When Su County Magistrate Xu Qian took the exam, he probably wanted to make Xu Qian quit when he faced difficulties. Xu Qian knew this, so he calmly said: "Please give me the questions, sir."
Su County Magistrate pondered for a moment and then said, "I'm old, I'm holding it in the palm of my hand."
Su County Magistrate played a trick and used the method of truncating the question, that is, randomly finding some fragments of sentences from the Four Books, with no preface and follow-up. This kind of question is the most test of students' understanding of the Four Books and the Five Classics, even if they are familiar with the Four Books.
I have memorized the Five Classics backwards and forwards, but I am afraid that I may not be able to find this small part of the words among hundreds of thousands of words.
When County Magistrate Su told the topic, he felt a little regretful. It was too much to ask such a complicated question to a boy who was not even a child. However, the question was already given, and his face did not show any sign of it.
Shanlushui, just give this kid a lesson and let him go back to study peacefully.
Xu Qian pondered for a moment and then said: "This is what Mencius said in King Hui of Liang. The full text is: I am old, I am old, I am young, I am young, and I am young, and I am young, and the world can be carried in the palm of my hand."
Magistrate Su was stunned for a moment. Although he was a Jinshi, at Xu Qian's age he could only memorize the Four Books. Could this boy named Xu be a child prodigy and actually have some abilities? How did he know that back then?
When he was studying, his elders instilled in him that he was inferior in all things but could only study well. If he wanted to get ahead, he could only study. Therefore, although he worked hard, he did not necessarily put all his body and mind into it. The Xu Qian of the past was different.
, this bookworm has no utilitarianism at all, he just loves reading. When he was a teenager, he was the smartest time. He used his own interests, hobbies, and body and mind to pay attention to something. Of course, he was familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics.
And now Xu Qian is taking advantage of this. He may still lack the skills to do eight-legged stockings and needs the guidance of a famous teacher, but in terms of basics alone, he cannot be compared with others.
County Magistrate Su looked at Xu Qian, his expression was dazed for a moment, as if he still didn't believe it, and then said: "I think you have read the Four Books and Five Classics by heart, so I will ask you again, what is Master Zhu's "Collected Commentary"?"
Every sentence in the Four Books has Zhu Xi's annotation. This is the authoritative interpretation of the Four Books. For example, various versions of the Analects of Confucius in later generations. Everyone uses their own thoughts to understand the Analects. In this era
, there is only one officially recognized "The Analects of Confucius", so most of the scholars in the Ming Dynasty thought what Zhu Zi thought and said what Zhu Zi said.
Master Zhu's "Collected Annotations" is also the most important part of the Eight-part Part Examination. Memorizing the Four Books and Five Classics is not enough, you also have to understand its meaning. Master Zhu was afraid that it would be too hard for everyone to figure out what the saints said, so
He stepped forward and took over all the hard work, taking all the hard work on himself.
Xu Qian replied without hesitation: "Old, I call myself my father and brother, I am old, I call myself my father and brother, young, I call myself a young animal, I am young, I call myself my son, and a person's young, I call him a person's son."
, transported in the palm of your hand, easy to say."
Magistrate Su couldn't help but nodded repeatedly and said: "Not bad, not bad."
At Xu Qian's age, he could not only memorize the Four Books and Five Classics, but also casually recite the corresponding Zhu Xi's annotations. This was considered a child prodigy in the eyes of Magistrate Su. At this time, Magistrate Su could not help but re-examine Xu Qian. If he said that he had once
Xu Qian is nothing more than a brat who pretends to be loyal and good, but now the magistrate of Su County seems to have seen the potential of this boy. He couldn't help but think: "They say that there are many talented people and prodigies in Suzhou and Hangzhou, but this county still doesn't believe it. Today
It's really eye-opening that even a young man from a humble official background can be so knowledgeable."
With just one thought, Magistrate Su developed a love for talents. He nodded and said, "Yes, your knowledge is beyond our expectations. With your qualifications, I think you will be the best in February next year."
The county examination and the government examination should not be difficult." After that, he added: "Although you are a loyal queen, but you come from a poor family, you must not be complacent just because you are a little smart."
Xu Qian's performance greatly inspired Magistrate Su's love for talents, so he gave such gentle instructions. In other words, he would not have bothered to pay attention.
Xu Qian suddenly felt hope in his heart and said hurriedly: "The students must bear in mind the adults' teachings. The students have an unkind request, but they forget that the adults will fulfill it."
Magistrate Su County stroked his beard and said: "It doesn't matter if I say it."
Xu Qian said: "It's like this. Although the student has been studying for some time, he has just changed his registration, so he doesn't have a cousin yet. If you don't mind, why don't you give him a cousin?"
Biaozi is a symbol of scholars nowadays. It is usually given by elders or venerables. Most of them are teachers, or elders or officials with good connections. The purpose of Xu Qian coming to this county government
That's it. If Su County Magistrate is willing to give me a cousin name, the relationship between the two will be different, and it will be of great help to him in the county examination in the future.
Magistrate Su was stunned for a moment. At first he was ready to agree, but then he became cautious and said gently: "It's just a token of appreciation, but I'm not in a hurry. The county has to think about it before making any decision."
Xu Qian originally thought that Magistrate Su would agree to it, but who knew it would be such an answer. Then he heard Magistrate Su say: "You should study hard. This year is approaching, and the county examination will be in the spring of next year. Don't neglect your studies. Go on."
Xu Qian took his leave and said, "Student, take your leave."
After coming out of the flower hall, Xu Qian couldn't help but feel a little upset. He thought that giving the two hundred taels of silver in exchange for a cousin from County Magistrate Su would treat him as a good nephew. Although his Xu family background was not good in Qiantang County.
Deep, but with this relationship, there will definitely be gains in time. But now it seems that I have taken it for granted. Magistrate Su is not a fuel-efficient lamp. He probably thought of this, so he just took care of things.
Talk to him.
Xu Qian was not upset at all. Although he was a little disappointed, he quickly regained his smile and went to the official's office to find Mr. Huang and inquire about his household registration.
Master Huang has asked the clerk in the office to take care of the matter and solemnly handed the new household registration to Xu Qian. Xu Qian said to Master Huang: "Master, are you willing to accompany the students for a walk?"
Master Huang didn't want to agree at first. He pondered for a moment and laughed at himself: "I, Huang Rende, have lived for most of my life, am I still afraid of a yellow-haired boy like him?" Then he nodded and said: "Since you are willing, I can walk a few steps with you.
yes."
The two left the Yamen and walked side by side.
It was still noon at this time and the sun was high in the sky. Fortunately, the weather was not hot.
"Master Huang, the student wants to ask you to do something."
Master Huang knew in his heart that Xu Qian must be asking for something. He was angry and funny, but he couldn't help but said, "Tell me about it." Strangely enough, although Xu Qian was a young man, Master Huang no longer regarded him as a boy.
treat.
Xu Qian laughed and said: "The county school is dilapidated. Magistrate Su proposed to repair the county school, and the students have donated two hundred taels of silver. If Mr. Huang can commend it and issue a notice, wouldn't it be beneficial to both you and me?"
?”
Master Huang was stunned for a moment, and then understood what Xu Qian was thinking, and couldn't help but think: "It turns out that this guy came here to seek fame. He spent two hundred taels of silver just to get the approval of the government."
The matter is easy to handle, and there is indeed a lot to do in it. Xu Qian was born in a poor family, but he was willing to accept silk. This is another opportunity to make a big fuss.
Looking at Xu Qian's hopeful eyes, Mr. Huang smiled and said to himself, this guy also asked for help sometimes, but he nodded his head and said: "This matter is not difficult."
He didn't give precise words, but it was easy to say, and his words were a little shaky. It should be noted that people like him would never make promises to others, and it was very rare for him to say this.
Xu Qian smiled slightly and said: "Well then, there is one more thing to do. In fact, there is one more thing. Can you ask Mr. Huang not to send this announcement out in a hurry, and wait until when the Zhang family goes to pay homage to the Su County Magistrate before ordering someone to post it? Huang
Master, in my opinion, the eldest son of the Zhang family will definitely go to pay homage to Master, and if he does what the student did, he will definitely make the Zhang family return without success."
Master Huang was suddenly stunned and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Are you going to cause trouble again?"
Xu Qian shook his head and said very innocently: "I am a scholar now, so why do I make trouble for nothing? Well, the master has sent me so far away, and the student is so grateful that he also asked the master to stay. The student takes his leave."
Immediately, Xu Qian bowed deeply to Mr. Huang and turned away. His back was dragging a long shadow under the sun, but his body was filled with an indescribable freedom and ease.