital, you can't see any signs of the court's weakness; you can only think that it is still a powerful dynasty.

After realizing the abnormality in his body, Jiang Ning went to a cloth shop, bought a piece of cloth, wrapped the sword in it, and carried it on his back. Although he still looked a bit strange, he looked much better and no longer attracted attention.

While passing through Jiangning, they suddenly noticed a large group of people gathered together, and they wondered what had happened.

When Jiang Ning approached, he found a young girl kneeling by the roadside with a wooden board in front of her.

"Selling oneself to bury one's father?"

Jiang Ning only realized what it was about after seeing the words above.

At this moment, a group of people around the girl were talking about it, but no one went forward to ask.

This was the first time Jiang Ning had encountered such a situation.

The plot of selling oneself into servitude to bury one's parents, which appears in later period dramas, is not fictional but a real phenomenon in ancient times.

There are generally many reasons for this situation, but the biggest reason is the land.

Although there are many desolate fields outside, they mostly belong to a large family. Ordinary people rarely own their own land. In addition, filial piety is paramount, so many people would rather sell themselves to properly bury their parents after their death.

"Tsk tsk, what a pity, such a good girl."

One of the common people couldn't help but click his tongue in regret.

Although the kneeling girl was dressed in mourning clothes, it could not hide her pretty face; on the contrary, it made her look even more innocent.

The reason this commoner lamented was that if the girl were bought, she would most likely end up as a maid or concubine in some noble family.

It seemed that the girl had been kneeling here for some time. Jiang Ning noticed that her knees were slightly twisting, as if she was relieving the pain from kneeling for a long time.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Ning stepped forward and asked.

How much silver do you need?

Seeing that someone was finally asking a question, the onlookers couldn't help but look over. After noticing Jiang Ning's attire, they all assumed he was a young master from some powerful family.

The girl looked up and, noticing Jiang Ning's question, quickly replied, "Young master, if only ten taels of silver are needed to bury my father, I will repay your great kindness by marrying you."

Ten taels.

It is indeed not a small number.

Jiang Ning nodded and took out ten taels of silver from his pocket and handed it over.

The girl was stunned for a moment upon seeing this.

She had been kneeling there for quite a while, and no one had come to ask her anything. She had thought that she would get nowhere today, but then someone came, asked her a few questions, and gave her money directly. She was stunned.

Looking at Jiang Ning's appearance, the girl secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately.

At least he's not an old man.

Although she was prepared to sell herself, she still hoped that a young gentleman would buy her. If she were bought by an old man to be a slave or concubine, her future would be ruined.

The girl quickly kowtowed three times to Jiang Ning.

"Thank you for your kindness, young master. After I have buried my father, I will belong to you."

Upon seeing this, the crowd dispersed.

"That's not necessary."

Jiang Ning said, "Take the money and bury your father. You don't need to sell yourself to me."

Upon hearing this, the young woman said, "How can that be? How can I let the young master give me money for nothing?"

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "It's nothing."

But the girl was resolute.

“I sold myself to bury my father, but you do not want me as your slave. How can I face my father in the afterlife? If you do not accept me, I have no face to accept your ten taels of silver.”

Jiang Ning frowned slightly and asked, "Is there no one else in your family?"

The girl cried, “I have been living with my father since I was a child. My mother has passed away long ago. I have no brothers or sisters. Now I am all alone in this world, and I have no relatives to rely on.”

If she hadn't been driven to desperation, she wouldn't have resorted to selling herself to bury her father.

Besides burying her biological father, she sold herself to find a way to survive.

Jiang Ning was stumped upon hearing this.

Just then, a voice rang out from not far behind.

"Young Master Jiang?"

Jiang Ning turned around and saw a sedan chair stopped in the middle of the road. The person inside lifted the curtain and looked at him with a surprised expression.

"Prefect Chen?"

Jiang Ning also recognized the man and was surprised.

This man was none other than the Prefect of Hanzhong.

Wasn't the other party in Hanzhong? Why are they in the capital?

Prefect Chen was also pleasantly surprised to see Jiang Ning.

"Young Master Jiang, what brings you to the capital?"

Jiang Ning said, "I just arrived today as well."

Prefect Chen alighted from his sedan chair and walked towards Jiang Ning. Upon seeing the situation, he asked, "Young Master Jiang, what is this?"

Jiang Ning then explained the girl's situation.

After hearing this, Prefect Chen said, "How about this? This young lady has nowhere to go right now. It just so happens that I recently moved my whole family to the capital and we are short of maids. The young lady is about the same age as my daughter, so why don't you come to my residence and keep her company?"

Jiang Ning was surprised.

"Prefect Chen, you've moved to the capital?"

Prefect Chen smiled and said, "I have been promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue in the capital."

You got promoted?

No wonder he was able to meet Prefect Chen here.

Jiang Ning nodded upon hearing this and looked at the girl.

"how do you feel?"

The girl overheard their conversation and realized that the middle-aged man in front of her was an official, and a high-ranking one at that, so she nodded repeatedly.

"I will obey your orders, young master."

Seeing that she had no objections, the matter was decided.

"Young Master Jiang, have you found a place to stay? Would you do me the honor of having a drink?"

Prefect Chen extended an invitation. Jiang Ning had nothing else to do and had just arrived in the capital anyway, so having a meal with Prefect Chen would be fine.

"Then thank you very much, Prefect Chen."