I have to say that the month spent with Mr. Qian was the most fulfilling period of time since Xu Yan came to Daming.
I turn a deaf ear to the world outside and focus on reading the books of sages.
At Gushan Academy, I read, practiced calligraphy, and wrote articles every day, feeling both pain and happiness.
After a period of intense special training, Xu Yan felt that his level of writing eight-legged essays had improved noticeably.
The most important thing is that his handwriting can finally be read...
So much so that he felt very reluctant when he said goodbye to his mentor.
Fortunately, Mr. Qian was more open-minded. He pushed and rushed Xu Yan out of the academy, and threatened that if he did not do well in the county exam, he would not be allowed to come back to see him.
This really... leaves no way out.
After saying goodbye to Mr. Qian, Xu Yan returned to Chen's house to pack up and return to Ningbo with Shuangxi.
As soon as he entered the mansion, he saw that everyone had a happy expression on their face. He couldn't help but wonder what was going on. Could they be getting married?
After much difficulty in finding Shuangxi, they inquired and learned that the imperial court had sent the Embroidered Uniform Guard from the capital to arrest the eunuch Sun Qing, the commander of the textile industry, and bring him to the capital to be punished.
Xu Yan suddenly realized.
If you calculate carefully, one month is enough for a round trip from Hangzhou to the capital.
However, he was somewhat surprised that Emperor Jiajing ordered the Jinyiwei to arrest the man so decisively.
It seems that the Ming emperor really valued his reputation above all else, just as the history books portrayed him to be. Sun Qing's mistake was that he killed someone while being the emperor's confidant, thus insulting the emperor's reputation.
The emperor must not be wrong, so the eunuchs have to take the blame.
Of course, the Zhejiang Governor Zhu Wan must have played a crucial role in this. Otherwise, Emperor Jiajing would not have issued the decree so quickly.
Xu Yan was quite satisfied with the result.
In fact, he just wanted to rescue his grandfather at the beginning, but who would have thought that Sun Qing was so domineering and allowed his men to kill people.
Zhu Wan was so upright that she couldn't stand it. There was no need for Xu Yan to waste his breath; the governor would impeach Sun Qing on his own.
Emperor Jiajing was already extremely wary of eunuchs, and the eunuchs in the palace were all very timid and did not dare to overstep the line in the slightest.
One can imagine how angry Emperor Jiajing would be when he learned that the eunuch he sent to supervise the weaving in Hangzhou was so domineering.
Upon learning that his nephew had returned, Chen Zongzhi rushed over surrounded by a group of servants.
"Brother Qiu, did you know that the old eunuch has been arrested and taken to the capital? My Chen family finally doesn't have to live in fear anymore!"
Xu Yan smiled and said, "Uncle, I already know everything. Sun Qing has committed countless evil deeds, and he deserves all the blame. Your Majesty is wise and will certainly not allow him to harm the people like this."
Chen Zongzhi laughed and said, "This time, thanks to you, our Chen family owes you a favor."
Xu Yan quickly waved his hands and said, "We're all family. It's really strange for uncle to say that."
"Well, why did you come back so suddenly? Do you have any instructions from Mr. Oyama?"
"The county exam is coming up soon. I can't stay in Hangzhou any longer. I have to go back to Ningbo a few days in advance to prepare for the exam."
Xu Yan explained.
"I see." Chen Zongzhi nodded and said, "It's already late today. Even if you rent a boat, you won't be able to make it back in time. Why not wait until tomorrow morning to set off?"
Xu Yan nodded: "That's exactly what I was thinking."
"In that case, the old man will go to Lingyin Temple to fulfill his vow later. You can come with him."
Although he had no interest in making and fulfilling wishes, since it was his uncle who invited him, Xu Yan couldn't refuse and had to accept.
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Lingyin Temple was first built in the first year of Xianhe reign of Emperor Cheng of Jin Dynasty and became extremely prosperous during the Tang and Song dynasties.
During the Yuan Dynasty, Lingyin Temple was destroyed due to an accident. The current Lingyin Temple was rebuilt during the Hongwu period of this dynasty.
As it is a thousand-year-old temple, Lingyin Temple has always been very popular.
Xu Yan knew that his grandfather was a Buddhist. There was even a Buddhist temple specially built in the Chen Mansion for daily worship and making wishes.
But he had just learned from his uncle that his grandfather Chen Han was the sponsor of Lingyin Temple, and he donated 10,000 taels of silver every year in incense money alone.
Lingyin Temple’s attitude towards donors is definitely much more enthusiastic than that towards ordinary pilgrims.
The moment he stepped into the mountain gate, Xu Yan realized this.
It had just rained, and the stone pavement was very slippery. The monks even laid out blankets to prevent Mr. Chen and his companions from slipping and falling.
The service was so enthusiastic that Xu Yan couldn't help but think of a hot pot restaurant in later generations.
Although he himself does not believe in Buddhism, he fully respects his grandfather's choice.
Since grandpa is here to fulfill his vow, he naturally has to accompany him.
The mountains were quiet and peaceful, and the sky was clear after the rain. Chen Zongzhi was in a good mood and recited:
"The temples in front of and behind the peaks are in the new autumn, and from the high windows on the top of the mountain one can see the fertile island.
A person in meditation hears crickets, and a crane hangs on a macaque from its roost.
The mountain bell rings across the empty river at night, and the cold moon shines on the ancient stone building.
I recall the unsuccessful attempt to hoist the sail, and Xie Gong’s visit to this place in the past.”
Jia Dao's poems are indeed very poetic, which inspired Xu Yan to be poetic as well.
"When was Lingyin Temple built? Green mountains are blooming towards it.
The stream flows continuously, and the peaks and rocks fly towards us.
Bamboos cover the Kongwang Garden, and flowers hide the Bodhisattva Terrace.
There is a mysterious way to explore the underworld, don’t let the setting sun rush you.”
He casually composed a five-character regulated verse, which really surprised Chen Zongzhi.
This nephew's ability to write poetry is really strong, and he is really jealous.
"Oh, my dear grandson, you have such great abilities that others will envy you. If your uncle could only be half as good as you, Grandpa would be very satisfied."
Chen Zongzhi grumbled aggrievedly, "Dad, everyone has their own strengths. Although my son is not good at studying, he is good at business."
Unexpectedly, Old Master Chen rolled his eyes and said, "What the hell? It's all thanks to the foundation I laid for you. Okay, you wait outside. Let my good grandson accompany me inside to fulfill my vow."
Xu Yanzhi was a little amused and helpless. He nodded to his uncle and followed his grandfather into the main hall.
The old man was still very pious. After lighting the incense, he knelt down in front of the cushion, clasped his hands together and closed his eyes to fulfill his wish.
Although he didn't know what wish his grandfather was fulfilling, Xu Yan was still a little moved.
Maybe this is the power of faith.
After Mr. Chen fulfilled his wish, Xu Yan hurried forward to help his grandfather up.
Instead, Chen Han said leisurely, "My dear grandson, Grandpa not only fulfilled his wish just now, but also made another one. Do you know what it is?"
"My grandson doesn't know."
Xu Yan said obediently.
"Ahem. You're already fifteen this year, right? You're not young anymore. Grandpa just made a wish, hoping that you can get married soon."
After a short pause, Mr. Chen stroked his beard and smiled, "Grandpa is sincere, and the wish he made is very effective."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yanzhi was shocked.
Grandpa never stops talking until he's shocked everyone. He's only fifteen, and he's already old enough to get married?
I have little education, please don't lie to me!
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P.S.: I heard that wishing is quite effective, so I made a wish and it landed in the top three of the new book list. What do you think?
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