Chapter 244 Don't Be Ungrateful
Chen Zhancai nodded arrogantly, "Yes, let's just say that. These privileges mentioned above are nothing.
The most powerful privilege is the last one, which is that scholars are exempt from punishment.
What does exemption from punishment mean?
For example, if Erdanzi fights with me and goes to the county government office, regardless of who is right or wrong, the county magistrate will first give Erdanzi a beating."
Erdanzi was already drunk, and when he heard this, he was so scared that he almost crawled under the table.
"Brother Xiucai, even if you gave us courage, we wouldn't dare to poke you a finger. Please don't let the official spank me. I'm scared."
Chen Zhancai was interrupted and felt a little unhappy. He glanced at Erdanzi indifferently.
"Are you drunk? That's not true. I was just making an analogy."
Erdanzi scratched his head with a silly smile, "That's fake! I thought I had done something wrong and Brother Xiucai was going to send me to the government office!"
"Okay, stop making trouble for me and sit down quickly."
After scolding Erdanzi, Chen Zhan paused for a moment, glanced around, and continued,
"No matter if you are right or wrong, or if you have reason or not, ordinary people must first be beaten with a stick. Even if you are rich, you cannot avoid having your skin torn into pieces.
But the status of a scholar is different. Even if he really has done something wrong, the county magistrate cannot punish him at will.
This is the privilege of being exempt from punishment. Now you understand the power of the privileges granted to scholars."
After listening to Chen Zhancai's speech, the villagers could not help but flatter him again.
"Oh my god, passing the imperial examination gives you so many privileges. It's incredible."
"Yes, Zhancai is truly extremely talented and well-educated. He deserves such privileges."
"How can you call someone by his given name? You should call him Scholar Master now, because he is a man of great talent and profound learning."
"Yes, yes, yes, Mr. Xiucai will definitely have a bright future, and our Nanshan Village will definitely benefit from it."
......
Hearing these flattering words, Chen Zhancai became even more complacent.
Seeing Chen Zhancai showing off so much, Wu Baoan couldn't bear to spoil his fun. After all, what he said was the truth and the scholar did have these powers.
Although he was not afraid of him as the village head, it was not easy to offend him.
Wu Baoan had no choice but to raise his glass patiently. "Zhancai, you're overthinking it. We live in the same village. I'm naturally happy for you that you passed the exam. Since you want to drink, let's have one."
"Okay, the head of the village is very kind. I'll drink this glass of wine." Chen Zhancai tilted his head back and drank it.
Old Mrs. Chen felt sorry for her son and quickly advised him, "Son, you've drunk quite a bit. Stop drinking."
"Mom, you're making it sound so easy. I'm a scholar now. On this happy occasion, I have to toast my eldest brother with a glass of wine. How can I drink less?"
As Chen Zhancai spoke, he swayed and came close to Chen Zhanshan, put one hand on his shoulder, and hugged his neck tightly. The alcohol in his mouth instantly sprayed on Chen Zhanshan's face.
"Brother, my dear brother, we haven't had a meal together for a long time. Shouldn't we have a good drink today?"
Chen Zhanshan broke free from his hand in disgust and said coldly, "I don't know how to drink, so you should drink it yourself, Mr. Scholar!"
"Brother, what do you mean by that? What do you mean by not being able to drink? Why don't you just pick up the wine and pour it into your mouth? Come on, let's clink glasses."
"You should know that I never drink."
Seeing Chen Zhanshan not giving his son the face of a scholar, Old Lady Chen was immediately furious and could not help but say,
"Zhanshan, what do you want to do? Today is your third brother's wedding banquet. If he asks you to drink, then drink. Why are you refusing his respect in front of so many people?"
"That's right, your third brother is a scholar now. He toasts you out of respect. Don't be ungrateful!" Old man Chen snorted disdainfully.
Before Chen Zhanshan could respond, Chen Zhancai hurriedly spoke up to stop them, "Dad, Mom, look at what you are doing. This is a matter between us brothers, don't get involved."
After saying that, he looked at Chen Zhanshan with a smile, and under the influence of alcohol, he started to talk nonsense with a big tongue.
"Brother, I know what you are thinking. Do you think I am extremely boring, uninteresting, and shameless?
We've already separated and cut off our relationship, and yet I'm still trying to get close to you?
Brother, you are wrong to think so.
Although we have had some unpleasant experiences in the past, there were reasons for that.
But such a long time has passed, why are you still so petty and holding a grudge? Is it necessary?
I don't care what you are like, but as a brother, I will definitely be loyal to you. If you need help in the future, I will do my best to help you!"
Chen Zhanshan was so drunken that he kept hiding behind him and didn't say anything...
Seeing this, Old Lady Chen gritted her teeth in anger, "Third Brother, they're not paying any attention to you, why are you trying to get close to them?"
Chen Zhancai shook his head nonchalantly, "Mom, you're wrong again. As the saying goes, a fire warms the kang, and a close friend's heart warms the heart. Who made my son so successful and famous now? He's a scholar!"
"My dear son, you are kind and righteous, but I don't appreciate it at all!"
"Whether they appreciate it or not is their business, but I have to do what I have to do."
Chen Zhancai leaned towards Chen Zhanshan again.
"Brother, don't be so quiet. I know you look down on others.
But don't forget, although I am just a poor scholar now, in a few months it will be the autumn examination that takes place every three years.
With my brother's current knowledge, it is absolutely possible for him to pass the imperial examination.
Do you know what "juren" means?
Passing the imperial examination means one is qualified to be an official and can directly serve as a county magistrate or county magistrate, and there is a high probability that one will be arranged to serve in his hometown.
By then, you and everyone present here will be citizens of my jurisdiction.
If you still have this attitude, you are disrespecting the imperial officials.
I, as a brother, can ignore it, but it’s hard to say what will happen to the yamen runners under my command. At the very least, they will be beaten with a stick, and at the worst, they may even have their property confiscated and be exiled.”
These words are undoubtedly a naked threat.
Chen Zhanshan was so angry that his face twitched repeatedly, and his anger rose up, but before he could say anything, he saw Wu Baoan standing up with a smile to help him out.
"Alright, Zhancai, your elder brother really can't hold his liquor, I'll drink this glass of wine for him."
Wu Baoan had long been fed up with Chen Zhancai's arrogant behavior and wanted to scold him.
But his status is no longer the same as before. If, as he said, he really passes the imperial examination in the autumn and seeks an official position in the future, based on his personality, he will definitely be suppressed and retaliated. It is better to offend a gentleman than a villain.
Chen Zhancai shook his head and snorted coldly, "Since the head of the village has spoken, how dare a scholar like me object?"
"It's serious. Come on, cheers." Wu Baoan drank it all in one gulp. In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, he smiled and bowed to Chen Zhancai, "Zhancai, our table is almost full. You should go to other tables to greet them!"
......
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