The Yang family is a century-old prominent family in Pingchuan County and has great power. Their ancestors once produced three prominent military officials.
…………
"The strong wind knows the strong grass, the fierce fire refines the true gold, does not suffer from the frost, and the peaceful fragrance hits people..."
Early in the morning, in the woodshed in the southeast corner of the Yang Mansion, the window was opened, and a thinly dressed young man pursed his lips tightly and concentrated on practicing calligraphy on a piece of low-quality straw paper.
His expression was focused, and although the cold wind was hitting him, he didn't feel it at all.
This young man is about fourteen or fifteen years old. Although he is not very old, he has a maturity that is rare among his peers. Just looking at his clothes and where he lives, you can tell that his situation must be difficult.
"Whether I can pass the imperial examination and get ahead depends on the imperial examination in six months... It has been eight years, and I can't stay in this clan for a moment longer."
After a long time, Yang Ji picked up his pen and recalled many past events in his mind.
Yang Ji was originally a young master of the Yang clan, living an enviable and wealthy life. However, an accident occurred and both his parents died. Yang Ji, who was only seven years old, became helpless and his status in the clan plummeted.
He was supposed to be the closest clan member to him, but instead became the person who suppressed him the most.
First, his family property aroused the covetousness of his uncles and aunts, and then he was kicked out of the place where he lived and relegated to this remote woodshed.
In the past eight years, not only the people in the clan suppressed him, but even the subordinates dared to criticize and ridicule him in front of him.
Yang Ji has seen all the warmth and coldness of human relationships, as well as all the hardships of the world.
Despite the difficult situation, Yang Ji never gave up hope. He always told himself that everything in life was a test for himself.
"The strong wind knows the strong grass, the fierce fire refines the true gold, and the cold and frost can not endure the pain, and the fragrance can hit people." These four sentences were his encouragement to himself, and they were also the sentences he wrote the most when he was practicing calligraphy.
In the past eight years, Yang Ji has endured hardships and studied diligently, and now he has finally achieved something. Whether it is text, scriptures, or calligraphy and painting, Yang Ji has achieved achievements that are rare among his peers.
Now everything has finally reached the time of "harvest". As soon as the New Year is over, and in June, it will be the Tongsheng test that Yang Ji has been looking forward to for a long time.
The Tongsheng Examination was a grand event held every three years in the Han Dynasty.
The Han Dynasty was rich in culture, with many talented people and strong strength. At this time of year, competition would be extremely fierce. At that time, more than 80,000 students from eight villages and towns in Pingchuan County would take the exam, and only three of them would win in the end.
Yang Ji had the confidence to keep quiet and become a blockbuster. As long as he got the top three and won the title of Tongsheng, he would be able to break away from the clan and stand out from others.
The strength of the Han Dynasty, even for a child, is no small matter.
"I wonder what the expression of the eldest lady in the clan would be like when she suddenly found out that I was pregnant with a child."
Yang Ji thought of that face and sneered secretly.
In the past few years in the clan, he has been taking things easy, silently enduring all the oppression, and telling himself to endure it secretly. As a result, no one has taken him seriously in the past few years.
If they find out that they are a middle child, they will definitely have a wonderful look on their face.
"It's a pity that my foundation is too weak. Otherwise, I can just take the martial arts examination and pass the martial arts examination. There is no need to go to such trouble."
Yang Ji came back to his senses and sighed, with a slight sadness in his eyes.
This world is the world of "martial arts and gods"!
It is rumored that those powerful warriors can become saints physically, use their energy to transform mountains and mountains, ascend to the green mountains and fall to the underworld, and even create creations in the world, and become gods and demons.
And the current dynasty is full of martial saints, and can even directly enshrine gods, build temples, and enjoy incense!
These are far beyond the imagination and comparison of a weak scholar.
Therefore, the imperial court's imperial literary examination has always only set up "tongsheng" and "xiucai", and there is no "juren", let alone "top scholar".
Yang Ji also wanted to practice martial arts, but unfortunately, the clan kept depriving him of his money and cut off the supply of medicinal materials he needed to practice.
"It is said that there once existed a great literary sage who could become a saint through reading. When he spoke, he was so majestic that he could make dragons and phoenixes bow their heads, command heaven and earth, follow his words, and make people yearn for them. I don't know if it is true.
.”
In a daze, Yang Ji remembered some unofficial history and couldn't help but yearn for it.
According to the book, before this world, there was actually another world. And "Literature Sage" is the story of that era.
This kind of thing is too far away and naturally cannot be verified.
Yang Ji didn't know whether studying could lead to sainthood, but at least in the eight years he had been studying, he had never felt this way.
Putting down his books, Yang Ji began to practice the "breathing technique".
No matter how busy he has been with his studies in the past few years, Yang Ji has never given up on exercise. The so-called "breathing technique" is a method of improving blood transportation capacity and exercising lung power and physical strength through special breathing control methods.
This is the most basic foundation-building skill before practicing martial arts.
The art of breathing is divided into ten stages. For ordinary people with a healthy body, one breath and one breath can be divided into two stages. Due to insufficient support from medicinal materials, Yang Ji has made slow progress. So far, he is only at the level of three stages of breathing, which is comparable to that of his peers.
…
"rustle!"
I don't know how long it took, but there was a sound of rustling footsteps. Yang Ji was disturbed and came back to his senses. He saw the door of the room opened with a creak, and then an old man with gray hair came in.
His steps were staggering, and he was holding a food box in his hand. He saw Yang Ji smiling gently.
"Uncle Liang, you are here."
Yang Ji stopped practicing and said happily.
"Haha, young master, it's hard to practice calligraphy. Let's eat something first."
After a pause, the old man said apologetically:
"Sorry, I was delayed for a while on the road today. You must be hungry."
"It's not in the way. If it's a little later, it's a little later. It's not in the way. Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Liang."
Yang Ji didn't take it seriously.
The old butler slowly walked to the table carrying the food box, and then took out things one by one. They were all very light things, such as tofu with scallions and fried bamboo shoots.
"The cash from the accountant hasn't been paid yet. In a few days, I'll make you a delicious meal of bamboo shoots and meat."
The old housekeeper said busyly.
"Haha, it's okay."
Yang Ji paused, suddenly frowned and said, "——Uncle Liang, are you okay?"
For some reason, Yang Ji felt that Uncle Liang looked a little different from usual today.
"Ah, no, no..., what can happen to me?"
The old housekeeper froze slightly, a trace of panic flashed in his eyes, and waved his hands repeatedly.
"Master, it's cold and the food gets cold easily. You should eat it while it's hot."
The old man urged.
Seeing the old man's reaction, Yang Ji became suspicious. Then he remembered that the old butler had delivered the meal much later than usual today, and suddenly he seemed to understand something.
"Uncle Liang, is someone giving you trouble again?"
Yang Ji said loudly.
"No, no..."
The old housekeeper became more and more panicked.
Yang Ji couldn't believe it at this time, so he couldn't help but take a big step, bypassed the table, and walked to the left side of the old man. Suddenly, a bruise and high swelling came into view.
boom!
Seeing this bruise, Yang Ji's heart was shocked, and a soft corner twitched violently, as if he had been hit hard.
"These beasts even attack you!"
Yang Ji's eyes turned blood red, and he was shaking with anger. He finally understood why Uncle Liang was so wrong today, and he deliberately turned his face sideways when talking to him.
In the past few years, he has been in a difficult situation in the clan. He often encounters many people deliberately making things difficult and insulting him, but as long as it is not excessive, he tells himself to endure it. But why do these people attack an old man?!
"Yang Yong! It's Yang Yong, right? Did he instigate it? This bastard!"
Yang Ji was furious.
He is the most targeted person in the clan, and he is the only one who can do such a thing.
"I will never let him go."
Yang Ji turned around and left with red eyes.
"Master, you can't do it."
The old housekeeper didn't expect Yang Ji to be so excited. He was so anxious that he quickly caught Yang Ji.
"This matter has nothing to do with Yang Yong. What happened this time was that I accidentally fell down on the road. Master, please don't go."
But Yang Ji couldn't listen at all. The old housekeeper gritted his teeth and finally said:
"Master, even if you don't think about yourself, you still have to think about the deceased master and his wife!"
"Buzz!"
Hearing these words, Yang Ji trembled all over, as if struck by thunder.
"Young Master, this old slave is already old and won't live long. My only hope is to see you become successful, so that the master and his wife will feel happy even under the circumstances."
The old housekeeper sighed.
The wind howled outside the window. Yang Ji turned his back to the old man and did not speak, but tears were streaming from his eyes.
His father was an official in the imperial court, but he suddenly died outside more than eight years ago. After that, his mother also died of depression. This incident has always been the biggest pain in Yang Ji's heart and will never be forgotten.
Who doesn’t want to have a loving father and mother, and who doesn’t want to have a happy family. But Yang Ji couldn’t. Losing his parents prematurely made him mature early.
How can a son of man ignore the kindness of his parents?
His father died under mysterious circumstances, and Yang Ji wanted to go outside to find out the truth more than once.
But Pingchuan County is located on the border, and the real sky is high and the emperor is far away. And the road leading to the outside is full of dangers. There are all kinds of powerful beasts, vicious beasts, and even the green forest that dominates the mountain, bandits, and murderers such as
Damn monsters, evil monks, evil cultists.
If there is no expert to escort him, he will basically die. Yang Ji is just a weak scholar. Going there rashly will definitely lead to a dead end, and it will be in vain and useless.
The voice of the old housekeeper came faintly in my ears:
"...There are still a few months until the imperial examination. You have been preparing for this day for a long time. Private fights are prohibited in the clan. If the 'eldest lady' gets caught because of my affairs,
It’s really a failure. Our hard work for so many years has been in vain. How will you let the old slave live? "
Yang Ji's heart was shaken, and heaven and man were at war. He finally sighed and lowered his hands.
"Uncle Liang, don't worry. I know what to do. I won't let 'that woman' succeed."
When the eldest lady's name was mentioned, Yang Ji's eyes flashed with deep hatred.
The "uncles and aunts" who coveted the Yang Ji family property, as well as Yang Yong, were just ordered to act as pawns, but the real leader was the "eldest lady" who was a direct lineage of the clan.
This is also the source of all Yang Ji's "disasters". The reason why Yang Ji is where he is today is all thanks to her!
More than eight years ago, when her parents were still alive, Yang Ji once called her "eldest aunt". At that time, she did not have the status she has now.
But later on, she gradually gained power in the clan, and her status rose with the tide, so she gradually became the "eldest lady" among everyone.
She had a cold personality, was vicious, and would retaliate for every little thing. She would kill maids and servants for the smallest things. When Yang Ji's mother was still alive, she had many conflicts with her because of these things, and she was deeply jealous of her.
Love the crow as much as the house, hate the crow as much as the house!
After his mother died, Yang Ji was angered by her.
Although there was no direct evidence, Yang Ji knew that everything against him was done under the instruction and instruction of the eldest lady.
If the rules of the clan were not there but were set by the ancestors, that woman would have some scruples. Yang Ji didn't know if he would still be alive today.
Over a long period of time, Yang Ji had already learned to be cautious and patient. He knew deeply that without strong power, there was no way he could compete with that woman.
"It is never too late for a gentleman to take revenge. I am weak today, but I will not be so weak forever. One day, I will make that woman pay the price."
Yang Ji took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, and sat back.
After something like this happened, Yang Ji no longer had any taste.
This meal was tasteless.
"Is Mr. Ji here?"
After dinner, suddenly there was a knock on the door.
"who?"
Yang Ji and the old housekeeper both looked over.
"It's me, the clerk."
The voice said.
When he opened the door, he saw a thin figure standing outside. He was wearing a green silk gown. He was in his forties or fifties, with a mustache and erratic eyes. When he spoke, he gave people a wretched and calculating look.
Feel.
This is the accountant of the Yang clan, known as "Mountain Rat", who is responsible for the clan's finances.
"Mr. Li!"
The old housekeeper said in surprise.
"Hey, Master Ji, old housekeeper, I'm sorry to bother you."
"Mountain Rat" cupped his hands and stepped in, looking quickly in all directions with a pair of sneaky eyes.
"If you have anything to do, please tell me quickly."
Yang Ji stood in front of "Mountain Rat" and said with some displeasure.
"Mountain Rat" is a person close to the eldest lady. Whenever he asks for money, he is never happy. Yang Ji dislikes him very much.
"Hey, didn't the old housekeeper come here to collect some money last time? No, I'll send it over as soon as I'm free."
"Mountain Rat" smiled, took out a money bag from his arms, shook it, made a jingling sound, and then handed it over:
"Old housekeeper, Master Ji, please put it away."
"Can this guy be so kind?"
Yang Ji and the old housekeeper looked at each other, and then took it over suspiciously.
In a large clan, every descendant can get the gift of silver.
It's just that when the old housekeeper went to ask for the bonus, it didn't take ten days and eight days before he was reluctant to pay it out. This is only the fifth day, and the bonus has actually started to be distributed, and it's still by the steward of the accounting room.
Coming to deliver it in person made both Yang Ji and the old housekeeper feel a little uncomfortable.
"To be courteous for nothing is to be considered a traitor or a thief. This guy must have done something wrong."
Yang Ji secretly had an extra thought in his heart.
"Haha, I have something else to do, so I won't bother you. Master Ji, old housekeeper, take your leave!"
"Mountain Rat" handed out the silver, an imperceptible sneer flashed in his eyes, and without stopping, he cupped his hands and turned around to leave.
"Wait a minute!"
Yang Ji suddenly shouted loudly, staring at the back of "Mountain Rat", "How much money is in this bag?"
scare!
This shout came out of the blue, and "Mountain Rat"'s back visibly trembled, as if he was startled.
"Money?! How much? - how do I know?"
"Mountain Rat" tried his best to remain calm, but the panic in his voice betrayed him.
Yang Ji's heart sank, and without any hesitation, he turned over the bag, and copper coins fell into his hand one by one. After a rough count, there were twenty copper coins in total.
After Yang Ji's death, the old housekeeper's expression changed when he saw this scene. From now on, the weather will be very cold for the next sixty days, and the clan needs to provide support from the money.
Twenty copper coins is not even enough for half a month of silver, so how can we survive the next two months?
The clan's arrangement is heart-breaking. It is to cut off their food rations!
"what do you mean?"
Yang Ji was furious.
"Master Ji, this... this is what the clan means. I also..., the clan... has been short of funds recently. You can take the half month's worth of silver first, and we will make up for the rest in installments."
…”
The conspiracy was exposed, and the "mountain rat" stammered and was incoherent.
"In this case, do you think I am a three-year-old child?"
Yang Ji shouted angrily and slapped the "Mountain Rat" to the ground.
Is the clan in trouble? When did it become difficult?
Three days ago, Yang Ji saw with his own eyes a large number of gorgeous brocade silk clothes brought in from the gate; he saw with his own eyes a large number of precious medicinal materials distributed to every household - except him.
Now that he is here, the family suddenly has financial difficulties?
At the beginning, the property left to him by Tan Mo's father in the clan was said to be kept for him, and he was given the same amount of money as everyone else every month to prevent him from spending too much money and ruining the family property.
Normally, he would reduce his share by half, so he would just tolerate it. But now, after urging and begging, he actually gave them twenty copper coins to help them survive the two months of cold winter!
"You are so deceptive!"
Yang Ji roared angrily.
"Oops, no good, murder!"
"Mountain Rat" was slapped by Yang Ji and was already frightened. Seeing that he was angry at this moment, before he could take action, he immediately screamed, rolled and crawled, and rushed out of the door with all his strength.
"asshole!"
Yang Ji wanted to chase him out, but was held back by the old housekeeper.
"Hey, forget it. One more thing is worse than one less thing. He is just a servant, so we don't have to embarrass him."
The old housekeeper sighed.
"I can't swallow this breath."
Yang Ji said bitterly.
"The situation is stronger than the people. We can't fight them. And the new year is approaching. Although we can't survive with this small amount of money, we can still delay some time by thinking of a way to break one piece into two pieces."
The old housekeeper took the copper coin from Yang Ji:
"You take a rest and study hard. Let me worry about the money."
The old housekeeper left with the food box, but Yang Ji could not calm down.
"It's so hateful! It's so hateful!"
Yang Ji was extremely angry, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He hated those who bullied him, and he also hated himself. If he hadn't failed to live up to his expectations, how could he be in the situation he was in now.
"Whoosh!"
Yang Ji became more and more angry. He grabbed a pen and wrote furiously on the papyrus paper, as if he was pouring all his anger and unwillingness into the pen. Swish, swish, and an extra line appeared on the papyrus paper.
Wild cursive handwriting:
"'If a man survives or dies, he will eat five dings and die.' I, Yang Ji, will never be so unknown forever. One day, I will make everyone look at me with admiration!"
Yang Ji roared in his heart and punched the table, causing the brush to break and ink to splash everywhere.
The cold wind howled outside the window, making the toilet paper rattle, witnessing the oath in Yang Ji's heart at this time!
…………
In the other direction, the "mountain rat" ran a long way under the wall before stopping.
"The brat thinks he is smart. He secretly stays up late at night to read and buys so much papyrus to practice. He really thinks he can hide it from the eldest lady. He is asking for his own death."
"Mountain Rat" turned around and spat, feeling very proud of himself. He didn't want to admit that he was afraid of that kid.
"The new year is coming, and there will be a heavy snowfall. It will be freezing cold for more than two months. I only give you twenty coppers and let me see how you live! - The eldest son is coming back soon, and he is still so restless, and he is not in line with his direct relatives.
If you oppose the eldest lady of your lineage, this will be your fate."
