nucmednet Chapter 6: Household registration
Chapter 6: Household registration
Chen Ruotong was walking on the street, feeling the atmosphere of ancient life. Ancient buildings were lined up one after another, and all kinds of ancient people were either buying and selling or walking together; there were more and more people carrying loads, pushing carts, leading horses, driving donkeys, and strolling; the hawkers' cries were incessant, and it was really lively and extraordinary, what a vivid and real Qingming Shanghe Tu!
She likes this place very much. She wants to integrate herself into it, become an ancient person, settle down in this city and start a new life.
Chen Ruotong walked into a clothing store. There were many styles of clothes hanging on the clothing racks for people to choose from. She was choosing men's clothes, and a young man dressed as a waiter came to serve her.
"Sir, which piece of clothing do you like? The clothes in our store are made of good materials and come in many styles. They are all new styles popular in Beijing this year. I can tell that you are a scholar. These student gowns are suitable for you..." The waiter smiled and introduced the clothes incessantly, then poured a cup of tea and served it to him with both hands. This salesperson is very qualified!
Chen Ruotong was very satisfied and felt at home. "Yeah, not bad. I want these and the ones over there."
She tried them on and bought ten men's suits, two aqua blue and two moon white cotton scholar's suits, two narrow-sleeved grey coarse cloth shirts, one blue and one white silk double-breasted robe, and two black cotton shorts. She also bought twenty pairs of cloth shoes and brocade boots to match the clothes.
"Sir, do you think you can buy a few sets for your family?" The waiter was very happy. He had a good start in the morning. If he kept working hard and sold a few more sets, he would earn more.
Chen Ruotong thought about it and decided to buy a few sets of women's clothing. It would be so pleasing to the eye to wear women's clothing when no one is around! Admiring one's beauty alone is also a kind of fun. She likes Hanfu very much. Now that she has a lot of money, why not spend it? Her financial situation allows her to buy, buy, buy.
"Shopkeeper, I have a sister who is as tall as me. Which clothes do you think are suitable for her?" After trying on the clothes introduced by the waiter, she bought ten sets of women's clothing in different colors, fabrics, and styles, as well as matching embroidered shoes.
All in all, I spent thirty taels, which seems not cheap! But I am not short of money, and I feel happy when I spend money. I can really spend money freely here!
Chen Ruotong wore a brand new moon-white long gown with dark patterns and thick-soled moon-white brocade boots. She took out a white jade hairpin from the space and put it on her hair. Her noble temperament was instantly enhanced. She sat down and continued to drink tea and chat with the waiter.
"Shopkeeper, where is the largest dental clinic in our city? I want to see the houses in the city."
"Sir, you have asked the right person. There is the largest Fusheng Dental Clinic on South Street. It has a good reputation and a wide supply of goods. It is definitely a good choice to buy a house there. I will ask my brother to take you there. It is a bit far from here."
"Then thank you for your help, shop owner!" Chen Ruotong imitated the scholar, bowed, put on two large packages of clothes, turned around and got on the donkey cart with a boy of about ten years old.
Chen Ruotong took out a piece of silver from her space and gave it to the boy. The boy smiled and happily accepted it, and drove the donkey cart slowly towards South Street. After about 20 minutes, she arrived at Fusheng Dental Clinic. She jumped off the cart, carrying the package on her back, and watched the boy drive the donkey cart away. Then she walked towards the wall of the dental clinic and quickly threw the two packages into the space when no one was passing by.
She walked into the brokerage shop, and a middle-aged man in brocade clothes greeted her warmly, "Young guest, are you buying a house or a person?"
"Are you the shopkeeper?"
"My dear sir, you have good eyesight. Just call me Manager Zhou! What's your name, my dear sir?"
Chen Ruotong had already thought of a commemorative name and said, "Hello, Shopkeeper Zhou. My name is Chen Guchuan. I am not buying a house or a person. I am a scholar and have come from far away just to study. However, when I arrived in the provincial capital, I accidentally lost my household registration and travel permit, and I am unable to enroll in school. I would like to consult Shopkeeper Zhou, how can I apply for this household registration and travel permit?" Chen Ruotong was worried, fearing that it would not be possible. It didn't matter if it was a little expensive, at least she had to have a legal identity.
"Haha, this is not difficult, but the money is a bit much! If you settle down and live alone in the local area, it will cost 100 taels to re-register your household registration, and 5 taels for a travel permit. This is the price clearly marked by the pawnshop. We will handle it for our customers, including all fees. You can pay it all at once. Come and pick it up at 15:00 tomorrow. Our pawnshop handles it quickly. If you go to the government office to handle it yourself, the cost will be less, but it will take more than half a month to complete it." Shopkeeper Zhou said sincerely, "Mr. Chen is in a hurry to study, so it is better to handle it as soon as possible."
Chen Ruotong pretended to think for a moment and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Shopkeeper Zhou!"
"That's not true. It's our duty to help customers." He waved to the inner room and said, "Zhou Qian, take this Mr. Chen to register his identity and go to the government office as soon as possible."
Chen Ruotong followed Zhou Qian into the side hall, which was obviously an office. Zhou Qian's service attitude was very good. He asked her name, age, and then estimated her height, described her facial features, and home address.
"Mr. Chen, what is your address? Do you plan to live in the city?"
"Yes, Brother Zhou, I plan to buy a house in the city in a few days, so just write the address of the city!"
"Mr. Chen has a good eye. Our Pingyang City is a Feng Shui treasure land. It is the first of the five Yang cities in Daliang Dynasty. It has the largest area, the most fertile land, and the most beautiful famous mountains and rivers. The houses here in South Street are good, but a bit expensive. However, South Street is a wealthy area, and it is very convenient for travel and business. Then I will write South Street Yangliu Lane for you!"
Why do I feel like I've been tricked? Is this a house sales pitch?
"Don't worry, Master Chen. As long as you live in the city, it doesn't matter which street or lane you write down." Zhou Qian was a smart man who knew how to read people's faces. Seeing Chen Ruotong frown, he immediately added, "Where are you going, Master Chen? It's written on the pass."
Where to go? She didn't know, "Can you hold off writing until I want to travel far away?"
"Sure, sure. As long as you have the official seal, you can write the address and time yourself."
It was just what she wanted. "Very good, very good, thank you, Brother Zhou."
"Mr. Chen, if you want to buy a house, don't forget me, Brother Zhou. I guarantee that the house is good, the price is reasonable, and I will never cheat anyone."
"Sure, sure. What else do you need me to do next?"
"Just pay ten taels as a deposit, and come back to see me tomorrow at 15:00."
Chen Ruotong paid the money and walked out of the dental clinic with a relaxed mood. It was already noon and she needed to have lunch. Her body was still growing, so she was already hungry.
Baiweilou looks very high-end, with many customers and no seats left. Chen Ruotong sat in a secluded seat on the first floor, and the waiter came over to introduce the dishes. She ordered a plate of stir-fried bamboo shoots, a plate of pork elbow in sauce, and a bowl of rice. The taste was not bad, pure green food, safe to eat.
"Have you heard that Wang Yuan was castrated by Qin Mama from Yihong Courtyard? He deserved it."
"I heard that Mother Qin was arrested last night, but was released this morning."
"Mr. Wang is the prefect's elder brother-in-law. The prefect should have severely punished Mama Qin. Why did he let her go so quickly?"
"There's something fishy going on. Hush, don't say anything. If someone with ulterior motives hears it, you and I can forget about it!"
Chen Ruotong listened to some gossip and got some information. After the Clean Plate Operation, she settled the bill and went to do important things.