Chapter 90: Lodging in Chongren Ward

After entering the gate, the streets were cut into a checkerboard of narrow lanes, with high walls and gates enclosing one quarter after another in scattered sizes. As the drumbeat rolled on and on, the gate officers urged everyone to quicken their pace.

Compared with a small rural market town like Anping County, this was already a world apart; and as for the city of Chang'an, it was a wonder beyond praise! The splendor left behind by countless dynasties now shone brilliantly in the hands of the House of Li.

Luo Gan felt somewhat dazed. In a great city, he had no idea what to do and no clue which way to go. In ancient times, he was utterly blind, but fortunately he had come with Jun Tao.

"Miss Jun Tao, where should we go now?"

Jun Tao rested her chin in her hand and looked around after getting down from the carriage, and she too seemed rather lost.

"I remember that the place we stayed at last time had a tavern opposite it, and at the door there was a foreign dancing girl calling out to customers."

Xiao Zhi said, "Then how do we get to that inn now?"

Jun Tao was put in a difficult position. She looked left and right, trying to remember, but could not quite manage it. "I remember that at that time there was a cloud in the sky shaped like a little horse. It was very pretty. I can't recall much else."

Luo Gan burst out laughing. "What sense is there in using a cloud as a landmark? Clouds move. That's just like carving a mark on a boat to find the sword you dropped in the river."

In his field of vision, points of light flickered. Luo Gan thought that in a normal game, aside from clues and hints, there ought to be a map function too. A game as huge as Dreaming of the Great Tang surely would not leave players stranded in the world with no way back if they got lost, would it?

At that thought, Luo Gan adjusted the options in his view and tried opening the map to see whether there were any landmarks to guide him. And indeed there were. The display shifted to a map option, and when he opened the miniature map of Chang'an, Luo Gan was deeply shaken. Buildings of different sizes were drawn as contour-like shapes, giving a rough outline of the city. It was magnificent, as if he had brought a satellite from a later age to tour Tang-era Chang'an.

He clicked on some of the buildings in the location panel, only to find them blank. Not even the most basic positions of the imperial city and the mansions had been filled in yet. Looking more closely, he realized these places were still marked as unexplored areas, with the same fog of war one saw in games.

Using the map for navigation was impossible, but at least he could be certain he would not get lost if he needed to return. As the saying goes, a loss may turn out to be a gain. Acquiring a new skill was always a good thing.

The moment he turned around, he saw Yanshan asking around everywhere, and before long he ran back.

"Chairman! I heard from a merchant that Chang'an is divided into the East Market and the West Market, and both close after dusk. If we want to stay at an inn, we need to head into Chongren Ward, northwest of the East Market."

Liu Buwen clapped his hands and said with a proud air, "Chongren Ward? Excellent place. I hear the imperial city lies just to the west of there. Wouldn't that mean we can just follow these men seeking office and get there?"

The streets were full of people who had come for the civil service examinations. At a glance, they were indeed all heading east. Night was falling, and there was no time to waste. Commoners were not allowed to ride horses inside the city, so they hurried along on foot with the crowd.

Luo Gan said, "These people are actually quite interesting. They even know their way around Chang'an."

"Year after year, one enters Chang'an for the examinations and year after year leaves empty-handed," Liu Buwen recited a little doggerel of his own. Thinking that he himself had yet to have the chance to sit the exam in the capital, he could not help feeling ashamed.

Sorrow was written all over Liu Buwen's fair face, and Luo Gan understood him naturally.

"Buwen, with so many official posts vacant throughout the realm, this is precisely a time when gifted men are needed. I think you are a learned and talented person. Perhaps you should try once more?"

The thoughts of a scholar were easy enough to read, especially in ancient times, when a scholar in his twenties who was still unmarried and without a career naturally cared most deeply about rank and name.

"I've taken the exams for so many years and never gotten anywhere. I've also been wondering whether I should give up."

The setting sun lingered in Liu Buwen's eyes, making them seem deep and melancholy. He was not tall, yet somehow always gave the impression that a whole galaxy was hidden within him.

Jun Tao had been quietly observing their conversation. Seeing that Luo Gan still wanted to learn more, she tugged at his sleeve and shook her head, signaling him not to continue.

"My father was an official of the Sui dynasty. We migrated from the north, and after the wars it was the common people who suffered for it. If not for the former emperor, we would never have fallen into such a state!"

Xiao Zhi looked left and right to see whether anyone had heard, and Liu Buwen could tell, so he did not continue.

Luo Gan also glanced around to see whether any constables were patrolling. After confirming it was safe, he put an arm around Liu Buwen's shoulder and said, "It doesn't matter! We don't need this rank and glory after all!"

Liu Buwen turned his face away, then back again, and gazed up at the sky. "It must be taken. Only with rank and honor can this injustice be changed..."

No one said anything more. They continued on, and before they knew it, they had at least reached Chongren Ward before dark.

The shops along the main road had their doors shut, but farther inside the ward many inns still glowed with lamplight. The inn Jun Tao had mentioned was easy to spot. A place called Red Peace Inn stood inside the ward, its keeper calling out at the door and welcoming Luo Gan and the others inside.

The group divided up the rooms: Jun Tao took one alone, Luo Gan with Yanshan, and Liu Buwen with Xiao Zhi. After arranging everything, they went upstairs to settle in.

With the lamps lit, Luo Gan's room was bright. At last he had a chance to rest. He set down his bag and fell onto the bed with its bamboo mat and cotton quilt, landing with a dull thud and a pained cry of "Ow."

Luo Gan muttered, "Still more used to sleeping at home."

"At home? Isn't it simple like this too?" Yanshan asked.

"Not at all. There was a kind of very springy bed, soft as anything. Lying on it was pure enjoyment."

Yanshan's curiosity was piqued. "There's actually such a soft bed? This is the first I've heard of it."

"There will be. Perhaps in some distant future."

A knock sounded at the door. Luo Gan was nearest to it, so he opened it. It was Jun Tao, carrying some crisp pastries.

"I have a few pastries. I'll share them with you."

Luo Gan was so delighted he lost all restraint. Jun Tao had brought the pastries herself. Though there were only two, he was already overjoyed. He snatched one up and ate it at once. The crisp, melting texture spread across his tongue, and the sweet, rich filling unfolded in layers. It was the fragrance of sweet cane sugar, the unique flavor of love.

Without even noticing, Luo Gan's expression was like spring arriving and a hundred flowers blooming. Looking at Jun Tao's alluring face, he wanted nothing more than to share that sweetness with her between her lips.

There was still one pastry left. Luo Gan almost ate it as well, but then he heard Yanshan's stomach rumbling behind him, so he gave it to him.

As soon as Yanshan bit into it, his whole face seemed to twist together.

"Too sweet! Wow." He stuck out his tongue and went searching everywhere for water.

Luo Gan said, "Too sweet? You just don't know how to eat it. It's clearly delicious!" Though he said that, he was secretly pleased. This delicacy was his alone. Seeing Jun Tao's satisfied smile let all his joy burst free.

"It's tasty! Jun Tao, have you had any yourself?"

Jun Tao gave a faint smile. "I saw that it was late and the shops on the street were closed, so I haven't eaten yet."