Chapter 70: Once bitten by a snake, birds will cry everywhere
The Ming Dynasty placed considerable importance on infrastructure, inheriting the traditions of the Qin and Han dynasties. Basically, in every region, a long pavilion was built every ten miles and a short pavilion every five miles, providing travelers with a place to rest. In ancient times, when setting out on a long journey, friends and family often came to see them off here.
With a long pavilion only every ten miles, those who traveled to the county town for the examination were gathered here to bid farewell. As more and more people gathered, the number of scholars in blue robes carrying their bundles also increased. First Uncle, Zhu Shouren, skilled in socializing, mingled with many of the scholars. Zhu Ping'an did not know anyone there, not even the other four students who were introduced by his mentor. Of course, this might also be related to Zhu Ping'an's age; those scholars were at least in their twenties, while he was just a thirteen-year-old kid, creating a gap of at least three years. Who would know him?