Great Song Super Scholar

Chapter 11 Prodigy vs. Prodigy
Fan Zhongyan was sitting in the lobby, chatting with a group of young talents such as Sima Guang, Wang Anshi, Zeng Gong, Feng Jing, etc. This time Fan Zhongyan came to Beijing to do two things, one is to celebrate Pang Ji's birthday, and the other is to persuade his friend Yin Zhu He resigned and went to Dengzhou to recuperate.

These two things have been done now, especially Yin Zhu, today the Ministry of Officials has handled special matters, and he has gone through the official formalities for him, and he will be able to go on the road with him tomorrow, which made Fan Zhongyan heave a long sigh of relief.

At this time, Ouyang Xiu walked over slowly and said with a smile: "Xiwen, give me Fan Ning! I will take him as an apprentice, and I will give you back a Jinshi degree in ten years."

Fan Zhongyan pointed at Ouyang Xiu and said with a smile to everyone: "Look, how good this person is at skinning, I have only this talented grandson, and he wants to snatch it away!"

Everyone laughed, but Ouyang Xiu put away his smile, looked at Fan Zhongyan and said, "I mean it, there is no child who can impress me now. He is the first one I have met in ten years. I really hope to accept it." He's at the door."

Fan Zhongyan smiled faintly, and turned around to ask Wang Anshi, "How is the prodigy Fang Zhongyong in your hometown?"

Wang Anshi shook his head, "I am lost to ordinary people!"

Ouyang Xiu understood what Fan Zhongyan meant, and quickly said: "I will devote myself to teaching him, demanding him strictly, caring him carefully, making him a beautiful jade in the end, and never letting him be burdened by false fame!"

Fan Zhongyan was silent for a moment, and said to everyone: "My original intention is to let him go back to his hometown to study and let him grow up in adversity. When he becomes an adult, I implore everyone to look at the old Fan's face, support him, and help him. I can rest in peace."

He spoke very sincerely, everyone thought that he was old, and there seemed to be a plea for loneliness in his words, and everyone felt a little sad in their hearts.

After a pause, Fan Zhongyan said to Ouyang Xiu again: "I observed him all the way north. He is a very independent and unique child. The more adversity he faces, the more reserved he will be, hiding his secrets. But when the time comes, he will He will spread his wings like a great roc and soar in the nine heavens. When I come to Beijing this time, I entrust him to Uncle Yong ten years later, but what I want to give him now is mediocrity and adversity. Please forgive me, Uncle Yong!"

Ouyang Xiu had no choice but to nod silently. Fan Ning's writing today, "Weeping Willow, Zimo, Luoyang East, always hand in hand", deeply moved him.

Forget it, just wait for him for a few more years, Ouyang Xiu secretly made up his mind.

At this moment, someone suddenly shouted: "The emperor is here!"

Everyone was startled and stood up one after another, only to see two teams of guards running quickly, standing guard on the left and right sides of the lobby. Today is Prime Minister Pang Ji's [-]th birthday, and Emperor Zhao Zhen personally came to celebrate his birthday.

A moment later, a middle-aged man in regular clothes and a black cage gauze cap came in surrounded by a group of guards. He had a long face, fair skin, and a graceful demeanor. , the person who came was the emperor Zhao Zhen, who was Song Renzong in history.

He has been in power for more than [-] years, with social stability and economic development, which promoted the Northern Song Dynasty to gradually prosper.

Behind Zhao Zhen, there was a man in his fifties. He looked upright, but his eyes always showed a bit of evil spirit, and the smile on his face was also a little bit wrong, which seemed yin and yang.

This person is Zhang Yaozuo, the head of the state. In traditional opera novels, it is said that Bao Zheng’s deadly enemy is Pang Taishi, who is the protagonist Pang Ji who is celebrating his birthday today. In fact, he is not. The prototype of Pang Taishi should be Zhang Yaozuo, the father of Zhang Guifei.

Zhang Yaozuo was holding a ten-year-old boy in his hand. He had a smart face and sharp eyes. His name was Zhang Chun, and he was Zhang Yaozuo's grandson.

Ouyang Xiu whispered to Fan Zhongyan: "That Zhang Chun is said to be able to read books with a vivid memory, and he is also a rare child prodigy in the capital. Zhang Yaozuo brought him here today, it must be for the child prodigy's birthday."

This is a custom in the Northern Song Dynasty. When an elder celebrates his birthday, a clever boy must come forward to offer birthday peaches, which means that his descendants will continue. Poetry, indicating that there are successors in the family.

Pang Ji himself had a very smart grandson, and he didn't need other people to trouble him, so Fan Zhongyan didn't bring Fan Ning to the banquet himself, just because he was afraid that Pang Ji would be overwhelmed.

But this kind of gathering of celebrities is a godsend opportunity for the child to make a name for himself. Of course Zhang Yaozuo didn't want to let it go, so he brought his grandson along.

Pang Ji hurriedly went forward to greet the officials, he saw Zhang Chun at a glance, and felt a little displeased, did Zhang Yaozuo come to steal the limelight from his grandson?

Zhao Zhen smiled and exchanged greetings with Pang Ji, turned his eyes and saw Fan Zhongyan, he felt a little apologetic, he asked Fan Zhongyan to preside over the New Deal, but when the New Deal failed, he had to drive Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi and others out of the capital, Make them scapegoats.

"Fan Aiqing, it's been a long time since we, the monarch and his ministers!"

Fan Zhongyan hurriedly stepped forward to salute, "I thank the officials for the special approval of Bachelor Yin's appointment."

Zhao Zhen nodded, "I'm also pleased to hear that Fan Aiqing is deeply loved by the people in Dengzhou, and the school is very impressive."

"Let His Majesty worry about it, I hope His Majesty will take good care of the dragon's body, and work hard to make our Great Song Dynasty more prosperous and strong!"

At this time, Zhang Yaozuo said in a strange manner: "Tell Governor Fan the good news. The government's fiscal revenue in the past two years has far exceeded that in the fifth year of Qingli!"

The implication is that without the New Deal, the court has been better in the past two years.

Fan Zhongyan said indifferently: "This is indeed good news, and it has made the father-in-law bother."

Fan Zhongyan hid the needle in his cotton and stabbed it back quietly, Zhang Yaozuo was speechless for a moment.

Zhao Zhen was a little displeased by Zhang Yaozuo's troubles. The Qingli New Deal was carried out under his strong request. Doesn't this mean that Zhao Zhen's decision-making was wrong?

Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said to Zhang Yaozuo, "Doesn't the head of the state have something to ask Mr. Pang?"

How shrewd Zhang Yaozuo is, he immediately understood that he had said the wrong thing, and the officials didn't want to mention the New Deal, so he immediately threw Fan Zhongyan aside, pulled his grandson forward and smiled and said to Pang Ji: "Today is a good day for Mr. Pang. To express my heart, I specially brought my grandson to commemorate Duke Pang's birthday."

Pang Ji was furious in his heart. If the officials were not present, he would have turned against Zhang Yaozuo today. If he celebrates his own birthday, it will be Zhang's turn to present his birthday?If you want to use your birthday to make his grandson famous, it's a good idea!
It was just that the officials were present, so he held back his anger and said, "Thank you for your kindness. I have already arranged for my grandson, Pangbo, to celebrate my birthday today. Unfortunately, my father is a step late."

"It's okay, if two children celebrate their birthday together, wouldn't it be a good couple?"

This was Zhang Yaozuo's idea. He knew that Pang Ji would not give his grandson the opportunity, so he wanted to force his way in and put his grandson in as well.

Pang Ji was a little embarrassed, he would offend Zhang Yaozuo if he didn't agree, but he was unwilling to agree.

At this time, Bao Zheng stood up and said with a smile: "Pang Xianggong, it is indeed more in line with the double meaning of the [-]th birthday, but I think it is debatable which two prodigy should present the birthday."

Zhang Yaozuo and Bao Zheng have always been at odds, he didn't expect Bao Zheng to find fault with himself in this matter, he suddenly said angrily: "Bao Shilang, what do you mean by that?"

Bao Zheng still smiled and said: "What I mean is very clear. One of the two child prodigies must be surnamed Pang, while the other does not necessarily have to be surnamed Zhang. I think Mr. Pang would prefer a truly gifted child prodigy to present his birthday. , Pang Xianggong, are you right?"

Pang Ji understood what Bao Zheng meant, it was called making a wedding dress for someone, and Zhang Yaozuo used the name of the official to forcefully arrange for the twin boys to celebrate their birthdays. After the arrangement was made, it was not his turn in the end, which was very interesting.

"Makes sense!"

Pang Ji nodded, and then saluted Zhao Zhen: "Your Majesty, as a birthday man, I really hope that there will be a real gifted child prodigy to celebrate my birthday, for auspiciousness!"

Zhao Zhen smiled slightly, "The master is in charge of this matter, and I am also a guest today!"

After finishing speaking, he walked quickly to the lobby and sat down on the host and guest seats.

Zhang Yaozuo was secretly annoyed, but he had also investigated, there were seven or eight children here today, and Zeng Bu was probably the only one who could be called a child prodigy.

He said coldly: "My grandson is only ten years old. If Bao Shilang finds a 13-year-old child prodigy to compare with my grandson, then I can only admit defeat."

Bao Zheng shook his head, "I'm not looking for Zeng Bu, I recommend another child who is two years younger than your grandson, are you willing to accept the challenge?"

"Oh? I wonder who Bao Shilang wants to recommend?" Zhang Yaozuo breathed a sigh of relief, as long as it wasn't Zeng Bu, he wouldn't be afraid.

At this time, everyone looked at Fan Ning, and Fan Ning felt extremely regretful, knowing that Bao Zheng was going to drag him into the water, why did he come to see Emperor Lao Shizi!

But now it was impossible for him to escape, Wang Anshi held his wrist tightly, for fear that he would run away.

Bao Zheng glanced at Fan Zhongyan, Fan Zhongyan nodded slightly, and Bao Zheng waved to Fan Ning with a smile: "Xiao Fan, come to me!"

(End of this chapter)