Chapter 45: Jinxia City

Two days later, Xia Fan could vaguely see the continuous gray walls of Jinxia

City.

is different from the temporary "city wall" built in Qingshan Town. It is a

solid wall that is really used for defense and can resist foreign invasion.

The height of the visual inspection is more than ten meters. The top is lined

with dense jagged bunkers, or horse faces. Near the corner of the city wall,

he even found several city defense equipment similar to a stone thrower.

In terms of area alone, most ancient cities could not be compared with modern

cities, but after all buildings were surrounded by huge stone walls, the

visual impact of ancient capitals was even better.

And he actually captured a sense of "modernity" in the distant view of this

city.

Soon Xia Fan realized where this feeling came from—compared to the endless

woods and fields along the way, the area near Jinxia City was bare. Not only

that, but plumes of black smoke filled the back of the city, making the color

of the sky gray. Coupled with the yellowish-brown earth and stone walls, there

is a smell of fog.

If it was not a horse-drawn carriage running on the official road, he would

almost think that Jinxia City had already entered the pre-industrial era.

"Brother Wei, what's the matter with the black smoke?" Xia Fan shouted,

raising his voice.

Wei Wushuang, who ran in front, opened the curtains and probed back, "That's

burning salt!"

"Burning salt?" He asked in surprise.

"Haha, is it the first time for the son to go to Jinxia?" The coachman smiled

and took the words, "This is one of the symbols of Shenzhou. This city is not

much called Jinxia among the local population. Everyone calls it Jinxia.

"Yancheng", or "Smoke City." After all, with the East China Sea backed by and

the river passing by, it is most appropriate to play tricks. It is said that

the smoke has lasted for more than a hundred years since it rose. "

One hundred years... means that it started from the time of eternity?

"Xia Fan, what is the relationship between smoke and salt?" Li Li asked in a

low voice.

"What he said should be the use of sea water to make salt," Xia Fan had

already guessed after hearing what the coachman said. "There is a lot of salt

in the sea. If the excess water can be boiled dry, it is not difficult to

extract salt from it. That smoke should be caused by a large amount of wood

burning."

"The son is very knowledgeable." The coachman nodded, "This industry is also

the reason why Yancheng can become the capital of Shenzhou. It is rumored that

all Daqi's salt will be used, and Yancheng will occupy 30%. Otherwise, it is

poor and white. How could it overwhelm the other three cities and six towns. "

"Is the price of this white land outside the city?" Li muttered.

"Then there is no way, people have to live. Once this salt burns, it is

impossible to stop."

Indeed, Xia Fan nodded secretly. The salt industry was an official business in

ancient times, and it was a state-controlled material. Since it has become a

salt-producing area, it is no longer a matter for the locals to decide how

many days and how much it produces. Those in charge of this business will

naturally make a lot of money, but if they fail to meet the above

requirements, it will only be a matter of an instant.

The last few miles were quickly completed. After checking the customs, the

carriage slowly passed Wengcheng and drove along the main road into the city.

The grayness at this time is more obvious, and even the air is filled with a

faint smell of firewood.

Xia Fan noticed that perhaps in order to reduce the annoying falling dust,

most of the pedestrians on the street were wearing hats, and the better thing

was a shawl and a cap. It was a usual practice to cover the hair. This

unexpected discovery made him treat the fox demon. Hidden in the city has a

little more confidence.

is just one thing that doesn't meet his expectations: it is clear that you are

sitting on the river by the sea, and commerce should be very prosperous, but

the streets have not shown the vitality they should have. It's not that there

are no shops, there are street sellers, but it always makes him feel that

something is missing.

Xia Fan asked the driver of his doubts.

The latter's answer was somewhat helpless, "Because there are always demons on

the beach..."

Even under the nose of the Privy Council?

A slight strangeness floated in Xia Fan's heart, but looking at the other

party, he didn't seem to want to elaborate, he didn't continue to ask.

Two quarters of an hour later, the carriage stopped in front of a high wall.

"My son, your destination is here."

"You are waiting here." Xia Fan blinked at Li in the carriage, then picked up

the suitcase and got out of the car.

Wei Wushuang also came over there, "Although I have been to Jinxia City

several times, this is the first time I have entered the Privy Council. To be

honest...I am a little nervous."

"You and I are already alchemists, what's so nervous, shouldn't this be

regarded as my own site?" Xia Fan smiled.

"Brother Xia, what I admire the most is yours." Wei Wushuang said with

emotion, "No matter where you are, you look confident."

"No need to shoot flattery, let's go in."

Xia Fan took Wei Wushuang from the side to the front entrance, submitted the

documents and put it in the courtyard, and was told that the report was in the

"Zhiwei Hall" on the west side.

"This Privy Council... is too big, too." Wei Wuxiong exclaimed as he walked.

Xia Fan felt the same way. There were not only one or two buildings inside the

wall, but a dozen of them. They were arranged around the slab square in the

middle, which looked orderly, and the main building facing the gate was close

to four. On the second floor, the color of the red brick and golden roof is

full of solemnity.

He estimated that the entire Privy Council is one lap larger than the track

and field field, and it probably covers an area of more than 20 acres.

With such strong financial resources, it is no wonder that they can maintain

an examination room like Qingshan Town for a long time.

……

The reporting process went very smoothly. After the official in charge of the

reception inspected the appointment and dismissal orders, he helped them to

register in a harmonious manner and handed out a set of alchemist uniforms and

an eight-grade bronze medal. In this way, Xia Fan and Wei Wushuang were

regarded as official alchemists in the Privy Council.

"This time the incumbent is really fast, and he will arrive before the end of

August." The reception officer smiled and said, "Adding the four people who

came before, Zhiwei Hall can also teach the first class."

"What does the first lesson mean?"

"Does alchemists also need to attend classes?"

the two asked almost simultaneously.

"Allow me to answer one by one," the receptionist waved his hand. "There are

more than one exam halls, you should know about this? The results of the exams

in each place are different, and the appointment will naturally be different.

The Privy Council is responsible for the land of a state, and each exam will

accept 20 or 30 new alchemists. It is normal that the time will be delayed for

several months. However, the evil will never be calmed down, so it will be too

late to wait for everyone to come together. A little bit."

"In order to let you perform your duties as soon as possible, Zhiwei Hall will

open once as soon as there are six people. Even if newcomers arrive later, you

can stagger the teaching time. The same group of alchemists will also be in

the next action. As a team of your own, if there are no other accidents, you

will all work together for the Privy Council...no, for my Daqi."

After answering Xia Fan's question, he looked at Wei Wushuang, "And of course

the alchemist needs to attend classes-do you think you are already proficient

in all spells and know the true meaning of heaven?"

"Uh, of course not, I was rash."

"Haha...it's okay," the reception officer smiled. "In fact, alchemists must

not only learn spells, but also have to be well aware of evils, such as their

characteristics and the best way to deal with them. You will be in action.

After repeated practice, only those who perform well can go further. As for

the performance not so good, you should also be able to guess what the

consequences will be..."

Wei Wushuang shrank his neck.

sounded decent, Xia Fan thought. At least the Privy Council seems to be

summarizing evil intelligence, and emphasizes the combination of practice and

cognition. This alone is much higher than the master's flow of experience. To

treat things that are beyond common sense correctly, rather than attribute

them to myths and legends, the Privy Council has touched the threshold of

science at least on this point.

Yes, science as a methodology is not so big and mysterious. If there are gods

in the world, then science will not make people worship, but will only make

people study. Regardless of whether the cognition is correct or not, it does

not matter whether you can find the answer in the end. The important thing is

that people never forget to seek truth.

"That's right," the reception officer added, "the Privy Council has a piece of

land in the east of the city. The houses there can be rented to alchemists at

low prices. Of course you can also solve the housing problem yourself, and the

government will not interfere in any way. As long as it does not affect

official business."

"The evil incident cannot happen every day, so the alchemist is relatively

free most of the time, but the two are newcomers. The front will be a little

busy, and it will be easier in the coming year."

"Tomorrow’s first class will start at four o’clock in Mao’s

time~www.mtlnovel.com~ The place is right here, two of you remember not to be

late. The lecturer is the sixth grade Master Daozhang. If it makes him

unhappy, it is definitely It will suffer."

"Thanks for reminding, Mr."

"Hey, sir, I just watch the door." The other party smiled.

bid farewell, and after the two walked out of the Hall of Zhiwei, Wei Wushuang

let out a sigh of relief.

"Who... I am indeed an official of the Privy Council, so enthusiastic and

kind. You didn't know that I used to deal with yamen, even a small official

could make things difficult for a long time."

Xia Fan noticed that the clothes that the man wore were not alchemist

uniforms, which meant that even though he was a "national civil servant", he

and himself were obviously not in the same system. This might be the reason

why the other party's attitude was so kind.

Could it be that there are also establishments and temporary workers in this

era?

It's just that Xia Fan didn't tell the guess, "You are an eighth-rank official

now, so how can anyone dare to make things difficult?"

"Ah... I almost forgot if you didn't tell me!" Wei Wushuang said excitedly,

"What should an official look like, walking without his legs? No need to kneel

when entering the Yamen? There are more than ten people in the house? Go out

to eat. The store doesn't charge money?"

The more you talk about it, the more ridiculous, Xia Fan gave him a white

look, "You ask me, who should I ask?"

"Or, we will change into new clothes later and go around the city?"

"No time, you have to go by yourself."

"Brother Xia!"

"It's useless to call anything, don't talk about it!"

Looking at his eager fellow townsman, Xia Fan shook his head helplessly.

But this does not mean that his mood has not fluctuated-in fact Xia Fan is

full of expectations for the future.

For "want to learn more about the world," he has now taken the first step and

officially entered the threshold.