"I am of a low status, so even if I win the prize, I would never dare to climb high."
Su Ping said seriously.
"Don't refuse in a hurry, just listen to what I have to say."
Shen Yushu said without any surprise.
Su Ping nodded and signaled to continue.
"Actually, I'm surprised why you can still maintain your original intention after experiencing such a huge change in your life."
Shen Yushu said, walked to the desk, and flipped through the manuscripts on the table twice, "Even going out to play is just a taste of it, and I don't even touch the land of fireworks. This makes me very suspicious, have you really been there since childhood?
Have you ever been to Anping County?"
As soon as he finished speaking, two sharp eyes pierced Su Ping.
In fact, when Zhao came up with this damaging move, Shen Yushu had no confidence in Su Ping at all.
However, subsequent developments taught him a lesson.
Su Ping did travel all over Yangjing and spent every penny he had to spend. However, he couldn't even miss the place of Night Square.
Shen Yushu could see clearly that if the two maids hadn't encouraged him so hard, Su Ping would not have even taken a step out of Shuxiangyuan.
The whole person behaves like those heretics in Xizhou who have seen through the world of mortals.
This made Shen Yushu very puzzled.
Faced with this problem, Su Pingping did not change his expression: "Didn't Third Young Master already check me out?"
"Yes, I even know your birthday and horoscope."
Shen Yushu nodded and looked back, "Perhaps there are indeed arrogant and talented people in the world... But have you ever considered what to do if you go back to Xiaohe Village and take the imperial examination?"
Su Ping frowned and said nothing.
"If you want to pass the imperial examination, you must concentrate on studying, and the fields can only be left to tenants to take care of."
Shen Yushu continued, "With ten acres of land, even if there is a bumper harvest every year, after excluding the household tax, Ding tax, tenant wages, pen, ink and paper, how much will be left in the end?"
"Oh no, you are already sixteen years old. Starting from this year, you will have to do corvee service."
"Of course, you want to study, and naturally you don't have the time, so you have to hire someone to do it for you."
"After all this calculation, I'm afraid even having enough food to eat has become a problem. How can we talk about the imperial examination?"
After talking, Su Ping fell completely silent.
He had already made peace with his situation.
The real situation is almost the same as what Shen Yushu said.
"What if I don't have enough food to eat and don't have enough clothes to cover my body?"
After a while, Su Ping said firmly, "As long as I can be admitted to the scholar examination, everything will turn around."
"Okay! Be ambitious!"
Shen Yushu applauded with his hands, and then laughed, "I have read your article, and it is just one step away from being a masterpiece. It will not be difficult for you to become a scholar, but are you willing to do it now?"
In an instant, Su Ping was hit at a painful point.
There is no doubt that after knowing the true face of Confucianism and Taoism, how could I be willing to just become a scholar?
And even if you pass the scholar examination and improve your life, it will still take time to accumulate wealth to support yourself to continue to take the provincial examination.
Unless you sell your property and make a desperate move.
Su Ping pursed his lips and said: "I can sell my ancestral property. As long as I win the election, I will be able to honor my ancestors."
"That makes sense. Selling your farmhouse will almost be enough for you to take the provincial examination."
Shen Yushu nodded in agreement, and then continued: "But you have forgotten that the provincial examination has an extra subject of policy theory compared to the junior high school examination!"
"..."
Like a bolt from the blue, Su Ping's last stubbornness was instantly torn into pieces.
yes!!
There is also policy discussion in the rural examination!
I didn’t set the goal of taking the provincial examination before, but I ended up forgetting such an important thing!
Su Ping was stunned and speechless.
The Third Tong Examination focuses on classics and meanings, but starting from the Provincial Examination, it defaults to focusing more on policy theory.
Policy topics must be based on current national affairs.
This little corner of Xiaohe Village will be out of date long ago by the time the important national events are announced. It may take several months!
Without the support of current affairs news, I cannot rely on topic-based learning.
Policy theory covers a wide range of issues, involving the entire country, large and small.
Without the support of current affairs news, we can only do comprehensive study.
But in that case, the time cost and material cost will increase exponentially, which is definitely not something you can bear.
Seeing that the heat was almost over, Shen Yushu continued: "But it's different here. Even if you don't use the power of the Duke's Palace, you can just go to any restaurant in the city and you will hear a lot of news."
"Even if you open your mouth, the Duke's office can hire someone to teach you and help you with your questions."
"Not only do you not have to worry about money, but it can even give you a few more chances of winning the election out of thin air. Why not?"
"So, I advise you to think about it carefully."
consider……
Su Ping fell into deep thought again.
When we return to Xiaohe Village, we will naturally feel free and at ease with the sky high and the sea wide.
But in that case, will I still have the opportunity to appreciate the scenery of Confucianism and Taoism in this life?
No matter which choice you make, it seems to be the right one.
But it all seems wrong...
Shen Yushu didn't rush him, he just looked at the manuscript and waited quietly.
After a long time, the battle between heaven and man in Su Ping's heart finally ended.
"I beg your pardon, Su still can't agree."
Su Ping slowly exhaled a breath and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Third Young Master. I'm ashamed of myself."
In the end, he chose to refuse.
It's not just a matter of dignity, but more importantly, because once you enter the Duke's mansion, you will be completely controlled by others for the rest of your life.
Although Su Ping liked power and wealth, he felt that comfort was more important.
Think about it, after finally achieving success in Confucianism and Taoism, you can stand out in the world, but then the government of the country gives an order and you have to be obedient. How frustrating is that?
It's more frustrating than not following Confucianism.
Thinking about it again, after being here for so long, I only met Shen Yushu, a direct descendant of the Duke's family.
The young ladies in charge never showed their faces from beginning to end, and the meaning is really obvious.
Su Ping felt that he was not blessed to be a son-in-law to these people.
"No need to be ashamed."
Shen Yushu shook his head and sighed: "I may have to wrong you next."
"Um?"
Su Ping was stunned.
What does this mean?
Are you going to force me to become your son-in-law?
Shen Yushu didn't explain, turned around and went downstairs.
Su Ping stood in front of the window, watching the movements in the courtyard warily, fearing that a few shirtless men would burst in with a grin on their faces.
Soon, Su Ping's doubts were answered.
It was not a big man who came, but Zhiqin and Zhihua.
About two quarters of an hour later.
Zhiqin took Zhihua upstairs and looked at Su Ping with a guilty look on her face.
"Master Su, you...you may not be able to live here anymore,"
"Can't you live here?"
Su Ping didn't understand for a while.
"After these few days of arrangements, my house has made room for you, so..."
Zhiqin hesitated a little and found it difficult to speak.