Chapter 8 However, they are very wealthy

Yue Fei's mouth was full of meat and pancakes, making it impossible for him to speak, only able to make muffled sounds. This sight filled Zhou Tong with joy, causing the wrinkles on his face to smooth out. Lin Chong, who had been burdened with deep depression, also revealed a genuine smile. Upon witnessing this scene, Yue Fan couldn't help but laugh, especially when he saw that Yue Fei's cheeks had puffed up to a level that could rival a hamster, laughing uncontrollably while holding his stomach. Lin Chong, who had been burdened with deep depression, also revealed a genuine smile. Upon witnessing this scene, Yue Fan couldn't help but laugh, especially when he saw that Yue Fei's cheeks had puffed up to a level that could rival a hamster, laughing uncontrollably while holding his stomach.

This may also be a point of fairness in the Song Dynasty: the improvement of printing technology, the development and perfection of the imperial examination system, the decline of aristocratic families, and the gradual development and perfection of a dual society of monarchs and commoners. Coupled with the national policies of the Song Dynasty, the Zhao Song family laws, the status of scholars in the Song Dynasty was unprecedented. Any child from a humble background who was willing to study might one day become a high official, bringing glory to their ancestors. Who would dare to underestimate scholars?

Lin Chong, with a smile, instructed his attendant to purchase food. He then observed the unruly Yue Fei and explained to the still calm Yue Fan that this market was the largest vegetable market in all of Dongjing. Anything that is available in this season can be found here, even products from Jiangnan can be purchased here. The large merchants transport goods via sea routes using ocean-going vessels, and there is also seafood, raised in seawater. Experienced sailors navigate the Yellow River, striving to ensure that the citizens of Dongjing can enjoy fresh seafood. Anything that is available in this season can be found here, even products from Jiangnan can be purchased here. The large merchants transport goods via sea routes using ocean-going vessels, and there is also seafood, raised in seawater. Experienced sailors navigate the Yellow River, striving to ensure that the citizens of Dongjing can enjoy fresh seafood.

Zhou Tong sat in the car, affectionately watching Yue Fei waving money and acting like a wealthy man. He glanced at Yue Fan, who was conversing with Lin Chong, and felt that coming this time was truly the right decision.

Tokyo City told him what the scene would be like after the cancellation of the city and the blocks, with commercial prosperity that could hardly be found in any other city on Earth. Along the way, Yue Fan was almost dazzled by mhetushu.com. Freshly squeezed soy milk for one cent, absolutely green; crispy and delicious meat pies for two cents; a generous serving of venison for fifteen cents, free from Sudan red and preservatives; and clean, delicious dried goose, duck, and chicken for fifteen cents.

In fact, Lin Chong, who is devoted to his wife, plans to purchase some ingredients for tonight, so that his wife does not have to expose herself to the public again

Fruits, live pigs, live chickens, rabbit meat, fish from the Yellow River, common small fish, hairy crabs, and game are all available. Aside from vegetables that are not yet in season, everything else is truly available for sale here.

The shop assistant finally breathed a sigh of relief; it was indeed wise not to hastily dismiss anyone. The reason why Moxiangxuan has developed to its current state is that decades ago, the first generation of shop owners, during a time when a newly crowned top scholar was down on his luck, gifted him the Four Treasures of the Study and a copy of the Analects. After the newly crowned scholar achieved first place in the imperial examination and was named at Donghua Gate, he rose to a high official position, remembered his benefactor, and generously supported Moxiangxuan. This is how Moxiangxuan came to be what it is today. The old shop owner earnestly taught that one should never underestimate any scholar, for you never know which one might become the next top scholar; any of them has the potential to be the next top scholar.

The Song Dynasty was a super-large-scale economy standing at the pinnacle of world development before the Industrial Revolution

Yue glanced at Lin Chong, then at the store clerk who wore a respectful expression. He understood about seventy to eighty percent of the situation, nodded slightly, and said nothing. Engaging in a debate was inevitable, but Yue had no intention of discussing whether scholars or warriors held greater esteem. Thus, he chose silence and quietly selected the items he preferred.

Upon arriving at the vegetable market, I was truly amazed by what I saw. Compared to the later markets, these markets were genuinely clean, and the odors were not unpleasant. Being open-air, there was no eerie feeling, nor were there any foul smells. There were no pesticides, no catalysts, and naturally, there was no need to worry about purchasing toxic food.

"I wonder what this young gentleman wishes to purchase?" A shop assistant approached without hesitation, choosing to inquire with Yue Fan rather than Lin Chong. The reason was simple: Lin Chong was dressed as a typical warrior. Would a warrior be buying such high-end scholarly tools? It was laughable.

With a standard scholarly demeanor, dressed in a scholar's robe, and possessing an exceptionally handsome appearance, although young, the scholarly aura about him is immediately apparent. They promptly ceased their activities, as they were unaware of the specific circumstances; perhaps it was a guard from a prominent family protecting the young master while he came to purchase books

However, seeing the dejected expression on Yue Fei's face due to his physical inability to continue supporting his desire for frenzied shopping, Yue closed his mouth

After being overwhelmed by his physical condition, Yue Fei finally ceased his frenzied shopping behavior. In this regard, Yue felt a sense of relief as he looked at the remaining wealth in his hands. As the saying goes, earning money is a skill, while spending money is an art. Currently, Yue Fei's earning capacity is limited, but his spending technique is indeed quite sophisticated, self-taught. One hundred guan of promissory notes can be exchanged for fifty to sixty guan in silver and over ten guan in cash. Yue Fei spent half of it. Earning money is a skill, while spending money is an art. Currently, Yue Fei's earning capacity is limited, but his spending technique is indeed quite sophisticated, self-taught. One hundred guan of promissory notes can be exchanged for fifty to sixty guan in silver and over ten guan in cash. Yue Fei spent half of it.

Looking at the abundance of goods purchased by Yue Fei, even the vehicle was piled high with items, Lin Chong appeared contemplative. Subsequently, Lin Chong took Yue to Mo Xiang Xuan, a high-end establishment in Dongjing City that sold books, stationery, and scholarly supplies. Lin Chong entered with a large silver ingot, as silver in the Song Dynasty had already begun to circulate to some extent. Particularly in large-scale commodity transactions, the use of silver was permitted, and there were even instances in the early Song Dynasty where taxes were paid in silver.

Lin Chong's expression turned serious, but soon relaxed again, restoring his smile: "Liu Lang, choose for yourself. These are all items that scholars would purchase. You must study hard, participate in the imperial examination, and achieve a degree of success to bring glory to your family!"

Yue Fan accepted Lin Chong's gift. Although Yue Fan was not certain that he would definitely participate in the imperial examination of the Zhao-Song dynasty or embark on an official career, he was certain that studying and becoming a scholar was a viable path. With the identity of a scholar, he could navigate within the territory of the Song dynasty during these ten years and even in the years to come.

Yue asked Lin Chong, who was laughing uncontrollably, in utter disbelief, only to learn that this was a rather expensive cup of iced honey milk costing twenty wen, even pricier than venison, which ordinary families could hardly afford. However, the Yue family was different; they were wealthy and indulgent. Moreover, being a child experiencing their first time away from their parents, with fewer constraints, Yue Fei naturally forgot the family motto of frugality. He devoured the flatbreads and venison, occasionally sipping the honey milk, and then, with a free hand, pulled out a golden-brown roasted chicken leg from the various bags he carried. Taking a bite, he exclaimed, "Ah! How wonderful!"

But who would dare to underestimate a warrior

Who says only women engage in shopping sprees? Men lose their reason as well; true tycoons become just as frenzied when they encounter products

This is the best interpretation of the Song Dynasty, as well as the most regrettable interpretation. At least in the eyes of Yue Fan at this moment, everything seems like a dream, where one can witness scenes in the 12th century that would only appear in the 20th century. How could this not move Yue Fan? The ceaseless flow of people, the small shops visible to the eye, the shouts of small vendors, and the bustling voices in large restaurants and shops—all of this forms a scene even more perfect than Zhang Zeduan's "Along the River During the Qingming Festival".

However, it is evident that Di Kong Fei still cherishes his younger brother, as he could not bear to let him carry all these items. Instead, he took them upon himself. In no time, he returned fully loaded, achieving a great victory, with large and small bags filled with steaming food of unknown origin. Yue Fei had a flatbread clenched in his mouth, his left hand grasping a bag of sika deer meat, and his right hand holding a cup of some chilled, white beverage.

This is clearly a manifestation of human civilization

Especially the self-important intellectuals

Lin Chong wished to prepare a set of scholar's four treasures that matched the status of "Little Master Yan," along with some books. When the guests at the Mo Xiang Xuan first saw Lin Chong, dressed as a warrior, appearing in this place reserved for literati, they were somewhat displeased. How dare a filthy warrior come here? Just as they were about to take action to drive him away, they noticed the presence of Yue Fan.

Lin Chong observed the appearance of the Yue brothers, especially Yue Fan, a child who rarely showed a smile, now displaying such a genuine expression of joy. He decided to continue his efforts to open his heart, allowing him to at least experience the innocence of childhood, even if just for these few days. Subsequently, Lin Chong, upholding the noble belief of "helping the old and stubborn broaden their horizons, and assisting the withdrawn youth in opening their hearts," took the Yue brothers and their master, Zhou Tong, to explore other markets, such as the vegetable market

The vendor at the barbecue stall waved a fan, allowing the mouthwatering aroma that could make one drool to spread, attempting to attract more customers. In front of various meat shops, crowds gathered in abundance, while the bare-chested butchers, drenched in sweat, wielded their sharp knives, methodically slicing the already dismembered bodies of pigs, cattle, and sheep. One cent, two cents, three cents, four cents, five cents, truly honest dealings for both young and old.

That said, it is evident to everyone that Zhou Tong harbored no intention of blaming Yue Fei in the slightest

Zhou Tong, who was also laughing heartily, smiled as he patted Yue Fei on the head and jokingly scolded, "You little killer, have you never seen the world? Buying so much, can you eat it all? Spending so much money, do you not know what frugality is?"

Eels, buns, chicken skin, kidney, lung stuffing, stir-fried liver... There is nothing you cannot imagine, nothing you cannot see or buy. Upon first encountering true civilization, Yue Fei has lost his sanity, waving the copper coins and jiaozi in his hands, continuously making purchases. In this moment, it seems as if Yue sees his girlfriend losing her humanity and reason after entering the supermarket, and he also seems to see himself covered in shopping bags.

From the moment he entered the city of Tokyo, Yue Fan felt as though he had stepped into another world. The soldiers at the city gate held great respect for Lin Chong, calling him "Instructor Lin". They did not collect a head tax and allowed Lin Chong and his companions to enter the city. After passing through the city gate passage, what unfolded before Yue Fan was indeed another world. Under the azure sky, an endless crowd flowed, and he had only learned from books that the distinctions between market districts in the Northern Song Dynasty had been abolished. However, Yue Fan had never imagined what the scene would be like after the cancellation of the market district distinctions.