Chapter 0001: Entering Bianjing to Enjoy Wealth and Honor

At just sixteen years of age, Kou Ji, dressed in a faded long shirt that had been washed many times, had a thin face that appeared somewhat pale. He sat on a bullock cart, making an effort to huddle into the high cargo, using it as a shield against the cold wind

The boy is named Erbao, without a surname. He was bought by the Kou family at a young age and has always been by Kou Ji's side, inseparable, serving as Kou Ji's scholar and attendant.

He reclined back in the ox cart, feeling too lazy to waste more words on these people. With his eyes half-closed, he continued to fantasize in his mind about the extravagant life he would lead in Bianjing, filled with horse riding and falconry.

On the official road

Having simply filled their stomachs, the group continued on their journey

Kou Jiwen, upon hearing this, withdrew his hands into his sleeves, glared at him, and scolded, "Are you ignoring the young master's words? I said you are cold, so you should feel cold."

A faint noise came from afar

Zhang Cheng kindly advised, "Young man, you cannot randomly acknowledge relatives. Do you know why they are laughing at you? It is because they find you lacking in insight. In our Great Song Dynasty, who does not know that Lord Kou has no offspring"

Northern Song Dynasty, the third year of the Tianxi era, spring, slightly cold

The man catching the bus pulled off a sheepskin coat from his body and threw it onto him

Kou Ji lost his balance and fell into the pile of goods

The remaining travelers, with expressions of excitement, all stopped to gaze at this magnificent city.

The sound of sneezing and the noise of sniffing echoed in Kou Ji's ears

Another hour has passed

He opened his mouth with an unappealing smile and said: "You are not a bad kid; you will definitely make a name for yourself in Bianjing in the future, but you need to change your habit of boasting..."

As everyone has said, Kou has indeed lived his life without children

Kou Ji did not mind the strong smell of the sheepskin coat, holding it and repeatedly expressing gratitude, "Thank you, Brother Zhang Cheng..."

After Kou Jiru honestly revealed his family background, he was regarded as a little fraud by others

Sitting on the ox cart with his eyes closed in a light doze, Kou Ji felt the cart come to a stop. Suddenly opening his eyes, he saw in the distance a grand city appearing before him

Kou Ji helplessly slumped on the ox cart, shrugged his shoulders, and smiled, saying: "You all found me..."

Of course, with his new noble status, it would be impossible for him to set out on the road with only one attendant.

Kou Ji hardly thought twice, grabbing Er Bao, shouldering his bundle, and heading straight for Bianjing

Outside the city of Bianjing, everyone merely regarded it as a joke to listen to

It is precisely because he lost the company of his grand servants that no one believes what he says

Er Bao tugged at the sheepskin coat, calling out excitedly from the side

As soon as the words of the master and servant were spoken, those accompanying the ox cart team nearby all laughed

Zhang Cheng turned his head and shot him a glance.

This time entering Bianjing, I must seek wealth and nobility

Kou Ji also rose with the tide, and in the blink of an eye, he became the grandson of Kou Zhun

Having been a poor wretch for half a lifetime in a past life, he now has a hard-won opportunity to become an official and a wealthy scion of three generations, and he does not want to miss it in the slightest

Kou Ji slowly stood up, straightened his back, gazed at the city of Bianjing, and said softly: "This time entering Bianjing, I shall enjoy wealth and nobility"

Snap

Suck

Kou Ji did not argue strongly

However, just five miles outside of Huazhou, I encountered three instances of highway robbery

This remark elicited another round of laughter

When people embark on a long journey together, there are always some well-meaning individuals who like to inquire about the purpose of others' travels and their family backgrounds

A few days ago, Kou Ji was fishing by the Weishui River in the countryside of Huazhou when Kou Li sent someone from Bianjing to deliver a letter to him, informing him of this matter and also telling him that his grandfather, Kou Zhun, had resumed his position as a minister, urging him to hurry to Bianjing to enjoy a life of comfort

A gust of cold wind blew by, and Kou Ji quickly wrapped himself in a sheepskin coat, retreating once again into the pile of goods

He did not know how to express his gratitude, merely grinning foolishly at Kou Ji.

Kou Ji shot him another glare, cursing as he burrowed back into the pile of goods

Kou Ji furrowed his brow, making a concerted effort to pretend he did not hear, yet his soft heart compelled him to sit up and throw off the sheepskin coat he was wearing

Such scenes have occurred several times along this journey

A sheepskin coat fell beside the ox cart, landing on a boy of about fourteen years old, who was thinly dressed, his face bruised from the cold, and with long strands of runny nose.

Young master, I am not cold

It was only after he had traversed through time and spent a period of hardship in the rural areas of Huazhou that he came to understand his identity and family background

They seem eager to enter the city of Bianjing, wanting to quickly witness the splendor of Bianjing and to indulge in its wealth

He is well aware that he did not lie

If your grandfather were Kou Zhun, then my mother would be the current empress

The ox cart jostles forward

Twelve loyal and devoted servants have perished

They all nodded in agreement

On the towering city walls, which rise over ten zhang high, flags flutter in abundance, and wisps of blue smoke curl within the walls, surrounding the resplendent palace with its pointed, ornamental roofs.

Someone chimed in with a shout.

Zhang Cheng flicked the whip in his hand, and the old yellow ox, tugged along, took another heavy step forward

Kou Ji, the master and servant, had no money to their name, and could only follow the kind-hearted Zhang Cheng, sharing a bowl of tea and two dry cakes

You should not engage in deception and fraud, nor should you impersonate the name of Young Master Kou.

This is probably the charm of the capital

Ah pu ~ ''

No need for pleasantries

About an hour later, they passed by a tea shed, where everyone exchanged some coins for a few bowls of tea and squatted at the entrance of the shed, munching on dry biscuits.

Zhang Cheng seemed to have been paying close attention to the two of them, and when he saw Kou Ji throw the sheepskin coat to Er Bao, a rare smile appeared on his face

However, Kou Ji, whose father Kou Li was a poor man studying abroad, was chosen by Kou Zhun as a foster son due to being orphaned and having performed well in his studies

Upon hearing this, Kou Ji became somewhat displeased. He sat up and said with righteous indignation: "My grandfather is indeed Kou Zhun!"

Someone tightened the burden on their body and said firmly.

Er Bao understood the temperament of the young master. Upon hearing the young master lose his temper, he shrank his neck in fear and hurriedly wrapped himself in a sheepskin coat

This remark elicited another round of laughter

However, once you enter the city of Bianjing, if you continue to use the name of Lord Kou to swagger and deceive, you will surely face repercussions

As we approached Bianjing City, the footsteps of the crowd became increasingly light and lively

Young master, young master, we have arrived in Bianjing! We have arrived in Bianjing!

When he left Huazhou, the clan assigned him twelve loyal and devoted servants to curry favor with him

The young boy wiped his nose, hugged his sheepskin coat, and greeted Kou Ji with a warm smile.

This suddenly resonated with others

In a moment of daze, Kou Ji seemed to see a scene of millions rushing to Beijing in search of wealth and nobility

Put it on!

However, in old age, the thought of adopting a child arose

The second treasure nodded beside him and said: "Our family elder is none other than Kou Zhun!"

If it were not for the need to escape, encountering this hundred-strong troop heading to Bianjing City would likely have resulted in both him and Erbao becoming victims of the mountain bandits' blades

The city stands majestic and extraordinary

Gradually, the city drew closer

Zhang Cheng, with a cold expression but a warm heart, replied coldly.