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Chapter 1325: Strange Stories of the Tang Dynasty

If you were to ask which dynasty in China's five thousand years of history is the most fascinating, it would probably be the Tang Dynasty of the Li Dynasty, which embraced all races.

At this time, Suning appeared in Chang'an in the third year of Jingyun in the Tang Dynasty (712). Looking at the sprawling capital city of Chang'an, Suning couldn't help but feel lost in the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.

Then, Suning woke up and digested the information provided by the system. It turned out that he was in the "Records of Strange Stories in the Tang Dynasty" this time. It seemed that the system wanted him to solve a series of strange cases this time.

In fact, China has had something called "identity proof" a long time ago. For example, the verification of Hefu, a famous minor figure in the Qin Dynasty, became a fish token or a turtle token during the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

Of course, ordinary people in ancient times only had a household registration certificate, which was kept in county-level government offices in various places. The purpose was only to facilitate the government's collection of miscellaneous taxes and fees.

Therefore, the first thing Suning needs to solve now is the household registration problem. It would be terrible if he was caught as an illegal resident and forced to serve in the army or be absent from work. Moreover, the tragic status of slavery existed in the Tang Dynasty.

Suddenly, Suning stopped an old man from Guanzhong who was passing by and asked, "Excuse me, how do I get to the nearby pawnshop?"

"Diamond shop? Young master, what do you want to buy?" The old man from Guanzhong looked at Su Ning with a puzzled look on his face and asked back. He was not surprised by Su Ning's strange clothes and messy hair.

"Huh? House." Only then did Suning realize that he now had short hair, and was really not much different from an ancient monk.

"At the end of this street there's a real estate agency called Sihai Yahang."

"Thank you for telling me, sir."

"You're welcome, young master."

Then Suning curiously strolled around the market town of Chang'an, heading in the direction indicated by the old man from Guanzhong, and easily found the real estate agency he was looking for.

Suning walked straight into the pawnshop in front of him, and then a young man from the pawnshop came up to him. Although Suning's clothes were strange, the people of the Tang Dynasty seemed to have been accustomed to it.

Thinking of the many blond-haired and blue-eyed Hu people he had seen along the way, Suning had witnessed the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. It was truly the world's largest international metropolis in this era.

The pockmarked young man looked at Su Ning with a smile on his face and asked, "Young Master, what do you need?"

"I want to buy a house in Chang'an?" At this time, Suning stated his needs directly.

However, the young man looked at Su Ning indifferently and asked, "Then I wonder what price range of house you want to buy, young master?"

"What do you mean?" Suning looked at the waiter with a puzzled look on his face and asked. He really didn't understand the rules of buying real estate in the Tang Dynasty.

"Master, the layout of our Great Tang Chang'an is like a star-studded network, with a total of 108 districts, so the price of houses in each district is different."

"Good public security! Convenient transportation! Cleaner." At this time, Suning directly stated his needs. He didn't care too much about the price.

Seeing that Su Ning's request was so concise and to the point, the young man couldn't help but feel pleasantly surprised. "How about Changlefang? It falls under the jurisdiction of Wannian County in Chang'an, and it's very close to the East Palace in the Imperial City, so it's definitely the best in Chang'an in terms of public security."

"Sure! I just don't know if buying a house can solve the household registration problem?" Suning nodded without thinking too much. He didn't really know much about the market in Chang'an.

"What? Household registration issue?"

"Yes! I have been practicing with my master in Zhongnan Mountain (Qinling Mountains) since I was a child, so I recently wanted to go down the mountain and return to secular life."

"Oh? Then, little master, do you have a monk's certificate?"

"No! I haven't become a monk, and I don't even have incense on my head."

"This may be a little troublesome, but it's not a big problem. We just need to take care of it at the county government office."

"Okay! Then take me to Changlefang to see the house first." At this time, Suning looked at the boy without any hesitation and said.

"Young master, I have a good relationship with Wu Daqi, the county lieutenant of Chang'an County. How about I take you to Wu Daqi to solve the household registration problem first?" However, the young man suddenly looked at Su Ning in front of him and suggested.

"Wu Daqi?" At this moment, Su Ning naturally remembered the other party's identity. He was the unlucky guy who was killed at the beginning of "Tang Dynasty Weird Stories". "Okay! Then I'll trouble you."

"Young Master, don't be polite! Just call me Wang Mazi."

"..."

At this time, Suning realized that the plot of "Strange Stories of the Tang Dynasty" had not yet begun. After he solved the housing and household registration problems, he could spend some money to buy a job as a constable in the Chang'an County Government, so that he could enjoy the plot of "Strange Stories of the Tang Dynasty".

You should know that the administration of the Tang Dynasty was extremely chaotic. Officials were all recommended by aristocratic families, and any official position could be bought as long as one was willing to spend money.

Then Suning followed Wang Mazi from the dental clinic to the Chang'an County Government Office. In fact, Chang'an was divided into two parts by the Zhuque Street, the central axis. The area east of Zhuque Street was under the jurisdiction of Wannian County, while the area west of Zhuque Street was under the jurisdiction of Chang'an County.

Soon Wang Mazi brought Su Ning to the Chang'an County Government Office, and then easily met the county lieutenant Wu Daqi. This shows that Wang Mazi and Wu Daqi really have a close relationship, or Wu Daqi has transactions with the Sihai Yahang where Wang Mazi is.

Wang Mazi politely said to Wu Da, "I, Wang Mazi, greet the County Magistrate."

"Wang Mazi, is there anything that brings you to the county government office today?" However, Wu Daqi looked at Wang Mazi in front of him with a puzzled look and asked.

Then Wang Mazi pointed at Su Ning standing beside him and explained to Wu Daqi, "Your Excellency, this young master wants to settle down in Chang'an County and buy a house there."

At this moment, Wu Daqi looked at Su Ning expressionlessly and asked, "Oh? What's your Buddhist name? Which temple did you become a monk in? Do you have a monk's certificate?"

"Your Excellency, my name is Suning. I have never been a monk, nor do I have a monk's certificate. I used to practice cultivation with my master on Mount Zhongnan. Last year, my master passed away, so I decided to return to secular life."

"Well, since you don't have any proof of residence, you must know the rules, right?"

"I know! I wonder how much I have to pay?"

"Ten taels of silver will do."

At this time, Su Ning directly took out two taels of silver and said, "Sir, this is ten taels of silver."

"Well, I'll take you to handle the household registration procedures myself." Seeing the look in Su Ning's eyes, he was so happy that he stood up and took Su Ning to handle the procedures himself.

"Thank you, County Lieutenant."

Then, Su Ning followed Wu Daqi to the chief clerk of the county government office. "Zhang Zhubu, please help Su Ning to register for the Chang'an County household registration. Here is five taels of silver for the household registration."

"Huh? Yes! County Lieutenant."

With the personal guarantee of Wu Daqi, the county lieutenant of Chang'an County, the chief clerk of Chang'an County did not make any difficulties and quickly helped Su Ning to complete the household registration procedures. After Su Ning said goodbye to the unlucky Wu Daqi and left the county government office, he followed Wang Mazi to Andingfang in Chang'an County.

Because Suning suddenly remembered that the current East Palace was the center of the power struggle in the Tang Dynasty. The struggle between Emperor Ruizong Li Dan, Princess Taiping and Li Longji was very fierce. Soon Crown Prince Li Longji would force Emperor Ruizong Li Dan to abdicate and ascend the throne. It would be better for him not to get too close to Li Longji for now.

After Suning selected a three-story house in Andingfang, he followed Wang Mazi back to the Chang'an County Government Office and quickly completed the real estate transaction procedures.

After Wang Mazi from the pawnshop happily left, Su Ning found Wu Daqi again and invited him, "Sir, County Lieutenant, thank you for your help today. I'd like to invite you to have a drink at Xinghua Tower."

"Xinghua Tower?" As expected, Wu Daqi, who had an expressionless face, became a little moved.

Su Ning, who had been paying attention to Wu Daqi's expression, continued, "Sir, I'm a newcomer to Chang'an County, so I'll need your care in the future."

"Okay! I haven't had the apricot blossom wine from Xinghualou in a long time."

……

Then Suning asked around and came to Xinghualou to book a private room. You should know that Xinghualou is the largest restaurant located on Zhuque Street in Chang'an. The scale of more than 20 acres is far beyond people's imagination.

Sure enough, just when Suning had booked a private room at Xinghua Tower, Wu Daqi arrived at the tower on horseback in a dashing manner. As a military officer of the Chang'an County Yamen, Wu Daqi's martial arts skills were still very high.

Su Ning personally stood at the gate of Xinghua Tower, waiting for Wu Daqi. Wu Daqi was the key to his settlement in Chang'an. "Sir, County Lieutenant, please come in! I have reserved a private room on the third floor."

"Well, Suning, you are thoughtful." Sure enough, Suning's attitude made Wu Daqi very kind.

"..."

Because Xinghua Tower was originally a place for the dignitaries of the Tang Dynasty to entertain themselves, a small Chang'an County Lieutenant would not cause any sensation, so no one came to disturb Su Ning and Wu Daqi.

However, just as Suning took Wu Daqi into the box on the third floor, the Chang'an County Magistrate Yuan Lai narrowed his eyes and looked over. After all, Wu Daqi's every move attracted his attention.

Chang'an County Magistrate Yuanlai turned to his trusted confidant, County Magistrate Qi, and asked, "Secretary Qi, who is that young monk next to County Magistrate Wu?"

"My lord, that man is called Suning. He is not a young monk. Instead, he settled in Chang'an County today." County Magistrate Qi hurriedly explained to Yuanlai in a concise manner.

Yuan Lai then looked at Qi County Magistrate in confusion and asked, "Oh? Then how did he know Wu County Magistrate?"

"Wang Mazi from Sihaiyahang introduced him. Suning also bought a house in Andingfang, Chang'an County."

"Humph! It looks like our County Magistrate Wu is going to make a killing."

"..."

As the main person in charge of the first case "Chang'an Black Tea" in "Strange Stories of the Tang Dynasty", Yuan Lai's scheming can be said to be very deep, but he is just a tool in the struggle between the powerful and the wealthy in the Tang Dynasty.

Although he had been trying hard to win over Wu Daqi, Yuan Lai had already controlled Wu Daqi with "Chang'an Black Tea". All he had to do now was wait for Wu Daqi to slowly fall.

As for the "little monk" Su Ning who suddenly appeared, Yuan Lai actually did not take him seriously, thinking that he was just a small figure who was trying to curry favor with the powerful.

However, it was Su Ning, the little guy Yuan Lai thought of, who brought him a catastrophe in the following plot. I just don't know if he will feel regretful at that time.

At this time, in the private room on the third floor of Xinghua Tower, Suning and Wu Daqi were drinking happily. Finally, Suning felt that the Xinghua wine was bland, so he took out two bottles of Feitian Moutai from the space world.

Su Ning took out two bottles of Feitian Moutai and placed them in front of Wu Daqi. "Sir, this apricot blossom wine feels bland. How about trying the Moutai brewed by my master?"

"Oh? Moutai? Don't monks drink alcohol?" However, Wu Daqi looked at Su Ning in front of him with surprise and asked.

At this moment, Su Ning looked at the unlucky Wu Daqi in front of him and explained, "To be honest, sir, my master is not a monk. He just lives in the depths of Zhongnan Mountain all year round, so he doesn't grow his hair to make it easier to wash it."

"What? Your body and hair are given by your parents! How can you be so willful and reckless?" Sure enough, Suning's explanation made Wu Daqi look unhappy.

"Sir, people who practice cultivation don't care about these things, so my master and I are usually very free and easy."

"Humph! Cultivation is divided into three religions: Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. I wonder what you and your master are cultivating?"

"Free and easy and pure-hearted."

"Huh? This can also be considered as cultivation?" Wu Daqi looked at Su Ning in front of him in disbelief and asked.

"Sir, that's why my cultivation is not enough. I can no longer stay in Zhongnan Mountain, so I have to go down the mountain and return to secular life to overcome the calamity of the mortal world."

"Well, then just live a good life in Chang'an County from now on, and don't mess around and cause trouble for yourself."

"I will follow your instructions."

Wu Daqi's eyes lit up after taking a sip of Moutai. "Hmm? This wine is indeed good. Do you know how to brew it?"

"I don't know! Master didn't teach me."

"Ah! That's a pity."

"Sir, I'd like to seek a job as a constable in the Chang'an County government. How much would that cost?"

"Captain?"

"..." At this time, Su Ning continued to pour wine for Wu Daqi and was not too eager to get Wu Daqi's consent.

"One hundred taels of silver will do."

At this time, Su Ning took out one hundred and twenty taels and placed it in front of Wu Daqi, "Thank you, sir! Here is one hundred and twenty taels. I will trouble you from now on."

"Haha, that's great! From now on, you belong to Wu Daqi."

"Yes! Sir."

……

(End of this chapter)