Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 2 How to establish a character

The layout of Lai's yard is similar to that of Jia's house. Entering through the gate are the stables and the male servants' quarters.

After entering the Yimen, there is a study room and a reception area. There is also a south-facing hall for daily reception of foreign guests.

After passing the Neiyi Gate, the five main houses and the group of houses behind are all Lai Shangrong's residence, but he usually lives in the back garden for studying in order to keep himself clean.

There are two cross-yards in the east and west, which are the yards of Lai Da and Lai Madam.

The reason why the main house is the residence of Lai Shangrong instead of Lai Da is actually related to regulations.

Ancient times were no different than modern times. As long as you had money, you could do anything. Feudal society had a strict hierarchical system, ranging from punishment in lawsuits to food, clothing, housing, transportation, titles, etc. There were differences among each class.

It is just the tip of the iceberg that businessmen who are well-known in later generations cannot wear silk and satin.

Lai Jia's servants, even if they have money, they can't live in such a house.But four years ago when Lai Shangrong won Juren, the situation was different.

Not only did he realize the freedom of dressing, but he also had various privileges such as tax exemption. This house was also built in his name after he won the election.

On the one hand, everyone else except him is the private property of the Jia family, and there is no guarantee that they will not be coveted in the future; on the other hand, he is the only one qualified to live in a yard of this size.

When I arrived at the Dongkua Courtyard, I saw Mr. Cheap with his brows furrowed and sitting in a chair in a daze.

At this time, he had just arrived at Chenchu. He had only been to Rong Mansion for an hour, and he came back to look for him in a hurry. Something must have happened.

"Father! Why are you back now? But what's the matter?"

Lai Dalu stood up from the chair, walked in front of him in three steps at a time, and sighed, "Oh! The second master came to me today, saying that the grandfather of ethnology had no intention of teaching because of his grandson's death, and wanted you to go Temporarily."

No wonder the old man was worried. Although he failed the exam twice, he was still young after all. It wouldn't be a problem to take the exam three times in three years, let alone three years. How could Lai Da be willing to delay his future.

Just under the roof, Jia Zheng had already said it, and there was no room for him to refuse.

Lai Da didn't know that Lai Shangrong was already resting after his Chunwei defeat and planned to implement alternative plans.

Therefore, instead of resisting the teaching of ethnic studies, it is helpful to perform it better than planned.

Although he was eager to try it in his heart, he said on his mouth: "I told you to get out in time, but you didn't listen to me!"

After winning the election, he originally planned to let his family take the opportunity to deregister, but the family was reluctant to part with the benefits of being a steward of the Duke's government and hesitated.In addition, after his failure in the Spring Festival, his right to speak plummeted, so that he missed the opportunity.

Otherwise, according to his thinking, it would not be difficult to start some businesses based on his previous business experience after his parents deregistered their citizenship.

At this time, the old things were brought up again, not out of resentment, but just to take the opportunity to solidify their idea of ​​deportation.

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Lai Da gritted his teeth and said: "Your future will be delayed because of the useless screwdriver. It's better to resign from the job altogether and let Grandma Ni go to the old lady to ask for grace. It's better than delaying it." you."

Giving up the blame at this time is tantamount to turning against each other.

Lai Shangrong also felt heartwarming after hearing this. Without comparison, there would be no harm. Compared with Jia She and Jia Zhen's behavior, it was luck to rely on the Lai family.

"You have to get rid of your status, but there is no need to hold it back. What you have learned from the boring head is dead. If you can explain it to them, it will be easier for them to understand it."

"You really won't be delayed?"

"It's okay! I'll talk to Uncle Zheng later, just reduce the daily classes!"

Because of Aunt Lai's relationship, although the Lai family was a slave in the Jia family, they were more dignified than ordinary masters. Even Jia She and Jia Zheng called Lai Da a steward.

Lai Shangrong was not a servant of the Jia family, but he was also a civil servant, so he could be called Uncle Zheng.When Lai Da heard that his son said that teaching was helpful for the imperial examination and that he wanted to reduce the teaching time, he no longer resisted.

He comforted his father a few more words.

Lai Shangrong returned to Yuanzi's study, sat down in front of the desk and began to meditate.

What he said before were not all empty words to comfort Lai Da. Modern people have stereotypes about imperial examinations and eight-legged essays.

The eight-part essay is not so much a formatted article as it is a crossword puzzle. It is similar to Sudoku in the previous life and can be regarded as a kind of thinking and intelligence game.

It's just more complicated than that, because if you change the numbers to Chinese characters, the arrangement and combination methods are improved by orders of magnitude. You also need to consider rhyme, and you need to quote scriptures to express your ideas.

This is also the reason why some people cannot pass the exam in their entire lives, but Jia Baoyu easily passed the exam after two years of hard work.

It has nothing to do with learning, but a matter of way of thinking and intelligence.

In addition to the eight-part essay test in the first round of the imperial examination, the following exams also covered judgments, tables, policy arguments, etc.

Of course, it is also true that the eight-part essay is the most important. It is mainly for the convenience of marking. As long as the eight-part essay is qualified, it is considered to be passed. The following few tests are related to the ranking.

I won't go into detail one by one.

His original plan was to improve his papermaking technology, improve his reputation among scholars, and then choose a suitable opportunity to become an official.

The reason why he tried so hard was because he didn't want to leave the capital. Otherwise, according to the practice of appointing people to official positions, the county magistrate would have to be released.

Once she leaves Beijing, she will be out of reach, and the fate with all the golden hairpins may only stop at Qingwen.

Well... maybe if the operation is good, Yuanyang may not have no chance.It's just that his ambitions are quite big, so how can he stop there.

Ancient papermaking was different from modern papermaking. The ancients did not know that alkali could dissolve impurities in papermaking materials without destroying the fibers.

Therefore, the selection of materials for papermaking in ancient times was harsh, and the pulp was purely made by manpower, and the cost was several times higher than that of later generations.

Precisely because paper is expensive, many children from poor families cannot even afford books, let alone paper for handwriting practice.

If he can change the current situation of expensive paper and allow more children from poor families to afford education, he will occupy the commanding heights among scholars, which is the greatest political correctness.

Then make the formula public at the right time, and cooperate with some publicity work. Even if you fail to pass the Jinshi examination, you will be able to become an official.

This is also a last resort. It is not a crime for an ordinary person to have a jade in his possession, and it is not a good thing to make too much profit.

But now that Jia Zheng asked him to teach, he also had some more ideas.

He knew the qualifications of Jia Baoyu and Jia Lan. If he could get them to take the exam in advance, they would not need to pass the exam. As long as they passed the exam, he would have established his reputation as a famous teacher.

By then, the two will work together to make the character more fleshed out.

After all, due to the limitations of the times, it is not clear that technology is the primary productive force. It is only regarded as a craftsman’s job with strange skills.Coupled with the identity of a famous teacher, it is a different situation. People have to dig deeper into his original intention of improving papermaking, and his image instantly becomes taller.

Even if the Jia family suffers disaster in the future, he will be immune to all poisons and all kinds of evil.

What's more, you can also use this to get in touch with Li Wan, Qin Keqing, Tan Chun and other golden hairpins who hope that their sons and brothers will become dragons. Why not do it.

However, this incident also reminded him that his parents' deregistration must be put on the agenda. Otherwise, when he becomes an official in the future, it will be really difficult for the Jia family to make any unreasonable demands.

(End of this chapter)