Chapter 80 The gentleman is devoted to his relatives
Mr. Yang had already arrived, and the crowd that came up quickly surrounded him. With a reserved smile, he returned the greetings one by one, and then said: "Brothers, I am ashamed to show my love."
He glanced around the crowd and saw Xu Qian. He stepped forward surrounded by the crowd and bowed, "I've heard of Brother Xu for a long time."
Xu Qian was most dissatisfied with this so-called 'talented man'. A talented man should be someone with a track record like him. How could he pretend to be a grandson with his tail between his legs? He cursed sourly in his heart: "Hypocrite."
But he asked him: "How do you know I am Xu Qian?"
Mr. Yang smiled and said: "There are not many students of Brother Xu's age in Hangzhou. Yang knows a lot of old friends from school. I met Brother Xu today, so I made bold assumptions."
Xu Qian tried to force out a smile, but he couldn't. He couldn't help but think to himself: "Come on, let's just put on an act. You can't pretend to be Yang anyway, so it's better to show your true colors."
He said with a face: "You are indeed a talented man from Hangzhou. I have also read your poems and they are quite good."
His understatement contained sarcasm. The two were peers and both were students. Logically speaking, Yang Tongzhi was older than Xu Qian, but Xu Qian criticized Yang Tongzhi like an elder.
The poem is somewhat condescending.
But Xu Qian also has crazy talent. The two competed for poetry in Xie's Mansion, but Xu Qian was the better. Although some people think that Yang Tongzhi is better, more people recognize Xu Qian's poetry than anyone else.
undeniable.
Mr. Yang smiled slightly, a hint of fighting spirit flashed in his eyes, and he still smiled and said: "Poetry is a minor path after all, and scholars can just play it occasionally. Classical and righteous eight-part essays are the foundation of a person's life. Brother Xu's government examination
I was also lucky enough to have a look at the article..." Yang Tongzhi continued interestingly: "It seems to be pretty good."
When someone said something back, especially Yang Tongzhi's two-character "good" with a special meaning, he was clearly saying to Xu Qian, "I have figured out your background. Your poetry is not as good as yours, but your writing is not as good as mine."
Regarding Yang Tongzhi, Xu Qian no longer took it lightly. Instead, he suppressed the unhappiness in his heart and finally squeezed out a smile and said: "In that case, then you and I will use the college examination as a chess game and just talk about it.
."
Mr. Yang said, "I can't get what I asked for. I've heard for a long time that Brother Xu is a bachelor of Xie, and I'm just about to ask for advice."
He deliberately moved Xie Qian out, which immediately put Xu Qian under a lot of pressure. If he failed the exam, doesn't it mean that his mentor is not as good as his teacher Mr. Wu? Could it be that this man named Yang not only stepped on his own field, but also wanted to step on himself?
The place of my mentor? Where does this person come from?
It’s just that at this time, we must not show weakness. Losing does not mean losing. Whether you can win or not is one thing. Winning or not is a matter of ability. Showing weakness is a matter of attitude. He said in a calm tone: "Mr. Wu's great achievements, I also
I have long wanted to learn from you.”
Just as he was talking, the students who came to take the exam were about to make a noise, but they heard a team of dispatchers coming over, saying: "Hurry and get your number..."
Everyone then dispersed.
Xu Qian sat down in the examination booth and calmed down to think about it. He couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. He had spoken so eloquently that he had no room for maneuver. He was sure of the college examination and he would definitely not be able to win the first-class exam.
The problem is that it is still difficult to be ranked first. Yang Tongzhi has read his article, so he is sure that he is not his opponent. Although he has temporarily taken the Buddha's feet a few days ago, the chance of winning is only 30%.
No, if the man surnamed Yang takes over, where will he put his face?
He sighed inwardly, gritted his teeth, and regained his confidence. He always had the temperament of a newborn calf who is not afraid of tigers. Isn't it just a competition? Then it's a competition. Even if he loses, the worst he can do is still have his mentor.
It's embarrassing to accompany yourself.
Thinking of this, he felt better, so he eliminated the distracting thoughts in his mind and sat quietly on the stool.
At this moment, an official happened to be patrolling the examination room surrounded by many officers. Behind him were many academic officials. One of the academic officials recognized Xu Qian and whispered something to the gentleman. His face
The old-fashioned, skinny official immediately looked sideways at Xu Qian.
This look... makes people feel very uncomfortable. The impression of this man on Xu Qian is not that of an academic officer, but of a punishment officer who is well versed in the art of punishment. His eyes are very sharp, as if he can see through his own life at a glance.
heart.
After looking at Xu Qian for a while, the official came over with his hands clasped behind his back, accompanied by several academic officers. One of them said: "Xu Shengyu, this is Mr. Gui, the provincial scholar. Come and see me."
Xu Qian had no choice but to stand up, salute Gui E across the board and said, "Student Xu Qian, I have met you, sir."
There was no emotion in Gui E's eyes. She glanced at Xu Qian's exam without looking at Xu Qian. She didn't show much respect and said casually: "You are Bachelor Xie."
Your disciple? I have heard a lot about you since I took office."
Xu Qian didn't have much favorable impression of Gui E, so he just replied politely: "Let the adults laugh."
Gui E's eyes fell on Xu Qian again, this time more sternly than before, and said: "Since you know that you will be laughed at, why do you make so many troubles again and again? Scholars don't study hard all day long.
What kind of decency is it to stir up trouble and imitate those talented people? How many talented people from Hangzhou and Jiangnan can help the whole family? I have read your previous test papers and they are too frivolous.
I'm lucky enough to let you be the head of the case, but this time, I have to be careful. Although I respect your mentor, Bachelor, I should be more strict with you. If you are still so frivolous this time, you will be first-class, second-class
I won’t give you any innate talents or growth.”
After that, he left with a group of silent academic officers.
Xu Qian was really frightened by Gui E's scolding. He came prepared this time. Even if he couldn't get the first place, he should at least get the natural talent. Natural talent is the real talent.
The imperial court certified it, and the state distributed money and food to support him. As for the second-class growth, it was a little worse. If he was not even given first- and second-class students and was allowed to become a student affiliated with him, then not only would he be embarrassed, but he would also be in trouble for the provincial examination in the future.
There may not be a quota, this is no joke.
But the problem now is that although the college examination is important to the candidates, it is a small test after all. The small test is not anonymous, and the results are decided by the examiner. People say one is one, and two is two. He said to
I give you some shoes, what can you do?
"Does the person named Gui have a grudge against his mentor? Or maybe he wants to cling to the cabinet, so he deliberately gives himself a blow?" Xu Qian's confidence could not help but waver at this time.
But then he shook his head again and continued thinking: "No, based on my memory, this person should not be from the cabinet. He does have an agenda when he comes to be a scholar this time, but it is definitely not to cling to the cabinet. Kuye,
Kuye, why is this person so hard to see through? Is it because he doesn’t have enough oil and salt?"
He couldn't make up his mind for a while, and finally he simply calmed down. Damn it, you really want to put on some shoes for me, so go ahead and put them on. If you are too cruel, at worst I will follow the example of that group of people and scream about injustice.
"Dang, clang... the gong sounded." Then I heard the clerk shouting: "Quiet, quiet, the college examination is a ceremony for the imperial court to promote talents. Candidates..."
Immediately after holding up a placard to give the question, a subordinate official wearing a red belt soon walked past Xu Qian's examination booth holding a placard. On the dark placard, written in ink ink, was a huge test question: "A gentleman is devoted to the exam."
"Dear" five characters.
"A gentleman is devoted to his family?" This question does not seem difficult.
Xu Qian was a little strange. Logically speaking, Gui E was always a strict disciplinarian, so how could he ask such an easy question?
He began to think about the problem, and suddenly, a light suddenly flashed in his mind.
"A gentleman is devoted to intimacy... Oh my god, I finally understand, it turns out this is..." His eyebrows suddenly raised, showing a look of ecstasy, but then he fell silent again. In fact, at this time, it was just
In an instant, he already had the draft of the topic in his mind, but when he grabbed the pen and wanted to write it, he couldn't help but hesitate.
Will it cause trouble if I write it down?
At this time, he remembered Gui E's cold face just now and Yang Tongzhi's provocation. Xu Qian gritted his teeth viciously and finally put down the pen.