Zhu Niang's family was happily preparing for the festival. They didn't want Lu Song to visit and called Zhu Hao out for a brief talk. However, Yuan Zonggao entrusted Lu Song to bring Zhu Hao and gifts from the palace to visit Fan Yikuan, a scholar at the Anlu Prefecture Confucian Academy.
"Why do you want to visit Zhou Xuezheng when the New Year is approaching?" Zhu Hao asked puzzledly.
For a student like him who has not yet formally participated in the imperial examination, he is far away from the county school, let alone the state school. If he goes to visit Xuezheng at this time, will he skip a grade?
Lu Song said: "Professor Sui will not return to the palace to teach after the New Year. In order to prevent Mr. Tang from returning for a long time, King Xing entrusted Zhou Xuezheng to help find a new teacher... Before the end of the year, I will send some holiday gifts on behalf of the palace for you to go with him.
, it may be helpful for you to take the county examination and the government examination later this year."
It turns out that Prince Xing's Mansion did not make a special trip to send gifts to Fan Yikuan to facilitate Zhu Hao's imperial examination, but instead entrusted him with work. As for calling Zhu Hao to go with him, it was considered an indirect favor.
“The Chinese New Year is just around the corner, so when I come to visit on New Year’s Eve... I’m afraid of being turned away!”
Although Zhu Hao agreed to go, he still had doubts.
Lu Song laughed and said nothing.
Perhaps he felt that when Prince Xing’s Mansion gave gifts to anyone, others would accept them with a smile even if they had any opinions in their hearts. This was a rare courtesy. Even if a state’s Confucian scholars were upright, they would usually be arrogant and arrogant in front of the students of Prince Xing’s Mansion, but in Prince Xing’s Mansion
You should always exercise restraint in front of others, right?
This trip should go smoothly, and I can go home early for lunch!
…
…
Lu Song took Zhu Hao into the carriage. The two entourages and the big box containing the gifts were all on the carriage behind.
Zhu Hao originally thought that Lu Song would take him to Fan Yikuan's private residence, but was told that Fan Yikuan was not a native of Anlu, and his family was not around. He lived in a dormitory behind the Confucian Temple...
Not long after, two carriages stopped in the open space in front of the Confucian Temple.
"Lu Dianzhan, would it be disrespectful to send gifts to the Confucian Temple?" Zhu Hao asked with a smile.
Lu Song directed his two followers to move the boxes, with a nonchalant look on his face: "It's okay, even if you are a great scholar in this world, you are not indifferent to the world."
This is quite straightforward.
At first glance, there is nothing wrong with it. It fully reflects a warrior's contempt for scholars, especially famous scholars.
But Zhu Hao still feels a little awkward, but you, Lu Song, have been studying for a few days anyway. In front of a Confucian scholar like me who is about to take the imperial examination, it is inappropriate to say these things, right?
Lu Song led Zhu Hao to the closed door of the Confucian Temple. Before he could knock on the door, the door suddenly opened from the inside. A young Confucian scholar was pushed out of the door and tripped when he crossed the threshold.
After a while, he staggered and held onto the ground with his hands, barely managing to avoid falling. He was holding a book in his hand.
"I'm here to see Fan Xuezheng..."
The young Confucian scholar stood still and immediately complained to the two people who pushed him out.
"Things that don't open your eyes will make people uncomfortable during the Chinese New Year! Didn't you hear Fan Xuezheng's evaluation of your article? It's nonsense and has no literary talent! You still want to use the title of the article? Why don't you take a picture of it by peeing in the urine? I thought
A scholar like you who is just pretending to be a scholar still wants to be a scholar? Just have your big dream!"
One of the evictions shouted loudly.
After hearing this, Zhu Hao felt particularly cordial for some reason.
The image of Fan Jin being spat in the face by his father-in-law stood out before his eyes. This is probably the world's prejudice against scholars. They always think that scholars study for fame and fortune, but they don't know... scholars really study for fame and fortune.
"I wrote the article after thinking about it day and night. Fan Xuezheng just took a look at it and belittled it like this. Isn't it too insulting?"
The young Confucian scholar glared at the two men, clenched his fists, and looked like he was about to hit the wall and die.
The people inside were not polite and closed the door with a bang, which shocked Lu Song and the two attendants behind him who were carrying the box.
Is this Fan Xuezheng too inhumane?
"It's unbearable!"
The young Confucian scholar had a look of reluctance on his face and was about to hit his head against the door. Lu Song was afraid that this guy would be hit with blood and he quickly took two steps forward to block his way.
"What are you doing?"
The young Confucian scholar's almost collapsed emotions finally found an outlet and he was furious at Lu Song.
While the Confucian scholar was making trouble for Lu Song, Zhu Hao snatched the article from his hand and glanced at it casually. The article... was really eye-catching!
It’s hard to describe in one word!
Although Fan Yikuan's words were unpleasant, they were quite to the point. Zhu Hao suddenly felt that there was nothing wrong with this Fan Xuezheng except that he was a bit more upright.
There is nothing wrong with asking a young man who is obsessed with reading but has no talent to recognize the reality early, give up studying, and find something else to do...
"Brother, your article is so good. If you go back and keep working hard, you will definitely be admitted to the student body. In the future, you will be named on the gold list and become the top scorer in high school!"
Zhu Hao said with admiration.
After hearing the high praise from a child, the young Confucian scholar immediately gave up arguing with Lu Song, and a look of arrogance appeared on his face: "Do you even need to say this?"
Then he turned around and left, or maybe he felt that since the door of the Confucian Temple was closed, he wouldn't really want to hit his head on it during the Chinese New Year, right?
Just go home and have a reunion dinner!
Let’s take this comment from an unknown child as Honshu Gakusho’s final evaluation.
…
…
The young man's anger came and went quickly, and he walked with firm steps. Zhu Hao felt as if his own words had encouraged him.
Lu Song frowned and looked at Zhu Hao: "Do you really think his article is good?"
Lu Song had a clear understanding of Zhu Hao's knowledge. Based on the evaluation of Zhu Hao's articles by everyone in the palace, they basically felt that Zhu Hao was qualified to take the provincial examination.
Since Zhu Hao commented like this, then the young Confucian scholar's article shouldn't be too bad, right?
In this case, is Fan Xuezheng's evaluation neither fair nor objective? Will he make things difficult for him when he goes to give gifts this time?
Lu Song felt a shadow cast over his heart.
"cut!"
Zhu Hao curled his lips and walked towards the gate of the Confucian Temple, "Can't you just say a few auspicious words during the Chinese New Year?"
Lu Song was speechless for a moment and sighed: "Aren't you trying to trick people? Some people don't have the talent to write articles, so why should they have unrealistic fantasies?"
Zhu Haodao: "What else? I said his writing is not as good as that of an eight-year-old child? Wanting to be a scholar is simply wishful thinking?"
"It has nothing to do with me whether he dies or not, but he really wanted to commit suicide in front of me... How unlucky is the Chinese New Year? Look, isn't it pretty good now? He has confidence and won't block our way... Everyone is happy
Well."
Lu Song thought about it for a moment, and it seemed that this was really the case.
Well, who doesn’t like to hear compliments?
With the young Confucian scholar's decisive look before, even he felt that he might actually bang his head against the door.
It is indeed not a good thing to see people's blood splattered on the New Year's Eve.
"Walk!"
Lu Song said hello, but since his entourage was carrying the box, he had no choice but to knock on the door himself.
…
…
"Bang bang bang!"
Lu Song knocked on the door knocker hard.
An impatient voice came from inside: "This is such an important place, we won't accept guests!"
It was the voice of the man who scolded the young Confucian scholar before.
Listening to the meaning of his words, it seemed that when he scolded the young Confucian scholar earlier, he saw Lu Song and others moving boxes and knew that the purpose of the visitor was to give gifts.
"Accepting guests...hehe."
Zhu Hao covered his mouth and snickered.
Lu Song glanced at Zhu Hao first, and then said: "I am the officer of the ceremonial guard of Prince Xing's palace, and I have come to pay homage to Fan Xuezheng on the order of Prince Xing!"
"Squeak!"
The door immediately opened from the inside.
The speed of driving caught Zhu Hao off guard. He originally wanted to get closer and look through the crack in the door to see what the people inside were doing.
It's still the same guy as before, but his companion is missing. At this time, the man's face is filled with a spring-like smile: "It turns out to be a royal official, a rare visitor, please come in."
Lu Song did not go inside immediately, but took out something from his arms: "This is a greeting card. Please pass it on. We warriors do not dare to disturb the tranquility of the Confucian Temple."
Perhaps Lu Song felt that Fan Xuezheng was not a good person, and it was best to follow the rules.
He looked down upon those old academics who talked about it all day long, but when he came to give gifts, he always represented the face of Prince Xing's Mansion. He could not let others say that the people of Prince Xing's Mansion did not understand the rules, especially the masters.
Readers who have the right to speak in society made this evaluation.
"No, please sit inside and wait for the tea after you serve it!"
The other party's change of attitude was too fast. Even though Lu Song expected it, he felt very awkward in his heart.
…
…
Entered the gate.
It is said to be a Confucian Temple inside, but it is better to say it is a combination of a Confucian Temple and a Gongyuan. Next to it are rows of dormitories. Zhu Hao knew that if he wanted to take the imperial examination, he would have to take it here before going to the provincial examination. Not only the county examination, but also the government examination.
Examinations and college examinations, as well as annual examinations and scientific examinations are all here...
It's a bit strange now, but sooner or later it will develop to the point where entering here feels as familiar as going home.
A few people passed through the courtyard gate and walked through a long corridor to the back of a tall and gloomy building. At this time, several people were sweeping the floor.
These people seemed to be unable to see Zhu Hao and the others. They were only focusing on the work in their hands, not even interested in raising their heads to glance at them.
When I entered the side hall of the Confucian Temple and sat down, I was told there was tea, but the doorman just left, as if to say...please help yourself.
"It's Chinese New Year, you won't let us wait here for a long time, right?" Zhu Hao said.
Lu Song didn't show any impatience. He came to give gifts on behalf of the palace. Even if it was just a matter of etiquette, he had to make a good scene.
But wait a minute...
It took a really long time. It was already past noon and there was still no one in sight.
Zhu Hao was at the door of the side hall watching the people outside cleaning the yard and going to eat. After dinner, he went up to the roof with a ladder to pick up tiles. He was very busy...
I was so bored that I yawned again and again, but the real owner still didn't come.
However, a Confucian scholar in his forties wearing a green shirt came over curiously when he saw someone waiting in the side hall and asked: "Are you...?"
Lu Song quickly reported his home address.
The instructor smiled and said: "Fan Xuezheng is like this. He always welcomes anyone who comes to give gifts, but he likes to wait for a long time before coming out to see someone... Sometimes they may not even meet... Since he is a visitor from Prince Xing's Mansion, I am here.
Just go and report it."
Zhu Hao and Lu Song couldn't help but say "fuck" in their hearts.
The relationship was greeted with a good face just now, but Fan Xuezheng's strategy of "luring the enemy deep" was implemented and people were kept waiting here!?
What kind of hospitality is this?
You Fan Yikuan is so arrogant, people who don’t know better would think you are the governor of the state, Kuang Yangming.