Red Mansion Reader

Chapter 13

"Master, is there anything wrong?"

Chen Heng stood beside the desk, looking at Wang Xianming's old face under the light.He is now 51, has some gray hair growing on his head, and his eyesight is not as good as before.

Using the dim light, Wang Xianming read the article written by Chen Heng and said with emotion: "Heng'er, the more you write, the better you write. You have grasped the essentials of the eight-legged essay from beginning to end."

Chen Heng was not complacent. As he grew older, he became more and more prudent in handling things, and he also knew that Wang Xianming still had something to say.

"As a teacher, I know your talents best. With your current writing skills, passing the county test is a piece of cake. Apart from the hard ranking, I can't fault you as a teacher. It's just..."

Wang Xianming pointed to the white paper covered with pen and ink in his hand, and continued to Chen Heng, "I read your article as a teacher. There are many flowers and flowers, but I still feel wrong after reading it. I want you to polish it again, but I don't know where to start."

Wang Xianming let out a sigh. As an old boy, Wang Xianming and the article are indeed less knowledgeable.It doesn't feel right to belong to me, but if you ask me to teach you to change, you have made a difficult situation.

"You should know that if you can get a good rank in the county test, the government test will be defeated by itself. If you can still get a good rank in the government test, you can put half your hand on the fame of a scholar."

Wang Xianming shook his head to himself, implying that he hoped that Chen Heng could bear with it.Going to take the county test this year may not be the best choice.

If you can sharpen your writing skills, you will be No. 1 in the county examination in the future, and you will pass the government examination without accident.Only after passing the government examination can one be regarded as a real child and take the first step in the transformation from civilian to scholar.

Chen Heng didn't know Wang Xianming's worries and expectations. He had been carefully taught by his master for more than two years, and he didn't dare to relax for a day.All they want is to achieve something in the imperial examination.

But time doesn't wait for me.

The anxiety in Chen Heng's heart did not dare to tell Wang Xianming.

This matter has to start with Chen Heng's second uncle. Since Chen Huaijin went to Xue's pawn shop in the county with Chen Sande two years ago, he did not know what kind of luck he had, and he was able to take money back home every now and then.

At the beginning, it was still a few tens of Wen, dozens of Wen, and later it was hundreds of Wen.During the Chinese New Year this year, when Chen Huaijin was having dinner with his family, he paid three taels of silver to the Zhou family, which made Chen Heng deeply feel that disaster was imminent.

Grandma Zhou also asked about the origin of the money, and Chen Huaijin always said that it was a reward from the shopkeeper.Mrs. Zhou didn't get suspicious either, she just smiled and praised her son for his ability.After all, people in the village often go to the county, and when they pass by the pawn shop, they can see Chen Huaijin busy in it.

But these words also deceive the old people who don't go out at home. Chen Heng is anxious in his eyes.It's not that he hasn't seen the world in his previous life, the reason his superiors can give you money like this is to silence you, or make you do something shameful.

With little knowledge, Chen Heng didn't know what was waiting for him in the future.He couldn't change his second uncle, so he could only force himself to take part in the imperial examination, hoping that he would be able to seek fame and fame when the disaster was imminent.

Seeing that his disciple was silent, Wang Xianming knew that he couldn't persuade the boy to take the imperial examination.I can only persuade Chen Heng to go home and rest first, and let himself think at home.

Wang Xianming, who was bothered, didn't say anything. After Chen Heng got home, he took out his books and studied hard as usual.His family knew his family affairs, he knew the problems of his article, Chen Heng could feel that he was standing in front of a gate, as long as he opened it, there would be a vast sea and sky behind him.

It's just that this door not only blocked him, but also blocked the Master and many people.

…………

…………

this night.

Wang Xianming lay in bed for a long time and couldn't sleep, Liu didn't know when was the last time he saw him like this, so he couldn't help but ask a lot.Wang Xianming didn't intend to say it at first, but he couldn't stand Liu's entanglement, so he could only express his troubles.

"You are so confused!" After hearing that, Mrs. Liu, the teacher's mother, put her foot on Wang Xianming's body, really anxious and angry, "You don't understand yourself, why don't you ask someone for advice? You have delayed Heng'er's important affairs and ruined his youthful spirit. I see what you will regret in the future."

Wang Xianming shuddered when he heard the words, and he immediately thought of those scholars who had broken their halberds in the examination room.How many people with substantial talents and learning have become depressed day by day due to one or two failures, and have embarked on a wrong path that is not as good as every day.

Originally, all he could think of was to let Chen Heng achieve it overnight, and stand directly beside him and look at the gate of the scholar together.Thinking about it now, if Chen Heng fails the imperial examination and wastes the energy in his heart, who knows what will happen in the future.Thinking of this, he was expecting only with hidden worries, but now he also became flustered.

"What to do, what to do." Wang Xianming was trembling even when he spoke, his face was red with anxiety.The more he thought about it, the worse it became, and even the small problems that he didn't pay attention to before became a lot bigger.

"What are you still doing in a daze, get up and write a letter." Mrs. Liu pushed Wang Xianming out of the bed, got up and dressed herself, and paced around the room, "I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up when I write a letter to Dad now."

Liu Shi suddenly thought of someone, "Why don't you write a letter to Ruhai."

"This...he's busy with official duties, so I'm afraid it's not good." Wang Xianming showed hesitation. He already knew that Lin Xiucai was the current inspector of salt in Yangzhou back then, and he was a minor official. (Note 1)

Thinking of writing to him, Wang Xianming became angry and subconsciously wanted to avoid this option.

"No matter how busy he is, it doesn't matter if he takes some time to take a look. In the past two years, I have relied on your face, and every time I went to his house as a guest, I didn't take you with me. When they asked, I also reasoned that you would teach at home. Now, for Heng'er's big event, you can't even give up this bit of face?"

Mrs. Liu is really a Zhuge among women, and she hit Wang Xianming's seven inches in a few words.The latter didn't hesitate anymore, and asked his wife to hold the lamp quickly, and started writing directly in the dormitory.

In the letter, he clarified his confusion one by one, and found three of Chen Heng's latest articles, put them all in envelopes, and pasted them with plaster.

The next day, the letter was sent to the county through Murakami's Kenzu.

Three days later, that is, the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, this letter arrived at the Lin residence as scheduled.Lin Ruhai, who came back from the Yamen at night, received the envelope from Shanxi Village from the porter, still a little confused.

After he opened the letter in the study, after reading the contents of the letter, he picked up Chen Heng's article and read it again.Can't help laughing: "No wonder, no wonder. The fog obscures the eyes, and you don't know it when you enter the forest."

"My sister sent me a letter, but there is something urgent."

The door of the study room was pushed open, before the sound of people arrived, Lin Ruhai knew that the only person who could come in at this time was his first wife, Jia Shi, and those concubines would never dare to come here to disturb them, so they got up and walked out quickly.

Jia Shi walked under the lamplight, the dim candlelight made her luxurious clothes even more beautiful, her beautiful face was tired, her almond eyes were drooping, presumably she caused a lot of trouble to her son during the day.

Lin Ruhai took her into his arms, and said with a smile, "It's brother-in-law's disciple who has something to do with the article."

Jia Shi nodded, only put down the brewed ginseng tea in his hands, and advised: "Msang Gong, drink it while it's hot." Then he joked: "This brother-in-law has only met once or twice in the past two years. I must be really anxious to take the initiative to write today."

Jia's birth was like a hibiscus in August, she laughed before saying a word, and under the lights, Lin Ruhai was dumbfounded, making this middle-aged man feel distracted.

Seeing the teasing in Jia's eyes, Lin Ruhai came to his senses, restrained his mind, and said with a smile, "If not, how could I be your brother-in-law?"

Mrs. Jia just nodded and smiled, since Lin Ruhai came to Yangzhou as an errand, there are many wealthy salt merchants around him, most of these people are people who follow power, they say nice things in different ways, and give them rare treasures for reasons.Even the Jia family, who is used to seeing riches and honors, is often shocked by their lavishness.

However, this Liu family is valued by her husband.But every time she is invited to the house as a guest, she is a bit reserved in her enthusiasm.Occasionally, he came to the door, and his speech was restrained. He neither inquired about official affairs, nor asked about Lin Fu's family affairs, just chatting.

During the back and forth communication, even Mrs. Jia could see how good Mrs. Liu was. No wonder her husband could always call Mrs. Liu his elder sister.Rather than chatting with those wives every day, this well-born Jia Shi prefers Liu Shi's sincere and straightforward character, at least it doesn't take much effort to talk about it.

"Go and see if Yu'er is asleep. After I finish writing the letter, I will go over to accompany you." Lin Ruhai persuaded his wife after drinking ginseng tea.

"it is good."

After Jia's return, Lin Ruhai pondered for a moment, then picked up a pen and swiped ink on the letter.

On the second day, when Lin Ruhai went out, he asked the concierge to deliver the letter to the post station.

Another three days later, the 21st of the first lunar month.

Wang Xianming was dumbfounded when he received the reply. If Jianzu, who delivered the letter, hadn't repeatedly assured that he hadn't taken it by mistake, he would have suspected that Lin Ruhai had taken the wrong letter.

But judging from the handwriting, it was indeed written by Lin Ruhai himself, with Wang Xianming's alias written at the end.Wang Xianming had no choice but to call Chen Heng to his side, handed him the letter, and let Chen Heng make his own decision.

Chen Heng took a look and was also dumbfounded.

I saw the letter said: Why don't you go out and put a paper kite?
　Note 1: Regarding Father Lin's official position, outsiders have different opinions. Some say that his official position is high and powerful, and some say that the official position is not worth mentioning.

　　Personally, I don't think either is right.One is that salt administration is the most important weapon of the country, and it cannot be done by ordinary people.The second is that Lin's father is Tanhua again, and also served as a doctor of Lantai Temple. This official is not a big one, and belongs to the speech officer.It is certain that the emperor likes Father Lin, but it is unreasonable to say that he is directly promoted to manage the world's salt administration, which is a violation of official rules.And there is no reason for a country's ministers not to go to the local government to work in the central government.So I made a change.

　　In the future, unless there is a special need, some explanations will not be posted, anyway, they are all empty, let's let go of the brushwork and move forward.

　　PS: Good news by the way, we are about to sign a contract.Lol, we don't even have a cover, yet we are about to sign a contract. It's a mysterious feeling.Thank you all, by the way, I would like to ask for some recommendation tickets, thank you very much.

　　


(End of this chapter)