Chapter 3337 Agree
Zhuang Ji'an said, "A simple life is also a blessing. I don't think there's anything wrong with my current life."
He perfectly inherited his father's indifference to fame and fortune, and felt that living such an ordinary and carefree life was a very happy thing.
His wife was speechless for a long time.
Zhuang Ji'an hesitated and was a little distracted when he went out in the morning, and then he "coincidentally" met Zhou Man who was out for a walk.
Zhou Man smiled and waved at him, "Nephew, are you out for a walk too?"
Zhuang Ji'an was slightly older than Zhou Man. He stepped forward silently, bowed, and said, "Master."
"I see that you look worried. Is there something troubling you?"
Wasn’t it you who mentioned going to Beijing?
Zhuang Ji'an hesitated for a moment and asked, "Master, is the capital city so good that so many people flock to it?"
Zhou Man thought for a moment and then said, "Chang'an is the most prosperous city I've ever seen. It's also the most tolerant and all-encompassing city. Although I enjoy traveling, I have to admit that the days I lived in Chang'an were the most comfortable and convenient. There, people can see far into the future and learn new things every year. That's why it's so desirable."
"I know you grew up with your father. Although Senior Brother is stubborn, he doesn't care about fame or fortune. You've learned a little from him, but you're not interested in a career in politics. But the world is big," Zhou Man said. "Your children may not want to see the wider world outside."
"I suggested sending them to the capital, not because I envisioned them becoming officials, achieving success, becoming nobles or ministers, or anything like that. I wanted them to become stronger, have broader visions, and choose their own path when they grow up and can make their own decisions." Zhou Man said, "They can choose to enter the government or do something else. They have the ability to make more choices. This is what our teacher taught us since we were young: cultivate yourself, manage your family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world. When you only have the ability to cultivate yourself, you can only choose to cultivate yourself. When you have the ability to bring peace to the world, you can choose your own path."
Zhuang Ji'an looked at Zhou Man in surprise and was stunned for a long time.
Zhou Man smiled and said, "Don't you think it's strange that you don't know your grandfather at all?"
Zhuang Ji'an was silent for a long time and then nodded slightly.
Zhou Man said, "Brother, you have a knot in your heart, but so do you, sir?" She sighed and said, "Think about it again. I still hope you can give the children more opportunities. Parents who love their children plan for them in the long run. The pain of parting today may be something the children will thank you for in the future."
Zhuang Ji'an turned around silently and went back. As soon as he returned to the yard, he heard Zhuang Jiran humming and singing in the house.
Zhuang Jisi came out and said, "Big brother, go check on the second brother. He's going crazy. He woke up early in the morning and started singing, and his singing is so terrible."
Zhuang Jiran heard it and leaned over to ask, "What's so unpleasant about it? Big Brother, have you decided whether to let Chen'er go or not?"
Zhuang Ji'an asked, "Are you really going to the capital?"
"Why not?" Zhuang Jiran said, "Dad asked Grandfather last night, and he said I could go to the Imperial College to study in the capital. Wait for me to take the Mingjing exam."
Zhuang Ji'an: "What if I fail the exam?"
"If you don't pass the exam, you can return home and take the county exam. It's hard to get promoted as a minor official anyway, so starting a job a few years earlier or later won't make much of a difference," Zhuang Jiran said. "Besides, our family isn't short of money now. Don't worry, my monthly expenses are very low."
He even turned around and asked the people in the room, "Isn't that right, ma'am?"
The people in the room responded.
Zhuang Jiran said, "Also, I've asked my aunt, and I can earn money by copying books. Although it's not much, it should be enough to buy some pens, ink, and paper. Paper is getting cheaper and cheaper now, so the cost of copying books and reading is also lower."
Zhuang Ji'an gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I'll let you take Chen'er with you, but he's only eight years old, you have to take good care of him."
Chen from the room also came out and agreed immediately, "Don't worry, uncle, we will definitely take good care of Chen'er."
In her opinion, they got a great advantage by going to the capital. Apart from anything else, the quota of inheritance from their grandfather should have been given to the eldest son of the family, but in the end it went to them.
Although her knowledge was limited, she knew that the Imperial College was the most powerful institution of learning in the Jin Dynasty. Above the county schools were the prefectural schools, and above the prefectural schools was the Imperial College.
During these three days, I heard the guests at the banquet say that students who can enter the Imperial College can all become officials after graduation.
What Mr. Zhuang was thinking about at this time was not the issue of becoming an official, but Zhuang Jiran's age. This year, he was just at the maximum age limit for admission to the Imperial College.
Because of his concern, he couldn't help but doubt whether Zhuang Jiran could really be admitted to the school through imperial favor.
Bai Shan comforted him, "Don't worry, sir, as long as we complete the admission procedures before the New Year, everything will be fine."
"But..." Mr. Zhuang paused and said, "We missed the fall semester. Can we still receive the patronage now?"
Bai Shan thought for a moment and said, "The time hasn't passed yet. I'll write back now and ask Kong Jijiu to help with the registration. I'll leave a spot open. When you return to Beijing, you can enroll directly."
Mr. Zhuang stroked his beard and said, "Master Kong is upright. I'm afraid he won't agree."
Bai Shan stood up and said, "I'll go find Man Bao and ask what Kong Jijiu likes."
Kong Jijiu naturally liked good paintings, good calligraphy, good books and the like, but besides that, he also liked good medicine.
Zhou Man thought for a moment and said, "In fact, besides being fond of painting, calligraphy and books, he also likes delicious food."
When it comes to the collection of rare books in the world, who can surpass the Kong family?
So no matter what good calligraphy, painting or books they brought out, it would probably be difficult to impress Kong Jijiu, but food was different, especially when it was mixed with medicine.
Zhou Man chuckled and said, "I've been particularly interested in health preservation in the past two years, so I'm researching some health preservation prescriptions."
In fact, it was after the emperor made a fuss about the elixir of life that she began to study health preservation methods, and was particularly interested in health preservation through food. The emperor also expressed concern about this.
Zhou Man said: "One of the recipes uses particularly precious ingredients."
"What ingredients?"
"Truffles!" Zhou Man said with a chuckle, "They're a fantastic thing. Not only can they be made into pills, but they can also be used as a seasoning. I got some last year and had my sister-in-law make a delicious sauce with them and other wild mushrooms. Just a little bit of it when making soups or cooking makes them incredibly delicious."
Zhou Man sighed and said, "It's just too little. I'm a little reluctant to give it up, but for the sake of my husband, I'm willing to give it all."
Bai Shan: "A bottle of sauce?"
Seeing that he was suspicious, Zhou Man leaned over and whispered in his ear.
Bai Shan: ...
He was silent for a long time before he said, "I don't think you've ever eaten something this good before."
Zhou Man: "Who said I haven't eaten it? I used it twice after making it."
Bai Shan's eyes widened. "Did you really cook in the spring when you said you would cook for me?"
"Of course I am. Do you think I am pretending to be you by using the soup I made in the kitchen?"
Bai Shan: "That's not the case. I just thought you might just talk and not do anything, and then watch the soup being ready the whole time. I didn't expect you to actually make it yourself." It's amazing that he actually thought the soup was good at that time.
Good night, in the last chapter I forgot that Zhuang Jisi was a girl, so I changed some of it, you can go back and read it again
(End of this chapter)
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