Xie Shu saw that Jiang Hong's expression suddenly became serious, completely different from before.
When Xie Shu heard his question, didn't he have doubts?
Xie Shu didn't think much about it before because he could still find some reasons.
But now that Jiang Hong asked this question, it proved that it was not as simple as he had imagined.
Come to think of it, Jiang Hong’s identity is indeed extraordinary.
Xie Shu's previous thoughts actually couldn't convince himself. Although he wouldn't belittle himself, he wasn't ignorant of the world.
Jiang Hong was the president of the country's highest institution of learning, the Imperial College, and had countless students under his tutelage. The capital was the capital of a country, with many talented people. In the past twenty years, it would have been easy for Jiang Hong to find another disciple that suited his taste. However, when he returned to Jinling, the only one who took a fancy to him was himself.
There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. After figuring this out, Xie Shu still looked at Jiang Hong without flinching. He threw the question to him and responded calmly, "I am not proud of myself, but since you have accepted me as your disciple, it must be because you think there is something different about me, something extraordinary."
Hearing this, Jiang Hong's tense face couldn't help but relax a little. His student was in a really good mood. Even in such a situation, he could still be neither humble nor arrogant. However, this was one of the reasons why he took a liking to him.
But Jiang Hong quickly suppressed his smile, and without keeping the person in suspense, he revealed the answer directly.
"Xie Shu, you come from a poor family, not a child of an aristocratic family, which means that you can only rely on the imperial examination to enter the official career in the future. Your husband is a wealthy merchant, so you will not lack money when you become an official in the future, and you don't need to bow down for a few pieces of rice. Your identity is a merchant's son-in-law, so even if you enter the official career, you will not rise to the top overnight and attract attention. Instead, you can accumulate strength step by step."
When Jiang Hong said this, his eyes swept across Xie Shu's face very slowly, not wanting to miss any change in his expression. However, what surprised Jiang Hong was that, apart from showing a bit of surprise at the beginning, Xie Shu quickly calmed down.
Jiang Hong narrowed his eyes and said, "When I said this, you should understand that I am taking advantage of you, including your identity."
Hearing this, Xie Shu just smiled faintly and said, "Sir, you analyzed my background so carefully. If I am not mistaken, it is because you have high hopes for me. This high hope is probably a difficult thing to accomplish, so even you need to consider it again and again."
Xie Shu had just heard the hidden meaning in Jiang Hong's words. Maybe others didn't know it, but Xie Shu was very clear about the development process of the imperial examination.
The imperial examination was the only way to recruit talents in feudal society. Only through the imperial examination could we win over knowledgeable people from all over the world, weaken local power and strengthen central power.
We are now in the early period of the imperial examination system, and the entire society is in urgent need of new changes.
Therefore, the ruling class would give priority to employing children from poor families, so this is the most legitimate way out. However, even if you want to get ahead in the officialdom, it is still difficult. It is not easy to be an official, and it is even more difficult to be a good official. Therefore, some financial resources are needed in the early stage. At the same time, before accumulating strength, you cannot show off your talents and attract attention.
Xie Shu just happens to possess all three of these qualities.
When Jiang Hong heard what Xie Shu said, he couldn't help but smile, and a hint of admiration flashed across his face.
But within a moment, Jiang Hong retracted his smile. His eyes were like lightning and his expression was stern. He said, "Xie Shu, I must tell you that I accepted you as my apprentice not because I want you to spend your whole life in the officialdom, nor do I want you to be like me, only knowledgeable but unable to accomplish anything. I hope that one day you will be able to take the world as your responsibility and bring peace to the people."
When Jiang Hong said this, he felt sad.
This was his former ambition, but it eventually became increasingly distant.
Today the world seems to be peaceful and stable, but in reality there are many accumulated problems.
The aristocratic families were arrogant, factional struggles were frequent, the administration was seriously ill, border preparations were inadequate, and financial resources were greatly scarce.
Unfortunately, the emperor is in his twilight years and the crown prince is unstable. If this continues, the entire Daqing will be doomed to slide into the abyss of decline.
Of course Jiang Hong also knew that this was not something that could be resolved in a short period of time. Faced with the ruthlessness and hostility of his former student, he was powerless.
Jiang Hong reflected deeply on this. After he resigned from his official position, he was stuck in it for a long time and couldn't extricate himself. He even thought of living in seclusion.
However, Jiang Hong quickly regrouped and walked step by step to where he is today. He had experienced many more ups and downs in life than this, and this was just one of them.
The skills he has accumulated cannot be wasted like this, so Jiang Hong has been thinking about what kind of student he should accept in the future.
And Xie Shu met his requirements perfectly, even better than he imagined.
Faced with Jiang Hong's expectant eyes, Xie Shu was slightly stunned and did not answer immediately.
Because it was a request he couldn't afford.
Although he had been in this world for several months, Xie Shu had not really integrated into it.
The past twenty years of his life were still vivid in his mind. Xie Shu couldn't let go of the past, and he didn't have such big ambitions.
Before, Xie Shu chose to take the imperial examination simply to repay his husband for his kindness to him.
Just talking about promising Jiang Hong to work hard for this world and the people of this era, Xie Shu didn't believe that he could do it.
Seeing that Xie Shu remained silent and did not respond appropriately like before, Jiang Hong couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. Did he misjudge this student?
But seeing Xie Shu's silent but serious expression, Jiang Hong's mood improved a little. Xie Shu did not agree immediately, but thought about it seriously, which proved that he really took his words to heart.
Otherwise, what is the difference between him and Lu Shuo back then?
Therefore, Jiang Hong's face showed no emotion, he just pondered and said: "Why? You don't want to agree to me?"
Xie Shu took a deep breath and slowly said, "Sir, I dare not deceive you. I am just an ordinary person and have never had such high ambitions before. I just want to be able to settle down in this world and protect my husband.
Sir, I am sorry that I cannot easily promise you the seriousness of your words, but Sir, I can guarantee that even if I embark on a career in politics in the future, I will not change my original intention. Sir, are you still willing to accept me as your apprentice?"
Hearing this, Jiang Hong looked at Xie Shu deeply. He could tell that what Xie Shu said was from the bottom of his heart, so simple and genuine that it was surprising.
Although the four words "stay true to your original intention" are simple, they are not difficult.
Once he embarks on a career in politics, he has no control over his own affairs. Can he really keep his original aspiration in mind?
At this moment, Jiang Hong suddenly felt emotional. He had indeed met countless talented people, but in such a situation, who could resist the temptation and speak his mind?
As for Xie Shu asking him whether he was still willing to accept him as a disciple, this was not a question that Jiang Hong considered at all. He had never thought of the second option from the beginning.
The whole room was frozen. Jiang Hong slowly smiled and said, "I have accepted your apprenticeship gift. Can I take it back? You just need to remember what you said today. From now on, you will follow me. By the way, I remembered that you have not yet written..."
Jiang Hong looked thoughtful and said, "Shu means to spread out. The Book of Rites, Jade and Ornament, says 'A gentleman is slow and unhurried'. I named you Rongzhan, hoping that you can establish a virtuous and dignified appearance and spread your wings across the world. From today on, you must be here from Chenshi to Weishi every day. Can you do it?"
Xie Shu looked at him with a deep gaze and answered respectfully, "Mr. Xie chose a name for me, and I will remember your teachings."
Jiang Hong smiled but said nothing. After a moment, he left a meaningful sentence: "Rongzhan, the world's trend is like the tide of a river or sea. If you are in it, you will inevitably go with the flow. If you really want to stay true to your original aspiration, why don't you try to be a tide-controller?"
All the way from the teacher's study, Xie Shu had been thinking about what Jiang Hong had said before.
Xie Shu actually understood this principle, but he still had many confusions in his heart and had not figured it out yet.
Forget it. There’s no point in thinking about it now. Let’s go home first.
Today Jiang Hong did not teach Xie Shu anything else, but only gave him a copy of a fu on current policy, titled "Origin Fu", which was written by Zhang Sheng, a former student of the Imperial College. Later, Zhang Sheng also entered the official career and now works in the Hanlin Academy. The wording and content of the fu were not very profound, but simply talked about the general situation of the world, which was just right for Xie Shu to get started.
Jiang Hong asked Xie Shu to go back and study hard and test him again tomorrow.
After Xie Shu got on the carriage and left Jiang's house, he suddenly stopped because of some kind of obstacle ahead. Xi Mo lifted the curtain and said hurriedly, "Master, there are many scholars outside trying to stop you! I recognize many of them. Even Master Wan is among them!"
Since seeing Xie Shu enter Jiang Mansion so effortlessly this morning, everyone at the tea party almost dropped their jaws! How did Xie Shu get in?
Most people were unwilling to accept this result. It would be fine if they didn't know the disciple Jiang Hong accepted, but Xie Shu was someone they all knew. Why should he be the one?
Some people refused to believe it and followed Xie Shu's example and drove their carriages over. However, they were scolded and driven out by the guards of Jiang Mansion before they even reached the door.
This time, everyone finally stopped making trouble, but they were still unwilling to leave. They waited anxiously for Xie Shu to come out, wanting to know the specific situation.
When they finally saw the Yu family’s carriage coming out, shouldn’t the people who had been waiting nearby for almost a day go forward to stop it?
At this time, in full view of everyone, the person inside appeared behind the opened curtain of the sedan chair. He was wearing a sky-blue silk robe, which made his extraordinary temperament even more outstanding.
When he looked up at me, his features were as deep, straight and handsome as distant mountains, and his eyes were as clear and indifferent as cold stars.
Everyone was inevitably attracted by his temperament, and they all asked in unison: "Xie Shu, do you know Mr. Jiang?"
"Did Jiang Hong accept you as his apprentice?"
"How did you become his disciple?"
......
These questions came like falling rocks. Xie Shu simply said, "Mr. Jiang is my mentor. As for other matters, Mr. Jiang has ordered me not to tell you. I hope you can understand."
Xie Shu's reason was too justified. Everyone was embarrassed and didn't know what to say. However, a few scholars who were already very upset couldn't help but said, "Xie Shu, what's so bad about this? You look so secretive. Are you afraid that we will also worship Mr. Jiang as our master and take your place?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes became hot, and they wished they could poke a hole in Xie Shu.
Xie Shu remained calm and looked away: "Mr. Jiang has accepted me as his last disciple and will not accept any more disciples from now on. Master Wan also knows about this, right?"
Just now, the teacher mentioned that the prefect Wan Linming recommended him. Xie Shu was grateful and prepared to send a gift to him later. As for why he guessed that Wan Tianyun knew about it, it was because his expression was different from others.
Being caught off guard by Xie Shu's mention, Wan Tianyun, who was originally just watching the show, could only nod with a forced smile.
After all, he did say that.
Now everyone has remembered this matter. Does this mean that they no longer have any chance?
Everyone's attitude changed after they realized what was happening. Now that Xie Shu had become Jiang Hong's top disciple, wouldn't he have a bright future? If they didn't take this opportunity to make friends with him, when would they wait?
So everyone prepared to invite Xie Shu. Of course, Xie Shu's attitude towards all this was the same as before. He declined one by one, and he didn't have the leisure to waste time on these gatherings.
Just then, Wang Jing suddenly walked towards Xie Shu.
Seeing Wang Jing coming forward, everyone stepped aside, unable to help but feel curious. Wang Jing was different from them. He was originally a disciple of a great scholar, and he took first place in last year's provincial examination, thus becoming a juren. When he went to the capital to take part in the metropolitan examination next year, he might even win two first places!
He has already reached the top of the ladder of success, what does he want to say to Xie Shu?
Wang Jing looked at Xie Shu and smiled, "Brother Xie, my master has an appointment with Mr. Jiang. They will meet at Jiang's residence the day after tomorrow. I will go with them. I wonder if Brother Xie will be there that day?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Shu, although he was very unfamiliar with Wang Jing, naturally agreed not to mention it.
When everyone saw this scene, they consciously stopped moving forward, but they felt a little unwilling in their hearts. Xie Shu just became Jiang Hong's disciple, and he seemed completely different from them.
As it was approaching dusk, Xie Shu's carriage finally returned home.
Xie Shu walked quickly towards Tingyu Garden. When he saw Yu Chuxi from afar, he couldn't help but relax his brows. He had a lot of things he wanted to share with his husband today.
When Yu Chuxi saw that he looked relaxed and cheerful, she knew that everything was going well for him and looked at him with bright eyes.
Of course Yu Chuxi also knew the identity of the old gentleman, but Xie Shu was able to worship him as his master...
Xie Shu couldn't help but laugh. How come her husband looked happier than him?
The two walked side by side and went to the side hall on the first floor to have dinner. After they sat down, Xie Shu remembered that he still had to study Shi Ce Lun Fu today and could no longer play chess with his lover.
After Xie Shu finished speaking helplessly, he saw that Yu Chuxi did not look disappointed, but still wanted to say something happy to divert her attention.
Xie Shu raised his eyebrows slightly, smiled softly and said, "My dear, today my teacher gave me a name, do you know what it is?"
Yu Chuxi looked curious and leaned a little towards him.
Xie Shu whispered, "It's the word Rongzhan."
"Rong...Zhan? How is it written?" Yu Chuxi didn't hear it clearly and moved closer.
The two men's shoulders were very close, only an inch apart, and the two auras slowly entangled into one.
Xie Shu lowered his eyes: "My dear, give me your hand."
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