Chapter 59
Chapter 59
Gambling before an exam sounds a bit ridiculous.
It does not respect the provincial examination, nor does it seem to be something that can be accomplished by reading the books of sages.
But to say that I was cheated before the exam.
Although it's a bit stupid, it's forgivable.
Not to mention, the other party had passed the provincial examination and was on the verge of becoming a scholar.
When the examination results are announced five days later, he will be a successful candidate.
But just at the last minute, this happened.
It would be fine if it was my own business.
It is also related to Zhengrong County.
If this happened to students in other counties, everyone would just let it go.
Who made this Zhengrong County?
Since the year before last, students in Zhengrong County have been exceptional.
This year's results are even more eye-catching. When talking about Zhengrong County, people will think of their good students.
It would be strange if this didn't arouse jealousy.
Anyway, no matter what, the issue of gambling before the exam has already affected the reputation of the students in Zhengrong County.
Not only that, it even concerns the promotion of masters and doctors.
Not to mention Xu Chun himself.
When he came back from the yamen, he was speechless and slapped himself several times.
Why did he get up to go to the bathroom that night? Why was he so greedy to gamble? Why did he still think he was a gambling god the next day and wanted to play with others?
He clearly passed the provincial examination and even ranked 32nd, which was a solid C grade.
As expected, he became a scholar soon.
So many years of hard study and so many years of hard work.
He has let down all the care his family has given him over the years.
He felt sorry for his parents, his brother and his wife, and his teachers.
After one morning, Xu Chun looked much older.
After returning from the yamen, he was called to the provincial school for questioning. When he came back, he could not even stand.
"Those four people went to the prefectural school first and said that they did not induce me to gamble. I took the initiative to participate after seeing it."
"They also said that the money was returned and I was the one who kept shouting at them to gamble. The next day, they rejected me because they had to hurry on their way."
Ji Yuan listened and was not surprised.
The government office and the provincial school were unhappy, and it was certainly not because Xu Chun was cheated, but it must be because Xu Chun himself gambled.
"Then what did you say? Didn't you say you were cheated?" Li Jin asked immediately.
Xu Chun nodded: "I said it, I told the whole story, but the teacher of the prefectural school said that it was my own greed. Even if I was deceived, it was because of my greed."
Then he said: "Don't worry about your low position, but worry about your low virtue."
Don’t worry about whether your position is high enough, worry about whether your morals are perfect.
He is so greedy that he even wants to gamble the next day. He doesn't seem like a serious scholar. He is so frivolous and rare.
Cai Fenglan said: "This matter can be big or small, it all depends on the views of the prefectural school."
Yes, judging from what the prefectural school said, they probably believed what Xu Chun said.
Even if I believe it, I still think he is just too greedy.
It's normal that some teachers with high moral standards don't like it.
There are also teachers who think that the student was just deceived and the deceiver should be severely punished.
Anyway, both are right, it all depends on which one prevails.
Li Xun's people came back with the news and frowned, saying, "The person who forced Xu Chun to admit to gambling was a scholar named Chen. This scholar Chen was from Heyuan County, and one of the scholars who was caught gambling seemed to be his son."
It's actually like this?!
Finally found the key to the problem.
Heyuan County has lost a great man this time.
Twenty-one candidates, none of them passed.
Not only that, but when the Master was taking them away, they were caught gambling by the government.
Their county was brought disgrace upon themselves, as even the son of Mr. Chen was among them.
For the sake of his son's reputation, he naturally had to drag someone into it.
No wonder something that could have been let go was brought up again.
Li Xun knew this Mr. Chen, so he asked Xu Chun directly, "Is the teacher who spoke harshly to you a man with drooping eyebrows, not very tall, and who speaks in a pretentious tone? His accent is very similar to our Zhengrong County accent?"
Xu Chun nodded: "Yes, it's him. I think someone around him also said that his last name is Chen."
"That's not surprising." Li Xun said, "He has always disliked people from Zhengrong County. He also thinks that our county school is opportunistic in order to produce so many scholars."
"He also likes to brag about how great his son is, and his words show that he has high expectations for his son."
All I can say is that Xu Chun was indeed unlucky.
Bumped into this thing.
Mr. Chen didn't like Zhengrong County in the first place, and after hearing the comparison between Zhengrong County and Heyuan County this year, he must have disliked it even more.
And it is just as Mr. Chen wished. Now the Jianmeng Mansion is making fun of the students in Zhengrong County and has forgotten the scholars from Heyuan County who were the source.
He even forgot about his son.
Although the root cause is that everyone is more concerned about the threatening scholars from Zhengrong County, and does not care about those people from Heyuan County who are not opponents at all.
But Mr. Chen's stirring of the troubled waters was indeed very effective.
However, it is too abominable to destroy the academic title of a student who has passed the provincial examination just for the sake of his own son.
This kind of selfishness is scary to see.
What qualifications does he have to say to Xu Chun that he is not worried about his low position, but about his low moral character.
After a day, everyone finally figured out what was going on.
No matter what, we must protect Xu Chun's reputation and the reputation of Zhengrong County.
Otherwise, it will be difficult for everyone to gain a foothold in the future.
If this gets out, all the students in the entire county will be finished.
First it was prostitution, then gambling.
Where is the dignity of scholars?
Ji Yuan thought of what Li Xun said, that the provincial school's academician could make the decision on this matter.
But how can they get in touch with the academic administration?
Li Xun shook his head: "I have been here for three years now, and I have only seen the academician during the February sacrifice ceremony at the Confucian Temple every year."
He was just trying desperate measures and said that casually.
If the instructor is the director of the county education department.
The academician of Qi State that day could be said to be the director of the provincial education department.
It is indeed not something that ordinary people can see.
"Besides the academic administrator, who else is in charge of the prefectural school?"
Li Xun said: "Two instructors, the left instructor is the main one, and the right instructor is the auxiliary one."
"It should be possible to ask a disciplinary instructor to intercede for this matter."
On weekdays, the provincial education commissioner is not in the county school, and only two instructors are in charge of the affairs of the prefectural school.
Of course, although the titles are similar, Yan Xundao’s official title is County School Instructor.
The people here are instructors in the provincial school, and their ranks are also different.
Ji Yuan thought for a moment and asked, "Who presided over this provincial school exam?"
"The right instructor and the left instructor of the prefectural school are busy with the provincial examination." After Li Xun finished speaking, his eyes lit up and he somewhat understood what Ji Yuan meant.
It would be impossible to simply go to the provincial education commissioner and lecture them.
But it is possible to look for it under another name.
The head of the government case!
It is absolutely feasible for the first candidate of the prefectural examination to visit the right instructor of the county school who is presiding over the prefectural examination.
Li Jin and Cai Fenglan also realized it.
Ji Yuan looked at the two of them and said, "It should be the first place winner of the Zhengrong County government exam, as well as the fourth and ninth place winners of the government school exam who are coming to visit together."
Ji Yuan ranked first, Cai Fenglan and Li Jin ranked fourth and ninth respectively, both ranked second.
With this achievement, I am fully qualified to visit.
The students of Zhengrong County want to let the Right Instructor know that they are definitely not that kind of people.
As for finding the academician?
Let’s not talk about it for now.
It’s not so easy to meet the Director of the Provincial Department of Education.
Master Guo, Master Li, and Li Xun will take care of this matter.
Just take the visiting card from Zhengrong County and meet him there.
Of course, nominally, it was the two teachers who brought their students to pay the visit.
But everyone knows why.
The right instructor looked at the visiting card and felt puzzled.
If it was anyone else, forget it.
But the top candidate in the prefectural case was also among them. This child was only eleven years old, or even less than eleven years old.
If he enters the provincial school in the future, he will definitely be a prominent figure. It would be a bad idea to reject him directly.
But he also knew what Mr. Chen was thinking.
When the two were in a dilemma, his wife said, "Are you stupid? Can't you tell which one is worth investing in?"
His wife put down her paintbrush and said, "Look at my painting. Does it have any of Mr. Wu Tang's skills?"
The Right Instructor, who is in his forties this year, about the same age as Cheng Jiaoyu, stroked his beard and shook his head: "No, Mr. Wu Tang's paintings are both real and illusory, so they are still not good enough."
The lady was not angry, she sighed and said, "That's true, you can borrow the original copy from the academician so I can study it."
"How is it possible? How could the academician be willing to borrow Mr. Wu Tang's "Yunmu Tu Jiangnan"? Mr. Wu Tang's whereabouts are elusive, and he has sold very few paintings. He would not easily lend them out."
"Yes, it is not necessarily true that Mr. Wu Tang's paintings are valuable. After all, not many people know him."
"But when it comes to painting skills, they are truly first-rate in the world."
As the two were talking, the right instructor of the prefectural school sighed, "Forget it, let the prefectural case leader come. I will also meet this little prodigy."
"At the age of eleven, he can write articles like that. Talent is really terrifying."
Having said that, it's clear who has the greater investment potential.
The right instructor looked at the names below again.
Fourth, Cai Fenglan, seems to be good too.
Ninth, Li Jin, I don’t have much impression of him.
Forget it, come on everyone.
The instructors of the prefectural school were all juren. When they saw Master Guo and his friends visiting, they were still painting and said, "Zhengrong County has achieved good results this time. You should work hard in the future."
The right instructor spoke casually, and all his words were meaningless. They were probably true, but they were not practical and did not contain any information at all.
After talking for half an incense stick of time, the painter finally put pen to paper and looked up at the people from Zhengrong County.
None of the five people in front of him looked anxious, and they were all very calm.
The right instructor put down his brush and said, "I roughly understand why you are here."
Then, Master Guo continued, "The students were indeed deceived. This is also my fault. I shouldn't have let them be with others."
The right instructor laughed and said, "That's a bad thing to say. The student is indeed young, but he is here to take the imperial examination. Can we still protect him every day? If he does something wrong when I don't watch him for a day, then he will only be able to take the imperial examination, right?"
This is also what is meant by right instruction.
He doesn't mind if students make mistakes before the exam, as mistakes can be corrected.
But mistakes can be made if one is not careful enough. Zhengrong County is too strict in its supervision of students.
These students don't just need to study; they will become officials in the future and experience ups and downs.
If we put this matter aside for the future, it will be a trivial topic of conversation.
Of course, this is indeed a huge challenge.
He understands too.
The right instructor continued, "I have met your Cheng Tutor before. He is too naive."
Teacher Cheng, are you too naive?
Li Jin and Cai Fenglan looked up.
They all think that Teacher Cheng is like an old fox.
The right instructor saw everyone’s expressions and was in a good mood today, so he simply gave them the first lesson.
"Those four gambling scholars in Heyuan County, don't they have other students around them? They ate and lived together all the way, why didn't they gamble?"
"Among the students in your Zhengrong County, there is a sour poet who visits prostitutes, and there is also a very good Li Xun. Why is that?"
“It can be seen that the environment can indeed change people, and people must adapt to the environment.”
"A rush growing among hemp is straight without support; white sand in the dye becomes black with it."
The pampas grass in the hemp field remains straight without any support.
White sand placed in black soil will soon turn black.
Are you the weed that stands straight without support or the black and white sand that blends with it?
Probably it depends on yourself.
"And you, Teacher Cheng, have been blindly trying to turn the county school into a sacred place for students to concentrate on studying. What will we do after we leave your county school?"
"So, he is naive. He wants to cultivate a saint, but saints also need to be tempered."
"A man should be unyielding! Do you know that?"
As the right instructor was talking, he felt that he had talked too much and looked at the youngest student, Ji Yuan, because Ji Yuan had been looking at his paintings.
The right instructor picked up a rolled-up scroll and tapped him gently: "Why don't you listen to the instructor's words?"
It's not that he didn't want to listen, but he was surprised by the paintings of the right instructor of the prefectural school.
That style of painting looked familiar to him.
This is Master Fang’s painting skill.
Of course, Mr. Fang’s painting style is more mature.
If I must say, this portrait is a half-finished product and it also wants to imitate Mr. Fang's clumsy work.
Ji Yuan quickly said, "No, I just think this spring scene is very beautiful."
"Does it look good?" The right instructor of the prefectural school laughed, "I imitated Mr. Wu Tang, and I do look a bit like him."
Mr. Wu Tang?!
Ji Yuan was shocked and suddenly thought of the two paintings that Master Fang asked him to take with him before he left.
He said that if there was a need, he could sell the paintings for money.
Mr. Fang is so confident, it must be because he is very good at painting.
Ji Yuan inherited all of his calligraphy and painting from Master Fang, and he was very familiar with his painting skills.
The right instructor in front of him was obviously imitating him.
Ji Yuan thought for a moment and said boldly, "But if Mr. Wu Tang were to paint it, it wouldn't be like this."
After saying that, Ji Yuan simply walked forward and picked up a paintbrush.
The right instructor was horrified: "That's not it! I used the wrong brush!"
Ji Yuan has already rolled up his sleeves and got started.
Lightly touch the willow trees on the river bank in the spring scene, and then follow the lines downwards.
The originally rigid willow tree suddenly seemed to come alive.
"If Mr. Wu Tang painted it, he would pay more attention to the details."
As he spoke, Ji Yuan pulled out another piece of paper. This time, the right instructor just stepped forward to take a look and did not stop him.
There was only one willow tree in the spring scene on the paper, but one could still see the flourishing spring scenery.
It is so much better than his riverside, willow trees and tourists.
"Yes, this is Mr. Wu Tang's style."
“It’s both real and unreal.”
I really think Mr. Wu Tang’s paintings are exquisite.
The illusion is that every thing in the painting seems to have its own soul, isn't that an illusion?
"Good, well drawn."
"I didn't expect that at such a young age, you have beautiful handwriting, good painting skills, and great writing skills." The more the right instructor looked at Ji Yuan, the more satisfied he was. He even wanted to let his wife come and see what it took to imitate Mr. Wu Tang's style.
Master Guo and Master Li were both stunned.
They didn't expect Ji Yuan to be so brave.
But knowing that Ji Yuan practices these regularly, it’s not surprising.
Unexpectedly, the right instructor praised it highly.
Without their knowledge, Ji Yuan was even so good at painting?
Ji Yuan bowed: "The student is rude."
"Not only this painting, but also a sentence, if you enter a room full of orchids and lilies, you will not smell their fragrance for a long time."
Being in a good environment can make people better.
"The teacher of the county school is not naive, he is creating a room of orchids."
"If many people in the world were as innocent as him, I think it would be the correct customs as described in the books of sages."
The students’ teachings are not naive!
Doesn't he know that it's not good to create an environment isolated from the outside world?
He knows.
But why did he do that?
The teacher wants to create a good environment for everyone so that everyone can become better.
If everyone could be like Teacher Cheng.
The customs have long been correct!
Their teachings are very good!
The so-called innocence is a kind of character!
“It is important to hone one’s character in a difficult environment, but it is also the work of wise men to create a room of orchids and angelica for students.”
“Perhaps both are indispensable.”
The right instructor of the prefectural school found this interesting and simply sat down. While admiring Ji Yuan's painting of spring willows, he said, "Go on."
Ji Yuan was not afraid and continued, "My classmate Xu Chun, under the guidance of Teacher Cheng, has mastered the Four Books and Five Classics and was able to get the 32nd place in the provincial examination. This shows how powerful the teacher is."
"After going out and going through so much hardship, it can be seen that I have passed the second level you mentioned."
"Yi and Lu, two old men, have experienced both poverty and prosperity."
This is a line from Wang Anshi's poem, which means that these two old men have experienced both smooth and difficult situations.
People always have to go through this.
"What a talkative student." The right instructor of the prefectural school said with a smile, "When you come to the prefectural school, you will probably be a good quarreler."
The right instructor thought for a moment.
What Ji Yuan said is indeed correct.
I also thought that if Instructor Cheng knew about this, he would definitely come over and get angry.
The right instructor said, "The college entrance examination will be held in three days. If the students who made mistakes can get into the top ten, they can be forgiven."
"No matter what happens, it won't affect your county school. I'll go and say hello to the government office."
Xu Chun's score in the provincial examination was 32.
In such a short time, it became the top ten?!
This, this is too difficult.
As I said, it is very easy to score from 10 to 60 on a test with a full score of 100.
But to go from ninety to ninety-five is really difficult.
But at this point, everyone already has an idea of what is going on.
The right instructor was unwilling to intercede for Xu Chun, who had indeed made a mistake.
But I am willing to restore the reputation of Zhengrong County School.
Being able to do this is the result of their plea today.
The government school knew that Xu Chun had been cheated.
But what if you were cheated? It was you who went astray.
There are so many students in the world, and many of them are excellent.
Why do you have to choose the middle of the night to go gambling, or even go during the day the next day to join in the fun?
It’s not that I won’t give you a chance.
Take the test again next year.
Or maybe you can get into the top ten in this college entrance examination.
Everyone went back and explained the matter.
Everyone finally understood how difficult scientific research was and how important it was to be cautious in every step.
It has been said that after passing the provincial examination, the academy examination will be very simple.
It just so happened that old accounts were dug up.
But Xu Chun did indeed do all these things, and he did go gambling.
Ji Yuan thought to himself that this result was already reasonable.
It doesn't mean that Xu Chun will not be given any chance at all.
The people in Zhengrong County, who had been getting agitated due to their recent good results, calmed down because of this incident.
They know very well how difficult this road is.
But mistakes will still be made at the critical juncture.
Xu Chun’s case is indeed a wake-up call.
In the next few days, everyone stopped hanging around and focused on preparing for the college entrance examination.
The college entrance examination on April 28th, even if it is only one exam, cannot be taken lightly.
Back in the room, Ji Yuan took out the painting given to him by Master Fang from his luggage.
In the study of the right instructor of the prefectural school, Ji Yuan stared at the instructor's paintings, naturally out of shock.
When Ji Yuan heard the other party mention Mr. Wu Tang again, he thought of something.
When he came back, Ji Yuan also asked who Mr. Wu Tang was.
Master Guo, Master Li, Li Jin and Cai Fenglan all didn't know.
Only Li Xun, who had been in the city for a long time, seemed to have heard of it: "The calligraphy and painting competition on East Market Street seemed to have become popular because of him. Thirty or forty years ago, that painting was auctioned for three thousand taels of silver."
"After that, no more of his paintings and calligraphy were circulated, so he was only known in a small circle. Even if someone in East Market talked about him, no one would know his name."
He is probably one of those painters in a small circle who is not well-known because he has too few calligraphy and painting works.
He is not the kind of person who seeks fame and reputation, and he has never hyped up how exquisite his calligraphy and painting are.
But if you really look at his paintings, you will find that you like them all.
Ji Yuan looked at the painting in his hand again.
Master Fang did say that he had stayed in the provincial capital for a period of time and then traveled all over the Tianqi Kingdom.
That painting, was it created before he set off?
The paintings he created were even more technically sophisticated, and his painting skills were truly superb.
I knew that Master Fang was very capable, but I never expected that a painting from thirty or forty years ago could be sold for three thousand taels of silver.
Although the price was deliberately raised during the auction.
But we can also see its potential.
Perhaps the calligraphy and painting dealers at the time saw the potential in Mr. Fang and considered him an investment.
Unexpectedly, the old man was not interested in these things at all and simply traveled around the country.
Does the old man have any idea of his painting skills?
Of course there are.
Otherwise, he would not have told himself that once he learned to paint, he would have no worries about money.
I joked that I would sell couplets in the future, but the old man said it would be better to sell paintings.
Even when he went out, he was given two paintings to carry with him.
Is this still a painting? It's clearly silver.
Ji Yuan took out the two paintings this time, not just for appreciation.
Considering the Right Instructor of the Prefecture School's love for Mr. Fang's paintings, if they could be given away, Xu Chun would most likely be safe.
The stigma hanging over students in Zhengrong County will also dissipate faster.
But whether to give it or not remains to be seen.
In the evening, when other classmates went out to eat, Ji Yuan knocked on Xu Chun's door.
His eyes were still red and he was holding a book in his hand, obviously reviewing.
He knew what was said at the provincial school, so he studied even harder and even ate in his room.
It is not easy to go from 32nd place to top 10, he must work hard.
Ji Yuan arrived, and Xu Chun sighed, "I'm so sorry."
This was, of course, because he brought bad reputation upon his classmates.
It may even affect their promotion.
Ji Yuan did not answer, but said: "This painting is for you. If you give it to the right instructor of the prefectural school, he will most likely show leniency to you."
Give me a break?
Just a painting?
Without waiting for Xu Chun to answer, Ji Yuan continued, "But you can't tell me where the painting came from, and you can't mention me, okay?"
"Whether to give it or not, and how to give it, all depends on you."
Master Fang lived in hiding in Zhengrong County and rarely left the Zunjing Pavilion on weekdays.
When he taught himself to paint and write, he was also told not to tell anyone else, and he must keep this promise.
As for how to give it, it has nothing to do with him.
Xu Chun nodded subconsciously, opened the scroll again, and was amazed by the craftsmanship on it: "This landscape painting is as beautiful as brocade and embroidery, beautiful and magnificent, it is really a masterpiece."
Ji Yuan had the same thought in his mind and sighed slightly.
But when he was about to leave, Xu Chun suddenly thought of something and subconsciously said, "Ji Yuan."
Ji Yuan turned around and looked at him. Xu Chun held the scroll in his hand, his thoughts and words were a little confused.
Because Xu Chun realized that Ji Yuan was giving the painting to him, and whether to give it away or not was entirely up to him.
Why?
Because Ji Yuan knew that he was indeed wrong about gambling before the exam.
Ji Yuan doesn't want to cover up.
But because they were classmates, and because it would affect the county school and the teachers, they were willing to help.
Going to the right instructor of the prefectural school and getting a result of being in the top ten and then clearing the reputation of the county school is actually enough.
There is no need to do more.
Ji Yuan didn't expect that Xu Chun's speech was confused at the moment, but he guessed most of his thoughts.
Indeed, being able to produce the painting was the best he could do.
Just like what the right instructor of the prefectural school said, if the white sand is really in the dye, it will become black along with it. It is that simple and those who are close to ink will become black.
How to proceed in the future?
To put it bluntly, Xu Chun was lucky in that he was born in Zhengrong County and studied in the county school.
If he was born in the neighboring Heyuan County, he would probably not be able to pass the county and provincial examinations despite his intelligence.
This is naturally because of Teacher Cheng’s “saintly” behavior.
Only after leaving the Zhengrong County School did I realize what a "holy place" and "room of orchids" their county school was.
It not only teaches students about the imperial examinations, but also teaches students how to be a good person, and turns the county school into a real place for learning.
Anyway, no matter what, whether to give the painting to the right instructor and how to give it, Ji Yuan gave the choice to Xu Chun.
As a classmate, I have done my best.
Ji Yuan has never been a kind-hearted person.
He was able to help Ma's glutinous rice balls turn the situation around, to the point that they are now the signature delicacy of Zhengrong County.
It can also help the villagers of Anji Village make money.
He will also do his best to help An Dahai learn veterinary medicine, and will even help tutor An Xiaohe when he takes the county exam at the end of the year.
But he couldn't know that Xu Chun was wrong and then say that he was completely innocent and help him get away with it.
The reason why we have been able to do this until now is that Xu Chun is not a bad person by nature and there is still hope for saving him.
It’s not that Ji Yuan can’t clean Xu Chun thoroughly, but he doesn’t want to do it.
If he really did this, then what was the difference between him and Mr. Chen.
Although Ji Yuan was smiling, his eyes were cold. He did not expect Xu Chun to guess it: "Don't think too much. How to solve this matter is still up to you."
After that, Ji Yuan never mentioned it again.
If Xu Chun resented me for not doing my best to help, I could accept that.
From studying together to coming to the city to take the exam.
They have always had a good friendship as classmates.
Ji Yuan didn't want to explain it, but he didn't expect Xu Chun to see it himself.
After leaving the room, I heard crying again.
Ji Yuan sighed again and shook his head slightly, leaving it to Xu Chun to choose.
Until April 28th.
Today is the day of the college entrance examination.
There are a total of 120 students, and there is only one exam in the morning.
Most people can pass it easily, so everyone is relaxed during the exam.
Except Xu Chun.
Xu Chun must be in the top ten out of 120 people.
Ji Yuan hasn't communicated much with Xu Chun these days.
He also saw that Xu Chun had not made a decision yet.
The results of the college examination will be announced on April 30th, so he just needs to hand in the painting before then.
Whether to give it or not has probably not been decided yet.
But I studied hard.
He was almost the one who worked the hardest, going to bed the latest every night and getting up the earliest.
Sometimes when Ji Yuan went for a run, he would always see Xu Chun getting up very early.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan handed over the notes he had previously compiled and asked Xu Chun to review them as soon as possible.
During the college examination, the academician actually showed up, said a few words of encouragement, and his eyes paused for a moment on the people of Zhengrong County.
Zhengrong County is very popular and famous, but it also has a lot of troubles.
But the academician didn’t care whether Xu Chun could rank in the top ten or not; he was more concerned about Epoch Times.
This child has good painting skills and is also very smart.
If the essay in the college examination can still get first place.
Then he is Xiao Sanyuan.
Getting first place in the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and the palace examination is called "winning three prizes in a row."
He got first place in the county examination, prefectural examination and academy examination in the Tongshi examination, and was jokingly called the Little Three Yuan, which was very valuable.
It has been a long time since Jianmeng Mansion has produced such a talented young man.
I have high expectations of him.
Different from other candidates who were taking the college entrance examination and were in a good mood, the candidates from Zhengrong County looked at Xu Chun.
Xu Chun smiled bitterly: "If I had studied like this earlier, maybe I could have gotten an A in the provincial exam."
Grade A is the top three.
This is a self-mockery.
Li Jin patted him on the shoulder: "Come on."
Cai Fenglan also nodded, but his attitude was similar to Ji Yuan's, except that he did not say it explicitly.
The era was the same as usual, with no difference at all.
But Xu Chun still said: "Thank you."
"Just, the notes."
Ji Yuan shook his head. He knew how difficult the test was and hoped that Xu Chun could pass it without needing the painting.
The rules for the college entrance examination are not that strict.
When the time came, the test papers were distributed.
There are two questions in total on the test paper.
The first question comes from "Mencius".
The wisdom of Li Lou and the ingenuity of Gongshu Zi, without rules and regulations, could not make a square or a circle. The intelligence of Shi Kuang, without the six musical notes, could not correct the five tones.
The most famous thing is that without rules, there can be no order.
This means that if you don’t follow the rules, you can’t form a good order and environment.
The second question is not a sentence from the Four Books and Five Classics. It is a multiple-choice question. If you want to do it, do it. If you don’t want to do it, don’t do it.
From the philosophical book "Mozi".
The meaning is similar to the first question.
Mozi said: The wheelwright has his compass, and the carpenter has his square. The wheelwright uses his compass and ruler to measure the world's squares and circles.
Only with rules can we draw a square or a circle, which emphasizes the importance of laws and rules.
Ji Yuan paused.
This is his latest problem.
It is to observe moral rules and punish those who make mistakes.
If you take into account the friendship between classmates, you can help them escape punishment.
Rules are important.
Human relationships are still important.
This is really an ancient problem.
I think if I did something wrong, I would definitely hope that people around me would help me regardless of morality and laws.
But if you are the victim, you hope that the other party can be impartial.
It's a complete dilemma.
Ji Yuan put down his pen and thought carefully.
When the questions on the test paper come into reality, they are not as simple as they seem on paper.
This was the first time he had to combine actual problems with test questions.
I don’t know whether it is well written or not.
But he does have a lot to say.
If I don't speak up, the thoughts in my mind will burst out.
“If merits are rewarded and crimes are punished, then those who do good will improve day by day, and those who do evil will stop day by day.”
Ji Yuan wrote down these words and pondered them again in his mind.
Those who have made contributions should be rewarded, and those who have committed crimes should be punished.
In this way, the number of good people will increase day by day, and the number of bad people will gradually decrease.
This is beneficial to social atmosphere.
"Back then, we could only talk about Yue Family Army, whose discipline was so strict that no one could compare to them. The Jin people said, 'It is easy to shake a mountain, but it is difficult to shake Yue Family Army.'"
It has been said before that Yue Family Army had strict discipline. Even their opponents said that it was easy to shake a mountain, but difficult to shake Yue Family Army.
From this point of view, compliance with the law is inseparable from strict discipline.
Later it says, "Han Shun Su Zhang had a long conversation with his friend. The next day he dismissed his friend from office and convicted him of a crime, which made the officials in the state respectful and cleaned up the atmosphere."
Here is an example. During the Han Dynasty, there was an official named Su Zhang. He was drinking and chatting with his good friend, but the next day, based on the truth he had found out before, he arrested his friend who was corrupt and committed law-breaking.
After the officials in the state knew that Su Zhang was impartial in his work, the atmosphere in the entire state improved.
As for Su Zhang’s friends, it is natural that they would scold their friends.
If you put yourself in his friend's shoes at this moment, you will definitely think that Su Zhang is worse than pigs and dogs.
But most of them are ordinary people who have been victimized by corruption.
If you know this, you will definitely applaud.
This decision is difficult.
It's difficult.
But if we don't do this, we will inevitably take one step back and then another.
It is so difficult to keep your original intention.
Ji Yuan sighed again.
From the right and wrong of the family to the good and evil of everyone.
Finally, when laws are enforced, the country is governed; when laws are relaxed, the country is in chaos.
If the law can be enforced, the country will be able to maintain long-term stability. If the law cannot be enforced, the country will be in chaos.
After finishing the first question, I felt that the number of words was not enough.
Ji Yuan simply continued answering the second question.
By the time the deadline came, I had just finished writing the nearly 2,000-word article.
Watching the examiner collecting the papers, Ji Yuan rubbed his face, wondering if he had been too impulsive.
You should have answered honestly, why did you write so many heartfelt words?
But it is impossible to take the test paper down now.
Ji Yuan shook his head and tried to calm himself down.
Just write it, it’s what you think in your heart anyway.
After leaving the examination room, classmates and others were outside. After seeing Ji Yuan, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing that Ji Yuan handed in his paper late, I thought something had happened.
Now everyone in Zhengrong County is getting a little nervous.
It is completely different from other exams that have passed the provincial examination.
This incident has indeed made everyone grow a lot.
Although these growths are somewhat painful.
Master Guo said, "The exam is over, let's wait for the results."
Xu Chun nodded, as if he had made a decision, and whispered to Ji Yuan, "I won't give you that painting."
On the night of April 25th of the era, Mr. Wu Tang's painting was given to Xu Chun.
And tell him that the right instructor of the prefectural school really likes it and giving it to him would solve his problem.
Today, April 28th, at noon, the provincial examination has ended, but the results have not yet been announced.
Xu Chun took a deep breath and said, "I was wrong in this matter. Not only was it wrong to gamble, but it was even more wrong not to reflect on myself afterwards."
"This painting is like a hot potato in my hands."
"If I really send it away, I probably won't be able to read the books of sages."
As the people of Zhengrong County walked towards the restaurant, Xu Chun slowly expressed his thoughts: "If I can pass the college entrance examination this time, it will be my luck."
"If I can't pass, it's my fault."
Xu Chun seemed to be talking to Ji Yuan, but also seemed to be talking to himself.
"If I hand it over, it will really be bribing officials, and I will really become Mr. Chen."
At this moment, Mr. Chen has become a negative example in the mouths of students in Zhengrong County, and it is very easy to mention it.
"That may be Mr. Chen just wanted to shut me up, but what he said was not wrong."
“Don’t worry about your position not being respected, but worry about your virtue not being respected.”
"Ji Yuan, I want to maintain my morals and character, isn't that right?"
Ji Yuan looked at Xu Chun with a smile on his face.
He now wanted to say to the right instructor that their county school was not naive!
Their teacher Cheng is not naive either!
Their county school is Lanzhi’s room!
The same is true for the students we train.
Xu Chun struggled and was entangled.
But he still makes his own choices and walks his own path.
It is a road that seems confusing, unhappy, and even a little depressing to outsiders.
But they are really walking.
They really took the books of sages to heart.
The same sentence.
The same sentence goes, do not worry about your low position, but worry about your low virtue.
For people like Chen Juren, it is used to make perverted arguments.
For Xu Chun, this is to clear his name.
Xu Chun returned to the restaurant and immediately returned the painting to Ji Yuan.
The future of a scholar might be thrown away. Is that stupid? Very stupid.
From another perspective, is Teacher Cheng stupid?
He is stupid too.
He took great pains to create a holy place for reading, but was called naive by his superior, the right instructor of the prefectural school.
Is Teacher Cheng really stupid?
That's not necessarily the case.
If it weren’t for his “stupidity”, how could he have achieved the current results in Zhengrong County School.
Even earlier than that, there was Lord Lin, the county magistrate Lin.
In the eyes of some people, he is also stupid.
But Zhengrong County prospered under his leadership and even became the designated position for the children of some officials.
Be it silly, be it stubborn, be it sincere.
If it weren’t for them, Zhengrong County wouldn’t be like this.
Their students will not follow suit, and there is a strange kind of "stupidity" in them.
Ji Yuan put away the scroll and carefully put the painting away again.
What are your college entrance examination results?
They could all accept it.
Naturally, people outside were discussing this matter.
Among the twelve candidates in Zhengrong County, ten passed the provincial examination, and it was thought that all ten would be scholars.
Now it seems that is not necessarily the case.
Many people were waiting to see the joke.
When Ji Yuan and his friends went out to eat, someone even mocked them in person.
The scholars in front of him were just like this. Just as Ji Yuan and the others sat down, they heard someone next to them say, "Have you heard about Zhengrong County? They said that if you pass the prefectural exam, you will definitely pass the academy exam."
“They are an exception!”
"Tsk tsk, one is a prostitute, the other is a gambler, they really can take advantage of all these."
Li Jin was furious and wanted to step forward to argue, but Ji Yuan retorted first: "Do you know what is the sourest thing in the world?"
Ji Yuan spoke, his voice clear and powerful. Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Ji Yuan pointed to the grapes that had just been put on the market and said, "Grapes are the sourest."
Cai Fenglan smiled and replied: "Yes, if you can't eat grapes, you will say they are sour."
"Some people can't even pass the provincial examination, so they can only feel jealous."
"More than that." Ji Yuan added, "Just like this dish, pickled fish, it's both boring and redundant."
After Ji Yuan finished speaking, the people around him couldn't help but burst into laughter.
The mocking person next to him turned red.
Hey, even the right instructor said that he is very good at quarreling.
Why are there still people coming forward?
Xu Chun also laughed.
He knew he had made the right choice!
Xu Chun vaguely realized that if he chose to give the painting away, he would probably lose his classmate and good friend Ji Yuan forever.
I made the right choice and he even stood up for me!
This feeling is so good!
Ji Yuan just hadn't finished speaking yet: "Forget it, if you are not envied, you are mediocre. Why are the students in Zhengrong County envied? Everyone knows it well."
"What are you talking about! Do you really think your county school is so great? A county school with only two juren is nothing to be proud of."
Ji Yuan asked directly, "This year, Zhengrong County School is recruiting students at the end of the year. If they want to recruit students from other places, will you go?"
This rhetorical question stunned the other party.
Cai Fenglan did not let them go either: "Come on, come on, tell us your names. If you really don't want to go to our county school, just tell us your names and we will write them down."
"Whoever registers for our county school will be directly dissuaded from attending. How about that?"
"And your relatives and friends, you all look down on Zhengrong County School so much, I guess you don't want to go there? You are welcome to supervise each other. Whoever says something bad and who goes there secretly, please watch carefully."
Zhengrong County will recruit students at the end of the school year.
Everyone knows something about this.
Now hearing their students talk about it makes everyone even more excited.
Go sign up?
Of course I will go!
Don’t look at other people’s teaching level.
Out of twelve people, ten can pass the exam!
Ten!
This is typical. I may be jealous, but if you give me something to t, I will just pick it up and run.
Everyone just shut up.
If they continue to speak wildly, I'm afraid that the people around them will write it down in their little notebooks and then report it to the Zhengrong County School!
Even if they don't have to go to Zhengrong County, their relatives and friends will go there.
If I delay their imperial examinations, I will definitely be scolded to death by my family.
Damn it! This prefect is so young, yet so eloquent!
Just a few words and the people in the city dared not gossip anymore!
Li Xun felt relieved.
He has been attending classes at the provincial school these past few days, and his classmates around him don't dare to say anything.
It’s worthy of the era.
He can turn any situation around.
Li Xun packed his things in a hurry and was about to leave.
It’s April 30th!
The college examination results are about to be announced!
No one knows whether Xu Chun can pass the test.
But Xu Chun himself is already very calm.
At this moment, many people want to know whether Ji Yuan will still take first place.
If I really got first place.
He is the eleven-year-old Xiao Sanyuan.
Li Xun ran very fast, but still failed to make it to the top of the list.
Fortunately, someone has already shouted it out.
Ji Yuan and others just arrived nearby.
Then I heard the scholar in front of the list say, "Ji Yuan! First place in the provincial exam!"
"Little Three Yuan!"
When Ji Yuan thought about the article he wrote with true feelings, he couldn't help but cover his face.
For the first time, the teachings of sages were combined with practical matters.
It turned out to be true.
"Zhengrong County Cai Fenglan! Third!"
"Li Jin from Zhengrong County, fifth!"
"Xu Chun from Zhengrong County, tenth!"
"What do the students from Zhengrong County want to do? Four of them are in the top ten?!"
Xu Chun was hit by a huge surprise, and Cai Fenglan and Li Jin were also dumbfounded.
ah?
They have all improved?!
In such a short time, everyone's ranking can still move forward?
When I actually saw the list, there were ten people from Zhengrong County, and the lowest ranking was 49th.
One hundred and twenty people in total.
They are all in the top fifty?!
Even in the entire Jianmeng Prefecture, the academic performance of students from Zhengrong County is among the best.
Master Guo, Master Li and others were all grinning so hard that their mouths were crooked.
Good, their students are just good.
Passed all the exams!
The ranking is very good!
The lowest rank is a third-class scholar.
Such an achievement is rare in the entire Tianqi Kingdom.
An official who had just come out of the prefectural school happened to see them and handed them the appointment letter: "This is the document for your transfer and promotion. I was too busy to give it to you before."
"Your Zhengrong County has done really well this year. The achievements have been reported to the capital. Wait for the reward!"
ah?
Report to the capital? !
Who could have thought of this!
At the same time, the letter that Magistrate Nie of Zhengrong County wrote to the prefect of Jianmeng Prefecture was rushed, but it did not arrive before the announcement of the results.
The constable who was delivering the documents was beating his chest and stamping his feet.
What should I do if it affects the students’ success?
The constable felt extremely sad when he heard people in the city discussing the results of the college entrance examination.
Forget it. According to the original agreement, if the letter can be delivered before the results of the college entrance examination are announced, then I will send the letter.
If he cannot deliver it, he will take the money directly to Master Guo and others to comfort the students.
Now they can only go look for Master Guo.
When the dejected Zhengrong County Constable went to Liu's Restaurant, he happened to run into all the major bookstores on the First Street of East Market rushing to deliver things.
"Xiao Sanyuan! You must accept these things."
"It's a good book, you must read it."
"Can you give us your article? We will print it for you the day after tomorrow!"
"Please leave your calligraphy! It will definitely sell well!"
What's going on here?!
Why are there so many people here?
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