Chapter 51

As they looked out along the road, a grand and imposing city suddenly appeared at the horizon, abruptly intruding into their line of sight. The long row of city walls rose from the flat ground, like a giant shield in an army formation, exuding an awe-inspiring dignity. The carriage stopped at the entrance to Luoyang City. The sunset was at its peak, with the golden afterglow scattered over the silent, mountain-like city walls, making the towering walls appear even more majestic, echoing with the surrounding mountains. As the sun set in the west, the golden afterglow gradually turned into a blood-red hue, casting a somber and desolate atmosphere over the city walls, with the mountains like a vast sea and the setting sun like blood.

Luoyang City, since the Xia Dynasty, has been a major city in Central China, located at the center of north-south and east-west transportation, with a strategically important geographical position. During the Sui Dynasty, it was designated as the Eastern Capital, and during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the scale of Luoyang City reached its peak. It was situated north of the Mang Mountains and south of the Yiqu Pass, with the Luo River running through it. The outer city walls were nearly rectangular, with eight gates, three on the east and south sides, two on the north side, and none on the west side. The inner palace city was located in the northwest corner of the outer city, with rammed earth walls and brick cladding inside and out. The imperial city was built around the palace city on the east, south, and west sides. To the north of the palace city were the Yaoyi and Yuanbi cities. To the east of the imperial city was the East City, and to the north of the East City was the Hanjia Granary. The inner city was divided into several square or rectangular wards by vertical and intersecting roads. The Dingding Gate Street was 121 meters wide, and the other streets connecting the city gates were 40 to 60 meters wide. Each ward had walls with gates on all four sides and a cross street inside, totaling 109 wards and three markets. The scale of Luoyang City reached its peak during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. After several wars, the city walls and structures were largely destroyed. By the Ming Dynasty, the scale of Luoyang City was less than one-twentieth of its size during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, but it was still a major city, indicating the grand scale of Luoyang City during the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

"You must listen to Mr. Liu's instructions, be cautious in your words and actions, and remember that you represent our Luozhou Academy. Do not tarnish the academy's reputation," Yan Shigu said as he got off the carriage and addressed the students. "The Luoyang Prefecture School will arrange your accommodation and meals. Follow Mr. Liu. I need to visit some people, so we will part ways. Jingshi, you should accompany Mr. Liu, even though you are not participating in the poetry gathering, at least you will have a place to stay."

"The students obey!" the students bowed in unison to Yan Shigu. Yan Shigu glanced at Mr. Liu and then left with Xu Yanzu.

Mr. Liu led the group into Luoyang City. The streets were wide and crowded with people, and the market wards were bustling with vendors. If one ignored the ancient buildings and the clothing of the people, it would look like a bustling metropolis. Except for Xia Hongsheng, the other students showed no surprise, indicating they had been to Luoyang City many times. Xu Qixian pulled Xia Hongsheng along, introducing him to the city as they walked. They spoke as they walked and soon arrived at the Luoyang Prefecture School. Mr. Liu presented the invitation he had received, and the group did not wait long at the gate before several people hurried out. They greeted Mr. Liu from a distance, smiling and bowing, "Brother Liu, it's been a long time! How have you been?"

"Ha, Brother Qi looks even more spirited!" Mr. Liu returned the bow and led the students over.

That person grasped Mr. Liu's hand and said happily, "We haven't seen each other in a long time, and I have so much to say. Brother Liu, we must get drunk today!"

"Of course, we must get drunk today, but we need to arrange for these students from the academy first," Mr. Liu said to the person and then turned to Xu Qixian and the others, "Why don't you come and greet your seniors?"

The students immediately bowed respectfully and greeted the person, "Junior students pay respects to our seniors!"

The students, being the best of the academy, were well-mannered and spoke with respect, which made the person nod and smile, "Indeed, they are all talented! Ha, I am truly happy to see Brother Liu, but I forgot the main matter! Someone, quickly take them to their accommodations!"

A servant immediately came forward and politely invited the others to follow. Mr. Liu nodded to the students.

The students followed the servant out of the school and walked along the street for a distance, stopping in front of an inn. The servant said, "Let the young masters know, the students participating in the poetry gathering are all accommodated in this inn. You have arrived early, so you can choose a good room. All the expenses for your stay are covered by the school. The poetry gathering will start in three days, and students from other academies will arrive during this time. You can stay here and tour the famous sights of Luoyang!"

"Thank you, sir!" The others just nodded to acknowledge, but Xia Hongsheng politely bowed and thanked the servant.

The servant was surprised by Xia Hongsheng's gratitude and quickly said it was not necessary. He then led the group into the inn, registered them with the innkeeper, helped them choose good rooms, and showed them to their rooms, ensuring the facilities were complete before leaving.

"Junior, why did you bow to that servant? He is just a servant, and we are scholars. It is proper to bow to our seniors and peers, but not to everyone. Otherwise, where is our dignity?" After the servant left, Bai Jianzhi, taking on the role of an elder brother, lectured Xia Hongsheng.

Xia Hongsheng turned to look at the others. Although they did not speak, they did not disagree, indicating they did not have this habit. Xia Hongsheng, coming from the future, found it natural to say thank you as a sign of respect. Even when eating out, he would thank the waiter for pouring water, showing respect. This habit remained, but he forgot that this was the Tang Dynasty, where servants were low in status and never treated with respect. Not beating or scolding them was considered good. Therefore, whether it was the school servant Liu Fang, the servant Liu Qing from the Xu family, or other servants Xia Hongsheng met, they all looked uneasy when he bowed and thanked them.

"In my view, we are all human beings living in this world. We have different roles and positions, but there is no distinction of high or low. Scholars look down on butchers, but without butchers, scholars would have no meat to eat. Scholars look down on merchants, but without merchants, society would not have wealth. Officials look down on the common people, but without the common people, there would be no officials. Before being a scholar, merchant, butcher, or farmer, one is a human being. As long as a person is morally upright and contributes to society and the country, they should be respected. Officials manage the country, scholars write and study, merchants conduct business and accumulate wealth, butchers slaughter, and farmers farm. Each has their role. Respecting a worker is a matter of politeness and grace. Respecting a villain, however, would be a loss of dignity. To earn respect from others, one must first respect others. Look at Master Yan, who is highly respected and treats even unknown farmers and lower officials with courtesy," Xia Hongsheng shook his head and said to the other students. After speaking, he smiled and added, "Besides, being polite can have its benefits! Look, our rooms were assigned to the best ones, and the servant even brought all the things we needed to our rooms, saving us a lot of trouble. All we did was say thank you. Isn't that a good deal?"

Bai Jianzhi was unconvinced, but the other students seemed to be thinking. Only Xu Qixian patted Xia Hongsheng on the shoulder, "Junior, I once heard that there are people in this world who are called 'wise.' I think you are one of them! How can you read people's minds so well? And your psychological insights in Luhun were truly profound! Yes, the servant was indeed more enthusiastic later. I will try it too and see if I can get some benefits, ha ha!"

The sky was already dark outside, and it was impossible to tour Luoyang City today. The poetry gathering was in three days, and this was a good time to check on the tea shop. Xia Hongsheng wondered how the manager sent by Uncle Xu was doing, whether the tea shop had been built as a comprehensive place for tea collection, processing, selling, and leisure, and whether the customer hierarchy system had been implemented. Understanding these matters and pointing out any shortcomings was the purpose of Xia Hongsheng's trip. He had three days to see everything, but he did not want to miss the poetry gathering, which was a significant cultural event. He had always been fascinated by ancient poetry gatherings, where stories of talented scholars and beautiful women had been told for centuries. Now he had the chance to witness it firsthand and could not miss it.

"Is this your first time in Luoyang City, Junior?" Master Wan asked, noticing Xia Hongsheng's curiosity about everything around him. "After the poetry gathering, there will be a flower competition. I don't think Master Liu will rush us to return, so we can stay in Luoyang City for a few more days. We can take you on a tour of Luoyang City. The prosperity of Luoyang City is not inferior to that of Chang'an!"

Xia Hongsheng smiled, "Thank you, seniors. However, the poetry gathering is coming up, and the seniors need to prepare in advance. I also have some matters to attend to these few days. Why don't we wait until after the poetry gathering, when our minds are free, to tour Luoyang City properly?"

"That sounds great," the others nodded in agreement.

---

The page flip ad begins.

The page flip ad ends.