The road of the farmer's fortune and the imperial examination

Chapter 81 The Four Treasures of the Study
"The Shuxiu here is two taels of silver a year. I bring my own pen, ink, paper and inkstone. If you don't have any books, you can buy them from me. The price is cheaper than the bookstores outside. In addition, if you are far away, you must buy them in The private school uses lunch. Of course, you can also bring your own. The stove will help you heat it up, and you can give the cook ten cash a month. I have lunch here at noon, so I have to eat morning food in the morning, otherwise my stomach can't bear it." Mr. Wen is still very satisfied with this student, he is quite intelligent, calm, not impetuous, good at observing words and expressions, and has good qualifications good.In fact, even if he only talked about the previous paragraph, he would accept him. It's not bad for a five-year-old kid to think of these things.But what he said later was more agreeable to him. He wasn't the kind of stubborn old man who didn't know how to adapt. What was the purpose of reading?Isn't it just to become an official after obtaining fame?Why bother to say those high-sounding words?Might as well be honest.

Thinking that Gu Chengyu would become his official student tomorrow, he still told him carefully, because he knew that the farmers' families were not well-off, and they usually only ate two meals a day. After entering a private school, it was different from the diet at home.

"Student, thank you sir for your reminder." Two taels of silver doesn't sound like much, but you have to buy pens, ink, paper and inkstones and books when you first start a private school, and you have to give gifts during the New Year and holidays. That would cost more money.No wonder it was not easy for poor people to study in ancient times!
"The books are here and there, sir! By the way, hand over Shu Xiu and the food expenses. How much is the money, sir?" Gu Lao seemed to hand over Shu Xiu today, and tomorrow he only needs to bring the six gifts of apprenticeship.

"Three books, one is 180 renminbi, which is 740 renminbi cheaper than outside bookstores, the food expenses are [-] renminbi, and the book repairs are [-] liang, a total of [-] liang [-] renminbi. And since you are my student, then Forty renminbi is fine, just give two taels of silver, and I will give you the book when you come tomorrow." Mr. Wen thought that it was not easy to farm, and although the father and son were wearing fine cotton cloth, the cloth was brand new, presumably It is also rare to wear, so forty wen was lost.

"Student, thank you sir!" Gu Chengyu saluted Mr. Wen again.

Old man Gu took out three taels of silver from his pocket and handed it to Mr. Wen. Mr. Wen counted out three hundred coins from his purse and gave it to Old Man Gu.

"Then my son and I won't bother you, we're going back now!" Seeing that the matter was settled, Old Gu planned to leave. He felt a little uncomfortable staying here.

Gu Chengyu looked at his father's hunched back from the moment he entered the door, and felt a little sore in his heart. Scholars in ancient times had a high status, and when a peasant man saw a scholar, he felt short before he could speak.Coupled with the fact that the Gu family has been poor for so many years, his father lacks the confidence to speak.well!Gu Chengyu cheers for himself, he must study hard, otherwise he will be sorry for his many golden fingers, and even more sorry for his father and mother who are only thinking about him!But it's too early to think about it now, it's better to let the family get rich first.Didn't it say that money is a man's guts?
After leaving the private school of Mr. Wen's house, Gu Chengyu and Gu Laodi went to the Xiwenshu shop again.

"Shopkeeper Pan, we're interrupting you again." Father Gu greeted Shopkeeper Pan with a smile on his face.

"Hey! Seeing Uncle Gu's happy face, Xiaobao must have passed Mr. Wen's examination, right? But he is going to study? He will be a scholar in the future!" Shopkeeper Pan was also very happy to see the two of them!This means his business is coming!

"Haha! Let you guess right! Isn't that right? I'm going to a private school tomorrow! I'll bring Xiaobao over here to buy some of the Four Treasures of the Study, as well as paper with large characters. Do you have any good recommendations? Let me tell you first! It's bad." I don't want it, you have to give me a little bit cheaper."

Shopkeeper Pan was a little surprised when he heard this?Could it be that the Gu family is not short of money? "What is Uncle Gu talking about? How can I give you the bad one? I bought the book from Mr. Wen, right? I won't hide it from you. Mr. Wen is very good to students, as long as they are students from his private school. , he sells them cheaply. Books are hand-copied, or hired, or copied by himself. The books sold to students are 180 cents cheaper than outsiders. We all know this. But he only sells to his own students. There are still some essentials, those that are used for exams, or other books, you still have to come to me to buy.” In fact, shopkeeper Pan knows in his heart that [-] renminbi is still profitable, but he is now a student of Mr. Wen. You can't say some things, can you?
What shopkeeper Pan knew, Gu Chengyu could also think that the cost of handwritten copies should be lower, after all, they are just waste ink and paper. Waste of paper and ink.But just like this, 180 essays can earn [-] essays at least. In this way, not only the reputation is gained, but also the students get benefits. Why not do it?However, this will reduce some income for the bookstore. There are also many hand-copied books in the bookstore. Also black.

"I'll get you brushes and ink, come and take a look." Shopkeeper Pan took out three inkstones and several brushes from the counter.Gu Chengyu also practiced brush calligraphy with his teacher in his previous life, although the teacher said that his writing was more than correct, lacking aura and lack of character, that is to say, his craftsmanship was too strong.But because he liked it, he didn't give up. After practicing for two years, he still knows a lot about brushes and Yantai.

There are several kinds of writing brushes. Shopkeeper Pan probably only took the writing brushes for writing large characters and small letters. He doesn’t need the others yet. Gu Chengyu picked up one of them and looked carefully. It should be made by Mouse Whiskers. Yes, there are other kinds of mountain rabbit hair, and there are no good varieties such as wolf hair or sheep hair. These are just ordinary brushes, and the price is not expensive, but it is not the worst.

The inkstone is also very common, it is porcelain inkstone, but it is white and fine porcelain.Then he picked up the ink ingot that had just been placed on it. This ink ingot is rectangular, and there is no pattern on it. It is glowing with black light. The touch is not very delicate, and it is of medium quality.

He thinks these things are enough for him to practice calligraphy now. In fact, it doesn't matter if he uses inferior products now, but the ink ingots are too poor, and the smell is not very pleasant.Don't buy bad writing brushes, it will affect his handwriting practice.All right!He admits he's fussy, but why should he save?If you have no money, then go earn it!You can't get rich by saving money.

Gu Chengyu picked out a white porcelain inkstone with green bamboos painted on it, took another ink ingot, and added two large and small mountain rabbit hair brushes, and put them aside, "Pan shopkeeper, do the math." How much do you want? I don’t want it if it’s too expensive!” Half-jokingly, he looked at Shopkeeper Pan who was still about to get ink ingots.

"Ah! You picked it up so quickly?" Shopkeeper Pan looked at Gu Chengyu's selection, and exclaimed, "You have a good eye, and you picked the most affordable and good materials in my inventory. These If I hadn't known you, I wouldn't be willing to take it out!"

(End of this chapter)