Chapter 184

Boss Chen thought the young man was just comforting him, and smiled, "Thank you for your good words."

Xue Tingxiang was not ambiguous either, and cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Uncle Chen, for your suggestion, but there are still trivial matters at home that have not been dealt with. When everything is settled, I will go to the Qingyuan Academy to study."

"You are straightforward, so you are not afraid of being implicated and hindering your fame?" Boss Chen asked curiously.

"The kid hasn't entered school yet, so what are you talking about? Besides, the imperial court has always attached great importance to the selection of talents. If they are really talented people, presumably the magistrate Hu will not dare to stop them too much."

"I can't see that you have high ambitions. Well, since you dare to go, I will recommend you one or two. Although my classmate is rigid and not good at words, his knowledge is first-rate. Don't dare It’s okay to teach a person to become a Jinshi, but a scholar is fine.”

"Then thank Uncle Chen first."

*

For several days, Xue Tingxiang and Zhao'er left early and returned late.

Someone from Xue's family asked twice, and Zhao'er told him to take Xue Tingxiang out to get some fresh air, so as not to be overwhelmed. The people in the big room showed contempt, and Mr. Xue couldn't help shaking his head. After that, no one asked any more questions, and most of them knew in their hearts that Xue Tingxiang was doomed. Maybe the two children of Erfang also have a lot of mentality, so they broke the cans and didn't read books, but ran around to play.

You must know that even if you are as talented as Xue Juncai, you have to read books at home for many days to prepare.

In the blink of an eye, it was five days.

This day is no different from ordinary days.

The farmhouse is always busy in the morning, and after a night, the family's livestock have to be waited on, and the whole family has to be tossed about to eat. After breakfast, the men will go to the fields, and the women will do housework at home.

If there is some difference, Xue Juncai had two more poached eggs in his bowl than others for breakfast.

Because of Mr. Xue's beating some time ago, Mrs. Zhao didn't dare to openly fight against the big family members these days. Today, seeing that life is not normal, she couldn't hold back.

Originally, Xue Tingxiang didn't have any, but Yang Shi saw that her father-in-law looked bad, so she took the initiative to ask Zhao Shi to ask for two eggs, and put them in the bowl for him.

Xue Tingxiang wants to recruit one of them separately, but he doesn't want to be recruited, but it's a pity that he can't be persuaded.

For the sake of one egg, the two of you whispered one sentence at a time, while Mr. Xue's expression on the top was particularly serious.

But life in the country is like this, no matter how heavy your heart is, you can't lose your livelihood. Especially when rushing for spring plowing, Mr. Xue still took his two sons to work in the fields for a while, and didn't come back until the sun was high.

The news about the competition between the two children of Xue's family has spread throughout Yuqing Village.

It's not that there are people who say strange things, but most people can still understand what old man Xue did. It's not easy for rural people to earn a little money, and no one's money comes from the big river. If there is a way, no one will do this.

Knowing that today is the day, let the children of the family watch in the village. Seeing a stranger go to Zheng Lizheng's house, these hairy kids ran into the field, shouting from a long distance, "Someone is coming from Lizheng's house". The adults stopped planting the land, so they picked up the hoes and rushed back.

Not long after, the big courtyard of Zheng Lizheng's house was full of people, and more villagers kept coming here.

There was a lot of commotion in the yard, everyone was gossiping and discussing today's matter at the same time.

In the room, Zheng Li was talking with a middle-aged man in a scholar's shirt and a flat scarf on his head.

This man had a thin and long face, his complexion was a little pale, and his eyes were slightly swollen. She doesn't look good, but her identity seems to be extraordinary, and she actually sits in the main seat.

And Zheng Lizheng could only sit on the sidelines.

His Gu Pan has a different temperament from ordinary people. This person is Qiao Xiucai, who has a reputation in the surrounding ten miles and eight villages.

Long before, Zheng Lizheng had thought about it. Xue Qingshan came forward to invite someone from the Xue family, if he didn't expect, it should be his father-in-law Yang Zhong, Yang Zhong is just a boy, so he will invite a scholar.

On the one hand, it seemed that he was impartial, and on the other hand, it was a good time to show his prestige.

"Qiao Xianggong, you drink tea, I will order someone to remind you."

Qiao Xiucai waved his hand indifferently: "Don't worry."

Just as he was talking, there was a commotion outside, but it was patriarch Xue who came with someone.

However, it was not Patriarch Xue who took the lead, but an old man over fifty years old. This old man is of medium stature, dressed the same as Qiao Xiucai, also wearing a scholar's shirt and a flat scarf, obviously even if he is not a scholar, he is still a child.

Sure enough, when Qiao Xiucai saw the old man, he quickly stood up from his chair and bowed to him.

"I never thought it would be Senior He, late born is so polite."

"Don't be too polite, just sit down."

This He Xiucai was the person invited by patriarch Xue to preside over this competition.

Zheng Lizheng was right, at first Xue Qingshan really planned to invite his father-in-law, but it was a pity that this matter was rejected by Patriarch Xue.

Patriarch Xue also only knew that Xue Qingshan was so stupid. They all said that he should not avoid relatives when he was a virtuous person, but this is not the way. Since he felt that the chances of winning were more than guaranteed, there was no need for people to make mistakes, so he took care of this matter.

He knew in his heart that the surname Zheng would not let go of the opportunity to show off, and if he came forward to invite someone, he must be a scholar. He originally planned to invite Qiao Xiucai, but he was a step late, so he had to delay the relationship and invite He Xiucai.

After courteously giving way to each other, the two scholars sat down on the main seat.

Zheng Lizheng and Patriarch Xue sat beside him.

"Let Brother Lizheng worry about it."

"Don't bother, don't worry, I'm the leader here, so I can't show up if something happens in the village."

A lot of back and forth, seemingly amiable, but there is a hint of wit hidden in the words. During this period, a few old people walked in from the outside, but they were a few old people from Yuqing Village, Mr. Xue, Xue Qingshan and others also came.

Another uninvited guest was Xue Qingshan's father-in-law Yang Zhong.

Yang Zhong was in his fifties, with a chubby body. He didn't look like a scholar, but a landlord with a fat brain. As soon as he came in, he joined Qiao Xiucai and He Xiucai, but unfortunately, these two scholars were not willing to talk to him, they said a few words with him, and then went to sit aside awkwardly.

Xue Qingshan sat at the end.

The Weng and the son-in-law are considered pretty people, and those who can sit here are all respectable people in the village, but because of the identity of this boy, they can also sit in the hall. You know, even Mr. Xue doesn't have a seat, so he can only stand aside.

"I don't know the real master, but he's here?" He Xiucai asked when he saw that almost everyone had come.

Patriarch Xue looked at Mr. Xue, and Xue Qinghuai hurriedly said, "Here we come."

Just as he was speaking, the villagers surrounding the door made way, and two teenagers walked out from the crowd.

These two teenagers are all dressed in short brown, and they can be seen from humble backgrounds at a glance.

The one in the lead looks gentle and handsome, with a slender figure. Although the clothes are simple, he is quite personable. The one in the back is half a head shorter than the one in the front, his body seems a little weak, and he seems a little introverted, his eyelids are always half down, and he seems a little afraid of strangers.

But when the two came to the hall and accepted the scrutiny of the crowd, they had some clues.

The elder's appearance is not bad, but he always pulls his sleeves intentionally or unintentionally, as if the clothes don't fit well. But the young one has been standing neither humble nor overbearing, the half-drooped eyelids not only do not make people feel contemptuous, but it feels like the respect that the younger generation should have for the elders.

Therefore, it seemed that the older one looked directly into the eyes of everyone, which was a bit too abrupt. It is good to have self-confidence, but when the younger generation faces the elders, a humble and respectful attitude is indispensable.

All this happened in an instant, and Qiao Xiucai and He Xiucai, who were seated in the main seats, had the initial judgment on these two young people.

"Student Xue Juncai, student Xue Tingxiang, I have met all the elders."

He Xiucai nodded, Qiao Xiucai nodded, and asked curiously, "Tingxiang? Does this name have a meaning?"

Xue Tingxiang was taken aback, and Fang Zuoyi said: "Hey, I mean to follow suit. The student's great-great-grandfather was also a student, and the biggest regret in his life was that he failed to pass the exam. Although my Xue family was born in a poor family, there are many generations. Forgetting the last wish of the ancestors, while settling down to live and work, he has been working hard to let the children of the clan read and write, and be able to understand the principles of life.

"It should be noted that if you read a lot, you will have hills and valleys in your heart, and you will have a poetic spirit in your stomach. The younger generation will follow the last wish of the ancestors. Although they are not very knowledgeable at a young age, they have great ambitions. They hope that one day they can continue the path that their ancestors walked, and continue to do so. go down."

These words are very well-chosen, and the words are too polite, or they say something to study and become an official to serve the court, to establish a life for the people, and to bring peace to all generations. They are all suspected of deliberately showing off, which makes people laugh. After all, they are still brats, not even children.

And Xue Tingxiang's words just echoed his age and knowledge, and even because of the ancestor's last wish, it added a bit of filial piety.

After listening to Qiao Xiucai, he stroked his beard and said, "Okay! What a big ambition!"

With this praise, everyone's eyes were on Xue Tingxiang.

Most people don't understand what it means, they only think that Qiao Xiucai is exaggerating the dog of Xue's second room, but they can understand but they have different thoughts.

Shocked and complicated like patriarch Xue, the look in Xue Tingxiang's eyes implied excitement and admiration. He is the head of the clan, and he always regards the glory of the clan as his great responsibility. Xue Tingxiang's words not only praised his ancestors in front of others, but also inadvertently showed the unusualness of the Xue clan, which made his face extraordinarily honored. Unconsciously, he straightened his back.

Some secretly scolded this son for being cunning, and even used the occasion to grandstanding.

Still upholding the last wish of his ancestors, whoever asked him to uphold it was just bragging! Why didn't I see that this son was so eloquent earlier.

"The elders in your family took this name for you, and they have high hopes for you."

When Qiao Xiucai said this, he was embarrassed again, but it was the Xue family who were embarrassed.

Just when Patriarch Xue and the others were afraid that Xue Tingxiang would be ignorant to tell the reason, he saluted again and said: "This junior will definitely study hard and live up to the expectations of his family."

Xue Qingshan couldn't sit still.

Today's book is for the examination of Xue Juncai and Xue Tingxiang, who is eligible to enter the school. The exam hadn't even started yet, but Qiao Xiucai's words were intended to encourage and agree with the other party. The so-called failure before the battle was nothing more than that.

He couldn't help but interjected: "Seniors, can we start?"

Only then did Qiao Xiucai realize that he had spoken too much, but once he said it, he would naturally not take it back, and Xue Qingshan's words obviously made him feel embarrassed. There was a slight displeasure in his heart, so instead of avoiding it, he nodded appreciatively to Xue Tingxiang, and then went to take a sip of tea on the table.

Between the actions, there was a sense of treating Xue Qingshan as nothing, which made his face darken immediately. But he didn't dare to have any doubts at all, he just smiled and sat back.

Qiao Xiucai put down the teacup, cupped his hands and said to He Xiucai: "Senior He, look at this—"

"Let's begin then."

"Are you a senior, or you are the main one."

Qiao Xiucai is a polite word. He is only in his thirties, he is already a scholar, he may be able to raise a scholar in the future, but He Xiucai is already an old man, the possibility of being selected is very slim. That's why it was obvious that He Xiucai was the main one, but when Qiao Xiucai spoke, He Xiucai didn't interrupt him, and didn't even blame him for taking the lead.

This is the way of the imperial examination, which pays attention to qualifications and seniority, but also pays attention to potential.

Talents like Yang Zhong who fail the exam all their lives will be old boys when they grow old. However, if one can pass the examination as a scholar, even if one is over half a hundred years old and the other is a young man with a weak crown, they can still be on equal footing and be friends with each other as peers.

It's like Xue Qingshan is about to call himself a junior in front of Qiao Xiucai, and he can only accept Qiao Xiucai's embarrassment to him. Although Qiao Xiucai gave He Xiucai too much courtesy, He Xiucai put him first in words and deeds.

Few of the people present understood these principles, but Xue Tingxiang did, which made him even more determined to be a scholar.

"Where are you two in your studies now?"

"I have finished studying the Four Books, and now I am diligently reading the "Book of Songs" among the Five Classics." Xue Juncai answered first.

He Xiucai set his sights on Xue Tingxiang.

He pondered for a while, and said: "After studying the four books, I can only read them, but I can't understand them."

He Xiucai didn't say anything, but Zheng Lizheng said in confusion, "If I remember correctly, you and the talented boy Kaimeng came one after another. How could you have fallen behind so much in your studies?"

Xue Tingxiang remained silent, but Xue Qingshan's eyebrows twitched.

Xue Qingshan also went out, but instead of going to the field, he went to the town. It is said that some classmate in the town had an elder in his family celebrating a birthday.

Now is the busy season, and there are not many schoolchildren in the school. The private schools in the countryside are like this. Every two seasons when the farming season is busy, the schoolchildren will be given holidays, so Xue Qingshan has been quite free recently. But no one cares about where he goes or not. When the school is on vacation, he is often not seen for several days.

Zhao'er washed the dishes and chopsticks used by herself and the little man, and took them back to the kitchen. Mrs. Zhou was cooking pig food, while Tao'er was sweeping the yard. Seeing that she had nothing to do, Zhao'er found Heizi's food bowl, and took a bowl from the leftover rice that was going to be mixed in pig grass to feed pigs later. , carrying it and walking out the door.