Great Song Super Scholar

Chapter 2 Eccentricity is also a disease

Fan Zhongyan was deposed from Beijing because of the failure of the Qingli Reform. He is currently serving as the governor of Dengzhou.

At this time, it happened that Pingjiang Mansion was taking the exam, and there were too many scholars who came to ask for advice, which was very disturbing.

In order to be quiet, Fan Zhongyan hid in an old friend's house in Jiangwan Village by the Taihu Lake. Today, he happened to meet Fan Ning telling children about Journey to the West.

Fan Tiezhou hurriedly invited the third uncle into the house, while Zhang Sanniang hurriedly brought out the best tea at home to boil water for the third uncle to make tea.

Fan Zhongyan took a look at the room. The room was brightly lit and the furniture was made of wood. It looked rough, but it was neat and tidy.

"Tie Zhou, why did your father move here?"

Fan Tiezhou sighed, "It's not because of his weird temper, third uncle should know."

Fan Zhongyan nodded. Although he and Fan Ning's grandfather Fan Dachuan were cousins, they rarely spoke.

Being eccentric is just a euphemism, but in fact it means that he is incapable of being a human being and it is difficult to get along with his clansmen.

Fan Zhongyan looked back at Fan Ning who was still confused, and said with a smile, "Didn't you suggest that I apply ice water to the wound?"

Fan Tiezhou hurriedly asked, "What's wrong with Uncle San?"

"I just accidentally twisted my ankle, and Ning'er suggested that I apply ice water to my foot."

"I'm going to dig well water!" Zhang Sanniang hurried to get the wooden basin with quick hands and feet.

"Need not!"

Fan Tiezhou quickly stopped his wife. He took out a small porcelain bottle from the drawer and handed it to Fan Zhongyan.

"This is a homemade ointment that I collected herbs from the mountains. It is very effective for bruises. Third Uncle, try it!"

Fan Zhongyan took the ointment with a smile, removed the shoes and socks, and spread it evenly on the ankle. Immediately, he felt a burst of coolness penetrating into the skin, and the pain in the ankle immediately disappeared.

After a while, Fan Zhongyan put on his shoes and socks again, walked a few steps, and he was completely healed.

"What kind of medicine is this? It's amazing!" Fan Zhongyan asked in surprise.

"My nephew doesn't even know his name, third uncle accept it! Just paint it again at night."

"I don't need it, I'm just curious." Fan Zhongyan smiled and put the medicine bottle back on the table.

Fan Ning, who was at the side, was moved. He didn't know that there was such a good medicine at home!
If you open a shop in the town, specializing in the treatment of bruises, wouldn't it be a lot of money?
At this moment, Fan Zhongyan smiled and waved to Fan Ning, "Come to me!"

Fan Ning stepped forward quickly, and took a closer look at this famous statesman and writer in history.

Fan Zhongyan is actually a very ordinary old man in the country, but he has a kind of gentleness that ordinary people don't have in his gestures.

However, Fan Ning's eyes were sharp, and he noticed that there was an unconcealable melancholy in Fan Zhongyan's eyes.

Thinking about it carefully, Fan Ning suddenly realized that the story he just told should have affected Fan Zhongyan's emotions.

Thinking of this, Fan Ning felt a little guilty.

Fan Zhongyan smiled slightly: "You invited me to your home out of sincerity, probably because you wanted me to test your talents. Today I will give you this opportunity."

Fan Ning blushed, it turned out that his little thoughts had already been seen through by others.

At this moment, an old and hoarse voice came from the yard, "Dalang, why are the fish caught this time so small?"

The sound made the room suddenly quiet, Zhang Sanniang's face darkened, and she couldn't get angry in front of the guests, so she went to the backyard with a full face of displeasure.

Fan Zhongyan laughed, got up and walked into the yard, Fan Ning had no choice but to follow behind.

I saw a tall, thin old man standing in the yard, with gray hair, dark skin, and small pockmarks all over his face.

His eyes are very distinctive, the white of the eye accounts for most of it, a pair of eyeballs are like two small black beans sticking to the white of the eye, more white than black, always revealing a trace of coldness.

This old man was Fan Dachuan, Fan Ning's grandfather. At this time, he was holding a big fish basket in his hand, and was looking at the dozens of strings of fresh fish under the eaves with disgust.

There was another tall young man standing at the gate of the courtyard. He was about 20 years old. His face was pale and his body was slightly thin. His hands were fairer and more delicate than those of a woman.

His name is Fan Tongzhong, and he is Fan Ning's youngest uncle.

Fan Tongzhong studied at the county school and was the only scholar in the Fan family. His father, Fan Dachuan, pinned all his hopes on him.

At this time, Fan Tongzhong also looked at the courtyard of the elder brother's house with the same disgust, as if walking into this courtyard would cast a layer of dust on his status as a scholar.

But when his eyes looked into the room, they were full of eagerness and anticipation.

Fan Xianggong, who is well-known all over the world, has actually come, what a chance this is for me!

At this moment, Fan Tiezhou ran out of the house, and said in surprise, "Daddy, why are you here?"

"Are you trying to piss me off?"

Fan Dachuan glared at the eldest son angrily, "Your fourth brother is about to take the imperial examination, but you don't know how to take advantage of such a good opportunity!"

Fan Tiezhou was startled, he didn't understand what his father meant.

He quickly took out another fish basket from the water tank, and handed it to his father with a sincere smile.

"This time I went to the lake with good luck. I caught more than a dozen mandarin fishes, all of which are good fish of a pound. The meat is plump. My son specially left it for Dad to nourish his body."

"Let's put it aside for now!" Fan Dachuan waved his hand, as if chasing away a fly.

At this time, Fan Zhongyan came out of the room, and said with a slight smile, "I haven't seen you for many years, but my second brother is still handsome!"

Fan Dachuan immediately smiled and pointed to the youngest son behind him.

"I have Shiro taking care of me at home. I am in good health. This child is filial! The gentlemen in the county praise him for his good conduct."

Fan Zhongyan smiled faintly, "I think Da Lang is also very filial."

Fan Dachuan glanced at the eldest son dissatisfied, "He's just average! He's far worse than Shiro."

At this time, Fanning came out and bowed to his grandfather.

Fan Dachuan hummed coldly.

Fan Tiezhou knew in his heart that his father hadn't seen Ning'er for almost three months, and he didn't know that Ning'er was completely different from before.

He quickly explained: "Daddy, Ning'er has changed a lot now."

"Where can he grow up? Can he still become a child prodigy?"

Fan Dachuan gave his eldest son a hard look, and said to Fan Zhongyan: "My eldest son has been dull since he was a child, and my grandson is even worse. Both father and son are not expected to study."

"Second brother, you are too modest."

"I'm not being humble. You say my grandson is stupid! He's not stupid, he's just dumb and unresponsive. I asked him what his name was at the beginning of the year, but he didn't tell me until the next day. Can you read and have a future?"

After finishing speaking, Fan Dachuan let out a long sigh of regret.

Fan Zhongyan turned his head to look at Fan Ning, with some puzzlement in his eyes.

Fan Ning smiled faintly, his ears could hear the old man's eccentric deeds.

"Fortunately, I still have a son who can speak for me."

Fan Dachuan waved to his younger son.

Fan Tongzhong hurried forward and gave Fan Zhongyan a deep salute.

"Student Fan Tongzhong, show respect to your husband!"

Compared with the respect Fan Tiezhou and his sons had for him, this Fan Tongzhong put aside his family ties and called him a gentleman, which shows the heart of a philistine.

Although Fan Zhongyan was unhappy in his heart, it didn't show on his face.

He smiled and asked, "Where did Shiro study?"

"Students are studying at the county school and are going to Changzhou to take the exam in a few days."

Next to him, Fan Dachuan quickly added: "My Shiro is now a scholar!"

Scholars in the Song Dynasty were different from those in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and they were not considered a kind of fame.

Generally speaking, as long as you are recommended by the county to take part in the solution test, you can be called a scholar.

Because he is the only scholar in the village, Fan Dachuan is extremely proud, and everyone praises how smart Shiro is, and how easily he was admitted as a scholar.

Fan Tongzhong seized the opportunity and quickly took out a stack of manuscripts from his book bag and presented them to Fan Zhongyan.

"These are some articles and poems written by students, please give me your advice!"

Fan Zhongyan took the manuscript and flipped through it, then returned it to him with a smile.

"Not bad! Take the exam well, I hope to hear good news from you."

Fan Tongzhong was so excited that tears were about to fall, and his voice was choked up.

"Students will definitely remember Xianggong's teachings to students."

Fan Dachuan also felt that there was hope, and hurriedly struck while the iron was hot and said, "I heard that the third younger brother has no disciples behind him, see if you can..."

Fan Ning laughed out loud, his grandfather actually wanted his fourth uncle to be Fan Zhongyan's successor, he really figured it out!
No matter how reserved Fan Zhongyan was, he finally couldn't bear it at this time.

He grabbed Fan Tongzhong who was about to kneel and kowtow, and said to Fan Dachuan: "I have something to do today, so I will take a step first, and I will visit my second brother another day."

At this moment, he didn't want to stay any longer, he turned his head and nodded to Fan Ning and Fan Tiezhou, turned around and left the yard.

"Can you ask Mr. Xiang to give the students some advice on how to solve the exam?"

"I'm sorry, I don't know much about imperial examinations, I'm afraid I might mislead my students!"

Fan Zhongyan's voice has gone away.

Fan Tongzhong hit a soft nail, and suddenly lost all energy. He yawned sleepily, and lazily went home.

Fan Dachuan's face was full of disappointment. He really couldn't figure out why Fan Zhongyan didn't treat his youngest son so good.
"Daddy, why don't you come in and sit down!"

"no need!"

Fan Dachuan looked back at Fan Ning again, only to find that he had disappeared, feeling a little unhappy in his heart.

Why didn't the child show any courtesy to his grandfather, and ran away without saying hello.

"What do you say, dumb, I heard that you still want to send him to study in the town?"

Fan Tiezhou hurriedly said: "Father, I just want to try it, if it doesn't work, forget it."

"Dalang, I don't think it's necessary. Of course, my grandfather also loves his grandson very much, but the heartache is the heartache. He is really not material for studying. We have to face reality."

Fan Dachuan has always been very disapproving of Fan Ning's going to school, and he pointed to the three huts.

"Look at how dilapidated your own house is. It costs a lot of money to study. I don't know how much I paid for my fourth son's education. You should know in your heart that with the money you earn from fishing, you can still provide for your son." read?"

Fan Tiezhou bowed his head and remained silent. Seeing that his eldest daughter-in-law was not there, Fan Dachuan took the opportunity to persuade his son.

"Dalang, it's not that dad said you, you might as well repair the house if you have the spare money, why do you insist on listening to your mother-in-law and sending Dumb to study, you have spent at least ten pennies on studying for him in the past two years, right? But how many words does he know? Ten pennies!"

"I send my son to study, and I am willing to spend as much money as possible. It is not up to others to teach me a lesson!"

Zhang Sanniang came out of the room with a face full of anger. She and her father-in-law Fan Dachuan had quarreled countless times about her son's going to school, and the conflicts accumulated day by day.

Last spring, Zhang Sanniang insisted on continuing to send her son to a primary school, and the conflict intensified, which eventually led to the separation of the family.

Every time Zhang Sanniang thought about the separation, her heart was filled with hatred.

"Speaking of the dilapidated house, I would like to ask, what did you give Dalang when we separated last year? The land and real estate should be left to the fourth child. Thanks to my little dowry, these three rooms can be repaired. You are so embarrassed Say this house is dilapidated?"

The more she spoke, the more excited she became, and tears welled up.

"Da Lang went to the lake to fish and support his family when he was 15 years old. How many things he has done for the family, it's fine if you prefer the fourth child, but Da Lang is also your son. Don't you feel ashamed when you treat him like this!"

"I also said when we separated, I really don't have any money in my hands, and I will make up for Dalang in the future."

Fan Dachuan's face turned red and then turned pale. Of course he felt ashamed, knowing that he was sorry for his eldest son, but he would never show weakness in front of his eldest daughter-in-law.

"When it comes to unfairness, then I have to tell the truth. My greatest wish in this life is to have a son or grandson who is an official. But Dalang is a fisherman, Erlang is a businessman, and Sanlang is a businessman. They can't be counted on. If Dumb is smarter , I can also count on him, but you know better than me what his situation is.

The two grandsons of the second family are also unreliable, and it is estimated that they will not even pass the county school exam, and the surname of the third family is Lu, let alone mention it.

Now only the fourth son in our family has a successful education and is the most hopeful to become an official. I hope that after he becomes an official, he will honor his ancestors and give me a pension. So don't blame me for being more inclined to the fourth child, and you are more kind to the fourth child. , that is filial piety to me. "

"Daddy, I didn't say you are partial." Fan Tiezhou was caught between his wife and father, really in a dilemma.

"But your mother-in-law said, hum!"

Although Fan Dachuan had a stubborn mouth, he was really afraid of his eldest daughter-in-law, and he didn't show any sympathy when he spoke. He turned around and walked away resentfully, but after walking a few steps, he turned back and grabbed the mandarin fish basket. Cursed and left.

． ． ． ． ． ． ．

Fan Zhongyan returned to his residence along the river, feeling very emotional in his heart.

It is clear that the grandson is wise and stupid, a rare beauty and talent, but Fan Dachuan turns a blind eye to it, and the youngest son is an idiot, but he regards him as a pearl.

He wrote a bunch of nonsense articles, but he still wanted to be his successor, Fan Zhongyan. Even if he was demoted, Fan Zhongyan would not be so depraved.

At this time, Fan Zhongyan suddenly heard Fan Ning calling himself.

Turning around, I saw Fan Ning galloping from behind, holding a piece of paper in his hand.

Fan Zhongyan stopped in his tracks, wondering what this child wanted to show him?
After a while, Fan Ning came running out of breath, and handed the paper in his hand to Fan Zhongyan, "This is a poem written by my grandson, please teach me!"

Looking at his little red face, Fan Zhongyan felt a surge of affection in his heart, he bent down and stroked Fan Ning's little head.

"Okay, I'll definitely give it a good read!"

Fan Zhongyan thought for a while, then took a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to him.

"There is a library building in Fan's main hall in the town, and you can enter it with this jade pendant."

Fan Ning took the jade pendant and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Grandpa San, for your support!"

Fan Zhongyan stroked his head with a smile, "You work hard, and when I come back next time, write a few more poems for me to read."

"Grandson will definitely work hard!"

After a pause, Fan Ning said with a smile again: "This poem may make the third grandpa feel better."

After speaking, he ran away without a trace.

． ． ． ． ． ． ． ．
Fan Zhongyan walked slowly along the river, reading the words Fan Ning wrote to him while walking:
"Recalling the King and Sun. Taihu Lake Farewell"

Climbing the mountain and facing the water to send the general back, don't be sad and parting.There is no need to go to complain about Luohui, people in the past are wrong, only geese fly in autumn every year.

Fan Zhongyan's eyes lit up. This is a very interesting collection of lines. Although each line is a quotation from an ancient poem, the combination has a new meaning.

Being able to connect the words and phrases of the ancients naturally is something only a very talented person can do. This child is really a rare gifted child prodigy!
Not to mention where he read these verses, but this farewell poem itself expresses his reluctance to himself, and expresses a hope that he can support him.

What a good child, but he left because he was dissatisfied with his grandfather.

At this time, Fan Zhongyan thought of Fan Ning's pure eyes, and the infinite vitality contained in his rosy smiling face, and at this moment his heart became full of vitality.

． ． ． ． ． ． ． ．
In the room, Zhang Sanniang was still complaining about her husband.

"It's rare that third uncle likes Ning'er, and you don't ask third uncle to help. How can it be so easy to get into Yanying Academy?"

Fan Tiezhou was repairing the hoe, and answered his wife's complaints in a muffled voice.

"We just rely on our own ability to take the exam, and if we can't pass the exam, we go to the government-run school in the town. No matter where we go, I believe that our son is the brightest pearl."

Zhang Sanniang sighed, "I also hope that Ning'er will give us a good fight and let your father see how he treats the pearl as rubble!"

At this time, a cough suddenly came from outside.

Fan Tiezhou hurried out of the house, only to see Uncle San standing in the yard.

Fan Tiezhou scratched the back of his head, "Is there anything else the third uncle wants to do?"

Fan Zhongyan smiled slightly: "I forgot to ask just now, I'm going to the capital tomorrow, I wonder if Ning'er is willing to leave home for a month?"

(End of this chapter)