The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Probably because he was too bored at home, Lin Ruhai not only wrote a letter to Jia Min, but also to his good friend Wei Yinghong.

Today is Xiu Mu, and the left minister of the Ministry of Rites has some free time. He is sitting at home and opening Lin Ruhai's letter. Wei Yinghong only read a few lines and muttered to himself in the study: Who is he? Really.

Perhaps because he felt too helpless, Wei Yinghong laughed out loud after he finished speaking. After laughing, he angrily picked up the chess record given to him by Ruhai from his book bag, and slapped the stinky face that he regarded as his friend a few times, When you go to Beijing, I will let you know what it means to know. After three days of separation, you should look at each other with admiration.

After saying that, he threw the chess record aside. But after a while, he bent down and picked it up from the ground. It was Lin Ruhai who was wrong. What does it have to do with the chess records handwritten by his friend?

The stuff is good stuff, so let’s make do with it and take a look. After thinking about it this way, Wei Yinghong took a sip of tea and was sitting on a chair watching with gusto, when suddenly an order from the palace came out outside, saying that he was summoned by His Majesty.

Wei Yinghong didn't dare to delay, so he immediately changed into his official robe and hurried outside. Not long after he walked out, he hurried back to the study, picked up the chess book written by Lin Ruhai, put it in his arms and hummed before going out.

On the way, he briefly chatted with Xia Shouzhong who came to guide him. Knowing that His Majesty was in a good mood today, Wei Yinghong's mind was set.

With such a sudden summons, he was also worried that His Majesty would come up with official business again and he would need to report it on the spot. After passing the palace gate, Xia Shouzhong escorted Wei Yinghong all the way to the imperial study. After informing him, he smiled at Wei Yinghong and said, Master Wei, please.

This is His Majesty's personal attendant. Wei Yinghong returned the courtesy politely. As soon as he stepped through the door, he quickly walked to the front of the imperial court, making a gesture of saluting: Your Majesty, minister...

Okay, okay. It's not like you're going to attend a meeting, so what are you doing with these false etiquettes?

Li Zhi is only forty-five this year, although he is not old. But before he ascended the throne, he had been dormant for a long time leading troops to fight at the northwest border. The wind and frost on his face has not faded much even though he has been pampered for many years.

His appearance was upright and resolute, and coupled with the baptism of wind and frost, his movements were even more decisive in killing on the battlefield. Even though he is not wearing royal robes, his majestic aura makes others dare not peek easily.

Wei Yinghong is also a wonderful man. He has been an official in Beijing for some time and knows very well what His Majesty likes about him. He was also the number one scholar who was favored by His Majesty in the first year of Wu Ding. He immediately straightened his back with confidence and said with a smile: Then I will be disrespectful.

Li Zhi followed Wei Yinghong's example. He was unlucky. After seizing the throne and ascending the throne, his relationship with the Supreme Emperor became very tense. He was probably not seeking a good reputation for filial piety. Therefore, the harmonious relationship between king and minister is one of the few emotions he longs to pursue. It is also a place where I hope that future generations of historians can write a note for themselves.

Li Zhi picked up a white scroll from the table in the imperial study room. He looked at Wei Yinghong who was standing in the audience, shook his hand, and asked with a smile: Do you know what I am holding in my hand?

Your Majesty, you haven't given me a seat yet. Wei Yinghong replied.

Li Zhi laughed loudly, half helpless and half reprimanded: It's your first time here, and I told you to find a place to sit by yourself. Even so, Li Zhi only knew that Wei Yinghong did not dare to make independent decisions. However, there were many people in the palace who were very observant. Xia Shouzhong had already moved a chair for Wei Yinghong before His Majesty could say anything.

Although the monarch and his ministers were far apart, the atmosphere was more relaxed and harmonious than before.

What your Majesty is holding should be the examination paper for this Yangzhou Academy Examination. Wei Yinghong pretended to think for a moment and then said, If I am not mistaken, it should be the examination paper for Chen Heng, the head of the case.

Your guess is correct. Li Zhi's eyes brightened slightly, and he looked at Wei Yinghong with a vague look. The original smile on his face faded a bit unconsciously.

Wei Yinghong chuckled and told the truth: Ruhai has just written to me in the past few days. Besides, I know something about Yangzhou affairs.

Li Zhi heard this with some amusement and couldn't help but poke his head in, Then how do you know? What I took was Chen Heng's test paper.

Your Majesty, have you forgotten? When he was in the imperial examination, he was still the head of the case appointed by the minister. Although there are many talented people in Yangzhou, he, Du Yunjing and Cui Youdaoke are the three outstanding talents.

Wei Yinghong began to brag about himself, hinting both inside and outside his words that he had contributed to the selection of talents.

After hearing this, Li Zhi laughed again, picked up his hand and tapped Wei Yinghong, You, you, you have the best luck. He handed Chen Heng's test paper to Xia Shouzhong, Go and show it to Master Wei. Let him see with his own eyes the talent he has chosen.”

Yes. Xia Shouzhong quickly took it with both hands.

After Wei Yinghong took the test paper, he read it carefully from top to bottom. Li Zhi had already picked up the tea and drank it. Seeing that the other party had finished reading, Li Zhi asked him what he thought, How do you feel after reading it?

The diction is elegant and the writing style is upright. This is the road to Danshan Mountain with Tonghua, where the young phoenix is ​​clear and the old phoenix sounds. Wei Yinghong, as Chen Heng's half-student, congratulated Li Zhi and said: Your Majesty, I have found another one. What a great talent, it’s really gratifying.”

Li Zhi also nodded with satisfaction. Although he preferred military affairs, he could not distinguish between good and bad articles.

These examination essays written by Chen Heng have righteousness as the title and righteousness as the backbone. They are rare coherent works written in one go. The first article discusses why a gentleman is a group rather than a party, which is refreshing to read.

Everything in the world is for profit. Chen Heng started with the words of Tai Shigong and elaborated on the nature of human beings. Three types of people are also distinguished from them: the gentleman is for the great benefit, the common man is for his own benefit, and the villain is for the selfish interest.

A gentleman's great interests are based on the interests of the world, and the interests of the people can only be served by serving the public good. Only then can we be a group but not a party, be reserved and not fight, and regard personal honor and disgrace as something external.

Ordinary people value self-interest because they are forced by life. Although his vision is short-sighted, it will not hinder the people around him. This is human nature, and we should not criticize or make things difficult. Only by giving them a better living environment and gradually guiding and educating them is the right path in the world.

Only the selfish interests of villains are the most abominable. They treat others as playthings for their own selfish interests. Harming others and benefiting oneself is selfish.

The Master said: A gentleman loves money and gets it in a wise way. Chen Heng also used these words as a guide to point out that a gentleman who does not talk about profit must be a talker. The character is easy to make, but it cannot fill the stomachs of the world. Therefore, a gentleman must not ignore benefits, nor should he talk about small benefits.

If the great interests of the people of the world are taken into consideration in everything, this is what Mencius said is the great righteousness and the behavior of a gentleman. At the end of the article, Chen Heng borrowed another allusion from history books.

It tells a story during the reign of Renzong in the Song Dynasty. A minister discovered a talented person and intended to recommend him. He wrote a letter and asked him to take it to Han Qi, who was then the deputy privy envoy.

The wise man knew that Dong Weng and Mr. Han had always been unwilling to deal with each other, so he hesitated. When the minister found out, he smiled and explained to him: Han Qi and I just have different opinions. A talented person like you will be beneficial to the country and the people after becoming an official. As long as he sees you, he will definitely use you in high regard.

This is the so-called benefit of scholars and the righteousness of gentlemen.

Who can read this kind of article without saying good things about it?

Li Zhi sighed with emotion. He admired Chen Heng's pragmatic attitude more than Wei Yinghong's complimentary writing style and rhetoric. If you just talk about the virtues of a gentleman in general, it is just empty words to educate people. Only those who see the interests involved can write such an upright article.

It's a pity. Li Zhi stepped down from his seat and said regretfully, I have to wait a few years before I can see him. Li Zhi suddenly became interested and wanted to stroll in the garden. I want to see the flowers that are already in bloom or not yet in bloom.

When Wei Yinghong saw His Majesty walking by, he quickly stood up and followed Li Zhi, clasping his fingers and saying, He is thirteen years old now. It won't be long before he comes.

Yes. Li Zhi nodded noncommittally, looked sideways at Wei Yinghong, and asked with a smile: Will you join me for another round of talk today?

This was one of the few old hobbies that Li Zhi retained after he ascended the throne.

Wei Yinghong was overjoyed when he heard this and immediately said: I can do anything.

The two of them walked to a pavilion. Among the flowers, the killings came and went, making it difficult to tell who was better.

In the middle of the game, Li Zhi said with great satisfaction: It would be great if Lin Qing were here. Let him see our rapid improvement in chess skills.

That's it, Your Majesty, do you know what Ruhai said in the letter he wrote to me? Wei Yinghong couldn't help but nodded, pinched the white piece, and thought for a while before making the move.

Li Zhi was a little curious and asked, What did he say?

He asked me to find a house for him in the capital, so that his wife and children can visit relatives in the future. Ha, Your Majesty, I am still a person with no fixed abode. Wei Yinghong complained repeatedly, Ruhai must have thought of That's why he used this matter to ridicule me. He also gave me a chess book, saying it was for me as a reward, which is simply looking down on me.

His family is different from Wei Qing. Their ancestors still have some savings left to him. After saying this, Li Zhi laughed himself and could only shake his head, I know about this, so please relax. I give Lin Qing gave you a house before you got married.

Your Majesty, you have nothing to say. Wei Yinghong was overjoyed. He didn't expect that when he came to play chess, he could also get a house.

Humph. Seeing Wei Yinghong talking to Meng Lang, Li Zhi didn't bother to pay attention to his coquettishness. The emperor and his ministers had been together for nearly twenty years. He knew Wei Yinghong's temperament, so he only warned, Be careful if the news spreads. I will give you a copy of the censor's book, and I will accuse you of a crime of misconduct before the emperor.

If you want to sue, they can always find their fault. Wei Yinghong took the opportunity to name Yushitai's recent criticism of him.

Li Zhi used his advice to achieve the release of symbols in Yangzhou. This made the censors very angry and felt that Wei Yinghong had insulted the sages. They have gone through Wei Yinghong's experience over the years, and the impeachment memorials can be said to be piled up in a pile.

Some of the things in it are true, some are false, some are exaggerated, and some are careless mistakes. Wei Yinghong was also worried that this matter would have an impact on His Majesty, so he made excuses to inquire about it. It's just that the planning is so careful, which is also what makes it difficult for Beijing officials. It is far more comfortable and comfortable than when I was the prefect of Yangzhou.

Don't worry, I know your grievances. Li Zhi said as expected. After lowering the flag, he continued, Just do your own thing with peace of mind.

I obey. Wei Yinghong breathed a sigh of relief.

The monarch and his ministers completed the exchange of opinions virtually. Both of them are smart people, speaking naturally and easily but with a lot of effort.

After a while, after playing a few games, Li Zhi suddenly asked out of curiosity: Did Lin Qing really send you a chess book?

Yes. Wei Yinghong knew that Li Zhi would ask this question, so he quickly took out what he was carrying, Your Majesty, do you want to take a look?

Just take a look. Li Zhi laughed, took the chess book and flipped through it, forgetting to play chess for a moment.

Wei Yinghong did not rush him, he just held a tea cup and waited silently for His Majesty. When Li Zhi came to his senses, he smiled and said, The more I read, the more I want to ask Lin Qing to come back and play chess.

Wei Yinghong raised his eyebrows. He was the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, and he did have some authority to decide this matter. But after all, it was a matter of good friends, so he thought about it and said frankly: Your Majesty, you still have to act with caution.

Yes. Li Zhi nodded. Things in Yangzhou are no small matter now. The plans of their monarchs and ministers all took place here. The dispatch of Wei and Lin back then was a plan for long-term management. Naturally, he is unwilling to use his own selfish interests and ignore the overall plan.

Leave this chess record here with me for now. When I understand it clearly, I will teach you again.

Ah...oh, okay. Wei Yinghong smiled. He was not surprised that His Majesty would take it away. I just feel that His Majesty's chess skills are equal to mine, and the two of them have always won and lost each other. Your Majesty, can you really teach him?

While playing chess, the two of them talked about disaster relief in various provinces. This matter has been arranged by the DPRK and China. Wei Yinghong took the opportunity to express his views on the candidates. Li Zhi listened silently and only made a few comments occasionally. After a general chat, the topic changed to the pending issue of the Jingying Jiedu Envoy.

After the prince's promotion, the position remained vacant for several months and became a place for officials in the DPRK to compete. Li Zhi was also happy to use it as an introduction to continue to affect the ministers' hearts.

As the young people he selected, such as Wei Yinghong and Lin Ruhai, gradually gained experience in the officialdom, Li Zhi had more and more people he could use. Compared with the old ministers left behind by the Supreme Emperor, most of them in the new party are young and strong.

Time is on their side.

There's no rush. ​​Li Zhi's expression became more and more relaxed. It won't be too late to make a decision after the things over at Ruhai are finished. He already had a candidate in mind for this position.

Wei Yinghong just chatted and nodded when he heard the words. They had waited so long to get through the most difficult time. There is no need to rush anything now.

They were enjoying themselves, but a Qingqi galloped into the city. When the officers and soldiers on the street saw that he was carrying an eight-hundred-mile expedited order flag, they dispersed the people on the street and allowed him to pass quickly.

Soon, Li Zhi, who was sitting in the pavilion, received an urgent report from Xia Shouzhong on the military situation at the border.

In the early spring, people often harassed the 18 grassland tribes at the border. After several months of probing and testing, and after ascertaining the strength and defense of various places in Dayong, they recently raised 200,000 troops to attack.

What was least supposed to come came anyway. Li Zhi, with a serious look on his face as he faced a formidable enemy, rushed to the imperial study with this military information. He was going to summon the ministers of the DPRK and China to discuss the matter immediately, and Wei Yinghong was naturally present.

I don’t know what was discussed in the end. That night, several palace guards took the secret documents and rushed to Yangzhou City, thousands of miles away, overnight.

When Lin Ruhai received it, he was still fishing at home wearing a raincoat. The leisurely look on his face disappeared in the blink of an eye. He walked around for a while, then returned to the study and closed the door, and did not come out for several days.

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At the end of the month, the Chen family received Chen Heng's first meal as a junior student, which made Chen Gaishan and others extremely excited. This joy was far better than the first time Chen Heng took money from home.

The old man has old-fashioned ideas and feels that his grandson eats royal food. There was indescribable joy in my heart. For several days in a row, he clamored to return to his hometown to worship his ancestors, but his two sons could not dissuade him.

This time, even the Zhou family stood by their grandfather, and that night they chose a day to return to their hometown with Chen Gaishan. Seeing that he could not be dissuaded, Chen Heng said no more. As long as it is safe on the road, the two elders will be allowed to return to their hometown to visit relatives. They will treat it as an old man going out to relax.

Chen Heng didn't pay much attention to the matter and just continued to study in the academy as usual. Now that he has finally jumped out of the children's class and entered the scholar class with a higher degree of freedom, his life can be said to be very comfortable.

Leyi Academy no longer controls these scholars so strictly. As long as they can pass the regular exam every three months, it doesn't matter what time they go to class on weekdays, or even whether they come back to live at night.

At this stage, whether you want to continue taking exams or not depends entirely on a person's talent and ideas. If I just muddle along, it will be in vain no matter how hard the master of the academy tries. Therefore, the masters of the academy were very liberal with them.

Qian Dayou was a little hesitant when he was admitted as a scholar in tenth place. He originally wanted to make a living on his own after passing the scholar examination. As a result, his ranking this time was so good that he was a little confused whether he should continue.

The process of reading is unavoidable and difficult, and the years of poverty and enlightenment inevitably take away a lot of fun. Qian Dayou was hesitant and finally found Chen Heng. He wanted to hear his friend's opinion.

Chen Heng listened silently to Dayou's thoughts, thought about it carefully, and turned around to ask him, Suppose that many years later, we pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi. Will you alienate us because of your fame?

Qian Dayou was shocked when he heard this. He immediately wanted to tell Chen Heng that he wouldn't, but the words just came out of his mouth. I was choked by inexplicable emotions.

After thinking about it carefully with mixed emotions, Qian Dayou said frankly: It's not about alienation. I think it's more about feeling ashamed. I feel that if I had continued to work hard, I wouldn't be so far away from you.

Chen Heng was also silent, which was for sure. We are all ordinary people watching our friends work towards their goals step by step. It goes without saying how people feel when they stay where they are.

Chen Heng is unwilling to make decisions for his friends. He has a life of wealth and prosperity. If we stop here, how to face the gap in status in the future is a question Qian Dayou needs to think about. After all, whether it is him, Xue Biao or Jiang Yuanbai, they will continue to take the exam. The imperial examination is a road with no return.

The world is busy, and many years later the scholar will still have a lot of money. Can he really get along with everyone as calmly as he does now? Chen Heng did not dare to think about this issue in detail.

So Chen Heng could only say: Brother Qian, no matter what happens, just don't let yourself regret it in the future. You can think about it for a while first, and I'll be right back.

Pei Huaizhen had just sent a student to come to him, saying that he had something to discuss. Chen Heng did not dare to let his elders wait for a long time and rushed to the mountain chief's room immediately. Seeing that Xu Jinhou was also there, Chen Heng, who was a little strange, quickly saluted the two teachers.

After he sat down, Xu Jinhou took the lead and explained Pei Huaizhen's meaning. It turns out that the college is planning to officially promote punctuation. Chen Heng used the most standard symbols in this college examination paper. Both Xu Jinhou and Pei Huaizhen intended to let him come out as a teaching assistant.

Chen Heng was stunned when he heard this, and quickly asked: Wouldn't there be criticism from people outside? The path he originally thought of was to take the silent route of moisturizing things. Relying on the subtle influence of each day, gradually changing the world's concepts.

Pei Huaizhen thought differently. He knew that if there was no literary leader to take the lead in this kind of thing, it would have to wait until the Four Books and Five Classics were compiled, which would happen in the year of the monkey and the month of the horse. He wanted to take the lead and set an example while he still had some strength.

The mountain chief waved his hand, indicating that his children should not worry, and said directly: If anything happens, just blame it on me. You just follow Master Xu. I will annotate the Four Books and Five Classics with my own hands. If they have any objections, they can come directly to them. Let me discuss it.

Chen Heng was immediately overjoyed when he saw a big tree like Shan Chang standing in front of him. He also admired the other party's hard work. At the age of seventy, Pei Huaizhen could spend his old age in peace, and he was still willing to do thankless things for the people of the world. He said sincerely: Master Shan, everyone in the world will praise you in the future.

Hearing the students' words of admiration, Pei Huaizhen was not happy and said calmly: Let's talk about the future later. If you really want to be praised, you have to be scolded for a few years. At this point, even he himself laughed. , couldn't help but sigh, Even if there is, I'm afraid I won't be able to see it.

Chen Heng was speechless after hearing this and didn't know what to say for a moment. He could have learned some words from the younger generation and said some empty words about longevity. But I also felt that the mountain chief’s temperament would not allow him to hear this. He was afraid that if he said it, the mountain chief would ridicule him.

Only those who do nothing can lament the decline of life. Most people are chasing time, and the mountain leader is also such a person.

Go. Go. Pei Huaizhen didn't have enough energy and was sleepy just after lunch, so she simply waved Xu Jinhou and Chen Heng to leave.

The two of them discussed a few more matters about the classes tomorrow and the next day in the corridor of the academy before they parted ways.

When Chen Heng met Qian Dayou again, the latter had already made his decision. He said: No matter whether you succeed or not, you have to take the test once. Otherwise, when you think about it in the future, you will regret it in your intestines.

Chen Heng laughed and said nothing else. He just patted Dayou on the back and said, It's okay, let's work hard together.

The third volume has finally come to an end. Hahahahaha, awesome, awesome, give yourself a thumbs up. The name of the fourth volume is The Golden Wrong Knife. I am awesome, right?