Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 5 The Ultimate Art
"Second Master!"

"Good nephew! How many times have I told you, you have a great reputation, just call me Uncle Zheng!"

"Yes! Uncle Zheng!"

In Jia Zhengwai's study, after greetings, the host and guest took their seats.

The waiter served tea, and Jia Zheng said, "Butler Lai, have you told me? If my nephew has any difficulties, just ask."

Jia Zheng's words were polite, but instead of talking about his father, he called Butler Lai, which actually gave him no room to refuse.

Since Lai Shangrong has decided to teach, there is no need to be thankless and offend others with his words.

He smiled and said, "Uncle Zheng is serious! Without the grace of the old lady and the gentlemen, my nephew would not be what he is today. How can there be any difficulty in trivial matters."

Seeing how knowledgeable he was, Jia Zheng stroked his beard and smiled and said: "In that case, I will ask them to check the date later and choose a day to reopen the clan school!"

Lai Shangrong nodded and said: "The start of classes is of great importance, and we must choose a good day. However, it will take a lot of effort to change the status quo of clan studies. The juniors came here to talk to Uncle Zheng in advance."

This sentence spoke to Jia Zheng's heart. The reason why he asked Lai Shangrong to teach was not only because of Lai Shangrong's status as a scholar, but also because he was Lai's eldest son.

The capital is so big, and the four princes and eight princes are even more intertwined. Although the turmoil in the Jia family last year was just a play among children, it also became a joke among nobles.

Jia Zheng always wanted to save face and always wanted to reverse this situation.

Jia Dairu's unwillingness to teach also gave him a chance.

But my family knows my own affairs. Even if I hire a teacher from outside, how can the powerful slaves of the Duke's government take those poor people in their eyes? If they cause any trouble, the shame will not only be limited to the nobles.

But he himself was impatient to discipline his servants in such chores.

After thinking about it, Lai Shangrong was not only the eldest son, but also the eldest son. Even if Baoyu, Jia Huan and others caused some trouble, as long as the servants did not dare to act rashly, it would not be a big deal.

Unexpectedly, Lai Shangrong actually thought of the same thing as him, and hurriedly said: "My nephew, if you have any ideas, just tell me!"

Lai Shangrong didn't show off, and said with a smile: "As far as I know, there are many good and bad students in clan schools. Many of them are not seeds of study. They are just greedy for a few taels of paper money every month. It is better to filter out some."

Jia Zheng did not expect that Lai Shangrong would reduce the number of people. If word spread about this, it would be said that the Jia family was neglecting their relatives or trying to save money, wouldn't it be contrary to his original intention.

"After all, we are all close relatives, how can we open this mouth!"

Lai Shangrong didn't know what Jia Zheng was thinking, he just thought he was really in trouble.

After thinking for a while, he said: "It would be a pity if a good young man like Brother Bao was delayed because of this. In the past, Meng's mother even moved three times just for a good study environment!"

"Inappropriate! Inappropriate! If this matter spreads out, wouldn't it mean that he treats his relatives harshly?"

Only then did Lai Shangrong realize that Jia Zheng was concerned about his reputation. He originally thought that he would have to spend a lot of money to seize the right to screen, but he didn't expect it to be so simple.

He said hurriedly: "Uncle Zheng, don't worry. Since he teaches, he is also called a master and a disciple. Although the junior is just a disciple, it is impossible for him to teach everyone!"

Jia Zheng's eyes lit up: "Hmm! That's reasonable. It's really not good to force my nephew! Then...then let my nephew consider the responsibility of selection?"

After finding out Jia Zheng's true thoughts, I can no longer copy the previous drafts.

Lai Shangrong thought for a moment and then continued: "Juniors think that the teaching time should not be too long. After all, they are young people at heart, and being restrained for a long time will be counterproductive. It is better to teach for half a day and assign homework for them to complete."

Jia Zheng nodded and said, "That's fine. After all, my nephew also needs to study, so he can't let it go to waste."

"It's all thanks to the grace of the family that this junior is here today. It's a great honor to be able to contribute. Therefore, if you want to take over temporarily, it's not necessary. It's better to tentatively decide for one year. Uncle Zheng will decide according to the situation." Jia Zheng's temporary appointment is just an excuse. Seeing that he has to do it for a long time, there is no reason why he would not want to.

"Okay! Okay! You are so thoughtful, so I can rest assured that I will leave the clan studies to you."

Lai Shangrong said a few words of humility. Perhaps Jia Zheng was afraid that he would regret it, or perhaps he was impatient to bother again, so he immediately called Jia Lian.

While finalizing the start date of the school in five days, he also ordered Jia Lian to convey the spirit of the meeting on the ethnic education admission system from door to door, so that relatives who want to enroll in school should go to Lai's house to be screened by Lai Shangrong.

Regarding the people with the Jia surname in the ethnography, everyone tacitly agreed not to mention it.

Lai Shangrong and Jia Lian were sent away.

Jia Zheng didn't know about Lai Shangrong's persuasion to learn from Baoyu, so he thought about going to Mrs. Wang to give some advice, and then going to Aunt Zhao's room to rest.

Arriving at the back room of the upper room, Mrs. Wang had just finished packing and was about to take a rest.

Seeing Jia Zheng coming in at this moment, I thought that today there were two good things. In the first case, Lai Shangrong persuaded his son to succeed, and in the second, the master stayed overnight. The happiness came so suddenly, I couldn't help but be overjoyed, and hurriedly got up to greet him.

While holding Jia Zheng's arm and sitting on the Kang, he said tremblingly: "Master!~"

Jia Zheng didn't notice anything strange, and said in a deep voice: "In a few days, Lai's eldest son will go to the clan school to teach. You can tell Baoyu to listen to the class well. If he causes trouble again this time, I will not be lenient."

Mrs. Wang secretly thought that Lai Shangrong was really a lucky general. Not only did he solve the problem of his son going to school, but Jia Zheng's recent visit was also related to him.

Although the Lai family was Jia Mu's confidant, they couldn't help adding fuel and jealousy, and told Jia Zheng how Lai Shangrong persuaded Baoyu to learn from Baoyu in Rongqing Hall.

"Oh! Is there something else like this? This kid is so calm that he didn't even reveal anything in front of me!"

Although Jia Zheng was informed and knew that Lai Shangrong had gone to Jia's mother to say hello before meeting him, he did not expect that there would be an invitation to study.

Listening to Mrs. Wang's vows, combined with Lai Shangrong's methodical handling, I can't help but yearn for Baoyu Chan Palace to win the title, and he can be proud and proud in front of all the nobles and colleagues.

Mrs. Wang observed his words and saw the corner of his mouth raised. She hurriedly smiled and said: "He is in a family like that. He was able to win the imperial examination at a young age. He must be extraordinary. Besides, he dared to boast in front of the old lady and persuaded her with just a few words. If you get Baoyu, that Baoyu will be successful in his career in three to five years, so it will probably be the same."

The more he talked, the more he felt that this was the case, and the blood surged up, making his cheeks white and rosy.

Jia Zheng was originally just longing for it, but now the more he listened, the more reliable it became, and he felt even more proud of his wise decision.

"That's natural! Otherwise, how difficult would it be for our family to find a tutor? Why would I want him to teach!"

Mrs. Wang has been married to him for many years and knows his character well.

He hurriedly flattered him and said, "I still know how to recognize people!"

Mrs. Wang is over forty years old. No matter how well-maintained she is, the traces of time cannot be concealed. Jia Zheng has not stayed here for two or three years.

At this time, I was so happy to be praised that I couldn't say anything about going to Aunt Zhao. I glanced at the old wife and saw that the rosy face was nothing compared to the young man.

I thought to myself, if you eat too much refined grains, sometimes you need to feed your stomach with miscellaneous grains, not to mention...

He said seriously: "It's night! There is still something to do at the Yamen tomorrow!"

"Hey! Jin Chuan! Hurry! Wait for the master to wash up!"

(End of this chapter)