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

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 won't be 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.

What do you think?

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."

Jiangning Road.

Prefect Chen smiled and said, "Young Master Jiang, you are too kind. I am no longer the Prefect of Hanzhong. My courtesy name is Qingyuan. If you do not mind, you may call me by my name."

While Chen Qingyuan told the sedan bearers to go back to the mansion to call someone to fetch the young girl, he invited Jiang Ning to a restaurant for dinner.

When did Mr. Chen arrive in Beijing?

As soon as they sat down at a fine restaurant, Jiang Ning asked...

Chen Qingyuan laughed and said, "I only took office in the capital two months ago, and I haven't been here long. I haven't even finished settling things in my residence yet."

Jiang Ning smiled and congratulated Mr. Chen on his promotion.

Upon hearing this, Chen Qingyuan replied, "Young Master Jiang, please don't flatter me. My promotion is thanks to you and the Huashan Sect."

Jiang Ning was puzzled.

Chen Qingyuan explained, “Two years ago, you and the Huashan Sect wiped out the mountain strongholds in Shaanxi, which greatly improved the security of Shaanxi. People no longer have to worry about being robbed on the way when they go out. In addition, many of the Jianghu people who surrounded Huashan last year were wanted criminals by the imperial court. After I and other officials from other prefectures reported to the court, the court thought we had made contributions and promoted me to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue in the capital. Not only me, but other prefects in Shaanxi were also promoted.”

While speaking, Chen Qingyuan unconsciously used a respectful title for Jiang Ning.

Even though he is now the Vice Minister of Revenue, a high-ranking official in the court, he still used the honorific "you" when addressing Jiang Ning.

There was nothing else to it but that Jiang Ning was too ruthless, killing so many evil people that he had to be in awe of him.

The person sitting opposite him is a rising star of the righteous path and the nemesis of the evil path's fears.

Chapter 413: Riding a Horse in the Street

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Mr. Chen is too modest. I believe that the court promoted you because of your ability, not because of me or the Huashan Sect."

"hehe."

Chen Qingyuan laughed.