Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 281 - 117 Arrives at the Capital

Fortunately, the weather was favorable, and Gu Chengyu and his companions arrived safely in the Capital.

"Sir, the pier is just ahead. Once we disembark, we need to rent a carriage and quickly head to the inn closest to the examination hall to book a room." Ming Mo and Ming Yan were packing their luggage. They didn’t have much baggage, and Gu Chengyu had specially asked his father to weave a rattan box for him according to his specifications, which could hold more than just a cloth bundle.

Some essential items were stored by Gu Chengyu in the space; the rattan box and bundles contained only clothing, shoes, toiletries, and a few pieces of Jade Pendant. These were bought by Gu Wan and his mother to accessorize his clothes, and Ming Mo and the others knew he wouldn’t store these in the space.

"Sir! I’ll go check if Mr. Sun and the others have packed everything." Seeing that they had almost finished packing, Ming Yan suggested going to see Sun Xian and the group, reminding them in the process. That frail Mr. Ye had a large bundle to carry, so they certainly needed help while disembarking.

Not long after, Sun Xian and Ye Zhiqiu arrived in Gu Chengyu’s room to discuss which direction to head to find an inn once they got off the boat.

"Chengyu! We’ve never been to the Capital before and heard it’s quite large. Can we find the examination hall?" Although Ye Zhiqiu was no longer seasick, his appetite was still affected, so his face looked a bit sallow, and he had lost a lot of weight, making him seem even frailer due to his worries.

"Once we reach the pier, we can rent a carriage. As long as we can pay the Silver, the driver will definitely take us around the Capital." Gu Chengyu wasn’t worried about this. Although the Capital was large and he had never been there, there should be guides in ancient times just like in the past.

"Exactly! There are so many of us, how could we possibly get lost? Don’t worry. Even if we can’t find it, we’ll just ask someone." Sun Xian, being older, wasn’t too concerned about these things.

"Sir! The boat has reached the pier! We need to prepare to disembark!" Ming Mo had been watching outside the room, and when he noticed the bow of the boat edging toward the pier, he quickly came to the room to call them.

"No rush! There must be a lot of people getting off now. We’ll go later to avoid the crowd. Besides, some people have sticky fingers, and we don’t want our Silver to wander off!" In such crowded places, where it’s packed with people, the thieves are likely to visit. When everyone is packed together, one might not even notice if their Silver is stolen.

As soon as Gu Chengyu finished speaking, Ye Zhiqiu immediately clutched the place where his Silver was hidden, as if he couldn’t feel secure without touching it. Gu Chengyu felt a bit speechless about such an action. Even a thief would feel it would be a disservice not to steal from him.

"Everyone! We’ve reached the pier! Hurry and disembark, don’t push, form a line." The boat captain stood at the edge of the pier, calling out, as people disembarked in a jumble, it wasn’t unusual for those who were frail to get pushed into the river.

Gu Chengyu and his companions waited a bit, and when most people had left the boat, they queued up at the end.

Setting his foot on the pier for the first time, Gu Chengyu sighed with relief. After half a month on the shaky boat, it felt wonderful to be on solid ground.

Gu Chengyu noticed that many people were carrying goods on the pier, similar to what his older brothers used to do before, specializing in carrying bags for people. However, there were those for merchants and private individuals. People with a lot of baggage would hire these folks, who carried the bags while shouting to alert the pedestrians nearby.

There were many carriages as well; some were luxurious, likely there to pick up people from the pier; others were more simple-looking, probably mostly used for business.

Gu Chengyu and his companions moved to a less crowded corner, watching the busy pier, while Sun Xian and the others seemed a bit at a loss.

"Gentlemen, where are you heading? Do you need to rent a carriage?" At this point, a coachman approached them, pointing to several carriages tied to the tree stumps behind him. But other coachmen had already gone to find business nearby.

"We need to find an inn to stay at near the examination hall. Can you get us there?" Gu Chengyu saw the coachman was an elderly man, and although the carriage he pointed at wasn’t big, it should be spacious enough for them.

"Oh, scholars, please forgive this old man’s poor eyesight. There are inns near the examination hall, just a couple of streets away. I can take you gentlemen there, and you’ll find suitable lodgings."

The old man knew there were plenty of students heading to the capital for exams these days, and it indeed allowed him to make a good profit. Seeing that the group was young, he didn’t expect them all to be scholars already.

In his life, he’d met many people and honed his skills in assessing them. Two looked like followers, while the other three carried an air of scholarship, suggesting they were likely exam candidates. Were they talented scholars from Jiangnan? It seemed possible.

But the leader was so young; it was the first time he’d seen a boy of his age speak such perfect, unaccented official speech.

"That’s great! But how much Silver is it from here to the inn?" Sun Xian quickly stepped forward to ask. Better to settle the fare now than be charged an exorbitant price upon arriving, to avoid being taken as fools.

"It’s not that far from here, sir. One Silver Coin would be sufficient."

The old man said this with a hint of guilt. Usually, it was only thirty copper coins. Hauling people and goods from the pier was already expensive, and now with the Autumn Examination, when else would he profit if not now? After all, asking for a high price and bargaining was part of the deal. Who knew how many copper coins he might end up with?

Besides, these people were dressed well, likely not short on Silver. Those short on Silver couldn’t afford a boat ride anyway.

Gu Chengyu didn’t think too much of it. Although the fare seemed high, they didn’t know the way; with a carriage, they could avoid taking wrong turns.

However, Sun Xian furrowed his brows. One Silver Coin was outrageously expensive; did it really take two to three hours to get from here to the inn? Otherwise, why ask for a Silver Coin?

"Hey! Don’t listen to him about one Silver Coin. Old Jue, you really are black-hearted! Other carriages charge sixty copper coins, and you want a Silver Coin? Are you trying to exploit visitors, thinking they don’t know the area and bullying them?"

Just then, a boy about ten years old walked up and pointed angrily at the coachman.

This boy was sallow with thin features. His coarse cloth clothes had two patches, and his cloth shoes had frayed edges, with the soles worn thin enough to hurt just by looking at them. Both shoe tops exposed big toes, and even the socks inside were torn.

Gu Chengyu guessed this boy might be doing errands; otherwise, how could his shoes be so worn?

"You brat, messing with my business again! They haven’t even said they’re not bargaining. Why are you getting worked up over nothing?" The coachman, peeved at being interrupted, glared with puffed cheeks.

"I say, old man, are you trying to take advantage of us outsiders?" Sun Xian, realizing the coachman had been caught out, was now a bit angry, too.

"Ah, Mr. Scholar, don’t be upset! It’s just that in recent days, I’ve raised the fare a bit, but normally, I do business honestly. Just trying to earn a bit more. That’s how it goes; please don’t mind! Let’s go with the lad’s suggestion, sixty copper coins!"

Seeing Sun Xian’s expression soften, the coachman had to apologize. These people were likely Scholars, perhaps in a month they could be exam-passing Scholars, and he didn’t want to offend them! Even if they didn’t pass, Scholars were not to be offended.