He said, "Mr. Kong, how about I make a bet with you? You accept me as your disciple, and if I do something wrong in the future, you will personally take my life. How about that?"
Mr. Kong smiled indifferently. This kid had a good plan. If he accepted the boy as his disciple as per the bet, then his wish of becoming his disciple would be fulfilled.
He was already old, and it was unknown how many years he could live. Even if he could live a few years, and accepted Ye Zelin as his disciple, he would be seen as a dignified and upright person. Who knew if he was pretending? Even if he was not pretending, who could guarantee that Ye Zelin would not change after his death?
People are the best at disguising themselves.
Mr. Kong said, "I don't gamble."
If you don’t want to bet, then don’t bet. Ye Zelin knew that Mr. Kong would not bet with him. He said that on purpose in order to say the next words.
Ye Zelin said, "Old Senior, why don't you ask me why I want to take the imperial examination? If you still don't want to accept me after today, I won't bother you again."
Why did Ye Zelin take the imperial examination? This question has never occurred to Mr. Kong.
Ye Zelin was born into a military family, had military merits, and was favored by His Majesty. His future was bright, so taking the imperial examination would not benefit him much. Furthermore, the Ye family had always followed the path of military commanders, never the path of civil servants.
Mr. Kong returned to the main seat and asked Ye Zelin, "Young General, you are young and have made great achievements. People study and take the imperial examinations for fame, profit, power, and influence. What is your motivation?"
Ye Zelin bowed to Mr. Kong and said, "Old Master, it is indeed as you said. Scholars all over the world take the imperial examinations. Some do so for fame and fortune, some for power, and some to improve their family status. I do not take the examinations for fame and fortune, nor for power. I take them for the prosperity of the Song Dynasty."
Mr. Kong couldn't help but sneer, "Young General, you are exaggerating."
This was the first time he heard someone say that he should take the imperial examination for the prosperity of the Song Dynasty. It was the biggest joke!
Ye Zelin ignored Mr. Kong's chuckle and said seriously, "The people of the Great Song Dynasty are not only living in peace and prosperity, but also living and working in peace and contentment. However, under such a bright and clear sky, there are still many corrupt officials who oppress the people and plunder their wealth. I only hope that there will be no more people like Cai Yuanchang who oppress the people and bring disaster to the people. If officials are honest, then politics will be honest. If politics is honest, then the Great Song Dynasty will be honest. Only when the Great Song Dynasty is honest can it truly prosper and become strong. I will be a sharp knife to remove this cancer, and remove it one by one. Therefore, I said that I am participating in the imperial examination for the prosperity and strength of the Great Song Dynasty, and there is nothing wrong with it."
Mr. Kong knew that the Ye family's children were basically military generals, so he said, "Your Ye family has a tradition of military service. It is your responsibility to guard the borders and defend your country. The imperial examination is not suitable for you."
Ye Zelin recounted the Yuezhou case, focusing on Cai Yuanchang's evil deeds, especially the brutal murder of the upright Cheng Wenbo. He then added, "I hope there will be no more wars and deaths on the battlefield. I also hope there will be no more people like Cai Yuanchang who harm the people and massacre innocent people. If one day, war breaks out on the border again, as a man of the Ye family and a citizen of the Song Dynasty, it is my duty to defend my country. Now that the border is stable and there is no fighting, the Ye family has three sons, and I don't need another one to guard the border. I am willing to contribute my humble efforts to the Song Dynasty. Whether the imperial examination is suitable for me is not up to Senior Kong to say, only my own words count."
Mr. Kong sighed softly upon hearing this, "Fame, status, power, and wealth—how many people are addicted to them, unable to extricate themselves. I've seen many people who initially made solemn promises and commanded the world, only to forget their original selves for the sake of fame, status, power, and wealth, and embark on a path of no return."
Ye Zelin said sincerely: "Old senior, only by keeping your original aspiration can you not forget your original self. The key to keeping your original aspiration is to keep it. Whether you can keep it depends on whether you can persevere."
Mr. Kong smiled faintly. It had been a long time since he had seen such a vigorous and idealistic young man. He was not after fame or gain, but only for the justice and clarity in his heart. He was not afraid of hardships and difficulties, and was determined to move forward.
The old man said, "I always accept disciples based on fate. Whenever one of my disciples takes the imperial examination, I always ask them why they want to take the exam. Some say it's to bring honor to their family, some say it's to become a superior person, and some say it's for fame and fortune, for the prosperity of the Song Dynasty. You are the first one to take the exam."
He looked at this energetic and determined young man, and made up his mind to take a gamble. He added, "Remember what you said. If you become a completely different person in the future than you are today, don't say you are my disciple. I can't afford to lose this person."
Ye Zelin was stunned. What did Mr. Kong say? Was he willing to accept him as his disciple?
He was sure that he had heard correctly, and was instantly overjoyed. He bowed and performed the ceremony of paying homage to his teacher, "Student Ye Zelin greets you, sir.
Mr. Kong smiled and said, "Other people kowtow to their teachers, but you just bow."
Ye Zelin could tell that Mr. Kong was teasing him, so he said, "Mr. Kong is my teacher. Once a teacher, always a father. I will certainly treat you with the same respect and love as a father, regardless of this kneeling."
Mr. Kong said, "You will come to the private school in two days. You must arrive before 1:15 PM. Don't be late."
Ye Zelin responded: "The students know."
Mr. Kong added, "During class, you are not allowed to call me old teacher. Just let your classmates call you old master or scholar."
Ye Zelin nodded, "Student understands."
Mr. Kong ordered the steward to escort the new disciple out of the house. Ye Zelin bowed and left the Kong family with Side.
When the steward returned to the main hall, Mr. Kong murmured, "I hope I didn't take the wrong person this time."
The steward said, "Of course it will. The master has always had excellent vision, and Mr. Ye has an excellent reputation in the capital."
Mr. Kong instructed the old steward, "If one day I am no longer around, and Yu Shi does something wrong, whether intentional or unintentional, please expel him from the sect on my behalf."
The manager said, "I understand."
After Ye Zelin and the other person left the Kong family, they went to the residence of Minister Ling of the Ministry of Rites.
Ye Zelin told Minister Ling the good news that Mr. Kong agreed to accept him as his disciple.
Minister Ling was surprised that the teacher actually accepted the Ye family boy as his disciple! How did Ye Zelin convince the teacher, and why was the teacher willing to accept the Ye family boy?
He has always liked the boy from the Ye family, and now that he has become his junior brother, he is also happy.
But this junior brother is two years younger than him. If he were asked to call Ye Zelin "junior brother", he really couldn't do it.
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