There were more and more people watching at the entrance of the rice paper shop, which was even bigger than the previous queue to pick up coins following the good news procession.
Everyone was talking a lot because no one knew what happened yet. At the same time, a team of gongs and drums came from the city gate and approached the door of Zhu's shop step by step.
"Congratulations to Mr. Zhu of the Zhu family for being ranked first in the Huguang Provincial Examination and Xie Yuan in the Year of Yi Mao, and for winning the Beijing Examination consecutively!"
"Wow!"
The people present were instantly shocked.
It turns out that the big head is here!
That Sun family master only passed the exam with more than thirty names, and this one was directly ranked first. No wonder even the formation to announce the good news was much bigger than before.
As soon as Zhang Zuo waved his hand, the firecrackers prepared by the palace were all lit at once, with crackling and green smoke, it was so lively.
Zhu Niang could hardly stand still and was swaying. Aunt Li on the side quickly helped her: "Madam?!"
A widow must not lose her composure in front of others. Zhu Niang quickly signaled to Aunt Li to help her into the shop, stood for a moment, patted her cheek hard, and asked: "I... I'm not dreaming, am I?"
There was so much noise outside that Aunt Li couldn't hear what she was saying.
But seeing her actions, he guessed something and said quickly: "That's right, Brother Hao has won the Jieyuan!"
Zhang Zuo was greeting Jiang Jingtang, who represented the state government at this time. When he saw Zhu Niang entering the shop, he quickly called for the distribution of reward money. It happened that among the boxes brought by Prince Xing's Mansion, there was a box full of copper coins, tens of thousands of them...
...If Prince Xing’s Mansion wants to help build momentum, it will definitely not be shabby in its approach. It will even give the neighbors much more money than ordinary people.
The firecrackers are finished.
Zhu Niang reappeared in front of people, surrounded by several aunts.
The first announcement of the good news was that the envoy from the provincial capital read it out again: "Is this the Gaotang of Wenquxing? I wonder if Mr. Zhu is here? Let him come out to receive the good news."
Zhu Niang said: "My son...my son is not here."
His voice was trembling when he spoke.
The official asked in confusion: "Master Zhu has gone out? Please call him back quickly."
Zhang Zuo came over and said, "Why are there so many things? If you say you're not here, I won't be here. Just send me the good news."
Zhu Hao went to the capital to assist Prince Xiao Xing with the task entrusted by Prince Xing's Mansion. This kind of thing cannot be publicized to the outside world. In addition, in Zhang Zuo's view, Zhu Hao is a member of his faction. Zhu Hao is not here, so naturally he will
Want to help support the scene.
The people who brought the good news only saw the excitement here, but did not know who they were.
They are very smart people who announce good news. According to general rules, there are three waves of good news announcements. The first wave is from the provincial capital, the second wave is from the government or prefecture government, and the third wave is from the county government.
…
Being a yamen errand is not a good and lucrative job these days. Zaoli's status in society is very low. It is rare for them to find opportunities to make some extra money. Of course, they go to rich families... Before they came to announce the good news, they had already inquired clearly.
Knowing that the Zhu family is very wealthy, that's why they started such a big battle.
If you meet someone from a small family, like Gongsun Yi, you just need to come to announce the good news and ask for some luck. Don’t expect too much. You have to hurry up and rush to the next state capital to announce the good news. You have to make money early. If you walk slowly,
, let the local officials know the news of winning the ranking first, and you will naturally get less rewards if you go late.
The reality did not disappoint them. After receiving the good news, Zhang Zuo asked his subordinates to present the rewards. There were more than ten taels of silver in a red cloth bag for the person who brought the good news to distribute among themselves.
This was prepared by the princess in advance, and it came in handy at this time.
Now the person who announced the good news had nothing to say, and quickly beat gongs and drums to send blessings.
…
…
"Third Madam, she's already in her prime!"
"Yes, the young master of the Zhu family is talented and intelligent. He is an extraordinary talent at first glance. He is only a few years old and he has already passed the imperial examination!"
"It's obviously Wenquxing who descended to earth!"
"Look at the relationship between people and the government, it's really incomparable."
Zhu Niang was so happy that she couldn't close her mouth as she was praised by her seven aunts and eight aunts.
Although the palace had already helped to give the reward, the Zhu family could not be too poor, but she did not prepare the reward, so she hurriedly asked Aunt Li to go in and bring out seven or eight taels of scattered silver to reward the person who brought the good news.
The person who brought the good news was overjoyed. Unexpectedly, the Zhu family was really extraordinary. They received two rewards in one time, which added up to more than twenty taels. It was a great harvest.
Zhang Zuo handed the good news to Zhu Niang and said with a smile: "Young Master Zhu is very talented. Then the palace will find someone to inform him and ask him to go to the capital to prepare for the general examination with peace of mind, strive for the general examination, and win the palace examination consecutively, and then give him
Anlu is honored."
Zhu Niang was so happy that she almost couldn't find her. Now she only smiled and nodded to whatever Zhang Zuo said.
When the people from the state government saw that they really couldn't get involved, even though he was a fellow magistrate of the state, Jiang Jingtang just congratulated briefly and left with the people from the state government.
Madam Zhu still doesn't know why her son won the imperial examination and even the state government was alarmed.
The old lady of the Sun family did not leave. Her son also won the prize. She came to thank her and immediately asked her servants to carry the large and small boxes of things into the shop.
At this time, the threshold of the Zhu family was almost crowded, and everyone wanted to join in the fun. Fortunately, the people from the Royal Palace's Yiwei Department had restricted the entry of subsequent people, but the activities of giving out wedding money outside were still going on.
More and more people came to watch the excitement.
"Third Madam, the princess specially sent us here. It's disrespectful to be careless." Zhang Zuo followed Madam Zhu into the shop and pointed to a few boxes sent by the palace.
At this time, Zhang Zuo was a little embarrassed, because the boxes sent by the Sun family next to him were stacked like a mountain, and the number was almost several times the number of gifts from Prince Xing's Mansion. After opening, the jewels inside were no worse than the gifts sent by Prince Xing's Mansion.
It made him very embarrassed.
Zhu Niang said hurriedly: "My son is able to study in the palace because he has received so many favors. When he comes back, he will definitely be allowed to come to the palace to express his gratitude."
Zhang Zuo waved his hand: "No, no, we are all ours. Master Zhu is an old friend of ours. We usually don't look up at each other. Why are there so many polite words? Just let him do his job well... No, he should be preparing for the exam."
Haven’t I already said that I wish him to continue high school?”
"Hahaha……"
The neighbors who crowded into the house were all laughing.
At this time, everyone seemed to be very familiar with Zhu Niang. Even if someone came in with a stick to chase people away, the people inside would not be willing to leave.
Zhang Zuodao: "The third lady has just heard the good news, do you still need to receive guests? Our family won't stay here any longer. There are many things going on in the palace... This kind of celebration can only be done outside, and it is not appropriate to put it in the palace.
…”
"Yes Yes."
Of course, Madam Zhu knew that just after the great funeral of Prince Xing, it was also the time when Prince Xiao Xing observed his filial piety.
It is a great honor for Prince Xing's Mansion to remember to help Zhu Hao organize happy events at this time.
Zhang Zuo left, and Zhu Niang went out to see him off. At this moment, Uncle Zhong, Shopkeeper Ma and others had just learned the news and rushed to the city to help with the arrangements. This time they brought dozens of people... In this way, Zhu
Mom, this yard is organized and orderly can be maintained without the need for outsiders.
"Master!"
Shopkeeper Ma called for help to unload the boxes from the carriage.
After opening it, there were boxes of copper coins.
The onlookers thought that the fun was over and were about to leave, but then they realized that none of the copper coins distributed outside just now were issued by Zhu Niang. Where is the relationship between them?
Aunt Li looked a little distressed: "Didn't you just give it out? You don't need to give it out anymore, right?"
Zhu Niang was overjoyed and shook her head and said: "It's hard to buy happiness with money... Let's all get the money. When we were orphans and widowed, we all relied on our neighbors to take care of our business. That's why my son is here today."
On such a festive occasion, since all the copper coins were on display, Zhu Niang felt there was no need to take them back and hide them.
This would appear stingy.
Isn't the purpose of accumulating family fortune over the years so that Zhu Hao will have no worries during the exam process?
Although now I am just passing the exam...
But for Zhu Niang, she was satisfied. In this era, the social status of Juren was very recognized, and it was almost a representative of the upper class of society. As for Jinshi... most people really couldn't imagine it.
Therefore, from Zhu Niang's point of view, even if Zhu Hao may still make progress in the future, in the past ten years, he has not dared to have any higher expectations.
"Money is distributed!"
Uncle Zhong hurriedly greeted people and distributed the wedding money again.
Such generous spending... even the old lady of the Sun family couldn't help but sigh at the magnanimity of this third lady.
After giving the money, Zhu Niang has now become a representative of successful mothers in the eyes of the neighbors. Many people are asking her to come out and talk about parenting. But how can Zhu Niang say anything publicly now? She still understands the principle that talking too much will lead to mistakes.
of.
Then another group of people gathered around Zhu Niang and entered the shop.
The old lady of the Sun family came over and saluted: "Madam, your son... Mr. Zhu is a great benefactor of my Sun family. These thoughts are just to repay his kindness. My son is still in Wuchang Mansion, and I will give it to him when he returns."
He knelt in front of your mansion for three days and three nights to show his sincerity."
Zhu Niang couldn't help but smile bitterly when she heard this.
Or is this mother-in-law really good at "educating" her son? Now that your son has been elected, you actually plan to make him kneel in front of my house for three days?
Are you giving thanks, or are you asking for forgiveness?
After all, Shopkeeper Ma was a show-stopper and said with a smile: "Old Madam, it's no need. Mr. Sun's ability to pass the examination is his own good fortune. My little boss just fulfilled his duty of giving guidance."
The old lady of the Sun family shook her head and waved her hands: "My child has not been good at studies since he was a child. He has been hired by many teachers, and his knowledge has not improved much. His temper has become very bad, which is also caused by his inability to discipline him. He will be in trouble for the rest of his life.
Serve your mentor, and only in this way can you follow the right path."
There was an aunt nearby who stayed and watched at the door. After hearing this, someone immediately asked: "Mother Zhu, is your son still accepting students? We also want to send our children here to study."
Uncle Zhong went over to drive him away: "Go, go, you don't know anything and just start making noises. Do you think the master of the Juren family just accepts disciples casually? Aunt Liu's family, don't think I don't know. Your son doesn't even know a big character. Why?
Want to get fame? In the past, your man wanted his son to study, but you drove him to the street with a stick."
The neighbors in the street know everything about their family.
When the neighbors learned that Zhu Hao, a seemingly ordinary child who had grown up under their witness, could pass the exam and become a master, and suddenly became a master, they naturally had a sweet dream and hoped that their own children could follow suit.
Tang, even if you fail the exam...it shouldn't be difficult if you work hard and become a scholar, right?
Zhu Niang said cautiously: "My son is not here. From now on, he will be in charge of everything in the Zhu family. If you have anything to do with Mrs. Sun, let's wait until he comes back."
Zhu Niang had long recognized the current situation. Originally, she had planned to hand over the family business to her son when he grew up, and she would take a back seat. Now that Zhu Hao passed the imperial examination, it meant more than becoming an adult. She had long felt that she was unable to do business or anything like that.
At this time, I also made plans to retreat bravely.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
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